Walt's Prized Possions Fedex to Studios and other OFFICAIL info on 100 Years Celeb.

[Testtrack321]

FedEx Delivers Historical Walt Disney Memorabilia To Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (June 25, 2001) -- One hundred years of Walt Disney memorabilia left California for the first time ever today aboard a FedEx Express airplane bound for the Walt Disney World Resort.

The artifacts -- many never before seen publicly -- will be displayed at the Walt Disney World Resort as part of the 100 Years of Magic Celebration commemorating the centennial of Walt Disney’s birth. The celebration begins October 1.

“Talk about ‘precious cargo’,” said Walt Disney World Co. President Al Weiss. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime shipment that carries significant historical meaning to our company and our guests from around the world. We turned to FedEx to ensure the safest and most reliable transport of these items.”

FedEx Express provided air and ground transportation as well as logistical support to move the artifacts from California to Florida. “It has taken 100 years to assemble this sentimental and priceless collection of artifacts,” said David J. Bronczek, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Express. “It will take just a few hours for the safe, coast-to-coast FedEx delivery of valuable cargo that represents so many years of colorful Disney history.”

The priceless collection of memorabilia for Disney’s 100 Years of Magic Celebration was shipped cross-country early this morning from Los Angeles to Orlando, Fla. For the historically rich delivery, the Airbus A300 that carried the cargo was designated Spirit of Imagination.

Items in the collection, many dating to the early years of Disney, include:


Walt Disney’s office desk, chair and cabinet

1954 Special Effects Oscar from “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” animated feature-film props circa 1939-40

“Pinocchio” film props circa 1941

Sleeping Beauty castle model

Mickey Mouse Club guitar

Peter Pan’s Flight attraction model

Tree of Life model from Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The memorabilia, more than 400 items in all, also include Mickey Mouse Club ears from the original television show; the mask, sword and hat from the television program “Zorro,” and other items from Walt Disney’s complete working office.

All items will be on display at Disney-MGM Studios inside a new attraction called “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream,” a multi-sensory entertainment experience based on this man who was willing to bet everything on his own dreams. The venue will open Oct. 1, when the Walt Disney World Resort kicks off the 100 Years of Magic Celebration, which runs through Dec. 31, 2002.

FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company and a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX), is “the official express delivery service of the Walt Disney World Resort.”

With annual revenues of $20 billion, FedEx Corp. is the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain management services. The company offers integrated business solutions through a network of subsidiaries operating independently, including FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground, North America’s second largest provider of small-package ground delivery service; FedEx Freight, a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload freight services; FedEx Custom Critical, the world’s largest provider of expedited, time-critical shipments; and FedEx Trade Networks, a provider of customs brokerage, consulting, information technology and trade facilitation solutions.



LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- For the first time ever, a parade spectacle will unfold daily in all four Walt Disney World theme parks during the 100 Years of Magic Celebration beginning Oct. 1, 2001. And that’s exactly as it should be, according to Disney entertainment experts.

“The 100 Years of Magic Celebration is a tribute to the imagination of Walt Disney,” says John Haupt, managing producer for the parades. “We have tried to tie our live entertainment to his penchant for creativity.”

That creativity, according to Marty Sklar, vice chairman and principal creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, often involved parades. “Walt loved parades,” says Sklar, who worked with Walt for many years. “Parades were important at Disneyland from ‘Day One’.”

Adds Haupt, “Nothing beats a parade when we want to create an entertainment spectacular for lots of people.”

So during the 100 Years of Magic Celebration, Disney milestone moments are presented in parade units inspired by snow globes in the Magic Kingdom. Motorcars take on the visual personality of Disney characters in Disney-MGM Studios. The jungle beat is a pageant of party animals in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The dreams of children float on the evening air in Epcot.

The magic of the four parades is brought to life by legions of entertainers -- a total of more than 300 -- plus nearly 60 parade-unit drivers and other support personnel.

Then there’s the “supporting cast” -- thousands of theme park guests who are invited to take a role in the fun. Some are selected to actually ride along. Some have the chance to step off the curb and join the Disney characters in a brief activity. Others help make the magic happen when the characters musically invite them to shout a special phrase.

All four parades incorporate the new “Suite of Dreams” music written especially for the 100 Years of Magic Celebration.

Here’s a peek at the parade fun that’s in store in each of the four theme parks.

“Share a Dream Come True” Parade
Mickey Mouse and 100 Disney characters star in the Magic Kingdom parade, “Share a Dream Come True,” highlighting favorite moments from the early days of Mickey Mouse cartoons to the newest animated Disney characters.

