Archive for March, 2007

Swiss Family Suites

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

On April 30, the Magic Kingdom's Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse will be closed to begin its conversion into a Disney Vacation Club property.

Pirates vs. Princesses

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

The Pirate & Princess Party returns to the Magic Kingdom this summer for several days in August and September. It is expected that the pirates will win again this year.

Night of Joy — Rockin’ the Park for Jesus

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

Disney has announced the list of performers for the annual Night of Joy Christian-music event at the Magic Kingdom, beginning September 7 at 7:30 p.m. Headlining the event will be the celebrated, award-winning chants of the Monks of St. Sebastian Straight-Arrow Choir. Pat Robertson's "Rappin' Rob" extravaganza will serve as a finale to the event.

While we're on the subject, tickets are still available for the annual Night of Darkness Anti-Christian-music event at the Magic Kingdom, beginning June 6 at 6:66 p.m. Ozzy Osbourne, Marilyn Manson, and the reunited Osmond brothers will perform.

Mouse and Found

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

The Mouse Planet Web site — usually viciously on top of current Disneyland news — yesterday finally noted that Disneyland's Lost Children center moved to the Baby Care Center, thwarting the park's plan to make young Mouse Planet readers stay lost.

A Wild Investment

Tuesday, March 13th, 2007

The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund has announced the purchase (along with two partners) of some 3,000 acres of land in Brazil. This land is the habitat of the endangered Lear’s macaw, so named for its large eyes and habit of staring at female macaws with its tongue hanging out of its mouth. The land was purchased both for the preservation of the macaw’s habitat and for the construction of Club Macaw, and extensive dining, dancing, and theme park experience planned to encircle the 1,000 acres that will be left undeveloped.

The Flat Frog

Tuesday, March 13th, 2007

Disney has announced a return to traditional animation with The Frog Prince. This tale of amphibian romance is not only a resurrection of tradition, but also a Disney first in many ways. This is going to be Disney’s first animated feature starring a princess of African descent, and the first featuring both interspecies (princess and frog) and interracial (princess and Frenchman) romance.

When asked about how Disney would produce the film given that they had released all of their 2D animators, a Disney spokesperson responded, “Oh, that won’t be a problem. Most of those animators wouldn’t even think of working for another studio and are just sitting in their apartments waiting for us to call. They love Disney and can’t wait to return to the benefits, security, and management-free creative independence they have come to expect from Disney traditional animation.”

Meet the Who?

Tuesday, March 13th, 2007

Characters from the Meet the Robinsons have been spotted at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, trying to pose for photos, signing autographs that cause readers to wrinkle their brows, and just generally confusing guests who have no idea who they are.

Get in early!

Sunday, March 11th, 2007

This just in — apparently some people in Disneyland management are none too pleased with Congress’ pulling back Daylight Saving Time by three weeks. As sort of a “quiet protest” over the situation, starting tomorrow Disneyland will be rewarding everyone who refuses to change their watches by letting them into Disneyland one hour before the posted opening time!

Enjoy!

Pizza Sally

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

Quoting from an ABC “Eyewitness News” report:

Pizza Sally

Many Floridians say they see something on a pizza pan that’s nothing short of magical. And now, hundreds of Disney fans are flocking to an east Orlando house to get a peek.

Apparently, they’re serving something special at the cafeteria of Pu Elementary. On Ash Wednesday, a school employee was washing and scrubbing a sheet pan when she noticed something.

“On the third rinse I started watching it, trying to discover what it was,” she recalled.

So moved by the discovery, she took the pan to her manager, who said, “I know it’s something good for this community, and especially for this school.”

What the women saw was an image that is unmistakable to them. It drew so much attention the pan was moved to a nearby home, where it has become the center of what almost amounts to a shrine.

“It’s Sally from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” said one visiting Disney fan. “At first I thought it was Snow White, but the long neck, the full hair — it has to be Sally.”

Another of the Disney faithful said, “I think it’s incredible. It’s real Disney magic. I’m no lawyer, but I think it’s probably a copyright violation, too. I don’t know what they’re going to do about that.”

More than 200 came to see “Sally” on Thursday, and dozens more arrived on Friday. A meeting with Disney lawyers was planned for Friday evening.

Bring on the green!

Monday, March 5th, 2007

Those of you with a hankering for a bit of Irish may want to head for Walt Disney World on St. Patrick's day. In celebration, Downtown Disney's Raglan Road restaurant will feature an Irish theme all day long!