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The “What’s New, What’s Next” presentation held in Orlando confirmed that Toy Story Mania! will open at the Disney-MGM Studios in 2008, in the space formerly occupied by “Who Wants to be a Millionaire — Play It!” The new ride, also opening in Disney’s California Adventure, marks the first time an attraction has been designed and built simultaneously at Disneyland Resort and at Walt Disney World. The attraction will “set a new standard” for interactive ride/game technology. When you enter the attraction, you’ll be greeted by the “barker,” Mr. Potato Head, who, using technology similar to that found in Epcot’s “Turtle Talk with Crush,” will interact with guests. Then guests of all ages will put on 3-D glasses and ride themed vehicles along a route lined with “classic midway games of skill,” while shooting their toy cannons at animated targets. As you ride, you’ll pass through a series of games hosted by various Toy Story characters, like Bo-Peep and the Little Green Men. The ride will also be able to determine individual users’ skill levels and will increase the degree of difficulty accordingly.

Also announced, was the pilot program called Disney’s Online Concierge. Now being tested throughout the Contemporary Resort, the program involves each room having its own computer that provides a variety of services to guests. Guests can use the computer to check on flights, order room service, play videogames, connect to Disney internet sites, and contact valet and bell services. The online concierge will also send personal emails to the guests, with information on the upcoming day’s events and weather. If the program proves successful, it will be expanded and may eventually allow guests to make online reservations at Disney restaurants.

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Immersive Entertainment at Walt Disney World Resort
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Imagine….

• Suddenly being taken in by pirates, getting a crash course in buccaneering, and pledging allegiance to a Pirate’s Oath.
• In an instant, saddling up on a wooden stick horse among cacti and mine shafts in the wackiest cowboy camp this side of the Pecos.
• Time-traveling back to the renaissance and joining lords, ladies and other merrymakers in royal games and dances.

It’s one thing to dream a dream, even better to actually live that dream. Thanks to new immersive entertainment during “The Year of a Million Dreams,” which started Oct. 1, 2006, guests at Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts have the chance to get inside their own dreams by living out their fantasies.

“These experiences transport our guests deep into the magical realms of what Disney parks are all about,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Rather than imagine being in a Disney parade or what it’s like to sail with Captain Jack Sparrow, these transformational experiences put our guests right in the heart of their dreams.”

Guests are invited for their special roles by Disney cast members, who are on special assignment as dream makers during “The Year of a Million Dreams.” So anyone with a hankering for the cowboy life or wondering what it’s like to hold court with royals just might see their fantasy come true.

Here’s a rundown of immersive experiences happening every day at Walt Disney World Resort (Magic Kingdom) during Disney’s “The Year of a Million Dreams”:

• Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial (Adventureland). Train to become a pirate. Looking for new recruits, Captain Jack and his mate Mack lead guests through a series of pirate skill tests to prove their mettle. Who is craftiest at wooden swordplay? Who can flash their most menacing pirate grimace? Faster than you can say “Yo, Ho, Yo, Ho, the Pirate’s Life for Me,” the big moment arrives: getting officially sworn in with the Pirate’s Oath to become honorary buccaneers of Captain Jack’s famous Pirate Crew.
• Let’s Have a Ball! The Happily Ever “After Party” (Fantasyland). In the shadows of Cinderella Castle, Lady Lucinda and Simon, a bumbling but eager Merry Maker, lead guests in the Lord and Ladies Limbo, Lucinda’s Freeze Dance, Simon Says and the Grand Waltz presided over by Princess Aurora (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty) and Prince Phillip. To close the festivities, Aurora and Phillip meet their royal subjects. It is music-filled pageantry as everyone has a royal ball.
• Woody’s Cowboy Camp (Frontierland). There’s a rootin’ tootin’ good time in store as Woody, Jesse and Bullseye invite everyone to Woody’s Cowboy Camp! Ridin’ in on a wagon are some of their best cowpoke pals, along with Sam the Singin’ Cowboy who leads a rollicking hoedown. Led by Bullseye and saddled up on wooden stick horses, kids giddy-up their way through a cowboy obstacle course — maneuvering around parents donning hats shaped like cacti, mountains and mine shafts. It’s kick-up-your-spurs, hootin’ and hollerin’ fun as the cowboy spirit comes to life on the dusty streets of Frontierland.
• “Main Street Family Fun Day Parade” (Main Street, U.S.A.). For the very first time, guests are able to parade down Main Street, U.S.A. alongside favorite Disney characters. For guests it’s a pennant-waving, drum-beating rush as they join characters as they march alongside parade floats, a marching band and an old-timey fire truck. To accommodate little paraders and their parents there’s even a stroller drill team. When the parade hits Town Square, guests join the performers gathering around the center of Town Square for a flag-waving patriotic finale.