Vignettes are captured in giant snow globes with live Disney characters inside. The spectacular opening float features Mickey Mouse waving from inside his snow globe atop a “Mouse-ument” of Mickey statuettes depicting Mickey through the years.

Each float is “a moment to remember,” said producer Bill Anoka, from the charming “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “Pinocchio” to the adventure of flight in “Mary Poppins,” “Dumbo” and “Aladdin.” The parade stops momentarily along the route to invite guests into the street to celebrate with the characters. The finale is a magnificent castle floating on clouds, with Tinker Bell’s magic wand revealing a character carousel rising from the clouds inside the final snow globe.

“It’s heartwarming and playful,” said Haupt. “Disney fans are going to love this tribute.”

“Tapestry of Dreams” Parade
The “Tapestry of Nations” street festival at Epcot has been transformed into “Tapestry of Dreams,” a parade celebrating children, dreams and the legacy of Walt Disney.

“This parade surrounds World Showcase with enormous drums, fanciful puppets and spectacular pageantry,” says Haupt. “It celebrates the dreamer in all of us.”

Throughout the day at Epcot, Kidcot Fun Stop activity kiosks around World Showcase will offer children cardboard compasses illustrating the 11 World Showcase countries with a press-out “coin” in the center of the compass. As the nightly procession begins, recorded voices of children tell their dreams for the world as three “dream spinners” dance along. During the parade, young guests can make a wish as they toss their “coins” into a dream catcher that passes by in the procession.

“The dream spinners call upon guests to imagine a vision of the future where all of our best dreams come true,” says producer Taz Marosi. The dreams are woven into a tapestry of vibrant sights and sounds as the parade, with brilliant puppets that conjure up sprites, angels, birds and other ethereal creations, encircles World Showcase.

“The parade explodes with rhythm, color and music,” says Marosi. “It’s a brand new experience.”

“Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle” Parade
The new parade at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a traveling, interactive island street party that features Disney characters “on expedition” and a tribute to their animal friends. As the procession winds through the park, a menagerie of abstract animals comes to life in handcrafted theatrical designs -- “bursts of living color,” says producer Paul Nichols.

During each parade presentation, nearly two dozen guests get in on the action in customized rickshaws that accompany the Disney characters traveling in safari vehicles. Minnie Mouse, for instance, appears as if she brought all the comforts of home along on her safari, with steamer trunks, wardrobe cases, hat boxes, even a bathtub (with bubbles continuously floating out).

Party Animals and energetic Party Patrols coax the audience into a sing-a-long music fest as the parade winds throughout the park.

“Disney Stars and Motor Cars” Parade
In the shadow of a shimmering blue, 12-story tall Sorcerer Mickey hat that has been created as a visual centerpiece for the celebration, all the resident stars at Disney-MGM Studios participate in a celebrity cavalcade worthy of a red-carpet event, the “Disney Stars and Motor Cars” parade.

“We bring the stars to you,” says producer Taz Marosi. The luminaries -- Aladdin and Jasmine, Luke Skywalker, Rolie Polie Olie, Miss Piggy, Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse and more -- all are on hand for a Hollywood celebration honoring Walt Disney’s career in motion pictures.

More than a dozen stars ride in customized cars, many of them vintage models: the “Aladdin” car is outfitted to look like the Genie, the “Toy Story” car is in the shape of Andy’s bed. The final car, a 1929 Cadillac, will carry Mickey, Minnie and friends.

Walt Disney, who got his start in motion pictures, is honored in a pre-show that pays homage to his pioneering creativity. Commentators along the parade route will share Walt wisdom as the parade makes its way through the park.

The History of Walt and Parades
Walt Disney was infatuated with parades from the time of his youth in Missouri. “When the circus came to [Kansas City],” chronicles author Bob Thomas in Walt Disney: An American Original, “Walt followed the parade from beginning to end, his sister Ruth striving hard to keep up with him. He devised his own circus parade, enlisting Ruth and the neighborhood children to help decorate floats atop play wagons.”

More than 40 years later, Walt’s love of parades had a whole new “stage”: Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland in California.

“On ‘day one,’ Walt read a dedication and then the parade started,” says Disney historian Dave Smith. That was July 17, 1955. The Disney characters -- Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Snow White and others -- took on a new, three-dimensional life in a procession that marched to the beat of the Disneyland Band. Actors Fess Parker (Davy Crockett) and Buddy Ebsen joined in the fun. The parade featured TV commentary by Ronald Reagan.

On Thanksgiving Day in 1955, Walt introduced a circus parade. The following Easter, there was an Antique Automobile Parade. In December 1957, the Christmas in Many Lands Parade premiered. Then came Cavalcade of Bands. And The Parade of Toys. Then the Christmastime extravaganza Fantasy on Parade. And Tencennial Celebration Parade in 1965 to salute Disneyland’s first decade.


