Buzz Lightyear Ticker-Tape Parade Video
posted on October 9th, 2009 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Last week, we celebrated Buzz Lightyear’s return from space with a ticker-tape parade at the Magic Kingdom Park. If you weren’t able to make it to the parade, don’t worry. Here’s a quick highlight video:
Disney Moms Panel Offers Top Valuable Tips
posted on October 9th, 2009 by Laura Spencer, Social Media Manager, Walt Disney World Resort
Members of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel travel a lot. They’ve taken hundreds of vacations to Walt Disney World and are eager to share what they’ve learned.
Each Panelist has their own insights to make your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort magical. Here are some of their best tips.
“Use Disney’s Magical Express. You’ll save on rental car fees, gas, and they even take care of your luggage for you!” – Cathy S., Ohio
“You can get free cups of ice water at any quick service restaurant, great for saving money in the summer!” – Jo Y., United Kingdom
“Save money on stroller rentals. I’ve found that an inexpensive umbrella stroller works just fine. They can be used in the airport, at the resorts and in the parks. They’re lightweight and easy to fold up quickly when using Disney transportation.” – Diane C., Rhode Island
“Each of my girls gets an envelope with a set amount of money to use only on themselves for souvenirs. This is a great way to save money and it makes them really think before they buy that 50th stuffed animal.” – Jennifer W., Georgia
More tips for planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be found on to www.disneyworldmoms.com.
Tips For Your Next Disneyland Resort Trip
posted on October 8th, 2009 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
Today, we’re offering help to guests planning their next trip to Disneyland Resort.
First, keep it simple. Start with your park ticket — buy it online at www.disneyland.com and you can skip the ticket line and go straight to the gate. Next, try to take the monorail. It opens at the same time as the gate and you might be able to enter the park faster.
Also, remember to utilize the FASTPASS Service. You can usually get another FASTPASS ticket before the first one has expired. For example, if you get a FASTPASS ticket for “Space Mountain” at 10 a.m. and it says to come back and use your FASTPASS ticket at 2 p.m., you can still get a FASTPASS ticket for another ride at 12 p.m. The trick? Just look at the time at the bottom of your ticket, and the fine print will tell you the next time you can get another FASTPASS ticket.
Shopping and eating can be an easier adventure as well. The best hours to eat are during off peak hours. That would be an early breakfast, late lunch or early or late dinner. Reservations always make life easier, call 714-781-DINE. It’s also best to do your shopping during peak ride hours. More guests tend to be on the attractions between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., so stroll through the shops during those times. It also saves you some wait time in the lines for attractions. If you need a second or third cup of coffee during a visit, the Market House on Main Street, U.S.A gives free coffee refills for same day visits (and has since 1955).
Over at Disney’s California Adventure Park, there is no charge for lockers for up to 2 hours at Grizzly River Run, based on availability. This is helpful for those hardcore river rats who know they will get soaked. You can stash your dry clothes in the locker and change afterwards.
The video below has more fun tips from guests and Cast Members.
Do you have any tips to share?
Making of Magic Kingdom Park Tilt-Shift Video
posted on October 8th, 2009 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
When we posted last week’s Magic Kingdom tilt-shift video, the hope was that a few of you would enjoy the experiment. But oh my…were we surprised. Response was overwhelming.
Some Disney Parks Blog commenters said they were moved to tears. Others cheered and described it as a mini vacation. And yes, we heard those of you who asked for more. So, we immediately found the creative “eye” and champion of the project — David Roark, manager of creative photography for Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group. David sat down with us and shared how he did it.
Thomas Smith: This type of project has never been attempted at Disney Parks. How’d you make it work?
David Roark: It was a lot of trial and error. My first two or three trips out of the box I was like, ‘This is not going to work.’ It’s a combination of your height on the scene and in the Magic Kingdom Park there’s just not a lot of fixed platforms where you can lock a camera off for five minutes without it moving. But there’s also lightning and consistency of exposure. We started this in the middle of summer and if you start a sequence and a little cloud comes by, you need to start it over again because the clouds darken the scene so much. So, it was very trial and error. This was on the job training for me.
TS: Was it difficult to find the perfect shots?
DR: In the case of this one, nobody really knew what we were doing. (I said) “just trust me and work with me here, this will all make sense.”
TS: What lenses did you use?
