Disney Gossip

Big Changes for Pop Century Resort

2009-05-17T17:20:00.004-04:00

For years, the only activity on the 'Legendary Years' side of Pop Century has been for bus driver training in the parking lot. But things should be picking up as the long awaited second side will soon see construction start.

However, don't look for the 'Legendary Years' to ever be completed, instead they'll be making a whole new resort called Animation Inn. It will feature the latest innovation in family travel hotels -- family suites. These are one and two bedroom suites where there is unique kid themed room and where amenities are designed to give more of an all inclusive feel.

Look for work to start as soon as the pencil pushers feel like we're safely on the way out of the current recession. They want to be poised to welcome new families when the Central Florida tourism industry fully recovers. Current thinking is an partial opening sometime in 2011.

Tags: disney, disney+world, travel, hotel, resort, vacation, orlando, disneyworld

Goodbye 'Circle of Life', Hello DisneyNature's EARTH

2009-03-28T14:52:00.000-04:00

Walt Dated World just updated it's tribute page to the former attractions that occupied "The Land" pavilion at EPCOT. I hope they're ready to make one more change. The folks behind the DisneyNature label at Walt Disney Studios are chomping at the bit to get a 12-minute version of their "EARTH" film into the current 'Circle of Life' theater. This would probably kick Simba, Timon, and Pumba to the curb, since I don't see Disney paying for new animation required to match the themes together in this current austerity program. With EARTH opening nationwide on Earth Day April 22 it might be time to go see "Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable" one more time

D23: One Word - Underwhelmed

2009-03-27T14:47:00.001-04:00

I've been carefully investigating some of the latest gossip, but with this economy it's really hard to pin down any new projects. One day it has a green light, the next day the budget has been slashed. If anyone out there can provide confirmation for the latest rumors, I'd appreciate it if you drop me a line.

But I digress, I mostly wanted to drop a line today on the word about D23. This is the new official fan club for Disney fans that was announced on March 10th. Alas, the feeling out and about is mostly one of being underwhelmed. They've definitely mis-read the market here. Not just in the price point, but also in the delivery. It's been two weeks and we haven't heard another peep out of the folks behind D23.

Paying $75 for an overpriced publication and an opportunity to buy more Disney kruft is the wrong move when the national trend is for all consumers to be downsizing the stuff in their lives.

Then there is the 'free' portion of D23. I know for a fact that many Disney fans and webmasters are annoyed at the lack of RSS feeds and the inability to link to some specific news. Many are refusing to even link to D23 at all until that is fixed and they join in the online community as participants instead of overlords.

Finally, with the theme park layoffs cutting some of the people who were instrumental in providing D23 with its themepark related content, those who have signed up are already getting less of a bargain. On the other hand, that's a great opportunity for one of the three Disney fan produced magazines that offer better quality stories than Disney's lame marketing inspired attempt.

Downtown Disney Update

2009-03-03T12:49:00.003-05:00

Two quick updates from Downtown Disney Orlando.

The new restaurant in the old Pleasure Island area will be called "Paradiso 37". It will feature South/Central American cuisine and latin dancing. They're also renovating the water side of the building to provide beautiful views of the Lake Buena Vista area. Should be nice if they decide to go forward with the 'water show' they had planned for a few years ago.

You may have heard that the Virgin Megastore will be closing May 31st. Get ready for some great sales as they try and leave nothing but bare floors. Everyone is passing around the same rumor that Disney has been looking at putting a flagship ESPNZone in the location with the goal of moving some of the broadcasting down from Bristol to be closer to the new ESPN branded Wide World of Sports. The problem with that rumor is that the Virgin Megastore location 2nd and 3rd floors don't have the structural support required to put the usual games and arcades that ESPNZones have upstairs. The DisneyQuest located right next door does have that structural support. So make of that what you will.

As with most projects at Disney right now, the green light is still a harsh yellow as everyone waits to see what happens with the economy 90-180 days from now. If you judge by the stock market, which is supposed to be focused 180 days out, things don't look so rosy.