And new at Disney-MGM Studios (opening late January):

• “High School Musical” Pep Rally. C’mon and get Wildcat fever. It’s infectious as guests learn fun cheers and cool dance moves, wave pom-poms and sing along to the biggest hit songs of today’s most popular entertainment phenomenon come to life in “High School Musical” Pep Rally, a new immersive show for the whole family. Throughout the park, a multi-talented team of entertainers re-create the world of East High — basketball court and all — a place where best friends break into elaborate musical numbers like magic. Guests may even find themselves shooting hoops or joining in as the whole street turns into a rockin’ party as great songs fill the air, from the Disney Channel sensation “High School Musical.”

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Part of ‘The Year of a Million Dreams’
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — As an encore to the Disney-Pixar blockbuster film “Finding Nemo,” Nemo the clownfish and his motion picture family and friends make a big splash in an eye-filling new attraction at Epcot. “The Seas with Nemo & Friends” attraction brings the familiar characters to life, anchoring the newly renamed and re-launched The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion (formerly The Living Seas) in Epcot Future World.

A whimsical and visually stunning attraction for Walt Disney World guests of all ages, “The Seas with Nemo & Friends” attraction picks up where the motion picture “Finding Nemo” left off. The attraction features technology that magically enables the stars of the motion picture to swim amid the marine life in the pavilion’s 5.7-million-gallon saltwater environment.

“The Seas with Nemo & Friends” opened as part of “The Year of a Million Dreams,” a first-of-it’s-kind celebration at Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts.

” ‘Finding Nemo’ is such a compelling movie with endearing characters and a great story line, and it translates so well in this new attraction,” said Kathy Mangum, vice president and executive producer with Walt Disney Imagineering.

The underwater adventure begins when guests approach the pavilion and see a striking new façade that features colorful appliqués of fish and sea creatures. Three Audio-Animatronics seagulls are perched on the rocks outside the pavilion, occasionally squawking “Mine, Mine, Mine,” just like in the film.

Inside the pavilion guests enter a queue area styled to look like a beach — complete with sand dunes, sea oats and the sound of cawing gulls and crashing waves. As guests dive deeper into the experience, they find themselves under the sea, looking up at the water’s surface and the hull of a boat.

The immersion is complete as guests board “clamobiles” for an undersea voyage in a colorful world of coral and amazing animation (the attraction is fully accessible).

The vivid coral in the first three of nine attraction scenes was created by Walt Disney Imagineers in three dimensions to meticulously recreate the beautiful undersea world that was designed by Pixar for the “Finding Nemo” animated film.

Guests first meet Mr. Ray and his class on a field trip and soon learn that Nemo has wandered off. The journey in search of Nemo includes familiar characters such as Dory, Marlin, Bruce, Squirt and Crush. These deep-sea friends inhabit a variety of vibrant vignettes, including a garden of jellyfish, a bubble-filled underwater playground, the menacing domain of Bruce the shark and the totally cool East Australian current where Crush and Squirt — father and son surfing-turtle dudes — chill out. And guests should keep their eye on the threatening and agile anglerfish that chases Marlin.

In the musical finale of the attraction, Nemo is happily reunited with his friends to the tune of a new song, “In the Big Blue World.” Amazingly, the animated characters appear to be swimming among the real sea life in the actual aquarium containing more than 65 species of marine life. This final scene is an example of combining the creativity of Walt Disney Imagineering with new technology and collaboration with Disney-Pixar to create the visually stunning, animation projection effect.

