Disney Parks Announcements - Let The Memories Begin!

**Melanie** · 09-22-2010, 06:15 PM

From the Disney Blog:

Have you heard? We’re unveiling some exciting plans for Disney Parks in New York City in less than 24 hours. And you bet we’ll be announcing some good stuff that you’ll want to know about. So, on Thursday we’re offering live coverage of the event here on The Disney Parks Blog. You’ll be able to watch and interact in real time as we raise the curtain on what’s coming. We don’t want to give away any of the surprises but expect to see a few faces you’ll instantly recognize along with Disney characters and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs.

The live stream begins on September 23 at 12:45 p.m. EST. We’ll also be providing updates on our @DisneyParks Twitter account and Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Facebook pages. See you back here tomorrow afternoon.

Official Press Release:

NEW YORK (Sept. 23, 2010) – 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.

More Ways to Make Disney Vacation Memories in 2011
To help make special memories last a lifetime, in 2011 Disney Parks is adding new theme park experiences in California and Florida, new vacation opportunities on the high seas with Disney Cruise Line, a new luxury resort on a breathtaking lagoon in Hawaii, and new ways to explore the world with Adventures by Disney.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s in store:

“World of Color” (Disneyland Resort): “World of Color,” the new nighttime spectacular presented in Disney California Adventure park, brings classic Disney and Disney•Pixar animation to life with nearly 1,200 powerful fountains, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, music and special effects.

Disney California Adventure Expansion (Disneyland Resort): Next up for the continuing expansion of the park is the first major attraction based on the modern Disney classic, “The Little Mermaid.” The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure will treat guests to a musical retelling of the classic motion picture as the best-loved songs come alive in magnificent scenes all around them.

New Star Tours 3-D Adventure (Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort): Bridging that “long time ago” between the two “Star Wars” trilogies, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue will take flight in 2011 and take voyagers to thrilling destinations throughout the “Star Wars” galaxy. And it will all happen in brilliant, 3-D technology.

Disney Cruise Line: The Disney Dream, the newest ship of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, launching January 2011, will bring to life grand innovations and more, offering a cruise experience from stem to stern that caters to preferences of the entire family. The Disney Wonder cruise ship will “go west” in early 2011; and new West Coast itineraries for Disney Cruise Line will include, for the first time, Alaska cruises sailing from Vancouver.

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina Hawai`i: A first-of-its-kind Disney resort in Hawaii creates a perfect setting for family fun. The new resort, which includes traditional hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas, is being built on 21 acres of oceanfront property, 17 miles from Honolulu International Airport and approximately 30 minutes from Waikiki.

Adventures by Disney: In 2011, Adventures by Disney guests will step off of planes, cruise ships and camels into living chapters of history during seven- and nine-night Egypt itineraries. These guided travel vacations allow families to visit destinations they never dreamed possible – including Italy, South Africa and China – with the assurance of the Disney name.

**DisneyPrincess21** · 09-22-2010, 06:43 PM

Wait Mel, are they hinting that they are opening a park in New York City??

**Melanie** · 09-22-2010, 06:49 PM

No, no. They are just holding the press conference there, for whatever reason.

I think the main thing to be announced is the new celebration theme, which is supposedly "Let the Memories Begin".

**DisneyPrincess21** · 09-22-2010, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Melanie

No, no. They are just holding the press conference there, for whatever reason.

I think the main thing to be announced is the new celebration theme, which is supposedly "Let the Memories Begin".

That's still kind of an odd place to hold the conference no? Usually don't they do them in Anahiem?

**BrerGnat** · 09-22-2010, 11:18 PM

NYC + "characters you'll recognize"=

An announcement related to Marvel Superheroes.

That's my guess.

**DizneyFreak2002** · 09-23-2010, 12:32 AM

I'm thinking they will announce the celebration theme of Memories... oh, and a little something something about the New Fantasyland...

**BrerSchultzy** · 09-23-2010, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess21

That's still kind of an odd place to hold the conference no? Usually don't they do them in Anahiem?

They announced "What Will You Celebrate?" from NYC.

**Dixie Springs** · 09-23-2010, 12:05 PM

At the behest of representatives from several other planets (citing alien stereotyping), they are removing Stitch from all park attractions and merchandise.

**Melanie** · 09-23-2010, 12:29 PM

I have a feeling I'm not going to be impressed.

**GothMickey** · 09-23-2010, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Melanie

I have a feeling I'm not going to be impressed.

If they only announce what we already know, Let the Memories Begin celebration, then I am in agreement. I won't be impressed. Now, if they announce what a certain reputable source is currently tweeting, then I will be mightily impressed.

By the way, are you there live or does Intercot have a representative there who will post the announcements as they happen?

**Melanie** · 09-23-2010, 12:40 PM

Looks like the announcement will be a new nighttime "show" featuring photos taken during the day of guests 'making memories'. The photos will be projected onto Cinderella Castle at WDW and It's a Small World at Disneyland. Some 500 photos will be displayed nightly.

**Melanie** · 09-23-2010, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by GothMickey

By the way, are you there live or does Intercot have a representative there who will post the announcements as they happen?

No, unfortunately we don't have anyone there live for this one.

**Melanie** · 09-23-2010, 12:45 PM

Ahhh! Seems the live stream website apparently has too much traffic. Can't get on.

**GothMickey** · 09-23-2010, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Melanie

No, unfortunately we don't have anyone there live for this one.

That is ok, not missing much I assume. After reading the press release, I am very underwhelmed. Unless they have something else in store, this is a waste of a press conference.

**Imagineer1981** · 09-23-2010, 12:47 PM

cant' log on!!!!

**Melanie** · 09-23-2010, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by GothMickey

That is ok, not missing much I assume. After reading the press release, I am very underwhelmed. Unless they have something else in store, this is a waste of a press conference.

I agree! All the additional "coming in 2011" stuff has all been previously announced months ago.

**Melanie** · 09-23-2010, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Imagineer1981

cant' log on!!!!

Yep, seems to have crashed.

**DisnIse** · 09-23-2010, 12:49 PM

Disney announcement: Guests to star in nightly Castle show

12:33 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2010
E-mail Print Text Size os-disney-world-announcement-20100923

Disney Parks unveiled a new marketing campaign Thursday, saying park guests will be the stars of a nightly photo show to be projected on the spires of Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

The campaign, called "Let the Memories Begin," will celebrate family vacation memories created in Disney theme parks every day, the company said.

Beginning in January 2011, Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture pictures of guests during the day that will be larger-than-life images during the nighttime show. As many as 500 images will be used every day, Disney said.

Disney will also begin featuring home videos and snapshots of real guests in television ads and other marketing, the company said.

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At Walt Disney World Resort, the nighttime show will be projected on the spires of Cinderella Castle. At Disneyland Resort, the facade of "it's a small world" will be the canvas for the show.