Jessie & Rex Arrive in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Jessie and Rex became the first “Toy Story” characters to be installed in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, earlier this week. According to their storyline, Rex and Jessie decided to help Andy build a rollercoaster using his Mega Coaster Play Kit in his backyard by stringing up the lights on towers of blocks. Rex, of course, has got tangled up in the lights, but Jessie is nearby to help. Watch the video of their installation below!




Picture and video: copyright Disney

Shanghai Disneyland Update : First Aerial Pictures of Toy Story Land Construction Site

Thanks to Chinese media news.cn we have the first aerial pictures showing the construction of Toy Story Land at Shanghaî Disneyland. First, as we know, the land is located between the TRON Lightcycles show building and the Evergreen Playhouse where is currently playing the Frozen show. See picture below before TSL construction began.



As for the attractions that SDL guests will find in this mini land, Toy Story Land will include Slinky Dog Spin - identical to the one at DLP WDS and HKDL Toy Story Lands, Woody's Round-Up which seems to be the same kind of ride like the Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Disney's California Adventure, and Rex' Racer who could be like WDS TSL RC Racer. In addition, the land will include the Toy Box Cafe restaurant, in fact already open since SDL opening last June.

Now, let's have a look to these aerial pictures showing SDL Toy Story Land construction from above. On the first picture below the park entrance is in the background, SDL Fantasyland in the foreground, and the future Toy Story land on the bottom right.


The second picture is a closer view and Toy Story Land is, again, on the bottom right. The green building are rest rooms, on the left of it with the orange umbrellas you have the Toy Box Cafe (both are already open ) and below the green building you have on the left Slinky Dog Spin, in front of it Rex's Racer and, under Slinky Dog Spin, Woody's Roundup.



Still plenty of work to do as you can see but if all goes well the land will open at Shanghaî Disneyland next year, in 2018, as announced during the break ground event by Bob Iger and Bob Chapek last November! ( picture on top )

Pictures: copyright Disney, news.cn

Shanghai Disneyland Breaks Ground on Toy Story Land - Opening Scheduled For 2018 !

It was awaited to be the next Shanghaî Disneyland attraction and it is now confirmed as SDL breaks ground for Toy Story Land. It will be the 7th themed land of Shanghaî Disneyland and will be locate behind Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Below, full SDL press release:

Shanghai, November 10, 2016 – Woody, Buzz and all of their Toy Story friends will soon be entertaining guests at an all-new land of their own in Mainland China. One of The Walt Disney Company’s most popular franchises will have an even bigger presence at Shanghai Disney Resort’s theme park, Shanghai Disneyland, when the park opens its 7th themed land. Leadership from the joint venture’s two shareholders, The Walt Disney Company and the Shanghai Shendi Group, recently broke ground on the new themed land, in a sign of their confidence in the growing consumer demand for themed entertainment in China, and as a clear sign of the early success of Shanghai Disney Resort.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with Shanghai Disneyland’s first four months of operation and couldn’t be more excited about our future in mainland China,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We’re demonstrating our confidence by breaking ground on a new Toy Story Land that will be both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese, delighting our guests for years to come.”

Toy Story Land will be a high-spirited, colorful world where guests will enter the backyard of Andy, the boy from the movies, and will feel as if they’ve been shrunk down to the size of their favorite Toy Story toys for laughter and fun. The toys come to life and play in a fully immersive land with three new attractions and a uniquely themed character greeting area.

“Since its opening in June this year, Shanghai Disneyland’s operation has run smoothly and our guests have been very enthusiastic. We have received positive feedback from the entire society – all of which makes us excited about the future,” said Fan Xiping, chairman of Shanghai Shendi Group. “The newly announced Toy Story Land is part of the accelerated expansion plan for the first phase of the theme park. Both shareholders will continue to launch more new experiences to meet the needs of our guests from China and all over the world.”

Characters and stories from the Toy Story franchise have strongly resonated with Chinese guests. Shanghai Disney Resort has the only Toy Story-themed resort hotel in the world, and Shanghai Disneyland also has the popular Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue attraction, a guest favorite which features the most advanced Buzz Lightyear targeting system at any Disney Park in the world.

