Posted on Tue, Jul 21, 2009 @ 07:46 AM
Rumors Floating Around Disney World
I've been hearing some very interesting rumors about projects at Walt Disney World. Though I can't vouch for their 100% accuracy, but I thought I'd share none-the-less. At least one of these will forever change the way you experience the parks and resorts.
There's the recently posted Fantasyland expansion for the Magic Kingdom. Sources tell me this project will be built pretty much like we see it. Or at least 80% of the project has been approved.
Magic Kingdom isn't the only park entering Fantasyland. Disney's Animal Kingdom will soon be adding its own realm of fantasy. It's a huge project that will bring over Journey To The Center of the Earth in a format that's just slightly different than what they have now in Tokyo. It's not fair to call this ‘Beastly Kingdom' as that idea is truly dead. But fantasy animals will be involved. This project is just out of the blue-sky phase and awaiting further consideration by those who control the purse strings.
Disney's Wide World of Sports should complete it's transition to ESPN Wide World of Sports by May of 2010. Well, at least the signage and everything should be changed. The full impact of the shift will occur over time. Look for EWWOS to truly start to become a legitimate part of your WDW Vacation experience.
You have have heard about the family suites coming to Pop Century's long forgotten Legendary Years. With ESPN WWOS concentrating on bringing in more amateur sports, those teams are going to need some place to stay. My source tells me that half the proposed remake of the Legendary years will be ESPN themed. That makes sense to me since its right across the street from WWOS.
Not into sports? Well then how about a visit to the newly expanded and rethemed Downtown Disney. The old Pleasure Island section has reportedly signed a few new tenants and will under go a theme change to something more family casual and less party oriented. There is also talk of upgrading a few of the theaters in the AMC 24 to include service at your chair and potentially a new IMAX theater.
A few months ago Jim McPhee was removed from his position as Vice President of EPCOT Center. At the time we were told that McPhee was being moved onto a bigger resort wide project, but there was no indication of what that was. Now we're hearing that the next phase Pal Mickey project is based on RFID technology. This would do away with the doll and just place an RFID tag somewhere on the person (likely the admission media). Now anytime this RFID would come in proximity of a scanner Disney would be able to make some personalized magic happen. Word is that McPhee has been tasked with implementing this project resort wide.
In its most basic form it would be Winnie the Pooh saying your name in the attraction. But the technology allows Disney World to do some really amazing things too. Fast Pass? A thing of the past. Via RFID Disney now knows exactly when you entered the queue, how many people are in the queue, and how fast the attraction is loading. Care to register your preferences? Disney can know if enough people who prefer a certain type of entertainment are in an area and dispatch that band to play. This just scratches the surface too.
Privacy activists will no doubt be up in arms, but I'm pretty excited about the possibilities RFID technology brings to Disney's theme parks.
So with the economy beginning to come out of its doldrums, this might be the moment for Disney World to focus on some urban renewal in its own backyard.
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Posted on Tue, Jul 14, 2009 @ 06:58 AM
White Rhino Born in Uganda with Disney World Roots
Do you remember those two white rhinos sent to Uganda from Disney World's Animal Kingdom. Well now the first white rhino born in 27 years has come from one of those animals. Congratulations to Disney's Animal Program and the whole team for this success.
First-time mother Nande, a 10-year-old female white rhino born at Disney's Animal Kingdom, gave birth June 24 to a healthy male calf at the Ziwa Sanctuary in Uganda after a 16-month gestation period.
"We are thrilled to contribute to the sustainment of this critical species in Uganda," said Jackie Ogden, Ph.D., Vice President of Animal Programs and Environmental Initiatives with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We are joining with the Government of Uganda and Rhino Fund Uganda in celebrating this milestone birth, which represents a significant accomplishment for wildlife conservation."
Nande is one of two white rhinos transferred in 2006 as part of the first-ever reintroduction of white rhinos from the United States to Africa. She was joined by Hasani, also born at Disney World's Animal Kingdom, to help re-establish a white rhino population that has been extinct in Uganda since 1982 as a casualty of civil unrest in the region. There are an estimated 11,000 white rhinos remaining worldwide, with 190 in North American zoos.
