Month: May 2014

Theme Park Tourist breaks down 5 Surprisingly Low-Tech Effects Used in Famous Disney Theme Park Rides

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 13, 2014

I was most interested in the Great Hall in the Haunted Mansion:

> This is one of the most famous Disney effects of all, but the company didn’t invent the technique. In fact, the “Pepper’s Ghost” illusion is based on a term coined in the 1800s by a professor of chemistry at the London Polytechnic Institure.

> The ghosts that you see dancing and celebrating in the Grand Hall are actually animatronic figures in black rooms above and below the mezzanine that your Doom Buggy is on. There is a gigantic pane of glass between the riders and the Grand Hall. A light source shines on the animatronics below, which reflects them off of the glass and makes it appear as though they’re actually in the Grand Hall.

Tags disney, disney world

Sports Technology

FiveFingers Maker Will Pay Millions To People Who Bought Its Shoes

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 13, 2014

> “This study showed that increases in bone marrow edema [the precursor to a stress fracture] are more common in subjects who were transitioning to the [Vibram FiveFingers],” concluded this 2013 study.

I always thought FiveFingers shoes looked ridiculous, but I never thought they actually might have been causing damage to people’s feet as well.

Tags vibram

Sports

Famous barber says that Alex Rodriguez shaves his arms and legs

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 13, 2014

Of course, A-Rod shaves his legs. Of course, he does.

Tags a-rod, baseball

Comics Entertainment

First Official Promo Art For Marvel’s Agent Carter TV Series

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 13, 2014

The more I think about it, the more I think that *Agent Carter* might be setup to be a really good show.

Tags abc, agent carter, marvel

Comics Entertainment

The CW Reveals Promo Images for “The Flash,” “iZombie”

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 13, 2014

The CW has done a pretty decent job at turning *Arrow* into an enjoyable show. I have my fingers crossed they can do the same thing for *The Flash* and *iZombie*.

Tags izombie, the flash

Software Technology

Fixing Word Crashes with “Smart” Copy and Paste

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 13, 2014

Word is *by far* the crashiest program on my Mac. I am going to try this tip from David Sparks in hopes that it help alleviate some of Word’s problems.

Tags microsoft, word

Sports

NCAA Recommends Change to Charge/Block Rule

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 13, 2014

Here’s the *new* rule:

> In order to take a charge, the alteration will require a defending player to be in legal guarding position before the airborne player leaves the floor to pass or shoot. Additionally, the defending player is not allowed to move in any direction before contact occurs (except vertically to block a shot). All rules alterations must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to convene via teleconference on June 25. The proposal is allowed in the non-change year under PROP guidelines because the committee believes a new rule requires alteration.

In other words, they’re going back to the old rule that caused all the problems. Well done, NCAA. Well done.

Tags college basketball

Disney Entertainment

Popularity of Frozen characters and merchandise changes the Magic Kingdom rope drop procedure

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 13, 2014

People are so crazy to see Anna and Elsa that Disney is actually walking the rope back to Fantasyland. That is impressive.

Tags disney, disney world, frozen

Entertainment

Voldemort, Bellatrix revealed in new Escape from Gringotts ride details for Universal Orlando Harry Potter expansion

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 13, 2014

This ride looks insane. I have a feel it is going to be really impressive, I am just worried about the amount of capacity it will have.

Tags theme parks, universal studios

Disney Entertainment

An Update on the Frozen Princess Meet and Greet in the Magic Kingdom

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 12, 2014

Speaking of *Frozen*, the meet-and-greet to see Anna and Elsa is still insanely popular.

Tags disney, disney world, frozen

Entertainment

Details about Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Will Be Revealed May 13

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 12, 2014

Universal Studios [setup a new blog](http://blog.universalorlando.com), which should get a lot of traffic tomorrow.

Tags universal studios

Disney Entertainment

Touring Plans help you Pick the Least Crowded Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 12, 2014

I feel like Elyssa and I might try to get down there for this in October.

Tags disney, disney world, touring plans

Disney Entertainment

Elsa appearance teased on Once Upon a Time

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 12, 2014

I have never seen *Once Upon a Time*, but I heard rumblings today that they that they teased an appearance of Elsa on the finale last night. I managed to find a clip on Youtube (linked), but I imagine that will be pulled before too long.

Though I am not sure this will make me watch the show, I have to Disney credit for bring her to the show so quickly.

Tags disney, frozen, once upon a time, television

Comics Entertainment

First Trailer for Constantine from NBC

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 12, 2014

*Hellblazer* is a tremendous comic book, but I have real doubts that NBC is going to be able to put together a show that captures what makes that book so great. That said, (1) NBC has done a great job with *Hannibal*, and (2) this trailer is not completely terrible.

Tags constantine, nbc, television

Disney Entertainment

FastPass+ Only Character Meet and Greet Opportunities

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 12, 2014

I have no problem with the concept of Fastpass+ only Meet and Greets, but I think it’s ridiculous to make them Tier 1 attractions.

*UPDATE: Looks like [Disney has changed its plans on Fastpass+ only Meet and Greets](http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/05/12/update-fastpass-meet-greets-walt-disney-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=update-fastpass-meet-greets-walt-disney-world)*

Tags disney, disney world, fastpass+

Sports

Another Example of Ridiculousness Treatment of College Athletes

Post author By Kivus
Post date May 12, 2014

> Kansas State has thus far refused to release [basketball player, Leticia] Romero from her scholarship, which means she can’t receive financial aid from any other Division I institution for at least a year. The Kansas State athletic department has mostly refused to explain itself, on account of “student-privacy concerns.” That excuse would make more sense if someone had told Romero why the university is blocking her release. The player says she hasn’t gotten any explanation at all.

Just disgraceful. Kansas State should be ashamed.