Happy Birthday, alyx92! I hope your day is a special one for you. Now go out and have some fun and make it a very happy and memorable day =)

Today VF Staffer XFKirsten is celebrating her birthday, VF Admin Cavemandon celebrates his tomorrow. Happy Birthday to you both!

-Chris

Alyx, hope you have an awesome birthday. Hope you are able to have a great day full of surprises.
Hope you have a Zip a de Doo Dah Birthday.


- Griff


P.S
:bd::bd::bd::bd::bd::bd::bd::bd::bd::bd: :bd::bd::bd::bd::bd::bd::bd::bd::bd:

Price increase for lockers, wheelchairs and scooters

Walt Disney World raises rental prices for lockers, wheelchairs and scooters Orlando Sentinel Walt Disney World this week hiked rental prices for some frequently used items by between 11 percent and 60 percent. The price of renting a small locker in one of the resort’s four theme parks climbs from $5 per day to $7 per day, up 40 percent. A large locker jumps from $7 to $9, a 29 percent increase. The price hikes are steeper in Disney’s two water parks. Small lockers rise from $5 to $8, up 60 percent, and large lockers rise from $7 to $10, up 43 percent. Meanwhile, the cost of renting a wheelchair goes from $10 per day to $12 per day, a 20 percent increase. And the cost of renting one of the resort’s electric scooters goes from $45 per day to $50 per day, an 11 percent increase. Disney says the refundable deposit charges for wheelchairs and scooters haven’t changed. by Jason Garcia complete article

Submitted by Ezra

Bruckheimer 'Alien Legion' comic project

Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney Developing 'Alien Legion' Cinematical Science fiction comic Alien Legion is on its way to the big screen. USA Today sat down all its creators, and Carl Potts revealed that Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney were currently developing a feature film out of the series. Derek Haas and Michael Brandt are currently working on the third draft of the script, and Disney is undoubtedly hoping it could become another blockbuster franchise. I'd love to see the Mouse House actually develop a viable sci-fi franchise of their own, and Alien Legion is certainly a very promising series. Potts described Alien Legion as "the Foreign Legion in space," and it's probably best described as melting pot of military and sci-fi, as Star Trek, Star Wars and The Dirty Dozen all influenced its vision of intergalactic soldiers banding together for honor, fortune, and adventure. by Elisabeth Rappe complete article

Submitted by Ezra

Quicky von Quick Quick III is the Radio Correspondent and Technical Specialist for the Visions Fantastic's Disneyland Source Podcast. The origins of Mr. von Quick Quick III may be traced back to 2008 and the Napa Rose Lounge. In a "hide-and-easter-egg-hunt" in August 2008, the following phrase was inconspicuously inserted at the bottom of the Napa Rose Guidelines thread: "PS: Do not call Neo, 'Mr. Quicky von Quick Quick'." When VF's DL Source Podcast was created in September of that year, Mr. von Quick Quick III was molded and created to serve as cohost of the show, along with Gil "CA Screamin Dude" and Expo Gil. Quicky von Quick Quick III took on a more behind-the-scenes role for the Podcast, but still occasionally makes on-air appearances. Mr. von Quick Quick III also maintains VF's Virus Tracker and Alerts thread.

From the homepage of VF's Disneyland Source Podcast:
Quicky is the brains of this operation, he knows the answers to everything (or thinks he does). Quicky runs all the technical parts of the show. See Expo's picture above, where he stands all over the sound board? Yeah, Quicky had to fix the mixer after him. Third cousin of VF Administrator Neo.
Favorite Park: EPCOT
Favorite Land: Future World
Favorite Attraction: Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Favorite Disney Music: There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
Favorite Disney Movie: Wall-E
Favorite Disney Character: Professor Ludwig von Drake

Toy Story Mania! wins TEA award

And the Winner is... Disney Parks Blog Just today, Walt Disney Imagineering was honored with the top award within the themed entertainment industry. TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) announced that Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s California Adventure Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios received the Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Attraction. TEA praised the attraction as “a suite of many technical and creative innovations.” Including this latest award, Walt Disney Imagineering has received a total of 34 awards throughout the Thea Awards’ 16-year history, including nine previous wins in the attraction category. Some of Disney’s past recipients of Awards for Outstanding Achievement for an Attraction include Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Soarin’ Over California at Disney’s California Adventure Park, Indiana Jones® Adventure at Disneyland Park, Space Mountain, From the Earth to the Moon at Disneyland Paris and CineMagique at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. Indiana Jones® is a trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. by Heather Hust Rivera complete article

