MouseStation 154 – MousePlanetWatch news
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Run time 0:33:09
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Walt Disney World News
- Walt Disney World has decided to make some adjustments to the load/unload area of Primeval Whirl, even as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration (OSHA) continues its investigation of the accident on November 24 that killed cast member Karen Price.
- Walt Disney World and Siemens rededicated Spaceship Earth at Epcot last Tuesday with a ceremony on the stage behind the Fountain of Nations.
- There’s a new deal out for Disney Visa cardmembers for Sunday to Thursday nights between March 30 and April 12.
- We’ve got a bit more information about the Expedition Everest Challenge on September 27, and it looks like it’s going to be an interesting variety of events wrapped up into one.
- The long-expected refurbishment for the Illuminations globe—which had been scheduled and postponed several times—looks like it’s a go, though it won’t happen for a few months.
- There’s only a few new permits this week, as the latest construction paperwork filed with Orange County indicates new main entrance gates for Old Key West and Caribbean Beach Resort, a new PhotoPass desk at the Polynesian, security cameras outside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and more.
- Quick Takes:
- We apparently misstated the point figures for villas at the upcoming Kingdom Tower DVC Resort in a story last week.
- While Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge has already been closed, the Half Marathon has just joined it.
- The hybrid race car at the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway is just about ready for guests, and should be out on the track in the next month or so.
- One interesting item from the Disney shareholder meeting last Thursday was a question from Dwight Morgan from Pasadena, California, an Annual Passholder at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, who asked whether there was a possibility of a worldwide annual pass.
- Apparently, the new “Dream House” opening in the Innoventions building at Disneyland has a twin being designed for Florida.
- Another rumor states that the upcoming Jungle Cruise refurbishment will include the addition of a scene featuring a realistic jaguar, related to the Jungle Cruise movie that was announced in 2004 but has not yet started filming.
- The first few dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are leaking out, appearing on the DisneyLink Google Calendar.
- Six Flags is the latest theme park operator to announce a new theme park to be built in the Arab Emirate of Dubai, joining Busch Entertainment (SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and Discovery Cove), Universal, Warner Brothers and other smaller operators.
- The Nanea Volcano Pool at the Polynesian Resort closed on February 11 for refurbishment and installation of a new chair lift and dual handrail.
- In other pool news, the quiet pool at the Beach Club Resort will be closed from March 31 – April 11 and the quiet pool at the Yacht Club Resort will be closed April 14–21.
This and other news can be found in this week’s Walt Disney World Park Update.
Disneyland News
- Imagineer Bob Gurr was honored with a tribute window on Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. in a private ceremony before park hours on March 7, 2008.
- Disneyland’s merchandise department has just released the schedule for a slate of merchandise events this summer.
- Monday’s Park Update has some photographs of construction around Disney’s California Adventure and the Disney’s Vacation Club expansion at the Grand Californian Hotel.
- Other stuff:
- The winners of the MousePlanet 101 Dalmatians contest are Alan Chisum of Simi Valley, CA and Joshua Woolf of Olympia, WA.
- Fantasmic! repopened this weekend, and readers report that the show has several new visual and pyrotechnic effects.
- Just a reminder, A “special Annual Passholder preview” of the Pixar Play Parade is scheduled for March 13 at 5:15 p.m. at Disney’s California Adventure.
This and other news can be found in this week’s Disneyland Park Update.
The Walt Disney Company News
- The Walt Disney Company held its annual shareholder meeting last Thursday at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, NM. Listen to our in-depth coverage on yesterday’s show.
- Disney CEO Bob Iger also spoke at the Bear Stearns 21st Annual Media Conference on Monday.
- Last Wednesday, Dennis Shuler was named Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for the Walt Disney Company.
- While not in the overall Top 20, The Walt Disney Company was ranked the most admired company in the entertainment industry, according to the annual Most Admired Companies survey by Fortune Magazine.
- The mayor of Shanghai is apparently seeking government approval to allow construction of a Disney theme park in the Chinese city.
- The Original Broadway Cast recording for The Little Mermaid debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 26, and was number 1 on the Cast Album chart. You can purchase the cast album here and tickets to the show here.
- The second season of Disney’s Travel on Demand channel is launching with new shows. Watch a preview here.
- Disney is planning to work with three Japanese companies – Toei Animation Co., Madhouse Co. and Jinni’s Animation Studios – to produce cartoons with more local appeal.
- As part of Disney’s deal with Wal-Mart to make the chain the official Hannah Montana Headqarters, the new CD+DVD for the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus “Best of Both Worlds” concert movie went on sale at Wal-Mart on Tuesday, and will go on sale to the general public next month.
- And, because you can never have enough Hannah Montana stuff, Rooms To Go has made a line of three collections of children’s furniture based on the character.
- College Road Trip premiered at number 2 on the box office list.
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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