Plans and construction are underway for a new pretty advanced attraction at the Disney MGM Studios. Replacing buildings formerly occupied by Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and backstage tours is 'Toy Story Mania', an interactive ride based on the popular Pixar film. The ride will combine elements of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and Universal Studios' Spiderman ride to create a new experience in the trend of shoot-em-up rides. While wearing 3-D Glasses, a ride vehicle will take you past screens and special effects that will shrink you down into the Toy Story world will play carnival like games with your handheld blaster. The ride is scheduled to open in 2008 and will surely be a hit. And since the Imagineers have plans to change the games you shoot, eventually the ride will be new again, even to those repeat visitors! Very cool.... The BIG NEWS is that a new threat to Dineyworld is coming to Universal Islands of Adventure. It's "the boy who lived" himself, HARRY POTTER!! Universal announced in May that they will be building a land themed after the hit book series. Visitors will travel to Hogsmede, the Forbidden Forest, and even Hogwarts. At this time the announcement is still new, so no word on exactly what we can expect from this huge attraction coming, but you can visit the Universal Escape website and sign up for a newsletter for up to date info.... and I'll have it too...... This year has found me with less and less time to work on this Disney site, but here's some news for 2007 so far....
Donald Duck and the Three Caballeros have taken over the boat ride in the Mexico Pavillion at EPCOT. Not sure what has changes, but probably just the large video screens....
The Monsters Inc. Laugh Factory has opened in Disney's Magic Kingdom in the building formerly occupied by The Timekeeper in Tomorrowland. Disney promises a different show each time since guests help deliver the laughs at this improv type family show.
You can now ride through Nemo's undersea world at EPCOT's Living Seas. The very charming ride features all your favorite characters from the Pixar movie with very lifelike special effects. You will actually see Nemo, Dori, and others swimming with the real fish in the tanks. For kids and kids-at-heart like me, this attraction is not to be missed.
You can also see Nemo in the new show at Animal Kingdom. This show is spectacular with larger than life creatures from the movie and great new songs. Although I miss Tarzan Rocks!, this show filled its shoes in the theater nicely. Glassmonkeyface Site News: I have finished the page warning everyone of the Antimouse. I am also currently working on a page that breaks down the WDW Resort by age groups, updated attractiom descriptions, more park tips, more failed projects, and another quiz. Check back for these and more!
Sad news as there has been another death on a Disney ride when a young boy died after riding the Rockin' Roller Coaster at the Disney MGM Studios in Orlando. Very few details have been released, but Disney confirmed that the ride was in normal operation at the time.
July 7th marks the simultaneous opening of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and the updated ride at the theme parks. The ride is not being completely changed, but added to, whixh is good news for those of us who don't like giving up our classic attractions.
Disney has announced it's next promotion (because you know they have to shove one down our throats every year without fail. In recent years we've had Walt's Birthday, Mickey's Birthday, Happiest Celebration on Earth, ect, ect.... nest is the "Year of a Million Dreams". Disney will release more info later, but basically they will be getting people to come to the parks to win prizes that don't cost them anything, like fastpasses and meet-and-greets with characters. There IS one prize that sounds amazing. Somebody will win a trip to all of the Disney parks in the world. That WOULD be a dream come true.
Look for some B or C-ticket attractions at Mickey World in Orlando. Nemo will be getting some attention in EPCOT and the Animal Kingdom. The Living Seas has already been turned into the Pixar theme, but a new ride will be revealed soon through the underwater tunnels that have been closed for a very long time. A new show based on the undersea adventure will also be featured at the Animal Kingdom near the old TARZAN ROCKS theater. And another Pixar movie, Monster's Inc., will be taking to the stage in a new comedy show at the Magic Kingdom. Check back for more info on these upcoming attractions.........
