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Photo TR: Walt Disney Pavilion Grand Opening


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Today, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a unique event--the grand opening of the Walt Disney Pavilion at the Florida Hospital for Children. Although not a theme park, the expansion to the hospital has been designed by Walt Disney Imagineers, with the Walt Disney Company playing a very active role in the development, financing and execution of this unique concept. Taking pediatric care to a new level of customization and comfort, Disney has infused unique offerings and touches throughout the hotel's seven floors, making the experience far more inviting for patients and guests alike.

 

The sheer amount of theming behind the property screams "Disney" and it is done so well, it just naturally fits. A marriage of two concepts has arisen in the form of the Walt Disney Pavilion, and I foresee this union to last successfully for a very long time to come!

 

I would like to take a second to thank the Florida Hospital Media Relations team for giving me this incredible opportunity, as well as everyone at the Walt Disney Company for making this experience (and this property) so incredibly memorable. It was an honor to be there today and I look forward to seeing this hospital's success as it unfolds!

 

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=MAH02301_ynmy[/coastertube]

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Here's where the event happened...

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Notice the distinctly "Disney" font?

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There's something very "Progress City" about this pavilion.

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It's like our own piece of the 1964 World's Fair and Walt's EPCOT all in one!

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It really does look great!

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For good measure...

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Children from a local elementary school were bussed in for the event. Kinda reminds me of my Animal Kingdom preview day as a kid.

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I love the look of this!

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Mr. and Mrs. Claus were here for the event!

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As the ceremony's start time approached, the empty field filled with guests, Disney Cast Members and Management, as well as employees of the hospital.

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Some special aid dogs were also out and about during the pre-ceremony wait.

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Sweet! by Miss Holly (as featured on the Food Network) catered the dessert portion of the event's post-party (which I did not attend).

 

For those unfamiliar with Sweet!, it is an Orlando-area shop which sells incredible cupcakes and frozen yogurt at fantastic prices. This place is amazing!

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It is almost time!

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Al Weiss, Jim MacPhee, Meg Crofton and other esteemed members of Disney Parks management were in attendance for the event.

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Don't you get that "it's a small world" vibe? I certainly do!

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Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer started the ceremony with a brief introduction and a few words...

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Then a local children's choir came out to the stage...

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The next set of photos will be mostly without caption, considering the video explains it all pretty well.

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Bob Iger was present for the ceremony, which was great!

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I've always been a fan of Bob Iger. I have no doubt in my mind that he just "gets it" when it comes to the Walt Disney Company.

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After Bob Iger was done speaking, he passed off the mic for a closing rendition of True Colors.

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It isn't a grand opening without lots of confetti!

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And I mean lots!

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I mean tons!

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The ceremony closed on a high note (as they always do)...

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And to close, Mickey waved goodbye as he walked offstage.

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Next, it was time for our tour of the new hospital expansion.

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Two of our tour guides...

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This isn't a subtle addition for Florida Hospital.

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But we're fine with that!

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Each of the seven floors has a unique theme that runs throughout the halls, rooms and lobbies.

Edited by jedimaster1227
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(Continued)

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The backside of the new building is sleek...

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And it is edgy!

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Time to enter the new facilities!

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One of the major features carried out throughout the hospital is the inclusion of ambient lighting where ever possible.

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It all just works so well!

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LEDs. That's light emitting diodes, for those of you who don't know.

 

*wink*

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Putting a little bit of color in an otherwise dark sign.

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Each of the nursing "pods" as they are called features a main desk under an ambient-lit ceiling.

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And the colors change!

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According to our guide, some of the artwork hung on the walls was picked by patients early on.

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Inside of the patient rooms, a projector (in the ceiling) shows off a screensaver that sets the mood of the theme picked by the guest. The touch screen offers the choices and can be changed in a matter of seconds.

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Kids will definitely find this to be a favorite feature... Notice the Club Penguin theme?

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I tested out the "Robot Space Journey" theme to see a robot space journey in progress. It was quite impressive!

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Every room in the hospital (including the lobbies) feature one of these screens. This digital town serves as a hub for all things related to the hospital. Notices can be posted, events can be announced and feedback can be submitted, based on what our guide told us.

