Some fresh news from the even Dwarfs Mine Train construction at WDW Magic Kingdom with, first, the picture above showing ride workers and Imagineers surrounding one of the train vehicle in what seems to be the future boarding room, and you'll note that part of the vehicle is under the platform. I'm not 100% sure of the reason why but may be this is due to the fact that the part of the vehicle where guests will seat will be able to move and they probably had to find a trick to avoid the upper part of the vehicle to topple when guests will board inside the train.
Also, the first pictures showing one of these mine vehicle on track "outside" have been posted by Mouse Steps and they also did the video below.
May be you remember the Mice Age article posted by Al Lutz last November. In his update, called "Cars Land in Tokyo", Al was revealing that TDL was planning to bring Cars Land at TDL Magic Kingdom but at a cost: "Much of Tokyo’s “Westernland” would need to be repurposed and the Rivers of America section would be removed entirely..." although "...Big Thunder Mountain, the Country Bear Jamboree and the original frontier town buildings would remain at the front of the land, with the Western River Railroad continuing to circle the property. But towards the back of Westernland the entire Rivers of America would be leveled and turned into Cars Land." Disney fans reactions were not specially enthusiastic at the idea to see TDL Rivers of America disappearing from Westernland, specially in a park which don't have that much spaces with water, even as Al said if "the Rivers of America takes up a huge amount of space but delivers very little in the way of attraction capacity for that crowded park". And God knows how Tokyo Disneyland can be crowded all year long. So, i suppose that WDI Imagineers had a point on this one when they did in Glendale their presentation to Oriental Land top executives, including OLC President and CEO. As Al noted in his update "additional capacity is a huge selling point for the Japanese executives" and for sure we can't blame them to try to add capacity to Tokyo Disneyland. But i have a good news for TDL fans who were furious at the idea to can't sail anymore on Westernland Rivers of America as from what i've been told the project to build Cars Land at TDL has been cancelled. I don't know the precise reasons, but may be TDL execs finally understood that the idea to remove a big part of Westernland was not that good after all, or may be it is because of the cost, or may be it is not possible to build Cars Land for technical reasons. As you may know Tokyo Disneyland was built on landfill, and the weight of Carsland rockwork may have been a cost issue in firming up the ground beneath it. Another reason could be for earthquake regulations, the weight and height of the rockwork might have been a problem in case an earthquake happen... So, except if TDL execs change their mind, Cars Land won't come to Japan - at least at Tokyo Disneyland. But the story has a good ending as in exchange Tokyo Disneyland envision a major Fantasyland expansion, apparently pretty big in size, similar or almost to WDW New Fantasyland. No news yet on which attractions will be part of it but, as OLC pretty much only copy in TDL what has previously been done in U.S parks and go for cute things the most, the Little Mermaid or Seven Dwarfs coaster rides could come soon at TDL Fantasyland. Though with Mermaid Lagoon next door at TDS it's may be not sure that the Little Mermaid ride will come finally to TDL...
That said, the big question is: where these Fantasyland additions will be built? Because the problem of the available land remains the same and there is not that much spaces available at TDL. Have a look at the Google Earth screen capture above - click on the picture to enlarge it - as it will help you to understand the problem. The picture shows TDL Fantasyland with Westernland on the right, Toon Town on the bottom left with part of the parking lot, and Autopia and Tomorrowland on the top left. The show buildings in the bottom center are those of It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain. As you can see there is not a lot of choice. Something is going to be removed to make room for these Fantasyland additions and either it will be Autopia, or it could be Toon Town, or they might take a part of the parking lot behind Toon Town. Although Westernland is close to Fantasyland i can't imagine they will build their new Fantasyland there as it will mean that we'll be back to the previous problem, i.e the disappearing of a big part of Westernland. Removing Autopia would be the logical choice, as Autopia always take a lot of land, but this will mean to reduce Tomorrowland and TDL might be interested to keep this space for a future Star Wars or Marvel lands. Another option would be to take away only a small piece of the Rivers of America near the Haunted Mansion. You could make the river loop smaller and gain some land that way, but it may not be enough.Losing Toontown might also be the easiest fix. Removing Toon Town and Autopia next to it would make available a big piece of land. On the right of Toon Town is a Small World, but i wonder if they would ever get rid of It's a Small World, the ride is almost sacred! So far, i don't have the answer so is suppose that for now all we have to do is to wait for more details about this exciting Fantasyland additions! Pictures: copyright Disney, Google Earth
Here is an interesting construction footage video showing what was going on inside the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train construction site not too long ago.
It appeared four months ago - i missed it and i just discovered it on Screamscape - and first i was surprised as Disney generally never release videos showing the construction of a ride - to "preserve the magic" , as they say - ...until i realized that the video was not released "officially". So, watch it, because you might never see this kind of video again, specially an official one.
