Disney Gossip

Spectromagic Floats Being Scavenged for New Parade, Maybe

2013-01-11T20:58:00.002-05:00

When Main Street Electrical Parade returned to the Magic Kingdom for its recent run, the floats for Spectromagic were broken down and put in storage. Some parts were salvaged at that time to help beef up the MSEP for the rigorous route through the Magic Kingdom. But everyone always thought that one day MSEP would glow away again and Spectromagic with its creepy characters and light bright floats would return.

That may not happen. Entertainment managers recently went back into the storage area for the Spectromagic floats to check on their condition. They expect that some rehab would be required to bring them back to show ready, but the actual condition was shocking. The budget just wasn't there to make that level of repairs.

That leaves the park in something of a bind. Will they find the money to repair the floats with their old technology and lighting or wait until a budget appears for a new parade with more modern lighting.

Part of the issue is that LED lights are undergoing a bit of a revolution right now. It used to be when one light went out on a strand you had to replace the whole strand, not very efficient for Disney. A new technology now lets individual LEDs be replaced, but it's expensive still. The price will come down eventually, but Disney may not be able to wait that long, MSEP is getting to the point where it needs to be replaced or revamped too. This places Disney in a bind.

Three options are being talked about right now. 1) Rent a parade from DLP or TDL for a while (actually the MK's original MSEP is in crates backstage at Tokyo Disneyland right now, so they could just ship it back). 2) Build a new parade using as much of the old Spectromagic infrastructure as they can to save money. 3) Make a parade that can run both day and night. Disneyland Resorts Soundsational does that right now. This would let Disney kill two birds with one stone, since the day time parade has been rumored for replacement as well.

I'll let you know if I hear anything about a decision being made. I doubt it will come anytime soon.

Star Wars Boutique Park Considered for Walt Disney World

2013-01-05T14:18:00.002-05:00

Concept art from Disneyland Paris

Discovery Cove is one of the few successful boutique parks out there. It's constantly improving the guest experience and winning awards. Not to be left out, a few years ago a boutique park was considered for Walt Disney World. It was to be an adventure themed park with animals. Eventually this idea was watered down and became Wild Africa Trek, an add-on experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

It's been said that a fifth gate is not likely for Walt Disney World, but there is a new rumor of a Star Wars themed boutique park planned for Walt Disney World. In fact, a few Imagineers have already been assigned to Florida to work on the project.

It would rely heavily on Next-Gen technology to make guests feel really immersed in the world. The first step is to start customizing that tech for Star Wars themed plot elements.

The backstory would be that guests have been selected for Jedi-Training. You would build and learn to use a light saber, pilot a fighter, learn jedi-tricks, and explore the 'dark forest' where you use your skills to confront the dark side. There would be a graduation ceremony and then a chance to explore the Jedi Academy (think of an elaborate role playing area with individual and group games where you can compete and score points).

Food options would include a reproduction of the Cantina (complete with band) and Jedi Academy cafeteria.

The whole experience would be about 4 to 6 hours long with one day tickets starting at around $200 with 'photopass-esque' options and personalized merchandise available as add-ons. It would also be suitable for families with guests as young as six, which was part of the problem of the other boutique park idea. This idea replaces the idea for expanding Star Wars themed area at DHS, that was been deemed unworkable due to land constraints and the hope that Marvel characters might someday become available from Universal.

Would you be interested in such an experience?

Major Changes Planned for Downtown Disney Orlando

2012-04-14T16:13:00.000-04:00

When Downtown Disney closed Pleasure Island is was unofficially acknowledged to be a combination of factors including increased competition from CityWalk at Universal Orlando and the fact that the new ticketless version of Pleasure Island was attracting a lot of people who just hung out and didn't spend much money. Yeah, they were making money, but they thought a new model could make them much more.

So they developed a plan to turn Pleasure Island into a new dining and outside entertainment district focused on some nationally known brands to act as anchor tenants. That plan turns out to have been dead on arrival due to a downward spiraling economy and the inability to get any major players to sign a contract. So they changed focus slightly to a more garden-esque feel that we've known as Hyperion Wharf. That too has been dismissed for reasons similar to the above. In the meantime Pleasure Island's once popular establishments have sat idle and much missed by fans. So what's next?

Turns out what's next may be the biggest expansion of Downtown Disney ever.