Submitted by Ezra

Shanghai officials to visit WDW

Disney to bring delegation from China to Orlando as design of Shanghai Disneyland continues Orlando Sentinel The Walt Disney Co. plans to bring a delegation from Shanghai to Orlando early next month for a series of briefings with executives at Walt Disney World, as the company accelerates design of its first resort on mainland China. The meetings, which will include tours of Disney World’s fire and emergency-response operations and water-quality-monitoring labs, come with Disney attempting to finalize an agreement to build Shanghai Disneyland in the world’s most populous country. Studying Disney World’s infrastructure may be important as Disney is believed to be planning a multi-park destination resort in Shanghai that could ultimately rival its Orlando property in size — much larger than Disney’s other theme-park resorts in California, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong. “We’re just going to show them what we do,” said Ray Maxwell, district administrator for the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the government district responsible for emergency response, environmental monitoring and other functions at Disney World. Maxwell said the briefings that involve Reedy Creek are designed to show “what are the needs of developing a theme park and what are the ongoing needs.” A spokesman for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts declined to provide further details of the meetings, which are scheduled for the first week of December. “We’ve hosted Chinese delegations at Disney locations in Florida and California on multiple occasions since we began negotiations more than a decade ago,” spokesman John Nicoletti said. by Jason Garcia complete article

Submitted by Ezra

Disney avoids swine flu

Disney adds sanitizer stations to prevent swine flu Orange County Register Disney officials are trying to make it easy for visitors and employees alike to prevent the spread of illness by placing hand-sanitizer dispensers throughout the resort. The dispensers were installed in early November, said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman. With about 20 million visitors into both Anaheim parks annually, the opportunities for the spread of the H1N1 virus are ample: Excited children hug Mickey Mouse and Cinderella. Thousands of guests board carriages on rides daily. Food merchants are everywhere. Disneyland Resort has taken the following steps: Hand sanitizer dispensers are in key spots, including Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure entrances, near character meet-and-great areas and in hotel lobbies. The parks have a total of 16 stations. Guests can buy sanitizer for $1 at 60 locations in the theme parks. Reminder signs are up at the free dispenser spots. Brochures now include information about the dispenser locations and flu-prevention tips. Workers are intensifying their cleanings of drinking fountains, phones and other surfaces that are frequently touched. Employees with regular guest contact are given hand sanitizer. Custodians and hotel room cleaners are allowed to wear gloves. by Sarah Tully complete article

Submitted by Ezra

Here is an idea I had to get a little laugh out of... A mini Disneyland FAILblog. just like the normal failblog, upload a picture or video of something that happened or is happenning at Disneyland with a funny caption and ofcourse, the word "FAIL"... here is my pic to start it off, enjoy!

<- click for funnies

Will you visit Disneyland for the Holiday season?

Ok a friend of mine has just alerted me to why many of the effects and tricks are not being repaired on Indiana Jones Adventure. It seems that Due to a recent earthquake and other things, the ride building will no longer meet the the Fire and Earthquake codes here in california in 2011. So instead of going under rehab, Disney plans to shutdown the current version of IJA and tear it down completely and rebuild the entire ride and update it for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. My source also stated that due to the earthquake a while back much of the lighting is not located correctly and that is why much of the ride looks a little weird.

As most people do, i wonder everytime i ride pirates, what it would be like to eat there. Just seems like a great spot. Has anoyone been there? what would you rate it? Recommend? Not recommend?

Starting early this year since i'll be in Disneyland on Thanksgiving.

This is the sequel to the first Christmas story that I made a year ago. Let's make a new one.

Here's The First Story That Took Place Last Year: http://www.visionsfantastic.com/foru...s-story-24488/

Who wants to start?
Posted via Mobile Device

Im thinking of doing a series of disneyland and disney movie/show covers. Ill be playing guitar over some songs, or just doing full out covers with me doing all of the instruments and singing. I was wondering if you guys have any requests.

so far some of the songs on lineup...

