Issue #6 - Refurb Here, Rehab There, Pixie Dust is Everywhere!
April 28th, 2007 Issue #6 Subscribership: 193
The Happiest News on Earth
http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews
Established March 2007
From the Editor
Welcome to yet another edition of Mouse House News! It's hard to believe that we have completed more than a handful (or pawful if you're a mouse) of issues already!
Now I present to you . . . issue six of Mouse House News!
Over the last few years, people have booked their WDW vacations months in advance, the average being about 5 months or longer. Some people even book their vacations a year in advance and save up for a lifetime just to make a trip to the Vacation Kingdom. How do you think these people would feel if three months before their long awaited trips, two flagship attractions would be announced as "Closed for Refurbishment"? Disney has already had hundreds of calls pour in, which explains why the two closures were slow to be listed on the WDW website. However, any of the hundreds of fan sites will tell you in bold writing the dates in which these attractions are going to be closed. So who wins in the end? For once it is the Annual Passholders, Vacation Club members, and perennial visitors.
Last year, the higher-ups of WDW went to Disneyland to see how the other coast did business. It seems that this little trip by the WDW elite has finally paid off. The beautiful state of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and Jungle Cruise struck a cord in the minds of WDW's management; that no matter how old an attraction is, it still deserves the recognition equal to anything new. I just hope that WDW doesn't follow Disneyland's footsteps in some other ways (Rocket Rods, Observitron, Tarzan's Treehouse, California Adventure).
So this leads many visitors to wonder why WDW decided to close these attractions during the peak periods of summer. Well, it would be crazy to have the Haunted Mansion closed during the Halloween parties and Spaceship Earth simply has a sponsor in a rush to get their name up in lights as soon as possible. And for those of you who think this is a good thing, just wait until you go on a Spaceship Earth that bears little resemblance to the original. Don't let the word "refurbishment" fool you. While the Haunted Mansion will be generally the same, they might as well rename Spaceship Earth because it's going to be an entirely new ride. Maybe Time Racers wasn't such a bad idea?
Theme Park Notes
Staff reporter, Adam Dworkin, brings us all the latest news from the parks.
Fans of the Doom Buggie Rejoice!
Disneyland's Haunted Mansion received significant upgrades for their 50th Anniversary celebration and since then WDW fans have lamented the state of the Magic Kingdom's incantation of the Happy Haunts. Disney management has been blasted for not performing the necessary upgrades to bring the Walt Disney classic into the 21 st century. As mentioned on our Front Page, a much-anticipated refurb is coming to the Mansion, closing the attraction from June 6 th to September 12 th.
A major chunk of the proposed upgrade includes an audio refit to fix the dreadfully unreliable spooky sounds. Many effects are rumored to be upgraded, including new effects in the endless hallway, a new loading area reminiscent of Phantom Manor in Paris, an overhaul of the opening stretch rooms, and the additions of the Floating Leota and the new Constance bride from Disneyland. No confirmed list is out yet, but a simple facelift to fix the technical problems with the ride would go a long way toward truly make the ride experience the spooky part instead of being horrified by the state it has been left in. So, foolish mortals, look for the new-and-improved Haunted Mansion opening at the Magic Kingdom this fall!
Project Tomorrow
The new Siemens post-show for Spaceship Earth opened with a Disney press release on April 25th. The area has been dubbed "Project Tomorrow" and will eventually be in-sync with the this summer's new theme for SE. The first completed phases include a 20-foot round globe, 20 feet which displays images of dream futures. Body builder is a 3D game allowing participants to complete a digital human body using surgical techniques pioneered by Siemens. Super Driver is another game, designed to show players current vehicle safety and accident avoidance systems. Only time will tell if the highly anticipated rehab for Spaceship Earth will be well received. Many (including this writer) are simply hoping for cushioned head rests, and everything else is a bonus!
Mouse House Eats
The Fun of Food
The fun has been removed from the Food and Fun Centre in the Contemporary Resort. This week, all the arcade games that were once part of the quick service dining area have been moved to a new location on the fourth floor of the building. According to one insider, a new arcade will open on Monday, April 30th. There has been no word yet on what will fill the empty space left by the Food and Fun Centre but chances are good that it will be some sort of table service restaurant since the Concourse Steakhouse will soon be closing to make way for the Chef Mickeys expansion.
While this is hardly news to the die-hard Disney fans, we want to make sure that all of the Disney newbies have heard about a wonderful online gem - online menus! Having trouble deciding where to make those advanced dining reservations? Need to figure out what to feed that picky eater in your group? Trying to budget for meals? There are several website that provide menus from all the restaurants on WDW property. We strongly recommend checking out the menus at AllEarsNet . In our experience, this site is the most accurate and up-to-date source for dining information.
