News & Rumors 11/24/08 - 11/30/08

News and Rumors are gathered from various different websites. One particular website is not favored over another. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken with a grain of salt.

News

• Primeval Whirl has now reopened.
• There is no Epcot tree lighting ceremony this year.
• Also, the Magic Kingdom tree hasn't been put up yet. Rumors say it will be put up after the Christmas Parade taping.
• Apparently, the Pirate and Princess Parties are no more due to estimated 2009 reservations...at least for now.
• Backlot Tour will be down for refurb Jan 4 - Feb 28, 2009.
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid will be dark from Jan. 27-Jan 29, 2009.
• The Magic Kingdom has new strollers. These new strollers are a little more streamlined then the previous ones. They also aren't as colorful as before.
• Mike's favorite restaurant El Pirata y el Perrico is apparently open seasonally! So if you want to get your bowl of meat...do it now! It might not ever reopen once the new "fry cart" area reopens as a regular restaurant.
• The Viking Ship in Norway is set to be demolished.

Rumors

• During The Flower & Garden Festival this next year, the concerts will only be shown 3 days a week, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...and the concert times will start earlier.
• It's been rumored that Flamingo Crossing might not happen now, as many third parties have not been signed as of yet. Also, the same problem is happening to the Pleasure Island area.
  

Resort Online Check-In

Disney is apparently going to have a way for people to check into select Disney resorts and DVC, up to 10 days in advance, right from their own homes. All that is needed is for you to provide a little information and then when you arrive on property, you go in a special line, show your photo ID, you'll receive your welcome packet and be done.

It seems as if Disney is definitely moving towards becoming more "Internet friendly"...first with the rumor that ADRs are going to be able to be processed online in the next month or so (at least from recent reports, it should be open soon) and now this.

This is a very interesting concept and something that I'm looking forward to at least trying at some point. I mean, how nice will it be to simply stream line the process of check-in. It will be great not having to stand in a really long line, knowing full well, you are already checked into your resort. That everything is taken care of and getting to the fun of the parks will take even less time then it did before.

Of course, as a note, checking in early won't mean that you'll receive your room early, if you arrive early either. You still might have to wait until after 3 to find out this information, just as you always have possibly had to.

There is one drawback that I see from this...and it's a very important one. And that's the rapport that you can gain from the CM who originally checks you in. Sure, I'm sure you'll still be able to talk to this steam lined check-in CM, but I'm sure that since the process will mostly already be taken care of, CM interaction in this area will diminish greatly, should you take advantage of this new perk. And we all know that getting to interact with CM is something that I think all of us Disney veterans value.

However, this is still a process that I will be interested in seeing how well it goes. Because, we all know that time is money at places like Disney World and I think for quite a few people, this will save a lot of time.

News & Rumors 11/17/08 - 11/23/08

News and Rumors are gathered from various different websites. One particular website is not favored over another. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken with a grain of salt.

News

• Primeval Whirl's refurb took a little longer than expected. It will reopen in Dec. And from reports, it will reopen Dec. 6.
• Ellen's Energy Adventure will be closed from Jan. 5, 2009 - March 22, 2009.
• Disney is going to launch a new Online Resort Check-in service. Guests will be able to check in a full 10 days early by providing info related to their upcoming stay. Once they arrive at the resort, guests will then be able to experience a stream-lined check in where they will receive the welcome folder and Keys to the World card. Guests will need to present a valid ID in order to receive the packet. The service will launch in Jan. 2009.
• Stitch's SuperSonic Celebration will be the new show set to debut in Tomorrowland in April 2009.
• According to Disney's schedule...Epcot will be closing one hour earlier begining in January...at 8:00 pm on Fridays.
  

Rebranding Pop?

According to rumors coming out this past week, there's a rumor that Disney is building a mock up of a room for what will be known as Disney's Animation Inn & Suites. Word for this came about because Disney recently filed a permit for said mock ups.

Now, of course, a certain blogger, (Jim Hill) believes that the Disney's Animation Inn & Suites is going to then be turned into the second half of Pop Century and then the whole hotel complex will be re-named, as work will be done on the Classic Years to make it fit with the new theme. Let's take a brief look at this, as if we were to believe this is indeed what would happen.

Building this new resort is a very interesting idea. Disney has the other half of Pop Century completely unfinished. Matter of fact, you can still see the vacant shells from some of the rooms from the current Pop Century.

