Soarin' lines to see games

[crazy4wdw]

TOURISM & TRAVEL

Soarin' lines to see games
Christopher Boyd and Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writers
July 9, 2007

Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park has unveiled its new, interactive video games for visitors waiting in line to ride Soarin'.

The games opened last week, offering a test of emerging entertainment technology produced by Walt Disney Imagineering. Using motion-detection equipment, heat sensors and computer-generated videos shown on huge screens, the games allow groups of strangers to play games together while waiting in line.

In a demonstration Thursday, one crowd was so caught up in trying to lead an animated bird through a computer-animated forest that many of the people did not notice for several minutes that a large gap had opened in the line in front of them.

The bird, and the characters in other games, are computer-directed based on which direction people lean, and many people were yelling, in unison, "lean left!" and "lean right!" while trying to lead the bird through the forest.

Third Day at 'Night of Joy'

Third Day, Jaci Velasquez, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Smokie Norful are among the artists scheduled to appear at Walt Disney World's 25th annual "Night of Joy" festival on Sept. 7 and 8 in the Magic Kingdom.

The contemporary Christian music fest requires a special ticket, with shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. and running to 12:30 a.m. both nights. In addition to Third Day and Velasquez, the announced Sept. 7 lineup includes Chris Tomlin, the David Crowder Band, Brian Littrell, BarlowGirl, Leeland, Jessie Daniels and Sanctus Real. The following night will feature Chapman, Norful, newsboys, Salvador, Kutless, Red, Mary Mary, Flyleaf and Mark Schultz.

In addition, several Magic Kingdom attractions will remain in operation during the show hours. Advance tickets are now available through Disney's ticket line, 407-934-7639, or Web site disneyworld.com/nightofjoy for $41.95 for one night or $71.95 for both nights.

Hotel uses film theme

After undergoing a major renovation, an 11-story hotel on Major Boulevard has reopened as a Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites.

The former Sleep Inn & Suites hotel was refurbished with a new lobby based on a Hollywood theme, replete with a front desk that resembles an old-fashioned movie marquee. In addition, the hotel's Universal Studios ticket counter has been redone to resemble a vintage ticket booth.

The multimillion-dollar makeover began early this year. The hotel remained open during the work, which included an expanded express-breakfast area.

Guest rooms were also refurbished, with the work including new showers and bedding.

Hotel golf packages

Rosen Shingle Creek hotel, a 1,500-room resort on Universal Boulevard near the Orange County Convention Center, is offering two golf packages for play on its 18-hole, David Harman-designed course.

The packages are available from August to December. One includes rooms at $181 a night for single occupancy and $240 for double. The other has rooms at $606 for single occupancy and $968 for double. The packages include different services.

Christopher Boyd can be reached at cboyd@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5723. Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5441.

 

[ChrisFL]

In a demonstration Thursday, one crowd was so caught up in trying to lead an animated bird through a computer-animated forest that many of the people did not notice for several minutes that a large gap had opened in the line in front of them.

the downfall of having TOO GOOD entertainment in the queue...

its difficult enough to keep people moving when there's nothing to do (pet peeve, people not moving in line)

 

[G8RFAN]

We braved the standby line during EMH last week. The three screens that they have this on did liven it up a bit, but as the line moves, you have to "change" teams when it comes to flying the birds. They also have these "paint balls" that allow you to have your sillouhette on the screen either bounce like a beach ball or pop. Smaller kids definitely do not have much of an impact as much as adults on the "motion detected" interface.

 

[schmitty]

Having huge gaps in line i exactly what I feared would happen. I liked the questions they had it could keep people entertained but not so much that it creates huge gaps in the line.

 

[Cricket2]

Too bad it's not themed to the attraction or we might have to call it "magic".