Big Changes for Pop Century Resort

For years, the only activity on the 'Legendary Years' side of Pop Century has been for bus driver training in the parking lot. But things should be picking up as the long awaited second side will soon see construction start.

However, don't look for the 'Legendary Years' to ever be completed, instead they'll be making a whole new resort called Animation Inn. It will feature the latest innovation in family travel hotels -- family suites. These are one and two bedroom suites where there is unique kid themed room and where amenities are designed to give more of an all inclusive feel.

Look for work to start as soon as the pencil pushers feel like we're safely on the way out of the current recession. They want to be poised to welcome new families when the Central Florida tourism industry fully recovers. Current thinking is an partial opening sometime in 2011.

Tags: disney, disney+world, travel, hotel, resort, vacation, orlando, disneyworld

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Goodbye 'Circle of Life', Hello DisneyNature's EARTH

Walt Dated World just updated it's tribute page to the former attractions that occupied "The Land" pavilion at EPCOT. I hope they're ready to make one more change. The folks behind the DisneyNature label at Walt Disney Studios are chomping at the bit to get a 12-minute version of their "EARTH" film into the current 'Circle of Life' theater. This would probably kick Simba, Timon, and Pumba to the curb, since I don't see Disney paying for new animation required to match the themes together in this current austerity program. With EARTH opening nationwide on Earth Day April 22 it might be time to go see "Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable" one more time

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D23: One Word - Underwhelmed

I've been carefully investigating some of the latest gossip, but with this economy it's really hard to pin down any new projects. One day it has a green light, the next day the budget has been slashed. If anyone out there can provide confirmation for the latest rumors, I'd appreciate it if you drop me a line.

But I digress, I mostly wanted to drop a line today on the word about D23. This is the new official fan club for Disney fans that was announced on March 10th. Alas, the feeling out and about is mostly one of being underwhelmed. They've definitely mis-read the market here. Not just in the price point, but also in the delivery. It's been two weeks and we haven't heard another peep out of the folks behind D23.

Paying $75 for an overpriced publication and an opportunity to buy more Disney kruft is the wrong move when the national trend is for all consumers to be downsizing the stuff in their lives.

Then there is the 'free' portion of D23. I know for a fact that many Disney fans and webmasters are annoyed at the lack of RSS feeds and the inability to link to some specific news. Many are refusing to even link to D23 at all until that is fixed and they join in the online community as participants instead of overlords.

Finally, with the theme park layoffs cutting some of the people who were instrumental in providing D23 with its themepark related content, those who have signed up are already getting less of a bargain. On the other hand, that's a great opportunity for one of the three Disney fan produced magazines that offer better quality stories than Disney's lame marketing inspired attempt.

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Downtown Disney Update

Two quick updates from Downtown Disney Orlando.

The new restaurant in the old Pleasure Island area will be called "Paradiso 37". It will feature South/Central American cuisine and latin dancing. They're also renovating the water side of the building to provide beautiful views of the Lake Buena Vista area. Should be nice if they decide to go forward with the 'water show' they had planned for a few years ago.

You may have heard that the Virgin Megastore will be closing May 31st. Get ready for some great sales as they try and leave nothing but bare floors. Everyone is passing around the same rumor that Disney has been looking at putting a flagship ESPNZone in the location with the goal of moving some of the broadcasting down from Bristol to be closer to the new ESPN branded Wide World of Sports. The problem with that rumor is that the Virgin Megastore location 2nd and 3rd floors don't have the structural support required to put the usual games and arcades that ESPNZones have upstairs. The DisneyQuest located right next door does have that structural support. So make of that what you will.

As with most projects at Disney right now, the green light is still a harsh yellow as everyone waits to see what happens with the economy 90-180 days from now. If you judge by the stock market, which is supposed to be focused 180 days out, things don't look so rosy.

Tags: disney, wdw, downtowndisney, orlando, paradiso37, espn, espnzone

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