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February 22, 2012

Red Car Trolley – HPB

January 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

theCaliforniaSource.com > Disney’s California Adventure Guide > Hollywood Pictures Backlot > Red Car Trolley

Attraction Type: One-way transportation.

Location: The Red Car Trolley has two boarding locations in Hollywoodland: one in the middle of the land directly across from Disney Animation and the other on the east side of the land at the base of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Two more stops may be found in Buena Vista Street – one in front of the Cathay Circle Theatre and one in front of the park’s main entrance.

General Description: Enjoy one-way transportation through Hollywoodland into Buena Vista Street!

Will’s Review: The Red Car Trolley line, with its distinctive red cars traveling on rails through the city streets and meandering overhead electrical wires, harkens back to a time and place lost to the far-reaching history of Los Angeles. Beginning operation in 1901, the Pacific Electric Railway Company (also known locally as the “Red Car”) operated trolley lines in Southern California until 1961, when the city began deeming buses to be more economical. The line reached its peak in 1925, however, when the world’s largest electric railway interconnected Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Period movies taking place in the 1920’s through 1940’s Hollywood and Los Angeles often noticeably incorporate the Red Car into background or plot elements, most notably Universal’s “Changeling” (2008) and Touchstone’s “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” (1988).

To add a kinetic energy to this recreation of 1920’s Los Angeles and Hollywood, the Imagineers incorporated the Red Car Trolley attraction to provide one-way transportation around Hollywoodland and the neighboring Buena Vista Street in much the same way that the Main Street Vehicles provide one-way transportation between Town Square and Central Plaza on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland.

The transportation is one-way only, regardless of where you board, with all passengers being required to exit at both the Hollywoodland and main entrance Buena Vista Street terminuses. While walking is typically faster, or just as fast, as taking the Red Car, this attraction can be a fun little adventure when you’re not pressed for time. Besides that, it’s just plain fun.

Touring Tips: Visit anytime; if the wait seems too long, try a little while later. Please note that this attraction does not operate in the rain, past dusk, or in the span of time one half hour prior to and one half hour immediately after parade times.

Family Info: This attraction is great fun for kids, who will get a kick out of riding an old trolley such as this.

Variations: This attraction is unique to Disney California Adventure.

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Red Car Trolley – BVS

January 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

theCaliforniaSource.com > Disney’s California Adventure Guide > Buena Vista Street > Red Car Trolley

Attraction Type: One-way transportation.

Location: The Red Car Trolley has two boarding locations in Buena Vista Street: one at the front of the land near the Pan-Pacific main entrance turnstiles, one at Carthay Circle near the Theatre. Two additional boarding stations are located in Hollywoodland – one directly in front of Disney Animation and the other at the base of the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

General Description: Enjoy one-way transportation through Buena Vista Street and into Hollywoodland!

Will’s Review: The Red Car Trolley line, with its distinctive red cars traveling on rails through the city streets and meandering overhead electrical wires, harkens back to a time and place lost to the far-reaching history of Los Angeles. Beginning operation in 1901, the Pacific Electric Railway Company (also known locally as the “Red Car”) operated trolley lines in Southern California until 1961, when the city began deeming buses to be more economical. The line reached its peak in 1925, however, when the world’s largest electric railway interconnected Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Period movies taking place in the 1920’s through 1940’s Hollywood and Los Angeles often noticeably incorporate the Red Car into background or plot elements, most notably Universal’s “Changeling” (2008) and Touchstone’s “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” (1988).

To add a kinetic energy to this recreation of 1920’s Los Angeles, the Imagineers incorporated the Red Car Trolley attraction to provide one-way transportation around Buena Vista Street and the neighboring Hollywoodland in much the same way that the Main Street Vehicles provide one-way transportation between Town Square and Central Plaza on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland.
On Buena Vista Street, the Red Car Trolley has three loading areas; an additional loading area is located in Hollywood. Guests may board the Red Car Trolley from the main entrance turnstiles, from Carthay Circle in front of Carthay Circle Theatre, or from the base of the Hollywood Tower Hotel (The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) in Hollywoodland. The transportation is one-way only, regardless of where you board, with all passengers being required to exit at both the Hollywoodland and main entrance Buena Vista Street terminuses. While walking is typically faster, or just as fast, as taking the Red Car, this attraction can be a fun little adventure when you’re not pressed for time. Besides that, it’s just plain fun.

Touring Tips: Visit anytime; if the wait seems too long, try a little while later. Please note that this attraction does not operate in the rain, past dusk, or in the span of time one half hour prior to and one half hour immediately after parade times.

