Yumiko Murata will be back tomorrow on Disney and more with a new great pictorial report on Tokyo Disney Sea, but in the meantime if you've ever wondered what exactly was the Oriental Land Company and how profitable was Tokyo Disney Resort, then i suggest you to download the Oriental Land 2009 Annual Report and the Fact Book 2009. You'll find the links for the english versions on the top right of the page.
It's typical corporate documents but they're helpful to know more about Oriental Land and the TDR parks business and they also talk about the parks future projects!
And a company who describes its product as "our guests’ contentment, or in other words, happiness" can't be totally bad!
See you tomorrow for a great update on the best themed park in the world, and many thanks to all of you for your good wishes for my birthday!
Guess what? Today is my birthday! No kidding! So, I thought today would be a good day to thank all of you, dear readers, for being so faithful to Disney and more. Some of you have been faithful readers since the beginning of Disney and more in April 2007, some discovered the site just weeks ago with the great D23 Expo special reports, but it seems that everyone is enjoying the site.
Since opening day, my only goal was a very simple one: just try to do a really good website, something as close as possible to what an ideal Disney fan web site should be. My principle for the daily choice of topics is simple: it must be interesting and/or beautiful. I think I've said it before, but it's the truth: I don't do Disney and more for money. It's a quest of ideal and a love for beauty. I'm not even running after the scoops - I have many scoops you will never hear about because I'm more responsible than some people may think - some secrets must remain secret!
Anyway, Disney and more is more popular than ever, with between 3800 and 4500 visits each day. This month was great, as during all the D23 Expo special reports, D&M had over 5000 visitors each day with a peak at almost 7000. Many of you who didn't know Disney and more discovered it during these reports and apparently fell in love with it.
Below is the Site Meter report of the last 12 months. Last September Disney and more had 41,018 visitors. One year later nearly 110,000 visitors have come to the site this September, and counting, as the month is not yet over. That's an increase of 270% and it's not bad at all, considering that I don't do publicity anywhere, except on three forums.
This next report shows the number of visitors AND the number of "page views by month." In Sept '08 the number of page views was 78,884, and one year later it's 189,963 that were viewed during this month of September.
In both pictures you will note a little fall in December '08 and June '09. The reason is simple: I was in vacation each time for three weeks, with no new daily articles. But even with no new articles each day, the number of visits, or page views, remained high. A little fall, too, in August '09, but this time it's because YOU were on vacation!
And because I know that my Achilles' heel is my written English, as of last week many of the articles have been edited by Nate Walz, another fan of Disney and more who kindly volunteered to do it for me.
Since April 2007 you were more than 1,275,000 who came to Disney and more. For this and your very kind daily support, I thank you - as the late and great Sammy Davis Jr. would have said - "from the bottom of my heart."
Remember my article last week entitled "Could Dick Cook's lay off cost Disney 4 BILLION dollars ? ". I was explaining how devastating it could be for the WDC if Johnny Depp was finally saying "NO" to the Pirates of the Caribbean 4th episode (and so to the next trilogy)?
Well, i don't know if you've read my article but it seems that somebody at Burbank did read it as the Cinema Blend web site announces today that Disney "is preparing to replace Captain Jack with a entirely new character if Depp eventually refuses a fifth and sixth film" . Not to mention the fourth if johnny was changing his mind. Why are they thinking to do such an insanity? Because of Johnny's comments after Dick Cook was fired. Exactly what i told you in the article.
Now, can you think about a POTC movie WITHOUT Jack Sparrow and Johnny's genius? Frankly, half of the success of the movies were due to the Jack Sparrow character and they did billion of dollars thanks to Johnny's talent. So who could be fool enough to try to replace him? Well, actually, they probably DON'T want to replace Johnny and it seems that they're ready to pay him a big amount of dollars for the fourth movie. But Disney execs have probably realised too that Cook's lay off could eventually cost them more than expected only because the actor who plays their most valuable character may be more faithful to his friend than greedy. I live in Paris but it's almost if i can hear the "Ooops, i think we've got a problem" coming out of Burbank when they've learned that Depp was "less enthusiastic" to come back for a fourth Pirates of the Caribbean.
