Friday, January 26, 2018

New Visuals For Upcoming Disney's Hollywood Studios Toy Story Land


Disney Parks released two new visuals for the upcoming Disney's Hollywood Studios Toy Story Land. The first one with the Slinky Dog Dash coaster and Jessie and Rex appeared on WDW website two days ago, and the other one shows guests with the giant Woody near the TSL entrance marquee. Click on each to see them in big size!



Pictures: copyright Disney

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Disneyland Toon Town Celebrates its 25th Anniversary, Discover Mickey Ville, the Toon Town Concept That Never Was !



Disneyland Toon Town celebrate its 25th anniversary today and i thought that it was the perfect time to repost a great D&M article about the first concept for Toon town which at that time was called Mickey Ville. You'll see wonderful artworks from Imagineer Hani El Masri who designed this version and who passed away two years ago, very unfortunately. Please click on each artwork to see them in big size.

At the end of 1990, Hani was asked by Walt Disney Imagineering to work on the creative development of a new project "Mickey Ville" which was supposed to be a new land for Tokyo Disneyland.

It was the first study for a "Toon Town", but much different than the one we know, as the architectural style was more "medieval". For a very good reason: this Mickey's Ville was supposed to be a tribute to Mickey's "medieval" cartoons, like "The Brave little tailor" or "Mickey and the Beanstalk".

Hani's team was under the direction of imagineers Yoshi Akiyama and Bob Weis - yes, the same Bob Weis who designed the Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's America and who is now in charge of the huge placemaking of Disney's California Adventure.

Here is a first rendering of the Mickey Ville project. For the design of this artwork, Hani was also slightly inspired by the architecture of Pinnochio’s Village.



At the entrance, guests would have find at the left of the porch a nice fountain with Daisy...



But Mickey Ville also would have include a "Mickey's Music Store" with chimneys who looks like pipe organ. Inside the music store, CD’s, sheet of music, and all kind of merchandise items related to music would have been on sale.



Also envisioned, a "Minnie's Candy" house, which looks like a real candy house, and was supposed to be.....that’s right: a candy store.



Another interesting concept was this "Donald's Dock" where Donald's house and boat were mixed all in one.



In fact , Donald’s dock would have been the departure point where guests would have embark in small boats for a little cruise on a small river all around the village.



But the project also include this beautiful Mickey's Theatre - artwork above, on the top. Because the Oriental Land executives knew how popular Tokyo Disneyland is, they wanted a big theatre,. So, instead to design one big facade, Hani and the imagineers thought it would have been more interesting if all the facade was designed like a little village. With on the right side the house of Mickey and Minnie - not to forget Pluto’s doghouse.



And in the front, another cute fountain, with Minnie on the top.



The entrance of the Mickey’s Theatre was on the middle of this little village facade...



And inside the theatre, guests could have watch old Mickey’s cartoons - like “Plane Crazy”, Steamboat Willie”, etc..but also others animated shorts with Pluto, Donald, etc...

By the way, when i saw this Mickey's Theatre artwork, it reminds me the facade of Mickey's Philarmagic theatre at Hong Kong Disneyland. I remember when i was at HKD being surprised by the architecture, but may be HKD imagineers took their inspiration from this concept - who knows?

To come back to the Mickey Ville story, and always back in 1990, another team lead by Tony Baxter and imagineer Joe Lanzisero was working on another Toon Town concept, this time for Disneyland, Anaheim. And it seems that when the executives of Oriental Land Company heard about it, they decided to wait and see how this "other" Toon Town will look once it'll be built at Disneyland.

We know the end of the story: Toon Town opened at Anaheim, everybody loved its great "cartoon" style, and so did the Oriental Land executives who decided to build it at TDL.

This marked the end of the Mickey Ville project, and Hani moved from one team to another to work with Joe Lanzisero's team where he created the Toon Town concept-arts you saw yesterday.

All Artwork by Hani El Masri and copyright Disney and Walt Disney Enterprises Inc.

Many thanks to Hani El Masri for his great help in the making of this article.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Minnie Mouse Receives A Star On The Hollywood Walk of Fame



MINNIE MOUSE RECEIVES STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME IN CELEBRATION OF HER 90TH ANNIVERSARY

Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Iger and Lifelong Minnie Devotee, ABC’s “American Idol” Judge Katy Perry Attend as Guest Speakers

Glendale, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2018) – The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Disney’s Minnie Mouse today with an official star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Special guest speakers included Disney Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger, and global pop icon and judge of ABC’s “American Idol,” Katy Perry. The star was dedicated in the category of Motion Pictures next to the El Capitan Theatre.