“Walt Disney once said that Disneyland, and by extension, all of our theme parks, would never be complete, that they would continue to grow as long as there is imagination in the world,” said Philippe Gas, general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. “We are so excited to bring this same sense of imagination and optimism to Shanghai and look forward to growing our resort together with our guests in China. This is a great time to visit Shanghai Disney Resort and experience the magic of Disney.”

The new Toy Story Land, with unique attractions and experiences guests can only have at Shanghai Disneyland, is set to open in 2018.

Picture: copyright Disney - Shendi

Shanghaî Disneyland Week-End Update : Early Artwork Confirms That Toy Story Land Was Envisioned For SDL

It's the week-end so i have a Shanghaî Disneyland update for you, a short one this week but great anyway thanks to Eric, a faithful Disney and more reader, who sent me this never seen before Shanghaî Disneyland artwork, most probably early artwork. More or less everything which exist currently is already there with a bit of differences but the interesting part is that it shows the Toy Story land which is not part of the park on opening day but could be added very soon. I let you find it in the artworks, click on each to see them in big size!




Pictures: copyright Disney - Shendi

Shanghaî Disneyland Week-end Update : Is a Toy Story Land coming to Shanghaî Disneyland ?

In this week-end D&M Shanghaî Disneyland update we'll have a closer look at a part of the park where it seems that SDL Imagineers may envision to build a Toy Story Land in a near future. Theme Park University is the one who first spotted some buildings which indeed look like some Toy Story Land structures and he posted in his article that you can read HERE the picture below.


If we compare with these pictures of the Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop ride at HKDL and DLP WDS there is no doubt that the one on picture above looks indeed the same, though with a few differences, and with a giant bucket for Toy Soldiers nearby.




Now, i thought that it would be interesting to have a look back to the previous SDL aerial drone videos posted since the last six months to have a look at this from above. And this TSL structure can be clearly seen each time as you'll see on the pictures below ( indicated with an orange arrow ). As you'll see there is a big piece of land that could very well be used for a Toy Story land.











Now, all the question is: are they going to build a Toy Story land, or not? If you're a faithful D&M reader you may remember this SDL map on which was clearly indicated a Toy Story land. The three attractions are supposed to be Rex's Racers, Slinky Dog Spin and Woody's Round-Up with Celebration Cafe and Toy Box Cafe as restaurants. So ,apparently no Parachute Drop ride is envisioned but we can see on the map a structure looking like the green building...




More recently, in another SDL official map the green structure clearly appear without any particular mention, although the one under it is "Celebration Cafe".



Does it mean that WDI Imagieners intend to add this mini-land anytime soon after the park opening? May be, may be not... Some think that HKDL exclusivity on the TSL land is still running but i'm not sure that HKDL has an exclusivity on that one. Although it certainly have one on Grizzly Gulch and Mytic Manor, these two HKDL lands were really brand new lands when TSL had already been built at DLP WDS before opening at HKDL, so it's difficult to have an exclusivity on something which already existed in another Disney theme park. But HKDL may had one for five years for Asia and in this case, as HKDL TSL opened on November 2011 it would end this November, which may explain why SDL Imagineers had to wait.

Above: the concept-art for DLP WDS Toy Story Playland

That said, i'd rather prefer they don't build a Toy Story land at SDL as i'm part of those who think that Toy Story land doesn't fit in a Disney "Magic Kingdom". It works at HKDL because they've hidden it behind Jungle Cruise and tons of giant bamboos but it's almost the exception which confirms the rule. There is another important point which is a question of visual intrusion. The pillars of Parachute Drop and the RC Racers track as they exist at DLP WDS or HKDL can be seen from afar and it'll be hard this time to hide them here at SDL, specially at a few meters from SDL Tomorrowland or Fantasyland.

Finally, and always about Parachute Drop, there is also another point more politic this time which is to have an attraction with soldiers dressed as American G.I's in a park on China main land. Sure, it is supposed to be toy soldiers, but toy soldiers looking like G.I's anyway. But i still can't believe they will build Parachute Drop at SDL, mainly for the question of visual intrusion,  and may be the green structure will be used only as a Toy Story land restaurant or simply restrooms... Future will tell what is the truth in all this and normally we shouldn't have too long to wait to know about it.

