Video: Disney World 3D Launches in Google Earth

It's a very Disney morning here at Virtual Worlds News: Disney World 3D launched in Google Earth last night.  Although originally rumored to be launching late last month, the 3D mirror world version of Disney has come online, letting users explore the various theme parks, hotels, and resorts. Disney reports that 9 out of 10 of its visitors use the Internet to plan their vacations in some fashion, so the new addition provides the most immersive tool yet, providing links out to Disney's own planning tools to "re-invent how people plan and book vacations." Though the experience, unlike the video tour below, may not always be guided by Ludwig von Drake (duck scientist extraordinaire and uncle to Donald).

“You know the phrase ‘next best thing to being there’? Walt Disney World Resort in 3D is going to deliver on that,”  Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a statement. “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.” 

For a less ducky, more user-created tour around the roughly 1500 3D models, check out the Google Earth Blog's take and video tour below:

“This is the most detailed 3D rendering undertaken within Google Earth to date,” said Rasulo. “The work done here will provide a professional counterpart to the wealth of Disney images and 3D models from around the world contributed by thousands of volunteers. The difference Walt Disney World Resort in 3D provides is one of scope and interaction.”