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The
media have gathered in Orlando for this week's press event to officially
re-dedicate the Living Seas pavilion in Epcot, as well as announce what's
new for the coming year. AllEarsNet.com's Deb Wills is attending the event
and will be filing reports and sending photos throughout the week.
Deb Wills'
Itinerary for the Event:
Wednesday,
January 24
5 –
7 p.m. Finding Nemo - The Musical premiere, Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The
premiere will include special guests from the Tony-Award-winning creative
team: composers Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez; puppet creator
Michael Curry; director Peter Brosius; and Executive Vice President
of Disney Creative Entertainment, Anne Hamburger.
7:30 –
9:30 p.m. Big Blue World Party, Epcot – The Seas With Nemo and
Friends. Pavilion
will be rededicated as The Seas With Nemo and Friends. Dinner, special
entertainment and a fireworks finale.
Thursday,
January 25
9:30 a.m.
Disney Dream Jobs Announcement with Al Weiss, President Worldwide Operations,
Magic Kingdom – Cinderella Castle Forecourt.
11 a.m.
Disney Wish Lounge Grand Opening, Magic Kingdom – Casey’s
Corner. The opening of a "Wish Lounge."
Throughout
the afternoon -- Media Sneak Peek Monsters, Inc. The Laugh Floor Comedy
Club
7:30 –
10:30 p.m. "The Royal Treatment" Celebration, Magic Kingdom.
The First Family to win a stay at the Cinderella Castle Suite will be
honored. Special musical performance and a dreams dining experience.
Friday,
January 26
9:15 -
10 a.m. What's New, What's Next Presentation.
Cinderella Castle Suite Tour
FIRST-HAND
REPORTS
AllEarsNet.com's
Deb Wills is in Orlando attending the event and sending reports and photos.
Friday,
January 26, Evening:
After a
whirlwind few days, I am exhausted! But I did want to share just a few
more photos from this morning's "What's New, What's Next"
presentation on this last day of the press event:
Meg
Crofton,
President of Walt Disney World
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Tom
Fitzgerald, Senior Creative
Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, announcing
Toy Story Mania!
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Sketch
from new Toy Story Mania
attraction
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Jay Rasulo,
Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts |
Friday,
January 26, Morning:
The big
"What's New, What's Next" presentation that was just held
this morning didn't reveal any huge surprises, but did serve to confirm
at least one rumor that has been swirling around lately. The main announcement
is that Toy Story Mania! will arrive at the Disney-MGM Studios in 2008,
in the space formerly occupied by "Who Wants to be a Millionaire
-- Play It!" The new ride, which will also open in Disney's California
Adventure in the Paradise Pier section, marks the first time an attraction
has been designed and built simultaneously at Disneyland Resort and
at Walt Disney World. The attraction will "set a new standard"
for interactive ride/game technology. When you enter the attraction,
you'll be greeted by the "barker," Mr. Potato Head, who, using
technology similar to that found in Epcot's "Turtle Talk with Crush,"
will interact with guests. Then guests of all ages will put on 3-D glasses
and ride themed vehicles along a route lined with "classic midway
games of skill," while shooting their toy cannons at animated targets.
As you ride, you'll pass through a series of games hosted by various
Toy Story characters, like Bo-Peep and the Little Green Men. The ride
will also be able to determine individual users' skill levels and will
increase the degree of difficulty accordingly.
Also at
the presentation was photographer Annie Leibovitz, who was hired to
photograph celebrities as Disney characters for the Year of a Million
Dreams promotion. Leibovitz spoke briefly about photographing singer
Beyonce as Alice in Wonderland, alongside actor Oliver Platt as the
Mad Hatter and singer Lyle Lovett as the March Hare.
The biggest
buzz was generated by the announcement of a pilot program called Disney's
Online Concierge. Now being tested throughout the Contemporary Resort,
the program involves each room having its own computer that provides
a variety of services to guests. Guests can use the computer to check
on flights, order room service, play videogames, connect to Disney internet
sites, and contact valet and bell services. The online concierge will
also send personal emails to the guests, with information on the upcoming
day's events and weather. If the program proves successful, it will
be expanded and may eventually allow guests to make online reservations
at Disney restaurants.
Thursday,
January 25, Evening:
This evening
was "The Royal Treatment" Celebration at the Magic Kingdom.
