Walt Disney World Resort - Recent News
March 2008
Block Party Bash - Replacing “Stars and Motor Cars” as the Hollywood Studios’ newest parade, “Block Party Bash” arrives in Florida from its previous home at California Adventure. From the Disney press release:
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida. – “The Year of A Million Dreams” rocks on at Walt Disney World Resort this spring with “Block Party Bash,” a funtastic parade featuring favorite Disney•Pixar characters. Currently scheduled for a mid-March opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the high-energy extravaganza cranks up the music and excitement to the max, putting guests in the middle of the wildest Disney parade ever – a non-stop musical block party that doubles as a fun-filled interactive street spectacular.
The famous Green Army Men lead the procession of favorite Disney-Pixar characters that entice guests to dance, play and party as the “bash” makes its way down Hollywood Boulevard.
In addition to an eclectic mix of fun-inducing retro tunes, “Block Party Bash” includes appearances by some of the most popular characters including Woody and Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story,” Mike and Sully from “Monsters, Inc.” and Flik and Atta from “A Bug’s Life.”
“Guests won’t be able to resist the show’s energetic performers, lovable characters, familiar pop tunes and never-ending surprises,” said Robin Trowbridge, show director. “What a fantastic opportunity to share this incredible show with so many guests. I have no doubts that this show with all its fun, energy and surprises will knock the socks off of everyone visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios.”
The “block party” transforms into major choreographed sections that immerse guests into a feeling of playing with the “toys,” screaming with the “monsters” and dancing with the “bugs.” The performance is bursting with dancers, acrobats, jumping stilts and a “mini” caravan of electric scooters that combine to fill the performance area with an awe-inspiring array of visuals and sound sensations.
The elaborate set pieces for this interactive parade/show include large floats themed to “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life,” trampoline units (invented specifically for “Block Party Bash”), and “tweeners” (smaller floats that look like stacks of toy blocks that double as dance stages, decorative prop boxes and sources of amazing special effects). These rolling stages camouflage impressive telescoping towers that rise during the finale of the extravaganza revealing Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and Frozone from the Disney presentation of a Pixar Film, “The Incredibles.”
“Block Party Bash” marks a continuation of new interactive entertainment created to premiere during “The Year of a Million Dreams” celebration, which continues through Dec. 31, 2008, at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.
February 2008
Spaceship Earth Renovation - Spaceship Earth has undergone a comprehensive overhaul due to the largesse of new sponsor Siemens. The wand is down (praise be to Mickey), new scenes and a new score have been added, and a new narration has been recorded by Dame Judi Dench. The ride is opened for previews and testing in December 2007. From Disney’s Cast Portal:
Glendale, Calif., Nov. 29, 2007 - Ten time Emmy®-award winning composer Bruce Broughton conducted a 63-piece orchestra and 24-voice choir for a new musical score for Spaceship Earth at Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney Imagineers have been re-imagining the iconic Epcot attraction since earlier this year, and have added new show scenes to the attraction’s story line, along with new lighting effects, costumes, set decoration, and a new narrator - Academy Award®-winning, English actress Dame Judi Dench.
For the musical score, each scene was infused with musical styles and instruments appropriate to the time period, which was not an easy task according to Walt Disney Imagineering senior show producer Bob Zalk. “To have that score transition smoothly as vehicles travel from one time period to the next is extremely difficult,” he said. “The first time we rode through the attraction accompanied by that music, we were amazed.”
Spaceship Earth has been on hiatus since earlier this year, and is expected to re-open in December for sneak previews. When it re-opens, Spaceship Earth will combine the magic of the iconic attraction’s time-travel adventure into the past with a new finale and post-show, presented by Siemens, which provides guests the opportunity to imagine their futures. Guests discover how each generation of mankind has invented the future for the next generation, and how the spirit of innovation has moved people from the caves to the cosmos.
