Mickey News Columns

Disney's Space Mountain Rehab...First Impression

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

After more than a seven month re-hab of the classic attraction "Space Mountain", the ride began its soft opening mode on the 12th, and the feed-back has been very positive! Today I took my first ride and the results are impressive.

Disney's Hall Of Presidents

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

After being closed from October 31st 2008 until July 4th 2009, the Hall of Presidents has been opened to showcase our current Commander-in-Chief, Barack Obama. Since its opening day, I have attended well over a dozen showings of the upgraded attraction; I am that impressed with the new show. But the closing of the Hall was not just to install a new President; it was also its first major makeover since 1993 after Bill Clinton was elected. As with all announced re-habs of classic Disney attractions, panic rears its ugly head for the Die-hard Disney fans and purists who fear that the flavor and intent of the original will be tampered with or so changed that it destroys what was originally intended.

Buzz Lightyears' Return from Space... A Ticker-Tape Parade

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Walt Disney World celebrated the return of Buzz Lightyear, the intrepid space traveler who spend more than 15 months onboard the International Space Station. He has the distinction of being the longest tenured crew member aboard. He was given a Ticker-Tape Parade down Main St. U.S.A. along with "Buzz" Aldrin, the second man to step foot on the moon and his fellow crewmate during his stay, Astronaut Michael Fincke.

Disney's Bay Lake Towers...First Impressions

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As any DVC (Disney Vacation Club) member will tell you, the opening of a new DVC resort is an exciting prospect indeed. And within a year, three new resorts were opened on property to whet the appetite. The new Animal Kingdom's Kidani Village, the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and the Bay Lake Towers at Disney's Contemporary Resort. We decided to stay at Bay Lake Towers first, since the Magic Kingdom is the heart of the Disney experience.

Maleficent The Dragon Makes Her Debut

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Fantasmic! has a new addition... finally! Maleficent the Dragon is a fully animated, 45 feet tall, 32 feet wide, 9 ton audio-animatronic. She is controlled and monitored by four computer systems, which enable her wide range of movement. Maleficent comes alive moving her eyes, ears, mouth, neck, tongue, wings and body. She is able to contract to 22 feet, underneath the stage.

Disney Cast Members Annual Canoe Race

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Yes, you read the headline correctly! The Cast Members from Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure (DCA) and other Disney owned ventures (ESPN Zone, ABC, etc) race canoes on the Rivers of America at Disneyland.

Marceline Missouri... Walt Disney's Blueprint

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I spend almost 3 to 4 days a week at Walt Disney World. I cannot even begin to give a total count of the days. But one thing is for sure; the Magic Kingdom is my Favorite Park, hands-down. For me it embodies the complete Walt Disney. For this park contains his visions, perceptions and experiences he gleaned from the four years he lived there as a boy. Years later, his Wife Lillian commented that "Walt remembered Marceline Missouri more vividly than anything else in his childhood, perhaps more vividly than any place in his entire lifetime"! To understand how this small Midwestern town help shaped the life of this future animator and visionary, we will take a trip back in time.

Disney's Summer Nightastic Has Arrived!

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nighttime at Disney as always been magical with the lights on Main Street, Fantasmic, fireworks and the ever popular Electric Light Parade. This summer is no exception. I was blessed with the opportunity to preview Summer Nightastic on Thursday.

American Idol Winner Kris Allen Celebrates At Disney's Hollywood Studios

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

After fending off challenger Adam Lambert, the newest "American Idol" winner for season eight, 23-year-old Kris Allen from Conway Arkansas continued his dream by celebrating his victory in the place where dreams come true, Walt Disney World. In the most fitting setting, here at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the "American Idol Experience" attraction based on the phenomenal hit show, Kris was honored by thousands of fans and the media. In winning the coveted title of America's "Idol" Kris won the hearts of all who came to wish him well.

"The Great Piggy Bank Adventure" At Epcot's Innovations West

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Today Walt Disney World in co-operation with T.RowePrice unveiled its new hands-on interactive attraction "The Great Piggy Bank Adventure" here at Innoventions West. Mickey News was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and a chance to play the new game. Aimed at helping families learn the basic concepts and strategies of savings and personal finance, it could not have come at a better time. With the economy struggling, what better way for parents and kids to get together and learn how to save and manage their money?

Disney's Hollywood Studios 20th Anniversary...Hosted By WDWCelebrations

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On May 1st, 1989 Disney opened its brand-new park, "Disney-MGM Studios" with celebrity guest and much fanfare. Today, May 1st 2009, Disney reached another milestone with the 20th anniversary of the parks opening. The now renamed "Disney's Hollywood Studios" opened today an hour earlier with a 8:00am rope-drop ceremony where Rilous J. Carter, Vice President of Hollywood Studios made the opening remarks and thanked all attendees for coming out to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Summer Nightastic At Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure!

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The magic of Disney Imagineers will light up the summer nights at both parks. Beginning on Friday, June 12th and continuing until Sunday, August 23rd guests will experience a Disney glow like never before.

Disney's New "Tren-D" Specialty Shop

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Walt Disney was never a man to rest on his laurels. He always strove for fresh ideas and entertainment; he even detested making sequels, even if they were his most popular works. Walt's teachings are still followed today as the new specialty shop; "Tren-D" has its grand opening this Friday, April 10, 2009. It has been in soft-opening mode for about 2 weeks now, and guest reaction to this shop where you can purchase "one-of-a-kind" items not found anywhere else on property has been very positive!

Epcot's International Flower And Garden Festival

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A sure of sign of spring is the return of EPCOT's International Flower and Garden Festival. The theme this year is "Celebrate Springtime" and the festival will sport more than 70 topiaries along with perennial favorites like the "Flower Power" concerts performing at the American Gardens theatre, Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden, the World Showcase Pavilion exhibits, not to mention all the gardening workshops and sessions from top gardening experts and from Disney's own gardening pros.

New Orleans Square at Disneyland

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's always difficult for me to pick a favorite at Disneyland; a favorite attraction, a favorite restaurant, a favorite character...but when it comes to a favorite area of the park, I would have to say New Orleans Square. I love the architecture of the real city, and other than the grit and the grime, Disney has done an excellent job of capturing the feel of the French Quarter. Walt obviously had an affinity for that city as well; from the park's opening day, New Orleans was represented as part of Frontierland in a section known as New Orleans Street.