Mouse Extra

Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel, the man with the world’s greatest journalism job, writes this morning on the paper’s terrific website The Daily Disney about the changes we reported on yesterday over at the Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain.  They report the details of the refurbishment rather extensively and also expand a bit on the idea we discussed yesterday that this project may have fallen somewhat short in the scope of changes anticipated by Disney fans.

Like I said yesterday, I am on the fence a bit about this one.  While I felt resources would be better spent in a down economy on problem areas at Walt Disney World and not on a perennial favorite like Space Mountain, after the work began I was perhaps hoping for more dramatic and exciting changes.  But as Garcia reports, big changes to Space Mountain, like the ones completed in Disneyland’s version of the ride, just may not be the way things are done at Walt Disney World.

At Disneyland, which caters heavily to its Southern California population, executives are more willing to take down a popular attraction for an extended stretch of time because so many of its guests make multiple visits each year.

But at Disney World, attendance is driven in large part by out-of-state and international guests, many of whom may visit the resort only once every three to five years. And so executives don’t want to risk souring their experience — and losing out on any future return trips — by having a marquee attraction out of commission.

“An attraction like Space Mountain is on everybody’s short list. It’s a big consideration to have it up and running,” said Alex Wright, a senior show designer with Walt Disney Imagineering and creative director of the Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain rehab.

Quite frankly, this sounds like a little Disney damage control, and that the folks at WDW may feel as though I am not the only one who was hoping for a little more.  Sure, in some respects this rational is true.  Perhaps Disneyland guests are somewhat more open to having closures since they go back more often than the average Florida traveler, but that seems like such a silly reason to not change something if you think the end result is better. 

Honestly, I just am not buying this line.  So are we really expected to conclude that no Disney World E-Ticket will ever be drastically remade because guests might get cranky with the time it takes to complete the work?  That’s just nonsense.  Maybe this comes into play to some small degree, but I would imagine cost is a far greater influence on making this kind of decision than potentially disappointed guests.  I mean, Disney just went through a very busy summer without Space Mountain, and in recent years they did the same with the Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth.  It is somehow okay to disappoint those people who came for their once-every-five-years trip during a blistering summer, but a few more months to really wow the guests would be just too much for the Customer Relations folks to bear?  Please…

After around a seventh month closure for refurbishment, it appears the shiny new Space Mountain had a few soft openings this weekend for testing by Magic Kingdom guests.  This much anticipated re-make should be the talk of the town for a few days as reviews begin to pop-up on the internet.

For those of you interested in getting the full scoop, along with a complete compliment of spoilers, check out the blog section Ricky Brigante’s Orlando Attractions Magazine.  He has posted photos and full descriptions of the new queue area, loading sections and post show, as well as a first-person video ride-through.

Once you reach the top of the hill and begin the ride, it’s the same Space Mountain you remember, but darker. Projections along the ceiling and walls are crisp and brighter but are mainly the same swirling cosmos and shooting stars - nothing new. Throughout the ride, the track is practically invisible due to the lowered light level, presumably as a result of enclosing the load areas. I didn’t notice any difference in the track itself. The layout was the same as I remembered and it was no more or less shaky than before the refurbishment. Some have reported that the ride is a little smoother now. I didn’t think so, but I have a high tolerance for rocky rides. The near-total darkness did enhance the thrill level a bit.

The general consensus from Brigante, as well as others I have read, is that Disney has made this classic ride a little less antiquated but not much different.  Those of us in love with Space Mountain will not be disappointed by a totally new look and feel.  Much like the recent Haunted Mansion plussing, this seems to be nothing more than an updating or refreshing. 

Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about that.  While I was one who questioned the need to do much and invest a lot of money into this incredibly popular and iconic attraction, I guess now that we have waited seven months I feel like perhaps I was expecting more.  But I will reserve judgment until I have experienced it myself.  All the reviews I have seen so far have been positive, so this appears to be a job well done by the Imagineers.

Now that the hubbub has calmed down from the big D23 Expo, we can more fully assess the Fantasyland expansion. First of all, Disney keeps hammering home that these plans are the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom. They love to tell us that Fantasyland will be doubling in size.
 
But its all a bit misleading. Its not as if this is adding new land to the Magic Kingdom. In fact, there is a fair amount of stuff being removed to make way for this “expansion.” Thus, we have to look at the equation. What is being added and what is being removed.

 
We all know is going in. A E-ticket Little Mermaid ride, meet and greets with Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. A new dining experience at Beast’s castle and Gaston’s pub. A new Pixie Hollow with more meet and greets with Tinkerbell and friends. Dumbo is being moved into a big tent with a second identical ride. Dueling Dumbos if you will. There are a lot of interesting details about the additions. Apparently, the Beauty and the Beast eatery will be counter service for lunch and sit down for dinner. It will also apparently include more Living Character Initiative AAs. I assume that will mean we’ll get Mrs Potts, Chip, Luminere and some others talking to guests as they eat.
 