Family Info: This attraction is great fun for kids, who will get a kick out of riding an old trolley such as this.

Variations: This attraction is unique to Disney California Adventure.

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Disney’s Golden Gate No More

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

(07/25/2011) Anaheim, California – Back in February 2001, The Disneyland Resort’s admittedly-failed second theme park, Disney’s California Adventure, opened with a unique twist on a theme park entrance: guests would “walk through” a giant California postcard. Included in this set up were giant block letters which spelled out “California”, a stylized version of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, and a giant sun icon. This idea may have worked well on paper, but it didn’t execute effectively in actual practice. The rest of the park, for the most part, equally failed.

Disney’s answer? An unprecedented entire re-construction of the park’s main entrance and main entrance land. Gone is the “in your face, tongue-in-cheek” California and Hollywood references, gone is the tacky architecture (or at least it’s going … it’s being dismantled as we speak). Sunshine Plaza will be giving way over the next year to Buena Vista Street, a highly-detailed main entrance land stylized after 1920′s Los Angeles – as Walt himself would have experienced it.

To accomplish this, the largest postcard-architecture remnant had to be removed – the park’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge recreation. Constructed to disguise the monorail beam that runs through the park, the International Orange-colored bridge marked the park’s entrance as guests made their way in to Sunshine Plaza. The last pieces of the bridge’s towers came down Monday; the base is expected to be removed by this week.

While the Golden Gate is gone, the monorail beam won’t be uncovered for long – it will soon traverse another historic bridge, this time the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge. A historical bridge from L.A’s golden day of architecture – and still in use today – this bridge (in real life) is located near the original location of The Walt Disney Studios, making a bridge that Walt would have used on a regular basis.

The recreation of the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge will open as part of Buena Vista Street in Summer 2012.

-Report by Tim Trainor

Filed Under: Disneyland Resort News

Michael Jackson’s “Captain E.O.” Permanent in Tokyo Disneyland

July 23, 2011 By 2 Comments

Captain E.O.(07/23/2011) Tokyo, Japan – Executives at the Tokyo Disneyland Resort have recently announced that the 1980′s 3-D musical space adventure, “Captain E.O.” is now a permanent attraction at its Tokyo Disneyland theme park. The film-based attraction stars the late Michael Jackson as Captain E.O., a fledging space pilot who is charged with bringing the gift of music to the dark and mysterious Supreme Leader, played by Anjelica Houston; it was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and executive produced by George Lucas in association with Walt Disney Imagineering and Industrial Light & Magic.

“Captain E.O.”, which premiered in the States at Epcot and the original Disneyland in 1986, opened in Tokyo in 1987 to a strong fan base and critical acclaim. The popularity of the attraction was in large parts due to Jackson’s signature dance moves performed, including the Moonwalk, as well as two original songs created by Jackson for the film – “Another Part of Me” and “We Are Here to Change the World”; later versions of these songs appeared on Bad (1987) and Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection (1994), respectively.

After nearly a decade-long run – the later years of which were marked with declining popularity – “Captain E.O.” was closed in 1996 to make way for MicroAdventure!, a re-titled version of the state-side “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience” 3-D film from Epcot, which starred Rick Moranis in a reprisal of a role made famous in the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” movie series. While this attraction was initially popular, MicroAdventure, performed poorly with theme park guests in Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo and Paris.

Shortly after Michael Jackson’s untimely June 2009 death, several DIsney fan sites began online petitions to bring “Captain E.O.” back to the parks for a limited engagement. Disney obliged, but only in their Anaheim theme park. Thanks to overwhelming popularity, the decision was made to bring the film back in Orlando, Tokyo and Paris for limited-engagement runs under the moniker, “Captain E.O. Tribute”. The film reopened in Tokyo on July 1, 2010. Originally set to be a run through the holidays, the attraction’s run was continually granted extensions until the decision was made in Summer 2011 to let the attraction remain a permanent feature of Tokyo Disneyland.

This move marks the official permanent closure of MicroAdventure! in the park. No similar announcements have been made regarding the attraction’s three other international showings, though no closure date has been set either.

-Report by William J. Nash-McAdam | Will@theCaliforniaSource.com

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The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

February 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

theCaliforniaSource > Disney’s California Adventure Guide > Paradise Pier > The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

Attraction Type: Omnimover dark ride.

Location: On the north side of Paradise Bay – the show building is huge, you can’t miss it.

