DizTech #5 Shows You the Ins and Outs of Animatronics.

The latest installment of DizTech is up and ready for consumption!  This month’s feature takes you on a tour of Audio-Animatronics: their history, current state, and future aspirations.  Click here to jump on over and take a look!  Also, make sure to check out the other fantastic parts of DizFanatic.com.  Enjoy!

Walt Disney World Guide Notescast Gets Updated in the App Store!

 

I came home to some exciting news today: the Walt Disney World Guide Notescast (which I reviewed not too long ago) got an official update today!  It’s passed Apple’s approval process and is ready for the downloading.  Get more details by clicking below!

Florida’s High-Speed Rail: Collected Thoughts and Stories

While the thought of a high-speed rail connecting Tampa and Orlando International Airport isn’t new, the news that it’s actually on its way is pretty new.  Just a few days ago, we learned that the Obama administration announced that it plans to give $1.25 billion for the project.  This isn’t as much as was originally planned, but advocates are calling it a “down payment.”  I’ve collected a few stories and impressions here to give you a good start on learning about the upcoming project:

• Florida’s high-speed rail gets ‘down payment.’ From the Miami Herald, read initial reactions to the news of the funding.
• How will downtown Orlando fit into high-speed rail? Beth Kassab of the Orlando Sentinel speculates on the omission of downtown Orlando from the HSR route.
• Florida High Speed Rail on Wikipedia. Read up on the history behind Florida’s high-speed rail.
• FloridaHighSpeedRail.org. For a wealth of information, visit this site.  You’ll find everything from a FAQ to a resource library.

This phase of the project only includes the Tampa-Orlando rail.  Future plans include a line that will run to Miami as well.  Have any thoughts on the news?  Like the idea? Have some concerns?  Voice your opinions below!

Classic Console: Mickey Mousecapade

It’s been way too long since I’ve done one of these.  I’ve been really excited to write about this one, because this is another of those games I played growing up.  This trip to Disney’s Classic Console takes us through Mickey Mousecapade, an NES adventure starring Mickey and Minnie.   Join me for another classic gaming experience!

Changes at Epcot’s Innoventions.

The Daily Disney reported today that changes are afoot at Innoventions in Epcot.  The biggest change is the addition of “SmarterPlanet” – an exhibit presented by IBM.  Some of these exhibits have been there for a while, but Mickey Mouse’s appearance at today’s opening ceremony made everything official.

The other change is the news that KUKA Robotics (responsible for the new Sum of All Thrills attraction) removed their exhibit, “Rockin’ Robots.”  Disney says their contract recently expired, and their robotic arms are already featured in the Sum of All Thrills. 

Any thoughts on the changes?  Post your comments below!

Disney and the iPad: Post-Announcement.

First of all, I’m holding off on the “how do you feel about the iPad” debate for now.  I have my reservations (as you may have read on Facebook), but I want to really play with the iPad before I make any official opinions.  In this post, I just want to take some time and talk about Disney’s part in this whole shebang. 

Will Disney Be a Factor in Apple’s Big Event?

If you listen for news about the tech industry in even the slightest way, you have to be following the tech news of another planet to have not heard about Apple’s oft-rumored tablet device.  This gadget has captured the attention of tech enthusiasts and even mainstream media for some time now, and they hype only grew when Apple started handing out invitations last week to a press event showcasing their “latest creation.”  We know that Disney and Apple have a pretty close relationship, with Apple CEO Steve Jobs serving on Disney’s Board of Directors.  So how might Disney be a part of Apple’s supposed unveiling this Wednesday?  You’ll have to click below to read my thoughts!

Review: WDW Secrets: Hidden Mickeys & WDW Secrets: Main Street, USA Windows Notescasts

I’ve had a blast reviewing these Walt Disney World Notescasts this week.  Last time, I reviewed the WDW Secrets and WDW Secrets Gold Notescasts.  I chose to review those together because they are so closely related.  Originally, I was going review them alongside these two apps as well because they all four take you on tours to find the hidden secrets of Walt Disney World.  I didn’t want to try to cram everything together, though, so I decided to split them into two reviews.  If you’re ready to some more touring, click below to read my review.  And keep your iPhone or iPod Touch close at hand: you may need to visit the App Store!

Review: Walt Disney World Secrets & Walt Disney World Secrets Gold Notescasts.

Recently, I got the chance to review the Walt Disney World Guide Notescast, a great tour guide of Walt Disney World for the iPhone and iPod family.  TimeStream Software put together a great product, so naturally I was intrigued to see how their other apps were.  This review will be a combination of two Notescasts, Walt Disney World Secrets and Walt Disney World Secrets Gold.  As you can tell from their names, the apps are similar in many ways.  What differences can you expect?  How do the apps hold up when compared to the WDW Guide?  How are they overall?  Click below to find out!

Review: Walt Disney World Guide Notescast.

The App Store is home to over 100,000 apps.  Disney fans will find a ton of apps related to their favorite Disney movies, music, and theme parks.  This week, I’ve spent a lot of time with a couple of apps in particular.  In this review, I’ll give you my thoughts on the Walt Disney World Guide Notescast.  It’s a mobile guide to the Walt Disney World Resort, designed to be easy and convenient to take with you to the parks.  But does it beat carrying an actual guide book?  You’ll just have to click below to find out!