WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul was able to record video of both the “Imagineering the Future of the Disney Parks” presentation and the follow-up press conference at the D23 Expo, and now has both videos available for your enjoyment. Both videos are embedded below courtesy of the WDWNTube: Hopefully these videos have answered some lingering questions … Read more
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) re-opened on Saturday and WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve was there to see what has changed on the attraction in preparation for the re-launching of Space Mountain in November:
The new color-changing LED lights are running during the day
Disney has released a YouTube version of the short clip that was shown of Star Tours II (in 3-D) at the D23 Expo. The video is also available in high definition by clicking the appropriate button below: Since we have received a number of questions by email about this updated attraction, we decided it would … Read more
Disney has released a youtube version of the short clip that was shown of Star Tours II (in 3-D) at the D23 Expo. The video is also available in high definition by clicking the appropriate button below: Since I have received a number of questions by email about this updated attraction, I decided it would … Read more
I know it’s a few days late, but here is the full press release we were given at the D23 Expo concerning these two exciting new projects for Walt Disney World and other on-going “Parks and Resorts” projects: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo detailed plans for future lands, attractions and adventures that … Read more
I know it’s a few days late, but here is the full press release we were given at the D23 Expo concerning the exciting new projects for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, as well as other on-going “Parks and Resorts” projects: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo detailed plans for future lands, … Read more
As we did on the second day of the D23 Expo, here is a recap from today’s events at the Anaheim Convention Center. Today held some of the biggest announcements of the D23 Expo so far. First up is the much anticipated Walt Disney World Fantasyland expansion: Here we see concept art of the new … Read more
As we did on the second day of the D23 Expo, here is a recap from today’s events at the Anaheim Convention Center. Today held some of the biggest announcements of the D23 Expo so far. First up is the much anticipated Walt Disney World Fantasyland expansion: Here we see concept art of the new … Read more
As we did with the first day of the D23 Expo, here is a recap from today’s events at the Anaheim Convention Center. First up, some press images from some of today’s events:
Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz and Donald Duck reveal plans on Sept. 11, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. for the Disney Wonder cruise ship to sail to Alaska in 2011. This is the first time a Disney cruise ship will call the West Coast home for an entire year. During 2011, the ship will depart Vancouver, B.C. for Alaska and sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles
As we did with the first day of the D23 Expo, here is a recap from today’s events at the Anaheim Convention Center. First up, some press images from some of today’s events:
Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz and Donald Duck reveal plans on Sept. 11, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. for the Disney Wonder cruise ship to sail to Alaska in 2011. This is the first time a Disney cruise ship will call the West Coast home for an entire year. During 2011, the ship will depart Vancouver, B.C. for Alaska and sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles
Well, the first day of the D23 Expo is finally upon us. Not too much ground-breaking news has come out yet, but we do have some stuff for you. First up, the OC Register’s Around Disney blog reports from Bob Iger’s opening speech at the D23 Expo this morning:
Audience members squealed as soon as Zac Efron’s face popped on the screen. They clapped when “Princess and the Frog” movie footage started. And a few random enthusiasts screamed when “Radio Disney” was mentioned during a speech.
The fans were the reason for this convention: the D23 Expo, the first-time, four-day event put on by the Walt Disney Co. that began today.
“The excitement that keeps us going year after year comes from you — the fans,” said Bob Iger, the company’s president.
Iger gave the opening address today on the first day of the four-day expo in front of thousands of audience members at the Anaheim Convention Center. The opening presentation included a video showing the diversity of the company — from theme-park footage to scenes of “High School Musical,” starring Efron.
The opening 30 minutes of the upcoming movie, “Princess and the Frog,” –one third of the film — was shown for the first time to the public three months before it goes to the theaters.
After the preview, actress Anika Noni Rose, the voice of main character Princess Tiana, came out in a sparkly, off-white dress to perform a song from the movie. Iger said Rose had been suffering from bronchitis.
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle followed on stage, joking that he was the frog after the princess.
The presentation concluded when an audience member — Dan Learn of Murrieta — was awarded a night’s stay in the Dream Suite at Disneyland. During a followup press conference, Iger said: “I haven’t stayed there.”
Here are some photos and videos Disney released from inside the Expo today:
People were lining up as early as 4am to get into the Expo!
