Saturday, September 24, 2011

Jay Rasulo confirms Disney's plan to expand into India



I've just read on another web site - thanks to the Google News alert - that Disney Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo announced last Thursday the company's plan to expand into India. It reminded me instantly an article i've posted two years ago in which i was saying that the WDC was seriously "thinking" about an expansion in India.

What is not clear yet is if Disney is interested by India only to introduce the company through the usual steps, a Disney Channel, etc, or if Jay Rasulo was talking about creating a Disney theme park in India. My guess is that he was talking about that, but that's only my feeling... Even if that sounds like a good news for my readers from India i'm sorry to say that that will probably have to wait at least ten years before an India Disneyland opens somewhere in the country whether it will be in Bombay or Delhi - probably Bombay.

Anyway, my thoughts in this previous 2009 article are still relevant and here they are again:

"Is Disney planning to build theme parks in other countries than China? Will we see one day a Disney park in India? As i was saying in this article posted two years ago: "If the question is "Is the Walt Disney Company planning to build a theme park in India?", the answer is "no". But if the question was "Are they thinking about India for a future Disney theme park?", then the answer is "yes, definitely, they're thinking about it".

Now, don't get me wrong, it doesn't mean that New Delhi or Bombay will have a Magic Kingdom anytime soon. The WDC is just seriously "thinking" about it. Strictly on a "business" point of view, it's perfectly understandable. After all, more than one billion people are living in India and this great country is in full economic development. And considering that Disney don't have in mind to open a theme park in India before ten years, in the meantime India could be economically ready for a success of this future park.

But for me, the question is not "Are they going to build a MK in India or not" but more: "Is it really a good idea?". Let me tell you more about what i have in mind. When Disney decided some years ago to build HKDL they probably thought that the park would be an instant success. After all, Japanese are in love with Disneyland, so why not the Chinese? Then the park opened and the cultural shock arrived.

In France families may accept that children miss a day at school so they can go at DLP on week days to avoid the week-end crowds. But for Chinese it's almost unthinkable. One of the most important thing for Chinese people is the "security of the future". Which means that school success of their children is priority number one. Chinese and Japanese have totally different mental structures, that's where Disney did the mistake for HK. Now, why am I talking about all that? Simply because of the cultural differences. The major mistake that almost EVERY U.S big corporation is always doing is to ignore the cultural differences between the U.S and other countries. And we can't even blame them, because it's not their fault. The "mind" of a corporation is made in such way that they simply can't understand that. I suppose that they would probably tell you that they're not enough stupid to don't see the differences between the U.S and India, the "caste" problems, and so on... and that's right. They DO see that. What they DON'T see is another plan, more subtle. If we take, as i do today, the example of India what will be difficult for them to understand is the "spirit" of India.

As Indian philosopher Sri Aurobindo once said "India is the heart of the Earth". No other country in the world was - and still is - more spiritual than India. The inevitable - and perfectly welcome - economic development is changing this, but i think we must give some time to the country before landing with a pure occidental concept like Disneyland. In a country which have literally a pantheon of gods, Disneyland mythologies will be nothing. I agree that Indian people can be enough ludic to enjoy Disneyland but i'm not sure that DL mythologies have a lot of resonances in India's collective subconscious.

I have the greater respect for India civilisation, i think India's original vision of the world is stunning and i think that we probably have more to learn from them than they have from us. India have some of the greatest minds, artists and scientists in the world. I don't like too much the "caste" system, an heritage from medieval times, but i LOVE India. And i think that the WDC should understand the part of India which is "another planet" for us. And wait quite a while before building a Disney theme park over there. For the sake of India".

Picture: copyright Disney

D&M Archives : The " S.S Disney " , an incredible WDI project - Interview with Mark Hickson



Editor's Note: Thanks to Mark Hickson who found back old pictures of the S.S Disney model you'll be able to explore in details this fantastic project that never was...and will never be. Here we go with Mark's interview, Mark Hickson captions are in italics under each picture. Also note that since the first time i've posted this interview Mark opened his own web site called "Disney by Mark" with lots of unique documents and former Imagineer Insights. Don't miss it, it's HERE.

Above: Starboard view of the S.S Disney with shell on. Note the un-themed stern area with stack – we never worked up a plan for it in time for this model.

Today, you will discover an incredible Disney project. So incredible that even in my dreams i would never have thought that WDI could have designed something like this. Really fascinating, as you will see.

