Disney upgrades Fort Wilderness Campground

Roughing it is not what it used to be, especially at Walt Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground.Disney is quietly undertaking its broadest campground-improvements program in two decades, adding extra-extra-large camper pads for recreational vehicles, cable-TV and Internet service throughout, Segway scooter tours, a mini-water park, a dog park, and an improved electric-cart rental operation.The program also is taking aim at invasive plant species such as potato vines, replacing such vegetation with fresh native plantings."The fort is a treasure at Walt Disney World. There really is so much history with the success of Walt Disney World that stems back to Fort Wilderness," said Jean Gallagher, general manager of both Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort Campground. "And because of the nature of this property, and the theming, we really haven't done a lot of changes. ... We have not made a lot of investment from a site perspective in the 37 years we've been open. So this opportunity to meet what our guests are asking for, and how the industry has changed, this is more than we could expect." Disney installed TV and Internet cable to select areas several years ago, and created three Wi-Fi hot spots. But now, Gallagher said, "What we are seeing is, everyone has a computer when they come here."Never mind the people who cannot leave work behind, even in a campground, and feel a constant need to check e-mail, news and market updates on a regular basis. For today's teens and pre-teens, roughing it without the Internet is often going too far. That's why even veteran campers like Matthew McKown, 15, and his sisters Caroline, 13, and Nicole, 10, from Charleston, S.C., all said they missed having an Internet connection during their latest stay at Fort Wilderness a couple weeks ago, and look forward to having it next year. Their father, Phillip McKown, however, was less interested in the cable and Internet connections, still preferring to keep some semblance of being able to get away from the real world."It adds to the experience, camping here," he said. "It's like camping and you get to go to the parks. Going to a hotel room is just like going to a hotel room."Linda Profaizer, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, praised Disney's efforts to upgrade Fort Wilderness, saying her recent visits had told her it was time for some updating."It's a great property, but the sites are older," Profaizer said.In particular, she said, campers' appetite for Internet service and cable TV has been growing for several years."All the parks do that today; it's very much a required service. It's a great thing to do," Profaizer said.Do TV and Internet hookups at every campsite detract from a desire to get away from it all?"Sadly, here's the deal," Profaizer said: "People want to be connected no matter what. You have to offer what the people expect."Disney is also catching up with the trend toward larger RVs. The rolling vacation homes, which now often exceed 40 feet in length, have become wider in recent years, too, thanks to the popularity of "slide outs," those room extensions that pull out from the sides when the vehicle is parked.For that reason, Disney is creating areas with what it calls "premium campsites," which will include much larger paved pads plus upgraded amenities such as grills and picnic tables. Those sites will cost $66 to $116 a night, depending on the season and day of the week.Disney also is adding a themed water-slide and splash-zone attraction to The Meadows area pool. Fort Wilderness abuts River Country, Disney World's original water park, which closed a few years ago. Now designers and engineers are looking over what's left of that park, and they're thinking about moving and recycling the park's signature water tower to the Fort Wilderness pool and building a slide into it.The Fort Wilderness overhaul comes as the industry wonders about what near-record-high gas prices will do to RV camping."For years we've been telling everybody you have to expand your sites because the industry is building the larger RVs in larger numbers. Now with the gas situation, we're wondering," Profaizer said. "We're wondering, No.1, will the manufacturers continue to build the big units? And two, the consumer, is that what people will still be wanting?"For now, she said, the question is moot. There are plenty of house-size RVs on the road, so campgrounds need to accommodate them.Disney does not release occupancy numbers for its individual resorts. But while Fort Wilderness seems as vulnerable as any resort to consumers' reactions to gas prices, the campground appeared to be holding its own, at least last year, according to remarks made by Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger during an earnings call last fall."We have a big RV park in Orlando, and I would think that they would be hit the hardest, because it's pretty expensive to fill up a tank in one of those babies," Iger told investors. Yet "those parks have been completely full. And there's demand going forward from a bookings perspective."Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5441.

