Walt Disney World Resort – Page 359

News from the February 2009 Mickey Monitor

WDWNT on February 2, 2009

The latest edition of the Mickey Monitor annual passholder publication is now available for viewing and offers a number of newsworthy announcements on some upcoming Walt Disney World attractions and special events. Here are some highlights:

-Passholders are being informed that Space Mountain will be closed for a “Space-Lift” beginning in April 2009. The article confirms that the track layout and the exterior look of the Mountain will not be touched during the refurbishment. While no reopening date is given, an opportunity to own a piece of the classic Magic Kingdom attraction is. For all the details on how to win a piece of Space Mountain, consult the Mickey Monitor and WDW Annual Passholder website.

-The article with top billing in this issue has a lot of information on the 2009 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, including a complete list of performers for the Flower Power concert series.

-Another article has more details on the upcoming “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party”. The parade/show will feature contemporary Radio Disney music, as well as some classic Disney tunes as characters emerge from large party boxes around the hub to party with guests in front of Cinderella Castle. The parade/show will perform multiple times daily at the Magic Kingdom beginning February 12th.

-Star Wars Weekends 2009 will be held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May 22 and June 14, 2009.

More information on all of these special events and attractions, plus much more, can be found in this month’s issue of the Mickey Monitor which can be found HERE.

“What Will You Celebrate?”: Winning the Super Bowl

WDWNT on February 2, 2009

It’s never too early to celebrate. I guess that’s why the Super Bowl champions will be appearing at the Magic Kingdom today:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – So how are Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger celebrating their heroic play in Super Bowl XLIII? In the frenzied moments just after their team claimed the National Football League championship Sunday night in Tampa in dramatic fashion, they stood in front of a TV camera and shouted five words that have become an almost iconic reaction to milestone achievements: “I’m going to Disney World!”

Their pronouncement, part of the production for one of TV’s most enduring and celebrated commercials, was captured after the Steelers’ 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals – a game during which Holmes earned the MVP honor, catching nine Roethlisberger passes for 131 yards, including a game-winning 6-yard TD reception with 35 seconds left. Roethlisberger finished with 21 completions in 30 attempts for 256 yards. During Pittsburgh’s decisive 78-yard drive in the final 2:37, the pair connected four times for 73 yards as the Steelers earned an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl victory.

On Monday (Feb. 2), Holmes and Roethlisberger will go to the place where millions of vacationers celebrate their personal milestone moments. They will be joined in the Magic Kingdom by NFL Youth Football players from Jacksonville, Fla., who will participate with the Steeler stars in a Super Bowl celebration parade down Main Street, U.S.A.

This latest commercial is the milestone 40th of a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “ I’m going to Disney World” commercial, featuring New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was regarded as a groundbreaking concept – a produced national commercial involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion. Holmes and Roethlisberger join a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have celebrated milestone accomplishments in “I’m going to Disney World” commercials.

And this latest installment, airing just hours after the conclusion of the game, followed a similar script just ahead of Holmes’ and Roethlisberger’s visit.

The Entire Experience

WDWNT on January 30, 2009

We have been able to gather quite a bit of information on the American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the last week and we thought we would share it in one large post. Below is the latest picture and videos (embedded from our fantastic WDWNTube video site, of course) released by Disney to promote Walt Disney World’s newest attraction, as well as the complete list of songs that will be available to contestants. Keep in mind the attraction opens officially on February 14th, 2009, but is currently holding soft previews daily.

TV and radio personality Ryan Seacrest poses in front of The American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Seacrest, who hosts the popular “American Idol” television show, also stars in the new Walt Disney World theme park attraction which opens to park guests Feb. 14, 2009. In the attraction, park guests can vote on their favorite performance, or audition with the chance to perform on stage. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

Songs Contestants Can Sing in the Show:

Disney Songs

Best of Both Worlds (Hannah Montana)

Bet On It (High School Musical 2)

Breaking Free (High School Musical)

Circle of Life (The Lion King)

Colors of the Wind (Pocohontas)

Ever Ever After (Enchanted)

Go The Distance (Hercules)

Part of Your World (The Little Mermaid)

Play My Music (Camp Rock)

Reflection (Mulan)

Rock Star (Hannah Montana)

This Is Me (Camp Rock)

You’ll Be In My Heart (Tarzan)

Country

Achy Breaky Heart

All-American Girl

Amazed

Boot Scootin’ Boogie

Breathe

Do You Believe Me Now

How Do I Live (Without You)

