Mouse Extra

So what is Disney is planning now that they have announced that Pleasure Island will close for good in September. Disney has released some hints as to whats coming with this concept art. There is not a lot of big spoilers there but some interesting things can be gleamed from it. First of all, we can see some of changes planned to the places not being replaced such as Fulton’s and a renamed Portobello. There will be a new T-shirt shop operated by Hanes.

Perhaps most intersting is the observation balloon called the Aerophile. It is an apparent copy of a similiar attraction at Disney’s Paris parks. I have long maintained that Disney should have a ferris wheel at Disney’s Boardwalk. To me, it would be perfect for the theme and, placed where the Atlantic Dance Hall is, would provide terrific views of Epcot and the Stuidos. I would assume that is no accident that a few days before Disney’s Pleasure Island announcement, a developer unveiled plans for a huge ferris wheel in Orlando. It usually takes something like this to get Disney to respond.

I still would prefer a wheel at the Boardwalk. Its a better spot for an observation attraction but the balloon will be interesting and will take a lot of the appeal away from the ferris wheel that was announced. After all, that wheel will be a distance from the parks. As dribs and drabs of the new offerings at Pleasure Island do come out, I hope they are at least as interesting as the balloon.

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

The next big attraction to open at Walt Disney World is slated to be the American Idol Experience which is set debut in early 2009.  This morning, Jim Hill has an outstanding behind the scenes story of what this attraction will be like and what it will take to pass the auditions and be on the stage.

The most fascinating part of this report is what people winning at this attraction will received for their victory…

The last “American Idol Experience” show of the day will have all of the finalists onstage competing against one another. With the winner then being awarded a Dream Ticket. Which will then give this performer a guaranteed reservation at some future regional audition for the “American Idol” TV show.

If this is true, and this “Dream Ticket” is the reward, I must say I am surprised.  I was certain the winner would get a “golden fastpass” or something along those lines.  But this is an honest chance to make it to “American Idol”.  I would imagine that if someone could win this contest, they would at least have a reasonable shot at making it far in the real auditions.

I must be honest.  I can not tolerate more than three minutes of “American Idol”.  But I do understand it is a big hit and many people truly are addicted to it.  So you need to tell me this, is this attraction really something that excites you?  Or are you like me, disappointed that we get a television show copy instead of the real imagination of Imagineers at work?

Are we finally closing in on the major refurbishment to Space Mountain that we have all been hearing about for so long?  It seems that may just be the case, as rumors swirl about an early 2009 closing and a long one at that.

First, here is what Lou Mongello over at Disney World Trivia had to say last week…

Latest rumors indicate that the Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain will get a major refurbishment including overhaul and possible replacement of some or all of the track (although the layout will remain the same), new load area, new on-ride effects, darkened on-ride environment, and new trains which include single passenger seating and new audio systems. Now here’s the bad news – the refurbishment is rumored to begin in January 2009 and last anywhere form 10-11 months.

While TouringPlans.com confirms this information with a report that also includes a possible closing of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority…

Strong rumors are beginning to indicate a January 9th, 2009, closure of Space Mountain for a long refurbishment period (a year or so) and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority will also close for periods of this refurbishment as the track runs through the Space Mountain building.

Permits were recently filed to replace all of the speakers in the TTA ride, likely preparatory work for the larger refurbishment for both attractions.

So it appears the clock is ticking on Space Mountain, a classic and still very fun e-ticket attraction.  Personally, and I have said this before, I think this money would be better spent by adding more to do at the Animal Kingdom or the Studios.  But I am still looking forward to seeing what Imagineering can come up with here.  They have had a good record of recent upgrade to classic attractions, so here’s hoping that trend continues on one of my long time favorites.

What do you think?  From what Mr. Mongello describes, this looks to be a good idea.  Even though Space Mountain is great fun as it is, a new track and effect may really turn this into a truly amazing experience.   Are you ready for a major change to this Magic Kingdom mainstay?

Perhaps the oldest running rumor in Disney history is the possibility of a new Star Tours. It seems everytime Star War Weekends or a new Star Wars project rolls around, we hear this rumor ad naseum. Not that long ago, Anthony Daniels, a.k.a. C3-P0, was quoted as saying he recorded some dialogue for a Star Tours 2. That rumor has seemingly died on the vine.

But now, we may have the most reliable source yet for a Star Tours 2. In fact, it may even have been confirmed to at least be in development. A recent article on c/net news goes in depth into the work behind the new Indiana Jones film by computer graphics supervisor, Hayden Landis. Its a nice review of the amazing work done on that film by Industrial Light and Magic. What does this have to do with Star Tours 2 you ask?

Simple. The next to last line of the article - seemingly a throw in- will set Disney fans into hysteria. It reads “Next up for Landis is another nostalgia-oriented project–a redo of the Star Tours ride at Disneyland.”  

to read the article click here

By Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra and certified Star Wars nut

It appears Disney’s Wide World of Sports is about to undergo a major change, as Disney finally puts the mega-popular ESPN brand name to its proper use in the theme parks.   According to a press release this morning, the complex will undergo a complete rebranding.  You can read the entire press release here.

