OK, I'm just back from the big press event at WDW and can up-date everyone here on a few things.
Mission: Space - this really is a hum-dinger of a ride. From the pre-ride International Space Training Center to the fun of the four post-show elements, this is a truly immersive, creative and believable experience in top-class Disney fashion. And the ride itself is a real stomach-cruncher! Both the lift-off and the sling-shot ride round the moon give you quite a belt of g-forces, and the realism is eye-watering! IMHO, the warnings against nausea, motion sickness and claustrophobia are very genuine, although I don't understand why they also warn against loud noises too (no worse than Star Tours or Body Wars). DON'T do this after eating (!!), and you definitely need to keep your head focused straight on the screen in front of you (and don't close our eyes!). You have been warned
Mickey's PhilharMagic - another sure-fire hit, although parents with very young children may want to beware the loud nature of the show at several points and a sudden plunge into total darkness, which seemed to spook a number of youngsters all four times I tried this. The fabulous theatre setting and some neat special effects (notably Ariel's floating jewels and the popping champagne corks from Beauty & The Beast) and lighting make this a real Disney treat, once you can get around the CGI-versions of well-known characters (for some reason, Ariel's hair looked badly wrong to me). The storyline is pure fun and the show is something I'm sure most people will want to do several times. Brit Tip: Try to sit in the first 5 rows for the best effect of the giant 'wraparound' screen.
Wishes - the new daily firework show at the MK really caught my attention (although I have to say several other members of the press group still preferred FITS). Here, the 12-minute show (4 minutes longer than FITS) combines a commentary-type soundtrack from various Disney characters, starting with Jiminy Cricket, with snatches of some 10 songs, and is all beautifully choregraphed to the burst of each firework, plus some neat special lighting effects on the Castle. IMHO, this is true Disney family magic and will make everyone leave the MK at night with a special feeling in their hearts. Brit Tip: Try to watch it from the elevated terrace in front of the Main Street Railroad Station for the best view of the fireworks bursting in harmony around the Castle.
Pop Century - the new budget-priced Disney hotel is a brighter (if that's possible!) version of the All Star properties. The lobby area is much better, the food outlets should also be more enjoyable too, but the rooms are identical and a bit on the small side by other Disney resort standards. The staff here are VERY eager to please, though, and I think anyone going here in the first few months after opening (in December) will get a great experience.
Pal Mickey - got my first chance to see what this new interactive theme park 'guide' is all about, and, to my mind, it is just too gimmicky. Pal Mickey does provide some interesting snippets of info as you tour the parks, but the three games he can play (either while you wait in line or when you get home again) are very basic and probably won't amuse children for more than a few minutes. However, this is only very early stages in this toy's life, and, if they refine it, you can see it being a lot more fun in future.
Brit's Guide 2004 (hey, I've got to get a plug in, haven't I?!) - I am reliably informed that copies are due in by the end of this week and should be in most bookshops by the END OF OCTOBER (depending on how quick they are to put them on the shelves). We are now over 300 pages for the first time (up 16 on 2003, but no price increase
) and amongst the new features (many suggested by folks here) are:
Special Events and Festivals in Central Florida
Disney special celebrations
Top 10 things for repeat visitors
More on Orlando without a car
Buying a home in Orlando
All the new hotels
Plus, all the new rides, restaurants and other attractions we knew about in August (anything since then, like the announcement of Alien Encounter closing for a rehab as Stitch's Great Escape, will have to await the next re-print).
Hopefully that should keep everyone happy for now, but please feel free to ask any more questions along the way.
Cheers,
Simon
Mission: Space - this really is a hum-dinger of a ride. From the pre-ride International Space Training Center to the fun of the four post-show elements, this is a truly immersive, creative and believable experience in top-class Disney fashion. And the ride itself is a real stomach-cruncher! Both the lift-off and the sling-shot ride round the moon give you quite a belt of g-forces, and the realism is eye-watering! IMHO, the warnings against nausea, motion sickness and claustrophobia are very genuine, although I don't understand why they also warn against loud noises too (no worse than Star Tours or Body Wars). DON'T do this after eating (!!), and you definitely need to keep your head focused straight on the screen in front of you (and don't close our eyes!). You have been warned
Mickey's PhilharMagic - another sure-fire hit, although parents with very young children may want to beware the loud nature of the show at several points and a sudden plunge into total darkness, which seemed to spook a number of youngsters all four times I tried this. The fabulous theatre setting and some neat special effects (notably Ariel's floating jewels and the popping champagne corks from Beauty & The Beast) and lighting make this a real Disney treat, once you can get around the CGI-versions of well-known characters (for some reason, Ariel's hair looked badly wrong to me). The storyline is pure fun and the show is something I'm sure most people will want to do several times. Brit Tip: Try to sit in the first 5 rows for the best effect of the giant 'wraparound' screen.
Wishes - the new daily firework show at the MK really caught my attention (although I have to say several other members of the press group still preferred FITS). Here, the 12-minute show (4 minutes longer than FITS) combines a commentary-type soundtrack from various Disney characters, starting with Jiminy Cricket, with snatches of some 10 songs, and is all beautifully choregraphed to the burst of each firework, plus some neat special lighting effects on the Castle. IMHO, this is true Disney family magic and will make everyone leave the MK at night with a special feeling in their hearts. Brit Tip: Try to watch it from the elevated terrace in front of the Main Street Railroad Station for the best view of the fireworks bursting in harmony around the Castle.
Pop Century - the new budget-priced Disney hotel is a brighter (if that's possible!) version of the All Star properties. The lobby area is much better, the food outlets should also be more enjoyable too, but the rooms are identical and a bit on the small side by other Disney resort standards. The staff here are VERY eager to please, though, and I think anyone going here in the first few months after opening (in December) will get a great experience.
Pal Mickey - got my first chance to see what this new interactive theme park 'guide' is all about, and, to my mind, it is just too gimmicky. Pal Mickey does provide some interesting snippets of info as you tour the parks, but the three games he can play (either while you wait in line or when you get home again) are very basic and probably won't amuse children for more than a few minutes. However, this is only very early stages in this toy's life, and, if they refine it, you can see it being a lot more fun in future.
Brit's Guide 2004 (hey, I've got to get a plug in, haven't I?!) - I am reliably informed that copies are due in by the end of this week and should be in most bookshops by the END OF OCTOBER (depending on how quick they are to put them on the shelves). We are now over 300 pages for the first time (up 16 on 2003, but no price increase
) and amongst the new features (many suggested by folks here) are:Special Events and Festivals in Central Florida
Disney special celebrations
Top 10 things for repeat visitors
More on Orlando without a car
Buying a home in Orlando
All the new hotels
Plus, all the new rides, restaurants and other attractions we knew about in August (anything since then, like the announcement of Alien Encounter closing for a rehab as Stitch's Great Escape, will have to await the next re-print).
Hopefully that should keep everyone happy for now, but please feel free to ask any more questions along the way.
Cheers,
Simon
