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[pioneerhallplayer]

This is the image you see before you get mugged $15/day at Disney World to buy lightning lanes for attractions that don’t need it

Pixel Art Genie by Jonathan Dodd

[pioneerhallplayer]

I’m not an “i told you so” sort of person, but the way the CMs talk about HarmoniUS makes me believe many of the things I thought about the show from the initial announcement are true.

A Tribute To Illuminations: Reflections of Earth (10/1/99-9/30/19) and a look toward the tomorrow of Epcot

Each time a Disney nighttime spectacular ends, an era ends. And so tonight ends the era of Illuminations at Epcot, an era that surpassed all others and ran for an extraordinary amount of time. For a night short of 20 years, this festival of fireworks, fountains, lights, lasers, and music entertained millions of guests and sent their tired heads back to their home or resort hotels amazed. Many fear that this solidifies the end of Epcot as we know it and closes the door on the “golden age” of the park, if you will. If you reading this are one of those people, I beg you to keep on reading as all will be okay. 

I think it is fair for us all to say that the most amazing part of Illuminations was the message it tries to convey. For many, the difficulty of understanding this was one of the shows flaws, but that is beside the point. The story itself can be easily summarized in its opening monologue, “We are gathered here tonight, around the fire- as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years before us- to share the light and to share a story.” For thousands of years we have gathered as one to tell stories around the light of fire, no matter what the story is or was, the idea stayed the same. The beauty found in story telling transcends cultures and is the basis for all entertainment. 

Reflections of Earth showed the story of our Earth- from Big Bang to Present Day- and it shows how to matter how much the Earth itself has grown, we have been connected the entire time by light. The sun shines bright on the entire planet everyday and at night we find our own light to come together and further the common human bond. When the pavilions light up, it represents unity as people, as an entire species. In our lives today we see so much division and hatred, this show was able to visualize what the world can look like when “We are one” and “Live to keep the promise”. And this my friends is the dream of Epcot. But just because Illuminations is gone does not mean that this dream has been slain by Disney. It instead lives on as a new story, just as our stories change night to night when gathered around the fire. 

Our temporary successor, “Epcot Forever”, will aim to show the world that the past successes in Epcot lore have inspired Disney to continue the original dream of Walt’s. Using updated effects, but mostly the same as Illuminations (minus the huge globe) plus a couple of kites, this show will touch the hearts of all Disney fans and make us all nostalgic, but I am more focused on “HarmoniUS”, the permanent replacement coming next year. 

Of course in time stories started to be conveyed through song, and if I were to have my guess, “HarmoniUS” is going to have the same underlying message as Illuminations. And of course, this will be done using Disney music, but who are we to deny the cultural impact these Disney films have had on the history of story telling, especially with their use of song. It may seem cheap, but it’s not entirely off either. Keeping true to the idea of unity and gathering around the fire, HarmoniUS should celebrate the same history of our race but geared so that the story is more understandable as a whole while utilizing the songs of our childhood. 

Maybe it won’t have the same sentimental effect on those of us who literally have not seen a different show on World Showcase Lagoon. I am one of those people, born in 2000, I have known nothing else. But think about the children of tomorrow, “Tomorrow’s Child”, if you will. A new story using Disney as a connecting tool may just be even more effective than using a spinning globe whose screens is only visible to 20% of the viewing population.  (Sorry, but those screens are very hard to see). HarmoniUS is being created with its own set of problems linked with Disney’s obsession with integrating IP’s into the parks with little care for thematic storytelling, but it is also being created with its own advantages. The advantage of a new age, and a new Epcot. An Epcot that will be no less beautiful and imaginative than it was when Illuminations was created, and an Epcot that will continue to inspire guests of all ages to dream of a united tomorrow. And if that dream is now being told through the words of a classic Disney song, then so be it, I won’t complain. 

“But where do we begin… how do we start answering this great challenge? Well, we’re convinced we must start with the public need. And the need is for starting from scratch on virgin land and building a special kind of new community. So that’s what E.P.C.O.T is… an experimental prototype community that will always be in a state of becoming. It will never cease to be a living blueprint of the future, where people actually live a life they can’t find anywhere else in the world. Everything in E.P.C.O.T will be dedicated to the happiness of the people who will live, work, and play here… and to those who come here from all around the world to visit our living showcase. We don’t presume to know all the answers. In fact, we’re counting on the cooperation of American industry to provide their best thinking during the planning and creation of our Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow….” - Walt Disney

So Illuminations, we must “Go on to discover new frontiers” and discover what we can do as a global community to “reach out and touch tomorrow” and “take the future in our hand”. Farewell to you, the pinnacle of nighttime entertainment and the most iconic Disney spectacular of all time. A new tomorrow is on the horizon, a tomorrow where we are one. 