I Hope You Dance

I Like It, I Love It

I Told You So

Independence Day

It’s Good to be Us

Life is a Highway

Lost

Man, I Feel Like A Woman

My Wish

Our Song

Sweet Home Alabama

This Kiss

Walkin’ After Midnight

What Hurts The Most

Disco

Dance Best of My Love

Fame

Hot Stuff

I Will Survive

Knock On Wood

Last Dance

Never Can Say Goodbye

Turn Your Love Around

You’re The First, The Last, My Everything

Latin

1-2-3

Bailamos

Just Another Day

La Bamba

Smooth

Turn The Beat Around

Waiting for Tonight

Rock/Pop Up Tempo

Big Girls Don’t Cry

Black Horse and a Cherry Tree

Bohemian Rhapsody

Breakaway

Don’t Stop The Music

Express Yourself

Face Down

Footloose

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

I Can See Clearly Now

I Feel The Earth Move

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

If Everyone Cared

No One

Old Time Rock and Roll

Over You

Rock With You

Since U Been Gone

Somebody to Love

Suspicious Minds

Sway

The Great Escape

Walk Away

Walking On Sunshine

You Really Got Me Now

You’re My Best Friend

Rock/Pop Ballad

A Moment Like This

Alone

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me

Drops of Jupiter

Home

If It Makes You Happy

Iris

Just Once

Kiss From a Rose

Looks Like We Made It

Stand By Me

Unchained Melody

Walkin’ In Memphis

What a Wonderful World

Your Song

Motown

100 Ways

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Ain’t Too Proud To Beg

For Once In My Life Meduim

Get Ready

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

I Want You Back

I Wish

I’ll Be There

Midnight Train to Georgia

New Attitude

Reach Out, I’ll Be There

RESPECT

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Stop In The Name of Love

Superstition

Then Came You

Vision of Love

You Are The Sunshine of My Life

You Keep Me Hangin’ On

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

You’re All I Need To Get By

The Audition Process:

The Audience Experience:

Setting The Stage:

Be sure to stay tuned for continuing coverage of the American Idol Experience as we get closer to the official opening day on February 14th, 2009.

Mexico Pavilion Dining Migrates North in Quality

WDWNT on January 29, 2009

Since Epcot underwent management changes in early 2007, the park has made a concerned effort to improve the dining options around the World Showcase area of the park. Since the summer of 2007, a number of high-profile changes have occurred. Nine Dragons and the Lotus Blossom Cafe in China have been remodeled, and the brand-new Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo were added in Japan in the space formerly occupied by Teppanyaki Dining Room. In addition, Alfredo’s was replaced with Tutto Italia Ristorante in the Italy Pavilion (though this was a quick changeover and it is expected that this restaurant will close to remodel and expand in 2010), and a number of menus all around World Showcase have been updated with new offerings. It seems that these sweeping changes have now reached the Mexico Pavilion, where both of the long-time favorite eateries have already experienced changes or will be going under the knife very soon.

The changes that have already occurred at the pavilion are evident in the menu of the San Angel Inn. The restaurant has eliminated what they called “tourist food” such as the nachos con pollo and has gone far more upscale for both Lunch and Dinner. The Lunch menu now features meals ranging in price from $16-22, a very small price increase overall with the addition of “REAL Mexican food,” to quote a hostess at the restaurant. The dinner menu has experienced similar changes in variety, but now boasts meals ranging in price from $24-34. I applaud the effort to make this an authentic Mexican dining experience, and based on my recent visit, I can say that a number of items on the new menu were very good.

The upcoming changes in dining at this pavilion are far more comprehensive than just a new menu. The delayed Tequila Bar that was originally planned to open in late 2008 is now scheduled to open in 2010. To prepare for this addition, the Kidcot location inside the Casa Mexicana storefront closed in early January. That space will be occupied by either merchandise from another area that will be moved to make room for the Tequila Bar, or the Tequila Bar itself (my apologies, I have not been able to get a straight answer on this just yet).

In addition to these changes inside the pavilion, the Cantina de San Angel is scheduled to reopen in 2010 as a remodeled and expanded establishment with a completely new menu. Rumors indicate that this will be a more expensive counter service location with meals in the $10-15 range and that a second floor may be added, providing a fantastic venue from which to watch Epcot’s nightly fireworks spectacular. No word yet on when the Cantina de San Angel will close for these changes to take place.