The project was called the “S.S Disney” and it’s Mark Hickson who managed the Imagineering development team 15 years ago. Mark started his career at WDI working on the Splash Mountain project for Disneyland, and then became part of the Tokyo Disneyland project office. Over a period of seven years Mark contributed to over 30 Disney projects that included TDL version of Splash Mountain, Toon Town, the new Spaceship Earth Show, the 3-D film "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience", EPCOT Interactive Fountain, Innoventions, etc. He also worked on other Disney projects like the Broadway Production of Beauty and the Beast, Disneyland's 35th Birthday and Tokyo Disneyland’s 5, 10 & 20 years Master Plan.

Mark who now lives in Hawaii is the Chief of Project Controls for the $5.4 Billion Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project. As a consultant to the City and County of Honolulu, his responsibilities are to provide leadership in defining and implementing a comprehensive project controls department for the light rail commuter project.

But back in 1993-1994, thanks to his shipbuilding and theme park master planning experience, Mark was asked to work on the “S.S Disney” project. The idea was to transform a super tanker - a huge ship that normally brings oil from the Middle East to other countries - into a “floating theme park”. No kidding! The idea seems unbelievable, a real floating “Disneyland”. I’m sure you’re dying to know more about it, so let’s begin Mark’s interview.

Alain Littaye: How did this incredible idea of transforming a super tanker in a floating theme park began at WDI?

Mark Hickson: Back in the early 1990’s, at a fund-raising dinner Jim Cora, Chairman of Disneyland International, was sitting next to a U.S Navy Admiral. They were joking and the Admiral said “You know, I have an extra aircraft carrier, you have to put a theme park on top of it!” He was just kidding, but the idea enchanted Jim. The next day he asked his staff if there was somebody at Disney who knew anything about ships. Larry Fink, who worked with me on Disneyland’s Splash Mountain knew about my thirteen years shipbuilding experience and told Jim about me. Later he called me about the aircraft carrier idea. I told him that it would be more feasible to build it on another kind of ship, like a cruise liner, cargo ship, or oil tanker. If I remember correctly he then met with Michael Eisner and they agreed to ask Marty Sklar at WDI to do a study feasibility on this unique idea. That’s how everything started. Since I was the only one that had extensive shipbuilding experience I was charged to be the project manager and technical director for the project. I worked with some really fantastic concept architects, show designers, script writers, concept artists and model makers and over the course of nine months we put together the floating theme park concept.

A.L: Were they enthusiastic at WDI on such an incredible idea?

M.H: Yes! You know, a lot of things we’ve done at WDI may seem a bit off the wall but I think it’s the real power of Imagineering is not being afraid to look at new ideas and to see if they are feasible.

A.L: As you say on your web site, this S.S Disney idea was to bring the Disney theme park experience to locations where they would never build a theme park. Is that right?

M.H: Yes, remember that all this was envisioned before they built Tokyo Disney Sea or Hong Kong Disneyland. The idea was to bring the Disney experience and promote the Disney brand in countries where the company would never consider building a theme park. We looked at a lot of different locations internationally, and gave a lot of thought about what kind of attractions we could put on a floating theme park that will make an experience that everybody will truly enjoy.

A.L: Do you have any idea of the destinations where the ship would have gone?

M.H: Actually, I initially came up with a world-wide listing of ports. We were looking at Europe, at South America, South East Asia, Australia, and the Mediterranean. Later we decided to focus on the West Pacific which included the port cities of Seoul, Beijing, Shanghaî, and Canton, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Manila, Djakarta, and Singapore. We also investigated ports in Australia like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Dubai, Cape Town, and even Honolulu. We looked at various maps of the different ports to see if we could “park” a super tanker there, and if it was in an area where it was possible to get our guests to. We also had to make sure that the areas were not full of real super tankers!

The ship would have stay approximately two and a half months in each port and then travel for a week or two to the next destination. The ship would not return to the city for four or five years, so we would not over-saturate the market.

We also had a very innovative design for the entrance area. On the dock side we would create a “portable main gate” with a ticketing plaza using themed containers. They would arrive on a container ship and be assembled in port before the S.S. Disney’s arrival. Here guests could also buy souvenirs and food. When you think about it, the theme park experience would have started on the dock.

A.L: Technically, transforming a super tanker in a floating theme park would have been really feasible?

