"A heart attack at Wet 'n Wild and two broken ankles at other attractions
were among the serious ride incidents at Central Florida theme parks
this spring, according to state records released Tuesday.
(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-themeparks
1608jul16,0,6978241.story)
"Throughout Walt Disney World, stage shows, parades and a few of the other
attractions offer American Sign Language Interpretation services,
at least once a week, for deaf and hearing-impaired visitors."
(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disneysign0408jul04,0,1251050.story)
"[Walt Disney World] has declared that much of its sprawling property is
exempt from a new state law that allows Floridians with concealed-weapons
permits to keep firearms locked in their cars at work."
(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-disneyguns0308jul03,0,
4282076.story)
Walt Disney purchases a mechanical bird while vacationing in Europe. The
souvenir becomes the inspiration for Audio-Animatronics technology.
Work begins on "Project Little Man." Roger Broggie and Wathel Rogers, pioneers
in Audio-Animatronicstechnology, create a miniature figure that is programmed
with cams, cables and tubes to mimic tap-dancing routines performed by the
late Buddy Ebsen.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room opens at Disneyland. It’s the
first show to feature Audio-Animatronics technology.
The world’s first fully animated human figure, Abraham Lincoln, debuts
at the New York World’s Fair in Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. The
figure causes a sensation, not just with the audience, but with Disney
Imagineers, who were able to complete the figure in half the time they
anticipated.
Audio-Animatronics figures are also in three other World’s Fair shows
designed and produced by Disney: Carousel of Progress (featuring figures
animated using a programming harness, a precursor of today’s motion
capture systems), Magic Skyway and it’s a small world.
Two Audio-Animatronics birds, Robin and Umbrella, appear in "Mary Poppins."
Walt Disney reinvests profits from the film to create MAPO, an organization
within Walt Disney Imagineering dedicated to creating and innovating
Audio-Animatronics figures.
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln - featuring the Audio-Animatronics figure
of Abraham Lincoln (actually, a duplicate since the original was still performing
at the World’s Fair) - opens at Disneyland.
Audio-Animatronics technology enters the computer age with the use of DACS
(Digital Animation Control System), a computer-controlled playback system
for Disney shows and attractions. Imagineers also begin using the
Anicon-Animation Console - for animating and programming figures.
The first A-100 Audio-Animatronics figure, the Wicked Witch of the West,
debuts as part of The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
(then known as Disney-MGM Studios) in Walt Disney World Resort. A-100 figures
incorporate compliance technology that gives the characters more fluid and
realistic movements.
Pirates of the Caribbean opens at Disneyland Paris. Attraction features
sword-fighting pirates figures.
Hopper, the grasshopper from the Disney/Pixar film "A Bug’s Life," is
the most sophisticated Audio-Animatronics figure produced to date. Featuring
74 functions, the character appears in "It’s Tough to be a Bug!"
The first portable, all-electric Audio-Animatronics figure, Meeko, the raccoon
from the Disney animated film "Pocahontas," appears. He’s in a basket
carried by Pocahontas.
The first totally autonomous Audio-Animatronics figure, Lucky the Dinosaur,
makes his debut, at Disney’s California Adventure.
The yeti, a major element of Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom,
is the largest and most powerful Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by
Walt Disney Imagineering. Standing more than 18 feet tall, the thrust of
the yeti’s arm has the equivalent amount of force as a 747 jumbo jet.
The Muppet Mobile Lab, featuring Muppets Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant
Beaker, marks the first time that free-roaming Audio-Animatronics characters
can interact and converse with each other, as well as with guests they encounter
along their way.
Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story Mania! at both Disney’s California Adventure
and Disney’s Hollywood Studios marks the first time that
anAudio-Animatronics figure features lips with such a wide range of lifelike
movements, can remove and re-attach a body part (his ear) and has digitally
animated eyes that can look directly at the particular guest with whom he
is conversing. Also, since Mr. Potato Head has more lines of dialogue than
any Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering, it
has required more programming hours than any other figure. (Source: Press
Release, 07/03/08)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Families planning a vacation to Walt Disney World
Resort now have access to a new online resource at disneyworldmoms.com: Moms
Panel "How-To" videos.
The Walt Disney World Moms Panelists share quick, step-by-step visual tips
about everything from planning a girlfriends getaway without the kids to
figuring out how Disney’s Magical Express really works.