While majority of this report is fact, there are a few rumored changes that have not yet been confirmed by Disney and will have to remain as rumors until Disney discloses more information. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available.

Get Ready to Party…. Eventually

WDWNT on January 29, 2009

Disney has published some details (and larger concept art) on two upcoming entertainment offerings for the Magic Kingdom as part of the “Celebrate Today!” promotion. Be sure to take note of the date change on the second show:

Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party
At the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party, you’ll join in on interactive fun in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom® Park. Multicolored “party box” floats roll out as favorite Disney Characters kick your celebration off with music and dancing. Scheduled to open February 12, 2009.

Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration
Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration is for true party animals& and party aliens! Interact with Stitch as he celebrates “Galaxy Day” at his very own electric, intergalactic event in Magic Kingdom® Park. A dazzling jumbo screen and Stitch’s wild antics are all part of a party that’s out-of-this-world! Scheduled to open late Spring 2009.

Images represent early concept art from Walt Disney World® Entertainment, and are not actual depictions

The Wand is Back!!!

WDWNT on January 28, 2009

I’m sure that’s a news title you never expected to read on this website, but it’s true. In this case, it’s the wand in a form that’s even uglier than the real thing was. However, it was in use for a pretty good reason :

An 80-foot-tall hot air balloon, shaped like Epcot’s Spaceship Earth icon, floated Jan. 28, 2009 above Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., carrying the Birkett family, of Scottsdale, Ariz. The special flight was one of the dreams awarded as part of Disney Parks’ 2008 “Disney Dreams Giveaway.” On Sept. 17, 2008, Christian Birkett was chosen at random as the dream recipient while experiencing The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction at Disneyland Park in California. In addition to the tethered balloon flight, Birkett’s dream included a VIP vacation to Walt Disney World. The Disney Dreams Giveaway, part of Disney’s Year of a Million Dreams which officially ended Dec. 31, 2008, awarded a million-plus dreams throughout 2008 at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. After today’s balloon flight, Birkett commented, “When you’re up there, it feels like you’re on top of the world. It’s definitely a dream come true.” (David Roark, photographer)

Inside the Experience

WDWNT on January 26, 2009

The Orlando Sentinel has just published a photo album with 20 fantastic pictures of the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can view the entire album by going HERE. Even though we provided you with plenty of photos from this show when I was at Walt Disney World earlier this month, I think these pictures are worth taking a good look at. Don’t forget to read the captions at the bottom of each photograph for more information.

Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade Video Debut

WDWNT on January 25, 2009

With the launch of our new WDWNTube video site just a few days ago, we are still testing a variety of features, including the ability to embed videos from that site right here on WDW News Today. While our amazing technical department is working on that, we will direct you over to that site to watch our newest video in high quality (scratch that, we got it to work, look below). Without any further delay, here is the debut video of the “Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade” at the Magic Kingdom taken by Robert Ashburn:

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Robert Ashburn’s 1/23/09 WDW Photo Update

WDWNT on January 25, 2009

Robert Ashburn of Figment’s Media and FTN has provided us with another fantastic photo report, this time from the Magic Kingdom area with a full report on the park’s latest parade and some other smaller happenings. Let’s take a look:

We’ll start this report with photos from the debut performance of the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade at the Magic Kingdom. Since the pre-parade vehicle is now in the actual parade, a high school band acted in it’s place

Disney was filming the first performance for some promotional footage

The parade banner leads along with what was the pre-parade Grand Marshal vehicle

Jon Pleszewski’s 1/21/09 Magic Kingdom Update

WDWNT on January 22, 2009

Avid WDWNT Network follower Jon Pleszewski has provided us with a fantastic photo update from around the Magic Kingdom park, so let’s take a look at some news items:

The “Celebrate Today!” banner covers the famous train station plaque that the Year of a Million Dreams banner covered for many months

The castle forecourt stage has been returned to it’s usual look, slightly freshened and ready for Dream Along with Mickey

The walls are finally down around the Golden Oak Outpost in Frontierland, which is ready to open any day now

The new seating area which will shrink the designated smoking area adjacent to it

Construction of Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration continues in Tomorrowland

Is it just me, or does it look like this isn’t going to make a February opening?

We end this great report with the arrival of more “Celebrate Today!” banners outside the Magic Kingdom. A special thanks to Jon for this update!

Category: Walt Disney World Resort