Following the announcement in April, there has been speculation around the construction of the newest coaster at Seaworld. We were told that the new coaster will as suggested at the time be called Manta. Manta will be Seaworld Orlando’s second major coaster, the other being Kraken.

Following on from the mix of animal/ride combinations at the recently opened Aquatica water park, Manta will Manta will show riders underwater animal habitats and then soar them skywards on a Manta styled flying coaster. Early artwork suggests that you’ll sit under the Manta face down in a hand-gliding position.

Designed to give the ride the feeling of gliding, swooping and diving, Manta will reach a height of 140 feet, top speeds of 60mph moving through four inversions on 3,359 feet of track covering 7 acres of the park. The ride will be constructed by swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard who were also responsible for the construction of Kraken, Hulk Rollercoaster and Duelling Dragons to name a few.

The attraction is to begin when visitors enter a mythical village filled with artisan-created engravings and artwork that celebrate ray legend and lore. In the queue line, visitors will wind through caverns adorned with ray-inspired art in marble, jewels, and mosaics, all hand-created.

If you’re not a coaster fan, then you’ll still get the opportunity to view the aquarium that forms part of the ride, which will be filled 00 rays, as well as thousands of fish and other creatures native to oceans all over the world.

“This ride is uniquely SeaWorld,” Dan Brown, vice president and general manager of SeaWorld Orlando, stated in a news release. “SeaWorld is famous for connecting guests with the sea and its amazing creatures, and Manta does this in a way that has never been done before, creating a true sense of oneness between human and animal.

“The sensation of Manta also will be like none other in the world - guests will be inspired by the grace and power of live rays, then feel as if they, themselves, are gliding through air and water,” said Joseph Couceiro, chief marketing officer for SeaWorld’s parent company, Busch Entertainment Corporation.

So when is all this due to open. Seaworld have confirmed that Manta is due to open Summer 2009.

Do you remember how Buzz Lightyear thought he really was a Space Ranger in the Toy Story movie. Well good old Buzz will now get the opportunity to go “to infinity and beyond” thanks to the guys at NASA and the Space Ranger Education Series thats running as part of the “Toys in Space” education series.

It’s true, Buzz will live out the dreams of many a young child as a 12” toy Buzz Lightyear will get to blast off in Space Shuttle Discovery on the 31st of May. The cynics amongst you have probably already realised that this is the same date as the official opening of the Toy Story Mania ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We know from experience though, that the shuttle launches rarely get off at the scheduled time. I wonder if Buzz can work some of his Space Ranger magic on this one.

Cape Canaveral, Fla., May 29, 2008 — It’s a dream come true for Buzz Lightyear as Disney Parks and NASA send the 12-inch-tall action figure “to infinity and beyond!” Buzz Lightyear will blast off aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-124. Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 5:02 p.m. ET on May 31.

Buzz’s dream of going “to infinity and beyond” will finally come true during the mission when — with the help of the crew — he will fly in zero gravity inside the International Space Station as part of NASA’s “Toys in Space” initiative. Through this program, Buzz will help introduce fun elements from space into science and math classrooms across the country.

With Buzz will launch the aspiration of millions of school children who dream of space travel. STS-124 will coincide with the kickoff of the Space Ranger Education Series — part of NASA’s “Toys in Space,” an educational program for teachers and students. The program builds on NASA’s educational goals of encouraging students to pursue studies in science, technology and mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are vitally important in sustaining U.S. economic competitiveness and technological leadership.

Developed by Disney and NASA, “Toys in Space” features materials for educators to download and integrate into their classroom curriculum as well as online, educational games linked to each key component of the mission. The series, hosted at www.nasa.gov, will be available throughout 2008.

“NASA is excited to help students understand the science and engineering currently underway on the International Space Station,” said Dr. Joyce Winterton, NASA assistant administrator for Education. “The educational games and resources from this partnership will allow students to explore the science and math behind space exploration with a beloved character.”

