Tidbits
October 2008
Third Tweak a Charm?
10/27/08Entertainment Cast are reporting that a third iteration of the "Dream Come True" parade will be debuting at the Magic Kingdom in Early 2009. Cast Rehearsals for a new parade tentatively title "Celebrate Dreams Come True" have been reportedly scheduled for January 2009. Beyond some minor troupe changes the biggest changes from the second iteration will reportedly be made to the "It Was All Started with a Mouse" and the "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" floats.
These new reports appear to confirm the that previously announced plan to bring the Parade of Dreams to the Magic Kingdom have at least been postponed if not canceled.
Mission: Possible
10/27/08Limited Guest Test Runs began over the weekend. Based on reports of the Guest and Cast Test Runs, it appears that the operation of the permanent attraction will be quite different than the trial version in 2006. Rather than a continues adventure, these test runs have been presented as a collection of individual adventures. According to the reports, Guests pick up a Kimunicator at the headquarters in Innoventions or at one of the carts around World Showcase and are placed in a virtual queue. When it is their turn, their Kimunicator becomes active and they are instructed which pavilion to go to. Once the mission in that pavilion is complete, they can end their adventure or request to be placed back into the queue for another adventure at one of the distribution areas. Unlike the test run in 2006 which was continuous, it appears that the permanent version will have Guests participating off and on for as long as they wish. According to Epcot Cast, the attraction is scheduled to officially debut November 12, 2008.
10/22/08Cast Only Test Runs for the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure at Epcot are currently underway. Based on these test runs it appears that Guests will use Kimmunicators that look like flip cell phones and will be able to start and end their adventure at any of the pavilions participating in the adventure. Each participating pavilion has unveiled a Kimmunicator Distribution Cart which reportedly appears to operate as both the pick-up and return station for the devices. Additionally, Cast Training for the attraction has begun. Although an official start date has yet to be announced, Epcot Cast have reported that the attraction could debut for Guests as early as next week.
Announced Details on the attraction and description of the 2006 Test Run can be found in New Ultra-Interactive Attraction at Epcot
Passholder Perk
10/19/08 Disney's Animal Kingdom has instituted a new program exclusively for Passholders. The park will now feature a Passholder exclusive speaker series on select dates through-out the year. The first event in the series was held on October 18, 2008 on the topic of "The Year of the Frog". Passholders should watch the Passholder website for information on future event dates and topics.
Gazing into a Crystal Book?
10/19/08 The first purchasers of Birnbaum's Official Guide to Walt Disney World 2009 have potentially been given a preview of two major happenings planned for the Magic Kingdom in 2009. According to the book, Space Mountain will be closed for refurbishment "for much of 2009" and the Parade of Dreams parade will debut as the new afternoon parade at the Magic Kingdom park at an uncited date in 2009. Both of these items have been previously reported by Cast being in the planning stages. Although these published statements present a moderate likelihood for these events to occur, plans may have changed since the guide went to print. Specific to the parade change, there has been some doubt cast on these plans still being in motion due to this change not being mentioned along with the other new entertainment announced for 2009 at the Magic Kingdom earlier this month.
Character Changes
10/19/08 Character Cast have reported that Disney's Hollywood Studios will be discontinuing its evening Character Meet & Greet around the park's iconic Sorcerer's Hat. In lieu of this offering, Character Cast report that a similar line-up of assorted Characters will begin meet and greet appearances in the post-show area of the Magic of Disney Animation attraction once daily circa 5:00 pm. Although a specific date was not reported, the change is expected to take place during the week of October 20, 2008. The change over is scheduled to be be initiated October 24, 2008. (*info clarified 10/23, Thanks Joel )
10/12/08 Goofy’s Beach Blast Breakfast at the Cape May Café in Disney’s Beach Club resort has changed it’s character line-up. The breakfast has retired Chip and Dale and introduced Donald Duck. Goofy and Minnie Mouse remain part of the line-up.
A Whirlwind of Change
10/12/08 As the refurbishment of Primeval Whirl progresses, the extensiveness of the work is becoming more apparent. With much of the attraction’s track above the construction walls, it has been visible that cranes are removing large sections of the track. There have still been no details released in regard to the aim of the refurbishment.
A Larger Voyage
10/12/08 Effective March 1,2009, the Magical Fireworks Voyage will no longer be exclusive to Grand Gathering parties and will become available to all Guests regardless of party size. The cost for this revised experience will be $53.99 for Guests 10 and up and $30.99 for Guests ages 3 – 9 years old.
Curtain Call
10/12/08 It has been internally announced that FastPass distribution has been suspended at show based attractions from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. The affected attractions include Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Stitch’s Great Escape, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Lights, Motors, Action!, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!, and It’s Tough to be a Bug. A reason for the suspension was reportedly not cited.
Cars on the Move
10/12/08 The new themed Cars meet and greet has opened in the former location of the Al’s Toy Barn façade. The new meet and greet location features a façade of Luigi’s Casa Della Tires. The new meet and greet has been re-dubbed “Meet the CARS” and is currently operating intermittently from 10:00 am till 6:00 pm daily.
Would you like (more than) fries with that?
10/12/08 Two of McDonald’s Three French Fries kiosks will be expanding their menu in Late 2008 and Early 2009. It has been internally announced that PetriFries at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close for refurbishment November 2 –21, 2008 and Frontierland Fries at The Magic Kingdom will be closed for refurbishment now through January 10, 2009; both locations will re-open with expanded menus serving McDonald’s brand fries, wraps, and chicken nuggets. When PetriFries re-opens, it will do so with a new name to reflect its expanded offerings – TriloBites. It has not yet been announced if Frontierland Fries will re-open with a new name; however, it has been announced that the location will re-open with a new building-shaped kiosk and a small seating area to the side.