M.H: Yes, thanks to the super tanker’s architecture. The cavernous volume inside the ship gave us the opportunity to put four to five decks of attractions inside plus more attractions on the top deck.



Port side with shell removed showing the 5 major decks, 01, Main deck, 1st deck, 2nd deck, 3rd deck and Tank Top. In this view you can see the hub’s floor is at 2nd deck.

A.L: What kind of attractions would guests find on the S.S Disney?

M.H: On the top deck there was the Orbitron, Casey Jr. Train, a large Ferris Wheel, Alice in Wonderland’s spinning Tea Cups, Dumbo, and a Fantasyland Carousel under a glass dome! At the stern end of the top deck, there would be It’s a Small World. The center or “Hub” of the ship that receives our guests actually had a big glass canopy over the top of it. It was multiple decks deep, so when you entered the ship you had this beautiful giant caverness entry way. If you went to the right you would find Fantasyland themed attractions and to the left it was Tomorrowland themed attractions. We decided that Frontierland and Adventureland attractions were not needed.

Because of technical issues we decided that we not have any water rides inside the ship. For example “It’s a Small World” originally a water ride, would instead utilize a Omni-mover or bus-bar track vehicles like the ones you have on the Haunted Mansion or Pinocchio attractions.

Other attractions included an Aladdin and a Little Mermaid dark rides, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Toon Town area with Mickey house, Indiana Jones roller coaster, Star Tours, 20000 Leagues under the Sea, a 3D movie theatre, and more! The fact is the ship was so big and deep that we could actually put an iron roller coaster like Space Mountain inside down below the decks. The only difference is you would not see any mountain. Probably we would have to re-named the ride!



Ferris wheel had exterior armatures that would be stowed while sailing to the FTP’s next port. The Orbitron is seen on the bow.




The hub is shown mid-ship as a multi story glass canopy that divides the ships main themed areas, Tomorrowland/Adventureland and Fantasyland.





The Hub’s canopy removed. There were many vertical elements all around with one part reminisint of a future pipe organ, giant retro-telescope and a mini-castle.




Hub area with main deck and canopy removed. The model is showing a little wear from all the use it had being taken apart many times.




Casey Jr. Train loops around a glass enclosed Carousel ride (not shown in this model). Aft is the entrance to It’s a Small World.




Port side looking forward showing themed fast food area in center (at the crossed circle is). Note: those little red things are people to scale. Under the Orbitron, a futuristic multi-story restaurant on the 01 deck.




Main deck removed looking aft from the port side. This is the Toon Town area with Meet Mickey house, central fountain and the entrance to Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. On the left is a major fantasy themed theater with balcony. Shows propose for the theater ranged from The Muppet Show 3D to The Lion King. On the far right to the back you can see a grey disc. This is where the spinning tea cup ride was located.




Starboard side showing Toon Town area with a Treehouse and interactive areas. On the right you can see the theater. On the far left to the back where you can see a grey disc, this is where the spinning tea cup ride was located.




Port side looking forward with the main deck removed. Here you can see the 20,000 Leagues under the sea area - an interactive area and walk through exhibit - with Star Tours simulator (3 black doors on left), Captain Nemo’s laboratory with his submarine seen one deck below, and giant aquarium that divers inhabit (yellow cylinder). There is also a themed seafood dining area.





Opposite side of 20,000 Leagues area. Note access area to vertical circulation column on far side. Within this area are giant elevators and escalators bringing people up from below and down from above. These also contain emergency evacuation stairways. Note the 3 black exit doors for the simulator.




Port side looking aft with 1st deck removed. Here was the entry to Aladdin attraction. Note the carved rockwork as guests’ descend to the 3rd deck from a merchandise area. Eric’s village is the entrance area for the Little Mermaid ride. You can also see the ride maintenance area below on the Tank Top deck.




View from the port side just aft of the Eric’s village showing the theater adjacent to the hub.





Port side looking aft with 3rd deck removed shows the lower part of the Aladdin themed area with a rotating Dumbo style Magic Carpet ride for kids. Further aft you can see the Aladdin attraction.




Starboard side looking forward at the Aladdin attraction. Past that you can barely see the Little Mermaid suspended gondola ride.




Starboard side looking forward with the 2nd and portion of the 3rd deck removed showing the Indiana Jones runaway ore-car attraction (wild mouse roller coaster) on the left and the entrance queue on the right where you see the giant temple serpents. Actually, it was going to be Space Mountain or Indy coaster in this space. The model has Indy since Eisner was so hot for that ride.


