WDW Unwrapped the 55 Skyliner Gondolas Unveiling Characters and Graphics Designs !

Walt Disney World unwrapped the 55 gondolas for a test run , unveiling the different Disney characters for each of them!

"The unwrapped cabins, some of which feature stunning graphics based on Disney films, attractions and characters, are now making test runs back-and-forth between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The latest test-runs of the unwrapped Disney Skyliner gondolas are a significant milestone for the overall testing process of the state-of-the-art transportation system. 



Walt Disney Imagineering began testing the gondolas at the Resort just months ago. When fall arrives, guests of Disney Skyliner Resorts – Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – will be able to enjoy the benefit of being whisked between Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests will ride alongside favorites such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo & Stitch, and even the Hitchhiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion!"




Pictures and video: copyright Disney

New Renderings for Walt Disney World Awaited Star Wars Resort !

Disney Parks released two new visuals for the highly awaited Star Wars Hotel, to be build near Disney's Hollywood Studios Star Wars land: "The immersive experience offered at this hotel will stand out among all of our resorts around the globe. As you can see, families visiting this resort will board a starship alive with characters and stories that unfold all around them during their voyage through the galaxy – and every window has a view of space!"



Watch the animated image on the video below showing the guests arrival at the hotel, supposedly being a starship floating in space. Guests apparently will reach the "starship" thanks to a shuttle bringing them to the starship where they will stay. All this of course will be made thanks to special effects designed by WDI wizards.




“It’ll be unlike anything that exists today. From the second you arrive, you will become a part of a Star Wars story! You’ll immediately become a citizen of the galaxy and experience all that entails, including dressing up in the proper attire. Once you leave Earth, you will discover a starship alive with characters, stories, and adventures that unfold all around you. It is 100% immersive, and the story will touch every single minute of your day, and it will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits.”

The resort will also be seamlessly connected to the highly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, allowing guests a complete Star Wars experience. Guests visiting the resort will be welcome to participate as a resident of the galaxy by dressing in Star Wars-inspired attire. Inside their room guests will see through the window the infinite space and what's happening "below".

Considering that what guests will see through the hotel / starship windows will be projections some wonder if guests might suffer of claustrophobic effect. My answer is: if the visual  illusion is well done they shouldn't have the feeling to be captive in a closed space. That said, a good air conditioning with a cool breeze will surely help to cool down claustrophobic anxiety if it happens .

I remind you the previously released renderings showing the hotel "lobby", play areas and another one showing the guests room.









Pictures and video: copyright Disney

WDW Magic Kingdom Celebrates its 45th Anniversary - 1971 LIFE Grand Opening Original Issue

Forty Five years ago, on October 1st, 1971, Walt Disney world - Walt's big dream - was opening. LIFE photographers were there and the legendary magazine did a special issue.


I've found back for you this rare original issue and here it is with, above, the LIFE memorable cover as well as the original picture from the photo shoot with 1500 WDW cast-members and characters!



The next pictures are the pages of the article itself which began with two pictures on double-pages, including a fish-eye photo of the Magic Kingdom! Click on each to see them in larger size.





The other pages were mostly showing the now unfortunately extinct Mickey Mouse Revue or the Country Bear Jamboree. The Mickey Mouse Revue went then to Tokyo Disnryland where it is also now an extinct attraction.







The LIFE issue also included an AD for WDW! And it seems that at that time pets were allowed in the resort!




If you are at WDW this Saturday for the 45th celebration i wish you all the best for this happy day!

Pictures: copyright Time-Life

WDW Announces Opening Dates for Frozen Ever After, Soaring Over The World, Jungle Book Show, Star Wars Fireworks, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, and more

Lots of opening dates annoucements were done today by Disney, all about new attractions coming at Walt Disney World! Beginning May 27, Disney's Animal Kingdom park will awaken at night with new rich experiences under the stars. There’s an exciting lineup of new experiences coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom after the sun sets, including nightly awakenings of the park’s iconic Tree of Life. On May 27, animal spirits will be brought to life each night by magical fireflies that reveal colorful stories of wonder and enchantment along with other amazing sights at the tree.

After the sun sets, you’ll also be able to explore Kilimanjaro Safaris and see the nighttime behavior of the wildlife and better tune into the unique vocalization of the animals like never before. Among the new experiences, the village of Harambe in Africa will become the place to enjoy “Wildlife Parti” and the spirited community of Discovery Island will come together to celebrate their love of the natural world with the Discovery Island Carnivale.

FastPass+ and dining packages for Disney’s Animal Kingdom night experiences will become available beginning tomorrow, May 21.



