May 2022 – Page 7 – A Walk With The Mouse

Iconic Imagineer Joe Rohde Speaks Out on ‘Guardians’ Coaster Controversy

Posted on May 18, 2022May 18, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot, Uncategorized

Via InsideTheMagic.net

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the latest addition to EPCOT, scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend. Despite the excitement, some fans have been disappointed with the ride, especially its location in EPCOT.

EPCOT, which stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, started as Walt Disney’s dream to have a future-focused city where people could live, work, and enjoy world-class experiences. Over the years, it has evolved into a celebration of the future, earth’s natural beauty, the vastness of space, and cultures from around the world.

EPCOT fans have long-questioned the addition of Intellectual Properties to the Disney Park, as it intentionally opened without them, instead focusing on the wonders of learning and imagination. Over the years, to critical fan response, EPCOT has replaced Norway’s Maelstrom with Frozen Ever After, added character meet-and-greets around the theme Park, and, most recently, recreated Disneyland Paris’ beloved Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure dark ride in France.

Though fans who have been able to preview the ride have overwhelmingly enjoyed it, some EPCOT fans are still uncertain that it fits in the Park. Some of them took to Twitter this week to ask Disney Imagineering Icon Joe Rohde what he thought of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind’s place at EPCOT.

Joe Rohde is best known for being the lead designer of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Though retired, many Disney fans look to his expert opinion when a new attraction or experience opens at not just Animal Kingdom, but any one of the Disney Parks.

User @Millionaire2K Tweeted Rohde, asking:

@Joe_Rohde Please chime in on the GotG in Epcot debate! What’s your thoughts? Oh, and have u ridden?

Rohde replied that he hasn’t ridden, given that he’s enjoying life in California post-retirement. He asked fans to clarify more on the debate before he’d chime in:

I don’t know anything about a debate. Also (Retired. Live in California.) what’s the gist?

User @BillZanetti explained some Disney fans’ concerns about the theming to Rohde and said fans trusted his opinion because of his work on Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission: Breakout, which replaced Tower of Terror at Disneyland Resort’s Disney California Adventure Park and is widely popular. He wrote:

I think that people want to know your opinion on it because they know you had the Marvel Creative Portfolio at one time, and you led Mission: Breakout through an extraordinarily fast process. The new offering at Epcot had a lot more time to develop and the debate is “fit”…

Rohde replied, stating that you have to find a balance between how well done the coaster is and how well it fits into not EPCOT’s past, but it’s current Intellectual Property initiatives:

So then the question is not necessarily how well does this express Epcot as it was, but rather how well does it address the mandate to use IP in the context of Epcot. You have to parse between “Is it well done?” versus “Is it addressing a valid initiative?” Don’t smush.

A fan (@gatortebowfan15) who rode Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Walt Disney World praised the coaster, saying that while it might not fit into Walt’s initial vision for EPCOT, he thinks it’s going to be a success:

I can report I was able to ride Guardians at EPCOT Center over the weekend. I know it may not fit into the original educational theme of the park, but let’s give Walt Disney Imagineering some credit, it’s a really great attraction. I’m sure it’s going to very popular.

EPCOT cosmic rewind with spaceship earth

Rohde quoted this response, praising Tom Fitzgerald, an Imagineer that initiated and developed Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. He wrote that his own opinion on the ride shouldn’t matter since only those who have ridden it should be involved in the debate:

Tom Fitzgerald is a great Imagineer with a great nose for popular consumption. He initiated and developed this project. I would therefore believe that the attraction is great, having not seen it in person. The debate should be constrained to those who have.

User @derekjcole expressed that he feels there’s a split in the Disney Parks fan community between people who have ridden the ride and those who haven’t:

Seems like those that have been on it love it and those on Twitter that have not hate it. Who are we to believe?

Onboard Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Rohde gave one last opinion on the subject by quoting this Tweet, stating that the most essential part of any Disney Parks attraction is to make Guests happy. He wrote:

Yes. The ultimate ultimate goal is to bring happiness. Are people happy?

ime will tell what Joe Rohde thinks when he has the opportunity to visit EPCOT and ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind!

