New Mickey, Minnie attraction coming to Hollywood Studios, likely to replace Great Movie Ride

Disney remains at the cutting edge of deeply immersive, creative storytelling that draws guests into new worlds, and it is a legacy that lives on in every new Disney Parks experience.  At the D23 Expo, Disney announced the first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With a new original story and lovable attraction theme song, this new state-of-the-art ride-through attraction will take guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel's Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts using new technologies that transform the flat cartoon world into an incredible dimensional experience.

As rumored, this attraction will replace the Great Movie Ride.  It's unclear if the iconic Chinese Theater facade will remain.  The Great Movie Ride will close in August.

Photo Friday: Mickey at his tastiest

It's time for another Photo Friday!

This week, I wanted to share a little surprise that showed up in our room during our most recent WDW trip in June.  During our check-in at the Beach Club, I had asked for an "I'm Celebrating" button for my daughter. 

"What are we celebrating?," the cast member asked.

"My daughter finished the school year with straight A's." I said, ever the proud dad.

"Well, that is worth celebrating," she said and pulled out a form and started filling it out.  I gave my daughter's name and our room number and she said there might be something in the room later tonight.

So we went of to Epcot and didn't think much about it.  Later that evening after we had come back to our room, we got a knock on the door and in comes a cast member with this huge, solid white chocolate Mickey Mouse on a plate with a congratulatory note to my daughter.

Now this Mickey was huge -- it had to be at least 6 inches tall and solid.  It was heavy.  The hardest part of all was making the decision to actually eat the chocolate.  I mean it was almost like sacrilege:  eating Mickey Mouse??!?

Anyway -- over the next week, we nibbled away at this wonderful confectionary scuplture which was delicious.

And yes, he was even tastier than he looked!!

Photo Friday: What's behind the Magnificent Mickey?

Welcome to another Photo Friday!

This photo is of the bulletin board located in the preshow area of the new Mickey Mouse meet and greet location at Town Square.

While this may just look like some additional decoration, there are a few subtle tributes here.

Most obvious are the tributes to Disney Legends Fred Joerger (Imagineer and model maker) and Ward Kimball (animator, Imagineer and good friend to Walt Disney) seen at the bottom of the far right poster:  "Opening act:  Fred & Ward."

If you look closely, the letter in the center is signed by an "S.A. Tilley."  While I'm not sure about this one, it's possible this is a reference to current Disney publishing artist Scott Tilley (though I don't know if his middle name starts with an A).  Tilley has illustrated several children's books for Disney.  What makes this a possibility is that the letter refers to the artwork (left part of the picture) not being final and requiring Mickey's approval.

Below Tilley's letter are two smaller mock ups of posters.  The one we can see completely should look somewhat familiar -- it's likely and early version of the interactive poster that's on display in the queue.  In that interactive poster, Mickey asks you to pick a card... much like what's displayed here in the mock up.

Oh, and the crystal ball that's referenced in the big poster on the left?  Look for that once you're in the meet and greet area.  It's there.

Photo Friday: Good Morning, good morning!

Welcome to another Photo Friday!

This week's photo comes from January 2011. We were staying on the MK side of the Contemporary Tower. I happened to pull out the big zoom lens because I was hoping I could get a shot most people don't see. This is of the Walt Disney World Railroad as it comes into the station for the Welcome show. As you can see, all the stars are on the train. You can see Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Donald and Daisy, Snow White, Aladdin and Jasmine.

I hope you enjoy this shot -- one that only a few people can see!

Mickey to see a radical makeover in upcoming game -- could this just be the beginning?

The New York Times has a story in today's paper about a quiet new effort by Disney to re-invent the character at the core of it all: Mickey Mouse.

I know it seems hard to believe - messing with the mouse himself? This is one of the most recognizable figures in the world.

The beginning for Mickey's possible transformation will likely come with the release of Epic Mickey, a bold, daring video game set for release next Fall. In Epic Mickey, the Mouse is more daring, more mischievous and even cunning -- a significant departure from the clean do-no-wrong image Mickey Mouse evolved into after 80 years of existence. One thing that won't change, says the game's designer, Mickey won't be evil.

The funny thing is that the Mickey portrayed in Epic Mickey is more like the Mickey Mouse of Walt Disney's imagination -- one who is mischievous, boisterous and even a little amorous with female characters (Minnie).

Epic Mickey also will feature another famous Disney creation -- Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. In the game, Oswald's a bit bitter about being left high and dry. In reality this happened because of rights problems with Universal. In fact, Disney had to trade to get Oswald back. What did they trade? Al Michaels, of all things. Turns out, Disney CEO let NBC have Al Michaels in return for rights to Oswald.

Of even greater importance -- the article indicates that Epic Mickey may just be the first wave in a transformation of Mickey Mouse. Apparently, Disney is very quietly looking at ways to freshen up the mouse for today's kids. Whether this effort will go any further than Epic Mickey is anyone guess at this point.

As for Epic Mickey (by the way, it's only for the Wii), this is one game I most certainly will be getting next year. It looks fantastic - especially some of the screen shots of the wasteland theme park.

Disney finds new voice for Mickey Mouse

With the passing of Disney Legend Wayne Allwine earlier this year, Disney conducted a search to find the new voice for the most central character in the Disney genre - Mickey Mouse.

That search apparently is over. Bret Iwan has been named the new voice for the head cheese, according to a recording house in Kansas City. Iwan has done some previous recordings used at the Disney Cruise Line.

Remembering Wayne Allwine (1947-2009)

It is a sad time for Disney fans. The news came this week that Wayne Allwine, long-time voice of Mickey Mouse and Disney Legend, passed away May 18 due to complications with diabetes. Allwine apparently had been ill for some time and was in need of a kidney transplant.

Allwine is survived by Russi Taylor, who provides the voice of Minnie Mouse. The two were inducted as Disney Legends just last year. The couple have three children.

Allwine had been providing the voice for Disney's signature character, Mickey Mouse, since 1977 and was only the third person in Disney history to perform the voice of Mickey. The first voice of Mickey Mouse was, of course, Walt Disney himself.

I join many other Disney fans in extending my heartfelt sympathies to Wayne's family. While Mickey will continue, Allwine's passing marks another key change in history of Mickey Mouse. Allwine was a great Mickey and he will always be remembered for bringing joy and happiness to the world.

You can learn more about Allwine from the Disney Legends Web site.

Happy birthday Mickey Mouse!

The big cheese turns the big 8-0 today!

(Image copyright Disney, all rights reserved.)

Mickey Mouse celebrates his 80th birthday today. It is generally accepted that Mickey was "born" when Steamboat Willie premiered at the Colony Theater in New York City Nov. 18, 1928. Here's Mickey's official Disney bio. More about the history of Mickey Mouse.

Steamboat Wille was directed by Walt himself and he even provided the voice for Mickey.

Happy Birthday Mickey! May you be the symbol of magic and youth for another 80 years!