General Description: Ride in clam shells for a musical adventure under the sea with Ariel!

Will’s Review: This attraction was announced in 2008 as part of the massive $1.2 billion expansion and renovation of Disney’s California Adventure, an investment designed to bring the struggling Anaheim second gate to the level of a true Disney theme park. After being built mostly on the cheap under the later half of former CEO Michael Eisner’s tenure, new CEO Bob Iger and new WDI Creative Director John Lasseter, along with Disney’s board – including (at the time) Apple CEO Steve Jobs – set out to pour an investment into the park that would combat the public perception that Disney no loner built thematic spaces with all-immersive, Audio-Animatronic heavy rides.

With the exception of mild face lifts throughout the Paradise Pier area (the conversions of the Sun Wheel to Mickey’s Fun Wheel and Orange Stinger to Silly Symphony Swings), the previous components added to the park during this expansion phase were technological marvels, namely Toy Story Midway Mania and World of Color. The next big addition – Carsland (2012) – promises to be the capstone of them all. Due to this, expectations were high and grandiose for the park’s first – and only – Audio-Animatronics-heavy musical adventure. Early expectations set it on course to be a fun, animated dark ride adventure similar on scale to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. As the attraction got closer to opening, however, Disney retracted some of these statements, stating that the new ride would be a solid C or D ticket. Not that this is a bad thing. Disney’s California Adventure had been a park full of simple A and B ticket level attractions (the ones mentioned above, along with Disney Animation, The Bakery Tour and all of Flik’s Fun Fair) with a liberal, though not grand, sprinkling of E-ticket attractions (Grizzly River Run, Soarin’ Over California, California Screamin’ and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror). What was missing from the usual Disney park line-up were solid mid-range attractions. While this was addressed to a slight degree with Monsters, Inc.: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue, there still was no grandiose, adventurous Audio-Animatronic ride in this park; the kind of attraction that Disney was known for. This is what The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure set out to fill. Did it work? Almost.

The ride itself is cute, without a doubt, but budget cuts and what seems like poor space planning in an extremely large, stand-alone show building led to the creation of a ride that was a cut above Peter Pan’s Flight in terms of grandeur, though it doesn’t begin to touch that ride in terms of engrossing story or charm. The official line from Anaheim is now that the public expected too much, but we’re sure to remember what was promised. While the attraction is a disappointment in many areas, and falls flat on several levels, one must now keep in mind what it is: a family-friendly, cute ride that would have been perfect next to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or Snow White’s Scary Adventures in Disneyland’s Fantasyland, but not an attraction that should have been promoted on the same levels of World of Color or Star Tours II.

Before boarding the attraction, guests will notice the attraction’s main highpoint: the beautifully-designed and very elaborate show building facade. To their credit, Disney designed a show building in detail that compliments the new Victorian style of Paradise Pier perfectly, especially at night. The popcorn lighting throughout reflects off the water in brilliant ways, and guests waiting in the extensive outdoor queue at night will have great views of the nearby World of Color show. Of special note, the bronze statue of King Triton that sets atop the massive arch crest of the building is the same statue that once graced Ariel’s Grotto, the former Little Mermaid greeting area once found in Disneyland between Sleeping Beauty Castle and Tomorrowland (present site of Pixie Hollow). The main entrance rotunda, to the right of the building’s arch, is also the singular leftover piece of the former Golden Dreams theater, the attraction that once sat on the site of The Little Mermaid. While it is architecturally modeled as a scale incarnation of San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts, its color scheme no longer reflects this. The attraction’s first fault, and perhaps the first indication that this is not the grandiose adventure many expected, comes with the lack of a thematic, all-engrossing queue area that sets the stage for the story. The clam vehicles board directly inside the ride building, in a very 1980’s Orange County mall-type setting, against a well-done mural of the film’s characters. The setting is a bit strange unless you go in with the knowledge that Imagineering was aiming at a recreation of Coney Island’s spookhouse show buildings, with overdone archways and up-front loading areas. This transitions poorly to an attraction trying to tell an actual story, though, and doesn’t serve well to summertime crowds who will be waiting out in the California sun for over an hour on the busiest days. Fortunately, the attraction does utilize the always-moving, fast-loading Omnimover ride system, the same system in place at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. The pacing of the ride vehicles is a little fast, though, and the ride moves quickly – hopefully this is something that will be adjusted down the road.

