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The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia

Monthly Archives: December 2011

The Great Orlando Wheel May Still Be Coming

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This month the company behind the Great Orlando Wheel sent a request to the local water management district to have its permits for construction of the attraction extended until 2016.

The story as we know it: the Great Orlando Wheel – a giant Ferris wheel with scenic views – was supposed to originally open in 2010. The project stalled and was re-hyped again later as opening in 2011. That didn’t happen either. To date, no one we’ve talked to knows of any actual work on the site for the planned attraction.

Regardless, the lawyers for the company behind the Wheel are pushing to get approval to keep the project alive until at least 2016. Perhaps it’ll happen by then. In the meantime, here’s a fun promotional video from back when the Wheel was first announced:

Consultant in 1990 Declares Where EPCOT Center Went Wrong

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In the 1990′s the Walt Disney Company was actually concerned about how EPCOT Center was abandoning its intended purpose and roots as a monument to humanity. It was drifting away from being an educational center and turning into something that existed purely for entertainment.

They hired a group of consultants. This article from 1990 points what one of those consultants feels were the inherent flaws in the EPCOT Center concept.  This feedback would be taken quite seriously by the company and lead to the rebranding of the park in subsequent years. This consultation spurred an almost complete abandoning of the educational aspects and utopian ideology the park had operated with for its first decade.

The irony is, of course, in the consequences of his consultation after he derides EPCOT Center for not showing the consequences of technology. (Link to article if frame doesn’t load.)

Track Refurbishment April to September with Chevrolet as Sponsor

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Latest from the rumor mill:

Test Track is tentatively scheduled to be closed for renovation April 15 – September 21, 2012. The new sponsor of the attraction will be the brand Chevrolet instead of General Motors in general. Here’s some of the artwork already floating around backstage at Disney:

The relatively short refurbishment would bring some changes to the attraction – many rumors speak to some high-tech futurism and forward thinking with a bit of a TRON-inspired aesthetic. You can see our previous blog posting for information about the rumors and overhaul details from when they really began to go full-force earlier this year.

NextGen Modifications – The Attraction List

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Much has been made of the forthcoming NextGen project at Walt Disney World and ideas like XPass, interactive queues, wristband RFID tickets, and customized experiences have been theorized from the outside by many a member of the online Disney community.

Well, now we’ve got some actual names and places. Disney has begun filing work permits for existing locations they intend to integrate as part of the NextGen project. The work is commonly described as “queue modification” on the paperwork, but the most telling aspect is the project completion date: October 1st, 2012.

The following attractions have had paperwork filed for these purposes recently:

  • Spaceship Earth
  • The Seas with Nemo and Friends (entitled “The Living Seas” on the paperwork)
  • The Voyage of the Little Mermaid
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Expedition Everest
  • Toy Story Midway Mania
  • Fantasmic Amphitheater
  • Theater of the Stars (Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage)

The list of attractions and locations may expand in the coming months, but expect to see the first phases of this project fully functional for guests by October 1st, 2012. Additionally, the Theater of the stars venue is notable for also having paperwork listing its expansion – suggesting the Beauty and Beast show will soon end its run and be replaced with a larger and more involved experience by October 2012.

NASCAR Gets Greener with G-Oil Testing at the Walt Disney World Speedway

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The NASCAR world got a bit greener today. G-Oil, America’s first and only API and USDA certified bio-based full synthetic motor oil, announced that it will sponsor driver Tayler Malsam and the TriStar Motorsports Toyota Camry team for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series.

“G-Oil wants to demonstrate to consumers that our American-made green racing oil can stand up to the rigors of  NASCAR  competition,” said Jeffrey Loch, President and CMO of Green Earth Technologies, Inc. “Remember, ‘G-Oil’ is not just on the car– it is IN the car,” said Loch.

Seattle area native Tayler Malsam, 22, got his first laps aboard the #19 G-Oil Toyota during a day-long recent test at the Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando. “There is already an energy and excitement building around the G-Oil TriStar Toyota team,” said Malsam.

“We want to prove that G-Oil works on the track and help tell the story to race fans and non-race fans alike,” said Malsam.

Malsam finished ninth in the 2008 ARCA Series championship as a 19-year-old rookie. He was runner-up to NASCAR veteranJohnny Sauter for Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2009, scoring 10 top-ten finishes.

Kyle Busch selected Malsam as his teammate for the inaugural season of Busch’s truck series team in 2010, but agreed to let Malsam move to the Nationwide Series with Braun Racing. Malsam has driven partial seasons in the NASCAR Truck and Nationwide Series the past two seasons.

“Tayler Malsam is a rising young star in NASCAR and he will help us tell the G-Oil story of clean, American-made, environmentally preferred motor oil not only to NASCAR fans but to everyone who cares about performance, the environment, and American energy independence,” said Loch.

