Bid farewell to June and hello to summer with this brand spankin' new Disneyland Resort Construction Update! Anyone in the mood for over 250 new photos from all around the DLR showing off all the latest goings on? We've got everything covered from the Disneyland Hotel to the Disney Gallery and all points in-between. Just what is Glow Fest anyway? Find out inside with not only pictures, but a video too. You won't want to miss that.
By now you're most likely aware that World of Color has opened and is now playing nightly in Disney California Adventure. But if you thought seeing the new show was as easy as walking up to Paradise Bay after dark and finding a spot, think again. With hundreds of thousands all trying to see the show in its first few weeks, what's in store for YOU when you try to come see World of Color? We'll be sure to go through exactly where you'll need to go & when you'll need to be there in order to make the most of your attempt at seeing World of Color. To sum it up in three words - FastPass is involved. All necessary and SPOILER-FREE World of Color information you could want lies on Page 2 of the new update.
It's not called a construction update for nothing. In addition to all sorts of World of Color coverage from a guest's eye-view, we'll take a look at all the current construction going on, and a rather extensive look at what future construction in DCA is in store, and what that will look like. With over 250 photos waiting for you, there's not a moment to spare! Click over to the update NOW!
After years of watching World of Color slowly rise out of a drained Paradise Bay, the show is finally here!
Below is the official Disney Press Release regarding World of Color's big world debut. Enjoy reading it, and enjoy the pictures & video Disney has provided for us to commemorate this big event.
"ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 10, 2010) – With a splash of fireworks, dazzling water-based special effects and a celebrity red carpet (actually a water-inspired blue carpet), the nighttime spectacular 'World of Color' made its exciting world premiere Thursday before an audience filled with celebrities and VIPs at Paradise Bay in Disney California Adventure park.
This new dimension of Disney storytelling, brimming with water, color, music and animation, opens to guests at Disney California Adventure Friday, June 11.
Robert A. Iger, president and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company, joined Thomas O. Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and Mickey Mouse to welcome the special VIP premiere guests.
'‘World of Color’ is a testament to the creativity, passion, innovation and talent of people throughout our organization,” Iger said. “The combination of water, light, fire, and music makes ‘World of Color’ a truly magical event that showcases beloved Disney characters in an entirely new way.'
Added Staggs: '‘World of Color’ transforms the landscape of the Disneyland Resort and marks a major milestone in the expansion of Disney California Adventure. It’s a spectacular show that is distinctly Disney, and unlike any attraction we’ve created before. It will captivate our guests with an end-of-day experience that is exhilarating, emotional and highly memorable. We are excited to debut this great, new experience for our guests and extremely proud of the talented team that drove its creation.'
There has never been a show like “World of Color,” the mega-scale, after-dark celebration of Disney storytelling. “World of Color” brings animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create one of the world’s largest projected water screens. In just under 25 minutes, “World of Color” immerses audiences in technological wonder and the enchanting magic of beloved Disney and Disney•Pixar characters, combining nearly 1,200 versatile fountains, dazzling colors, Disney music and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, taking water-based entertainment to a new level of artistry.
The inspiration for the show came from Walt Disney himself and “World of Color” features characters and images that span the history of Disney and Disney•Pixar moviemaking.
'Our entire team – from every corner of the Walt Disney Company – is thrilled to finally share ‘World of Color’ with our guests,' said Steve Davison, show director and vice president, parades and spectaculars, for Walt Disney Imagineering. 'It’s very exciting to take audiences on an emotional journey as they experience laughter, drama and beauty in this breathtaking extravaganza.'
Disney cast members and crews built nearly an acre of superstructure to support the complex production. Walt Disney Imagineering and Creative Entertainment installed the massive infrastructure and revolutionary technology that created the stage for “World of Color.” On this stage, the team directs a unique variety of water effects, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fog, flames, surround sound and stunning images.
The sweeping story and stunning effects are created with:
-Nearly 1,200 powerful and programmable fountains with heights ranging from 30 feet to 200 feet (50 feet higher than Mickey’s Fun Wheel). Each fountain has multiple points of control to direct the lighting, color intensity, water angle and height.
