Disney Gossip

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

Fan's Voices do Make a Difference at Disney

2008-04-13T15:08:00.000-04:00

"it's a small world" fans don't give up. Your voices are being heard and Disney is busy doing damage control. If you want an example of where the opinion of fans has made a difference look no further than Epcot's Spaceship Earth.

When the attraction soft-opened in February we knew via official sources that it was not complete. There was work to be done, but having that attraction capacity was important to handle the holiday crowds. Still, it was obvious to those who rode it that something was wrong with the changes.

Many changes were done well. Changing the theme of the attraction from communications to technological advancement was subtle but effective for the most part. Some special effects were added that are fun to see. The exit area of the attraction is a big improvement over the dead space that was there before.

But there were problems. Huge script issues and the complete lack of sets and design in the second half of the attraction was a big issue.

So what do we find this last week, SSE has been updated with some new phrases to tighten up the script. We also have a Seimens spokesperson admitting that they weren't happy with the attraction either and there is still lots of work to be done.

I'm hearing that some of that work involves actually adding sets and story designs back into the second half of the attraction.

So yes, Disney fans. Your voices are being heard. When the quality isn't up to Disney standards we can make a difference.

Tags: disney, its a small world, disneyland, epcot, theme park, spaceship earth, small world, iasw, disney fans

"it's a small world" anquish continues

2008-04-11T22:42:00.003-04:00

If you didn't see it, Disney Archivist Dave Smith has written a letter to the community that makes the same arguments as Marty Sklar's letter. John Frost at The Disney Blog let's Dave Smith have it for not bringing anything new to the table.

The Disney Blog also found this great defense of why change at Disneyland must be carefully considered from the Disneyland Nomenclature blog. It turns out even the ultimate "change agent" Walt Disney wasn't willy-nilly with his changes, but rather focused on plussing and filling in under utilized spaces.

Finally, check out the Save The Small World campaign site for it's latest bit of news and an strong argument against placing characters in the attraction.

Disney Animation Update

2008-04-11T08:53:00.005-04:00

From the Animation Guild blog two quick updates on Bolt and The Princess and The Frog, the next two films from Walt Disney Animation Studios:

< < < <

Bolt is moving into higher gears as more of the staff begins getting overtime. As one artist said:

"I caught a screening of the film, mostly story reels now, a few days ago. I hadn't seen it in some time, and they've revamped the story a lot since January. And I really thought it worked well ..."

Princess and the Frog now has production animation going on, as well as experimental animation. The studio formed a study group to analyze the hand-drawn features of the nineties to sort out what elements worked and what didn't, how they can get the most bang for their production buck, etc.

> > > >

I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that Bolt turns out to be lightning in a bottle for Disney. They need a good hit soon. But I still regret that Chris Sanders style has been excised from the picture.

Tags: animation, disney, feature+animation, walt+disney, bolt, the+princess+and+the+frog, hand+drawn+animation, wdas, wdfa

Disneyland setting itself up for bad PR with "it's a small world" Rainforest Downsizing

2008-04-10T15:49:00.004-04:00

That an America scene is being added where the rainforest scene was previously and that the rainforest has been incorporated in another scene hasn't been denied and isn't ruled out in Marty Sklar's letter. He just ruled out that the scene is "Up With America" by which I assume Sklar meant "overly patriotic"... but I don't think that was ever anyone's complaint.

Even if the rainforest isn't going away, it is being downsized (and replaced) by America. If that isn't a metaphor for what's wrong with our attitude to Global Warming right now, I don't know what is.

If Disney opens "it's a small world" with those changes they're in for a hell-hole of bad publicity about how the attraction's new message is anti-green instead of pro-peace. Not exactly how a modern multi-national wants to be positioning itself in these days of rising fuel prices, disappearing ice-caps, and consumers looking for what's green instead of what's next.

Disney Public Relations had better start their spin now.

Tags: disneyland, green, disney, public relations, it's a small world, rainforest, environmental

Orlando Bloom is the Prince of Persia?

