Disney Dweebing
Disney to close Sydney animation studio
SYDNEY -- Australia's production community has been dealt a blow with the news that the Walt Disney Co. will close its Sydney-based animation facility in mid-2006.
The closure of the 17-year-old DisneyToon Studios Australia will cost about 250 jobs, the company said in a statement. Though the animation community has no union here, it is understood that staff will be offered severance pay EDITOR'S NOTE: I BELIEVE THIS WAS THE LAST OUTPOST OF HAND-DRAWN ANIMATION FOR THE MOUSEHOUSE? (NOT SURE, BUT I THINK THIS IS THE CASE).
Euro Disney warns of lower full-year sales
EDITOR'S NOTE: HAVE WE EVER READ ANY PURELY GOOD NEWS ABOUT EURO DISNEY VIS-A-VIS REVENUES?
PARIS -- French theme park operator Euro Disney on Thursday reported revenues of €755.4 million ($914.3 million) for the nine months to June 30, up 3% from the same period last year.
But the company warned that full-year sales would be lower than previously forecast, as third-quarter revenues slipped 1% to €261.3 million ($316.2 million), with fewer guests visiting its parks and hotels as a result of the Easter holidays falling in the second quarter.
The theme park operator, owned 40% by the Walt Disney Company, had forecast a revenue increase of about 5% last April.
Euro Disney said the improved nine-month results reflected higher average spending per guest at its parks outside Paris. The 4% revenue growth from its theme parks was offset by lower average daily room rates at its hotels and a drop in convention sales, the company said in a statement.
EDITOR'S NOTE: AND NOW....ASK THE MOUSE!
Will the 50th anniversary gold buildings and rides at Disneyland stay gold forever? Shelly J., Spokane, WA
The 50th anniversary celebration at Disneyland is planned for 18 months, beginning in May 2005, so after that time the gold décor should be removed. EDITOR'S NOTE: AFTER THAT TIME, IT WILL RETURN TO ITS USUAL, SUBTLE, SUBDUED NORM. (SNICKER)
SPACE MOUNTAIN SOURS AGAIN
One of Disneyland's best-loved attractions had an out-of-this-world makeover
Peek out the windows of the Space Mountain"space port," and you never know what you might see.
For more than two years, one of Disneyland park's most beloved and thrilling attractions has been under wraps. Hopeful space pilgrims would make the trek to Space Mountain, only to find the doors to Disneyland park's space station closed to the public for renovation.
At long last, on July 15, 2005, Space Mountain reopened to transport travelers to the outer reaches of the galaxy.
Is it be worth the wait?
The Insider sat down and got the scoop from Imagineer Chrissie Allen, who worked on the refurbish - and who has personally embarked on dozens of test flights on the attraction. She let us in on everything that's new, improved, and out of this world about Space Mountain.
Most of us who had ridden it thought Space Mountain was pretty cool to begin with, so why improve on a good thing? According to Chrissie, it was time for a facelift for the attraction, which was nearly 25 years old (Space Mountain first opened at Disneyland park in 1977). EDITOR’S NOTE: I REMEMBER!!! (GOSH, I SURE AM OLD).
The improvements at Space Mountain have gone far beyond sprucing it up. Chrissie tells us, "There are all kinds of changes, from the front door to the exit."
When Guests arrive for their journey into space, they're now greeted by a brand-new mezzanine with new plantings and a landing strip. The changes aren't just pretty; they help the attraction tell a new and exciting story, she explains. "We're calling it Space Station '77, in homage to the opening year. At the front door, there's a graphic that shows what Space Station '77 looks like from outer space, and it's really a cool image. The corridors have been completely redone. We're trying to say that you're entering the space station, and when you get on the ride you'll know when you're in the launch sequence, you'll know when you're in space, and you'll know when you return."
Because the story is such an important part of the experience, in the new Space Mountain (unlike the old experience) FASTPASS and stand-by Guests use the same entrance, so they can be immersed in the same atmosphere from the very beginning. That atmosphere continues inside.
"All of the corridors are brand new. There's new art, new graphics, a new safety video, and then you enter the spaceport. We've done some pretty cool stuff there. We took the old CMB300 space probe, and it looks like a new ship has returned in its place," Chrissie reveals. "The main room still has a kind of '2001: A Space Odyssey' look, but the space probe has undergone a great transformation. And the status board where they used to keep track of the launches has now become a beautiful window into outer space. It shows some footage of what looks like the planet Mars, and when you look up to this window, you get the feeling the station is rotating around this planet, and you see nebulae and meteorites and stuff going around. If you kind of lock in on it, it makes you feel like maybe the space station is rotating. It's kind of a neat feature." EDITOR’S NOTE: OH. RIGHT. I JUST ADORE IT WHEN IT FEELS LIKE THINGS ARE ROTATING. URP…..
One change to Space Mountain was actually part of the original plans for the attraction, but simply couldn't be implemented with the resources available in 1977.
