Some excellent news has been announced for Star Wars fans visiting one of the Star Wars Weekends 2008 during June at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. An exclusive in-depth look at the making of this big-screen animated epic that is due for national release on August the 15th will be shown at the weekend that will take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during June.

“The Clone Wars is Star Wars as you’ve never seen it before, so it makes sense The Clone Wars at Star Wars Weekends that we’re offering fans at Star Wars Weekends something completely unique — an early glimpse at a Star Wars movie,” said Kayleen Walters, director of marketing for Lucasfilm Ltd. “We’re working with Disney to create an event no Star Wars fan will want to miss.”

Other events during the weekends include autograph sessions with stars of the Star Wars movies, the “Padawan Mind Challenge,” allowing kids under 12 to test their wits before the Jedi Council; “Legends of the Force,” a motorcade featuring favorite Star Wars celebrities; and “Jedi Training Academy,” that has become a full-time feature at the park.

The event will be hosted by Warwick Davis, who played Wicket in ROTJ, across all four of the weekends.

The stars that have signed up to appear at the event are as follows:

June 6 - 8
Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett)
Daniel Logan (Young Boba Fett)

June 13 - 15
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
David Prowse (Darth Vader)

June 20 - 22
Matt Wood (General Grievous)
Amy Allen (Aayla Secura)

June 27 - 29
Dave Filoni (Supervising Director of The Clone Wars)
Jake Lloyd (young Anakin)

A list of characters that will appear at the weekends are:

Jedi Mickey
Leia Minnie (New for 2008)
Vader Goofy (New for 2008)
Stormtrooper Donald (New for 2008)
Queen Amidala
Aurra Sing
Boba Fett
Cantina Band
Chewbacca
Clonetroopers
Darth Maul
Darth Vader
Ewoks
Jango Fett
Jawas
Princess Leia
Luke Skywalker
R2-D2
Shaak Ti
Stormtroopers
Tusken Raiders
Zam Wesell

Toy Story Mania! is currently been tested by cast members and annual passholders at the moment but in readiness for it’s official opening, Disney have released a load of interesting facts about it’s newest attraction. Most interestingly for me is that the ride will have a single rider option.

Facts:

• Each ride vehicle weighs as much as 8,580 Woody dolls.
• It would take 5,026 toy soldiers lined up end-to-end to make up the total track length.
• Toy Story Mania! is the first time that Walt Disney Imagineering is creating an attraction for two Disney Parks simultaneously.
• It has been estimated that, each day, guests may break over one million virtual plates using the spring-action shooters.
• Riders in the Sky, the award-winning group that wrote the songs that Mr. Potato Head performs as part of the attraction, is the same group that wrote “Woody’s Roundup” for the “Toy Story” feature films.
• This is the first attraction that Walt Disney Imagineering designed where the Imagineers had to wear 3-D glasses to art direct all the black-light paint elements.
• The murals located in the load area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are the largest murals painted since Epcot was built.
• In the queue area: The viewfinder is just shy of four feet in diameter and the Christmas lights are 13 inches long.
• In order to create a show that responds not only to every pull of a guest’s spring-action shooter but also every move their midway tram makes, there are more than 150 computers communicating over multiple networks throughout the attraction.
• At Toy Story Mania!, every guest gets to experience life at the size of a toy. So in Andy’s room, a 5 foot 6 inch person will feel about 14″ tall.
• More time was spent programming Mr. Potato Head than for any other Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering.
• Mr. Potato Head will be able to say more lines of dialogue than any Audio-Animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering.
• “It’s a ride that’s a game. It’s a game that’s a ride,” says Mr. Potato Head to queuing guests. “Step right up and see what’s inside.”
• The Mr. Potato Head Audio-Animatronics figure is the first time that an Audio-Animatronics figure can remove a body part and re-attach it (in the case of his ear).
• The Mr. Potato Head Audio-Animatronics figure has new, highly expressive and animated eyes that can look directly at a particular guest in the queue when speaking to him/her.
• Mr. Potato Head marks the first Audio-Animatronics figure whose mouth appears to form words and vowel sounds.

Game:

• In each of the Toy Story Mania! games, there is at least one “easter egg” — targets that can trigger the appearance of bonus high-value targets and other changes in the scene.
• Toy Story Mania! is the first time that Woody and Buzz Lightyear (along with some of their friends) from the Disney-Pixar “Toy Story” films appear together in a ride-through attraction.
• Watch for loose change in the prize scene — Hamm is carrying more than $6 in coins when his cork pops.

Nice to Know:

• Because of the indoor nature of the attraction and to keep the guest experience fun for all, flash photography or video is not allowed on Toy Story Mania!
• Everyone can play! There is no height or age restriction for guests to experience Toy Story Mania!, creating a multi-generational experience the entire family can enjoy together.
• A beeline to fun! At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Mania! utilizes Disney’s FASTPASS, a return voucher offering little or no waiting time at select attractions. Single riders also have their own queuing option for Toy Story Mania!

