Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase Grand Opening At Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Singapore Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase had its official opening and here is some videos showing the celebration opening with Seame Street characters as well as interviews of KBCreative Ride Designer Kevin Barbee!

First, the video of the short opening celebration...




And next the video with KBCreative ride designers.




And for those of you who haven't yet seen the ride here is a NEW video which, this time, will show you the ride to the last scene!




Picture and videos: copyright Universal Singapore

A Third Gate For Disneyland Anaheim ? Yes, But Where ?

If you've read recently Al Lutz updates as well as forums posts you might be aware that the WDC could envision to build a third park in Anaheim. Now that the WDC owns the Star Wars and Marvel licenses they surely want to use them in all kind of way including in theme parks and build new lands and attractions. And obviously at Anaheim they don't have a lot of room available whether it's at Disneyland or DCA. 

Also, Universal will build soon its Harry Potter land at Universal Hollywood, and you can be sure that WDC execs, after the Potter effect at Orlando, knows now that they shouldn't underestimate the opening of a Potter land at Universal Hollywood. And they better be ready to counter attack with a concept stronger than WDW New Fantasyland. So, may be this idea of a third park will become reality, after all, as they could create in it both a Marvel land and a Star Wars land, even if others rumors are saying that they might keep a Star Wars land for Disneyland Tomorrowland.

Anyway, if this third park was built, where would it be? As you can see on the picture above there is not a lot of choice as the land that Disney owns in the area is either the small parking lot on the top right... or the big one on the bottom right, which is south of Katella Blvd and east of Harbor Blvd, in the space that was called the Strawberry Farm and is now the Toy Story Parking Lot and Cast Member Lot. 

But the good news is that this big space, as you can see, is not only as big as Disney California Adventure but also just next door to DCA and Disneyland, "on the other side of the street", and not miles away! So, yes, if Disney decides to build a third park at Anaheim, chances are that it will be there. 

Thanks a lot to Mark Hickson from Disney by Mark for the picture!

Picture: copyright Google Earth

Shanghaî Disneyland : Nearby SDL Residents Complain That Future SDL Fireworks Will Increase Pollution In The Area !

Disney did some fireworks test on the Shanghaî Disneyland site - where the park will be built - and, guess what? , the park is not even built yet that nearby residents already complain that future SDL fireworks will increase the air pollution in the area! Sure, China as we've seen recently has a serious air pollution problem but, c'mon, it's not SDL fireworks that will really make it worst, may be it's a bit exaggerated... Also, what the residents don't know is that Disney uses an airlaunch system which is cleaner than traditional fireworks and pollutes less. Disney will probably counter with that.

Have a read of this Global Times article just released:

"Regular fireworks displays at the planned Disney resort in Pudong New Area will increase the air pollution in the area, though not enough to affect the health of nearby residents, a local expert said Sunday.

Shanghai Disneyland, which is expected to open by the end of 2015, sparked complaints about air pollution after it spent several days shooting off fireworks in Chuansha, where construction of the resort is currently underway.

Residents worried that the fireworks would pollute the air in the area, exacerbating the city's already troubling air pollution problems, according to a report in the Shanghai Morning Post Saturday.

A Disneyland representative said that it shot off the fireworks to collect technical data so it could prepare to put on future fireworks displays at the resort, the report said.

The fireworks will cause a spike in the level of PM 2.5 in the area, said Zhuang Guoshun, the director of the Center for Atmospheric Chemistry Study at Fudan University.

PM 2.5 stands for particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter. It is considered a potential health hazard because the small size of the particles allows them to lodge deeply in the lungs, where they can cause or aggravate respiratory illnesses.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), average daily PM 2.5 levels above 20 micrograms per cubic meter can be harmful.

However, it remains unclear how much a daily fireworks show would add to PM 2.5 levels in the city.

The connection between fireworks and air pollution grabbed the public's attention during this year's Spring Festival, when the city's Air Quality Index jumped after residents across the city set off fireworks to celebrate the holiday.

Still, the short duration of the pollution will likely only increase PM 2.5 levels for a short time, Zhuang said. "The human body will suffer respiratory disease in a polluted environment over the long-term," he told the Global Times. "It can't happen over a short period."

Disney resorts typically hold large fireworks displays at night to entice visitors to stay late. Disney's resort in Hong Kong puts on a 20-minute fireworks show every night around 8 pm.

