HKDL Update : " Andy's Toy Box " Coming at Toy Story Land !

Hong Kong faced this week-end the powerful typhoon Vicente, but at HKDL apparently only some trees fell down in the park. Typhoon Vicente caused the city to raise its strongest typhoon warning for the first time in 13 years but because Disney has taken the typhoon wind speed into consideration when they've built the park every building in the resort can apparently face a typhoon without ( too much ) damages.

Now, let's talk about the latest news as there is something new coming at HKDL. And no, it's not located in the upcoming Mystic Point opening in Spring 2013, but in Toy Story Land! So far, the park did not communicate on it and apparently what they are building is a new shop which will be called Andy's Toy Box. It may looks strange, specially considering the merchandise potential of Toy Story toys, but so far there was no merchandise shop built inside Toy Story Land - only a big themed cart. Apparently HKDL execs changed their mind, thanks to the success of the new land.

As you will see on the pics below fences have been placed all around an area near the blue barrel of fun with posters of Toy Story characters looking like "children drawings".

























Pictures: copyright Disney and more

Don't miss the new HKDL Wallpapers HD App for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch!
Direct iTunes link HERE!

New Toy Story Toon " Small Fry "

A new Toy Story Toon is on its way to premiere with the Muppets movie later this month. and Pixar released a 30sec clip of it. It's called "Small Fry" and the story line of this new short animated written and directed by Angus MacLane is "A jealous ‘Happy Meal-type toy at a fast-food restaurant yearns to break out of his glass display case to play just like a real toy. He kidnaps Buzz Lightyear in an attempt to take over his play-filled existence".



In a U.S.A Today interview writer/director Angus MacLane says: "It's like the Prince and the Pauper tale for toys. Except one of them happens to be 3 inches tall." The life-reversal forces the real Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Tim Allen, to deal with a support group for discarded, unloved fast-food toys. "These toys' existence is about being really popular before the meal and then being totally forgotten about," MacLane says. "And sometimes they don't even get played with. "Though Buzz doesn't fit into the group, he has trouble exiting. "There's something funny about having the action hero have to deal with something very mundane like escaping from an awkward social situation," MacLane says. "To me, that's funny."

Allen and Toy Story regulars Tom Hanks (voicing Woody, who, naturally, immediately notices the switch), John Ratzenberger (Hamm) and Joan Cusack (Jessie) return for this seven-minute short and, to me, the story line sounds like one which has all the material to be pretty funny, so i'm curious to see this new short animated when it'll be released. In the meantime, here is 30 seconds of it!




Pictures and video: copyright Disney - Pixar

Buzz Lightyear Returns from Space to a Homecoming Parade at the Magic Kingdom

Do you remember that Buzz Lightyear was sent to space many months ago? Well, after 15 months in space onboard the International Space Station, Buzz returned to earth Sept. 11, 2009 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128.



Even better, Buzz Aldrin who was the second man to walk on the moon in July 1969, and the space ranger toy were joined Oct. 2, 2009 by ISS Expedition 18 astronaut Michael Fincke in a celebratory "homecoming" parade in front of thousands of guests at the Walt Disney World theme park!



Disney Parks and NASA sent the Buzz Lightyear toy into space in 2008 as part of an educational initiative to encourage students to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Welcome back, Buzz!

Pictures: copyright Disney

Ultimate Toy Story toys to be released this fall

A little topic about merchandise today, as Disneystore.com launched the "Toy Story Collection". What, you say, after all these years of Toy Story toys they release AGAIN some Buzz Lightyear or Woody action figures? Yes they do, but these are not any action figure, they are the "Ultimate" interactive Toy Story toys, the one that any Toy Story fan was waiting for since the first release of the movies!



Let me tell you more about three of them. First, of course, Buzz Lightyear. Released in September and soon available for pre-order, this 12" "highly detailed, definitive collectors deluxe edition Buzz Lightyear figure is the most accurate replica yet produced and includes lots of fantastic features! He's fully articulated, lights up, has sound effects, speaks using the original voice and can even respond by talking and moving his head when you talk with him".