M.H: Since the ship could hold about half the rides of a full Disney theme park we decided to divide the opening and closing of the park into two half days at 8 hours each. That would be 10,000 guests in the morning/early afternoon and another 10,000 guests in the late afternoon/evening.

The total number of attractions would have been around 16 to 18. We had a whole list of attractions that we would like to have, but the final choice depended of their capacity per hour, wait time, etc... We needed to make sure that there was a minimum of wait time so people could do and see everything in eight hours.

We had six restaurants. Most of them were fast food because we didn’t want people to sit and eat for an hour when they only had 8 hours to spend on the ship, but we did have one generic Disney themed table service restaurant. We also had Fantasyland and Tomorrowland themed retail shops, a Disney Store and a Disney gallery too. Most of the restaurants and retail would have been located around the entrance hub, under the glass dome. The ship was not only a box full of attractions, it was a completely integrated city with maintenance shops , a central kitchen, waste treatment plants storage areas!

Also on board was an entertainment division with singers, dancers, costuming, and the “zoo crew” - the people who dress up as Disney characters.

A.L: On the model pictures, the facade of It’s a Small World located in the back of the top deck seems to hide the view of the pilot house, also located at the back of the ship...

M.H: We had a clever idea to resolve this problem as the pilot house and the bridge wings would have been incorporated into a themed facade. The ship’s crew could see everything. Also, at the front end of the ship, in front of the Orbitron, we had a secondary pilot house specially designed for docking the ship.



It’s a Small World Omni-mover ride in from of the pilot house. Note the windmill themed bridge wings.



Port side showing the un-themed bridge wing, decks and vertical circulation columns.

A.L: About the cast members, you told me that some of them would have been hired in each location, but I suppose some of them would have been permanent “Disney” cast members?

M.H: Exactly. Let’s say that the “senior” staff would have been permanent and the “junior” staff would have been hired and trained in the location where the boat would have docked. We did some surveys at a few of the ports and found young people in would have a high interest to work for Disney. They would be hired for about three month’s that included two weeks of training before the arrival of the boat. We were looking pretty much at a 50/50 split with half of the cast members, maintenance and technical people “permanent” and the other 50% would have been local people who spoke the local language.

A.L: No parade was planned I suppose, but was a fireworks show envisioned in the evening?

M.H: Yes, but we soon realized that it was not safe to launch the firework from the ship, so we start to looking for an auxiliary ship or a barge that could be used to launch the firework in a safer location like in the middle of the harbor.

Because of safety issues we would not allowed our “permanent” cast members to travel at sea or sleep on board the super tanker so we looked at potentially buying a small used passenger ship to bring them from port to port and to give them a place to live. Otherwise all the “Disney” cast members would have to fly from city to city and reside in local hotels.

A.L: Well that means THREE ships, if my count is right!

M.H: Yes, our very own Disney navy!

A.L: So, finally, and unfortunately, the S.S Disney project was never realized. Do you know why?

M.H: Well, both Michael Eisner and Frank Wells both loved the project, but after Frank’s death, things changed. The strategic planning group at corporate didn’t want to do a floating theme park, they wanted to do a cruise ship. Eventually they convinced Michael that a cruise ship was easier to do. So this wonderful project was put “on the shelf.”

Frankly, now that Disney has a park in Hong Kong and soon another one in Shanghaî I think the time for this project has unfortunately passed. It was a wonderful concept and every Imagineer who worked on it did an excellent job.

A.L: One last question: do you think that the S.S Disney project inspired another project that was built some years later: Disney Quest?

M.H: One thing that Disney does is to use some great ideas from projects that were never done. Disney Quest was what they call a “location based entertainment” or LBE, and if my recollections is right Jan Sircus - who was the lead concept architect on the S.S Disney - next assignment was developing LBE projects. I think it is safe to say there was a synergy between the two projects.

A.L : Mark, thank you so much for this interview, this S.S Disney project was really fascinating!

Again, I invite you to discover Mark Hickson’s web site HERE.

Thanks to leave a comment or discuss this interview on D&M english forum on Mice Chat


Pictures: Copyright 1994 The Walt Disney Company. Please do not upload these pictures on other websites or forums, thanks.

