MickeyBlog News for June 12th, 2023
This past week at Disney came with lots of unexpected surprises. We’ll discuss each one in the latest MickeyBlog News.
Indiana Jones and the Den of Destiny
We’ve got several medium-sized stories this week rather than one big one.
My favorite of the bunch happened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs.
As you may know, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny opens in theaters on June 30th.
Disney wasn’t going to let this movie enter theaters without some theme park accompaniment.
So, I’m pleased to introduce Indiana Jones: Den of Destiny! It’s a pop-up bar you’ll find on the way to the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.
You may remember a different bar previously in this space. Now, Disney has themed it to Indiana Jones, and that’s not all!
You’ll also find new Indy merchandise at the park!
Finally, the official Indiana Jones bar at Disney Springs, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, contains new drinks commemorating the movie’s release as well.
We may not ever get another Indiana Jones movie. Even if we do, it won’t star Harrison Ford. So, savor all this stuff, my friends!
Disney Preps for Summer Crowds and Emergencies
Let’s combine two other stories with a similar theme.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has finished prepping for the impending summer crowds.
While some schools have already finished for the year, the upcoming reflects the final day of classes across North America.
Almost immediately afterward, Walt Disney World crowds will swell in size as families head to Orlando for their summer vacations.
Since Cosmic Rewind remains one of the five most popular attractions at Walt Disney World, it needs to expand its line queues.
The indoor portion of the ride building isn’t large enough for the expected crowds. So, Disney has prepared by adding exterior line queues.
Similarly, Disney wants to avoid emergencies as much as possible.
For this reason, park officials have taken the long overdue step of adding an evacuation platform at the main Disney Skyliner hub.
If Disney had added this platform at the beginning, it would have avoided the infamous fiasco that occurred during the Disney’s Skyliner’s first week.
So, this move is extremely smart, albeit four years too late.
The Disney-Apple Story
A few days ago, Apple held its latest press event. During the festivities, Apple confirmed the 2024 release of the Vision Pro, an interactive headset.
Basically, Apple will release an augmented reality device several years after other companies like Google and Facebook either failed with the idea or gave up.
Anyone who remembers Magic Leap has heard this story before, but here goes.
Disney CEO Bob Iger appeared at the Apple event to confirm Disney’s involvement with the Vision Pro.
Iger announced that people wearing the headset may use Disney+ within the device.
However, the CEO also showed a video clip of other tantalizing possibilities for Disney fans.
One of them hints that Disney characters could appear as augmented reality characters within your headset.
Also, Disney theme park icons like the Main Street Electrical Parade and Cinderella Castle appear in the clip.
The implication is that the future of Disney could include a virtual theme park visit in your home.
How much of this video will come to fruition soon, and how much is vaporware?
We won’t know until early 2024, which is when the mega-expensive Vision Pro debuts.
Apple suggested that the price will start at $3,499, which makes it the Galactic Starcruiser of questionable tech.
Since we’re talking about Apple, I wouldn’t rule out the eventual success of the Vision Pro at a less price, though.
Also, Iger’s appearance at the event has once again fueled that Disney rumor that just won’t die.
A Muppet Roller Coaster?
I’m often chasing down strange, wildly improbable stories for MickeyBlog’s monthly Disney Rumors.
Some of them stand out for their ridiculousness, though. For example, soon after Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring went down for refurb, I…heard something.
This one was so absurd that I couldn’t take it seriously, but I tried to find the source of the story anyway.
Since I couldn’t find anything credible, I didn’t run with it and simply dismissed the idea. It was preposterous. BUT…
Someone else heard the same story and ran with it. Soon afterward, in a now-deleted tweet, confirmation came from a wild source.
Jeff Yorkes, the co-writer of the new Disney+ series, The Muppets Mayhem, acknowledged that he had pitched this idea.
When Yorkes envisioned the show, he imagined Disney re-theming the current Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster from Aerosmith to The Muppets.
The writer went on to suggest that he remains hopeful that this change will occur, suggesting that the idea isn’t dead, at least not to his knowledge.
In other words, if The Muppets Mayhem proves successful, this rumor could really happen!
Honestly, the idea makes sense as well. Aerosmith’s lead singer, Steven Tyler, has faced some recurring allegations since the 1970s.
Unlike Tyler, The Muppets aren’t in danger of getting canceled. Well, the Disney+ series could be, but the characters would remain beloved.
Would guests rock out as much to Muppets music on a roller coaster? That’s the part where I struggle with the suggestion.
Still, we should all keep our eye on this one.
Miscellaneous Park News
While nothing is imminent, Disney California Adventure is finally testing the thing.
A while ago, Imagineers revealed the new Baby Groot Audio-Animatronic and promised that it would roam the parks one day.
Apparently, that day is nearing, but we don’t know when. I suspect it’ll happen before the end of 2023, though…and possibly MUCH sooner.
Speaking of Disneyland Resort, Alice in Wonderland is currently on an odd trajectory.
Disney closed the ride for renovations on June 5th but announced it will return on June 16th, which is later this week.
Now, we’ve learned that Alice in Wonderland will undergo additional refurbishments on July 5th. It’ll reopen again on July 21st.
I recognize that sounds strange, but the tactic ties back to what I referenced earlier.
Disney parks will increase traffic toward the end of June due to summer vacations.
Disneyland needs every ride open for the week of July 4th. So, this strategy ensures that Imagineers can perfect the older ride without sacrificing park throughput.
Finally, in global news, Disneyland Paris has just announced a new Pixar musical.
TOGETHER: A Pixar Musical Adventure will debut on July 15th. Disney rarely transitions shows from international to American parks.
Still, I’d keep my eye on this one. It could provide the impetus for a broader Pixar show in the United States.
Have a great week, everyone!
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