Disney/Pixar Animation Brings “World of Color” to Life

dave22 — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:24:18 +0000

Watch how Disney/Pixar animators are bringing characters to life in “World of Color,” the highly anticipated nighttime water spectacular debuting at Disney’s California Adventure this year. Creative director Roger Gould and animators David Smith and Brett Coderre provide a fresh perspective on creating breathtaking animation across a water wonderland.

Gina Aalgaard Kelly Takes the Crown at Disney’s Princess Half Marathon

dave22 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:18:21 +0000

In a tight race, Gina Aalgaard Kelly bested over 13,000 runners from around the world at Disney’s Princess Half Marathon on March 7, 2010. Disney’s Princess Half Marathon was the signature moment in a weekend full of events that saw more than 18,000 runners compete in various races that included Disney’s Princess and the Frog Royal Family 5K and Disney’s Kids’ Races, making the event one of the largest endurance race weekends geared towards women.

The weekend also involved Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo that was open to the general public. The expo, geared towards women’s health and wellness, featured celebrity runner appearances, Disney characters and seminars on training, racing and nutrition, along with the opportunity to experience the latest in running and fitness equipment. While the weekend is designed for women, more than 400 men participated on behalf of the princesses in their lives.

Registration for the 2011 Disney’s Princess Half Marathon begins this summer at www.disneyprincesshalfmarathon.com.

Time-Lapse Video: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

dave22 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:49:32 +0000

It takes 24,000 cast member hours to make the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival happen. But that’s just a number until you’re able to actually see the work behind it all - take an exclusive peek. This overnight time-lapse video features the creation of an area containing three of more than 70 Disney character topiaries in the park this year. Epcot’s 17th Annual International Flower & Garden Festival runs through May 16, 2010.

New Interactive Experiences at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim

dave22 — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:08:00 +0000

Take an exclusive look at some of the new out-of-the-ordinary findings awaiting guests of all ages to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. The “Build-A-Bear” Workshop and LEGO Imagination Center invites kids to build until their hearts’ content, while the new “Ride Makerz” shop allows guests of all ages to build their own remote control car from the ground up. Over at Studio Disney 365, guests can live out their dreams as they are transformed into a pop star. And at the Board Factory, boarders can actually build their own skateboard stand.

Special “Green Carpet” Premiere at ESPN Wide World of Sports

dave22 — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:37:22 +0000

On February 25, 2010, celebrity athletes and ESPN personalities helped kick-off the debut of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Athletes such as Chad Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals), Shawn Johnson (Olympic Gold Medalist), Jennie Finch (Olympic softball gold medalist), Santonio Holmes (Steelers 2009 Super Bowl MVP), Chipper Jones (Atlanta Braves) and Annika Sorenstram (LPGA) were on hand to help Disney and ESPN take youth sports to the next level.

The event featured celebrity athletes walking the “Green Carpet” painted with yard lines to resemble a football field and a visual dedication moment with Disney characters, music, confetti and fireworks. New Orleans Saints kicker and Super Bowl Champion Garrett Hartley literally “kicked-off” the dedication moment.

The re-launch will allow Disney and ESPN to provide an immersive sports experience for the more than 2 million athletes, coaches and fans from around the world who come to the complex each year. Technological changes and signature elements from ESPN will ensure that when athletes compete at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex they feel as if they have made it to the “big time.”

Swindon, UK Twinned with Walt Disney World Resort

dave22 — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:52:09 +0000

Swindon, United Kingdom was officially honored at Walt Disney World when the plaque marking the “twinning” of the Wiltshire town with the famous resort was unveiled at the Magic Kingdom. The twinning ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Swindon (Clir David Wren), TV presenter and competition judge Angellica Bell, Duncan Wardle (VP Creative Inc., Walt Disney World) and the creator of the winning Swindon nomination, Rebecca Warren and her family. A plaque commemorating the twinning will reside in the UK pavilion at Epcot throughout 2010.

Main Street Electrical Parade Glows Again as Walt Disney World Resort Launches “Summer Nightastic!”

dave22 — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:01:13 +0000

In celebration of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade returning to Walt Disney World Resort in early June, here is an exclusive look at the magic and excitement only “Summer Nightastic!” can bring.

With floats and characters never before seen, Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade returns with its joyous sights and sounds. Direct from Disneyland, it’s the first time the parade has appeared at the Magic Kingdom since 2001.

But Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade is just the beginning! Summer 2010 will also bring with it a special fireworks spectacular at the Magic Kingdom, as the night sky will explode in vivid colors and brilliant visual effects as whimsical music fills the air. And The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios welcomes “drop-ins” this summer with even more pulse-raising surprises. New lighting effects and the addition of a new drop sequence created especially for “Summer Nightastic!” will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator.

Walt Disney World Parade Celebrates Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees

dave22 — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:48:46 +0000

Super Bowl XLIV Champion Drew Brees celebrates in a ticker tape victory parade on Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom. The “I’m going to Disney World” 2010 Super Bowl Victory Parade is just one of many celebrations happening at Disney Parks this year.

Time Lapse: World-Record Sculpture of Canned Goods

dave22 — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:17:45 +0000

As part of the event celebrating volunteers and to dramatize the spirit of giving, Walt Disney World Resort unveiled a mammoth structure of canned goods - food that will be donated to food banks in Orlando, Miami and Atlanta. The canned food sculpture - titled “Celebrate Volunteers” - was revealed for media and guests at Epcot. Disney VoluntEARs shaped the sculpture with a larger-than-life Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto - all sculpted out of cans. Goofy’s trademark hat consisted of cans of bread crumbs, for instance. Mickey’s famous head was shaped from cans of black olives, and cans of sliced pineapple made up Pluto’s eyes.

The cans represent approximately 70,000 meals, according to Dave Krepcho, president/CEO of Second Harvest of Central Florida. The spectacular, character-themed structure - consisting of officially 115,527 cans - was also a world record, according to Guiness World Records, the internationally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. Guiness World Records authenticated the achievement as the Largest Canned Food Structure ever created, easily eclipsing the previous record of 54,527 cans set in June 2009 in New Zealand.

First-Look: ‘World of Color’ Fountain Test

dave22 — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:52:45 +0000

As production on ‘World of Color’ moves full-speed ahead at Disney’s California Adventure Park, take an exclusive first-look at some of the original water, light and fire tests that will make this nighttime performance a true spectacular. Since the show is built out of classic Disney animation moments, each scene will require its own flavor and personality. When strung together, they create the perfect environment where water, light and projections set the stage for a nighttime extravaganza only Disney could dream up.