It's A Fiesta and You're Invited
The Happiest News on Earth
April 14th, 2007 Issue #4
From the Editor
Welcome to another issue of Mouse House News! Today we are celebrating the launch of our brand spankin' new website and we want you to celebrate with us! Thanks to the hard work of our webmaster, Stephen Champion, we present to you, Mouse House News Online - http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews . When you get a moment, meander on over and let us know what you think. We are still raising money to purchase our own domain but until then, Freewebs is our new home.
We're glad that you came back for another dose of Mouse House News. We hope you enjoy!
5 stars (out of 5)
On Friday, April 6th, The Grand Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros opened in the former location of the El Rio Del Tiempo, in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot. I was lucky enough to be one of the first to ride the newly refurbished attraction on opening day. So, I want to provide you with a review of the World Showcase's newest addition. Warning amigos, there be spoilers ahead.
When you arrive at the Mexico pavilion, you will realize that not that much has changed overall. The pavilion is now full of Donald Duck merchandise but no Three Caballeros merchandise has been produced yet. The first real noticeable change is the queue area is now adorned with posters of Jose, Ponchito, and Donald. There are even some hidden characters throughout the rather small waiting area. The new loading gates, similar to those at Pirates of the Caribbean, have been installed. This is the main reason the attraction was ever supposed to be refurbished in the first place.
As your boat glides along, all is the same until you reach the first cave. At the end of the cave where the old tribal chief formally stood is now a HD quality projection of Jose and Ponchito. They make short introductions and then notice that Donald is missing. So it is off to chase down Donald. The tribal movies that formally played on the screens of the first room have been replaced with comedic scenes mixing the animated character with real actors in famous Mexican settings. The scenes are really funny and are a vast improvement over the movies of old.
Next, you enter the city full of the Small World-esque Mexican children. This scene is generally the same with the exception of a fresh coat of paint and a new piñata of Donald Duck. Also, the music that every WDW fan has loved is gone and has been replaced with the Three Caballeros theme song throughout the ride. After exiting the city you enter the shoreline area which formerly featured the cliff divers, the fiesta, and other scenes. What you now see is Donald chasing his parasailing swimsuit, Jose and Ponchito fleeing from a bird sautéing chef, Donald unsuccessfully cliff diving, and Donald being snatched by an octopus while diving. (Yes, there is still that screen on the floor). Your boat then enters the second to last scene as Donald is found just before the Caballeros are set to perform. The three entrepreneurs have gone away, replaced by three party scenes featuring a band, some Latin girls, and Donald being restrained by his two amigos.
The final scene was the most drastically changed, as the odd carousel has been replaced by a stage with a large screen featuring the performance of the Three Caballeros. The performance features some great slapstick comedy and is really the highlight of the attraction. As you go into that final hallway, the large map on the wall has been changed to the map from the film Saludos Amigos. It also features a large picture of Jose, Ponchito, and Donald as you hear their voice overhead saying "Adios!" to guests as they prepare to exit.
The ride is a vast improvement over the original. A once slow and semi-entertaining attraction is now a big draw and a fun experience. If you enjoyed the original attraction, you will love the new edition. I would give this ride five stars! It is the absolute best attraction in the World Showcase and a much needed shot of energy as Epcot continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
Theme Park Notes
Refurb for Spaceship Earth
Last issue we offered you a report of the upcoming changes for the Spaceship Earth post-show. Well, on April 12th, Disney revealed that the entire attraction will be made over.
SE offers riders a travel through time, showing how each generation influenced the ones to follow. The re-imagined attraction will be enhanced with story, lighting, costumes, set decoration, narration, and musical score all going under the knife. One of the more exciting changes will be the installation of touch screens that allow riders to choose their own future.
As well, the post-show has been given a name - "Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow." The official Disney press release says that the refurbishment will be completed in early 2008, with the first stage of construction focusing on Project Tomorrow. This area will feature a 20 foot illuminated globe, a 3D game simulating remote surgeries on the human body, and a driving simulation game that will show motor vehicle accident and avoidance systems. All of these technologies are based upon future Siemens technological advancements.
No word yet on how closures will effect the attraction's availability to guests.
MILF
The newest addition to the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, the Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor, opened on April 2nd. Disney has decided to use the abbreviation "MLF" instead of the off-colour acronymn of "MILF" that we have grown to love. We are surprised that it took them so long to catch on!
Although we are delayed in our reporting, we didn't want to forget to congratulate Nikki, Animal Kingdom's ten-year-old giraffe. On March 26, 2007, after fifteen months gestation, she gave birth for the first time to Rori, the World's sixth giraffe. Weighing in at 151 pounds and measuring 6-foot-1 inch, Rori is adjusting well to savannah life. Both mom and baby have since rejoined the herd and are reportedly doing well.