-Ducktales theme (going to be a full band cover, except ill be on every instrument)
-Fantasmic...thinking about doing some sort of rock anthem cover with all sorts or instruments, this one would take a long time but if I don't mess it up, it could be sweet.
-main street electrical parade, aka baroque hoedown. I would be playing guitar with the whole song.
-I have a couple jungle book songs in mind to do full out covers of, if you have suggestions here it would be great.
-Space Mountain original theme... This song I would love to do a full out cover with real drums and big fat guitar sounds with weird effects like they have on the original theme. I would totally flash it up though and go all out with the BIG sound it already has. I would listen to this with headphones everytime i went on space mountain, haha.
-I also have some goofy movie songs in mind, i would like some suggestions here. But im thinking of doing "stand out"

I would be recording these in my home studio, I play drums, guitar, bass and piano. I also like to use random aux percussion.
If you guys have suggestions for songs or anything, let me know. Im thinking of recording and videotaping a whole series of disney/disneyland songs and them putting them up on youtube.

Dose anyone know the number for kiss fm 102.7 to win the 4 pack for disneyland?

Most Sophisticated Audio-Animatronics Technology

Blog Exclusive: First Video of the Most Sophisticated Audio-Animatronics Technology Yet Disney Parks Blog The new, fully-electric head allowed Imagineers to add new technology and functionality to a figure that has entertained Disneyland guests since 1965. The previous Lincoln head and face had seven functions, and the new and improved head and face has a total of 20 functions. Lincoln can now purse his lips, smile, grimace and form an “O” with his lips. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. The classic attraction is scheduled to re-open at Disneyland Park in December. The fascinating figure – along with new and classic show elements – continue the Disney tradition of merging great storytelling with breathtaking technical innovation. The rich and moving show provides a patriotic tribute to our nation’s 16th president. by Heather Hust Rivera complete article

Submitted by Neo

So, I noticed a few things when I was strolling around Toontown yesterday.

1) One of the effects in Roger Rabbit was working again. The scene in the beginning of the ride, the dip that the weasels are pouring out at Roger and Benny have the illusion that dip is actually, y'know, pouring out. For the longest time, that effect has been broken.

2) Gadget's-Go-Coaster was just recently refurbished. I noticed it was all freshly painted again, plus the spitting frogs were working. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw those things working.

3) The old ball pit area for Chip n Dale's Treehouse was all boarded up for 'beautification'. I'm curious to see what will be happening...

It's always nice to see Toontown is getting some attention again, so what do you guys think? Anybody else notice anything new?

OMG I love this ride. I was so scared when the drops started that by the look of the photo below I just about pooped myself. This has to be one of the best rides I have been on in long time. So what are your thoughts about this ride?
(thats me on the right, middle row)

Recently got hired.
I got Traditions on friday :)
what should i expect?
and what are the benefits of actually working at disneyland?

Well, the popular Disney Channel duo, who I should say is LONG over due at the parks have made their first appearance!!!

First Look – Phineas and Ferb Disney Parks Blog

What do you think? Do you think it's bad enough that they let performers sing High School Musical? Or do you think that a Meet-and-Greet with these two could wipe away the crowds to the HSM show??


I am so hyped! I watch this show whenever I can, and even though they are people in costume, I will have to bust out the autograph book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you, Ratty12345! I hope you're having an awesome birthday today! Enjoy!!

What do you think will fly over the castle at Disneyland during the 2009 "Believe in Holiday Magic" fireworks show? Any ideas?
:castle:

That's right fellow VFer's! The time has come for me to reveal to you the master list of movie release dates for next year! Now, I usually do this in January or February of the subsequent year I'm writing for because January 1st is the unofficial deadline for films to have "official" release dates by studios. Unfortunately, due to the pariah's of confused release dates this past year (eg: Shutter Island, The Wolfman, Nottingham, etc.) the studios have agreed to bump their deadline to November 1st to account for any last minute changes they make for the following year. So, without any further ado, I give you the release dates and sneak peek of the major films of 2010!

Disclaimer: Although these films and their release dates have been posted and confirmed by their respective studios, the studios reserve the right to change their release dates at any moment.