* "Packing for the Park" - Heather Roberts-Nault, Louisville, Ky., with a
little help from her daughter, shares tips and personal favorites on what
to pack when headed to a Disney theme park for the day, especially with little
ones in tow.
* "Fast Pass" - Bret Caldwell, Evanston, Ill., takes the guest inside Walt
Disney World Resort to uncover the magic of FASTPASS, including where to
find FASTPASS, how to get one and the best ways to use it.
* "Make Flying Fun" - Beth Choisez, Floral Park, N.Y., shares her ‘secret
to sanity’ when traveling by plane - Beth provides tactics for dealing
with the luggage, strollers, diaper bags, and the kids, so that everyone
stays calm and happy.
* "Disney for All Ages" - Laura Spencer, Boston, Mass., and her girlfriends,
Julie, Dot and Carolyn, provide some ideas for enjoying Disney without the
kids - suggestions include a visit to the Art of Disney in Epcot concluded
by a champagne toast in France.
* "Make the Switch" - Michelle May, Lebanon, N.J., and her husband take on
an attraction using the Rider Switch Pass - specifically, how families with
young children can experience the rides without having to stand in line twice.
The Walt Disney World Moms Panel experts conceived the "How-To" videos as
a fun way to provide original and innovative content designed to help alleviate
the pressure of planning a memorable Disney vacation - so families can focus
more on making memories of a lifetime.
To view the Walt Disney World Moms Panel "How-To" videos or find additional
vacation planning tips from experts, visit disneyworldmoms.com.
Launched in January 2008, the Walt Disney World Moms Panel is an online forum
where guests can get insider tips and insights for vacationing at Walt Disney
World Resort from real moms who have mastered the art of planning a Walt
Disney World vacation. The Walt Disney World Moms Panel consists of 12 real
parents selected to share their vast knowledge of the resort and personal
secrets of success with other families who are considering a trip to Walt
Disney World Resort in Florida. Guests can pose questions and have them answered
by the panelists, as well as gain access to other valuable park insights
and vacation planning tools for booking a Walt Disney World vacation. For
more information, visit disneyworldmoms.com. (Source: Press Release, 06/30/08)
"A 52-year-old construction worker injured in a June 13 accident at Disney's
All-Star Resort died Thursday night, officials at Walt Disney World
said Friday."
(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-b3courts28_0508jun28,0,6621469.story)
Jim Hill says that "WDW Entertainment and Food & Beverage are allegedly
thinking of using the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' characters to help get
[Discovery Island] re-opened."
(http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2008/06/06/will-pirates-soon-be-
returning-to-treasure-er-discovery-island.aspx)
"Economic uncertainty and $4-a-gallon gasoline are not expected to dampen
one of the biggest annual tourism events in Orlando this week: the loosely
affiliated collection of parties, gatherings and expos aimed at international
gay and lesbian visitors."
(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/orl-gaydays0108jun02,0,7342307.story)
Walt Disney World Resort lands on Google Earth:
the Next Best Thing to Being There
Walt Disney World Resort in 3D takes vacation planning to new heights
as the most detailed 3D rendering within Google Earth to date
Burbank, Calif. - Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is harnessing the power of
Google EarthTM to build an interactive, three-dimensional tour of Walt Disney
World Resort that brings you one step closer to a true park experience. With
direct links to Disney’s online travel-planning tools, Walt Disney World
Resort in 3D will re-invent how people plan and book vacations.
Beginning today, Disney guests can use Google Earth, a program which offers
a 3D digital model of the world, to virtually tour Walt Disney World’s
four theme parks, as well as its 22 hotels and resorts. An overview of Walt
Disney World Resort in 3D, along with instructions on how to get started,
can be found at www.disneyworld.com/3dparks. Existing Google Earth 4.3 users
can see Walt Disney World Resort in 3D by enabling the "Gallery" folder within
Google Earth, or by selecting any of the 3D buildings within the resort.
"You know the phrase ‘next best thing to being there’? Walt Disney
World Resort in 3D is going to deliver on that," said Jay Rasulo, chairman
of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "Guests and travel planners can now explore
our world with just a few clicks of a mouse, and they can book vacations
while being immersed in what the destination has to offer."
Disney’s digital mapping project, Walt Disney World Resort in 3D, will
become the ultimate online travel guide for Walt Disney World Resort, integrating
the Google Earth 3D experience with the planning features of Disney.com.
