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Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Roger Broggie

posted on February 18th, 2013 by Jon Storbeck, Vice President, Disneyland Park

The Disneyland Railroad was inspired by Walt Disney’s love of trains. Since he first conceived the idea of Disneyland park, every concept design had one thing in common: “… it will be surrounded by a train,” said Walt. Roger Broggie, the first Walt Disney Studio employee to be recruited for the hand-picked team at WED Enterprises (now called Walt Disney Imagineering), was instrumental in helping Walt fulfill this dream.

Disneyland Railroad on Main Street, U.S.A.

Hired in 1939 as a master machinist, one of Broggie’s first assignments was the installation of the multiplane camera at the Burbank studio. Because he was familiar with fabricating small camera parts with great precision, Walt approached him to create a one-eighth scale live steam locomotive. Broggie helped create the Lilly Belle, a miniature live steam engine named for Walt’s wife, Lillian. A replica of the Lilly Belle is currently on display in the Disneyland Main Street Train Station. In 1949, Broggie helped Walt build his miniature trains in the Studio Machine Shop and later installed the Carolwood Pacific Railroad in the backyard of Walt’s Holmby Hills home.

In 1950, Broggie was promoted to head of the Studio Machine Shop and he became the transportation specialist. As plans for Disneyland progressed, he oversaw the development of the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad, the Monorail system and Matterhorn Bobsleds. He also worked on new processes and techniques such as Circle-Vision 360, a motion picture format with screens that completely surround the audience, and “Project Little Man” which became the prototype for Audio-Animatronics technology.

While working on “Project Little Man,” Broggie and fellow Imagineer Wathel Rogers constructed a 9-inch-tall figure of a moving, talking man that mimicked vaudevillian tap-dancing using cams, cables and tubes. The original figure is on display at the One Man’s Dream attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and earlier figures from “Project Little Man” are part of the D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum through April 30, 2013.

Broggie is known for epitomizing the essence of Walt Disney Imagineering – the blending of creative imagination and technical know-how. His legacy lives on at Disney as his grandson Garry (son of Imagineer Roger Broggie, Jr.) carries on the tradition as a third-generation machinist and supervisor at the Disney Studio machine shop.

Broggie was honored with a Window on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park on March 30, 2007. His window is above the Magic Shop and fittingly refers to him as “Roger Broggie, Shopmaster” and “Advisor to the Magic Makers.” Additionally, he has a window dedicated to him at Magic Kingdom Park in the Walt Disney World Resort, and on October 21, 2003, Walt Disney World Railroad Steam Engine #3, was re-dedicated as the Roger E. Broggie in his honor. In 1990, Broggie was named a Disney Legend.

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Imagineer Shares Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Tips & Secrets

posted on February 7th, 2013 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager

Have you tried Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom yet? Wait, let me rephrase that – have you played Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, collected the cards, and learned the different spells by heart yet?
Early Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Concept Art

In case you’re new to the game, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is an in-park interactive experience in which guests join forces with Merlin to defeat Disney Villains who are scheming to take over Magic Kingdom Park. Guests use maps to search for villain hideouts throughout the park, visit magic portals and use magic spell cards to foil each villain’s plan. Deciding which card to use is my favorite part – there are 70 cards in the base set, plus two limited-edition party cards you can collect that each feature a different Disney character, and each character has a magical power unique to him or her. And some spells are stronger than others.
“Sorcerers

For those of you who are ready to take your game to the next level, Imagineer Jonathan Ackley recently shared some inside tips with us on how to make the most of your experience. (I can’t wait to try these out!) Here they are:

  • Pay attention to spell choice – Spell choice is key in the game’s advanced level. Villains may be susceptible or resistant to certain spell types, which are: Gross, Charming, Strong, Flying, Wishful, Quick and Energy.

  • Villains can react differently to the same spell – When you cast a spell on a villain that is resistant to that type of spell, the spell casts at one level below your current power for that spell. If the villain is weak to the spell, the spell casts at one power level higher than your spell’s current power.

  • You can cast more than one spell at a time – When used correctly, simultaneously cast spells can “boost” each other, making all the spells hit with greater power. When used incorrectly, simultaneously cast spells can reduce their overall effectiveness.

  • You can make a spell stronger – Note that the more you cast a spell, the more powerful that spell becomes.

  • It’s also possible to deplete a spell’s power – Repeated use of a spell during a single battle depletes the spell of its potency, so when facing a villain it’s best to use at least three different cards of the correct type for that villain. Spell power regenerates between battles, so the loss isn’t permanent.

  • The better the performance, the better the “grade” – At the end of a full game, you’re graded at Bronze, Silver or Gold Sorcerers Level. The more battles you win, the closer you’ll be to earning a gold (and vice versa). Achieving Gold status gets increasingly difficult as you go to medium and hard levels.

Do you have a favorite spell card or tip you’d like to share? If so, leave it in our “Comments” section below.