Tags: disney, wdw, downtowndisney, orlando, paradiso37, espn, espnzone

Bad News for Cypress Gardens

2008-11-06T15:22:00.000-05:00

The Disney Blog writes:

The experiment that turned the beautiful, but dying, Cypress Gardens into an amusement park may be nearing an end. It pains me to write this rumor, but I completely understand the reasoning behind it. Winter Haven is just too far off the beaten path to be supported by tourists, especially when gas costs are high and with Disney’s ability to keep guests on resort property for the whole vacation. Unfortunately the local economy isn’t strong enough to support the park either.

So with IAAPA in town in a few days the park will be shopping its free-standing amusement park attractions to the highest bidder. Apparently, they’ve had appraisals done and already sold a few.

Indeed it's a sad day if this rumor comes true. I hope the new owners of Cypress Gardens are in it for the long run, as they stated when the bought the park from the bank.

Magic Kingdom Fantasyland and Parade Rumors

2008-11-05T20:38:00.000-05:00

My sources at Walt Disney World have confirmed that the Magic Kingdom is moving ahead with its upgrade program boosted by higher than expected room nights at the resorts. All year long the park has been working on fixing building facades and support pillars all around the park and you can really notice the difference when you walk around. But that's not the big change.

The only major thing announced is the semi-regular update to the Hall of Presidents attraction. Unannounced, but also on the boards is a quick, not the full replacement that was rumored, refurbishment of Space Mountain; a new "Little Mermaid" attraction for Fantasyland; and a general makeover of almost all Fantasyland facades perhaps even relocating a few of the land's attractions. Those all appear to be proceeding with work beginning in early 2009.

With the new "What Will You Celebrate" campaign for 2009 they announced that each park would get 'street parties' and the Magic Kingdom's plans for that are nearing completion. Looks like 'street party' translates into a calvacade in the spirit of the 'Family Fun Parade' that just goes from Town Square to the Hub and back.

But the big news, to me at least, was that the current "Dreams Come True Parade" will be getting a slight makeover, some new music, and a new float or two. Apparently it will also get a new name having to do with the 'Celebration' theme.

Tags: disney,, magic, kingdom,, wdw,, disney, world,, theme, park,, rumor,, orlando,, travel,, vacation

Give Till It Helps

2008-11-04T11:40:00.000-05:00

See that widget over there (click here if you're reading via RSS). That's a chance for you, the Disney geek, to help children who battle life-threatening illnesses to live out their one wish to be a Princess, meet Mickey Mouse, swim with a dolphin, or any number of other wishes at Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal. That's something you can do any time, but for them, this may be their one chance.

Over the next few days, Disney fan sites everywhere will host a 'flash' event to raise as much money as we can for Give Kids The World Village, the magical resort that makes everything happen for these children, entirely cost-free!

Anyone who donates $5 or more is entered into the drawing for a 4 day / 3 night stay at the Swan and Dolphin resort at Walt Disney World. The dates are fixed as November 11th - 14th. They are unable to offer alternate nights or changes in schedule. Taxes and Fees are included. Reservation information will be sent via email to the winner. If there are more than 40 entries, a second 3-night package will be added to the drawing.

Anyone who donates $10 or more is also entered into a second drawing for a 48 Disney DVD set. This prize package contains a mix of Disney produced or distributed movies, television shows, and specials. Sample titles include: Mickey Mouse Club, Lilo & Stitch 2, Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and many more. Total retail value is $745. Package is available for pick up or will be shipped to the winner's home.

The drawing is November 6th at Noon Eastern. So get your entry in today and help a great cause. Plus, if you have a Disney website of your own, grab a copy of the widget and spread the news on your website too.

PodCars for Improved Transit at Walt Disney World?

2008-10-25T19:07:00.000-04:00

One of Walt Disney World's largest going concerns for the last half-dozen years or so has been how to keep guests who reserve rooms at the WDW Resort to stay on property for the length of their vacation. A key component of this has been the Disney's Magical Express bus system that provides guests free transportation from the airport directly to the on-site resort. Combined with the internal transportation options, that removes the need for a car. But also key has been the huge expansion in available hotel rooms (exclusively through the Disney Vacation Club program) that means more predictable bookings for the parks.

The question the mouse is dealing with now is once they're on property, what to do with all those guests. Downtown Disney is being retooled to handle some of the nightlife refocusing it on dining, shopping, and entertainment instead of nightclubs. Also efforts are being made to spread similar activities around to various resorts as appropriate. Of course the easy answer is just to extend park hours a bit too. And that's being looked at.