Aligning the world’s No. 1 family vacation destination with the worldwide leader in sports, Walt Disney World Resort and ESPN are joining forces to re-brand Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex with the ESPN brand, creating an entertaining and immersive experience for the nearly 2 million athletes, coaches and spectators who come through the Disney sports complex each year.

Plans for the re-branding initiative – which was announced today during the ESPN upfront presentation to advertisers and sponsors – are still in the development stage, but initial concepts involve renaming the sports complex and incorporating the signature elements of ESPN throughout the 220-acre facility, which is a leading venue for amateur and professional sports in the country.  The project aims to enhance the experience of both athletes and spectators by connecting them to their favorite ESPN programs, personalities and elements.  It also will provide advertisers new sponsorship opportunities at the grass roots level.

It is somewhat unusual for Disney to be so upfront with things that are still at the “developmental stage”.  Usually they let it orbit the rumor world for a few months and then offer the details when they are good and ready.  Despite the longwinded press release, there is little here that says much more than a new name.  Could that really be all there is to this project?  Perhaps, but they seem to be hinting here to much more.

For one thing, I believe there still is an All Star Café over at that complex.  I can’t imagine ESPN would want a direct competitor to its own line of restaurants within their new digs.  Could this be the place where Disney puts the giant-sized flagship ESPNZone?

Many hardcore disney fans, myself included, always get a little disappointed when we see that dragon head at the entrance to the Animal Kingdom. For those of you who don’t know (and I am sure there are not many of you reading this that don’t), there was to be a land in the Animal Kingdom themed to mythical animals, like dragons and unicorns. It was to be built where Camp Minnie-Mickey currently sits. The Camp was supposed to be merely a temporary land until Asia was completed and construction of the Beastly Kingdomme could begin in earnest.  It seems the Disney execs felt another land was needed for the opening of the park to help with the anticipated heavy crowds so they threw together the idea of Camp Minnie Mickey on the fly.

But the Beastly Kingdomme was to be truly amazing. Here’s an early release from Disney as to what the land was to be:

“Beastly Kingdom is the realm of make believe animals, animals that don’t really exist, out of legends, out of fairy tales, out of storybooks. Like our legends and fair tales about imaginary animals, this land is divided into realms of good and realms of evil.

The evil side is dominated by DRAGON’S TOWER, a burned, wrecked castle inhabited by a greedy, fire breathing dragon. He hordes a fabulous treasure in his tower chamber. The castle is also inhabited by bats who speak to us from their upside down perches. The bats have a plan. They enlist our help trying to rob the dragon and fly us off on a wild chase. At last, we meet the fire-breathing dragon himself and barely escape un-barbecued.

The good side of this land is ruled by QUEST OF THE UNICORN. An adventure which sends us through a maze of medieval mythological creatures to seek the hidden grotto where the unicorn lives. There is also FANTASIA GARDENS. A gentle musical boat ride through the animals from Disney’s animated classic, “Fantasia.” Both the crocodiles and hippos from ” Dance of the Hours” and the Pegasus, fauns and centaurs from Beethoven’s “Pastoral” are found here.”

Other details have been rumored from its original concepts. It is thought that the bridge leading to the area was to be guarded by a troll underneath. There was to be a Mother Goose shop. Perhaps coolest of all, there was to be an outdoor eatery surrounding a small pond. Every so often faint bagpipes would be heard and the loch ness monster would surface from the center of the water.

Unfortunately, Disney execs wanted to make sure that Dinoland was there for the opening and before the Beastly Kingdomme could be built, the funds for it were pulled. But is it gone forever?

Maybe maybe not. The Beastly Kingdom seems to have taken over for Westcot as the project that could be announced at any moment. A few things seems to favor its possible construction. The park itself suffers from the stigma as a “half day” park. Whether or not its true, the park certainly suffers from a low number of single day ticket purchases. Disney continues to tinker with ways to increase these one day visitors. By increasing the number of attractions, the operating hours of the park could be increased going a long way to ending that stigma. Some dragons and unicorns could help.

The next question would then be the content of the area. Under current management philosophy, that seems unlikely. One rumor (which I wrote about awhile back) was the area was actually going to be redesigned into a Narnia land. I suppose if Prince Caspian becomes a hit that would be a possibility. Still, rumors are swirling in Tinseltown that Disney wants out of the Narnia business.

In this day of synergy and over pixarization, the original plans are a real breath of fresh air. Hopefully, Disney realizes this. Of course, the $300 million plus price tag for a Beastly Kingdomme as originally designed seems daunting. But who knows, Disney is ponying up over a billion to fix the California Adventure mess. And if the Wizarding World of Harry Potter starts to effect Disney attendance, they will do something. And then maybe we will get our dragon and unicorn after all.

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