2008-04-08T19:08:00.003-04:00

Has Orlando Bloom been cast as the Prince of Persia in the upcoming film of the same name? Well, that was the rumor as of this morning. Reportedly a princely sum of $40 million was offered to secure Bloom's lovely visage and acting chops for the role in what was to be Disney's tent-pole trilogy for the next five years.

Turns out the rumor was untrue and Walt Disney Pictures quickly issued a denial. That's not to say Orlando Bloom wouldn't be great in the role. I thought he was great in Kingdom of Heaven, and that other little trilogy that he helped to propel to over $3 billion (with a b) in box office.

We do know that Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) is directing and Jerry Bruckheimer is producing.

Any juicy gossip we're missing here?

Tags: disney, movie, orlando bloom, prince of persia, walt disney pictures

The truth about the changes to "it's a small world"

2008-04-07T20:43:00.003-04:00

The real story behind the goofy change coming to Disneyland's classic and beloved "it's a small world" attraction is beginning to leak out. The changes being made this year are the sad remnants of a greater plan to massively update the attraction with new audio-animatronic style dolls, updated scenery, and a greater variety of nationalities and cultures represented in a new prayer for world unity and peace from all the world's children.

That was the plan discussed eight years ago. But somewhere over the years the original plan fell by the side and when money left in the budget to update "it's a small world" was about to be lost, forces sprung into action to do something, anything, to make a change. What is coming now is a version of plans that were made for Hong Kong Disneyland, not exactly the same, but close enough.

Disney never makes one of something when they can get two for near the same price. But how to use that second doll? Why not do something at Disneyland. Sad but true, that's the exact thought behind part of this change.

So when the new plans were leaked the press smelled a scandal this caused some people to get cold feet. WDI Ambassador and tried and true corporate spokesman Marty Sklar was asked to step in and save the day. His letter was as much desperation as it was spin. Disney was getting bad press in more than just the online fan groups, something had to be done, and the fans were the perfect scapegoats.

But as it turns out, Marty Sklar was being less than truthful in his open letter to Disney fans. When he said there would be no "Up with America" scene and that the rainforest remains, that wasn't exactly the truth. The rainforest has indeed been bulldozed to make way for a new room honoring America. The rest of the nations of the world have to share rooms with other countries on their continents, but the USA gets its own room. That prominent placement is "Up with America" enough. But to devastate the rainforest for the change is an unseemly metaphor.

The rainforest has been downsized and moved to another area of the attraction to make way for athe US of A. And when Marty said that Mickey Mouse won't be added to the attraction, that didn't mean that other Disney characters, non-humans like Mickey and Minnie, wouldn't be added. What do non-children characters have to do with the theme? No one has yet said.

How to explain those little lies? They can't, so you'll just have to trust them that they know what's best.

Oh Disney fans, you have been snookered. While you weren't looking Disney has ripped out the heart and soul of one of Walt's most memorable and meaningful attractions. There is no more world unity, there is America and we're more important than y'all. The rainforest has been harvested and Wal-Mart put in its place. There is no more children's prayer for peace and world unity, there is Disney merchandise opportunities with a famous Disney character in nearly every scene. There is no more small world, just a faceless soulless corporation out to get every last buck from their 'guests' with no care for its legacy.

Tags: disney, disneyland, imagineering, wdi, iasw, its+a+small+world, save+disney

Disney Heroes as Underwear Models

2008-04-06T11:16:00.003-04:00

Artist David Kawena over at deviantART has a deft touch for drawing some of Disney's most popular animated characters. Last year he took on a project to bring to life, in near photo-realistic, what each of Disney's classic hero characters would look like as drawn in the typical "Hero Pose". I don't know about you, but they make me think of those giant posters underwear models you see in Times Square.

Mt Fuji back on the drawing boards for EPCOT?