Disney Parks launched a new website dedicated to WDW New Fantasyland. Nicely done as you can see on the screen captures above and below, even if so far there is not a lot of things to see. When you click on the map looking like an old parchment different parts of the original rendering appear with a few words to describe what is what.
You saw last Friday the Imagineering video that introduced the amazing Lumière and Wardrobe Audio-Animatronics but now, thanks to TouringPlans who uploaded these new videos on Youtube you'll be able to see the full show of the new "Enchanted Tales with Belle" attraction at WDW New Fantasyland.
The first video below show the entrance in Maurice's cottage and the first room. In the second video you'll see the great "magic mirror" effect and the direct entrance to the castle with Wardrobe AA. And the third video is showing the full show with Lumière and Belle in the last room. Watching the full show confirms that the Audio-Animatronics are incredibly perfect, and also that there is probably two rooms with Wardrobe, just like pre-show rooms before guests enter the main one with Lumière. It's interesting as this might help to have a too long wait as, while some guests will enjoy the show with Lumière and Belle, others will be already in the first room with Wardrobe, etc.. The whole show is definitely a show for very young children but it's good that WDI creates attractions for them and i'm sure they will enjoy it a lot. As for us, we will for sure be amazed with the theming, special effects and the brilliant Audio-Animatronics.
You may have seen this new Imagineering video on the Disney Parks blog yesterday, but if you didn't you must not miss it! The video begin where the previous one with the magic mirror that you've seen last week ended, and WDI Imagineers really outdone themselves with the two Audio-Animatronics of Lumière and Wardrobe which are literally amazing! . The AA of Wardrobe is already great but the one of Lumière is simply incredible.
Why? look at how his arms are moving, his face talking, etc... The difficulty here, because of Lumière thin body and arms was that Imagineers didn't had a lot of space available for the animatronic elements. The one of Ursula in the Little Mermaid ride was not easy but at least they had some room in Ursula's big body, which is not the case here. Big congrats to anyone at WDI who created these wonders, a real technical tour de force!
Walt Disney Imagineering released a new video showing Maurice’s Cottage at WDW New Fantasyland. The video shows the whimsical garden and cottage theming which includes inventions created by Belle’s father, Maurice as well as others items participating to the theming.
But the reason why you have to watch this video till the end is to see the magic mirror which magically becomes a portal into Beast’s Castle. There is a real good trick here and after watching the video several times i still can't totally guess how they do it. Sure the pixie dust, lights and projection effects are obvious but the mirror is getting bigger little by little until it apparently becomes a door - the portal to Beast's Castle - and it's really well done. Have a look!
WDWNewsToday posted yesterday a great Imagineering video, which apparently was shown to WDW cast members and you'll see in it great inside shots of the Enchanted Forest, Be our Guest restaurant - including Lumière and the wardrobe audio-animatronics, Gaston's Tavern, Little Mermaid ride, and much more. You can check the video below and see screen captures on WDWNT web site HERE.
Walt Disney World Imagineers unveiled in a presentation the opening dates of Magic Kingdom New Fantasyland as well as new artwork and details about the updated Test Track attraction. Let's start with New Fantasyland. The second part of Storybook Circus which will include the second half of the Dumbo attraction and Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station is scheduled to open in July 2012. And Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern, and Ariel’s Grotto apparently will be open "to celebrate this holiday season", i.e around Christmas 2012. And what about the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, you ask? Well, for this one you'll have to wait until 2014.
Also part of the same presentation, new digital concept-arts for the updated Test Track at Epcot which will have Chevrolet as sponsor of the ride. And if the new futuristic theming that you can see on the artwork below reminds you TRON, it's may be because the updated ride will place guests inside the computer world of digital design.
Also new, an interactive queue with touch screens and displays which, according to insidethemagic who was at the presentation "will allow guests to design their own vehicles based on 4 properties: capability, efficiency, responsiveness, and power. These selections will be saved onto a card that guests will be handed, carrying with them onto the ride itself. Ultimately guests will be scored on how well their design holds up to the test track inside".
The ride itself will be the same "but all of the show scenes are being completely overhauled to represent the digital computer space in which guests will ride through. The ride will still feature a “warehouse” feel rather than individually-confined show scenes."
I have to tell you that i never liked a lot Test Track. May be i am from the old school who like animatronics and theatrical rides but when i ride it the first time i was instantly nostalgic of World of Motion. I admired the technology used in Test Track but all these vehicles tests never thrilled me a lot... BUT, if they plan to change the theming and if this one have a non-official TRON inspiration then you can count me in! Now i'm really curious to see how will look this new Test Track! Are you?