At the conclusion of the five-minute experience, guests exit into The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion which has been newly renamed and re-launched. Other innovative and engaging areas of the revamped pavilion include:

• “Turtle Talk With Crush” featuring the laid-back sea turtle from the “Finding Nemo” movie, who laughs and interacts with guests in live, unscripted conversations. From his digital world under the sea, Crush chats, plays and jokes with guests in a personalized way. The 152-year-old turtle recognizes guests and asks them questions about themselves and the human world in the first-of-its-kind real-time animated show.
• Bruce’s Shark World, which features another familiar character from the film, is an interactive area with colorful graphics, fun facts about sharks and fun photo opportunities. A particularly precarious-looking photo can be snapped while smiling guests stand inside the toothy mouth of the menacing Bruce the shark.
• Live marine life inhabits both the 5.7 million gallon aquarium — one of the world’s largest — and various specialized exhibits. In all, more than 2,000 fish, sharks, rays and dolphins call the pavilion home.
• Certified divers can experience Epcot DiveQuest, a program featuring explorations inside the pavilion’s saltwater environment. For snorkelers, the Seas Aqua Tour provides an immersive plunge into the aquarium. To learn more about dolphins and research at the pavilion, guests can join Disney’s Dolphins in Depth program.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — To launch Disney Parks “Year of a Million Dreams” celebration, spectacular new images were unveiled today featuring the work of acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz, and starring Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella, Beyoncé taking a spin in a giant teacup and David Beckham slaying a dragon.

Leibovitz’s images also fulfill one of Beckham’s “dreams,” as the Disney Parks project is his first endorsement since signing a contract to play professional soccer in the United States.

In addition to the three debut images, Disney Parks has commissioned more images by Leibovitz that will feature other celebrities in classic, Disney fairy tale settings.

Asked by Disney Parks to lend her vision to the campaign, Leibovitz has created inspired images of storybook fantasy come to life. Her photographs for the campaign embody the captivating, narrative style indicative of her world-renowned work.

“I’m really delighted to be part of the ‘Where Dreams Come True’ campaign,” said Leibovitz. “We live in difficult times and I feel, especially as a parent, that keeping dreams alive is one of the most important things we can do.”

Each image features a scene with the featured celebrities transformed into the role of a fabled Disney character, expressing their own dreams and imagination.

• As Cinderella, Scarlett Johansson is seen running down a flight of stairs as the clock strikes midnight with her glass slipper unknowingly left behind. The tagline reads, “Where every Cinderella story comes true.”

Befitting a true princess, Johansson wears a stunning, one-of-a-kind Harry Winston tiara — a dazzling piece in platinum with more than 62 carats of sparkling diamonds and valued at $325,000. The dress worn by Johansson is a custom-made, Cinderella-inspired gown designed by Nicoletta Santoro.

• David Beckham plays the part of the gallant Prince Phillip from “Sleeping Beauty,” atop his trusted steed fighting the evil dragon. The tagline reads, “Where imagination saves the day.”

“There were many Disney characters I liked as a kid,” said Beckham. “Now my sons love the Disney characters and it’s a big part of their lives, a big part of many children’s lives around the world. So to be part of that is an honor and very exciting.

“I love going to Disney, I’m like a big kid,” he added.

• Beyoncé appears as “Alice in Wonderland,” twirling in a teacup, accompanied by Oliver Platt as the Mad Hatter and Lyle Lovett as the March Hare. The tagline reads, “Where Wonderland is your destiny.”

“It’s two great imaginations coming together — Disney and Annie Leibovitz,” said Lovett. “To be along for the ride really is quite something, just knowing that you’re going to be part of a great Disney character. And then when you step into the imagination of Annie Leibovitz, you know you’re in another world.”

“The ‘Where Dreams Come True’ campaign is about the imaginations and dreams that are inside us all,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “By capturing these transformational experiences, these emotional images communicate a powerful concept. Working with Annie Leibovitz was a natural fit — Disney is known for immersive storytelling and Annie is a masterful artist whose photos speak volumes.”