Whether guests book through the Disney reservation center, a travel agent
or online, nearly nine out of ten Walt Disney World guests use the internet
to plan their vacations and Walt Disney World Resort in 3D provides the latest
technology available to enhance that experience. From Google Earth, guests
and travel planners can click on images of their favorite attractions and
hotels to purchase tickets, make reservations, and map out the vacation that
is right for their families - in 3D and with the click of a mouse.
Disneyworld.com visitors can view videos and other information about viewing
Walt Disney World in 3D at www.disneyworld.com/3dparks.
The depth and vivid detail of Walt Disney World Resort in 3D project makes
this a unique, truly immersive experience within Google Earth. Visitors begin
their virtual tour of Disney World with a stratospheric view of the globe,
a starting point familiar to anyone who has ever used Google Earth. A skydive
takes visitors past the flatlands of Florida to a view of the Seven Seas
Lagoon in the Magic Kingdom. Guests can then fly through the streets and
explore in and around the hotels and resorts, down Main Street to Cinderella
Castle, from the heights of The Tower of Terror to base of the Tree of Life.
To enter the virtual park:
* Download Google Earth 4.3 by visiting www.disneyworld.com/3dparks.
* Launch Google Earth and search for 'Disney World'
* Click the Mickey Ears to open an info window.
* In the info window, click "Show Disney World in 3D." Now explore!
"This is the most detailed 3D rendering undertaken within Google Earth to
date," continued Rasulo. "The work done here will provide a professional
counterpart to the wealth of Disney images and 3D models from around the
world contributed by thousands of volunteers. The difference Walt Disney
World Resort in 3D provides is one of scope and interaction."
During the project’s first phase, eight photographers worked for 10
days to shoot all the visible surfaces of Walt Disney World, including every
building façade. A total 100,000 photos were taken in all; these became
the start for some 1,500 3D models that populate the virtual tour. Walt Disney
World Resort in 3D creates a new level of usability for vacation planners
and makes detailed information about one of the world’s foremost
destinations available to Google Earth’s 350 million users, furthering
the Google Earth team’s goal of recreating the world as it really is.
(Source: Press Release, 06/05/08)
To Infinity and Beyond! Disney Parks and NASA
Send Buzz Lightyear into Space
Mission Coincides with 'Launch' of New Educational Initiative and the Debut
of Toy Story Mania! at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort
Cape Canaveral, Fla., -- It's a dream come true for Buzz Lightyear as Disney
Parks and NASA have launched the 12-inch-tall action figure "to infinity
and beyond!" Buzz Lightyear blasted off aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on
mission STS-124 May 31. Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center was at 5:02 p.m.
ET.
With the spectacular launch, Buzz's dream of going "to infinity and beyond"
finally became reality. With the help of the crew, he will fly in zero gravity
inside the International Space Station as part of NASA's "Toys in Space"
initiative. Through this program, Buzz will help introduce fun elements from
space into science and math classrooms across the country.
With Buzz launched the aspiration of millions of school children who dream
of space travel. STS-124 coincides with the kickoff of the Space Ranger Education
Series -- part of NASA's "Toys in Space," an educational program for teachers
and students. The program builds on NASA's educational goals of encouraging
students to pursue studies in science, technology and mathematics (STEM)
subjects, which are vitally important in sustaining U.S. economic competitiveness
and technological leadership.
Developed by Disney and NASA, "Toys in Space" features materials for educators
to download and integrate into their classroom curriculum as well as online,
educational games linked to each key component of the mission. The series,
hosted at www.nasa.gov, will be available throughout 2008.
"NASA is excited to help students understand the science and engineering
currently underway on the International Space Station," said Dr. Joyce Winterton,
NASA assistant administrator for Education. "The educational games and resources
from this partnership will allow students to explore the science and math
behind space exploration with a beloved character."
Buzz's groundbreaking mission into space also coincides with the launch of
his latest debut on Earth in Toy Story Mania!, Disney Parks new attraction
that opens May 31 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and June 17 at
Disneyland Resort in California.
"The Space Ranger Education Series will give teachers an opportunity to
incorporate a fun and engaging moment into the classroom with a character
that children really love," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks
and Resorts. "We're pleased to join NASA in creating a program that can help
keep kids excited about math and science."
Buzz's Space Itinerary
Buzz will spend several months in space at the International Space Station
(ISS) testing the limits of zero gravity before returning home to a hero's
welcome at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida later this year. While in
space, Buzz will participate in an experiment flying in zero gravity and
appear in a video downlink from the ISS.
The Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-124 travels with seven astronauts
to install Kibo's large Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) and the lab's robotic
arm system.
For additional information about the educational series and NASA programs,
guests may visit www.nasa.gov. (Source: Press Release, 05/31/08)
"Disney fire crews [asses] fire safety frequently to reassure
tourists."
(http://www.wesh.com/entertainment/16464768/detail.html)
"Family wants more ride regulation [after their] teenager's feet [were]
severed last year after cables snapped on Kentucky Ride."
(http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/LawPolitics/story?id=4855917&page=1)
"In a pioneering partnership aiming to go online Tuesday, Google Earth
and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will make it easy to take a virtual trip
to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood
Studios and 22 Disney hotels and resorts."
(http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-05-15-google-disney_N.htm?csp=34)
"A special-effects entrepreneur from Alabama has come up with a way to fill
the sky with foamy clouds as big as 4 feet across and shaped like corporate
logos - Flogos, as he calls them." Disney is going to send Mickey shaped
clouds into the sky over the Walt Disney World resort next month.
(http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Weather/WireStory?id=4802805&page=1)
"A third suspect has been arrested in connection with a theft from an
armored vehicle at the Grand Floridian resort at Walt Disney World."
(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-cfbriefs02_508may02,0,
3616273.story)
Actress Julianne Moore, Swimmer Michael Phelps Live
Out Their Disney ‘Fantasea’ In Ariel-Inspired Annie Leibovitz
Photography
Celebrities Flip Their Fins in Latest Installment of Disney Dream Portrait
Series
BURBANK, Calif. -- For the latest image in the portrait series of celebrities
living out their Disney dreams, photographer Annie Leibovitz followed a simple
recipe: Just add water.
Continuing the "Disney Dream Portrait Series" that has put stars in all kinds
of Disney fantasies, Leibovitz trained her famous lens this time on the undersea
world of Ariel, heroine of "The Little Mermaid." To get there, she dressed
actress Julianne Moore and American swimming icon Michael Phelps in tails
and scales.
"Yes, Julianne has a big mermaid tail; it's interesting," Leibovitz recalled
from the shoot. "Michael, too. His movements were so graceful and beautiful
you just felt like you were watching a real merman."
The latest Leibovitz photography is part of her acclaimed series as Disney
Parks continue, through 2008, the "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration
on both coasts.
In the finished image captioned "Where another world is just a wish away,"
shafts of light pierce the blue depths as Ariel (Moore) sits in her undersea
world amid wavy coral and darting sea life. In the foreground of the frame,
Phelps slips past, flipping his fins.
Inside The Shoot
Leibovitz worked her mastery on soundstages on both coasts.
Fitted in his silvery fishtail, Phelps was lowered into a backlot tank in
Los Angeles used for underwater movie scenes. Leibovitz was on the outside,
snapping away, communicating her instructions to Phelps via members of her
crew.
"One of the most complicated shots I have ever done," said Leibovitz. "I
didn't know if it was going to work, what to expect. I have to tell you,
he was beautiful. Michael put on that tailand . . . he just became like a
modern dancer. He just took to it and enjoyed himself and swam through this
tank. I was blown away."
For the four-time "World Swimmer of the Year" (as designated by Swimming
World Magazine), donning flippers was worlds away from the swimming competitions
he's used to.
"It was kind of weird to be able to put on a tail and swim around in a tank,"
Phelps admitted. "To work with Annie and try these crazy sorts of ideas is
really an honor and something I won't forget."
A host of swimming stars, past and present, joined Phelps in the water and
final image: Janet Evans, Rowdy Gaines, Brendan Hansen and Cullen Jones.
At a New York soundstage, Leibovitz perched the fishtailed Moore on a rock
as the starry-eyed Ariel.
"There's a moment in the shoot where Julianne is sitting on a rock in her
mermaid tail and her young daughter comes in, and there is not a dry eye
in the house," Leibovitz recalled. "She sat in her mother's lap. Her jaw
just dropped. She could not believe her mother was Ariel."
When Moore was asked to play Ariel, she recalls, "I leapt at the chance."
"Ariel is my daughter's favorite princess, so I was just really so excited
to do it," Moore said. "All the images I've seen that Annie's shot so far
-- Cinderella and Alice and the prince one -- are absolutely exquisite. They
are so beautiful and so kind of wonderfully emotional. So I was really thrilled
to be asked to work with her and do this."
