With the record-setting success of High School Musical, it is no surprise that Disney's park division wants a little piece of that pie as well. A live show based on the original movie will close on both coasts to make way for a brand new one inspired by the sequel. HSM 2 will be performed daily at both Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim and the Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando. And sorry, guys and gals, but Zac Efron will not be in it.Also at the park that will soon be known as Disney's Hollywood Studios, rumors are swirling around my beloved Great Movie Ride, including the removal of Johnny Weismuller's Tarzan (who does swing both ways) and the replacement of the Alien scene with one from ... The Lord of the Rings ??!! Elsewhere in the Studios, word has it that a Ratatouille-themed coaster (in the style of the Finding Nemo one at Disneyland Paris) may make its home in the newly christened "Pixar Place" area of the park.
Big changes are underway over at Epcot, which will reportedly revert back to its original moniker "EPCOT Center" in the near future. Martin Short is the star of the new Canadian Circlevision film and the "Muppet Mobile Labs" recently made an appearance prior to jetting over to Hong Kong Disneyland. Plus, during the International Food and Wine Festival, guests will be able to enjoy "Beats While You Eat", with such live musical acts as Sheena Easton, Juice Newton and ... the Village People ??!!
In more Disneyland news, Tomorrowland may get yet another makeover, this time themed to Star Wars. And don't forget the park's "unofficial" Gay Days are coming in October.
And finally: Both US Universal Studios theme parks have closed their Back to the Future rides in preparation for the upcoming Simpsons-themed attraction. D'oh!
Links via Screamscape.com, OrlandoSentinel.com, RCDB.com, TheDisneyBlog.com, LaughingPlace.com and GayDaysAnaheim.com.
- Hunky Sam J. Jones squares off against hammy Max von Sydow in this sci fi camp classic, finally available on DVD in a "Savior of the Universe" edition.