Disney has two problems right now. Downtown Disney is busier than ever, so they need to add capacity. Additionally, guests are leaving Disney property (three words Disney does not like to hear as it means your money is going in someone else's wallet) to go get their night time entertainment on or they're just retiring early to their rooms. To Disney that adds up to untapped revenue. They way to get that revenue is to build a brand new entertainment district at Downtown Disney with plans to ultimately double the size of Pleasure Island and the Westside.

In short, Disney has decided the best way to compete with CityWalk is to really compete with CityWalk.

A feasibility study is well underway looking at a plan similar to the one I've highlighted below. It's assembled from a few sources, so I may not have all the details correct, but the general thrust is true.

The basic plan is to build new parking garages along the I-4 and then add either a two-level entertainment district or more garages with an entertainment district above them on the other side of Buena Vista Drive. If they can get the State DOT to play along there would even be an off ramp from the I-4 right into the parking garages (yeah, Disney Imagineers dream of this all the time, but I've never seen it approved yet. There is always a street exit too.)

It looks like there are also plans to add more theater and concert hall venues down at the end of Westside beyond where Cirque Du Soliel is now. It's not clear if this is part of the major expansion or something on a separate track.

It sounds to me like this plan is fairly developed with Disney haven't already reached out the the state to see what it would need to get the off-ramp built. The question for me is, would this satisfy the real needs of the Walt Disney World resort? What do you think?

A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

2012-03-10T15:48:00.002-05:00

One of the key observations that has been made about the new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom interactive game is that every land except Tomorrowland has a tie-in to the game. This has led many to speculate that Disney does not want to spend to add SotMK elements only to have to remove them for a giant upgrade to the land that may be in the planning stages right now.

The new Disney parks leadership (aka Tom Staggs) and Walt Disney Imagineering agree that Tomorrowland at both the Magic Kingdom and at Disneyland is in great need of help. Cars land opens in June at DCA and New Fantasyland opens in November at the MK. This is fortuitous for the prospects for a new Tomorrowland. If the crowds and spending come to DCA and New Fantasyland as predicted, WDI will get the greenlight to move ahead with plans to update Tomorrowland in both parks.

Historically, Disney management has been much more likely to green light an attraction if it can be duplicated and used in multiple parks. They now believe they can get two Tomorrowlands for the price of one (so to speak). Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom would get clones of a new E-Ticket, clones of a C or D ticket, and updates to theming that will be nearly identical at both parks.

Everything would be tied up around space travel and a very futuristic vision of far off places and new creatures. The C or D ticket is tentatively scheduled to be a WALL-E based next-generation omnimover (a more varied range of motion for the cars and onboard screens to interact with). The E-Ticket you've probably already heard of.

It will be more than just a single ride, but rather a whole pavilion. Everyone knows that Avatarland has been put on hold at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The reason might be because Imagineering has long held an interest in graphing an alien world onto Tomorrowland and the Avatar movies might provide the perfect vehicle. It also lets Disney have a working concept that won't see the park needing to re-invent the land every 15 years again.

That's all I have for today. Looks like we could be in for a very interested next 5 years.

Wither Avatarland?

2012-03-09T14:16:00.003-05:00

Heard an interesting rumor from two sources today. Apparently cooler heads are prevailing at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and the idea of building a themed area dedicated to the worlds created by James Cameron in his Avatar movies at Disney's Animal Kingdom is getting a second look.

The biggest plot of land available at Disney's Animal Kingdom was at one time designated to be built as a new land with animals and culture from Australasia region. The park already has a few animals that fit that mold, but they aren't getting much traffic due to their off the path locations. Plus it would allow them to tie in the popular Finding Nemo movie along with other aquatic beasts, something very much missing from DAK at the moment.

The plans for Australia were pretty much in place before Tom Staggs had his ah-ha moment while walking through DCA. But Staggs had only recently moved into his position above Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and wasn't 100% familiar with the vision and goals of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Staggs only new that the park needs some help with keeping guests attention a full day and that Disney World was getting their pants handed to them by the Boy Wizard up the street. So a giant movie property like Avatar was available and Staggs smartly snagged the themepark rights to it.

However, that's not to say Avatar is a perfect fit for Disney's Animal Kingdom. That seems to be the growing consensus and word is that Avatar could be put on indefinite hold for DAK, perhaps popping up instead for the first time in Shanghai or as a stand alone Location Based Entertainment property in Hawaii near Aulani. The first sign of this would be a move to start construction on Australia at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Stay tuned. This could get interesting.

