Anyone else watching the live webcast announcement right now?

[Disney Dreams]

Or just me?

 

[PrincessMaleficent]

No I try to go to the blog but it says the site is down

What are they saying?

 

[Disney Dreams]

They are introducing "Let the Memories Begin."

In short: You can submit photos and videos with your Disney memories / moments (along with pictures taken from PhotoPass photographers) and Disney is going to project 1,000s of photos submitted each day on Cinderella's Castle at WDW and on it's a small world at Disneyland, as well as in TV commercials.

Here's the links I could find:

Let the Memories Begin

And here's a news article (never know if it's okay to post the actual link):

"Walt Disney World has announced a new campaign that will put park guests in the spotlight.

It's called "Let the Memories Begin". Beginning in 2011, some parks guests' photos will be projected onto Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture guests caught up in the Disney experience – a memory in the making – and as many as 500 photos will be used in each location every day, producers estimate.

A new 3-D technology will be used to project the pictures onto the structures. It is reportedly similar to this.

Also, a new song has been commissioned for the show.

Actors Tom Bergeron and Michael J. Fox helped make the announcement Thursday afternoon in New York City.

Here is Disney's official statement regarding the plans:

In 2011, Disney guests will become the stars of a nightly spectacular when photos taken in the park during the day become larger-than-life projections on Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort or “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Resort. This groundbreaking new experience will celebrate the family vacation memories created in Disney theme parks every day.

And this week, Disney guests will begin starring on television, too, as part of the new “Let the Memories Begin” campaign. For the first time, Disney Parks is featuring the home videos and snapshots of real guests in television ads and other marketing that will allow an audience of millions to share in true-life, heartfelt moments.

“A Disney vacation is the perfect way to create family memories that will last a lifetime,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, at a media announcement Thursday in New York. “We’ll spotlight those ‘only-at-Disney’ moments with family and friends during our ‘Let the Memories Begin’ campaign.”

A just-released survey of U.S. and Canadian families conducted for Disney Parks by Ypartnership, a noted research firm that tracks consumer insights and trends in travel, showed that vacation memories hold a special place in family history.

Nine out of 10 parents said they planned their vacations with the express hope that they would result in a lasting family memory, the survey showed. And those memories stuck with them – nearly three-quarters said they think back “often” or “very often” on their favorite vacation experiences.

‘Memories in the Making’ to be Shared on Disney Park Icons

Beginning in January 2011, some Disney parks guests will find that the memory they just made has become a larger-than-life image during a “Let the Memories Begin” nighttime experience.

At Walt Disney World Resort, the guest photos will be projected on the soaring spires of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. At Disneyland Resort, the iconic façade of “it’s a small world” will be the canvas for the show.

In both locations, Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture guests caught up in the Disney experience – a memory in the making – and as many as 500 photos will be used in each location every day, producers estimate.

The nighttime show will use the latest in high-intensity projection technology to create vivid visuals that seem to defy the architecture of the building. A new song commissioned for the show will provide an emotional context for these images of the Disney guest experience.

For TV Ads and More, Disney Parks Issues a ‘Call for Memories’

Beyond seeing their own projected photos in lights, guests also could become the stars of Disney Parks television commercials, online campaigns and social media opportunities that will showcase to the world the power of memories.

The campaign kicks off this week with a TV commercial created from videos posted online in social media forums.

For future TV commercials and other advertising and marketing programs, Disney Parks is asking guests to share their memories by uploading photos and videos at a special “Let the Memories Begin” online hub at www.DisneyParks.com/Memories. From a first meeting with a princess to a laugh-filled watery touchdown on Splash Mountain, Disney Parks is looking for videos and photos that capture those never-to-be-forgotten experiences.

Some memories will be shared online, while others may be selected to share in print ads, brochures and other marketing – including television ads to air across the United States and Canada.

With real visitor images on iconic attractions and home video featured in commercials, the storytellers at Disney Parks are letting guests tell their own stories in 2011, Staggs said.

“We wanted to give our guests a powerful way to share the memories they create every day in our parks,” Staggs said. “Essentially, this becomes our first user-generated show and our first user-generated marketing campaign.

“A day at a Disney park is filled with magical experiences that become cherished and unforgettable memories – and now we’re helping our guests share those memories with the world."

- Dreams

 

[DisneyMomma81]

MJF

 

[Raindown]

Interesting, but I'm not sure why people would upload their pictures and videos to the disney site.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

Is it terrible that I keep thinking, "oh, I already make memories there. How do I get a free day??"

 

[Peri]

But wait - think of the savings! You send your pictures and videos and they use them - FOR FREE - in their ad campaign... kind of like "reality advertising"

Very clever.

 

[disneygal2007]

As I was reading this the add came on TV!

 

[iKristin]

Yeah so pretty much they're using your memories for free to make them money...I won't be adding pictures to that campaign

 

[barefootmomma]

Yeah so pretty much they're using your memories for free to make them money...I won't be adding pictures to that campaign

My thoughts exactly! I support Disney (trust me, I spend a small fortune there each year! ), but I'm not giving up rights to my images.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

So if a photpass photographer takes your picture they can use it and project it on the castle? Wonder if you have to give permission or do they just assume you want to be part of this?


Sorry, but the whole theme just sounds cheap. I thought they would step up with something big since the Fantasyland expansion will close Toontown in WDW.

 

[smile4stamps]

They probably have the rights to all PhotoPass Pics anyways... That doesn't bother me.

I am upset that they think this is a major campaign. I watched the broadcast and was so bored... I kept waiting for some BIG news... Especially when Tom Bergeran (sp?) kept hinting at really big news!

I was HOPING the big news was WiFi in the parks when they kept stating the link to social media... no such luck on that.

My only hope with this is that there will be lots more PhotoPass Photographers in the parks to capture these "memories" I love Photopass photos!

 

[barefootmomma]

They probably have the rights to all PhotoPass Pics anyways... That doesn't bother me.

I am upset that they think this is a major campaign. I watched the broadcast and was so bored... I kept waiting for some BIG news... Especially when Tom Bergeran (sp?) kept hinting at really big news!

I was HOPING the big news was WiFi in the parks when they kept stating the link to social media... no such luck on that.

My only hope with this is that there will be lots more PhotoPass Photographers in the parks to capture these "memories" I love Photopass photos!

Totally in agreement here, they have been pretty sparse in Disneyland lately.