[pioneerhallplayer]

A Tribute To Illuminations: Reflections of Earth (10/1/99-9/30/19) and a look toward the tomorrow of Epcot

Each time a Disney nighttime spectacular ends, an era ends. And so tonight ends the era of Illuminations at Epcot, an era that surpassed all others and ran for an extraordinary amount of time. For a night short of 20 years, this festival of fireworks, fountains, lights, lasers, and music entertained millions of guests and sent their tired heads back to their home or resort hotels amazed. Many fear that this solidifies the end of Epcot as we know it and closes the door on the “golden age” of the park, if you will. If you reading this are one of those people, I beg you to keep on reading as all will be okay. 

I think it is fair for us all to say that the most amazing part of Illuminations was the message it tries to convey. For many, the difficulty of understanding this was one of the shows flaws, but that is beside the point. The story itself can be easily summarized in its opening monologue, “We are gathered here tonight, around the fire- as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years before us- to share the light and to share a story.” For thousands of years we have gathered as one to tell stories around the light of fire, no matter what the story is or was, the idea stayed the same. The beauty found in story telling transcends cultures and is the basis for all entertainment. 

Reflections of Earth showed the story of our Earth- from Big Bang to Present Day- and it shows how to matter how much the Earth itself has grown, we have been connected the entire time by light. The sun shines bright on the entire planet everyday and at night we find our own light to come together and further the common human bond. When the pavilions light up, it represents unity as people, as an entire species. In our lives today we see so much division and hatred, this show was able to visualize what the world can look like when “We are one” and “Live to keep the promise”. And this my friends is the dream of Epcot. But just because Illuminations is gone does not mean that this dream has been slain by Disney. It instead lives on as a new story, just as our stories change night to night when gathered around the fire. 

Our temporary successor, “Epcot Forever”, will aim to show the world that the past successes in Epcot lore have inspired Disney to continue the original dream of Walt’s. Using updated effects, but mostly the same as Illuminations (minus the huge globe) plus a couple of kites, this show will touch the hearts of all Disney fans and make us all nostalgic, but I am more focused on “HarmoniUS”, the permanent replacement coming next year. 

Of course in time stories started to be conveyed through song, and if I were to have my guess, “HarmoniUS” is going to have the same underlying message as Illuminations. And of course, this will be done using Disney music, but who are we to deny the cultural impact these Disney films have had on the history of story telling, especially with their use of song. It may seem cheap, but it’s not entirely off either. Keeping true to the idea of unity and gathering around the fire, HarmoniUS should celebrate the same history of our race but geared so that the story is more understandable as a whole while utilizing the songs of our childhood. 

Maybe it won’t have the same sentimental effect on those of us who literally have not seen a different show on World Showcase Lagoon. I am one of those people, born in 2000, I have known nothing else. But think about the children of tomorrow, “Tomorrow’s Child”, if you will. A new story using Disney as a connecting tool may just be even more effective than using a spinning globe whose screens is only visible to 20% of the viewing population.  (Sorry, but those screens are very hard to see). HarmoniUS is being created with its own set of problems linked with Disney’s obsession with integrating IP’s into the parks with little care for thematic storytelling, but it is also being created with its own advantages. The advantage of a new age, and a new Epcot. An Epcot that will be no less beautiful and imaginative than it was when Illuminations was created, and an Epcot that will continue to inspire guests of all ages to dream of a united tomorrow. And if that dream is now being told through the words of a classic Disney song, then so be it, I won’t complain. 

“But where do we begin… how do we start answering this great challenge? Well, we’re convinced we must start with the public need. And the need is for starting from scratch on virgin land and building a special kind of new community. So that’s what E.P.C.O.T is… an experimental prototype community that will always be in a state of becoming. It will never cease to be a living blueprint of the future, where people actually live a life they can’t find anywhere else in the world. Everything in E.P.C.O.T will be dedicated to the happiness of the people who will live, work, and play here… and to those who come here from all around the world to visit our living showcase. We don’t presume to know all the answers. In fact, we’re counting on the cooperation of American industry to provide their best thinking during the planning and creation of our Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow….” - Walt Disney

So Illuminations, we must “Go on to discover new frontiers” and discover what we can do as a global community to “reach out and touch tomorrow” and “take the future in our hand”. Farewell to you, the pinnacle of nighttime entertainment and the most iconic Disney spectacular of all time. A new tomorrow is on the horizon, a tomorrow where we are one. 

