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ART OF ANIMATION RESORT Buildings are themed, both inside and out, to Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, or The Little Mermaid. The Mermaid buildings are more conventional hotel rooms, while the Nemo, Cars, and Lion King buildings feature family suites which sleep 6. The buildings are centered around Animation Hall, which features the main desk, concierge, the Ink & Paint shop (a large store), and Landscape of Flavors, a counterservice restaurant. The resort's largest pool, The Big Blue Pool, is Nemo themed and can be found directly outside Animation Hall. The Big Blue Pool area consists of the main pool, a sprayground, The Drop Off poolside bar, and a playground. There are also pools at The Little Mermaid and Cars buildings. The Main Desk inside Animation Hall Character Development Wall inside Animation Hall Light Fixture inside Animation Hall Christmas Tree inside Animation Hall Inside Lion King suite Big Blue Pool Overall, this was an awesome event full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I hope you enjoyed getting to peek behind the curtain a little bit!

As I mentioned in the New Fantasyland, my position in the media earned me and my wife the opportunity to travel to The Happiest Place on Earth to be a part of the media previews of New Fantasyland, Test Track, and Splitsville last week. I tried to do my best to document the events to peel back the curtain, so to speak, and let you peek in on these lavish parties Disney throws. On Wednesday morning, we arrived at MCO and were promptly whisked away by Disney's Magical Express to our home for the next several days: Disney's Art of Animation resort. This is the newest of Disney's resorts, and was built from the remnants of the scrapped Pop Century: The Classic Years project, which was abandoned following the 2001 terrorist attacks. I'll get to more on the resort later, but let's skip right to the good stuff, eh? We checked into our suite in The Lion King buildings and were then directed to the media check in suite in the Cars building. We checked in, and were given our itinerary along with a bag of Disney swag: A "New Fantasyland" emblazoned iPod touch, New Fantasyland pin set, a Test Track windshield cover, Splitsville merchandise, and various Disney small goods. NEW FANTASYLAND EVENT The itinerary showed our first commitment was a 7pm VIP party and dinner, so we decided to go exploring on our own for a while at the Magic Kingdom. After getting in rides on Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, it's a small world, and The People Mover, we grabbed a Dole Whip and headed back to the resort to get ready for the party. We were picked up at Art of Animation by private coach (not Disney buses) and quickly driven backstage at the Magic Kingdom. We were escorted in through Tomorrowland and into Storybook Circus, where my jaw hit the well-themed pavement. The area was swathed in richly-themed decorations and filled with sets of tables and chairs. You couldn't walk 10 feet without encountering a food table, dessert table, or (open) bar. The food was gourmet (prime rib, Ahi tuna, sides), the desserts were delicious, and the drinks were premium. Aside from the food and libations, the party offered wait-free time on Aerial's Undersea Adventure, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Pete's Silly Sideshow, and Dumbo: The Flying Elephant. One of the most impressive parts, believe it or not, was the much-hyped flying dragon: Disney photo After the event, we were ushered into an empty hub (remember the park closed at 7pm) for a private showing of Holiday Wishes and the revamped castle projection show.

*picardfacepalm.jpg

If a coaster is a coaster, you should be happy if the next new attraction is a clone of Woodstock Express. Terp, just sayin'

So, what would Cedar Fair HQ be without Q? Appeasing shareholders can be a pain, but it can also keep a company from wandering too far off track! It was already an oligarchy under Kinzel. Without a few "pesky" shareholders' rapid accumulation of stock for the purpose of redirecting the company, who knows what might've happened?

