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.

Space Mountain is going down for a refurbishment come April 19, 2009 and will be down until November 21, 2009. It is generally felt that the attraction will get a new sound system and a new track. Plus, there will be new cars so that people will not sit alone. All of that is true.

 
However, my sources have indicated that there will be a lot more added to Space Mountain in order to “plus” the attraction. Most of the new additions will be Little Green Men. That’s right, Space Mountain is getting Buzzed as in Buzz Lightyear and his Little Green Men who will now be found throughout the ride. The attraction will open a year before the release of Toy Story 3 and 6 months before the rerelease of the original Toy Story in 3-D. “Its perfect synergy”, says a source close to the development of the remake of the classic Disney attraction, “2010 is going to be dominated by these characters at the movies and now they will be featured more in our parks.”
 
“We are adding an amazing new sound system so Randy Newman’s soundtrack will be heard crisply throughout your journey.” My source went on to say “just imagine the fun of riding a Buzz Lightyear spaceship while listening to ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’ or ‘Strange Things’, both of which are pure Disney classics.” I have not seen the final plans for the new ride vehicles but expect them to be similiar to those at the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin attraction nearby just with seatbelts. 
 
Disney executives are well aware there may be a backlash from the so-called Disney purists. However, insiders have conducted surveys that indicate guests want to see more Pixar characters. And so expect more and more Pixar characters over the next few years. Other plans that are nearing a greenlight include Wall-E’s Starlight Cafe and Woody & Jessie’s Thunder Mountain Railroad. Stay tuned.

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

Over these last few months, Disney execs have been in serious discussions on how to increase cash flow from the parks. Disney counts on the parks to generate cash as ABC has struggled, with no help from the recent writers’ strike thank you, and disappointing film performances from Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Enchanted, Meet the Robinsons, and others. Not to mention the fact that Hannah Montana is set to get a big payday. This problem has led to the talks involving a high-end, boutique park on par with Sea World’s Discovery Cove. Imagineers have also turned their attention to another possible “cash cow”, a gentleman’s club somewhere at Downtown Disney.

Sources inside these meetings have told Mouse Extra that the club will likely occupy the space currently housing the Virgin Megastore, an inappropriate choice in this author’s opinion. It would seem to me that the location should be over at Pleasure Island, but what do I know?

Regardless of its placement, it seems this idea is close to getting the red…I mean, green, light. My source indicated this was intially going to be a “hard” ticket event, but now it maybe a permanent addition to the Downtown landscape. Although my insider would not go on record he did state that “this will be a classy establishment.” In other words, there will be no nudity. Plus, there will be a regular Ladies’ Night, as well, so expect Hercules and Gaston look-alikes to go with Sleeping Beauty and Belle. Furthermore, although a name has not yet been decided, the theme has. “It will be designed like the club seen in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and we have been auditioning Jessica Rabbit impersonators for the opening act”, states my unnnamed source. He did deny the rumor that Vanessa Hudgens will be there opening night.

My source goes on to state that this may just be the beginning in Disney World’s attempt to get in on the lucrative Adult Entertainment arena. “Its our understanding that Walt was 1/64th Cherokee, so we have applied for a gaming lincense. Keep your fingers crossed.”

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