Check out these posts for more updates from Magic Kingdom Park:

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Have You Seen This Box?

posted on January 28th, 2013 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks

“Mysterious

We’ve been hearing a lot about a box full of unexplained artifacts that is the basis of a film starring George Clooney being developed at The Walt Disney Studios. The project is known as 1952 (although we’ve just learned it’s now called Tomorrowland – okay, we’re officially intrigued) and is from The Incredibles director Brad Bird and Lost creator Damon Lindelof.

Last week, the pair tweeted out tantalizing pictures of this mysterious box purportedly found in the Walt Disney Imagineering archives. What’s in the box, and what does it have to do with us? We’re as eager as you are to find out.

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Fantasy Faire Architecture to Extend Fantasyland at Disneyland Park

posted on January 28th, 2013 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print, Disneyland Resort

If you’ve visited Disneyland park recently, you may have noticed that Fantasy Faire is quickly taking shape next to Sleeping Beauty Castle. Opening this spring, Fantasy Faire will not only be a home for Disney princesses, but it will also be a natural extension of Fantasyland. To find out how the look and architecture of this new area will be designed to flow with Sleeping Beauty Castle and Fantasyland, I went to the creative lead for the project: Michel Den Dulk, Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering.

Fantasy Faire Architecture to Extend Fantasyland at Disneyland Park

“My goal,” he said, “was that the new Fantasy Faire would meld over into the existing Fantasyland naturally.” He said that his intention would be for first-time visitors to never suspect that this addition came later than the rest of Fantasyland.

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“I took a lot of inspiration from the classic Disney movies like ‘Pinocchio.’ There’s some reference that’s in the architecture to the way the backgrounds of ‘Pinocchio’ are drawn. I took inspiration from the castle – you’ll see that there’s a lot of gold finials and beautiful banners and turrets that are similar to Sleeping Beauty Castle … So it really looks like it’s all part of the existing Fantasyland.”

Another key piece of architecture in Fantasy Faire will be the Royal Theatre, which was the former Carnation Plaza Gardens Stage. “My main inspiration there,” Michel explained, “was a Gothic kind of fair. King Arthur Carrousel and all the structures surrounding Dumbo – those were the main inspiration for the theatre structure.”

We’ll have more updates on Fantasy Faire – including the opening date – here on the Disney Parks Blog in the coming weeks, so keep checking back!

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A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas to Debut at Magic Kingdom Park This Spring

posted on January 23rd, 2013 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager

Pirates, ahoy!

We’re happy to share here on the Disney Parks Blog today that a new interactive quest called A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas will debut in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park this spring. (And check out this great artist rendering that our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering just shared with us!)

Artist Rendering of A Pirate's Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas by Walt Disney Imagineering

In A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas, guests will use a pirate map and magic talisman to help them complete five different pirate raids throughout Adventureland. The goal is to help locate different Treasures of the Seven Seas and fight off pirate enemies like the Royal Navy and Captain Barbossa, among others. If guests help Captain Jack succeed in all the missions, they’ll be welcomed as part of his new crew. If not, they’ll face the wrath of the cruel sea – alone.

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more information on this new experience. In the meantime, if ye be excited to embark on this new pirate adventure, say “Aye!” in the “Comments” section below!

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Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Imagineer Marty Sklar

posted on January 17th, 2013 by Jon Storbeck, Vice President, Disneyland Park

As Walt Disney Imagineering celebrates 60 years of storytelling, creativity and innovation, I can’t help but think about the extraordinary contributions of Marty Sklar. He began his Disney career in Public Relations, one month before Disneyland park opened. Marty created the Disneyland News and went on to write most of the marketing materials for Disneyland as well as the annual report and personal correspondences for Walt Disney.

In 1961, Marty moved to WED Enterprises, renamed Walt Disney Imagineering in 1986. For more than 30 years, Marty was the creative leader of Imagineering and was one of the key people responsible for the development of Disney Parks around the world. He guided the design of EPCOT Center, now known simply as Epcot, at Walt Disney World Resort. He also supervised the Imagineering teams in the creative development and design of Tokyo Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disneyland Paris, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney California Adventure park, Tokyo DisneySea, Walt Disney Studios park in Paris and most recently, Hong Kong Disneyland.

Jim Cora, the former chairman of Disneyland International, called Marty the “keeper of the keys, the conscience, the Jiminy Cricket for the organization.” Marty learned the “Disney way” from Walt himself and mentored many cast members in those traditions.

After 54 years with the company, Marty retired on July 17, 2009, the 54th anniversary of Disneyland park. He received his window on Main Street, U.S.A., that same day. Located at City Hall, Marty’s window is a tribute to his inspirational leadership, design instincts and creative philosophies. Etched on his window is the Latin phrase, “Id Somniate. ld Facite” which means “Dream It. Do It.” and is intended to inspire the dreamers and doers of the future.