-One of the world’s largest projected water screens – a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high, for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet.
-Nearly 30 high-definition projectors – 14 of them submersible.
-Synchronized flame projections, lasers and special effects that will flood the senses.
A soundtrack performed by more than 100 musicians.
'World of Color' has been some five years in the making, beginning with brainstorming by show director Davison and his creative crew. As the concept grew, the Disney team sought out new technologies and multi-media to support a visionin which water and light could dance, change character and move the audience, becoming, in effect, the “stars” of the show.
Helping to tie it all together is a musical score that combines both familiar and new melodies and introduces a newly arranged version of the 1960s television theme for “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color,” originally composed by Richard B. and Robert M. Sherman, the Oscar-winning composers of “Mary Poppins” and “It’s a Small World.” The “World of Color” score was composed by Mark Hammond, and orchestrated and conducted by David Hamilton, both celebrated music industry professionals."
When one of the parks changes its name, and one of the hotels basically changes its entire identity, that's a pretty good indication that it's time for another Disneyland Resort Photo Update! In this episode one of the parks does indeed change its name, and plans to change the Disneyland Hotel's identity are unveiled. Also Toy Story 3's not out yet, but already has a rather strong presence in the parks. We'll show you Silly Symphony Swings in its newly opened state, and how the final countdown to World of Color is finally underway. Disney needs, in their words, a "responsible person" for an important task. For what? Find out inside!
With a huge new nighttime spectacular comes a slew of questions. Where to watch it from? How to ensure a place in the first showing of the evening, just in case the kids can't make it to the after 10 showings? What do you mean Disney is going to want guests to wait for the show in a completely seperate area of the park and NOT its intended viewing area? What the heck is "Glow Fest"??? All your World of Color questions are answered so don't miss a photo.
Finally, more new ride posters have arrived in Disneyland's tunnels. Star Tours' life span just became a few months shorter. How much longer do you have to ride it? We'll tell you. Also the Rivers of America are rivers again! There's river traffic again! Check it all out in our latest update showcasing all the recent goings on as off-season wraps up, and we head full-bore into summer. Once again over 150 new photos await your mouse click. Click over to the update NOW!
Two huge bits of news from the Disneyland Resort today.
First, Disney has a new 30 second World of Color promo spot that will begin airing soon on TV screens near you. But why wait when you can watch it now? (Video on the right)
The promo did emphasize World of Color - Disney's new nighttime show that will debut in just a couple of weeks - but did you catch where that show's going on? Not at Disney's California Adventure Park, but at DISNEY California Adventure! Disney has officially changed the name of Disneyland's neighbor, and that doesn't exactly happen everyday.
This is the first name change that DCA (no change in the familiar acronym) has received since it awkwardly opened in 2001. The change makes sense in that Disney is no longer possessing California Adventure, but instead merely branding it "Disney" similar to how Knott's or Six Flags brands their parks. That familiar formula is [Corporate Brand] [Park Name]. Disney has actually done this style of branding before with their "Disney-MGM Studios" park at Walt Disney World before Disney dropped MGM and changed that park's name to "Disney's Hollywood Studios" adding the possessive apostrophe "s" at the end in early 2008. So, anyone have a need for a spare apostrophe "s"? Disney won't be needing them for Disney California Adventure any longer.
Finally, more huge changes to the Disneyland Hotel have been announced! You're probably already familiar with the room renovations that are gradually taking place over these next couple of years, but now even more changes are coming to the towers, as well as the entire area that they surround. Read all about it in the following story from Heather Hust Rivera of the DisneyParks Blog:
"Big news…Today we’re sharing details and concept art that will give the Disneyland Hotel a fun, fresh makeover. The pool area is getting a whole new look, including a brand-new pool, all-new immersive water play area and a complete redesign of the Never Land Pool. Plans also call for a new restaurant and bar, and re-theming of the hotel’s three guest room towers.
