Disney announces Test Track will re-open Dec. 6

Disney has announced the re-imagined Test Track in Epcot at Disney World will re-open Dec. 6.

Imagineer Melissa Jeselnick said during an earlier a live chat on the Disney Parks Blog that this ride will be  new kind of virtual//physical experience.

Disney rendering of new Test Track sign.

Here's the highlights: 

• You design your own thrill ride through an interactive touch screen and then get into a simulator to test the ride.
• The queue area has changed its focus from testing to design. This area will look at Chevrolet’s Automotive Design process. 
• The Design Studios is where you will use an interactive kiosk to design your own vehicle based on the concepts of Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness and Speed.
• In the sim car (which is the physical ride itself), there are four "show scenes" in which there is interaction. Capability is where your car is tested for rough road and weather conditions. Efficiency tests your car design's environmental footprint. The Responsiveness phase tests maneuverability, and finally, Speed is tested.
• The post-show area shows off the scores from everyone throughout the day and you'll be able to "play with your design with multiple interactive elements.

Read More

Disney to hold live chat about New Fantasyland on Oct. 15

The Disney Parks Blog will hold a live chat later this month on New Fantasyland.

Chris Beatty, creative director with Walt Disney Imagineering, will talk about the Be Our Guest Restaurant, Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Gaston’s Tavern, Belle’s Village, Enchanted Tales With Belle, Storybook Circus and others, according to the Disney Parks Blog.

This will be the final live chat before the official grand opening on Dec. 6.

Read More

First Round Disney Villain Face-Off Winners

The first round of The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off challenge is over on our journey to name "The Baddest of Them All" this Halloween.

Click the image to enlarge

In the first round over 320 votes were cast in eight rounds. The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off begins with the Sinister Sixteen and each week, as we get closer to Halloween, you all get to vote on pairings of evil-doers until you decide who get the crown.

Along the way you'll learn about all the villains, be able to give us your best "Boo-Cheers" and be able to enter a raffle for a $25 Disney Store Gift Card, by clicking here.

Here is who you decided should go to the next level and who should be dubbed the Evil Eight:

Round 1: The Queen of Hearts received 73 percent of the vote while the Big Bad Wolf received 27 percent.

Round 2: The closest contest of the first eight was between Ursula and Chernabog. Only one vote separated the two with Ursula winning with 51 percent of the vote against Chernabog's 49 percent.

Round 3: Maleficent won the next round with 84 percent of the vote versus Lady Tremaine's 16 percent.

Round 4: Another close vote had Judge Claude Frollo from "THe Hunchback of Notre Dame" going up against Shan Yu from "Mulan." Shan Yu won, receiving 60 percent of the vote.

Round 5: One devil faced off against another de Vil. Cruella de Vil received 71 percent of the vote, besting Hades from "Hercules."

Round 6: Scar received 76 percent of the vote against Doctor Facilier's 24 percent.

Round 7: This was the most lopsided contest of them all. The Queen trounced Gaston receiving 98 percent of the vote.

Round 8: In this final contest, Jafar went up against Captain Hook. Jafar received 72 percent of the vote over Captain Hook's 28 percent.

To cast your votes in the new round, go here.

Read More

The Unofficial Disney Villains Face-Off Evil Round 4: Jafar vs. The Queen

We are now into the second bracket in the month-long Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off competition.

You all have cut down the original Sinister Sixteen contestants down to a grouping we call the Evil Eight.

In this Evil Round 4 quarterfinals, The Queen goes up against Jafar.

Name: The Queen

Movie: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)

Best known for: Her poison apples

Quote: “Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”

Background: The jealous queen targets her beautiful stepdaughter, Snow White, so she will once again be the most beautiful woman in the land.

Why she’s the baddest of them all: She’s the original evil -- the template for all that follow.

VS.

Name: Jafar

Movie: “Aladdin” (1992)

Best known for: Trying to kill Aladdin -- again, and again, and again.

Quote: “How many times do I have to kill you, boy?”

Background: He is the sorcerer of Agrabah with the intent to overthrow the Sultan, get rid of Aladdin and rule the land.

Why he’s the baddest of them all: He can shoot lighting bolts from his hands and eyes, and has a staff that turns into a snake. (Why did it have to be a snake?)

Read More

The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off Evil Round 3: Scar vs. Cruella de Vil

We are now into the second bracket in the month-long Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off competition.

You all have cut down the original Sinister Sixteen contestants down to a grouping we call the Evil Eight.

In this Evil Round 3 quarterfinals,  Scar goes up against Cruella de Vil. 

Name: Scar

Movie: “The Lion King” (1994)

Best known for: Cavorting with hyenas.

Quote: “As far as brains go, I got the lion's share. But, when it comes to brute strength ... I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool.”

Background: A covetous Scar arranges for the death of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. But he’s too sure of himself.

Why he’s the baddest of them all: You have no idea.

VS.

Name: Cruella de Vil

Movie: “101 Dalmatians” (1961)

Best known for: Her fashion sense

Quote: “I don’t care how you kill the little beasts, just do it, and do it now!”

Background: Already in possession of 84 puppies, “that devil woman” just needs to steal Pongo and Perdita’s 15 little ones to complete her wardrobe.

Why she’s the baddest of them all: In a word: puppies. Just how evil do you have to be?

Read More

The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off Evil Round 2: Maleficent vs. Shan Yu

We are now into the second bracket in the month-long Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off competition.

You all have cut down the original Sinister Sixteen contestants down to a grouping we call the Evil Eight.

In this Evil Round 2 quarterfinals,  Maleficent goes up against Shan Yu:

Name: Maleficent

Movie: “Sleeping Beauty” (1959)

Best known for: Turning into a dragon.

Quote: “You poor, simple fools. Thinking you can defeat me? Me, the mistress of all evil?”

Background: Upset after being snubbed by the parents of the Princess Aurora, she seeks revenge by cursing the child.

Why she’s the baddest of them all: She cursed a baby because she wasn’t invited to the christening. A christening, people!

VS.

Name: Shan Yu

Movie: "Mulan" (1998)

Best known for: Killing his enemies in cold blood; had an archer shoot an enemy messenger in the back (apparently he never learned that you don't shoot the messenger).

Quote: "Your walls and armies have fallen, and now it's your turn."

Background: Leader of the Huns who invades Han China.

Why he's the baddest of them all: He's a Hun. Come on, a Hun!

Read More

The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off Evil Round 1: The Queen of Hearts vs. Ursula

We are now into the second bracket in the month-long Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off competition.

You all have cut down the original Sinister Sixteen contestants down to a grouping we call the Evil Eight.

In this Evil Round 1 quarterfinals,  The Queen of Hearts  goes up against Ursula:

Name: The Queen of Hearts

Movie: “Alice in Wonderland” (1951)

Best known for: Wanting to take people's heads off

Quote: “I warn you, child, if I lose my temper, you lose your head.”

Background: Believed by some to be a caricature of Queen Victoria, the Queen of Hearts just wants everything to go her way.

Why she’s the baddest of them all: She's a bit psychotic; let's say she's at least one card short of a full deck.

VS.

Name: Ursula

Movie: “The Little Mermaid” (1989)

Best known for: Taking Ariel’s voice -- and trying to take her man, too

Quote: “Poor unfortunate souls!”

Background: Ursula “helps” the “unfortunate merfolk” who make the mistake of sharing their wishes with her. Along comes Ariel, who wishes to be part of Prince Eric’s world.

Why she’s the baddest of them all: Her talent at manipulation means she makes a lot of sense -- until it’s too late.

Read More