Posted on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 @ 06:56 AM
Princess Tiana makes her official Magic Kingdom debut at Disney World with a special welcome and Showboat Jubilee
The following article & video's ar courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
A host of Disney characters welcomed Princess Tiana this morning following her horse-drawn carriage ride to Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. Tiana is featured in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated film "The Princess and the Frog" which marks Disney's return to traditional 2-D hand-drawn animation.
Today's special welcome was a one-time event in honor of Disney's newest princess making her way to Walt Disney World's most magical theme park. Here's a video of the welcome ceremony:
Shortly thereafter, the official premiere performance of Tiana's Showboat Jubilee took place. Following a jazz-filled procession through Frontierland and Liberty Square, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Dr. Facilier, and Louis the alligator performed with dancers, musicians, and even park guests in a live musical production that takes place on board the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Belle riverboat.
Here's video of a complete show of Tiana's Showboat Jubilee, including the processional beforehand:
The processional leads characters onto the Liberty Belle which then paddlewheels her way from the dock in Liberty Square toward Frontierland, stopping by the bridge in front of Splash Mountain where a song-filled performance is delivered to watching guests. Nearly two dozen Disney dancers join 30 randomly-chosen park guests to be part of each show. Guests are not necessarily chosen near the riverboat but throughout the park.
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Posted on Thu, Oct 15, 2009 @ 06:50 AM
New Attraction & Ride Opened Yesterday at Disney's Epcot "The Sum of all Thrills"
The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine.
The Sum of all Thrills, a new attraction and ride sponsored by Raytheon, opened today at Disney World's Innoventions East at Epcot.
The Sum of all Thrills lets guests create their own ride experience by choosing a ride theme: a roller coaster, bobsled or jet plane. Using multi-touch object recognition tables, guests use math and engineering-based tools to design and customize their ride by adding corkscrews, inversions or steep hills. In the process, guests can learn a little bit about mathematical and engineering principles to determine how much energy is needed for a jet to take off or for a roller coaster or bobsled to make it up its first climb.
When the design of the ride is complete, it is saved on a personal card with a unique bar code. The card is then used to allow each guest to experience his or her custom ride from beginning to end on the robotic KUKA RoboSim 4-D simulator.
Disney previously utilized KUKA robotic arms in their "Rockin' Robots" exhibit also within Innoventions. This particular KUKA RoboSim arm is currently in use in one other United States theme park, this is the first installation combining the robot arm technology with the video simulator and hood. It has also been widely-rumored that Universal Orlando will be using a KUKA robotic arm in its upcoming Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction, though KUKA representatives would not comment on that today.
Inside the simulator, guests experience their ride on high definition video with stereo sound and a fan to simulate wind.
Before reading thoughts on the Sum of All Thrills experience, learn more about the new attraction and the KUKA RoboSim ride system in the following video featuring show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering Eric Goodman, concept designer for Walt Disney Imagineering Brent Strong, director of new market development for KUKA Robotics Michael Beaupre, and vice president of corporate communications for Raytheon Pam Wickham:
There are eight design tables and four robotic arms which each hold two people. Up to three people can experience the same designed ride (utilizing two arms simultaneously). If you're happy with your design, you can keep your card and return to reride the same ride for up to six months.
The ride experience and viewing screen graphics are similar to CyberSpace Mountain at DisneyQuest. Don't expect photo-realism here. Instead, the graphics are more cartoon-like, as shown in the image above.
We rode the Sum of All Thrills five times this morning with varying thrill levels. At the end of each ride, you are literally presented with a "sum of all thrills" in numerical form, rating the various elements you rode. If you don't select any inversions and pick the most basic track elements, your "sum" will likely be in the 200s and your ride will be rather tame, though still somewhat entertaining. The maximum "sum" we received was in the 1,200s for a jet plane ride that included six inversions and a number of thrilling maneuvers. A ride in the 200s feels less thrilling than Big Thunder Mountain, so almost anyone meeting the height and safety requirements should be able to enjoy this experience.Guests must be 48 inches or taller to ride, 54 inches or taller if the designed ride includes inversions. The seats don't fit all body types. Outside of the attraction are two sample seats for guests to try. The hood and screen must come down to a certain point before guests will be able to ride so larger guests may not be able to experience The Sum of All Thrills.
Since the ride system's visually separates riders from the world around them, the feeling of being moved around on the end of a giant robot arm is minimal. Instead, you feel like you're safely seated in a chair that's rolling, pitching, and flipping you upside down. The ride looks more intense from the outside than it feels once you're experiencing it. But that's not to say that six inversions won't make the blood rush to your head.