Star-Studded Series
The latest image -- planned for the June issue of Vanity Fair magazine --
continues the renowned Leibovitz series of putting celebrities inside their
Disney fantasies. Released in separate flights since January 2007, these
have included:
# Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella, Beyoncé as Alice in Wonderland
and David Beckham as the gallant Prince Phillip from "Sleeping Beauty."
# Rachel Weisz as Snow White, Roger Federer as King Arthur from "The Sword
in the Stone," Julie Andrews as the Blue Fairy from "Pinocchio" with Abigail
Breslin as Fira from "Disney Fairies."
# Jennifer Lopez as Jasmine, Marc Anthony as Aladdin and Whoopi Goldberg
playing the Genie; Giselle Bündchen as Wendy Darling, Mikhail Baryshnikov
as Peter Pan and Tina Fey as Tinker Bell; and Jessica Biel as Pocahontas.
"It is about bringing great stories to life," Leibovitz says of the series.
"Working with great actors -- these are stories that they know. It's embedded
in them. And when they start to have their own children it means even more
to them.
"These are the stories that are passed on and on, from generation to generation.
We just want to do the stories justice. To me it's a lot of play acting,
it's a lot of dress-up, that's the joy of it." (Source: Press Release, 04/25/08)
"For families planning an upscale vacation, amusement parks don't generally
top the list. But Disney delivers the luxury goods." Article includes
a slideshow highlighting deluxe activities at WDW.
(http://www.kivitv.com/global/story.asp?s=8095686)
"Bird-watching and fishing are unexpected and lesser-known attractions
at Walt Disney World, but they can delight as much as a twirl in a teacup,
a wild ride down an Everest look-alike or a face-to-ears encounter with Mickey
Mouse."
(http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/travel/unitedstates/stories/
DN-fishbird_0427tra.ART.State.Edition1.1974ed7.html)
"The woman convicted earlier this month of battering a Clermont mother at
Disney World last year was sentenced to 90 days in jail Wednesday,
after the judge said he was impressed by the remorse she showed at the
hearing."
(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-teacup2408apr24,0,
7950852.
story)
"Theme park operator Six Flags Inc. is aiming to become an entertainment
company with its own characters to entice thrill-seekers to its parks
much like The Walt Disney Co., its chief executive said Tuesday."
(http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/04/16/SixFlags.html?cxtype=
rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6)
For the latest list of injuries reported at Walt Disney World and other Florida
theme parks, see:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-themeparks1608apr16,0,7813841.story
"An Alabama grandmother was found guilty of battery Friday after being
accused of attacking another woman on a ride at Disney World. The jury returned
a not-guilty verdict for a second charge."
(http://www.wftv.com/news/15860543/detail.html)
Disney Season: Summer 2008 -- Joyful Toyful Summer
Awaits Walt Disney World Guests
Disney's 'Year of a Million Dreams' Continues with Launch of Toy Story Mania!
Walt Disney World Resort unwraps a toy chest full of fun for summer 2008
with a new toy-themed street extravaganza plus a breakthrough attraction
putting guests in a joyous, midway-themed romp among the characters of the
"Toy Story" films.
With a series of special events also sprinkled throughout the period from
May through August -- plus the continuation of Disney's "Year of a Million
Dreams" -- it adds up to an unforgettable summer at the Florida Vacation
Kingdom.
Toy Story Mania! Ride-Game Sensation Bows at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Guests don 3-D glasses and enter a wild and wooly 4-D world of Woody, Buzz
and other favorite Toy Story characters in Toy Story Mania! making its debut
as part of Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams" in late May at Disney's Hollywood
Studios (renamed in January from Disney-MGM Studios).
Inspired by the Disney-Pixar films "Toy Story" and "Toy Story II," Toy Story
Mania! raises the bar for interactive ride-game attractions. It's a high-energy,
immersive adventure that puts guests right in the action as their game play
triggers fun surprises that provide a fourth dimension of fun.
Past a welcoming and wisecracking Mr. Potato Head, guests put on 3-D glasses,
"shrink" to the size of a toy and board Toy Story Mania! carnival tram ride
vehicles, entering the world of "Toy Story" characters. As vehicles move
among Toy Story Mania! game booths -- high-tech yet rooted in classic midway
games of skill -- guests aim for 3-D animated targets using their own on-board
spring-action shooters. Players pair up and sit side-by-side, scoring points
in a friendly competition that delivers an ever-changing variety of targets
and surprises.
