Mickey News Columns

Indiana Jones & The Secret of the Stone Tiger: The Show That You WON'T Be Seeing!

The backside of the Plaza Pavilion has served many purposes during its 50 plus years in Disneyland history. Themed to match the Adventureland d�cor, you can see what it looked like as an outdoor restaurant in March 1956:

Preview Of The New "Prince Caspian Attraction" At The Hollywood Studios

Since the highly successful Disney movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, adapted from C.S. Lewis' series of fantasy books entitled "The Chronicles of Narnia" the question was not if a sequel would be made, but when. The Movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian opened on May 16th, 2008. As with the first entry, Disney's Hollywood Studios had the attraction "The making of Narnia" on Mickey Ave, giving guests a sampling of the movie and its sets.

Dining Around The World...The New "Wave" Restaurant

Walt Disney World is in a constant state of flux. The reason of course is to keep the parks fresh and exciting for the guests. Whether it's an attraction that's rehabbed or refurbished, or replaced entirely with a brand-new bit of magic, or a favorite restaurant receiving the same treatment, it's for the enjoyment of the guests. When we heard that the "Concourse Steakhouse" was to be replaced with a new eatery on the first floor, we were sad because the Steakhouse was a favorite of ours. But not to worry, as usual Disney's new "Wave" is much improved, in the atmosphere and noise level of the Concourse Steakhouse.

Walt Disney World...To Stay Or Not To Stay On Property?

The one question I receive most by friends and family is this..."Is it better to stay at a Disney Resort or stay at a nearby Motel?" My immediate answer is to stay on property! But that answer will depend on a variety of factors, how many in your party, are you traveling with small children, older folks in the group or do you want to see other attractions besides Walt Disney World? Many people come just to stay at the resorts and not even poke their heads into the parks; or just to play golf, tennis and relax. Since the majority of guests come for the water parks, theme parks and all the Disney magic they can absorb in a short time, staying on property in the long run, will save money and the most important commodity; time.

Toy Story Midway Mania

Thanks to my buddy "B" I was able to get onto the new Toy Story Midway Mania attraction at DCA. My expectations: they weren't very high, as the concept sounded somewhat lame to me and I couldn't see it being much different from Buzz Lightyear (which I actually do enjoy). How I felt afterwards: I rode it 4 times and still loved it! It was absolutely incredible...hands down one of my favorite "new" attractions at the park in years.

Lou Mongello's "Audio Guide" To Main St. USA... A Review

To most guests visiting Walt Disney World, it represents the premier place to vacation and be a "Kid" again. With its attractions, shows, restaurants and fireworks, it is the most visited spot in the world. But the "World" is so much more. It is a place of history, stories, secrets and trivia; but most of all it is a place of Details. These details are what makes Disney's four theme parks so special and different than other venues. To the true Disney lover, the details are what it's all about. But the majority of guests are here for a limited time and most are running around trying to see and do everything in that short time; these details are never seen or appreciated. It's the classic case of not seeing the forest through the trees!

The Important Things...

Over the last few weeks I have been spending a lot of time in thought as to what is really important to me in my life. Call it a midlife crisis (I am sucking up to 40), call it soul searching, call it what ever you like but it has been a powerful experience with me. Over the last few weeks I have thought a lot about what I want for the future, for myself as well as my family, and have thought about what is really important in my life. I have discovered it isn't the car I drive, it isn't the house I live in or the vacations I do or don't take, but it is the six other people I share my life with. Those are The Important Things in my life and without those things I have no life.

Mickey News Attends "Toy Story Mania" Press Event

Last week it was Disney Cast members who got a chance to sample the new "Toy Story Mania" at the Hollywood Studios. This past weekend, it was Pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members who tried to get a high score on those midway games. Today, Disney offered the opportunity for the media to step up and give it their best shot! With all the fanfare Disney is famous for, members of the press, broadcast and print were invited to ride and learn about the newest attraction.

Disney's "Toy Story Mania" First Ride Review

The alarm woke me up at 7am, and in a short time, I got dressed and was out the door headed for Disney's Hollywood Studios. Why so early? Today was the annual pass holder's first chance to ride the brand-new attraction, Toy Story Mania. Housed in the building on Mickey Ave that used to be the home of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Play it" this new addition to Disney's arsenal of attractions is just about ready for the guests. Last week the cast members got a sneak peek and this weekend, annual pass holders and DVC members get their chance to experience it.

Shameless Plugs: Walt NEVER would have...

Inspired by the recent brouhaha over a 40+ year old attraction in Fantasyland, I am taking on a topic that ires many Disneyland fanswho use the phrase, "Walt would NEVER have done that..." as their line of defense. Call it mythbusters if you like, or just a little stirring of the pot. This articleis meant to inform, amuse, and lightly poke fun at those who believe they have an inside track to the mind of a genius who passed on some 40 years ago.

The Sounds Of Disneyland A book Review

Shaun Finnie returns with the first of a series of book reviews. The subject this time is an ignored gem which is unavailable as a standalone volume.

Disney's Animal Kingdom 10th Anniversity "A Wild Decade" Event

On April 22nd, 1998 Earth Day, Disney opened its new Animal Kingdom park, the company's most ambitious and expensive project to date. The park took 10 years to plan and was headed up by Joe Rohde the parks head designer and executive designer and senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering. Joe and his team worked through countless plans and concepts until the final version came to be the park today. Today the Animal Kingdom celebrates its 10th "Wild" year as the World's premier Theme park and animal refuge.

Dining Around The World..."Mickey's Backyard BBQ"

Next to being in the parks, there is nothing my wife and I enjoy I enjoy more than dining at Walt Disney World. With its enormous selection of food and diversity of themed restaurants, one does not have to travel far for a special night or day out. However, even though Walt Disney World is the premiere vacation spot in the world and most people just want to kick back and relax in comfy clothes, a certain amount of decorum must be maintained in most of the eateries. But if you want to really feel like you're at "Home" and just want to whoop it up, clap and dance and eat with your fingers than "Mickey's Backyard BBQ" is just what the doctor ordered.

Main Street's New Attraction...Crystal Arts Store "Glassblowing Demonstration"

I cannot tell you how much time I have spent at the Crystal Arts Store here on Main St. watching in fascination as the "Glassblowers" sitting in front of their torches create before your eyes, Disney characters, glasses, vases and crystal items from just rods of glass. Many others seem to think so too as sometimes as many as 20 guests gather around to see what else these "Artisans" will produce. As if by magic (Perfect word here at Disney) they make glass Mickey's, Minnie's, Pluto's and more; in fact anything can be made into a beautiful keepsake here at the Crystal Arts Store.

Disneyland Dream Suite

Although the "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion was initially met with lukewarm reviews and a bit of confusion, lately with the addition of an overnight stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite it has definitely picked up some positive momentum.