The DisGeek Podcast

Your Guide to the Happiest Place on Earth

New Attraction Posters Paint a Fresh Vision of Paradise Pier

By

From: Disney Parks Blog

When the Blue Sky Cellar reopens on Jan. 28, don’t miss the walls.

Yes, I said the walls of Blue Sky Cellar.

This building in Disney California Adventure park previews the “blue sky” ideas of Imagineers, with models and sketches that reflect the evolving landscape of the theme park. But before you peek at all the Imagineers’ handiwork, take a moment to enjoy the new artwork on the walls of the entryway. (And find out how you can purchase your own copy very soon.)

Paradise Pier Attraction Posters

Nestled among the expansion updates, you will find new attraction posters from the boardwalk of Paradise Pier, including California Screamin’, Silly Symphony Swings and Mickey’s Fun Wheel. These posters will also be available for purchase. Watch for release dates and retail locations at www.ArtofDisneyParks.com.

The posters are part of a rich tradition within Disney Parks worldwide – a tradition that dates back to 1956 and the original park, Disneyland.

In the summer of 1956, Disneyland was about to enter its second summer. Most people had little knowledge of what Disneyland really was, and they knew even less about the attractions inside the park. According to an upcoming book, “The Poster Art of Disney Parks” by Walt Disney Imagineering’s Danny Handke and Vanessa Hunt, the posters were a fast, clear and visually attractive way to convey an image of each attraction.

Over the years, the style of the various attraction posters has come to reflect the time period in which they were created, as well as the tone and visual palette of the attractions and themed land where they were located.

This tonal tradition is carried on in the latest series of posters featuring the Paradise Pier attractions. With a nod to the classic travel poster aesthetic, the new attraction sequence graphically conveys the excitement and character of each Paradise Pier attraction.

This newly released artwork is the first of several scheduled attraction art releases. Additional series releases are scheduled within months of the initial Paradise Pier series. The first California Adventure attraction posters will be available at retail locations throughout the park on Jan. 28.

Are you familiar with the Disney Parks attraction posters? Let us know if you have a favorite among the hundreds that have been created over the years.

World of Color Celebrates 500 Performances

By

From the Disney Parks Blog:

It’s time for “World of Color” to take a bow.

The hit show celebrates a big milestone tonight – its 500th performance at Disney California Adventure park. Thank you to the more than two million guests who have seen this spectacular display of water and special effects since it opened on June 11, 2010.

In thanks to all the “World of Color” fans, we have a fun trivia quiz today about the show, plus a look back at some of the great video highlights from Paradise Bay. This video is one that has been a favorite on the Disney Parks Blog:

Episode 5 – Running with Corndogs

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

In this episode, our heroes visit the Disneyland Resort graveyard and pay tribute (and mock) Superstar Limo. Daniel and Paul also visit the Main Street News Stand and go over the latest news, and as always, our tip of the week. Click MORE for show notes.

[Read more…]

Mousework – Factoids From Disney Employees

By

When I was younger, I used to work for Crown Books (this was before the rise of Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon.com, when most books stores were quaint and much smaller). I remember that whenever I told someone that I worked in a book store, people usually thought I was a lucky guy, but working in a book store was no different from any type of retail job. Which is to say it was mostly a well disguised slice of Hell.

I see Disney employees all the time. Some of them even recognize me now, and they are always smiling and always happy, so one may think “Wow it must be great to work at Disneyland!” But since I labored under that same species of misconception from my days as a book store clerk, I know it can’t all be smiles. I have put together some interesting little factoids from Disney Employees around the Net that I have gathered:

[Read more…]

Construction Walls Now Up at DCA Entrance

By

As reported earlier the letters at Disney California Adventure are in the process of being removed. Thanks to the magic of Twitter we have some pictures to share. @ryosh808 provided these great images. The artwork on the walls are especially cool. Old school Disney Characters FTW! We got Oswald, Pete, Clara Cluck, Horace Horsecollar. Plus images of Micky and the gang with their look from back in the day.

Of course this all makes sense as the Buena Vista Street is to represent LA as Walt saw it back in the 1920’s.

Here is a new render of the final entrance and Buena Vista Street.