The other part of that equation is how to move guests who arrive on property without cars around the resort the most efficient, but also cost effective, way. The monorail solution that was once thought to be the answer has a mostly point to point efficiency. The more stops you add the less efficient it is at moving guests around.

The other solution in use is bus transport. This system is most 'efficient' (to the point of being used above real capacity) at the beginning and end of the day when large numbers of guests are leaving from one resort to one destination (a park or entertainment zone). But is terribly inefficient in terms of energy, maintenance, and labor hour resources for large sections of the day and for moving guests from resort hotel to resort hotel.Which becomes more crucial as Disney spreads amenities out to the hotels, not just at Downtown Disney or in the parks.

Disney has at times looked at a lightrail solution. But although Light Rail is cheaper than monorails to build, it would create congestion as it shares the road grade level, and has the same problems as it is mostly a point to point system that requires parks and resorts to be in a straight line, which they definitely are not at Walt Disney World.

As it turns out there is a system designed specifically to handle moving riders efficiently around in a multiple destination system that even allows each family of riders to choose their particular destination and routes them there the most direct way possible with no other stops. It's called Personal Rapid Transport (PRT). A version of it known as the PodCar system is now being implemented at the Heathrow Airport and similar systems are being installed or considered in cities around the world.

I've recently discovered that Walt Disney World's transportation committee is currently studying the PodCar system to see how it could be implemented at the Resort. To understand why this is the perfect solution for Walt Disney World you have to understand how PRT works. (I apologize in advance if I'm not the best photoshop user in the world)

The main line runs to every destination. The track typically runs just one direction, so loop backs are used to keep travel time to a minimum. The stations are all off the main line and cars are dispatched so that no station is without a waiting car for more than a few minutes. If too many cars are in the station, there is a mid-point reentry. If it's a high volume station you can have multiple load and re-entry ramps.

Each enclosed car is driverless and programmed to use the shortest route to reach the destination selected by the passengers. Cars typically run on an elevated track (or suspended below the track in a few variations of PRT). This means property rights are easier to acquire and stations can be located above the main road or along side it as best fits the traffic patterns.

One quandary the WDW Transportation Committee has been tackling is how to handle the rush hour situations when parks tend to empty out in rapid fashion after the last fireworks or parade.. The answer is actually fairly simple. Multiple loading and unloading stations would be installed at the major destinations and departure points (mostly theme parks) and staging areas for empty Podcars would be located nearby each park to quickly fill in with a new car as one departs. These would keep the lines moving.

The other issues are cleanliness and what to do if a car gets stuck on the track. Cleanliness would be monitored by station attendants or any family finding their car in bad shape can refuse it before getting in and send that car to an off track station to be cleaned. Cars broken down on track can be solved by careful design of the loops and a few regions where two-way travel is possible. Which brings up the issue of cost. The costs of PRT are generally considered to be two to three times less than light rail, both in installation and maintenance.

I would love to see Walt Disney World take the leap and set up a Podcar system. Even if it is limited in scope initially. It would relieve some of the issues with transportation between destinations that aren't theme parks. Perhaps they could use it to link the DVC hotels together with the monorail and boat system. The USA needs a proof of concept to encourage cities and local governments to develop their own PodCar systems. If Disney worked out the kinks they could then sell their brand of the system, like the original plan was with the Peoplemover and Monorail technologies back in the 70s.

Tags: disney,, disney, world,, wdw,, epcot,, podcar,, prt,, mass, transit,, light, rail

Crazy Rabbit Rumor, Roger coming back?

2008-10-06T23:47:00.000-04:00

Okay. Steven Speilberg and his pals have just finalized the divorce of Dreamworks from Paramount. This will also free Speilberg to return to one of his original loves, Amblin. Amblin just happens to be the studio that partnered with the Walt Disney Company to produce Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now Speilberg will be free to explore that partnership again.

So why do I bring this up? Because I just heard from a source that Gary Wolf has been working on a new Roger Rabbit story. It's likely a prequel, despite the fact that a sequel is already written. My source says that pre-production for the film is actually pretty far along. If so, that would be great news.

