Epcot

In perhaps the worst-kept secret in theme park history, the Disneyland Paris resort has finally admitted that the long-rumored Ratatouille trackless dark ride will open in 2014. Photos: Ratatouille dark ride at Disneyland Paris Conspicuously under construction for more than a year and rumored since 2009 or earlier, the new attraction will be based on the Oscar-winning Disney/Pixar film that tells the tale of a rat named Remy who dreams of becoming a renowned French chef. With an estimated budget of  $150 million, the new attraction at the Walt Disney Studios theme park in France is expected to feature trackless ride vehicles with 3-D projections and special effects.

In perhaps the worst-kept secret in theme park history, the Disneyland Paris resort has finally admitted that the long-rumored Ratatouille trackless dark ride will open in 2014. Photos: Ratatouille dark ride at Disneyland Paris Conspicuously under construction for more than a year and rumored since 2009 or earlier, the new attraction will be based on the Oscar-winning Disney/Pixar film that tells the tale of a rat named Remy who dreams of becoming a renowned French chef. With an estimated budget of  $150 million, the new attraction at the Walt Disney Studios theme park in France is expected to feature trackless ride vehicles with 3-D projections and special effects.

Disney has unveiled plans to roll out a revolutionary new digital reservation system at its four Florida theme parks allowing visitors to pre-book rides, shows, parades, restaurants and character meet-and-greets months before a vacation. So when will this latest dose of pixie dust spread to Disneyland and other parks in the theme park chain? Disney officials won't divulge an expansion timeline, but mouse-watchers say the new MyMagic+ vacation management system rolling out this spring at Walt Disney World could debut at Anaheim's two theme parks as early as next year.

PARK CITY, Utah -- "Escape from Tomorrow," filmed on the sly at Disney theme parks, is the talk of the Sundance Film Festival this weekend. But what was it like to make a movie over 25 days at Disney World, Epcot and Disneyland without park employees, or tourists, knowing? In the video above, lead actor Roy Abramsohn and director Randy Moore explain the bizarre and thrilling experience of filming on Disney property without permission. In the black-and-white film, Abramsohn plays a down-on-his-luck father touring the park with his wife and children.

PARK CITY, Utah -- "Escape from Tomorrow," filmed on the sly at Disney theme parks, is the talk of the Sundance Film Festival this weekend. But what was it like to make a movie over 25 days at Disney World, Epcot and Disneyland without park employees, or tourists, knowing? In the video above, lead actor Roy Abramsohn and director Randy Moore explain the bizarre and thrilling experience of filming on Disney property without permission. In the black-and-white film, Abramsohn plays a down-on-his-luck father touring the park with his wife and children.

Robot Land, a $600-million theme park celebrating famous science fiction cyborgs and motion picture androids, is expected to open in South Korea in 2013. > Photos: Robot Land theme park rides and attractions Located about an hour west of Seoul in the coastal city of Incheon, Robot Land would feature 11 rides, seven attractions and eight shows on 190 acres. Dubbed the world's first robot theme park, the oft-delayed Robot Land would compete for visitors with the world's 10th busiest theme park ( Everland )

Major employers across the country, eager to curb fast-rising healthcare costs, are opening their own state-of-the-art health centers where doctors and nurses provide medical care to workers often just steps from their desks. The cost-cutting strategy has been embraced by dozens of companies — typically large employers that are self-insured and pay their own medical claims, including Walt Disney Co., Qualcomm Inc. and American Express Co. Many of the health centers are full-service medical offices equipped with exam rooms, X-ray machines and pharmacies.

Walt Disney World reopened its "Mission: Space" attraction Thursday, a day after a woman died following a ride on the space-flight simulator. It was the second death in less than a year related to the Epcot Center ride, which spins riders in a centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity. Hiltrud Bleumel, 49, of Schmitten, Germany, died at a hospital on Wednesday. A 4-year-old boy, Daudi Bamuwamye, died in June after taking the ride.

A smoky electrical fire early Wednesday kept Epcot at Walt Disney World closed for the day. The theme park was expected to reopen today. There were no injuries in the 3 a.m. EDT fire in an electrical generation building at the popular theme park. The park wasn't open at the time. The fire, which took 10 minutes to extinguish, caused little damage but caused power outages at Epcot, the Caribbean Beach Club and Disney Vacation Club.

