Mousekingdom Blog

Sometimes less is more, and Disney proofs this with their little enhancement the did on Space Mountain in Walt Disney WOrld. From now on music can be heard on your trip in space. But instead of changing the ride vehicles and add on board speakers they opted to keep the vehicle in their original form and added the music to track frame. This music can’t be heard from everywhere, but only when you pass through. This makes the experience even more special, even so when every time you pass you might here a different sound or piece of music. Want to know more? Read this great interview with an Imagineer who was part of this “little” change. Can’t wait to ride it!

Here is a video from Orlando Attractions Magazine

To celebrate the start of TRON Legacy Disney will trow a party the way only Disney can. This fall, during night time, Disney California Adventure park will transform in a real TRON delight. The Hollywood Pictures Backlot will transform into a fantastic TRON scene straight from the movie. The events will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Disney has released some amazing artwork to show what you as a guest can expect on your visit to the virtual world of Tron.

(more…)

It’s still over a year away but it will be here faster as you might think. The 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World. So we can start to expect some news about this special Disney Milestone.

One department that will work hard to give the people something special for the celebration is the merchandising department. To nobodies surprise, we will get a lot of goodies with “40” written all over it.

A whole collection of new pins have been announced for the 40th birthday of Walt Disney World. Many of these pins will show some of the most beloved attraction and one of the many Disney classic figures like Mickey, Donald and Goofy. There will also be a very nice Cinderella Castle puzzle pin. The puzzle pieces will have artwork on them from different Disney posters. This pin set will be limited.
(more…)

According to a rumor on Screamscape Disney might be looking at leveling the former River Country to make room for a new Disney Resort Hotel. This is the first rumor we hear about it. With the current situation and the recession I wonder if Disney would set this step at this time. On the other hand Disney isn’t doing to bad in these times and a new hotel on this wonderful location could well be a great addition.

Personally I would rather see River Country being brought back to live. I never had the chance to see it. It looks like it was a real nice place to relax. Check out these nice pictures and stories about the water park here!

It looks like the dragon has been defeated and will need a long time to get back on its feet. We are talking about the Maleficent dragon used in Disneyland’s Fantasmic show of course. It’s the same dragon that started of with a lot of trouble, not making its original debut date because of technical problems.

The dragon put its head down during the first show of last Saturday. It was not going to come back up. It is unknown when the dragon will return to the show but according to the rumors already shared on the Internet it could be months before the dragon will return. You can read more about it on micechat where Disney fans who where there when it happened share their experience.

Picture copyrights Forum user RAMKAM from Micechat forum. Click big picture to see full version on the board.

Really? Again! Another Disney character was naughty enough to grab a woman where he shouldn’t. This time it was Donald Duck who could not keep his hands to himself according to the woman in question. Now she has trouble sleeping and is traumatized. Did we not get this story with Tigger a couple of years ago. What was proven? Tigger was innocent as he could feel nothing through the gloves and it would have been an accident. Did Donald feel something? Maybe he accidentally did hit, grab, touch or got in contact with the woman. It could happen in the interaction with the characters, but it is hard to believe Donald would be that naughty.
(more…)

Fan of G.I. Joe don’t need to wait any longer, the 2011 G.I. Joe convention has a location and a date. In 2011, on March 31 to April 3, fans will be invited at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort to see their favorite action figure in… action!

Just like previous years you’ll get to chance to buy some Convention exclusive figures as well as meeting special guests. This well known Hasbro figure will bring some extra guests to the resort so start booking now if you want to be part of it. Make sure to add a couple of extra days to visit the Walt Disney World parks too.

So I go away for a week on a non Disney holiday and didn’t find the time to add any Disney magic on the blog during the trip. I did get to visit the comic shop in Hasselt (Belgium), Magische Poort (The Magic Gate) to get my Disney fix. If you’re ever in Belgium, make sure to visit them. (Molenpoort 5 bus 2 – 3500 Hasselt)

So, now I’m back it’s time to get back on the Disney train with the Disney news and fun. So what did I miss on this week? Disney tickets getting more expensive again. I’m sure you all know about this already so I wont bore anybody with my thoughts on this, but I do ask myself how they can higher them way above average index growth every year. I guess we Disney addicts can’t help ourself and will keep on paying the price. If we keep on going in this pace we will hit the $100 for a day ticket very soon though…

(more…)

Make sure to visit our Disneyland Resort Paris project DLP.Info to see what is going on behind the blue fences of the new Toy Story Playland in the Walt Disney Studios in Paris. You’re invited to see the finished work of the area and the new rides. All the info and a lot of great pictures of the area and the attractions. (Thanks to Dirk and the great work on the reports).

