It's a Newsy Kind of Day

Lots of little news pieces came out today from Disney on things that I'd been hinting at in my rumors section recently. These were things I'd heard that were possibly coming to the Resort...one thing I even discussed earlier this week. Turns out, my sources were correct on quite a few of them!

So, by now you've already heard about the specifics, but for those of you who've missed them:


First out this morning was the news that Captain EO will indeed once again be playing in the Walt Disney World Resort at Epcot. (Captain EO is a 3D movie about Captain EO, played by Michael Jackson, and a misfit crew who are on a mission to save the world) The show will be preformed in the theater where Honey I Shrunk the Audience has been preforming. It's set to begin it's run on July 2nd, for an unconfirmed amount of time. They are saying that HISTA will return once the Captain EO run is over.

So, now that we've discussed the basics:

Even though it had been rumored to be coming back, I'm actually kind of a bit surprised. I really wasn't expecting much on this ever coming to fruition for some reason. I thought it was more fan-boi excitement rather than legitimate rumor because I'd been hearing the back and forth of it will happen-it won't happen.

The one thing that I think really brought this movie over to the East Coast was that I had heard the merchandise sales were doing very well in California...and with Disney really trying to take advantage of the "nostalgic" merchandise lately, I'm thinking that had a big reason for bringing it over to Florida. I also think that because they were announcing it was going to be shown at other parks around the world here in the near future, that they thought why not roll it out to WDW, in addition.

I've said before though, I can't say I'm all that excited about this actually coming. I think it's because I don't have the nostalgia factor for it, having never seen it as a kid (or at least not remember seeing it). And the video that I saw online to me was quite cheesy, so needless to say, the show doesn't exactly wow me. So I personally don't really see the draw with bringing back such a dated (albeit, to many, a classic) attraction.

But to each their own right...it's so great to see Disney bring back something so beloved by fans and I really appreciate that Disney is listening to us, (or at least our pocketbooks) since it's so obvious that so many people wanted to see The Captain once again. So, it's nice that they are answering the requests of the fans. (And who knows...maybe on some off chance they won't bring HISTA back...even though right now they're saying that they will. But maybe, just maybe, we'll be able to get something new in this pavilion soon instead.) I do know that if the attraction is still there in October, I will at least check it out during the Wine and Dine Marathon weekend. And who knows...maybe seeing it in person will change my mind and I'll fall head over heels for it.

Another announcement that was mentioned today on the Disney Parks Blog, was something else that I'd been hearing in the rumor mill for a while and that was that Toy Story 3 characters were indeed going to become a big part of the WDW this summer. In Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios, we are going to be seeing a new game (a game I had already mentioned earlier) involving Rex and Trixie (the new Triceratops) called Rex and Trixie's Dino Darts. This will take place where Bo Peep's Baaaa-loon Pop currently is. The concept will be the same where darts will be thrown at balloons, but it will be in a setting with volcanoes and other dinosaury themes.



However, there's another game that will be changing that I did not know about previously and that is the Hamm and Eggs game. This is now going to be hosted by Hamm and Buttercup, a toy unicorn, that's going to be featured in Toy Story 3. There may also be some other appearances by other characters found in the new movie in the attraction as well, specifically in the prize reveal area. The new games will begin to be played in early May.

Also, in addition, another Toy Story 3 character will be coming out in force. Lots-o-Huggin Bear will be featured in a few places, the Animation Building at DHS, for meet and greets and also he'll be seen during the Block Party Bash in the Toy Story section of the parade. These changes are expected to take place May 9th.

Personally, I love the idea of adding these new characters to the parks. The Toy Story franchise is so beloved and I think that having the new characters will only enhance these attractions in a positive way.

I know that it's a heavy use of cross promotion, which can be criticized heavily among the Disney community, but this use of the characters, I believe, is going to be introduced so flawlessly, that it will almost be as though you can't even tell that they weren't there from the get go.

And I'm really trying to do a better job of keeping in mind that cross promotion was a big factor for Walt in the creation of his parks. So, I'm trying my best to be as supportive as possible of including movie tie-ins to theme park attractions. It's something that's so easy to criticize, but realizing and remembering that it's something that was meant to be done from the get go, really makes me be more supportive of this kind of practice.

So, that about covers the big announcements of the day and it seems like it's going to be an exciting summer, what with Summer Nightastic! and these all these new enhancements to some of the park's attractions. It almost makes me want to plan a quick summer trip to get to experience all the excitement that will be taking place. Alas, I don't think that's going to get to happen.

For those of you so lucky to get experience them, I am definitely jealous. Summer is going to be a great time to enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort.

Now it's your turn. What do you think about the recent announcements? Do you like the fact that Captain EO really is coming? Are you excited to see the new characters from Toy Story 3? Do you welcome all the Summer events that will be taking place? Do you think Summer Nightastic! will become something like Flower & Garden and Food & Wine Festivals--an annual event that can't be missed?

Make sure to leave your comments here or let me know them on Twitter: @RikkiNibs