Also, since building the family suites at All-Star Music, Disney has increased it's chances of getting families of 5 or 6 to stay on property at a reasonable cost, which as given these families a Disney option, instead of them being forced to stay offsite. I'm sure Disney wants to attempt to build more hotel rooms like these to capitalize on this potentially huge market. This old Pop Century Legendary Years area would be perfect. And Nickelodeon has a similar version of this kind of hotel that is wildly popular.

The other reason I think this re-theming would work, is because, for me, I'd always wondered how they could entice people to want to stay in the Legendary Years. The Classic Years wasn't as big of a stretch to stay in for me...people want to stay there because they grew up with the stuff they'd see in that portion of the hotel. It is has a fun and kitchy feel to it.

But the Legendary Years...while it would probably be cool the way Disney had intended to build it, that same appeal that the Classic Years has, I don't think would necessarily be there with the Legendary Years section. I mean, can you imagine a Great Depression 30s area? Or a WWII 40s area? The stuff that they could potentially put in there, it just doesn't have the same zing to me. (Once again, Disney could have potentially made a liar out of me...I just always thought it was a weird second half concept.)

Now, the one thing I wish they wouldn't do, is to re-brand the whole resort complex. I would really like for them to leave Pop Century alone and build the Disney's Animation Inn & Suites as a totally separate hotel. I think it would work better that way, however, I understand if they do decide to just combine the two under one unifying themed umbrella. But both resorts would be big enough and I think both have enough appeal that Disney could sell both separately.

So, in all, this is a very interesting development. We'll see what happens!

News & Rumors 11/10/08 - 11/16/08

News and Rumors are gathered from various different websites. One particular website is not favored over another. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken with a grain of salt.

News

• There's something interesting going on in the way of new hotel rooms. Disney filed a permit to build a mock-up room for something called "Disney's Animation Inn and Suites." Some are saying there's a possibility that Disney could then be re-branding Pop Century to this new hotel. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
• Disney has inked a deal with Verizon Wireless. This will then allow guests to access special features on their phone, only from the Disney parks that will help to enhance your Disney visit. Also, Verizon will partner with Disney for the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure.
• Disney is testing out a new dining deal. If you pay $15, you get one all you can eat Counter Service meal. If you pay $25, you get two all you can eat Counter Service meals. This is apparently being tested at AK and the offer is apparently being solicited by email. We'll see if this goes any further, or if it's just a test.
• Bolt characters should be doing meet & greets at the Studios in the Magic of Disney Animation. Bolt & Mittens should be appearing and Rhino the Hamster will be making special appearances.
• Pecos Bill's will be going down for refurb in January. From January 11 - February 13, 2009.
• The new quick service restaurant, Contempo Cafe, in the Grand Canyon Concourse at the Contemporary is open.

Rumors

• The American Idol experience is set to have full AP previews in January 2009, with the actual show hopefully opening the next month.
• It's being rumored that Disney may release two new specials during the annual Christmas Day Parade this year, in case the Buy 4, Get 3 free promotion doesn't work.
• I've heard that the Little Mermaid ride is apparently a go, for right now. The rest of the Fantasyland refurb is on yellow though.

Only How Many Days Til Christmas?!

Ah...Christmas in Disney...it's a wonderful time of the year! And I'm actually going to get to experience it...before Christmas! Hooray! And there's so many things I want to try to experience.

First thing's first, I want to experience the Osbourne Spectacle of Lights. I saw this a few years ago and wow!!! This this is incredible! Pictures and video do not do this attraction justice. You HAVE to see it to believe it. The lights completely surround you. It is honestly, one of the most amazing sights to behold!

Another thing I really want to experience is seeing the resorts decked out in their holiday finest, especially the gingerbread house in the Grand Floridian and I'd like to see the carousel at the Beach Club.

I really want to try to experience seeing the Santa's from the different countries telling their stories as well at Epcot's World Showcase.

But the most important thing I want to try to experience...seeing the Castle all decked out in icicle lights. I hear that this, much like the Osbourne Lights, have to be seen in real life to be believed. Totally incredible and I can't wait to see how breath-taking it really is.

Of course, there are tons of other things I wish I could fit in, but my schedule is already packed as it is...I don't know if I'll even have time to do half of what I want!


You see, I'm officially starting to plan my Mousefest schedule...and you know how you hear...the number one thing during Mousefest not to do is kill yourself!! hahaha! They are right! I can't tell you how much I want to try to cram into a 4 and a half day vacation! (We really should have chosen to stay an extra night.) Seriously! There is so much stuff that I want to try to fit in.