Mouse House Eats
Raise Your Pint at Raglan Road
After a quick perusal through the Unofficial Guide, I had to try the Dalkey Duo, which was batter-fried sausages served with a mustard sauce. I was a bit skeptical but I loved it! Try not be turned off by the concept of Irish food. The restaurant and Master Chef Kevin Dundon have broken the stereotypes of old Irish cuisine. On my last visit, I sampled a stuffed pork loin that was amazing! If you are looking for simpler food, I have on good authority that the fish and chips are outstanding! Try them and you may end up saying "I'm in me grannies," which apparently is Dublinese for "I'm happy now!"
The pub was built with handcrafted wood from Ireland, giving it a great feel. There is a great Irish band who plays every Monday through Saturday. Raglan Road is a great place to experience something new. And don't worry about the "pub" characterization; the great music, dancers and atmosphere make this a location the whole family will enjoy!
For more info, view http://www.raglanroadirishpub.com.
For those of you concerned with the quick service offerings at Animal Kingdom, you may be interested to know that Disney is taking your concerns seriously. A couple of former snack-only locations have extended their offerings. Drinkwallah and Tamu Tamu have added burgers, sandwiches, and salads to their menus alongside their snacks and drinks.
Resort Clips
DVC Goes on Safari
It seems as though the Disney Vacation Club is catching on - so much so that Disney can't seem to build new locations quickly enough. Adam Dworkin reports on the newest DVC location at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
For those members of the ever-popular Disney Vacation Club, you'll soon have a new place to stay and play. The first DVC locations open on the fifth and sixth floors of the Animal Kingdom Lodge main building in July, with more openings occurring through April of 2009.
Construction on the new addition, Kidani Village, will be done in several phases. New savannah with additional animals will be visible from the new rooms, as well as a new water and pool area and table service restaurant. As is common for the new DVC properties, options range from small studios to full three-bedroom grand villas which contain full kitchens. Disney Imagineering has been at work, creating authentic decorations as well as a new thatched roofs to give the villas a savannah look.
Reactions are mixed on the addition of DVC to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. DVC members sound excited and sales have been progressing. Many non-DVC members, however, worry that these changes will spoil the intimacy of the original resort concept. Some think the elimination of the concierge rooms are a step back. Either way, the addition of the villas is sure to bring some spectacular architecture and ambiance to the resort experience.
Mousellaneous News
For the first time ever we find our heroes Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann allied with Captain Barbossa in a desperate quest to free Captain Jack Sparrow from his mind-bending trap in Davy Jones' locker. All the while the horrifying ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman, and it's captain Davy Jones, are under the control of the East India Trading Company and wreak havoc across the Seven Seas.
As the age of piracy comes to a close, Sparrow, Turner and Swann must sail to the ends of the earth, navigate treachery and betrayal, and make alliances for one more decisive battle. Our heroes must face Lord Cutler Beckett, Davy Jones and Admiral James Norrington in a water splashing, ship bashing, cannon firing showdown that could eliminate pirates-- forever.
Actor Kevin McNally, who
plays Joshamee Gibbs, commented on the new movie, "The supernatural
stories stay there and there is a big new supernatural element that's
much bigger than the ones we've had before." When asked about the
location for the movie he said, "We're heading to Singapore. If I told
you any more I'd have to kill you."
Release dates are set for May 25th. You can view the trailer on the official site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/atworldsend/
Disney is preparing to build a massive, 70,000 foot arena as part of its Wide World of Sports complex. As part of the 10 year anniversary celebration of the complex, the new Jostens Centre will contain six basketball courts, twelve volleyball courts, two roller hockey rinks, four locker rooms, two conference areas, and two officials' rooms. The Jostens Centre is slated to open in the fall of 2008.
The 2007 Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend will take place during the 14th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, May 18-20, 2007. Throughout the weekend, you will have the opportunity to meet more than 30 artists as they showcase their collectible teddy bears and dolls. Event packages that include special commemorative items, access to private auction and sale, and dinner, are $200 per person. For more information, call Walt Disney Event Services at 407-827-7600 or email WDW.Bear.and.Doll@DisneyWorld.com.
For the first time in its history, Walt Disney World will host an Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony. On the fourth of July, one thousand immigrants will partake in the ceremony in front of Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Immediately afterward, a flag waving tribute will take place as the new citizens march down Main Street. Then the festivities continue over at the American Pavilion in Epcot.
Final Word
And the final word comes from you, the Disney fans. Last week we asked you which animated Disney feature is your favourite. You responded with:
3. Aladdin
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Contributors
Ali Sampson - Editor-in-Chief
Tom Corless - Front Page, Theme Park Notes
Our Readers - Final Word