2008-04-02T18:00:00.003-04:00

Who knows where these rumors get started, but my sources are giving me the typical non-denial, denial when I mentioned this one. Mt. Fuji, long rumored to be a "Matterhorn"-esque roller coaster ride will be Epcots next big project. It is slated to be added to the Japan pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase and will be a very thrilling ride that will feature multiple coaster technologies along with the chance of getting wet.

The reason this is back on the project list is the delay of the rumored new Russia pavilion.

Tags: epcot, disney, wdw, disney+world, rumor, gossip, japan+pavilion

Treehouse Villas Construction Has Begun

2008-03-29T00:13:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago the Orlando Sentinel revealed that Disney had filed plans to finally remodel (or in some cases replace) the aging and hurricane damaged Treehouse Villas that once delighted guests with their unique accommodations. The are environmental conditions to be sensitive too, so the changes will result in a loss of square footage, but hey, at least you'll be able to stay in them again. Of course, we don't know if that will require membership in the Disney Vacation Club or not.

What we do know now is that construction fences have gone up around the property signaling the project is a go.

The above images is from February of 2008. It appears to be in fairly good condition, but some of the villas were still strewn with Hurricane debris as recently as last fall.

(photo courtesy Lemoncat1 via Flickr Creative Commons license)

Tags: disney, wdw, disney+world, dvc, disney+vacation+club, treehouse+villas, orlando, hurricane+damage

New Bus System coming to Walt Disney World

2008-03-28T20:17:00.004-04:00

The Walt Disney World Resort transportation system is undergoing a major makeover right now. It is in the middle of installing a new package called Magic In Motion with the goal of improving service levels and increasing efficiency.

Last summer marked the start of the new system when on-board audio was added to the fleet of 263 buses. Soon each bus will be tracked by GPS and a computer system. In theory they will then know how many people are on each bus and where it is. This will allow them to redirect empty and under-utilized buses if they see there is a change in demand. If all works right, this will result in shorter wait times for guests and more efficiency for the transportation fleet.

I've been hearing about this system since sometime around the year 2000. I'm hoping they finally got it right. Right now it looks like May will see the system fully implemented.

The question is will this be a better experience for the guest? With fewer buses around how will they handle crushes of high capacity? Well, there is always that rumor that keeps floating around about how Disney will add a light rail or monorail line from Epcot to Disney's Animal Kingdom with Disney's Hollywood Studios inbetween. Yeah, don't hold your breath.

Photo courtesy BenUK via Flickr creative commons license.

Tags: disney, buses, transportation, wdw, disney+world, bus+fleet, urban+transit

Magic Kingdom's Autopia gets new name

2008-03-27T23:43:00.003-04:00

Well at least one part of the rumor I hinted about here has come true, The Tomorrowland Indy Speedway has lost its sponsorship by the Indy Racing League. New signage has begun to go up proclaiming the new name the "Tomorrowland Speedway." It remains to be seen if the other ideas for the attraction are given the green light.

Tags: disney, wdw, magic+kingdom, disney+world, autopia, indy+cars, IRL, indy+racing+league, tomorrowland, tomorrowland+speedway

Cheesecake Factory Express leaving DisneyQuest

2008-03-27T23:30:00.003-04:00

The Cheesecake Factory Express has decided to quit DisneyQuest at the end of their current contract. They've been serving desserts and excellent meals at the Downtown Disney arcade for ten years. But now they're closing up shop.

The Cheesecake Factory Express was originally planned as a franchise type store that would be available in each DisneyQuest as they were opened across the nation. The DisneyQuest idea never really took off and so the Cheesecake Factory was left with a single 'express' location.

Disney will take over operations of the location and give it a new name beginning in May.

At one time an ESPN Zone was rumored to go into the DisneyQuest location. Essentially exchanging one arcade and eatery for another with a stronger brand. There is apparently another major store in Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney rumored to be ready to pack up shop, Virgin Megastore, if it does ESPN Zone will likely occupy at least part of that building.

Tags: disney, downtown+disney, walt+disney+world, wdw, disneyquest, cheesecake+factory, food, foodie, espn, espn+zone, orlando