The ride opens with the vehicles traveling through a ship’s hull into the first scene, where Scuttle sets the stage for the story to follow. Not long after, the vehicles turn and tip back, and a modest projection effect of bubbles takes guests “underwater”. The effects here could be done better (and have been in other attractions), but are slightly killed with a very visible maintenance staircase and way-too-bright lighting. The one highlight is looking up to see Ariel swimming near the surface of the water.

The following scene shows Ariel signing “Part of Your World”, surrounded by her treasure trove of trinkets she collected from the human world. The Ariel Audio-Animatronic here is really something to behold, as she is one of the most complicated ever created: her hair even moves with the invisible currants, in a way it would as if she was really under the sea. The highpoint of the attraction – and the single element that makes it a cut above Fantasyland dark rides – is the fun and cheerful “Under the Sea” musical sequence, led by Sebastain. Hundreds of Audio-Animatronics populate the room to place guests in the middle of the song, and the vehicle tracks wrap around the room extensively. The room falls a bit short of being completely immersive though, due to a very obvious structural steel ceiling, way too bright lights (the attraction looks like it’s in maintenance mode here) and very wide, very visible dark vehicle tracks that end abruptly at the sand scenes on both sides. These factors, including subsequent scenes being set up and away from the attraction vehicles, make guests feel as if they are merely watching a recreation of film scenes, not participating – even remotely – in the story themselves – the way Pirates, Haunted Mansion or even Snow White’s Scary Adventures does. In this manner, the attraction is very much like Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage – you sit there and watch, don’t participate or even feel involved.

The ride takes a darker – and more successful – turn here when the vehicles enter Ursula’s Lair. Singing “Poor Unfortunate Souls”, the massive Ursula Audio-Animatronic is incredibly lifelike and a work of technological genius. With this small scene over way too quickly, guests suddenly find themselves in the “Kiss the Girl” scene – a rather modest lake scene using acryllic water and static, rotating fish; this was certainly a lost opportunity to be one of the more beautiful scenes ever created in any ride, even a modest C ticket. The ride begins to really fall apart here, with the “Ursula’s Demise” scene amounting to little more than a two-foot tall, forced-perspective cutout of Ursula moving against some waves, and a “Grand Finale” scene that features King Triton and more dancing sea creatures, all using seemingly Tiki Room-era Audio-Animatronic technology. The digital fireworks in the background are fun to look at, but the forced perspective and depth here don’t work in a scene that is no more than five feet deep. The truly cute, if not abrupt ending, features Ariel and Prince Eric getting married – with both characters using the latest in Audio-Animatronic technology, especially with facial features. You can’t help but smile when the two look at each other and change facial expressions, making you truly believe these two creatures in front of you are in love; it’s a magical moment.

Touring Tips: If you’re touring without young children, and you have an extra day, hit this ride during the World of Color performances in the evening when the lines will be the shortest. If you’re touring on a tight one-day schedule with young children, and this ride is high on the list, visit early in the morning after hitting Soarin’ Over California and Toy Story Midway Mania. Avoid in the midday, when the lines – and the outside temperatures – will be at their peak.

Family Information: Like Peter Pan’s Flight, this ride will become a “must-see” for young children visiting Disney’s California Adventure, and it’s not entirely a ride that should be skipped if your visiting the park for one day; just don’t waste two hours of your day in line for it. To that end, it is a ride that can be easily and fully enjoyed by both young and old. Thanks to a special ride vehicle, guests in wheelchairs can actually remain in their wheelchair for the entire ride.

Variations: This attraction is currently unique to Disney’s California Adventure, though an identical version (with a more elaborate queue based on Prince Eric’s seaside castle) will open in 2013 in The Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland at Walt Disney World.

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Goofy’s Sky School

February 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

theCaliforniaSource > Disney’s California Adventure Guide > < href=”http://www.thecaliforniasource.com/disneys-california-adventure-guide/paradise-pier/”>Paradise Pier > Goofy’s Sky School

Attraction Type: Wild Mouse coaster.

Location: On the northwestern side of Paradise Pier.

General Description: Learn to fly with Goofy!

Will’s Review: This charmingly-themed mild coaster is nestled into a lush Victorian-style corner of Paradise Pier, right in between the crystal blue waters of Paradise Bay and the towering evergreens of Grizzly River Run. While the attraction itself is nothing more than a highly-themed, off-the-shelf Wild Mouse coaster (a type of roller coaster that features sudden drops and unbanked, hairpin turns – the way a mouse might run through a maze), it’s appeal is increased with a paint job and overall theme based on the classic Walt Disney animated short “Goofy’s Gliders”. Upon entering the attraction underneath a sea air-worn wooden water tower, guests soon learn that Goofy has purchased a chicken coop. Using his own airplane and simpleman wit, he is now trying to teach his newly-adopted chickens how to fly – and you get to join in on the fun!