Interview: copyright Disney and more

DCA Blue Sky Cellar reopens with Buena Vista Street exhibit



The Blue Sky Cellar opened again yesterday with new sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes looks at the transformation of Disney California Adventure. As usual guests will be able to view new videos, models and renderings and this time the display is all about Buena Vista Street, the Carthay Theater and the Red Car Trolley.

Three new attraction posters are now display, the first one is for the Red Car Trolley - picture above - and the two others are for the Tower of Terror and Soarin' over California. All three are to die for and i hope they will be released and available in the park next year! In the meantime click on each to get them in bigger size and then jump on Mint Crocodile web site where you'll see a full report of the new Blue Sky Cellar exhibit.





Pictures: copyright Disney

Disney's Aulani Grand Opening Celebration



The Grand Opening of Disney's Aulani Resort happened yesterday morning and Bob Iger and Tom Staggs were there to celebrate the opening of the Resort. As Tom Staggs says on the Disney Parks blog "The Grand Opening Ceremony took place on the beach of Aulani’s lagoon with the resort itself serving as the backdrop. It opened with an “oli pale,” a Hawaiian blessing, which was followed by a powerful performance by drummers, dancers and singers, including Keali’i Reichel, one of Hawai`i’s most popular artists who wrote a beautiful chant specifically for Aulani.



Then came time for the official dedication of the resort so Mickey and Minnie joined Bob and me onstage to do the honors. To symbolize the joining of the Hawaiian culture and the magic of Disney, we placed some sand from our beach into an ‘umeke, a ceremonial wooden bowl, and mixed it with – what else – some pixie dust.

From the very beginning we have committed ourselves to ensuring that Aulani embraces and celebrates the unique Hawaiian culture and traditions. We are grateful for the warm welcome we have received from the local community and I’d like to thank the Imagineers, cast members, construction teams, local artists and everyone who had a hand in bringing Aulani to life. Their passion, commitment and talent can be seen in every detail of this spectacular resort and I can’t wait for our guests from around the world to experience it themselves."

Let's have a look at this grand opening with videos and this first video is the Disney's official video showing highlights of Aulani's grand opening celebration.



These two next videos were filmed by our good friends of Mice chat and shows Aulani's dedication by Bob Iger and Tom Staggs as well as the celebration with Hawaiian dancers and singers.



Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Hong Kong Disneyland new lands video update



Here is a new Hong Kong Disneyland video update of the works on the three new lands, thanks to the always good michael20183. Toy Story Land is always scheduled to open in November but what is interesting on the video is that there is much more to see on the two others lands, specially on Grizzly Trail where you can now clearly see the different tunnels of the coaster as well as the western town. The main buildings of Mystic Point are also almost finished although not already painted. Considering that they are now planting trees to avoid the works to be watched from the HKDL railroad this might be one of the last video update in which we can see the construction quite clearly...




Don't miss also my HKDL Halloween full report with plenty of pictures and videos HERE.

Video: copyright michael20183

Pictures: copyright Disney

Breaking News: Avatar Land coming to Animal Kingdom !



It was just announced today officially by Bob Iger and Tom Staggs and it is like a thunder lightning: Disney and James Cameron made a deal to bring the world of Avatar to Disney's Animal Kingdom, with works beginning in 2013!

Nobody saw this coming and for once the secret was well kept. That is one of the best move Disney ever did and for sure the best counter-attack to IOA Harry Potter's land, specially considering that there is two more Avatar movies to come and i wouldn't be surprised if WDI Imagineers will use the different episodes of the trilogy to create the various theme lands of this Avatar land. Animal Kingdom is definitely the perfect choice for an Avatar Land and its environmental message and i can't wait to see renderings and to know which kind of attraction will be put in this new land!



Here is more from the Disney Parks blog:

"At a press conference happening right now at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Iger and Tom Staggs just announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks. And it’ll all begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

James and his producing partner Jon Landau and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve as creative consultants on the project and will work side-by-side with our Walt Disney Imagineers as we dream up experiences that will take our guests deep into worlds of AVATAR like never before. There are also two sequels to the record setting first film in the works, which will offer more fascinating stories, characters and locations to explore in the AVATAR universe. Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort is planned as the site of the first AVATAR-themed land with construction expected to begin by 2013.
We believe Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great fit for this project because it was created to give guests the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature – real and mythical – in new ways. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also celebrates adventure, living in harmony with nature and environmental stewardship – themes that are deeply rooted in the story of AVATAR."



