In the above video just released by the official Disney Parks blog, animation veterans Andreas Deja, Glen Keane, and Mark Henn walk through the upcoming California Adventure attraction Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure.
In addition to showcasing the awesome effects and audio-animatronics of the ride as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the Imagineers' magical work, the video features the film's three animators discussing what the classic movie meant for the rebirth of Disney's fairytales and also how amazingly the Imagineers translated the film to theme park ride.
The attraction opens on June 3 in just under a month . . . So exciting! I'll be there later in August and I'll tell you all about it.
Showing posts with label California Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California Adventure. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
'Little Mermaid' animators tour upcoming DCA attraction
Monday, April 11, 2011
DCA's 'Little Mermaid' gets some music
Watch the above video. It's a very interesting look at the process behind the score for California Adventure's upcoming attraction Ariel's Undersea Adventure. It includes some never-before-seen looks at the attraction, which is currently in the final stages of construction.
This ride is gonna be awesome. (Although I don't know about that creepy King Triton animatronic . . . )
It is, of course, apart of Disney's total revamp and renovation of the sorry little stepbrother to Disneyland in California. I'll be heading down to LA later this summer, excited to see more of the changes! . . .
Lookin' good, Imagineers. Lookin' real good . . .
Friday, January 7, 2011
UPDATED: So long, C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A
I hope you took lotsa pictures, folks, because, the large "C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A" letters that used to grace the entrance to Disney's California Adventure are officially closed from the 
public starting today (Tuesday, January 4). They are being removed, along with the rest of the "Sunshine Plaza," which includes the entrance turnstiles, those godawful bathroom tiles, shops like you'd find at your local mall, and all of the other generic and un-Disney things wrong with that area.
In their stead will be a bustling Buena Vista Street from the 1920s when Walt first ventured to the 
big city in pursuit of his dreams, complete with Red Trolley cars and a Carthay Circle Theater. Alternate entrances will be used and will be a huge pain for everyone, but it's all for a good cause--the park will finally be where it should have started all along . . . and all it took was more power to the creatives taken from the cold-hearted and soul-less suited minions of one Michael Eisner...
UPDATE: Below you will find a photo of the construction barriers placed in front of the park. This would hardly be worth an update, were it not for the presence of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit's (and other previously-unknown characters') pronounced positions on the construction wall. Very cool. Let's hope they can integrate the wonderful character of Oswald into the revamped park itself... See more pictures of the construction wall here.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Radiator Springs Racers Sneak Peek
Briefly: In 2012, a brand new land at Disney's California Adventure will open: Cars Land. Based on the classic Pixar film Cars, the land is a part of a massive renovation going on at the park that has been in the works for several years.
Above you can see a "sneak peek" at one of the vehicles for the Radiator Springs Racers, an Autopia-type attraction that is being billed as the E-ticket ride for the new land.
Those cars look like they are going to be very cool. This is getting exciting.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
Monday, March 8, 2010
Toy Story Mania's Secret
This summer, a lot is happening for Disney and Pixar. Mainly, Disney's California Adventure will be in the middle of its huge expansion and Toy Story 3 will come out. These two events may not seem like they're attached to each other, but they are.
When the Imagineers created the Toy Story Mania! attraction, they knew that it would be incredibly easy to replace the existing games with newer ones. Unlike The Haunted Mansion and other attractions that need to be closed for weeks for renovations or decorating, Toy Story Mania! could be closed for only a day or two while they update the software projected on the ride's many screens.
And this is exactly what the Imagineers are planning to do. When Toy Story 3 is released in theaters, park guests will get an unexpected surprise during their ride of Toy Story Mania! when completely new games (presumably with the new characters) are present.
But that's not all. They also plan to dress up the attraction for holiday seasons. The Imagineers could put in new games involving snow and Santa Claus, etc. Also, did you know that ol' Don Rickles recorded hours and hours of his voice for the Potato Head Barker? What you hear now is merely a fraction of what the amazing, life-size figurine has to offer. Among the yet-to-be-heard audio is Christmas carols, that they would program the spud to sing if and when they dress up the entire attraction for the yuletide.
If you didn't love Toy Story Mania! already, here's another reason to: it will constantly be updated to keep the attraction fresh, seasonal, and updated to match the film franchise. The attraction will be always changing, and you'll never know what to expect once you go through the doors of Andy's toy box.
Source: Blue Sky Disney
Pixar in The Wonderful World of Color
Above you will find a very interesting video about Pixar's contributions and involvement with the upcoming light and fountain show, The Wonderful World of Color, coming to Disney's California Adventure this summer. There are some very interesting interviews, as well as very cool clips from the testing done at the actual site of the show.