There is no way that Disney will accept to loose the POTC phenomenal franchise and there is at least one point we all ( Disney, you, me, everybody ) agree on: nobody else than Johnny Depp can play the Jack Sparrow character. If Johnny's not part of the movie, they have to create a new character. That's why they're thinking to introduce a new character, just in case...
Of course it's also a way to send a message to Johnny, something like "don't ever think that you are in strong position, we can replace your character". Which is in fact exactly what Disney execs probably think right now - that Johnny IS in fact in strong position - and of course they hate this.
No doubt that Johnny Depp will get the message. And you know what? Knowing Johnny's nature as i do, I think he's not going to like it. Not at all.
Edited 9/29: Cinema Blend just released a new article saying that they "spoke to a Disney representative today who had checked with the higher-ups in the company, who assure that Depp has not wavered one bit in his commitment to Pirates 4, despite some cryptic statements he made when Disney exec Dick Cook left the studio last week. As for any movies following Stranger Tides, the Disney rep can't speak about those-- probably not because they don't want to do them, but because nothing has yet been greenlit, and it would be silly to publicly speculate otherwise."
Okay, so until now Depp is still part of POTC 4!
We'll see what will happen next, so.........to be continued
Say welcome to the brand new Disney Parks Blog! Disney is launching today a blog and says that "the blog will serve as a central source of information about its theme-parks division, with details about new attractions and programs, events and other news. It will strive to share information that is timely and interesting, as well as unique and not often available anywhere else."
The Orlando Sentinal added: "There has been widespread chatter in recent weeks that Disney was developing an official blog. The company has even been surveying fans in recent weeks to determine which Disney-focused websites they most frequently visit online. With the move, Disney is hoping it can steer some of the phenomenal amounts of traffic that visit unofficial sites -- such as Disboards.com, Allears.net, The Disney Blog, WDWMagic.com, MiceAge.com and many, many others -- to its own websites."
They could have included Disney and more in the list, too! More seriously, i'm totally fair-play with any new blog or web site and i wish them the best, really. And i even give to them the recipe of success: do great articles with pictures in good definition, find some never-seen-before WDI artwork, post great Imagineers interviews, have some scoops regularly, and most of all, do the blog for the pleasure of doing a great blog, not for making money. That's the most important, and i'm serious: people always feel what is the intention behind the act. If you don't care really about your own blog, if you do it only to send a corporate message and not with passion, readers will feel it immediately, i've always believed that.
Anyway, let's say a warm welcome to this new Disney Parks Blog and to Thomas Smith the chief blogger, have a look at it every day, and don't forget to put it in your bookmarks!
If the links don't work, go here: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/
Just in case you've forgotten about it, a brand new Universal Studios theme park will open in Singapore early 2010. The park will of course include Universal favorites like Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, The Mummy and the Waterworld show, but also unique attractions which exist at no other Universal Studios park in the world!
Universal Studios Singapore announced last Thursday the world’s only “Madagascar” attraction, and that the park will also bring to life the world’s first “Far Far Away” Castle from the world of Shrek. Themed after DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster movie Madagascar, "Madagascar: A Crate Adventure" will be a mega-attraction when the park opens next year. The film will be brought to life with a state-of-the-art indoor boat ride featuring animated figures, digital projection, evocative sound, and special effects that create a one-of-a-kind, funny and fun family ride.
Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park will also be home to the world’s first Far Far Away Castle, a landmark in the box-office hit series Shrek. King Harold’s 40-meter high castle will house attractions such as Shrek 4-D, Donkey Live and Magic Potion Spin. On the high-res bird's eye view artwork below, Madagascar: A Crate Adventure is located on the left and Far Far Away Castle on the right.
