MouseStation 170 – MousePlanetWatch news
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Run time 0:43:01
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Walt Disney World News
- Stroller and ECV prices have rocketed up as of this past Sunday.
- The free dining plan announced by Universal last week was a precursor to the free dining plan announced for Disney Visa cardholders on Monday. It’s expected that an additional free dining offer, for the general public, will be released today. Watch my blog for details when it’s announced. Thanks to Sue Pisaturo of MousePlanet sponsor Small World Vacations for passing along all of the details!
- The three finalists for the Disney Dream Chief Magic Official (CMO) have been released. Along with David Hawley and radio DJ Tripp West, MousePlanet reader and MousePad discussion forum member Justin Muchoney has been voted a finalist. It’s a good bet that West is going to be mobilizing his listener base to vote for him, so let’s leverage the power of the MouseStation to support Justin! The polls open on Monday, April 14, and will run through April 22. So vote early, and vote often for Justin Muchoney and support the MousePlanet family! After all, his possivisionouraging is contagious!
- The healthy eating initiative at the parks is now 18 months old, and the menu makeover continues.
- The thrill ride duel in Central Florida continues, with Disney now the one that needs to respond to the throwing down of the gauntlet.
- A helpful cast member provided the story behind the glass-blowing exhibition inside Cristal Arts, as well as the story about the shop inself.
- The list of construction permits filed with Orange County includes the start of work on the Treehouse Villas, interactive games at Innoventions, and plenty of other work across Walt Disney World.
- Quick Takes:
- Disney is testing out a new WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) web site to promote the water parks.
- More information is becoming available about The Wave, the new upscale restaurant opening in the location of the former Food ‘n’ Fun Center on the first floor of the Contemporary Resort.
- While a list of acts is not yet available, it has been confirmed that the “Sounds Like Summer” concert series will return to Epcot’s America Gardens Theater.
- As part of their deal to get the Disney Cruise Line to sign that 15-year renewal, Port Canaveral forgave a $400,000 penalty payment due to the port.
- Walt Disney World was hailed with two 2008 awards by Cheers Magazine, receiving the adult beverage industry’s highest honors for both Best Chain Overall Beverage Program and Best Chain Signature Drink for 2008 (the Blue “Glow Tini”).
- The Children’s Miracle Network awarded the Walt Disney Company its Legacy Award during its annual celebration this year.
- The new Jostens Center at Disney’s Wide World of Sports opens this summer.
- The NBA pre-draft workouts will take place May 27-30 at the Milk House at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
- Walt Disney Imagineering will participate in a “Cool Jobs” seminar and host three sessions of “The Science of Disney Imagineering” at the World Science Festival, to be held in New York City from May 28 through June 1.
This and other news can be found in this week’s Walt Disney World Park Update.
Disneyland News
- Disney Imagineering unexpectedly put a bit of effort into defending themselves against some of the rumors going around regarding the “it’s a small world” attraction’s reworking.
- We had a sneak peek at the Audio-Animatronic Mr. Potato Head from the queue of the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction.
- We had some additional info about this past Tuesday’s Julie Andrews event at Disneyland.
- MousePlanet columnist Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix reported on some new technology that she found out about a test of.
- Even more information about the California Food & Wine Festival was listed.
- This and That:
- Disneyland is now accepting applications for the next session of the Disney College Program, scheduled to begin in May-June 2008.
- On Thursday April 3, the Disneyland Resort hosted its annual Boys & Girls Club event and presented the Santa Ana Boys & Girls Club with a 12-passenger van for club transportation use.
- The Borders bookstore chain is sponsoring a Dream Rewards contest, with a grand prize of a trip to Walt Disney World and the opportunity to create a fairy character for an upcoming Disney Fairies book release.
- The Trademark Blog reports that Disney has filed for trademarks on “Luigi’s Flying Tires,” “Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree” and “Radiator Springs Racers,” the names for three new attractions expected to open in 2012 as part of the new Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure.
- The World of Disney has an elaborate new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse display just inside the West doors of the building.
- MousePlanet reader “Tinker Bell” alerted us to an incredible travel package offered for sale by Sam’s Club for one customer.
This and other news can be found in this week’s Disneyland Park Update.
The Walt Disney Company News
- Disney has announced the complete slate of animated features from now through the end of 2012. Mark provided some commentary on the issue, as well as providing the complete list.
- We’ve now got a better idea on the sale price for Disney to get the Disney Stores back from The Children’s Place at fire-sale prices.
- Disney Interactive Studios is buying another software development firm, the sixth unit in the increasingly competitive video game market.
- The Screen Actors Guild begins negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on April 15.
- ESPN has signed an online video syndication deal with AOL, according to media reports on Tuesday.
- Disney has been busy around the world this week, signing TV deals for distribution and production with broadcasters around the world.
- Disney has picked up Timmy, a spin-off from Aardman Animation’s Shaun the Sheep.
- The Virtual Magic Kingdom will be closing up shop on May 21.
- Disney’s lack of movies near the top of the charts for the last month or so indicates that it’s going to be a tough couple of months until WALL-E opens on June 27.
Administrative stuff
You can send us feedback via email or by calling our toll-free feedback line at 1-866-939-2278. Don’t forget that we love voicemails because then we can put your voice on the show!
Wrapping up
On April 27, Mark will be walking to raise money for the March of Dimes for the third time. Please consider supporting him. The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.
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Thanks to our West Coast correspondent Andrew Rich, and audio engineer and sound editor Steven Ng.
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