More Interactive Rides at WDW?

Walt Disney Imagineering, the department within Disney that designs all the rides in the theme parks, has just made some changes in it's upper management. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Bruce Vaughn was promoted to Chief Creative Executive and Craig Russell to Chief Design and Delivery Executive. The interesting news for theme parks fans is that these Imagineers were responsible for bringing in some of the recent technology upgrades into Walt Disney World. For example, Turtle Talk with Crush allows guests to have a one-on-one conversation with an animated character. Lucky the Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom, was a fully animated walking Audio-Animatronic dinosaur.

The recent trend in Imagineering to design more interactive experiences for the guests started with Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. This ride armed guests with laser guns and created a video game experience with targets placed along the track for riders to shoot at. Disney has also created "living characters", characters that can interact with the guests and carry on a personal conversation. There's Push the Talking Trashcan at Magic Kingdom, Wes Palm at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Crush the turtle at Epcot.

The most elaborate interactive attraction yet is the yet to be opened Toy Story Mania at Disney-MGM Studios. The ride vehicles will contain special controls and the ride will immerse guests in typical carnival type games. Not only will the riders be able to play the games from the ride vehicle, but the games themselves will be enhanced by 3-D effects created from 3-d glasses worn by the guests. If you want to see the early test of this technology, check out the Where's the Fire exhibit at Innoventions. Toy Story Mania is expected to open in 2008, and if it's successful there will surely be more interactive attractions at Walt Disney World in the future.

Spaceship Earth 2.0

Spaceship Earth is the symbol of Epcot, affectionately known as the "golf ball" among Disney fans. Since it's opening in 1982, the ride has sent millions of riders on a journey through time highlighting man's progress in communication. While the attraction has undergone several minor changes over the years the new sponsor of the pavilion, Siemens, has decided that the ride needs to be updated to bring it to the 21st century. Among the rumored changes are state-of-the-art Audio Animatronic figures to replace the original 1980s models, a new musical score, and interactive touch screens within the vehicles themselves. The ride is expected to be closed from July 9 – November 1.

Blue Man Group

Starting in June guests visiting the Universal Orlando resort will have an opportunity to experience the novel entertainment of the Blue Man Group. The world famous show is taking up residence in a new theater on the old Nickelodeon Studios site. The show features high energy percussion, colorful special effects, and comedic choreography creating an exciting presentation for all ages. Due to the variety of materials used on stage to generate the dazzling visuals, the first few rows are considered the "Poncho Section" and the guests are given ponchos. While the show is suitable for all audiences, Universal Orlando does not recommend the show for children under 5 years old. The adult ticket prices will range from $59-$69 and children ticket prices will range from $49-$59. This unique and innovative show will become just one more reason Orlando is a world class destination.

Harry Potterland?

Rumors keep swirling around like magic about the possibility of a Harry Potter themed land at Islands of Adventure. Certainly the elaborate worlds created for the book would make for some impressive themed rides. The current rumor is for to Universal to use an advanced robotic arm system to let riders experience a trip in the flying Ford Anglia of the Weasley family. The technology involves a robotic arm that holds the ride vehicle, creating the illusion of a flight. Along the ride's path, the robotic arm can pitch and roll, adding excitement to the journey. A very special feature would be the option of creating various levels of intensity of the arm's movements. That way riders of all ages and of intensity tolerance would be able to enjoy the attraction. The Harry Potter area is rumored to be taking the place of the Lost Continent area, so you may want to check out Poseidon's Fury and the Seven Voyages of Sinbad since they may be demolished to make room for the new Harry Potter attractions.

Experience a Launch Into Space!

The Kennedy Space Center is opening an exciting new attraction this Memorial Day Weekend. The Shuttle Launch Experience will let riders feel what's it's like to be an astronaut on the most complex ride vehicle ever built. Not only will the ride cabin move, but there will be addition effects in the seats to add to the illusion. Guests will experience high g-force and zero gravity sensations on their simulated space flight. Unlike rides built at theme parks this attractions is based on science reality, not science fiction and will give a realistic look at space travel. The Shuttle Launch Experience should be quite a thrill for all ages, but for those who want a less intense version, there will be a stationary observation platform of the presentation. Guests will need to be at least 48 inches tall to ride.

Fires in Central Florida

As many people know, several fires have been raging in central Florida for the past couple of weeks. Many people who are traveling to central florida seem to be wondering how this will effect their trip. Well, as of now according to the orlando sentinel, all the fires are contained, and there are no road closures. Now, this is not to say that it will stay this way, fire can be unpredictable and spread quickly, but as of now it is contained. As far as atmospheric changes go, the smokey haze that covered central Florida a few days ago is slowly thinning, but it is still there. My recommendation, if you are an allergy sufferer, like me, make sure that you come fully supplied with some anti-histamines, and if you suffer from asthma make sure that you have your inhaler with you at all times. The last thing that you want is to be at disney with your family and suffer a horrible allergy or asthma attack!

Sea World Ready to Make a Big Splash

Sea World has announced a plan to open Aquatica, a large new water park in Spring of 2008. Sea World has always been focused on wildlife, and this new venture will be no exception. Along the park's large lazy river you'll enter a grotto filled with tropical fish, walkways will take guests through tropical environments with exotic birds, and the centerpiece of the park will be a slide down an acrylic tube through a Commerson's dolphin exhibit. In addition the park will contain two large wave pools, with one simulating a crashing ocean surf while the other gives swimmers more gentle waves. For the thrill seekers, there be more than 35 water slides to enjoy including a a triple drop raft slide, an eight lane racing slide and a six story tall family raft slide. The park will also feature many areas for children as well. Even the landscaping will be given special attention as throughout the park elaborate landscaping will create a tranquil tropical environment. Aquatica looks set to be one of the most unique and elaborate water parks ever built in the world.

The park is expected to open in March of 2008.

Disney world hotels smoke free

Disney World announced last week that all Disney-owned hotels are banning all smoking. There will be no more smoking or non smoking options. Representatives say that the call for a smoke free hotel is coming from the consumer, not from the management. With less and less people smoking because of the health risks, more and more people do not want to be subjected to second hand smoke when on vacation, or anywhere else for that matter. Disney will designate an outdoor smoking area, the same as in the theme parks. There are some properties, however that are on Disney property but are not owned by Disney that will continue to allow smoking. If a guest is caught smoking in a non smoking Disney hotel, they will be charged a cleaning fee of between $250-500. This is to cover replacement of any fabrics, and deep cleaning everything else. Although there will be many people who are upset with this new policy, the majority of the customers have demanded this, and Disney is convinced that there will not be a significant loss to guests at their hotels.