Mouse Extra

Over this past weekend, the Touring Plans website reported that Disney had filed a permit to install a “model room” for something called “Disney’s Animation Inn and Suites”, apparently a new hotel being discussed for the future.  This morning, Jim Hill Media connects the dots between this new plan and the current Pop Century Resort.

A giant-sized Tramp found at Disney's Pop Century Resort

According to Mr. Hill, the entire Pop Century name and theme may be scrapped entirely for this developing concept…

“And why would Disney do something like that?,” you ask. Well, to be blunt, in the nearly five years that the Classic Years portion of Disney’s Pop Century has been open, this Value Resort has never been able to maintain the same sort of steady high occupancy rate that Disney’s All-Stars typically enjoy (Those three Value Resorts regularly experience occupancy rates of 95% and higher. Whereas Pop Century’s occupancy rate is typically stuck in the 80s). Which WDW management blames — in large part — on Pop Century’s unappealing theme.

First, let me just say how surprised I am to see the comparison attendance numbers for the value resorts.  For one thing, the Pop Century is far and away the nicest and cleanest of all these options.  Yes the theme at All Star Movies may be somewhat more appealing to Disney animation fanatics, and kids in love with the films.  But to say that the theme at Pop Century is somehow more “unappealing” then the nonsense found at All Star Music or Sports is completely ridiculous.

Buzz Lightyear at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

But I have to appreciate the motivation here.  After all, numbers and hard cash speak an awful lot louder than words in the business world.  Notice the use of the word “suites” in the title.  Apparently the family-sized affordable suites have been a hit and Disney is looking to incorporate more of these options at other resorts.

The only question I have is how will this be different from the All-Star Movies theme?  I suppose we will have to wait for the answer.  Considering the current economy can only add to the normally long time between concept and construction, this may be quite a long wait.

This is going to be a rough year economically for every one.  And there is no reason to believe it will be any different for Disney and its theme parks.  Even though we have seen good numbers for Disney World being reported in recent weeks, there is little chance things won’t get worse in the not too distant future.

In order to minimize the loss at the Florida theme parks, Disney is doing the right thing.  According to the Orlando Sentinel, the end of last week brought the return of one of the best offers Walt Disney World has offered…

Disney is bringing back a deal it last offered in 2003: For most of the first six months of next year, vacationers can get seven nights in Disney World hotels for the price of four. Those who book vacations for January, February or March will also get a voucher for $200 worth of food and souvenirs. For either deal, reservations must be made by Dec. 20.

Will this be enough to level things off?  That depends on how bad it gets and what type of customer takes advantage of this offer.  Now I believe that most people already plan on going to Disney World and simply wait for the right deal, but something this significant may actually generate new possibilities.  Or at the very least, people who may have been planning on delaying vacation for a while may change their mind. 

The problem here, and it is something we have discussed before, is that Disney will no doubt continue to cut costs at the theme parks.  Slashing Fantasmic out of the schedule on many nights was the worst possible idea, and we can only assume more are on the horizon.  My point is those who take advantage of this deal may end up facing fewer entertainment options and park hours.  Let’s hope that is not the case.

The great John Frost of the Disney Blog, which should be on every Disney fan’s daily must-read list, reported earlier this week on an interesting rumor that we Animal Kingdom fans can only hope is true….

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the decision to shelve the “Rivers of Light” parade and the boutique themepark, means that plans are moving forward to finally re-do Camp Minnie-Mickey. Real estate is precious in that area of the park, but it’s away from any animal programs, so there is room to do some ‘thrill-ride’ type stuff.

I can honestly say that for those of us who love the concept of Animal Kingdom and have been waiting patiently for Imagineering to start building on the great foundation that is already in place, this is what we want to hear.  For ten years now we have been anticipating the addition of a new “land” that amounts to something more than the complete waste of time “Camp Minnie-Mickey”.

Yes, it is time for WDI to shed the Animal Kingdom of the evidence of Michael Eisner’s stupidity and short-sightedness and make it into the gem we all know it can become.  And it will take more than a parade or building a “boutique” partner park that no one can afford.  We hear at Mouse Extra have offered many suggestions for the parks improvement, so if anyone at Imagineering needs some ideas don’t hesitate to drop us a line!?!

To make room for a new, robotic version of the 44th president of the United States, Disney will close the 37-year-old Hall of Presidents after today for an extended refurbishment. The show will stay shuttered for more than eight months so Disney can update the hall’s aging light, sound, mechanical, projection and show systems, just as the company has done in recent years with other “classic” Magic Kingdom attractions such as It’s A Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion.

There was little doubt that the Hall of Presidents needed the work, and this has to be considered good news for all Disney fans, even the ones that may find this attraction something of a snooze-fest.  (Don’t get me wrong, I am not one of them.  I love this place.)  In recent weeks we have been hearing a lot about Disney tightening the purse strings in an attempt to limit any effect the down turning economy may have at the theme parks.  To see an attraction like this, which could be easily ignored, get a budget for such a long refurbishment is a positive sign that Disney won’t let upkeep of its classics slip too far.

The Hallf of Presidents

But it is not just a new president and a few light bulbs that are changing…

When the show reopens next year July 4, a third figure, George Washington, will also be given a speaking part.

The only bad thing here is that Disney will not be able to capitalize on the new president’s popularity by waiting so long after the inauguration to open the doors.  But that is a small price to pay for a new and improved classic.