The Report - Jun 25, 2004

The Report
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Walt Disney World

Once again, ScreamScape enters The Report with rumors about the interior of Stitch's Great Escape, and a possible July celebrations for two Disney-MGM Studios attractions celebrating important birthdays this year. They also have some very interesting info about the tram tour route once Lights! Motors! Actions! opens. Click here for all the fun

Speaking of 626, Disney put out a new Press Release on Stitch's Great Escape that confirms Skippy will remain a part of the attraction and offers many more details on the attraction and the Animatronic Stitch (Opening this Fall). Merchandise has also begun to appear at the Merchant of Venus next door to Stitch's Great Escape (some of which is available on The LaughingPlace Store).

A poster on WDWMagic.com's Discussion Boards detailed upcoming painting on the Magic Kingdom's Cinderella's Castle (Click here to read). Then, from MousePlanet.com, comes a rumor that the Castle will be getting a gold treatment like Disneyland's for Disneyland's 50th. Click here for that one.

If you're a fan of robotics (and who isn't?) you should make your way to Epcot sometime between July 1 and 11th. American Honda will demonstrating ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), the world's most advanced humanoid robot. Demos will take place each day except July 2 and July 9 at the World ShowPlace Pavilion and is included with regular theme park admission. Click here for the complete release including times.

July 3-4 the International G.I. Joe Collector's Convention will be held at the Contemporary Resort. The convention, which is not a Walt Disney World event, will include a celebration of GI Joe's 40th anniversary. The public can attend parts of both days for a fee. During the convention a new figure,  G.I. Joe Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, will debut at the Contemporary and the Once Upon a Toy store at Downtown Disney. Then, next month, A Mission: Space G.I. Joe will debut. For more information on the convention and the events open to the public, visit ww.GIJoeClub.com

Wildlife artist Betsey Fowler will be showing and selling her work at Downtown Disney Marketplace July 2-4 (10:30a - 10:30p) near Arribas Brothers. Her husband, Jim Fowler of Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom fame, will be present as well.

This was touched on last week but should've been clearer. According to a Disney Press Release about the return of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, the new name for New York Street will be "Streets of America". The area is currently being redone to represent streets other than New York including Chicago and San Francisco.

Rafiki's Planet Watch now has a permanent hands-on display for touching small animals, snakeskins, etc. Previously temporary tables would be brought out by Cast Members.

An update on an item posted last week. According to a Disney Vacation Club friend of mine, all the DVC Resorts have Broadband Internet access in the room and WiFi at Pool,

Quick, hurry to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, because the $2.00 bottled beverage test is almost over. The test runs through the end of June, then prices are expected to return to the normal $2.50.

All four Walt Disney World parks were named in Zagat Survey's first-ever U.S. Travel Guide Top 10 Family Attractions. The Magic Kingdom was #1, Epcot #2, Disney-MGM Studios #6 and Animal Kingdom #9. Also in the Top 10 was Disneyland in California at #5.

Walt Disney World Resort was recently honored as the number one "RV Friendly" tourist attraction for 2004 in the Welcome Mat awards presented by The Good Sam Club. This is the third year Walt Disney World Resort has received the Welcome Mat Award.

Recent Mini-Updates
During the week we publish pictorial mini-updates (sometimes with video). Here are the Disneyland-related ones since the last Report.

Disclaimer and Goodbye

Please remember - this column contains news and information on future events, some of which are rumors and speculation. Please treat the information as such. Also ALWAYS remember - everything is subject to change.

Got any good news, rumors, events or anything else that should get out about Disneyland or Walt Disney World? Send it on to [email protected] or send it anonymously using the Talk Back form below. I also appreciate your comments about this new column.

Discuss It

Related Links

-- Doobie Moseley
-- Posted June 25, 2004

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