Guess what??? There are rumors that Disney engineers have been assigned to the Spaceship Earth wand in order to assess the best way of removing it in 2007. Ooooh, I hope this rumor is true! I much prefer the naked golfball to the wanded golfball 
I recently experienced Everest for the very first time. I’m a huge roller coaster fan, so naturally, I was excited to find out how Everest would measure up. It’s definitely a unique coaster–the “backwards in pitch black at gazillion miles per hour” part of the ride is incredible! I have to say, I’ve never experienced anything quite like that before on a coaster. Also, the Yeti looks pretty darn neat, although your glimpse of him is rather quick. My only complaint is that the ride photos remain on the screens for an incredibly short period of time–if you snooze, you definitely lose–so, be sure to hop out of your Everest car as quick as possible so you are sure to catch your ride photo before it is lost.
Did you know that you can now ride a Segway for FREE at Innoventions West? Yup, you read it right–free I had the pleasure of riding one during my last trip to the World and the only negative was the short wait in line. Just show up between 1 pm and 7 pm daily to get your free Segway ride. Pretty cool!
I’ve heard from a WDW Cast Member that the word on the street is that there isn’t going to be a Country Bear Christmas Special this year. The regular Country Bear Jamboree show will run throughout the holidays in place of the Christmas show.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The undersea world that charmed audiences around the world in the Disney-Pixar smash-hit film “Finding Nemo” will come to life in an all-new musical stage show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Preview performances begin in November with the premiere set for January 2007.
Featuring original songs by Tony Award-winning “Avenue Q” co-composer-creator Robert Lopez and a cappella musical “Along the Way” co-creator Kristen Anderson-Lopez, “Finding Nemo-The Musical” will immerse Walt Disney World guests in the story of Marlin and Nemo — an overprotective clownfish father and his curious son — through a dazzling production that combines puppets, dancers, aerialists and animated backdrops.
The visually inventive show represents the first time Disney has taken a non-musical animated feature, as well as the first Pixar film, and transformed it into an original musical production. It will be presented in the newly enclosed 1,500-seat Theater in the Wild, completely redone to accommodate first-class theatrical productions.
“In ‘Finding Nemo,’ directors Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich and the talented team at Pixar created a film filled with unforgettable characters and a story rich with honest emotions that resonated with audiences everywhere,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “The movie was a worldwide box-office success and an Academy Award winner.
“We are truly excited to bring this beloved story to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in this live musical spectacular.”
During “Finding Nemo-The Musical,” Theater in the Wild will become a magical undersea environment through innovative lighting, sound, special effects, animated projections, and the theatrical puppetry of Michael Curry, who co-designed the richly detailed character puppets seen in the Broadway version of Disney’s “The Lion King.”
Principal characters such as Marlin, Nemo and Dory will be represented by live performers operating animated puppets. Some puppets are larger-than-life — such as Crush, the cool sea turtle, who is nearly the size of a Volkswagen, and Nigel the pelican, who stands 22 feet tall.
Other characters will be portrayed by a diverse array of puppetry styles, including rod, Bunraku and shadow. Tap dancing sharks, puppets riding bicycles, and a punk rock routine by Bruce the shark create theatrical magic and fun throughout the big blue world.
“It is our goal to bring the undersea ‘Nemo’ characters to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in a live setting in a way that captures what is truly special about the film,” Rasulo continued. “This production will meet that challenge in a dynamic and wholly original way to bring us into the fantastic ocean world.”
The director for the new show, Peter Brosius, is artistic director of The Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis, winner of the 2003 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The Broadway show “A Year with Frog and Toad,” nominated for the Best Musical Tony Award, originated at The Children’s Theatre Company.
“Finding Nemo-The Musical” is the first major musical produced for Walt Disney World Resort by Disney Creative Entertainment, which has received acclaim for its productions around the world, including “Disney’s Aladdin” (at Disneyland Resort in California), “Festival of the Lion King” (at Hong Kong Disneyland), “Twice Charmed” (on the Disney Cruise Line) and “The Golden Mickeys” (at Hong Kong Disneyland and on the Disney Cruise Line).
“It’s exciting to be involved in projects that introduce a new generation of future theatergoers to the work of internationally recognized creative talent through Broadway-caliber short-form shows that all audiences can appreciate,” said Anne Hamburger, executive vice president of Disney Creative Entertainment. “Millions of children experience live theater for the first time during a visit to a Disney park.”
“Finding Nemo-The Musical” tells the story of a father clownfish, Marlin, and his son, Nemo, each on a separate journey that ultimately teaches them how to love and understand each other. The two have been separated — and Marlin will stop at nothing to get his son back, facing undersea challenges with his new friend Dory, who swim with the sharks, take on the jellyfish, and ride the current with Crush the turtle. Meanwhile, Nemo, relocated to a fish tank in Sydney, makes new friends who teach him that he’s stronger than he thinks. When news of his father’s heroic journey reaches the tank, Nemo is inspired to do whatever is necessary to escape the tank and see his father again.