Overall, The Sum of All Thrills is better than most (if not all) Innoventions exhibits but not quite up there with Epcot's best rides and attractions. The screen inside the hood is smaller than we would have liked. It seems to only be somewhere around a 15-20″ screen, which isn't large enough for a totally immersive experience. But as Innoventions' first ride, it serves its purpose of being entertaining, exciting, and even teaches guests a little something about math. And given the popularity of DisneyQuest's CyberSpace Mountain, The Sum of All Thrills will likely prove to be a winner, especially with the teenage crowd.
In addition to the attraction at Epcot, Raytheon also unveiled a virtual Sum of all Thrills experience online at MathMovesU.com. The Sum of all Thrills world, aimed at middle school students, combines the three ride elements of the theme park experience into one multidimensional ride. Students answer math-related questions to unlock elements that enable them to build their own ride online.
"Sum of all Thrills is an example of how Raytheon is using innovation to encourage students to develop and sustain an interest in math and science," said William H. Swanson, chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. "By experiencing the ‘thrill' of math in this environment, students have the opportunity first hand to feel the excitement and possibilities of careers that are possible with math and science. We hope young people and adults alike will enjoy this innovative experience."
Still haven't got tickets or a Disney Vacation Package to Epcot yet? Then check out our website for all your Disney World needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com
Posted on Sat, Aug 15, 2009 @ 06:17 AM
World Showcase at Disney World EPCOT Center ready to open New Teguila Bar in Mexico Pavilion
Guests at Disney's EPCOT Center Mexico pavilion in The World Showcase will soon have a new Tequila bar in which to add a new twist to their Disney World Vacation.
La Cava del Tequila, will become the newest addition at Mexico Pavilion on August 28, 2009. Through the décor, art work, original artifacts, and products served it will celebrate the heritage and tradition of Tequila making in Mexico.
Guests visiting La Cava del Tequila will have the opportunity to enjoy over 70 types of authentic tequila from several major brands, ranging from the simplest to the rarest of them all, aged to perfection and made from the finest distilled spirits from the Agave Plant. A Tequila Ambassador will be on-hand to educate Guests on the history of Tequila making and its rich Mexican heritage.
Exotic and unique-blended margaritas will be served introducing a variety of flavored salts, spices and tropical fresh fruits masterfully prepared by experienced mixologists.
A variety of quick tastes "Tapas style" will be available, including freshly made Guacamole, home fried Fresh Corn Chips , Salsas, Ceviches and Tostadas.
This sounds right up my alley. Just remember, don't drink the worm.
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Posted on Thu, Aug 06, 2009 @ 06:21 AM
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth Nighttime Spectacular
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, a mesmerizing fireworks, laser and water show featuring a rousing soundtrack, plays nightly for Guests of all ages in the World Showcase area in Disney World Epcot Center theme park.
Seen atop the World Showcase Lagoon, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a spectacular 12-minute, live pyrotechnic show that brings together the past, present and future of our planet and its colorful nations.
Featuring breathtaking fireworks, brilliant bursts of fire, laserlight effects, dramatic fountain barges, a stirring musical score and the world's first spherical video display system-the 350,0000-pound Earth Globe-IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is an inspirational nighttime spectacular bursting with surprises for the entire family.
The Story of llumiNations:
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot Center tells the story of our planet in 3 unforgettable acts.
* Act 1: Chaos - Bear witness to the explosion at the dawn of time that brings about the creation of Earth, where you are invited to observe the Inferno Barge, a liquid-propane mechanism launching balls of fire 60 feet into the air.
* Act 2: Order - Behold the glowing Earth Globe as it glides peacefully to the center of the lagoon, illuminated with-and celebrating-the famous faces and achievements of our time.
* Act 3: Meaning - During this final act, the Earth Globe blossoms to reveal a torch and the glow of a thousand fireworks and laserlights that fill the night sky in a shimmering kaleidoscope of color and sound, propelling us into the future.
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth can be viewed anywhere throughout the World Showcase that offers a clear view of the World Showcase Lagoon.
Be sure to check the Times Guide at Epcot Center the day of your visit for show times. Since IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is an outdoor show, it is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.
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Posted on Sat, Aug 01, 2009 @ 07:32 AM
Walt Disney World Set To Increase Ticket Prices Aug. 2nd
Walt Disney World is raising the ticket prices for its theme parks again. Disney last raised its admission prices in August 2008.
The Orlando Sentinel reported Friday that the base price of a one-day, one-park adult ticket will increase from $75 to $79. The same ticket for a child between the ages of 3 and 9 will go from $63 to $68. (Prices do not include sales tax) Prices for the resort's multi-day ticket packages also will rise. The new prices will go into effect Sunday.
The ticket increases come a day after the Walt Disney Co. announced its third-quarter profit dropped 26 percent, as slower DVD sales pushed its movie studio into the red. Does this make any since? If Disney World is loosing profits, then why would they raise their prices again? Especially in these rough and tough economic times?
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