At the loading area, guests board one of several four-person cars designed to resemble small single-prop aircraft. Billboards and a variety of thematic elements offer a tongue-in-cheek look at flying as the cars ascend the 55-foot tall chain lift. At the top, the ride slowly begins a mild gravity-powered descent through a series of switchbacks and unbanked hairpin turns, with the cars gaining in speed as the ride progresses. This first half provides great views of the Paradise Pier area, before the second half begins with a series of short and steep drops with more hairpin turns. The ride in this portion is fun enough, but even the mild thematic elements can’t help to fully divorce the ride from feeling very Six Flags: mainly, there is nothing more to look at than the industrial structural steel framework of the ride, the backs of walls, and a concrete floor. The Wild Mouse-style coaster is usually a favorite among coaster fans due to the sensation that one is about to “fall over the edge” of the tight turns at any second – this, combined with the steep drops, usually make this type of mild-looking ride into a truly fun adventure; alas, Disney has installed entirely too many brake zones throughout the ride, slowing the pace of the cars and greatly reducing the thrill. It’s not bad for the youngest set, but this is not the adventurous Wild Mouse you remember from the local fair.

If the ride, and its inclusion in Paradise Pier, seems a little odd, that’s because it is. Goofy’s Sky School was not the first name, or first theme, for this ride structure. This ride originally opened with Disney’s California Adventure as Mulholland Madness, described by Disney as “a wild ride through Los Angeles”. Themed to the world-famous Mulholland Drive (a particularly curvy and speedy road through the Hills), the ride was one of several examples of off-the-shelf, barely-themed attractions that littered the park (the “theme” was nothing more than tacky road signs scattered around the track). The area surrounding the ride, now renovated as a lush VIctorian beer garden and dining area, was previously-themed to Route 66 – this included typical kitsch architecture of the period, including a giant green dinosaur (DIno Jack’s Sunglasses Shack – removed), a giant spaceship-style hamburger (Burger Invasion – now Paradise Garden Grill) and a Tiki-themed pizza parlor (Pizza Om Mow Mow – now Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta). The unthemed queue for Mulholland Madness has been given a new layer of charm with the Goofy’s Sky School renovations. Unlike other attraction renovation work in this corner of Paradise Pier (the conversion of Orange Stinger to Silly Symphony Swings and the removal of Maliboomer), Goofy’s Sky School is a minor retheme; the attraction still exists, but only as a placeholder for future expansion. To that end, expect a new attraction to replace the Wild Mouse coaster in 2016 or so.

Touring Tips: Visit this attraction anytime except mid-day, when lines will be at their peak. FastPass is also available.

Family Information: This coaster, due to the many brake zones, is ideal for the youngest in your party – especially those who may be a little intimidated by California Screamin’. Older guests may not be as thrilled. Please note that guests must be at least 42” in height in order to ride.

Variations: This attraction is unique to Disney’s California Adventure, though an identical Wild Mouse coaster with a different theme can be found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as Primeval Whirl. Another Goofy-themed coaster, The Great Goofini, will open in 2013 at The Magic Kingdom as part of the park’s Fantasyland expansion.

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Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

February 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

theCaliforniaSource > Disneyland Guide > Tomorrowland > Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Attraction Type: Motion-based 3-D simulator.

Location: On the south side of Tomorrowland Plaza, near Central Plaza.

General Description: Step into Star Tours, the intergalactic spaceflight shuttle service that exists within the Star Wars universe. After boarding your StarSpeeder 1000, your accidental pilot – C-3PO – sets out to take you on an adventure, but not before the Empire finds a Rebel spy aboard your ship. It is then up to you and C-3PO to deliver the spy to safety.

Will’s Review: Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is the long-anticipated follow-up to the original Star Tours ride, which debuted January 1987 at Disneyland Park. The original attraction was the second venture between Disney and George Lucas (others including Michael Jackson’s “Captain E.O.”, Disney World’s short-lived ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, and a wide range of Indiana Jones-inspired stage shows and rides throughout the world). At the time, much was made of the motion simulator technology in use – though the ride’s initial plot was always the same (you begin an adventure to the Moon of Endor, but Rex, your new pilot, never succeeds in getting you there) – both Lucas and then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner bragged about how new films will be created and continually programmed into the ride. However, thanks to increasing stress from Eisner on the Disney-Lucas relationship, and Lucas’ attention turning towards the prequel trilogy and the 4th Indiana Jones film, decades came and went with no update. The result was an attraction that was entering 2010 that was utilizing a rough, worn simulator base with equally worn 70mm film. In an era of new technology, this aging attraction – while beloved – was serving neither Disney nor Lucas well.