[pioneerhallplayer]

D23 Expo Announcements 2019

Epcot:

Renaming and reorganizing the sections of the park into four new neighborhoods: “World Nature” (Future World West), “World Discovery” (Future World East”), “World Celebration” (Entrance of the park spanning down to World Showcase Plaza), and the only returning member; World Showcase. 

A recreation of “Cherry Tree Lane” and a whole new attraction based off of the ‘Mary Poppins’ movies will be brought to the UK pavilion.

“Journey of Water” will be introduced as a walkthrough attraction that connects World Celebration to World Nature. In this ‘Moana’ themed area, guests will learn about the natural water cycle and allow you to “meet and play with magical, living water”.

“Dreamer’s Point” will be a new area located in World Celebration that will feature a wishing tree, a new statue of Walt Disney, and an enchanted forest with a reimagined fountain. (This will be located in the current footprint Pin Central all the way to the Fountain of Nations.)

A new pavilion to play host to Epcot’s seasonal festivals will be constructed in roughly the area currently occupied by Club Cool and the Epcot Character Spot. The three story structure will provide ideal views for the new nighttime firework viewing. 

All of Innoventions West will be demolished to make room for the new pavilion and “Journey of Water”. 

Spaceship Earth (the attraction) will receive upgrades including a new script that will slightly alter the focus of the attraction. Instead of focusing on the history and progression of communication technology, it will instead focus on the changing of storytelling utilizing many of the same scenes from the current attraction. Guests will follow a magical “story light” that will guide you through the experience. 

The 360 films in the China and Canada pavilions, “Wondrous China” and “Canada Far and Wide”, respectively, will replace the current films. “Canada Far and Wide” will debut in January 2020. 

“Awesome Planet”, the new film for the Land Pavilion, will open in January 2020. 

“Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along” will debut in January 2020 in the France Pavilion, sharing the same theater as ‘Impressions de France’. 

“Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure” attraction and “La Creperie de Paris” quick/table service restaurant will both open in Summer 2020 in the France Pavilion.

After the limited time run of “Epcot Forever” is concluded, the new nighttime extravaganza “HarmonioUS” will debut as a permanent replacement for Illuminations. It is expected to be the largest production ever created for a nighttime show in a Disney Park. 

The new ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ attraction in World Discovery will be named “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind”. This will be the first roller coaster in Epcot and will feature a backwards launch. The attraction’s story will revolve around the guests going on a trip to Xandar, of which will go awry once the Guardians of the Galaxy come into contact. The ride vehicle will be able to rotate 360 degrees to allow guests to better focus on the action. 

Next to Mission: Space the new restaurant will be called “Space 220″ and is slated to open this winter. 

General Walt Disney World News: 

A new app “Disney Genie” will be released in late 2020, this app is supposed to help organize and plan your day in WDW in conjuction to My Disney Experience. 

The new Cirque du Soleil show in Disney Springs will debut March 20th, 2020

The new “Reflections” resort on Bay Lake will feature a restaurant inspired by ‘The Princess and the Frog’. 

The Star Wars themed hotel being constructed will officially be called “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser”.

The experience will take place as a two-day, two-night adventure on the ship “Halycon”.

Guests will be immersed into a full story in which their own actions make a difference in how the experience plays out as they come into contact with certain characters and The First Order. 

On one of the days, guests will go on an “excursion” to Batuu, otherwise known as Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios park. 

Guests will be able to explore many different parts of the ship, and even train to use a lightsaber like Luke Skywalker with a training remote. 

Disneyland:

A new daytime parade called “Magic Happens” featuring floats from ‘Coco’, ‘Moana’, and more will debut in Spring 2020.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open in 2022 in Toontown. The show building being called the “El CapiTOON” theater.

Disney California Adventure:

“Avengers Campus”, the new land in the former home of A Bug’s Land, will open in 2020. 

This land will feature a Spider-man themed attraction in which guests will be able to shoot their own webs in helping Peter Parker capture miniature bots. 

In Phase 2 of the land opening, a new attraction will take guests on a Quin-Jet to Wakanda and experience an intense battle against an unannounced villain. 

A Doctor Strange themed experience will be revolved around the ruins of a “California Sanctum”.

A new restaurant “Pym Test Kitchen” will open that will feature oversized and shrunken foods caused by the “Pym Particle” featured in the ‘Ant-Man’ movies. 