DR: Nikon makes three tilt-shift lenses, they’re basically architectural lenses and we’re using them in a diametrically opposed application than what they’re built for. They’re built to actually allow you to increase the focal plane in a scene and make everything in focus. For tilt-shift, we turn them the opposite way and back tilt the focal plane so that hardly anything is in focus. And that creates that miniaturation effect.
TS: What was on your mind while putting this together?
DR: For me, it became as much a transportation story – the story of getting to the park and all the things that happen because that activity of parking your car and coming through the toll plaza. I had to think about what scenes have that kind of repetitive motion. It was a lot of fun and it’s different. For me it became a little bit of an escape.
TS: Did you notice Guests wanted to see Wishes Nighttime Spectacular?
DR: Everyone wants Wishes, but Wishes is so bright and because we shoot one frame a second, there were just too many flash frames in it. But, Epcot and Illuminations, I’ll make work. We’ll get the fireworks.
Yes, David has already started shooting the next tilt-shift video at Epcot theme park. And he’s promising a few new surprises.
We’ve also uploaded the HD version of the Magic Kingdom Tilt-Shift video to the Disney Parks YouTube channel.
Update: We’ve recently launched a tilt-shift video of Epcot. Watch it here.
Holiday Inspired Vinylmation Series in Disney Parks
posted on October 8th, 2009 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
The Vinylmation Holiday Series #1 is in Disney Parks.
For those unfamiliar with the “Vinylmation,” don’t worry – here is a brief introduction.
“Vinylmation is about expressing creativity and the mysterious thrill of the chase,” said Donald Ferro, Product Developer for these new vinyl figures, when I asked him to summarize Vinylmation in one sentence.
It’s a thrill for our Disney Artists to who see the Vinylmation figure as a blank canvas. Their inspiration comes from everywhere – Disney Park icons, urban landscapes and even holidays (like the new set mentioned above). With each figure having a distinctive art style and personality, the difficult part for me is choosing a favorite. I’m still looking for that SMRT-1 figure from the Park Series #1. Any help?
So how does this Vinylmation thing work?
There are a variety of figures to collect – from 3” limited releases to 9” limited edition figures. For 3” limited releases, there are typically 12 figures per series. Eleven figures are known while the twelfth is called the mystery “chaser.” Each 3” Vinylmation is packaged in a “blind pack” – which means you won’t know which figure you’re getting until purchased. The 3” figures are sold individually or you can get a whole tray (which means you’ll find the chaser, and potentially become the best friend to many collectors).
For the Holiday Series #1, there are four additional 9” limited edition figures. Unlike their 3” cousins, the 9” figures are sold sans mystery (or in a window box). The 9” figures have a finite production run, meaning only so many were made. Once a limited edition figure is gone, it’s gone. Sorry.
One of my favorite 9” figures from the new Holiday series was inspired by the “Skeleton Dance,” the first Silly Symphony cartoon released in 1929. I loved the music by Carl Stalling from that animated short. Add it to my favorites!
Check out more from the world of Vinylmation at http://www.Vinylmation.com
Video: Disney Gallery Reopens
posted on October 7th, 2009 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
We covered the opening of The Disney Gallery on the Disney Parks Blog last week. We now have some new video to share.
‘Faraway Look’ – Using Pinhole Cameras
posted on October 7th, 2009 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
The accompanying photo was made in the late afternoon outside the Reflections of China show, and was designed to capture the wealth of artistic detail and delicate textures, as well as to tell the story of experiencing the beauty and tranquility of a land far away. The structure at right is a stunning scale reproduction of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing that is part of the visually and culturally rich World Showcase at Epcot.
The image was made on 4×5 color negative film using a pinhole camera, which is a box with a hole at one end. No lens, no shutter, no focus. The purity of the image is what strikes me first. This (non) technology of pinhole photography is unique, and requires much patience and educated guesswork. This is my first and only pinhole photo to date.
The image was created for a convention planner magazine ad, touting the wonderful and varied venues available within the Walt Disney World Resorts.
Brooms, Water Create Unexpected Disney Art
posted on October 7th, 2009 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Water sketch art on the streets of Magic Kingdom Park stops me in my tracks. It always does. And it’ll likely do the same to you if you’re quick enough to spot it. The Florida sun is not a friend to custodial water artwork but it’s amazing while it lasts.