Is there a better way to end the week than with new artwork from Walt Disney Imagineering? Probably not, and thanks to Disney Parks here are some new renderings for WDW New Fantasyland. Well, half of them were unseen before but i also re-post others which are now released in better definition.
The first one above is of course showing a scene of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and it's an interesting one as it reminds me what i've seen and told you in a previous article called "A closer look at New Fantasyland artwork". On the big rendering showing the whole New Fantasyland, once enlarged, i noticed that scene showing the seven dwarfs "coming back home", standing on a big tree trunk - see picture below. On the artwork above you still have the tree trunk but the seven dwarfs are not there anymore. Does this mean that there won't stand on it when the ride will open in 2013? Not necessarily, as WDI might want to keep some scene details secret...
Close to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, there will be Story Book circus and this new artwork shows the entrance of the new Dumbo ride with its interactive queue.
This next one shows the Princess Fairytale Hall - previously the Snow White dark ride location - where young girls will be able to meet and greet with their favorite princess.
Another artwork, this one showing the Ursula's Lair scene in the Little Mermaid attraction.
But most of the new renderings are showing scenes of Belle's village. This first one below was known...
Once inside Maurice's cottage guests will be able to engage in a playful story time with Belle and Lumière...
This next artwork shows the inside of the Bonjour Village Gift shop.
In Gaston's Pub, another highlight of Belle's Village area...
...WDW guests - and according to the artwork even young girls - will be able to enjoy a good ol' beer. Wait, you say, even young girls and boys? My guess is that it won't be real beer - i mean, not beer with alcohol and probably it will be Disney's version of Harry Potter highly successful "Butterbeer"...
And as it will be Gaston's Pub, in pure logic this portrait of Gaston will find its natural place in the pub.
WDW revealed today that the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history is underway, a project that will nearly double the size of Fantasyland and deliver a new home for Ariel, new ways to interact with favorite Disney princesses, an exciting new family coaster, a double dose of Dumbo and more. Honestly, the new concept looks better than the first one announced at D23 with more fun rides and is certainly the counter attack of Disney to the huge success of Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter. New WDI artworks were also released and you will find all of them below!
Scheduled to open in phases beginning in late 2012, the new Fantasyland will immerse guests in Disney stories as never before. Among the highlights planned:
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, a major, all-new attraction during which guests will travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the waves – all against a musical backdrop of songs from the classic film.
The castle of the Beast, standing majestically upon a hill just across an old stone bridge from Ariel’s new home. The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a lavish dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery, and mysterious “West Wing” of the castle. With seating for 550, this magnificent facility will offer “great food fast” service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle's Village, guests will find the rousing Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.
Just outside the village is Belle’s cottage and Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience: Guests are transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive, re-telling of the “tale as old as time.”
But that’s just the beginning of what guests will discover when the multi-phase project is completed. Here’s more of what’s in store: The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs.
Here is a detail of the big Fantasyland artwork at the top of this article (which i will put online in high-res early next week) showing the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride - and the Little Mermaid attraction in the background. It's interesting to note that the train goes in and out of the "mine" several times with big parts of the ride outside. In fact it reminds me the Grizzly Trail coaster currently build at HKDL (which have also a "mine" story) and i won't be surprised if WDI did a "Snow White" adaptation of the HKDL concept.....which is itself an adaptation of the Expedition Everest track, more or less. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride could very well be a solid "D" ticket attraction.
In Princess Fairytale Hall, Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel, will greet guests in their new home, an elegant royal court on the site where Snow White’s Scary Adventures stands today.
The sound of the calliope will lead guests to the brand new Storybook Circus and not one but two circling carousels of airborne pachyderms on Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
Before taking to the skies on this Fantasyland favorite, guests can experience an array of fun-filled family games and interactive wonders for kids of all ages inside the Big Top.
Next door in Storybook Circus, the classic Barnstormer gets a bright new look as well, featuring Goofy as The Great Goofini. It’s a twisting, turning roller coaster “flight” high above the circus fun.
All of this looks not bad at all, isn't it? I like particularly the new Dwarfs Mine Coaster, they can do something really good on that concept...we'll see!
Walt Disney World released new high-res files of the four renderings for Dumbo, The Little Mermaid - by WDI artist Chris Smith - and Star Tours 2. I've posted before the high-res new Fantasyland artwork - by WDI artist Greg Pro - but i put it again here so you'll have the four on the same post. Click on each picture to see them in big size.
Note that the high-res file of the Dumbo artwork reveals interesting points about the Circus itself. If you look well, you can see an adult elephant inside the circus tent - will it be a real one or a big AA elephant? Also, the famous "fire in the house" sequence of the movie seems to be part of the circus show.