At the D23 Fan Club expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in 2010, Disney announced the 2011 opening of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. While Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Imagineering had been quietly conceptualizing, writing and filming new scenes for the ride using a majority of the original cast (yes, James Earl Jones, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher and many others returned for this ride), Disney kept the adventure a secret until just before it was time to shut down the attraction for interior modifications.

Early rumors placed the ride as a prequel to the original; while this is true (thus, the name “The Adventures Continue” is a thematic misnomer), many fans were skeptic of the upcoming changes due to Lucas’ treatment of dialogue and story in Episodes I-III and Indiana Jones IV. The end result, we are thankful to report, is a Star Wars-inspired adventure that holds true to the quality and believability of Episodes IV-VI. While the prequel world is in heavy play here (even Jar Jar makes a brief appearance if your shuttle travels to Naboo), make no mistake about it: this is classic Star Wars: unbridled adventure and fun with plenty of story and action.

Just as every quality Disney attraction should, your adventure begins in the queue area. The extra extended queue room, likely to be in use on busier days for the next few years, is your first adventure into the building. This space (previously the exit area for the former Adventure thru Inner Space attraction, 1967-85) was added as part of the Tomorrowland ‘98 expansion and featured cheaply done, cartoonish towers that tried – unsuccessfully – to blend in with the main queue. These tacky adornments were stripped away and a clean, simple room now holds the extended queue – while it’s decor is truly minimal, it works. Once guests enter the main queue room (the exterior, you may notice, is completely refreshed and repainted – gone is the ‘98 gold and copper color scheme, with more subtle and attractive chrome and neon now in its place), you will notice that the layout is the same, but that’s where the similarities end. Whereas the old queue dropped guests into a grimy spaceport cargo bay, with a laser-blasted StarSpeeder 3000 being repaired), the new queue welcomes guests into a shiny, high-tech and extremely clean intergalactic spaceport lobby. The control tower is still there, but the rusted orange and white paint scheme of the new ride is touched on throughout the decor, down to the handrails. Plush carpet, rather than bumpy linoleum, provides a welcoming feel to tired feet. The former Sony Jumbotron has been replaced with a stunningly brilliant high-definition digital display of the same size, advertising Star Tours flights to intergalactic destinations, including Tatooine, Hoth, Endor, and Naboo, among others.

The StarSpeeder 1000 on display is bright and shiny, with an improved R2D2 Audio-Animatronic, and a next-generation C-3PO Audio-Animatronic takes up residence not too far away. Observant visitors will notice that the old PeopleMover/Rocket Rods tracks that once ran through the queue behind the StarSpeeder have now been blocked off with what looks like temporary themeing (hopefully we’ll be able to ride through the queue once again on a future attraction). The next room of the queue falls a bit short on the redesign aspect. While clean – and with good theming – gone are the many moving G2 droids as well as the moving overhead baskets of spare parts for the cargo bay. While neither of these elements would have played well with the new spaceport theme, this once highly-visual and kinetic room is now rather stale. One interesting aspect of this room, however, is a play on modern real-world flight hassles: Rex, the former pilot of the original Star Tours, is now seen security-scanning luggage while interacting with guests. At one point guests walk past a thermal scan that shows body heat (obviously a play on modern airport full-body scans), but this up-close high-def scan still shows a little more of my body than I found necessary to be displayed on a large monitor in a theme park attraction (the thermal scan is great for the disappearing effect in Tower of Terror, where time is shorter and distance is greater, but not here).