Harmony Barber Shop Reopening this Summer at Walt Disney World

Posted on May 18, 2022May 18, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

One of parents’ most cherished memories is the first time their little one visits the barber to shorten their unruly, yet luscious locks. How special it would be to share this moment with her at The Most Magical Place on Earth!

A mainstay of Magic Kingdom Park since opening day, Harmony Barber Shop is opening its doors once again on July 31 for the world’s most magical haircut. Considered by many to be a rite-of-passage, the cherished “My First Haircut” experience is making its return as stylists eagerly await to shower their young friends with magic and extra special pixie dust for the Walt Disney World 50^th Anniversary celebration to commemorate this special milestone. In fact, Guests of all ages are welcome to take a break from the hustle and bustle and let our friendly stylists polish you up for a day at the park.

To ensure service is a cut above the rest, a limited number of reservations for this timeless experience will be bookable in the My Disney Experience app beginning June 28. For those who wish to look sharp at the park, walk-in appointments will be accepted based on availability.

This marks a special moment for Magic Kingdom Park as our final Main Street locale reopens its doors to invite young and old alike to share in the cheer of yesteryear. We look forward to providing families with magical memories in the whimsical nostalgia of a bygone era.

And for inquiring (and eager!) minds, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will also begin reopening its doors for royal transformations later this year at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for all the sparkling details.

Lightning strikes Spaceship Earth at EPCOT!

Posted on May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Tonight, as storms rolled through the theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida, a video posted online appears to show the Spaceship Earth structure at EPCOT being struck by lightning.

As two Guests were live-streaming from EPCOT during the storms tonight, the sky was filled with the illumination of episodes of continual lightning. At one point during the live stream, a huge lightning bolt pierced the night sky and reached down toward the Spaceship Earth structure, seemingly striking the structure.

@streamingthemagic
Wow! Lightning strikes spaceship earth at Epcot Disney World during Kristen & Adam’s live stream on Streaming The Magic #disneyparks #spaceshipearth #lightningbolt
♬ original sound – Streaming The Magic

However, since Disney has hidden hundreds of lightning rods throughout the parks, it’s unlikely that the bolt actually hit Spaceship Earth; it’s far more likely that it hit a lightning rod atop the nearly 200-foot-tall structure.

According to Weird Disney, Central Florida sees more lightning than any other part of the country–on average, the area sees more than 50 lightning strikes per square mile. Lightning can be beautiful and awe-inspiring from a distance, but it can be deadly too.

That’s why there are lots of hidden lightning rods scattered around the Walt Disney World Resort–many in plain sight, but you might never know they were lightning rods. For example, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Mickey Mouse that stands atop the high tower of the Crossroads kiosk near the entrance to the park is a lightning rod; well, his right ear is. It’s made of copper and, as with any other non-Mickey lightning rod, it attracts the lightning to it. Once a bolt strikes the rod, the rod channels the millions of volts of energy produced by the lightning through the copper around the structure and into the ground below.

crossroads of the world disney hollywood studios

The weather vane atop the Hall of Presidents structure at Magic Kingdom‘s Liberty Square is also a lightning rod, as are the spires at the topmost point of the Hollywood Tower Hotel that houses the Tower of Terror attraction at Hollywood Studios. (That place was struck by lightning back in 1939, and 5 people in the elevator disappeared and have never been seen again. Or so the story goes.)

lightning rod hall of presidents tower of terror disney world

Seeing a lightning flash can be fascinating, but because of the dangers associated with lightning Disney has very specific procedures in place in the event of a lightning storm anywhere within 10 miles of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Per Disney’s website, the Walt Disney World Lightning Policy states the following:

“Event operations will shut down when lightning is 10 miles out from the event areas. Event operations will not resume until the lightning is 10 miles out moving away from the event areas. The event management team will consult with Walt Disney World Resort Management on a course of action to utilize the operational rain plan, delay the event or cancel the event.”

