Mousekingdom Blog

If asked what my preferred park is I have difficulties choosing between Animal Kingdom (even pre Expedition Everest) as this park is a Imagineering marvel and Epcot. I don’t want to choose but for reason Epcot has the edge. I love Illuminations (those reading the blog regularly will know this), but also enjoy some of the attractions and can wander hours and hours around the World Showcase.

The World Showcase has a lot to offer, while some might say there are not enough rides, there is so much stuff to see and do (and eat). On this trip however I noticed that the one place I hang out the most is Japan. It could be the Drums of the Matsuriza, the amazing candy artis Miyuki, the small but beautiful gardens or the whole Japan pavilion that keeps me there every time. Whatever it is, I can’t seem to get enough of that place and am already looking forwards to my next visit (even if that will not be before 2009)

… 2009? That a long time away. I guess browsing some of my Japan Pavilion pictures will have to keep my happy,… for now.

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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It looks like it that Harry Potter is going to go to Universal after all (even with the rumor that floated the webs a couple of weeks ago that Disney might still have had a hand in it). If the rumors are correct Universal is planning to add Harry Potter in an unused area, both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure have possible free areas, with the second one being the top possibility (if rumors are indeed correct).

So did Disney lose on this deal? Some might think so but I don’t. I admit, the following might be a bit of a personal look at the situation, but I can’t help myself thinking that this was the best deal for Disney. Yes you read this right; I did say best deal for Disney.

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Disney fans can be found around the globe … and we bloggers here at the Mousekingdom Blog love to believe that there are readers from around the globe as well … so today a short post for all our readers and Disney fans living in or close by Seattle (or visiting Seattle at certain dates). Still reading? Ok, so I assume you are either totally bored, really love this blog (THANKS!) or are actually living in the area / visiting the area.

Maybe you already now that the EMP (Experience Music Project) is currently (till September 9, 2007) running the special exhibition “Disney: The Music behind the Magic 1928 – today“. If not: there is a great website for that exhibit with plenty of audio clips that is worth visiting also (or: especially?) for those of us who can’t make it to the exhibit. E.g. one can listen to Tom Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical, talking about the origins of the company’s Broadway productions. Anyway, back to the topic. In connection with this special exhibit a series of three great lectures in February, March and April has been announced.

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It seems there is a Midas Touch effect going for Disney right now, with the opening of their second major new attraction in Walt Disney World in recent weeks. Following on from movie success, financial success and widespread critical acclaim, the company is definitely on a roll from what we have seen. Having been seriously impressed by the new The Seas with Nemo & Friends ride at Epcot, Finding Nemo – The Musical has now opened at the Animal Kingdom, replacing the excellent Tarzan Rocks show, which we thought would be a tough act to follow. It needed to be something much bigger and more eye-catching, and it is. In spades.

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Every Monday it’s the same story, the weekend is over and it’s back to work: the first day of the week, a mountain of work and nothing much to look forwards too. Sounds like a typical Monday to most of us, unless you work the weekend or have irregular shifts.

So, how to improve the Monday? Easy, or at least it is for me. I come to the office, put on the PC and start working… but not before I open the Inside the Magic Podcast site. I check if the new podcast is live, click on the link and start listening under the headset. No Monday feeling anymore, I still have to work but with a little magic on my ears.

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The new Nemo ride at EPCOT “The Seas with Nemo & Friends” will (or should) open in October. Disney Online has a picture added with the Clamshell ride vehicles on it.

Thank you to Screamscape for pointing this out together with the rumor that the opening might be postponed until November as they are behind schedule.

Looking forwards to this experience on my next Walt Disney World Trip.

