The 2005 Unofficial Guide (actually released in the fall of 2004) added a new feature – “A Peek behind the Scenes with Jim Hill,” with some trivia items and some discussion of upcoming changes. Given Jim Hill’s rather … mixed … track record, I thought it might be interesting to revisit the latter, to see which turned out to have any connection with the real world, even with 10+ years of time for them to happen.
It ain’t a pretty sight.
Magic Kingdom:
For Sale: 3BR 0BA SPLIT LEVEL / ONE OWNER
Given that Disneyland’s Swiss Family Treehouse was rethemed back in 1999, Mouse House insiders suggest that it will only be a matter of time ‘til the Magic Kingdom’s version also goes under the knife. The attraction can then be tied directly in with a more modern, more viable Disney franchise.
Wrong!
Hey, That Pirate Looks Sorta Familiar
Following the success of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean feature film, theme park guests have been asking where in the attraction to find Captain Jack Sparrow. Well you can’t… yet. But–if everything goes according to plan–you should be able to see an animatronic figure of Johnny Depp lurching through this ride at about the same time that the first of the two Pirates of the Caribbean sequels sail into theaters.
Right!
Enjoy It While You Can
Given that Disneyland has already shuttered Fort Wilderness on its own version of Tom Sawyer’s Island (supposedly due to costs associated with disabled-access issues as well as safety concerns), it’s only a matter of time ‘til Disney’s lawyers finally get around to closing doen Fort Langhorn, So run up and down those extremely narrow and poorly lit stairs and fire off a politically incorrect rifle while you still can. The imagineers expect to be playing “Taps” for this Frontierland icon in the very near future.
Wrong!
Getting Ready for a Scary Christmas
Recently, Disney World’s Haunted Mansion has gone through a number of rehabs and repairs. How come? Because–in the fall of 2005–the Magic Kingdom’s Mansion is rumored to be getting a brand new tenant: Jack Skellington, the star of Touchstone Pictures’ 1994 release, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare before Christmas. As Jack and his friends remake the Mansion each holiday season in their own goofy, ghoulish image, look for this Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction to quickly become a holiday hit in Central Florida (as it has at Disneyland).
Wrong!
Big Plans for a Small World
This Fantasyland relic will be closed through part of 2005. When it re-opens it will feature a brand new, state-of-the-art lighting and sound system. This upgrade is absolutely necessary if Disney World is to present its first-ever holiday edition of this much beloved attraction starting in 2006.
Wrong!
Speedway to Get a Tune-Up?
Among the ideas that the Imagineers are reportedly considering for improving Tomorrowland is r-theming the speedway to include the talking autos featured in Pixar Animation Studio’s theatrical release Cars.
Wrong!
Epcot:
Soarin’
Though this new Future World attraction won’t begin entertaining WDW guests until 2005, plans are reportedly already underway to scrap Soarin’s IMAX film, originally created for Disney’s California Adventure theme park. The replacement version, which is supposedly slated to debut in the fall of 2007 for Epcot’s 25th anniversary, will reportedly feature scenery from all over the world.
Wrong! (Although it supposedly is still in the works... maybe by Epcot's 35th anniversary.)
What to Do with That Grizzly View
Epcot visitors have already begun complaining about how Soarin’s building looms up over the “mountains” of Canada and ruins the whole scene for this corner of World Showcase. Well, the Imagineers are talking about building a new mountain housing a new raft ride attraction themed around Disney’s 2002 animated feature, Brother Bear. The proposed mountain will be tall enough to keep the Soarin’ building out of sight.
Wrong!
Animal Kingdom:
Large Single Person Seeks Dinner Date with Willing Tourists
An abominable Snowman, who’ll stand over 20 feet tall, will be the star of Expedition Everest. He will be an unmannerly, ill-tempered creature with pointy fangs, matted fur, and razor sharp claws, who’ll take a swipe at every trainload of guests as they whiz backwards (Yikes!) down the mountainside.
Wrong! (He almost got this one right … but then he went and said that the yeti would swipe at the train as it ran backwards. Nope.)
Disney-MGM Studios:
Who Knew a Mermaid Would Have Such Great Legs?
When Voyage of the Little Mermaid debuted in January of 1992, the general consensus was that this cute little stage show would run for 18 months. Two years, tops. Over a decade later, Ariel and her finny friends are still going strong. Which is why Disney’s Thetarical division is now reportedly readying a radicaly expanded version of this Disney-MGM show. The new version, we hear, will also see if The Little Mermaid has enough power for a run on Broadway.
Wrong! (The Little Mermaid may have made it to Broadway, but the show at the studios wasn’t retooled.)
More Muppets On The Way To The Studios?
After more than a decade of trying, the Walt Disney Company was finally able to acquire the Muppets characters from the Jim Henson Company in 2004. Look for Kermit & Co. to become a much bigger presence in the Studios over the next few years. Among the ideas that the Imagineers are supposedly considering is The Great Muppet Movie Ride with an animatronic Gonzo serving as your host in a Muppet-ized version of the history of Hollywood.