January

8th - Daybreakers (A somewhat unique vampire film set in the future where almost all of mankind has been turned into vampires. Starring Willem Dafoe and Ethan Hawke)

15th - The Book of Eli (Post apocalyptic thriller starring Denzel Washington as a man who carries a message that can save mankind)

15th - Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (Sequel to the 2005 animated feature Hoodwinked)

22nd - Legion (Supernatural thriller starring Paul Bettany as the Archangel Michael, who is attempting to save mankind from the wrath of God)

February

5th - From Paris With Love (Action-adventure starring John Travolta and Johnathan Rhys-Meyers)

12th - The Wolfman (Remake of the original Lon Chaney film starring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins)

19th - Shutter Island (Thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Kingsly about a pair of US Marshalls investigating the disappearance of a convicted murderess from an island, fortress-like mental institution)

March

5th - Alice In Wonderland (Tim Burton's reimagining of the classic Lewis Carrol story)

26th - Clash of the Titans (Remake of the 1981 classic, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Finnes and Sam Worthington)

April

2nd - Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too? (The next film in the Madea film series)

16th - Kick-*** (Film adaptation of the graphic novel starring Nicholas Cage, Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz)

16th - MacGruber (Film adaptation of the popular Saturday Night Live sketch)

16th - Piranha 3D (Remake of the 1978 camp classic, but in 3D)

23rd - Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps (Sequel to the 1987 film starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen)

30th - A Nightmare On Elm Street (Remake of the 1984 horror film starring Jackie Earl Haley)

May

7th - Iron Man 2 (Sequel to the 2007 smash hit starring Robert Downey Jr.)

21st - Shrek Forever After (5th film in the Shrek series featuring all of the original characters returning)

28th - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Film adaptation of the popular video game starring Jake Gyllenhall)

June

11th - The A Team (Film adaptation of the 1980's television show starring Liam Neeson and Sharlto Copley)

11th - The Karate Kid (Remake of the 1984 original starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith)

18th - Jonah Hex (Film adaptation of the 1977 and 2005 graphic novels starring Josh Brolin, John Malkovich and Megan Fox)

18th - Footloose (Remake of the 1984 original, with the cast being kept incredibly under wraps)

18th - Toy Story 3 (The next film in the Toy Story film series, presented in Disney Digital 3D)

30th - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (The next film in the Twilight franchise starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart)

July

2nd - The Last Airbender (M. Night Shyamalan's adaptation of the popular animated television series)

7th - Robert Rodriguez's Predators (Remake/reboot of the Pradator franchise, following a group of people being hunted by none other than the iconic Predators; starring Adrien Brody, Topher Grace and Danny Trejo)

16th - Inception (Contemporary, sci-fi thriller directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cillian Murphey, Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt; this is another film being kept incredibly under wraps)

16th - The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Romantic, comedy/action adventure starring Nicholas Cage with no relation to the Fantasia segment starring Mickey Mouse)

August

13th - Friday the 13th Part 2 (Sequel to the remake of Friday the 13th released in 2009; rumored to be in 3D)

20th - The Expendables (Action adventure about a group of mercenaries out to overthrow a South American dictator; starring Sylvester Stallone)

27th - Resident Evil: Afterlife (4th film in the Resident Evil franchise, starring Milla Jovovich; rumored to be in 3D)

September

24th - Guardians of Ga'Hoole (Film adaptation of the series of children's books by Kathryn Lasky, starring Hugo Weaving and Hugh Jackman)

October

22nd - Saw VII (7th film in the Saw franchise; rumored to be in 3D)

November

19th - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 (The first film of the adaptation of the final book in the Harry Potter series)

24th - Rapunzel (Disney animated adaptation of the classic fairy tale starring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi)

24th - Red Dawn (Modern remake of the 1984, Cold War classic)

December

10th - The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3rd film in the Chronicles of Narnia series; first film to be released after the franchise was sold to Fox)

17th - Tron Legacy (Highly anticipated sequel to the 1982 Disney classic)

22nd - The Green Hornet (Film adaptation of the classic comic and television show starring Seth Rogen)


Now that you've seen the entire list, there are a couple things that I'd like to point out that I've noticed. First off, the summer lineup looks incredibly impressive and to be perfectly honest, also looks more epic than this past year's lineup. Second, there are a lot of films that are going to be released in 3D this year. As much as I enjoy these films with the expansion and revelations made in 3D technology, I believe they are going a little too far with them. A final observation I have made is that the Spring and Summer has an incredible amount of films being released where as the Fall and Winter doesn't have much. That may change at any time, but as of this moment, doesn't look like much.

Other than that though ;), the films I am most excited for are The A Team, Clash of the Titans, Inception, Shutter Island, Iron Man 2, Toy Story 3, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Legion, Red Dawn, The Wolfman and Tron Legacy.

And now, last, but certainly not least, my list of shame. These are the films I am not excited for in any way or form...