In doing research for this article, I went back to youtube to watch some of the Roger Rabbit shorts (you can find them all there) and marveled at how good they are. I also found this pretty quirky take on the trailer mashup, this time combining Frank Miller's Sin City with shots from Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It's actually edited together quite well.

Tags: disney, animation, amblin, roger+rabbit, wfrr, movie, film, hollywood, dreamworks

Weekly WDW Rumors

2008-08-11T08:29:00.000-04:00

Did everyone see the opening ceremonies for the Bejing Olympics? It seemed to me the director had watched IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth a few too many times. Speaking of Reflections of Earth, the earth globe itself is due to go down for some maintenance and enhancements. LED technology has significantly advanced in the last 15 years. Check out that huge LED screen during the opening ceremonies, for example.

Tinker Bell and her fairy pals are making their way into the Magic Kingdom to coincide with the release of her first DVD. (I've heard there will be four or five in the series.) Look for the meet and greet to open in Toontown Fair in time for Halloween. Btw, this Tink talks. We'll see how that works out.

Rumors continue to swirl about plans for a Monster's Inc roller coaster being added to Pixar Place in Disney's Hollywood Studios. As I reported before, the continued success of Pixar's films make it more and more likely that a huge swath of DHS will eventually become Pixar themed. The area will start with the new entrance to Pixar Place and Toy Story Midway Mania and stretch all the way down to the Streets of America (The Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground will be rethemed). It will then take over what is now the backlot tour with a couple of attractions, including the Cars racers if that is a hit in California Adventure.

A similar expansion of Star Wars themed attractions will occur if the new Clone Wars film is a hit. Star Tours 2.0 is on the way regardless.

Over at Disney's Animal Kingdom the articulated talking head Timon has made its way into the Festival Of The Lion King show. Now Timon's head moves similarly to a puppet. It's much more work for the performer, I hope they got a pay raise.

Work continues on the Saratoga Springs Tree House complex. The new buildings are being brought in modularly to reduce impact on the environmentally sensitive area. This might result in some road closures for Vacation Club Way

Thanks for reading, and please remember to send in your Disney tips and secrets!

Tags: wdw, disney+world, rumor, gossip, travel, star+tours, themepark, pixar, disney+gossip, disney+rumor

Fast pass crackdown

2008-08-06T16:30:00.001-04:00

Note to all Fast Pass system hypermilers the crackdown has begun. No, they're not requiring guests to actually return during the 1 hour window (which would be bad guest service and impractical to enforce) and they're not even getting any better about checking the date or time on the second or third fast pass in the stack (yes, it's that easy to game the system (easier really)). What they are cracking down on is 'self-serving' .

Self-serving is when the Fast Pass machine has been left unlocked and you can print as many fast passes as you want just by pressing the button located on the rear of the terminal. In Disneyland, they disabled access to this button on most machines a long time ago, but in Walt Disney World, it's accessible and not really hidden very well by cast members who use it to churn out fast passes either for their friends or for guests upon whom they take sympathy.

There is no sign saying not to press that button and no 'rules to follow' that guests agree to when buying their regular theme park admission, which gain them access to the Fast Pass machine (a valid ticket used to enter the park that day is all that is required). However, it seems the secret has leaked far and wide.

I have heard that some patrons are being warned while others are having their passes revoked and trespassed from the park. I think the later is pretty harsh considering it's a readily accessible button that Disney makes no attempt to hide or prohibit use other than having a key turned or not.

That said, I just wanted to offer a warning to all those who have used this hack in the past to get a few extra miles of fun from the Fast Pass system. Do so now at your peril.

Tags: disney, wdw, disney+world, themepark, travel, disney+hack, fast+pass, fastpass, theme+park

Ticket prices about to go up?

2008-07-28T10:22:00.003-04:00

I'm hearing that ticket prices for admission media to Disney's four Orlando themeparks and two water parks will be going up as of August 3rd. That means if you're planning on a trip to Walt Disney World in the next year or so, it's time to go online and buy those 10 day park hoppers with the non-expiring option.

Even if you're only going to the parks for a few days, you'll save money in the long run by buying today.

For you west coast fans, Disneyland usually follows its east coast partner with price hikes on or about the same day.

Tags: disney, wdw, disney+world, admission, tickets, rumor

Star Tours 2.0 Testing Underway?

