[Mouse House News] Issue #9 - Jampacked With News You Can Use!
Mouse House News
May 19th, 2007 Issue #9 Subscribership: 239
The Happiest News on Earth
http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews
Established March 2007
From the Editor
Welcome! This is Mouse House News and you're reading it! It's great to have you along for another week.
So, here comes issue nine. Take note of our newest feature, Mouse Memories, where readers share their favourite Walt Disney World memories with us. We hope you enjoy!
Although I disagreed with much of [Tom Corless'] review [of the Magic Kingdom], it was very nice to hear someone voice my opinion of the Crystal Palace. Most RAVE about it; we have eaten there 3-4 times and I have yet to find anything remarkable about it. Really enjoy your writings.
Jenny Drake
Dear MHN:
Excellent articles. Very easy reading. Any news on Downtown Disney would be interesting as I don't think it gets enough mention.
Shirley Sampson
Thank you to Jenny and Shirley for your feedback. We will be sure to keep an eye on Downtown Disney and bring you any news that might arise in our Mousellaneous News section.
Lead Writer Tom Corless brings us the best and worst of Walt Disney World in a five part series. In the second installment, he takes us on a journey through Epcot.
After opening on October 1st, 1982, Epcot was seen as the dull, educational theme park in WDW. Fast forward 25 years and you will find a 25 year old park at the apex of a renaissance. All the park's recent additions make it hard to discern what is best, but here we go - on with Epcot's finest.
Thrill Attraction
Best: Test Track
The pure speed of this ride won't make you sick but the overall fun of the attraction is what makes it a thrill ride. A clever pre-show, great ride technology, and one of the few outdoor thrills around WDW are what make GM's Test Track the best.
Worst: Mission: Space
It's not bad, just the worst. It can't compare to Test Track or Maelstrom. Yes, I said Maelstrom.
Attraction for Kids
Best: Grand Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros
See my review in our past issues. If it was still around, the original Journey into Imagination would be #1.
Worst: Journey into Imagination with Figment
Nice for nostalgia, but that's about it. It's time for a new idea to come out of the file cabinet and into the park.
Entertainment
Best: Turtle Talk with Crush
Very nice! A must-see for those with children.
Worst: Illuminations: Reflections of Earth
Send your hate mail along! (Good comments also accepted.)
Table Service Restaurant
Best: Coral Reef
Very pricey, but excellent cuisine. Epcot has WDW's best choices in dining, but if your feeling classy and in the mood for seafood, the Coral Reef is your eatery. Honorable mentions go out to the San Angel Inn and the soon-to-close Alfredo's.
Worst: Garden Grill
Nothing but nasty greens.
Counter Service
Best: Electric Umbrella and Fountain View
Fountain View offers fantastic grab-and-go breakfast while the free refills and common fast food at the Electric Umbrella make it the top selection.
Worst: American Adventure
Can't remember the name? That's probably because there's nothing special about it. Most of the time it is a bit on the dirty side and lines run pretty slow.
Shopping
Best: Mouse-Gear
By far the best store in all of WDW. If you can't find an item here, it probably doesn't exist.
Worst: French Perfume Store
I don't remember the name, but the odors makes me nauseous.
Attraction
Best: Soarin'
Like you were expecting something else.
Worst: O Canada, Reflections of China, Impressions De France
A triple threat of boredom challenging you to stay awake. I can't believe people used to think Future World was boring.
Classic Attraction
Best: Spaceship Earth
This is my favorite attraction. One of the rides that best captures the Disney experience and classic 80s Epcot.
Worst: Universe of Energy
What is sad about this choice is it is the only other real Epcot original (despite the Ellen additions) and one of my favorites for the dinosaur scene.
World Showcase Country
Best: Mexico
Great theme with a good attraction. The feel and attention to detail makes this the best of the pavilions.
Worst: Morocco
There's not much to do here.
Future World Pavilion
Best: The Seas with Nemo and Friends
The theme is fantastic, from the large mural, to the expansive queue, to the great dark ride. The sea base received a new coat of paint, but other than that is still generally the same. With two technologically amazing attractions and many themes, the Seas is the best pavilion.
Worst: Universe of Energy
Just an attraction, nothing more.
Well, that's it for Epcot. Next time we'll look at the best and worst of the Disney MGM Studios.
