Universal Studios Japan announced officially this morning Super Nintendo World and, among others attractions, a Mario Kart Ride is confirmed as its centerpiece, featuring what the park is calling the “world’s most advanced technology. It will open in 2020 before the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. A short animated trailer was released, here it is below! Find dmore about this HERE.
Picture and video: copyright Universal Studios Japan
WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS UNVEILS “A GALAXY OF STORIES” PAVILION AT D23 EXPO, JULY 14–16, 2017
Guests Will Get a Sneak Peek at the Much-Anticipated Star Wars-themed Lands Coming to Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Bob Chapek presentation about what’s new and what's next for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will take place Saturday, July 15, at 3 p.m.
BURBANK, Calif. – June 8, 2017 – Showcasing the creative process of bringing new Disney park experiences to life, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts invites guests to discover its pavilion, “A Galaxy of Stories,” at D23 Expo, July 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Guests will get an exclusive look at the new Star Wars-themed lands currently under development for Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at this year’s pavilion. Guests to the pavilion will also hear personal stories of cast members and Imagineers working to create transformational experiences every day at Disney Parks.
Showcasing models, artwork, and media, the pavilion will provide a first-ever look at some of the locations, starships, creatures, and droids that will bring Star Wars to life at the new Star Wars-themed lands, which are set to debut in 2019. For the first time, guests will be able to view a fully detailed model of the overall vision for this new experience that was once “far, far away,” but is now very, very near!
D23 Expo guests will once again have the chance to explore Mickey’s of Glendale, an Imagineering-exclusive merchandise store, to shop for unique souvenirs, specialty pins, limited-edition collectibles, and merchandise not available anywhere else.
In addition to the previously announced Hall D23 presentation of what’s new and next with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek, which will take place Saturday, July 15, at 3 p.m., D23 Expo guests also will be able to attend three unique panel presentations:
Pirates of the Caribbean: 50 Years of Swashbuckling Adventures in Disney Parks
Friday, July 14, 3:30 p.m., D23 Expo Arena
From its early origins at Disneyland Park to the latest technical achievements of Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland, Imagineers will share buccaneering tales of developing this signature Disney Parks attraction around the globe.
Inspiring Women of Imagineering
Sunday, July 16, 12:15 p.m., Stage 28
Meet some of the talented women of Walt Disney Imagineering. Guests will hear personal stories and get an insider’s look at the Imagineering process from these creative and technical professionals building on Disney’s rich legacy of female Imagineers.
Voices of Disney Parks
Sunday, July 16, 2:30 p.m., Stage 28
See—and hear—the people behind some of the most recognizable voices heard across Disney Parks. From famed attractions to favorite characters, these talents have done it all, and guests will hear personal stories and feel as though they’ve stepped into a Disney Parks recording booth!
Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 are available for $81 for one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a one-day adult admission and $53 for children 3–9. Multi-day tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2017, visit D23Expo.com.
Pixar released a new poster and a new trailer for its next awaited animated film "Coco" as well as details about the voices casting. Looks definitely great to me!
First, here is the synopsis and new trailer:
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself magically transported to the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”), Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017.
Disney·Pixar’s “Coco,” a multi-generational story about the power of family relationships, features characters from the Land of the Living, and their loved ones who’ve moved on to the Land of the Dead. Joining aspiring musician Miguel, voiced by Anthony Gonzalez; charming trickster Hector, voiced by Gael García Bernal; and musical icon Ernesto de la Cruz, voiced by Benjamin Bratt; are a host of colorful characters and the voice talent behind them that bring both worlds to life.
“These parallel worlds couldn’t be more different,” said Unkrich. “One is the Rivera family’s charming and hardworking hometown of Santa Cecilia, and the other is the vibrant, rich land where loved ones go when they’ve passed. ‘Coco’ introduces characters from both worlds on the eve of Día de los Muertos—one extraordinary night when a living boy named Miguel gets a glimpse of the other side.” Added Molina, “Our voice cast is incredibly talented, helping to shape our eclectic group of characters. Each actor has told us they find something relatable in this film, so they’re finding it easy to capture the heart of this story—it’s all about family, so we hope that these characters will resonate with everyone.”
FROM THE LAND OF THE LIVING
ANTHONY GONZALEZ (“Ice Box,” TNT’s “The Last Ship”) lends his voice to MIGUEL, a 12-year-old aspiring musician who struggles against his family’s generations-old ban on music. When a magical mishap lands him in the Land of the Dead, Miguel seeks out his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, to help him return to the Land of the Living before it’s too late.
ANA OFELIA MURGUÍA (Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle,” “Bandidas”) voices Miguel’s cherished great-grandmother MAMÁ COCO. She is very old and fragile, but that doesn’t stop Miguel from sharing his daily adventures with her.