The featured singer was Daniel Powter ("Bad Day"), who wrote
a special song for the night called "The World You've Dreamed of
Lately." Beautiful song and a perfect fit for the evening. They
had a special "coronation" event of the family who won the
overnight stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite.
Later in
the evening, I had a magical -- well, make that a dream moment. I got
to ride the carousel with a dozen Disney characters, right next to Peter
Pan. It was incredible. I was like a little excited kid when I got off.
The evening was very special and made up for all the rain that we had
during the day.
Thursday,
January 25, Morning and Afternoon:
This morning
is cold and rainy, but the announcement made by Al Weiss about the chance
to win a Disney Parks Dream Job went off as planned. Here's the gist
of the announcement:
CareerBuilder.com
and Disney Parks are giving Americans the chance to live out their "Dream
Jobs" in conjunction with Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams"
celebration. Interested  parties
18 years and older are invited to submit their virtual resumes online
from January 24 through February 20 at http://www.careerbuilder.com/disneydreamjobs
to win the opportunity to work at a Disney theme park for one day. Participants
will be asked to showcase their most original and creative Disney resumes,
including why they want to work at a Disney Park, qualifications and
skills for their desired position, as well as why this is their Disney
Parks "Dream Job." Five finalists will be selected for each
"Dream Job" by the public to win the chance to become a Jungle
Cruise Skipper, Haunted Mansion Butler or Maid, Apprentice Pirate, Fantasyland
Princess-in-Waiting or a Disney Park Parade Performer. Winners will
receive a trip to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California in June
2007 where they will live out their dream jobs. Complete rules and regulations
can be found at the above website.
Also
this morning, at 11 a.m., a new Disney Wish Lounge was opened in the
Magic Kingdom. It's located between Casey's Corner and the Baby Care
Center, and is a private lounge for special Disney guests. The Lounge
will be open during normal park hours and provides a respite for Make-a-Wish
families. It's a small but comfy lounge with big screen tv, couch and
chairs that will be staffed by someone from Guest Relations who will
also be able to assist in any planning needs (reservations, etc.). Katie
Justice was the honorary princess of the day and was the official ribbon
cutter of the Wish Lounge. Disney grants over 5,000 wishes each year
and this is another way to provide a helping hand to the families.
Wednesday,
January 24:
The Year
of a Million Dreams Press Event had a soggy kick-off today, but that
didn't dampen the spirits of the attendees.
After picking
up my credentials and press materials, I hurried off to the Animal Kingdom
for the first press showing of Finding Nemo: The Musical. This is probably
the fourth time I have seen the show and I like it more and more each
time. The cast was spectacular and they seem to get more and more comfortable
in their roles each time I see the show. I would advise that if you
haven't seen the movie to do so before seeing the show. The storyline
will flow much better for you.
Located
in Theater in the Wild, previous home of Tarzan Rocks, Finding Nemo
- The Musical is the first time Disney has taken a non-musical animated
feature and transformed it into an original musical production. After
the first showing, many of the creative talents behind and in front
of the audience were on hand for interviews. I was able to speak with
composers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (below right), Anne
Hamburger, executive VP of Disney Creative Entertainment and the cast
members who play Marlin and Dory. (More on that coming.)
After a
reception that was moved inside the Theater in the Wild (due to rain),
another show was performed for all media attendees. At the end, the
entire audience gave a standing ovation to the very talented cast.
We were
then taken by bus from Animal Kingdom to Epcot and entered Future World
near the Imagination Pavilion. As we approached The Seas with Nemo and
Friends, it was obvious Disney went all out for this "Big Blue
World Party," with entertainment and decorations all with an aquatic
theme. The
party was originally to be held outside, but the rain forced most of
the festivities inside. The entire pavilion was open for perusal and
enjoyment (including Turtle Talk with Crush). Dinner and live entertainment
was located in the Coral Reef restaurant.
The rain
let up so we went back outside to take in some of the atmosphere. The
"Jellyfish" were out in force, dancing their way around the
pavilion. Unfortunately at this point, the rain really became heavy
and we waited under cover for the official dedication ceremony. In
front of the Pavillion, Meg Crofton, with some help from Bruce the Shark,
officially rededicated The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Immediately after,
the air was filled with laser lights, fireworks and music to celebrate
the new makeover.
Tomorrow
is Magic Kingdom day with a full schedule on tap including the opening
of the Disney Wish Lounge, a special Guestology tour, Sneak Peaks at
Monsters Inc. Comedy Club and in the evening, The Royal Treatment Celebration.
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