Mouse Extra

Thanks to the LaughingPlace.com we have some additional details on the upcoming revision of the CircleVision 360 film over at the Canada Pavilion in Epcot.  The information, though not much more than we already reported, comes from the Canadian Tourism Commission.

Now, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) and tourism industry partners have collaborated with the Walt Disney World Resort and Walt Disney Imagineering to give this movie a facelift. The newly enhanced film spotlights Canada in a modern, witty way - much like the CTC’s new Brand Canada - by showcasing Canada’s self-deprecating sense of humour and best-loved icons in a fresh, unexpected way.

This fall, the reworked version will light up the screen in the Canada pavilion at Epcot.   Actor Martin Short, a Hamilton, ON native, confronts Canadian misconceptions head- on and demystifies them. Viewers take a journey through a country they thought they knew, but discover Canada is so much more than vast landscapes.

The film is 14 minutes in length with 65% new footage, including six new aerials of Montréal, QC, Toronto, ON, Calgary, AB, Vancouver and Victoria, BC and Niagara Falls, ON. Instead of cars, clothes and cityscapes, the film takes in acrobatic Cirque du Soleil performances and rowdy rodeo action at the Calgary Stampede. Scenes portray Canada’s diverse people, culture and wilderness - a modern, young and beautiful nation. The soundtrack features 2006 “Canadian Idol” winner Eva Avila, a singer from Québec.

The Canadian Tourism Commission apparently had been receiving many complaints by Canadian citizens visiting Walt Disney World who found the film dated and therefore unflattering.  Considering it was shot over a quarter of a century ago, that is not so hard to believe.  The Commission worked for years to get the film changed to something that looks more like the Canada that exists now. 

I always enjoyed the old film, regardless of the “dated” aspects.  However, I do understand what the problem was.  Very few people who attend Epcot have any idea when the film was shot.  To them, it might as well have been shot last week.  With that in mind, the original was the reason I travelled to Canada on more than one occasion so it does deserve credit for being effective in its time.

According to many sources, the song used for this film will be the same song that has been used in the original film since it opened in 1982.  However, I am questioning that.  The song was a duet, and clearly written that way.  The information here states that only one performer will be singing it.  Unless that is not entirely correct, they will either need a different song or a major re-write.

Jim Hill is stirring up quite the cauldron of speculation thanks to his article yesterday on the possibilities in store for the Disney-Lucas relationship.  The title is splashy and the article is a fascinating essay on the history between these two media giants. 

Like I am sure many of you Disney World fanatics, I immediately jumped at this article to see what may be coming to the parks.  I mean all of us Star Wars and Disney loving folks have been pining for an expansion since the Disney-MGM Studios opened Star Tours.  But when it comes to what may be added to the Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the future, it doesn’t appear as though there will be much.

That said, there are indeed plans in the works right now to significantly increase George Lucas’ presence in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. To — in effect — create a “Lucas Land” that stretches from the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost all the way to Tatooine Traders.

Right now, the engine that’s driving this plan is Star Tours 2.0. Which will feature a brand-new 3D ride film as well as elements from Disney’s Living Character Initiative. Look for this redo to officially be announced in 2008 and then go live in 2009. Just in time for the studio theme park’s 20th anniversary.

Mind you, just about the time that “Star Tours” will be going down for its rehab, the Backlot Express is also slated to receive an extreme makeover. During which all of the generic props that currently decorate this cavernous eatery will supposedly be replaced with replicas of well-known costumes & vehicles from various Lucasfilm productions. The way I hear it, the dining room closest to “Star Tours” will (of course) be “Star Wars” themed. While the dining room that’s closest to the Stunt Spectacular stadium will then feature props & costumes from the “Indiana Jones” films.

A “Lucas Land” is interesting to say the least, but from the information Mr. Hill offers the only expansion outside what has already been announced is a memorabilia filled eatery, not exactly the “Mos Eisley Cantina” I was proposing.  Here’s hoping Disney and Lucas see the potential to really bust the gates at the recently re-named park.  It would be pretty difficult to overstate the potential these two have in making something for the parks. 

The article also speaks about Disney possibly distributing the upcoming Star Wars television series.  This seems like another great idea for Disney, but I wonder what you think of this series.  Are you looking forward to it?  Have you heard about it?  Leave some comments on what you think of a live action Star Wars series.

In just a short-on-detail and somewhat buried single sentence in today’s Disney Enquirer we have news that “For the next week or so the Muppet Mobile Lab will be featured at Future World”.  What I have heard is that you can find it at the Imagination Pavilion, but I have yet to confirm this.  If anyone can, please add it to the comments section below.

                                                                                                  Image Copyright Disney Company 2007

There are two things in this sentence that are making me pull my hair out of my head.  First, it states the newest member of the “living character initiative”, seemingly free- roaming characters such as the Lucky the Dinosaur who used to be at the Animal Kingdom, is only going to be in Epcot for little more than a week.  Why would that be?  It is possible this is another test and it may come back, but it is more possible it will be shipped over to Hong Kong upon completion of such test.  Does this seem a little ridiculous to you too? 

And more importantly, why on earth would it be in Future World?  From what I had been hearing, Disney officials were somewhat disappointed in the response it received in California.  The reason given was that people are no longer as aware of these characters as they once were and younger guests just weren’t overly interested because they didn’t recognize them.  Besides the obvious continuity, don’t they think the one place on property where guests might recognize them is over at the Studios by the Muppets attraction in which these characters are prominently featured?

Maybe I’m missing something here…

Today marks the anniversary of Mission: Space which began soft openings on August 15, 2003 .  The intense fanfare began long before the grand opening in October of that same year.  Now four years old may not be the most significant or miraculous of milestones, but it has not been an easy four years for attraction that was to revolutionize thrill rides and the theme park industry as a whole.