RENÉE VICTOR (“Weeds,” “The Apostle”) provides the authoritative voice of ABUELITA, Miguel’s grandmother and the ultimate enforcer of the Rivera family’s ban on music. She loves her family very much and will do anything to protect them. But when she gets angry, she wields a mean slipper.
JAIME CAMIL (CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” Disney Junior’s “Elena of Avalor,” “Secret Lives of Pets”) is the voice of PAPÁ, Miguel’s supportive father who hopes that someday Miguel will join him in the family shoemaking business.
S
OFÍA ESPINOSA (“Gloria”) provides the voice of Miguel’s loving MAMÁ who gently encourages her son to embrace their family’s traditions.
LUIS VALDEZ (“Which Way Is Up,” director “La Bamba” & “Cisco Kid”) is the voice of TÍO BERTO, Miguel’s uncle, a hard worker in the Rivera family shoemaking business.
LOMBARDO BOYAR (“Happy Feet,” TNT’s “Murder in the First”) lends his voice to a friendly MARIACHI who Miguel encounters in Santa Cecilia Plaza.
FROM THE LAND OF THE DEAD
GAEL GARCÍA BERNAL (Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle”) helps bring to life HECTOR, a charming trickster in the Land of the Dead who is forced to enlist help from Miguel to visit the Land of the Living.
BENJAMIN BRATT (FOX’s “Star,” “Doctor Strange”) is the voice of Miguel’s idol ERNESTO DE LA CRUZ, the most famous musician in the history of Mexico. Revered by fans worldwide until his untimely death, the charming and charismatic musician is even more beloved in the Land of the Dead.
EDWARD JAMES OLMOS (“Blade Runner,” “Stand and Deliver”) lends his voice to CHICHARRÓN, a curmudgeonly friend of Hector’s who is sadly being forgotten—an unfortunate condition in the Land of the Dead.
ALANNA UBACH (“Meet the Fockers,” Bravo’s “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce”) provides the voice of MAMÁ IMELDA, Miguel’s great-great-grandmother, the matriarch of the Rivera family and the founder of their successful shoemaking business. Miguel meets Mamá Imelda in the Land of the Dead and discovers she does not share his passion for music.
SELENE LUNA (“My Bloody Valentine,” “Celebrity Wife Swap”) voices TÍA ROSITA, Miguel’s late aunt who resides in the Land of the Dead.
ALFONSO ARAU (“Three Amigos,” director/producer “Like Water for Chocolate,” director “A Walk in the Clouds”) is the voice of PAPÁ JULIO, Miguel’s late great-grandfather who he meets in Land of the Dead.
HERBERT SIGUENZA (“Larry Crowne,” “Ben 10: Alien Swarm”) lends his voice to both TÍO OSCAR and TÍO FELIPE, Miguel’s late identical twin uncles who he meets in the Land of the Dead.
OCTAVIO SOLIS playwright “Lydia, Santos & Santos”) is the voice of an ARRIVAL AGENT in the Land of the Dead’s Grand Central Station.
GABRIEL IGLESIAS (“Planes,” “The Nut Job,” “The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature”) provides the voice of the HEAD CLERK in the Land of the Dead’s “Department of Family Reunions.”
CHEECH MARIN (“Cars 3,” “Tin Cup,” CBS’ “Nash Bridges”) is the voice of a CORRECTIONS OFFICER in the Land of the Dead.
BLANCA ARACELI (“The Bridge”) voices the EMCEE for a colorful talent show in the Land of the Dead.
If you've missed it two months ago, don't miss below this short and hilarious sequence from "Coco"!
Apple did his annual keynote at WWDC 2017 in San Francisco and among tons of others things and new products which were for the most pretty exciting, Apple previewed the next version of WatchOS 4, its operating system for the Apple Watch. Which include new animated watch faces and, after Mickey and Minnie, new Toy Story character watch faces will let Woody, Jessie or Buzz tell you the time!
But there was more awesomeness during the keynote and, first, here is a demo by Industrial Light and magic wizard and Academy Awards winner John Knoll of a coming soon Star Wars Virtual Reality!
Last but not least, another awesome demo, this time of "Augmented Reality" with a demo by Alasdair Coull from Peter Jackson company Wingnut AR. Don't miss it, you're not going to believe your eyes of what they can do now in Augmented Reality.
Our friends of ED92 just learned new official informations about Disneyland Paris upcoming New Year's Eve party:
The party will take place at Disneyland Paris Park from 7 pm to 1 am, but access to the Disneyland Park will be possible from 5 pm.
The evening's flagship animation will be a giant parade featuring a selection of floats from many Disneyland Paris parades: the new 25th Anniversary parade of course, but also the previous Disney Magic on Parade parade, Christmas parade, Halloween parade and even floats from Walt Disney Studios Stars’N'Cars parade. An incredible show that will allow you to admire plenty of characters and dancers.