Also at Animal Kingdom on May 28th: The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic

Animal Kingdom Discovery River will awaken at night and become a stunning stage for performances of the limited-engagement show The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, inspired by the hit live-action film Disney’s The Jungle Book. Shows will feature memorable moments from the film, including the iconic Shere Khan, and will be filled with music and special effects that celebrate the movie and classic songs, infused with an Indian influence.

Epcot Frozen Ever After ride, Royal Sommerhus will open their doors on June 21!

Two new “Frozen” experiences – the Frozen Ever After attraction and the adjacent Royal Sommerhus – will officially open their doors this June 21.

Located in the Norway pavilion at the park, Frozen Ever After offers guests an adventurous boat tour through the kingdom of Arendelle. Guests are first transported to the “Summer Snow Day” Celebration where Queen Elsa embraces her magical powers to create a beautiful “winter-in-summer” day for the entire kingdom. Next, guests will pass Troll Valley on their way up the icy North Mountain to Queen Elsa’s Ice Palace before their return trip to the Bay of Arendelle.

Fastpass+ will be available for Frozen Ever After. Guests can begin booking FastPass+ for this experience on Saturday, May 21.

The nearby Royal Sommerhus, Anna and Elsa’s summer home, will open its doors to guests and the royal sisters themselves will be there for greeting opportunities.

The Norway Pavilion will open at 9 a.m., along with the Future World area of Epcot.




On June 17th  Soarin’ Around the World will debut at Epcot but the classic Soarin' Over California is back from May 27!

Epcot guests will enjoy farewell flights when the classic Soarin’ returns to The Land pavilion in Future World starting May 27. The attraction reopens at Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort before the new film, Soarin’ Around the World, debuts next month at Disney parks in Shanghai, California and Florida. Disney FastPass+ service will be available starting May 21 for this limited opportunity to enjoy the classic Soarin’ experience at Epcot.

The classic Soarin’ film based on the popular Disney California Adventure park attraction, Soarin’ Over California, is a multi-sensory adventure with stunning views over California’s popular sites including the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley and Yosemite National Park to name a few. You’ll swear you feel the mist from the ocean. Don’t miss your chance to experience Soarin’ Over California at Disney California Adventure now through June 15, and at Epcot through June 16.

Last Chance to Experience the Classic Soarin’ at Epcot Before Soarin’ Around the World Debuts on June 17



The new film, Soarin’ Around the World, debuts June 17 at Disney California Adventure park at Disneyland Resort and Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort the day after its world premiere at Shanghai Disneyland and highlights landmarks from across the globe.


June 17th will be also the debut of  Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios!

This new nighttime show, which will be the most elaborate fireworks display in this park’s history, will begin nightly performances on June 17. This elaborate show will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that will turn the park’s Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, Starkiller Base and other Star Wars destinations. And the show, which will feature music from throughout the film franchise, will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams, creating a massive lightsaber in the sky.



On June 17th Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire will also debut at WDW Magic Kingdom Cinderella Castle Frecourt  Stage.

“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” brings to life beloved Disney stories both classic and contemporary in a spectacular performance featuring an original song, memorable music, lively dancing, delightful costumes and special effects magic. Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers have invited friends from other lands to join them in a grand celebration. So in addition to favorites like Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy, the show also brings together a wonderful cast of characters from some of Disney’s newest classics: “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “The Princess and the Frog.”





“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” celebrates the unique stories of the citizens who make up this magical kingdom and the wonderful things that can happen when we try new things, go to new places and get to know new friends.

Pictures: copyright Disney

Walt Disney World Water Permit Shows the Layout of Animal Kingdom Avatar Land Na'vi River Journey Boat Ride

A new Walt Disney World water permit filed with the South Florida Water Management District shows the layout of the Na'vi River Journey boat ride of Disney's Animal Kingdom Avatar land.

The permit say that it is for a "indoor water system" ride has been filed to have the approval to discharge water to a stormwater pond nearby the construction site of Avatar land. And a map included with the documents shows the blueprint of what is most probably the location for Pandora's Na'vi River Journey boat ride.
 

