Frontierland from A Dream Called Walt Disney World

Dateline Disney: Splash Mountain to be Re-themed to Princess and the Frog

Today we learned that Splash Mountain at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom will be rethemed to Princess and the Frog after an online petition was started to change it in light of the current events in the United States. Here is what was said about this new retheming on the Disney Parks Blog.

Today we are thrilled to share a first glimpse of a project Imagineers have been working on since last year. Splash Mountain – at both Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom park in Florida – will soon be completely reimagined. The theme is inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.” We pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important. It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou. In 1966, Walt himself opened New Orleans Square when it became the first new “land” added to Disneyland park, so it feels natural to link the story and the incredible music of “The Princess and the Frog” to our parks.

The voice of Princess Tiana and Tony Award-winning actress, Anika Noni Rose, shared, “It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized! As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon. The Imagineers are giving us ‘The Princess and the Frog’ Mardi Gras celebration we’ve been waiting for, and I’m here for it!”

The approach to retheming or “plussing” attractions (as Walt Disney referred to it) begins with Imagineers asking the question, how can we build upon or elevate the experience and tell a fresh, relevant story? It’s a continuous process that Imagineers are deeply passionate about. And with this longstanding history of updating attractions and adding new magic, the retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.

Charita Carter, the senior creative producer leading the project at Walt Disney Imagineering shared, “Like Princess Tiana, I believe that courage and love are the key ingredients for wonderful adventures. I am delighted to be a part of bringing this fun-filled experience to our guests.”

For Imagineers, change is rooted in a tradition set by Walt Disney who encouraged new innovations, new ideas, new scenes and current storytelling. And the experiences they create can be enjoyed by guests who visit our parks from all over the world.

As part of the creative development process, conceptual design work is well underway and Imagineers will soon be able to conduct preliminary reviews and develop a timeline for when the transformation can start to take shape.

Stay tuned for more!

Flashback Fridays: On The River

When the Rivers of America had life and energy. At one point you had four types of transportation on the river. They were: The Mike Fink Keelboats, The Liberty Square River Boats, The Rafts to Tom Sawyers Island, and the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. 

60 Days of Disneyween: Day 10

I see you. A pirate skeleton on the Rivers of America.

Disney Dining: Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn and Cafe

The Magic Kingdom has some of the best themed counter service restaurants anywhere. And Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is very high on that list. Set in a southwestern style building, with several different facades depending what direction you approach Pecos has the Unique honor of being the only place to sit and eat in Frontierland. Themed around the old legend himself everything inside is a reference to Peco and his Folk Hero friends. Including the ax Paul Bunyan gave Peco when he opened the Inn and Cafe. One feature that I'm always a fan of  is taking the guest to another time or place. Pecos does just that with one of its back seating rooms. It is themed to make you feel like you are outside at night in a small south Texas village courtyard. And don't forget the food. Normal counter service fair but oh the Fixins Bar. cooked mushrooms fresh veggies and cooked onions. The best burger for your buck in the Magic Kingdom. So next time you exit the Country Bear Jamboree or are waiting for a Florida summer shower to pass so you can get on Big Thunder and not worry about being struck by lighting, head in to Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn and Cafe and some Disney Dining. As a added bonus on the Manifesting the Magic YouTube page I added the song Pecos Bill. Check it out here at this link or at the bottom of the page. Youtube Page