TriStar Motorsports team owner Mark Smith, a 30-year NASCAR veteran, is a key part of the G-Oil program. In addition to his three-car NASCAR Nationwide team, Smith is the owner of Pro Motor Engines (PME) a leading builder of race engines for all three NASCAR series. Smith’s engines have won three NASCAR Truck Series championships (2003, 2004, and 2009). Smith received the prestigious MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year award in both 2008 and 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition.

“PME and the TriStar team are really looking forward to working with Tayler, and the G-Oil Toyota Camry team to help prove the G-Oil story and tell it to a very big audience,” said Smith.

Malsam and the #19 G-Oil Toyota Camry will debut at the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season opening Daytona 300 at the Daytona Motor Speedway, February 25, 2012.

Disney PR Release: Comedy Warehouse at Hollywood Studios

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Hey look! A press release from Disney about the Comedy Warehouse being at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the holidays! It’s pretty bold to refer openly to a venue to shut down amid fan protest as a bullet-point in your promotional materials. We included the interesting DHS tidbit below – the rest is the usually fluff we all know about at all the other parks.

The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special - What says “holidays” better than laughter? At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, laughter will ring out thanks to a special family comedy show scheduled for a limited run at the ABC Sound Studio in the heart of the park. From Dec. 25 through Dec. 31, “The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special” will present the best of improvisational comedy as performers – including alumni from the Comedy Warehouse on Pleasure Island – take suggestions from guests and add their own brand of humor, right on the spot.

The performers hilariously reinvent holiday classics based on suggestions they solicit from the audience, including holiday songs, stories, poems and movie scenarios.  Showtimes (subject to change) are  11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. daily.  “The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special” is included in park admission.

Holiday Flicks at Premier Theater  - Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests can get into the holiday spirit Dec. 23-31 with family-friendly Christmas movies showing at select times in the Premier Theater on the Streets of America. The Disney-animated shorts include “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” “Prep and Landing: Naughty vs. Nice,” and “Phineas and Ferb:  A Very Perry Christmas.” The holiday movie fest is included in regular park admission; seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Premier Theater will also be serving food and beverages at an additional cost, including a make-your-own-cupcake station for kids.

Dust Off Your Resume – Imagineering has a Job Opening!

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This job posting pretty much speaks for itself… we’ll just cut and paste it for your reading enjoyment. Our commentary? “It’s nice to know the person who used to do this.. you know, responsible for things up until now… got fired.”

—

Menu Planning Manager- Creative Business Development
The Walt Disney Company is a world-class entertainment and technological leader. Walt’s passion was to continuously envision new ways to move audiences around the world—a passion that remains our touchstone in an enterprise that stretches from theme parks, resorts and a cruise line to sports, news, movies and a variety of other businesses. Uniting each endeavor is a commitment to creating and delivering unforgettable experiences — and we’re constantly looking for new ways to enhance these exciting experiences. Bring your individual talents here and discover for yourself why a career with Disney is the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

“It takes people to make the dream a reality.” Walt was on to something when he said that, and it continues to ring true today. No matter the stage in your career, being a part of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts means being a part of a team where you help bring innovation to life through unsurpassed products, services and most importantly remarkable experiences. As a Cast Member you are the steward and connection to our legacy and the backbone of our thriving innovations. Join our team and watch your dreams come true.

Menu Planning Manager (Walt Disney Imagineering)
The Parks & Resorts “menu plan” represents the slate of all future projects developed by Walt Disney Imagineering. The Menu Planning group interfaces directly with the creative development & project management teams on all design work from initial ideation to capital approval – helping guide the focus of resources to create new and enhanced Guest experiences. Menu Planning works closely with key counterparts in Operations, Finance, Marketing, Business Development & Capital Planning to manage & evolve master plans for all global locations to drive the greatest business & strategic value.

This position serves as a bridge between the creative, technical, and financial inputs required to successfully integrate projects into our planning process. This role requires an understanding of and sensitivity to the often non-linear creative process yet has the ability to bring structure to this process through an analytical & business perspective.

While directly connected to the creative process, this role does not actively contribute to nor direct project efforts. It is intended to serve as an objective partner to our design teams, portfolio leadership & senior executive management. This role requires attention to detail, self-motivation & a strong desire to learn and grow in a fast-paced creative environment.

