Mouse Extra

There have been numerous items written on the subject of Imagineering, including the recent field guides to Imagineering. And there have been documentaries that delve into this topic, as well, such as the History Channel’s Modern Marvels. But if you will be at Disneyland on April 5th hop over to the Disneyana Shop for your copy of Disneyland Resort-Imagineering the Magic DVD, then head to the Main Street Cinema to have Tony Baxter, Dave Fisher, Kevin Rafferty and Michael Sprout, Imagineers themselves, sign your copy.

The DVD seems on its surface to be a goldmine for Disney theme park lovers. The DVD apparently focuses on the early problems faced by Walt and his staff, but does take you through the development behind the recently opened Finding Nemo submarine attraction. According to the Disney site, this 2 disc set covers the Disneyland park in he first disc. The second disc covers Imagineering in general, California Adventure, and Imagineering new attractions.

The set will be available at the parks but also online, while supllies last. Whatever that means. Plus, later this year, be on the lookout for “Imagineering the Magic-Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort”. I can’t wait.

According to the Disney Gossip blog, there is a rumor that some good news and some bad news about a certain sponsor at Walt Disney World may be coming soon.  The bad news is Nestle may no longer be a providing sponsor.  The good news is that Nestle may no longer be a providing sponsor.

Now we’re hearing that Nestle, with its headquarters in Switzerland, may be on the way out in favor of competing products from that second most famous of American brands, Coca-Cola.

So what is the bad part about this news?  Well, Nestle makes the ice cream found at the parks.  And I think we can all agree that there is more than one terrifically delicious item found at the ice cream carts in Walt Disney World.  They will surely be missed and I would expect nothing short of gastronomical outrage should this come to pass.

The good news is that Nestle is also the provider of the coffee found in the parks and resorts.  I am not exaggerating when I say it is the worst coffee I have ever had that hasn’t been sitting in the cup holder of a car for three days.  I can’t possibly imagine that there is a potential major sponsor out there that makes worse coffee than that.

In the end, I think this is a net plus for my enjoyment at Walt Disney World.  While I do recognize that Mickey Bars are terrific, there are many places throughout the resort to get equally delicious sweets.  However, the same can not be said about coffee, which many adults simply can’t live without.  Searching for good coffee at the Mouse makes one feel like Ponce de Leon.

Late last week, Screamscape did a quick rumor that gave us possible names for the new Disney Cruise Line ships coming in 2011 and 2012.  This week that rumor is picking up steam on the internet. M Here was what the original posting had to say…

According to a Screamscape reader the local news did a quick story on a new or expanded Disney Cruise Line terminal building and in the artwork they claim you could see the names for the two new ships, “Disney Dream” and “Disney Celebration”. Anyone else catch this or happen to find an image capture of the artwork? I can’t seem to find anything about it right now.

I have not caught this, nor have I seen any verification from another source that this broadcast happened or any other form of confirmation about these names.  In fact, the only outlets I have seen go with this rumor are using the original Screamscape information as the only source.   For that reason, I wouldn’t put too much stock in this just yet.  I’ll let you know if I can find some additional sourcing on this.

But these names do make sense and seem to fit the mold.  Due to the overuse of the word “dreams” in any all aspects of Disney marketing, that is an easy guess to make.  “Celebration” also works, but at a somewhat lesser degree.  However Carnival already has a ship named the Celebration and that should be a good enough reason to come up with something else. 

What do you think of these names?  Any suggestions?

Jim Hill Media is continuing to report rumors about changes coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  One topic often discussed is how to make this park popular after the sun goes down and the animals head to their backstage areas.

Many have been expecting to see a nighttime parade called the “Rivers of Light” but it appears those plans are no longer in the pipeline.  Instead, Mr. Hill thinks Imagineers may turn their attention back to an idea that has been a sore subject for Disney fanatics for years, the famed Beastly Kingdom.

But the good news is … Because WDW execs are still looking for ways to extend DAK’s operating hours, guess which concept for a brand-new “land” at that theme park has just been dusted off? Would you believe Beastly Kingdomme?

Mind you, you can just forget about “Dragon’s Tower,” “Quest for the Unicorn” or any other ride concepts that were previously proposed for this Animal Kingdom addition. My understanding is that WDI is now looking to get a fresh start with this part of the park. More importantly, that any shows or attractions that are being proposed for this revamped version of Beastly Kingdomme will have to have strong ties to already well established Disney brands.

If I had to choose between a parade and this, the choice is easy.  Beastly Kingdom in any form is a better choice.  But what seems so peculiar about this rumor is the difference between budgets of these two projects.  Wouldn’t you think the cost of designing, building, and operating an entire land of rides and shows would be much higher than putting a parade into motion?

And I have a little word of advice for WDI.  If you are going to build a land based on mythic creatures, but tie it almost completely into those that fit the “already well established Disney brands”, don’t call it Beastly Kingdom.  That will only disappoint those who have read so much about those original plans and may be hoping to see them finally become a reality.

Oh, and one more thing.  What “well established Disney brands” do you think would create a Beastly Kingdom?  Is the Narnia franchise enough?  Your thoughts and suggestions please…

We generally don’t discuss Disneyland that much on Mouse Extra as much as we should.  And I certainly try not to discuss the Re-Imagineering blog, whether we agree with it or not, as it clearly has a one-sided agenda.  But they posted a letter yesterday from Kevin Blair, the son of Imagineering legend Mary Blair, lambasting rumors of changes to It’s A Small World.  It has become the talk of the Disney internet community and I just couldn’t help but comment on it.

I would suggest you read the entire letter, but the part that is making the most waves deals with a rumor that WDI may insert Disney characters and remove the rainforest sequence while adding a patriotic tribute to America.

My Mother and I have always had a strong sense of patriotism for America and I DO support a tribute to America. Disneyland has several venues, which are perfect places for this tribute including “Main Street USA” or “New Orleans Square”; unfortunately the “It’s a Small World” ride is NOT one of them. Once again this will marginalize the children of the world theme and bastardize my Mother’s original art. Furthermore ripping out a rainforest (Imaginary or otherwise) and replacing it with misplaced patriotism is a public relations blunder so big you could run a Monorail through it.

First, we obviously have some political overtones in this statement with regards to the rainforest area.  Saying it will be a public relations blunder is assuming that folks will see some symbolism into the change that reflects upon certain conservation issues.  That may be the case for some, but I am not so sure that the majority of guests are going to walk away from the ride thinking Imagineers are a bunch of planet killers.  Disney actually does a lot for conservation, especially at the Animal Kingdom, and I don’t think their efforts in saving the real rainforest are going to be trumped because they dismantled a cardboard one.

The other thing that truly drives me nuts is this “misplaced patriotism” statement.  I’m sorry, but has Kevin Blair seen these plans?  I don’t believe he has, so how can he possibly judge it as misplaced?  It may very well turn out to be terrific and fit in perfectly.

No, the issue here is not misplaced patriotism or saving the rainforest.  It’s about purism.  These other issues are simply rationalizations for saving the classic ride from a major refurbishment regardless of whether or not the changes are for the better.  Here is the next paragraph.

As a former WED employee I am saddened to realize the degradation of the company’s talent and focus and the subsequent decline at the Disneyland Park itself. I cannot believe someone from WDI was paid to come up with such an idiotic plan as this.

An idiotic plan?  How do you know it even is a plan?  Has WDI announced something?  No, they have not.  These conclusions have been reached on a completely conceptual basis and are not rooted in hard information.  It’s an internet rumor!  Is that truly enough to slam WDI like this?

I can’t help but be reminded of my favorite Diane Disney-Miller quote…

“…with the park, it’s something you could change, something that can grow.  But the people who really love it won’t let them change any of the old attractions.  I don’t think he ever thought that would happen.”

I understand the children of Mrs. Blair want her terrific creations to endure forever, but that is simply not the Disney way.  For better or for worse, Walt wanted time to march on inside the park.  I know this may not be a popular notion among Disney purists, but it is what it is. 

WDW News Today had a rumor yesterday that seems to go a bit contrary to many assumptions expressed in recent years.  (Why they are working on St. Patty’s Day is beyond me!!)  It concerns the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway and what may become of it in the not so distant future.

…Sources have been telling me that before Walt Disney World celebrates it’s 40th Anniversary in 2011, the attraction will undergo a huge refurbishment to add electric cars and new scenery. To quote our source:

“The idea behind this refurbishment would be to make our speedway similar to the Autopia attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, while also including scenery that tells the story of our Tomorrowland.” (ex. Stitch, Wall-E, Buzz Lightyear, and Monsters Inc. character and theming references)

This is one of those attraction that you can just tell from looking at it that it is due for a fairly expansive refurbishment.  Considering the impact Pixar has had on the parks in recent years, many people just assumed that the film “Cars” would be somehow involved in the future of the Speedway.  It made perfectly good sense to me.  We added Buzz Lightyear and then “Monsters Inc.”, so why not add Cars?

Well, I can’t say for sure, but it seems to me that the answer lies in the film itself.  Both “Monsters Inc.” and the Buzz Lightyear character have a futuristic feel to them, if only somewhat loosely.  “Cars” has no such feel whatsoever.  Imagineers would really have to stretch their imaginations to sell that one on the public.