When Guests Attack

2012-02-19T20:52:00.000-05:00

An unfortunate incident at California Adventure was caught on someone's mobile phone. I am curious to know if proper procedure was followed here. Either way, it's always a bad sign when guests attack. We join in mid-action. A belligerent man, who looks like he could be drunk, is being restrained by three cast members -- two Tower of Terror cast members and a Disney security guard. The man takes a swing at a Disneyland Resort security guard and ends up on the ground. The security guard then pepper sprays the guest. From there it gets more interesting. What would you have done if you were standing there?

Pleasure Island Clubs to return

2011-05-13T12:50:00.000-04:00

Fans of the clubbing experience at Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island should be happy to hear these latest rumors. Apparently, some outside operators have been brought in to tour the spaces formerly occupied by Mannequins and 8Trax. Disney apparently has decided that the buildings housing those two spaces won't be demolished in the switch to Hyperion Wharf. So it makes sense to start earning some rent on the otherwise empty rooms.

There are also a couple rumors about Comedy Club and Adventurers Club, but I wouldn't get my hopes up there. Disney is just not interested in operating that sort of theater environment and the talent management that would be involved.

Save Pleasure Island blog has more on the rumors and address information for where you send your letters if you want to see some nightlife return to Downtown Disney.

A long time ago in a theme park far away

2011-04-18T12:10:00.001-04:00

I am hearing just the smallest inklings about an announcement coming at the grand re-opening for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. While I try to get more clarification, I wonder if it has to do with the parking entrance re-alignment coming to DHS or perhaps confirmation of something bigger I heard about last year.

Early word about the Star Tours upgrade is good. (Although some have reported emerging quite shaken, literally, from the motion of the simulator.) Add to that the slow thaw in the cold war between Disney and George Lucas and you have the potential for a new themed land dedicated to the world of Star Wars.

Backlot Express would be converted to a Cantina style diner, although I've also heard that it could be a 'space junk yard' (as from Episode 1). Then the backstage road and main entrance road would be moved back about 200 yards to make room for a new e-Ticket set in the Star Wars universe. Think Carsland but with speeders racing around. There would also be a lot of Next-Gen touches bringing some hi-tech wizardry to the land as only WDI can do.

Last I heard, this was still just blue sky stuff. But who knows… maybe it's moved forward now that Disney is feeling a little bit of heat from the boy with a wand.

A few Walt Disney World hotel Rumors

2011-04-05T04:17:00.002-04:00

As the Art of Animation Resort opens look for some of the other resorts that offer 5 person rooms to stop making those rooms available. I'm not sure why they would want to force all larger families to AoA when they can offer different experiences and different price points at resorts like Port Orleans French Quarter. But that's what hotel managers were told at a recent meeting.

Another function of the Art of Animation coming online, is that the extra capacity will allow Disney to close down parts of the Polynesian hotel for a long needed upgrade. Apparently construction in the 70s still used Asbestos and Disney needs to address this. Due the way the Poly was constructed, they won't be able to refurbish in place and instead will be erecting all new buildings.

The plan was to do this over time, but the whole resort might close down while they work on the main building with Ohana's and check-in. Look for Disney to shift as many existing reservations as they can to DVC properties like OKW and Saratoga Springs which are always under booked. Work continues on a new pool for Saratoga which should help it attract a few more guests. A new night-show at Downtown Disney could also help Saratoga, as long as you don't mind fireworks going off at 11pm nightly.

As you may have heard the Grand Floridian will be getting a DVC building, spoiling the official 'front' of the hotel, but you can't see it anyway due to the trees. This is going to tax the GFs already limited parking situation. Things get quite crazy when there is a convention and wedding scheduled during the busy season. Don't even think of parking there during Golf tournaments.

The next DVC to be announced will be at the old River Country site. No name or design announced yet. The announcement date depends on the Grand Floridian sales numbers. Disney has no idea how long they'll be able to ride the DVC wave, but they plan to ride it to the shore (and probably a bit into town).

Much like Downtown Disney, Flamingo Crossing continues its holding pattern. They can't get 3rd parties to build there either. That should be a lesson to Disney, don't count your chicks before they hatch.

DHS Parking to be reconfigured.

2011-04-04T16:16:00.000-04:00

If you're used to entering Disney's Hollywood Studios via the 'back door' off Buena Vista Drive, get ready for a change. Disney will shortly add an offramp from Osceola Parkway to the World Drive located main entrance. Only buses will then use the 'back door'. (I'm guessing it will remain an exit too, but that wasn't discussed.)

I think this is a good thing logistically for most guests arriving by car; but it will make the EPCOT resorts slightly less desirable as they won't be right across the street from DHS anymore (still available via footpath or boat however). It will make the All Stars, Art of Animation, and Pop Century much more desirable in terms of their short hop from Osceola Pkwy to both DAK and DHS.