This role reports to the Menu Planning Director.
Responsibilities:
• Keep our Menu Plans Current
o Track and update global menu planning documents
o Update menu plan templates/tools
o Ensure accurate alignment with Capital Plan, Creative Development & Project Management

• Track & Status Active Development
o Partner with development teams to track project progress
o Track key project metrics (schedule, target value drivers, investment, capacity, scope options)
o Develop & manage a suite of common, flexible templates

• Drive the Annual Planning Calendar
o Coordinate the annual Needs Assessment process
o Edit & maintain key planning focus document with input from WDI development teams (vision statements, guiding principles)
o Track key project “development parameters” to inform early ideas (Blue Sky)
o Align target metrics with strategic value drivers of each project
o Serve as a key resource for menu and project-related data for WDI development teams

• Connect with Partners & Foster Communication
o Build strong relationships & effective communication with internal & external partners
o Support Menu Planning Director to drive the annual menu planning calendar
o Organize & support various partner meetings & provide timely follow-up

• Synthesize Complex Information into Clear, Effective Presentations & Documents
o Develop & produce presentations summarizing menu planning scope & strategies for executive review & decision-making
o Strong ability to synthesize complex data into succinct principles that can be quickly grasped
Desired Skills & Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in either Business, Finance, Brand Management, Urban/Master Planning or similar strategy-based role is preferred
• A working understanding of the key business/development drivers of the WDP&R business
• Experience with the Disney capital planning and/or project approval process a plus
• Ability to partner and collaborate in a creative environment
• Clear visual and verbal communicator
• Strong eye for visual/graphic methods of communication
• Ability to synthesize and convey complex information in a concise way
• Successful multi-tasker
• Excels in a deadline-driven environment with many assignments
• A self starter, takes initiative with initial direction
• Ability to design, produce and edit presentations in a variety of formats for review
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote, Advanced Excel, Database software development desired
• Broad planning experience within TWDC and/or Parks & Resorts preferred

EOE. Drawing Creativity from Diversity.

Rare Pigs Debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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The Animal Care team at Conservation Station has some new animals to brag about with the arrival of three kunekune pigs, a rare breed that has just made its debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Found in New Zealand but believed to have originated in China, kunekune pigs also are known as Maori pigs after the first people of New Zealand. “Kunekune” means “plump” in the Maori language. Kunekunes nearly became extinct in the 1980s before breeding efforts increased their numbers.

To help with the pigs’ care at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and to acclimate them to the up-close experience with Guests at Affection Section, animal keepers have been working with the kunekune pigs on a variety of behaviors. This training, which is similar to techniques used with pets, helps keeps the pigs fit, intellectually stimulated and comfortable around Guests.

“Most people have heard about endangered species in reference to wild animals, but many domestic animals are at risk of extinction as well,” said Jackie Ogden, Ph.D., vice president of Animals, Science and Environment for Disney Parks. “By showcasing rare domestic breeds, like babydoll sheep, Nigerian dwarf goats and kunekune pigs at Affection Section, we are helping our Guests learn more about them and how they can help.”

Fun facts about kunekune pigs:

  • Kunekunes are a small breed that usually weighs from 90-120 pounds when fully grown. They have a round body, a short up-turned snout and a curly tail. Some have a wattle (a fleshy growth hanging from the neck).
  • The pigs can be black, white, ginger (red), brown or gold tipped, and their coats can be spotted, striped, marbled, solid, curly, smooth, rough, long or short.
  • They are grazers and foragers. They eat shrubs, weeds, bird eggs, snakes and mice, and usually don’t root

Theater of the Stars at Hollywood Studios to be Expanded

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Disney filed paperwork today to expand the Theater of the Stars (home of the Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage show) in the near future.

The venue had previously been located right at the entrance of Hollywood Boulevard from 1989-1993 and moved to its current location in 1994 when Hollywood Boulevard at the then Disney-MGM Studios theme park expanded to add the Twlight Zone Tower of Terror.

No word on a possible closure or reworking of the Beauty and the Best show is known at this time.

Report: Test Track Tested Something December 6-7th (with Photos)

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We’ll admit it internet. We’re baffled. Earlier this week Disney sent of this decree to warn it’s Cast Members that something was going to be happening at the Test Track attraction in Epcot:

We often test new concepts and technologies in our  parks as part of our ongoing innovation process to make the entire Guest experience even better. As part of that effort, we will be testing a new technology at Epcot at Test Track, December 6-7.  The technology we are  testing may or may not end up as part of our park offerings

We sent out an all-points-bulletin to the twitterverse and got some interesting data. We have no idea what to make of the information about the “testing” that people who experienced it have reported back. Not even the Cast Members at the attraction seem to know what was going on or why. Here’s the raw data for your analysis:

Guests entering the building through the FastPass line were given these random white cards to carry through the queue and attraction:

To clarify – those aren’t FLIK cards which are used to measure the average wait time of the attraction. What do they do? We don’t know, but a few CM’s at the attraction were willing to use the word RFID in reference to the cards. This does seem like a likely part of the overall RFID technology push Disney pursuing in the parks.
As our awesome twitter pal informed us:

@thejrt you scan the card once at start of queue, before briefing room, and before you enter the car. Collected after ride. All RFID.

This is what the RFID scanner thingy looks like. This one was located just before boarding the attraction:

Why…? For what purpose? We’re still not sure. If you have any idea what this technology is being used for and what exactly was being tested – we’d love to know! The comments are always a good place to start, but if you want some privacy you can use the “contact us” page as well