“Minnie Mouse has been a star and a fashion icon since she first burst onto the scene in the groundbreaking animated classic, Steamboat Willie,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “The star of more than 70 movies during her illustrious career, Minnie has entertained millions of people around the world, touching hearts and bringing joy wherever she goes. We’re thrilled to see her cultural influence and many achievements recognized with her very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”



A veteran of more than 70 films, Minnie Mouse is one of Hollywood’s most recognized global stars, delighting kids and families for generations. Loved for her infectious, upbeat personality, Minnie’s iconic style has also made her a muse for fashion designers, artists and fans around the globe. Her classic polka dot look has been constantly reimagined by the fashion industry from her early pill-box flower hat, which influenced ladies’ hat trends, to her famous bow and ears.


“Minnie embodies iconic. Her style is the epitome of fun fashion,” said Katy Perry. “To this day, no one rocks a bow, the color red, or a polka dot quite like her. It is a special skill to bring joy to so many, and she does it with the effortless bat of an eyelash. I am delighted to be part of honoring Minnie and her magic with a star on the Walk of Fame.”



After the event a lunch Celebrating Minnie's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was organized at Chateau Marmont.



See the full set of official pictures of the event on D&M Facebook page HERE.

Watch the full event on the Variety LIVE video below, just make sure to jump directly to 25.30 min as nothing starts before.




Pictures; copyright Disney

125,000 Disney Employees to Receive $1,000 Cash Bonus and Company Launches New $50 Million Higher Education Program



Today's WDC announcement Sounds to me like an answer to Universal announcement of the same kind last week:

125,000 Disney Employees to Receive $1,000 Cash Bonus and Company Launches New $50 Million Higher Education Program

Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company, today announced, more than 125,000 eligible employees will receive a one-time $1,000 cash bonus. The Company will also make an initial investment of $50 million in a new and ongoing education program specifically designed to cover tuition costs for hourly employees. The two new initiatives are a result of the recently enacted tax reform and represent a total allocation of more than $175 million in this fiscal year.

“I am proud we are directing approximately $125 million to our cast members and employees across the country and making higher education more accessible with the launch of this new program,” Mr. Iger said. “I have always believed that education is the key to opportunity; it opens doors and creates new possibilities. Matched with the $1,000 cash bonus, these initiatives will have both an immediate and long-term positive impact.”

All full and part-time non-executive employees, either hourly or salaried, who have been with The Walt Disney Company since January 1, 2018, and are based in the United States will be paid a one-time $1,000 cash bonus. Employees will receive the bonus in two payments, the first in March and the second in September of this year. In keeping with applicable federal law, the Company will work with union representatives regarding potential distribution plans for employees currently working under existing union contracts.

The Company is also launching a new education initiative aimed at its hourly workforce in the United States. Nearly 88,000 hourly employees will be eligible and can utilize the program to make an impactful investment in their future. With this new plan, participants can pursue qualifying higher education or vocational training, including courses unrelated to their current responsibilities at Disney. By creating new opportunities for those who wish to continue their education, employees can advance in their current roles or support their long-term career aspirations. After the initial investment of $50 million, Disney will provide up to $25 million in annual funding going forward.

The Company’s current educational reimbursement program, which is open to all full-time employees, will continue and remain unchanged.

Picture: copyright Disney

Monday, January 22, 2018

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea More Magical Than Ever, Covered by a Wintry Blanket of Snow !


Like in all countries of the North hemisphere it's winter in Japan, and it was snowing yesterday at Tokyo Disney Resort parks! Some TDR fans have posted on Twitter magical pictures of both parks covered by a wintry blanket of snow and here is a selection of the best pictures.

These pictures were posted on Twitter by MezzoMiki HERE, yuki-k@Next HERE, shogo_Dlove HERE and TDR Explorer HERE. Make sure to check their Twitter page as they probably have posted more pictures of TDR under snow!

Let's start by Tokyo Disneyland pictures.


















Adventureland












Big Thunder Mountain and Splash mountain




















Toon Town












Winnie the Pooh ride









Tomorrowland















Let's move to Tokyo Disney Sea where all is just as white as at TDL!























Pictures: copyright MezzoMikiyuki-k@Nextshogo_Dlove and TDR Explorer.