LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Guests celebrating the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort will have a choice of fireworks shows as Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios present special pyrotechnics and Epcot adds a patriotic “tag” to its famous “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” spectacular. Here’s what’s in store:
Magic Kingdom – “Celebrate America Fireworks” will fill the sky at 9 pm. July 4 (guests who’d like to begin the celebratory weekend a day early can enjoy the special fireworks on July 3 at 9 p.m.). After the fireworks, guests can enjoy a performance of Disney’s “SpectroMagic” parade of lights, music and magic at 10:30 p.m. on July 3-4. Park hours are 9 a.m.-11 p.m. on July 3-4.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Special fireworks will be presented at 10 p.m. on July 4, providing guests with a bonus nighttime entertainment extravaganza to complement “Fantasmic!” (which will be at 9 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Epcot– “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which features dazzling special effects, colorful lasers, brilliant fireworks and fiery torches all choreographed to a musical score, becomes even more dynamic on July 4 as the normal show is supplemented with a patriotic finale. The performance begins at 10 p.m. Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
* Now Updated With The Night Version Videos Below!
This latest addition to Walt Disney Imagineering’sLiving Character Initiative, Luxo Jr. appears on an elevated platform at the Lighting building (above) in Pixar Place, across from the Toy Story Mania attraction.
Luxo Jr. entertains guests on the quarter of the hour all day (12:00, 12:15, 12:45 1:00 etc) with a three minute routine (photos above plus see full video below). We are told he does two different performances, “Medley” during the day and “Conductor” after dark featuring fiber-optic lights in the trees and along the Toy Story Mania show building.
(photos below of Luxo Jr. at night)
This is not the first of WDI’s Living Character Initiative we have covered this year. Remy (below) from the Disney/Pixar film Ratatouille is now appearing at Epcot’sLes Chefs de France restaurant, fresh from his previous engagement at Rendez-Vous des Stars Restaurant in Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Resort Paris (please click HERE for photos and videos of the Chef Remy character)!
The Muppet Mobile Lab appeared at Epcot a few years back and was also part of WDI’s Living Character Initiative (some great photos are HERE)!
For many more great Luxo Jr. photos, please check out MouseSteps latest update HERE! Check back later tonight for more coverage of this great new addition to Pixar Place!
Luxo Jr. Audio-Animatronic Debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Exclusive Video Recorded Today 6/22/09.
Luxo Jr. Debuts at Pixar Place, Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Luxo Jr. debuted (unofficially) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios today, June 22nd, 2009.
Luxo Jr. Debuts at Pixar Place, Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Night Version – Luxo Jr. made his debut on June 22nd, 2009. He had a lot of glitches, but we were still able to capture some video of Luxo Jr. in the evening (he has a different show at night than during the day).
Luxo Jr. Debuts at Pixar Place, Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Day Version After Dark – This is the day version performed at night during the first night of operation!
Jeff Lange turns back the clock to 1986, where you will experience Walt Disney World through the eyes of Disneyana documentarian Bob Welbaum. This incredible vintage footage includes select narration from Mr. Welbaum, who shot this video before recording was commonplace.
Walt Disney World 1986 contains clips from the following: Walt Disney World Resorts, Original Disney Shopping Village, Epcot Center, Discovery Island, Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and much more!
Jeff Lange takes you on a trip back in time to experience classic Disneyland attractions. This fifth volume in the series features the following:
Aladdin’s Royal Caravan (1993), Disneyland Railroad (1992) including the burning settlers cabin, Big Thunder Ranch and more, Beauty and the Beast Show (1993), Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (1993), Alice in Wonderland (1993) and Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks (1993)!
Running Time: 66 Min
For more information or to purchase this item, please click HERE.
Jeff Lange takes you to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom to experience the best of all the “Wishes” nighttime fireworks spectaculars!
Features: Wishes – A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Holiday Wishes – Celebrate The Spirit of the Seasonplus Bonus: Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks!
Today we have photos and exclusive video from 2009’s second Star Wars Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! I also have available my Star Wars Weekends 2006 3-DVD Set featuring all of your favorite adventurers from that year (click HERE for more information)!