Expedition Everest is now open at Animal Kingdom. Let me tell you that this ride is worth the two hours you may have to wait(assuming you don't have a fastpass). It's not the tallest coaster, and it's not the longest or fastest, but it's FUN! And wait till you get your face to face encounter with that big hairy Yeti! Yeah, they did good with this one, so go check it out! I've been trying to find time to do some updates, especially about the company takeover by Stitch(it really is true!). Do check back because I will find more time to have more things up. Pirates of the Carribean will reopen this summer both here at Disneyworld and Disneyland in promotion with the sequel to the hit movie being released this summer. The new additions to the ride include our favorite clumsy pirate Jack Sparrow and his nemesis Captain Barbosa. Hopefully it will be a fun addition, but not take away from the ride we've all grown up loving. EPCOT's nightly show Illuminations has a special grand finale during the holidays. Having just seen it, I can tell you that it is spectacular. Don't miss it! Work continues on the new Nemo-themed ride in the living seas. The preshow theaters are gone, which will add to the space the new ride takes up. You can still check out The Living Seas which now featues Turtle Talk with Crush, and other Nemo exhibits. The ride will be open at a later date. Rumors are flying that some of the higher-ups in the Disney company have been trying out the new roller coaster in Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest. No news on what they think, but the ride is only months away from opening.... very exciting! Pirates of the Carribean will be going down for renovations soon...ride it while you can! This is your last chance to see the Animal Kingdom show TARZAN ROCKS! The show will be closing for good after the new year. TARZAN ROCKS is a review of the Phil Collins music from the movie with character appearances and stunt skaters. If you're like me, you've always wanted to have an adventure, a real adventure, in the Magic Kingdom. Well, you still can't, but you can buy a book about some kids who do. The Kingdom Keepers is a new book by Ridley Pearson where a group of five kids is chosen to save the park from ride characters come to life. Even It's a Small World is dangerous in this book. You won't find pulitzer prize material inside, but it's an amusing read.
The new attractions in the happiest place on earth will be opening in the next few months. Epcot will see the opening of the large screen simulator Soarin', while MGM Studios will present it's new stunt show in the backlot. And don't forget It's a Small World's makeover. Look for the opening days and passholder preview days soon.
The stadium for the new stunt show at MGM Studios is built and ready for action. The show will open in the beggining of next year, and will feature stunts with cars, motorcycles, and others vehicles. The show sounds like an "Italian Job" live show, where a car will even become airborn and fly right toward the audience.
You don't realize how much you miss a cheesy ride where dolls sing an infamous happy song endlessly until it's gone. 'It's a Small World' remains closed for construction on an updated version of the ride. The large merchandising campaign for the ride that started just before the close probably gives a preview of how the new ride will look.
Kids of the 80's and early 90's rejoice! Disney Afternoon characters have again been appearing in the Magic Kingdom, including Darkwing Duck, Launchpad, and the Rescue Rangers.
Stitch is now loose in Tommorrowland. The show sits in the former Alien Encounter space, and really hasn't changed much. It might appeal to younger kids, but the show is very long and uninteresting.
May the Force Be With You this month at the annual Star Wars weekends at MGM Studios. The event brings in Star Wars fans from around the world to celebrate possibly the most famous film series of all time. The characters from the George Lucas creation will be on hand, as well as some of the stars who played them. This year stars such as Jeremy Bulloch(Boba Fett), Daniel Logan(young Boba), Anthony Daniels(C-3PO), and Warwick Davis(Wicket the Ewok, Willow), just to name a few, are slated to attend. MGM is also Orlando's home to Star Tours, the Star Wars simulator ride, and the Indiana Jones stunt show. Plan on a large attendance and long lines if you go. The force is strong with this one!
Disney's major competition this summer is soon to be unleashed on Orlando like the plagues, literally. Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios will be opening soon, and will be this summers big pull in Orlando. The ride is generating great excitement and is said to be like nothing anyone has rode in the past. Using special effects in a "Dark Ride" setting, the ride will take you through ancient tombs, scarabs, plagues, fire, and face to face with the evil Imhotep. This continues Universals success in the theme park attraction category. Just a few years ago, the park got attention for the Spiderman ride at islands of adventure, which combined a 3-D movie with a simulator and a dark ride. They also slightly outdid Disney's Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, where the riders shoot targets in the ride, with Men in Black: Alien Attack. The MIB attraction featured animatronic targets, where the Disney counterpart had more cardboard cutout looking aliens.
Michael Moore is at it again, creating controversy where e're he goes. This time, he's going after the parent company of Mirimax, Disney. Disney halted the release of Moore's new film, which links ties between the Bush family and Osama Bin Laden. Moore claims Disney will not let the film out because it could threaten tax breaks Walt Disney World recieves in Florida, where the brother of George Bush, Jeb, is governor. The publicity however has boosted the picture into the spotlight, and Moore will soon find another company to distribute the film.
4/29/04: It's won't be such a small world after all::It was just announced that one of the most famous Magic Kingdom attractions, It's a Small World, will be closing for about a year and will have all new suprises when it reopens. Nobody has said what the "suprises" will be, but the ride will have an all new face. Who would have thought that this ride would ever change? For those of you who hate the sometimes infamous song, no good news for you. The song will remain......forever!!
