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Tag Archives: Attraction

June 1

Posted on June 1, 2013 by disneydetail

June 1, 1995 – The Disneyland Paris Attraction Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune Opens

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“Feel the g-force as you dodge screaming meteorites and black holes – and then go back and do it again!”

On June 1, 1995, the Disneyland Paris attraction Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune (translated as “From the Earth to the Moon”) opened in Discoveryland. The attraction is actually a variation of the popular Disneyland attraction Space Mountain, and was built to create interest around the then struggling park. It is the fastest of all versions of Space Mountain, and cost $89.7 million to create. The theme was inspired by author Jules Verne’s 1865 novel From the Earth to the Moon, and was the first roller coaster to have a synchronized audio track, known as the Synchronized On-Board Audio Track (SOBAT). The attraction’s queue area was designed for a Victorian feel, in keeping with the Verne story. In 2005, the attraction was redesigned, and was renamed Space Mountain: Mission 2.

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May 31

Posted on May 31, 2013 by disneydetail

May 31, 2008 – The Attraction Toy Story Midway Mania! Opens in Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios

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“Ride and shoot moving targets at this midway-style, 4D shootin’ game starring your favorite Toy Story characters.”

On May 31, 2008, the 4-D attraction Toy Story Midway Mania! opened in Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. Inspired by the Toy Story franchise, guests board spinning vehicles while wearing 3-D glasses, and enter Andy’s room to play five carnival midway games. It is one of the most technologically advanced and expensive attractions created for the park, costing about $80 million. The host of the attraction is an Audio-Animatronic Mr. Potato Head, decked out as 1920s barker, who tells jokes and identifies people in the audience to talk to. The five games of skill are: Hamm & Eggs (shooting down barnyard animals and hardboiled eggs), Rex & Trixie’s Dino Darts (launching darts and popping balloons), Green Army Men Shoot Camp (baseball toss at plates), Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers (a ring toss on the Little Green Men), and Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery (suction-cup darts shot at mine0cart targets). Each game has an Easter egg that triggers gameplay changes or additional targets.

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May 28

Posted on May 28, 2013 by disneydetail

May 28, 1966 – The Fantasyland Attraction it’s a small world Opens in Disneyland

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“There’s so much that we share that it’s time we’re aware it’s a small world after all.”

On May 28, 1966, the Fantasyland Attraction it’s a small world opened in Disneyland. It was originally designed for the 1964-1965 World’s Fair in New York, and was moved to Disneyland once the fair had closed. The attraction’s design was a group effort, with Disney Legends Mary Blair creating the quirky design and color scheme, Marc Davis creating the character designs, Alice Davis designing the costumes for the dolls, Rolly Crump designing the exterior façade with a 30-foot clock, and Blaine Gibson designing and sculpting the dolls. The songwriting team of the Sherman brothers wrote the song for the attraction, which was a simple tune that could be easily sung in different languages, and has become one of the most recognizable Disney songs. There are 297 Audio-Animatronic dolls and 256 Audio-Animatronic toys in the attraction. The exterior has been redesigned over the years; it was first designed as an all-white attraction with a gold and silver trim, but was then repainted pink and white with pastel accents, matching the façade from the Disneyland Paris version of the attraction.

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May 23

Posted on May 23, 2013 by disneydetail

May 23, 2001 –The Magic Carpets of Aladdin Opens in the Adventureland in Walt Disney World

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“‘A Whole New World’ of fun!”

On May 23, 2001, the Magic Kingdom attraction The Magic Carpets of Aladdin opened in the Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland at the Walt Disney World resort. The attraction is based on the hit 1992 animated feature film Aladdin, and is similar to the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction in operation. A version of this attraction opened in Disneyland on March 16, 2002, and a third one opened in Tokyo DisneySea on July 18, 2011.

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May 20

Posted on May 20, 2013 by disneydetail

May 20, 1973 – Tom Sawyer Island Opens in Walt Disney World

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“Brave an adventure all your own at this rustic, secret hideaway inspired by the stories of Mark Twain.”

On May 20, 1973, the Frontierland attraction Tom Sawyer Island opened in Walt Disney World. It was based on the original attraction in Disneyland, which opened on June 16, 1956. At the Florida attraction, the fort is named Fort Langhorne, although was originally called Fort Sam Clemens. Visitors can explore the fort, which includes a watch tower, a blacksmith shop, and an escape tunnel; visitors can also travel through Injun Joe’s Cave, with rocky passageways and strange fossils. There is also a refreshments stand called Aunt Polly’s Landing, which sells mainly ice cream and drinks.

