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3 May 2005: Height requirement change
The height requirement for Stitch is being increased to 40" in an attempt to keep young children out of the attraction that was designed for young children.
30 April 2005: Stitch's Great Escape rework update
Reports are in that projections of Stitch moving around the chamber are now being incorporated into the show. No word yet on whether the weak storyline has been improved.
26 April 2005: Stitch's Great Escape rework
Chamber B is closed this week for Imagineering to carry out some reworking of the show. Imagineers and their computer equipment have been spotted inside, presumably re-programming show elements in an attempt to improve the poorly received attraction. During this time, chamber A remains open, however FASTPASS has been suspended.
14 January 2005: Height requirement change
Unfortunately for WDW, Stitch has not been as kid-friendly as they had hoped, and so the height requirement has been increased from 35" to 38".
16 November 2004: Opening Day Press Releases
Above: Stitch invaded the Magic Kingdom and left his mark on the
castle!
Stitch's Great Escape! Promises Pandemonium For Walt Disney
World Guests
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Fans of Walt Disney Pictures' animated
comedy "Lilo & Stitch" know him as a cuddly but destructive alien
prone to hilarious fits of havoc. But what was Stitch like before
the movie?
Walt Disney World guests will find out when they come face to face
with the mischievous character in a new Magic Kingdom attraction --
Stitch's Great Escape!
Featuring some of the most sophisticated Audio-Animatronics
technology ever developed by Walt Disney Imagineering, the
multi-sensory Tomorrowland adventure puts guests in the middle of
the mayhem caused by "Experiment 626" -- a.k.a. Stitch -- when he's
sent to the Galactic Federation Prisoner Teleport Center.
In the unique theater-in-the-round attraction, park guests arrive as
new recruits at a detention facility designed to separate the
galaxy's naughty from the nice. Guests are ushered into the center's
high-security teleportation chamber as the six-limbed Stitch beams
in, tracked by two ceiling-mounted "plasma cannons" that follow his
DNA whenever -- and wherever -- it moves.
With guests seated in DNA scanning restraints, Imagineering's
proprietary "proximity audio" technology provides a close encounter
with the playful Stitch as he attempts to outwit the galactic
authorities in the circular chamber. Sights, sounds and -- ewwww! --
smells add to the pandemonium.
In addition to Stitch, the fun-filled attraction features several
characters familiar to "Lilo & Stitch" fans, including the Galactic
Federation Grand Councilwoman, Captain Gantu and Agent Pleakley,
with voices supplied by the movie's original actors.
Stitch's Great Escape! offers Disney's FASTPASS, the innovative free
service available to all guests that eliminates the need to wait in
long lines at popular attractions.
Online, fans of the crafty alien can learn more about the new
attraction and help Stitch explore Magic Kingdom in Stitch's Escape
Game, a free download available for Windows PCs at stitchescape.com.
Fast Facts
Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
Height Requirement: 35 inches
Show Duration: 15 minutes
Parents, take note: Includes brief periods of total darkness, loud
noises and over-the-shoulder seat restraints; some effects may
frighten young children
Fun Facts
Stitch is the first Audio-Animatronics figure to spit.
The alien language seen throughout the Prisoner Teleport Center was
inspired by designs created for the opening scenes of "Lilo &
Stitch." Graphic artists with Walt Disney Imagineering turned the
designs into a practical alphabet that can be decoded into English.
"Skippy," an alien seen previously in The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien
Encounter attraction, returns in a new role in Stitch's Great
Escape!
The two "plasma cannons" that track Stitch's DNA were inspired by
devices seen in "Lilo & Stitch." Each weighs more than 1,600 pounds.
Walt Disney Feature Animation produced all of the attraction's
character animation. Many of the animators who worked on "Lilo &
Stitch" partnered with Imagineers for Stitch's Great Escape!
Alien Mayhem-Maker Steals Spotlight In Stitch's Great Escape!
at Walt Disney World Resort
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- First introduced to audiences in Walt
Disney Pictures' 2002 animated comedy "Lilo & Stitch," the
six-limbed alien known officially as "Experiment 626" takes center
stage in Stitch's Great Escape! -- a new attraction at Walt Disney
World Resort that showcases Stitch's endless appetite for
pandemonium.
Set in a timeframe before the events of the hit film, the Magic
Kingdom attraction in Tomorrowland takes place entirely in the
science fiction realm of the Galactic Federation, before Stitch is
exiled from the planet Turo as "the flawed product of a deranged
mind."
According to veteran Disney animator Chris Sanders, Stitch's growing
popularity is due largely to his penchant for mischief.
"He really seems to have held onto people's imaginations, and I
think it's because he's sort of the naughty member of the Disney
family," said Sanders, who began developing Stitch in the 1980s
after graduating from the character animation program at California
Institute of the Arts.
"He's like the little kid who needs to be corrected here and there,
but he's always innocent about it. He's the one that doesn't quite
fit in."
Stitch's complex personality and fun-loving spirit quickly have
earned him legions of fans, according to the Disney stewards
responsible for the company's beloved characters.