As they play, guests can actually see the "virtual objects" they've launched
leave their spring-action shooters and hit (or miss) the targets. And thanks
to 4-D special effects technology, they may sense objects whirring past them
as they pop out of the 3-D scenes.
The Toy Story Mania! games -- five of them, plus an introductory practice
round -- are designed to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages and skills,
from beginners to experienced gamers. Play is energized by the spirit of
the "Toy Story" characters cast in games that best suit their very animated
personalities -- from launching virtual plastic eggs in the "Hamm & Eggs"
booth, hosted by Hamm, to breaking plates with virtual baseballs in the "Green
Army Men Shoot Camp."
A final "Woody's Bonus Roundup" encourages guests to fire their spring-action
shooters as rapidly as possible at one last super-target for extra points.
When scores are tallied, players' skill levels are identified and they can
see how they've done compared to the high scores.
Disneyland Resort also welcomes Toy Story Mania! when the attraction debuts
in late June at Disney's California Adventure.
Guests Join Disney-Pixar Characters in Wild "Block Party Bash"
Disney's Hollywood Studios fun is nonstop with "Block Party Bash," a new
traveling show featuring favorite Disney-Pixar characters, performing daily.
The high-energy extravaganza cranks up the music and excitement to the max,
putting guests in the middle of the wildest Disney spectacle ever -- a musical
block party that doubles as a fun-filled interactive street spectacular,
enticing guests to dance, play and party. The "block party" transforms into
major choreographed sections starring characters including Woody and Buzz
from "Toy Story," Mike and Sully from "Monsters, Inc." and Flik and Atta
from "A Bug's Life."
Interactive Fun: Curtain Up on "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!"
Stars from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Handy Manny," "Little Einsteins" and
more entertain Walt Disney World guests with animated graphics, music and
songs in a new interactive, fun stage show, "Playhouse Disney--Live on Stage!"
at Disney's Hollywood Studios. An onstage host leads the audience in a variety
of dance and sing-along activities, encouraging little ones to join in the
fun. The stars of the entertaining new show are characters from the Disney
Channel's hit Playhouse Disney programming block geared to preschoolers.
"Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" is performed several times daily.
Disney Diners Catch The Wave
This summer, The Wave debuts at Disney's Contemporary Resort, serving breakfast,
lunch and dinner. Located on the first floor with a "superlounge," the upscale
restaurant will offer "bold American cooking with flavors from all over the
world." The seasonal menu will feature local and regional products when possible,
organic beers and trendy cocktails such as the "antioxidant cosmo" with
açai juice. The innovative wine list has a quirky claim to fame --
all screw caps, no corks. Cutting-edge wines from around the globe will be
showcased.
Disney Indoor Sports Events Double with Opening of Jostens Center
The all-new Jostens Center represents the latest expansion project at the
220-acre Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, which is widely regarded
as the leading sports venue for amateur and professional sports in the nation.
The new multi-sport fieldhouse will include 45,000 square feet of competition
space that will accommodate basketball, volleyball, wrestling, martial arts,
gymnastics, cheerleading and dance, team handball, roller hockey and more,
as well as locker rooms and meeting rooms. With the opening of the new facility
in summer 2008, Disney has the ability to double the number of indoor sports
events that it can accommodate.
Dive Into a Thrilling Disney Splash...On Your Cell Phone
It's sum-sum-summertime and Disney's world-famous water parks, Typhoon Lagoon
and Blizzard Beach, are the splash-tastic choice. Thanks to an all-new Disney
WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) site, adults and their kids can immerse
themselves in Disney water parks magic before, during and after they actually
visit the parks -- and all it takes is their cell phones. Thanks to a new
Web site customized for the mobile phone, users can download any of four
exclusive wallpapers from artist Jesse LeDoux, get insider tips and take
an interactive personality quiz and more. One feature stars actor-singer
Corbin Bleu. He had such water parks fun he was happy to express his glee
to his legions of fans through their cell phones.
How to get the fun rolling? Guests have three options:
# In their Disney Resort hotel room, guests can view a video and text H20
to SPLASH (775274). Then their cell phone rings with a message from Corbin
Bleu plus a link to the WAP.
# Before arriving, a guest can text H2O to SPLASH on their cell and get a
call from Corbin.
# Guests familiar with texting on their cell phones can send a picture of
their favorite attraction at the water parks to disney@splash.com to receive
a special mobile wallpaper.
