The DisGeek Podcast

Your Guide to the Happiest Place on Earth

Blackbeard Comes Aboard at Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park May 20

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From The Disney Parks Blog:

On February 11, actor Ian McShane appeared on a soundstage in Los Angeles for a very special “head shot” – one that will soon be featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean attractions at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

Captain Blackbeard will make his appearance on the ghostly waterfall in the grotto scenes of the park attractions beginning May 20, coinciding with the release of the new film, “Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides,” in which McShane plays a starring role.

Walt Disney Imagineering writer Michael Sprout (who wrote the script for Bill Nighy as Davy Jones several years ago) was on hand to direct the special shoot with Ian McShane. Michael said, “He came in wearing his complete Blackbeard costume, including the sword, saying it helped him stay in character!” Look for Blackbeard soon in this classic attraction, and the return of Davy Jones later this year.

 

Here is the effect on YouTube:

Episode 14 – Ka-CHOW!

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Paul and Daniel take a look at what's on the Drawing Board.  This time it's Carsland! We also visit the Main Street News Stand and as always our Tip of the Week.  Click MORE for full show notes.

News

Disneyland Closes some attractions due to Pirates Premiere –

The closed features are: Sailing Ship Columbia, Mark Twain Riverboat, Tom Sawyer’s Island, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes and the Fantasmic! show. The attractions are set to reopen May 12.

Other Attractions shops closed in may are: 

DL – Star Tours, Splash Mountain, Star Trader store, Gadget's Go Coaster ride, Stage Door Cafe and The Golden Horseshoe restaurant.

DCA – Mulholland Madness (Reopening as Goofy’s Sky School), and crews are converting a dining and shopping complex in the Paradise Pier area, which is expected to open this summer

http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2011/04/28/disneyland-closes-attractions-for-pirates-premiere/76491/

 

Disney sets up some new crowd control measures in Adventureland, NOS, and Frontierland due to pirate premiere.

 

The bridge over the Pirates of the Caribbean queue is divided for easier crowd flow.

 

Disney Blog gives us a look at Ariel’s Wedding Dress (probably to coincide with the Royal Wedding)

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/04/first-look-at-the-royal-wedding-dress-ariels-that-is/

 

Soundsational Sneak Peak – Last week disney filmed a commercial for Mickey’s Soundsational Parade and we got a little sneak peak of two floats

http://www.ocregister.com/news/parade-297831-disneyland-new.html

 

http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/dateline-disneyland/1814-soundsational-sneak-peek-mermaid-lights-signs-bye-bye-brother-bear-more.html

 

Mary Blair Tribute at Disney Gallery – The Art of Mary Blair celebrating 45 years of it’s a small world

http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/artofdisneyparks/event/dlr_thedisneygallery.html

 

Nighttime Entertainment Boosts DCA attendence

http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2011/04/19/nighttime-entertainment-boosts-disney-business/75417/

 

Marvel wants IN at Disneyland – “It’s the biggest dream of all” (keep dreaming)

http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/116/1162758p1.html

 

Quick Hits

Main Street Building refurbishments done and look brand spanking new.

Tomorrowland Star Tours Neon now glow a purpleish blue to match the new marquee (used to be orange and red) Buzz has Purple and Green

The Star Tours Mural has been updated to include the Starspeeder 1000

Little Mermaid Marquee up (but covered) & Little mermaid building lights are now on at night (looks amazing)

In DTD Kitson Kids Closed (I never knew it was there!)

Celebrity Spotting in DL over the last few weeks: 

Matt Damon, Hugh Hefner and his wives (he was riding around in an old man scooter) Paris Hilton, Tom Brady

 

Feature

On The Drawing Board – Cars Land

 

Luigi's Flying Tires

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/cars-radiator-spring-7392/

 

Tip of the Week

Fireworks Viewing – @tommypix

“Brave” Given Release Date

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Disney/Pixar's “Brave” (formerly known as "The Bear And The Bow") will be arriving to Theaters on June 15, 2012 – just a few months before the new “Monsters Inc 2” movie debuting in November.

The movie is directed by Brenda Chapman who worked on the Disney/Pixar movie “Cars.” The movie will star Reese Witherspoon (or her voice) as the Scottish Princess Merida, who would rather be an archer. Against her mother’s wishes, Merida makes a reckless choice that will unleash peril on her father’s kingdom and on her mother’s life! Yikes!

Sounds exciting and we can’t wait to see it!


 

Concept Art:

Disney Parks Blog Meet-Up: The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure Park

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From The Disney Parks Blog:

We’ve taken you behind the scenes to see some of the amazing things the Walt Disney Imagineers are working on for the June 3 debut of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure park. We’ve shown you what it’s like to create not only the Ariel Audio-Animatronics figure, but also how to animate her hair.

We’ve given you a glimpse of how impressive Ursula will be when she gets settled into her lair.

 

And we’ve shown you the beautiful “clam shells” – the vehicles that will take you “under the sea.”

 

Now we’re inviting you to join us for a very special meet-up, featuring Walt Disney Imagineers Lisa Girolami, Larry Nikolai and Chris Crump from the attraction’s creative team, as well as Walt Disney animators Andreas Deja and Mark Henn who worked on the animated feature film on which the attraction is based. Their tales will also be featured in an article in the May issue of D23 Magazine.

Today through April 28 at 11:59 p.m. (PDT), you can enter for a chance to attend our meet-up.

 

Those selected will be among an exclusive group at our panel discussion with the Walt Disney Imagineers and animators. The meet-up will be held May 10 at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The team is still hard at work getting Scuttle, Sebastian and their friends ready to perform, so you will NOT be able to ride or visit the attraction.

 

Please carefully read the details on the form when you enter. As a reminder: You must be at least 18 years of age to enter, the meet-up does not require theme park admission and you must appear in person with a valid ID and your guest. If you are one of the 150 people randomly selected from our entries, you will be able to bring only one (1) guest. We will notify you by email if you are selected, with check-in details. All elements of this opportunity are subject to change without notice. Click here to register and learn more.