Theme Park Notes
Staff reporter Adam Dworkin brings us the latest news from the theme parks.
Storyless Safari
The familiar storyline of Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom will soon be replaced. The current plot deals with saving some of the native elephants from poachers that want to do them harm. This storyline has always seemed a bit out of place, and Disney has been phasing in a new script with some of their safari trucks.
In addition to some story changes, Disney has been working hard to expand capacity on Kilimanjaro, adding a ninth row of seats to all ride vehicles and the loading platform. These upgrades are almost complete. Disney has also filed permits to make electrical and fiber optic changes to the final scene of the safari. Speculation is that the plane, part of the "find the poachers" storyline, will be removed completely. The old script should be phased out by June 1.
The new story is shrouded in secrecy. Cast members are reluctant to give up any new information. We will simply have to wait and see what Walt Disney Imagineering has come up with. Here's hoping the new changes compliment the already impressive experience of the Safari more than the current drama has.
Showcasing Segways
The new Segway models are out and rolling at Epcot! Called Personal Transporters, they are the next generation of the popular Segway technology, and new touring ideas have been implemented for them. The Around the World tour, a rolling tour of the Showcase, is now running four times daily. This includes a new 7:45 AM touring time. The Segway Experience in Innoventions is still running for up to 15 people at a time at 11:30 AM. Although these Segways offer a great time, cost on this one can really be a deterrent. The Experience is currently $35 a person, with the large tour at $85.
A Norweigan Party
On May 17th, celebrations took place most of the day at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot. Guests were invited to help celebrate Norway Constitution Day by making banners and taking part in "Discover Norway" experiences. Special parades featuring flowers and flags also took place throughout the day along with special pin trading. The World Showcase certainly knows how to celebrate, holding special events almost every month to recognize important days in each country.
Mouse House Eats
O Canada, O How I Love Le Cellier
Our newest Staff Reporter, Mandy Reineke, brings us a review of one of the World's most popular restaurants.
Epcot's cozy little steak house, Le Cellier, is a hidden treasure. Meaning "the cellar" in French, this warm, romantic place has the great atmosphere of a French Canadian wine cellar.
Guests are seated in one of four areas themed after a Canadian province and are served bread from each region of Canada. The pretzel bread is a personal favorite. For appetizers, I recommend the crab and salmon timbale or the Canadian cheddar cheese soup. For dinner, try the tender and juicy steaks. The cream cheese, mashed potatoes are great on the side. There are many great choices for dessert but the Canadian cheese selection is my personal favorite. My husband loves the chocolate-on-chocolate whiskey cake. Also the smoothies are creamy and loaded with fruit.
It can be difficult to get a reservation and it is a bit expensive but it is worth the time and money to dine here. Lunch is cheaper and fares just as good as dinner. So for great steak and nice atmosphere, Le Cellier is a great option. My family dines here every time we are at WDW. Be sure to arrive early to take advantage of the great photo spots in front of the restaurant.
From Epcot: Rumour has it that the characters at the Garden Grill will be changing soon. For the longest time, Farmer Mickey, Goofy, Chip, and Dale have been entertaining guests while they dine. We're not sure what these changes will entail but we anxiously wait to see.
Resort Clips
Dan Brace brings us up to speed on the happenings at the Disney resorts.
Why Stay Onsite?
When deciding to go to Walt Disney World, you also have to consider how you are going to experience the magic. You have several choices. You could stay in a hotel along the I-Drive, in Kissimmee or somewhere else, or you could stay at Walt Disney World. Apart from the possibility of finding cheaper lodging offsite, what else do you have to consider? And is the lower cost worth it?
If you stay onsite at WDW you immediately are guaranteed access to the parks. You also get to use all the WDW transportation. (A rental car, needed offsite, could cost more than $300 a week.) Onsite guests also have all purchases charged and delivered to their rooms, which is always very useful when hiking round WDW with a family for the day. I haven't even mentioned yet the fact that you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours!
Staying on Disney property keeps you immersed in the magic we all love so much! With over 20 resorts to choose from, and with everything from a twentieth century pop revolution to an African Savannah at your window, Disney resorts are the clear winner for accommodations.
