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Roundtable Contributors: Elizabeth
Caran (Outlander
Travel), Princess Fee (DF’82), Estelle Hallick (This Happy Place
Blog), Melissa Sue Sorrells Galley (Mouse on the Mind), Blake Taylor (BlakeOnline.com),
Andrew (Disney
Hipsters Blog), and yours truly.
Elizabeth Caran (Outlander
Travel)
It is being reported that both Disney Channel Rocks and Pixar Pals
Countdown to Fun will be going away as of April 6. No definitive reason has been
offered as to why they are stopping production, but again, studioscentral
reports that there are rumors it is due to work going on backstage that would
prevent the floats from getting moved around into position.
Regardless of the reason, if this is true, it leaves Disney's
Hollywood Studios with no real parade to speak of. It's an interesting choice.
Does this mean even more Streetmosphere? Maybe lots of new stuff? I think that
would be fantastic. I think pulling back all that entertainment and truly replacing
it with nothing would be pretty tragic in a park that is all about performance.
Although I am not a huge fan of parades, I will miss the Pixar characters
having a shining moment each day in the park. I just hold out hope that
whatever the reason, the end result will be a better DHS with even more
entertainment and fun surprises.
Of course, Star Wars weekends will provide some entertainment to fill
the void in a month or so. Still, it begs the question of what will be next for
Disney's Hollywood Studios.
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Andrew (Disney Hipsters
Blog)
It's no big secret, here at Disney Hipster Headquarters we have a sour
opinion on Disney's Hollywood Studios. The park is a train wreck, albeit a
potentially awesome/frustrating/nostalgia inducing train wreck. One of the
biggest problems the park has is lack on continuity of its theme...which was
never that clear to begin with. Aren't
we in old Hollywood? Why is Aerosmith here? (etc...) The inclusion of Disney Channel Rocks! since
2010, and a similar show prior to that, just mucked up the theme even more.
Disney Channel, the brand, couldn't be any farther from the supposed "old
Hollywood" theme. I'm cautiously optimistic about this show going away
next month...honestly, even if it isn't replaced by anything it will be a
general improvement toward the parks atmosphere and theme.
Melissa Sue Sorrells Galley (Mouse on the
Mind)
This week, a rumor surfaced, intimating that Disney is overseeing a
reboot of the classic 1977 film Pete's Dragon. Not only will the new film NOT
be a musical, but the dragon will be rendered in CGI and it's being scripted by
a pair of filmmakers who most recently worked on a gritty Sundance-buzzy indie
film. No music. No awesome hand-crafted effects. No Disney-tried,
family-friendly writers. And it goes without saying that this reboot won't
feature Mickey Rooney or Red Buttons, either. None of it sounds promising. I
can already see my childhood giving Disney the finger as it eats fire-roasted
apples and cuddles up with an imaginary green monster.
Blake Taylor (BlakeOnline.com)
Disney is changing things up where character greetings are concerned.
In an off-synch but welcome move, a random grouping of characters now meets
guests on the Streets of America in Hollywood Studios each afternoon at 4:40.
And what's more, while the goal is of course to pose for pictures and sign
autographs, the characters are free to roam as they please, opening the floor
for some fun interaction not often seen in WDW meet & greets. A similar
function was previously held daily inside The Magic of Disney Animation, but
had not been in use for several months.
I commended surprise characters last month when a few unexpected faces
popped up in Magic Kingdom, and this new Streets of America greeting is another
step in a great direction. I understand the need for formal, structured
character greetings for the more popular names like Mickey and the princesses,
but I also love the idea of turning a corner and finding characters I didn't
expect to be there. Other WDW locations that regularly implement this practice—of
sometimes, but not always, having characters present, and if they do, not
knowing who will be there—are all typically in Epcot: the Fountain of Nations,
World Showplace, International Gateway, and American Adventure.
Princess Fee (DF'82)
The current celebration at Disney Parks, Limited Time Magic , has been bringing
out some great ideas and fun ‘one-offs’ for guests. One of the most recent
ideas for the celebration has been noted through the Disney Parks’ blog,
entitled ‘Long-Lost Disney Friends’ for the Disneyland park. The idea was
originally showcased in January, with some rare characters visiting the Walt
Disney World Resort. This time, however, the long-lost friends will be chosen
by the Disney public! Voting has been open on the Disney Parks website, and
unfortunately closes today (March 21st), but you might still have some time to
sneak a vote in there! Friends that can re-appear include Three Little Pigs and
the Big Bad Wolf, Merlin, Jane and Terk, and Scrooge McDuck and Ludwig
VonDrake! As someone who enjoys nothing more than visiting and meeting
characters in the Disney parks, this idea sounds fantastic – I can’t wait to hear
who makes an appearance.
Estelle Hallick (This Happy Place
Blog)
Something is happening at Animal Kingdom. A small something. Walls
have been put up in Africa to make room for the upcoming sojourn of The
Festival of the Lion King. Does this mean Avatarland is coming soon to Camp
Mickey Minnie? Well, according to last week's Disney Springs announcement, the
answer is still yes. But you can never be too sure with these tricky folks. I,
for one, like the idea of Festival making a move to where it belongs. Maybe
this will inspire Disney to update the show a little bit? It's definitely the
best performed on property (in my opinion) but could use a little breath of
fresh air.
Ryan P. Wilson (Main Street Gazette)
When handling the news revolving around Walt Disney World there are a
lot of things that you can jeer and sneer at, particularly when you have an
ideal from your childhood that you fear nay never be realized. Epcot is often
discussed in a way that can make one wonder if the park, especially Future
World, is still relevant in educating today’s families and focusing on making
the future a better place. There is a place for this conversation, but it isn’t
here and it isn’t today.
Today we celebrate Epcot, more to the point we celebrate the work
being done at The Seas pavilion. As some of you may know, eight sea turtles
were brought to Walt Disney World just before Christmas last year suffering
from hypothermia spawned by a bitter winter storm that hit New England. After
being examined by Animal Program staff at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the eight
were moved to The Seas for rehabilitation. After several months, four of the
endangered sea turtles were returned to the ocean along the Canaveral National
Seashore, with the other four expected to be released soon.
This is
real and measureable good being done in our world and it is happening right
before the eyes of any who care to pay attention. It may not seem to be as
critical as developing new ways to cultivate the land we live in or reducing
the carbon emissions of our vehicles, but it is a very real possibility that
these sea turtles will not be here for another generation to watch, fall in
love with, and be inspired by. Any time we can witness the good being done for
the creatures we share this world with it is a good thing, when it can be
shared with the numerous guests at Epcot as the good is being done, it’s even
better!
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