FOOD ROCKS has gone the way of Mr Toad. And now, the new EPCOT attraction, Soarin', a copy of another attraction called Soarin' Over California in Disney's California Adventure, is visible just beyond The Land building. Soarin' is a kind of simulator in which hang gliders move in front of a large screen, somewhat similar to Back to the Future at Universal Studios. The old area for Food Rocks will apperently be the entrance for the new attraction, which is slated to open next year.
Comcast has ended it's very bold bid for the Walt Disney Company, which includes the Orlando attractions. The company that suprised everybody with it's move will now focus on other companies it's had in the corner of it's eye since the unsolicited bid. Looks like Disney is safe, for now.
4/13/04 This month, the Florida government announced that it wants to investigate the possibilities of what may happen to the Reedy Creek area if Disney is bought by an outside company. The recent bid by Comcast worried some lawmakers about the self contained government run by Disney. Florida approved the plan for the area in the sixties when orlando was being considered for Disneyworld. The area containing the parks and resorts has it's own fire departement, building codes, inspectors, and much more. Although the lawmakers say this is just for information, some feel it is an aggressive move that may hurt business relations.
On a visit to Downtown Disney, I noticed a bush. Not just any bush, but a bush with fire(not...real fire) coming off of it. But still, not just any bush with fire coming off of it, but a bush called Lumiere, from Beauty and the Beast. Why did it take me a long time to figure out who this bush resembled? Because it was so poorly maintained. It was a fat bush, pieces sticking out everywhere. Only the basic shape remained. You hear about the constant cost cutting, but it never hits you until you see such blantantly obvious oversights. Something that looks so bad that you want to rip it down yourself because it destroys the Disney image of excellence in imagination and theming. As the months continue to go by, Disneyworld slowly sinks into mediocrate. Just another theme park with shops and rides. A sad reminder of what used to be, and what is now.
Some women say Tigger was looking for something bouncy, trouncey, and fun-fun-fun. So he groped them. Those are the allegations coming from the two women who now have a lawsuit, yet another one, against Disney. The castmember who played Tigger at the time defended himslef, saying with the giant hands, you can't feel anything and don't really know where your hands are. Plus, as many other castmembers have said, your vision and movement are very limited in the costumes. These women seem to be looking for a quick buck, and as we all know, the best way to do that is go to Disney and find something pretty for a lawyer.
Once again the prices have risen at Disney. The prices after tax are about sixty dollars now. You can find the exact new prices at the Disney website. Although it happens every year now, the price increase is always a shocker. It's a reverse limbo.....how high can they go.......
Glassmonkeyface has discovered a great site called SaveDisney.com . The site says all the things I say here, but actually has lots of visitors. Please visit and sign up for this very worthy cause.
03/04/04
Last night at the annual Disney shareholders meeting the board decided to split the power of CEO and chairman of the board. Thus, a new chairman was elected, leaving Eisner as just a CEO(as if it's not enough). This move still isn't enough for critics like Roy Disney(and Glassmonkeyface) who still want to see the former chairman stripped of all power over the entertainement empire.
Another tragedy for the Walt Disney theme parks. Reportedly just before the three o'clock parade at Disney's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, one of the parade entertainers, possibly one dressed as Pluto, was hit and killed by a parade float as they lined up behind Splash Moutain. Not many details are available now. This marks the second death in a Disney park recently. Just a few months ago, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad jumped the tracks and killed a guest.
Cable company Comcast made a bid today to buy one of the largest entertainment companies in the world, the Walt Disney Company. However, Disney chairman Michael Eisner shot down the bid, soon bringing attention to the rising Disney profits. The story isn't over however. Comcast will continue it's quest for the mouse.
2/01/04:
As much as I'm tired of the endless persuit to sell things at Disney, there is one campaign that I haven't had enough of. A few years ago, the stores started selling a few die cast vehicles from popular Disney attractions. Since then, a very wide array of attraction toys have been unveiled. Everything from the Space Mountain and Haunted mansion cars, to the Haunted Mansion itself and Cinderella's Castle. On my most recent trip, I found toys resembling signs and trees from the various resorts to go with the Monorail set. You can look for the full selection at Once Upon a Toy in Downtown Disney. These sets are a great way to bring Disney home and make your own little Magic Kingdom.