For some construction pictures of this show and all of Disneyland and DCA, look no further than MiceChat.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Video Re-cap of DCA's Future
Above you will find a video produced by Disney to show what the future holds for Disney's California Adventure. The video doesn't contain anything I didn't know or haven't seen yet, but it's still a good re-cap that gets me very excited for the next few years. I am so glad that Imagineering is finally fixing the mistake that was California Adventure. Only a few years until it's all over...
Friday, December 4, 2009
"Toy Story The Musical" to Open in California Adventure [UPDATED]
Briefly: I never liked the
I don't know what to think. Woody and Buzz singing along together (especially the versions of them in the picture above) seems flat wrong. I doubt this play will live up to its movie, either. But, even if it is good, there just seems to be something wrong with sitting in a theater for an hour when there are rides to be had! Oh well, we'll see come 2011 when this play opens in Disney's California Adventure. Read more about it at the official D23 blog.
UPDATE: Disney and More has gotten their hands on plenty more information, as well as videos of the musical! Watch the videos, see more pictures, and read all about it over at Disney and More.
Monday, August 10, 2009
More DCA Updates (Goodbye Orange Stinger...)
Briefly: The $1 billion renovation of Disney's California Adventure has begun to take shape. The Orange Stinger is no more, and construction for the "Silly Symphony Swings" has begun. The Wonderful World of Color fountain show's spouts and lights are being set-up in the drained lake at the center of the park (and I would love to be there on submersion day...).
There's a whole lot more going on over there at Disneyland's neighboring park--to see a lot of pictures, just click right here. Or learn more about the renovation here.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Disneyland (and California Adventure) Updates
I was at Disneyland yesterday. It was tons of fun, as usual. There was a lot of construction over at California Adventure, but that didn't matter; the new Mickey on the Ferris Wheel looks phenomenal, the boardwalk games are much better (but still not perfect), and I went on Toy Story Mania 7 times.
So, here are a bunch of Disneyland (and California Adventure) updates straight from my trip and the corners of the internet:
- This first bit of news is depressing, but reminds me of one of the simplest and best parts of my favorite Frontierland ride, Big Thunder Mountain. Dallas McKennon did voice over work for Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmations, The Jungle Book, and Mary Poppins, but that isn't why anybody who's anybody knows him; he's the one who warns you that Big Thunder is the "wildest ride in the wilderness!". I know that that warning always makes you smile as it does to me as well. Sadly, Dallas, who has warned millions of guests within the attraction, has passed away just days away from his 90th birthday. He will be remembered forever on the wildest ride in the wilderness.
- This piece of news didn't sound true when I first heard it. You know how several attractions get makeovers for Halloween (Haunted Mansion gets Nightmare Before Christmas-ized, etc.)? Now Space Mountain, arguably Disneyland's best thrill ride, is getting a makeover for Halloween. The "Ghost Galaxy", as put by the LA Times, 'features a new soundtrack and ghostly and ghoulish projections.' The “Halloween Time” event runs from Sept. 25 through Nov. 1 and includes Space Mountain's makeover, a new fireworks show, and more villains strolling through the park.
- Also, take a look at the above sign which was located on Main Street yesterday notifying guests that they were filming a Halloween commercial. (Space Mountain image courtesy of Blue Sky Disney.)
- Weird Al is one of my favorite musicians. His songs are catchy, incredibly well-written, and very, very funny. The parodies he does are some of my favorite songs I have ever heard, and his original songs may be even better. He has just released a new video accompanying his new single, Skipper Dan. The song is Disneyland-related, but I'll let you listen for yourself and see how hilarious it really is, especially for the Disneyland fan. Watch it here and enjoy!
- Sadly, the Blue Sky Cellar located within DCA which showcases all of the changes coming to Disney's California Adventure, was closed during my visit and opened just today. Luckily, however, they have just launched a virtual Blue Sky Cellar which you can explore right here from the comfort of your keyboard. It has videos and images all about Buena Vista Street, the Carthay Circle Theater, Cars Land, the Little Mermaid dark ride, the upcoming Light and Water show, and more! Explore it all right here. Also, read some more about the changes coming to DCA here.
- While we are looking at all of these changes to everybody's favorite theme park created on a napkin by Michael Eisner, I might as well show you these couple of pictures I took which show all of the spouts and fancy underwater controls for the Wonderful World of Color show.
