News & Rumors 4/26/10 - 5/2/10

News and Rumors are gathered from various different websites. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken as such.


News

• This week, there was some testing that was underway for the Next-Gen Queue System. This time it was at the Haunted Mansion, involving you to interact with a display, listening for clues from the characters, in order to figure out where the family fortune had been hidden. For more info, including some photos, visit here.
• The Tree that was located in Pooh's Playful Spot has indeed been moved to outside The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh at the Magic Kingdom. The queue is expected to change to incorporate the tree.
  
• As reported earlier this week, Captain EO is indeed coming back. For more details, see Wednesday's post.
  
• Also as reported, Toy Story Midway Mania will be seeing updates with Toy Story 3 characters. (See Wednesday's post once again for more details.)
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets are now on sale. Dates will be: September 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
  October 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, and 31
  November 1
  
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party tickets are also on sale. Nights for these parties will be: November 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30
  December 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, and 19
• Free Dining will be released to the public Monday, May 3rd.
  
• You can pre-purchase the Photopass CD again for $99. Normal price is $149. For more info or to purchase click here.
  

Rumors

• I've heard that a possible R2-MK (that's a version of R2-D2 with Mickey touches) walk around, living character may be appearing at Star Wars Weekends over at DHS this year.
  
• A very strong and likely rumor indicates that in addition to changes that will be made with the queue experience (as we are already seeing right now, as mentioned in the News section today), that we will be seeing changes in the Photopass experience as well. These changes are expected to revolutionize Photopass.
• During MuppetVision 3D's refurb, we're expecting to see at least new carpet and a rehab of the in-theater effects.