Walt Disney Studios Park (Paris):

Will be home to the other “Avengers Campus” and is set to feature most of the same offerings as it’s California counterpart in addition to the already planned ‘Iron Man’ retheme to the Rockin’ Roller Coaster

General Disneyland Paris News:

New concept art was released for the new Marvel themed rooms in the Hotel New York. 

Hong Kong Disneyland:

In addition to the already existent ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Ant-Man’ attractions, the park is slated to receive some of the same offerings as the “Avengers Campuses” in California and Paris, but under the guise of the “Stark Expo” and not a third Avengers Campus. 

Disney Cruise Line:

The first of three new ships set to sail soon for DCL will be named the “Disney Wish”. It will be the fifth cruise ship in the fleet and will feature the image of Rapunzel on the back of the ship, similar to the Dumbo figure on the back of the Disney Fantasy. 

A new DCL port, “Lighthouse Point”, will open in conjunction to Castaway Cay as a Disney owned and operated piece of land for Disney Cruises to visit on Bahamian voyages. The land, with the help of legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde, will celebrate the Bahamian culture surrounding the port.   

[pioneerhallplayer]

I hope EPCOT realizes that we’ll all be okay with GOTG taking over the UoE as long as part of the pre-show has Peter Quill rocking out to the Universe of Energy song from the 80s.

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[pioneerhallplayer]

OMG I LOVE EPCOT CENTER SO MUCH!

[pioneerhallplayer]

One of my favorite hidden details about the Country Bear Jamboree, is that all of the bears actually have official backstories given by the Imagineers. Most likely written by show writers Al Bertino and Marc Davis, these mini bios were published around the time of the opening of the attraction at Walt Disney World.

[pioneerhallplayer]

People wonder what makes Disney so magical... it's because of stuff like this. Tremendous work by Disney Cast Members working with the hurricane. Seemed like people were having fun even though they couldn't make it to the park. Good job WDW, you've made me proud.

Even the characters are hunkering down for a long storm…

[pioneerhallplayer]

According to an extensive study, there is a 10 out of 10 chance that i would prefer to be in a Disney park at this moment in time.

[pioneerhallplayer]

Saddened at the loss of Disney Legend and Imagineering Ambassador, Marty Sklar. I can’t imagine so many Disney Parks attractions without his input and guidance. My heart goes out to his family at this difficult time.

#martysklar #imagineering #disneylegend (at Disneyland)

[pioneerhallplayer]

I FORGOT ONE PIECE OF EPCOT NEWS: THERE WILL BE A NEW 360 FILM IN CHINA

D23 EXPO ANNOUNCEMENTS

Magic Kingdom:

Tron Coaster in Magic Kingdom. Placed behind Space Mountain, over the railroad and walkway to Storybook Circus. Speedway Survives.

New theater to be placed on Main Street; will most likely be in the location of Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and the meet-and-greets.

Epcot:

Guardians of The Galaxy to replace Universe of Energy, and Ratatouille Ride from DLP coming to France pavilion in Epcot.

New Green Mission coming to Mission:Space when it reopens from refurbishment; new sit-down space themed restaurant to be built adjacent to Mission:Space

Hollywood Studios:

New “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway” attraction to replace the Great Movie Ride

Star Wars Land to be called “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”

General WDW News:

Gondola transportation called “Disney Skyliner” to connect Epcot (International Gateway), Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach, and Art of Animation/ Pop Century.

New “Minnie Van” ride service

Star Wars themed COMPLETELY IMMERSIVE hotel to come to Disney World. 

Disney’s Riviera Resort to become 15th DVC Resort.

General DLR News:

“Pixar Fest” to come next summer to both parks.

Disneyland:

Star Wars Land also to be called, “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”

Disneyland’s “Galaxy’s Edge” will open before it’s Hollywood Studios counterpart.

Pixar Block Party Bash to move from DCA to Disneyland.

New Pixar fireworks will premier during Pixar Fest

California Adventure:

Paint The Night electrical parade to re-debut in DCA.

New Marvel Land to accompany Mission: Breakout!

Paradise Pier to be changed into “Pixar Pier”- will be ready for Pixar Fest, and will be a permanent re-theme once the fest ends.

Cars Land will get a Halloween layover this fall.

Disneyland Paris:

Disney’s Hotel New York to be renamed and rethemed to Hotel New York: The Art of Marvel after its refurbishment. 

MORE STUFF IS EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED. STAY TUNED

[pioneerhallplayer]

Concept art for the Tron roller coaster in Tomorrowland. Things to notice: The speedway remains, the railroad passes underneath through a tunnel built into the show building, the pathway to Storybook Circus ALSO remains with a pathway of its own, and the Peoplemover is left unharmed. If the Peoplemover was removed I would've gone on strike. I was hoping they'd actually extend it through Tron, but I guess this'll do.

