The picture shows Disney Imagineers testing the new Toy Story Mania ride vehicle. According to WDWNews.com, riders will wear 3-D glasses then “shrink” to the size of toys where they’ll follow a midway-themed route. At each game booth, riders will use the spring-loaded guns on their ride vehicles to shoot at animated targets. It sounds like fun!

Toy Story Mania is scheduled to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this coming summer and at Disneyland later this year.

What do you think of the new picture of Toy Story Mania?

Post from: The Disney Traveler

Post from: The Disney Traveler

I was at Disney-MGM Studios on June 10th, and took some time walking around the park to see what the event offered guests.  My triplets are still too young to appreciate Star Wars, so we were only able to see the events peripherally, but if you or your kids enjoy the Star Wars movies, books, etc., you’ll have a great time at the Star Wars Weekends. 

As we circumnavigated the park, we saw special tents set up for celebrity autograph signings and photo opportunities with cast members dressed as Darth Vader, Chewbacca and Jedi Mickey Mouse.  We spent a few minutes watching the “Padawan Mind Challenge” which was a trivia game for children held outside of the Star Tours attraction, and we passed by a special Star Wars merchandise shop. 

The Walt Disney World website lists a variety of other events as well as celebrities and characters scheduled to appear at the 2007 Star Wars Weekends.  I can’t wait for my kids to get a bit older, so they can try the Jedi Training Academy!

Post from: The Disney Traveler

I started bringing by triplets to this show when they were approximately 1 1/2 years old.  They enjoyed the music and puppets then, but now, they love everything about this show.   At nearly 3 years old, they constantly ask to go see, “the Bear” show.  In fact, we’re going to see it tomorrow!

The Playhouse Disney Live on Stage show is hosted by a Disney cast member (always named Jamie) who introduces Bear in the Big Blue House and his friends Ojo, Tutter, Treelo, Pip and Pop.  When the music starts and everyone starts to dance, Tutter feels shy and doesn’t want to join the fun.  In order to help him feel “less shy,” Jamie presents three stories to Tutter.  The first features characters from Jo Jo’s circus.  The second features Stanley and his pet goldfish, Dennis, and the third story features Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Woods. 

It’s a fun, interactive show complete with music, dancing, streamers and bubbles falling from the ceiling.  Your kids will help Jo Jo scare away Goliath’s hiccups, say hi to a gorilla with Stanly and Dennis, bounce with Tigger and sing the goodbye song with Bear and Luna.  Warning, all seating is on the floor, but small children are encouraged to get up and dance.  It’s a show truly made for preschoolers!

Post from: The Disney Traveler

A crowd gathered quickly to enjoy the show, which turned out to be very high-energy and interactive.  The cast members danced in the style made popular in the “High School Musical” movie and sang a medley of songs from the movie as well.  Throughout the performance, guests were invited to join in by shooting basketballs into several hoops on the float’s stage and huge inflatable basketballs were tossed among the audience.  Guests were also encouraged to dance with the cast members and learn some of the popular steps from the movie.

As the mother of two-year old triplets, I don’t get to watch much television other than Playhouse Disney, so I’ve only had the opportunity to see bits and pieces of “High School Musical.”  The portions of the movie I have seen appeared to be perfect for young teens, and the addition of the “High School Musical” Pep Rally at Disney-MGM Studios will be a must-see for girls and boys in that age range.  We just happened to be sitting in the right place at the right time to participate in the pep rally yesterday, and it was a lot of fun.  My triplets loved the music and dancing, and everyone in the audience seemed to have a great time.

Post from: The Disney Traveler

Reports state that the ride will take over the building formerly used for the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire attraction, which was immensely popular during the height of the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” television show on Walt Disney-owned ABC.  As ratings dropped for the television show so did interest in the attraction.  Ultimately, the doors closed on the ailing Who Wants to Be a Millionaire soundstage to make room for a new adventure, which has finally been unveiled as Toy Story Mania.

After visiting the Walt Disney corporate web site and viewing the Toy Story Mania concept art in the 2006 annual report, the ride looks like it will be similar to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, which is already a very popular ride at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  The art does give the impression that Toy Story Mania will have a stronger focus on the character of Woody, Al’s Toy Barn, Pizza Planet and other aspects of the “Toy Story” movie franchise.  It appears the ride will also include three-dimensional effects as riders in the concept drawing are wearing 3D glasses.  However, in the same design as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, riders will be riding in cars on a track using what look like guns to shoot at different “Toy Story”-related scenes. 

It seems unusual that two similar rides based on the same movie would open at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Disney Imagineers never seem to disappoint guests with their exceptional ability to develop an extremely detailed ride from a story or movie theme.  Only time will tell how Toy Story Mania will be unique.

Post from: The Disney Traveler