The campaign premieres as a special insert in the March issues of Vanity Fair, GQ, Vogue, W, The New Yorker, Conde Nast Traveler and Cookie.

As part of the “Where Dreams Come True” initiative, Disney Parks introduced “The Year of a Million Dreams” (Oct. 1, 2006-Dec. 31, 2007). During this 15-month, first-of-its-kind celebration, more than one million very special dreams are being granted to guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The celebration also is highlighted by the debut of innovative Disney attractions and entertainment spectaculars at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts.

For more information about Disney Parks, “The Year of a Million Dreams” and “Where Dreams Come True,” guests may visit mydisneyparks.com.

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PIRATE’S LIFE — Feisty pirates take to the helm of the newly created, 39-foot pirate ship in Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade taking place during Disney Pirate & Princess Party in the Magic Kingdom. The raucous pirate ship overflows with swashbuckling adventurers and plundered treasure as it moves down Main Street, U.S.A. amid other floats during this new event that immerses guests into the lives of a wily buccaneer or pretty princess for 13 select nights beginning Jan. 22 at Walt Disney World Resort.

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Acclaimed actress Scarlett Johansson portrays the famous Disney Princess Cinderella in a new image created by world-renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz – one of three images unveiled today to launch Disney Parks “Year of a Million Dreams.” Johansson, clad in a glamorous ball gown and 62-carat, Harry Winston diamond tiara, glides down the palace staircase at the stroke of midnight and unknowingly leaves behind a single glass slipper. Each of Leibovitz’s three “Dreams” images feature a scene, with celebrities playing the role of a Disney Parks character, expressing their own dreams and imagination. The other two images feature singer/actress Beyonce, actor Oliver Platt and singer/songwriter Lyle Lovett in a giant, whirling teacup from Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland,” and international soccer star David Beckham portraying Prince Phillip atop a white steed and slaying a fire-breathing dragon in the climactic scene from Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty.” In addition to the three debut images, Disney Parks has commissioned additional images by Leibovitz featuring more celebrities in fairy tale settings.

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Bellhops at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror surprised 10-year-old Jack Caprio of Littleton, Colo.,when they made him an honorary “junior bellhop” at the Disney-MGM Studios thrill attraction. Prior to the theme park’s opening, Caprio was presented a bellhop jacket and hat by attraction bellhop T.J. Wollard before he and his family were personally escorted to the attraction to be the first guests to ride the attraction for the day. It is all part of Disney’s “Year of a Million Dreams,” a celebration in which “Magical Moments” surprise guests throughout the 15-month gala in Disney theme parks.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Trendsetters and fashion gurus get ready to strut your stuff with a new line of Mickey Mouse ears all dressed up for the summer.

The trendy new Mouse ears come in a variety of vibrant colors and styles to suit the pirate or princess in your family. Gal versions don pink veils, jeweled princess crowns, or wild cheetah prints. For the boys, pirate scarves and hoop earrings adorn the headgear, plus Stitch-themed offerings and more. There’s also gold-sequined, patriotic-themed, and a bride and groom version.

While traditional black Mouse ears remain popular — with millions sold each year — it was time to have some fun and accessorize, said Dara Trujillo, Walt Disney World manager of merchandise franchise and synergy.

“Guests responded so well to the special golden Mickey Mouse ears created for the ‘Happiest Celebration on Earth’ last year,” said Trujillo. “We wanted to build off that success with a new generation of ears that reflect what’s hot in the marketplace.”

We will always go after the trends,” Trujillo said.

The new Mouse ears are available in limited quantities at select locations throughout Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort. Prices are from $8.

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Inside Experimental Greenhouses to Grow One-of-a-Kind Plants

Epcot tomato plant sets a new world record

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Behind the brightly colored, mosaic facade of The Land pavilion at Epcot sits non-descript offices where greenhouse magic takes place. Horticulture and entertainment — which some call “horti-tainment” — blend to create some of the most visually interesting fruits and vegetables found under one roof anywhere in the world.