You will also have the opportunity to meet many characters, some in party costumes!
Exceptionally the Disney Illuminations show will be played at 5:40 pm, so it will be visible by all guests.
As the New Year is celebrated in music, there will be spaces with sounds and lights to make the whole family dance.
Many more surprises will await you, before finishing the evening with a magnificent fireworks over the Castle of the Sleeping Beauty.
For more informations, jump to ED92 HERE ( page in French so you may want to ask Google to translate it in your own language).
After the awesome "The Story of Disneyland" Auction in 2015 and the "Collecting Disneyland" and Souvenirs of Disneyland Auction in 2015 and 2016, Van Eaton Galleries presents “Walt Disney’s Disneyland”, a historic auction of nearly 1,000 Disneyland artifacts from 1953 to the present day. Some of these artifacts include original props, wardrobe, ride vehicles, and souvenirs. A highlight of this auction being Walt Disney’s first-ever presentation map of Disneyland. This original map, created in 1953 during a single week-end by Disney Legendary artist Herb Ryman, was the one used by Walt and Roy Disney to secure the financing they needed in order to build Disneyland park.
Several costume-y pieces are in auction, as well as drawings galore.
Among hundred of items an artifact from the 1964 World's Fair is up for bidding, as well as examples of classic Disney signage.
Yes, it'll be also a chance to acquire a Disneyland Autopia car!
This “Walt Disney’s Disneyland” auction has an auction catalog, in hardcover or softcover version, measures 11" x 8.5" and features full-color imagery for nearly 1,000 items that will be available in the auction. Price is $30 for the softcover catalog and $95 for the hardcover that you can order HERE.
Thanks to Chinese media news.cn we have the first aerial pictures showing the construction of Toy Story Land at Shanghaî Disneyland. First, as we know, the land is located between the TRON Lightcycles show building and the Evergreen Playhouse where is currently playing the Frozen show. See picture below before TSL construction began.
As for the attractions that SDL guests will find in this mini land, Toy Story Land will include Slinky Dog Spin - identical to the one at DLP WDS and HKDL Toy Story Lands, Woody's Round-Up which seems to be the same kind of ride like the Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Disney's California Adventure, and Rex' Racer who could be like WDS TSL RC Racer. In addition, the land will include the Toy Box Cafe restaurant, in fact already open since SDL opening last June.
Now, let's have a look to these aerial pictures showing SDL Toy Story Land construction from above. On the first picture below the park entrance is in the background, SDL Fantasyland in the foreground, and the future Toy Story land on the bottom right.
The second picture is a closer view and Toy Story Land is, again, on the bottom right. The green building are rest rooms, on the left of it with the orange umbrellas you have the Toy Box Cafe (both are already open ) and below the green building you have on the left Slinky Dog Spin, in front of it Rex's Racer and, under Slinky Dog Spin, Woody's Roundup.
Still plenty of work to do as you can see but if all goes well the land will open at Shanghaî Disneyland next year, in 2018, as announced during the break ground event by Bob Iger and Bob Chapek last November! ( picture on top )
Believe it or not, but there is ANOTHER Star Wars night show on this planet, done in collaboration or with the agreement of Disney and it's not in a Disney theme park. Or, to be precise, there "was" as this fantastic nighttime light show ended on June2. This Star Wars light show happened between May 7 and June 2 at Singapore beautiful Gardens by the Bay located right behind the also beautiful Marina Bay Sands hotel.
Gardens by the Bay is a mix of real botanical garden with real trees and huge 25 to 50m high man-made "super trees, fitted with environmental technologies that mimic the ecological function of trees – photovoltaic cells that harness solar energy which can be used for some of the functions of the Supertrees, such as lighting, just like how trees photosynthesize.And collection of rainwater for use in irrigation and fountain displays, exactly like how trees absorb rainwater for growth. The Supertrees also serve air intake and exhaust functions as part of the conservatories' cooling systems.
There is also an elevated walkway, the OCBC Skyway, between two of the larger Supertrees for visitors to enjoy a panoramic aerial view of the Gardens. At night, the Supertrees come alive with a light and music show called the OCBC Garden Rhapsody. And last month the Garden Rhapsody had a Star Wars theme with the music of John Williams and gorgeous lighting synch to it.
Disney and more has the video of it so, sit well and enjoy the show!
Universal Studios Singapore is really a lovely park, some think it's a bit small but it's not that small, it's mainly the lake at the center which is smaller than usual which gives this feeling. Anyway, they also have a great special effects show called "Lights, Camera, Action!" and, after a pre-show movie presented by Steven Spielberg, the show itself shows effects simulating a force 5 Hurricane in New York. Here is the video of it, filmed not so long ago, so enjoy the show!
