Originally Posted By Kimber The presentation was given as a “special announcement†to the NFFC's conventioneers in the Lincoln Theatre this morning - the applause following the announcement was amazing and completely vindicated Tony Baxter's faith in the Disneyland fan-base – the information contained in blue-ray and restored DVD extras package is stunning - especially the 10-minute-long digital walk-thru of the attraction – they even restored the feature to it’s original aspect ratio we will see more of the film than ever before. Looks like I’ll be investing in blue ray before I’d expected to. The walk-thru will be an updated version of the original – the Imagineers went to the original drafting blueprints and Eyvand Earles original art and Ken Anderson’s art direction and to those – like Harriett Buns and Bob Gurr – who crafted the original for information and inspiration. They went from scratch as there was literally nothing left of the original save a single color view-master slide and a few props and gags boarded behind the walls. I can’t wait to see it! I'm certain that more information will be hitting the net, as there were a couple podcasters covering the event as part of their convention coverage - this is one occasion where the Disney corporate "synergy" worked. As to an opening timeline all Tony would say was that it would happen “before the last leaves of autumn fall, Sleeping Beauty will once again walk the halls.†But that leaves fall at Disneyland in February. As a side note Tony did allude to a “new frontier†– laughing as some in the audience shouted “Tomorrowland!†Enjoy! Kim
Originally Posted By 2001DLFan <<Imawnck: understand the closing scene will be the first use of Imagineering's new Pink-For-Blue technology. On a more serious note (and somewhat along the same lines as #4), I wish to observe that *nobody* is complaining about the apparently drastic updating of this very early DL attraction. In fact, it seems to be universally supported. Just as a point of reference for some other recently announced, more controversial alterations ...>> Nobody is complaining about the resurrection of the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthru MAINLY because they are NOT adding extraneous Disney characters to make it more “relevantâ€.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice I can barely wait for December... I'm so excited to be able to finally share this delightful bit of Disneyland with Mr. Alice! (His first visit ever was our trip in 2003.
Originally Posted By tonyanton Does anyone remember the walk-thru pre-1977 update? What were the differences?
Originally Posted By mawnck >>Nobody is complaining about the resurrection of the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthru MAINLY because they are NOT adding extraneous Disney characters to make it more “relevantâ€.<< Exactly. We're told that there's this attitude inside Imagineering that the fan community complains every time they try to change something. Which most definitely isn't true. What they've been experiencing is not opposition to change, it's opposition to stupid. I just thought it needed to be explicitly stated, since there's not much in this topic that would get anybody's attention otherwise.
Originally Posted By DlandDug There is more information forthcoming, and a certain amount that is being withheld. The 1957-1978 Walk Through was art directed by Evind Earle and Ken Anderson. It was very much in the style of the film's art direction, and featured flat set pieces ingeniously combined in carefully designed forced perspective sets. There were also some very sophisticated special effects that would later turn up in much bigger ways in other Disneyland attractions (most notably the Haunted Mansion). By the mid 70s, the "flat" 1950s styling of the attraction was considered passe, so it was drastically redesigned with three dimensional figures and set peices. It looked like a series of diorama scenes similar to what we would see in the windows on Main Street. The other big change was in the story line of the attraction. In 1957, when it opened, no one had seen Disney's film, which opened in 1959. Even Earle and Anderson couldn't know what scenes would be most popular, or if everything they were depicting would even make it into the final film. The Castle Walk Through scene order in 1957 jumped from Aurora's christening to the scene in the tower where she is lying on the floor, having pricked her finger on the spindle! SO... based on the clues in yesterday's presentation, it appears we will get a walk through completely faithful to the film's art direction, using much original material, but with a new order of scenes to include the more important and memorable moments from this beloved Disney classic. That, of course, is just my guess!
Originally Posted By Waistcoated Rabbit "Help Prince Whoever find Princess Aurora who has been kidnapped by Captain Barbossa and Wall-E is there for some reason." hey SpokkerJones, when you say Prince Whoever...I think you mean Prince Caspian!! hahah I'm actually pretty excited about the reopening.. I'll take any reason to have a little stroll through the castle.
Originally Posted By DLTheo I don't think I ever saw the original walkthru. My first time in Disneyland was 1978. I have only a vague memory of it, as I was just a little boy at that time. I think my family walked through it in 1996, but our next trip was in 2001, so I really have only very few, but fond memories of it. I can't wait until it reopens!
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt DLP has a pretty nice walk-through in Adventureland based on Aladdin that reminded me of the Sleeping Beauty attraction at DL. I don't think many fans here in the US know about it.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>>>I'm curious to see what the new technology brings to the attraction.<< Stitch and Buzz. Makes it more relevant.<< Why stop there? They should just add all sorts of other Disney characters all throughout to make it uper-duper "relevant".
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<I hope this is open for my pre-Thanksgiving November visit.>> It is scheduled to open in mid October. That is pretty agressive, but it just depends on what level of resources WDI and TDA throw at it. Be assured, they are definetly trying to time the opening to the DVD release. Here's hoping.
Originally Posted By DLTheo We'll be there the 4th week of October, so I hope you're right crapshoot!
Originally Posted By Utahgoof << It is scheduled to open in mid October. That is pretty agressive, but it just depends on what level of resources WDI and TDA throw at it. >> Just a thought, just because it was announced on the 17th doesn't mean they haven't already been working on it. It could be almost done. Who knows???
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: They began working on the restored walk thru as early as June 2008.
Originally Posted By SGE_lvr large people wont be able to go in probaLY and theres no wheelchiar access! thats to bad... but good thing im niether
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Large people not able to go through the castle walk thru? That's not true at all. The castle isn't THAT small. Perhaps you've never been inside Princess Aurora's home before? Certain corridors are narrow but not THAT narrow. You'll have to find out for yourself.
Originally Posted By Kimber Hey Kids - Some of the halls are narrow and the stairways are fairly steep, and so, for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, there will be an "alternate" experience, much like the M. O. O. created for Finding Nemo: Submarine Voyage. They're taking the Tinker Bell themed merchandise location out and using that space. Enjoy! Kim
Originally Posted By 2001DLFan ^^^^ They're not taking the Tinkerbell shop, but the one across the walkway that sells those laser etchings in glass. I really think they should have kept the Princess shop where the Tinkerbell shop was put. Tinkerbell has nothing to do with castles and the princesses do.