TEST TRACK EVENT Where the New Fantasyland event was classy, the Test Track event was an outright party. All of Futureworld East (Test Track, Mission Space, and Universe of Energy) had been closed at 3pm to set up for this one. We were again bused by private coach to the park around 6pm, and we were herded into the Innoventions East breezeway until shortly before 7. When we entered, we were again taken back at just how detailed the party was. Huge bars and food buffets glowed, literally, in cool blue and green LED lighting. Chevrolet cars were scattered throughout, each with dramatic lighting added to fit the theme. A DJ was spinning club-style music from a gigantic stage set up directly in front of the ride (we would soon see why). The bars were serving cocktails (either "blue" or "pink" - the ingredients remain a mystery) in LED-lit, color changing martini glasses). At about 8 we were directed towards the stage, where Meg Crofton, VP of Disney Parks US and Europe, and Alan Beatty, GM VP of US Sales and Service, both gave brief remarks, before summoning Mickey to the stage to "turn on" new Test Track using Chevrolet's MyLink voice command system. It was a cute, if cheesy, gimmick. Confetti cannons fired, and SIM cars began zipping by behind the stage. We were ushered into the ride, which you've probably heard all about by now. You build your own SIM car in the queue, now themed as Chevrolet Design Center at EPCOT, and test the car on the SIM track. Designing their SIM cars Jenn's SIM car Old vehicles, new graphics We got off the ride, which was great, and heard a different type of music than we had been hearing. One Republic was playing a private concert on the Test Track stage! We walked right up to the front of the stage and listened. What a talented group that really put on a good show.

Not a rumor, but here's hoping Dollywood gets a (proper) Drop Tower. That would be a neat spot for one, as you've got the train running along the hill on one side and Wild Eagle/Mystery Mine on the other to give riders an exaggerated sense of height. Kind of like how I hate sitting on the Skyflyer/Son of Beast/Eiffel Tower sides of Drop Tower because it reminds me how stinking high up I am.

Antique Cars return in 2013?....... I miss them so much!!

RCCA? Please no...not again.

Awesome PTR, thanks so much for sharing with us!

Believe it or not, it is. The curved building in this shot is what's now Animation Hall. The shelled hotel buildings are now The Little Mermaid buildings. The visible foundations just above Animation Hall are where the Lion King Suite buildings now sit, and The Big Blue Pool and finding Nemo buildings lay between Animation Hall and Hourglass Lake.

AROUND OUR WORLD BREAKFAST Friday morning, we were invited to a breakfast and corporate update at Downtown Disney's AMC theaters. We were treated to comments from Meg Crofton, WDI Chief Creative Executive Bruce Vaughn, and President of Disney Cruiseline and Adventures by Disney Karl Holz. Nothing new was disclosed, save for one photo of Imagineers working on Avatar concept art (which Vaughn admitted had already changed considerably), but it was nice to be in the front row (literally) and hear what these folks had to say. Meg Crofton gives remarks Bruce Vaugn, from WDI, briefly discusses Avatar land Imagineers work on Avatar design The event concluded with a great performance by Main Street USA's Dapper Dans. SPLITSVILLE The final event on our schedule was a media preview of Splitsville, Downtown Disney's new "premium" bowling alley. After a few short speeches from Splitsville and Downtown Disney heads, as well as the breaking of the bowling pin out front, we were allowed in and immediately fell in love with this place. Once inside, we were treated to mimosa and bloody mary, pizza, nachos, sliders, sushi, calamari, chicken tenders, desserts, and another open bar. The food was great, the drinks were strong, and the decor is great. My only concern is that there might not be enough allies: 10 downstairs and 20 upstairs. Splitsville opens to the public on December 16th.

You are correct when discussing TT v.1, it was WDI spearheading that effort. However, TT v.2 was proposed, conceptualized, and largely built and designed by GM as part of their new (well, new-old commitment and once planned rebirth of the Chevrolet brand - which was created 2 marketing heads ago, but I digress). With sources on both sides of this one, I can say with absolute certainty that GM was driving force, so to speak, behind this one. Perhaps more directly in control than any outside corporate entity in a Disney attraction since the park's early days.

And Cedar Point's ride company of choice was Intamin, until this year. TTD, just sayin' and hoping for a Gravity Group.