UPDATED 9/10/09 – 11:07PM WITH NEW PICTURES AND VIDEOS FROM DAY 1 OF THE D23 EXPO
Well, the first day of the D23 Expo is finally upon us. Not too much ground-breaking news has come out yet, but we do have some stuff for you. First up, the OC Register’s Around Disney blog reports from Bob Iger’s opening speech at the D23 Expo this morning:
Audience members squealed as soon as Zac Efron’s face popped on the screen. They clapped when “Princess and the Frog” movie footage started. And a few random enthusiasts screamed when “Radio Disney” was mentioned during a speech.
The fans were the reason for this convention: the D23 Expo, the first-time, four-day event put on by the Walt Disney Co. that began today.
“The excitement that keeps us going year after year comes from you — the fans,” said Bob Iger, the company’s president.
Iger gave the opening address today on the first day of the four-day expo in front of thousands of audience members at the Anaheim Convention Center. The opening presentation included a video showing the diversity of the company — from theme-park footage to scenes of “High School Musical,” starring Efron.
The opening 30 minutes of the upcoming movie, “Princess and the Frog,” –one third of the film — was shown for the first time to the public three months before it goes to the theaters.
After the preview, actress Anika Noni Rose, the voice of main character Princess Tiana, came out in a sparkly, off-white dress to perform a song from the movie. Iger said Rose had been suffering from bronchitis.
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle followed on stage, joking that he was the frog after the princess.
The presentation concluded when an audience member — Dan Learn of Murrieta — was awarded a night’s stay in the Dream Suite at Disneyland. During a followup press conference, Iger said: “I haven’t stayed there.”
Other news coming in from the Expo also reveals that Captain EO will not be coming back to Disneyland, at least not at the moment. According to LA Times Travel Blog:
Disneyland has “no definite plans to bring back” the Michael Jackson 3-D movie “Captain EO,” Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said today during an impromptu news conference at D23 Expo in Anaheim.
Iger and other Disney brass watched a screening of the 1980s-era sci-fi fantasy film this week and determined that the old music video needed to be further evaluated before it could be brought back into the Anaheim theme park.
Back in 1986, everybody wanted a piece of the hottest pop star in the world. So it was with much fanfare that Disneyland introduced “Captain EO,” starring Jackson.
It was an association the family-friendly amusement park would eventually come to regret as the bizarre pop star became increasingly embroiled in controversy.
The 17-minute “Captain EO” cost an estimated $30 million and featured a star-studded list of credits, including executive producer George Lucas, director Francis Ford Coppola and Anjelica Huston as the evil Supreme Leader.
The 3-D movie — featuring lasers, smoke and stars that extended into the audience — told the story of Captain EO’s mission to deliver a musical gift to a wicked alien queen on a dystopian planet. EO’s rag-tag crew included his sidekick Fuzzbucket, security officer Major Domo and blundering shipmate Hooter.
“EO” used music — specifically the original song “We Are Here to Change the World” — to defeat the queen and her whip-wielding henchmen.
“Captain EO” opened in Disneyland’s Magic Eye Theater in 1986 and ran for more than a decade, quietly closing in 1997.
Identical versions of the film eventually opened at Epcot in Florida, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. All closed by 1998.
Michael Jackson died in June.
@DisneylandNews on Twitter reports that Bob Iger stated “execs are ‘looking at’ bringing back Captain EO to Disneyland” and “We want to make sure we do it right if we do bring it back.”
Here are some photos and videos Disney released from inside the Expo today:
People were lining up as early as 4am to get into the Expo!
WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul spent yesterday at the Magic Kingdom before embarking to Disneyland and the D23 Expo. Here’s some of his newsworthy photos:
Halloween is officially upon the Walt Disney World Resort
With the D23 Expo just one day away, plenty of photos and announcements are starting to come out, so I thought I’d group together some stuff released/announced today. First up, D23 has announced their fall member events: D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans today announced its lineup of fall 2009 special events. In November, … Read more
When D23: The Official Disney Fan Community debuted on March 10, 2009, we had a pretty good idea that it was something that would forever change what it meant to be a “Disney Fan”. We were made a ton of promises and I think Disney has come through on just about all of them, to … Read more
According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog: It’s not everyday a runner does their warm up stretches to the dulcet tones of a barbershop quartet. On Saturday, though, 4,000 runners did. This weekend is the Half Marathon Weekend at the Disneyland Resort. The Family Fun Run 5K and Kids’ Races took place Saturday. Themed … Read more