From Mickey Mouse-shaped food and tons of tomatoes to Cinderella pumpkins and lemons the size of bowling balls, the Epcot Science team at The Land works night and day to cultivate produce and other foods on the pavilion’s Living with the Land attraction to give guests something they can’t see anywhere else. Living with the Land, a narrated, 14-minute boat ride through the farms of yesteryear as well as the greenhouses of tomorrow, showcases the team’s research and work inside The Land’s four greenhouses.

Some of the horticulture highlights:

A world record harvest from a single tomato vine: Yong Huang, Epcot’s manager of agricultural science at The Land pavilion, is working with a new “tomato tree” that is currently growing inside the theme park’s experimental greenhouses. The only one of its kind in the United States, the plant yields thousands of tomatoes at one time from a single vine. Huang discovered the plant while on vacation in Beijing, China. After meeting with scientists responsible for that plant, Huang brought its seeds to Epcot and created a specialized greenhouse for the fruit to grow. The golf ball-sized tomatoes are harvested and served at Walt Disney World Resort.

So far, the massive plant has produced a world-record harvest of more than 20,000 tomatoes with a total weight of more than 850 pounds — and it’s still growing! The record-setting plant can be seen by park guests during the Living with the Land boat ride.

Mickey Mouse-shaped cucumbers: The Land Science team developed a special, elongated mold that is placed around a young cucumber. As it grows, the vegetable forms the familiar shape of Mickey’s silhouette. The cucumbers are harvested and served atop salads at Walt Disney World Resort.

Mickey Mouse-shaped watermelons: Building on the success of the Mickey cucumber, the team created a similar mold for watermelons. Guests on the Living with the Land attraction often see the Mickey Mouse-shaped watermelons growing on the vines inside the greenhouses.

Mickey Mouse-shaped pumpkins: Autumn brings the biggest harvest of pumpkins at The Land, and Mickey Mouse-shaped pumpkins have quickly become a favorite. The Mickey Mouse-shaped pumpkins –some which weigh nearly 100 pounds — are harvested and placed inside the greenhouses for guest viewing. Also featured: the Cinderella pumpkin, named for the shape it shares with Cinderella’s famous coach.

Nine-pound lemons: While they’re not Mickey Mouse shaped, the nine-pound lemons grow to what their descriptive name implies — a lemon that weighs nine pounds. These sour mammoths begin as young, green fruit on trees inside the greenhouse. As they mature, they take on the familiar lemony-yellow hue and preserve all of the taste of smaller variety lemons.

“Cucumber tree”: Similar in concept to the “tomato tree,” The Land’s “cucumber tree” has produced more than 800 individual fruits. That’s more than 525 pounds of cucumbers.

Guests on the Living with the Land attraction also see:

The Tropics Greenhouse, growing crops native to Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and the southern United States. Rice, sugar cane, peanuts, cacao, bananas and a 59-foot peach palm flourish under a 60-foot dome.

The Aquacell, showcasing crops that swim — fish and other aquatic life including alligators, catfish, tilapia, sunshine bass and American eel.

The Temperate Greenhouse, featuring the concepts and technologies of sustainable agriculture, including intercropping, integrated pest management and specialized irrigation systems that reduce waste and increase crop production.

The Production Greenhouse, where tons of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and other vegetables are grown for use in The Land’s Garden Grill Restaurant and other Epcot restaurants. The Land scientists utilize growing systems that are kinder to the environment and improve productivity.

The Creative House, showing imaginative ways to grow crops — without soil, hanging in the air, even on a space station. USDA scientists currently are working at The Land to develop dwarf pear trees for greater production efficiency.

“Behind the Seeds” greenhouse tour: Guests interested in taking a closer look at the four greenhouses and fish farm that are part of the Living with the Land attraction can take the 45-minute “Behind the Seeds” tour. Tour highlights include tasting produce grown in The Land, taking an herb and spice challenge, feeding fish at the fish farm, sprouting seeds to take home and releasing ladybugs.

Cost is $12 for guests ages 10 and over, and $10 for guests ages 3-9. Same day reservations may be made at the tour desk on the lower level of The Land or guests may book a tour in advance by calling 407/WDW-TOUR (407/939-8687).

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