Marty has also been honored with windows on Main Street in Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

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A Visit to the Royal Hall at Fantasy Faire in Disneyland Park

posted on January 15th, 2013 by Shawn Slater, Communications Manager, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Creative Entertainment

We’re rapidly approaching the opening of the all-new Fantasy Faire at Disneyland park, and if you’ve taken a walk by Sleeping Beauty Castle lately, you know that work is progressing nicely on this beautiful expansion of the park’s Fantasyland.

One of the main attractions in this quaint, storybook village will be the Royal Hall, where beloved Disney royalty eagerly await your visit. The Royal Hall promises to be a truly special place, filled with rich layers of detail.
“Royal

“After walking into our main entrance, you will first go through a garden-like setting before entering the reception hall,” said Michel Den Dulk, Creative Director of Fantasy Faire for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Once inside the Royal Hall, guests will discover a beautiful gothic interior with nice wallpaper, wall cresting, wood finishes and chandeliers.”

Passing through a series of spaces, including the Grand Hall, you’ll have the opportunity to meet as many as three Disney princesses, from classic stories such as “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty.”
“Royal

“The favorite aspect of the project for me personally would be that it’s right in the heart of Disneyland,” added Michel. “It’s going to be very charming, with a lot of detail and great new experiences for the park.”

We’ll all be able to see for ourselves when Fantasy Faire opens this spring.

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Walt Disney Imagineering’s 60th Anniversary

posted on December 21st, 2012 by Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative center behind Disney’s theme parks, resorts, cruise ships and our other family entertainment experiences, turned 60 this week. Originally established to conceive, plan and build Disneyland, Walt’s “backyard laboratory” now comprises 1,400 Imagineers who carry on a great legacy and commitment to bringing our iconic stories and characters to life in ways that constantly surprise and delight our guests. It’s incredible to think that what began as a small team in a few buildings in Burbank was the genesis of all of our travel and leisure businesses across the globe.

Whether it is the launch of the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, the unveiling of New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom Park or the reopening of Disney California Adventure park with Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, it is quite clear that the imaginative spirit of Disney Parks is as strong as ever. With new experiences planned at all of our destinations, including Shanghai Disney Resort, our Imagineers continue to be a cornerstone for creativity and innovation across all of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

And 60 years later, we feel like we’re just getting started. Please join all of us at Disney Parks in celebrating 60 incredible years of dreaming and delivering the most magical and memorable experiences in the world.

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Celebrating Walt Disney’s Birthday

posted on December 5th, 2012 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks

It’s a special day here at Disney Parks – Walt Disney was born on this day in 1901. And to mark the occasion, we’re sharing a collection of rare and unique “header” images featuring Walt.

“Celebrating
“Celebrating
“Celebrating

If you’ve seen any of my social media presentations, you know I like to share early images of Walt behind the scenes working on projects and on the set of some of his TV projects. Today’s headers have all that and more. The collection is from the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library and Walt Disney Imagineering Slide Library and you can see the entire group by clicking “refresh” or navigating to new Disney Parks Blog stories.

Let us know your favorite photo – or even favorite Walt quote – in honor of his birthday today.

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Peek Inside The New Test Track Presented by Chevrolet with Imagineers & Chevrolet Design

posted on December 3rd, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager

While Test Track Presented by Chevrolet doesn’t celebrate its grand opening until later this week, Walt Disney Imagineers and Chevrolet Design have offered up an exclusive look inside the new attraction to share with you today.

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The two groups, who worked together to create the reimagined attraction, recently met at Epcot to tour the nearly complete attraction. (Check out the attraction’s sleek new logo above).

A Look Inside The New Test Track Presented by Chevrolet at Epcot A Look Inside The New Test Track Presented by Chevrolet at Epcot

Here, the group checks out the new pre-show area, where guests will be introduced to the attraction’s automotive design concepts of Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness and Power.

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Further along in the queue, the team tests out a touchscreen display that will give guests a sense of how they’ll create their own vehicle in the upcoming Design Studio.

A Look Inside The New Test Track Presented by Chevrolet at Epcot A Look Inside The New Test Track Presented by Chevrolet at Epcot

Once inside the Design Studio, they make a series of selections to create their ideal virtual custom concept vehicle. From here, they’ll board a six-passenger SimCar for a test drive to see how their own design compares to the attraction’s SimCar in Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness and Power.

A Look Inside The New Test Track Presented by Chevrolet at Epcot A Look Inside The New Test Track Presented by Chevrolet at Epcot A Look Inside The New Test Track Presented by Chevrolet at Epcot

From these photos, it looks like the post-show will be a blast. Here, guests can see how well their car performed, and race it over changing terrains and extreme conditions on a digital driving table. Guests can also produce and star in a TV commercial for their custom cars, explore a Chevrolet showroom that will feature the latest models, and more.

Thanks to Disney Photographers Ali Nassar and Matt Stroshane for the photos.

Be sure to follow the Disney Parks Blog for ongoing coverage of this attraction’s opening and join the conversation online with the hashtag #TestTrack.

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