Tuesday, September 26, 2006

All Things Nemo

"Three years after the release of Pixar's animated blockbuster film Finding Nemo, the little cartoon fish and his friends are getting new rides at Epcot and Disneyland, a whole Epcot pavilion renamed for them, plus a new show at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Including the Turtle Talk With Crush show that opened at Epcot in late 2004, Finding Nemo is about to become one of the most visible franchises in Mickey's realm."
- Scott Powers, "Nemo Finds More to Do," Orlando Sentinel, Sept. 22, 2006

Epcot Grand Opening Video



Part of a 1981 television special, this video clip features actor Michael Landon discussing the history of Walt Disney World and the opening of Epcot.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Jungle Cruise: The Movie?

"Following the record-breaking success of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest,' Walt Disney Pictures is giving high-priority status to another potential adventure franchise based on a Disneyland ride.

It is developing 'Jungle Cruise,' inspired by the ride in which parkgoers travel the jungle river guided by a riverboat skipper, encountering such wild creatures as piranhas and gorillas during their tour. The ride was one of the 22 original attractions when the park opened in 1955."
- Borys Kit, Disney Puts 'Jungle Cruise' in High Gear, Reuters, Sept. 21, 2006

Thursday, September 21, 2006

More Info on Disney World Dream Giveaways

Disney World Vacation, 1983

Monday, September 18, 2006

A Dream Called Disney World, Part 3



Part 3 of this entertaining, 1980 Disney World travelogue includes Disney transportation and resorts such as the Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Resort, as well as Fort Wilderness Campground Resort, River Country water park, Discovery Island, Walt Disney World Village and outdoor recreational opportunities such as championship golf, tennis, swimming and waterskiing.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Walt Disney World Grand Opening



This rare clip announces the Grand Opening of Walt Disney World Resort in 1971 and features country singer Glen Campbell and actress Julie Andrews . . . "A world of . . . incredible new rides and illusions! . . . Best of all, it's a place to stir the imagination!"

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

A Certain Goal

"Of all the things I've done, the most vital is coordinating the talents of those who work for us and pointing them toward a certain goal."
—Walt Disney, quoted in The Disney Version (Richard Schickel, 1968)

Monday, September 11, 2006

Playhouse Disney in Concert Schedule

There's still time to catch Playhouse Disney in Concert at Disney-MGM Studios. Here's the remaining schedule:

Ralph's World - September 11-16
Imagination Movers - September 18-24
Dan Zanes and Friends - September 25-30

For more information about Playhouse Disney in Concert, visit disneyworld.com/littleones.

New at Epcot! The Seas with Nemo & Friends

"Wondering what happened after Marlin, Dory and the undersea gang found Nemo? Starting this October, the whole family will enjoy finding out at The Sea with Nemo & Friends - a new Epcot adventure inspired by Disney's presentation of Pixar's Finding Nemo." - "Nemo's Been Found . . . in a Great New Attraction," Mickey Monitor, Fall 2006

Friday, September 08, 2006

Year of a Million Dreams

Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration kicks off on October 1, 2006, and will feature new attractions such as "The Seas with Nemo & Friends" at Epcot, "Finding Nemo-The Musical" at Disney's Animal Kingdom and "The Laugh Floor Comedy Club at Magic Kingdom," as well as the "Disney Dreams Giveaway," which will include a variety of "money-can't-buy" experiences awarded to theme park guests selected through a random process.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Defunct Disney World Attractions, No. 1



Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was one of the original attractions at Disney's Magic Kingdom when the theme park opened its doors on October 1, 1971. Sadly, this popular Fantasyland attraction closed in 1998 and was soon replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

A Dream Called Disney World, Part 2



Highlights include profiles of Adventureland, Frontierland and Liberty Square and attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion and Hall of Presidents.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

A Dream Called Walt Disney World



This is Part 1 of a 1980 travelogue of Walt Disney World . . .

Friday, September 01, 2006

Privacy Issues Raised by Disney Scanners

"By the end of September, all of the geometry readers at Disney's four Lake Buena Vista theme parks will be replaced with machines that scan fingerprint information, according to industry experts familiar with the technology" . . . more
- Karen Harmel and Laura Spadanuta, "Disney's Finger Scanners Worry Privacy Advocates," Associated Press