Disney Makes Mistake with New Merchandise

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Via InsideTheMagic.net

Everyone knows that a trip to Disney World or Disneyland would not be complete without buying a few souvenirs to take back home. Of course, you can do a lot of your shopping online as well through the shopDisney website.

From shirts, headbands, cups, and silverware to pins, costumes, swords, and toys, Guests can find just about anything when visiting the shopDisney website or any of the numerous attraction gift shops.

And speaking of attractions, a Disney Parks collection wouldn’t be complete without an item representing one of Walt Disney World’s most legendary rides.

Space Mountain is a truly iconic piece of Disney history. While popular enough to be found at multiple Disney Resorts across the world, the original in Orlando still stands above the rest. To commemorate this special attraction, Disney recently released a model kit of the actual ride.

“Imagine building your favorite Tomorrowland attraction with this Space Mountain Model Kit. Imaginations soar thanks to the detailed 27-piece kit that celebrates the place where so many galactic dreams come true”, states Disney when describing the kit, “The packaging is inspired by classic blueprints and behind-the-scenes Disney Imagineering notes. It’s all Mickey Mouse-approved too. Now it can be yours to build and put on display for light-years to come.”

However, when looking at the photo of the kit online, we noticed it was seemingly built wrong.

disney-model-kit

As you can see, the middle section of the kit protrudes way farther than it is supposed to. There is also a hole in the center of the kit, which is not supposed to be seen when the model is completed. Curiously, the kit is correctly shown on the actual packaging.

disney-model-kit

We aren’t sure exactly why or how this error occurred but looking at the immense catalog of products on the website, we aren’t that surprised something as minor as this slipped past Disney.

For those worried, it may be too challenging, no need to worry! The model kit is only 27 pieces, meaning anyone can build and enjoy this product.

You can buy the model kit by visiting the official shopDisney website.

Brand New Space Mountain Coming to One Disney Park in 2027

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Anyone who has visited a Disney theme park knows that there is always a chance rides will be closed during your visit because they are being refurbished. Disney attractions undergo such heavy usage that refurbishments can range from minor fixes to months-long closures for more massive undertakings. However, it is more uncommon that Disney announces that it is closing one of its most popular attractions for a complete remake. But that is exactly what happened today at Tokyo Disney.

Tokyo Disney is one of Disney’s most popular overseas theme parks. From the incredible architecture to its amazing Tokyo DisneySea Park — which is completely different from any other Disney Park — to the incredible merchandise that makes U.S. Park goers jealous. It seems that there is nothing people don’t like about the Tokyo Disney Resort.

Tokyo Disney

One of the most beloved attractions at Tokyo Disney is Space Mountain. The indoor roller coaster is similar to those found at the other Disney Parks, but that will soon change. On April 27, Disney announced that Tokyo Disney would be closing Space Mountain for 3 years! In that time, they are going to completely transform the ride. When it reopens, it will still be Space Mountain, but it will be a completely different ride experience.

Tokyo Disney Space Mountain

Disney Parks Blog shared more information on the massive changes that are coming to the attraction:

The classic Space Mountain attraction, a guest favorite since Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983, will be closing for a major renovation of Tomorrowland starting in 2024. By 2027 the new area will see a newly rebuilt Space Mountain attraction, keeping the original concept as a thrilling indoor coaster that takes guests on a high-speed journey through space, but will include enhanced performance and immersive special effects. These will give guests even more thrills throughout their journey and will provide a greater connection between Earth and the universe.

According to Walt Disney Imagineering Producer Kathleen Davis, “I’m thrilled to introduce this attraction to guests. It’s not only a whole new ride experience, but the story also has so much emotion. Through the queue and then on the ride, we see our connection to our planet and gain a new perspective for how special it is in all the universe. It’s a roller coaster with both thrill and heart.”

The Space Mountain renovation will go along with an all-new Tomorrowland plaza. Disney Guests often say that the various Tomorrowland sections at several Parks do not look like they are in the world of Tomorrow. However, in the image of Space Mountain shared by Disney, Tomorrowland definitely has a futuristic look.

