Mouse Extra

Many I am sure remember the last D23 Expo which was held almost two years ago. Many exciting things occurred at that event. Perhaps the most memorable were the announcements relating to the new projects Disney Imagineers had in mind for Walt Disney World. At that event, Disney announced both the major overhaul of Fantasyland and Star Tours 2.

So, what does Disney have in mind for this event? Will they announce thier new big plans for parks? I am inclined to believe there will be some reveals for the Florida parks, although I don’t think there will be anything quite on the scale of the 2009 event.  So I have put together a rudimentary list of possibilities involving the parks in Florida.

1. Brazil Comes to World Showcase: To me, this is the most likely possibility on this list. And by a wide margin. The last event saw announcements for both the Magic Kingdom and the Studios. It is likely Disney will want to spread the love. And what better way then to add something to World Showcase which has basically been stagnant for over 20 years. There have been some clues as to Brazil, as well. There is a new line of vinylmation representing the World Showcase. Every current pavillon has a one, plus Brazil. And there was a recent article in a brazilian newspaper indicating Disney and Brazil had an agreement on a World Showcase pavillon. So, I think this one is likely. Remember Disney’s plans for Fantasyland were leaked in the weeks leading up to the 2009 D23 Expo, probably by Disney. This has the same kind of M.O.

2. Monsters’ Inc. Rollercoaster for Pixar Place: This rumor has been kicking around for a long time. Will we finally get a “Closet Door Factory” coaster. It seems that Disney will eventually add to Pixar Place and if they do, this seems to be the most likely addition. I would think Disney would add this over a Mike & Sulley to the Rescue clone or some dark ride based on the Incredibles. A new Monsters Inc. movie is on the way, so synergy here we come. Plus, Disney can finally change the HISTA playground to a Bug’s Life playground at very little expense. And Voila! You have a Pixar Place.

3. The Wonderful World of Color comes to Florida: This seems all but inevitable really. Sooner or later, this hit show from Cali will work its way east. I just don’t think its now. The question though is when and where. I think Disney will keep this a California Adventure exclusive for a little while longer. As to where? Well, I hope this eventually becomes the day capping event at the Animal Kingdom. They could put it over at Camp Minnie Mickey especially if they move Festival of the Lion King to Africa.

4. Australia!: Sooner or later, Disney will add a land to the Animal Kingdom and Australia makes a lot of sense. Kangaroos and koalas are very popular and you can certainly build thrill rides based on crocodiles, sharks and the like. Disney has a lot of coasters but only one log flume. Maybe a Crocodile Falls?

5. Star Wars Land: This is more of a pipe dream for me than anything else. Disney just finished the Star Tours redo, and they are unlikely to continue down that road at this point. But, seriously, how cool would a Mos Eisley Cantina be next to Star Tours 2? And what if they took the Sounds Dangerous building and did something cool and star warsy with that?

6. The Return of the Adventurers’ Club: Why do we have to have 2 Rainforest Cafes? Wouldn’t it be much better to have the Adventurers’ Club at the entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom? This is also unlikely but still there has been a lot of outcry at the closing of this club at the old Pleasure Island. However, Disney usually ignores that (see Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride). But every once in awhile Disney does bring things back (see Figment).

7. Marvel makes its presence known in Florida: This one is not only unlikely, but possibly illegal. Universal has the rights to Marvel characters in theme parks east of the Mississippi, so if there is an announcement of this nature, it won’t have anything to do with Florida. However, there will be a big Marvel event at the Expo so you never know….

There are just some of the possibilities awaiting us in a few weeks. What do you think we will get?

Today’s article is from Mike

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?

On June 11, 2010, Disney’s California Adventure opened to the public. By June 12th, the question became where to put this in Walt Disney World. I don’t think the question has ever been if this night time event come to Florida, but when.

For those who don’t know, the Wonderful World of Color is a show consisting of over 1,200 fountains with lights, lasers, fire, fog and amazing mist projections (not unlike those at Fantasmic only better). Since it opened, the show has been handed nothing but the highest of praise.