Madagascar: A Crate Adventure and Far Far Away Castle are part of the world’s single largest collection of DreamWorks Animation theme park attractions, making its debut at Universal Studios Singapore. The collection of six attractions, complemented by more than 10 DreamWorks Animation themed dining and shopping outlets, will also feature rides suitable for the entire family. Let's have a closer look to these new rides all inspired by DreamWorks Animation movies.
Madagascar: A Crate Adventure: The hit DreamWorks Animation films are brought to life with state-of-the-art animated figures, digital projection, evocative sound, and moving show-action effects that create a one-of-a-kind, immersive ride experience. Cast adrift while being transferred from the New York Zoo, our four heroes – Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria – arrive at the shores of Madagascar. Here, they meet the impulsive leader of the local lemurs, King Julien, who, between bustin’ moves on the jungle floor, asks the New Yorkers to help defeat his nemesis – the dreaded Foosa. Aided by the technically- savvy but psychotic penguins, our heroes defeat the Foosa at the rim of a bubbling volcanic cauldron.
King Julien’s Beach Party-Go-Round: King Julien, the self-appointed king of the lemurs, knows how to move it, move it, and now he spins guests round and round to the beat of high-energy dance music in this crazy carousel, sure to be a family favorite. At this festive beach scene, King Julien and the Lemurs are throwing a party for their favorite freaks from New York: Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe.
Shrek 4-D: Guests will join Princess Fiona, Shrek and Donkey on a honeymoon adventure that picks up where the Oscar-winning movie “Shrek” left off, through an original 3-D film, complete with jumps, bumps, bounces, air blasts and water spray that bring the action to life for each guest – with an extra dimension of special effects through the miracle of Ogre Vision. This attraction already exist at other Universal Studios parks.
Donkey Live: Shrek’s fairy tale sidekick Donkey will bring the crowd to its feet in this all-new, one- of-a-kind, interactive live show experience, where guests sing along and even talk with Donkey in an intimate theatre setting. Situated along Far Far Away’s glamorous Romeo Drive, Hook’s Knight Club is the hottest nightspot in town.
Enchanted Airways: Guests of all ages climb aboard Donkey’s beloved Dragon for a flight over Far Far Away and beyond. At Enchanted Airways, a merry cast of fairy tale creatures – from the Three Pigs to the Big Bad Wolf, from Gingerbread Man to Pinocchio – forms part of a magical airline in the form of a junior coaster that serves destinations throughout the World of Shrek!
Magic Potion Spin: As guests make their way past the bubbling vats of Fairy Godmother’s Potion Shop, they’ll encounter the fantastical heart of the factory, the Magic Potion Spin. This miniature Ferris wheel drives a clinking, clanking potion assembly line that circles the room, bottling magical elixirs from a giant wooden vat.
Universal Studios Singapore will be part of Resorts World Sentosa, a $4.2 billion project and a collection of resorts and attractions with fun-filled offerings for the entire family built on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa and spanning 49 hectares (more than 120 acres) of lush greenery.
Besides attractions, Resorts World Sentosa offers six hotels and full conference and meeting amenities. Entertainment performances include the Crane Dance – the world’s largest animatronic performance - set out at the Resort waterfront. Guests of the Resort can also choose from dozens of shopping and dining options at the Resort’s bustling strip, FestiveWalk. Resorts World at Sentosa will have its soft opening in early 2010.
Have a look at this video where Universal Creative guys tell you more about this new park.
You can count on Disney and more to bring you fresh news about Universal Studios Singapore as soon as available, in the meantime if you live in south-east Asia and looking for a job, have a look to this last video!
Any Disney fan loves robots, specially in a WDI attraction, so to end this week-end here is a cute little one called NAO. The kind of robot you might see at Epcot Innoventions.
