MiceChat - Walt Disney World Resort

News CNN Touts EPCOT's New SUM OF ALL THRILLS "Make-Your-Own" Ride

Ride Warrior — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:04:37 GMT

Schell Games

Shell Games and Walt Disney Imagineering have colaborated on yet a third innovative new attraction. The other two are Cyberspace Mountain, and more recently Toy Story Midway Mania. Sum of All Thrills opened in October and is the first "design your own ride" attraction. The guest programs the layout anddynamics of their own virtual roler coaster, plane, or bobsled ride. Then they step into a simulator and have the time of their lives!

So go ahead, personalize your own next generation ride experice. Bring out te creative imagineer in yourself.

Video Sir Clinksalot's WDW Attraction Video Thread

sir clinksalot — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:02:57 GMT

I've actually been sitting on these videos for awhile but just haven't uploaded them to share. (sorry)

I have on-ride edited videos from many of the major rides (and shows) at WDW including Splash Mountain, Expedition Everest, Test Track, full Fantasmic, Finding Nemo the Musical and more.

We'll start off with the Peoplemover (or Tomorrowland Transit Authority)

Enjoy!!!

YouTube - Magic Kingdom - Peoplemover...

Review Space Mountain

Kidgenie — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:20:42 GMT

DON'T read if you don't want to know.

So after work last night, I swung by the MK to take in a few rides on Space Mountain. I liked the nod to the orginal concept they now have, once inside the attractions there are lots of referances to "Space Port Seventy Five". Space Port being Walts orginal name, and the other being the year it opened. But that aside.... do not expect anything in the lines of the HM's last major refurb and update. This is very cosmetic and not very extensive.

Some posted on here that the car were new. They are not. Not that I needed to but I also confirmed this with the castmembers working there. The seats are, but the shells are the same, just repainted. The first long blue light tube is slightly updated. The sound is better and not as painfully high pitched as it use to be. The back mirror is gone, and with it the illusion that you are headed for a head on crash. Its replaces with some light up cystal like wall that has the effects of shoots the lights down the tunnel. Sort of. Hard to explain but the Wiki on Space Mountains has a good discription. The upside down space cedets:) are back and also with the figures in the windows, they look has been updated but its minor in nature.

The ride is EXACTLY the same, BOTH SIDE. I *THINK* its darker, but I wouldn't swear to it. Did not notice it being significantly smoother. If it is, its not a black and while difference from before. Does seem to have more star field effects.

I was completely underwhelmed by the line. Same back light signed are almost everywhere, just the signage itself is change. For example, when you first walk in the entrance, the floor to ceiling sigh now reads Space Port Seventy Five. The bubble domes of space stars are still next, but the pictures of the nebulas have been replace with very simular pictures with very amature "space charts" laid out over them. The next part, where it sort of zig zaged for a bit before getting to the main load area is where the interactive games are. I do wonder how thats going to work. Once side of the this tunnel is new with the interactive games installed, the other side looks pretty much exactly as it previously did. Not too excited about how they don't match. Oh well.

Enter the main line, and they modified the que so that once again they can use the interior space AND accomodate fast pass. Can't look up into the attraction anymore but you can look up into a slowly rotating space effect. The area looks nice sans the surface the floor which I don't think was complete yet, and the back wall which look complete but with an odd mix of some teal like color mismatched with a purpleish pinkish hue of something. Just odd.

And of course the attraction now has load gates.

Question Christmas Decorations in Ft. Wilderness Campground

Lanmon — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:56:59 GMT

We always enjoy going through the Ft. Wilderness Campground between the Christmas and New Years holidays to see the Christmas decorations at the individual campsites. We have plans to go to WDW the beginning of December 2010. Does anybody know if/when people tend to put up their decorations at their campsites?? Thanks!

Pictures Downtown Disney - Pictures

geomorph — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:17:34 GMT

My picture threads consist of images I have taken that focus on the architecture, landscape architecture, planning, design, and theming of the facilities highlighted. They may also contain short descriptions and commentary, but will not focus on construction progress or special events or memorabilia or food selections or my traveling companions. Hopefully these threads are a good introduction for those who have not seen these places yet. All killer, no filler!

Downtown Disney photographed in February and November 2008:
The free-admission center of the property is this shopping and dining and entertainment center composed of three distinct adjoining sections sited on the shore of a lake.

Downtown Disney West Side:
The newest of the three sections is a collection of showy large-scale venues arranged on both sides of a central walkway. Many are attractive buildings but are so different in style that the overall composition is a trainwreck, although this manic approach creates a desirable level of excitement and stimulation for an entertainment center. The complex includes a permanent Cirque du Soleil theater, Disney Quest (an indoor interactive arcade), a movie theater complex, shops, and several famous restaurant locations.

Pleasure Island:
This middle section is currently in transition and is mostly shut down. The core of the complex is a sloping pedestrian street surrounded by a dynamic collection of themed warehouses which contained nightclubs, restaurants, and several shops.

Downtown Disney Marketplace:
The oldest section is a rambling village of low rather non-descript contemporary wood buildings housing shops and restaurants, although several restaurant buildings have been added or renovated that grab more attention. One of these is T-Rex, a fantastic themed concoction that celebrates extinct species in a Disney-worthy interior setting.

Enjoy!

Pictures Downtown Disney Periphery Buildings - Pictures

geomorph — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:53:23 GMT

My picture threads consist of images I have taken that focus on the architecture, landscape architecture, planning, design, and theming of the facilities highlighted. They may also contain short descriptions and commentary, but will not focus on construction progress or special events or memorabilia or food selections or my traveling companions. Hopefully these threads are a good introduction for those who have not seen these places yet. All killer, no filler!

