Mission: Nausea!

We choose to go. That's the slogan of Mission: Space, the motion simulator attraction that's been a hit since it opened in 2003. Your objective is to coordinate with your crew and guide the spacecraft safely on a mission from Earth to Mars. The control stations you see here are full of complicated switches and controls, and even the slightest delay in timing and maneuvering will bring the entire attraction to a standstill.... (Just kidding! The automatic pilot takes over if you forget to trigger a switch). There have been a few changes to the ride cabins over the years, including the addition of fans that blow cool air over the faces of the crew, to help deter motion sickness. And, if the fans didn't do the trick, air sickness bags are now available in front of your seat. Now, that's what I call entertainment!

Is that a Rhinoceros tusk in your shorts?

Someone's cruisin' for a bruisin'! The classic Jungle Cruise is one of the original attractions from the opening of Disneyland in 1955. When Walt Disney World opened their version in 1971. Originally planned to be a more serious adventure through the rivers of the world, imagineer, Disney Legend (and one of the "Nine Old Men") Marc Davis added a bit of whimsy to this scene, depicting a rhinocerous chasing a group of explorers up a totem pole.

Tomb Sweet Tomb: The Haunted Mansion

At the back of Liberty Square looms the Haunted Mansion, an imposing brick and stone manse that houses a group of retirees....

Although the general consensus of the Disney fan community is that the exterior design of the Mansion is based on the Harry Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, there exists no real evidence that this is the case. Rather, the appearance seems a combination of random Gothic and Victorian elements, as filtered through the keen eyes of the Imagineers.

"Toy Story Mania" Aims to Open Summer '08

The official teaser for "Toy Story Mania" has been posted onto the Walt Disney website. Planned to open both at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and Disney's California Adventure at Disneyland Anaheim, the 3D attraction will allow guests to travel in special vehicles through a series of carnival games, and use their spring-action shooter to hit projected targets that react to the guests. Adjusting the levels of difficulty according to the players score, the attraction should prove to be enjoyable to both youngsters and more seasoned sharpshooters alike.

In addition to concept art of how the shooting galleries will appear, the flash-based site offers an introductory video from Tom Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President & Senior Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. Enthusiastically, he describes the general gameplay of the attraction, and continues: "...Buzz and Woody and Hamm and Rex and Bo Peep and all your Toy Storyfriends are there to cheer you on, give you clues, and make sure that you have the best time of your life!"

Visit the website at http://www.toystorymania.com.

All Aboard: The Iron Spike Room at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Tucked away off the lobby of the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge hides a wonderful, secret place: the Iron Spike Room. Intended as a lounge where Disney Vacation Club members can kick back by the fire and read, play checkers, or shoot the breeze, the room is filled with memorabilia and artifacts from Walt Disney's personal railroad, the Carolwood Pacific.

On display are actual cars from the railroad built by Roger Broggie, photographs of Walt Disney, and enough memorabilia to keep you occupied for quite some time. What always impresses me is how serene and calm the room is; I could see myself sitting in front of the fire, dozing off for hours, if it weren't for that priority seating at Le Cellier that I have for dinner.... Here's a photograph that closely captures the lighting and ambience of this hidden treasure:



MousePlanet has a wonderful article with details about the Iron Spike Room; why not board the train and ride on over!

Down the y-axis of the Rabbit Hole

Tim Burton, writer and producer of the classic The Nightmare Before Christmas, has signed a deal with the Disney Company to produce and direct a 3D version of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. The film will combine live-action footage with motion-capture computer-generated imagery. With pre-production already under way, and filming scheduled for completion in May 2008, a release date in 2010 is expected.

The screenplay is being written by Linda Woolverton, a writer on Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Mulan.

This news confirms previous rumors that Disney is committed to 3D films, and that we can certainly expect more quality 3D productions in the future. Good news, indeed!

Dragon, 25, Slain by St. George in Lake Buena Vista

In the legend of St. George and the Dragon, there is a spring from which the townsfolk get their water. Unfortunately, the Dragon has made his nest there, and every time the people want to get water, they have to get the Dragon to move. They do this by luring him out of the way with a daily human sacrifice. One day, lunch happens to be the Princess; she appeals to her father to spare her life, to no avail. Then, just as the dragon is about to strike, in comes riding St. George, who slays the Dragon and rescues the Princess. Elated and overjoyed at her new lease on life, she asks him, "What are you going to do next?" And, of course, he replies, "I'm going to Walt Disney World!"



And, there he is today. Or, at least, a replica of the statue in Rothenburg, Germany. As the centerpiece of the town square at the Germany Pavillion at EPCOT center, our hero sits mightily on his horse, gazing upon us civilians as we drink our beer and eat our pretzels. In 3D, the effect is so compelling, you can almost smell the bratwurst.

Disney Digital 3D brings Hannah Montana to the Big Screen

Starting at midnight tonight, fans of the Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana" can buy tickets to the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour. Presented in Disney Digital 3D, this musical documentary film will be released in the United States for one week, February 1-7, 2008, at theaters capable of showing "Real-D" 3D movies. Tickets are available online through Fandango and are expected to sell out quickly, so good luck! You'll need it.

Norwegian Troll at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival

My favorite park since it opened in 1983, EPCOT is where I spend the majority of my time when in Walt Disney World. As a result, I have more 3D photos from this park than elsewhere on Disney property. Let's kick this off with a photo of a troll in front of the Norway pavillion, taken during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival:



This seems to be a troll of the friendlier variety, not the menacing brute that lives under a bridge.

You'll need 3D glasses to view these photos. They're very inexpensive, to the point where you can buy a couple of them and give them to friends (some of them can be bought for less than three dollars each, with a discount for buying more than one). Look under "Glasses" on the right to see where and how to obtain them.

To view these photos, sit back away from the screen and hold up your 3D glasses to your eyes. You should see a series of about four blurry images all lined up, like this:



Then, start moving in closer to the screen. The two images in the center will come into focus. Then, you can move back and forth slightly, adjusting your position to a distance that is comfortable to your eyes. It may seem a bit tricky at first, but after a while it becomes second nature, and you'll be able to focus on the stereograms instantly.

You, Me, and 3D

Every journey starts with a single step. And since this website is a journey I have thought of taking for quite a while, it makes sense to stop dreaming and start walking.

What am I hoping to accomplish with this site? Besides sharing stereoview photos of my trips down to Walt Disney World, I want to discuss the strong relationship between the Disney Company and 3D technologies, and the use of this technology in the entertainment industry. Nearly every one of the Disney theme parks has a 3D attraction, Disney and Pixar movies are produced in 3D versions that are released theatrically around the world, and View-Master reels and stereoview books have been entertainment basics since the 1950s. Stereo photography has always been of interest to me, ever since I received my View-Master Bicentennial Gift-Pak in 1976.

This site will also be a learning experience for me; with each new topic, both myself and my readers will hopefully learn something fun, interesting, and perhaps unexpected. I do not claim to be an expert on any of these subjects (more expertish), and, as my head fills up with the accumulated experiences of life, those little bits of Disneyana trivia tend to fall out of my brain. Or, perhaps that's from chewing on lead paint chips as a child (oh, the 70s!). But, I'll do my best to present accurate, informative, and amusing material that you can enjoy again and again. And again.

That journey I was talking about earlier? It's time to get moving. Attention: MARCH!

The World, Leaping Forth

I'm busy preparing the foundations of the new site, "The World in 3D," a collection of 3D photos and recollections of Walt Disney World. Stay tuned, because the site will be launching soon!

Your new host,
Brian