Last November the Disney Parks Blog described Na'vi River Journey as "a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey. The adventure begins as guests set out in canoes and venture down a mysterious, sacred river hidden within the bioluminescent rainforest. The full beauty of Pandora reveals itself as the canoes pass by exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures. The journey culminates in an encounter with a Na’vi shaman, who has a deep connection to the life force of Pandora and sends positive energy out into the forest through her music. Na’vi River Journey will open with Pandora – The World of Avatar in 2017"
 

Pictures: copyright Disney

Disney Asks FAA Permission to Fly Drones During Fireworks in U.S Theme Parks

In a previous article posted August 2014, i was telling you all about an "Amazing New WDI Patents Shows Quadcopter Drones Used For Flying Screens... or Puppet Masters". Now, Market watch discovered that the Walt Disney Company "has taken the next step in integrating drones into its fireworks shows at Disneyland and Walt Disney World: it has applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for what’s called a Section 333 exemption, which allows a company to legally operate drones commercially. Currently, it is illegal to operate a drone for commercial purposes, though that’s expected to change in 2016.

The drones would fly preprogrammed flight paths and emit LED lights at various intervals, lighting up the sky. Up to 50 drones at one time might be used for nightly firework shows, according to details included in the Section 333 exemption request. But no need to worry about a drone crashing down and ruining your vacation -- Disney also said in the paperwork filed with the FAA that these drones will only fly in the theme park’s 

“pyrotechnic clear zone,” meaning areas that are inaccessible to visitors."

As we know the big advantage of the new drones is that they're light, and the main problem with them is ...the same. As they're light, if the wind changes, they can easily become uncontrollable and if one was crashing and injuring guests it could potentially cost Disney a fortune if the guests sue the company. That's probably why and although the patent which was filed describes the use of drones also for parades we should see them flying only in areas which are not over guests.

And in another article the Orlando Sentinel adds "The form includes some of Disney's safety precautions and planned operations for the drones, including a restriction as to where it would not fly the crafts, including not within 100 feet of guest areas at all times. "Their flight paths will largely take place over water elements and restricted areas," it reads. The Flixels would max out at 150 feet above ground level, according to the application. They would be used for park entertainment productions, including fireworks."

I'm not surprised that Disney is trying to introduce the use of drones in their shows as there are great things to do with them. For instance, have a look at this video showing the 25th Anniversary let's Dream night parade designed by the Goddard Group for South Korea Lotte World theme park, in which they use plenty of drones - it starts at 12.00 min - but it's inside a mostly indoor or covered area which of course make things easier.




And now i repost below the August 2014 D&M article explaining in details and patent renderings the new patent which was filed by Disney Enterprises:


Thanks to Market Watch, the blog of The Wall Street Journal we've learned that Disney Enterprises - WDI - filed three new amazing patents on August 21, just four days ago, and all patents -  applied for by Clifford Wong, James Alexander Stark and Robert Scott
Trowbridge - involve the use of quadcopter drones (UAVs). And these are not the kind of drones firing missiles or spying you, thanks God, as they will be used to deliver more amazement to the guests in Disney parks entertainment productions.

The first two patents cover different methods of producing light shows, either with large, flexible screens lifted by small remote-controlled craft or swarms of drones that are each fitted with a light and act as "flixels" or floating pixels. In one, the screens could be large projection surfaces made of mesh that would allow wind to pass through, or they could actually produce their own images: Disney's application suggests loosely woven strips of LEDs. And thanks to a ground control station they could choreograph repeatable movements.

The first patent called "Optical: systems and elements projection screen moving during projection"  is described as "a system for presenting an aerial display over an audience of spectators. The system includes a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a plurality of flexible projection screens. Each of the screens is supportable in a display air space by the UAVs. The system includes a ground control system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. During operation during a display time period, the UAVs execute the flight plans to move and to position the flexible projection screens within the display air space. The flexible projection screens each may include a mesh body configured to have low wind resistance and to provide a projection surface for reflecting light. The system may include a projector projecting light onto the projection surface of at least one of the flexible projection screens during the display time period."

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary aerial display system of the present description during use to provide an aerial light show with a number of UAVs supporting a flexible projection screen or scrim within a display air space;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of a flexible projection screen configured as a emissive display that may be positioned with UAVs in a display air space

The drones would be able to detect each other and work in concert, according to a central program. In two of the images, they're even carrying huge ribbons around a Disney castle!

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an aerial display system of one embodiment at two operating states (or operating at two sequential points in time during an aerial light show or display) showing use of UAVs to move and position flexible projection screens/scrims.

The next patent is described as "a system for performing an aerial display. The system includes a plurality of UAVs each including a propulsion device and a display payload, and the system includes a ground station system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and memory storing a different flight plan and a set of display controls for the UAVs. Then, wherein, during a display time period, the UAVs concurrently execute the flight plans through operation of the propulsion devices and operate the display payloads based on the display controls. The display payloads each include a lighting assembly and a light controller. The output light is one of a two or more colored light streams, and each of the display payloads further may include a light diffuser with the output light being directed onto a surface of the light diffuser. The light diffuser may include a light diffusing screen extending about the lighting assembly."