* Now updated with additional videos from weekend #2
Jedi Mickey waves to the crowd to begin the Legends of the Force celebrity motorcade (below, left). Rebel Troopers from the the Rebel Legion march down Hollywood Boulevard (above left).
* Now updated with additional videos from weekend #1
Today we have photos and exclusive video from 2009’s first Star Wars Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! I also have available my Star Wars Weekends 2006 3-DVD Set featuring all of your favorite adventurers from that year (click HERE for more information)!
Last week, I had the innate pleasure of being one of the first to view the brand new Disney/Pixar movie “UP“. The Wadsworth’s Aetna Theater in Hartford, Connecticut held a free screening that even preceded Cannes.
The film revolves around the character Carl Fredericksen (voiced by Ed Asner), a 78 year old curmudgeonly balloon salesman who’d lived his life dreaming of an adventure to South America with his wife Ellie. As children, they’d idolized the adventurer Charles Muntz, and Ellie longed to follow in Muntz’s footsteps to Paradise Falls. A beautiful 5-minute montage details their lives together, though sadly they never embark on this dream together. Ellie passes away, leaving Carl with a scrapbook that eventually brings about a tremendously moving moment in the film.
Carl is about to lose his beloved home, which holds a lifelong of memories of life with Ellie. As development is surrounding his house, he’s finally forced to make a decision to save his home in the only way he knows how – with thousands of balloons, taking Carl on the adventure South America that he and Ellie had always hoped for. His journey is shared with Russell, a persistent 8 year old Wilderness Scout who has been trying to “help” Carl in order to earn the last badge needed for his Wilderness Scout sash. The badge is for “assisting the elderly”, though Carl needs no assistance. Russell starts out an annoyance, but they forge a special bond by the end of the film.
The scene where Carl, or “Mr. Fredericksen”, as Russell calls him, sees Paradise Falls for the first time brings to memory the moment in Ratatouille where Remy gets his first look at Paris. Paradise Falls is based on an actual place in a remote area of South America that Pixar team members traveled to for inspiration – you can find a photo of the team in the new “UP” display at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. This is where, in the film, Carl and Russell encounter Kevin, a delightful, giant bird with a penchant for chocolate.
John Lasseter subscribes to Walt Disney’s theory that “for every laugh, there should be a tear“. “UP” delivers many laughs, but bring a few tissues as well. This Pixar film is no different than others in delivering memorable characters, with a lot of heart and real emotion. If there is only one quibble I have with the film – a minor one – the music didn’t stick with me after the film was through. I guess I’ll have to see the film again to make sure it does.
The Pixar short “Partly Cloudy” shown prior to“UP” is a winner too – but would you expect less from Pixar?
“UP” is in my top 3 Pixar films. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Today I have some great photos and video from the new meet and greet area of Disney/Pixar’s new film “UP“. This opened today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I actually had a chance to see the film last Saturday at a special showing in Hartford, Connecticut (A full report on the event can be found HERE). I love the film and it is in my top three favorite Pixar releases!
The new “UP” meet and greet area is in the usual spot inside TheMagic of Disney Animation attraction.
I am currently working on a very special DVD project featuring some recently discovered vintage Walt Disney World footage circa 1986! I am enjoying working on this very much and being able to rediscover some things I never thought I would get to enjoy again. Just a few highlights are the original Disney Shopping Village, The Contemporary and Polynesian Village before the Grand Floridian was built (although you see the land being cleared), Discovery Island, classic Epcot Center, Magic Kingdom and much more. Watch this site for more details on this exciting project! Also, go to Mousesteps for a new contest for an Epcot Flower and Garden Screensaver, the contest ends June 3rd.
Today we feature the latest happenings around Walt Disney World, starting with the test of the Club Penguin meet and greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (below)! The two-week test ended yesterday, and there is no word yet on whether the meet and greet will be brought back. Look for characters soon from Pixar’s UP!
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Guests celebrating the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort will have a choice of fireworks shows as Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios present special pyrotechnics and Epcot adds a patriotic “tag” to its famous “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” spectacular. Here’s what’s in store: 