MacGruber (If you look at the track record for films based after SNL sketches, you'll see the odds stacked against this)

Piranha 3D (Really???)

Footloose (Leave the original alone! Especially if the rumors that Zac Effron is starring in it are true)

The Twilight Sage: Eclipse (No Comment)

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (First, why did they get Nicholas Cage to star in this? Second, way to capitalize off of those thinking this will be a Disney film)

Resident Evil: Afterlife (After seeing the failure of the last 2 films, I have a feeling this one won't be any better).

Rasulo and Staggs switch jobs

Disney to switch top finance exec, theme parks chairman Orlando Sentinel The Walt Disney Co. is shaking up leadership of its global theme parks division, announcing this afternoon that Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs will be moved to become chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The division’s current chairman, Jay Rasulo, will take Staggs’ place as Disney Co. CFO. The executives will assume their new roles at the end of the year. Disney characterized the unusual swap as one as that provides new opportunities to a pair of its top executives. A person familiar with Disney Co. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger’s thinking said the move is also designed to prevent independent ’silos’ from developing in Disney’s different divisions. The move has been interpreted in some quarters as a sign that Disney is grooming Staggs to eventually become Disney Co. president — which would put him in position to eventually succeed Iger, 58. Though highly regarded, Staggs is seen as lacking operational experience. The person familiar with the decision said the move was unrelated to succession planning. by Jason Garcia complete article

Related Article:
Disney's Iger on executive shuffle
LA Times

Press Release:
The Walt Disney Company Announces Executive Changes
BussinessWire

Submitted by Ezra

Parks revenues dropped last year

Revenues drop at Disney parks last year Orange County Register Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ revenues dropped by 7 percent, or $10.7 billion, in the fiscal year that just ended compared to the prior year, according to financial statements released today. Guests spent less on merchandise, got deals on ticket prices and paid discounted room rates, resulting in a decrease in revenue, according to a press release. The overall figures are for Parks and Resorts worldwide, which includes Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Check back later today for more details, including information about Anaheim parks and hotels. Or, listen to a conference call HERE. by Sarah Tully

Submitted by Ezra

DLR hotels offer spring discounts

Disney hotels give discounts in spring Orange County Register Tourists can get two free nights or 30 percent discounts on certain Disneyland Resort hotel packages this spring — one way the venues could boost occupancy. Guests can get two nights free when they pay for a three-night hotel package and five-day park hopper tickets. Another deal allows tourists to get 30 percent savings on a two-night stay for those who already have park tickets. The deals run from Jan. 5 to April 29 with some blackout dates. Travelers started booking the trips this week. The cost of the five-day park hoppers are reduced to $169 per person. Normally, the five-day passes cost $249 each. This is the first time that this particular deal has been offered, although a similar special was recently available, said Bob Deuel, a Walt Disney Travel Co. spokesman. by Sarah Tully complete article

Submitted by Ezra

Hi there, folks!

I hope it's okay that I do this... I've been a member of Visions Fantastic for a while, so I hope that the admins will trust that my content is okay. It is all-ages-safe material, and it's really good!

I am a musician, and have been for many years. I was in a band called "Herkemer" for 10 years, and we have been on hiatus for a couple of years now... but in the meantime, we put together some of our studio recordings, and it's just been released on iTunes.

The album is called "THE HERKEMERS", and it's available on iTunes. Please do head on over and have a look by searching for "Herkemer" on iTunes to see all of our albums, or by clicking HERE to get to the new record directly through your web browser.

I hope that you all like it, and that some of you buy our music. It's good, loud, fun stuff! I am the guy on the drums, and I also sing all of the backing vocals.

Thanks to all who buy this record, any songs, or any of the other Herkemer albums available on iTunes.

Have fun!

A Robert Zemeckis 'Nutcracker' ?

Robert Zemeckis’ Next Christmas Tale To Be 'The Nutcracker'? /Film There’s definitely a little way to go until Robert Zemeckis‘ film of A Christmas Carol turns a profit on it’s supposed $200 million budget. Off timing, then, to hear of his plans for another motion-captured Christmas story, The Nutcracker. In selecting his source material, the rumour goes that Zemeckis will apparently be bypassing the Tchaikvosky ballet version in favour of adapting ETA Hoffman’s original story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It’s a fantasy yarn which I read as a combination of moral fable and political satire and which drips with threat and dark malice. by Brendon Connelly complete article

Submitted by Ezra