Mission: Space reportedly cost well over $100 million to develop and launch, as well as an absolutely ridiculous amount of time and effort on the part of Imagineering and even some NASA consultants.  Everywhere you went in Orlando and beyond, the ride’s logo could be found.  Disney pulled out all the stops to hype this new thrill ride and it worked on me.  Being a sucker for the space program, this looked like a dream come true.  I mean to actually feel what those people feel during lift off??  I couldn’t wait.

During the initial testing phase, rumors circled that the Imagineers needed to tame down the intensity level because riders were getting terribly sick.  After it opened to the public, reports were somewhat mixed.  Some said it was an amazing experience, while others reported it was too physically taxing and the story was somewhat unimaginative.  Though I enjoyed it, it was too intense for me to ride it over and over again.  That same feeling worked its way through many fans, causing the initial honeymoon to wear off rather quickly.

Soon reports surfaced of people, especially older people, needing to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment after riding Mission: Space.  Then in June of 2005 a four year old boy died after the ride.  Only 10 months later, a woman died as well.  Both were found to have pre-existing conditions, but the damage was done.  Lines for the attraction disappeared and Disney needed to respond by offering a less intense version called the Green Team.

The ride that was supposed to be the most amazing new experience at Disney World, and the crowning achievement for Imagineering, turned into a public relations catastrophe.  Lines still rarely get too long and the attempt to use it for marketing purposes has all but stopped.  The attraction that replaced Horizons, beloved by purists everywhere, had everything going for it.  It had oodles of money invested and as much manpower as anyone can ask.  But perhaps the Imagineers reached to high.  Many think the failure of Mission: Space has forever backed Disney off the “ultra” thrill rides and re-focused them on to more family related attractions that are slightly less intense.  Only time will tell.

Today, I thought we would take a break from the news and rumors and take a closer look at a Disney World resort.  The Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa has been on the radar of Disney World vacationers quite a bit recently, thanks to sales from the Disney Vacation Club and construction over at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Many people are being offered rooms at Saratoga Springs so let’s talk about this resort and give those of you who have never been there a better idea of what to expect.

Saratoga Springs has a lot going for it.  The rooms are terrific and the grounds are beautiful.  The buildings are bright and very inviting and walking around the paths that snake between then is a quiet and relaxing experience.  The landscaping is typically well done and blends perfectly with the bridges, fountains and streams that fit naturally into the layout.

The theme is a subtle nod to the deep horseracing history that is so much a part of the fabric in Saratoga Springs, New York.   There are statues and paintings of thoroughbreds throughout the grounds, but the new pool area pictured below is perhaps a bit less subtle in this theme. 

The main pool, located just off the lobby is called the High Rock Spring Pool, pictured below.  In my opinion it is one of the finest such areas in all of Disney World’s Resorts.  The rock work is gorgeous and the slide is a lot of fun.  The entire area is upbeat and vibrant. 

The Saratoga Springs is a Vacation Club resort and therefore the room choices are somewhat expansive.  You can get a typical studio room, which includes a small kitchenette area with a sink and refrigerator, or you may choose larger villas with one, two, or three bedrooms.  The villas offer full kitchens.  Depending on the price available at the time of booking, this can be a great value for larger parties.  There is plenty of space in these rooms and the full kitchen allows you to have a meal or two without going out, this is especially good for light breakfasts.

One problem with Saratoga Springs, and one I truly hope this work out, is the dining and drinking options.  They are not good at all.  The sit-down restaurant, the Turf Club Bar and Grill, is not a bar at all so don’t expect to go here for a drink.  The food is okay, but limited and pricey.  The “food court” area is called the Artist’s Palette and it also disappoints.  The food is always good, but this is not a food court by any means.  There is only one station and the menu only has a few items available.  Luckily, Downtown Disney is just a short boat ride away, or even in walking distance from some of the outer buildings. 

Though I have never been, I am told the spa at the resort is top-notch.  Keep this in mind as well.  I know many people who stay at Saratoga for just this reason.

Another issue here is that this resort is so big that it becomes critical that you request a room location that suites your needs.  If you want to be near the lobby and the boat to Downtown you need to ask for the proper area for your room or you will be waiting for a bus like everywhere else in Disney World.  However, the outer buildings are very quiet, which may be appealing as well.

Nothing is perfect, and that applies to the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.  But the place is beautiful and well located.  If it fits your budget, it is worth a try.

Jim Hill is reporting this morning that the new name for the Disney-MGM Studios may only be temporary.  In the years to come, the name Disney’s Hollywood Studios may be shortened slightly.

The folks that I’ve just spoken with believe that “Disney’s Hollywood Studios” is just an interim name. That this new moniker will only remain in place until the Imagineers have effectively replaced all of the studio theme park’s soundstages & production facilities with new rides, shows and attraction. At that point — when “Disney’s Hollywood Studios” can no longer be called a working studio — the name of WDW’s 3rd theme park will change one last time to “Disney’s Hollywood.”

Now we are making progress towards a name Disney can move forward with.  For better or for worse, the original plan of a working studio is over, and quite frankly that doesn’t upset me in the least.  But continuing to call it a “studio” is confusing and opens every new attraction for criticism of not fitting into that theme.  The rumored Disney-Pixar Studios name was only more confusing and the new name is marginally better.  But Disney’s Hollywood solves the issue entirely.

Besides, Disney’s Hollywood was the name I proposed back in February. (Hit this link and check out the comments.)   Just for the want to pat myself on the back every time I attend the park I am rooting for this change to happen.