Crush Hilariously Explains Why He Doesn’t Talk About Bruno

Posted on May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

The number one rule of Fight Club? You don’t talk about fight club. The number one rule of the Madrigal family from Encanto? You don’t talk about Bruno. The Madrigals are so insistent on it that they even sang a whole song about it! It’s always fun to sing about why we don’t talk about Bruno (poor Bruno), but sometimes people want to know more about why we don’t talk about him. One of those people was a young boy who visited Disney California Adventure and figured there was one person he could ask — the sea turtle Crush.

Located in the Animation Building, Turtle Talk With Crush allows fans to get up close and personal with their favorite turtle from the hit film, Finding Nemo. Crush teaches kids about the ocean area he lives in, and they can ask him questions. One young Guest decided to ask why no one talks about Bruno. While each member of the Madrigal family had their own complicated reason for not talking about him, Crush had a simple reason — he doesn’t know who Bruno is.

The young boy explained to Crush that Bruno was from Encanto, which led to Crush asking what Encanto was. From there, the boy had to explain that it was a movie, then he had to explain what a movie was. When Crush asked if a movie worked with electricity, he said that they once tried to use electricity in the ocean, and the results were…shocking.

You can watch the adorable video — shared by TikToker cierraswonderland — below:

@cierraswonderland
#turtletalkwithcrush #crush #disneytiktok #animationacademy #disneyparks #disneyland #californiaadventure #findingnemo #bruno
♬ original sound – ᴄɪᴇʀʀᴀ ♡

Here is more information on the fun attraction, Turtle Talk With Crush — which can also be found in the World Nature area of EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort:

Got a burning question for Crush? During this live 15-minute chat, you may get to ask it.
Take a seat at Turtle Talk theater and watch as the turtle from Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo swims up close. Through the amazing technology of the hydrophone, he can communicate directly with land-based dudes and dudettes about almost anything that’s on their minds.
Ask him about marine biology, his friends from the sea, his favorite foods, life on the East Australian Current—it’s totally up to you!
He may also introduce you to his pals Marlin, Nemo and Squirt—plus new friends from Disney and Pixar’s Finding Dory.
The show is improvised, so it’s different every time. It’s an ocean full of laughs for all ages!

Disney May Replace Will Smith With Dwayne Johnson in Iconic Role

Posted on May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney fans may see a major change to an iconic role in an upcoming movie project.

Will Smith has been one of the most recognizable actors in the business for several decades now, but he was in the limelight and the subject of much criticism after an extremely strange incident at the Oscars earlier this year that left fans and fellows actors and actresses stunned.

After Chris Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith got up from his seat and walked on stage to deliver a slap across the left jaw of Rock. He walked off stage and was visibly yelling at Rock to “keep my wife’s name out your f***in’ mouth.”

Chris Rock (left) and Will Smith (right)

Just a matter of minutes after the incident unfolded, Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard (2021). After receiving much criticism, Smith issued an apology and resigned from the Academy.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star made his Disney debut in Aladdin (2019) and the live-action blockbuster earned over $1 billion at the Hollywood box office. Though Disney has still been using content with Will Smith, it seems there might be a major change to his iconic role as Genie in the upcoming Aladdin 2 project.

Several outlets are reporting a rumor that Dwayne Johnson could take over the role as Genie in the sequel. Genie, originally played by Robin Williams in the animated film, has been one of the most beloved characters in the world of Disney for 30 years.

Several Will Smith projects have been canceled or postponed since the incident and Disney has not provided an official update to offer any clarity on if he will remain in the role or if the rumors of a replacement could be true. At Universal Orlando, Smith is still the narrator on the beloved attraction MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack. Since the incident at the Oscars, however, many fans have said the attraction “just isn’t the same.”

Dwayne Johnson and Emily blunt in jungle cruise

Dwayne Johnson’s most recent Disney project saw him play the role of skipper Frank Wolff in Jungle Cruise (2021). Johnson was also the voice of Maui in Moana (2016).