Here is a new article on all Jay Rasulo presentation saturday. Pictures were allowed during the keynote and Andy did his best to get pictures of everything that Jay Rasulo shown on the D23 Expo arena screen to the audience. I worked all day to enhance them and try to eliminate distortion effect. Although i can't guarantee that no distortion effect remain in the renderings below, i did my best. All my apologies to the WDI artists if it's not totally perfect. That said, let's go and have a closer look at this awaited "Future of Parks and Resorts" presentation.
Jay Rasulo confirmed that WDW Magic Kingdom will have its huge Fantasyland expansion - so big that it will double the size of the current Fantasyland! To have a better idea of how big it will be, click on the top rendering which is a high-res file.
The Little Mermaid is part of the new Fantasyland, and the biggest ride. The exterior theming will recreate Eric's castle, and have waterfalls and its own lagoon. Expect also a highly themed queue decor, before you load in the ride vehicle. The ride itself should be identical to the one currently build at DCA.
WDW guests - and specially little girls - will be able to visit their favorite Disney Princess in her castle, cottage, or chateau. Whether it will be to share a dance with Cinderella...
...or to see her being transformed right before your eyes.
.
Right next door, guests will celebrate Sleeping Beauty's birthday with the Good Fairies.
The Beauty and the Beast area will be one of the bigger one with Belle's village...
...where guests will join Belle in an enchanting story performance in the Beast's castle library.
Guests will have the choice to have dinner at the Be Our Guest restaurant in one of three enchanted rooms inside the Beast's castle...
...or at Gaston's Tavern.
The double-Dumbo ride is also confirmed and will be part of the new Fantasyland! Dumbo the Flying Elephant will be completely re-imagined. Guests will fly with Dumbo high above brand new circus grounds, twice the size of the existing attraction with a new interactive, three-ring circus tent.
The last addition will be the new Pixie Hollow area. Located behind the Little Mermaid area, guests will meet Tinker Bell and her friends.
Here is a video from Attractions Magazine of the Fantasyland announcement by Jay Rasulo.
The other big news was of course the official announcement of Star Tours 2 for 2011 at Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios. The ride will always use simulators but highly improved. In the ride visitors will board a Starspeeder and join a high-speed pod race through the desert canyons of Tatooine.
Storm Troopers and Darth Vader were there for what was the funniest part of Jay's keynote.
Also shown during the presentation, new renderings of Cars Land scheduled to open in 2012 where guests will literally step into the town of Radiator Springs and its six acres of hand-carved rockwork. The vehicles will use a new generation of Test Track technology.
A short CGI clip of Radiator Springs Racer was also shown. Apparently it shows a scene at the end of the indoor part of the ride, before vehicles go outside for the final race. Here are some pictures by Andy and a video of the clip from Mint Crocodile.
Also, a video from TopChefRemy of the Lighting Mc Queen "Automatronic" that guests can see in the Parks and Resorts area. Actually, it seems that there is no mechanical or hydraulic elements involved in the making of this "Automatronic". The eyes are obviously a rear projection, but even the mouth is a projection effect! The effect works perfectly.
Jay talked also about Hong Kong Disneyland and specially about Toy Story Playland with new renderings, here they are.
Jay did not forgot the Disney Resorts and specially the Ko Olina on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Here is some new artwork.
Finally, Rasulo talked about the Disney Dream, the new ship being built by Disney Cruise Line. The new ship is currently built in Germany, here are some pictures.
LAST COPIES of the acclaimed Disneyland Paris, From Sketch to Reality 320 pages book in its ENGLISH edition. Only TWO copies are left, in perfect “new” condition and price for each is 250€ ( + 28€ shipping worldwide ). To place your order, send me an email at: amplittaye@gmail.com with your name and shipping address and i'll tell you how to proceed to the payment. Paypal or credit card payments are accepted. Click on the book cover above for more infos. Le livre Disneyland Paris, De l’Esquisse à la Création n'est plus disponible en édition Française. Si vous ètes Français et souhaitez commander un exemplaire du livre en version imprimée anglaise je joindrais un PDF du texte original en Français. Il reste deux ex en anglais, en état neuf, et le prix est de 250€ ( +26€ de frais d'envois ). Pour placer votre commande il faut m'envoyer un email à amplittaye@gmail.com avec le nom et l’adresse d’expédition. Les paiements par Paypal ou carte bancaire sont acceptés. Cliquez sur la couverture du livre ci-dessus pour plus d’infos.
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The placemaking of Disney California Adventure comes to an end June 15 with the opening of Buena vista Blvd, the Carthay Circle Theater, Cars Land, and much more!
HKDL new land includes the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars ride and the town of Grizzly Gulch and it's the first new land with a Frontierland style built by WDI Imagineers since 20 years!
