Ratatouille (Rat-a-too-ee) trailer released

Disney and Pixar yesterday released a new trailer for the upcoming film Ratatouille. The trailer is currently on the official Ratatouille website.

The new trailer gives us some more hints as to what the story may be (although I'm not going to write it down here, since some of you might want to wait and see!) It also introduces a couple of the characters, and tells us a little more about the main character - a rat.

Currently I've not been able to locate a HD version of the trailer (or indeed anything larger than the one on the Disney website). This'll probably change soon (or maybe already has and I've just not spotted it!)

Anyway. Enjoy!

Links:
- Ratatouille website and trailer - Disney.com

Prepare to be lifted

It's been a kind of tradition with Pixar to release a new short film with each feature film. With The Incredibiles, it was Boundin'; with Cars, it was One Man Band. Ratatouille will be no exception from this, and its short film will be Lifted.

Lifted is a short film about a teenage alien who is taking an exam in abducting humans under the watchful eye of his instructor, Mr. B.

The film has already been previewed at The 42nd Chicago International Film Festival, and was nominated for Best Short Film at the 79th Academy Awards a few weeks ago.

Pixar's website contains a short introduction to the film, and has a quick peek at the artwork and storyline. The film is directed by Gary Rydstrom and is around five minutes long.

Links:
- Short Films: Lifted - Pixar Animation Studios

Official Pirates 3 website live, new production photos

The official website for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End has now gone live, with some new artwork, pictures and of course the new trailer.

On a similar note, ComingSoon.net has several new pictures from Walt Disney Pictures, showing various scenes and characters from the film.

If you haven't seen it already, the official HD trailer is on the Yahoo! Movies! Website! Still!

Roll on May 25th!

Links:
- Official PotC3 website
- New photos - ComingSoon.net
- HD Trailer - Yahoo! Movies!

Please stand clear of the doors...

So you've been to Walt Disney World. You've ridden the monorail, bought the toy monorail that's sold in the gift shops around the resort. What next?

How about buying your very own full size Walt Disney World Monorail System Mark IV car?

Used at the resort between 1971 and 1999 this monorail car will have traveled almost a million miles around the Florida resort and could be yours for $1000.

The auction is on eBay with 9 days left on the clock right now. Take a look. Even if you don't want to buy it, there's some interesting photos of the driver's cabin and what's underneath the monorail.

Links:
Disney Monorail Front Cabin Auction - eBay

Quickies: Reminder - Pirates of the Caribbean Trailer - Tonight!

Just a reminder for all you Pirates fans out there, the trailer for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will première on the Yahoo! Movies! Website! Tonight!

At the time of writing this, the countdown sits at 9 hours and 39 minutes until you can watch the trailer on the website. For those of you lacking the mathematical skills to add the times together (like me!), it's 10pm EST.

Links:
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Trailer - Yahoo! Movies

Pirates of the Caribbean video game on the horizon

Yarr! Soon, the familiar faces from the Pirates of the Caribbean films will set sail on your favourite gaming platform*.

Reports say that you will be able to play as Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner or Elizabeth Swann, and the game will be based on the upcoming film Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, including events and locations from the film as well as events and locations from the previous two films.

Those of you looking for a more interactive adventure may want to consider the Nintendo Wii version of the game, which will make use of the console's innovative controller for actions such as sword swings, etc. The games on all platforms are expected to be rated T for Teen in the US with the exception of the Nintendo DS version, which will have an ESRB rating of E10+, for anyone aged 10 and over.

The games are scheduled to be released towards the end of May 2007.

* Assuming your favourite gaming platform is one of the following: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, XBox 360.

Links:
- Pirates to Set Sail on Consoles and Handhelds - ComingSoon.net

Disneyland Resort Paris celebrates St. Patrick's Day

Disneyland Resort Paris was among the many venues that celebrated St. Patrick's Day in style on Saturday, with a special parade and fireworks.

DLRP.fr has some photosets of both events, starting with the St. Patrick's Day Parade, which included Irish dance troupes, marching bands and - of course - the Disney characters all dressed in green outfits for the special occasion.

At 9pm, Fantasyland closed so that preparations could take place for the special fireworks, which took place later in the evening. Fireworks danced to the sounds of Riverdance and music from the recent Pirates of the Caribbean films. A video of this is available on the DLRP.fr website along with many photos and a (French) description.

Links:
- St Patrick's Day Parade Photos - DLRP.fr
- St Patrick's Day Fireworks Video and Photos - DLRP.fr

Star Wars Weekend 2007 Guest List

Disney had released the guest list for this years Star Wars Weekend:

Celebrities scheduled to appear this year include:

Weekend 1 (June 1, 2, 3)
o Warwick Davis ("Wicket the Ewok")
o Kenny Baker ("R2-D2")
Weekend 2 (June 8, 9, 10)
o Ray Park ("Darth Maul")
o Daniel Logan ("Boba Fett" - Episode II)
Weekend 3 (June 15, 16, 17)
o Jeremy Bullloch ("Boba Fett")
o Peter Mayhew ("Chewbacca")
Weekend 4 (June 22, 23, 24)
o Anthony Daniels ("C-3PO")
o Bonnie Piesse ("Beru Lars")

As always Celebrity appearances are subject to change without notice.

According to Disney, Star Wars celebrities will be participating in daily autograph sessions, Legends of the Force Celebrity Motorcade and Stars of the Saga Talk Show.

The weekends will also feature over 40 characters and many special events.

Star Wars Weekend will be held on the following dates:
June 1, 2007, 9:00AM - 10:00PM
June 2, 2007, 9:00AM - 9:00PM
June 3, 2007, 9:00AM - 10:00PM
June 8, 2007 - June 10, 2007, 9:00AM - 10:00PM
June 15, 2007 - June 17, 2007, 9:00AM - 10:00PM
June 22, 2007 - June 24, 2007, 9:00AM - 10:00PM

Links:
Official WDW Star Wars Weekend Site

Laugh Floor Open for Business

According to Kevin Yee, a columnist on MiceAge, the new laugh floor has opened.

March 17th, the Laugh Floor opened with an unofficial, soft launch. This doesn't mean that the attraction will stay open, but for now you can ride Magic Kingdoms newest attraction, before its official opening day.

The official grand opening on April 2. Annual passholder previews will be held March 30 – April 1

Kevin has complete review of the ride on MiceAge.

Links:
Kevin Yee's Site
MiceAge

Guest collapses at Blizzard Beach, later dies in hospital

The Orlando Sentinel is today reporting that a guest collapsed at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park yesterday (Thursday), and later died in hospital.

The guest is reported to have told his wife that he wasn't feeling well whilst climbing the steps to one of the parks water slides, and said he'd meet her at the bottom. Upon reaching the bottom, the man - who has not been named - collapsed and was taken to Celebration Hospital, and later died. It is reported that he had a pre-existing heart condition. Last night Disney offered their "deepest sympathies" for the family of the guest.

Links:
- Disney visitor collapses on water-park ride, dies - The Orlando Sentinel