Still, the PM 2.5 levels in cities where Disney has resorts are low, often below 15 micrograms per cubic meter, so the fireworks aren't likely to put them over the WHO's threshold, Zhuang said.

Shanghai already suffers much higher PM 2.5 levels than many other cities, so any increase from the fireworks isn't bound to make much of a difference, he said.

The resort also said that it only uses the most environmentally friendly fireworks, according to the report.

"Even the best fireworks still produce PM 2.5," Zhuang said."

Text: copyright global Times

Editor's Note: I'll be back tomorrow with new updates and also soon with never-seen-before pictures of WDW Magic Kingdom in 1971, but in the meantime don't forget to have a look at the D&M Facebook page where i've posted cool additional posts.

FIVE Millions Visitors Since Disney and more Started !

This week the D&M Facebook page reached the 1000 "likes" - in two months and a half only, AND also Disney and more reached the milestone of Five Millions visitors since i started the site in 2007! All my thanks to all of you to be faithful Disney and more readers!
And to celebrate this, i'm doing a special promo on the DLP Book "From Sketch to Reality" to make it more affordable for everyone. You'll find all details about it at the end of the DLP Update below!

DLP Update! DLP Annual Stockholder Meeting, Disney Light Ears Preview Video, Ratatouille Ride, and more...

Let's end the week with a great DLP Update! Two days ago was the day of Disneyland Paris annual stockholder meeting and if you've never seen how it looks i have the pictures for you, thanks to Max Fan from Dlrp Welcome.

The meeting happened at the Newport Bay Hotel, and yes, it's always the winter in Paris so the skies are still grey and temperatures reaaaly cold - it was snowing again this week!

Direction: the convention hall ballroom which is huge and really nice.

But before entering the convention room everyone had to present his I.D.

Everyone received an electronic device to vote,  a gift coupon, a stockholder badge, and the annual report brochure.

Max was one of the first to enter the room!

Then the meeting began with giant projections behind the stage.

DLP CEO Philippe Gas answered to stockholder questions after presenting the report, talking about the future of the resort, and most of all as i told you in my previous post HERE he announced officially the Ratatouille attraction, opening in 2014 at the WDS.

But the real moment of the meeting which impressed the stockholders was the special preview of the Disney Light Ears that DLP will introduce with the Disney Dreams show.

And, guess what, thanks to Max, i have the video for you of that special moment!




Let's move to the Walt Disney Studios for the second part of this update to have a look at the Ratatouille ride works. As it is the winter you won't see on these pictures a lot of workers on the site but obviously the show building which is really huge is now ready for its theming and to install the ride inside.

A close-up to the building and what will be the ride entrance...

But since the last time that Max shot pictures some few things have changed, specially all around the top of the building.

As i've said previously don't expect the real theming of the building before spring but this will come quickly!

And now i have a surprise for you! This week the D&M Facebook page reached the 1000 "likes" - in two months and a half only, AND also Disney and more reached the milestone of Five Millions visitors since i started the site in 2007! Thanks to all of you, of course, to be faithful D&M readers!
And to celebrate this, the DLP Book "From Sketch to Reality" will be at 75€ only - instead of 120€ during all next week, its lowest price ever!. Shipping wherever you live is 15€ only.
I also remind you that we're really running low of english edition copies so, with this very good price, it's the right time to place your order of a collector copy while they are still available! You can use the one-click Paypal button below.

Choose quantity and enjoy additional discount

1 copy of Disneyland Paris From Sketch to Reality -incl shipping €90.00 EUR 2 copy of Disneyland Paris From Sketch to Reality -incl shipping €170.00 EUR 3 copy of Disneyland Paris From Sketch to Reality -incl shipping €260.00 EUR

Never seen the book? Have a look at the video below which will show you the whole book!

Pictures: copyright Max Fan

First D23 Expo Japan To Be Held At Tokyo Disney Resort Next October

Lucky japanese who will have their first D23 Expo in Japan next October! D23 Expo Japan will be held at Tokyo Disney Resort from Oct. 12 through 14, 2013 "featuring presentations by senior Disney creative executives showcasing what’s on the horizon from across The Walt Disney Company, including theme parks, movies, television, music and interactive gaming". 

"Fans will also be able to enjoy unique experiences including having the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind merchandise, meeting many of their favorite Disney characters and other specials. Expo ticketing and programing information will be announced soon".

Jump to the D&M Facebook page to learn more about it! It's right HERE.