Newsflash: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Opening May 28 and more!

Lots of news from Disney Parks, mostly coming from Walt Disney World Resort. Let's get going!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opening May 28.

Fantasyland's new centerpiece, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, is opening on May 28. 

From the Disney Parks Blog: 
The family-style coaster features an innovative new ride system that allows cars to swing back and forth as they travel down the track. The cars are even designed to reflect similar vehicles that appear in the film, handmade of wood by the Dwarfs, shaped by an axe, and used to haul rocks and jewels. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train also uses the latest in technology featuring some of the most advanced and charming Audio-Animatronics figures we’ve ever created. Adding to the fun, the journey will be accompanied by music from the film classic and scenes filled with Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs and playful forest critters.

Sadly, I'll be just missing the opening by days! Let's see if I can get the Evil Queen to help me open it sooner.

Rivers of Light concept art.

Animal Kingdom is getting a huge expansion. The Lion King Show is moving to its rightful home in Africa and will be opening in June, as well as other wild goodies! 

A nighttime spectacular, currently being called "Rivers of Light," will combine live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. The show will magically come to life on the broad, natural stage of the Discovery River, between Discovery Island and Expedition Everest. 

This is a welcome addition to the park and to the Walt Disney World Resort. None of the parks have a show comparable to "World of Color" at Disneyland Resort. Animal Kingdom is quickly becoming an all-day destination.

Concept of name change for Disney's Polynesian.

My favorite resort, Disney's Polynesian, is going to get a little bit of a renovation. The name will be changing back to its original, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, as well as getting a new food and beverage location - Trader Sam's from Disneyland Hotel. Also, it appears that the Mahalo Man (that's what I call him) will be featured as a centerpiece on the lobby.

Lots of things are happening at the Disney Parks, so we'll keep you updated. I'll be at the Walt Disney World Resort in a few short weeks, so I'll come back with pictures and more information! 

Anniversary of Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios, better known to some as MGM Studios from 1989 until 2008, is celebrating 25 years of movie magic! The Disney Parks Blog has been celebrating all week with fantastic images of the parks history as well as this nifty wallpaper for desktops and phones. This wallpaper features the Disney gang as the stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. 

Let's take a quick look at some of the attractions that make this park a star of its own!

The Muppet*Vision area.

Muppet*Vision 3D opened in 1991. Easily one of the best attractions (Birnbaum Guides would agree!). The 4D show recreates the Muppet Theatre in amazing detail, including Statler and Waldorf heckling from their balcony. The show includes live effects, such as a Penguin orchestra, bubbles, fireworks, Sweetums, and canons! This attraction holds a special place in my heart as being that last time Jim Henson and Richard Hunt would perform their characters.

The Hollywood Tower Hotel main lobby.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened on Sunset Boulevard on in 1994. I'm a huge fan of the Twilight Zone series and love seeing the lobby, the library, and the basement filled with replicas of props from episodes. In the attraction, guests are treated to a ride on an infamous elevator in which five people mysteriously disappeared in during the 1930s. The technology to drop the elevator and for cabs to move through rooms and elevators was designed specifically for Disney.

The Ewok village outside the attraction.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue opened in 2011, replacing the original Star Tours. The original attraction featured events after Return of the Jedi. The new iteration, which is in 3D and features C-3PO, occurs between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The ride features eleven random segments, showcasing planets like Kashyyyk, Hoth, Naboo, and Coruscant and characters like Master Yoda, Darth Vader, and Admiral Ackbar. I am particularly fond of the Hoth sequence and the Otah Gunga sequence (in which the 3D gags really shine). A very fun element is the audience (unknowingly) participating in the Rebel plans.

The Great Movie Ride premiered with the park. Guests are whisked away in what is basically a moving movie theatre to experience classic films brought to life by audio-animatronics. Scenes include Singin' in the Rain, Alien, and The Wizard of Oz. The Wicked Witch is equipped with the Sarcos animatronic technology, allowing for more fluid and faster movements, creating a more realistic and natural performance. At one point, when Disney was courting the Muppets and Jim Henson, there were plans for a parody ride called The Great Muppet Movie Ride in an area called MuppetMovie land.

Toy Story Midway Mania! opened at Pixar Place in 2008. The ride is a fun spin through carnival-like games featuring the Toy Story characters. Throw rings around the Little Green Men, pop balloons, and hit targets to reach the highest score. At the end you are rewarded with a digital pin. Besides being a ton of fun, the whole thing is in 3D. The queue is also amazing, as guests are shrunk down to the size of a toy and can interact with Mr. Potato Head.

These are but a few of the amazing attractions. The park also has live stage shows like Beauty and the Beast and Voyage of the Little Mermaid, the thrilling Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, the Backlot tour, and so much more! So celebrate Hollywood this May 1!

The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood—not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be.

—Michael Eisner, May 1, 1989

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

Jim Henson had a keen interest in preserving our planet and environmentalism. Below you can watch clips of some of the ways that Jim brought his message to the public. From PSAs to specials, Jim cared about our planet shared and that in many wonderful and entertaining ways.

The Song of the Cloud Forest is a vibrant musical story that tells of a golden toad who is trying to find a mate. The imagery is outstanding, the style is unlike anything you've seen before, and the characters are as diverse as the almost 7,000 species of amphibians!

This "Earth Day Special" aired in 1990. It only played once and has not been available since. This segment shows Kermit and Robin discussing the impacts of humans on animals.

The National Wildlife Federation filmed a bunch of Public Service Announcements with The Muppets. Here are a few of them in a compilation.

In 1971, Toho Studios created a movie where Godzilla's enemy was pollution itself, or Hedorah.  The monster was named for hedoro, the Japanese word for sludge, vomit, slime or chemical ooze. While very 70's in style, with dance scenes and sequences inspired by The Blob, Hedorah is easily a fan favorite with a very serious message that would continue through the Godzilla series.

From the very beginning of Godzilla's legacy, the series was mindful of the impact that mankind has on the Earth. Above is the trailer for Godzilla vs. Mothra: Battle for Earth. It carries a strong message of the damage man has done to the Earth and warns of environmental disaster and that 12,000 years in the past the previous civilization that inhabited the Earth was destroyed by Battra, the Black Mothra.

On Earth Day in 1998, Disney's Animal Kingdom opened. This magical place, inspired by the True Life Adventures series explores and celebrates our natural world. Check out this Wonderful World of Disney special that introduces this wild new place to visit!

Even Disney is committed to protecting our Earth. Through the DisneyNature feature films, the Walt Disney Company is spreading the love for our planet.

Don't forget, DisneyNature's Bears is out now in threatres!

Today in History April 18

1983 — Disney Channel goes on the air

2002 — Primeval Whirl opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Today in History April 16

April 16
2001 — Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens at the Walt Disney World Resort

2007 — Disneyland Resort announces the entire Disneyland Railroad fleet has been converted to run on biofuel instead of diesel