The biggest transformation (and what I’m most looking forward to) are the changes coming to the pool area. With a nod to the iconic original park signage, 'Disneyland' will be spelled out in familiar blocks atop a platform supporting two huge water slides (the larger slide will be 26 feet high and will stretch 187 feet before it plunges into a splash pool below). Reminiscent of the original Monorail station at the Disneyland Hotel, at each slide’s entrance will sit a replica Monorail Car that guests will glide through as they twist and turn their way to the pool below. The pool will also feature a third, two-lane mini slide, perfect for little ones, which is just 3 1/2 feet high and is 19 feet long.
The Never Land Pool will receive a complete cosmetic makeover but will retain its unique shape. A new, four-foot deep pool will be built between the Never Land Pool and the water play area. A footbridge will stretch over this new pool, connecting both sides of the courtyard area and giving easy access across the property. Six new cabanas will also be added. To help you visualize all these exciting, new changes, here’s a rendering from an aerial view.
And that’s not all! Two new dining locations will be introduced in the current location of Hook’s Pointe, Croc’s Bites and Bits, the Wine Cellar and the Lost Bar. A new 'smart casual' dining concept will feature Tahitian architecture that is reminiscent of the ’50s and ’60s era of the hotel and the original Tahitian Terrace restaurant in Disneyland park. A new bar will draw on the adventure theme from the Jungle Cruise attraction.
The new water play area, pool and dining locations are scheduled to be completed by summer 2011, and the remodeled Never Land Pool is slated to be completed by summer 2012.
The hotel’s three guest room towers will be renamed to reflect Disneyland park’s distinctive lands. The Dreams Tower, currently under renovation and scheduled to be completed in 2010, will become the Adventure Tower. The Wonder Tower, next to undergo transformation and slated for completion in 2011, will be the Frontier Tower, and the Magic Tower, which will be finished in 2012, will become the Fantasy Tower. A large marquee featuring classic artwork for Adventureland, Frontierland and Fantasyland will identify each tower."
Today, Original D mourns the passing of Arthur Gordon "Art" Linkletter.
Art Linkletter is known in television and radio circles as a host of several programs, most noteably as host of "Kids Say the Darndest Things" when Linkletter interviewed more than 23,000 children during a 27 year run.
Art's connection to Disneyland is quite historical. Linkletter was emcee and host of ABC's Dateline Disneyland opening day telecast - the biggest live telecast in television history to date. This telecast can be seen in its entirely on the Walt Disney Treasures DVD set: Disneyland USA. 50 years later, Art returned to Disneyland to be the emcee and host at Disneyland's 50th birthday on July 17, 2005. A portion of Art's involvement on that day can be see on this video to the right.
Art Linkletter is a true Disney Legend in every sense of the term. Disney bestowed the title of Disney Legend upon Art for his many contributions to Disney and Disneyland through the years. Below is Art Linkletter's official Disney Legends bio:
"'I went out to the Disneyland site with Walt one time,' Art Linkletter recalls. 'I didn't want to spoil his enthusiasm. But after we had driven for about an hour south of Los Angeles, into the country and the orange groves, I thought 'Geez! Who's gonna come down here?''
Luckily, Art's initial doubts proved unfounded, and on July 17, 1955, he announced to an eager television audience, 'Well, this job in the next hour and a half's gonna be a delight.' 'And then the show opened, and history was made,' Art recalls today.
Walt Disney scored something of a coup in getting Art Linkletter as the primary host for his gala live broadcast of the opening of Disneyland. Art was a familiar and welcome visitor in American households, so much so that his best-known programs established records for longevity: 'People Are Funny' aired on NBC (on radio and television) for 19 years, and was in the Top 10 for more than a decade. 'Art Linkletter's House Party' ran on CBS Radio and then on television for 25 years, and was one of the top daytime shows from the day of its first broadcast in 1945.
Art is the only person in TV history to have five shows run concurrently on network TV. In addition, Art starred in and co-produced many spectaculars and specials, and acted in half a dozen dramatic shows and several motion pictures.
The one problem on opening day was that the Park had stretched Walt so thin financially, he could only afford to pay Art union scale for the job. A savvy businessman, in lieu of his fee, Art asked for (and received) the exclusive rights to the camera and film concessions at Disneyland for the next ten years.