A Walt Disney Co. official charged with developing a proposed new theme park adjoining Disneyland said Friday that planners are working on a concept similar to Epcot Center in Florida and intend to unveil plans to the public next year. "What we're working on at this point is an Epcot-related concept for a 'second gate' in Anaheim," said Kerry Hunnewell, who is heading the Anaheim project for Disney Development Co. in Burbank. "Epcot has been incredibly successful in Florida."

Disney has unveiled plans to roll out a revolutionary new digital reservation system at its four Florida theme parks allowing visitors to pre-book rides, shows, parades, restaurants and character meet-and-greets months before a vacation. So when will this latest dose of pixie dust spread to Disneyland and other parks in the theme park chain? Disney officials won't divulge an expansion timeline, but mouse-watchers say the new MyMagic+ vacation management system rolling out this spring at Walt Disney World could debut at Anaheim's two theme parks as early as next year.

Robot Land, a $600-million theme park celebrating famous science fiction cyborgs and motion picture androids, is expected to open in South Korea in 2013. > Photos: Robot Land theme park rides and attractions Located about an hour west of Seoul in the coastal city of Incheon, Robot Land would feature 11 rides, seven attractions and eight shows on 190 acres. Dubbed the world's first robot theme park, the oft-delayed Robot Land would compete for visitors with the world's 10th busiest theme park ( Everland )

Walt Disney World Resort ticket prices Four parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom One day, one park: ages 3 to 9, $74; 10 and older, $82 One-day Park Hopper: $128/$136 Two-day Park Hopper: $200/$216 Four-day Park Hopper: $263/$286 Seven-day Park Hopper: $278/$301 Park Hopper tickets allow visits to multiple parks per day. Other ticket options, hotel packages, meal plans and annual passes...

Within the Disney empire, Tim Onosko was known as the go-to guy for the future. By often accurately forecasting how technology would alter the entertainment landscape, he developed a reputation as a high-tech soothsayer. At Disney, he helped refine the newly opened Epcot in Florida in the 1980s by steering the theme park's designers toward cutting-edge gadgets.

Walt Disney World reopened its "Mission: Space" attraction Thursday, a day after a woman died following a ride on the space-flight simulator. It was the second death in less than a year related to the Epcot Center ride, which spins riders in a centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity. Hiltrud Bleumel, 49, of Schmitten, Germany, died at a hospital on Wednesday. A 4-year-old boy, Daudi Bamuwamye, died in June after taking the ride.

Card Walker, a mailroom employee who rose to become the first chief executive at the Walt Disney Co. who wasn't a member of the Disney family, leading the company from 1971 to 1983, has died. He was 89. Walker, who oversaw the development of Walt Disney World, died of congestive heart failure Monday at his home in La Canada Flintridge, the company announced. During his tenure, Walker brokered the deal for the company's first international theme park: Tokyo Disneyland, which opened in 1983.

The international flavor of some of the exhibits at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center isn't just a fantasy. It's real. Since the center opened in October, 1982, more than 1,000 young people at a time from 10 nations have spent six months to a year staffing the 11 spectacular cultural pavilions at this unique global exposition.

Within the Disney empire, Tim Onosko was known as the go-to guy for the future. By often accurately forecasting how technology would alter the entertainment landscape, he developed a reputation as a high-tech soothsayer. At Disney, he helped refine the newly opened Epcot in Florida in the 1980s by steering the theme park's designers toward cutting-edge gadgets.

The first big new ride at Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park in five years will lift off the launchpad on Aug. 15 in Florida, aiming to simulate a trip to Mars. The ride, called Mission: Space, took five years and a reported $100 million or more to develop with the help of former NASA advisors and scientists. (Disney spokesman Rick Sylvain declined to confirm the cost.) Disney has made the ride available to guests several hours a day for several weeks of tests.

A smoky electrical fire early Wednesday kept Epcot at Walt Disney World closed for the day. The theme park was expected to reopen today. There were no injuries in the 3 a.m. EDT fire in an electrical generation building at the popular theme park. The park wasn't open at the time. The fire, which took 10 minutes to extinguish, caused little damage but caused power outages at Epcot, the Caribbean Beach Club and Disney Vacation Club.