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NAVIGATION
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Issue #10 - We're Late! We're Late! For a very important date!
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May 28th, 2007 Issue #10 Subscribership: 241
The Happiest News on Earth
http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews
Established March 2007
From the Editor
Welcome! We do apologize for
the tardiness of this week's issue but if the White Rabbit can be late
than so can we! Trust us - it's worth the wait.
In our tenth issue, we
bring you not one but TWO reviews of Disney's latest release Pirates of
the Caribbean: At World's End. Check out the first review at the
beginning of this issue in Theme Park Notes and another at the end in Mousellaneous Reviews. Sandwiched between pirates is other great news from the World.
Also, we are looking
for a new logo! Anyone who is talented at creating such things and
would like to give it a try, contact us or simply send along your
submission. We will pick our favourite and make it our new logo. The
winner will be forever immortalized!
Enjoy!
Ali Sampson
Editor-in-Chief
Mouse Mail
While our lead
reporter Tom Corless' articles often generate a lot of positive
feedback, World Finest: Epcot, which appeared in last week's issue of
MHN, certainly received a great deal of criticism. Many people
disagree with Tom's assessment of WDW's second theme park and wanted to
let us know.
Dear MHN:
Mission
Space at Epcot, the original, not the dumbed down version, is AWESOME!
And that's from a 68 year old great grandfather with hypertension! Sure
beats a second rate imitation of an automobile test track that ain't
much of an educational or thrill ride.
Harry Kaufman
Dear MHN:
I have to
disagree with much of what Tom said in this week's issue. ... I feel
that he didn't give enough credit to Innovations. ... [It] is the best
attraction in Epcot, with information that is constantly changing to
support today's ever-changing world.
Stephen Champion
Dear MHN:
Okay,
is this just a JOKE? ... I sure hope nobody who reads [World's Finest:
Epcot] before they take a trip to WDW actually takes it seriously,
because they will miss the best thing at Disney after Mickey Mouse,
[which is Illuminations: Reflections of Earth].
Linda Carvell
Mouse House News
invites comment on all aspects of our newsletter and Walt Disney
World. Do you have something to say about one of the news items
discussed in this issue or about Walt Disney World in general? Do you
have any suggestions or feedback for MHN? E-mail us at mousehousenews@gmail.com
with "MOUSE MAIL" in the subject line or contact us on our website:
http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews and
your letter might appear in one of our issues thus making you famous.
Your letter must include your full name and will be edited for space
and clarity.
Front Page
Shivering Yer Timbers For A Third Time
Lead
Writer Tom Corless takes a break from his World's Finest series to
bring us a review of the third installment of Pirates of the
Caribbean. POTC: At World's End was released Thursday, May 24th. Tom
will be back soon with part three of five, exploring the best and worst
of Walt Disney World.
5 out of 5 stars
Pirates of
the Caribbean 3 was very good, not the best in the trilogy, but
certainly an extremely good movie. I'm not going to go into the story,
because it wouldn't be fair to give up any part of this fantastic film
to those who haven't seen it. I will tell you why to go see it. If you
saw the first two films, go see it. If you've ever been on the
attraction, go see it. If you like good movies, go see it. In review,
GO SEE IT!
The film
has great comedy, good action, and plot twists that will shock you. The
movie gets slow in the middle, but the ending redeems the story. Don't
get me wrong, the middle is fine, it just pales in comparison to the
conclusion. Think of this as the season finale of the show LOST. The
end is a big surprise, and is kind of strange considering the story so
far. However, the end opens a new story, giving strong hope to the idea
of a fourth film. I would say this isn't the last we have seen of
Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean.
While the
first two films had a few subtle nods to the attraction, this film goes
out of its way to quote the ride. It seems they finally realized that
the film would do well regardless of attraction tributes.
All
the questions left by the previous films are answered in the near three
hour running time. What becomes of Will's Father? The Kraken? Jack
Sparrow? Can the East India Trading Company be stopped? What about Davy
Jones? Do Will and Elizabeth get married? All these questions and more
are answered in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.
