Disney Books, Music and Videos Being Released During Week of May 16
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Here’s look at some of the Disney-related books, movies and audio CDs being released this week. Please note that this list is automatically generated and information is not guaranteed by this site.
 | Phineas and Ferb #7: Freeze Frame (Available Tuesday, May 18 or Pre-Order from Amazon.com) To order or for more information, click here |
 | Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making More Magic Real (Available Tuesday, May 18 or Pre-Order from Amazon.com) To order or for more information, click here |
 | Split / Second (Available Tuesday, May 18 or Pre-Order from Amazon.com) To order or for more information, click here |
Disney Cruise Line Video Offers First Look at New Technology Used on Disney Dream
As a follow up to a recent press event at Walt Disney Imagineering, previewing some of the new tech-driven entertainment features to be offered on the Disney Dream, Disney Cruise Line has just released the following video demonstrating some of the new and exciting items.
Included in the video demo are the interactive magic play floor, the Finding Nemo experience at the Animator’s Palate, the inside staterooms’ virtual porthole (featuring the house from UP and Peach from Finding Nemo) and the enchanted art which plays home to the detective adventure game as well as other innovative interactive experiences.
Disney Patent Gives Insight into Possible ‘NextGen’ Character Meet & Greet Experiences
Pages of banter and speculation have arisen from the photo of the model of the new Fantasyland Fantasy Forest expansion at the Magic Kingdom ever since we first brought it to you (incidentally, you can see a close-up of the model’s Sleeping Beauty cottage in the spring 2010 issue of D23 magazine). Much of which has to do with the plans for Pixie Hollow, for which the model shows an attraction similar to a new one coming to Disney’s California Adventure, but some say said plans have since been scrapped in favor of a ‘next generation,’ interactive meet & greet with the Disney fairies.
Report: Disney Parks Finds New Life in ‘LOST’ Attraction
No, this isn’t one of those reports talking about the online petition going around to coerce Disney Parks into transforming Tom Sawyer’s Island into a LOST attraction. This is a report on a report from Movie|Line which claims to have a source that reveals that there is in fact an attraction based on the popular ABC series in the works at Walt Disney Imagineering. Along with the disclaimer that everything is subject to change, the report goes as far as to say that Imagineering ‘insiders’ had been caught talking about the project at the International Associations of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAPPA) show in Las Vegas.
New Limited Edition Book Pays Tribute to First Female Imagineer, Harriet Burns
After Harriet Burns — the first female Walt Disney Imagineer — passed away in July 2008, daughter Pam Burns-Clair received such an outpouring of love complete with colorful stories of her mother from family and friends, both personal and professional, that she decided to create a tribute book. Together with co-author Don Peri, they solicited and received many more stories about Harriet and they all are gathered in Walt Disney’s First Lady of Imagineering, Harriet Burns along with many photos of Harriet not yet seen by the public.
Through this limited edition hard cover, coffee-table style book, you will discover the range and depth of Harriet’s impact on those lives she touched whether as a mother, grandmother, relative, mentor, co-worker or friend. The stories will bring a smile or a tear (or more likely both) and will contribute to an understanding and appreciation of this tiny woman with a heart as big as her native Texas.
Former Imagineer Ric Turner Turns Christmas Hero with Lights Display
You can take the boy out of the Osborne Lights, but you can’t take the Osborne Lights out of former Walt Disney Imagineer Ric Turner who has made it a tradition to turn his home into a lights and musical spectacle for the Christmas season as well as Halloween. (Turner now operates as a consultant for WDI).
Below is a video of Ric’s 2009 holiday display which scales up the popular video game Guitar Hero.
Be sure to check out Ric’s other YouTube videos including his 2009 Halloween spectacle in which onlookers were serenaded by a 12 foot tall jack’o'lantern (face).
‘Imagineering the Magic: Magic Kingdom’ DVD Now Available at Theme Parks
A follow-up to the immensely well received Imagineering the Magic: Disneyland, Richard Skillman’s Imagineering the Magic: Magic Kingdom is now available through Disney Theme Park Merchandising.
Hosted by Imagineer Diego Parras, the documentary uses historical and rare film footage to show the story of the transformation of swampland in central Florida to the most visited theme park in the world today through the stories and direct recollections of respected Imagineers such as Tom Fitzgerald, Tony Baxter, Kathy Rogers, Eric Jacobson, Kevin Rafferty and — of course — Marty Sklar, the only individual to open all 11 Disney parks.
Walt Disney Imagineering Earns Top Award from Themed Entertainment Industry
GLENDALE, Calif., Nov. 17, 2009 – Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative arm of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, was honored today with the top award within the themed entertainment industry.
TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) announced that Toy Story Mania! received the Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Attraction. Toy Story Mania! is a high-energy, immersive, ride-through adventure that invites guests to test their skills at a variety of carnival midway games hosted by the characters from the Disney·Pixar Toy Story films. The attraction is located at both Disney’s California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
TEA announced the 16th Annual Thea Award recipients during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attraction’s (IAAPA) annual conference. The Thea Awards recognize achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. Recognized internationally as a symbol of excellence, the Thea Awards consider project submissions from all over the world. TEA praised Toy Story Midway Mania! as follows in their press release:
Report: Dining with a Disney Imagineer at The Hollywood Brown Derby
After many trips to Walt Disney World contemplating the idea, I finally bit the bullet and invested into the Dining with an Imagineer program which takes place during lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby. Offered only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the program which costs $60.99 + tax and 18% gratuity per adult (bringing the per adult total to about $75) and $34.99 (or about $45 total) per child, brings the group (maximum of eight guests) face to face with a bonafide Disney Imagineer at Walt Disney World.
Booking proved to be a bit of a challenge as, if I recall correctly, the 90 + 10 didn’t work too well. After a few days of trying, however, I was able to secure my reservation. A credit card is required at time of booking (there is a 48 hour cancellation policy), but you are not charged. Instead, you are presented a bill at the end of the event as with any dining. For booking purposes, it also appears to help if the Cast Member starts looking at The Hollywood Brown Derby moreso than for the experience itself.
Imagineering’s Dr. Ben Schwegler Talks About the Future of Engineering with the ASCE
Vice President and Chief Scientist of Walt Disney Imagineering, Dr. Ben Schwegler, appears on the latest podcast from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to discuss the future of engineering. Dr. Schwegler talks about using innovation the engineering profession can use to overcome challenges as well as his own experiences. You cancheck it out here.
And don’t forget that Dr. Schwegler will be appearing on a panel as part of the World Science Festival’s panel, Wall-E’s World to explore revolutionizing waste management on Earth.
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