To coincide with the release of the new Narnia movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the Prince himself will be meeting and greeting visitors to Disney Hollywood Studios from May 16, 2008.

The handsome fellow in the picture will also be promoting the new attraction to coincide with the movie, that will replace the old Journey into Narnia attraction.

COPYRIGHT 2008. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Official Disney Press Release about the attraction.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 14, 2008) — This summer, some of the characters from C.S. Lewis’s timeless fantasy The Chronicles of Narnia come to life at Walt Disney World in Florida. Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian, an all-new soundstage attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offers an in-depth and unique look into the making of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” (released in theaters May 16 by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media Films).

The journey begins at the queue where guests can test their knowledge of the Narnia stories. Next, guests will have an option of participating in a meet and greet with Prince Caspian himself against a backdrop of the “Dancing Lawn,” the location where the Narnians first confront Prince Caspian in the movie. Fans who can’t wait to be transported will have the option to head directly into the new movie attraction Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian.

The attraction opens with a narration from the film’s director, Andrew Adamson, who explains the behind-the-scenes footage of the making of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” Guests then pass through an archway carved into stone that reveals an underground vault which holds the stone table where, in the first movie, Aslan sacrificed himself.

“Guests and fans alike will be drawn into a different world as they enter the Narnia portal,” says Dave Hoffman, art director for Walt Disney Imagineering. “By using audio and visual effects with multiple surround screens, we immerse guests into The Chronicles of Narnia like never before.”

In addition to the immersive, behind-the-scenes experience, guests can view authentic props from the movie set and costumes worn by the actors and actresses in the film. Even the structure of “Aslan’s How,” which is visible as guests “cross over” into Narnia, was cast from the same molds as the one used in the actual film.

The attraction itself will open in early summer but the meet and greet experience with Prince Caspian is currently open for guests to enjoy. Guests will find it located at Soundstage 4, between Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream and Toy Story Mania!, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In a suprise announcement, Universal Studios have said that a new coaster snappily titled the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit Rollercoaster will be opening at Universal Studios Orlando in 2009. Planned as a big, bright and brash rollercoaster featuring technology that will supposedly appeal to the “Youtube Culture”.

Universal Studios aim to make the coaster the stand out attraction at the park, and it will certainly draw your eye as it is going to stand at 167 feet making it the tallest coaster in Florida. Loaded with tonnes of loops and corkscrews, Rockit will be the first major outdoor thrill ride for the Universal Studios park and is slated for opening in Spring 2009.

The coaster is going to be squeezed between the Jimmy Neutron attraction and the Sharp Aquos Theater (where the Blue Man Group currently perform, but the track of the Rockit will hang over the Citywalk sidewalks, meaning the actual cars leave the park. It’s good to know we are not losing attractions with this new addition.

“We like to look at this as taking the thrill ride to a whole new level, both physically and figuratively,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Parks & Resorts’ creative division, “It’s iconographic in its position. It’s going to do some things no ride has done before. And it combines entry into the digital age with the ability to customize and personalize the ride for each rider.”

Universal have really stepped up to the mark recently, with the likes of The Simpsons Ride tie in, as well as the opening of Disaster! earlier this month.

It’s easy to visit Orlando and not see anything beyond the theme parks. Let’s face it, we drag ourselves thousands of miles across continents to visit the Mouse. If you look beyond the obvious Disney / Universal / Seaworld attractions there are a number of interesting cultural, shopping and dining experiences beyond the parks. Here’s a couple of ideas.

Orlando Museum of Art
The Orlando Museum of Art has provided an outlet for arts education and appreciation since its founding in 1924. The museum presents up to 12 exhibits at the museum each year and 13 exhibitions at locations throughout the greater Orlando region. The museum also offers lecture series, special events, workshops for children and special programs for teachers. The museum is closed on Mondays and major national holidays.

Orlando Science Center
Explore the wonders of science and its impact on daily at the Orlando Science Center. Interactive exhibits appeal to all ages and feature everything from high-tech inventions to Florida’s six native habitats to the human body. The museum’s CineDome and Planetarium show entertaining screen productions on everything from solar systems to lions roaming the Kalahari Desert.

AMC Pleasure Island Theatre
With 24 giant screens, you’re sure to catch the latest Hollywood release at AMC Pleasure Island Theatre located in Downtown Disney. The theaters feature stadium seating and high-tech surround sound for maximum movie-going pleasure. AMC Pleasure Island is open daily.

Mall at MiIlenia
Shop for the finest luxury brands at the Mall at Millenia in Orlando. The mall is anchored by Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus and also features such designer retailers at Juicy Couture, Jimmy Choo, Chanel and Salvatore Ferragamo. World-class shopping isn’t the only thing offered at Mall at Millenia. Concierge services, a U.S. post office for shopping spree shipping, foreign money exchange and a variety of top line restaurants complete the experience.