"Stitch is one of the most popular Disney characters of the last
decade with both boys and girls ages 3 to 11," said Vincent Vedrene,
vice president of corporate brand management for The Walt Disney
Company. "The reason why Stitch is so popular with kids is because
he is at the same time an alien, a funny character and is cool -- he
plays the guitar like Elvis."
Bringing an animated character to life as an Audio-Animatronics
figure presented a unique challenge for Walt Disney Imagineers. The
result is a 39-inch-tall version of Stitch -- one of the most
complex creations of its size -- custom-made by Imagineers with more
than 350 detailed, hand-machined parts and more than 40 separate
functions.
By creating the attraction as a kind of "prequel" to the film,
Imagineers were able to craft an original story that takes full
advantage of Stitch's bad behavior.
"He's a master of mayhem and mischief," said Imagineer Rick
Rothschild, show director for Stitch's Great Escape! "We wanted to
bring that personality up close to our guests."
Sanders, who supplied Stitch's inimitable voice and consulted with
Imagineers throughout the attraction's development process, said it
was a wise choice to set Stitch's Great Escape! before the
character's redemption in Hawaii as shown in the film.
"They chose the more difficult version of him, but ultimately the
more spectacular version of him, and they pulled it off."
Show writer Kevin Rafferty, another Imagineering veteran, said that
despite Stitch's fierce intelligence and penchant for playful
disobedience, the alien outcast has a childlike spirit.
"He's curious, and he loves to have fun," Rafferty said. "He seems
to get himself into a lot of trouble, and kids can really relate to
that."
For Sanders, seeing Stitch brought to such vivid life in a Walt
Disney World attraction is a dream come true.
"My hope was that some character in the film would live beyond the
movie," he said. "This is the biggest confirmation of that -- having
an attraction built around him. He is exactly the creature you've
seen in the film, only fully realized.
"I hope guests have a huge amount of fun."
Stitch Facts
Known officially as "Experiment 626," Stitch was created by Dr.
Jumba Jookiba as the result of illegal genetic experimentation in
the Galactic Federation, as shown in the opening scenes of Walt
Disney Pictures' animated comedy "Lilo & Stitch." Filled with an
instinct to destroy everything he touches, the little blue alien
possesses the following attributes:
Bulletproof
Fireproof
Able to think faster than a supercomputer
Able to see in the dark
Able to move objects 3,000 times his size
Able to change his shape by retracting his limbs and antennae
7 November 2004: Interior photos (Thanks to HI-Liter)
These great photos from inside the attraction show the incredible Stitch animatronic in action during the show.
28 October 2004: Testing update
Guest testing is likely to continue on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Remember though, as with all pre-opening tests, there are no guarantees.
25 October 2004: Preview photos (Thanks to GaryT)
Photos below taken during the recent previews, including the preshow area.
24 October 2004: Testing resumes
Testing resumed on the 23rd October for park guests. As before, it is for certain times only, and is not guaranteed to be open until the official opening date. Cast Member previews are set for Nov 1,2,3,4.
20 October 2004: Planters now removed (thanks to Foxfire)
The planters around the queue area have now been removed, as the attraction prepares to resume guest testing over the next week.
12 October 2004: Testing now underway
First reports from the testing now on the forum. Go to first post in thread 'Stitch's Great Escape TEST RUN!'
11 October 2004: Media shoot
There are plans for a media and photo-shoot event Oct 13 and 14 for an upcoming commercial.
8 October 2004: Height requirement
The height requirement is unofficially 35".
5 October 2004: Official Opening date
November 16 is now confirmed by Disney as being the official full opening date.
Soft opening previews are taking place between Tuesday 5th October and the full opening date.
4 October 2004: Guest testing
There is a good possibility that there may be some limited guest testing on Tuesday 5th October. Note that this is not guaranteed, and previews may be very limited, so don't expect to go there and be certain to see the attraction.
4 October 2004: The queue area (Thanks to foxfire)
The entry area is looking ready for guests. The Fastpass machines are visible just to the left hand side.
2 October 2004: Walls down! (Thanks to Coastieboy00)
The construction wall around the attraction has now been removed and replaced with planters. Based on previous projects, this is a sure fire sign that soft openings are imminent.
1 October 2004: More new signage (Thanks Krystyna)
29 September 2004: New sign (Thanks to Pixie Duster)
A new sign has appeared suspended from the overhead TTC track.
21 September 2004: Photos inside! (Thanks to Raven)
Here is a sneak peak inside the show building. Remember these are not marketing shots, and are therefore not taken under show lighting. The appearance is likely to be considerably different when seen during the actual show.
The Main Show
The Pre Show
19 September 2004: Exterior update (thanks to Orlpassholder)
Above: The queue area and the FASTPASS collection
area.
17 September 2004: Official Logo
Here is the logo for the new attraction, set to open in November 2004.
9 September 2004: Annual Passholder preview dates
Disney have announced that the Annual Passholder preview dates will be November 5,6,7 during regular park operating hours.