Theme Park Notes
Staff reporter Adam Dworkin brings us the latest news from the theme parks.
The Fastest Passes Around
In addition
to the brand new ending script at Kilimanjaro Safaris, a new style of
FastPass has gone into effect at the popular Animal Kingdom attraction.
This new FP has enlarged date and time sections, as well as a barcode
that runs along either side. The idea of the Family FP is also in
testing, allowing one FP to be issued for a family of people to avoid
loss of a ticket or having to provide five or six different park
tickets for one family. It is the barcode that is most intriguing. It
raises questions as to what the code may be used for in the future and
what new features the FP system may have.
Although
Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris have been using the barcode
system for some time, the diversity and number of resorts at Disney has
lent itself to some interesting possibilities. Also of interest is that
the FP seems to reflect the type of ticket used to obtain it. At
Disneyland, the barcodes have simply been used for research, cataloging
when and who was returning with the tickets.
With
Universal offering line-cutting to their resort guests, speculation is
that Disney may be moving to a tiered FP system. Some people believe
that this was inevitable anyway. On-site Disney guests already are
given privileges not given to those off-property, like the Extra Magic
Hours. It is possible that FP features and privileges will become
multi-tiered, based upon the level of the park ticket or the level of
resort the guest is staying at. This information could also be used for
something as simple as closing the loophole that allows expired FP's to
be used at attractions.
FastPass
changes may be in the works, but it is my hope that Disney maintains
the characteristics that keep it great. One of these is the idea that
the guests are equal in the park, no matter how much money they choose
to spend to be there. Keep an eye on FP upgrades, and have fun in the
parks!
Legacy Lost
As we reported in an earlier issue, the
much debated Leave a Legacy section at the entrance of Epcot is rumored
to be closing down. Sales of new tiles are supposed to stop this
summer. According to the Orlando building permits, the sales office is
due to be torn down, making it difficult to sell new Legacy tiles
anyway. This has raised the question as to whether the entire area will
be removed (which would certainly make some people happy) or whether it
will stay as is. The Leave a Legacy area has been much maligned over
the years as being out of the theming scope of the park and Spaceship
Earth area.
Soarin' Through the Queue
The queue line at Soarin, which had the
concrete look to it, has recently been undergoing changes and new
construction. Details on the new project have been few, but it looks
like some more theme elements to the ride are being added to create
that unique Disney feel to the queue that has really been absent since
its opening for the 50
th Anniversary celebration. Can't wait to see the results!
Mouse House Eats
Staff Reporter Mandy Reineke makes our mouths water with the latest news from Disney dining.
Special Dining
I
have a ton of experience with special needs dining at Walt Disney
World. I do not eat pork and several of my family members have food
allergies. Over the next two weeks, I will share some important
information with you. This week I will talk about special needs options
and next week about allergies.
I
can't stress enough that if you have a need for anything, ask! I know
that each and every restaurant has options for food alternatives. There
are vegetarian options at every location. If you require vegan or
kosher food, simply have a note made when you make your reservation.
Some places will ask for a credit card to reserve kosher meals but it
is only charged for no-shows and late cancellations.
Disney is the best place for people with special diet needs. The chefs
at each establishment can work with just about any request, and if they
can't accommodate a food issue, they will make an alternate suggestion.
The chefs have made it easy for guests with special needs to eat just
about anywhere in WDW.
Jiko Gets Winetastic
Animal Kingdom Lodge's Jiko has introduced a new signature wine and
dinner package. It will be offered during the 2007 Food and Wine
Festival, on October 4th and November 1st. The price of dinner and wine
pairings will be $150, which includes tax and gratuity. Reservations
are being accepted now at 407-939-3463. The Food and Wine Festival runs
from Sept 28th to November 11th, 2007.
Expensive Restaurant Gets More Expensive
Victoria and Albert's, located at Disney's Grand Floridian, will
increase its prices from $100 per guest to $125 for its fixed menu. The
wine pairings will be rising from $55 per guest to $60 per guest. These
prices do not include tax or gratuity. The cost for the chef's table is
somewhat higher. The last price increase was in the summer of 2005.
