Mouse Extra

Not that long ago, I wrote a piece about my favorite queues in all of Walt Disney World. Now, I want to give you a list of the 5 attractions I think should be a part of the NextGen of queues. That is, which queues should become interactive like Haunted Mansion. The rides I picked are not necessarily ones that are bland and boring, but are ones that are bland and boring and are usually popular, like the already reworked Winnie the Pooh and Soarin’.

5. Maelstrom: To me, Disney could really get creative here. I would rework the rather bland queue into a little forest populated by trolls and vikings. Interactive elements would be easy to add, perhaps “find the troll.” And who wouldn’t want to be a viking battling it out with frost giants. I wonder if Disney could use the Marvel character, Thor, in some manner.

 4. Test Track: This one may already be in the works. Rumor has it that the attraction is going down for an extended overhaul early next year. There are photos on the web on a new vehicle being tested (pardon the pun). Currently, the queue is not too terribly boring, but this attraction screams interactive queue.

3. Kilimanjaroo Safari: The line is looooooonnnnng. And frankly, misused. There are a couple of spots where you watch animals (colobus monkeys for one) while waiting in line, but this should be greatly expanded. You could easily add exhibits for small animals like insects and reptiles that guests can view while waiting on the line. Plus, interactive computer screens could be used to enhanced the guests understanding of the critters they are looking at.

2. Peter Pan: This one is probably gonna get done and its sorely needs it. The line is always lengthy and there is absolutely nothing to do or see. Neverland lends itself to some interactive games for kids. Mermaids, tinkerbell and some lost boys could be a mess of fun. Plans are underway to move the bathrooms next to this attraction which in theory would open up plenty of space for a fun filled queue along the lines of the Pooh attraction just down the path.

1. Big Thunder Mountain: I love this ride. I really do. Its one of my favorites in the entire Mouse. But the line can be daunting. The switchbacks are often hidden so just when you think you are there. Bam. Another room with more lines. I know thats true with a lot of Magic Kingdom attractions such a the Jungle Cruise (which nearly made my list). But what makes this one worse is the heat. The closed confined building can be intolerable in the summer humidity. Help, may actually be on the way here. Big Thunder is getting a major refurb starting in January and it won’t reopen until Memorial Day. The ride is getting serious help with the track but rumors state that the queue will be interactive. Lets hope so. The back story of the mining town is rich in details and can be turned to gold by imagineers I am sure. In fact, I think this ride has the greatest potential for its queue.

Its not so good to be back. My family and I just returned from our 8 day last August trip to the Mouse. I must say that I loved this time of the year. Yes, it was HOT and MUGGY. But the parks are open later than in January and the early morning/post dinner touring is just great. And the Boardwalk is a pretty decent place to spend an afternoon.

We tried a bunch of new eateries. So be on the lookout for a bunch of reviews. I LOVED the Yak & Yeti, La Hacienda (underrated by most), and the dinner at Royal Akershsus. Man, has Mama Melroses gone downhill. It used to serve mediocre italian food but no more. Via Napoli, while good, is not the be all and end all that some make it out to be.

Star Tours 2, however, is. I love it! The Haunted Mansion queue? Go through once and that will be enough. Its not interesting enough to keep people returning all the time.

Its almost time for our trip to the World. So you might not see much from Mouse Extra. This will be my first trip in August so I hope the heat and humidity is not too tough.

We are also trying some restaurants for the first time. We will be trying Kouzzina, La Hacienda, Via Napoli, and 1900 Park Fare. But we will also be hitting some old favorites like Teppan Edo, Kona Cafe and the character breakfast at ‘ohana. I look forward to finally checking out the new Star Tours and the interactive queues at Haunted Mansion and others.

Our kids have invented some in-park games for themselves. My daughter will be bringing a massive checklist of characters to mark off as she sees them. There will be everything from Mickey Mouse to Cinderella’s step sisters to Push, the talking garbage can. My son has a scavenger hunt for each park plus one for the resorts and DTD.

It should be fun. See ya real soon.

For months, Disney execs have been trying to figure out a way to bring marvel characters, a billion dollar franchise, to the Florida parks. And it now appears they have specific plans in place.

As everyone knows, Universal has thier marvel section at Islands of Adventure. As such, Universal has “theme park rights” to marvel characters. One question is whether this includes characters like Iron Man which are not actually used at the park. But, at least for the moment, Disney has no plans to test that theory.

So what is Disney doing? Sources within Disney have acknowledged that Marvel characters will be part of the new Hyperion Wharf section of Downtown Disney.

Within a few weeks, Disney will announce the construction of the Marvel Super Heroes Cafe. The food will be standard chain restraraunt fair. However, there will be meet n greets with both Iron Man and Captain America. Disney has long saught a counter to the popularity of princesses with young girls. A character meal with the immensely popular Iron Man would be a good start. The cafe will also feature the obligatory shop. Even more interesting is the rumor that there will be a small attraction using the technology from Sum of all Thrills, as well, likely will an Iron Man or perhaps, an Avengers theme.

Universal, at this point, has refused to comment. But you can bet your bottom dollar, the Court system will get involved with this. Its likely lawyers are drawing up injunctions now, waiting for the official announcement by Disney. The issue will be, it seems to me, whether Downtown Disney is a “theme park” by definition.

Stay tuned, true believers!

Well, my August 21st trip is officially right around the corner because, yesterday marked the 180th day before my trip. And as everyone knows, that means you can make your ADRs. But, kids, its not like the old days when you just called. Now we have the option of a computer. And an automated phone system.

And I tried all three. At first, I called Disney Dining and tried to make my first ressie (the Crystal Palace for dinner) through the automated system. It worked just fine. But man, was it slow. Horribly slow.

So I went to the computer. That was better but it didn’t seem all that much better. And certainly slower than talking to an actual human being. Which is what I did to finish my ADRs. Fast, quick and painless. I got everything I wanted and all the confirmation numbers in no time at all.

So where am I going? I’m glad you asked, friend. Glad you asked. Besides the palace, we are heading to Kouzzina, Royal Akershus, Prime Time Cafe (lunch), Paradiso 37, Kona Cafe, Teppan Edo, 1900 Park Fare, and for lunch before we leave, Via Napoli. I can’t wait to return to some old favorites like Teppan Edo and Kona, as well as try some new places like Kouzzina, Paradiso and Via Napoli. Plus, we threw in a character breakfast at ‘ohana. Still, my choice for the best character breakfast.

The Royal Akerhsus for Princesses

Today’s posting 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.