100 Years of Magic Celebration to Feature New Spectacles in All 4 Walt Disney World Parks

The legacy of Walt Disney -- his creativity and spirit of adventure -- will inspire a year-long celebration featuring special events, new attractions and sparkling new live entertainment at all four Walt Disney World theme parks beginning Oct. 1, 2001.

The 100 Years of Magic Celebration marks the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth on Dec. 5, 1901.

“The emotional connection that our guests have to the Disney legacy of innovation, imagination and family entertainment, combined with new entertainment and attractions, will make this our most magical celebration ever,” said Walt Disney World President Al Weiss.

Paying homage to the extraordinary show-business contributions of Walt Disney, 100 Years of Magic will be centered at Disney-MGM Studios, which will unveil The Sorcerer’s Hat, a new 122-foot-tall icon celebrating Disney magic and entertainment wizardry.

Major entertainment spectacles also are planned for all four Walt Disney World parks:


Disney-MGM Studios guests will be treated to “Disney Stars and Motor Cars” -- a daily parade of outrageously customized cars loaded with favorite characters. And for the first time ever, cherished memorabilia from the Disney archives will be open to viewing by the general public at “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream,” a multi-media tribute to Walt Disney, the man.

Life-sized snow globes will capture the magic and charm of Disney characters from a child’s point of view in “Share a Dream Come True,” a new Magic Kingdom parade.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be alive with color and pageantry during presentations of “Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle” -- the first true Disney parade created for the newest Walt Disney World theme park.

New characters called dream-spinners and a colorful new float called the Dream Catcher will be part of the makeover that transforms the hugely popular Epcot procession “Tapestry of Nations” into “Tapestry of Dreams.”
The celebration also will feature new theme park attractions and shows such as The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in the Magic Kingdom; Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama!, featuring TriceraTop Spin and Primeval Whirl, in Disney’s Animal Kingdom; and “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!” in Disney-MGM Studios.

As the celebration draws closer, more attractions and entertainment will be announced.

All four theme parks will feature the fascinating stories behind the Disney magic at computerized kiosks. Guests can play their way through a treasure trove of information that shows the heritage behind the family-entertainment fun of today’s Disney parks.

Even special merchandise being created for the 100 Years of Magic Celebration will carry on the Disney legacy of innovation. Disney’s Magical Moments pins, available for purchase by guests, will put on a mini-light show -- like magic -- at surprise moments, interacting with live entertainment, attractions and interactive kiosks.

Walt Disney was born in Chicago on Dec. 5, 1901. His motion picture milestones were many, beginning with the “birth” of Mickey Mouse in a 1928 short titled “Steamboat Willie,” which included synchronized sound on film for the first time in an animated motion picture. He pioneered animation as a form for feature-length motion pictures with the creation of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and turned animation into a cinematic symphonic concert through “Fantasia.” He pioneered creation of the multi-plane camera, which recently earned him a place in the Inventors Hall of Fame.

Disney’s landmark family-entertainment ventures also included classic television programming such as “The Mickey Mouse Club,” “Davy Crockett” and “The Wonderful World of Disney,” which continues today. With the opening of Disneyland in California in the 1950s, Disney began a theme park empire that now spans the globe. Through animated films, live-action features, television, theme parks and even Broadway, Disney’s legacy of imagination and entertainment lives on.

“Nearly everyone can remember when they were first touched by the magic of Disney,” Weiss said. “Here at the resort that bears Walt Disney’s name, we’ll give them a chance to share those memories and make new ones.”

All of this is from wdwmagic.com!

 

[Sarangel]

Wow! That's a lot of information (at first I thought you'd repeated one article 3X, which is why there's an edit mark on the post - I was going to delete the extras), but once I got through it, I realized that there are 3 seperate articles. Most of these have been posted in other threads, but thank for keeping us all up to date.

Sarangel

 

[Testtrack321]

One really cool thing is how much more they are makeing Tapestry of Dreams now! Your vocies can be heard in the parade music and the giant dream catcher will be like a fountain and you will toss the coins in there and make a wish! HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!!!! I have to congrats Disney on another great parade!

P.S. I don't know about the rest of you, but will the Dream Spinners repalce the Sage?????? LET'S HOPE NOT!!!!

 

[OnWithTheShow]

As far as I know none of the puppets are being cut from the parade. The new Tapestry of Dreams only entails additions, again this is only what I was made to understand.

 

[J.P.]

I don't know if I can contain my excitement concerning all the activities for Walt's 100th b'day. We going in April of 2002 and I wish know I was going tomm. JP