BREAKING NEWS: Saudi Arabia announced the arrest on Saturday night of the prominent billionaire investor and Disneyland Paris major stockholder Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, plus at least 10 other princes, four ministers and tens of former ministers.
What makes this news a very important one is that Prince AlWaleed is not only one of the richest men in the world but the last remaining stockholder - and an important one with 4.95% of the shares - of Disneyland Paris, now that the WDC took the control of Eurodisney SCA. DLP of course is not involved in what's happening in Saudi Arabia.
More from the New York Times: "The announcement of the arrests was made over Al Arabiya, the Saudi-owned satellite network whose broadcasts are officially approved.
The reports in Al Arabiya and from other sources that Prince Alwaleed was among those arrested were sure to send shock waves both through the Kingdom and the world’s major financial centers.
Prince Alwaleed, who controls the investment firm Kingdom Holding and is one of the world’s richest men, has major stakes in News Corp, Time Warner, Citigroup, Twitter, Apple, Motorola and many other well-known companies. He also controls satellite television networks watched across the Arab world.
The Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh, the de facto royal hotel, was evacuated on Saturday, stirring rumors that it would be used to house detained royals. The airport for private planes was closed, arousing speculation that the crown prince was seeking to block rich businessmen from fleeing before more arrests.
The move appeared to consolidate the power of King Salman’s son, who was appointed the head of a new anti-corruption committee hours before the arrests."
If you’ve visited Universal Orlando recently, you may have seen signs of Fast & Furious – Supercharged at Universal Studios Florida taking shape. Universal is working around the clock on putting the finishing touches on their newest attraction and they share with us new details about the new attraction opening next spring.
"Fast & Furious is all about adrenaline and action-packed thrills. We’re taking all of those awe-inspiring experiences and creating the next chapter in this blockbuster franchise with an all-new theme park ride. We’ll immerse you directly into the storyline alongside your favorite characters and make you a part of the Fast family forever.
There are four specific details exclusive to Universal Orlando’s Fast & Furious – Supercharged that make it the ultimate Fast & Furious experience:
Supercharged Cars
New Characters
New Story
Virtual Line
An Original Fast & Furious Story
The Fast & Furious – Supercharged building has become the new home base of operations. You’ll get to explore familiar scenes inspired by the films, including Tej’s high-tech War Room and the Family Room—complete with photos of the Fast family. Before Guests even step inside the attraction, they'll be immersed in the story.
They will first encounter Dom’s iconic car parked outside. Dom invites you to attend a race after-party that you won’t want to miss. The best part is Tej hooks you up with customized party busses to get you there.
As you make your way to the party, Dom calls with an urgent message: Criminal mastermind Owen Shaw has tracked you down. Now, a high-speed chase is on as the Fast & Furious crew strives to keep you safe from the clutches of Shaw.
The Family’s All Here
You’ll encounter Dom (Vin Diesel), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and more of your favorite Fast & Furious characters during your action-packed experience. But it’s not all good guys that you’ll come face-to-face with either. Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) and his criminal cartel are back with a vengeance.
And for the first time ever, Ludacris (Tej Parker) and Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto) will join the all-star cast of this attraction. Cars from the Fast & Furious Film Franchise
We’ve worked closely with Dennis McCarthy, the man behind the insane cars for the Fast & Furious films, to craft 15 authentic cars for our attraction.
Fast & Furious – Supercharged is the only place you’ll find these vehicles, including Dom’s iconic Dodge Charger, Letty’s Turbo Truck and more.
An Original Fast & Furious Story
Before you even step inside the attraction, you’re immersed in the story. You’ll first encounter Dom’s iconic car parked outside.
The Fast & Furious – Supercharged building has become the all-new home base of operations. You’ll get to explore familiar scenes inspired by the films, including Tej’s high-tech War Room and the Family Room—complete with photos of the Fast family.
Dom invites you to attend a race after-party that you won’t want to miss. The best part is Tej hooks you up with customized party busses to get you there.
As you make your way to the party, Dom calls with an urgent message: Criminal mastermind Owen Shaw has tracked you down. Now, a high-speed chase is on as the Fast & Furious crew strives to keep you safe from the clutches of Shaw. But will you make it?
Virtual Line
Fast & Furious – Supercharged is the next attraction at Universal Orlando Resort to feature the Virtual Line system. All you need to do is download the free Official Universal Orlando Resort Mobile App, or locate the kiosks near the ride entrance, and select your ride time. While you wait, you can check out the other attractions at Universal Studios.
And that’s not all. Throughout the attraction, you’ll hear hit songs from the Fast & Furious soundtracks. Your favorite film clips will play on screens throughout the queue. There will be photo opportunities with cars from this year’s blockbuster The Fate of the Furious after you exit the ride. And you won’t want to miss gearing up with “Family Forever” merchandise in the gift shop."
