Mine Coaster Concept Art

Some info on the Seven Dwarves Mine Coaster was spoken about on the Disney Parks Blog. Artist renderings have been presented to the public, with more apparently on the way. Though we are looking at a 2013 opening, it seems that headway is finally beginning with this attraction. With Snow White's Scary Adventures set to close in February (as rumor would have it) it seems that there will not be much going on in the Magic Kingdom come February. With Dumbo set to be moved during that time, and Snow White to close, and the announced Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment the park will be lacking at this time, but to see the bright future in new Fantasyland makes it an exciting time to be a Disney fan.

Talking Mickey?

In the next step towards all things NextGen, Mickey has been spotted in Main Street Theater, which seems somewhat normal, except that he has begun talking! Apparently we are being introduced to some of the newest technology dealing with real-life characters. This is a newer initiative that Disney has been trying to install throughout the park, and this might be just the beginning of it.

Just imagine not having to explain to your children why Mickey Mouse cannot talk to you. It will bring even more to life in Walt Disney World. Lets see where this leads as it was only around for a 30 minute test run. This might become a more permanent occurrence, and that might completely change the Walt Disney World character meet and greet landscape.

Disney That Never Was: Walt Disney's EPCOT

When Walt Disney ventured into Florida, he had bigger ideas then anyone knew. He was looking for space, and this space would house his greatest innovation: EPCOT. Standing for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, Epcot's original concept was the "community of the future", the idea that corporations and citizens would coexist together in an urban living situation that will be forever changing and breaking down barriers. Highlighted in his film that presented the "Disneyworld Resort" to the public, Walt ultimately outlined his plan. 


EPCOT was to be a model community, home to roughly twenty thousand residents. This would be the beginning test for his concept.  The community was to have been built in the shape of a circle, with businesses and commercial areas at its center, community buildings and schools and recreational complexes around it, and residential neighborhoods along the perimeter. There would be no cars, instead monorails and peoplemovers (like the TTA Poeplemover in Tomorrowland) would take people to the center where the business district was located. Though Walt knew that the MAgic Kingdom would bring  people to Florida, he had hoped that EPCOT would keep people there.

EPCOT would have no landowners, and no retirees. This was supposed to be a utopian city that would be always in flux, much like technology. It was Walt's crowning achievement, and would certainly become a part of Disneyworld if not for Walt's untimely death in 1966. The EPCOT project could not start until the Magic Kingdom park was finished. Walt never saw either project started. Sadly, the plan just seemed inconceivable without Walt's input and direction, so by 1980, the company had decided to go another direction with the EPCOT concept (considering they had a contract with the state of Florida to build EPCOT) They conceived EPCOT Center, and this is what stands on the site of the original concept. 


Though we have a major theme park in Epcot today, it is nothing like the original idea that Walt Disney had created in his mind. Many wonder whether they original plan could have been possible. Though it would have been an amazing undertaking, it seems through Walt's guidance it would have been a definite part of the resort. As we look around today, instances of Walt Disney's EPCOT concept are evident. Future World is a direct descendant from that idea. The monorails movement through and around Spaceship Earth is also a feature Walt would have enjoyed. The biggest issue Imagineers had with the project, and one reason it took almost ten years to create was the constant questioning of "What would Walt do?" It became a sticking point, even to the affect that people like Marty Sklar and John Hench, who worked beside Walt had to take control to make the park what it is today. Hey if you would like to see a part of what EPCOT would have been ride the TTA PAoplemover. Inside the the Stich's Great Escape show building. 


Below is the EPCOT Film Walt created to outline his plans in Florida

1st Anniversary!

So yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the blog. I want to thank all of the people that have been either following or keeping up to date. I did not think that when I started this a year ago I would be still at it today. It is a great feeling to be still going strong and making some great strides toward bettering the site. Here's to another great year! Thanks again!!

News: Bob Iger to Step Down in 2015?

In a move that may stun fans of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger, Disney CEO has decided to step down as of March 2015. Yes, that's right 2015. Why the announcement now in Ocotber of 2011 then. Well there maybe a few reasons for this:


1. The death of Steve Jobs- Iger and Jobs had been close friends and confidants since Disney purchased Pixar in 2006. Jobs' death may have caused Iger to look at his life after Disney. That seems normal when someone loses a close friend.


2. He would like to leave Disney on "good" terms, or on his own terms- Unlike his predecessor Michael Eisner, it seems Bob Iger wants to end his Disney career on a high note. Again this seems noble considering how he came in. Iger has always taken the high road, and done what is best for the company, this might be his way of stepping away before any dissension ever arises.


3. He wants Disney to succeed- He has two lieutenants in Tom Staggs, from the Parks division, and Jay Rasulo, the CFO. It seems he wants to create a succession using one of these two men. 


Bob Igers' tenure at Disney has been nothing short of phenomenal. From his patching of the relationship and eventual purchase of Pixar, to the purchase and addition of Marvel it seems the Disney Company is on the right track on his watch. Though it will be sad when he leaves in three years, he seems to have the company moving in the right direction. Considering he has been at the reigns for six years without any issue is a testament considering the state of the company when he arrived on the job, he has done some fine work. Lets hope the future remains bright.