[pioneerhallplayer]

Also announced, Disney Cruise Line will add a 7th ship to it’s fleet. It was announced previously two more ships were in construction (5 and 6), but Disney announced a 7th ship is also being constructed. None of the new ships have names yet. 

D23 EXPO ANNOUNCEMENTS

Magic Kingdom:

Tron Coaster in Magic Kingdom. Placed behind Space Mountain, over the railroad and walkway to Storybook Circus. Speedway Survives.

New theater to be placed on Main Street; will most likely be in the location of Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and the meet-and-greets.

Epcot:

Guardians of The Galaxy to replace Universe of Energy, and Ratatouille Ride from DLP coming to France pavilion in Epcot.

New Green Mission coming to Mission:Space when it reopens from refurbishment; new sit-down space themed restaurant to be built adjacent to Mission:Space

Hollywood Studios:

New “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway” attraction to replace the Great Movie Ride

Star Wars Land to be called “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”

General WDW News:

Gondola transportation called “Disney Skyliner” to connect Epcot (International Gateway), Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach, and Art of Animation/ Pop Century.

New “Minnie Van” ride service

Star Wars themed COMPLETELY IMMERSIVE hotel to come to Disney World. 

Disney’s Riviera Resort to become 15th DVC Resort.

General DLR News:

“Pixar Fest” to come next summer to both parks.

Disneyland:

Star Wars Land also to be called, “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”

Disneyland’s “Galaxy’s Edge” will open before it’s Hollywood Studios counterpart.

Pixar Block Party Bash to move from DCA to Disneyland.

New Pixar fireworks will premier during Pixar Fest

California Adventure:

Paint The Night electrical parade to re-debut in DCA.

New Marvel Land to accompany Mission: Breakout!

Paradise Pier to be changed into “Pixar Pier”- will be ready for Pixar Fest, and will be a permanent re-theme once the fest ends.

Cars Land will get a Halloween layover this fall.

Disneyland Paris:

Disney’s Hotel New York to be renamed and rethemed to Hotel New York: The Art of Marvel after its refurbishment. 

MORE STUFF IS EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED. STAY TUNED

[pioneerhallplayer]

D23 EXPO ANNOUNCEMENTS

Magic Kingdom:

Tron Coaster in Magic Kingdom. Placed behind Space Mountain, over the railroad and walkway to Storybook Circus. Speedway Survives.

New theater to be placed on Main Street; will most likely be in the location of Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and the meet-and-greets.

Epcot:

Guardians of The Galaxy to replace Universe of Energy, and Ratatouille Ride from DLP coming to France pavilion in Epcot.

New Green Mission coming to Mission:Space when it reopens from refurbishment; new sit-down space themed restaurant to be built adjacent to Mission:Space

Hollywood Studios:

New “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway” attraction to replace the Great Movie Ride

Star Wars Land to be called “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”

General WDW News:

Gondola transportation called “Disney Skyliner” to connect Epcot (International Gateway), Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach, and Art of Animation/ Pop Century.

New “Minnie Van” ride service

Star Wars themed COMPLETELY IMMERSIVE hotel to come to Disney World. 

Disney’s Riviera Resort to become 15th DVC Resort.

General DLR News:

“Pixar Fest” to come next summer to both parks.

Disneyland:

Star Wars Land also to be called, “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”

Disneyland’s “Galaxy’s Edge” will open before it’s Hollywood Studios counterpart.

Pixar Block Party Bash to move from DCA to Disneyland.

New Pixar fireworks will premier during Pixar Fest

California Adventure:

Paint The Night electrical parade to re-debut in DCA.

New Marvel Land to accompany Mission: Breakout!

Paradise Pier to be changed into “Pixar Pier”- will be ready for Pixar Fest, and will be a permanent re-theme once the fest ends.

Cars Land will get a Halloween layover this fall.

Disneyland Paris:

Disney’s Hotel New York to be renamed and rethemed to Hotel New York: The Art of Marvel after its refurbishment. 

MORE STUFF IS EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED. STAY TUNED

[pioneerhallplayer]

Here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland… the blessing of size. There’s enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine.

Walt Disney (via quoting-walt-disney)

[pioneerhallplayer]

Oh, right. The poison. The poison for Kuzco, the poison chosen especially to kill Kuzco, Kuzco’s poison. That poison?

[pioneerhallplayer]