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Avatar Kingdom Disney breaks ground on Avatar themed land
Using shovels in the same blue hue as the Na’vi characters in the film, Disney executives posed for a press call during the groundbreaking recently of the Avatar-inspired land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida. Pictured here, from left to right, are Walt Disney
World presisdent George Kalogridis; Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts operations, United States and France; Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Tom Staggs; Jon Landau, Avatar producer; Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) chief creative executive Bruce Vaughn; and Joe Rohde, WDI creative executive and Animal Kingdom stalwart. In collaboration with filmmaker James
Knott’s celebrates Snoopy anniversary
Ahead of the launch of Camp Snoopy’s 30th anniversary renovation, Knott’s Berry Farm has announced the new attractions that will grace the kids area as from this season. They include Charlie Brown’s Kite Flyer, Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies (Jump Around) and Linus Launcher (mini swinger), all by Zamperla – replacing Snoopy Bounce, Log Peeler and Charlie Brown’s Speedway respectively. Launched in 1984, Camp Snoopy is of course named after the dog from the famous Peanuts cartoon strips and animated TV series. Similarly- themed areas, also called Planet Snoopy, are featured at 10 of the 11 parks operated by Cedar Fair in North America.
Capital Wheel set for Washington DC
Visitors to Washington DC’s National Harbor will soon be able to enjoy previously unseen views of the White House and Capitol building, the National Mall, Arlington Cemetery, the city of Alexandria (home to IAAPA HQ!) and the lush parklands throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia region from on board a new observation wheel. The 175ft-tall (53m) Capital Wheel, built to a Bussink design by Chance Rides, will feature 42 enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas. Adorned with 1.6 million LEDs it will look a picture after dark as it glows over the Potomac River waterfront. The projected annual number of passengers is expected to be between 600,000 and 800,000. Opening in May, the attraction will also be available for a variety of public, corporate and private events.
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Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, Walt Disney Imagineering is set to bring the mythical world of Pandora to life, as featured in Cameron’s 3D blockbuster Avatar. The land of floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and soaring banshees – previously only seen in CGI – will become real for Disney guests to see, hear and touch as from 2017. Its arrival at Animal Kingdom forms part of the largest expansion in the park’s history.
The House of Magic 4D
It premiered this Christmas as a feature-length 3D movie in cinemas, and soon The House of Magic could be coming to an amusement park or attraction near you – in 4D.
Directed by nWave’s Ben Stassen and filmmaker Jeremie Degruson, with original music by Ramin Djawadi (of Pacific Rim and Game of Thrones fame), The House of Magic tells the story of Thunder, an abandoned young cat that stumbles into a magical old mansion. Owned by a retired magician, the building is occupied by an assortment of his wacky assistants who don’t all welcome the new house guest. But when the magician lands in hospital and his scheming nephew puts the mansion up for sale, our young hero and his new friends join forces to save their special home.
Distributed by Studio Canal, the 85 minute-long House of Magic 3D opened over the festive season at movie theatres in France, Belgium, South Korea, Singapore and Italy. Now nWave is marketing a 12-minute 4D version of the film to parks and attractions. To extend the experience, the company has developed an interactive videogame incorporating film's main characters. Available in English, French, Dutch, German, Italian and Korean, it is compatible with Apple and Android mobile devices, available from the App Store and Google’s Play Store. See the trailer at
YouTube.com/nWavePictures
FEBRUARY 2014
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