Mouse Extra

On the official Disney blog, there was an announcement of two new Disney specialty rooms coming to Florida in the fall. One is a suite located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, called health and wellness suites. They will contain non-allergenic wrapped mattresses, 100% cotton linens, rainwater showers and special flooring. Cardio workout equipment will be in your suite, just in case traipsing all over Epcot wasn’t enough of a workout. The floor itself will have yoga sessions and there will be organic food served through the concierge lounge. I imagined this will be quite pricey.

In March, Disney will unveil the princess rooms at Port Orleans. According to the blog, there will be a staggering 512 guest rooms that will become “royal.”  We saw some concept art for these rooms awhile back, but now we know where they will be and when it will happen. The concept is that Princess Tiani (from Princess & The Frog) has invited some of her princess pals to New Orleans.

At the time Disney unveiled concept art for the Princess rooms, they also unveiled concept art for Haunted Mansion rooms. No word on when or even if these will come to fruition, but it seems this is a direction Disney is going with this announcement and the rooms coming to the Art of Animation resort, so we can hope.

Nestled inside the pavilion at Mexico in the World Showcase is one of our favorite spots in Epcot, La Cava del Tequila. Its a nice reprieve from the heat and crowds of the World Showcase promenade. Mexico has one of the most interesting pavilions in Epcot with its small Mexican village at night atmosphere, and this specialty bar fits perfectly with that theme. But be warned, it is small and holds only 20 or so people.

The bar has over 70 types of tequila but you don’t need to be a tequila aficionado to appreciate this spot. In fact, we knew almost nothing of tequila before trying this place out. We always thought tequila was just tequila. One way to sample the different kinds of tequila is to have a tequila flight, which consists of 3 very different kinds of the alcohol. The flight has a blanco, which is not aged as long and is milder, a reposado, which is stronger but smooth and is my favorite, and anejo, which aged for at least a year and may make the hair fall off of your chest. Save the sangrita (a bloody mary like chaser) for after the anejo.

Any place that specializes in tequila is sure to have margaritas and this has a wide variety of the drink. This list includes pineapple, cucumber, jalapeno, and avocado margaritas. Our favorite was the blood orange version which combines silver tequila, triple sec, and a blood orange juice/hibiscus syrup mixture.

If you are hungry, there are some tapas-style appetizers, but the attraction here is the alcohol.

Today’s article is from Mike and Brooke, contributing writers to Mouse Extra

Orlando Attractions Magazine has reported and apparently Disney has confirmed that the band, British Invasion, is performing for the last time at Epcot’s World Showcase on April 30, 2011. According to the band’s facebook page, they gave thier notice to Disney. They will be performing in downtown Orlando starting May 14th. Their departure was first noted by the fan site, Illuminating Epcot.

Disney has not announced what will replace the band, but they have stated a replacement band is in place.

I, for one, will miss these performers. They were always a favorite of mine along World Showcase. Like many of the performers along the lagoon they brought a real sense of the country being represented. Well, at least we still have the mariachi band.

With Star Tours 2 nearly upon us and the Fantasyland expansion well underway, Disney execs may be getting close to announcing the next big thing from imagineering. After all, the D23 Expo is only 3 plus months away. One obvious choice for Disney expansion is a new pavillon at the World Showcase in Epcot. And Disney just maybe looking at adding a Brazilian section on the World Showcase lagoon.

According to the Fohla, a brazilian newspaper, Disney is in talks with the brazilian government on the aspects of a possible pavillon. If true, it would be the first new country to be added to the lineup in 25 years. Norway is the most ”recent” addition, opening in 1986.

The beauty of Rio

Brazil makes sense for many points. Most importantly, many WDW vets know that there are an enormous amount of visitors from the country. Huge tour groups roam the parks during the winter months. The country is vast in culture and cuisine. Who wouldn’t enjoy an amazon river cruise and a brazilian barbeque eatery. And a good caprhina please.

I certainly would love it. It would also be the first south american country at Epcot. Now granted, we all must wait for official word before believing this, but we can dream can’t we?

I live outside of New York City so I heard absolutely wonderful news the other day. Disney has announced some new home ports for thier cruise line. One of those ports will be New York City starting in 2012. The iteneraries for the Disney Magic look fantastic.

One cruise will take passengers on an 8 day cruise to the Bahamas stopping at Castaway Cay and Disney’s Port Canaveral. There guests can head on over to Walt Disney World with a one day park hopper pass. Thats right, Disney World itself is a stop along the way. Another itenarary will take guests up the New England Coast with stops in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Finally, Disney will have three weekend trips wtih no stops, just boat time.

Disney also announced new Ports of Call out of Galveston, Texas and Seattle for trips to Alaska and the Western Carribbean respectively.

The new meet and greet for Mickey Mouse and his girl, Minnie opened its door yesterday, April 1st.  As noted earlier, it is the first use of the Fastpass system for a meet and greet. And I approve. Disney has released a video showing the inside of the theater and the Big Cheese himself.

Mickey has debuted on Main Street

The theater is themed around Magician Mickey. Disney will also be placing- temporarily- an area to meet princesses. I’m not sure how that will fit the theme, but it will only be used for that until the new princess meet-n-greets open in the redesigned Fantasyland.