2008-07-15T23:45:00.000-04:00

You may not know it but Walt Disney Imagineering has offices at each of the Walt Disney World theme parks, so seeing WDI vehicles and license plates backstage is not unusual. My spies at EPCOT report that they are now seeing some WDI marked cars parked frequently over by the old Wonders Of Life pavilion, which is unusual.

What could they be doing there? Hmmm.

Well it turns out that the "Body Wars" motion-simulator vehicles are near clones of the ones used for Star Tours. Since Body Wars is no longer open to guests, it makes sense for WDI to be testing their Star Tours 2.0 ideas there.

This is my strongest evidence yet that we'll soon be seeing a new Star Wars Universe destination (or two or three or four) appear at a Disney theme park near you. Excited?

Tags: star+tours, star+wars, disney, wdi, imagineering, epcot, themepark, wdw, disney+world, testing, attractions

Pocahontas and Friends send back to the Forest

2008-07-13T15:33:00.000-04:00

The Pocahontas and Friends show at Disney's Animal Kingdom will go dark September 27th, which is the end of this fiscal year for the Walt Disney Company. It's a cute show, definitely fun for the kids to see all the animals, but Disney should be doing more with the Pocahontas character at DAK.

Alas, I don't think PaF is going away to make way for something better, rather it's just a cost saving measure in what Disney is clearly signaling will be a soft year due to rising travel costs.

Some Disney rumor sites are claiming this is the first domino to fall in the remaking of Camp Minnie Mickey into Beastly Kingdom. But I don't see that happening anytime soon. My sources keep telling me to keep an eye out on the other side of the park where Australia might pop-up to connect Asia with the Conservation Station.

Tags: wdw, dak, disney, disneys+animal+kingdom, pocahontas, rumor, gossip, walt+disney+world, theme+park, tourism, travel, vacation

Year Of A Million Dreams to have Nightmare Ending?

2008-07-09T19:13:00.001-04:00

Like Fantasmic, but without the Sternwheeler and Sorcerer Mickey, Walt Disney World's Year of a Million Dreams will come to a crashing end. Already gifts awarded have dwindled and the promotion machine in marketing has moved onto their next projects leaving YOAMD to crumble into dust.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. Bring back the type of contest where everyone is a winner, if it's not a new car (Perhaps the Chevy Volt), or a shopping spree, then it's at least a 20% dining discount or free dessert. Or... how about new parades, shows, and a great theme!

Adding to the nightmare ending is the announced closing of Pleasure Island's night clubs including the well-liked and unique Adventurer's Club. KungalooshForever.com is organizing a mailing protest where fans of the club send in masks. Although the site doesn't suggest where, I recommend sending it to John Lasseter's office. He probably has the most sympathetic ear.

Answering Disney fans prayer's everywhere Disney is finally getting rid of some of the massively over saturated character dinners. Alas, they're closing the wrong one. Princesses in Norway should be going and the unique dining experience returning, but instead they're closing the excellent character fest at Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom. I'm sure it looks better on the spreadsheet, but it's just bad show. Once again evidence that Goofy is in charge over there. The rumored date for this transition is sometime around the new year.

Tags: wdw, disney+world, dining, travel, vacation, yomd, yoamd, adventurer+club, pleasure+island

Disney Dining at WDW to go back to 90 day window

2008-07-07T08:40:00.000-04:00

MouseExtra chimes in with a rumor related to the one I posted below.

it appears Disney may be making a change to their dining reservations system. Apparently they are going back to a 90 day window for advanced booking, from the 180 day window that currently exists. There will be three exceptions, Chef Mickey’s, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and Victoria and Alberts.

Not sure if this will solve the DDP quality and value problem, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Tags: wdw, disney, disney+dining, disney+world, travel, travel+planning, vacation, rumor, disney+gossip

Changes coming to Disney Dining Plan at WDW?

2008-07-06T13:03:00.000-04:00

Disney's Dining Plan was originally intended to give Disney Resort Guests an option for an all-inclusive experience, similar to what you find on the Disney Cruise Line. It certainly has been a good program for the first few years. In fact, Disney has even offered the DDP for free to encourage guests to book longer stays during the off-season.

So what's the problem? Well, the collateral damage from the DDP has been worse than anticipated.

