Now over at the turnstiles at the park entrance, another change will be taking place there as well. Instead of the finger readers (no, they don't scan your fingerprint and compare it with one "on file" - they simply look at some variables in the size and shape of your finger to compare it with an earlier measurement... but I once again digress), a new system will be installed and tested soon, beginning with the Magic Kingdom. If you have recently been to Walt Disney World, you may have noticed a new barcode on your Key to the World card and wondered what it was for. New barcode readers will be installed to read the new barcode at the bottom of your Key to the World card. Instead of scanning your finger, you will simply swipe your card and gain entry. No more choosing which hand or finger, waiting for people to get it "just right" - it will be a quick, automated process. I think this is a wonderful idea, as no longer will Guest interaction and familiarity with the process determine how long it takes to gain entry. As long as the card contains valid entry media on it, the Guest can gain access. Will this possibly allow people to use a card form someone else in their party? Probably. Is that a big deal? Not likely. One caveat to mention - I do understand that in addition to the barcode reader, the scanners (for now), will also have to read the magnetic strip on the back, as it contains additional information not included on the simple barcode (which is really just a graphical representation of a sequence of number, letters, etc.). I am not sure of the timetable for this changeover as yet, but it is something we will likely see over the next few months. It will be an interesting test (and yes, these will be tests initially to determine their success), to see if it speeds along entry into the park (which I believe it will). What do you think? Let us know by posting in the forums.

Despite rumors online that the Pirate and Princess Party is not doing as well as expected, Disney plans on continuing the parties on the currently scheduled dates, and might even be expanding those dates. There are NO plans to discontinue the party. I was there on Friday, February 29th. I liked the fact that the park was empty. People complain that Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are TOO crowded, then when they have a party that runs many days and is often not crowded, they try to deem it a failure, condemn the party, and label it a waste. I disagree. You get everything you hope and PAY for with this - extra events, a near-empty park for walk-on rides, no rushing to get a spot for the parade or fireworks, etc.

Imagineering filed a new permit for something called the Fantasyland Circus Wagon. Since the other recent Imagineering paperwork has related to a Disney Vacation Club kiosk, we're guessing that the circus wagon will be the theming of the DVC kiosk. You can view the permit at this link: http://officialrecords.occompt.com/wb_or1/details.asp?doc_id=29647377&file_num=20080111071&doc_status=R  Imagineering also filed a permit for something called the World Showcase Interactive Trailer Package. This could be for the Kim Possible game, or I'm wondering if they will be testing the VERY successful Disney's Magical Connection device for the Nintendo DS there?

Now that we've moved to Epcot, there are plenty of new rumors to attend to.

First off, I recently learned that they will also be changing the name of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, as it will soon start to be referred to as the “Nighttime Fireworks Spectacular.” (Epcot Cast Members have already been told to begin referring to it as such, and to avoid the use of the name IllumiNations. It may start showing up in Times Guides this way very soon). The reason is both to avoid Guest confusion (yes, they don’t always know that IllumiNations is the fireworks show), and in anticipation of a new, updated show. It is also possible that they may be rebranding Wishes! much the same way, so it would be “Epcot’s Nighttime Spectacular” and The Magic Kingdom’s Nighttime Spectacular, etc. Not saying I love it or hate it, just letting you know what I was told. 

As far as what is to come next, I have heard rumors from everything from an all-new show, to an updated version of the present IllumiNations show. What I have been told is that there will be all-new effects, pyrotechnics and lighting. I’ll see what I can find out specifically about the Globe itself.

Also got some reports that a few nights ago, IllumiNations was "different." From what I understand, Entertainment and Ops were doing a "test show" without the Globe. The show started without the normal narrated beginning ("Good Evening, we've gathered here tonight around the fire...") The lights just dimmed, the torches "blew" out and the show began, quietly. The flame barge portion was the same, but when the fires end, no globe illuminated, and the show went straight to the part, where IF there was a globe, it would have breached the center of the lake and the part when we see man walking on the Earth. The show was purposely adjusted for the missing globe. The music was the same, but they added a few more firework effects to compensate for the missing globe. Most of the rest of the music was the same. The finale was the same, but no globe, no "20th" torch rising up from the center. The show was noticeable shorter, by almost 3-4 minutes. Apparently the globe is in need of some significant rehab work, and so a new show was built around NOT having the globe in the show. The show described was the test to see if that could work. All the VPs and high-up creatives were there to see the show and gauge the audience response. The globe should be back -- now that the test is done, they'll have to determine whether it worked or if it needs to be tweaked or whatever -- but as to the exact calendar for that, it is unknown at this time.