Soups/Salads

Southwest Chicken Salad - Mixed Greens, chicken, 

Monterrey jack cheese, tomato, roasted corn, jalapenos 

and chipotle ranch $10.99

Combination Meals

Karubi Style Short Ribs - with coleslaw and choice of

 corn on the cob, apple slices or french fries $14.19

Barbecued Pork Sandwich - with choice of 

corn on the cob, apple slices, or French fries $10.29

1/3-Pound Angus Bacon Cheeseburger - with choice of 

corn on the cob, apple slices, or French fries $10.69

Deluxe Chicken Sandwich - with choice of 

corn on the cob, apple slices, or French fries $10.79

Vegetable Burger - with choice of 

corn on the cob, apple slices, or French fries $9.99

Side Dishes

Chili Cheese Fries $4.99 

French Fries $2.99

Chili $3.79  

Corn on the Cob $2.19 

For Children Ages 3-9

Uncrustables PB&J - with grapes and carrot sticks, and 

choice of: small lowfat Milk or small bottled water $5.49

BBQ Pork Sandwich - with grapes and carrot sticks and 

choice of small lowfat milk or small bottled water $5.99

Turkey Sandwich - with grapes and carrot sticks, and 

choice of: small lowfat Milk or small bottled water $5.99 

Grilled Cheese - with grapes and carrot sticks and 

choice of small lowfat milk or small bottled water $5.99

Hamburger - with grapes and carrot sticks, and 

choice of: small lowfat Milk or small bottled water $5.99

Desserts

Chocolate or Carrot Cake $4.19 

Greek Yogurt $3.19 

Beverages

Mickey Straw $.59

Soft Drinks - Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Iced tea, 

Apple Juice, Light Lemonade $2.99 / $3.29 

Soft Drinks served in a Souvenir Cup - 

Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Iced tea,

Apple Juice, Light Lemonade $7.79

Bottled Water $2.75 

Orange Juice $3.99 

Lowfat Milk $1.79 

Chocolate Milk $2.59 

Coffee - Regular, Decaf $2.29 

Hot Cocoa, Hot Tea $2.29 

Strawberry Lemonade Slush $3.99 

Strawberry Lemonade Slush - served in a souvenir boot $8.99

Audio Archive: The Golden Horseshoe Revue Medley

In honor of the 60th Anniversary of Disneyland I put together a few tracks from the original Golden Horseshoe Revue. First the intro from the Wonderful World of Color episode in honor of the Revues 10,000 performance. Second the Welcome to the show titled Hello Everybody. And lastly the ever popular Pecos Bill. You can click on the link below of visit The Manifesting the Mouse Youtube Page

Sing Along: The Ballad of Thunder Mountain

Time for a Disney Sing Along. Today we visit Frontierland and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. You won't hear the ballad on the attraction or in the queue but it does a great job of filling us in on the back story of this haunted mountain. Below are the lyrics but if you want to hear the song click the link at the bottom to visit the Manifesting the Magic YouTube page. So with out further ado the Ballad of Thunder Mountain.

THE BALLED OF THUNDER MOUNTAIN
At Big Thunder Mountain station there’s a frightened, trembling man,
His body’s weak and feeble, and his skin has lost its tan.
When I asked him for a ticket he turned and shook his head.
He grabbed me by the shoulder, and this is what he said:

“Before you get on-board this train there’s something you should know.
When I finish with this tale, you might not want to go.”
I listened with amazement at what he said was true,
And now my friend the time has come to tell this tale to you.

Hear the legend of Thunder Mountain,
If you’re weak of heart then stay away
From Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,
Thunder Mountain Railroad, run away.

He said “As legend has it on one foggy night in June,
The train and crew pulled out at twelve beneath a darkened moon.
The boiler full of water, and the tender full of coal.
The whistle screamed a warning as the wheels began to roll.

Then like a bucking bronco with a cougar on its back,
The train began to run away down miles and miles of track.
What happened to the crew that night no one has ever learned.
The train pulled in all by itself, the men did not return.”

Hear the legend of Thunder Mountain,
If you’re weak of heart then stay away
From Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,
Thunder Mountain Railroad, run away.

The history of Big Thunder continues to unfold.
The stories of its danger continue to be told.
With avalanches, rattlesnakes and earthquakes in the night,
And voices of that phantom crew that chill your blood with fright.

“So please forgive me, Mister, if I’m standing in your way.
But before you buy your ticket, there’s one thing I have to say:”

Hear the legend of Thunder Mountain,
If you’re weak of heart then stay away
From Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,
Thunder Mountain Railroad, run away.