Buzz’s groundbreaking mission into space also coincides with the launch of his latest debut on Earth in Toy Story Mania!, Disney Parks new attraction that opens May 31 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and June 17 at Disneyland Resort in California.

“The Space Ranger Education Series will give teachers an opportunity to incorporate a fun and engaging moment into the classroom with a character that children really love,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We’re pleased to join NASA in creating a program that can help keep kids excited about math and science.”

Buzz’s Space Itinerary

Buzz will spend several months in space at the International Space Station (ISS) testing the limits of zero gravity before returning home to a hero’s welcome at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida later this year. While in space, Buzz will participate in an experiment flying in zero gravity and appear in a video downlink from the ISS.

The Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-124 will travel with seven astronauts to install Kibo’s large Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) and the lab’s robotic arm system.

For additional information about the educational series and NASA programs, guests may visit www.nasa.gov.

Disney have launched an official site looking at what will be in-store for wannabee American Idols at the new American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With the tagline of Watch, Vote, Perform Disney are pretty much spelling out what your role will be as a participant of the attraction.

Watch

Well, you can watch as a member of the audience in a fully rigged-out American Idolesque studio.

Vote

You get the chance to determine the outcome of the show by voting on the “performers” by pressing one of the keys on your interactive keypads.

Perform

As a performer you get the opportunity to perform in front of a judge before being thrown into the live on-stage performance. The big draw for performers will be the chance to win a dream ticket. If they win the Americal Idol Experience finale show. This’ll give the winner the opportunity to sing in front of an official American Idol representative at an actual regional audition.

Disney have also confirmed that January 2009 is the planned opening on the new site.

I know sometimes we can get over-excited by the little things, but this weekend the fastpass machines were opened at Toy Story Mania. Apart from the obvious advantage of being able to get fastpass for the ride, it also means that the completion of the project is coming close with the official launch being at the end of the month.

I know some of the visitors that have been trying to get on the attraction recently have said that even waiting times for the single rider lines has been around the hour mark, so fastpass will be a welcome relief.

As you know, Disney have been carrying our extensive rehab work at the Contemporary Resort, one of Disney World Orlando’s original fixtures.

As part of that work Disney announced the opening of “The Wave” restaurant, the hotel’s third full-service restaurant. Dubbed as a healthy spot to dine, “The Wave” will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as having an extensive wine menu.

Disney have made an announcement here:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — With drinks like the Antioxidant Cocktail, entrées such as whole-wheat linguine with clams, rock shrimp and fresh thyme in chunky tomato broth, and crispy almond-raisin “baklava” for dessert, The Wave brings a surge of new dining ideas to Walt Disney World Resort.

Located in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the new restaurant is “bold cooking inspired by fresh markets,” said Dieter Hannig, vice president of new concepts for Walt Disney World Food & Beverage. “America is more and more a melting pot, and The Wave features American cooking with world flavors.”

Guests enter the stylish new space on the first floor of the hotel through a brushed steel arch “tunnel” into The Wave’s lounge, one of the largest at Walt Disney World Resort. The sleek, serene décor is earthy browns and golds, with frosted glass lamps for soft ambient light and a copper-colored metal ceiling. Banquettes and booths line the perimeter of the dining room, and wooden tables are set with white linen napkins. A large central table is draped in sheer fabric in purples and golds.

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the 220-seat restaurant takes casual dining into the health-conscious 21st century. The classic American breakfast menu includes plenty of egg creations, but guests also can make their own Wave muesli or sip a Beta Berry Smoothie with raspberry puree and non-fat yogurt blended with Odwalla Berries GoMega (a great source of Omega-3). The Pure Sunshine breakfast cocktail features organic vodka and orange juice topped with Vitamin Energy Drink. Coffee is organic Colombian (fair trade and “Smithsonian-certified bird-friendly”) and teas are whole leaf Pyramid bags in flavors from chamomile blossoms to monsoon chai.