This is a must-do for any Disney fan that also happens to be a fan of
international gourmet foods.
Resort Clips
Take My Breathless Away
The
Breathless used to be used to cruise guests around Crescent Lake. For
quite a while now, however, the classic wooden runabout boat has been
drydocked at the Yacht Club marina. It looks like the Breathless will
retire gracefully and a sister ship will take over where she left
off. If you happen to be at the Yacht Club in the near future, look
for the new 26 foot wooden powerboat which should be arriving very
soon.
And It's Out of the Gates!
Construction
is finished on a new area of Saratoga Springs. The Grandstand is
located across from bell services and includes a pool and a water play
area, complete with a starting gate and horse racing theme. A bar
called the Backstretch Pool Bar will open soon. The Grandstand provides
guests with a quieter experience than is found in the main pool area.
Grim Grinning Ghosts Come Out to Socialize
There have
been reports of haunted rooms at Disney's Pop Century Resort. One
particular guests reports supernatural activity after staying in the
70s section last week. The guest and her family were in Room 0225 of
Building #10 and witnessed hangers in the closet swinging for about 15
seconds for no particular reason. Looks like those 999 ghosts have
found some place to stay while the Haunted Mansion is closed for rehab!
Mousellaneous News
Even Pirates Aren't Perfect
And because
everyone loves pirates oh-so-much, here comes another review of POTC3.
Staff Reporter Caleb Hayworth gives us his swashbucklin' opinion of the
action.
4 out of 5 stars
Pirates of the Caribbean:
Dead Man's Chest left us with these words, "So, tell me, what's become
of my ship?" What should you expect after that? How about Pirates of
the Caribbean: At World's End. POTC2 definitely set the bar high. Can
the third Pirates installment measure up?
POTC3 was really
entertaining. The plot gives viewers a story of mythological
proportions with gods and underworlds. The movie, however, is
long...too long! There was too much information to cover in too little
time. It's so hard to follow because the character's motives literally
change every five minutes. I would highly recommend watching Dead Man's
Chest again, just so you can connect better with the characters. Also,
Chow Yun-Fat appears infrequently throughout the film, which is
unfortunate.
The action sequences are
amazing. All the sets are breathtaking. Viewers get sucked in to the
pirate world. Parts of the movie actually feel like the POTC
attraction. This movie has everything that a movie should have. If you
loved the sense of humour of the first two, you won't be disappointed.
Some die hard POTC fans may even shed a tear during At World's End.
Stunned in Magic Kingdom
Yesterday, five youth from New York were
arrested at WDW after a series of events involving Disney staff and law
enforcement. The incident began by Space Mountain when complaints were
made about the youth swearing and spitting on other guests. The youth,
ranging in age from 14 to 20, were detained by security. When police
arrived on the scene, one of the misbehaviours threatened an officer.
At this point, the rest of the gang got involved, attacking the
officer. The fight came to an end when a female teenager punched a
security officer, resulting in a stun gun being used. All five were
arrested and charged with battery and resisting arrest.
Watersports and Islands Go Hand-in-Hand
Pleasure Island will receive a new
retail location. Sammy Duval Watersport is set to open near 8-trax
dance club. Starting out as a child prodigy, Sammy Duvall has become
one of the most accomplished water skiers in the world. To buy his
merchandise, stay tuned to Pleasure Island!
We need your help staying on top of the WDW-related news. Send your news tips to us! E-mail us at
mousehousenews@gmail.com with "NEWS TIP" in the subject line or contact us through our website:
http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews .
The Mouse Vault
Staff Reporter Caleb Hayworth retuns with another week's peak at Disney history.
May 21 1928 Walt Disney's trademark application for Mickey Mouse is filed with the United States Patent Office.
May 22 1996 The
Disney Store opens on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue becoming the largest
Disney Store to date. It sets the all-time record for single-day volume
in a Disney Store.
