Disneyland CA - Cars Land

A lot has changed since I was here last only a year and a half ago. Cars Land has been finished and ElecTRONica is no longer running having been replaced by the Mad T party.   Personally I think they need to bring back Tron. The live band was decent but nothing compared to everything that was going on before.  I did manage to snag a picture and autograph with the White Rabbit DJ who seemed super excited.  There was no one dancing the futterwacken though...

Cars Land is fantastic! They totally brought Radiator Springs to life and you feel as if you are really in the movies. I did not get a chance to go on Radiator Spring Racers because the wait was over 2 hours all the time. Luigi's Flying Tires was a welcome surprise. Imagine a giant air hockey ring, where you are riding the puck! Less impact than bumper cars and so much more fun and interactive as well. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree was also a big surprise and not at all what I expected. Those lovable tractors toss and turn you to a country line dance. Hold onto your Mickey ears they get more whip on them than expected.

D23: Pixar Doing Our Homework.

From Saturday morning's panel of Pixar directors here is a few fun facts I learned about the research that goes into these amazing films.

For Finding Nemo many of the artist department became certified divers to learn more about the underwater world they were creating including the Director himself.
Research for the obese humans of Wall-E was done by observing sea lions!
UP had research done in Venezuela. While on site the trip to the top of the mountain was supposed to take 1.5 hours but actually took everyone over 10! Also the grandfather of the director was secretly videotaped to have reference for Carl Frederiksen's movements and mannerisms.
Before starting on Brave the Pixar family came together to discuss mother-daughter relationships to make sure that the feud between Merida and Elenor was not made without basis.
The Toy Story series included a lot of bringing in childhood toys to work for the Pixar team and reliving the play habits of their youth. Jonas Rivera admits to being the destructive child much like Sid from the movie by blowing things up and waiting for them to break. Whereas John Lasseter was Andy and played nicely with stories behind everything.

During the Q&A there were a few things that were memorable to me.
When asked about creative license versus following reality a scene from Finding Nemo was recalled by the director. During research the team visited a sewage processing plant and ask what would happen if a fish was flushed and put through the system. The resounding response of "It would die" was all it took for the team to realize, alright we will act like we didn't hear that information.
With inconsistencies and plot holes such as this the production team does their best to cover it up with other information. Their job is to create a refrigerator moment of it. So that when the movie is over and you are back home getting something from the fridge you realize; Oh wait! Did they really do that?
Its brilliant in my opinion that they are able to do that so well and cover the small incongruities that do happen when you are making a complete new world and story. There will always be those small slips with any film but it is impossible to say that Pixar does not go through the extra effort to truly have all the details for their movies.

D23 Expo 2013

D23 Expo 2013, a set on Flickr.

D23: Live Action

If I only go to one of the events in the D23 Arena I'm glad it was this one!  Opened by the chairman Alan Horn, only 14 months at Disney,  with sizzle reels of the upcoming movies including the following:

Star Wars - episode 7 is to be expected Summer 2015 as well as more information about a spinoff that takes place in the star wars universe. Director JJ Avos, score composed by John Williams.

Thor 2 - the presentation included an extended look at the movie which seemed very epic as well as the unfinished scene of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) first day in Asgard. Special appearances by Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), and Anthony Hopkins (Odin).

Captain America the Winter Soldier- expected April 2014. Presentation included a first look at the first clip for the movie.  Cap is getting hands on and knocking those guys out!  Special appearances by Chris Evans (Captain America), Anthony Mackee (Falcon), and  Sebastian Stan.  Apparently Chris Evans will be visiting the happiest place on earth here at  Disneyland.

Guardians of the Galaxy- filming right now in London expect this movie in August 2014. I really don't know much about the comic but the trailer makes it look like a comedy.

Avengers Age of Ultron-not much information here but a brief teaser was played.

Disney Nature Bears- premiers Earth day 2014 and proceeds will benefit the National Park Foundation.

President of live action production Sean Bailey presented the Walt Disney Studio movies coming in the near future.

Muppets Most Wanted- spring 2014, music by Brett Mckenzie. Special guest Ty Burell in his Interpol mini car and a video from some of the cast on location in London.

Into the Woods -holiday 2014 based on the Broadway musical.  Filming begins at the end of August cast includes Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp.

Cinderella- Disney's live action will finally be here March 2015. Director Sir Kenneth Branagh. Lily James as Cinderella, Richard Madden as Prince Charming,  and Helena Bonham Carter as the fairy godmother.

Maleficent- July 2014. Angelina Jolie made a surprise stop as her kids were in the parks, she herself plays Maleficent and her daughter plays a young Aurora. Exclusive never before released footage was shown.

Tomorrowland - a supposed lost box labeled 1952 had brought the inspiration for the new movie which seems to be mostly for all the Disney  conspirators.  Expected in December 2014 George Clooney will star as an inventor.  Producers Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof were 
on hand with some of the contents of this box and the rest are on display on the expo floor. 

Saving Mr. Banks- this holiday season is time to see Walt Disney himself finally portrayed in this story of getting the rights to Mary Poppins. Tom Hanks as Walt and Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers. Bj Novak and Jason Schwartzman pkay the legendary Sherman brothers and had a special   performance of Let's Fly a Kite on stage with Richard Sherman himself! 

D23: Mystic Manor Hong Kong

Just finished watching my first presentation at the expo! Learning something new about a Park I haven't been to yet.

Any Disney park fan knows the Haunted Mansion, Disneyland Hong Kong brings new life to it.  You can say Hello to Albert the monkey in the Mystic Manor ride. Just don't forget your fez!

The whole area of Mystic Point is like one of the lands from the other parks but completely different from the classic fantasy or main street. Tokyo uses its space wisely by having more lands with very different attractions rather than one large themed area.

The ride is based on a member or the adventure's club and his mansion of rare ancient artifacts. The preshow is more humorous than foreboding,  they showed a video. The ride is totally new the is no movie or story base to learn from. Similar to tge sorcerers apprentice who does somethibg they aren't supposed to Albert opens a Pandoras box and has to redeem himself and fix the mansion that has come to life. 

The music was composed by Danny Elfman so you know it will be memorable.

In typical imagineer fashion they put their own autograph into the ride.  The society of explorers is made up of all those amazing minds.
The ride itself is trackless and the carriages are lead through by rfid. 
I can't write everything about the ride or the show but I do know I can't wait until 8 get to the Disney resorts out East!