"In the final launch tunnel, they wanted that tunnel to mechanically rotate. It's very hard to do, because it's about 90 feet of mechanical tunnel, rotating with a live ride track in the center," Chrissie explains. "Now the designers at Walt Disney's Imagineering unique Research and Development group have created a rotating tunnel using special effects. And everyone who's been on it so far - some people think the tunnel IS mechanically rotating, but it's all done with what we call 'illusioneering' - it's a special effect that just makes it appear the tunnel is rotating." EDITOR’S NOTE: OK, JOEL. YOU GO ON IT FIRST AND LET ME KNOW IF THE ROTATING IS GOING TO CAUSE BARFING.
The attraction vehicles are also all new, and include state-of-the-art onboard audio systems - each vehicle holds a whopping 42 speakers! This ensures that the new soundtrack to your interstellar adventure (composed by Michael Giacchino, who scored "The Incredibles"EDITOR’S NOTE: AND THE MUSIC FOR “LOST”) is heard to its best advantage. Chrissie tells us that the music has been carefully orchestrated to heighten the emotions Guests feel on their "joy ride through space" - including nervousness as they ascend through the final launch tunnel before rocketing off into the dark.
And that dark has never been darker.
Although it's not as high tech as the "window" into outer space or the revamped attraction vehicles, one of the most impressive changes at Space Mountain is the way the Imagineers send travelers hurtling through total darkness. "When you're flying through the star field and the nebulas, you really can't see what's coming. The track and everything has disappeared," says Chrissie proudly.
How did they do this? "It's magic!" she laughs. "We made dark, darker. We did it with black and black interior finishes. We closed up all the light leaks - doors and frames that let light in from the outside. I ride it a couple of times a day and I'm always amazed at how dark it is."
Yes, Chrissie has had the enviable task of enjoying Space Mountain every day for months, as final preparations have been made for the reopening.
Well - perhaps it's less enviable when you learn that she suffers from motion sickness! EDITOR'S NOTE: A LADY AFTER MY OWN....HEART? STOMACH?
"When we first started the show integration, I would have to steel myself to ride every morning," she groans. "And what I learned was that the more I rode it, the more fun I had! I ride it a bunch of times every day now and it doesn't bother me anymore. It's such a great flying experience now – it's much smoother than it used to be." EDITOR’S NOTE: AS LONG AS IT’S NOT AS PHYSICALLY VIOLENT AS THE PARIS DISNEY SPACE MOUNTAIN. I MEAN, COSMETIC CHANGES SOUND COOL. IF THEY WERE TO RE-VAMP THE ENGINEERING OF THE RIDE ITSELF TO MAKE IT AS FAST AND CHURNING AS THE PARIS VERSION, I WILL HAVE TO MEET YOU IN THE GIFT SHOP.
SYDNEY -- Australia's production community has been dealt a blow with the news that the Walt Disney Co. will close its Sydney-based animation facility in mid-2006.
The closure of the 17-year-old DisneyToon Studios Australia will cost about 250 jobs, the company said in a statement. Though the animation community has no union here, it is understood that staff will be offered severance pay EDITOR'S NOTE: I BELIEVE THIS WAS THE LAST OUTPOST OF HAND-DRAWN ANIMATION FOR THE MOUSEHOUSE? (NOT SURE, BUT I THINK THIS IS THE CASE).
Euro Disney warns of lower full-year sales
EDITOR'S NOTE: HAVE WE EVER READ ANY PURELY GOOD NEWS ABOUT EURO DISNEY VIS-A-VIS REVENUES?
PARIS -- French theme park operator Euro Disney on Thursday reported revenues of €755.4 million ($914.3 million) for the nine months to June 30, up 3% from the same period last year.
But the company warned that full-year sales would be lower than previously forecast, as third-quarter revenues slipped 1% to €261.3 million ($316.2 million), with fewer guests visiting its parks and hotels as a result of the Easter holidays falling in the second quarter.
The theme park operator, owned 40% by the Walt Disney Company, had forecast a revenue increase of about 5% last April.
Euro Disney said the improved nine-month results reflected higher average spending per guest at its parks outside Paris. The 4% revenue growth from its theme parks was offset by lower average daily room rates at its hotels and a drop in convention sales, the company said in a statement.
EDITOR'S NOTE: AND NOW....ASK THE MOUSE!
Will the 50th anniversary gold buildings and rides at Disneyland stay gold forever? Shelly J., Spokane, WA
The 50th anniversary celebration at Disneyland is planned for 18 months, beginning in May 2005, so after that time the gold décor should be removed. EDITOR'S NOTE: AFTER THAT TIME, IT WILL RETURN TO ITS USUAL, SUBTLE, SUBDUED NORM. (SNICKER)
SPACE MOUNTAIN SOURS AGAIN
One of Disneyland's best-loved attractions had an out-of-this-world makeover
Peek out the windows of the Space Mountain"space port," and you never know what you might see.
For more than two years, one of Disneyland park's most beloved and thrilling attractions has been under wraps. Hopeful space pilgrims would make the trek to Space Mountain, only to find the doors to Disneyland park's space station closed to the public for renovation.
At long last, on July 15, 2005, Space Mountain reopened to transport travelers to the outer reaches of the galaxy.
Is it be worth the wait?
