Disney creates Google Earth map of Disney World
On the Net: Walt Disney World Resort in 3D, http://www.disneyworld.com/3dparks

Jun 5, 2:19 PM (ET)

 

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) - Tourists overwhelmed by the mind-boggling size of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., will now be able to plan their tour with the help of a 3D Google Earth map created by The Walt Disney Co.

The map of the four theme parks and 22 hotels at Disney World shows souvenir shacks, merry-go-round horses and even benches for resting.

Google Earth, an interactive 3D mapping program, allows to create travelogues by embedding photos, videos and commentary about locations they highlight.

Disney called its entry the largest corporate initiative on Google Earth.

About 100,000 shots from eight photographers went into 1,500 three-dimensional images of a variety of structures at Disney World, the company said Thursday.

Disney's Google Earth entry also contains links to blogs and YouTube videos and information on everything from the minimum rider height for certain attractions to menus at different restaurants.

Nearly nine in 10 park guests plan their vacations online, Disney said.

"Guests and travel planners can now explore our world with just a few clicks of a mouse, and they can book vacations while being immersed in what the destination has to offer," resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo said in a statement.

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Universal Studios

DISASTER! A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE RIDE…STARRING YOU! OPENS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT Orlando, Fla. (January 17, 2008) – Disaster! A Major Motion Picture Ride…Starring You! opens at Universal Studios Florida.  The new attraction features the first-ever use by a theme park of a high-tech virtual imagery technology called “Musion” and a special appearance by Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson. Disaster! replaces Earthquake and combines the best, most dramatic elements of Earthquake with an all-new storyline, top name celebrities, new “Musion” technology and all-new interactive elements.  Park guests enter “Disaster Studios” and become part of the production action surrounding a “major motion picture.” Johnson was at Universal Studios Thursday for the opening of the new attraction.  In the attraction, Johnson plays a film hero who helps “save the day.”     Musion technology is a unique high-definition video projection system that transforms two-dimensional images into what seem to be live three-dimensional images.  The Musion set in place at Disaster! is the first-ever use of the technology by a theme park and the largest permanent installation of that technology ever.  Universal uses Musion technology to bring Disaster Studio Director “Frank Kincaid” to life as he explains the passion behind his work and recruits guests to take part in his next picture. “The use of Musion technology in this attraction allows us to blend illusion with reality to surprise and entertain our guests,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative for Universal Parks and Resorts.  “They are amazed by the effects we have created.” Throughout the 15-minute attraction experience, guests are filmed as extras for different elements of Disaster Studios’ newest blockbuster film, “Mutha Nature,” taking direction from Frank Kinkaid and his production assistants.  In the end, they are able to see the results of their work in a tongue-in-cheek trailer for the film, starring Johnson.  Disaster! A Major Motion Picture Ride…Starring You! is located in the San Francisco area of Universal Studios Florida.    Dwayne Johnson is best known for his roles in Universal Pictures’ The Mummy Returns, The Scorpion King and, most recently, The Game Plan. Now a firmly established presence in Hollywood, he can be seen in the upcoming Warner Brother’s comedy GET SMART opening in theaters June 20, 2008. Johnson is currently filming the family comedy Witch Mountain scheduled to be released in the summer of 2009.   (407) 363-8000. www.universalorlando.com.