New Disney Attractions Win Thea Awards!!

I didn't even know this was a thing until today, but apparently it is. There's not only a Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), they also give out awards. Awards for, go figure, themed entertainment. And obviously if I just heard of them, that must mean Disney has won some of said awards. Orlando Sentinel reports that Disney has picked a handful of TEA Thea Awards. First, Frozen Ever After, in EPCOT won for outstanding achievement in "attraction reimagining". Originally this was my favorite ride in EPCOT, the Maelstrom, a journey through Norway, populated by trolls. I wish I could say that this ride wasn't half the ride Maelstrom was, but I can't. This reimagining is truly amazing. The animatronics are the best I've ever seen, & the story is told flawlessly throughout the ride. Next, they picked up a couple for Pandora - World of Avatar, in which we detailed our own opening day experience here. Not only was the new addition to Animal Kingdom recognized for outstanding achievement in "theme-park area development", Flight of Passage was also recognized for it's achievement, going on to say it was "flawlessly executed". We've made it back to Pandora since opening day, & I must say, I was just as blown away the second time around. As for Flight of Passage? "Flawlessly executed", as great as that sounds, is still an understatement. That might be one of the most thrilling experiences I've ever had. Truly out of this world. Disneyland got a little love too. With Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout, the remixed Tower of Terror in Disney's California Adventure was also recognized in the "attraction reimagining" category. Even though I'm not a fan of being dropped, much less repeatedly, I always do something once. I really do want to check this out, I love me some Guardians of the Galaxy. It'll be awhile before I make it out there though. Anyway, congrats to Disney for winning these well deserved awards. The achievements recently made by these parks, is the main thing that keeps me excited to see what could possibly be coming next. With Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge & Toy Story Land right around the corner, I can't wait. What do y'all think of these awards though? Any thoughts on any of these attractions? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

Jun 18, 2019

Michelle Rejwan Now Senior VP Live Action Development And Production For Lucasfilm

Hollywood Reporter reports Michelle Rejwan is now the Senior VP of Live Action Development & Production. She will oversee new feature films as well Disney+ series while still producing with president Kathleen Kennedy. That seems like a hefty responsibility to drop on someone who's previous credits at Lucasfilm are producing The Force Awakens & The Rise of Skywalker. Kennedy really sees something in her though, having “seen first-hand her skills collaborating with writers and directors, and I've been incredibly impressed with her creative skills and her ability to manage the complexity surrounding these massive projects.” Can she be the Feige of Star Wars? Time will tell. After the hate Kennedy got from the last installment, which I loved by the way, one could think this is just to give her a scapegoat if things don't go as well over the next few projects. Curious to see how much influence this winds up having as a whole. What do y'all think? Trust in Kennedy? Or do you think maybe a more vetted choice would have been better? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

May 21, 2019

Disney Reveals Name of Tokyo DisneySea's 8th Port

After breaking ground in what is to become Tokyo DisneySea's 8th port, we now have its official name. Fantasy Springs will be the title, but that's not all Dismey released on the subject. They also released some beautiful day & night concept art depicting the look of the new lands. Oriental land is investing 250 Billion Yen on this project that will feature lands themed to Frozen, Tangled, & Peter Pan. Frozen's land of post film Arendelle will feature an attraction that tells the story of Elsa and her beloved sister, Anna. Sounding like the familiar Epcot ride, suests will board boats and experience the sisters’ heartfelt journey, enjoying songs from the film, and encountering surprising thrills. There will also be a restaurant set inside the beautiful Arendelle Castle. Tangled's land will naturally feature Rapunzel’s tower rising above the forest. It will also include an boat attraction where guests will board gondolas for a romantic boat tour of Rapunzel’s “Best Day Ever” as she journeys with Flynn to the lantern festival. Flickering lanterns illuminate the attraction’s climactic scene while Rapunzel and Flynn sing an iconic song from the film. The pand will also feature a restaurant, inspired by the hideout of the band of thugs who appeared in the film in the "I've Got A Dream" sequence. Neverland will also be home to two attractions and a restaurant. Featuring landmarks including verdant mountains, Captain Hook’s pirate ship and Skull Rock. One attraction will fly over the jungles of Neverland into a battle with Captain Hook and his crew of pirates to rescue Wendy’s younger brother, John, who has been kidnapped by Captain Hook and his pirates. You'll board boats and follow the Lost Boys down a river until Tinker Bell sprinkles the boats with pixie dust, & you take off flying through Neverland on an adventure that featuring iconic music and dynamic 3D imagery of the characters from the film. The second attraction immerses us in the oversized world of Pixie Hollow, while the restaurant is inspired by the Lost Boys and their hideout. There will also be a new Disney Hllyel in the park. Themed to Disney fantasy, it will rise above and around the magical springs that serve as the core of the new themed port’s story. Offering 475 deluxe-type and luxury-type guest rooms, this park facing hotel will also feature a merchandise shop that helps share the story of the magical springs. One day I'll make it out here to see all the amazingly beautiful things TokyoSea has to offer. Luckily, I have one more reason to postpone that adventure until this amazing new addition is done.