The Florida MallThe Florida Mall
Outfit yourself, your family and your home at The Florida Mall in Orlando. With six department stores and over 250 specialty retail stores, you can shop till you drop and then some! Need a retail break? The Florida Mall offers dozens of dining choices ranging from fast food to sit-down service.

Prime Outlets
The Prime Outlets on International Drive in Orlando is the place to shop for designer fashions at reduced prices. The outlet shopping center features over 110 nationally recognized brands, including the only Neiman Marcus LAST CALL store in Central Florida. Other favorites include Coach Factory, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Gap Outlet and Nike Factory Store.

U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
Experience the life of an American astronaut at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral (about 50 miles from Orlando). View amazing collections of personal artifacts and exhibits from famous astronauts, take control in the Astronaut Adventure Room where for a true space-like journey, and view actual astronaut training simulators.

Lake Eola
Stroll the beautiful 43 acres of Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando for a relaxing afternoon. The paved sidewalk rings the lake allowing for convenient walking and jogging. Paddle boats and electric gondola boats are available for rent. Plays and concerts are also held at Lake Eola Park, which offers beautiful views of the Orlando skyline.

The very popular Pirate and Princess Party has returned to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. On select nights, this hard-ticketed event takes over the Magic Kingdom’s streets, filling them with festivities themed to pirates and princesses.

An exclusive parade, called Enchanted Adventures, is performed at each party, and features all of your favorite Disney princesses, swash-buckling pirates including Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa, and even a live and in-person appearance by Tinker Bell herself. The party continues with the Magic, Music, and Mayhem fireworks spectacular which climaxes with a high-seas pyrotechnic battle over (and on top of) Cinderella Castle that proves to be the highlight of the night.

Beyond the parade and fireworks, Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party includes live music and jokes from pirate bands, Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirate tutorial, a special appearance by Aladdin, and themed dance parties throughout the park.

The remaining nights for the Pirate and Princess Party are:
January 26, and 29
February 2, 5, 9, 14, 22 and 26
March 1, 6, 11 and 14

Ticket prices:
Advance Sales Price:
Ages 10 and over: $43.95 + tax
Ages 3-9: $37.95 + tax

Day of Event Price:
Ages 10 and over: $45.95 + tax
Ages 3-9: $39.95 + tax

For more information, visit Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party web page.

Officially opening on January 17‚ 2008, there have been some soft previews of the Disaster Ride at Universal Studios. As expected, it is a re-work of the Earthquake attraction, with a slant towards the more generic disaster movie and away from the old Charlton Heston movie.

In fact, Heston has been removed totally from the attraction, with your host now being Frank Kincaid (AKA Oscar Winner Christopher Walken) the fictional movie director. With some cool effects, Kincaid appears projection appears to run on the stage, interact with the audience and elements on the set (furniture and the like).

Next up, volunteers from the audience are filmed getting reaction shots for the ride finale.

The ride itself is fairly similar to the old Earthquake where you take the subway to a station and encounter a simulated underground earthquake.

At the end of the ride, the action shots filmed of the audience are put together with your ride and shown on monitors in your tram on the way back to the final destination.

So Disaster! really is a A Major Motion Picture Ride.

It looks as if the re-opening of Spaceship Earth might be ahead of schedule of the last date we heard which was the 19th of Feb. So after being closed in the Summer and due to be re-opened in November we’re hoping for a December/January re-opening.

Here’s why…

Epcot’s Spaceship Earth ride is expected to reopen in mid-December for sneak previews with a new story overlay, new technology and a whole new soundtrack — created by 10-time Emmy Award-winning composer Bruce Broughton, a 63-piece orchestra and a 24-voice choir.

Walt Disney Imagineering announced late last week that Broughton’s music has been fitted to each scene in the attraction’s storyline, which follows the history of human innovation from one generation to the next, from prehistoric times to the 21st century.

The ride was closed earlier this year as the entire system also has been updated with new show scenes, lighting, costumes, set decorations, interactive features for riders and a new narrator, Academy Award-winning actress Judi Dench.

For the musical score, each scene was infused with styles and instruments appropriate to the time period. “To have that score transition smoothly as vehicles travel from one time period to the next is extremely difficult,” said Walt Disney Imagineering show producer Bob Zalk. “The first time we rode through the attraction accompanied by that music, we were amazed.”

The 180-foot-tall Spaceship Earth geodesic sphere opened as Epcot’s centerpiece in 1982 with a ride storyline that originally focused more on the history of human communications. It has had occasional updates, but this year’s overhaul by Walt Disney World and the attraction’s sponsor Siemens AG was the first major change.

Hi… We need to do a bit more work on the site, but in the meantime we’ve created a new forum for all your Orlando Visiting Questions.

Click here to visit the forum.