Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Star Tours II Pilot Announced!
12:55 PM
From the Disney Parks Blog,
It was great to read your comments about the pilots of Star Tours on my last post. Some people really want to see Rex again in the new show. Others are excited about the introduction of the new character “Ace.” And then there are those who are speculating about a bigger role for Threepio. So, I thought it was time we set the story straight about just who will be in the cockpit in the new show. And guess what? You’re all right!
As explained earlier, all Star Tours Starspeeder 1000s are flown using the latest AC-series Tour Droids. And in fact, our initial plans were for our flight to be piloted by AC-38 better known as “Ace.” However, in discussions with George Lucas during the course of our production, we decided to take the story in a very different direction.So…while AC-38 is supposed to be our pilot, by the time we actually take off, the droid sitting in the pilot’s seat will be none other than…C-3PO!It’s one of the biggest changes and surprises in the new show. “Professional grit stopped me from yelling the glorious new storyline from the rooftops,” said Anthony Daniels recently. “It’s fun having secrets like this, waiting to share them at the right time.”You’ll see just how Threepio becomes our pilot when the adventures continue next year.This week, our Imagineering team begins installation of the Audio-Animatronics figures into the Starspeeder cabins at Disneyland park, and next month at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.Oh, and for all you Rex fans, don’t worry – we have a spot for him in the new show!
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Sunday, October 24, 2010
Neverland - Fire Mountain
Welcome to the new feature here on D Plus, known as Neverland. Neverland will break down what could've been attractions, hotels, shows, etc at Disney Parks, but were never built.
The first ever attraction we will be looking at today is Fire Mountain, which was supposed to be built in the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Originally designed in the mid 1990's, Fire Mountain was a roller coaster type concept designed to be placed in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. The attraction was planned for a possibility of a location in Adventureland, it being between Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain. The location would've required a new path walking up to the attraction, thus requiring a sophisticated rerouting in the Jungle Cruise attraction, which overlapped to the are path, which would've made the attraction shorter.
The updated, and possibly more realistically rumored location is in place of the spot of the classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction.
The Orlando Business Journal posted a short blurb of info on the attraction:
The rumors about Walt Disney World's next roller coaster are heating up.
Right now, it looks like Fire Mountain is a go, perhaps in Adventureland, behind Pirates of the Caribbean.
Disney, which is tightlipped about the project, reportedly has floated balloons at the site to see what park guests would see as they roam the park. (The Polynesian would have a great view of the ride.)
Early word has it that the coaster would start out with riders standing up. As it climbed a hill, riders would be gently leaned back until they were essentially laying down. The coaster would then do a 180-degree turn and lucky riders would be flown over a pit of Disneyesque lava in the center of a volcano.
Look for Disney to have it open by 2001, just in time for the 30th anniversary party.
But those wild and crazy imagineers just won't stop: One of the park's brain trust dreams of building a world speed-record coaster at Walt Disney World, one that would eclipse the Cedar Point, Ohio coaster's 310-foot drop at 100 mph.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Why the PeopleMover should stay Yesterland
If there is anything a lifelong Disneyland nut wants back in the park right now, it's the WEDway PeopleMover in Tomorrowland. Walking through the futuristic land, many sadden upon eying the vacant track, but other casual tourists don't even notice that there is a track that used to power an attraction. But we could bicker all day about PeopleMover. But here a few reasons why the attraction should stay in Yesterland...
1). Only classic Disneyland fans would appreciate its return
Honestly though, if you started to get hooked on Disneyland in...2002 or so, then you really don't have a place in your heart for the old ride. Only people who remember the original would want it back to ride once again.
2). Tourists wouldn't bother.
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Sure, most of the Disneyland crowd in the 21st century is local Californians who appreciate the park, but there are definitely the masses of tourists that come in from around the world to see the park. If any tourist from across the country, or even the world, saw this ride, they would just walk by and nod it off for a ride on Space Mountain anyday.3.) It really isn't that easy to bring back.
While we know Disney Imagineers can do anything pretty much, it would still be a difficult track to work around with, re-configuring new track pieces, getting vehicles, making the loading zone, queue, etc.
4.) It wouldn't be that good if it wasn't refreshed.
If you brought back the exact original of he PeopleMover, it wouldn't be that exciting of an attraction, especially in today's standards, and the future of attractions to come to the resort.
5.) An updated Rocket Rods would be more successful anyway.
This one's a biggie. The long-lived Rocket Rods weren't too successful as a replacement to the beloved PeopleMover, but imagine a totally refined version of the failed attraction. It'd get a larger line anyway...
Monday, September 13, 2010
Miss Isn't The Right Word
They say change is always for the better. Do they really mean that? Just because something needs to be changed, does that mean it will be changed and does that mean it will be changed into something better?
Who knows. All we know is that Disney California Adventure is going through a HUGE change. Whether we like it or not.
As the billion dollar expansion continues, the DCA overhaul has made it's progress to the main entrance and plaza area. Remember those cool California statehood mural things that had that 'postcard, scrapbook' kind of feel? Forget about it. The model of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Gone. The C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters? Even those are leaving. The sunshine 'hubcap', rounded floating benches, etc, etc?...ok you get it. They might as well just tear down the entire park and re-build everything from scratch.
To be honest with you, the only thing I'll really be missing from all of this going is the California letters spelled out a short distance from the turnstiles. Something about this letters just looks nice. The postcard murals and GGB? I don't mind them going. But when you ask 'How much will you miss the California letters?' I honestly can't say I 'miss' them. Miss isn't the right word. I'll just 'not enjoy not seeing them there anymore'
But this change IS for the better. Admit it. You think DCA, specifically circa 2001, is a poorly themed park lacking typical 'Disney-esque' attractions. But this new huge re-theming? Oh, this is for the better. By 2013, DCA could be one of the best Disney Parks. Okay, maybe not that good. But....maybe.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Disney Collectibles - Football
Movies, parks, etc. Collecting has a huge variety of categories when it comes to Disney. Even types of collectibles, it comes to a large number. Pins, Vinylmation, Pencils, Figurines, Notebooks, TONS more. There is no question that if you collect something, you're likely to find something of it; Disney style.
When it comes to Pins, sports is no exception of one of those types of categories. And even Vinylmation, some sort of sports thing has been represented.
Those four pins above are the 2010 'GameTime' College Football rivalry Pins. Definitely a good collection of pins, especially if you're a fan of local Southern teams such as Florida, Georgia, etc. Even some northern flair is represented, with an Ohio State-Michigan pin.
Even Vinylmation has some sports items, with a large 9'' football figure, and solid 3'' collectible sports balls type models.
The referee 3'' is unique, but I'd go for the football field or playbook with the X's and O's. Even the giant 9'' football is awesome, but the nine inch ones are rare and expensive. Anyone wanna buy me one?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Space Mountain gets audio
The new audio soundtrack is apparently called 'Starry-O-Phonic Sound', and features many new sound effects, and a 'zippy' musical track.
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