I hope Disney takes this opportunity to move the DHS entrance plaza about 300-500 yards away from the DHS backstage road. That would finally allow for an expansion of that side of the park (think Star Wars land or Cars Land). Right now, the toll plaza is the only barrier there, all the other sides of the park are hemmed in by parking lots or roads.

Fantasyland Expansion Update

2011-03-28T10:35:00.000-04:00

Snow White's Mine Train ride has been pushed back until 2014. This was not unexpected as it was late to the planning and will sit on land that is currently occupied, in part, by Dumbo and the main Fantasyland walkway. Recent peaks at the model for the attraction reveal that most of the ride will be outdoors with only a couple of indoor scenes, presumably where the audio-animatronic figures will be. While, the Mine Train ride looks to be a crowd pleaser, it's later opening means Fantasyland will be without a Snow White attraction for an extended period once the current ride goes down for its makeover into a meet & greet location.

Construction in the former Toon Town Fair area is moving ahead at a rapid pace. The expanded Dumbo and re-themed Goofy coaster are expected to be the first two attractions to open in the new Fantasyland. As soon as the new foundation is ready for the twin-spinners, the existing Dumbo will go down for refurbishment and a move to its new location. Meanwhile the new spinner will be installed. The Great Goofini will re-open with its new theme and the loading and unloading sizes of the queue switched to make more room for Dumbo's second ring.

Construction permits and bids were sent out this week to refurbish the two remaining tents from Toon Town Fair. It's a bit ironic that the lands 'temporary buildings' are the only ones that will make it into the new land. The old tents will be replaced with new sturdier materials. I'm still hearing rumors that the larger tent will be converted into stage show, but that seems unlikely if all they're doing is re-skinning the existing frames. We'll probably just get a new store there.

I'm not all that thrilled with the idea of StoryBook Circus as a theme. But I guess we'll wait and see how Disney pulls it off. I'd love for them to bring a version of the StoryBook Canal Boats to Florida (with a long indoor air-conditioned section) or a version of the Little Mermaid section from Tokyo DisneySea but with more of a 'storybook' feel.

Rock work has begun on the outside of the Be Our Guest restaurant and exterior walls are going up in the village area that will house Gaston's Pub. The Little Mermaid attraction is rumored to be ahead of schedule, plus they get the benefits of the California Adventure version of the attraction opening first. Hopefully any pitfalls and wrinkles related to installation will be ironed out before Orlando's version is ready.

Finally, the Prince and Princess bathrooms located next door to Peter Pan will be moved across the walkway to where the old Fantasyland Skyway station now sits. These new larger bathrooms will allow Peter Pan's queue to expand into the old bathroom's space and gain some interactive elements to help pass the inevitable long waits for the stand-by queue. Additionally, the a new pathway will help with the crowds in that area. However, I have no idea what they plan to do with all the strollers that are usually parked in that location.

As always, please send me your tips and rumors to DisneyGossip@Gmail.com. Thanks for tuning in.

Tropical Seranade Returning to the Magic Kingdom

2011-03-22T21:49:00.000-04:00

A little birdie, literally a little birdie, tells me that the sweet sounds of "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing" is now wafting happily out from the Enchanted Tiki Room in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. This is not just to torture the fanboys, but actually a sign that the attraction has ditched the new management and is returning to a more classic show.

A few weeks ago one of the two barker birds was missing, and now both birds are gone from the queue area. Then we learned that the attraction won't be re-opening on April 1st, but rather June 1st. Guess they have more work to do.

Today my source discovered that Walt Disney Imagineers are inside happily reprogramming the show and removing the scar tissue left from the Under New Management show. I was unable to drag out of my contact if they would be returning to the original tropical serenade show, or the newer edited version playing at Disneyland. Either way will make me happy.

All this because of a little attic fire that toasted Iago's feathers and caused some water damage. Hmmm that gives me an idea. Has anyone seen Stitch around here recently?

Disney Channel Blam's Pixar's Up

2010-09-06T22:54:00.001-04:00

How to make today's kids interested in those old fashioned films from PIxar? Blam it!

And yes, that was a parody.

Why Toy Story Midway Mania is down right after Toy Story 3 hit the Theaters

2010-08-20T20:08:00.000-04:00

If you've been wondering about why Disney's Hollywood Studios would close Toy Story Midway Mania for refurbishment while Toy Story 3 the movie was still in theaters, you're not alone. While August is technically value season, and in theory a bit lighter on traffic, it's still summer and you should reasonably expect that the attraction related to the summer's major hit would be open. But it's not.

