Haunted Mansion Refurb

I know this is a bit older as a rumor, but i was wondering what the thoughts are on the refurbishment on the Haunted Mansion queue area. From what I hear it is an interactive refurb adding more elements, or different elements to the graveyard outside, as well as making it more wheelchair accessible. Personally I think this is major mistake. Obviously the accessibility is important and needed, pleas do not misunderstand me. But this idea of making this queue interactive and changing some classic effects like the Imagineer tombstones outside the entrance is completely and utterly misguided.

First of all, how long is the line there really to begin with? most times you walk right into the parlor scene anyway. Also, why change something that has been there since day one? I fear some of the upper management at Disney Parks may not be for nostalgia and thus want to see the parks "updated." Part of the Disney draw is that it is different, but it still makes you feel the way you did when you were a child. Somethings will never change and people love that about WDW. I fear this is the beginning of the change of the classic aspects of the parks.

Mickey's Toontown Fair to officially close

Mickey's Toontown Fair... err... I mean Mickey's Starland... ummm... no wait.... Mickey's Birthdayland... oh whatever Disney calls it these days will call it quits. On February 11, 2011 the section once known by all of these monikers will close in preparation for its merge into the new Fantasland Expansion. Wondering what will be added in this area since the Pixie Hollow idea was scraped? So does many people, myself included. what is known is that Goofy's Barnstormer will remain, though it is still unknown what change in theming will be used. It was once thought to be a themed to deal with clowns when Dumbo the Flying Elephant was definitely getting moved there. But as of now anything is fair game I guess.

3PO driving the Starspeeder 1000

Sounds as though our well known friend C-3PO will be the pilot of the Starspeeder 1000 when the new Star Tours takes off in March of 2011. It was announced by Disneyparks blog after Anthony Daniels kind of made the slip. oops...! Apparently the new AC series droid (Ace as he is now known as) who is supposed to be the pilot of the trip becomes delayed or lost at some point, and 3PO becomes our pilot. The plot line is unknown right now but I wonder if this is going to fill in the plot hole from A New Hope in which 3PO states, "I just remembered why i hate space travel."

we shall see...!

Disney decides on "Hyperion Wharf" to replace Pleasure Island...

as posted on the DisneyParks blog today...


it appears WDW has an idea for the former "Pleasure Island" 

it seems it will be called "Hyperion Wharf" and will occupy 120 acres between the marketplace and West Side...


the name derives from the street in which Walt Disney's original studios was located...

Things that may be featured...
-The Lego Imagination Center will get a massive expansion with the implementation of new Lego scenes directly from Disney films...
- A link to the AMC theaters... including digital technology... i would believe means the projectors and screens as well as an Concession of the Future... i dont know what that means but it seems exciting...
- new and improved shops and stops along the parcel that once housed the Adventurers Club and such...


No news on the the Adventurers Club though I could see it being added hear at some point...




here is the artists rendering as posted on the DisneyParks blog this morning...

check out DisneyParks Blog

Is the Mine Coaster a go...?

There have been major rumors swirling about the future of the Fantasyland Expansion. These rumors have ranged from the Pixie Hollow section being reality to the area being completely scrapped. This rumor has picked up a bit of steam lately though no one at Disney is talking right now.


It seems that the Pixie Hollow section might be off the table and an old idea might be re-emerging. The Seven Dwarves Mine Coaster once shelved about 2 years ago might actually be a reality after all. What is being heard is that with the possible addition of this coaster we may lose Snow White's Scary Adventures, an opening day attraction, because Disney does not want to flood the guests with too much Snow White. There has also been rumors that Mickey's Toontown might not be going away completely. This is going as far as to say that the Barnstormer may not have to be re-purposed as once thought. 


Again these are strictly rumors I have heard. There has been no confirmation on any of this yet, but keep it in mind moving forward. The next D23 Expo might have more info on how Disney is moving forward with this project.

History of WDW

Sorry it has been a few weeks since i last posted... but there has been alot going on... Today I would like to take a look at a former attraction at WDW...

Opened along with the park on October 1, 1971 Mr. Toad's Wild Ride made regular trips into one of Walt Disney's post WW II films, "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad." This film brought the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the Wind and the Willows together. The WDW version of this attraction was similar in theming and design as the Disneyland version however it had a few major differences.

The most obvious difference was that in WDW Toad had two separate boarding stations. This led to two different ride experiences.

Track one took guests on a trip outside on the English Countryside. This version began with your ride vehicle (an old jalopy) going through the town plaza past a police officer. Upon seeing the officer guests were then taken into a courtroom where you were found guilty and sent to jail. After taking a tour of the jail the guest was then involved in a shootout between the police and some gunmen and then led into a rail road crossing where you met your doom so to speak. After the subsequent accident the final scene found you in a Disney version of Hell.

Track two however was much different. after beginning within Toad Hall in the trophy room and to a gypsy camp guests were instead taken to Winky's Tavern instead of the Courtroom. This lead to the guests seeing the weasels that took over Toad Hall in the film. after leaving the tavern the jalopy again finds itself in the plaza and makes the wring turn onto the train tracks where it again the guests meet there end.

This popular attraction was set to be on the chopping block in the mid 90's. This led to many upset guests as well as Cast Member's. Guests could remember the closing of 20,00 Leagues Under the Sea and felt that they could stop the closing of Toad. They began what was affectionately known as "Toad-in's" in which people in the parks would see shirts like these in the parks:

Courtesy of savetoad.com

Sadly on September 8, 1998 Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was closed for good. It was then replaced by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Mr. Toad is not completely gone form WDW however. A statue of Toad can be found in the cemetery of The Haunted Mansion, and there is a picture of Moley handing the deed of the ride building over to Owl. 

As of today the website virtual-toad.com has a virtual walk through of the attraction. check it out and enjoy your piece of Disney history. virtual-toad.com

One of my new ideas...

Part of this blog I guess is for open opinions... and some of it is to look back at either old attractions that have long since left the world or ones that have stood the test of time......

In the near future I will begin this posting of old time attractions... Stay Tuned...!

Pleasure Island

Apparently there is news coming out of Pleasure Island... as many of you have heard Disney has begun to make plans to remodel the once Pleasure Island club scene... according to the Disney Blog Disney has filed plans to "raze" the land occupied by the Adventurer's Club and the former BET Soundstage...

That could mean a future for the old club scene but without a fan favorite... I wonder how hardcore fans of the Adventurer's Club feel about this...?


look for a link to the myfox Orlando site for an official article on the news...

Plans for Pleasure Island- my9 Orlando

The first... Of hopefully many...

Welcome to all who visit this site...

I hope for the success of this blog and I feel as though I cannot do it alone... This is my first foray into blogging... Though I hope it is not my last nor do I want it to be short lived... As I get the site up and kicking please don't mind the mess, the lack of pics, or lack of updates in the early going... I am new to this so it may take some time...

Here is what I am hoping for in this blog... I will try to keep everyone as up to date on any WDW rumors and news... As well as my thoughts on certain things regarding the Walt Disney Company... My thoughts are my own and I am leaving the option for people to post there thoughts as well... Part of any good debate is conversation and I welcome that...

I know that at times I may have information that may be changing... I will do my best to make sure that what news I share is accurate... But I will let you know some floating rumors that I hear as long as there is some credibility behind it...

I will be posting this on some of my forum signatures so if you happen to come across this site from there I am sure you already know me and know that I am honest but with some humor thrown in as well...

Thanks and once again welcome...

Joe