NAO was designed by a french team of robotics fans and i think they did a pretty good job on this 23 inches tall robot. And i like its design. More about NAO from the press release: "Project Nao, launched in early 2005, aims to make available to the public, at an affordable price, a humanoid robot with mechanical, electronic, and cognitive features, based on those of the prototype (see graphic below)
Featured with an intuitive dedicated programming interface, Choregraphe, the entire family will be able to enjoy the robot experience. Yet, full of new technologies, our robot will also satisfy the demanding techno-addict’s expectations.
Designed for entertainment purposes, Nao will be able to interact with its owner, with evolving behaviors and functionalities. Additionally, the user will be able to teach Nao new behaviors using a computer with Wi-Fi connectivity. The behaviours creating software is designed to fit any users level: from graphical block editing for beginners to code for more skilled users. The possible behaviors are limited only by your imagination!"
Allright, all this sounds good, alas there is a little problem: NAO's price! Aldebaran Robotics, the company which created NAO intend to sell it for...$3000! Frankly, it's too expensive. I'm sure it's a sophisticated little robot but they should find a way to sell it at a cheaper price. WowWee robots are sold for a 10th of this price...
However, as the best is to see NAO in action, have a look at the two videos below!
Disneyland began its Halloween season yesterday and this 2009 season offers a new fireworks “Halloween Screams - A Villainous Surprise in the Skies”. The new fireworks spectacular will haunt the nighttime sky throughout the Halloween season.
To start the show, “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington appears in a flash of fire above Sleeping Beauty Castle. Thanks to Jack’s ghoulish charm, haunting melodies fill the air and a Halloween pyrotechnics extravaganza explodes into the night.
Such classic Disney villains as Maleficent, Ursula the Sea Witch and Oogie Boogie join in the “spirit” of the celebration, and even Zero, Jack’s faithful ghost dog, will make an appearance. Spectators in Disneyland are encouraged to participate in a bone-chilling Halloween Scream-Along during the show.
Here is a great video of the Halloween Screams Fireworks opening night by Asianjma123
Also new this year is a "haunted" version of Tomorrowland beloved attraction. Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy - an enhanced version of the one created last year for HKDL - is a scary new experience which begin as a typical Space Mountain adventure but suddenly launch voyagers into an uncharted and haunted section of the universe. Ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space. The exhilarating drops and curves of the journey are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music. The Halloween transformation occurs outside the mountain as well, as frightening images, audio and lights illuminate the Space Mountain exterior. You can see a video of the Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy on the Youtube channel of MintCrocodile.
Jack Skellington of course also returns to take over the Haunted Mansion and bring back Haunted Mansion Holiday to New Orleans Square in Disneyland. Jack’s return to the Haunted Mansion includes the traditional Halloween/Christmas gingerbread house in the Mansion Ballroom, but with some special spooky surprises in this year’s design.
LAST COPIES of the acclaimed Disneyland Paris, From Sketch to Reality 320 pages book in its ENGLISH edition. Only TWO copies are left, in perfect “new” condition and price for each is 250€ ( + 28€ shipping worldwide ). To place your order, send me an email at: amplittaye@gmail.com with your name and shipping address and i'll tell you how to proceed to the payment. Paypal or credit card payments are accepted. Click on the book cover above for more infos. Le livre Disneyland Paris, De l’Esquisse à la Création n'est plus disponible en édition Française. Si vous ètes Français et souhaitez commander un exemplaire du livre en version imprimée anglaise je joindrais un PDF du texte original en Français. Il reste deux ex en anglais, en état neuf, et le prix est de 250€ ( +26€ de frais d'envois ). Pour placer votre commande il faut m'envoyer un email à amplittaye@gmail.com avec le nom et l’adresse d’expédition. Les paiements par Paypal ou carte bancaire sont acceptés. Cliquez sur la couverture du livre ci-dessus pour plus d’infos.
Discover the full DLP Book!
Discover Disney News Central !
Important Note: The URL of Disney News Central, the website designed to make your Disney fan life easier, has changed. The site is always here and as always you will find all the latest posts of your favorite websites in one click but you need to CHANGE the site url in your bookmarks and from now you will find it at: http://disneynewscentral.blogspot.com
SEARCH ARTICLES in the D&M Archives !
