Chris Lastrapes’ 5/27/10 Disneyland Resort Official Meet-Up Report

WDWNT Author on May 28, 2010

Our own Chris Lastrapes was lucky enough to attend the first-ever Disneyland Resort Meet-Up and has some photos from the event to share with us:

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Meet Imagineer Kevin Rafferty

WDWNT Author on May 25, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Toy Story Mania
Calling all Toy Story Mania and Walt Disney Imagineering fans….Just after Disney’s California Adventure park closes to the public on May 27, parts of the Park will re-open for a meet-up of 150 fans.

Kevin Rafferty, Walt Disney Imagineer, Senior Concept Writer, will meet with the group to give an insider’s look at the new changes in Toy Story Mania. Kevin will even share original concept sketches and sketches of the ideas that didn’t make it into the attraction. Fans will have a chance to ask Kevin questions about the making-of the attraction and what it’s like to work on this project.

There will also be a few surprises you might not want to miss. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, and check-in will close at 5:45 p.m.

To attend, please RSVP to meetups@disney.go.com. This event is subject to capacity of 150 people, so we recommend that you RSVP quickly.

Here are a few things you should know:

  • Valid RSVPs must include your name and the name of your guest if you are bringing one. RSVPs that include the names of more than two people or are missing information (e.g. incomplete names) will not be accepted.
  • Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.
  • All guests must be 18 years or older.
  • The event is subject to change or cancellation.

Note that the event is already full

Video of Toy Story Mania with Toy Story 3 Characters

WDWNT Author on May 25, 2010

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul presents a video featuring all the changes and additions to Toy Story Midway Mania from Toy Story 3. This video is embedded via the WDWNTube:

The changes to the attraction include:

  • Villain icons in the background of the practice game (Lotso, Stretch, etc.)
  • Buttercup the Unicorn (voiced by Jeff Garlin believe it or not) has been added to “Hamm & Eggs”
  • Rex and Trixie now host Dino-Darts, replacing Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop
  • Additions to the prize scene include Trixie, Mr. Pricklepants, Dolly, Buttercup, and the big surprise, spanish-speaking Buzz Lightyear
  • The scoreboards at the very end of the attraction now present scoring for best in vehicle, best this hour, best today, and best this month

“Lot-s” More Details on Toy Story Mania Changes

WDWNT Author on April 28, 2010

The following press release from Disney gives us more details on the changes coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

New characters from the soon-to-be-released Disney•Pixar film “Toy Story 3” are being added to the joyful, toy-full adventure of Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In addition to playing with new characters in Toy Story Mania!, there will be opportunities in both parks for up-close fun with another all-new character from “Toy Story 3” – Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear. He’s the bossman at Sunnyside Daycare in the highly anticipated animated feature film.

Toy Story Mania! – the 4-D interactive ride-game attraction inspired by the Disney•Pixar “Toy Story” films – is extremely popular with Disney Parks guests on both coasts. This high-energy, immersive adventure puts players squarely in the action as their game play triggers surprises that deliver a fourth dimension of fun. Toy Story Mania! engages guests in a whole new way with delightful characters of “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2.”

Starting in late May, Woody, Buzz, Mr. Potato Head and the gang are joined by a whole new set of characters from “Toy Story 3.” The new game greeting guests, “Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts,” invites riders to shoot their virtual darts at all-new balloon targets in a primeval world filled with volcanoes and lava balloons, explained Sue Bryan, senior show producer, director, Walt Disney Imagineering.

Game players are welcomed by Rex (the nervous Tyrannosaurus rex) and his new friend Trixie (a blue Triceratops and one of the toy characters from the new film) cheering them on. The new game (it replaces “Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop”) turns up the fun with more hidden surprises and the potential for volcanic levels of excitement. Other changes:

  • The “Hamm & Eggs” game will now be hosted by Hamm and Buttercup (a toy unicorn with heart-shaped nostrils).
  • In the prize scene, Trixie, Buttercup, Dolly (a doll), Mr. Pricklepants (a lederhosen-clad hedgehog) and one other surprise – all from “Toy Story 3” – will appear with Woody and Jessie.

“Our number-one goal in creating Toy Story Mania! was to come up with game-play challenges appropriate for all guests, from little kids to serious gamers,” Bryan said. “I love that we are keeping things fresh and new by adding these great new friends and fun to join some of the most popular characters of all time.”

More Fun in Store

Disney Parks guests not only get to play with “Toy Story 3” characters in Toy Story Mania! starting in late May – they get to see another new character from the film.

Starting May 9, Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear will join his “Toy Story” pals in the delightful “Pixar Play Parade” at Disney’s California Adventure and “Block Party Bash” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In addition, Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests can pose for photos with Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear in the meet-and-greet area inside The Magic of Disney Animation. Over at Disney’s California Adventure, guests can pose alongside the “Toy Story” gang inside a life-sized “blister pack” as if they themselves are toys.

About the Movie

“Toy Story 3” welcomes Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in… daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. A few new faces – some plastic, some plush – join the fun. “Toy Story 3” disney.go.com/toystory/ is a comical new adventure in Disney Digital 3-D. Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 3” debuts nationwide on June 18, 2010.