Pictures: copyright Disney, Theme Park University, DR

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Announces New Lands, Entertainment and Experiences at D23 EXPO 2015 - Updated with More Artwork and Videos!

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Announces New Lands, Entertainment and Experiences at D23 EXPO 2015

Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Pandora – The World of AVATAR, Soarin’ and Iron Man among new experiences coming for guests

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2015) – Today, Disney announced a line-up of new attractions and entertainment coming to its theme parks around the world during the D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. 

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek gave 7,500 lucky fans a behind-the-scenes look at what’s to come.  He was joined by Imagineers working on these projects as well as legendary filmmakers James Cameron and Jon Landau who shared new details about Pandora – The World of AVATAR including the names of the land and E-ticket attraction – AVATAR Flight of Passage.  Fans also got a chance to see Marvel legend Stan Lee in a cameo appearance where he posed as an unsuspecting fan during Iron Man’s dramatic entrance. 

Among the many announcements Chapek shared were new and enhanced Star Wars experiences coming later this year to the Florida and California theme parks, plans for a new Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and more details on Pandora—The World of AVATAR, which is already under construction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  Chapek also shared that Soarin’ Around the World will make its U.S. film debut at Epcot and Disney California Adventure taking guests to new places around the world.  Additionally, fans got a preview of exclusive video of the first Marvel attraction planned for Disney parks, coming to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016.

“From Disneyland’s 60^th anniversary celebration to the anticipation of Shanghai Disney Resort, we’re in the midst of unprecedented growth and expansion around the globe,” said Chapek. “With these new announcements, we continue our legacy in creating innovative attractions, worldwide entertainment, and magical lands that take our guests into the worlds of stories they love.”

In addition to these announcements, Chapek talked about the exciting news announced earlier in the day by Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger for plans to bring Star Wars-themed lands to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando and Disneyland park in Anaheim.  Each 14-acre land will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet with two signature attractions, including a customized secret mission on the Millennium Falcon and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle. 

Read D&M Star Wars Land special article with high-res artworks of the land HERE !

Here below are all details on each project and if you want to watch the full presentation here is the whole thing filmed by Mouse Planet!

Star Wars Enhancements & New Experiences

From a new Star Tours adventure to Star Wars Launch Bay, from a new Jedi Training Academy to "Season of the Force,” soon guests will be part of both new and enhanced experiences at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

·         Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Later this year, Star Tours will include a new adventure featuring locations and characters from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, giving guests a new adventure in the Star Wars galaxy. 

·         Star Wars Launch Bay – This interactive experience will take guests into the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, including opportunities to visit with new and favorite Star Wars characters, special merchandise and food offerings.  Star Wars Launch Bay will be located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park.  Also atDisneyland park, Star Wars Launch Bay will share the space with the reimagined Super Hero HQ, featuring opportunities to meet and take photos with super heroes like Captain America and Thor, as well as experience the returning Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries.  Both experiences will be available for guests later this year.

·         Jedi Training Academy — A favorite of younger fans is reimagined with a new experience that includes new characters and a new villain to battle from the popular Disney XD series "Star Wars Rebels."

·         Season of the Force – This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both coasts.  In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment throughout the land, themed food locations and more. 

     Guests also will be thrilled to climb aboard Hyperspace Mountain, a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction, in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle. 

     At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will close out weekend nights with a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies.

Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida

The reimagining of Disney’s Hollywood Studios will take guests to infinity and beyond, allowing them to step into the worlds of their favorite films, starting with Toy Story Land.  This new 11-acre land will transport guests into the adventurous outdoors of Andy’s backyard.  

Guests will think they've been shrunk to the size of Woody and Buzz as they are surrounded by oversized toys that Andy has assembled using his vivid imagination.  Using toys like building blocks, plastic buckets and shovels, and game board pieces, Andy has designed the perfect setting for this land, which will include two new attractions for any Disney park and one expanded favorite.

