NPH in DCA

Anyone been on California Screamin' lately? If you were, you may have noticed a new narration before the launch...


Neil Patrick Harris has lent his voice to the DCA rollercoaster. He does a rather good of portraying a board walk barter. While it isn't the biggest change in the world, it is a step in the right direction. It's the little details like this that DCA was missing from the beginning. The details will be what truly turns DCA into a Disney Park.

EPIC FAIL

For those of you who got your hearts broken while watching the above video, I apologize. I never thought a show or attraction worse than Superstar Limo would ever be created. Well, I was wrong. Horribly, horribly, wrong...

The abomination you saw in that video is The Disney Dance Crew which is a new show at Disney California Adventure. It is probably the worst show I have ever seen at a Disney park. Who ever thought Mickey would be a gangta? No one. Because he shouldn't be. It goes completely against his character background. Mickey is supposed to be fun loving and warm at heart. He does not represent hip hop culture at all. It's one thing to try and keep up with the times, but the bastardization of a classic character is a whole other issue.

My other issue with this show is its location. They put it in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Worst. Idea. Ever. This is supposed to be one of the re-imagined areas in the renovation of DCA, but the show completely conflicts with the theme of the area. It is supposed to represent vintage Hollywood. This show takes a step in the completely wrong direction. There is no reason for the show to exist, let alone in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

What do you think? Are you as shocked and disappointed as I am?

Enter ElecTRONica

ElecTRONica has been open for a little while now and it is one crazy experience. I found two videos straight from the grid for you.

This first one is basically a showcase of what ElecTRONica has to offer:

Now this. This is special. Behold the LaserMan.

Complete Preview of Cars Land

The LA Times has posted an article with a complete scene by scene preview of Cars Land coming to DCA in 2012. Warning: This article has major spoilers for the entire ride. so don't read if you want to be surprised.

While I usually don't like too much Pixar being put into the parks, I believe this is the absolute right way to do it. This ride sounds like a game changer. Sure the ride vehicle is old, but its being used in a brand new way. And this ride has such incredible detail behind it that it makes up for the semi-weak story.

What do you think? Are you excited for Cars Land?

World of Color Control Room

Here's another video from the Disney Parks Youtube Channel about the World of Color. This one gives you a behind the scenes look at the control room for the show. Turns out it's looked in one of the parade buildings at DCA so they can't actually see the show. Over 1200 fountains, lighting effects, fire effects, and mist screens results in one of the most complex control systems of its kind. I think it's pretty cool that 3 people can run such an amazing show like World of Color.

ElecTRONica

Later this year, Disney will be turning the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area of Disney California Adventure into ElecTRONica. This is in preparation for the release of the new movie Tron Legacy in December. Rumors for the new nighttime experience include a replication of Flynn's Arcade being built in the old Who Wants to be a Millionaire building. There is also a rumor that the End of the Line club from the movie will be put into the old Hollywood and Dine/Stage 12 building. Disney will more than likely convert the blacklighting they put in for GlowFest to the new Tron experience.

An excerpt from Disney's Official casting sheet reads as follows:
"strong contemporary/hip hop dancers for a new nighttime celebration at the Disneyland Resort in support of the opening of the new Disney feature Tron: Legacy. Dancers will perform on stages outside in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot and main entrance areas at Disney California Adventure park"

Now as a fan of Tron, I have to like this. I think Tron is a great franchise that needs to be explored more in the parks. However, I don't like that this is going to be in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. DCA already has enough trouble with theme and adding this at night won't help. The only land Tron should be in at any Disney park is Tomorrowland. It screams future and technology. Nothing about being inside a computer relates to Hollywood. So as much as I love Tron, I don't like this move on Disney's part. What do you guys think of this new nighttime entertainment?

Cars Land Testing

DCA is one step closer to 2012. I found a video online posted by Disney Parks showing testing of the Radiator Springs Racers ride vehicle. This will be the E-Ticket of the new land and it looks like it will be an awesome experience. The new car looks great. It is red with a smiling face on the front end. I can't wait to see the progress as Ornament Valley is built up around the track.

DCA Opening Newsreel

World of Color

Here's a link to a preview of the new World of Color show debuting this summer at DCA. The footage in the clip is absolutely amazing. This is going to be one breathtaking show.

World of Color

Here is a very long video of testing for the new World of Color show in DCA. I really cannot wait to see this show in action. It is setting up to be the biggest show in Imagineering history. Great Story + Great Visuals+ Great Music=Amazing Show.

Blue Sky Cellar

This is just an awesome video. It is from the Blue Sky Cellar in Disney's California Adventure. There are so many views of models and concept drawings for the huge refurbishment to the park. It has a great walk-through of all the new rides and changes. My personal favorite is Cars Land. It's one of my favorite Pixar movies and I think it definitly deserves its own land. The Radiator Springs Racers attraction sounds amazing and the floating tire attraction with Luigi should be a lot of fun for kids. The new Little Mermaid attraction can't be forgotten either. I'm so glad Imagineers are putting so much time and attention into a new dark ride. Hopefully they can create another timeless and classic attraction.

First up this year, however, is the Wonderful World of Color. The Imagineers are pulling out all this stops for this new, spectacular nighttime water show. Here is a great preview of the show. Imagineer Steve Davison goes through all the special effects and animation used in the show. (Spoiler Alert!)