This is all I have to report for now, but come back for even more Disneyland updates as the construction gets further down the line.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Disneyland and California Adventure Updates
July 16, 2009 – New Blue Sky Cellar Exhibit August, 2009 – First Disneyland Hotel tower begins refurbishment September, 2009 – D23 Expo, Grand Californian DVC wing opens, New HalloweenTime fireworks December, 2009 – New Mr. Lincoln Show debuts March, 2010 – World of Color debuts April, 2010 – Silly Symphony Swings debut, Paradise Pier shops makeover completed Spring, 2010 – Disneyland 55 Anniversary entertainment and decor debuts Summer, 2010 – Route 66 makeover completed December, 2010 – Goofy's Sky School debuts May, 2011 – Little Mermaid E Ticket / Star Tours 2.0 debuts December, 2011 – DCA Main Entrance/Buena Vista Street debuts Spring, 2012 – Disneyland Hotel refurbishment completed June, 2012 – Cars Land debuts 
I'm here in California once more and set to visit Disneyland and the California Adventure park in about a week. I will be sure to take a lot of pictures of the changes being made to California Adventure, but, for now, we'll have to settle with pictures taken by others to satisfy our curiosity for the rapidly changing California theme park.
First off, here's a brief timeline courtesy of Al Lutz at MiceAge:
I am very excited to see the completed park in 2012. It should be amazing (although it should have been amazing on opening day 9 years ago). I love the Blue Sky Cellar and am very pleased that they are updating it so quickly since everybody already knows about the new boardwalk games and Toy Story Mania! and everything else it has showcased. The Little Mermaid ride should be fantastic from what I've seen and heard about it, as will Cars Land.
Speaking of Cars Land, according to the OCRegister, construction of the largest component of the $1 billion dollar expansion has already begun. They claim that the Timon parking lot has been shut down for good to make way for the 12-acre land that is sure to be filled with thousands of Lightning McQueens and Maters. And, don't worry, they have already made sure that there is enough parking for everybody. Besides, I would gladly give up my parking space in the Timon lot for Mater or Doc Hudson to park there instead. Wouldn't you? Read more about Cars Land here.
Also, Blue Sky Disney (who also created the above photo) is reporting that the folks over at Disney are trying to create an exclusive club within the California Adventure Park similar to Disneyland's Club 33. I think that this is an interesting idea, but nobody will ever be able to beat the exclusivity or legacy of the timeless Club 33 in New Orleans Square, not even the Imagineers.
Read all about Disney's California Adventure refurbishment (as well as changes within Disneyland) here, here, and here!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
California Adventure Changes Begin to Take Shape!
About a year ago, Disney announced their plan to do a major overhaul of Disney's California Adventure. They had plans to add a huge, new Carsland, theme the entire park to match California in the 1920s, and many other much needed improvements including new attractions and refurbishments. These changes should be completed by around 2012, but they have already begun work, and some aspects of the renovation are already completed.
One of my least favorite parts of DCA was the boardwalk games. They were boring, unoriginal, and made Disney look like it was just trying to make a quick buck. Well, after some renovations and re-theming, I can't wait to get to the park and see the new games! They look amazing, see a photo gallery on the MiceChat forum here. The games now feature everybody's favorite Disney characters and other neat details that make these games uniquely Disney. See a video of the wonderful new boardwalk games below:
More progress is being made on Paradise Pier since the Sun Wheel is transforming into Mickey's Fun Wheel! The Mickey Mouse head from the concept art that can be found below has been added to the Ferris wheel, as can be seen in this sadly poor quality photo:
Concept Art:
Addition of the Mickey to the Sun Wheel (now Mickey's Fun Wheel!):
That's about all of the updates for now. Although, there was a pretty interesting rumor brought up on Blue Sky Disney that states "Iger is getting worried John Lasseter is spreading himself too thin and hanging out in the parks too much". I think that this is a far-fetched thing for Iger to say, and, if he does actually think this, I think Lasseter can handle himself--a funny rumor nonetheless.
I'll keep you updated as more DCA park renovations are completed; especially Carsland, The Little Mermaid dark ride, Buena Vista Street, and much, much more!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
New Paradise Pier Sign
Briefly: The changes taking place in California Adventure are already starting to be felt. The most noticeable (besides a bunch of construction), is the new 'Paradise Pier' sign on California Screamin'. They have surprisingly disposed of the iconic Mickey ears from the roller coaster, but I do like it. It will help to immerse the guest in the new theme for the park which is California in the 1920s. You can see the new sign above, and read more about the changes taking place in Disney's California Adventure here.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Exciting New Things at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure
I just visited Disneyland for New Year's Eve. Despite the park being the most crowded I've ever seen it, the park has also experienced some recent additions (besides the Christmas decorations around the park and in several rides).
One of the new excting additions can be found in Disney's California Advenure. There is a new, small room next to the vinery called Blue Sky Imagineering. It is a room with dioramas, signs, information, and videos all about what the imagineers plan to do with DCA in the near future. Here are some pictures (They were all taken on the iPhone's low quality camera in less than desirable lighting, so I apologize for the picture quality):
The entrance to Blue Sky Imagineering
An introduction to the room that you see upon walking in the entrance.