Also, from the L.A Times, James Cameron statement: "I'm chomping at the bit to start work with Disney's legendary Imagineers to bring our AVATAR universe to life," Cameron said in a statement announcing the deal Tuesday morning. "Our goal is to go beyond current boundaries of technical innovation and experiential storytelling, and give park goers the chance to see, hear, and touch the world of AVATAR with an unprecedented sense of reality."

Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chairman Jim Gianopulos, whose movie studio financed, marketed and distributed "Avatar," said Disney was a natural choice as a licensing partner because of its global reach and stature. He said the world Cameron envisioned, starting with Pandora and stretching out to include other creatures and settings, is a natural fit for a theme-park experience.

"It lends itself very well, not only to subsequent films, but to be imagined and realized in the parks," Gianopulos said. "Yes, it's creative content. But what it really is is an immersive world. And that's what Disney intends to create."



More from the NY Times: "Construction on “Avatar”-themed rides, shops and restaurants will begin in 2013 –- the planning phase has just started -– and the land will open to visitors three or four years after that. Fox and James Cameron, the director of “Avatar,” will receive a licensing fee and a percentage of related merchandise and food and beverage sales.

Mr. Cameron, who is working on two “Avatar” sequels, will collaborate with Disney engineers to design the themed land. Disney’s parks overseas – particularly one under construction in Shanghai – are likely to see “Avatar” themed areas down the road. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday morning, Mr. Cameron said he envisioned the use of animatronic robots and cutting-edge video effects.

“Whatever makes sense to bring this world to life and allow people to wander in it,” he said. “The scenes from the movie that people liked best were not the obvious things like the big battle scenes. It was the creatures. It was learning to fly. It was being in the forest at night.”

I'd like to add that the NY Times is probably right when that say that "Disney’s parks overseas are likely to see “Avatar” themed areas down the road". It will probably be the case for Shanghaî Disneyland but i wouldn't be surprised too if an Avatar attraction was coming too at the Walt Disney Studios...

Jeez, that was a really big news, wasn't it? Also, have a look at Inside the Magic where you'll see some renderings from a Disney patent that could be used for this Avatar land project.

Picture: copyright 20th Century Fox and Disney

Monday, September 19, 2011

Hong Kong Disneyland 2011 Halloween - Full Report



Here is a full report on HKDL 2011 Halloween season, with plenty of pictures and videos. I will talk about the new Headless Horseman who is introduced for the first time this year but before let's begin by some pics showing different Halloween decor in the park and characters.

















The Thaddeus Oswald amazing circus appear for the first time at HKDL Halloween and a morbid curiosity will bring Guests to this traveling show set up in the heart of Adventureland, but one can only hope they will all make it out with their heads intact. The con artist exhibitor claims to have the head of the Headless Horseman as the main exhibit, and the Headless Horseman himself has come to seek revenge.









They've also created nice visuals for each of the circus characters as well as great circus posters inviting HKDL guests to enter to "lose their head"...















Always in Adventureland black magic and ancient incantations have released nocturnal creatures and ghoulish souls. HKDL guests inevitably come face to face with the many new jungle inhabitants as they lie in wait around every cursed corner.











Also, here is another TV Ad, slightly different - and better - than the one i've previously posted.




Next, pictures and video of the full Glow in the Dark parade and pre-show with the Headless Horseman opening the parade. Great parade as usual, i always love the giant Jack Skellington and all of the floats!






















They also had the incredibly good idea to do projections effects on Main street facades and Main Street station. On the first video below you will see the projections on Main Street Station...








But the projections on Main Street buildings are even more spectacularly creepy. I hope that someone at Disneyland Paris will watch these videos as they really should get some inspiration from this to do something similar on DLP Main Street facades...







In Tomorrowland, Space Mountain is turned once again in its Halloweed theming and lighting and HKDL guests are warned at the entrance that they will experience a different and ghostly experience!





Always in Tomorrowland the guests are welcome to engage in the infectious energy and array of activities at the new show “Tomorrowland - Party Zone”. Tomorrowland Street Jam hype up the party fun for every Guest with their stylish, high energy Hip Hop performance. Them, too, are loosing their head and it's a real good effect as you will see on the video below.






If you plan to visit the park and stay at HKDL hotel during the Halloween season you'll be pleased to learn that even the rooms have a Halloween theming...



...as well as the meals!



Hope you enjoyed this Halloween update and see you soon for a new HKDL update!

Pictures: copyright Disney or Disney and more



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