Disney announces today that Disney's California Adventure Paradise Pier will become Pixar Pier, starting Summer 2018. Well, part of it only as the other part will become a new land called Paradise Park. California Screaming' coaster will be named Incredicoaster with obviously a theming based on The Incredibles and a new family attraction based on Pixar's Inside Out will also come at a later date. Others theming changes will happen here and there, and on the Mickey's Fun Wheel gondolas. And if some of you wonder why they're doing this, one word - always the same: synergy. I remind you also that the sequel The Incredibles 2 is opening in theaters next year on June 14, so this explain that for the changes of theming on the California Screamin' coaster. Full details in Disney press release below.
"Summer 2018 will bring a transformed land for guests to experience at Disney California Adventure park when Pixar Pier opens along the southern shore of Paradise Bay, with newly themed attractions, foods and merchandise throughout. This new, permanent land in the area that is now Paradise Pier will introduce four new neighborhoods representing beloved Disney-Pixar stories.
The first of the four themed neighborhoods guests will find is inspired by “The Incredibles.” Here, the new Incredicoaster, permanently transformed from the attraction that is now California Screamin’, will open with Pixar Pier in summer 2018.
This new experience will feature a mid-century-modern-style loading area, new character moments and a new look for the ride vehicles. To prepare for this transformation, California Screamin’ will close Jan. 8.
The popular Toy Story Mania! will anchor the “Toy Story”-inspired neighborhood. A neighborhood inspired by “Inside Out” will be found on the western side of the boardwalk and will welcome a new family-friendly attraction, scheduled to open at a later date.
The fourth neighborhood will be a celebration of many of your favorite Pixar stories. In this neighborhood, Mickey’s Fun Wheel will have a new look, with each of the 24 gondolas featuring different Pixar characters and the iconic face of Mickey Mouse remaining on the Paradise Bay side of the wheel.
At the Games of the Boardwalk, which already includes the Bullseye Stallion Stampede game, all of the midway games will be inspired by Pixar characters. Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Games of the Boardwalk and Sideshow Shirts will close Jan. 8 to begin this transformation.
Ariel’s Grotto restaurant and the Cove Bar will be transformed into a new lounge and grill offering sparkling views of Paradise Bay and the new Pixar Pier. Both locations will close Jan. 8, with Cove Bar reopening briefly in April before closing again for its permanent transformation. Guests wishing to reserve “World of Color” dining packages after Jan. 7 may consider Carthay Circle Restaurant or Wine Country Trattoria.
The remaining areas of the land that is now Paradise Pier, including Paradise Gardens, Silly Symphony Swings, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Goofy’s Sky School, Golden Zephyr and The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, will become a new land called Paradise Park.
Pixar Pier will open during the limited-time Pixar Fest celebration, which begins April 13. The celebration will include the new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” fireworks as well as the return of Pixar Play Parade and “Paint the Night” parade, and much more throughout the entire Disneyland Resort."
O-Kay, that's it for the press release. Now, the question is: "Will this new concept work?" Honestly, I don't know. I suppose that some guests will be more happy to ride an Incredibles coaster than one not related to an IP, even if the ride itself will be the same, but apart this... The future ride about Inside Out will be probably could have been more interesting but in fact it will be a kiddie-family ride. Apparently they needed a kind of Toy Story land at DLR where they don't have one and although this Pixar Pier will be entirely different than TSL we can find some similar colors on the rendering, and even a giant Jessie. But this Paradise Pier had so many changes from its original storyline and theming by Imagineer Tim Delaney that i'm not sure there is any meaning anymore... In two words, i'm not far to think that this is a mistake...
Eager to know more about the upcoming Christmas season at Disneyland Paris ? DLP released this new video ( in French with English subtitles ) : Disney’s Enchanted Christmas told by those who made it !
For the first time, show directors and show writers present together the highlights of the upcoming season, starting on November 11 at Disneyland Paris!
Among the new shows this year for the Christmas season the not-to-be missed "Goofy's incredible Christmas" projection show on the Tower of Terror facade, here are some pictures shot during the tests by our friends of ED92.
Also, Max, D&M contributor has filmed a cool "extreme low light" video of DLP Phantom Manor with his new A7SII camera, the one so sensitive that it films at night like if it was daylight - and God knows that the Phantom manor ride is dark, right? Check this below and choose to watch it in the highest resolution ( 1440p ), made from a 4K shooting.
And here are two others video filmed by Max, the first one of Art of Disney Animation at DLP Walt Disney Studios Park...
And the second of the Halloween Coco decorations at DLP Frontierland.
Believe it or not but we already have a new trailer for Star Wars : The Last Jedi, and with plenty of new footage! Above, the Japanese poster for Star Wars 8.