At lunch, light eaters might enjoy lettuce wraps with sautéed lamb and bay scallops, or a lump crab cake with crispy papaya slaw. Entrées include oversized salads and a vegetarian sandwich with grilled tofu, roasted veggies and herb goat cheese on multi-grain bread, but guests also can chow down on an Angus chuck burger with cheese and Applewood smoked bacon, or a classic grilled Reuben.

The dinner menu offers a delicious spin on comfort classics such as pan-seared Alaskan black cod with corn and edamame (soybean) stew with cilantro chutney; braised lamb shank with bulgur lentil stew and red wine sauce, and a nouvelle chicken pot pie with thyme pastry. Sides at both lunch and dinner include braised greens and roasted sweet potatoes and carrots.

“Lots of stocks, lots of broths and seasonal ingredients keep the menu well balanced,” said Chef Frank Brough. “We are sourcing ingredients locally and regionally to create fresh flavors, and our fresh catch of the day features sustainable seafood.”

Desserts continue the theme with a dozen choices for mixing and matching three mini-favorites for one price. From chocolate mousse with chocolate ganache, to yogurt sorbet with blueberry compote and coconut panna cotta with passion fruit, guests can indulge their sweet tooth without a big hit in calories. Or go overboard with a dessert cocktail like the Mudslide martini: Baileys Irish Cream, vanilla vodka, Kahlúa and vanilla ice cream.

Wine ‘With a Twist,’ Innovative Spirits Menu

The wine program, with only screw cap wines, is cutting-edge and supports sustainable agriculture, says Master Sommelier John Blazon, manager of wine sales and standards for Walt Disney World Resort.

“The surge in the use of the screw cap is nothing short of a revolution in wine packaging,” says Blazon. Industry experts say that the screw cap is the most significant technical evolution in the wine industry since the glass bottle was introduced 250 years ago.

And the options for screw cap wine are growing, said Blazon. The Wave serves no California wines (California Grill on the resort’s 15th floor has a corner on the California market), but instead focuses on bright-style New World wines from the Southern Hemisphere, including Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Sparkling wines from Tasmania, Rieslings from South Australia, floral New Wave whites from Argentina and Pinot Noirs from New Zealand are among the interesting choices, with 50 available by the glass. A flight of 3-ounce samplings and dessert wines, ports and sherries round out the wine list.

For beer fans, certified organic ales from Orlando Brewing are on the menu. Produced in Orlando, these handcrafted ales use only American-grown certified-organic barley malt. Three Orlando Brewery ales are available on tap, including Blonde Ale, Pale Ale and Blackwater Dry Porter. Also on the menu is gluten-free Redbridge lager.

Trendy cocktails are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start the day with a Pomegranate Splash (vodka, pomegranate liqueur, cranberry juice and soda water) or the Ultimate Bloody Mary (organic vodka, Bloody Mary mix and a dash of red chili sauce).

“Natural and flavorful are the buzzwords for cocktails,” said Stuart McGuire, director of beverage sales and standards for Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts. The Pure-tini mixes organic vodka with organic mango and passion fruit liqueur. The Antioxidant Cocktail features wild berry vodka, black raspberry liqueur, açai juice with agave, lychee, aloe juice and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

The Wave is part of a revitalization at Disney’s Contemporary Resort that includes a makeover of the hotel’s fourth floor with a new game arcade and new quick-service eatery for salads and sandwiches (replacing Concourse Steakhouse). The popular Chef Mickey’s restaurant and the monorail station anchor that family-friendly area.

I’ll admit it, I’m starting this post off from a really biased position. I’m no fan of reality TV shows, and I’m certainly no fan of American Idol. Who actually thinks opening the American Idol attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

The reason I’m dredging up this old news is that the finale of this years American Idol has just been taking place with the winner, David Cook, bellowing ‘I’m going to Disney World!’ during the celebration. He also starred in the latest ‘I’m Going to Disney World!’ commercial just hours after the event. The attraction is due to open in January 2009.

