WDW Rumor Rundown

Post by **rdeacon** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 8:21 am

Kevin Yee has a very interesting article of change, future planned changes, and rumors for WDW.

http://miceage.com/kevinyee/ky071007a.htm

Its worth a read.

I founds one unconfirmed report troublesome.

Wonders of Life demolition. Most exhibits at the Wonders of Life have been ripped out and removed, creating room in the facility. Cranium Command and Body Wars have been left intact but boarded over, the idea being to create a facility that is ready to be used for special events and corporate parties at will, without a need to staff the attractions.

Lets hope this doesn't happen. I would like to see an update or a new pavilion, but not just for corporate events.

Rich

ttztotdca50 · Post by **ttztotdca50** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 9:13 am

Does that mean that Body Wars and Cranium Command are not open for the general public?

Post by **js3901** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 9:46 am

ttztotdca50 wrote:Does that mean that Body Wars and Cranium Command are not open for the general public?

according to the official website, it's "open seasonally" and has been for several years (since the sponser MetLife pulled out). It's only really open during the Holidays, from around Thanksgiving to about New Years (give or take a few days). The pavillion is in bad shape as it is, the interactive exhibits in the middle have been ripped out, the refreshment stands boarded over, and just general dirt all over the place. a ruin of it's former self...

as much as I hate to say it (as I love Cranium Command and Body Wars), but I hope they put WoL out of it's misery by either permanently shutting/tearing it down to build something (anything at this point) else, or getting a sponser to put some money into refurbing the pavillion, updating the attractions there, and adding some cool new technologies...

ttztotdca50 · Post by **ttztotdca50** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 10:44 am

That's too bad. Oh, well.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 11:19 am

They don't need anymore corporate meeting buildings in epcot! They already have Odyssey, "World Showplace", and most of the older pavilions have special built-in corporate meeting rooms. This upsets me.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 11:57 am

That's quite an article. I seriously hope it's wrong about the Wonders of Life; courting a corporate sponsor seems like a better idea that more corporate parties.

There were a few other things I had to tilt my head at:

T-Rex Restaurant in Downtown Disney. Landry's, the external vendor who also runs Rainforest CafÃ©, will be building a T-Rex themed eatery, unofficially reported to be between Raglan Road and McDonald's.

Are T-rexes still that popular? I guess dinosaurs never really go out of fashion with little kids but seriously, this seems more circa 1993/Jurassic Park era. On the other hand, the mental image of Flintstones-sized racks of raw meat being served is morbidly amusing (what would be more T-rex themed?

).

Jungle Cruise enhancements. An upcoming movie based on the Jungle Cruise may be behind a rumored close in 2008 to add enhancements, though other rumors call for the addition of Timon and Pumbaa to the ride.

No. Love Timon and Pumbaa, but keep them out of this ride.

Virgin Megastore closing. Some rumors point to an Apple store replacing the Virgin Megastore.

This isn't so much a Disney issue, all things considered, but what on Earth would go in an Apple store that big? Even the normal mall store-sized ones are spartan, at best. o.O

casrin · Post by **casrin** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 3:39 pm

A whole new pavillion for Wonders of Life would surely be better for Guests coming to the park vs corporate parties!

The idea of revamping Star Tours sounds great though!

stev02 · Post by **stev02** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 4:34 pm

great info in that article. thanks rich.

trekty · Post by **trekty** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 4:37 pm

I love Cranium Command and hate the thought of losing it forever! The T-Rex resturants are pretty cool, I've been to the one in KC. They are just like the Rainforest Cafe only w/ a Dino theme, there is still the "action" and noises that take place at set intervals, and giant dinos and other prehistoric creatures are scattered throughout. There is also a dig site for kids to "play" in, but that costs extra. My family found the food at T-Rex to be better then the food at Rainforest.

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Jul Wed 11, 2007 7:19 am

I think WoL needs an update, but am totally agreeing with the Cheshire Cat on this one. Epcot already has a place for company parties. We need a new exciting attraction!

Post by **subsonic** » Jul Thu 12, 2007 11:05 am

Star Tours revision. Anthony Daniels made unofficial mention in an interview of doing work for this attraction, to open in 2009, so it seems all but certain. Polarized glasses will be used for a 3-D effect, and some rumors call for three Audio-Animatronics figures. If reports are true, an IMAX screen may also be used, with the front and top of the simulator at times opening up to see the larger screen.

OMG, I swear Disney is in by brain. This is what I've been saying they should to with Star Tours! Though, forget IMAX, use LED screens and wrap it completely around the room.

Post by **spaulo** » Jul Thu 12, 2007 11:15 am

DisBeamer wrote:
Jungle Cruise enhancements. An upcoming movie based on the Jungle Cruise may be behind a rumored close in 2008 to add enhancements, though other rumors call for the addition of Timon and Pumbaa to the ride.
No. Love Timon and Pumbaa, but keep them out of this ride.

I'm sure I've made it clear here in the past my love of the Jungle Cruise... I think adding any of the Disney animated characters to this ride would be an affront on par with "Under New Management"... frightening.

Tricia1972 · Post by **Tricia1972** » Jul Thu 12, 2007 11:23 am

Very interesting read! Thanks for posting the link. I have two different thoughts after reading this:

I hope this one isn't true

Cinderella Castle lighting makeover. Hundreds of lights (presumably, Christmas lights) may be added to the castle. It is not certain if this is something for every visitor, or only to be turned on during the hard-ticketed event Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. A crane is expected on property to install the lights from September 12 to November 14.

I am not crazy about a crane in my castle shots when we go. We love getting castle shots. One of our favorites was from April.

If tips are no longer included in the Disney Dining Plan, I know that we will not use the DDP anymore. For us that's approximately what we are 'saving', but by 'saving' we eat a lot more food. It will be a better deal for us to pay Out of Pocket

Tips not included in 2008 Disney Dining Plan. Folks booking on the 2008 Dining Plan (for trips starting January 1) may find a nasty surprise: some reports claim that no longer will tips be included in the meal. That will certainly result in a raw deal for some servers, as guests who don't know (or who will pretend to not know) will simply stiff the staff. I hope this doesn't lead to uncomfortable encounters at the front lines! For those guests who do know, they will realize the dining plan is slightly less wonderful a bargain now. If this is true, it means that in typical Disney fashion, a successful program is being "maximized" to squeeze every last cent of profit from it, even though things were firing on all cylinders before. It seems the maxim at Disney is "if it ain't broke, squeeze profit from it until it does break."

bbowen13 · Post by **bbowen13** » Jul Thu 12, 2007 11:42 am

Rich, thanks for the link.....good info

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jul Thu 12, 2007 5:45 pm

I'm sure I've made it clear here in the past my love of the Jungle Cruise... I think adding any of the Disney animated characters to this ride would be an affront on par with "Under New Management"... frightening.

haha, Adventureland is becoming Pirates/Lion King/Aladdinland. Tarzan coming soon!