Resort Clips
The Beach: Disney-Style
When you go to WDW, how do you determine where to stay? Where Mouse House News tells you to, of course! We want to make the job of choosing a WDW resort much easier by providing reviews of the best and the worst. This week Adam Dworkin gives Disney's Yacht and Beach Clubs a passing grade.
In the Epcot area sits the Yacht and Beach clubs, two of Disney's deluxe resort properties. Incidentally, they also happen to be this writers' favourite spot to sleep in the World. Sitting only minutes away from the International Gateway and Epcot, these resorts provide ideally located rooms with a nice set of amenities and décor. Some find the combination of old New England beachside and nautical themes as a bit bland, but others see it as the understated class many hotels in that area have.
One of the greatest swimming experiences to be found anywhere, Stormalong Bay, can be found here. The 3-acre swimming area stretches the expanse of the resorts and features a sand bottom, overpasses, a large waterslide, hot tubs, and a beach area. For those who haven't visited Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club, you are in for a treat! Themed like a throwback ice cream parlour and soda shoppe, it will be sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Casual, character, and signature dining can all be found right at the resort.
Whether you choose to walk into one of the fantastic Epcot restaurants, take a ferry to the Studios, or simply relax on the "beach", you will be immersed in one of the best experiences Disney has to offer.
As hurricane season approaches, we want to remind you of the policy that Disney introduced during 2006. If the National Hurricane Centre issues a hurricane warning from June 1 st until November 30th for WDW or your place of residence and it is within 7 days of your arrival to WDW, your reservation can be canceled or rescheduled without penalty. However, the responsibility rests with the guest to make these arrangements. Also, discounts or free offers on the original reservation are not transferable. No word yet on any changes that will be made to the hurricane policy for 2007.
Mousellaneous News
On September 10th, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will open its second location inside Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom. While this is a little princess' dream come true for many, others are less than impressed with the removal of one of the finer stores in the parks, the King's Gallery. Nevertheless, appointments can be made for BBB2 beginning April 29th, 2007 by calling 407-WDW-STYLE.
Missouri's Misery
Embrace Your Inner Jedi
The Once Upon a Toy store has brought a little Star Wars to Downtown Disney. The store recently opened a "Build Your Lightsaber" kiosk which takes guests through a customizable nine-step process for the reasonable price of $19.95.
We need your help staying on top of the WDW-related news. Send your news tips to us! E-mail us at mousehousenews@gmail.com with "NEWS TIP" in the subject line or contact us through our website: http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews .
This week, April 24th-27th, the Disney Channel Games were held at Disney's Wide World of Sports. This event brought together stars of Disney Channel shows like High School Musical and The Cheetah Girls to compete in a variety of challenges which benefit children's charities. The Games will be televised throughout the summer.
The Wide World of Sports is continuing to keep busy with a slew of events in May. The Minnie Marathon Weekend is May 4th-6th, the Muddy Buddy (a running/biking event ending in mud) is May 12 th and the Danskin Women's Triathlon takes place on May 13th and May 20th. For more information, visit http://disneysports.com.
The Mouse Vault
April 22 1998 Animal Kingdom opens in Florida with 5 attractions, 9 exhibits, 12 live entertainment shows, 11 merchandise locations, and 8 food locations. Two of the three major "lands" - Africa & DinoLand U.S.A. - open on this date but Asia won't open until early 1999.
April 23, 1986 In Florida, ground is broken for Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Beach Resort.
April 24, 1989 The All New Mickey Mouse Club debuts on the Disney Channel. The show is a mix of live skits, recorded comedy, and songs performed by the Mouseketeers. The cast over the years will includes future stars like singer Britney Spears, actress Keri Russell, and members of *NSYNC.
April 25, 1961 Disney's loan from the Bank of America is paid off. Revenue from movies can now go directly to Walt Disney Productions.
April 26, 1998 The Wonderful World of Disney airs "Disney's Animal Kingdom: The First Adventure", a one-hour television special giving viewers a look at the new Florida theme park.
April 27 1932 Voice actor Casey Kasem (Shaggy from Scooby Doo) is born in Detroit, Michigan. In 1969, he and Paul Frees will record a series of comedic radio ads promoting the debut of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.
And the final word comes from you, the Disney fans. Last week we asked you which Walt Disney World resort is your favourite to stay at. You responded with:
Animal Kingdom Lodge 27%
Wilderness Lodge 18%
Polynesian 18%
Grand Floridian 18%
Fort Wilderness 9%
Pop Century 9%
Staff
Ali Sampson - Editor-in-Chief