Mouse Extra

The deep jungle of equatorial Africa is what gave the area the name “The Dark Continent.” It is where Joseph Conrad set his great novel the “Heart of Darkness”. It was the center of the nightmares of the slave trade and colonialism. It is currently a hotbed of civil war and a place troubled by poverty and epidemics. It is also home to one of the most diverse and endangered ecosystems on the planet, the Congo basin rainforest. And it is home to the gorilla. Read the rest of this entry »

Because the Disney Company has an agreement to use the MGM name for their Studios Park, there are periodically recurring rumors that the name will change.  Recently, the name Disney-Pixar Studios has been the popular speculation.  When the two companies merged this speculation ran rampant through the internet, only to die down a bit.  Well it is back, and in full force, so let’s examine the possibility, shall we?

As a name, Disney-Pixar Studios doesn’t suck.  It flows well and fits the Disney mold just fine.  From a business perspective, it signals a growth in the marriage between the two entities, something that was clearly in doubt not so long ago when Michael Eisner and Steve Jobs were at each others throats.  If this also means that Imagineering will use the Studios as their focal point for future Pixar themed attractions, that makes good sense and I welcome it.

But the problems are two fold.  First, they already have major Pixar attractions in each of the other parks, many of which are brand new.  If they add Cars to the Indy Speedway at the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, they will practically have a Pixar park already in operation.  Currently the Studios do not have a Pixar attraction, only a bad pizza joint and some decorations.  Even after the new Toy Story attraction opens, the Studios would look pretty silly with the Pixar name but less Pixar than the Magic Kingdom.  They could expand by adding more, but that would be a very long-term project and we know how those can often end up.

Second, and probably more obvious, is that it doesn’t fit the classic Hollywood theme that covers most of the park, while MGM does.  In fact, just about any other studio name would work better in this regard. But Pixar has absolutely no relationship to everything from the décor, to the “streetmosphere” characters.  This name change could actually further erode the order confused Studios theme, if that’s even possible.

From very early on in its history, the Disney-MGM Studios has suffered a major identity crisis.  The park about films and Hollywood quickly disjointed its own image.  It’s now just a shadow of that idea.  Think of all the things that are NOT movie related. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Aerosmith’s Rock n’ Roller Coaster, and Playhouse Disney all come to mind.  I would hope that any drastic change, like the park’s name, would somehow address this issue.  “Disney-Pixar Studios” does not.  In fact, it only further confuses the situation.

But in the long run, it is what it is…a name.  If this is the best they can come up with, whether for branding reason or contractual obligations, then that’s fine.  The current name is already confused at best, so would this change really shatter the fabric that was thrown in the trash long ago?  The theme is so far gone, we are really only left with hoping for good attractions, whether they belong there or not.

The news of a brewpub coming to Walt Disney World was one that certainly put a smile on face, as I am sure it did for all beer-lovers and tavern-goers that vacation at the Mouse.  But does the Big River Grille and Brewing Works deliver the goods?  Maybe not entirely, but it comes close.

The Big River Grille is not a Disney owned and operated establishment.  It is part of an outside chain that has other brewpubs in Tennessee.  But when it comes to food quality and cleanliness, it has no problem keeping up with the Disney standard.

The Big River is part of the amazing Boardwalk area, just steps from Epcot’s World Showcase.  It has an outside deck that delivers the atmosphere of this wonderful corner of Disney World.  Inside, however, the atmosphere is somewhat dull.  It tries to go with a chic look, but ends up being a bit too “cold” feeling and can also be slightly noisy.  I wouldn’t call this a negative, but certainly not a positive either.

The food has always been good, each time I’ve been there.  Lunch offers a half dozen sandwiches that are all interesting, as well as entrees like ribs, salmon, and chicken Alfredo.  Dinner is similar, but with slightly fewer sandwiches and more entrees.  We’re not talking anything overly adventurous here, but this is a pub.  My only suggestion would be that they add more appetizers, as each menu only has three or four.  But overall, the choices are good and always tasty. 

But let’s be honest here, folks.  This is a brewpub.  Food and atmosphere are not nearly as important as the quality of what brings us here, the beer.  As a beer lover myself, I would say Big River delivers a product you should try.  They usually offer a reasonable variety, including light, wheat, pale ale, pilsner, red, and brown selections.  They are all good, but I have yet to find anything that really “wowed” me.  Having said that, these are all quality products and vastly superior to most beer selections found at Disney World.  If you are looking for a beer that’s totally out of the ordinary, you won’t find it at Big River.  What you will find is good, fresh and worthy beer.

Big River Grille is not a place for connoisseurs, either of food or beer.  It’s a nice pub, with decent drink and tasty pub food.  Give it a try and tell us what you think.

Jeff from Mousevine has a piece today that takes to task MiceAge’s Kevin Yee and his “Decling by Degrees” column.  For those who don’t read MiceAge, Mr. Yee is cataloging everything from burnt out light bulbs and un-themed trash cans, to bird-droppings, chewed gum, and any ride detail that may not be working when he happens to be on it.  The theory is that Disney World guests “have been subjected to a steadily decreasing emphasis on excellence from Disney for some time.” (12/5 column)

Here’s part of Jeff’s conclusion…

Kevin Yee’s series “Declining By Degrees” isn’t a documentary of how Walt Disney World is lesser than it was. It’s an example of how repeatedly returning to the parks results in a cynical experience for himself. Reading the Web of families returning to a lesser experience after a year or two years or five years isn’t a testament to what Disney once was, it’s a testament to how nothing can ever beat the nostalgia of our first time.

This is an interesting theory and I think Jeff is right to a certain extent, though I am sure neither of us can speak for Mr. Yee.  So for argument’s sake, let’s take Mr. Yee’s motivation out of the equation and discuss only the idea.  He is by no means the only person who regularly whines about conditions at Disney World.  But are the conclusions true?  Are conditions steadily decreasing at the Mouse?

I don’t think so, that happened long ago.  This argument has been going on for years and years, though I think some people tend to forget that for one reason or another.  As new management comes in and out, budgets change.  As employment turns over, the quality of work ebbs and flows.   This is true for everywhere, so why is Disney World any different?  Yes, Walt Disney set the bar in this regard, and his predecessors have failed to reach that bar to varying degrees.  But this is not representative of a steadying decline currently taking place.

The problem is not that Disney World is deemphasizing the details.  Can anyone honestly say that the newest attractions at the Mouse are lacking in detail?  But for the person walking around looking for bird excrement in what sometimes can seem like the seagull capitol of the world, it will always be easy to find some to photograph.  But can anyone honestly conclude that the place is dirty because of that?  In fact, I believe that maintenance has actually improved over the last 5 years.  But like Jeff says, if you spend time looking for it, you tend to compare it to times when you didn’t spend time looking for it.

Since the dreaded Michael Eisner took over, we have heard this complaint.  If things are truly declining, then after 20-plus year the place should look like the typical amusement park, filled with rust and garbage.  It does not.  It looks like a wonderful imaginative place that is having hard time keeping up with the seagulls.

Intercot is now reporting some details on the changes taking place at Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion.  El Rio Del Tiempo, the boat ride currently closed for a refurbishment is going to be the first World Showcase attraction to receive a “character overlay”, as the Three Caballeros will soon take over the boat ride.  Its new name is going to be “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros”… Read the rest of this entry »

Okay folks.  Pay close attention.  THERE ARE MAJOR PIRATES III SPOILERS IN THIS POSTING!!!  You have been warned. Read the rest of this entry »