The Insider sat down and got the scoop from Imagineer Chrissie Allen, who worked on the refurbish - and who has personally embarked on dozens of test flights on the attraction. She let us in on everything that's new, improved, and out of this world about Space Mountain.
Most of us who had ridden it thought Space Mountain was pretty cool to begin with, so why improve on a good thing? According to Chrissie, it was time for a facelift for the attraction, which was nearly 25 years old (Space Mountain first opened at Disneyland park in 1977). EDITOR’S NOTE: I REMEMBER!!! (GOSH, I SURE AM OLD).
The improvements at Space Mountain have gone far beyond sprucing it up. Chrissie tells us, "There are all kinds of changes, from the front door to the exit."
When Guests arrive for their journey into space, they're now greeted by a brand-new mezzanine with new plantings and a landing strip. The changes aren't just pretty; they help the attraction tell a new and exciting story, she explains. "We're calling it Space Station '77, in homage to the opening year. At the front door, there's a graphic that shows what Space Station '77 looks like from outer space, and it's really a cool image. The corridors have been completely redone. We're trying to say that you're entering the space station, and when you get on the ride you'll know when you're in the launch sequence, you'll know when you're in space, and you'll know when you return."
Because the story is such an important part of the experience, in the new Space Mountain (unlike the old experience) FASTPASS and stand-by Guests use the same entrance, so they can be immersed in the same atmosphere from the very beginning. That atmosphere continues inside.
"All of the corridors are brand new. There's new art, new graphics, a new safety video, and then you enter the spaceport. We've done some pretty cool stuff there. We took the old CMB300 space probe, and it looks like a new ship has returned in its place," Chrissie reveals. "The main room still has a kind of '2001: A Space Odyssey' look, but the space probe has undergone a great transformation. And the status board where they used to keep track of the launches has now become a beautiful window into outer space. It shows some footage of what looks like the planet Mars, and when you look up to this window, you get the feeling the station is rotating around this planet, and you see nebulae and meteorites and stuff going around. If you kind of lock in on it, it makes you feel like maybe the space station is rotating. It's kind of a neat feature." EDITOR’S NOTE: OH. RIGHT. I JUST ADORE IT WHEN IT FEELS LIKE THINGS ARE ROTATING. URP…..
One change to Space Mountain was actually part of the original plans for the attraction, but simply couldn't be implemented with the resources available in 1977.
"In the final launch tunnel, they wanted that tunnel to mechanically rotate. It's very hard to do, because it's about 90 feet of mechanical tunnel, rotating with a live ride track in the center," Chrissie explains. "Now the designers at Walt Disney's Imagineering unique Research and Development group have created a rotating tunnel using special effects. And everyone who's been on it so far - some people think the tunnel IS mechanically rotating, but it's all done with what we call 'illusioneering' - it's a special effect that just makes it appear the tunnel is rotating." EDITOR’S NOTE: OK, JOEL. YOU GO ON IT FIRST AND LET ME KNOW IF THE ROTATING IS GOING TO CAUSE BARFING.
The attraction vehicles are also all new, and include state-of-the-art onboard audio systems - each vehicle holds a whopping 42 speakers! This ensures that the new soundtrack to your interstellar adventure (composed by Michael Giacchino, who scored "The Incredibles"EDITOR’S NOTE: AND THE MUSIC FOR “LOST”) is heard to its best advantage. Chrissie tells us that the music has been carefully orchestrated to heighten the emotions Guests feel on their "joy ride through space" - including nervousness as they ascend through the final launch tunnel before rocketing off into the dark.
And that dark has never been darker.
Although it's not as high tech as the "window" into outer space or the revamped attraction vehicles, one of the most impressive changes at Space Mountain is the way the Imagineers send travelers hurtling through total darkness. "When you're flying through the star field and the nebulas, you really can't see what's coming. The track and everything has disappeared," says Chrissie proudly.
How did they do this? "It's magic!" she laughs. "We made dark, darker. We did it with black and black interior finishes. We closed up all the light leaks - doors and frames that let light in from the outside. I ride it a couple of times a day and I'm always amazed at how dark it is."
Yes, Chrissie has had the enviable task of enjoying Space Mountain every day for months, as final preparations have been made for the reopening.
Well - perhaps it's less enviable when you learn that she suffers from motion sickness! EDITOR'S NOTE: A LADY AFTER MY OWN....HEART? STOMACH?
"When we first started the show integration, I would have to steel myself to ride every morning," she groans. "And what I learned was that the more I rode it, the more fun I had! I ride it a bunch of times every day now and it doesn't bother me anymore. It's such a great flying experience now – it's much smoother than it used to be." EDITOR’S NOTE: AS LONG AS IT’S NOT AS PHYSICALLY VIOLENT AS THE PARIS DISNEY SPACE MOUNTAIN. I MEAN, COSMETIC CHANGES SOUND COOL. IF THEY WERE TO RE-VAMP THE ENGINEERING OF THE RIDE ITSELF TO MAKE IT AS FAST AND CHURNING AS THE PARIS VERSION, I WILL HAVE TO MEET YOU IN THE GIFT SHOP.
posted by QOTD (the Queen of the Dweebs) at 4:50 PM
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