·         Family-friendly roller coaster – All on the back of Slinky Dog, this coaster will zip and zoom, plunge and coast as it takes guests on a fun, toy-filled adventure throughout the new land.

·         Alien saucers attraction – The famous little green aliens from the movie will take guests around for a spin in their very own flying saucers.  

The music, lighting and sound effects add to the flurry of action, while “The Claw” looms over. 

·         Toy Story Mania! – Guests glide into the Toy Story Midway Games Play Set  and take aim at 3D objects in a variety of fast-paced games, with an expansion that adds a third track to this popular attraction.

Here is the video filmed by The DIS of the Toy Story land announcement for Disney Hollywood Studios during the D23 Disney parks an dResorts presentation at D23.

After Dark at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Pandora – The World of AVATAR

As part of the largest expansion in the park’s history, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will immerse guests into the world of Pandora, and the entire park will transform after dark with new nighttime entertainment experiences, offering guests longer days than ever before to experience this one-of-a-kind theme park.

·         “Rivers of Light” – Expected to open next spring, “Rivers of Light” will be an innovative experience unlike anything ever seen in a Disney park, combining live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. “Rivers of Light” will magically come to life on the natural stage of Discovery River, delighting guests and truly capping off a full day of adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

·         Kilimanjaro Safaris – This popular attraction will be extended for a new nighttime adventure next spring, where guests will travel through the African savanna amid the magically extended orange glow of the setting sun and discover two species new to the attraction: African wild dogs and hyenas. 

Here is the video filmed by The DIS during the Parks and Resorts presentation yesterday, with the great Imagineer Joe Rhode!

·         Pandora – The World of AVATAR – Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests will journey into the magnificent world of Pandora at this new AVATAR-themed land – a world that includes floating mountains, a bioluminescent forest and the winged creatures known as Banshees, giving guests a transformational experience they will never forget.

From yesterday's Parks and Resorts presentation at D23 here is the video filmed by The DIS of the Avatar land announcement with James Cameron in person!

  AVATAR Flight of Passage – This E-ticket attraction, the centerpiece of Pandora, allows guests to soar on a Banshee over a vast alien world. The spectacular flying experience will give guests a birds-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of the world of Pandora on an aerial rite of passage.

Soarin’ Around the World in Florida and California

Next year, guests at Epcot in Florida and Disney California Adventure in California will journey to far-flung lands and fly above some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and man-made wonders when the new Soarin’ Around the World makes its U.S. debut. 

Go behind the scenes with this short video making-of of Soarin' Over the World!

Iron Man Unveiled for Hong Kong Disneyland

Iron Man landed at D23 EXPO today for a special appearance, and soon Hong Kong Disneyland guests will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Super Hero himself. 

Set to open in 2016, Iron Man Experience will be the first Marvel attraction at any Disney park, taking guests on an epic adventure over the streets and in the sky above Hong Kong.  The adventure will begin at the new Stark Expo where guests board the Iron Wing to take flight and battle Hydra alongside fan-favorite Avenger, Iron Man.

And here is the 30 sec preview of the simulator ride movie of Iron Man Experience opening next year at HKDL!

Come back tomorrow for a video of the full D23 Parks and Resorts presentation!

Pictures: copyright Disney

Hong Kong Disneyland Halloween Season Starting Oct 4 - Media Event Tomorrow !

Hong Kong Disneyland Halloween Media Event will happen tomorrow Sept 12 but officially the Halloween season starts on October 4. Annual Pass Holder and media will be able to enjoy all the Halloween elements, the rest of September will be Halloween private parties, with the official Halloween kick off on Oct 4. 

In terms of special Halloween theming, Demon Jungle is gone to History since 2010 and has been replaced by The Revenge of the Headless Horseman since 2011. Haunted Hotel was also replaced by Graves Academy in 2012. No new haunted maze will be added this year BUT the street atmosphere and "the dark force" is going to expand to Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch, with for instance new photo ops like this picture above of Toy Story's Babyface placed in Toy Story Land!  More pics of HKDL Halloween coming soon!

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!