Downtown Disney Periphery Buildings photographed in November 2008:
On the outskirts of this village of shopping and dining and nightlife are several notable buildings that serve support roles at the resort.

Casting:
This center for employment was designed by famous architect Robert Stern and his prolific office. Other projects designed for Disney include the Beach and Yacht Club Resorts and Boardwalk Resort at Walt Disney World; the master plan, Town Center, and Florida Hospital at Celebration, FL.; the Feature Animation Building in Burbank, CA.; the Disney Ambassador Hotel at Tokyo Disney Resort; and the Hotel Cheyenne and Newport Bay Club Hotel at Disneyland Resort Paris.

Team Disney:
This executive and managerial headquarters for the resort was designed by famous architect Arata Isozaki.

Reedy Creek Fire Station 4:
One of four fire stations on the property, this one is an attractive modern facility with a delightful overscaled touch of whimsy in front.

Enjoy!

Pictures Disney's Blizzard Beach - Pictures

geomorph — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:38:18 GMT

My picture threads consist of images I have taken that focus on the architecture, landscape architecture, planning, design, and theming of the facilities highlighted. They may also contain short descriptions and commentary, but will not focus on construction progress or special events or memorabilia or food selections or my traveling companions. Hopefully these threads are a good introduction for those who have not seen these places yet. All killer, no filler!

Disney's Blizzard Beach photographed in November 2008:
Conceived as a freak snowy storm that has brought an arctic landscape to subtropical Florida, this superbly themed water park features a fun hybrid of winter sports details overlaid on a beachy scene of waves and slides.

Entrance:

Beach Haus:
This is the gift shop at the entrance.

Lottawatta Lodge:
This is the main cafe, also near the entrance.

Concessions:
Various cleverly themed shacks dot the landscape in the park.

Cross Country Creek:
This gently flowing flume circles most of the park and has numerous entry and exit points. It also enters a long cave beneath Mt. Gushmore.

Ski Patrol Training Camp:
The designated pre-teen play area.

Tike's Peak:
The designated children's area.

Melt-Away Bay:
The largest sandy beach area at the park lines this lagoon that has a rocky backdrop from which series of waves emerge.

Downhill Double Dipper:

Snow Stormers:

Toboggan Racers:

Chairlift:
One of the most inspired scenic features of the park takes riders to the top of Mt. Gushmore where several of the waterslides begin.

Mt. Gushmore:
The iconic snowy and rocky peak in the center of the park is crowned by a simulated ski jump.

Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher:
These two adjacent slides originate at the top of Mt. Gushmore and are intense plunges down to the bottom.

Enjoy!

Pictures Disney's Winter Summerland - Pictures

geomorph — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:47:22 GMT

Pictures Fantasia Gardens - Pictures

geomorph — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:19:16 GMT

Question WDW Fantasyland Expansion

Disguy1955 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:53:48 GMT

Does anyone know the starting date for the expansion?? What will they work on first??

Question Planning First Trip to DW - Any Suggestions?

santadog — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:47:01 GMT

I have been taking my daughter to the Disneyland Resort since she was about 8 months old. This April she'll be 5, and we are heading to Orlando for 8 days to celebrate her birthday.

We booked our hotel, and made some Character Dining reservations already: but if anyone has suggestions for "can't miss" attractions or entertainment, I'd be very appreciative. I am also looking for input on Character meals.

Even though my daughter is only 4, she is quite the daredevil. Her favorite rides at Disneyland were: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Grizzly River Rapids, Mulholland Madness, Jumpin' Jellyfish and Thunder Mountain Railroad. (for some reason she was terrified of the Jungle Cruise, and the 3-D Muppet Movie).

Thanks in advance.

Question Ordering stuff from the phone?

Stitchy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:34:33 GMT

I thought I had asked this before...but, I can't find the thread. Sorry, to bother ya'll again.

What is the number you can call to order stuff within the parks? Can you order stuff from Epcot? Thanks!

Question Surprise Fastpass

GraceysGirl — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:56:11 GMT

Now I know that gastpasses can be a touchy subject here but personally I use them all the time. It makes the park easier to do in my opinon. I understand the draw backs but they are here to stay so I use them.

That being said today i was getting a FP for Winnie when A Surprise Fastpass popped out at me for Philharmagic at 1(it was already 1). I have never heard of this before. Has anyone? I went over to Philharmagic an there was no line and all fp were for that time. I'm wondering if they give them out to get people excited to ride something that doesn't have a big crowd.

Any thoughts?

News Space Mountain Refurb - Soft Opening Full Ride POV

Ride Warrior — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:08:56 GMT

Space Mountain soft opened over the weekend! Check out the video. Most of the POV is too dark to tell much. Still, what I can see looks great. The train doesn't appear to be very shaky, which means the track must be smoothed down. Am anxious to hear actual reviews from MCers that try out the ride soon.

Question Song in Old WDW Souvenir DVD

A113 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:13:02 GMT

Now that I have finally been able to join the site, I can finally ask a question I have been dying to discover for a few years now. I own a souvenir DVD from WDW, "Where Dreams Come True," probably circa 90's to early 2000s. There is a fanfare played in an Epcot portion of the hour-long movie that I have heard before, but I have no idea what it is. If you know what it is, please let me know! I posted a video of it, you can see how desperate I was :)).

YouTube - What is this song?