MiceAge: Mathmagicland

As always, a very enlightening Disneyland update from Al Lutz.

But I'm not sure where he got those attendance numbers from, though the sentiment is correct.

Construction begins on Buena Vista Street mid-September.

Screamscape: Tron in Hollywood Backlot at California Adventure

From Monday's update:

... according to one report sent in Disney may be planning on giving a large portion of the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area a new Tron theme later this year as a promotion for the new film. One possible plan right now is to turn the old Millionare soundstage into ‘Flynn’s Arcade’. A lot of the blacklight theme from GlowFest may stay to be converted into a Tron theme, and a possible scale sized Recognizer may be built to appear as if it was looming over Hollywood Blvd. Can anyone else confirm this?

His tipster is not far off.

Orlando Sentinel Blog Reports on Expedition Everest's Lame Yeti

“The yeti is a complicated Audio-Animatronics figure whose complex functions have presented some challenges affecting its operation,” said Walt Disney World spokeswoman Andrea Finger. “We purposely took measures in 2008 to reduce unnecessary stress and preserve many of its functions while we studied possible long-term solutions.

“At this point,” she added, “we’re still considering those options.”

When will the figure once again work as intended? Never.

The design is fundamentally flawed and the current figure worthless. Someday we may see a fresh attempt, but bearing little in common with the original design.

First Artwork for Mickey's Soundsational

New parade coming to Disneyland Spring 2011.

I'm not much for parades, but I already find it more compelling than Celebrate! A Street Party.

I have heard that when Pixar Play Parade inevitably journeys to Disney Hollywood Studios, a complimentary parade with the same theme but featuring PIXAR characters could debut at Disney California Adventure.

Disney and More: Walt Disney Studios' Toy Story Playland Preview

Sounds like Flik's Fun Fair at California Adventure: the area is charming and well-accomplished, but the attractions are underwhelming. Capacity sounds painful.

An identical (but mirror-image) land is being constructed at Hong Kong Disneyland, scheduled to open next year. It seems out of place in a Magic Kingdom-style Park, but then so does Toontown.

Updated Effects in Snow White's Scary Adventure at Disneyland

From prolific blogger MintCrocodile. Al Lutz from MiceAge reported on the updated effects a few months back, but they've only now been implemented.

It's always encouraging to see these small improvements, since there is no monetary incentive to do so. A stark contrast to how the Magic Kingdom is managed. Part of it is the "local's park" nature of Disneyland. In many ways, being a hangout is detrimental, but it has benefits as well.

Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom Indefinitely

Not the least bit surprising, given the logistical headaches of having a nighttime parade run at California Adventure through the construction and heaving World of Color crowds.

If nothing else, it is nice to see the parade back on Main Street.

There are persistent rumors that when it returns to the west coast (next year?), it will do so at Disneyland proper.

it's a small world at Magic Kingdom Closed Until 22 October

Installing characters similar to those found at Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland?

Scheduling Note: Limited Posting Through Sunday

I'm on the road with limited internet access. Regular posting resumes Monday.

2D Trailer for 3D Beauty and the Beast Re-Release

Oh hell.

Announced almost two years ago, the 3D conversion was supposed to be released last February. I forgot it existed at this point. A Lion King conversion is also promised.

No updated release date for the States.

MouseInfo: D23 Star Tour Final Flight Photo Report

D23 held a special event last night to commemorate the official final flight for guests of Star Tours at Disneyland.

The attraction remains open at Disney Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World until 08 September and they are holding a Last Tour to Endor party on 14 August.

Right now the updated Star Tours is only announced for Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios, but I have a feeling it won't be too long before it's deployed worldwide.

Deadline: ABC Entertainment Group President Steve McPherson Resigning

But what kept him in the job was that he was considered creatively talented. However, under his watch, ABC has failed to launch a tentpole drama to succeed the departing Lost or the aging Desperate Housewives.

As is very often the case,  Lost, Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy were all developed by ex-ABC Entertainment President Lloyd Braun and his partner Susan Lyne. Braun was forced out of his position as President in 2004 and replaced by McPherson. Guess who got the credit?

It will be interesting, and very telling, to see who is tapped to replace him.

UPDATE: ABC Family's Paul Lee in as President. I'm not a fan of the programming, but there's no denying that ABC Family has turned around under his leadership.

Disney Purchases Social Gaming Company Playdom

This is Disney Interactive's second major gaming acquisition in less than a month, following their 01 July purchase of Tapulous.

Disney will initially pay $563.2 million for Playdom, which is the No. 3 social gaming company on Facebook with about 42 million active players every month. The deal includes $200 million in additional payments should Playdom achieve unspecified growth thresholds.

Disney, along with all of the entertainment giants, invested heavily in video game development during the late 90s and early 00s but suffered heavy losses and got out almost as quickly as they had gone in. Gaming is a notoriously unprofitable business and Disney Interactive Media Group is still in the red quarter after quarter.

But unlike their haphazard stabs at relevancy in the past (Go.com, anyone?), Disney's current moves into the sector at least seem deliberate and part of a larger strategy. But the games business is fickle, so who knows if it'll pay off.

A Few Classic Disneyland Commercials

1977 - Space Mountain

1979 - Big Thunder Mountain (note that Disneyland was only open Wednesday - Sunday)

1987 - Star Tours

1995 - Indiana Jones Adventure

It's interesting to see them emphasize the thrilling and scary nature of these attractions, something they've seemed to walk back recently.

Star Tours Opening Ceremony - Disneyland, 09 January 1987

Part One. Part Two.

Plus, a backstage view from Disneyland Paris of a Star Speeder in action.

via Disney and More

The History of Star Tours

I think it's been retconned and cleaned up by Disney historians, since I've always heard Tony Baxter hated the idea of Star Wars characters in Disneyland.

The original Star Tours at Disneyland closes tomorrow for its 10 month re-imagining.

UPDATE: The 1987 official making-of included in the Star Tours press packet.

Comic-Con: An Announcement From Captain Jack Sparrow

Releasing 20 May 2011. And of course it's in 3D.

For Disneyland, A Tron Attraction in Development

Post 102 and leemac would know. Rumored to utilize the old Peoplemover track.

Post 96:

Tron is a Disneyland property only - the attraction is being developed solely for that park. There are no plans to bring it to WDW.

The entire thread is worth reading if you want a look at the current (depressing) culture of Team Disney Orlando and if you want to know the truth about the rumors surrounding future expansion at the Magic Kingdom.

The short and long of it: no expansion.

Collider: Comic-Con Tangled Panel

I haven't been less excited for Disney animation since Home on the Range, but I'm happy to be proven wrong.

Weekend Box Office: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

45% drop its second weekend means the people that bother to see it like it, but not very many people can be bothered. Should limp to ~$65 million domestically, considerably less than even the disappointing Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

Persia did the vast majority (over 70%) of its business overseas. Foreign grosses remain the only chance that The Sorcerer's Apprentice isn't a complete embarrassment.