So wind yourself back to February 2008 when the press release for American Idol was announced. They said the show would include an audition process for all who register, vocal coaching, makeup session and the chance to perform live on stage. Guest performers who get the highest votes will get to appear in the end-of-day finale of the show.

I guess the main question I have is, as a participant how long will all this take? As a member of the audience, again how long will this take out of my day and why do I want to waste my time listening to other people sing badly? One of the main draws of the show for many people is listening to the judges barbed comments. I cannot see someone on the Idol stage at DHS being ripped apart?

Besides the fact that I’m not an American Idol fan, don’t you just feel that Disney are pitching up with a lot of money a little late down the road of this franchise? I’m not too sure how many more seasons are lined up for American Idol, but I do feel that Simon Fuller is going to be the main winner out of this tie-in.

Official Press Release celebrating David Cook’s win on American Idol:

LOS ANGELES — To celebrate “The American Idol Experience” attraction coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, David Cook shouted the famous words “I’m Going to Disney World!” Wednesday night, May 21, after being crowned the newest “American Idol” in the popular show’s star-studded season finale in Los Angeles. Camera crews captured Cook’s pronouncement on the Nokia Theatre stage just moments after “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced his name to millions of viewers watching worldwide.

Later that night, Cook was featured in the newest “I’m Going to Disney World!” commercial that aired only hours after the finale. Starring in a role usually occupied by sports stars — such as Super Bowl or World Series champs — Cook is the first singer to ever star in the Disney commercial.

Cook’s role in the “I’m Going to Disney World” ad is all in celebration of the new “American Idol” attraction that will open at Walt Disney World in Florida in January 2009.

Currently under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park, it’s the first attraction anywhere in the world based on the popular television series, through an agreement with FremantleMedia Enterprises and 19 Entertainment.

When complete, Disney guests will be able to experience the thrill of an interactive attraction amidst all the glitz and glamour of the “American Idol” television show.

By starring in the commercial, Cook joins a line up of superstar professional athletes from the fields of football, basketball, and baseball, who have shouted the famous line during the past 20+ years, “I’m Going to Disney World!”

http://wdwnews.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=109908

There were rumors that there would be a Mickey character in the guise of an X-Wing pilot at this years Star Wars Weekend. Unfortunately that hasn’t materialized.

Another disappointment for Mickey fans will be the news that Jedi Mickey will not be taking park in any meet-and-greet sessions at this year event. Jedi Mickey’s only involvement in the 2008 event will be his participation in the parades. This is due to the fact that the guys at Disney claim that there is no room in the park for a meet-and-greet for the park’s usual Mickey Mouse and a Jedi dressed Mickey.

If you’re feeling a little disappointed of the lack of Jedi Mickey being available for meet-and-greets, then luckily three new characters will be suitable stand-ins.

The plan is that Leia Minnie, Vader Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald (bound to be the favorite character of the meets) will be taking the meet-and-greet sessions instead.

There are a few minor closures at Downtown Disney happening at the moment for the usual maintenance that needs to take place. Most notable on the list is that Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba show in the West Side of Downtown Disney is due to be closed for two weeks, re-opening on the 3rd of June.

The 8Trax nightclub closed this weekend, but is due to re-open on Thursday, so that sounds like it was just minor sprucing up.

Cap’n Jack’s restaurant in the Marketplace area of Downtown Disney re-opened last weekend after it’s annual maintenance completed.

Disney have announced that the official opening date for the new Toy story Mania ride situated in the new Pixar Place area of the park will be on the 31st of May. Cast members, the press and annual pass holders have had their chance to experience the new attraction since the start of the month.

Disney have also released some photos of the actual cars you ride in, if you look closely you’ll see the cars seat four people (2 back-to back).

