New Tech Gadgets on Disney Dream Cruise Ship

The new Disney Dream cruise ship will be loaded with new tech toys. Wired is detailing 5 of them. The most impressive and the one that I could really enjoy, is the virtual characters interacting with the guests.

Interacting With Virtual Characters: At most of the Disney theme parts there are shows where a virtual Disney character (for example, Crush from Finding Nemo) will talk and interact with kids in the audience in real time (using, we imagine, a sophisticated motion-capture rig, multiple cameras, hidden mics and a voice actor somewhere off-stage). This is being brought to the Dream in a powerful new way. Crush will be a regular visitor to the kids club areas during the day on the ship, meeting and talking to the kids play there on video screens. But then, in the evening, he’ll show up in the Animators’ Palette dining room as well. The room seats 700 diners, and has over 100 video screens on its walls, including more than 20 103″ screens. As dinner is served and eaten, Crush and other characters will interact with guests in 9 different seating zones. But the magic happens when Crush calls out by name and interacts with kids whom he met earlier in the day, or on the cruise, in the play areas, and recalls specific details of those interactions. I can only imagine what technology they’re using behind the scenes (creating a database of kids on the cruise using video and facial recognition?), but how magical will it seem to the kids?

Now that would be cool. We already know that the Crush interaction attraction is a hit at all the theme parks. So this one could turn out to be the same thing as well. Although, come to think about it, I'm guessing that these virtual characters will be Crush and other sea animals (meaning fish and shellfish). I wonder how they are going to react to some of the guests eating.... er ... fish during dinner! :) This could make for some hilarious moments.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

Ooooh.. what's this brown, round thing?



Breakfast at Chef Mickey at the Contemporary.

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Beauty and the Beast Coming To Blu-Ray

Only a few more months to wait for the highly-anticipated Blu-Ray release of "Beauty and the Beast". Here's the Disney press release.

Burbank, Calif., March 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) proudly announces the Blu-ray high-definition debut of Disney’s animated masterpiece, Beauty and the Beast on October 5, 2010.

Disney’s most requested film, Beauty and the Beast, arrives for the first time on Blu-ray Hi-Def as the second installment to the company’s new Diamond Collection. The Blu-ray transformation reveals the magic, music and majesty of the film as never before experienced with state-of-the-art picture restoration, pristine 7.1 Digital Surround Sound and hours of additional viewing experiences that include behind the scenes features, deleted scenes, enhanced music tracks, immersive games and more.

The first of only two animated films ever to be nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture (the second is 2009’s Up), Beauty and the Beast earned six Academy Award® nominations and won two Oscars® in 1992 for Best Original Song (“Beauty and the Beast”) and Best Original Score.

Unavailable in any form since 2003, Beauty and the Beast will be released from the Disney vault for a limited time only, arriving on a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack (2 Blu-ray Discs + DVD) October 5, followed seven weeks later with the release of a 2-Disc standard definition DVD on November 23.

The Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack has a U.S. suggested retail price of $39.99 and the 2-Disc DVD set has a U.S. suggested retail price of $29.99.

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Random WDW Picture

The statutes at Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom.



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Donald's Vacation

Donald goes on a hilarious vacation.



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Random WDW Picture

So what happened to this boat that was at the Norway pavilion? It was there one time, and the next time I was there (such as almost a couple of years ago), and it was gone! Why was it removed? Anyone knows? Is it because kids were climbing all over it and there's a threat of someone falling off and breaking his/her limbs?

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

Minnie Mouse sitting at our table at Cape May in the Disney's Beach Club.



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Tim Burton in Wonderland

An interview with Tim Burton on "Alice".



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"Maleficent" Rumors Move Along

I mentioned quite a while back of the rumor that Tim Burton might be interested in doing a movie on Maleficent, the evil queen from Sleeping Beauty. Now, several months later, there are more rumors and unconfirmed reports on this.

"Maleficent" might reunite Woolverton with Tim Burton; it's one of a handful of projects the filmmaker is circling. His interest in the character was piqued in the summer when he was in postproduction on "Alice," and the studio and Burton's camp have been trying to keep a lid on the project, though the Web site Ain't It Cool News mentioned Burton's interest in January.

No deal has been made with Burton, and the hiring of Woolverton is the first concrete step forward in the project's development.

In "Beauty," Maleficent is a tall green-skinned woman with horns who can morph into several forms, including a terrifying black-and-purple dragon. The character, who has appeared in many Disney books and TV shows and is a popular Halloween costume, is also the most serious character in Disney's villain stable, featuring a darkness not found in other Disney characters.

As I've said earlier, it would be a hoot if Burton could do this the way "Wicked" has thrown a new light on the history of the Wicked Witch of the West/East. How and why did she became so bad? There is just many directions that this can go into. And Disney could easily milk this the same way they were trying to milk the Princesses franchise. These classic villains have a lot of "fans" (I know of people who collect Disney villains pins). And after seeing Tim Burton's "Alice", I want a movie on just the Red Queen! Please, please, please, please!!!

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Disney's California Adventure TV Special

Disney just released a series of "retro" videos introducing the Disney's California Adventure. Not sure why they are doing this now considering that DCA is undergoing a major overhaul that will change it dramatically. So most of these are going to be outdated. I guess this is "historical".