21 August 2004: Construction Update (Thanks PixieDuster)
Galactic Federation signage over the rides pre-show entrance has now been added. It reads, Prisoner Transport _________.
8 August 2004: Construction Update (Thanks TimeTrip)
New signage is now up infront of the new attraction, where previously the XS Tech Alien Encounter sign had hung.
5 August 2004: Construction Update (Thanks SeanR)
This photo from the TTA shows work on the exterior queue is still not really underway.
21 June 2004: Stitch Update
Some new posters have appeared yet again on the construction wall, along with a Stitch topiary from Epcot. It is located just outside Cosmic Rays.
17 June 2004: Latest construction photos
Above: The show exit doors into Merchant of Venus
Above left: New teaser posters installed on the
construction wall
Above right and below: New Stitch Tshirts in Merchant of Venus
Below: Stitch merchandise in Merchant of Venus
26 May 2004: Stitch Animatronic photo
Copyright 2004. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
John Cutry of Walt Disney Imagineering helps bring Experiment 626 (a.k.a. Stitch) to life for his Fall 2004 debut in Stitch's Great Escape!
22 May 2004: Exterior photos (Thanks to SeanR)
There is still little exterior progress to be seen in the queue area.
10 May 2004: Exterior photos (Thanks to Chape19714 )
This shot from the TTA shows that most of the XS Tech signage still hasn't been removed, and work has not yet begun on the FASTPASS installation or exterior queue.
9 May 2004: More details
A few details are beginning to come to light about the new attraction:
- The Stitch animatronic will be 39" tall with 40 separate functions, and 350 individual components. It is said to be one of Imagineering's most complex and realistic animatronics ever produced.
- Other characters from the movie will be included: Galactic Federation's Grand Councilwoman, Captain Gantu and Agent Pleakley, all voiced by the original movie actors.
- New effects added to the theatre include smells.
- The attraction will be introduced with FASTPASS.
4 May 2004: New signs
The construction fence around Stitch has been given a lot of nice new details (including some audio effects!). Thanks to SeanR for the photos.
17 March 2004: Opening
The current progress on the attraction is suggesting a possible soft opening of this attraction in October 2004, with an official opening around November 2004. This is unofficial information, and until confirmed by Disney, should be treated as rumor and speculation.
10 October 2003: Official Announcement!
Mischief Abounds in Stitch's Great Escape!
Copyright 2003. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
The Academy Award-nominated film “Lilo & Stitch” inspires the new
Magic Kingdom attraction Stitch’s Great Escape! scheduled to open in
late 2004.
A “pre-qual” set shortly before the events of the hit Disney motion
picture “Lilo & Stitch,” the family-friendly adventure in Tomorrowland
will showcase the mayhem caused by the mischievous “Experiment 626” --
a.k.a. Stitch -- when first discovered in the Galactic Federation.
Entering Stitch’s Great Escape! Magic Kingdom guests are recruited by
the Galactic Federation Grand Councilwoman to provide additional
security for a captured alien whose reputation for being extremely
“difficult” has preceded him. Even so, authorities underestimate
Stitch’s capacity for playful disobedience, causing havoc to erupt
with guests caught in the middle of the fun.
Stitch’s Great Escape! will feature some of the most sophisticated
Audio-Animatronics® technology ever developed by Walt Disney
Imagineering.
Stitch’s Great Escape! replaces The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien
Encounter, which will close later this month.
Discuss this announcement on the WDWMAGIC Forum - CLICK HERE
7 October 2003: Closing
When Alien Encounter closes on the 11th October, Timekeeper and the Carousel of Progress will be reopening. Details here
22 September 2003: New attraction name
Imagineering have released some information suggesting that the new name for the attraction is to be "Stitch Escape!"
22 September 2003: Closing date
The Orlando Sentinel are reporting that Alien Encounter is to close on October 11th to begin the rehab.
4 September 2003: Alien Encounter Closing
There is unofficial word that Alien Encounter may be closing on October 15th 2003 to begin the conversion to the Stitch-based attraction.
8 January 2003: Alien Encounter/Stitch rehab
Further to the 16 September 2002 update below, it is now almost 100% certain that the Stitch makeover will happen over at Alien Encounter. As plans stand, Alien Encounter will close February 2004, and will reopen in October 2004 with the new Stitch storyline. A budget of around $10 million is being used to rework the attraction, including the creation of Stitch Audio Animatronics beginning this summer at WDI. As always, this is not officially released information, and may be subject to change.
16 September 2002: Alien Encounter - Stitch rehab
This rumor continues to gather momentum. A tentative date of 2004 and a budget of around 10 million dollars is being put forward.
5 September 2002: Alien Encounter and Stitch
Back in February's update, I mentioned talk of a Lilo and Stitch makeover of Alien Encounter. This rumor has resurfaced once again with insiders at Disney.
7 February 2002: Alien Encounter Makevoer?
Apparently Imagineering has some cool ideas to convert Alien Encounter into an attraction based on the upcoming feature - "Lilo and Stitch". It is by no means confirmed, and unclear if the idea is for a permanent replacement, or just a temporary makeover (like the DL Mansion).