Sunday, June 24th, 2007 Issue #13 Subscribership: 299
The Happiest News on Earth
http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews
Established March 2007
From the Editor
It seems like only yesterday I was preparing to send out the first issue of Mouse House News. And now, we're on to lucky number 13. Welcome to the thirteenth issue of MHN
! It's great to have you along.
Last week we told you about our Week of Five Dreams Contest!
Well there's one day left. So get your family, friends, neighbours,
neighbours' pets, household appliances, and anyone or anything else
with an e-mail address to subscribe. Be sure to read all the details
about this wonderful contest, including the great prizes you could win,
in this issue below Mouse Mail.
Would you like to join our staff? We have some exciting opportunities available for you. Drop me a note to find out more!
And with a sprinkle of pixie dust, here we go!
Ali Sampson
Editor-in-Chief
Mouse Mail
Dear MHN:
[Y]ou mentioned maps available in PDF format. If readers sign up for a free Disney account (
www.disneyworld.com),
they can request free printed maps, [which] are poster-sized ... They
will get two sheets, a park on each side. In six months they can
request another set ... You can...customize these maps [to include]
everything or only the attractions you like.
Mandy Reineke
Dear MHN:
I checked the [Mouse House News] website
and read a few of the newsletters. I found them to be very entertaining
and informative. I would be thrilled to see any of my photos included.
... Thanks again and I'm looking forward to seeing more issues.
Carri Powers
Thanks, Carri! If you too would like to see your photos in future issues of MHN, send us an e-mail at
mousehousenews@gmail.com with CONTRIBUTE in the subject line.
A couple of issues ago, in our Final Word, we
asked you what your favourite WDW thrill ride is. A big fan of the big
thrills responded!
Dear MHN:
The Rock 'n
Rollercoaster at MGM. It is unlike anything else! The harmony of
Aerosmith and the coaster is perfect! It thrills from the minute in
begins. It brings the thrill back to Walt Disney World.
Bari Dozer
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.
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.
Week of Five Dreams Contest
Well, Disney may have it's Year of a Million Dreams celebration but they ain't got nothing on us. This week, Mouse House News
is holding its Week of Five Dreams contest, offering five cool
prize packs* for simply getting your friends to subscribe to this very
newsletter.
Prizes:
-
Prize Pack One: 15% Off at House of Blues and 10-20% Off at Hilton Head Island
-
Prize Pack Two: 15% Off the Behind the Seeds Tour at Epcot and $50 Disney Gift Card with Disney Visa
-
Prize Pack Three: 10-20% Off at Disney's Vero Beach and 15% Off Dolphins in Depth at Epcot
-
Prize Pack Four: 15% Off Behind the Scenes Tours at Animal Kingdom and 10% Off at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland Mini Golf
-
Prize Pack Five: 15% Off Epcot Dive Quest and 10% Off at All-Star Cafe
How to Enter: All you have to do is get people to subscribe to the newsletter. They can either e-mail us at
mousehousenews@gmail.com or subscribe through our website at
http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews .
The key is for them to tell us that you referred them. Your name will
be entered into the draw once for each person that you refer. So, the
more people you send our way, the better your chances to win some cool
prizes. And it doesn't matter if they choose to unsubscribe in the
future (which, of course, they won't), just get them to Mouse House News pronto!
Deadline:
The contest ends on Monday, June 25th, 2007 with a good old fashioned
draw taking place afterwards to determine the winners. Winners will be
notified during the week and will be announced in Issue #14 of MHN.
*All prizes expire in December, 2007. Winners will not get to choose specific prizes. This will be determined randomly.
Front Page
Disney Cooks Up A Winner
Lead
Writer (or should we say the "big cheese") Tom Corless gives us his
dazzling review of Disney's latest theatrical release, Ratatouille. Be
sure to check your local listings for showtimes. Don't let this film
squeak by you!
5 out of 5 Stars
I was lucky enough to be among the first to see
Disney and Pixar's newest animated film last weekend at the nationwide
sneak previews. I will do my best to give you an idea of the movie's
quality without giving up any of the story. Here it goes:
It was great!!! Well, I think that sums it up. This was truly one of
the best animated films in my recent memory. Ratatouille is another
great addition in the tradition of the great Pixar films. I would
easily place this one right behind Finding Nemo and Cars, and in front
of the remaining films Disney and Pixar have collaborated on.
The voice talents are phenomenal, as comedians such as Brad Garret lend
their vocals to the film. It probably provides the most off the wall
comedy of any Pixar animated feature, but it makes for a great film.
The story is a true testament of great writing, which is often missing
in children's films.