2/01/04:
After another visit to the Magic Kingdom, a very short visit with another seven 0'clock closing time, it's very clear how much more the company is cutting corners. Little things like more dry fountains, and maintenence going on during park hours. Not to mention many of the original voices on the rides have been replaced with half english, half spanish speakers, who don't nearly live up to the ones we all grew up with. But one thing is for sure, there are new shops to cram merchandise in your face. ARG! It just keeps going downhill.
12/1/03
It's only the first day of the month and we have major drama. ROY DISNEY, the nephew of Walt, has resigned from the Disney board, but has made it clear that Eisner should be the one to go. He accuses Eisner of having him spied on at the Disney Animation Studios where he is vice president. He also accuses Eisner of being tentative with funds for Disney's major profit factor, the parks, as well as not ensuring the continuation of Disney's relashionship with movie hit-makers Pixar. I'm sure we'll hear more about this soon.
The west coast visits the east...
Disney announced that Epcot will soon get a new attraction. Well, not really new. The attraction 'Soarin' Over California' from Disney's second west coast park, California Adventure, is making it's way to to the Orlando park. The attraction will put you on a hangglider for a simulated flight above the state, complete with the smell of fresh oranges. Look for the attraction in 2005.
No Pirates life for me...rumors of a 'Pirates of the Carribean' stunt show at MGM Studios have been dispelled. The coming attraction in the backlot area will be a car stunt show taken from the European parks. Somewhat of a dissapointment I think. But we'll see.
There's room for a thousand! Now in theaters is the next Disney ride turned movie, the Haunted Mansion. The movie stars Eddie Murphy as an over-achieving real estate agent, as well as the 999 haunts from the ride(OK, I didn't see THAT many.) The film is excellent, bringing in many things from the attraction that will please any theme park fan. Don't miss this one. It's to DIE for.
And he doesn't look a day over 20--This month our favorite mouse celebrates his 75th birthday, that is, since his first movie STEAMBOAT WILLIE. And Disney is going to make sure it's a big deal. Walt Disney World will have a few dozen 6 ft tall statues of Mickey, each inspired or designed by a celebrity....following a tour, and auction for charity. Eisner also mentioned other special Mickey events and products, including a new DVD. And look for Disney stamps at your post office in the coming months, starting with Mickey.
BOO!!
Time again for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! The Magic Kingdom reopens at night so all your favorite characters can scare up some fun. This requires a seperate ticket and is totally safe for the younger kids. Nothing like Universals Halloween Horror nights.
Theme park for sale?
In some kind of merger that has to do with NBC, stuff to complicated for me to get into, Universal Studios has been aquired, including it's theme parks. However, the new owners don't know if they want to keep the theme parks, including those just down the street from Disney in Orlando. Which means the park my be sold at some point in time. Wish I had the cash!! We'll be keeping an eye on this........
The Last Days
Alien Encounter will be out the door in a matter of days to make way for Stitch. Better get there if you want to experience it one last time. I know I will, and while I'm there, I'll get to try the new Philharmagic. It should be good, I'll let you know.
Epcots newest attraction had an early "soft-opening". Mission Space, starring Gary Senise, has been sending people all the way to mars, and to the toilets. The ride is very easy to get on, since most people have gotten sick after their first experience. This rider enjoyed two breathtaking trips before having to sit down. The ride is truly an amazing experience, giving you the feeling of a real liftoff, and landing. The official opening will be in the next month.
The Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom has gone through some maintenance, most likely for the release of the new movie starring Eddie Murphy based on the ride. Among other things, an effect created by the movies costume designer has been applied to the animatronics in the graveyard scene. Reflective materials are sewn into the costumes to make them shimmer and create a luminescent effect on the ghosts. The Mansion is looking very good, or, BAD, bwuhahahahaha.......
Tragedy struck at Disneyland in California when one man was killed, and twelve others were injured in Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. All details haven't been released, but we do know the train broke loose from the cars in a tunnel. The other Thunder Mountains were closed for inspections, but have been reopened.
Alien Encounter has met its match....a small fury alien named stitch. Alien Encounter will reportedly close Oct 15, 2003, for a ten month renovation project to throw out Skippy, SIR, Spinlock, and the others, to make room for experiment 626. The new attraction will be more kid friendly, (as if the whole rest of the park isn't!) and will give the Magic Kingdom a chance to really market Stitch merchandise.
June 2007 News
2007 News
Summer News 2006
Spring News 2006
Winter News 2005
Fall News 2005
Fantasyland will have a new feature soon. The Magic Kingdom land is opening a new children's playground across from the Winnie the Pooh area. The new area is said to be one of the best kids area's ever.
