It has been rumored for some time now, but I’m hearing buzz that there might be an official announcement as early as this week that Disney is indeed bringing Cars Land to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! The area would likely cover the area now occupied by the Studio Backlot Tour and the Lights! Camera! Action! Extreme Stunt Show. I, for one, am thrilled at this new, as it will save my family a large chunk of change that we probably have dropped in the next year on a trip to the West Coast to see the original Cars Land. As it is, we’ll likely hold out for the much closer Orlando version.

While I tend to be a traditionalist and often cling to older attractions–especially those that are original to any Park–I think the Backlot Tour has definitely overstayed its welcome. If there were any amount of realism or actual studio backlot insight to be gained from the attraction, I might feel differently. But since very little work is actually being done on the site–and almost no filming, other than promotional materials–the attraction has lost its credibility. It’s time for it to go. And, well, I never really cared for the stunt show, so I’m OK with that too. These two will be a small price to pay for the awesomeness that will be Cars Land.

I’m checking sites and getting some last-minute info before we head out to see the Mouse. Since I’ve become aware of several readers who are also going to WDW next week, I thought I’d share a few things that we’re looking forward to, or are going to look into, on our trip:

• There’s a rumour that the talking Mickey might be making appearances for the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year. We hope to stop by Town Square Theatre in the late afternoon on either Tuesday or Friday (nights of parties) in case he shows up early!
• Some guests are getting previews of the new Fantasyland attraction, Enchanted Tales with Belle. I specifically read that guests exiting Mickey’s Philharmagic have been offerred this experience. You can bet that we’ll be hitting MP at least once on the trip, in hopes of getting a preview!
• The NextGen FastPass technology is also currently being tested by some guests (you would be informed prior to arrival). While we haven’t been chosen, I intend to spy on those who have–or, at least get a look at the machines and try to see how everything works.
• We just happen to be arriving at the Art of Animation Resort on the day the Ariel section opens. I don’t know if there are any opening-day plans, but we intend to arrive as early as possible (which won’t be very early, as we’re driving from Atlanta that day) and hope to join any festivities.
• Our girls are definitely planning to visit with the newest Disney Fairy on the block, Periwinkle, at TinkerBell’s Magical Nook (Magic Kingdom).
• For the first time, I’m actually going to take my iPod into the Parks and take advantage of the newly-added free wifi! And I’ll be trying out the new “My Disney Experience” app too!
• Finally, I’m going to talk to every Cast Member I can–those I know and those I don’t–and try to get any hints they can offer on rumors that are flying around (too many to list here). Sure, most of them will be guessing, just like the rest of us. Still, it’s fun to hear what those on the inside think about the possible changes and additions around the World.

FASTPASS+ doesn’t appear to be going away, if you read anything into the latest rumors in the blogosphere. It seems that after testing the system with some 4000+ guests last week, Disney is considering how the system might expand to include quick service dining establishments for guests who carry smart phones. Possible applications would include previewing menus, ordering meals, arranging a pick-up time, and even paying for the meal–all via smart phone app.

The definite up-side to this plan is that it allows guests to multi-task–to make lunch or dinner plans while waiting in line. Yes, this will definitely save time for some.  There are, however, some possible negative ramifications. For starters, how about those poor folks who don’t have a smart phone (like me–although my husband does)? Will this make what looks like a short line at Cosmic Ray’s turn into a 30-minute wait to receive your food? And even if you do have a smart phone, how long would you be able to use a highly-sophisticated app without running down your battery entirely? And finally, I’ll just throw this one out there: isn’t it all just a bit elitist? The beauty of the current FASTPASS system is that it’s very simple to use, and it’s available to everyone. There’s talk that FASTPASS+ will be offered–at least initially–only to those staying in Deluxe Resorts. Does that apply to this dining aspect as well? Or will the app be offered for a fee?

There are still a lot of questions, and this is obviously still in the planning stage. I am very open to new technology–and I love the idea of smart phones making things easier for guests. My real concern lies in whether this minimize the experience for the average guest while Disney offers a a superior guest experience for those who can afford to pay for it. Walt Disney World should be experienced fully by all guests–not just those who

I have two juicy tidbits. One is all-but-confirmed (just waiting on an official announement/date), while the other is largely speculation but seems likely enough to post. Here are the two totally unrelated bits of info:

• Free wifi is coming to the Value Resorts! Considering some folks have been reporting that they already have been able to log on for free at Pop Century, it’s very likely only a matter of time before the All-Star Resorts are also on board. And I would certainly expect Art of Animation to offer free wifi at opening. Expect a c0mpletion date to be posted soon.
• I am reading that Avatar Land may be nixed before Disney every breaks ground on the project. Rumor has it that James Cameron and Disney are having a few…um…”creative differences” on certain attraction ideas. Making matters worse, both sequels to the blockbuster movie are rumored to be behind schedule and not likely to get back on track, given Cameron’s reputation as a perfectionist. Did I mention this is a rumor? Still…without the new material and cross-marketing potential, and factoring in the public’s negative–or apathetic, at best–attitude toward the whole project, it’s possible we might see Disney quietly shelve this project. That said, I have also read just the opposite–that this rumor is completely false. Still, we can hope, right?

That’s all my speculation for today. I’ll let you know if/when any of this comes to fruition.

On the tails of the recent re-release of The Lion King in theatres–and its obvious success–Disney has just announced the theatrical re-release of several more Disney and Pixar films. They will all be available in 3D, which seems to be the new norm for Disney. Here are the dates:

• Beauty and the Beast: Jan. 13, 2012
• Finding Nemo: Sept. 14, 2012
• Monsters, Inc.: Jan. 18, 2013
• The Little Mermaid: Sept. 13, 2013

And, although this is merely speculation, I did see an additional list (a comment on a fan site, so take it for what it’s worth) that takes the schedule through 2017. These releases include: Aladdin (Jan. 2014), The Incredibles (Sept. 2014), Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 (Jan. 2015), Sleeping Beauty (Sept. 2015), Alice in Wonderland (Jan. 2016), Pocahontas (Sept. 2016), Mulan (Jan. 2017), and Treasure Planet (Sept. 2017). If this is accurate, I would expect these to all get the 3D treatment as well.

Does anyone out there remember the days when you actually had to wait for a theatrical re-release if you wanted to see an old movie again? Ya know, the days before VCRs and DVD and Blu-ray players? Fun times! Although my girls are big fans of all of these movies, it will be the first time they see most of them on the big screen. They’ll have to wait almost two years for the one they’re most excited about (Little Mermaid), so I hope their enthusiasm for Princess movies doesn’t wane before then!

If rumors are to be trusted, Test Track may be seeing some significant changes in 2012. GM is in talks to extend their current sponsorship through 2022, and part of the deal includes a major overhaul of the attraction. In the proposed scenario, the basic track of the ride would remain, but pretty much everything else would change. And here’s a really interesting tidbit: the ride vehicles are to be designed by GM’s design, research, and development group–not by Disney Imagineers.

The attraction would still have the same basic theme–a look inside the world of vehicle design, development, production, and testing–but the new version would include some of the original ideas and history that were a part of the original World of Motion attraction.

As far as when the attraction will actually close to begin this grand refurbishment, expect to see it happening soemtime in the first half of 2012.