January 2005
Volcania, Westward Ho, and More
With
all of the attention given to Disneyland's 50th, Michael Eisner is determined
to not just go away quietly. In fact, some great new attractions are planned to
debut just in time for his retirement from the Disney CEO position in 2006.
For
example, there will be some major restructuring in Frontierland.
Tom Sawyer Island will be closed
form January 15 through March 31 for a complete rehab. The island will literally
be cut in half, making it two islands. Matt Omelet was delighted when he heard
this proposal. Now with only half of the river to navigate, the Mark Twain and Columbia can double their hourly capacity!
Submarines are returning to Disneyland! In the Summer of 2006, you will once again be able to hop aboard
the Nautilus and embark on a great
adventure called Finding Captain Nemo. The surprise is that the new attraction will be
located in Frontierland. Remember that second island
that will be carved out of Tom Sawyer Island? It will be transformed into Volcania, Nemo's private resort island. Visitors to Volcania will be able to ride the subs and explore the
volcanic areas under the island. Beware of that giant squid! Can you imagine
it, the Nautilus in the same river as
the Mark Twain, the canoes, and the
ducks? (Most people don't realize it, but the canoes ride on a hidden track
which will prevent collisions with the larger ships. The ducks are on their own.) For thematic reasons, this attraction could
not be placed in Tomorrowland -- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was written
in 1870, so it is much more appropriate for Frontierland.
But the best is yet to come.
Westward Ho -- a wild western adventure for the whole
family! An agreement has been reached with Firestone and their
"Wilderness" line of tires will be sponsoring this wagon train
adventure. (Complete details may be found at SaveEisner.com). Strategic
planners have really gone all out for this one. It will be located at the site
of the soon-to-be-former Big Thunder
Mountain Railroad (to be closed permanently in the spring of 2006). Big
Thunder will be replaced with a mock up of the Alamo (in fact Alamo rental cars
was initially going to sponsor the attraction, but the non-blockbuster status
of Disney's recent film of the same name changed their minds). The People Mover will be moved to this new
location and be repainted to resemble wagon trains. Guests will roll leisurely
by cardboard cutouts of cactus, wild horses, and cowboys. The ride will end at
a sleepy little mining town (formerly used for Big Thunder) where guest will
exit directly into a Western-themed retail area. Eisner was heard commenting
that guest didn't need thrill rides; what they needed was high throughput and a
place to shop!
Well that just about wraps it up for this report. Next month: do you really know
what is happening inside Space Mountain?
Does it seem a bit odd that DCA's Superstar Limo was closed exactly at
the same time the Space Mountain rehab began? InsidEar
will have an exclusive report!
~The InsidEar
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