On our previous Walt Disney World trip we visited the Disney’s Portobello restaurant for a quick but very nice bite. The restaurant has undergone some changes and added a new fun item on their menu. They now have what they call the Meatball Bar where you can enjoy 4 kinds of different meatballs.

The flavors are Beef and Veal with Parsley, Spicy Pork, Chicken with Sage, and Salmon with Tarragon. Check out Mousesteps for their adventurous meatball story. After reading it I put the Portobello on my “to do” list again for our next trip. Sounds like a fun and nice thing to try.

Picture from Mousesteps.

After the great news, coming from the San Diego Comic Con, that Guillermo del Toro will be making a new Haunted Mansion movie we are already shown a teaser logo art from the newly announced Disney movie.

“Millions of people from around the world visit The Haunted Mansion each year, but no one has ever had a tour guide like Guillermo del Toro,” said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “Guillermo is one of the most gifted and innovative filmmakers working today and he is going to take audiences on a visually-thrilling journey like they’ve never experienced before.” (via BloodyDisgusting.com)

The big version of the logo can be found on the horror movie site Bloody Disgusting where they also agree that it is the best news from the Comic Con so far!

The past weekend for fans of the Disney theme parks was certainly dominated by the 55th anniversary of the opening of the one Disneyland that started it all. Many fans made it to Anaheim to celebrate in Disneyland,. However, those who travelled to San Francisco to enjoy the celebrations organized by the Walt Disney Family Museum were treated to various lectures and discussions not only looking back onto the history of that magical place in Anaheim and its various brethren around the world but also the future.

The all new blog of the Walt Disney Family Museum gives a rough overview over the events without covering the actual presentations in detail but still mentioning that amongst others Craig Russell, Chief Design and Delivery Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, and Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, presented several slides of future projects for the various Disney parks. Unfortunately those are neither detailed nor reproduced (so no word whether anything regarding Disneyland Paris was presented). For that reason also there is no mentioning of one of the most anticipated artworks amongst fans that – unnannounced – was revealed during the lectures: official artwork for Disneyland Shanghai! (more…)

When the weather is good it’s hard to get a good spot at Typhoon Lagoon, but let’s be honest, it’s no place to be during a thunder storm… or is it? Amusement Insider was at the park during a storm and got to see it how many of us fans would love experience it. Empty, deserted and having the place to yourself.

Maybe the water was of limits but it gives you a great photo opportunity. Check out this great photo journey of the water park with empty pools and empty slides! The pictures of the deserted Typhoon Lagoon start on page 3.

The International Food and Wine Festival event is one of those very popular events in Walt Disney World’s Epcot where guest will have the chance to enjoy some culinary gems from both locals as well as goodies from all over the world. Today visitors can start booking some of the extra special events planned for the Food and Wine festivities in Epcot as Disney has opened their phone lines to make specific event reservations.

How about booking the “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery. For $45 you’ll get to taste some fine desserts and after that you’ll be entitled to a front row seat at the ever fantastic Illuminations show. I would sign up as once for this one and although I do like chocolates it’s the front row Illuminations seat that does it for me… honestly!

But that’s no the only event to look forwards too. There is a hole list of fun stuff to do during the Wine and Food Festival. Here you’ll find a full list of all the good stuff that is going on during the festivities.

Call 407-WDW-FEST to book for the 15th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival events and seminars.

Oh, and make sure to visit the Belgium stand on the International Market place. It will be the first time a Belgium stall is in place and I would be very interested in what they’ll be serving there!

Do you want to be the one who takes the last trip to Endor? When you’re a D23 member you might become one of the lucky once who will. 160 people will be invited to ride in one of the 4 starspeeders at the Star Tours attraction before they will be pulled into their hangars.

On July 14 the first 160 D23 members who sign up will have the chance to experience it for the last time. After that Disney will start preparing the attraction for the opening of Star Tours II. D23 members who got a spot will then be invited into Disneyland on the night of July 26.

The ride will take place after park closure, making it even more special when you’ll be able to see some of the lit up and deserted park after the ride.

Picture Copyrights Disney