[Mouse House News] Issue #13 - Ding, Dong, The Wand Is Dead!
Mouse House News
Sunday, June 24th, 2007 Issue #13 Subscribership: 299
The Happiest News on Earth
http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews
Established March 2007
From the Editor
It seems like only yesterday I was preparing to send out the first issue of Mouse House News. And now, we're on to lucky number 13. Welcome to the thirteenth issue of MHN ! It's great to have you along.
Last week we told you about our Week of Five Dreams Contest! Well there's one day left. So get your family, friends, neighbours, neighbours' pets, household appliances, and anyone or anything else with an e-mail address to subscribe. Be sure to read all the details about this wonderful contest, including the great prizes you could win, in this issue below Mouse Mail.
[Y]ou mentioned maps available in PDF format. If readers sign up for a free Disney account ( www.disneyworld.com), they can request free printed maps, [which] are poster-sized ... They will get two sheets, a park on each side. In six months they can request another set ... You can...customize these maps [to include] everything or only the attractions you like.
I checked the [Mouse House News] website and read a few of the newsletters. I found them to be very entertaining and informative. I would be thrilled to see any of my photos included. ... Thanks again and I'm looking forward to seeing more issues.
Bari Dozer
Mouse House News invites comment on all aspects of our newsletter and Walt Disney World. Do you have something to say about one of the news items discussed in this issue or about Walt Disney World in general? Do you have any suggestions or feedback for MHN? E-mail us at mouseho...@gmail.com with MOUSE MAIL in the subject line or contact us on our website: http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews. Your letter might appear in one of our issues thus making you famous. Your letter must include your full name and will be edited for space and clarity.
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Prize Pack One: 15% Off at House of Blues and 10-20% Off at Hilton Head Island
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Prize Pack Two: 15% Off the Behind the Seeds Tour at Epcot and $50 Disney Gift Card with Disney Visa
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Prize Pack Three: 10-20% Off at Disney's Vero Beach and 15% Off Dolphins in Depth at Epcot
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Prize Pack Four: 15% Off Behind the Scenes Tours at Animal Kingdom and 10% Off at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland Mini Golf
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Prize Pack Five: 15% Off Epcot Dive Quest and 10% Off at All-Star Cafe
Disney Cooks Up A Winner
Lead Writer (or should we say the "big cheese") Tom Corless gives us his dazzling review of Disney's latest theatrical release, Ratatouille. Be sure to check your local listings for showtimes. Don't let this film squeak by you!
5 out of 5 Stars
I was lucky enough to be among the first to see Disney and Pixar's newest animated film last weekend at the nationwide sneak previews. I will do my best to give you an idea of the movie's quality without giving up any of the story. Here it goes:
It was great!!! Well, I think that sums it up. This was truly one of the best animated films in my recent memory. Ratatouille is another great addition in the tradition of the great Pixar films. I would easily place this one right behind Finding Nemo and Cars, and in front of the remaining films Disney and Pixar have collaborated on.
The voice talents are phenomenal, as comedians such as Brad Garret lend their vocals to the film. It probably provides the most off the wall comedy of any Pixar animated feature, but it makes for a great film. The story is a true testament of great writing, which is often missing in children's films.
The animation is a leap forward and is much more detailed than previous animated features. This kind of detail is necessary as Disney is becoming the top dog in High-Definition Blu-Ray Disc sales. The rat characters such as Remy and his brother show off the true talents of Pixar animation.
If you liked any other Pixar film before, I would most certainly suggest that you go and see Ratatouille in theaters starting Friday, June 29. In review, I give Disney and Pixar's Ratatouille 5 of 5 stars. Wow, I wish I was as generous to attractions as I am to movies.
Theme Park Notes
Staff reporter Adam Dworkin brings us the latest news from the theme parks.
It seems that WDW brass have finally approved the funding for the removal of the most debated structure on Disney property – the maligned wand which has adorned Spaceship Earth since the Millennium celebration. It originally read "2000" but was eventually changed to "Epcot" in the familiar Disney cursive style. The 2008 budget accounts for the costs of the removal and many could not be happier.
The removal of the wand will certainly bring an air of credibility back to the idea of Future World. This lack of wand will, however, give Disney fans much less to debate and discuss on the internet discussion boards. What remains unclear is the time frame for final removal. It is also unclear how long removal of a structure as large and cumbersome as the wand might take.