The animation is a leap forward and is much more detailed than previous
animated features. This kind of detail is necessary as Disney is
becoming the top dog in High-Definition Blu-Ray Disc sales. The rat
characters such as Remy and his brother show off the true talents of
Pixar animation.
If you liked any other Pixar film before, I would most certainly
suggest that you go and see Ratatouille in theaters starting Friday,
June 29. In review, I give Disney and Pixar's Ratatouille 5 of 5 stars.
Wow, I wish I was as generous to attractions as I am to movies.
Theme Park Notes
Staff reporter Adam Dworkin brings us the latest news from the theme parks.
Wanderful!
It seems that WDW brass
have finally approved the funding for the removal of the most debated
structure on Disney property – the maligned wand which has adorned
Spaceship Earth since the Millennium celebration. It originally read
"2000" but was eventually changed to "Epcot" in the familiar Disney
cursive style. The 2008 budget accounts for the costs of the removal
and many could not be happier.
The removal of the wand will certainly
bring an air of credibility back to the idea of Future World. This lack
of wand will, however, give Disney fans much less to debate and discuss
on the internet discussion boards. What remains unclear is the time
frame for final removal. It is also unclear how long removal of a
structure as large and cumbersome as the wand might take.
I can only hope that the leadership of
Epcot will be satisfied with the simple removal of the wand and do not
feel the need to replace it with something equally as "whimsical".
Although I do not believe that the intrusion of characters into Epcot
has diminished the park in any way, the wand has been an unnecessary
ornament to what is truly a masterful display of modern architecture.
I Am A Jedi . . .
Train in the ancient Jedi arts at
Tomorrowland! Soon, the Jedi Masters will be selecting the young and
talented to learn the arts of the force and, of course, the
lightsaber. Everyone who attends this training at the Tomorrowland
Terrace daily will learn the art of the lightsaber and then be able to
test their skills against Darth Vader (or similarly attired Dark Lord
of the Sith). This unique opportunity will be offered six times a day
at the park during the Year Of A Million Dreams Celebration.
Wonder No More
After years of seasonal openings,
it'srumoured that the Wonders of Life space will be gutted entirely,
with the dome completely redone and the attractions being walled over.
Even the Body Wars mural is to be painted over. It appears that the new
Epcot management do not feel that they can secure or update the
building. The building will be rented out for special events, much like
the old Odyssey restaurant. The fact that no new attraction is being
slated for the pavilion is a great disappointment to fans. Hopefully,
WDI has something up their sleeves and this is simply a temporary use
for the space. We'll see what happens to Body Wars, Cranium Command,
and the other WoL attractions.
Mouse House Eats
Staff Reporter Mandy Reineke makes our mouths water with the latest news from Disney dining.
More Food, Less Disney Dollars
Let's
face it, a trip to Walt Disney World isn't a cheap event. I have some
tips to help you save some money and still enjoy great dining.
-
Breakfast
and lunch are always cheaper at the table service places, and the food
is usually the exact same. So have lunch with characters, then do
counter service for dinner, as those prices are the same all day.
Happy Dining!
Dining Plan To Go
If you are on the dining plan and have snack
credits left over, you can use them to purchase any food item under $4
at the gift shop in the lobby of your resort. These make great class
gifts for kids to pass out, or a great trip reminder treat after you
are home.
Food and Wine Time
Epcot's Food and Wine festival will take
place from September 28th to November 11th. Reservations can be made
beginning August 6th at 7am for specialty dining events, including
Party for the Senses. Seating is limisted so book fast. Call
407-WDW-FEST for reservations.
Resort Clips
Raycers vs. Jets
For
those of you interested in watersports at WDW, beware! Before you rent
a watercraft for an hour or so of refreshing fun, note that the Sammay
Duval jet skis rented at the Contemporary Resort marina cannot roam
throughout the waterways. Instead, Duval jet ski riders are required
to stay within a roped off area. Sea raycers, however, have access to
the whole Seven Seas Lagoon or Crescent Lake depending on where they
are rented.
Last Chance For Free Dining!
Time
is running out to cash in on WDW's free dining offer. Those visiting
the World between August 26th and September 22nd, 2007 can take
advantage of the Disney Dining Plan for free! The catch is, you must book your vacation by Monday, June 24th. Hurry and visit
Magical Vacation World Travel ( http://www.magicalvacationworldtravel.com
) to take advantage of this incredible offer!
Annual Bonus
Annual
Passholders can save with room-only discounts being offered from August
5th to September 29th, 2007. Disney is offering value resort
rooms starting at $64 per night, moderate resorts starting at $94, and
deluxe rooms for $164. Ask for code FVD. For more information contact
Magical Vacation World Travel (
http://www.magicalvacationworldtravel.com/), the official travel agent of Mouse House News.
Mousellaneous News
And Stay Out!