Guests can access a number of interactive features including tips to "surf"
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon or "ski" at Disney's Blizzard Beach water parks.
Other great tips for park-goers can be downloaded onto guests' cell phones,
and more features are on the way.
Popular Events Add Extra Fun to May-August Period
# Flower-lovers can enjoy the blooms and fun of the 15th annual Epcot
International Flower & Garden Festival daily through June 1, with Flower
Power music filling evenings at the end of days that feature horticultural
exhibits, seminars and demonstrations. The festival is included with Epcot
admission.
# Magic Kingdom's newest after-hours special event, Mickey's Pirate and Princess
Party, offers fun after the sun on seven evenings in May and early June.
Centerpiece of the event is the "Enchanted Adventures Parade" starring a
39-foot pirate ship with swinging and sword-fighting mates. The night's finale
is the dazzling "Magic, Music and Mayhem" fireworks spectacular orchestrated
to an original musical score. Information and tickets are available by calling
407/WDW-AHOY or by visiting online at disneyworld.com/pirateandprincess.
# Guests can immerse themselves in the power of the Force during Star Wars
Weekends, a family-friendly fan-fest scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays and
Sundays June 6-June 29 at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park. With the
park's famous Star Tours thrill attraction serving as the centerpiece, the
annual event features Star Wars celebrities on hand for autographs, photos,
Q&A sessions and Hollywood-style motorcades. The special fun is included
with regular admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests can access more
information by visiting disneyworld.com/starwars or www.starwars.com.
# What could be more summery than groovin' under the stars to classic hits?
At America Gardens Theatre, Epcot again presents "Sounds Like Summer" featuring
a lineup of rockin' bands covering timeless tunes from Elton John, The Eagles,
The Supremes, Bon Jovi, U2, the Bee Gees and many more. Tribute bands begin
performances June 9, with shows nightly through Aug. 10. Concerts are included
in Epcot admission.
# Skies above Walt Disney World Resort will be painted in "patriotic" as
the Florida Vacation Kingdom presents special Fourth of July fireworks. Among
planned spectacles, Magic Kingdom hosts special "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks
at 9 p.m. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, a patriotic July 4 salute includes
9 p.m. fireworks.
# The NBA Pre-Draft, featuring many of the top pro basketball prospects,
takes place May 27-30 inside The Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports
Complex. NBA coaches, general managers and league officials, including marquee
names such as Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing and Isaiah Thomas, are expected to
attend. Draft prospects (last year's group included Joakim Noah, Kevin Durant
and Greg Oden) will work out and compete in games.
# The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back for their seventh training camp at Disney's
Wide World of Sports Complex from late July to mid-August. Tampa Bay's daily
practices are free and open to the public, with the schedule often incorporating
two-a-day sessions in the morning and afternoon. Featuring one of the league's
most animated head coaches, the Jon Gruden-led Bucs seek to build on their
winning ways from 2007 with a collection of established stars such as quarterback
Jeff Garcia, linebacker Derrick Brooks and cornerback Ronde Barber. A fertile
breeding ground for success, the Buccaneers have produced three division
titles and one Super Bowl championship since first arriving at Disney's Wide
World of Sports Complex in 2002.
# Several AAU National Championships, including basketball, volleyball,
wrestling, baseball and track & field, return to Disney's Wide World
of Sports Complex from June to August. Boys and girls of various age groups
from around the nation will compete for national crowns in one of the most
prestigious national youth sports competitions in the country. Current athletic
stars such as Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, San Diego Chargers tight end
Antonio Gates and USC basketball player O.J. Mayo are among those who've
competed previously in AAU National Championships at Disney.
"The Year of a Million Dreams" Marks Its Second Disney Summer
Disney Parks is encoring its 2007 "Year of a Million Dreams" in 2008 with
more dreams, even bigger dreams, more dreams money can't buy, dreams only
Disney can make come true. It's another "dreamy" summer with over-the-top
experiences for the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway being awarded to eligible
lucky guests in the right place at the right time (plus mail-in participants).
Included is the chance for guests to stay inside Disneyland Park; a private
day at Disney's tropical island paradise, Castaway Cay; a New Year's Eve
night stay inside Cinderella Castle Suite at Walt Disney World Resort; a
star-studded trip to the "High School Musical 3" film premiere; and a flight
of fancy in a hot air balloon above a Disney theme park. Also among awards:
hundreds of thousands of dreams in all shapes and sizes, including Dream
FASTPASS badges, gourmet dining packages, special viewing for parades, Disney
shopping sprees, or special Dream Mouse Ears or pin and lanyard sets. It
all adds up to more than one million more dreams awarded in 2008.