Here, the patent indicates that drones could even potentially replace fireworks, which can be dangerous and inconsistent. Instead, the patent calls for an aerial display system based on the floating pixel, or “flixel.” Each drone would carry a lighting assembly that could display images or colors, making use of the sky as a screen. The other option would see the drones carrying lights that would change color as needed, letting an operator program them to make pictures or abstract displays that look like fireworks.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an exemplary aerial display system of the present description during use to provide an aerial light show with numerous flixels (flying pixels assemblies)

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary flixel or flying pixel assembly including a multicopter with a display payload providing a lighting assembly and display screen in the form of a light diffusion cylinder

The two first patents looks already great tech but this third one will amaze you as it indicates a use even more amazing of drones that could be used to hold giant puppets during parks entertainment. With the drones, these larger-than-life puppets could be mounted with rods to fly through the air!

Here is its description: "a system for performing an aerial display. The system includes a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a ground control system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. The system further includes a marionette with a body and articulatable appendages attached to the body. The body and appendages are supported with tether lines extending between the marionette and the UAVs. Then, during a display time period, the UAVs concurrently execute the flight plans to position and articulate the marionette within a display air space. In some embodiments, the UAVs each is a multicopter, and each of the multicopters includes a local controller operating to move the multicopter through a series of way points defined by the flight plan associated with the multicopter."

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary aerial display system during operation to support and articulate an aerial marionette within a display air space

FIG. 5 illustrates another aerial display system showing UAVs manipulating and supporting an aerial marionette via puppet frame elements in the arms and torso of the marionette

“This is a significant improvement over prior flying characters, which typically were provided in the form of parade or other blimps/balloons filled with hot air or other gases and that had little and/or awkward articulation of any movable parts,” according to the patent.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of an aerial display system in which each "marionette" is supported and articulated by one or more UAVs is configured to be combined with a one-to-many other "marionettes" to form a larger marionette/display assembly, which can then be further moved about the display air space and/or articulated by the UAVs

All what shows these patents looks indeed technologically amazing and if it can really works in reality it surely will stun Disney theme parks guests. But - and it's a big "but" - the use of these flying quadcopter drones as great as they can be might become a problem when there would be a wind strong enough to destabilize them... And, as Disney points out, the quadcopters could be more flexible than ordinary displays but safer and more predictable than fireworks... as long as they're able to minimize the risk of one accidentally falling out of the sky.

So, what do you think of these mazing new WDI patents?

Editing: Forbes Magazine has posted an article written by a drones specialist called "Four Things You Need To Know About Disney's Drones" and i think you should have a read of it HERE.

Pictures: copyright Disney Enterprises

Why "The Edison" Will Become Instantly Disney Springs Favorite Place for WDW Guests

WDS released last week the rendering of The Edison, which will be one of the major additions to Disney Springs, the new shopping and dining entertainment area at DownTown Disney. Those of you who already know the original Edison at Los Angeles know how awesome the deco is but, as probably most of you don't know it, here are some pictures of The Edison in L.A, and according to the press release the one being built at WDW Disney Springs should have more or less the same kind of decor. 

WDW press release describe The Edison as "a lavish “Industrial Gothic”-style restaurant, bar and nighttime destination "that will feature exceptional classic American food, artisanal craft cocktails and unparalleled live entertainment". Similar to its sister location on the west coast, The Edison at Disney Springs will be dedicated to a resurgence of old-world style, sophistication and romance. Themed to a 1920s-period electric company, the space will recall an exuberant era of invention and imagination. With 35-foot ceilings and a range of themed areas to explore, The Edison will feature nightly entertainment including contortionists, palm readers, DJs and more."

The original Edison is a steampunk themed nightclub located inside the Higgins Building basement in Los Angeles, California, which opened in 2007. The Higgins Building basement was Los Angeles' first ever power plant, built by Thomas Higgins. After spending several years derelict and underwater, it was rescued by entrepreneurs Andrew Meieran and Marc Smith, who made a post-industrial steampunk venue for Los Angeles nightclubbers, now highly popular. As a picture worth a thousand words, let's have a look at them now!

I think you better understand now why you must await the opening of The Edison as, with its dim lighting, steampunk - Industrial Gothic decor and even a bit of Tower of Terror atmosphere it should become instantly one of Disney Springs favorite place for WDW guests! In the meantime discover the great website of the original The Edison HERE.

All pictures: copyright The Edison