More details? Here they are. This 12" Buzz includes:

- In Talk Back Mode, Buzz talks back and moves his head when you speak to him
- 65 sayings in original voice
- Press buttons to hear ''Buzz Toy'' phrases and Space Ranger phrases
- Open helmet or communication panel to hear related phrases and sound effects
- Press button for flying mode and pop-out wings with light-up tips
- Level sensor knows when Buzz is in a horizontal flying position or standing and responds with specific phrases
- Poseable fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, waist, ankles, knees and legs
- ''Laser'' button activates forearm light and sound effects
- Buzz knows when you're shouting and responds!
- Film accurate paint details, using original Disney/Pixar digital data files
- Glow-in-the-dark green trim

Price for this ultimate Buzz Lightyear produce by Thinkway Toys is $65



The new Woody - also $65 - is 15" high and is also pretty cool. Here are its features:

- Pull string to hear 50 sayings!
- He knows if you're shouting or talking quietly to him and responds accordingly to the tone of your voice
- Soft rag doll body
- Film accurate paint details, using original Disney/Pixar digital data files
- Includes stand to display Woody
- 15'' H
- Sized to ride the Andy's Toys Collection: RC Car, sold separately



Also release is the REX 13" action figure with features including motorized arms and head. Just like Buzz and Woody and when you'll talk to him he will respond with movement and speech in the original voice from the movie. Also $65 and available for pre-order.

I've kept the best one for the end, and this one is the real "ultimate" toy Story toy! This ultimate Buzz Lightyear will be a 16" tall robotic figure and will also be available this Fall for $130-$150. With 100 different phrases and interactive games, he will have different motions via a 15 command controller. Just like the other toys Buzz will answer you when you will talk to him. Have a look to the Gizmodo video below.

Buzz Lightyear Robot Toy from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

Looks pretty cool isn't it? Not as cool as the big Buzz Lightyear AA in the Buzz attraction pre-show, but almost!

With the upcoming release of Toy Story 1,2 and 3 movies - not to mention the Toy Story Playland attractions at the WDS and HKDL - it's not difficult to understand why they release this "Toy Story collection" right now. But for Toy Story hardcore fans these new "ultimate toys" - who never looked so close to Andy's original toys - could be a real good news.

All pictures: copyright Disney

New " Ultimate Buzz Lightyear " Robot released this fall !

Remember the Ultimate Wall-E robot last year? Yes, the one that was released only in the U.S and hard to find. WEll, a new "ultimate" Pixar toy will be released this fall, and it's an ultimate Buzz Lightyear robot that will responds to voice command!

16" high, 100 different phrases programmed and of course multiple motions, its price should be around $130 -150. However, and it's a big difference with the ultimate Wall-E which was able to move, this new Buzz won't walk by itself. His arms, body, head and even lips will move but, as you can check on the video below, not the legs. i suppose we can't have everything. So, it's an "ultimate Buzz Lightyear"... not totally ultimate! But no problem, he looks already very cool. Not as cool as the big Buzz Audio-Animatronic that exist in the Buzz Lightyear attraction pre-show, but it's not the same price! More infos about it available on the Gizmodo web site.

Buzz Lightyear Robot Toy from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

Picture: copyright Disney

Video: copyright Gizmodo

By the way, where the hell is Buzz, now?

Remember that Buzz Lightyear blasted off on a special mission in outer space some weeks ago? So, where the hell is Buzz, right now? Well, as you will see on the video below, he is always in outer space, floating alongside NASA astronaut Greg Chamitoff on-board the International Space Station!



On this next video, Buzz is on its own, moving inside the ISS...



Pretty cool, isn't it?

Videos courtesy NASA

High-Res wallpaper pictures of a memorable day at Cape Canaveral

Soooo, Last week Buzz Lightyear was finally in outer space for real, and here are high-res pictures of this memorable event!

Here is Buzz standing near "his" Space Shuttle at cape Canaveral.



Woody was there during the "lift-off" to salute the departure of his friend...



And as you can see, he was not alone, including some Space Rangers!



All photos; copyright Disney

Buzz Lightyear goes infinity and beyond......TODAY !

Guess what? Buzz Lightyear is REALLY going into space, and he will blast off from Cape Canaveral today may 31st aboard Space Shuttle Discovery! Me who always dreamed to go into space, i know what i have to ask for in my next life: to be reincarnate in a toy - a space toy!

More seriously, here are details about this buzz Lightyear space flight in the press release after the event "trailer" below.




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 and Disneyland Resorts -

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 29 /CNW/ - It's a dream come true for Buzz Lightyear as Disney Parks and NASA send the 12-inch-tall action figure "to infinity and beyond!" Buzz Lightyear will blast off aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-124. Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 5:02 p.m. ET on May 31.
Buzz's dream of going "to infinity and beyond" will finally come true during the mission when - 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 will launch the aspiration of millions of school children who dream of space travel. STS-124 will coincide 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 the launch of his latest debut on earth in Toy Story Mania!, Disney Parks new attraction that opens May 31 at Walt Disney World 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 will travel 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.

Let's end with another video where Veteran astronaut Buzz Aldrin mentors Buzz Lightyear, co-star of the Disney-Pixar Toy Story films. Buzz (the toy) is headed to the International Space Station aboard Space Shuttle Discovery to commemorate the opening of "Toy Story Mania!" at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.



Photo: copyright Pixar