COPYRIGHT 2008. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

See below for a photo of the Toy Soldiers lowering a scrabble board sign into position at the front of the attraction.

COPYRIGHT 2008. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Walt Disney World guests start donning 3-D glasses and entering a wild and wooly 4-D world of Woody, Buzz and other favorite “Toy Story” characters when Toy Story Mania! makes its grand premiere May 31 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As part of Disney’s “Year of a Million Dreams,” the attraction will also debut on the West Coast, with a scheduled opening in Disney’s California Adventure at Disneyland Resort June 17.

Inspired by the Disney-Pixar films “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” Toy Story Mania! raises the bar for interactive ride-game attractions. It’s a high-energy, immersive adventure that puts guests right in the action as their game play triggers fun surprises that provide a fourth dimension of fun. Toy Story Mania! engages guests in a whole new way with the delightful characters of the films.

In the timeless tradition of Disney storytelling, Toy Story Mania! takes its inspiration from the fact that Andy’s toys spring to life whenever he is away. Soon after Andy got a “Midway Games Play Set” for his latest birthday, the toys jumped at their first chance to open the box and set up the game booths and carnival trams so everyone could ride and play. That means “no assembly required” for their game-playing guests – just nonstop fun. (That is, until Andy gets home!)

Upon entering the attraction, guests are welcomed by Mr. Potato Head, more than five feet tall and looking like he stepped right down from the movie screen. The state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics Mr. Potato Head makes a perfect carnival barker, capable of engaging guests in two-way conversation and encouraging them to “step right up” for the immersive Toy Story Mania! experience.

Everyone gets a front row seat when guests put on their 3-D glasses, “shrink” to the size of a toy and board Toy Story Mania! carnival tram ride vehicles which add a huge amount of fun to the interactive experience. The exciting and colorful route takes guests through “Andy’s Bedroom” filled with oversized murals and toys. The vehicles angle to face Toy Story Mania! game booths — high-tech yet rooted in classic midway games of skill — and guests aim for 3-D animated targets using their own on-board spring-action shooters. Players pair up and sit side-by-side for a friendly competition that delivers an ever-changing variety of targets and surprises.

As they play, guests can actually see the “virtual” objects they’ve launched leave their spring-action shooters and hit (or miss) the targets. And thanks to 4-D special effects technology, they may sense objects whirring past them as they pop out of the 3-D scenes.

The Toy Story Mania! games — five of them, plus an introductory practice round — are designed to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages and skills, from beginners to experienced gamers. Play is energized by the spirit of the “Toy Story” characters cast in games that best suit their very animated personalities.

First comes the “Pie Throw Practice” round in which guests can try splattering targets with virtual pies.

Next, Hamm hosts a “Hamm & Eggs” booth in which players launch plastic virtual eggs at various barnyard targets.

“Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop” presents a landscape full of balloon sheep, trees and other objects at which guests can launch virtual darts. But players had better be careful! A popped virtual water balloon might add an additional 4-D wet dimension to the game.

From there it’s on to “Green Army Men Shoot Camp” where the challenge is to break plates with virtual baseballs.

Next up is “Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers,” a ring-toss game hosted by everyone’s favorite space ranger, with Little Green Aliens as the targets.

For the grand finale game, Toy Story Mania! players ride through Wild West scenes launching virtual suction-cup darts at targets in “Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery.” A final “Woody’s Bonus Roundup” encourages guests to fire their spring-action shooters as rapidly as possible at one last super target for extra points. When scores are tallied, players’ skill levels are identified and they can see how they’ve done compared to the high scores.

The game play of Toy Story Mania! is accompanied by creative musical variations of Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got A Friend in Me,” arranged by veteran music editor Bruno Coon, a frequent Newman collaborator, to complement the games — for example, a military brass band version for “Green Army Men Shoot Camp.”

No matter how many times guests return to ride and play, they can be sure every ride-through will seem different.