There must be a very good reason for the ride to be down then. Turns out the ride went down so they could install some additional safety features that will prevent the repeat of an injury that happened earlier this year on the attraction.

Disney really swept this one under the rug, but apparently a cast member was injured when they fell in an area they were supposed to go. This refurb is chiefly to install safety gates in that area. With Star Tours and other attractions going down for refurbishment once summer is over, Disney probably felt this was their best time to make those changes.

Spain coming to EPCOT Center

2010-08-10T16:53:00.001-04:00

If you judge the worthiness of a country for a new EPCOT pavilion on its popularity at the food and wine festival, then Spain is a no brainer. That is certainly one strong point in favor of the very strong rumor that Espana will soon have a home away from home between the current France and Morocco pavilions.

One strong point against this rumor is that Spain would have to pay for this pavilions operation and the country is currently struggling to keep its head above water and eek its way out of debt.

Another western European country seems like the wrong choice for me. But I would not put it past Disney to build what would essentially be an easy pavilion (some guadi architecture, a restaurant, gallery, and a shop) then say "Look we're not abandoning Epcot".

One Man's Dream to close

2010-07-31T20:56:00.000-04:00

A Disney fairy recently flew in my window and told me that if I wanted to get pictures of One Man's Dream at Disney's Hollywood Studios, I should head there this week. When it goes down for refurbishment it may not come back up, or large sections could be changed. Might this be the first sign of changes coming for the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World?

No World of Color after summer at DCA

2010-07-31T16:36:00.006-04:00

Guests who call to book dining packages to see World of Color at California Adventure in the fall are being told that there are no scheduled shows after Labor Day. When pressed guest relations says a version of the show may come back after Thanksgiving, but they aren't accepting reservations.

This is a bit of a shock to those guests who planned vacations to Disneyland hoping to see the big new item the resort promoted this summer. I can understand them limiting performances to three or four nights a week as DCA won't support 10 or 11PM closing times all week during the off season, but to not show it at all is a weird decision.

So the question is, are they retooling the show? The biggest complaint about WoC is that it has no story line and no dramatic finish. It's beautiful and powerful as everyone hoped it would be, but Fantasmic! still wins in the story category.

However, I thought that the benefit of the new World of Color technology was that they could make changes on the fly. No retooling required. So it must be something economic related.

Fans? What do you think?

Update: Disneyland has decided to extend DCA hours to 8pm with one show on weekdays and two on weekends. Well, that's a relief. Oddly, the park is still scheduled to close at 6pm on some nights with a show scheduled for 8:15 that night. What are 5,000 guests supposed to do for 2 hours when the park is closed?

Fantasyland phase II on hold?

2010-07-26T12:57:00.001-04:00

This week the big news on the grapevine has been the status of the Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom. Construction on the Little Mermaid ride will go on, but nearly everything else is on the table. The reason? There is a huge concern that Disney is losing the boy market and the new Fantasyland, with its princess fest and Tinkerbell emphasis did not adress that.

Add to that the fact that Harry Potter has been a bigger success that the folks at Team Disney had expected and there is a real desire to come up with something that is attractive to all members of the family, not just moms and daughters.

I think this is a great idea. Disney was over counting the popularity of its Princess franchise in the new Fantasyland. Forty-five minute waits to see the Princess in toontown will not translate into demand for a halfdozen new Princess Meet and Greets even if they include a little show or story.

The question is whether Disney will greenlight some of the projects being considered for the other gates while they retool the Fantasyland expansion or if they go into conservation mode and tighten the purse strings. Some of the projects that might get a bump include Star Wars land (aka Lucasland) at DHS, an Adventureland upgrade with a new coaster, and Australia at DAK.

Whatever they chose, I hope its a big statement that says they are still interested in being a leader in theme park family entertainment.

Phineas and Ferb coming to California Adventure

2010-07-20T21:39:00.002-04:00

Word has come from the very top that Phineas and Ferb, the breakout cartoon from Disney XD, is the next franchise for the Mouse House. This means that you'll soon be seeing the whole crew from the show in theme parks, in Disney stores, on Radio Disney, etc.

While merchandise and music has a pretty quick turn around, it can take a bit longer to build up a whole attraction for a theme park. Never fear, Disney has a back up plan. It sounds impossible, but it isn't.

That enough hints?

