Showing posts with label Orlando. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orlando. Show all posts

Saturday, February 23, 2013

The New & Improved TEST TRACK

Epcot Guests Design Their Dream Wheels, then Buckle Up for Fun at the Re-Imagined Test Track Presented by Chevrolet


Copyright: Disney - by Matt Stroshane
 LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Walt Disney World Resort guests will enter the world of automotive design as never before, creating their own virtual concept, then boarding a “SimCar” ride vehicle to race through a thrilling series of performance tests when the re-imagined, multi-sensory Test Track Presented by Chevrolet grand opens Dec. 6, 2012.
The iconic Epcot attraction, a new collaboration between Chevrolet Design and the creative team of Walt Disney Imagineering, celebrates how meticulous design not only shapes the look of Chevrolet cars, trucks and crossovers, but drives their performance on the open road.

For inspiration for the project, Walt Disney Imagineers made numerous visits to Detroit, collaborating with Chevrolet designers and touring the inner sanctums of Chevrolet’s design studios.

Amid upbeat music, eye-popping lighting effects and a collection of Chevrolet concept and new vehicles, guests themselves become automotive designers – and peer into the future of personal transportation in the process.

Copyright: Disney - by Ali Nasser
Test Track guests enter an all-new, interactive pre-show area with a future-focused design theme – from the fully realized Chevrolet Miray roadster concept car and the Chevrolet EN-V to dynamic media displays including models and sketches of vehicle design possibilities. The sleek new “Chevrolet Design Center” invites guests to create their own virtual custom-concept vehicle.
Car designer wannabes get to shape their own virtual car, truck or crossover and learn how their choices perform against four important performance attributes that guide Chevrolet designers:
  • Capability – design your car to handle the roughest roads or most extreme weather conditions
  • Efficiency – create a car that saves on fuel, reduces your environmental footprint, cuts down on emissions or even uses recycled parts
  • Responsiveness – choose elements that will give you easy maneuverability through the tightest of turns
  • Power – choose the gear you need to make your car a racer or a hauler
At design kiosks, rows of touch screens become canvasses for guests to try their hand at automotive design. They can design alone or collaborate on their design with family and friends. Even choose from six different languages.
Copyright: Disney - by Ali Nasser
Here, they can virtual-draw – stretch and shape their vehicle design by length, width, height and engine size — and decide which performance attribute is most important to them. Once they create – from infinite possibilities — the design of their dreams, guests complete their creation with even more choices. They can make a design statement with an expressive front grill, tailored wheels of various sizes and styles, and custom paint with graphics and other vehicle accessories. And the crowning touch of every design – Chevrolet’s world-famous bowtie logo.
Even FASTPASS and single rider guests can choose the performance attribute most important to them and select their virtual car’s profile from a selection of pre-designed vehicles.

Copyright: Disney - by Ali Nasser
Their virtual custom-concept Chevrolet vehicle complete, the adventure then shifts into high gear as guests – armed with a card encoded with their personal specs that allows their design to ride with them and see how it performs – board their 6-person “SimCar” ride vehicle. Ahead: a thrilling journey into a dazzling multi-sensory, optically charged experience as guests put their personal design through a series of performance tests – the exhilarating heart of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet.


Along their route, riders experience changing terrain and extreme conditions as their designs are scored at checkpoints for Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness and Power. How does their design stand up to the challenging hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit? How well does it navigate through bumpy roads, icy conditions, turn-on-a-dime curves and other surprises? Their design skills are put to the test – at speeds of up to 65 mph.
The fun and excitement extends to the post-show area, which continues the story of Chevrolet design:
  • Scoring their design. Guests get to compare their virtual car’s performance results to that of a baseline “SimCar” – and see how they performed against their fellow “designers” and recent top scorers.
  • Guests as freshly-minted car designers can even create their own TV commercial – starring their virtual custom vehicle and adding location, narration and music – and email it to friends and family.
  • At a digital driving table laying out a road course, guests have an opportunity to race their virtual custom-concept vehicles against other guests’ designs, over changing terrains and encountering extreme conditions.
  • In another experience, guests get to pose for photos with actual Chevrolet vehicles.  Also, through green screen technology — with a few taps on their touch screen — guests suddenly find themselves posing with their virtual concept Chevrolet on the lunar surface, a polar landscape, arcing across the galaxies or other thrilling scenes. The images become easily sharable on social media, sending virtual postcard greetings to family, friends or co-workers back home.
  • New and concept Chevrolet vehicles are laid out showroom-style. Guests can get behind the wheel of Chevrolet’s latest production models. Chevrolet product specialists are on hand to answer any questions.
Test Track Presented by Chevrolet continues a 30-year relationship between General Motors and Disney at Epcot dating to the opening of the park Oct. 1, 1982 with World of Motion.
Test Track Presented by Chevrolet is included in Epcot admission.
Copyright: Disney - Ali Nasser