If you are planning to go canoeing or paddleboating during your WDW vacation, you may not be able to. During May, signs have been posted at certain times saying that boat rentals have been temporarily suspended due to low water levels. One such sign was spotted at the Bike Barn at Fort Wilderness. So, you may want to check out the situation before taking a trek over to your favourite watering hole.
Mousellaneous News
Staff Reporter Adam Dworkin tells us about travelling from your television.
If you've visited Downtown Disney lately, you may have noticed that Disney Quest is getting a fresh coat of paint . . . and lots of it! For months now, it has been rumored that DQ is on its way out. However, with the new renovations that are being made, it would seem that it's here to stay. What do you think?
DISagreement
Disney had finally come to an agreement with the Service Trades Council Union which represents over half of WDW's employees within six unions. A three-year contract was voted on but was rejected by the cast members by 52%. According to the unions, the contract included inadequate pay increases, inferior health care arrangements, and poorly adjusted pension plans. Looks like it's back to the drawing board.
We need your help staying on top of the WDW-related news. Send your news tips to us! E-mail us at mouseho...@gmail.com with "NEWS TIP" in the subject line or contact us through our website: http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews .
Staff Reporter Caleb Hayworth retuns with another week's peak at Disney history.
May 14 1944 Filmmaker George Lucas is born in Modesto, California. His popular Star Wars
and Indiana Jones adventure movies will be the inspiration for future Disney attractions.
May 15 1998 Bill Nye, of the syndicated television show Disney Presents Bill Nye the Science Guy
, wins a Daytime Emmy for Performer in a Children's Series.
May 16 1703 French author Charles Perrault passes away in Paris, France. Many historians believe he is responsible for such fairy tales as
Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.
May 17 1950 Howard Ashman, award-winning lyricist for such Disney films as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin,
is born in Baltimore, Maryland.
May 18 1962 Actor Nathaniel Parker, who portrayed Master Gracey in Disney's 2003 The Haunted Mansion,
is born in London, England.
May 19 1971 Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes debut in Disneyland.
May 20 1958 Actress Judy Kuhn, the singing voice of Pocahontas in Pocahontas and Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World , is born in New York City.
Turn on your TV and tune in to some programs related to Walt Disney World. Here is a listing of what's coming up. All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time.
Program: Live from the Red Carpet: Pirates of the Caribbean
Description: The world premier of the summer's most highly-anticipated new movie, Pirate of the Caribbean: At World's End. Channel: E! Times: Sunday, May 20, 2007 from 6 PM to 6:30 PM, repeating throughout the week.
Program: Walt Disney World Resorts: Behind the Scenes Description:
An in-depth behind-the-scenes tour of Walt Disney World's four theme parks. Updated content for 2007. Channel: Travel Channel Times: Sunday, May 20th, 2007 from 8 PM to 9 PM, repeating throughout the week.
Program: Walt Disney World Ultimate 10 Description: Hear from the creators, innovators, and critics who make the ultimate in Disney thrill rides. Channel: Discovery HD Theatre Times: Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 from 2 PM to 3 PM and Thursday, June 21st, 2007 from 9 AM to 10 AM.
My youngest son was eight and was in love with Belle from Beauty and the Beast. So we made it a point to see the live stage show at MGM.
It was hot and humid as it normally is in Florida in the mid-summer. We were able to get up close to the stage and our son was really excited about seeing Belle up close. The show began and his eyes became wide with the site of his heart throb. I still have a hard time figuring out what was better, the show or the look on his little face. Disney has a way of making you feel like you are the only one in the audience.
The show came to an end and as we were walking out I stopped to talk to one of the cast members. I told him that my son was in love with Belle, that he really enjoyed the show, and he would remember it for a long time to come. The cast member asked me to follow him around the corner of the show entrance where he introduced my son to Belle. The look on his face was a moment I would remember but the best part was when he said, "I love you Belle." She blew him a kiss and said, "I love you too."
That was one of the best memories of Disney and why Belle will always be our favorite princess.
Brian Kenyon compiles the final word which comes from you, the Disney fans. Last week we asked you: What is your favourite Disney theme park icon? You responded with:
Cinderella's Castle (Magic Kingdom) 41%
Spaceship Earth (Epcot) 35%
Tree of Life (Animal Kingdom) 19%
Sorcerer's Hat (Disney-MGM Studios) 5%
Staff
Ali Sampson - Editor-in-Chief