Archive for the 'Tokyo Disneyland' Category
Star Tours reboot coming to Disneyland and Disney World in 2011
September 12, 2009 12:01pm
The 1980s-era Star Tours attractions at Disneyland in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida will get a complete overhaul by 2011, Disney announced today.
In the new 3-D version of the venerable simulator ride, visitors board a Starspeeder and join a high-speed pod race through the desert canyons of Tatooine in a scene from the “Star Wars” movie series.
When, where and how: Marvel characters in Disney theme parks
September 9, 2009 9:13am
I’ve heard the same refrain for the last week or so: How will Disney ever incorporate the dark and edgy Marvel comic book characters into its family-friendly fairy tale theme parks?
While at first glance the task seems daunting, upon further reflection the opportunities appear endless. It’s certainly not a question of “if” but rather “when, where and how.”
It’s been fun to imagine the juxtaposition of Marvel’s assassins, terrorists, serial killers and vigilantes mixing on Main Street USA with Disney’s princesses, fairies and army of anthropomorphic animals. But Marvel also has a deep bench of heroes and villains in its 5,000-character catalog that would blend seamlessly into Disney’s theme parks.
The early contenders will almost certainly come from the ranks of Marvel’s past films (”Spider-Man,” “X-Men,” “Hulk,” “Iron Man,” “Fantastic Four”) and upcoming releases (”Thor,” “Captain America,” “Avengers,” “Silver Surfer,” “Ant Man”). There’s even a few minor characters that would fit perfectly in specific Disney attractions and themed lands.
Disney’s done it before with “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “The Muppets,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” and even Aerosmith.
And while Disneyland might not be the ideal match for Marvel characters, the superheroes fit like a skin-tight spandex suit in Disney’s “studio” theme parks.
So, keeping in mind that Mickey and Spidey have only been in-laws for less than a fortnight, lets take an unofficial and speculative look at how the marriage of Marvel and Disney might play out in the company’s theme parks around the world:
A brief history of the future of Star Tours 2.0 at Disneyland
May 9, 2009 7:08am
One of the longest-running Disneyland rumors got another boost this week when news resurfaced of an impending upgrade to the dated Star Tours ride, which debuted at the Anaheim theme park in 1987.
A look back at the many hints — always denied by Disney officials — dropped in recent years of the imminent arrival of Star Tours 2.0:
April 2005 – George Lucas announces at a “Star Wars” convention that Star Tours “will be getting an overhaul soon,” according to ComingSoon.net.
May 2005 – Mouse Planet columnist David Koenig gives a detailed scene-by-scene description of the pod race scenario envisioned for the Star Tours reboot.
June 2007 – Anthony Daniels (C-3P0) announces at a collectors convention that he has “just finished filming the new digitalized upgrade” for Star Tours.
2009 amusement & theme park preview
December 23, 2008 2:13pm
With the teetering economy and the tightening credit crisis, 2009 is looking like a particularly bleak year for new rides, shows and attractions at amusement and theme parks throughout California, across the United States and around the world. Here’s a brief look at the highlights:
California amusement parks
* Addition of Disney characters to It’s a Small World water ride at Disneyland
* Thematic makeovers of Mickey’s Fun Wheel and Silly Symphony Swings at Disney’s California Adventure
* Terminator Salvation wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain
* “Creature From the Black Lagoon” musical stage show at Universal Studios Hollywood
* “Bob the Builder” 4-D movie at Legoland California
* Odin’s Temple Of The Tiger animal exhibit at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Recap: 2008 amusement & theme park preview
December 29, 2007 11:54pm
In case you missed any of our six-part series previewing the new rides and attractions debuting in 2008 at amusement and theme parks in California, across the United States and around the world, here’s a brief recap of the highlights:
Part 1: California amusement parks
* Toy Story Mania dark ride and Pixar Play Parade at Disney’s California Adventure
* Pony Express horseback coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm
* The Simpsons simulator ride at Universal Studios Hollywood
* X coaster upgrade and Thomas Town kiddie land addition at Six Flags Magic Mountain
* Land of Adventure themed area and Sea Life aquarium addition at Legoland California
* Sesame Street Bay of Play themed area at SeaWorld San Diego
* Tony Hawk’s Big Spin rotating coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
* Firefall flipping-spinning ride at California’s Great America
Part 2: SeaWorld’s Aquatica
* New $50-million water park opening in Orlando, Fla.
Part 3: Florida theme parks
* Toy Story Mania dark ride and Block Party Bash parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios)
* The Simpsons simulator ride at Universal Studios Orlando
* Spaceship Earth dark ride renovation at Epcot
* Jungala themed land at Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa
Funland amusement + theme park blog
December 11, 2007 3:54pm
The Los Angeles Times Funland blog covers news, trends, issues and changes at the major California theme and amusement parks as well as the latest information on new rides, attractions, shows and parades.