The Wonderful World of Color

There have been all sorts of rumors as to where this show will eventually be placed in Disney World. I have heard rumors that it will eventually be placed in the lake at Downtown Disney (although in a much smaller and cheaper form) or even replace Illuminations or Fantasmic. The most logical place, however, is Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Lets be honest, Disney has been looking for a day capping event at the Animal Kingdom for awhile. The long rumored lantern light parade being the most frequently talked about to address this need. But the Wonderful World of Color just makes the most sense. There is plenty of space to build an ample lagoon with seating although you may have to keep it as far away from the Safari and jungle treks possible. You could move the Lion King to where belongs in Africa and build your ampitheatre there.

And the theme fits right in. Whats more colorful than the planet Earth. The story could easily be retooled to fit that kind of theme.

And Disney’s Animal Kingdom would finally have its day capping event.

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

Could the long awaited expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom finally become a reality?  According to John Frost of the Disney Blog, work will soon begin on the often-rumored Australia section of the park.

This week I heard a couple bits of news that has me ready to say “G’day Mate!” Yep, work on the rumored Australia section of the park has reportedly been approved. Although I have not yet seen it myself, my minions tell me that there has been some clearing work on the future site already. I also heard that approval has been given in the new budget to hire some additional resources that will be tasked to the project. Take those two facts, along with a couple other sources I spoke to, and I think we can safely say the land of Oz is coming to Orlando.

There is nothing more fun than a good rumor like this one!  And to make it more exciting, Mr. Frost should be considered by readers as one of the more credible sources in the Disney blogging community.  I don’t think he would write this unless he felt his information was solid.

So what do I think of all this?  Well, to put it honestly, it’s about darn time!  Personally, I like this idea better than even the abandoned Beastly Kingdom plans.  The Asia and Africa sections of DAK are terrific and the animal displays are amazing.  Disney is going down the right path here and are opening up some serious potential for some fantastic guest experiences.

Will it be as splashy as Harry Potter?  Can it compete with the revitalized Universal Studios for marketing attention the way a Beastly Kingdom can?  Probably not, but that should not be what makes up Bob Iger’s mind.  The goal is turning DAK into a multi-day experience that is even more engrossing than it is now.  Accomplish that and the rest will fall into place.

Disney seems content to churn out Vacation Club resorts at a fast pace. There are rumors of a new DVC resort heading near Fort Wilderness Campground which would keep the old west feel of that resort and the adjacent Wilderness Lodge.

Now, there seems to be a California Coast DVC resort coming to Florida. The resort will have different areas themed to Santa Barbara, Laguna Hills, Casa del Mar, Venice Beach and other iconic areas. It is expected to be completed in 2012 and will have over 1200 units. That is according to documents allegedly leaked on the internet.

Speaking as a DVC member, I like options. The more options the better. I am intersted to see if these rumors are true and am interested to see the plans at some point in the near future.

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

For those of you who have been under a rock for the last year (or maybe you were just hanging around Harry Potter Land at Universal), the Fantasyland changes are underway. Originally on the list of things to do were, a Beauty and the Beast eatery, meet n greets with Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, Dueling Dumbos in a Circus tent, a major Little Mermaid dark ride, and pixie hollow for a meet n greet with Tink and other fairies. After the hubbud died down and people started looking at it, one thing jumps out. Thats a whole lot of princesses.

Ariel

I mean a whole lot of princesses. And perhaps Disney thinks so too. One thing they have stated is the original plans have been changed.

But, the question is to what. One very strong rumor is that the meet n greets (Cindy, Pixie and the sleeper) are scraped. In its place is yet another princess, Snow White. However, this will not be a place to meet her, but instead will be an indoor/outdoor roller coaster. A coaster, of course, will be much more broad based in its appeal. Little boys who may not be interested in making a birthday card for Sleeping Beauty or do some sing alongs will step on a runaway mine train.

Disney had not confirmed the nature of the changes or that the new Fantasyland will not be what was original planned. To me, this is a step in the right direction.

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