Everyday I drive to work through the 12 mile long tourist trap that we know as Highway 192 (aka, Irlo Bronson Hwy). The area known as Kissimmee-St. Cloud was undergoing a recession even before 9/11. When the tourist dollars completely dried up in 2001, so… Read More »Kissimmee Rebounds (a little)
Update: Three more photos added on 10/31/07 and Four more photos added on 1/24/08 and one more on 4/25/08. Three more photos added on 3/3/11 featuring Olivia Wilde, Penelope Cruz, Jeff Bridges, and more.
At the request (and paycheck) of Disney, Annie Leibovitz has set her photographer’s eye for beauty on the magic of Walt Disney’s theme parks. The first three images from Leibovitz were revealed today. They will form the backbone of a new promotion for the Year of a Million dreams promotion. Additional images have already been ordered.
Each image features a scene with the featured celebrities transformed into the role of a fabled Disney character, expressing their own dreams and imagination.
Picture one: As Cinderella, Scarlett Johansson is seen running down a flight of stairs as the clock strikes midnight with her glass slipper unknowingly left behind. The tagline reads, “Where every Cinderella story comes true.”
Befitting a true princess, Johansson wears a stunning, one-of-a-kind Harry Winston tiara — a dazzling piece in platinum with more than 62 carats of sparkling diamonds and valued at $325,000. The dress worn by Johansson is a custom-made, Cinderella-inspired gown designed by Nicoletta Santoro.
Picture two: David Beckham plays the part of the gallant Prince Phillip from “Sleeping Beauty,” atop his trusted steed fighting the evil dragon. The tagline reads, “Where imagination saves the day.”
“There were many Disney characters I liked as a kid,” said Beckham. “Now my sons love the Disney characters and it’s a big part of their lives, a big part of many children’s lives around the world. So to be part of that is an honor and very exciting.
“I love going to Disney, I’m like a big kid,” he added.
Picture three: Beyoncé appears as “Alice in Wonderland,” twirling in a teacup, accompanied by Oliver Platt as the Mad Hatter and Lyle Lovett as the March Hare. The tagline reads, “Where Wonderland is your destiny.”
“It’s two great imaginations coming together — Disney and Annie Leibovitz,” said Lovett. “To be along for the ride really is quite something, just knowing that you’re going to be part of a great Disney character. And then when you step into the imagination of Annie Leibovitz, you know you’re in another world.”
I have to say that picture three is my favorite. Those are three people I never thought I’d see together in a teacup. For more read this USA Today article that reveals more details of Leibovitz’s process or the Reuters article. LaughingPlace.com also has video coverage of the event where the first three photos were revealed.
I’ve included a few more ‘behind the scenes’ photos from the photo shoots below the cut for your enjoyment (especially you David Beckham fans).
Update: Find High-Resolution versions of all Annie Leibovitz “Disney Dream Portrait Series” on The Disney Blog Dream Photo Annex.
Back in August I wrote about James McCown, aka Yeti Man, who had ridden Expedition Everest over 500 times. He’s now passed the 1000 ride mark. James McCown (right) of St. Petersburg, FL, screams Oct. 30, 2006 as he rides Expedition Everest for the 1000th time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in Lake Buena… Read More »1000 Summits for Yeti Man, Take that Sir Hillary.
I drove by the site for the rumored “Paidia” themepark yesterday and noticed that a for sale sign for 458 acres is now erected on the property. That’s sad, but it’s probably another example of Katrina’s affects. The original investors for the new themepark were… Read More »Land for rumored new themepark now up for sale in Kissimmee
Update: Preliminary Autopsy results indicate a pre-existing condition in the child. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith reopened with the rest of the Disney-MGM Studios themepark this morning. A ride inspection was completed last night and found nothing wrong with the attraction or its operation. State inspectors were there to observe Disney staff in the… Read More »Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster reopened this morning
Disney has high hopes that its new park, its second in Asia after Tokyo, will be able to exploit the potentially vast market in China and the rest of the continent. It has even engaged in a sponsorship deal with China’s Communist Youth League and designed the park’s layout with the help of feng shui… Read More »Hong Kong Woes
Hong Kong Disneyland’s Public Relations Department must feel like they’re under attack. Now it’s college students alledging that the Hong Kong government is secretly cutting Disney some slack when it comes to laws and regulations. At the same time back in the states Disney is fighting off accusations that the independant auditor they hired to… Read More »Hong Kong Disneyland, the conspiracy files…
You can never really tell what a hurricane will do, it creates its own weather patterns. But for now, it appears that Katrina is taking a westerly path and will spare Orlando and the Disney World area any real damage. There have been no closures announced and as far as I know, everything remains open… Read More »Hurricane Katrina passes Mickey by