When Star Tours closed for an update at Disneyland with a D23 event, it really closed. But here in Orlando, flights are still departing daily to Endor until September 7th when D23 is holding an event for the Hollywood Studios version of the attraction. ‘s… Read More »Flights still Departing to Endor in Orlando
The Star Wars convention Celebration V is in Orlando this weekend and Disney has used the moment to debut a new video that teases the upcoming changes to its Star Tours attraction. The video was introduced by Imagineer Jason Surrell, and C-3PO himself, actor Anthony… Read More »New Star Tours video released
Out / In Endor / Anywhere Adventures by Disney / Destinations by Disney Charging for Internet / Free Wi-Fi DVC Construction / Affordable Family Suites Parades / Street Parties LOST / ??? Broadcast TV / Apple TV Stitch / Harry Potter Open Seas / Desert… Read More »The Out and In Disney Predictions for 2010
When Star Tours II (aka Star Tours 2.0) was officially announced at D23 they showed some 3D podracer footage with your StarSpeeder actually racing along the Tatooine course. While the footage was amazingly cool, it led to some speculation that the whole show would be… Read More »Star Tours II – Details Leak Out
Update: New Video of the Star Tours II 3D footage that was shown at the expo below. The eventually arrival of Star Tours 2.0 was worst kept secret over the last few years. From artists at Lucasfilm talking about their work to Anthony Daniels reporting… Read More »Star Tours 2.0 In 3D Arriving in 2011
The leaked plans for the Magic Kingdom Fantasyland expansion appear to be mostly, if not totally, true. This based on announcements from Jay Rasulo at the D23 Expo today. There’s some good detail of the plans at my previous post looking at the blueprints. Now we also have some gorgeous concept art to go with it. (click for larger versions)
Update: download 2.5 mb larger version here.
This concept art shows the expanded area from the POV of above Cinderella Castle. In the front left you see the ‘castle walls’ from which you will travel through into the various Princess Realms. Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel all have their own castles (aka meet and greet areas). The Beauty and the Beast realm will also have a new dinner show.
Ariel’s castle will contain the Little Mermaid attraction that’s also being installed at California Adventure.
At this point the Fantasyland Expansion concept art differs a bit from the blue prints we saw. Tinker Bell and the fairies still get their Pixie Hollow (which will be phase two of the expansion), but the Dumbo attraction (see concept drawing below) is moved to the other side where Goofy’s Barstormer and Donald’s boat is now. There is also a coaster in the back that is not on the blue prints. I’ll be curious to see how this all turns out in the final version.
The new Dumbo attraction will have two spinners and, apparently, more of a circus theme. The blue prints specify an ‘interactive queue’ which, based on this art, would appear to be more living character initiative animatronics. Think Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story Midway Mania queue.
All this, Jay says, will be open in 2012. A year late for the 40th Anniversay of the MK. But not too shabby a schedule. I would like to have seen another solid ‘ride’ type attraction, something aimed at the whole family instead of another meet and greet/mini-show. But the dinner show and the themeing look pretty outstanding.
Follow below the jump for the full press release related to all of Jay’s park announcements:
Over on /film, Word has leaked that filming for the long rumored Star Tours 2.0 has finally begun. We already know that some voice tracks have been laid (confirmed by the Anthony Daniels, the voice of C-3PO at Star Wars Celebration IV) and that some… Read More »Star Tours 2.0 filming at last?
It’s Friday morning and time to close some of my open tabs by passing those links along in what is perhaps a more brusque fashion than the topics really deserve. My apologies in advance.
Finally, below the cut meet TOFU. He’s a robot that emulates the ‘squash and squat’ techniques of Disney animation developed by students at MIT. I hope someone from Imagineering already has this inventor on the phone.