Last week, MHN reported
the abduction of a couple from a Downtown Disney parking lot. Disney
has since strengthened security . The police and security guards
handed out multiple trespass warnings this past weekend in an attempt
to keep unwanted teens and young adults out of the entertainment
complex.
Smoke on the Water
The Walt Disney World
resorts may now be smoke-free but that hasn't stopped Pleasure Island.
Those who enjoy a cigar while on vacation can now do so at Fuega by
Sosa Cigars, an intimate lounge setting offering a range of tobacco
products. Open from 11am to 2am, the lounge will offer premium wine,
beer and spirits in addition to specialty coffees to Downtown Disney
visitors. This is the second location at DTD owned by the Sosa Family.
Lockered Out
In June, locker rentals
ceased at the Ticket and Transportation Center located in the parking
lot of the Magic Kingdom. Lockers, however, are still available for
rent at each of the four theme parks.
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 .
Goofy Facts
For
family fun or a romantic stroll many WDW guests often visit the
beautiful beaches of the Polynesian and Grand Floridian resorts. The
white sand that covers those beaches and the shores of the Seven Seas
Lagoon actually came from the bottom of Bay Lake, which is located
behind the Contemporary Resort.
Do
you have any "Goofy Facts" to share with our readers? Know a bit of
Disney trivia, interesting facts about Walt Disney World, or a little
known tip on planning a WDW vacation? We want to hear from you.
E-mail us at mousehousenews@gmail.com
with "GOOFY FACT" in the subject line or contact us through our website:
http://www.freewebs.com/mousehousenews .
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: Emeril - Ratatouille Time Description:
Emeril prepares French bistro dishes with Patton Oswalt, the voice of Remy Channel: Food Network Times:
Wednesday, June 27th from 8pm to 9pm and Thursday, June 28th from 3am to 4am.
Program: Wonderful World of Disney: The Haunted Mansion Description: The Eddie Murphy feature based on the classic theme park attraction
Channel: ABC Times: Saturday, June 30th from 8pm to 10pm.
Program: Walt Disney World Resorts: Behind the Scenes Description: An in-depth behind-the-scenes tour of Walt Disney World's four theme parks. Updated content for 2007.
Channel: Travel Channel Times: Thursday, July 5th from 9PM to 10PM and Friday, July 6th from
12AM to 1AM.
Special Events Bulletin
Let Freedom Ring!
Get ready for Indepedence
Day at WDW! If you are brave enough to visit during this busy week, be
sure to check out the special events Mickey and the gang have planned.
At the Magic Kingdom, in honour of the day, the park will offer the
Dreams Come True Parade, Fantasy in the Sky fireworks and SpectroMagic,
each twice. The park will also be open until 1am. In addition to its
normal offerings, Disney-MGM Studios will offer 4th of July fireworks
at 9pm.
Christmas in July (Sort Of)
Speaking of
holidays, reservations for the Candlelight Processional packages can be
made July 2nd at 7am. The Candlelight Processional is an event that
celebrates Christmas at WDW which begins in late November.
The Smaller the Better
More details have been released
about the Little Ones Travel Time event taking place at WDW between
August 26th and October 28th. If you have a wee one, you might be
interested to hear that during this special time, the Magic Kingdom
will host Little Ones Magic Hour where Fantasyland opens an hour early
on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for resort guests. During this
time, special character interactions are promised. This event also
includes Playhouse Disney in Concert.
Final Word
As usual, the final word
comes from you, the Disney fans. Last week we asked you: What is your
favourite Walt Disney World water park? Apparently, you are not big
water park fans! You responded with:
WDW's Best Splashes
Never been to a WDW water park 75%
Blizzard Beach 25%
Typhoon Lagoon 0%
For next week's issue, we want to hear more from you. Please tell us who your favourite Disney character is. E-mail us at
mousehouse@gmail.com with FINAL WORD in the subject line.
Mouseketeers
Please support our sponsors.
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is the exclusive travel agent of Mouse House News . With fantastic service and wonderful deals, we highly recommend this agency for all your Walt Disney World vacationing needs.
Be sure to mention that you saw their ad here at Mouse House News !
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Editorial Staff
Ali Sampson - Editor-in-Chief
Bruce Smith - Assistant Editor
Tom Corless - Layout Editor
Operations Staff
Stephen Champion - Webmaster
Reporting Staff
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
(absent)
Contributing Photographers
DeAnna McDearmont - From the Editor
Jason Perlow - Front Page
David Matthews -
Theme Park Notes
Ilene Radish - Mo
use House Eats
Michael Gray - Resort Clips
Francesco Dazzi - Mousellaneous News
Darrell Taylor - Special Events Bulletin
Andie Smith - Final Word
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