Disney receives 3 top awards from the Themed Entertainment Association

Disney received two of the 10 Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement this year, including one for Mystic Manor and another for Enchanted Tales with Belle.

The Themed Entertainment Association Thea Award is considered the industry's top honor. In addition, the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland received the Thea Classic award.

Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland "signals a new generation of possibilities in the integration of projection mapping with ride technology, audio-animatronics and other special effects." according to the TEA website.

There are some 40 visual effects created by different technologies and 36 projectors, including four ultra-high-definition (4k) projectors. The wire-guided, trackless ride system can position the vehicle where guests ride in any direction.

Enchanted Tales with Belle at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World is more than a typical character greeting, adding a magic mirror effect as well as the Audio-Animatronics figure of Lumiere, the candlestick.

"While it may have been tempting to focus on more contemporary theatrical media and technology to create this experience, the daring use of absolutely simple storytelling and playacting (with background of Imagineering wizardry) creates a much stronger and more personal connection than a more programmed experience," according to TEA.

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Hong Kong Disneyland will be home to first Marvel ride

Hong Kong Disneyland will be the home of the first Disney attraction based on a Marvel character, Tom Staggs, chairman of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced.

The ride, to be unveiled in 2016, will be based on Iron Man, he said in the Disney Parks Blog.

The Iron Man Experience begins with a guest getting into a vehicle to take flight with Iron Man fighting the forces of evil on the streets and in the skies of Hong Kong.

Located in Tomorrowland, the Expo will allow guests to see firsthand the progression of Tony Stark's Iron Man suits and many other Stark innovations, Skaggs announced.

"We are extremely confident in and committed to the continued growth and success of Hong Kong Disneyland. I’m excited to see Iron Man become a part of that success," he announced.

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Disney Facts: What entryway figure in Be Our Guest Restaurant is called

When walking into the Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland in Disney World you can find figures about the entrance doors hat contain eagles with snakes. So what are they called? The answer is "Sneagles," according to Disney.

© Steven Liebman

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Hong Kong Disneyland ride Mystic Point to open in May

Mystic Point, an original attraction at Hong King Disneyland with new characters, special effects and new technology designed to transport guests into a strange  universe will open May 17, 2013.

Disney publicity photo of Mystic Manor

According to a Disney news release,  Mystic Point follows the adventures of eccentric explorer and art collector Lord Henry Mystic, who invites Guests to board the Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage for a tour of his private museum located within his Victorian manor house. When Lord Henry’s companion monkey Albert mischievously opens a newly acquired magical music box, the enchanted Music Dust inside is released and, a mysterious journey begins.

 “Mystic Manor is a brand new concept with new characters, special effects and architecture that no Guest has ever seen before in any of the Disney Parks worldwide," said Creative Director Walt Disney Imagineering (Hong Kong) Mark Schirmer.

This is the first trackless ride that applies radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology ever built by Disney. There are 40 visual effects created by different technologies and 36 projectors, including four ultra-high-definition  projectors. 

According to the news release, the ride can be positioned in any direction.

Video of the Pre-Showfor Mystic Point

Video of Mystic Point Ride

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