“Finding Nemo-The Musical” is a 30-minute show, performed several times daily. Admission to Theater in the Wild is included with regular Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park admission. Guest information is available by calling 407/824-4321 or by visiting disneyworld.com.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park celebrates one amazing adventure after another with wild animals, exciting attractions, lavish stage shows and lovable characters. Highlights include a runaway train adventure, an authentic African safari and a thrilling race back in time to prehistoric worlds.
“The Year of a Million Dreams” is a first-of-its-kind celebration with more than one million very special dreams to be granted to guests visiting Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts. Guests will find Disney cast members delivering an unprecedented level of guest service. The celebration will also be highlighted by the debut of innovative Disney attractions and entertainment spectaculars at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts.
All pictures are Copyright Disney.
Pirates and Princesses Reign April 5-June 3, 2007,
During 14th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Disney Flower Fest Expands to 60 Days
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A flower-festooned pirate ship will drop anchor and Disney princess topiaries will color the landscape at the 14th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival April 5-June 3 at Walt Disney World Resort. Previously running for seven weeks, the popular festival expands to 60 days this year and offers more floral fantasy and gardening fun than ever before. The first-ever pirate ship topiary will feature Peter Pan and his nemesis, Captain Hook, plus Tinker Bell — all as intricately designed topiaries. Pirate Mickey Mouse and Princess Minnie Mouse, plus Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle and her Beast from “Beauty and the Beast,” and other popular characters make topiary appearances throughout the park. A towering Pirate Goofy, with Donald Duck and Pluto, offer Disney gardeners a chance to reach new topiary heights. In all, there will be more than 70 topiaries — plus 30 million blooms, artfully designed floral beds, expertly crafted bonsai trees and lush rose gardens gracing the 300 acres of Future World and World Showcase. For the first time in the festival’s history, Disney’s horticultural team will plant two crop rotations during the fest — which will produce “the biggest opening show ever” and allow for a more brilliant floral display for the festival’s duration, says horticultural manager, Eric Darden. Beyond the dazzling displays of bursting blooms, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is known by gardening aficionados for its celebrity guest speakers, hands-on seminars and innovative planting demonstrations and exhibits.
Each evening, Flower Power concerts rock the park with live entertainment from top acts of the 1960s and ’70s. Past lineups have included The Turtles, Davy Jones, The Association and other crowd pleasers.
Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden is back with hundreds of butterflies in a screened, walk-through enclosure that will include a live exhibit showing how caterpillars form a chrysalis and emerge as butterflies. The family-oriented Growing Future Gardeners area, complete with colorful (and tasty) planting ideas for kids and parents, doubles in size this year following an overwhelming family response during its 2006 debut.
New themed weekend events will salute spring romance and Easter whimsy. Back by popular demand are the child-friendly I Dig Bugs weekend, Art in the Garden weekend, and the time-honored Mother’s Day celebration, among others.
Other festival features include:
* The Festival Center, where guests can find program guides and festival merchandise and attend speaker presentations and demonstrations.
* The popular Great American Gardeners series, opening with Paul James of HGTV’s “Gardening by the Yard,” April 5-8.
* A “Lift and Sniff” Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion showcasing flowers and plants used to create several Guerlain perfumes.
* Disney Gardening at Home presentations during which Disney horticulturists share tips and secrets for at-home gardening.
* Kids’ activities, including an upgraded, fun-filled Tinker Bell’s Fairy Garden, Disney character meet and greets and daily ladybug releases.
More information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is available by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or by visiting disneyworld.com/flower. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.
And while millions of blooms adorn Epcot, one million very special dreams will be granted to guests visiting Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts during a first-of-its kind celebration, “The Year of a Million Dreams.” Guests will find Disney cast members delivering an unprecedented level of guest service. The celebration will also be highlighted by the debut of innovative Disney attractions and entertainment spectaculars at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts.
The special Halloween-themed fireworks show, HalloWishes, is normally only shown during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, but for the rest of October, the Magic Kingdom will be showing HalloWishes in place of Wishes on non-party nights as well! However, the super-cool perimeter fireworks (the ones that explode ALL around you) will still only be shown at the party. This is a WDW first, so be sure to check out HalloWishes even if you aren’t going to the Halloween party.
I just found out from a WDW Cast Member that the Wonders of Life pavilion at Epcot will be open from November 26, 2007 - January 1, 2007! So, if you’ve been dying to see Cranium Command or ride Body Wars again, this is your chance!
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Disney MGM Studios
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
All Star Movies Resort
Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon
There is really neat place at Epcot called Club Cool. It’s located right next to Innoventions West (by the fountain). Club Cool is sponsored by Coke and while you’re there, you can drink as much free coke from around the world as you care to! Anytime you are walking by and happen to be craving some caffeine and carbonation, stop on by! Here is what the free coke machine looks like (as of September 2006, at least–in October they added 2 new flavors from Mexico and Costa Rica!):
I personally think that the coke drinks from Japan (Vegita Beta) and Germany (MezzoMix) are extremely yummy! Next time you’re walking by, definitely stop in and try some! Yes, there really are some cool freebies at Walt Disney World 
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