New Interactive Attraction at Epcot with Disney’s Kim Possible

New Ultra-Interactive Attraction at Epcot Immerses Walt Disney World Guests In the High-Tech World of Disney’s Kim Possible
Epcot guests at Walt Disney World Resort will be treated to a brand new, highly interactive attraction inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning animated series, Disney’s Kim Possible. The new experience is slated to premiere in late 2008.
Using the latest technology, Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure invites guests of all ages to become secret agents, teaming up with members of Team Possible to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions.
As guests embark on this international adventure, they will receive an official “Kimmunicator,” at kiosks throughout Epcot. The interactive, handheld device is designed to help them maneuver through the mission. Using state-of-the-art technology, the interactive device connects guests with a variety of Kim Possible characters who provide clues to stop villains from taking over the world. The highly interactive devices also allow guests to control top-secret equipment hidden inside the World Showcase pavilions, creating an ultra-interactive adventure jam-packed with mystery and excitement.
Guests can play Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure in seven of the World Showcase pavilions: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom. Each pavilion features a unique mission including distinctive visual events and a different super villain from the animated series.
"Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure is an example of a next generation attraction that offers fun and excitement for the entire family," said Jim MacPhee, Epcot vice president. "We are constantly exploring new ways to provide immersive experiences to Epcot guests, and this new offering will add to our dynamic portfolio."
“Today’s emerging generation expects more immersive, personal and interactive experiences in every facet of their lives, including their entertainment choices,” added Bruce Vaughn, chief creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering. “As leaders in family entertainment, Disney theme parks push the envelope by combining state-of-the-art technology with creative storytelling to enhance the overall Disney vacation experience.”
Epcot is a place of innovation, imagination, human achievement and endless possibilities. The park encompasses two “lands” of discovery: Future World, a showcase of new ideas and technology, and World Showcase, a kaleidoscope of nations celebrating cultural heritage, arts and entertainment. For more information, guests may call 407/824-4321 or visit disneyworld.com.
Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure will open at Walt Disney World Resort during “The Year of a Million Dreams” celebration.
A worldwide hit for kids and families, Disney's "Kim Possible" is an Emmy Award-winning animated series from creators/executive producers Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle and Walt Disney Television Animation. It tells the story of an average high school cheerleader, Kim Possible, who, in her spare time, happens to save the world from super villains. With the aid of her enthusiastic pals, this contemporary heroine is capable in ways few high school students ever imagine. On the flipside, she realizes that defeating the bad guys comes easier than coping with the typical teen pressures of schooling and socializing. Viewers' connection to "Kim Possible" led to a successful off-TV franchise for The Walt Disney Company including Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable characters at Disney Parks & Resorts, DVDs, books, video games and Disney Consumer Product's line of "Kim Possible" branded products available at mass retailers nationwide

EPCOT'S 25th Birthday

As the 25th birthday of Epcot arrives Monday October 1, 2007, many people are discussing the vision that Walt Disney had for EPCOT. Walt was never able to see his EPCOT dreams come to life, as he died before the park opened in 1982. EPCOT has since become one of the most visited theme parks in the world. The article below details the vision for EPCOT and the future plans for the park.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flaepcot0930nbsep30,0,2148088.story

More Reviews of the Haunted Mansion Updates

More details of the Haunted Mansion updates and the new souvenir collector pins that are available in limited edition marking the ride updates.


http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=38607

Epcot to Expand Restaurants

Epcot is looking to expand their full service restaurant offerings. Epcot has already introduced a new restaurant in they Italy pavilion this year and will do the same in Japan. They will also change the restaurant in Mexico to offer a tequila bar. Unlike most theme parts restaurants play a big part in the overall appeal of Epcot. These restaurants not only attract tourist, but locals with season passes can also have a great dinner night as well.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/travel/20070923_Restaurants_rival_rides.html

Disney Going Healthy

Disney announced that it has partnered with King Parrot Foods, a UK company that sells smoothies. Disney is attempting to phase out foods and drinks that fail to meet new nutrition criteria. King Parrot Foods founder Noel Davis said he thinks the company will sell more than three million smoothies between now and Christmas.

I hope this doesn't mean that Disney will stop selling the Mickey Eskimo Pies.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/business-news/2007/09/19/parrot-do-disney-deal-100252-19813657/

Disney Plans 25th Birthday Party for Epcot

Disney announced that it will hold a public Epcot re-dedication party on October 1, 2007. This will be an observation of Epcot's 25th anniversary. Disney originally planned for an employees only celebration, that would focus on the 300 employees that opened the park 25 years ago and still work there. The celebration will include a special "IlluminNations" light show at the end of the day and retro souvenirs. The full article is linked below.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-epcot18sep18,0,2123580.story?coll=orl-home-headlines