Quality and value for the dollar has suffered in feedback and survey results at Disney's many sit-down restaurants.
The price of the DDP has been raised and gratuities are no longer included. This reduces the value for guests and complicates matters for the serving staff.
Complaints from Disney's most valued repeat customers, mostly Disney Vacation Club owners, have risen to the point where many are looking to use their points off Disney property and sales of new DVC contracts are dropping off.
Additionally, the DDP puts a strain on the dining system causing sit down restaurants to book up months in advance with the low-margin DDP diners leaving few tables for guests who actually pay full menu price for the items they order.

Now, forces appear to be in motion to put an end to this problem while still offering Disney Resort Guests something of an all-inclusive experience. One of the options being considered is a return to the Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages that would let guests choose an option that includes just snacks and counter service.

While I agree that Pleasure Island needs some reworking to fit in with the new image Disney is wanting to project for Downtown Disney, I'm afraid their perceived demand for more Dining is skewed by the DDP. Removing the pressure DDP puts on the Disney Dining system and bringing some profit margin stability back into the equation should be satisfied first before bringing in additional outside vendors.

I don't know what Disney will choose to do, but it's clear that they must do something before it's too late. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery?

Tags: disney, dining, disney+dining, wdw, disney+world, travel, vacation, tourism, food

It's official, Pleasure Island to close

2008-06-27T22:12:00.002-04:00

Well, I called it. Back in April I posted that Pleasure Island would be shuttering its night clubs in favor of more family friendly fare. Today The Walt Disney Company made it official. The Disney Blog has the deets and the official details.

Sad news about the Adventurer Club. I really wish they'd keep that one. I think it can keep the Kungaloosh and still shift to a more family friendly entertainment environment.

Tags: disney, downtown+disney, pleasure+island, adventurer+club, themepark, travel, vacation, entertainment, night+club

Disney Goatse's that will scar your mind

2008-06-19T23:40:00.002-04:00

Regular blogging will resume soon, but in the meantime here are a few Disney Goatse images that will scar your mind forever...

Kevin Federline loses a child at Disneyland

2008-06-02T22:16:00.003-04:00

The RadReport has a story on how Kevin Federline's daughter, not one from his relationship with Britney however, was temporarily separated from his party during a recent trip to Disneyland:

Sources said that the child, wearing a light yellow Belle Costume, was left alone near the Finding Nemo ride. When an employee asked her where her parents were, she said she didn’t know.

About ten to fifteen minutes after the employee found the lost little Kori, a nanny spotted her and came running over.

“She was freaked out and started yelling at the kid, asking her why she wandered off,” said the source.

See even celebrities lose their children at Disneyland. Even when they can afford to pay others to watch the tots for them. I wonder if that nanny was like "Oh my god, this is so going to cost me my job."

(Link)

Tags: disneyland, celebrity, lost child, lost parent, anaheim

Automotive Imagineer appears in GayWheels.com

2008-05-11T20:55:00.003-04:00

That Bob Gurr is a design and automotive engineering genius there is no doubt. That he is a number one class act when it comes to his role in Walt Disney Imagineering and his part in the Disney legacy there is also no doubt. But, to those who did not know him closely, there has been a little doubt as to his sexual orientation.

With this article in GayWheels.com that is no longer in doubt.

First there is the picture with Charro. Then there is a very lovely interview where Bob talks about his love of cars and provides more than a few bon mots.

I’ve enjoyed a long career, received many honors, and grew up before and thru the Stonewall Age. Today, being gay is just one more human inherited characteristic. Folks should see that they can they can have a wonderful life no matter what.

Thank you Bob for your amazing contributes to themed entertainment. I look forward to seeing you at the next Disney fan event.

Tags: disney, imagineering, wdi, legend, design

Disney still hammering out details of "boutique park" a.k.a. Night Kingdom

2008-05-07T21:14:00.003-04:00

Remember when news of a boutique experience aimed at attracting 2000 or so wealthy adult visitors to a new wild adventure concept called "Night Kingdom" was leaked to the Disney fan community? Well that was a trial balloon. Forces on both sides of the project were interested in seeing if the results they were getting in their $200 a head focus group were represented in the general public.

