Interviews

In the short history of Mouseguidetowalt, the busiest days of the blog have included that days that the Westerns have been in Disney World.  As a result, I have come to learn that everyone here has enjoyed hearing about others’ experiences in the parks.  Starting immediately, I will invite all readers to email me after a trip to the park so that I can provide you a list of interview questions for you to submit back to me (if you agree), to be included in a future blog post.

One other thing I have noticed from the readers is that they are really non-responsive to polls.  I am asking you to consider changing this mentality.  Please respond to the poll below to help me determine the most interesting questions to ask our guest to respond to upon return from their Disney trip.  If you like all the questions, feel free to select them all.  If you have other ideas,please type them in as well.

Soarin’ News

I am sure I was not the only one to be highly disappointed that they would not open Soarin’ at Epcot until after the new Soarin’ debuted at Shanghai first.  Clearly the new theater will be ready at Epcot before then right? RIGHT!   Wait, it is ready?  YES!!!!

Sooooo…Starting May 27th, Soarin’  will begin showing at Epcot on May 27th.  It will not be the new movie, but who cares at this point.  At least there will be something worth riding for those visiting between that time and the time the new film is due to debut.  This will give everyone one last opportunity to view the original film before it is changed.  I do not know about everyone else, but I am super excited about this news.  Epcot is very limited on rides as it is, and not having Soarin’ for the last 6 months has been rough.

Fastpass+ will begin booking for this attraction beginning on May 21st.  In line with Disney’s new Fastpass+ policy, Fastpass+ booking times do not begin at midnight as they use to, but 7 am eastern time.

Frozen Ever After Opening Announced

It has officially been announced that Frozen Ever After and Royal Sommerhaus will open at Epcot on June 21.

There has been a lot of excitement regarding the new attraction/meeting, both negative and positive.  There have been many Disney purest that loved Maelstrom and do not think changing the Norway pavilion in this manner was something Walt would have wanted.   In my personal opinion, Walt’s dream for Epcot was a community, not a theme park at all.  EPCOT was built as a tribute to Walt’s idea, and to be honest, I am not sure how the countries themselves fit into the idea of a “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.”

As a father of young children, I have always found EPCOT to be a little more boring for the children compared to the other 3 parks.  I am personally all for adding a little Disney magic and characters to EPCOT.  I also do not sympathize with those that really liked Maelstrom.  Although I enjoyed Maelstrom (mainly because it is one of only two rides in the countries), I never saw a line of more than 5 minutes on our trips.

While the ride opens on June 21st, the Fastpass+ will be available starting on   May 21st.  It should also be noted that Fastpass+ will be available starting at 7am Eastern time.  Disney just recently change the time in which Fastpass+ could be booked.  Most Disney fanatics are very aware that Fastpass+ use to be available starting at midnight, but the policy just changed in the last week to make the Fastpass+ available at 7am.

Please also note, at this time, there is no mention of Fastpass+ being available for the Anna and Elsa meeting

Disney World attendance drops

The Walt Disney Company announced its first quarter financial results on May 10.  There was some interesting news for Disney World fans.

Fewer people visited the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the January to March, 2016 quarter as compared to the same period last year.  You read that right.  Attendance at Disney World dropped.  

Character Carousel

As everything at Hollywood Studios lately, the characters are on the move.  As a refresher from the past couple weeks.  Olaf is now meeting guest by the ABC sound studio that use to host “Drew Carey – Sounds Dangerous.”Also, Minnie and Mickey both have a new home across from the ABC Commissionaire.  Mickey has a new set to meet guest in his Fantasia outfit, and Minnie is dressed in a new “Hollywood outfit.”  With Minnie’s move, Pluto has now replaced her in her old meeting location by Disney Junior.

 

 

 

Epcot has also made one character move as well.  Pluto and Daisy have now swapped spots.  Daisy will now be meeting at the front of the park, just right of spaceship earth on entrance.  Pluto moves to the the area Daisy most previously occupied, which was the prior home of Duffy Bear for several years.  This area is to the left when you enter world showcase, just before you enter the country of mexico

Olaf has arrived

It was announced a couple months ago, and the day is finally here.  Olaf arrived at Hollywood Studios just last week and is now meeting gust in the area near the WDW Radio Studios, which is currently the location of Star Wars: Path of the Jedi.  This is right across from the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, and near the Star Tours ride.  Please see the map for the location.

2016 Halloween and Christmas Party Prices Released

For all those that have been to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there is normally a little bit of excitement when party dates and ticket prices are released.  The last few years, the parties have become so popular, that many dates have been selling out quite early.  From experience, a sold out party is not quite as fun as the (used to be typical) empty park to run around with various Halloween and Christmas activities.  All together, my family loves the parties. As often as we go to Disney, the parties are something we only get to do once every couple of years, so it always adds additional excitement for the trip.

Disney Weddings

Many Disney fans are very familiar with the Disney Wedding Pavilion.  Anytime you ride from Magic Kingdom to the transportation and ticket center, the audio recording always points out the Disney Wedding Pavilion with the back drop of Cinderella’s Castle.  But has anyone ever seen the “backdrop?”   Well here it is: