Mouse Extra

According to the Daily Disney Blog, the 3D musical starring Michael Jackson is returning to EPCOT for the summer crowd. It is expected to return on July 2nd, the height of the summer season. The film also stars Angelica Huston and was directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppolla.

 
As I am sure many of you know, Captain E-O started playing in Disneyland again a few months ago after being shelved in 1994. And the feedback, according to Disney suits, has been “overwhelmingly positive.”
 
One thing is for certain, the current film at the Imagation Pavillon, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, seems very stale these days. It wasn’t that long ago when 3D films at theme parks seemed light years ahead of those played at local theaters. But with IMAX 3D and such hits as How to Train Your Dragon and, of course, Avatar, the local movie has more than closed the gap in technology.
 
Thus, Captain E-O returns for the nostalgia not the special effects. At the time it premiered, Captain E-O was an amazing display of movie technology. Not so any more. However, it is a better film than the current Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Disney officials state that HISTA will eventually come back. But I hope not. I hope Disney keeps Captain E-O going at least until they take the next step in special effects.

And it’s Via Napoli. The information was obtained by AllEarsNet. Apparently, the new pizzeria will seat about 300 people and will have wood fire ovens. Besides, southern italy style pizzas, you will be able to get pastas, salads, sandwiches and wine. You can get a look at the new restaurant by clicking here.  As you can see, there is some outdoor seating, a nice plus for the beautiful pavilion.

 
According to AllEarsNet and the Patina Group (who also operates nearby Tutto Italia), the secret ingredient is the water which will be imported. It does not say the water is from Naples but instead most closely resembles the H2O from that region. Before you scoff, however, you should keep in mind that many consider the pizza from New York City to be the best in the country for that very reason- the high quality tap water from the city.
 
One thing is for certain, the Floridian water makes for some bad pizza, so this can only be an upgrade. I look forward to having a good slice at Walt Disney World. It will be another first.

Today’s posting if from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra

We have recently seen another test of the new queue less waiting system that Disney has promised for the dueling Dumbo attraction coming to the revamped Fantasyland. For the second time in several months, Disney has tested this idea at the popular Rock N Roller coaster over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For details and lots of good pictures, I recommend heading over to Studios Central. Essentially, Disney hands out cards to people who then group together in their designated waiting area. When their card is called, off they go to the ride, presumably with little additional wait.

 
The positives of this idea are, well, self-evident. Who wouldn’t rather walk around, shop, eat or even just sit down instead of waiting (and standing) on line? This is especially true when waits exceed a half hour or so. But I can see, perhaps a few difficulties. For one, lines will certainly not decrease. In fact, they may well increase. People put off by a 45 minute wait at Soarin’ may now grab themselves a ticket. Plus, the process of gathering people and waiting for them to get into the attraction may well be a longer process than just having the next person in line jump on the ride. I imagine this will be an issue until they work out any kinks in the system.
 
Also, I would think that this idea requires a lot more space. You need an area for the people to sort of hang around waiting for their number to be called. The new Dumbo attraction will have this built-in to the design with games and whatnot to occupy your waiting time. But existing attractions may not be able to handle this. At the most recent test, guests waited in a large backstage area. I could see this being implemented at attractions like Test Track and Splash Mountain where there is some space to develop waiting areas for people to gather. But a ride like Peter Pan, where this may well be useful, has no real space to do this. 
 
I suppose the true test will be Dumbo when it opens. If it works, this may be the new way you will queue up for a ride.

todays post is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra

The economy is shaking theme parks across the state of Florida. Universal Florida in Orlando has lost 12 percent in attendance which translates to about 1 million less visitors in 2009. The attendance at WDW dropped a mere one percent but that doesn’t reflect the lost profits from the tremendous amount of discounting that Disney has employed over the last calendar year. The situation is getting desperate for both players. Universal is, of course, counting on the heavily promoted opening of their Harry Potter land. So what is Disney doing?

 
It is not the purchase of Marvel nor is it the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade. Instead, its the return of an old friend (or enemy depending on your point of view). My sources indicate that Michael Eisner has been hired as a consultant to oversee an operational overhaul of Walt Disney World and maybe even the other parks. The title as is stands now is Director of Park Promotions, which is somewhat innocuous. But the power is greater than the title. Michael Eisner, is now basically in charge of Walt Disney World and if he can work his magic there, that might spread to California.
 
Yes, I know that Eisner did not exactly leave on good terms, but some time has passed. And adveristy makes strange bed fellows. Eisner was able to save the company from a big down turn once before. The brass at Disney is hoping he can do it again. I have heard through the grapevine that the Beastly Kingdomme is again at the top of the list of priorities. Pixar Place, however, is not. (Probably out of spite). Instead, that area will get a new Roger Rabbit coaster, not the long rumored Monsters Inc coaster.
 
No official announcement has yet been made at Walt Disney World but that will come in the next few weeks. Some of the other changes that could be coming are the end of the Disney marathon, the limiting of restaurant outsourcing and the cancellation of the Flamingo Crossing project.