Guess what? The focus group was right. The idea was weak and quickly went on life-support. But a good idea never dies at Walt Disney Imagineering. It just gets tinkered with incessantly until it either changes completely from the original idea, or someone on the top shelves it.

I think we can all see what Disney wants to do with the "boutique park" experience. Catch some money from the deep pockets of those who expect a certain type of luxury when the travel, "whales" as they are known to the casinos. Five to Ten years ago, "Night Kingdom" as we first heard it, probably would have been enough. But since then the quality of luxury travel has been elevated to a new level. In part this is due to places like The Wynn Resort where guests are immersed in luxury from the moment they enter the resort to the moment they leave.

The new luxury for Walt Disney World would be a resort that does the same thing, immerses the guest in the show from the moment they enter to the moment they leave. And it has to do it on a new level. And it has to do it as part of the Disney brand (possibly the Indiana Jones or Star Wars brand).

Pick a theme, let's say Jungle Adventure. Put a waterfall, hidden treasure, secret map, and wild animals outside every bungalow. Provide adventure experiences (dining, water park, exploration events, full immersion dinner shows, etc) throughout the week, so that the guest never has to leave this boutique experience if they don't want to. And if they do, well the whole world of WDW is just a short luxury private people mover ride away.

The fact that Disney could provide something like this is why I've always thought that letting Four Seasons build on property was a bad idea. But I understand they owed an old friend (you know the Saudi Prince that bailed them out in Paris) a favor.

So, the idea of a "boutique experience" at Walt Disney World for those who can afford it hasn't died. "Night Kingdom" may emerge again, but it will only resemble its old self in name and location.

Tags: disney, imagineering, wdw, disney+world, wdi, night+kingdom, themepark, theme+park, boutique+park, whales, luxury

Narnia: A trilogy it shall be

2008-04-19T19:46:00.002-04:00

Although nothing is ever written in stone in Hollywood, it looks like three movies will be it for the Narnia series. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was first and successful enough to spawn Prince Caspian. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader makes a natural trilogy with most of the main characters from Caspian repeating.

The Prince of Persia series is expected to be the next major 'tent pole' trilogy for Walt Disney Pictures.

(via)

Get your Pleasure in Now, Pleasure Island to close

2008-04-16T18:52:00.004-04:00

Making official what has been reality in practice for over a year, Walt Disney World is expected to formally do away with the Pleasure Island concept later this year. It started New Years Eve 2005 when the last of the nightly New Years Eve celebrations happened and general admission tickets were phased out. Then it kicked into high gear in 2006 when a new pedestrian bridge brought the end of the West End Stage and the Hub Stage.

This year will see replacement of Rock'n'Roll Beach Club with a new restaurant concept. This will reduce the number of venues that require admission tickets to four. Add that to Raglan Road and T-Rex and slowly the night club focus of Pleasure Island is shifting to branded family entertainment.

This will have the affect of turning Downtown Disney into just another branded entertainment complex, much like City Walk just up I-4. at Universal Studios. I suppose that's the direction that will bring in the most money, but it doesn't seem very Disney.

Update: just to clarify, I don't feel that going more family friendly is un-Disney. I feel that bringing in lots of outside brands to occupy the space is un-Disney. I'd rather see more creative stuff from the mind of the mouse. Some sort of modern take on the Adventurer's Club would be great.

As for my source... well, obviously there is nothing official from Disney yet. But one walk through PI and it's obvious they've already effectively ended the concept of PI. It's now just a few night clubs. My sources are just confirming the target date of sometime this year.

Tags: disney, downtown+disney, walt+disney+world, wdw, travel, entertainment, orlando

And Now for Something Completely Different

2008-04-15T21:14:00.003-04:00

It's been a bit heavy around here recently. So I thought I'd lighten things up with this very happy video.

Meet Brennailya. She applied to the Walt Disney World College Program and kept a blog of her progress. It's a great blog for anyone looking to follow her footsteps.

But Brennailya didn't stop there. She also keeps a VLOG. This last episode is her after learning she was accepted into the program. The whole thing is funny, but you have to see her Tiki Room dance. That made my day and I'm still smiling while I'm writing this.

So, for your viewing pleasure:

Also check out her audition VLOG. I think Brennailya will make a magical addition to the cast at Walt Disney World.

Tags: disney, wdwcp, audition tape, disney world, disney college program