Take your time… relax… breath it all in… enjoy… You have the time.
Many visitors come to the park for the first time and they try to do things to fast and one after the other without enjoying it. How many times did I hear from first timers that the queues where so long and hardly had the time to do everything.
There have been rumors on and of about a fifth gate, and we talked about it over here too on several occasions but with the (soon to be) released annual report we might get to hear something new about another Disney park. The annual report wasn’t released yet but some pictures have leaked out onto the internet. Let’s have a closer look at what they could be…
The first picture states that it is a concept for a new Disney Theme park. Will this be a new gate for Walt Disney World, a new gate for another Disney location in the world or concept for a whole new park? The picture is small but you can see a town area in the front, a castle type of building in the middle of the picture and a modern futuristic looking area in the back of the picture. (Updated: to be a new China Park with Little Mermaid Theme)
In the Shareholders letter from Disney, Robert A. Iger gives us a first look at the new PIXAR production that will follow up Ratatouille: WALL• E. Andrew Stanton, the man that brought us Finding Nemo, is attached to the project. Release date is set to June 2008.
We’re also excited about Pixar’s next animated movie, Ratatouille, which will be released this summer. And I’m pleased to give you an exclusive first look at the title character of their next movie, WALL• E (pictured here), which will be released the following year.
Ain’t it Cool News did it again by adding another collection of “Pirates of the Caribbean; At World’s End” artwork. The Whirlpool artwork looks amazing and promises us another great movie.
To see all artwork in its original size click on the pictures.
The Walt Disney Company is continuing its push into the European TV-markets and only recently announced the latest big step. After concentrating on family tv and in particular its local Disney Channels in the past, TWDC is now looking at its other strong brand in TV … no, not ABC … ESPN the cable sports channel (which TWDC holds through ABC, which own 80% of ESPN). TWDC already introduced ESPN Classic in selected European markets in 2002 (re-airing highlights of past sport events) as well as the ESPNsoccernet (a soccer news and informationsite) and ESPN Mobile (dsitributing X Games video, wallpapers). Now ESPN is finally ready to enter the market for live-tv coverage of sports events in Europe - or sort of as it recently announced that it will acquire NASN.
After a good night rest (and another bad breakfast) we headed over to the Walt Disney Studios. My son is now hooked on Rock’n’Roller coaster and how could I say no to that. We got to see the amazing Cinemagique, a true must when visiting Disneyland Paris, before checking out the Stuntshow. It has been a while since we last seen it and I am happy I checked it out this time. Some stuff has changed for the better of the show. They only ask 1 person to “drive their own stunt car” out of the audience while the big scene with about 10 people of the audience has been scrapped. This shortens the show a little and gives it more of a flow.
When writing on the blog I sometimes think about adding some “Lost” entries too. After all it is ABC’s best series (personal opinion), even if it didn’t win any Golden Globe awards. With so much Disney related babbling I am doing, Lost entries have not really been something I managed to do but the next little news did get my attention and I felt I wanted to share my thoughts on it.
“‘Lost’ Will End … Sometime”… and it should. While many series tell stories about lives inside the “real” world that could go on until the viewer had enough or the actors want to stop I feel that Lost is a story that is about 1 certain chapter that has a beginning, a middle and an end. Dragging it into an ongoing series without an end in sight isn’t such a good idea, even if the ratings are good. The producers always said that they had a full story ready where the end is known. Making the story longer could only resolve in bad episodes or even damage the whole Lost idea.
Ok, so Cars won the Golden Globes (see earlier report) - and yes, the Golden Globes awarded by the foreign press in Hollywood are frequently seen as indicator for the upcoming Oscars. But Cars also won another award, which is a great indicator on how positive critics in general reacted to the feature … the GOLDEN TOMATO award as best animated feature. The annual award, handed out by the popular website Rotten Tomatoes is based on the reviews by critics - but there is also a special awarded based on user ratings … just that is not yet decided.
I have to admit, though, that I am personally rather surprised about that outcome. While I thought Cars was a great movie from a technical point of view and the animation was incredible, I still can’t get over the fact, that all the time during the movie I thought: isn’t this the same story as the 1991 movie Doc Hollywood starring Michael J. Fox?? But then I have to admit none of the other animated features released in 2006 made me visit my movie theater. Your thoughts on the Cars - Doc Hollywood question?
The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards has come to an end and Cars is one of the winners. The movie got the price for Best Animated Feature. The movie was up against Happy Feet and Monster House.
Johnny Depp did not win in the category Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical. This price went to Sacha Baron Cohen for his movie “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”. I did not see the movie yet so I cannot judge it but I am a little surprised that Johnny Didn’t get this one.
ABC also shared in the prizes. Grey’s Anatomy (Best TV drama) and Ugly Betty (Best TV comedy, Best Performance by Actress) where among the winners. Lost didn’t get to take a globe home…
A full list of all the winners.
When you visit Disneyland Resort Paris (or any Disney Theme Park) don’t forget about all the little things you can see around the park. People ask me how I can go to a Disney Park again and again… and again without being bored of it. Well, Disney parks are not all about the rides alone.
There is a lot of small stuff or hidden stuff around the park many people forget about. While they run from one ride to another I enjoy all the little things that make this place so special.
My favorite place and often forgotten by many (and it isn’t even that small) is the Dragon underneath the Sleeping Beauty Castle. This animatronics is amazing, a must see for everyone.
