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MyMagic+ – NextGen Rollout Questions, Answer, and more Questions

If you missed the news, Thomas Staggs has made Disney’s most clear statement to date on exactly what NextGen will bring to the parks. The guest will encounter it via the MyMagic+ program. There’s a fairly good write up on the program by Brooks Barnes in the New York Times.

There was also this bit officially released by Disney:

With MyMagic+ Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is taking another step forward to evolve “how” guests experience Disney Parks and is using technology to make it easier than ever before for guests to make the most of their Walt Disney World visit. Many of these efforts fall under the umbrella of MyMagic+, which has the ability to connect nearly all aspects of the guest experience and make it better for everyone, at no additional charge.

A new website and mobile app called My Disney Experience provides a one-stop shop for all things Walt Disney World throughout every phase of a guest’s vacation. It will enable guests to:Read More »MyMagic+ – NextGen Rollout Questions, Answer, and more Questions

Parking Lot Security & Safety Troubles at Walt Disney World

No cameras in this parking lot

The first and last moment of many a guest’s day at the vacation kingdom is an encounter with a huge asphalt parking lot. There, they are parked like sheet metal sardines, seemingly always at the farthest point possible from the tram. At the end of the night, there is the long (and sometimes windy, wet, and/or cold) tram ride back to the car, which hopefully is where they remember it being and not in some other whimsically named section.

So imagine the anguish of a family who returns to their vehicle after a long day of Disney fun only to find someone has stolen pretty much everything from your car. It happens all the time including this story on WESH. Later when security & police arrive, the family learns that this is a regular problem at Walt Disney World with thieves driving the parking lots with special devices that attempt to unlock car doors remotely.

The nature of a family vacation makes these parking lots a target rich environment for thieves. Many a family checks out of their hotel on the last day, but still spends time in the parks before heading back home. For most families there is little choice but to leave your luggage in your car during this process.
Read More »Parking Lot Security & Safety Troubles at Walt Disney World

Festival of the Lion King Relocation Plans Revealed

Back in August we had the news that the most popular and best rated show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and, quite possibly, on property, the Festival of the Lion King, was scheduled to move to a new location. The biggest open questions where when and where. We now know the where and it’s likely the when will come soon.

FotLK had to move to make way for Avatar, which will be coming to where Camp Minnie Mickey is now. Cast members were notified that it would shuttering early in 2013, but so far there hasn’t been much progress as to how the move would be made.

In paperwork filed with the Florida water district management agency, we now know that the FotLK theater will be moved to a new plot of land in Africa. It will be to your left as you cross over the bridge, behind the Tusker House restaurant. Imagineers have been spotted in the area taking a few measurements. So its possible work on fencing in and clearing the plot could begin any day now.

Read More »Festival of the Lion King Relocation Plans Revealed

Full Newsies Performance at Disney Christmas Parade

You know you’re a diehard Disney fan when you sit through the entirety of the Disney parks Christmas parade on ABC. I managed it this year, but only with some fast forwarding through the musical performances from bands I’ve never heard of. The TV version… Read More »Full Newsies Performance at Disney Christmas Parade

Disney CEO Bob Iger talks Marvel Theme Park

In an interview from earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger talks with with Bloomberg’s Carol Massar about the recent acquisitions, Marvel’s movie properties and the possibility of a Marvel theme parks. Of course, he says its still early, but it sounds like wheels are… Read More »Disney CEO Bob Iger talks Marvel Theme Park

Kodak Sponsorship Era Ends in a Flash

Say goodbye to the ubiquitous Kodak photo spot signs as the company is pulling the last vestiges of its sponsorship from Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Kodak was one of three original Disneyland sponsors who remained at the park. Coca-cola and Carnation (now owned by… Read More »Kodak Sponsorship Era Ends in a Flash

Imagineer Chris Beatty on Creative Process Behind New Fantasyland

As part of the New Fantasyland grand opening event, I had the opportunity to interview Imagineer Chris Beatty who was creative director for the expansion. During the roundtable discussion Beatty explained the process of designing a new attraction with a focus on the Seven Dwarfs… Read More »Imagineer Chris Beatty on Creative Process Behind New Fantasyland

Shanghai Disneyland to get Exclusive Metro Line

Shanghai Disneyland is being built a bit off the beaten track, but relatively close to a major freeway that helps outline the future expansion for the city. It was just announced that Shanghai’s Metro (a system of mass transit that includes Subway, Light Rail, and… Read More »Shanghai Disneyland to get Exclusive Metro Line