Star Tours - The Adventure Continues

Star Tours 2.0 on it's way

It's now official!  Star Tours - The Adventure Continues will open to the public on June 3, 2011.  For those that love Disneyland parades, Mickey's Soundsational Parade, will debut Memorial Day weekend.  In an unsual move, Disney has also decided to premiere The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure on the same day as Star Tours.  It should make for one busy media event.

The Magic, The Memories and You!

 (c) Disney

‘small world’ Becomes a Big Canvas As "The Magic, The Memories and You!" Projection Show Conjures Vacation Memories at Disneyland

The façade of “it’s a small world” in Disneyland park is being transformed each night into a breathtaking display of moving, ever-changing photography, video, animation and music as Disneyland celebrates guests’ memories with an innovative new show – “The Magic, The Memories and You!”

Guests of all ages will be reminded of their Disney memories, and may even see themselves in the nightly show, as a kaleidoscope of larger-than-life images is projected onto the classic Fantasyland “it’s a small world” attraction. Included in the thousands of photographs each night will be approximately 500 photos of guests who made memories in Disneyland that very day – resulting in a different “The Magic, The Memories and You!” presentation every night.

“Disneyland has been making very special memories for families and guests of all ages for more than 55 years,” said Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis. “Now guests recalling and cherishing those memories will become stars of the show as well.”

After the sun goes down, the 10-minute spectacle combines that day’s photos with photos and videos taken from Disney’s “Let the Memories Begin” online hub, and brings them to life with the help of amazing new projection technology that transforms the architecture of “it’s a small world” in never-before-seen ways. Classic Disney music is woven into the new “Let the Memories Begin” theme song and, via some magical effects, even the singing dolls from inside the “it’s a small world” attraction find their way outside to appear in the show. The finale features a burst of fireworks over “it’s a small world.”

“We’re really taking it to the Nth degree and we’re doing it for our guests,” observes show director Alan Bruun, associate creative director, Disney Destinations Entertainment. “Some guests will spot their own photographs in the show, and yet our goal is for everyone watching the show to be able to say, ‘These are my memories. I recognize that moment, that emotion.’ ”

The visual and musical journey that takes place in “The Magic, The Memories and You!” traces the family vacation experience, from planning and travel all the way through arrival and fun in Disneyland. The show closes, appropriately, with a classic Disney memory. A similar show featuring guest images projected onto the soaring spires of Cinderella Castle premiered Jan. 18 in the Magic Kingdom park, Walt Disney World Resort, Florida.

Small World Towers

Have you ever wondered about the square towers located along the plaza in front of it's a small world?

These towers were built for Light Magic, the parade-esque show that made its debut at Disneyland in 1997. Light Magic was originally designed to replace the irreplaceable 24-year-old Main Street Electrical Parade, which had left for Tokyo Disneyland and then onto the Magic Kingdom at WDW. However, after receiving very unfavorable reviews in May 1997, it was abruptly ended four months later. The company announced that the show would return in 2000 but that never materialized, nor do I think it ever will.

Despite the short-term show, long-term infrastructure improvements made specifically for Light Magic - especially in Fantasyland are still used today.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Happy New Year

A new year is a upon us and the parks are a buzz with activity.  In case you did not get over to Disneyland during this busy Christmas season, small world holiday will still be open through January 17th before going down for about 10 days to revert to the regular ride.  Check it out while you can.

Did you know?

Did you know that Disneyland's Main Street USA was home to a pharmacy from 1955 to 1970? Upjohn Pharmacy was located where now we find "The Fortuosity Shop." This same site has also been a watch shop for brands including New Century, Seiko and Timex.

In the original Upjohn Pharmacy, visitors could find old medical paraphernalia, period glassware, patented medicine powders, scales, books and pharmaceuticals. Free samples of vitamins were offered up to visitors.