Mouse Extra

DVCnews.com has released information obtained from permit filed by Disney. It calls for the construction of T-shaped building at the Grand Floridian resort. From the looks of the blueprint, the construction will required the filling in of the some of the lake. The speculation is that this new buidling will become a new DVC resort. DVCnews.com points out that similiar permits were the first inklings of the Bay Lake Tower and Treehouse Villa developments.

I have to be be honest. If I were selecting a current resort that should get a DVC addition it would be the Polynesian, my favorite resort along with the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I know if there was a Polynesian DVC house, I would desperately try to get in it. This is kind of ho-hum for me. I haven’t set foot in the Grand Floridian for some time. I think the most appealing aspect of this is the location. Being on the monorail has obvious appeal.

What current resorts would you like to see get a DVC addition? My choice is the Polynesian. How about you?

It seems Disney is making some big changes over at Peter Pan’s Flight during this Fantasyland expansion. This is one of the most popular attractions at the Magic Kingdom so seemingly it would be safe from any major overhaul. But Disney has filed a permit to demolish the nearby old Skyway building.

So what you ask? Well, its to build bathrooms apparently. Not too exciting I know, but this allows Disney to demolish the bathrooms next to the Pan queue, allowing Disney to expand the queue for the attraction.

Now this is where it all gets interesting. Disney may very well make Peter Pan’s Flight the next attraction to become involved in the new “in” thing for Disney- the interactive queue. The immense popularity of the Pooh queue has sparked some interest in doing this elsewhere. Already the Haunted Mansion is getting a new queue with interactive elements. Soarin’, in desperate for something on that once dull line, has gotten some interactive games. 

Clearly, Peter Pan’s Flight can use some help. Simply put, the queue is one of the dullest in WDW. The ride itself is very popular with wait times being some of the largest in the park. Some interactivity would truly help here.  One thing I hope is they don’t get as ”kiddie” as they do for Winnie the Pooh. The Poohster attracts toddlers, but Pan seems to grasp a slightly older crowd. The games on the Pooh line would likely bore anyone over 6 pretty fast, so hopefully that wouldn’t be the gameplan for Pan.

It will take more than a plant to help Peter Pan

I hope in the coming weeks to post my thoughts on the Top 5 queues in Walt Disney World as well as the 5 most in need of plussing. Pan will make the latter list for certain. In fact, it might top the list now that Soarin’ has some help. Stay tuned to this as more news is leaked.

This world showcase icon has consistently been the most popular dining spot in all of Walt Disney World. Sone of us here at Mouse Extra agree with that position atop the most saught after ADRs. Others, namely me, feel the place is overrated. Well, now its overpriced.

Anyone who knows anything about the goings on at the Mouse knows about the Dining plan. For a set amount per person, you get credits at counter service and table service eateries during the course of your stay. Most sit down restaurants cost you a single table service credit. A few places, the cream of the crop so to speak, cost you two. Starting today, Le Cellier is a 2 credit table service restaurant.

To be honest, this has been a long time coming. Le Cellier is always the first ADR to fill up in a single day. Thus, the demand is there. Unlike many other 2 credit places, however, the prices were not through the roof.

Until now that is. Illuminatingepcot.com has posted the new menu. There are changes a plenty. The biggest being the price. The famous cheddar cheese soup, once $5.50 or 6.99 depending on the size, is now a cool 9 bucks, several items like the coffee rubbed steak seems to have been pulled off the menu entirely.

So what does this mean? Well, first of all, it shows in full effect the problems with the Dining Plan. The only reason the price went up is because Disney made it a 2 credit establishment. I can only imagine this will have an effect on the how quickly the ADRs are used up. I would think this will quickly become an easier place to find a ressie.

One thing is certain, I won’t be there. I had a bad experience there last time with service and just don’t think its worth the hassle. I know don’t think its worth the price either.

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

Recently Disney has previewed some of the pins that will be released in the hoopla surrounding the opening of the refurbed Star Tours. The story was first posted by WDW News Today.

 We already knew about Tatooine (heck it was in the preview film) and, of course, Coruscant the city planet (yes, I am a star wars geek, sorry).

So what other destinations will you have a chance to see? Well, if the pins mean anything, you might get a chance to see Geonosis (from Attack of the Clones) which is likely where you would encounter Boba Fett. Kashyyyk, forest planet of the wookies so you can bet Chewbacca will be there for that. Hoth, the frozen planet from the beginning of the Empire Strikes Back, and Bespin, the cloud city of Billy Dee Williams fame have pins.  Naboo, where much of Episode One took place, has a pin so we may not have seen the last of JarJar Binks. There is also a pin of a Death Star where guests will likely encounter Darth Vader and newly created skytroopers.

Disney has NOT officially annouced these as possible destinations on your tour, but the ride vechile appears in the scene leading to the belief.

There are 2 notable missing planets: Dagobah and Alderaan. Both are likely destinations, as well. We know that the attraction takes place between episodes 3 and 4. We know both Yoda and Leia will be in the attraction. Yoda was stranded on Dagobah at that time. And Leia was a teenaged princess in Alderaan.

See, I told ya I was a star wars geek.

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