Monday 25 January 2010

Tales from the Laughing Place Issue 15 - Out Now



The Little Mermaid - Ariel - opens the new issue of Tales from the Laughing Place magazine as an introduction to the first (of many) looks at the proposed expansion of the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. The article looks at the story and designs of the worldwide Fantasyland’s including Disneyland’s New Fantasyland of 1983 through to Disneyland Paris and the emphasis of the storybook approach which is now heading to Florida - albeit on a far far grander scale.

Other tales in the issue:
• we tell the story behind the long-gone introduction to animation film Back to Neverland with director Jerry Rees;
• the development of PhilharMagic with the Senior Show Writer (and saying a fond farewell to The Mickey Mouse Revue in the process);
• an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at ZED - Cirque Du Soleil’s show that performs only at the Tokyo Disney Resort;
• we talk to Imagineering about the interactive games: Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure and Leonardo Challenge (at Tokyo DisneySea) and
• an exclusive interview about the development of The American Idol Experience

Further details about these tales - and others featured in the issue can be found here

Monday 18 January 2010

Most egg-cellant news! Tokyo Disney Resort celebrates Easter





From April 1 – June 30, 2010 Tokyo Disneyland will host “Disney’s Easter Wonderland” 

The official Oriental Land Company release:
The first Easter-themed special event, filled with wonder and surprise, comes to Tokyo Disneyland this spring. A parade-type entertainment program will be offered with Mickey Mouse and his Disney pals appearing along with popular characters from the Disney film Alice in Wonderland.  



Time to “hop” over to Tokyo perhaps?

Eye-Spy Changes to Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!




Oriental Land Company has announced changes are coming to Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! Here is the official press release:



URAYASU, CHIBA— Tokyo Disneyland® Park’s popular attraction, Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!, will re-open on May 1, 2010 with enhancements to the hide-and-go-seek aspect of this ride. 

The new Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! will be even more full of surprises and fun. With this renewal, new monsters will be hiding throughout the attraction. Moreover, when guests shine their flashlights on the hiding monsters, the helmets worn by the monsters will light up as they come out and reveal themselves. There are also additional appearances by Boo – the human girl who prompted the discovery of the power of laughter.  Throughout the ride, Boo’s laughter will now create a ―power surge, causing the lights to spark. 
 This enhancement will provide everyone with a great opportunity to enjoy anew the fun and wonderful world of the lovable monsters. This attraction will be closed for the renovations from March 23 to April 30, 2010
...........


“Eye-Spy Kaiju” looks at how the Tokyo Disney Resort celebrated Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! throughout 2009 in Issue 15 of Tales from the Laughing Place magazine

Friday 15 January 2010

From the Archive: Is it Time to Remember...?

Apologies for making the title a question - and using Is it instead of It Is - but I have never been sure just how divisive the Magic Kingdom’s/WDW’s 25th Castle decoration is.




Among the hordes of cameras I have hauled around the parks over the last 16 years one of my favourites was a freebie 35mm “panoramic”. For the two weeks I spent at the resort in late September early October 1996 (those days are so long gone) I predominately shot in black and white with a few transparency films thrown in. The panoramic acted as a colour reference or reminder and although the image quality is not great I do love the soft focus towards the edge of the shots - something which reminds me of the Holga camera I use today. I have included a couple of the black and whites and also a group shot of the Castle being decorated. Click the photographs to enjoy or not enjoy them - only you can decide if it is time to remember...

























Tuesday 12 January 2010

From the Archive: A Little Bit of Wonder

December 31st 2005 was the last time I visited Epcot’s Wonders of Life pavilion. Both Body Wars and Cranium Command were open so I took a final turn on them. I also spent some time taking photographs - a few of which I have posted here. Further images can be seen in our Epcot set on Flickr.









Saturday 9 January 2010

From the Archive: Screamin’ in the Sun



California Screamin’, Sun Wheel, Golden Zephyr
- Paradise Pier Disney’s California Adventure 2004

From the Archive: The Toad and the Skyway


Mr Toad’s Wild Ride from the Skyway, Magic Kingdom 1996

From the Archive: Cinderella Castle 1996


Cinderella Castle (just prior to the 25th Anniversary) Magic Kingdom 1996

From the Archive: Space Mountain 1991


Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 1991

From the Archive: Paradise Pier



Paradise Pier - Disney’s California Adventure 2002