The Disney and more archives are a gold mine of rare artwork, pictures, and videos. Just enter your key word, choose a search on Disney and more, click, and you're on the road to heaven!
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May be it doesn't looks like, but posting daily articles on Disney and more is always a lot of work. If you're a Disney and more fan, a Paypal donation will be highly appreciated.
DLP BOOK IN ENGLISH EBOOK EDITION !!!
The acclaimed Disneyland Paris, From Sketch to Reality book is now released in ENGLISH eBook edition on Apple iBooks Store and Google Play Books, and you'll be able to have the book all the time with you and read it on your mobile, tablet or computer, and inside the park! This is a fantastic update with all the pages of the original English edition, plus 40 new pages and 116 pictures more! And, yes, just like the French eBook edition, it includes a selection of 60 best videos about the park, Imagineering, hotels, and more! Don’t miss it! Link Apple iBooks Store: https://books.apple.com/us/book/disneyland-paris-from-sketch-to-reality-special-updated/id1463385723 Google Play link: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Alain_Littaye_Disneyland_Paris_From_Sketch_to_Real?id=3SyXDwAAQBAJ
LIVRE DLP VERSION FRANCAISE eBook!
Le Livre Disneyland Paris de l’Esquisse à la Création est disponible en Edition Française Digitale eBook avec téléchargement immédiat sur votre ordi, tablette ou mobile sur ces trois ebook stores: Pour appareils Apple sur l'Apple iBooks store: https://itunes.apple.com/fr/book/id1419399320 - Pour Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.fr/Disneyland-Paris-lEsquisse-à-Création-ebook/dp/B07FYRWKVT/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1533002730&sr=8-10&keywords=disneyland+paris+de+l%27esquisse+a+la+creation - Pour mobiles Android sur Google Store: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Alain_Littaye_Disneyland_Paris_de_l_Esquisse_à_la?id=EsdmDwAAQBAJ - Il est le moins cher sur les book stores d'Apple ou Google Android.
NEW "Walt Disney's Disneyland" Book!
Taschen finally release the awaited 352 pages "Walt Disney's Disneyland" hardcover book by Author Chris Nichols. The not-to-be-missed book is already available for pre-order on Amazon for $39.98 only! Click on the link below to order it on Amazon at unbeatable price!
VERY Important message: Folks, you couldn’t know it because i succeeded to keep posting each day and D&M looks as usual, but in fact t...
NEW! Theme Park Design Book!
David Younger's Theme Park Design & The Art of Themed Entertainment Is the Awesome Book About "Imagineering" that theme parks fans have always dreamed about! Don't miss this fantastic 570 pages book that you can order in one click with the Paypal button below! The Paypal button menu also include an option to buy both the Theme Park Design book AND the Disneyland Paris book if you wish! To learn more about the book, click on the above cover picture.
CONTACT ME
For an important message, or infos about the DLP book, or if you have pictures who will be great for an article on Disney and more you can contact me at: nme4@wanadoo.fr
Disney and more Artwork
Discover the fantastic D&M Artwork section! All the original Artwork articles of Epcot, Disney MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea, Hong Kong Disneyland are now on Disney and more Artwork! Others Artwork articles are below.
Discover the new D&M sections!
Don't miss the new Tom Scherman Site !
Star Tours 2 website !
All about ST2 Grand Openings, High-Res pictures, videos of the ride, and more!
Discover A Real Adventureland !
Discover Bagan, The Ancient city with 2000 Temples and download my iPhone - iPad Application now available on the Appstore!
The placemaking of Disney California Adventure comes to an end June 15 with the opening of Buena vista Blvd, the Carthay Circle Theater, Cars Land, and much more!
HKDL new land includes the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars ride and the town of Grizzly Gulch and it's the first new land with a Frontierland style built by WDI Imagineers since 20 years!
