Straight From WED

WDWNT on July 31, 2007

Straight from the halls of Walt Disney Imagineering, a ton of news has come out about the future projects that will be happening at WDW. First off, the old site of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and current site of Pooh’s Playful Spot will be getting a new E Ticket/Big Budget attraction. Now, don’t get too excited right away, the project is at the very least 3 to 4 years from completion. I can only tell of one minor detail, that is the project will not be a mountain of any kind, contrary to the rumors that have been floating aound since 1999. In an update on the rumors we had on future enhancements to the Many Adventures of Winnie he Pooh, the changes are going to happen, just not immediately. The reason for the extended time frame is mostly so Animation can have time to animate what they have to, and then Imagineering can test he new special effects. I do not have any more details other than it will be a three dimensional effect and it will be coming to the attraction sometime in the next two years. In updates taking place this year, some major details have emerged on both Spaceship Earth and The Haunted Mansion. Spaceship Earth’s new final scene will feature mirrors and projections that will feature whatever you choose on one of the touch screens that will now be on every ride vehicle. The effect will be much like the hitchhiking ghost scene from the Haunted Mansion, just a lot more high tech and interactive. This will basically be an in ride ad for Siemens. In Haunted Mansion News, the newly announced never ending staircase scene will have some floating objects much like the floating chandelier scene. Not only will there be stairs as far as the eye can see, but plenty of spooky objects to keep guests coming back for more. WDI also confirmed the addition of the two other scenes, the floating Madame Leota crystal ball in the seance room and the new Bride/Attic Scene.

Magic Kingdom Collapsing???

WDWNT on July 28, 2007

We are proud to present our first piece in a weekly segment from Sparky LD entitled behind the scenes. Sparky LD has worked for a long time at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland and is happy to provide us with some insight into our favorite place on earth. Feel free to discuss today’s article on the forums.

The Degrading Condition of Magic Kingdom

By: Sparky LD

The Magic Kingdom over the years has come to a degree of disrepair. Things have not been maintained, painted, and replaced.

The Magic Kingdom has many things that have not yet been fixed or repaired, or don’t get repaired right away. For instance, the second Stitches Great Escape Theatre was closed for 3 months after the AA blew a hydraulic line and spewed fluid all over guests.  The AA was not fixed right away and the theatre was closed.  The line became very long and the “per guest per hour” ratio dropped a lot. As of right now I have heard rumors of lighting and screen issues in Monsters Inc Laugh Floor Comedy Club,  which I was told they have been going on since about 3 weeks after it opened.  Now, me being in the entertainment business would think that a lighting issue would be pretty big, seeing how many of the shows, rides and attractions depend on theatrical lighting.  The screen issue is horrible because the shows main focus is the screen.

Now let’s move on to the castle.  This issue is horrible.  Ever wonder why the strobes on the castle stage look brighter than on the castle, and why the ones on the castle don’t seem to be all on.  Well is simple.  The ones on the stage are newer and the plastic covers aren’t faded and nasty.  The ones on the castle are faded and not all are working.  They haven’t been replaced due to budget size, and the thought that a few out don’t really make the overall effect look bad.  I for one can tell where the ones that don’t work are. One other major issue over the years was the degrading condition of Haunted Mansion. At least now they are fixing that problem. I mean for years it was slowly decaying into disrepair.  Effects were breaking down, lighting wasn’t all working, and the Doombuggies had horrible squeaking when they would turn.  This most likely was due to the fact that the omnimover device was old.  Thank the lord for this extensive refurbishment currently going on. Another major issue is parades.  I for one think that the units in the day parade should be blown up.  They were fine of the 100 Years of Magic Celebration. But using them over and over is really bad. The Finale Castle unit in “Disney Dreams Come True Parade” has been used for 25 plus years.  Of course over the years it has gotten updated on the outside. SpectroMagic has also lost its luster.  Burnt out bulbs, the NO2 on the Mickey unit not working, the wings on Chernabog not opening, and the fiber optic Tinkerbelle on the second finale unit not working. A few times the second Fantasia unit has been missing; reports say the spinning hippo on top would spin to fast causing the driver to lose control of the unit.  And the rumor of the villains unit being attached to the back of the Chernabog unit never happened due to budget costs.  Also, some of the lighting on the costumes have not been performing properly.

So over the years Magic Kingdom has been going into disrepair, loosing that magical quality it once had. The Walt Disney Company is a well admired company and should do its best to keep its standards high.

Epcot’s 25th Officially Happening

WDWNT on July 28, 2007

I was informed today that a ceremony rededicating Epcot on October 1st, 2007, is most certainly happening. The Orlando Sentinel has picked up the story and Epcot’s 25th will be officially recognized by the Walt Disney Company. There is still no chance of a  few month long celebration of the anniversary, but at least something is happening. It is a nice change to see Disney recognize such a meaningful anniversary after the snub Walt Disney World’s 35th anniversary recieved last year.

Covert Canada

WDWNT on July 28, 2007

I don’t think Disney can any longer deny the big changes coming to the O Canada show at Epcot. The attractions original 5 day refurbishment has expanded to most of the month of August. The show is now closed from August 6th until August 31st. During this time, a new film featuring Martin Short as the host will be added as well as some cosmetic upgrades. An official announcement of the changes should be coming any day now.

Haunted Mansion Update

WDWNT on July 26, 2007

The Haunted Mansion refurbishment seems to be much bigger than Disney had originally let on. In addition to new audio and lighting upgrades, it appears the attic scene has been completely remodeled with the addition of the new bride scene similar to the changes that took place at Disneyland last year. Also exported from Disneyland, the floating Leota Crystal Ball has been put into the seance room. Finally, the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion will receive an effect that has yet to be seen in any mansion around the world. The giant spider staircase scene has been removed for the addition of a brand new scene with impressive special effects creating an illusion of neverending stairs. Disney has not made any of these changes official, but there are strong reports in their favor.

Under The Hat

WDWNT on July 26, 2007

In an update on the exclusive news we received last week on the technical updates to the Sorcerer’s Hat at the Disney MGM Studios, some new details have emerged. The hat should be receiving some fiber optics and Lighting that would allow the hat to change colors at night, much like Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth. Other special effects could be added, but this is all that has circulated thus far. The changes should be taking place sometime next month.

Great Movie Uniforms

WDWNT on July 26, 2007

Cast members inside the Great Movie Ride at the Disney MGM Studios have been informed of a costume change. Instead of the classic uniforms they have had since 1989, they will soon be wearing grey suit jackets and red shirts. The look doesn’t necessarily fit the attraction, but cast members will probably be happy wearing much more normal attire while they participate in the often hectic show-scenes.

Epcot 25

WDWNT on July 26, 2007

A unofficial source has leaked that Epcot will be holding a special rededication ceremony on October 1st, 2007 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the park. Rumors have risen that on this day, Disney may announce the upcoming projects at Epcot such as a refurbishment for the Imagination pavilion, a new fireworks show, or the future of such dated pavilions such as the Universe of Energy and the Wonders of Life.

Yak and Open YETi

WDWNT on July 24, 2007

I have now been told officially through Disney that the Yak and Yeti restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park will not open in October as originally reported, but indeed in November as was stated on the site a few days ago. No official date has been provided, but it will be one day in the month of November 2007.

The Management That Stole Christmas

WDWNT on July 24, 2007

Here we are in July, and already there is loads of news on the upcoming Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties. In addition to the entertainment changes we have already announced here on the site, the free photo that was a staple of the event for many years is now not only a thing of the past, but now it seems party guests may have to shovel out for full price photos. A very merry Christmas from Walt Disney World Management!!!