This is my blog dedicated to all the latest theme park news, a blog covering every park across the world from Six Flags Magic Mountain (California) all the way to Disneyland Tokyo. Scroll down a bit to start reading, or a bit more to read more about me. Check out my new YouTube page at www.youtube.com/parkparadise2011. Make sure you subscribe!
Disney World’s Epcot - Behind the Scenes at Test Track 2.0
The new test track at WDW’s Epcot has opened with major guest popularity, and Chevrolet has just released this brand new video showing off behind the scenes magic for the re-construction. Check it out!
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom - Grand Opening of Fantasyland
Check out the grand opening ceremony show of the new Fantasyland from the Magic Kingdom yesterday. Jordin Sparks took the stage to sing a medley of all the classic Disney songs which make up the new Fantasyland!
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Simulator NEW
During the grand opening event for New Fantasyland yesterday at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom press and special guests were presented with a computer simulation of part of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride, which is set to open in the park in 2014. Check out the video above, it looks like a great addition to the new Fantasyland!
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom - Flying Dragon! NEW
Disney has finally unveiled its long-rumored flying, fire-breathing dragon, sending it soaring over the expanded New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.
The dragon, which is actually a micro-light aircraft, took to the skies above the park during the media preview event for the updated land. Disney described the stunt as a “special, one-night appearance” for the dragon, but it is expected that it will eventually become a regular fixture at the Magic Kingdom.
Disney has been teasing the new dragon effect via a special Tumblr blog at disneydragons.tumblr.com. The aircraft had previously been spotted undergoing testing, and was originally suspected to be in development for the planned Avatar Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom - New Fantasyland OPENS
I have been very busy over the last week or two with all my exams coming up, I apologise for the lack of updates! Alas, today Disney World’s Magic Kingdom OFFICIALLY opened their brand new Fantasyland.
Gennifer Goodwin (Snow White on “Once Upon a Time”) and Jordin Sparks joined a regal (talking) Mickey Mouse and Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs in Belle’s Village to cut the ribbon for the grand opening ceremony! Check out the video above from Orlando Attractions Magazine.
Disney World’s Epcot - Test Track 2.0
It has been a week now since Test Track 2.0 was re-opened to staff members and soft openings to the public, and it was only a matter of time before we saw clips popping up on YouTube. The video above shows off a brief segment of the ride in action. The clip shows off what has been done to recreate the old Barrier Test room, that leads right into the start of the high speed outdoor track test. The video gives fans a good idea of the effects and the theme we can expect to see throughout the new ride when it opens in December.
D23 2013 - Events Announced
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has just announced a slate of fantastic events for 2013, which will cross the country sprinkling pixie dust on D23 Members and Disney enthusiasts of all ages.
The fan club will bring its popular Sip & Stroll event, celebrating the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, back to Walt Disney World Resort in fall 2013, as well as an all-new festive family event, D23’s Holiday Splendor, which will deck the halls in December of 2013.
Walt Disney World Resort will also play host to one of the ten stops of D23’s Fanniversary Celebration, the exciting multimedia road show event, which commemorates dozens of magical milestones celebrating an anniversary in 2013. This all-new show will highlight anniversaries for such park favorites such as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (50th), Tokyo Disneyland Resort (30th), Horizons (30th) and Disney’s Animal Kingdom(15th). Along with its Orlando stop, Fanniversary will bring Disney delight to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
The Walt Disney Imagineering campus in Glendale will host two special events at its Mickey’s of Glendale employee store, flinging open its doors exclusively to D23 Members on Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, June 8, 2013.
Returning in 2013 are D23’s popular tours of the Walt Disney Studio Lot and Archives, where guest have the opportunity to truly walk in Walt’s footsteps, as well as their 50 and Fabulous and From the Vaults film series held in the original Studio Theater on the Burbank Lot.
Finally, D23’s most spectacular event of 2013 will be its third D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which will take place August 9 – 11, 2013, at the Anaheim Convention Center, directly across from the Disneyland Resort. This can’t-miss, unforgettable three-day experience for Disney fans will once again be brimming with live appearances, musical performances and autograph opportunities by Disney’s top stars from films, TV and music; exclusive sneak peaks of what’s on the horizon at Disney Parks around the world, plus entertaining presentations on a variety of Disney topics. Attendees will also thrill to the always compelling Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit and the exciting Disney Legends Ceremony.
WDW’s Epcot - Test Track 2.0
Jump over to WDWmagic.com to read one of the first reviews of the updated Test Track at Epcot. It seems that the update is more a re-branding of the ride which some fans may not be quite satisfied with. The new test track officially opens on 6 December 2012.
Click here for the review.
Disney World’s Hollywood Studios - Behind the Scenes
Disney World’s Hollywood Studios has just started soft opening rehearsals of their brand new Pirates of the Caribbean experience. The new attraction will have it’s official grand opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 6.
The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow is a walk-through attraction that will allow guests to follow in the footsteps of Jack Sparrow to see if they have what it takes to join his rowdy and daring pirate crew.
Walt Disney Imagineering just shared this amazing video with Disney fans this week, in which Imagineers Jason Surrell, Laura Mitchell, Charita Carter and Jason Roberts take us behind the scenes of the making of this new experience. According to them, creating an entirely new attraction based on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise was a dream come true, as was working with the film’s lead actor, Johnny Depp, who reprised his role as Captain Jack Sparrow for the attraction’s film elements.
Port Aventura Resort - Costa Caribe Expansion CONFIRMED
Port Aventura has this week confirmed a waterpark expansion on the way for 2013. The expansion will include a new Pirate and Sesame Street themed pool area for families to play, plus the tallest drop slide in Europe standing 31m tall. The addition of Europe’s tallest drop slide has been on the cards for a number of years now, with rumours of a volcano theme. It will definitely be a contender for WDW Blizzard Beach’s Summit Plummet. In addition Costa Caribe will also add a 6-lane racer style slide.
A blog of all the latest theme park knowledge shared with the world. Soon to be expanding into the travel world too.
I used to run a theme park dedicated website through High School, but now I've moved on to the blog scene with the latest videos, pictures and breaking stories.
Make sure you check out my new YouTube page at www.youtube.com/parkparadise2011 and subscribe!!
Thanks for reading!