May 23 2001 The Magic Carpets of Aladdin soar to life at Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
May 24 1989 Walt's brother Raymond A. Disney, an insurance businessman, dies at the age of 98.
May 25 1986 Today
is the last day Epcot guests will hear the original narration
of Spaceship Earth. It will be replaced with a new narration by
legendary newsman Walter Cronkite.
May 26 1990 Mickey's
Starland opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, replacing
Mickey's Birthdayland. It will later be renamed Mickey's Toontown Fair.
May 27 1879 Lucile Watson, the grandmother in Disney's 1946 Song of the South, is born in Quebec, Canada.
May 28 1966 'it's
a small world' opens in Fantasyland at Disneyland. The ride features
297 animated children, 256 toys, and a canal filled with 233,000
gallons of water. It is the park's first continually loading high
capacity ride.
Superstar Television
Turn
on your TV and tune in to some programs related to Walt Disney World.
Here is a listing of what's coming up. All times listed are in Eastern
Standard Time.
Program: Great Hotels: Disney's Grand Floridian Orlando Description: An in-depth look at Disney's Grand Floridian, featuring Walt's train collection.
Channel: Travel Channel Times: Tuesday, May 29th from 12PM to 12:30 PM
Program: Great Hotels: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Orlando Description: An in-depth look at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, featuring the African wildlife reserve.
Channel: Travel Channel Times: Thursday, May 31st from 12PM to 12:30PM.
Program: Modern Marvels: Walt Disney World Description: Journey underground and backstage at the technological marvel that is Walt Disney World.
Channel: History Channel Times: Friday, June 1st from 8PM to 10PM and Saturday, June 2nd from 12AM to 2AM
Special Events Bulletin
Have a Gay Old Time
From
May 31st to June 3rd, the seventeenth annual gathering of the GLBT
community will take place at Walt Disney World. For more information on
Gay Days, be sure to visit http://www.gaydays.com. It will be One Mighty Party!
Using the Force
From
June 1st – 24th, the ever-popular star wars weekends return to
Disney-MGM Studios. This years' event is especially exciting for all
those aspiring Jedis since 2007 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the
original Star Wars film.
Beats To Eat By
The
Food and Wine Festival will begin in early fall at Walt Disney World.
There are a number of special events that coincide with the larger
festivities. MHN will be sure to announce them as they become known. One
such special event is the Eat to the Beat concert series. On many
nights throughout the Festival, bands will take stage at the American
Gardens Theater, three times nightly. Performers include The Beach
Boys, The Four Tops and The Village People, among others.
Final Word
As usual, the final word
comes from you, the Disney fans. Last week we asked you: What is your
favourite Pixar movie? You responded with:
Pixar Hits
Cars 32%
Monsters Inc. 28%
Finding Nemo 19%
Toy Story 6%
Toy Story 2 6%
A Bug's Life 3%
Incredibles 3%
Ratatouille 3%
For next week's issue, we want to hear more from you. Please tell us what your favourite Walt Disney World thrill ride is. E-mail us at
mousehouse@gmail.com with "FINAL WORD" in the subject line.
Mouseketeers
Please support our sponsors.
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Staff
Ali Sampson - Editor-in-Chief
Bruce Smith - Assistant Editor
Stephen Champion - Webmaster
Tom Corless - Lead Writer for Front Page
Adam Dworkin - Staff Reporter for Theme Park Notes
Mandy Reineke - Staff Reporter for Mouse House Eats
Caleb Hayworth - Staff Reporter for The Mouse Vault
Brian Kenyon - Staff Reporter for Final Word (absent)
Contributing Writers
Caleb Hayworth - Mousellaneous News
Contributing Photographers
George Mai - From the Editor
Ian Macpherson - Front Page
Tom Corless - Theme Park Notes, Mousellaneous News
Becky Pitzer - Mouse House Eats
Mike Hamilton - Resort Clips
Dan Brace - Final Word
Nothing in this publication may be used without the permission of Mouse House News.
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