Disney is also experimenting with a new way to queue. Apparently, the guest will enter the Big Top for Dumbo and will recieve a number. They can then check out numerous interactive exhibits or just sit on the bleachers waiting for the Ring Leader to call out their number. Then they get on the ride. Interesting idea, I suppose, but we will have to wait and see how it will work.

 
 
You can view all of the concept art from Disney’s announcement here.
 
So what are we losing? Surprisingly not that much. Toontown is essentially gone. Disney has said they want to keep the Barnstormer presumably as part of the Circus area. In fact, if you look at the concept art, you will see the coaster near the Dumbo’s tent. Pixie Hollow, which will open later than the rest, will occupy the rest of the old Toontown area. The Princess stuff will take over the old 20,000 Leagues area so you can count on the Pooh Playground being a goner, as well. It appears the Carousel will be saved. I am not as clear on Snow White. Its right in the line of fire so to speak. I assume, however, it will be incorporated into the new area. I also have no idea about Winnie the Pooh or the The Tea Cups. I believe you can still see the Tea Cups in the concept art but Pooh is not as clear. I imagine that it will stick around as it is relatively new and is certainly popular.
 
I love these plans myself. What we are losing is relatively nothing in the scale of things. No more Judge’s Tent. Thats fine. No more Pooh Playground. Big whoop. Perhaps, there is a bit too much in the way of Princesses. But thats ok with me. Fantasyland has being going in the princess direction for some time. Perhaps the biggest loss is in the “what could have been” category. Another dark ride in lieu of one of these meet and greets would have been nice. The rumored Snow White Mine Car Coaster would have been quite cool and fun in this newly envisioned Princess Fantasyland.

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

As we first reported yesterday on our Twitter page, Disney World officials have decided to permanently close the brand new stage show “Stitch’s Sonic Adventure” at Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom.  The Orlando Business Journal is reporting this incredibly quick closure.

Disney officials wouldn’t say why the show, which opened with much fanfare just six weeks ago, is on the way out. Postings on blog sites by Disney fans suggest that park patrons complained about having to form queues in the late spring heat without shelter or seating.

Personally, I am blown away by this.  I know this did not open to the most glowing of reviews, but there has to be more than that, though I can’t figure out for the life of me what it could be.  Disney spent time and money building and designing a new stage, besides all the time, effort and money put into developing the show itself.  And they close it after six weeks?  This is certainly a strange one.  Can you remember an attraction closing this quickly?

The always readable DVCNews.com reported yesterday that Disney Vacation Club members will have the opportunity to take part in a sneak preview of the newly refurbished and updated Hall Of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom.  The preview takes place June 28.  The attraction opens to the general public, appropriately enough, on Independence Day Weekend.

Based on a sculpture by Imagineer Valerie Edwards (who succeeds Disney Legend Blaine Gibson in the role), the Audio-Animatronics® representation of President Barack Obama addresses the audience and shows off new advancements in motion and facial expression that helped Imagineers capture the essence of the new Commander in Chief.

This attraction is one of those that often get overlooked by those who go to the Magic Kingdom looking for Pirates, Princesses, and well dressed mice.  For those interested in Disney history and Imagineering, anytime they claim “advancements” in the art of Audio-Animatronics we take notice.  But make no mistake about it; the addition of the new president is the change that is certain to make the Hall of Presidents more popular in the short term.

So, will you go see the new Hall Of Presidents?  Are you excited to see President Obama become the next legendary Audio-Animatronic?

Well, it seems the Pirates League we at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom which we reported on earlier in the week is nearly official as the Orlando Sentinel is now reporting prices and even a concept drawing.  Here is the description offered on the Sentinel’s Theme Park Rangers blog.

The attraction, which will open at Magic Kingdom theme park June 29, will perform swashbuckling makeovers. Participants will receive pirate names before receiving a variety of accessories, including beards, eye patches, scarves, scars, earrings and gold teeth. These will be applied by a “veteran pirate” with sea-sailing tales.

After taking a sacred oath and an official portrait, guests will be part of Jack Sparrow’s gang.

It then goes on to list the package prices which are as incredibly outrageous as the famous Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  For instance the cheapest package is $49.95, and that gets you a bandana, some make-up, a plastic sword and necklace, a 5 x 7 photo and a personalized oath.  Maybe I’m just getting to be an old curmudgeon, but it certainly seems like fifty bucks ain’t what it used to be.

But despite my continuing dispute with Disney and their price structure for nearly everything, I really like this concept.  And I love this rendering as well.  But I wonder how it will do compared to the BBB.  But I certainly am looking forward to a crowd full of small pirates roaming the Magic Kingdom.