Cedar Fair's wood coaster company of choice of late has been Great Coasters International. Terp, just sayin'

Looks like CoasterBuzz is interested again. From their Twitter account: And KingsIslandPR's reply: We should start thinking about dates and logistics for our own meet-up(s) next year.

Cedar Fair is publicly owned as you define it. (Complicated by the fact it is an LP and the unit holders have little say in management). Paramount Parks was part of CBS, before that VIACOM. A publicly traded corporation somewhat run with an iron hand by Sumner Redstone. Great American Financial (Carl Lindner) was publicly traded, I think. KECO was private, a leveraged buy-out. Taft Broadcasting, I think, was publicly traded.

Try not to laugh...

Just got back from Magic Kingdom from over Thanksgiving. The new Fantasyland built on what use to be 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is now partially open! http://www.wdwmagic....e-map/17559.htm They hurried the construction and it opened two weeks early. Enchanted Tales with Belle, Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid, Aerial's Grotto and Be Our Guest Restaurant are all now open and spectacular. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is still under construction. If you haven't been in a while, it is well worth the trip! pilotank .

It's a new 400+ ft coaster called Dolly Dash.

What position are you asking about?

I had to do one for a motivational thingy at work once. I felt like I was on WKRP in Cincinnati. At least there was no firewalking!

Meh... Wasn't that excited by Adventure Mountain. Never did it, but that sort of thing doesn't really interest me. It felt a little out-of-place to me at Dollywood--but that's again probably because I'm not wowed by rope courses.

Well I mean that is my favorite childhood coaster. And it's a PTC. I mean I wouldn't mind too much. Plus with two of them the wait would be very manageable.

...turn turn turn (sorry it just popped in my head)

For everything there is a reason. Or more than one.

I believe the point, which you missed, is it is now called Park Services.

I'd be very happy with that.

There is no RCCA existing, I woodn't worry about that.

Paramount Parks has left the building. Where the magic of the movies ignored the spilling over trashcans of a lifetime. (See, I CAN acknowledge paramount shortcomings, though it was last management that apparently believed trash couldn't be seen--last three initial letters).

It has been approximatly 2 days, and we are moving on. Sorry jcgoble3. http://www.flickr.com/photos/original2/7934071978/'> Easy: Any of The Beast signs Hard: Diamondback from Eiffel Tower, at night.

They already are...

Indeed! Thanks for the incredible report!

Give 'em time... :-)

I've seen it before. I so agree with you that it's cool! (and it's a nice way to see Vortex up close when I can't be at the park! )

I think Kings Island is just in a transitional stage and it's in the process of becoming great. There were a lot of rides that needed to be done away with and areas that need attention, and I think they're just gonna tackle everything one step at a time based on a priority-need basis.

FoF? DS9? I wonder if there's a connection between the two...

I have come to the realization that there is a BIG difference between 'What I think they should do' and 'What makes sense from a business standpoint'. Just because we all want the picnic grove closer to the entrance, as an example, doesn't mean they should do it. All about the moneys. And return rate on the investments made... I guess. ... And I'm stepping off the soap box now...

Agree. Plus look at all the problems Delirum has now in it's current location, moving it to a new location would probably not help it mechanically, but what do I know.

Ha yeah same in my family. always wondered what the real name was.

We always called it that tank ball shooting thingy. Perhaps someone here remembers the real name.

Indeed there was. It's been gone for years, now.

I think part of the reason the way Soak City is because there are some massive power lines over head. I would be willing to bet that code prohibit the park from building a water attraction underneath them.

And that's fine. It's just very, very unlikely to happen. If Delirium were to be moved, it would not surprise me if it were sold or moved to another park.

You might want to read the post above yours....

Moving a ride with a foundation like that one would neither be simple nor cheap. It is extremely unlikely to happen.

Uh, where were you hanging out online?

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudel

I thought per chance he meant the Losantiville train....