Walt Disney World's commitment to conservation and rhinos goes beyond this first-ever rhino transfer. The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has supported more than $250,000 in rhino protection and research projects in partnership with non-profit organizations throughout the world. For more information on the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund visit www.disney.com/conservation
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Posted on Fri, Jul 10, 2009 @ 06:02 AM
American Idol Auditions & American Idol Experience Winners
Below is a very interesting article with photo's from American Idol auditions that are being held at Amway Arena courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine & Theme Park Mom.
American Idol producers say that nearly 10,000 people turned out for the Season 9 auditions of American Idol at Orlando's Amway Arena today, and several of them even had a coveted American Idol Experience Dream Ticket.
The Dream Ticket is the prize awarded to the finale show winner at the American Idol Experience each day at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Caitlin MacAllister (pictured right), 21 of Elkton, Maryland, won her American Idol Experience Dream Ticket on June 17th, singing Martina McBride's "Independence Day".
Caitlin was vacationing in Orlando with her family on the day they visited the Disney World.
"I had heard about it," she said. "But I wasn't planning to audition. We walked by and there wasn't any line, so I decided to try."
The senior in speech pathology at Towson State University in Maryland says she sings and performs in a community theater in her hometown. She flew back down to Orlando on Wednesday to attend the American Idol auditions today.
The main advantage that the
American Idol Experience Dream Ticket seems to give those
that hold it is experiencing no waiting in the registration lines.
People began lining up to register for a wristband that allows you
to audition at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, but American Idol Experience Dream Ticket holders did
not have to arrive until this morning.
Luke Davids (pictured left), 20, won his Dream Ticket just a few days ago on July 3. Luke is originally from London, England, but lives in Orlando now.
The session musician and songwriter said he decided to try the American Idol Experience because the Dream Ticket "registers you right away."
Syesha Mercado, who made it to the top 3 contestants in Season 7, had a similar "front-of-the-line" pass for the Miami auditions. At the American Idol Experience opening in February, Syesha told me the pass (which she won through Miami's local Fox affiliate) was convenient, but she didn't consider it an advantage in making it to Hollywood.
Caitlin, Luke and the thousands of others who turned out in Orlando today for their shot at American Idol stardom don't know yet if they will make it to the shows Hollywood round.
The shows producers say about 150 to 200 singers will be called back to audition in front of Simon, Randy, Paula and Kara in a few weeks.
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Posted on Tue, Jul 07, 2009 @ 07:15 AM
Princess Diana at Downtown Disney Now on Display Till Nov.30th
Well after the Virgin Megastore at Downtown Disney closed it's doors, many people wondered what was going to replace it...Well after months of preperation and hard work, the Princess Diana Exhibit has replaced it and is now on exhibit till Nov.30th.
Hundreds of royal artifacts are on view in "DIANA - The People's Princess," a limited-time experience showcasing the life and story of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The exhibition, includes royal dresses Diana chose to auction for charity, photos and personal effects. "DIANA - The People's Princess" will be on display through Nov. 30, 2009. Tickets may be purchased at the exhibit - $14.50 for ages 10 and older, $5 for ages 3-9.
Below is a video courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine which shows the exhibit and some of what to expect while visiting.
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Posted on Sat, Jul 04, 2009 @ 06:48 AM
Over 1,000 Immigrants Become US Citizens at Disney World Magic Kingdom
On July 3rd, over 1,000 immigrants gathered on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disney World Magic Kingdom early that morning to become American citizens.
The following courtesy of Disney World press release & photo's courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine
From more than 100 countries and ranging in age from 18 to 82, the immigrants took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States during a morning ceremony jointly hosted by Disney Parks and Resorts and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Here is a video summary of the event, including the Oath, clips from Garcia's speech, and Mickey Mouse showing up for a unique photo opportunity in front of Cinderella Castle before leading the new citizens to the recently updated Hall of Presidents attraction:
USCIS's highest-ranking official, Acting Deputy Director Michael Aytes, presided over the ceremony on the forecourt of Cinderella Castle. The event featured a welcoming address by Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton, the presentation of the colors, the national anthem, the Oath of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Actor Andy Garcia - a naturalized citizen himself - delivered a keynote address during the ceremony. Garcia, originally from Cuba, is an acclaimed actor known for roles in films as diverse as The Untouchables, The Godfather: Part III and Ocean's Eleven. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tampa-based Senior Airman Brenda Langdon of the U.S. Air Force, an immigrant from Columbia who became a United States citizen during the ceremony.
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