At this point, space travelers are assigned to one of four bays to begin loading. After watching the safety spiel (take notice that one of the actors in the new scene is the original safety spiel narrator female, aka “donut hair lady”, from the original attraction), guests are loaded into their StarSpeeder 1000. While the motion simulator bases are entirely new, and have been nearly completely refreshed from top to bottom, the actual cabins are the same. New paint, new chairs, an improved blast shield and a high-def display to the right-hand side help to overcome this). After putting on their 3-D glasses (given in the queue), guests are greeted with an in-person C-3PO, who seems highly disturbed and surprised that he has passengers (seems our awkward droid friend was just playing around, and isn’t actually our pilot). Luckily, R2D2, also onboard, takes notice and attempts to the guide the StarSpeeder back to the dock to pick up Aly-San, our real droid pilot. Of course, something goes terribly wrong … and this is where the real fun begins. In order to take advantage of new technology and create a consistently repeatable ride, there are 54 possible ride combinations that kick in from this point. In most cases, the light speed effect is used as a transition point between randomly-selected scenes. The opening scene – and premise for the ride – is that your normal space flight is being interrupted, as the Empire has detected a Rebel spy aboard your ship (for you Star Wars fans out there – the ride is set between Episodes III and IV, but don’t look for canonized consistency in the story – it’s not here and will drive you nuts).

One of two scenes kick off the ride’s story: the first option is that Darth Vader and Storm Troopers stop your ship and demand the release of the Rebel spy – Vader uses the Force to take control of the craft and toss it about the cargo bay. The other option is that an Imperial probe scans the passengers and identifies one as the spy (this is done using actual images from the cabin, and the randomly-selected guest, who acts as the spy during the trip, has their picture placed on the screen). Being ones with a soft spot for the Rebel Alliance, C-3PO and R2D2 realize they don’t have time to pick up the real pilot, and they must act fast to deliver the Rebel spy to safety. After blasting away and either flying backwards or following the Millennium Falcon through a combat zone, you escape the Empire – for now – and blast to light speed.

The first planet escaped to is one of three (again, randomly selected), with each one featuring a fast-paced adventure that coordinates to stories from that planet in the Star Wars films. In this segment, you’ll either end up in the Boonta Eve pod race on Tatooine (my personal favorite), dodging Imperial Scouts on a speed bike race through Kashyyyk, or narrowly escaping AT-AT’s on an icy run through the mountainous terrain of Hoth.

After escaping the planet and back into space, the StarSpeeder comes to an abrupt halt in order to receive a hologram transmission (done incredibly well with the 3-D effects). This is the one weak area of the ride, however, as all action and movement is stopped in a rather awkward way, but this one flaw in an otherwise amazing attraction is forgivable. The transmission, with instructions on how to deliver the Rebel spy to a safe location, comes from either Yoda, Princess Leia or Admiral Ackbar. Following these instructions, our droid friends blast us back to light speed and to one of three destinations. On Coruscant, you become caught up in a maze of intergalactic traffic on flying highways, with several narrow misses; on Naboo, your StarSpeeder dives underwater (one of the more beautiful scenes I’ve ever seen on any attraction), accidentally runs over Jar Jar (whoops!), and then cruises through the underwater civilization before being attacked by a giant sea alien. The most personally satisfying option, however, is an asteroid field that eventually leads to the Death Star, complete with exciting and adrenaline-pumping fight scenes. From here, the ride concludes and the Rebel spy is delivered safely. C-3PO becomes as confused as ever, the blast shield is raised, and guests are led off the transport.

As a complete experience, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is an exceptionally well-done attraction, showcasing the creativity and energy of George Lucas and Walt Disney Imagineering at their best. Unlike recent attractions that spoon-feed stories (Finding Nemo Sumbarine Voyage), this attraction places guests in the middle of the action, encouraging just the right amount of imagination and adventure with the perfect dose of storytelling. The show plays heavy to hardcore Star Wars fans, with a heavy nod to Episodes IV-VI, even if the timeline issues can be frustrating. Unlike the original ride, which featured an off-shoot story that takes place within the fictional universe, the new incarnation places guests in the middle of the scenes, planets and action of all six movies. The randomization factors give the ride a high-repeatability that, previous to this, only interactive attractions such as Buzz Lightyear’s Astro-Blasters had. The true concept of giving each ride a completely different variation is a concept that has been touted by WDI for years, but never delivered upon with previous attempts (Indiana Jones Adventure being case in point, with many of the “hundreds” of possible variations amounting to little more than slightly different lighting in one or two scenes). From a technical standpoint, the ride is a hit: where it falls short on pacing and timeline issues, it excels in achieving greater degrees of motion with the new simulator bases, and the 3-D effects are used to add depth in brilliant ways: this isn’t the cheesy or gimmicky 3-D you see in modern movies, nor does it distract the way it does in films.

The attraction still unloads in the adjacent Star Trader shop, but even this area has been greatly refreshed with new paint, themes and props. Of special note, look above the shop where the old PeopleMover/Rocket Rods tracks once were and you’ll see moving silhouettes of various alien creatures waiting in their boarding line; look directly above the registers and you’ll see a full-sized X-Wing Fighter on display that was actually used in the films.

