New Pixar floats in Dreamlights parade

Tokyo Disneyland have given their Dreamlights parade (think Main Street Electrical Parade) an update with some new floats based on the Pixar animations.

The new floats include Finding Nemo characters and Monsters Inc. characters, and look (in my opinion) rather good.

DLRP.fr has a few photos of the new floats, and the official website's Dreamlights page also has some details.

Links:
- Tokyo Disney Resort
- Dreamlights Parade Information
- New float photos (DLRP.fr)

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

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

John Lasseter profiled by The New York Times

Laura M. Holson of The New York Times has written a very interesting profile of John Lasseter, the Chief Creative Officer of Animation for the Walt Disney Company, which is available to read on the New York Times website.

From the article:

Enter Mr. Lasseter who, along with a close team of handpicked animators had made Pixar this generation’s premier storyteller with an unbroken string of hits including “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo” and “The Incredibles.” The first filmmaker to run Disney’s animation operations since Walt Disney died in 1966, he said he wants to reclaim the studio’s golden era.

Links:
- He Runs That Mickey Mouse Outfit - The New York Times
- Official Pixar Executive biographies