So, besides all the Christmas hoopla I want to see, the next thing on my list are all the Mousefest activities that I want to (and have to) attend. Now, while I don't have too many, there are some. The problem becomes...when will I actually have time to vacation with my mom.

Which is a huge issue in itself now. She hasn't been down in basically 8 years...and there's so much we need to see. I really have to work my hardest because that is one of the main factors of going. And I don't want to do too much to take away from her trip either.

Hopefully, I'll get it all figured out soon, without having a coronary. lol! And you know, come December, I'll have done all this worrying for nothing. At least, I hope it will work out that way.

News & Rumors 11/3/08 - 11/9/08

News

• The Christmas decorations are officially going up!
• The stores along Sunset Blvd, which had been down for refurb --Once Upon a Time, Mouse About Town, and Sunset Club Couture--are officially back open. The stores have been combined into one larger area.
• The bowling alley that was being built on Disney property has been put on hold. The company that would have built the new area has been unable to get financial backing.
• This year, at the Osbourne Spectacle of Dancing Lights, AP holders will have another added aspect to enhance their viewing pleasure. AP holders will be able to pick up 3D glasses at Package Pick Up near the park's entrance, where they will then be able to take those glasses to the Streets of America area to see hidden features that will only be visible with the 3D glasses.

Rumors

• It's being rumored that Kim Possible has been pushed back to January.
• Pirate and Princess Party dates are rumored to be February 20, 27 March 8, 12, 20, 27 April 1, 22 May 1, 8, 15, 20, 25, 30 June 3, however, it appears that the Party recently disappeared from Disney's website. Guess we'll find out if soon if they're happening, or if they aren't.

I Need Some Pixie Dust

I'm usually a very positive person with Disney. What do I mean? Well, when a new ride opens, and the reviews start pouring in (which, in the Disney community, oftentimes seems negative), I'm always one to put the positive spin on it...you know...it may just not be an attraction for you. You aren't going to love every single thing that Disney produces, but there are others who love it. Or when there are cuts that are made...well, Disney is a company and they have to do what's best for them.

But, sometimes, the negativity can just beat you down and realize, hmmmm....maybe some of these people do have a point. When you look at the grand scheme of things and start noticing the patterns that some talk about, you start to realize that maybe they are true too.

This happened to me all too recently and I'm not sure why. Maybe it was all the things it seems Disney is taking away currently. (Now, whether it's because of the economy or what, I don't know...) When things that make Disney what it is, start disappearing, it makes you go, hmmm...for example, taking the characters away from Liberty Tree Tavern, making Fantasmic! only biweekly starting in January, taking away the Adventurer's Club, removing some of the musical groups from around property, and various other moves to eliminate Cast Members from jobs they've previously held.

Maybe it's because of the lack of real rumors we're getting. It seems as though Disney has some things that are coming down the pike, but nothing really substantial right now is getting out there. And of course, there are also those attractions that are in need of going down for refurb, like Space or Jungle Cruise, who's budgets are rumored to be so slashed, that what was rumored to be a massive refurb is now rumored to be a "do as much as we can to get by" refurb. Or when the Yeti is constantly on B mode now, and has been since June, and there seems to be no information coming out about fixing him.

Then there's looking at all the rides that have recently been built that are only "ok." Things like Stitch, Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, and in some respects, the Finding Nemo ride at Epcot. While these are fun...they leave me with a little disappointment when I exit the show building.

I don't know what the real cause is...but when you start looking at the big picture, you start wondering what is going on.

That's why I'm even more excited about Mousefest (which, I am officially going now.) Because I'm going with my mom who hasn't been to the parks in years...and I get to see the wonder through her eyes again. I know that's going to help me regain some of my pixie dust, as she'll really tell me, from an average guest's point of view, what things really are cool...and what aren't. And all the interference I've felt from the negative nellies recently will hopefully, be able to melt away. I'm almost certain it will.

News & Rumors 10/27/08 - 11/2/08

News and Rumors are gathered from various different websites. One particular website is not favored over another. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken with a grain of salt.

News

• Splash Mountain will be closed in January again for it's annual refurbishment. From Jan. 4-17, 2009.
• Some news has come out about what will be happening at the Hall of Presidents. There will be a new audio system put in place. (BTW...Mickey's Philharmagic will also be getting a new audio system soon) George Washington also might be getting the chance to talk. They also hope the next President will give a speech for the show as well.

Rumors

• It's being said the Galaxy Theater in Tomorrowland is going to be leveled to build...a parking lot!
• Backlot Express, at the Studios will soon see a self-service beverage area allowing guests to refill their drinks.