 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Character Meet & Greet at the Magic Kingdom

Character Meet & Greet at the Magic Kingdom


Since the closing of Mickey’s Toontown you might be worried about catching those amazing character autographs. Never fear, Disney has it covered! You can always see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the Disney princesses at Town Square in the location currently known as Town Square Exposition Hall. Once inside you can choose from 3 lines (Mickey & Minnie, The Princesses or Pooh & Friends). Once you choose you will wind through the ropes until you enter the room with your chosen characters. Only about 10 families can enter at once so you have a little more time with each character. There is a Disney PhotoPass photographer with each character so you don’t have to worry about having your cameras out. If you have autograph books you will need to have them ready for each character (remember gloved characters need fat pens!).

Once you have seen your characters you can get in line for the other characters in the hall. Other Disney characters will be in the courtyard outside the hall and in different spots throughout the Magic Kingdom, including the new Fantasyland. Opening December 6th, in Princess Fairytale Hall, Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel, will greet you in their new home, an elegant royal court on the site where Snow White's Scary Adventures stands today. Already open is Pete's Silly Sideshow character greetings: A place where guests can meet some of their favorite Disney circus stars who wait to show off their special talents. The tent features two options: Join a line that leads to Minnie Magnifique (Minnie Mouse as a circus star) and Madame Daisy Fortuna (Daisy Duck as a fortuneteller), or head to see The Great Goofini (Goofy as a daredevil stunt pilot) and The Astounding Donaldo (Donald Duck as a snake charmer).

Lots of great areas to meet your favorite characters!!! MackeyMouse Travel will send you on vacation with a great list of tidbits like these!! Contact us today so we can help you plan your next Magical Vacation!! mackeymousetravel@yahoo.com or 770.490.5974.







Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Two NEW Experiences to add to your Universal Orlando Vacation!

 Two NEW Experiences to Add-On to any Universal Orlando® Resort Vacation Package!!

“Universal’s Cinematic Dining Experience”
Make it an evening to remember at Universal Studios® with the Universal Cinematic Spectacular Dining Experience.

Enjoy a delicious meal at Lombard's Seafood Grille. Then afterwards, you'll have access to an exclusive viewing area and dessert bar for the dazzling new Universal's Cinematic Spectacular–100 Years of Movie Memories nighttime show. Experience classic scenes from a century of Universal Pictures' most iconic films, all on cutting-edge waterfall screens surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics.
For $44.99 per adult and $12.99 (3-9child) this experience can be added to any vacation package with Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations.  The price of your ticket includes: 1 appetizer, 1 entrée, 1 non-alcoholic drink, a full dessert bar and access to an exclusive viewing area for the nighttime show!
Price includes Tax and Gratuity.  Does not include theme park admission.

“SuperStar Character Breakfast at Universal Studios”
Start your day at Universal Studios® with a fun-filled breakfast featuring the stars of Universal's Superstar Parade.

Join your favorite characters from Despicable Me; Nickelodeon's Dora & Diego, SpongeBob SquarePants™ and Patrick; E.B. from the film Hop; and more as you enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Later that day, feel like a celebrity as you get special VIP viewing access to enjoy Universal's Superstar Parade – an all-new entertainment experience that features larger-than-life floats, state-of-the-art technology, hundreds of energetic street performers along with some of today's most beloved animated characters.
For $26.99 per adult and $10.99 (3-9 child) Enjoy your choice of (1) one plated breakfast and choice of coffee, tea, juice or milk.  The Superstar Character Breakfast is offered daily with seatings at 8:30AM, 9:30AM or 10:30AM at Cafe Labamba in Universal Studios Florida.
Price includes Tax and Gratuity. Does not include Theme park admission.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Be Our Guest Reservations in Late August!

Copyright: Disney Park Blog


Braised pork for lunch and a grilled strip steak for dinner – Chef Michael Deardorff had a hard time choosing, but says those are two of his favorites from the new menu for Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park.

Chef Michael Deardorff of Be Our Guest Restaurant, Coming to New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

Chef Deardorff has been at the helm in Disney kitchens for 25 years, most recently as part of the opening of the restaurants at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai’i. Now he’s back to open Be Our Guest, inspired by “Beauty and the Beast,” with three dining rooms and seats for over 500 guests.


“Lunch is quick service, but not traditional counter service,” says Deardorff. Guest-activated terminals make ordering a snap (there also will be traditional cashiers for cash orders and special dietary requests). You order, take a seat and lunch is delivered to your table – on china, not paper.

Back to the menu. “It’s all about simple, fresh ingredients,” says Deardorff. “Just like your favorite quick-service restaurants across Magic Kingdom Park, you’ll be able to enjoy sandwiches and salads at Be Our Guest Restaurant for lunch, but all with a twist that transports you to the French setting of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’”

Artist Rendering of the Be Our Guest Restaurant Coming to New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom ParkThere’s a little French bistro flavor with tuna Niçoise salad and a Croque Monsieur sandwich with carved ham, Gruyere cheese, béchamel and pommes frites (a fancy term for French fries). Or go for the carved turkey on a warm baguette with Dijon mayonnaise, or the grilled steak sandwich with garlic butter spread, both with pommes frites. Heartier fare includes braised pork that’s cooked for eight hours, and for vegetarians, there’s a loaded vegetable quiche or quinoa, shallot and chive salad.

Dinner is table service, with diverse starters such as a charcuterie plate with cured meats and sausages, mussels steamed in white wine, French onion or potato leek soup, and a salad with champagne vinaigrette. We’re intrigued by the salad trio with three mini tastes of roasted beet, raisins and orange; green beans, tomatoes and roasted shallots; and watermelon, radish and mint.

Entrées include a thyme-scented pork rack chop with au gratin pasta, rotisserie rock hen with roasted fingerling potatoes, pan-seared salmon in leek fondue, grilled strip steak with pommes frites, sautéed shrimp and scallops with veggies in puff pastry with creamy lobster sauce, and an oven-baked ratatouille.

Oh, and dessert – we vote for the cupcakes, strawberry cream cheese or triple chocolate. If cupcakes aren’t your favorite sweet ending, there’s a chocolate cream puff and a passion fruit cream puff.

For kids 9 and under, the lunch entrées include a carved turkey sandwich, roasted pulled pork, Mickey meatloaf, seared mahi mahi, or whole-grain macaroni topped with marinara and mozzarella. For dinner, it’s grilled steak, grilled fish of the day, whole-grain macaroni or grilled chicken breast.



Copyright: Disney Park Blog

Copyright: Disney Park Blog

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream


Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream

One of the many reasons we love Walt Disney World so much is each and every trip we come away with a new memory. A new experience we had not experienced before. Our last trip we spent more time at Hollywood Studios than in the past and are certainly glad we did! You almost either have to devote a full day or a morning and an evening to get all this park has to offer.

We walked past One Man’s Dream several times. It is located between The Little Mermaid and Toy Story Mania. An odd location and a very overlooked attraction. We had some time before one our Fastpass times so we strolled in. Now I’m a history buff so I find anything historical absolutely fascinating. But this exhibit kept our children just as entertained. It proves just how amazing Walt Disney was!

You start out learning about Walt’s childhood, his parents and the town that had the biggest impact on his life. Quickly you turn to his early adulthood where you see his struggles and desire to animate and the story behind the Mouse.  There are early artifacts from his first attempts at animation and the founding of the Walt Disney Company.

There are plenty of dioramas, mock-ups, audio interviews, ending with a film about Walt Disney. We enjoyed this attraction we went through twice!

Here are some pictures from our experience. Tell us about yours!

Replica of Walt's studio office

Muriel of Sleeping Beauty's Castle
Sleeping Beauty Castle Model



Original Dumbo Ride car
Cinderella's Castle Model
Peter Pan's Flight Model - my favorite ride!

Explorers Landing Fortress Model - Tokyo Disney

Weird view, but there is a hidden Mickey. Can you see it?
Hard to see! But trying to show you the hidden Mickey.
Model of the new Little Mermaid ride in the Fantasyland expansion