R.A. Pedersen's Blog, page 3
March 30, 2013
China Concept Art: Just Because
Happy Day Before Easter everyone! We admit it, we’ve been lax with this blog. Some of you are probably like “What’s this email and what’s an Epcyclopedia?” because it’s been so long since we posted anything of merit about Epcot.
First off, it’s not entirely our fault. There really hasn’t been any news or information to post about. Why? Because Epcot just isn’t a focus of Disney or Imagineering lately. It plods along with mediocre attendance – which is still much higher than Animal Kingdom or H...
March 14, 2013
Model and Concept Art for Disney Springs to Open 2016
Today Disney announced the major overhaul of Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney – Disney Springs. Rumors have been bubbling up for the last month or so, but now it’s finally official with construction beginning next month. We’ve got some nice high quality images of the concept art and model for your enjoyment.
March 13, 2013
RFID Goes Live for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders March 20th
Starting March 20th, if a guest purchases or renews a Walt Disney World Annual Pass they will receive an RFID Pass. These passes will allow guests to enter the parks via the Nex-Gen turnstiles. If you have an existing Annual Pass and would like to change it over to the new RFID system, you can go to the Odyssey Center in EPCOT between March 20, 2013 and May 19, 2013. All passes will have a green background and a stripe will be included on it to indicate whether or not it is entitled to free p...
January 29, 2013
New Details in Iger’s Response to Congress About MyMagic+ and MagicBand
We’re just cross pollinating the internet with the full text of Iger’s letter to congress retorting the privacy issues with MyMagic+ and the MagicBand. The most notable take-aways are that guests will have a card option that wont transmit long range like the bands, that the bands aren’t GPS enabled in any fashion, and that guests using FastPass in the future will have to provide at least their name and email address.
January 24, 2013
Congress Questions Disney’s MagicBand and MyMagic+ Over Privacy Concerns
As part of the The Congressional Privacy Caucus, Representative Markey (D- Mass.) has sent a letter to Bob Iger, CEO of the Disney corporation to ask several pointed questions about privacy concerns relating to the new MagicBand and MyMagic+ systems. Disney had intended to begin rolling out these systems in the coming months – rumors say as early as February for select resort locations – and was gaining publicity for the innovative data collection and park experience customization systems in...
January 13, 2013
Epcot Now Offering Custom My Heritage Children’s Books
A tiny new kiosk has sprung up at the American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot according to the Orlando Sentinel. The kiosk belongs to the KidsHeritage Inc. of Plantation, Florida, and is selling customized hardcover My Heritage children’s books.
The My Heritage books are personalized to a specific child and explore their worldly heritage of up to four countries per book. The books include a letter to the child explaining their heritage and their name included throughout as the book directly addre...
January 12, 2013
Epcot Pin Central Closes January 13th 2013
Epcot’s Pin Central in the center of Future World closes on january 13th, 2013, with no set reopening date. The sale location and central tipboard location for the park was the pet project of the forthcoming Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis. During a visit to the Olympics prior to Epcot’s Millennium celebration George saw the pin-trading phenomena in action and decided to bring it to Walt Disney World as part of the event. It became a large enough portion of the planned Millenium...
January 11, 2013
THINK presented by IBM opens in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot
THINK presented by IBM has opened in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort
The exhibit combines three unique experiences to engage visitors in a conversation about how we can improve the way we live and work. For more information about visiting the exhibit.
Explore the process of progress through interactives, games and film.
Learn through play by interacting with a 40 foot gesture wall visualizing the complex systems around us.
Be inspired by the possibilities and history of pr...
December 6, 2012
Video of GM Designers and WDI Discussing Redesigned Test Track
We know, we haven’t said much about the new Test Track aside from a few tweets. We’re working on a fairly in-depth report comparing the old, the new, and even Radiator Springs Racers as a comparison point. We’re at Disneyland this weekend to accomplish that goal.No worries, you’ll get our full report soon. Until then, here’s the GM and WDI people talking about the design of the new attraction:
November 21, 2012
First Three Photos from Inside Epcot’s Revamped Test Track
A quick update.. scouring the social media world, it turns out construction workers are willing to post photos from inside the construction site of Test Track. First up, a look down from the top of the old “Hill Climb” scene toward the now-removed “Belgian Blocks” and the rethemed “ABS Brake Testing” area. The cones over the slot in the track are just there for safety while the ride is being worked on. At the bottom of the hill where the ground levels you can see screens flanking the track –...
