Mousekingdom Blog

Harry Potter is going to Island of Adventure, this is no secret anymore and it’s no secret either that it made me happy that it wouldn’t go to Disney. I always thought that Disney should make their own magic and not try to get this wizard to control its lands and boundaries within the Disney grounds. It seems I am not the only happy man as can be read on the Re-Imagineering blog (and surely on other forums and blogs on the net).

After the official press release from Warner Bros. and Universal Orlando you’d have thought that Bob Iger would be marching several legions of Disney Executives to the guillotine or that an angry mob of stockholders would be storming the castle. Instead a group of resilient battle weary Imagineers were quietly grinning from ear to ear, cracking open a bottle of champagne and staring out upon a very, very ‘blue sky’.

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With the success of the first High School Musical a second part was not far away. The second High School Musical playing now and we can already look forwards to the third movie. This time however we will not get to see it on the Disney channel but we will have to go to the cinemas.

Of course, to get a third installment we need the stars to jump on board and at this moment rumors indicate that no contract has been signed yet. Zac Effron has been offered $2.5 million to return to HSM3 while other previously stars where offered a $1 million deal. If rumors are indeed correct it was Zac who told his co-stars to wait until they too would get a better offer to return for the next movie.

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson must be having a good time with the Disney Company. After the movie “The Game Plan” he might team up with Disney again for another movie. This time it will be a remake from a 1975 Movie; “Escape to Witch Mountain”.

The Rock will play a Las Vegas cab driver who picks up a pair of siblings with magical powers. The title for this version will be “Witch Mountain” and production is expected to start in March 2008

OK, I may have an unnecessary bee in my bonnet about this but, from doing a lot of online research into DLP recently, I can honestly say no-one has a worse, more confusing or - what is even more surprising - out of date website about the resort than Disney themselves.

There are various fan sites for the big Paris resort, and several are highly sophisticated these days, with masses of user-friendly info, even if they don’t have the high-gloss look and the clever interactive features.

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To celebrate the success of the NASA space shuttle Endeavour mission Disney will have a special event in Epcot and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on September 10 to celebrate its astronauts.

Highlights include astronaut Barbara Morgan unveiling a new addition to the Mission: SPACE attraction; interview opportunities with the STS-118 crew; and the astronauts serving as honorary grand marshals in the Magic Kingdom’s afternoon parade down Main Street, U.S.A. (Florida Today)

I love the whole space travel adventures and really hope to once see a lift off from nearby. I would love to see a shuttle go up but would be happy to see any other launch too. On my last visit to Orlando a launch was planned but then was pushed back to a later date.

Picture copyrights: Florida Today

As you might guess, seeing this entry, we are back from our holiday, including the Disneyland Resort Paris stop over. It was an evening and a full day, but enough for some extra magic before a relaxing sea side holiday. As we arrived late we didn’t do any rides but just enjoyed ourselves in the shops. Didn’t really buy a lot this time; just 1 limited pin for me and 1 limited pin for my son. I guess I never spend so little on Disney stuff as I did on this trip. But I didn’t see a lot of new stuff.

The second day was a lot of fun. First of all early to the studios to ride Crush. My son loved the new coaster while my wife screamed for most of the ride. After leaving the ride she said she would never ride it again…. Cars was next, and here my son said he would not ride it again but for whole other reasons. I think Cars is a nice ride, but I guess my son is at the age that it has to be thrill rides.

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Remember those stories from earlier this year, when Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker roamed Disney’s California Adventure on board of their “Muppet Mobile Lab” christened rolling rocket-ship? Remember the numerous reports on how stunning the experience was for guests who were able to interact with the two characters from the beloved Muppets? Still annoyed you might have missed them? Well, here comes your second chance to see the latest effort from Imagineering’s “Living Creature Initiative”.

As the Orlando Sentinel reports today the “Muppet Mobile Lab” has arrived at EPCOT in Walt Disney World for several weeks of testing. The two muppet characters arrive from backstage in their rocket ship style vehicle in EPCOT’s Future World where they roll into the park, along the way interacting with guests before stopping for a 12-minute “show” - partially scripted, partially improvisational - in the vincinity of Mission: Space.

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So, dear friends. Time to say “Ta Ta For Now”. No, I am not leaving forever, but I’ll be taking a little holiday. Me and my family will be visiting Saint Laurent du Var, a town in France between Nice and Cannes and not to far away from Monte Carlo. It might get a little quiet from my side on the blog, but make sure to check back here for the other bloggers and my return in two weeks. Although I must admit, I cannot help myself and I will be taking my laptop with me, so I might be on here for some of the days…

You might be thinking, “a Disney fanatic, and going on a non-Disney holiday”. Well… not completely of course as I will pass by Disneyland Resort Paris for a 2 nights stay.

As from January Disney’s MGM Studios will have a new name; “Disney’s Hollywood Studios”. The name might come to a surprise to some as a PIXAR related name has been circulating the rumor mill as well. Although personally I am happy it isn’t named PIXAR Studios, I am not so sure if I like Hollywood studios either. It’s not that I don’t like PIXAR or have problems with Hollywood, it’s just not appealing to me.

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Countdown can begin, the trip is coming closer and plans can be made. Although I am not a big fan of full itineraries, when it comes to visiting Walt Disney World some things need to be planned in advance. Obviously you need a hotel for the (short) nights and little rest that doesn’t really fit in my planning when it comes to going to a Disney park. A Walt Disney World trip isn’t a regular reoccurring thing, so I don’t want to waste my limited time on sleeping.

With my Disney Vacation Club points a stay at Old Key West was a no brain-er, but as I don’t have enough points (yet) an extra 4 nights at the Disney Wilderness Lodge was added. I am really looking forwards to explore both these Disney resorts. I also am a little envy; Dirk, who will be visiting WDW with me, is staying an extra couple of days in this resort. I already wish I could extend my stay too…

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Do you believe in lucky charms? Andreas Hoivold does, a professional poker player from Norway who brings a little sorcerer Mickey to the table. He won the European Poker Tour Season 3 event in Hohensyburg, Germany (This happened on 21 March 2007). With the help of Mickey he got the big price cashed in; 672,000 EURO (approximately $845000)

But he is not the only one. There is even a poker player who shares the famous name; Mickey “Mouse” Mills. And he seems to be good at the game too with 8 recorded 1st places and enough wins “in the money”.

And if you want to try your luck maybe a Mickey and Minnie Mouse Chip Card Guard is the right investment for you (you can find some on Ebay)

(Note; remember, poker should be fun and affordable in regards to your own financial possibilities. Only put as much money in an event as you can miss)

Although no information on extra prizes, the Year of a Million Dreams has been extended to Dec. 31st, 2008. So that will be more then 2 years of a million Dreams. (Or is it 2 Years and 2 million dreams). Good for me, as with my visit in October I’ll now have a chance to get a dream too. Not that I’m counting on it, but one can dream…

Annual Passport holders have an extra chance to win a stay in the castle at the Magic Kingdom. More information on this can be found on the AP website.

Picture copyrights: Disney

A couple of days ago Disney released some healthy revenue numbers, especially the parks are doing good and bringing in a lot of money for the company. Now, only a couple of days later, Disney announces a ticket price increase for their Walt Disney World parks. To give an example; a one day / one park / No Hopper ticket will go up from $67 to $71, a $4 increase, or about 6%.

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