I can only hope that the leadership of Epcot will be satisfied with the simple removal of the wand and do not feel the need to replace it with something equally as "whimsical". Although I do not believe that the intrusion of characters into Epcot has diminished the park in any way, the wand has been an unnecessary ornament to what is truly a masterful display of modern architecture.
Train in the ancient Jedi arts at Tomorrowland! Soon, the Jedi Masters will be selecting the young and talented to learn the arts of the force and, of course, the lightsaber. Everyone who attends this training at the Tomorrowland Terrace daily will learn the art of the lightsaber and then be able to test their skills against Darth Vader (or similarly attired Dark Lord of the Sith). This unique opportunity will be offered six times a day at the park during the Year Of A Million Dreams Celebration.
Mouse House Eats
Staff Reporter Mandy Reineke makes our mouths water with the latest news from Disney dining.
More Food, Less Disney Dollars
Let's face it, a trip to Walt Disney World isn't a cheap event. I have some tips to help you save some money and still enjoy great dining.
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If you go to any of the counter service locations that offer double cheeseburgers, order an extra bun and divide the double burger into two single burgers and split the fries.
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Most menus have meals listed but each and every place has an "a la carte" menu. At Columbia Harbour House, I have always been able to order just fish without fries or drink.
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Breakfast and lunch are always cheaper at the table service places, and the food is usually the exact same. So have lunch with characters, then do counter service for dinner, as those prices are the same all day.
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If you are on the dining plan and are too full for dessert, order a pastry and have it wrapped. They make great breakfast. Also remember that desserts are better when shared with a loved one.
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I have also been allowed to order off the kids menu at several places. The portions are still huge and are usually half the price.
Happy Dining!
Resort Clips
Mousellaneous News
And Stay Out!
Last week, MHN reported the abduction of a couple from a Downtown Disney parking lot. Disney has since strengthened security . The police and security guards handed out multiple trespass warnings this past weekend in an attempt to keep unwanted teens and young adults out of the entertainment complex.
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 .
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: Emeril - Ratatouille Time Description: Emeril prepares French bistro dishes with Patton Oswalt, the voice of Remy Channel: Food Network Times: Wednesday, June 27th from 8pm to 9pm and Thursday, June 28th from 3am to 4am.
Program: Wonderful World of Disney: The Haunted Mansion Description: The Eddie Murphy feature based on the classic theme park attraction Channel: ABC Times: Saturday, June 30th from 8pm to 10pm.
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: Thursday, July 5th from 9PM to 10PM and Friday, July 6th from
12AM to 1AM.
Special Events Bulletin
Let Freedom Ring!
Get ready for Indepedence Day at WDW! If you are brave enough to visit during this busy week, be sure to check out the special events Mickey and the gang have planned. At the Magic Kingdom, in honour of the day, the park will offer the Dreams Come True Parade, Fantasy in the Sky fireworks and SpectroMagic, each twice. The park will also be open until 1am. In addition to its normal offerings, Disney-MGM Studios will offer 4th of July fireworks at 9pm.
Christmas in July (Sort Of)
Speaking of holidays, reservations for the Candlelight Processional packages can be made July 2nd at 7am. The Candlelight Processional is an event that celebrates Christmas at WDW which begins in late November.
The Smaller the Better
More details have been released about the Little Ones Travel Time event taking place at WDW between August 26th and October 28th. If you have a wee one, you might be interested to hear that during this special time, the Magic Kingdom will host Little Ones Magic Hour where Fantasyland opens an hour early on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for resort guests. During this time, special character interactions are promised. This event also includes Playhouse Disney in Concert.
Editorial Staff
Ali Sampson - Editor-in-Chief
Bruce Smith - Assistant Editor
Tom Corless - Layout Editor
Operations Staff
Stephen Champion - Webmaster
Reporting Staff
Tom Corless - Lead Writer for Front Page
Adam Dworkin - Staff Reporter for Theme Park Notes
Mandy Reineke - Staff Reporter for Mouse House Eats
Caleb Hayworth - Staff Reporter for The Mouse Vault (absent)
Contributing Photographers
DeAnna McDearmont - From the Editor
Jason Perlow - Front Page
David Matthews - Theme Park Notes
Ilene Radish - Mo use House Eats
Michael Gray - Resort Clips
Francesco Dazzi - Mousellaneous News
Darrell Taylor - Special Events Bulletin
Andie Smith - Final Word