The way the art is created is unexpected. The custodial crew at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park take the tools of their trade – a broom and water pan – and turn them into instruments to entertain.
I’ve heard Guests call the water sketches of Mickey, Goofy, Pluto and Tinker Bell amazing and “absolutely beautiful.”
During a recent sketch, Shawn Klingensmith, a guest at the Magic Kingdom Park, stopped to stare and told us he shares an appreciation for the short-lived art. “It’s a real treasure because it only lasts a few minutes in the sun,” Shawn said. “It’s just a special thing.”
The inspiration to create the water-sketch characters came from Tokyo Disneyland Park. Operations manager for custodial at Magic Kingdom Park, Kent Krause, said, “Hey, we can do that.”
So, Cast Members from the animation tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios were recruited to train members of the custodial team. Those who were interested and had an artistic flair were taught to make the characters – just like Tokyo Disneyland.
It’s impressive work and yes, true to official Disney character dimensions.
The team’s regular props create unexpected art for Guests. It’s something we call a “Disney Difference.” Expect to see more of these Disney Difference stories in upcoming months.
Disney Adding New Moms Panelists
posted on October 6th, 2009 by Laura Spencer, Social Media Manager, Walt Disney World Resort
Hi, I’m Laura — manager of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel Web site.
What’s the Walt Disney World Moms Panel you ask? It’s a forum where Moms (and dads) answer your online questions and offer advice about vacations to the Walt Disney World Resort. The site is a forum led by real, park-savvy parents who assist with the vacation planning process based on their own experiences.
And it’s not easy getting onto the panel. Literally thousands of applications submitted earlier this month are currently being reviewed to find 10 new panelists who will join the elite roster of “moms” who currently sit on The Walt Disney World Moms Panel.
“We realize moms and dads are online now more than ever, engaging in social media to research tips, connect with others and identify what’s best for their family. The Moms Panel provides an online space where they can interact and receive feedback from parents just like them,” said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “And the response has been phenomenal – more than 25,000 questions have been answered to date. With each new question asked, we look forward to 2010 as our moms continue to help create and share the magic of Disney with others.”
Launched in January 2008, the Web site became an instant success. Due to the popularity, in its second year we added four more positions. The 2010 panelists will be part of the biggest panel to date as they join veteran panelists and begin answering vacation-planning questions in January.
Panelists are independent contractors and are not employed by Disney Parks. Panelists are free to give guests their advice and honest opinions based on their own experiences. Be sure to check the Disney Parks Blog for updates on the new search and other unique stories from our now famous panelists.
Hands, Eyes Convey Emotions For Disney’s Audio-Animatronics Technology
posted on October 6th, 2009 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Quick…think about your last face-to-face conversation — how you used facial movements or arm gestures to show emotion. Disney Imagineers know humans often convey emotions with their hands, arms and eyes and tend to focus much of their Audio-Animatronics development work on it.
A first glimpse at how our three-dimensional figures can display emotions came in the Disney Parks and Resorts Pavilion at the D23 Expo. Now, we’ve got more.
Our newest hand prototype has 15 movable joints which is three times greater than a traditional Audio-Animatronics hand. Today, Disney Imagineering works with cutting-edge electronic servo motors to create realistic hands as well as arms. These compact mechanisms are able to move faster and with greater precision. In the past, Audio-Animatronics relied on pressurized air and hydraulics to generate life-like movements.
“Imagineers have been using Audio-Animatronics technology to bring Disney characters to life for over fifty years, and today we’re continuing that legacy of innovation and creativity by constantly creating new wows for the next generation of guests,” says Scott Trowbridge, WDI VP Research and Development.
Creating skin formulations for hands is also a highly scientific process that involves chemists, material scientists and artist. Imagineers often look to other fields for inspiration since a character’s skin must look as good as new after hundreds of thousands of hours of wear and tear.
Imagineers realize that the eyes convey emotions and a two-foot eye prototype showcases our newest concept. It’s a new type of mechanism that uses electromagnets to create realistic eye motions. There is only a single moving part — the eye itself — and no wear points. That means faster, more realistic movement and longer life.
As Disney Parks continues to experiment and innovate, as with our newest Autonomatronics technology, we’ll certainly be talking about it on this blog. Stay tuned.