Disney's California Adventure will soon be the home to the Phineas and Ferb Perry the Platypus Adventure. (They're still working on the name.) Think Kim Possible Adventure from Epcot, but in California and with Perry the Platypus in the Kim Possible role. There will be three or four adventures that take adventurers all around the park attempting to foil the plans of Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.

I've done the Kim Possible adventure a couple of times and it's a terrific experience. I think it will merge perfectly with the Phineas and Ferb franchise. The Perry the Platypus spy character melds wonderfully with the format. All that's needed is a little animation for the hand sets and they can start running tests.

Fire in Parade warehouse at Magic Kingdom?

2010-07-08T11:38:00.000-04:00

Two posts today... I know, crazy. I heard that there was a fire in the parade warehouse for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. Some walk-around costumes for Main Street Electrical Parade were damaged and possibly Pete's Dragon. He's been missing from the parade since the date of the rumored fire. I say rumored, because Disney is not officially reporting that a fire occurred.

Disneyland's World of Color canceled due to Earthquake

2010-07-08T11:35:00.000-04:00

Last Night's World of Color performance at California Adventure was canceled after a moderate earthquake struck southern California. All attractions at the resort closed for a standard safety check after the quake and only WoC did not pass inspection. Two of the show's platforms were damaged as well as some of the gas pipes that create the fire effects.

While this damage was found after the earthquake, it's not necessarily directly attributable to the shaking. It may have just been damage that already existed.

If you know any more, please fill us in.

The end of Rock 'N' Roller Coaster with Aerosmith?

2009-11-09T16:41:00.002-05:00

There has been quite a bit of chatter the last few months about how Disney has been looking at replacing Aerosmith with the Jonas Brothers as the featured band on Rock 'N' Roller Coaster Staring Aerosmith at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I could never pin down if this was an actual thought process going on at Disney or just some internet rumor started by a fan boy who wanted to get raise the ire of Aerosmith fans or the heartbeats of teenage girls everywhere.

Now that Steven Tyler has retired from Aerosmith, the question becomes a lot more important. Tyler fell from the stage earlier this year resulting in many canceled concerts and frankly, the Aerosmith brand just doesn't have the cache it did 10 years ago when the attraction opened.

We do know that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster has recently added Hanes as a sponsor, so there is likely money in the budget somewhere to do a rebranding. I'll keep my ears to the ground to see if any new rumors start circulating.

Monorail News

2009-10-20T23:24:00.003-04:00

The Disney Blog has video of what will become Monorail Teal testing at Walt Disney World. Teal is about 90% composed of what was the front cabin and the seating compartments for Monorail Pink. The other 10% is the undamaged back-end of Monorail Purple. Once Teal gets painted and put into service the WDW monorail fleet will be back up to 11 trains.

The 12th train will use Purple's seating compartments and the chassis from the two damaged nose cones of Pink and Purple. Completely new body work and interior seating and controls are being created for this new train. No word yet on the color, but I'd like to see them do something more unique with the 12th monorail. Any suggestions?

Ding Dong The Wicked Witch is Dead

2009-10-17T00:38:00.000-04:00

Coffee loving Disney fans, your days of sorrow are nearly over. Disney's relationship with Nestle is drawing to a close. Hopefully that means we'll soon be able to get some real coffee brewing instead of that Nestle stuff they reconstitute inside the black box.

Word is coming down that Disneyland Resort will get a contract with Starbucks to provide coffee. Disney World's situation is a little more complicated as they have a contract with a coffee provider who might step in. My personal hope is for Starbucks or someone similar to move in.

We didn't ask for Nestle to go. Just for a decent cup of coffee. Hopefully our requests will soon be answered.

Tags: disney, coffee, disneyworld, disney+world, themepark, starbucks

Roy E. Disney's Health Declining?

2009-10-08T10:33:00.000-04:00

Roy E. Disney, aka that damn nephew, has been the standard bearer of the Disney flame since the Walt Disney Company was targeted for takeover and Roy worked out a deal with the Bass family to bring in Michael Eisner and Frank Wells to save the company. He later fought Eisner for the soul of the company, eventually ousting Eisner and ushering in this current golden age for the Mouse House.

Sadly, I'm hearing rumors about Roy E's health being on the decline. Don't know more than that, and certainly, I hope it's not true. But there is the fact that he no longer races his yachts and, as far as I could tell, he wasn't present at the opening of the Walt Disney Family Museum. That may have been what led to the rumors, but then again the Museum was Diane's project, not Roy's.

Either way, send well wishes for good health and a long life to Roy E. Disney.