Touring Tips: While previous years saw extremely short lines for the former Star Tours, this is no longer the case – not by a long shot. Along with the recently-refreshed Space Mountain next door, and the adjacent “Captain E.O.” Tribute starring Michael Jackson, this corner of Tomorrowland is once again hopping in a way that we haven’t seen since the mid-80’s. Due to the variation sequences, you’ll want to ride this attraction a couple of times – even with a one-day touring schedule. Head here when the park first opens, grab a FastPass, then get in line. Follow-up immediately with Space Mountain and Matterhorn, returning here during your FastPass window.

Warning: Guests with heart, back or neck issues, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by an aggressive simulator experience should not ride. Expectant mothers are urged not to ride.

Family Information: Guests of all ages love this attraction, though very sensitive young children and seniors may not enjoy it, or become frightened by it. Motion sickness has been a big factor in some disliking this attraction. Please note that guests under 40” in height may not ride.

Variations: Star Tours: The Adventures Continue can also be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. The original Star Tours attraction is still currently operating at both Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.

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Disneyland’s “Tangled” Meet-and-Greet Now Open

October 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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Image Copyright Disney

10/18/2010 – Anaheim, California – The two main characters from Disney’s newest animated feature length film, “Tangled” (opens November 24) are now available for meet-and-greets at Disneyland. Housed in a specially-crafted themed setting in Fantasyland at the site of the former Gepetto’s Candy Shoppe, guests can pose for pictures with and get autographs from Disney’s newest princess and hero combination, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.

The transformation of the old store to the meet-and-greet included re-theming the building’s interior (adjacent to Pinocchio’s Daring Journey) and adding a whimsical tower near the building’s facade. Though the movie has  yet to be released and publicity has been marginal at best, the chance to meet the new stars is attracting attention quite rapidly; wait times, despite today’s afternoon rain, are exceeding 45 minutes.

The film, formerly titled “Rapunzel”, will star the voice talents of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. The meet-and-greet is expected to remain in place at least through the holiday season, and possibly into Spring and Summer 2011, based on the film’s popularity.

At Disney World, a larger meet-and-greet area, with an interactive play zone, will open October 25th in Fantasyland at The Magic Kingdom. Until then, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider can be found wandering throughout Epcot.

-Report by William J. Nash-McAdam

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Exploratorium

August 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The California Source > City Guides > San Francisco Guide > Exploratorium

What It Is: Hands-on science museum.

Location: 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco. The Exploratorium is located at The Palace of Fine Arts.

Contact Information: exploratorium.edu / 415-561-0360

General Description: The Exploratorium is a hands-on science and experiment museum located at the historic (and scenic!) Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District of San Francisco. The Exploratorium could quickly be dismissed as a kid’s museum (like most science museums) but for the curious and young-at-heart, there are some seriously cool things to see and do inside. One highlight is the Tactile Dome (extra fee applies), a pitch-black room where you touch different items, experiencing this singular perception in an attempt to figure out the world around you.

Admission: Admission is as follows: adults $14, child $9, student is $11, and seniors 65 years of age and older are $11.

Filed Under: San Francisco, Things to Do Tagged With: , , , , ,

Alcatraz

August 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The California Source > City Guides > San Francisco Guide > Alcatraz

What It Is: World-famous former maximum security prison.

Location: Tours to Alcatraz Island depart near Pier 39.

Contact Info: alcatrazcruises.com / 415-981-ROCK

General Description: Alcatraz Island, the home to the world’s most famous federal prison, has an extensive history and lore. The island is most famous for becoming home to a now-defunct federal penitentiary, but is also famous for its breath-taking cityscape views of San Francisco and indigenous wildlife population. Alcatraz Cruises is the sole provider of transportation to and from the island. Upon arrival, a tour guide takes you through the cell house and past a couple landmarks on the island; an optional audio-narrated self-guided tour is also available. At the tour’s conclusion, you are free to wander a good chunk of the island and the buildings, taking advantage of photographic opportunities or bird watching.

Admission: Ticket prices vary by season. Admission to Alcatraz Island itself is free, but you do have to pay (sometimes a premium) for transportation to the island. Note that cruise tickets often sell out many weeks advance during the summer-season; be sure to book your Alcatraz tickets right after booking your hotel.

Hours: Varies by season; check in advance of your trip.

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