With the transformation of Space Mountain, as well as the Tomorrowland Plaza, Tokyo Disney will show Guests how they can be a positive change for the environment, how the two function together, and how humans can be more appreciative of the planet.

Disney World Plans Refurbishment for Space Mountain

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Via InsidetheMagic.net

Walt Disney World Resort is known for its iconic attractions, especially at Magic Kingdom.

From Pirates of the Caribbean to Jungle Cruise to Haunted Mansion and everything in between, these attractions have been beloved by Guests for decades and still remain an intricate part of the Disney magic because, in many ways, they are timeless.

While the Disney Park attractions and their theming might be timeless, the reality of operating a theme park shows that rides are constantly having to undergo maintenance to keep up with the volume of Guests they carry each day.

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

We recently saw two of three big mountains in Magic Kingdom undergo maintenance, in Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. Now, it seems Disney has plans to undergo construction on its third mountain, Space Mountain, located in Tomorrowland.

A recent permit filed by Walt Disney World Resort for the area where Space Mountain sits (4950 N. World Drive) shows there are plans for improvements to the ride.

Buena Vista Construction Company, which handles many projects in Walt Disney World Resort, will be the contractor and the general description of improvement is to “provide labor, material and/or electrical for construction.”

Space Mountain Permit 2022

Disney has not announced a closure of Space Mountain as of yet and the description does not indicate what areas of the ride will be under construction. That being said, we can expect to see activity begin to happen around the attraction at some point in the near future.

We previously reported on how extreme weathering has affected the attraction, leaving many areas on the outside façade looking rough. However, with electrical elements being added to this permit, we would venture to say that the work will not just pertain to the outside building.

space mountain

Smoking refrigerator leads to Guest evacuation of Space Mountain & PeopleMover attractions

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Yesterday, according to a tweet from an Orlando-based travel site, Gotta Go Orlando, Space Mountain and the PeopleMover at Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort had been evacuated after a fire alarm was activated. The Reedy Creek Fire Department responded to the call.

Shortly after seeing Gotta Go Orlando’s tweet, another tweet claimed that a spokesperson for Reedy Creek confirmed that the department had responded to a call, but that there was no fire, leaving no answers about what exactly had prompted the evacuation of Guests at both attractions, the activation of the fire alarm, and the response from Reedy Creek.

Now, according to The Orlando Sentinel, smoke from a breakroom refrigerator led to the evacuation of Guests from Space Mountain, per Tim Stromsnes, communications director for the Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters and a union official for the firefighters.

Stromsnes says only one engine responded to the call for help. Once a Reedy Creek firefighter unplugged the refrigerator, the other units that had been called to assist in the response were canceled.

Eryka Washington, a spokeswoman for Reedy Creek, confirmed that there had been no fire at Space Mountain.

A call for assistance from the Orange County Fire Rescue was also placed for aid at an address near Tomorrowland, but that call was also canceled. According to the My Disney Experience app, at 4:30 p.m. local time, the Space Mountain attraction was still closed, but by 4:45 p.m., it had reopened to Guests with an 80-minute wait to experience the attraction.As of 5:00 p.m. local time, the PeopleMover attraction remained closed, though it had opened briefly sometime around 4:30 p.m.

Space Mountain Little Golden Book to Blast Off

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Disney is already on a roll with their line up of Little Golden Books having introduced stories for the Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise.

Now, readers can take off for Alpha Centauri with their newest addition themed to Space Mountain!

The book, found on Amazon, includes the following description:

Fly through space, swerve around asteroids, and discover the universe in this book inspired by the iconic Disney Park Attraction Space Mountain. Perfect for children ages 2 to 5 and Disney fans of all ages, this Little Golden Book is a great way to celebrate National Astronaut Day with your little space explorer!

The hardcover book, which will cost you $5.99 will be made available to major retailers starting January 4, 2022. You can also preorder this adventurous title on Amazon and get your copy on release day.