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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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Viral Video with Belle and Beast

Belle and Beast go House Hunting in Viral Video

Disney has produced a very clever viral video purporting to be an episode of the popular HGTV’s House Hunters International TV show, but featuring Belle and Beast who have to decide which of the new Castle’s popping up in the Magic Kingdom to move into.… Read More »Belle and Beast go House Hunting in Viral Video

Dragon really does fly over New Fantasyland Media Event

dragon over beast's castleTonight was the big VIP party for the grand opening of New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. We were promised something spectacular and Disney did not disappoint. You may have been following the escapades of Gary over on his Dragon Tumblr blog as he hunted for the elusive fellow. But tonight was the big pay off.

The dragon swooped out of the sky above the Magic Kingdom just as if part of a fairytale. With a vengeful roar it spit fire and menaced the the populace. At least that’s what it felt like if you just squinted your eyes and believed.

I managed to snag some decent video here:

I understand that there are operational problems that prevent the dragon from performing more than just this once. I hope they get them resolved, because there is no doubt this creature belongs in the sky above Cinderella Castle.

Although internally, I knew it was just a fancy looking ultra-light, watching the flight made me feel like a kid again watching a creature that only existed in books and dreams actually flying around the park. It was that magical.

Earlier this morning, Disney snuck out and filmed some professional video of the dragon soaring around. I’ve included that below the jump:

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Behind the Scenes Video of New Fantasyland Construction – Part 3

With the big media event to officially open New Fantasyland beginning tonight, we wrap up our look back at the construction of the Fairytale Forest section of the Magic Kingdom expansion with a general look at the construction and a look at the last attraction… Read More »Behind the Scenes Video of New Fantasyland Construction – Part 3

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

Holiday Gift Guide: Parks & Resorts

Third time’s the charm…am I right?! This gift guide, we are going to the parks. Get ready for collectibles, home goods, and an all around Mickey-tastic selection of presents!   1) Kitchen Kabaret Vinylmation Set- As you know, this year is EPCOT’s 30th anniversary this… Read More »Holiday Gift Guide: Parks & Resorts

Jungle Cruise - Courtesy Disney

Woman Sues Disney World over Jungle Cruise Docking Incident

Jungle Cruise - Courtesy Disney

Update: a cast member on the Jungle Cruise lends some insight below.

A woman is suing Walt Disney World over injuries she claims to have suffered on the Jungle Cruise attraction at the Magic Kingdom. The guest claims she was unloading from the boat when it was struck from behind causing her to fall. She wants $15,000 in compensation for her injury, her hospital visit and lost wages.

If the guest’s claim is true, Disney will likely have video of it. However, based on her story, I have doubts it happened exactly that way. The boats at the Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise unload one at a time and the boat behind it does not approach within even a half-dozen yards until the boat at the dock is empty. At least that’s Standard Operating Procedure as I’ve experienced it. For her boat to be struck while she was disembarking seems like there was a pretty bad violation of safety standards. If that was indeed the case, it would not be that difficult for Disney to implement a gate system to prevent this sort of collision while unloading going forward.

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Dwarfs MIne Train

New Seven Dwarfs Murals in New Fantasyland

All that remains to open in New Fantasyland is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and that won’t happen until 2014 sometime. But the rest of the land is officially opening this week. The walls surrounding the roller coaster construction recently received a small upgrade to… Read More »New Seven Dwarfs Murals in New Fantasyland