For additional Walt Disney World information and reservations, guests can
call 407/W-DISNEY, go online to disneyworld.com or visit a local travel agent.
(Source: Press Release, 04/03/04)
CMO Election Heats Up
Disney Parks Announces Top Three Finalists for Chief Magic Official
After three captivating weeks of online voting for Disney Parks’ Top
10 Chief Magic Official (CMO) candidates, Disney Parks and CareerBuilder.com
today announced the top three CMO finalists: David Hawley of Roseville, Calif.,
Justin Vance Muchoney from Seven Fields, Pa. and Tripp West from Powder Springs,
Ga. The CMO search generated more than 1,300 entries and nearly 500,000 online
votes.
After launching creative campaigns to drive the most votes, David, Justin
and Tripp will have 10 days to mentally and physically prepare themselves
for a two-day competition at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The events
will begin Thursday, April 17, and end Friday, April 18. The winner will
be crowned CMO on Tuesday, April 22, in front of Cinderella Castle in Magic
Kingdom.
During Disney’s "Year of a Million Dreams," the first-ever CMO will
travel to Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts and help create magical
experiences for guests, participate in special events and work their wizardry
behind the scenes with the Walt Disney Imagineers.
"Each finalist should be proud of making it this far - the top three candidates
out of 1,300 entries," said Craig Dezern, vice president, Global Public
Relations, Disney Parks. "We are excited to see who will lead the Park challenge,
earn the most votes and ultimately be named the first-ever Disney Parks Chief
Magic Official during ‘Year of a Million Dreams.’"
Tests of Creativity, Enthusiasm and Park Smarts
All three finalists will face a series of unique tests designed to challenge
their CMO abilities - do they have what it takes to make magical moments
and help "dreams come true" for guests?
From stroller derbies and professional towel-folding to face-painting, online
voters will decide who gets to be the Disney Parks Chief Magic Official.
Park guests will also be able to cheer on their favorite finalist.
Stroller Derby Expert
Donald Duck has sabotaged the orderly strollers in Magic Kingdom and left
a mess for the finalists to fix - the candidate who can put five strollers
back in order, with the right bags and accessories in the shortest amount
of time, leads this challenge.
Throwing in the Towel
Each finalist will receive training from the towel-folding experts at Disney
resort hotels. In the final round, contestants must recreate a randomly assigned
towel animal within the specified time frame "will someone "throw in the
towel?"
Let’s Make Some Noise!
Stationed along Main Street U.S.A., finalists will select some of Disney’s
professional noise-making equipment. Using enthusiasm and creativity with
the tools given, it’s up to the finalists to generate the loudest crowd.
So You Think You Know the Parks?
In the fourth challenge, contestants are stationed at the Tip Board at Epcot
and will be tested on how well they greet guests, whether they offer helpful
service, good tips and accurate information. At some point, certain guests
will try to complicate the process - will the finalists crack under pressure?
Make a Face
For the final competition, finalists will be shuttled over to Disney's Animal
Kingdom where they will receive a crash course in face-painting. They will
have to create a design on one of their family members or friends.
"Job seekers everywhere can be inspired by the creativity, energy and enthusiasm
these CMO finalists have used to promote their candidacies," said Richard
Castellini, vice president of Consumer Marketing of CareerBuilder.com. "The
finalists will get to experience a job interview like no other. We are excited
to help Disney Parks and America find the right candidate for this one-of-a-kind
position."
Don’t Forget to Vote!
Starting April 17, the in-Park competition videos highlighting each of the
three finalists participating in the events will be posted on www.DreamCMO.com
for a final round of online voting. The ballots will remain open through
April 21 (11:59 p.m. ET), and the top vote-getter will be named the Disney
Parks Chief Magic Official.
CMO Search
After receiving more than 1,300 videos, each CMO entry was reviewed and judged
by a group of Disney and CareerBuilder.com representatives. The top 10
semi-finalists were announced March 3 and online voting nationwide lasted
three weeks. Ballots for top 10 voting closed at 11:59 p.m. ET March 22.
For additional information about the CMO search, please visit www.DreamCMO.com.
(Source: Press Release, 04/07/08)