Moving to Disney's Hollywood Studios, the animation archway was completed early this week with the new Disney's Hollywood Studios logo.

Rumors are floating around the internet that Toy Story Mania isn't the only addition coming to the Disney's Hollywood Studios park. That whole area of the park will be renamed "Pixar Place." Rumors suggest it will get another ride and a restaurant. The restaurant is rumored to be a buffet style eatery themed to Ratatouille. The attraction is rumored to be a Monsters, Inc. roller coaster, similar to the Crush's Coaster that is so popular at Disneyland Paris. Right now, these seem to just be wishful thinking.

I'm also hearing some rumors about a Nightmare Before Christmas dark ride, but I'm not too sure about this one. It might just be stemming from the rumors related to a possible Nightmare Before Christmas themed special ticket party coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios this year.

The next movie in the Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, is set to be released on May 22, 2008. This makes many long time Indy fans quite happy, and with that comes the obvious anticipation that something new must be coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios' Indiana Jones' Epic Stunt Spectacular and the surrounding themed area. However, I have been told that there will be NO new Indiana Jones merchandise, partially due to the strained relationship between Disney and Steven Spielberg. I have also been told that there will be NO changes to the stunt show. This doesn't seem to make the most sense, given how much synergy the new movie would generate.

In related rumors, Star Tours 2.0 is rumored to be seriously delayed, according to some insiders. Without stating specifics, it is said that there were some issues with George Lucas and Lucasfilm, Ltd. Not bad blood, but more a matter of priorities: they are very busy with so many other projects, including the Star Wars: The Clone Wars (to be released in theaters August 16, 2008 and then on TV), and a new live action series.

Star Wars Weekends are returning to Disney's Hollywood Studios in June, and I have on very good authority the characters for the limited edition Big Figs to be released: Goofy as Jar Jar Binks, Donald Duck as Darth Maul, Minnie as Princess Amidala, and Mickey will most likely be Anakin Skywalker. There is also another piece of merchandise I have heard about but cannot reveal, but if you're a Star Wars fan, you will really be excited about it.

I reported in the Rumor Mill in January about the $300, nighttime-only park coming to Walt Disney World. At the time I was asked by my source to not reveal certain details, but now that some of what I know has come to light after this rumor was written about on another web site, I am more able to talk about it. Based on what I have learned from multiple sources that have NOT been revealed online, it looks like Night Kingdom is definitely going to happen. I will cover this more completely in a special segment in an upcoming episode.

On a previous episode, I discussed a rumor about Ariel's at the Beach Club Resort becoming a Grab 'n Go 24 hour food store. Listener Sue wrote to me "Our all time favorite place for hamburgers and ice-cream is Beaches and Cream. Our biggest complaint is that there is always a long wait. Well, we have heard from a cast member that plans have just been approved to expand the seating into the take out area and the take out will be part of the Ariel’s space which is also changing. So it will take about a year, but will be worth the wait!"

Disney Australia??? In the wake of some articles that appeared online about Disney’s possible interest in buying property in Australia, a longtime listener emailed me and confirmed that such conversations did take place. He said: "Due to my government role, I can now confirm that these discussions have taken place in Australia now that the media has released the story in Australia. The Walt Disney Company has been eyeing a prime piece of real estate on Sydney Harbour called White Bay, a working port next to the Anzac Bridge, as it seeks to expand its global empire of theme parks and resorts." My source in tourism says that Disney was looking at a virtual park due to the site limitations.  Sega tried an indoor park in Sydney in the early eighties with limited success. See the wikipedia entry on SegaWorld Sydney The area being looked at is prime real estate and only minutes from the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Sydney's Central Business District. Have a look at this link.

With views like this you can see why everybody is interested. Adrian Warren Gallery - Sydney Harbour

If you have any rumors to report, email Lou here or leave a voicemail at the WDW Radio Show voicemail box: 206-202-4WDW (4939).