This past week, I was thrilled to be invited to attend the Toy Story Mania Press Event at Disney's Hollywood Studios to cover the attraction for the show. (You can visit The WDW Radio Show Disney Podcast to hear not only my review and discussion of the attraction, but audio from the event, a number of Disney Imagineers, Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton, and the VP of Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Prior to the event formally beginning, I ran into a familiar face. It was TC Newman, one of the Walt Disney World Ambassadors. I had met her a while back when I interviewed her for the show (look for that interview to air very soon!). She introduced me to the other half of the 37th team to represent Walt Disney World Resort, its Cast Members and Central Florida - Kerri MacPherson. I spoke with them briefly about not only their experiences as part of the Ambassador program, but their thoughts on the new Tory Story Mania attraction. You can also hear that segment on this week's show. 

They are two of the nicest, most engaging Cast Members I have ever met, and the perfect choices to represent the more than 60,000 Walt Disney World Cast Members. Listen for my exclusive interview with TC on the show in the next couple of weeks to learn more about her and her role, as well as the WDW Ambassador program. 

And now you know why I'm smiling. :)

Toy Story Mania! is the first attraction to be built at two Disney Parks at the same time and is also the first attraction that Walt Disney Imagineering designed where the Imagineers had to wear 3-D glasses to art direct all the black-light paint elements.

While wandering the World this past week, My family and I were disappointed to see the Jungle Cruise down for rehab. In fact, it's not just the Cruise, but the entire lower level that includes Shrunken Ned's Junior Jungle Boats as well. I spoke to a Cast Member who said it would be down for another 10-15 days or so, as Disney was in the process of removing and replacing the entire dock (actually a pair-a-docks) in the queue, as well as for Shrunken Ned's. The entire area was walled off, and the following sign was placed in a number of locations:

Cast Members were also stationed at both the ramp by the Swiss Family Treehouse and the stairs by the Jungle Cruise queue to explain to Guests why the attractions were down. 

Of course, me being the intrepid young (or not-so-young) explorer, I had to see what was going on behind the curtains (which honestly isn't all that exciting, but here you go):

As I said, the docs are being replaced, and I also understand that there may be some minor changes to the queue area, as well as freshening up the helms of the Junion Jungle Boats.

Wouldn't it be great, though, to see the old Oasis snack bar open again? 

As rumored on my WDW Radio Show a while back, it looks like we very well might be seeing a walk (roll)-around WALL-E character coming to the Walt Disney World theme parks (Disney's Hollywood Studios sounds like the logical choice to me) very soon.

A /Film reader captured footage of him (it?), in action on the streets of Los Angeles.

Check this out:

VERY cool! It's interesting to see how the character can express emotions without saying a word, or by articulating a mouth or eyes.

I not only want to see him up close, but I think I may want one for myself at home! You can also click here to view the WALL-E trailer