A picture of Walt up on the wall, acknowledging that he is the great man that started everything.
An example of what DCA's "Main Street" will be like. (I can't wait!)
DCA's soon-to-come-true map.
Artists' Renditions of the new DCA.
Basically just what the room looks like.
A model of the red cars that will run up and down Buena Vista Street in Disney's California Adventure.
A model of the soon-to-be-renovated Paradise Pier with new shops and boardwalk games.
A model of the soon-to-be-renovated Paradise Pier with new shops and boardwalk games.
A model of the soon-to-be-renovated Paradise Pier with new shops and boardwalk games.
A model of the soon-to-be-renovated Paradise Pier with new shops and boardwalk games.
A model of the soon-to-be-renovated Paradise Pier with new shops and boardwalk games.
A diorama of California Screamin' which will be renovated to fit the theme of California in the 1920s.
A diorama of California Screamin' which will be renovated to fit the theme of California in the 1920s.A diorama of California Screamin' which will be renovated to fit the theme of California in the 1920s.
A diorama of California Screamin' which will be renovated to fit the theme of California in the 1920s.A diorama of California Screamin' which will be renovated to fit the theme of California in the 1920s.
Artists' renderings of an upcoming attraction. It will be a renovation of the swings which currently reside in an orange. The swings will be themed as The Band Concert, the Silly Symphonies cartoon and riders will be conducted by Mickey Mouse as they get caught up in a storm.
Artists' renderings of an upcoming attraction. It will be a renovation of the swings which currently reside in an orange. The swings will be themed as The Band Concert, the Silly Symphonies cartoon and riders will be conducted by Mickey Mouse as they get caught up in a storm.Artists' renderings of an upcoming attraction. It will be a renovation of the swings which currently reside in an orange. The swings will be themed as The Band Concert, the Silly Symphonies cartoon.
A close-up the previous image where an iPhone is cleverly hidden.
Artists' renderings of the upcoming dark ride attraction based on The Little Mermaid.
Artists' renderings of an upcoming attraction. It will be a renovation of the swings which currently reside in an orange. The swings will be themed as The Band Concert, the Silly Symphonies cartoon.
Artists' renderings of DCA's try at a Fantasmic. I personally dislike Fantasmic, but hopefully this light and fountain spectacle will be more impressive.
Artists' renderings of DCA's try at a Fantasmic. I personally dislike Fantasmic, but hopefully this light and fountain spectacle will be more impressive.
Artists' renderings of DCA's try at a Fantasmic. I personally dislike Fantasmic, but hopefully this light and fountain spectacle will be more impressive.
Some of the developmental materials for my favorite ride in California Adventure--Toy Story Midway Mania.
Some more artists' renderings of the renovated park in general and how it will look like California as it was in the 1920s.
Some more artists' renderings and a mention of a 12-acre Cars land which will be coming in 2012.
A neat desk-type set-up with interesting curios and a cartoon-like map of the new DCA.
A neat desk-type set-up with interesting curios and a cartoon-like map of the new DCA.
A neat desk-type set-up with interesting curios and a cartoon-like map of the new DCA.
A neat desk-type set-up with interesting curios and a cartoon-like map of the new DCA.
Some more artists' renderings of the renovated park in general and how it will look like California as it was in the 1920s.
Some more artists' renderings of the renovated park in general and how it will look like California as it was in the 1920s.
Some artistic renderings of what the new and improved boardwalk games will look like.
Some artistic renderings of what the new and improved boardwalk games will look like.
A neat desk-type set-up with interesting curios and a cartoon-like map of the new DCA.
A neat desk-type set-up with interesting curios and a cartoon-like map of the new DCA.
A close-up on one of the drawings found on the desk.
They have a little quiz you can take about the history of Disney in the 1920s, and this is one of the various screens you see during the course of play, but I found something very interesting and very exciting. Look at the logo near the top that is "engraved" in the metal. It is the WED logo for Walt Disney's first Imagineering division! (It stood for Walter Elias Disney) The name changed during Eisner's reign to Walt Disney Imagineering, but it appears that Lasseter may be bringing it back! One can only hope...And there is even more news from Disneyland park in California! In Disneyland, a new addition is Sleeping Beauty's Castle Walkthrough. Here are some pictures I took while walking through the new attraction (these pictures were taken on an iPhone, so they are only 2.0 megapixels with less than desirable light). You walk up to an entrance on the side of the iconic castle, Then you walk through the story of Sleeping Beauty. It is told through a "storybook", lighting effects, models with forced perspective, and some of the Imagineers other fantastic techniques. Here are most of the items found in the walkthrough:
And there is Sleeping Beauty's Walkthrough! It is now open in Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland in California.
Well there's all of the new things happening at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.
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