We just posted our construction update for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that featured the completed track, a few themed elements, and a lot of exposed steel. Now Disney’s Imagineers have taken possession of the first car destined to roll across those tracks. It’s still… Read More »First Car from Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Arrives at Disney World
Here’s the latest update from the last attraction scheduled to open in New Fantasyland – the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Construction is definitely moving along. More of back side, Prince Eric’s Village across from The Little Mermaid, is finished and detail rock work starting to wrap completely around the mountain. They’ve added the last piece of track and have begun working on some of the details around the track. That said there’s still a long way to go for a 2014 opening.
Don’t have time for a video? I’ve included some photos below the jump:
Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction Update – New Fantasyland
I did forget to cover one chapter of the Orlando theme park wars. I often see the question, why hasn’t Disney added Marvel characters to Disney’s Hollywood Studios yet? Disney has said they’re actively looking at ways to involve Marvel characters in the parks. They… Read More »Theme Park Wars Forgotten Chapter: The Marvel Universe
Concept art for Star Wars mini-park planned for Disneyland Paris
Orlando in the 1990’s was bookended by stiff competition between Disney and its rival Universal Studios. When Michael Eisner got wind that Disneyland’s cross-town rival Universal Studios was preparing to open in Orlando as well, he rushed the mouse’s plans for its own studio theme park into production, even opening a whole year ahead of Universal. Universal returned the favor by firing back with Islands of Adventure, which contained rethemed versions of the Beastly Kingdom attractions Disney had cut from its Animal Kingdom project just a year earlier. Universal even hired a lot of the Imagineers Disney had just laid off to help make IOA a quality theme park.
And then things calmed down for nearly a decade. Disney kept churning out new attractions (Expedition Everest, Toy Story Midway Mania to name two) while Universal Studios was the forgotten step-child in a larger corporation that was dealing with ownership and financial problems. Eventually that got all sorted out and two things happened that turned around the fortunes at Universal Orlando Resort.
First, Universal got the theme park rights to use the Kuka robotic arm roller coaster that everyone was excited about at IAAPA in 2004. Second, it was able to convince Harry Potter scribe J.K. Rowling that they would be better caretakers for her story than Disney. The Kuka robocoaster win had something to do with that, but Universal was also willing to give Rowling final approval on nearly every detail. Disney would not.
If it’s June, it must be time for the Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite family vacation. His fans know him as Kaka and he currently plays soccer for Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Kaka visited the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort this week. Spending some time with Mickey Mouse and kids before next month’s Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament.
Read More »Brazilian Soccer Star Kaka Returns to See Mickey Mouse at ESPN WWOS
Downtown Disney is about to undergo its own extreme makeover into Disney Springs, so June 15-16 may be the last year to really enjoy the great atmosphere of Car Masters Weekend until about 2017. If that’s not a good enough reason to get you out to see the cars, there is always the merchandise, special meet and greets, and the Pixar Cars themed fun. Plus this year they’re throwing in new fun from Splitsville and La Nouba by Cirque du Soliel and more.
Car Masters Weekend, now in its third year, is also the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day. The Downtown Disney West Side area will be filled with classic cars and special entertainment as only Disney can arrange. Featuring all things “Cars,” the event showcases meet and greets with Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters, a sock hop at Splitsville, select discounts on food and shopping, and more exciting entertainment for the whole family.Read More »Car Masters Weekend Returns to Downtown Disney for 3rd Year of Retro Fun
TEA has released its 2012 Theme Park attendance estimates listing the 25 most attended theme parks in the world. Disney has the top 8 spots and 3 others in the top 20. Not a lot of surprises if you’ve been following developments last year:
1. Magic Kingdom: 17,536,000 (+2.3% change)
2. Disneyland Park: 15,963,000 (-1.1% )
3. Tokyo Disneyland: 14,847,000 (+8.5%)
4. Tokyo Disney Sea: 12,656,000 (+8.5%)
5. Disneyland Park, Disneyland Paris: 11,200,000 (+1.9%)
6. Epcot: 11,063,000 (+2.2%)
7. Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9,998,000 (+2.2%)
8. Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9,912,000 (+2.2%)
9. Universal Studios Japan: 9,700,000 (+14.1%)
10. Islands of Adventure: 7,981,000 (+4%)
Read More »Global Themepark Attendance For 2012 Via TEA Report
I like to think that calories consumed at Disney World don’t count. Oh sure, I can’t prove it, but when was the last time you gained weight on a Disney trip? Given what is clearly the start of a solid scientific hypothesis, let’s just go with the idea that you can indulge all you want and not feel guilty. If you feel the same way, I’ve got the top ten must-do sugar rushes right here on this list. Best of all, everything, save for the bread pudding, is just one snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan.
10. The Red Velvet Cupcake at Starring Rolls in Hollywood Studios.
Unlike a lot of cupcakes sold at Walt Disney World, this one isn’t so sweet that you can’t taste the actual flavors, which is great because the red velvet base of this cupcake comes with a cream cheese center that’s topped with delicious cream cheese frosting. These cupcakes will sell out early, so make sure you pick one up before early afternoon.Read More »Top Ten Ways to Get Your Disney Sugar Rush.