Wrong!
It ain’t a pretty sight.
Magic Kingdom:
For Sale: 3BR 0BA SPLIT LEVEL / ONE OWNER
Given that Disneyland’s Swiss Family Treehouse was rethemed back in 1999, Mouse House insiders suggest that it will only be a matter of time ‘til the Magic Kingdom’s version also goes under the knife. The attraction can then be tied directly in with a more modern, more viable Disney franchise.
Wrong!
Hey, That Pirate Looks Sorta Familiar
Following the success of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean feature film, theme park guests have been asking where in the attraction to find Captain Jack Sparrow. Well you can’t… yet. But–if everything goes according to plan–you should be able to see an animatronic figure of Johnny Depp lurching through this ride at about the same time that the first of the two Pirates of the Caribbean sequels sail into theaters.
Right!
Enjoy It While You Can
Given that Disneyland has already shuttered Fort Wilderness on its own version of Tom Sawyer’s Island (supposedly due to costs associated with disabled-access issues as well as safety concerns), it’s only a matter of time ‘til Disney’s lawyers finally get around to closing doen Fort Langhorn, So run up and down those extremely narrow and poorly lit stairs and fire off a politically incorrect rifle while you still can. The imagineers expect to be playing “Taps” for this Frontierland icon in the very near future.
Wrong!
Getting Ready for a Scary Christmas
Recently, Disney World’s Haunted Mansion has gone through a number of rehabs and repairs. How come? Because–in the fall of 2005–the Magic Kingdom’s Mansion is rumored to be getting a brand new tenant: Jack Skellington, the star of Touchstone Pictures’ 1994 release, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare before Christmas. As Jack and his friends remake the Mansion each holiday season in their own goofy, ghoulish image, look for this Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction to quickly become a holiday hit in Central Florida (as it has at Disneyland).
Wrong!
Big Plans for a Small World
This Fantasyland relic will be closed through part of 2005. When it re-opens it will feature a brand new, state-of-the-art lighting and sound system. This upgrade is absolutely necessary if Disney World is to present its first-ever holiday edition of this much beloved attraction starting in 2006.
Wrong!
Speedway to Get a Tune-Up?
Among the ideas that the Imagineers are reportedly considering for improving Tomorrowland is r-theming the speedway to include the talking autos featured in Pixar Animation Studio’s theatrical release Cars.
Wrong!
Epcot:
Soarin’
Though this new Future World attraction won’t begin entertaining WDW guests until 2005, plans are reportedly already underway to scrap Soarin’s IMAX film, originally created for Disney’s California Adventure theme park. The replacement version, which is supposedly slated to debut in the fall of 2007 for Epcot’s 25th anniversary, will reportedly feature scenery from all over the world.
Wrong! (Although it supposedly is still in the works... maybe by Epcot's 35th anniversary.)
What to Do with That Grizzly View
Epcot visitors have already begun complaining about how Soarin’s building looms up over the “mountains” of Canada and ruins the whole scene for this corner of World Showcase. Well, the Imagineers are talking about building a new mountain housing a new raft ride attraction themed around Disney’s 2002 animated feature, Brother Bear. The proposed mountain will be tall enough to keep the Soarin’ building out of sight.
Wrong!
Animal Kingdom:
Large Single Person Seeks Dinner Date with Willing Tourists
An abominable Snowman, who’ll stand over 20 feet tall, will be the star of Expedition Everest. He will be an unmannerly, ill-tempered creature with pointy fangs, matted fur, and razor sharp claws, who’ll take a swipe at every trainload of guests as they whiz backwards (Yikes!) down the mountainside.
Wrong! (He almost got this one right … but then he went and said that the yeti would swipe at the train as it ran backwards. Nope.)
Disney-MGM Studios:
Who Knew a Mermaid Would Have Such Great Legs?
When Voyage of the Little Mermaid debuted in January of 1992, the general consensus was that this cute little stage show would run for 18 months. Two years, tops. Over a decade later, Ariel and her finny friends are still going strong. Which is why Disney’s Thetarical division is now reportedly readying a radicaly expanded version of this Disney-MGM show. The new version, we hear, will also see if The Little Mermaid has enough power for a run on Broadway.
Wrong! (The Little Mermaid may have made it to Broadway, but the show at the studios wasn’t retooled.)
More Muppets On The Way To The Studios?
After more than a decade of trying, the Walt Disney Company was finally able to acquire the Muppets characters from the Jim Henson Company in 2004. Look for Kermit & Co. to become a much bigger presence in the Studios over the next few years. Among the ideas that the Imagineers are supposedly considering is The Great Muppet Movie Ride with an animatronic Gonzo serving as your host in a Muppet-ized version of the history of Hollywood.
Wrong!
