Magic Kingdom's Autopia gets new name

Well at least one part of the rumor I hinted about here has come true, The Tomorrowland Indy Speedway has lost its sponsorship by the Indy Racing League. New signage has begun to go up proclaiming the new name the "Tomorrowland Speedway." It remains to be seen if the other ideas for the attraction are given the green light.

Tags: disney, wdw, magic+kingdom, disney+world, autopia, indy+cars, IRL, indy+racing+league, tomorrowland, tomorrowland+speedway

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A New Autopia for Orlando?

After the farce, a well-themed and conceived farce, but a farce none the less, of an Autopia that was opened atDisneyland where Chevron's sponsorship prevented the possibility of installing green technology, ie electric cars, to the attraction, it sounds like the Walt Disney World version might finally see just such a change.

Major racing leagues like the IRL and Formula 1 are going green. Either by using biofuel as with the IRL or with Formula-1 targeting a switch to Hyrbid Technology in the next few seasons. Since the Autopia is currently themed to the Indy Racing League cars, it makes sense to follow in those footsteps.

I would like to see some sort of sponsorship where green technology can be introduced and visitors can be sure it is not just the effort of some company trying to 'greenwash' their image.

That said, this idea has been batting around for a few years and if it is greenlit, don't expect to see it in the next year or so.

For more on the rumor visit MouseExtra.

technorati tags: disney, disney+world, wdw, autopia, rumor, themepark, racing, irl, indy+racing

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Jungle Cruise rumors

Disneyland's Jungle Cruise attraction received a much needed plussing a few years ago for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary. Some new special effects, can you say Piranhas, and a return of the guns to the Hippo pool are some of the improvements that have most Disney fans happy to queue up for the classic attraction once more.

There was a rumor going around that Walt Disney World executives were hot to install some of Disneyland's improvements to the languishing Jungle Cruise attraction at the Magic Kingdom. Word now making the rounds is that the Magic Kingdom's attraction won't see any significant changes until after more is known about the upcoming movie based on the Jungle Cruise attraction and a promotional tie-in could be arranged.

With the Writer's Strike and looming Actor's Strike there is an effective hold on all movie work in Hollywood. This means folks in Orlando could be waiting a long time for more attraction updates. At least those like Jungle Cruise that have movie tie-ins.

Conrad Calling

While I'm on the subject. The title of the upcoming Jungle Cruise movie is rumored to be "Jungle Cruise: Heart of Darkness". I'm presuming a relationship with Joseph Conrad's book of the same name which was an allegory for man's passage into an industrialized world. If so, this has some interesting opportunities as we move from an industrialized world to one based on information.

However, I seem to recall that Walt Disney found some inspiration for his Jungle Cruise attraction from the movie "African Queen". That would seem to be more fertile ground for a movie. But what do I know. Dick Cook, who currently runs Walt Disney Pictures, once worked at Disneyland on the Jungle Cruise attraction. I'm sure he's keeping a close eye on this project.

Tags: disney, disney pictures, jungle cruise, dick cook, movie, hollywood, film, rumor, magic kingdom, wdw, disney world

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Tinkerbell to roost at Magic Kingdom's Toontown Fair

A few months ago the rumor that a full photo meet and greet with Tinker Bell would be added to Toontown Fair started making the rounds. At the time it was thought that a new tent would be added and that guests would be made to feel as if they were shrunk down to fairy size via an entry way that featured oversized props.

Now we're hearing that the Disney Pals room (usually with Goofy, Donald, and Chip and Dale) inside the Judge’s Tent at Mickey’s Toontown Fair may become home to Tinker Bell and some of her fairy friends, from the upcoming movie release. Auditions will be held shortly for the role of Tink and other Fairies.

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Magic Kingdom Haunted Mansion leaks

No, not water leaks. But some cast members (and a few lucky guests) have been allowed to ride through the Haunted Mansion while WDI puts on the final touches. This is what I've heard so far:

• Guests will encounter the first changes with a new covered queue and a cemetery that has received some care.
• The stretching room has been significantly improved. The candelabra Gargoyles now turn their heads and there is a cool 'flying bat' effect when the lights good out. Think the Indiana Jones Adventure darts. This should really freak out many of the attractions fans, young and old.
• New effects involving wind, thunder, and lightning have gone into the portrait hall.
• Madame Leota's crystal ball is now the same floating effect as Disneyland.
• Also like Disneyland is the new storyline added into the attic scene. The bride is now more obviously a serial murderess and the objects of her affairs are strewn about.
• Finally, the whole mansion has received a once over updating everything to near original glory. This includes the Omnimover audio, which had been getting very bad in parks.

What I haven't heard is any mention of the new "Hogwarts" stairs scene where the spiders were? Budget cuts?

The Haunted Mansion is scheduled to re-open to the public on the 12th or 13th of September.

Tags: disney, haunted mansion, disney world, rumor, wdw, travel, imagineering, wdi

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Tomorrowland E-Ticket Rumor

Last year there was a rumor that Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain would get a major makeover, perhaps a new track, and certainly new special effects. That hasn't happened, although the rumor persists. As part of that makeover, the old Tomorrowland Skyway station would have been converted into a sit-down restaurant with a futuristic eco-green theme.

Now, I'm hearing a rumor of a new E-ticket that might pop up nearby in Tomorrowland. It's being reported that the Galaxy Palace Theater and the old Tomorrowland Skyway building may be demolished to build a new big budget, and hopefully high capacity, attraction.

I'm not sure how much faith I put in this rumor. First, I don't think it's logistically possible without crossing over the train tracks. The footprint of the Skyway station is actually quite small and backs right up against the railroad. Second the Galaxy Palace Theater is not that big of a space and most of it juts out into the already valuable backstage parking and work area. Third, the Carousel of Progress sits in the middle of those two buildings.

Now, I would love to see it happen anyway. It would be possible to send the queue or an Omnimover or roller coaster track over or under the train tracks. The Galaxy Palace Theater could be converted into a show building. But if you're going to cross the train tracks, why not just place the show building over there. There is plenty of room between the pond and Space Mountain.

Here's one reason why I think something might be happening -- sight lines. With the construction of the new DVC tower (come on everyone knows its DVC) at the Contemporary, a big Watergate hotel looking building will suddenly be very visible from inside Tomorrowland. Putting a big ol' themed show building outside the berm/railroad tracks will go a long way to hide the new tower.

Let's think... what attraction is already in WDI's arsenal, but has no stateside equivalent. How about Journey To The Center Of The Earth from Tokyo DisneySea? What would you like to see there?

Tags: disney, magic+kingdom, disney+world, wdw, imagineering, tomorrowland, rumor

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