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Believe it or not, the people behind the hospital have reworked the standard design of the behind-the-bed setup to reduce clutter and make things easier for both the patient and doctor.

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Another look at the "Robot Space Journey" theme.

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The projection is emitted upside down and backwards to properly display on the wall below. This saves space and makes the projector far less intrusive in the room's overall flow.

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And for you Club Penguin fans, I even tried out the theme!

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More hallway art...

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The art throughout the halls varies in style and theme with each turn. I like it!

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More ambient lighting!

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The main lobby has a giant screen composed of nine smaller screens...

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And of course, some pixie dust!

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Giving us a peek at some of the areas we couldn't tour, the screen revealed that almost every room in the hospital has monitors that can be used to entertain patients during procedures or while they wait for the doctors to arrive.

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Interestingly enough, Brother Bear was featured heavily in the hospital.

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It works!

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This section of the hospital was closed off for use in the invite-only banquet.

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About to enter the most heavily themed area of the hospital.

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The play area features characters from the Lion King, Brother Bear, The Jungle Book and The Little Mermaid. These sets have interactive features, several of which I'd never seen before.

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"Hakuna Matata!"

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Instead of actual water, the waterfalls in the play area were creating using more ambient lighting.

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In the Lion King section of the play area, the "cave painting" light up when touched. This effect is achieved using seamlessly blended fibre optics and a little bit of Imagineering magic.

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The effect is truly stunning the first time you see it!

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Bravo Disney!

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Even the iconic Lion King symbol glows when activated!

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For such a small section, this area turned out to be my favorite!

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Baloo from The Jungle Book is also represented in a small section here.

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Next to his figure are a series of "stepping tones" that when stomped on activate animal noises from the jungle.

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Also in the Jungle Book set is a musical set of stones and gems. When you touch a colored stone...

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One of these gems will glow, producing a different tone.

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Baloo's stone throne from The Jungle Book.

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Brother Bear's Rutt and Tuke look down on guests. I wouldn't be surprised if they speak, but I didn't hear it during my visit.

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There's a small version of Ariel's Grotto as well.

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The floor features one of the reactive projection pools...

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When touched, the water reacts with waves across the projection. The kids will love this for sure!

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There was another effect to be found back here, but since my tour group was leaving without me, I had to move on before I could try it for myself.

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Sebastian is present as well!

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In the elevator, onboard screens change with each floor reached, revealing the theme that goes with each level of the hospital.

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Our first stop? The seventh floor--the savanna.

Edited by jedimaster1227
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(Continued)

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A line of canvas-printed pictures run along the wall of the seventh floor's main lobby.

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The level's theme and color scheme are carried out everywhere!

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And it goes on!

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The facility is definitely high tech!

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Guest convenience is merely a keystroke away...

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The lobbies have been designed as a place to congregate, wait, relax and even eat. The spaciousness of the rooms is incredible!

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Cute!

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While we toured, the opening ceremony setup was being disassembled.

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The hallways leading to the hospital rooms are lined with uniquely arranged monitors displaying theme-relative footage. It is all so serene!

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I hadn't seen this before.

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I may be easily amused, but this is impressive.

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Another lobby, built in the same fashion as the others, but with a different theme and color scheme.

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Almost done...

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Even the furniture matches the theme of the floor!

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Another interesting note... Each of the floors has its own unique scent to match the theme it holds. This one had an ocean smell.

 

No Horizons L'Orange to be found guys... Sorry!

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Another monitor hall...

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Some fun artwork on this floor!

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It fits!

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The ambient lighting can be toned down, or modified per the needs of the guests or staff.

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Otterpaw.

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I doubt this will get an Index page, but habit is what habit does.

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Here's one of the neonatal care rooms.

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I spy a credit!

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Cute!

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Even when embroidered, it works!

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This couch can fold out to become a bed for the family.

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More ambient lighting!

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Even more!

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The tour had come to a close and it was time to leave... Exiting the complex, I saw this.

 

I meant tons!

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Some closing overview shots of the property.

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Thanks for reading!

Edited by jedimaster1227
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