If there is only one Disney book you could own it has to be “From Sketch to Reality” by Didier Ghez and Alain Littaye. This book is amazing, over 300 pages filled with pictures and stories about the beautiful Disneyland Park in Paris. It has all the artwork and Imagineering secrets collected in a masterpiece. There is up to today no other book created for any of the other parks as this one for the Paris Park. I was very lucky to meet Didier Ghez when the book’s first edition was produced, had a real nice chat and had my book personalized. (Thank you Didier)…

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If you want to have a look at the Tower Of Terror that will open at DisneySea on the 4th September check out this awesome on-ride preview video from Joe’s Tokyo Disney Resort Photo Site. While the fairly big file is loading you can check the big collection of pictures already gathered and shared on the site. From Concept art to a collection of close ups from around the ride.

Once the 16+ minutes movie start you will get to see a lot of Cast Members in and around the attraction, a fun Pre-Show where the window changes and tells part of the story, an awesome looking queue area, an elevator (really?), ghosts and freefalls with a lot of screams. After the ride you’re invited into the shop before exiting the beautiful building. It is well worth seeing this video if you’re a Tower of Terror fan, and if you’re not a fan… it is still worth seeing it. Enjoy

Rumors are fun, at least I think so. It is always some good fuel for chats, forums and blogs. Some rumors will see the day of light while others are so unbelievable they never come thru, or if they do we’re all very surprised. One rumor that has been posted on the VMK.forums is, although hard to believe, very interesting and something worth talking about.

Bob Iger wrote a mail, that was only intended for the top Disney executives, but looks like it also landed in the inbox from an intern. 3 nice rumors, of what would be a growth in Walt Disney World, that will fire up some nice talks or thoughts. While the first two might still sound believable, the third one might be a little bit of an overkill. I cannot stress “rumor” hard enough on this, but it was still something I wanted to blog about.

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How does the Yeti move? Where does the track appear from when switching to go backwards? What kind of technology did they us on the attraction?

Are these the questions you ask yourself when watching or riding the new “Expedition Everest” attraction at Animal Kingdom? If the answer is yes you might like to have a look at some technical explanations of the animatronics and the ride system on MachineDesign.com (Engineering Expedition Everest, complete with a yeti). It is an interesting read on how they use technology developed in the 60’s with the technology of today.

The yeti relies on Disney’s Audio-Animatronics technology, which was first developed in the 1960s to animate 3D robots of characters from Disney movies.

For many Disney collectors no introduction is needed when talking about Mousesurplus; a company, based in Orlando, specialized in buying and selling Disney World memorabilia. They even have a Mark IV Red monorail for sale.

Dreamfinder Forever has visited the new Mousesurplus location and brought back a collection of pictures of all the goodies that will make the Disney collector’s heart skip a beat. You’ll see the Monorail car, Mr Toad Vehicles, Snow White Scary Adventure vehicles, AstroJet, Pinatas from the Mexico pavilion at Epcot, Show props, Hotel Items, the life size Walt Disney Statue, and a whole lot more.

As a collector myself I would love to walk around that place one day…

Walt Disney World’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” new animatronics of Jack Sparrow has found its way to the internet. A soft opening on the 1st of July was enough for the “Inside the Magic” website crew to get a really good video of the ride and the new inhabitants. The video will show you a lot of the new parts of the ride. In case you don’t like spoilers or want to be surprised on your next visit, don’t watch it, but if you can’t wait (like me) click on the link and enjoy the ride, the new faces and some of the new soundtrack….

Travel Weekly magazine here in the US had a 3-page spread on Disney’s just-announced Year Of A Million Dreams promotion, which starts this October (see Andy’s post below for more info). And, one of the new features they highliighted for 2007 was a complete revamp of the classic Space Mountain ride in the Magic Kingdom (which, as most people will know, is drastically different from the DLP version), to include lasers, an electronic light show and a rock and roll theme. (more…)

This past week Orlando played host to Pow Wow, the United States’ annual travel trade show, with a whole lot of Pow and even more Wow! The convention is an opportunity to hear about nearly every travel-related location, accommodation, event, etc all over the country, as well as offering a chance to preview what’s new in the theme parks, specifically Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. If you have ever wondered what happens at a big Disney Event, consider this your personal invitation to Disney’s Pow Wow Farewell Party.

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