Most Popular (See ALL Funland stories)
> How the Disney-Marvel deal affects Universal Studios theme parks
> Wizarding World of Harry Potter to open at Universal Studios Orlando in 2010
> Iger: No plans to bring ‘Captain EO’ back to Disneyland
> Knott’s Berry Farm to add 1980s-era thrill ride in 2010
> Snoops reveal Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park secrets
> Disneyland unveils Halloween theme for Space Mountain, fireworks show
> Walt Disney World monorail crash kills driver
> Could ‘Flash Mountain’ return, in light of Disneyland job cuts?
> Disneyland fires Jack Sparrow — but don’t believe the salacious rumors
> Universal Studios Hollywood to replace ‘King Kong’ with new attraction
Most Commented
> Disneyland passholders: Watch out for birthday blackout dates
> Jonas Brothers tape Christmas Day Parade at Disneyland
> Miley Cyrus’ dad to join her onstage at Disneyland Sweet 16 birthday party
> Man hit by roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain
> Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon throw wedding reception at Six Flags Magic Mountain
> Coaster Wars II: Magic Mountain vs. Cedar Point
> Exclusive tour inside Disneyland’s Dream Suite
> Magic Mountain relinquishes coaster crown
> Dearly departed – on Disneyland rides!
Series Recaps
> Complete coverage: Toy Story Mania at Disney’s California Adventure
> Complete coverage: X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain
> Complete coverage: Pony Express at Knott’s Berry Farm
> Complete coverage: The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood
> Complete Coverage: Land of Adventure at Legoland California
> $1.1 billion California Adventure expansion preview
> 2008 amusement & theme park preview
Park by Park
> Disneyland
> Disney’s California Adventure
> Knott’s Berry Farm
> Universal Studios Hollywood
> Six Flags Magic Mountain
> Legoland California
> SeaWorld San Diego
> San Diego Zoo
> San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park
> Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
> California’s Great America
> Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
> Magic Kingdom
> Epcot
> Disney’s Hollywood Studios
> Disney’s Animal Kingdom
> Disneyland Paris
> Tokyo Disneyland
> Hong Kong Disneyland
> Universal Studios Florida
> Islands of Adventure
> Cedar Point
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During the summer months, Funland will also focus on California’s water parks: Raging Waters (San Dimas, San Jose and Sacramento), Knott’s Soak City (Buena Park, Chula Vista and Palm Springs), Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (Valencia) and Wild Rivers (Irvine).
You’ll also find occasional Funland posts on national and international theme and amusement parks.
Funland Friends
Enthusiast sites
> Screamscape – The Ultimate Guide to Theme Parks
> Theme Park Review – News, updates, photos and videos
> Theme Park Insider – Ride reviews and reader ratings
> Roller Coaster Database – Searchable information on coasters worldwide
> Theme Park Syndicate – Theme park news aggregator
> CoasterBuzz – Portal to the thrill
> Lifthill – Roller coasters, thrill rides and theme parks
> News Plus Notes – Amusement industry news and notes
> Theme Park Rangers — Inside scoop on Orlando attractions
> Westcoaster — News, reviews and rumors on California coasters
> Roller Coaster Pro — “High quality amusement information”
> About.com Theme Parks — Guide to Florida & California parks
> Bear-y Tales — Unofficial Knott’s news and information
> IOA Central — Universal Studios fan site
> Orlando United — Universal and Disney parks in Florida
> Thrill Ride — Ride reviews & random notes
> Ultimate Rollercoaster – Definitive guide to coasters, thrill rides and amusement parks
>
Disney fan sites
> MiceAge – A different look at Disney
> MousePlanet – Consumer’s guide to Disney and theme parks
> Blue Sky Disney – Insider info on Imagineering
> Jim Hill Media – News, reviews, history and commentary
> Yesterland – Discontinued Disneyland attractions
> DoomBuggies – Tribute to Disney’s Haunted Mansion
> The Disney Blog – Disney news and information
> Mickey News – Your complete source for everything Disney
> Laughing Place – Connecting Disney fans around the world
> Mouse Links — A Little Dose of Disney column
> Inside the Magic — Weekly podcast
> Original D — Dedicated to the original Disney park
> Broke Hoedown – The PG-13 ramblings of a Disney fan
> Disney Report — Breaking news from the world, land & company
> Visions Fantastic — Trip planning, discussion, audio & video
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>Industry sites
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> BlooLoop – Networking the Attraction Business
> Amusement Parks USA – Carnivals, fairs, festivals and amusement parks
> Amusement Today – All about the business of fun
> Funworld – Amusement industry magazine
> Park World - News, commentary, profiles, interviews, trade show reports and new ride information
> InPark – Covers theme parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums and museums
> Amusement Today — Amusement industry trade newspaper
> InPark Magazine — Theme park, water park & museum industry news
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
