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Mickey helps open Test Track

Test Track, with new digital design vision, Re-Opens for Multi-Sensory Fun!

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The re-imagined version of Test Track officially reopened tonight with a small ceremony and a giant party. Disney execs, VIPs, media, dignitaries, and even the lowly Disney blogger were all invited in to enter the world of automotive design as never before, creating their own virtual concept, then boarding a “SimCar” ride vehicle to race through a thrilling series of performance tests.

Mickey helps open Test Track

For the dedication ceremony, Mickey Mouse took the stage with Disney parks president Meg Crofton and Alan Batey, CMO at GM, to officially open Test Track. The band One Republic was also on hand to help the attraction get a rocking start.

The iconic Epcot attraction, a new collaboration between Chevrolet Design and the creative team of Walt Disney Imagineering, celebrates how meticulous design not only shapes the look of Chevrolet cars, trucks and crossovers, but drives their performance on the open road.

For inspiration for the project, Walt Disney Imagineers made numerous visits to Detroit, collaborating with Chevrolet designers and touring the inner sanctums of Chevrolet’s design studios.

“As storytellers, to be able to tell Chevrolet’s design story was fun for our Imagineers,” said Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of WDI. “Chevrolet designers come from the same creative roots as Imagineers. Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will become, for Epcot guests, an exciting part of their visit to Walt Disney World Resort.”

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New Fantasyland Introduction From Tom Staggs

Tom Staggs

Last night, the media was invited to get acquainted with New Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom at a special party. When Tom Staggs moved from Disney CFO to Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts he played an important role in moving the expansion away from a princess and pixie dominated attraction mix and into the more balanced mix of attractions it will become when the Mine Train opens in 2014. So it was great to have him give an introduction to the expansion, even if reading off the teleprompter isn’t quite second nature to him yet.

The presentation featured a few clips of Imagineers sharing their excitement for the land and a special new computer simulation of what riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster would be like.

Here is the presentation given to the media in its entirety. If you just want to see the new version of the virtual Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride, I’ve highlighted that in it’s own video below the jump

That was it. The media will get a larger presentation on what’s new and what’s next on Friday morning. So stay tuned.
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Behind the Scenes Video of New Fantasyland Construction – Part 2

We head back to the beginning of construction for the New Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom with these next two videos. The Little Mermaid and Enchanted Tales with Belle are the only two ‘attractions’ to open in Fairytale Forest section of the expansion. Here’s… Read More »Behind the Scenes Video of New Fantasyland Construction – Part 2

Outside the Berm – News from Beyond Disney via THRLLD

Even from the very beginning of The Disney Blog, we’ve always included news from other theme parks and entertainment companies in our coverage; particularly when they’re doing something that encroaches on Disney’s domain. However, there is much more to these topics than just what relates… Read More »Outside the Berm – News from Beyond Disney via THRLLD

Believe in Fantasy Speculation

The official opening of New Fantasyland is just around the corner. As Disney is wont to do, they have arranged a press event around the opening and announced a special look at what’s next for the Walt Disney World Resort coming toward the end that… Read More »Believe in Fantasy Speculation

Splitsville facade

Splitsville Construction and Downtown Disney Update

Splitsville facade

I was at Downtown Disney last night to catch the latest James Bond flick (finally, the reboot the franchise deserved) and was impressed with the progress made on Splitsville in the last week or so. The tarps are down from the facade and the bowling lanes have been installed. But there are many areas where walls need to be finished, railings added in, not to mention furniture loaded in and the kitchen finished and tested.

Workers were still going at it at 9:30pm when I left last night. That tells me they’re working in overdrive to get the place open as soon as they can. I just doubt they’ll make the early December date they had originally projected. I’d love to be proven wrong though.

Splitsville Progress

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Celebrate the Magic

Celebrate The Magic – Complete Video of new Castle Projection Show

Celebrate the Magic

A new digital projection castle show officially premiered this week. Each night guests at the Magic Kingdom will experience the new nighttime show, filled with special effects and magic, projected onto Cinderella Castle. In “Celebrate the Magic,” 189-foot tall Cinderella Castle becomes a shimmering canvas, transforming the Castle into a rocket, a gingerbread house, a circus tent, a jungle, a video game, the Cheshire Cat and more. Dozens of favorite Disney and Pixar characters also appear in playful animated sequences. Right now Cinderella Castle is decorated with holiday lights, which adds an extra element of magic as well.

Celebrate the Magic

“Celebrate the Magic” is a journey to the heart of the most beloved Disney stories and characters, according to show director Katy Harris. The show features many new segments, including Brave and Wreck-it Ralph, and also incorporate favorite elements from the previous projection show , “The Magic, The Memories and You!,” which ran from January of 2011 to September 2012.

Here’s a short video with highlights from the show and a few comments from the show’s producer Katy Harris.

The spectacle is scheduled most nights, with up to two shows per night, depending on theme park operating hours and other special ticketed events. If you can’t make it out to the park to see it in person, I’ve included a full length version of the show below the jump:

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Mickey Mouse at hte Magic Kingdom in his xmas finest

Holiday Highlights for Walt Disney World

Mickey Mouse at hte Magic Kingdom in his xmas finest

Walt Disney World is out with its annual list of activities for the Christmas season at the parks and resorts. At first glance, it’s not all that impressive of a list. There’s nothing major that’s new and many of the favorite activities from former years remain retired. That said, there’s still nothing as magical as Walt Disney World when it’s decorated for the winter holidays. There may be less of it, but it’s still head and shoulders over what is offered by most of its rivals.

Visitors to Walt Disney World will be able to experience some of the yuletide glow as early as November 9. There’s also an extra night of merry at the Magic Kingdom with 20 nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party; and at Epcot, Candlelight Processional. Here are some additional highlights:

Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will have its longest-ever run with 20 magical nights from November 9-December 21. For a quarter century, Walt Disney World guests have been mesmerized by this must-see event, a grandly festive tradition immersing families in the holiday spirit. Dates for 2012: Nov. 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30 and Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21. Beginning at 7 p.m. (after regular park hours), guests with special event tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can enjoy all the holiday splendor with lively stage shows, spectacular fireworks, a unique holiday parade and favorite holiday traditions including complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. For more information, visit www.Disneyworld.com/Christmasparty. NOTE: this is a hard ticket special event after regular park hours; purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Entertainment, Fireworks and More: Santa’s elves have transformed the Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland with festive wreaths, bows, garland, sparkling lights, parades and towering Christmas trees. The fun includes the Holiday Wishes nighttime spectacular: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, plus live entertainment with Disney characters all dressed up for the holidays.

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