Artwas a star in show business for more than sixty years, and was one of the most respected and beloved media personalities in America. In addition to extraordinary success in entertainment and business, Art was a dedicated humanitarian, recognized for his work for numerous national foundations and his extensive involvement and experience in the health fields.
He has received numerous honors, including the National Humanity Medal from President George W. Bush, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
But Art humbly gave Walt a lot of credit in informing the fulfillment of his life and career. 'He really gave me my idea of what success is, in life, for myself, watching him. And that is, doing what you love to do, with people you enjoy being with. That's more important than anything else, 'cause life's not a rehearsal.'
Art Linkletter died on May 26, 2010, in Los Angeles, California."
Editor's Note:
Today the Disneyland fan community mourns a beloved portion of Disneyland history. Art's contributions and involvement with Disneyland will forever be a part of Disneyland, and thus, a part of all of us as well. Art brought a unique sense of humor, and had a genuine sense of professionalism about him. He truly did what he enjoyed doing, with people he enjoyed being with. In turn, Art made us all enjoy being with him as we did what we enjoyed - watching him, listening to him, and walking around in the park we all love so dearly. Art, we will miss you, but we will always think of you when we're in the place that you showed to America for the very first time. Have a laugh with Walt in that big Disneyland in the sky for us, Art, and rest in peace.
Two new bits of news from the Disneyland Resort today.
First, maybe you've met Mickey, but did he ever talk to you? He does now! Story below from Heather Hust Rivera & the Disney Parks Blog.
"Some lucky Disneyland park guests experienced a very special meet and greet with Mickey Mouse this week.
Mickey, who usually saves his voice for shows and parades, talked with guests and interacted with them in never-before-seen ways! This was part of a process we call “playtesting” as it gives us a chance to develop new concepts with our guests long before they end up in the Parks. 'We’re always looking for innovative ways to let guests interact with our beloved characters,' says Disney Imagineer and head of Advanced Development Scott Trowbridge. 'And we have many more surprises up our sleeves.'"
Pretty cool, eh?
Disney has also announced that a new game and characters from Toy Story 3 are coming to DCA's Toy Story Midway Mania attraction. Below are excerpts from a Disney PR.
"New characters from the soon-to-be-released Disney•Pixar film 'Toy Story 3' are being added to the joyful, toy-full adventure of Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In addition to playing with new characters in Toy Story Mania!, there will be opportunities in both parks for up-close fun with another all-new character from 'Toy Story 3' – Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear. He’s the bossman at Sunnyside Daycare in the highly anticipated animated feature film.
Toy Story [Midway] Mania! – the 4-D interactive ride-game attraction inspired by the Disney•Pixar 'Toy Story' films – is extremely popular with Disney Parks guests on both coasts. This high-energy, immersive adventure puts players squarely in the action as their game play triggers surprises that deliver a fourth dimension of fun. Toy Story Mania! engages guests in a whole new way with delightful characters of 'Toy Story' and 'Toy Story 2.'
Starting in late May, Woody, Buzz, Mr. Potato Head and the gang are joined by a whole new set of characters from 'Toy Story 3.' The new game greeting guests, 'Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts,' invites riders to shoot their virtual darts at all-new balloon targets in a primeval world filled with volcanoes and lava balloons, explained Sue Bryan, senior show producer, director, Walt Disney Imagineering.
Game players are welcomed by Rex (the nervous Tyrannosaurus rex) and his new friend Trixie (a blue Triceratops and one of the toy characters from the new film) cheering them on. The new game (replacing 'Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop') turns up the fun with more hidden surprises and the potential for volcanic levels of excitement. Other changes:
· The 'Hamm & Eggs' game will now be hosted by Hamm and Buttercup (a toy unicorn with heart-shaped nostrils).
· In the prize scene, Trixie, Buttercup, Dolly (a doll), Mr. Pricklepants (a lederhosen-clad hedgehog) and one other surprise – all from 'Toy Story 3' – will appear with Woody and Jessie.
'Our number-one goal in creating Toy Story [Midway] Mania! was to come up with game-play challenges appropriate for all guests, from little kids to serious gamers,' Bryan said. 'I love that we are keeping things fresh and new by adding these great new friends and fun to join some of the most popular characters of all time.'"