If you love both Walt Disney World and Star Wars then the Star Wars Weekends might be something you don’t (or don’t want to) miss. Last year you could get 1 of a limited series of 600 Mickey Jedi Figure (before they re-released a non limited version). This year, after the success from last year, they will even have 4 new figures.
Each figure is again limited to 600. The four figures are X-Wing Fighter Pilot Mickey, Princess Minnie, Stormtrooper Donald, and Darth Goofy.
The figures are chosen in celebration and to honor the 30th anniversary of the very first movie…
“We wanted to create something special for our guests visiting during Star Wars Weekends to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of A New Hope,” says Disney Arts & Collectibles Product Developer Aaron Babcock. “Last year, we debuted the Jedi Mickey Mouse piece, selling the 600 specially-stamped big figures in just a matter of hours. So this year we wanted to do the Disney characters as characters from the first film.” (StarWars.com)
The figures look awesome, especially Goofy is my favorite of the four. You want one? Make sure to be among the first at the shop as they will sell out within hours again.
More Pictures on Inside The Magic Forum
Tatiana Hancheroff was the young Canadian singer who performed the theme song for Disney’s ImagiNations Parade at Disneyland Paris and was on-site for the parade’s premiere during the Millennium Celebration. Even so the parade ended its run prematurely the song ”All Around The World” by Vasile Sirli and Jay Smith is still frequently used by the Disneyland Resort Paris. E.g. it played last summer season when the characters drove down the Main Street, U.S.A.
After her performance on Central Plaza during the official premiere of the parade Tatiana Hancheroff disappeared from the radar of Disney fans … but now she is back.
Today was the day of the big celebration, the last day of the year 2006. After a good night sleep and a late wake up call we headed for our Cheyenne Breakfast. Now here is a change for the worst. Not that the breakfast was ever anything special but this was far below any standard. Especially the ham, which was given by a Cast Member to the guests, has been turned in a strange event. 1 Piece was cut in four and if you where lucky you got half of that. We never expect much from a breakfast while staying at Cheyenne, but this was just bad. Now this will not spoil our time at Disneyland Resort Paris and as I promised to give the highlights… here they are…
The shoot of a documentary of 14 young kids getting ready for the Transpacific Yacht Race trip has started in Hawaii.
Produced by Roy Disney’s Pacific High Productions in association with Disney Studios, the documentary is tentatively scheduled for theatrical release in spring 2008. Other producers and the film’s director also were on hand to talk about the multi-faceted endeavor. (Star Bulletin)
The Morning Light team will be trained for 6 months…
“This is not another one of those reality shows,” said Disney, a two-time winner of the Transpac event, which travels from Los Angeles to Hawaii. “It’s not one of those shows where people get kicked off half way through it.” (Star Bulletin)
A couple of days ago we could all witness a video where Tigger “hit” a boy without reason. The news sites and news stations where fast enough to jump on this item and brought a version of news putting Tigger into the bad spotlight. Some titles where saying that Tigger was in Trouble again as if it wasn’t the first time he did wrong even if he was cleared of these allegations…
After having another couple of closer looks at the video I concluded that (as usual) the reaction of Tigger comes from an action of the boy. I want to stress out that I do not have access to the original video and worked with the versions online and can only point out what I see. I am sure the investigators working on the issue will be able to come up with the real proof.
This is my take on the event…
Pirates of the Caribbean; At World’s End is highly anticipated by the many fans. With a release date of May 25 I was wondering when we would get to see some cool stuff…
…And that is just what happened when I checked out “Ain’t it Cool” where they got some great artwork for the third movie added…
I am so looking forwards to this part as my all-time favorite actor is in it; Chow Yun-Fat!
For more artwork visit this page
Tinkerbell was everywhere, and I mean everywhere in Disneyland Resort Paris.
Not that that is a bad think, I do like her as a character, I just noticed she was playing a key part in a lot of the Disney stuff that we could see around the Disneyland Resort Paris parks this time.
She was (already) present in the Fantillusion parade in the Disneyland Park and over at the Walt Disney Studios for the Disney Cinema Parade, she was also making sure everything went right with the tree lightning ceremony as she appeared on top of the castle to start the lights sparkle on the tree.
The 33th Annual People’s Choice Awards have been presented and Pirates of the Caribbean; Dead Men’s Chest is the big winner of the event. It has been given awards for best Male star: “Johnny Depp”, best On-screen matchup: “Johnny Depp & Keira Knightley” and also Voted best movie and best movie drama.
Johnny Depp could not be at the event but he gave a message by satellite from London
“I know that I’ve said this before. But the fact that this award comes from the people makes it all the more special,” he said. “And thanks for keeping me employed, yeah? You’re the boss.”
Another Disney winner is the animation “Cars” that was voted best Family movie. A full list of all other winners can be found on the CNN.com website
This will be the first entry of our (My 7 year old son Jarod, my Wife Gilly and myself) New Years Trip Report to Disneyland Resort Paris. Just like my previous (and hopefully many future) reports I will keep them short and fun. Highlights of what happened, what we’ve done and what we’ve experienced on this trip. So, let’s get on with it!
It was 1 day before New Years Eve and we entered the park very, very early, somewhere around 08:15 when we entered with our Dream passes, a good 45 minutes before regular opening time. Straight to Fantasyland where we had to wait a little while before we could ride Dumbo and Peter Pan without any queue lines. I can’t say it enough; Staying 3 days or longer, then the annual Dream pass is a must have.