Also in the Magic Kingdom, you can now meet The Incredibles in Tommorrowland.
Summer News 2005
Look For many new things to do at the Walt Disney World Resort this summer if you haven't been for a while. Every park has something in store for you. At Disney's Animal Kingdom, you can meet the first free-roaming animatronic character, Lucky the Dinosaur. He has very select appearances, so check the guides. You can also see the work so far on what will be A.K.'s biggest pull, Expedition Everest, in the Asia section.
MGM Studios is the home to the just opened Lights, Motor, Action Extreme Stunt Show, brought over from Disneyland Paris. While kinda like ballet for cars, it's still really cool, especially if you like car chases or cars in general. And every seat is a great seat, so don't worry about rushing there early. The stadium is huge. You can also now meet Mr. and Mrs. Incredible at the animation tour!
Epcot has the new SOARIN', from California Adventure. The attraction puts your on a breathtaking hanglider tour over California. This attraction is worth a visit to Epcot. But expect really, really long lines, because of the FASTPASS. And don't forget the incredible MISSION SPACE, if you can handle it.
And finally the Magic Kingdom! MK's new attraction features the little blue alien Stitch in Stitch's Great Escape. Previously Alien Encounter(see my AE link), the attraction is now more friendly for the younger ones(like everything else in the Magic Kingdom...anyway). The show is basically the same, except little cute alien instead of big scary. It's a Small World is also now reopened after a rehab period. The big change is the very cool giant clock in the que line that plays music and puts on a little show on the hour and the half. And now is a good time to see the Castle in it's latest form, the 50th Anniversary version.
So Much to do this summer at the Resort! So much to see! So much cash to dish out! Well, anyway, have fun!February 2005
Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom is getting a makeover in yet another tired celebration created by Disney. The castle will have stain glass windows and golden statues in honor of Disneylands anniversary over in California, if that makes any sense. While the castle might look pretty, isn't enough enough? Walt's birthday, Mickey's, Disneylands, the Magic Kingdom's 20th, 25th, 30th? How about we just have normal everyday Disneyworld without all the gimmicks?November 2004
Walls have gone up around the former 20,000 Leagues lagoon in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Some of the rumors flying around say that a little Mermaid attraction is being built, would would put it right next to Ariel's Grotto. May 2004
April 2004
March
February
2/11/04
January
1/17/04:It's a new year, and already things are going downhill! Apperently the animation studios in Orlano located at MGM Studios are being closed. Now that Roy is gone, there is no one to fight this decision. Coupled with the fact that the company is moving away from hand drawn toons, things don't look good for the art that Walt shaped. It will be lost. Another dissapointement for us all.
DECEMBER 2003
12/2/03: People are loosin ears left and right. Just one day after Roy, Walt Disney's nephew, personally delivered his resignation letter, another board member left and lended his voice to get Eisner off the throne. Stanley Gold, Roy Disney's investment advisor, wrote a five page letter blaming Eisner for the drop in profits and an imagination "brain drain". Most expect that the rest of the board will back Eisner for now, but Disney and Gold will be taking their battle to the stockholders. Eisner has faced his battles in the past, including his resistance recently to Roy Disney's attempts to remove him. This conflict is expected to go on for some time.
November 2003
Disneyland has announced that it will have a float in the rosebowl parade this year. The float will feature a 100 foot tower of terror, probably to advertise for the one that will be opening soon in california. The Twilite Zone Tower of Terror first made its home in Orlando, Florida at the Disney MGM Studios.
October 2003
Act now! Right now at the stores by The Haunted Mansion, if you buy anything, you will get a special edition Haunted Mansion movie card. The cards feature the characters from the movie, including Madam Leota, The Hitch-hiking ghosts, and Master Gracey. Don't know how long they'll last, so get there quick.
September 2003
The BEST NEWS---Disney has announced the sequels to the absolutely amazing playstation 2 game Kingdom Hearts, a role-playing game featuring Disney and Final Fantasy characters. The suprise game will be made for Nintendo's Gameboy. I have preview pictures and will post them soon, as well as the link to my Kingdom Hearts page, which can be found on my regular homepage. I'm very excited!!!
Donald Duck finally gets his big break in Mickey's PhilharMagic, the new attraction opening soon at the Magic Kingdom. The 3-D show boasts the largest 3-D screen, spanning 150 feet. When Donald tries to take over Mickeys baton, he gets whirled into the Disney worlds of the music he is conducting, and takes you along the ride. Looks like it'll be up to Mickey to save the day again.....sorry Donald.
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