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May 4

Posted on May 4, 2013 by disneydetail

May 4, 1977 – The Tomorrowland Attraction Space Mountain Opens in Disneyland

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“Rocket into the outer reaches of darkest space on this high-speed thrill ride that hurtles you into the final fun frontier!”

On May 4, 1977, the Tomorrowland attraction Space Mountain opened in Disneyland. When the parks opened, there were no real thrill attractions, and Space Mountain was created to appeal to young guests that liked thrill rides. The idea of the attraction began in 1964, when Walt Disney approached John Hench to create an indoor dark roller coaster. When Disney passed away in 1966, the idea was shelved. The original Walt Disney World attraction opened on January 15, 1975. The Disneyland version is a smaller version of the one at Walt Disney World, as space limitations prevented the creation of the dual-track layout. Disneyland’s version has been replicated at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, and Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005. It has become one of the most popular attractions in the park.

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April 23

Posted on April 23, 2013 by disneydetail

April 23, 1957 – The Fantasyland Attraction Midget Autopia Opens

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On April 23, 1957, the Fantasyland attraction Midget Autopia opened in Disneyland. The attraction was meant for children who were too small for the Autopia attraction. However, Walt Disney supposedly disliked the fact that only children could ride this attraction, and it was closed on April 3, 1966. When it was removed from Disneyland to be replaced by the walkway for it’s a small world, the full attraction was donated to Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri, although it has not been in operation for several years

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April 22

Posted on April 22, 2013 by disneydetail

April 22, 1998 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Opens in Walt Disney World

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“ …a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn.”  – Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner

On April 22, 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom park opened in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It is the fourth park built in Florida, and Disney’s largest park, spanning more than 500 acres. The theme of the park is mainly animal conservation, with the Tree of Life, a large sculpted tree, standing as its symbol. The park itself is split into seven different areas: Oasis, featuring animal habitats; Discovery Island, serving as the land’s central hub and containing the Tree of Life at its core; Camp Mickey-Minnie, built like a summer camp where guests can meet several characters; Africa, containing several animal exhibits and the Kilimanjaro Safaris; Rafiki’s Planet Watch, which focuses on conservation efforts supported by the Walt Disney Company; Asia, which was part of an expansion area added to the park in 1999; and DinoLand U.S.A., which gives guests an in-depth look at dinosaurs. The park has been ranked seventh in overall visits to theme parks around the world.

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April 9

Posted on April 9, 2013 by disneydetail

April 9, 1961 – Walt Disney Dedicates Snow White Grotto

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“Stars from stage, screen, television and show business in general, as they visit the Park, are planning to make their contributions along with the public as they pass the Wishing Well and admire the beauty of the latest addition to the Disneyland scene.”

On April 9, 1961, Walt Disney dedicated the Snow White Grotto in Disneyland. The idea for the grotto came from a slight dilemma: Disney had received marble figures of the characters from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but the statues were all of the same size. Designer John Hench came up with a smart solution of proportions, using the illusion of height and distance by placing Snow White at the top of the scene, having her stand over the other characters. When the scene is viewed from the footbridge, Snow White appears to be perfectly in proportion with the dwarfs. Also featured is the Wishing Well, seen in the opening scenes of the film, inscribed with “Your wishes will help children everywhere.” In 1983, the original voice of Snow White, Adriana Castelotti, was asked to come in and rerecord “I’m Wishing” for the New Fantasyland opening. The song is heard over the waterfall, and echoing back from the well.

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March 5

Posted on March 5, 2013 by disneydetail

March 5, 1983 – The “Journey into Imagination Attraction” Opens in Walt Disney World’s Epcot Theme Park

Journey into Imagination

“Figment the playful, purple dragon is your guide on this whimsical tour of the Imagination Institute.”

On March 5, 1983, the “Journey into Imagination” attraction opened in the Future World pavilion in Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park. The attraction’s host was a top hat-wearing red-bearded man called the Dreamfinder (played by Chuck McCann) who collects dreams with his Dream Catcher, and creates a new character, Figment, the dragon (voiced by Billy Barty), from a figment of his imagination. Visitors were taken to several different rooms filled with imaginative ideas, and at the end of the attraction, their pictures are taken as they travel on the omnimover. The attraction was closed on October 10, 1998, to be completely renovated into the Journey into YOUR Imagination 3-D movie, hosted by Dr. Nigel Channing (played by Eric Idle). This version was then closed on October 8, 2001, and reopened again on June 2, 2002, as “Journey into Imagination with Figment.” The song performed in the attraction, “One Little Spark,” was written by the Sherman Brothers, and has been used in all three incarnations; the most recent incarnation has Figment voiced by Dave Goelz.

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