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Disney Looking For Real Breasts For "Pirates 4"

.. and no, we're not talking about chicken breasts for the catering company either.

Apparently, news reports have indicated that Disney has a rather strange requirement in one of their casting call for the upcoming 4th installment of "Pirates of the Caribbean".

The filmmakers sent out a casting call last week seeking "beautiful female fit models. Must be 5ft7in-5ft8in, size 4 or 6, no bigger or smaller. Age 18-25. Must have a lean dancer body. Must have real breasts. Do not submit if you have implants."

And they'll verify it too, apparently. Maybe they'll give it the "bounce" test or something, or poke it with a sharp object to see if it deflates. I don't know...

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Tron Monorail

Everyone has been buzzing about the Tron-themed monorail at WDW. Disney Parks has finally released their video of it. It's short, but it gives you a bit of an idea of what the monorail cars look like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk2bFboHYpI

Hopefully, I'll get to see it in person in slightly more than a month! :)

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Random WDW Picture

Goofy Barnstormer - which may not be the same or even be there when Toon Town at the Magic Kingdom goes away.



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Main Street Electrical Parade - 1999

Holy Cow! This is crazy good!

This is a retro video from 1999 that shows some of the floats used in the Main Street Electrical Parade in 1999 being driven on regular streets at WDW on the way to the Magic Kingdom! Oh man! I wish they would do this again when the parade comes back to WDW!

Here's part of the synopsis that accompanies this video:

A look back through the Walt Disney World video archives to- 1999 and a night you could've been driving toward Magic Kingdom Park with Pete's Dragon in the lane next to you. In May of 1999, a few weeks before Main Street Electrical Parade started making nightly appearances in Florida, hundreds of cars lined an interstate for an overnight road test. Many of the Main Street Electrical Parade vehicles and cars driven by Walt Disney World cast members joined a ceremonial caravan toward the park. It was quite a sight. See for yourself!

So see for yourself!



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Pixar and World of Color

DisneyParks has released a rather nice video of Pixar and the World of Color spectacle that is scheduled to open at Disney's California Adventure. I didn't realize that this is going to be predominantly Pixar (or maybe there are other components to the show besides Pixar movies).

Still, the video does give a glimpse of what we might see from this show. This is certainly a good excuse for me to go back to the Disneyland Resort when this show opens (as if I need an excuse). :)

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Wishes From BLT

Disney Parks has released a short clip of Wishes as seen from the observation deck at Bay Lake Tower.

It's almost as good as my video of Wishes, which is below! :)



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Helena Bonham Carter and "Alice"

A very entertaining article on Helena Bonham Carter and her role at the evil "Red Queen" in "Alice in Wonderland".

Bonham Carter, who has a nine-year romance and two children with Burton, giggled as she recounted the moment when she was invited to take on the royal role in "Alice in Wonderland," the highly anticipated Disney film, which opened over the weekend.

"It was like a proposal of marriage," said the 43-year-old actress.

"I was doing 'Terminator Salvation' at the time, and when he asked me, I was really flattered. It was a complete surprise! I know people think it's disingenuous when I say that, but it's true. They won't understand this, but each time (he has a film), I truly don't expect Tim to ever want to work with me again."

As I've mentioned in my review of "Alice", I thought she stole the movie. Her portrayal of the Red Queen was over the top, as it should be, and was completely memorable from start to finish. She should have her own movie sequel!

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Early Toy Story 3 Review

Those who got invited to see the work-in-progress version of "Toy Story 3" at ShoWest in Las Vegas are all giving it a glowing review. Or at least, as much of a review as they are allowed to provide. Read this entry from Jim Hill.

I mean, I sat in that hall today surrounded by hardened industry professionals. Exhibitors who care more about how much popcorn & soda they’re selling than the movies they’re currently showing at their multiplexes. And these jaded theater owners – as “Toy Story 3” entered the home stretch – were openly weeping. Tears streaming down hundreds of faces as the ultimate fate of Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the whole Andy’s Room gang was decided.

OK, are those Pixar fellas hell-bent on making me cry? They almost did it during the first 15 minutes of "Up". Now this???!!

Nevertheless, it looks like "Toy Story 3" will be the next highly-anticipated movie out of Disney. I can't wait.

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Random WDW Picture

Dusk at World Showcase from the Italy Pavilion.



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Dolby and Disney Develop New Audio Format

Dolby Lab has announced that it is developing with Disney/Pixar a new audio format called Dolby Surround 7.1.

The Mouse House plans to launch the format in select theaters in conjunction with its launch of 3D toon installment "Toy Story 3" on June 18.

According to Dolby, the improved system allows for a more comprehensive mix of audio and visual 3D elements, as well as "a more exciting sensory experience to audiences for 2D."

Oy. I'm just trying to catch up to Dolby Digital 6.1. Now it's up to 7.1. I know there are already many amplifiers/receivers with 7.1 audio connections. It will take me a while to get up to speed here. Still, it will be interesting to see (or more like to hear) this Dolby Surround 7.1. I can only hope that the theater that we plan on going to see Toy Story 3 will not only have the 3D version, but also this new audio format.

Zz.