LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The Walt Disney Co. confirmed Thursday the new attractions that are headed to its theme parks this year and, to no surprise, many are Pixar-themed.
"Finding Nemo — the Musical" and the Seas With Nemo & Friends are headed for Walt Disney World Resort outside Orlando. The latter is billed as a search for Nemo in one of the world's largest saltwater aquariums.
Then there is the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and Crush's Coaster at Disneyland Resort Paris, where guests surf the Australian Current atop a spinning turtle shell.
There also is a Monsters, Inc., Laugh Floor Comedy Club coming to Walt Disney World Resort and a ride based on last year's "Cars" heading to Disneyland Resort Paris.
Other attractions highlighted by Disney include the Cinderella Castle Suite at Walt Disney World Resort and the Mickey Mouse Penthouse that opened last month at Disneyland Resort. Both are suitably decked-out hotel rooms that house guests randomly chosen by Disney cast members.
Disney acquired Pixar Animation Studios eight months ago, and in doing so named Pixar's John Lasseter principal creative adviser for Walt Disney Imagineering.
In March, during Disney's shareholder meeting, Lasseter suggested that there will be more attractions at Disney's theme parks based on the studio's movies, and that they would come quickly.
"I never understood why you wouldn't start designing a ride when you start making a film, so two months after a film comes out you have a ride," Lasseter told enthusiastic shareholders at the time.
Disney on Thursday released a list of 15 new initiatives to be unveiled this year, a half-dozen of which are rides or shows based on characters introduced in Pixar movies.
The company this month began its Rockin' Both Parks initiative, where Space Mountain and California Screamin' at the Disneyland Resort are transformed, until spring, into rock 'n' roll experiences featuring music by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
