Every week…check that, each and every single day, I get a great number of emails asking me different questions regarding the current and future happenings at Walt Disney World. There are those questions though, that come my way and wonder things that aren’t necessarily newsworthy, current, or run-of-the-mill. Still, they are extremely important and very good, so that’s why it was time to start a weekly series called: Ask Doctor Disney.
In each “Ask Doctor Disney” column, I’ll answer some of the questions that have come my way via the Doctor Disney Facebook page or email. Please feel free to send any questions you may have my way.
No questions are ever stupid or too easy or pointless. “Ask Doctor Disney” is all about answering things that may not be commonly known and if you want to know the answer, then consider it important.
~ Terri: Where are the absolute best hidden places to watch the fireworks? We found one – outside stairwell 14th floor of the Contemporary resort! Do you know of others?
You found one of the great ones, Terri, but there are others.
One of the best places to watch the fireworks (Wishes at Magic Kingdom) from would be from the beaches of Disney’s Polynesian Resort. While there, hang out a bit longer and check out the Electrical Water Pageant which Kimberly spoke of once before. You’ll even have the music pumped in for the full effect.
Believe it or not, heading high up into the outside stairwells of Walt Disney World’s Dolphin Resort can provide a far away, but still incredible view of Wishes.
Honestly? One of my favorite places is inside Magic Kingdom, but not really near Cinderella Castle. Head back into New Fantasyland and stand in front of Eric’s Castle. You’ll be extremely close to where the fireworks are set off and have an amazing view.
~ Cory: Will they ever bring back River Country water park? Why was it closed?
Unfortunately, there are no plans to ever bring back River Country or even any for a third water park anytime soon. Never say never, but I don’t see it happening, and it’s been closed since November 2001, but officially closed “forever” in 2005.
There are a number of rumors out there as to why River Country closed, but there are also a number of reasons that it did close.
Sinking attendance had a big part in it. There is also the fact that the health department in Florida requires all public swimming locations be chlorinated. With River Country using water from Bay Lake, that wasn’t possible and not healthy.
~ Jill: Now that Fantasyland has expanded and they’ve redone Mickey’s Toontown Fair, what happen to Mickey and Minnie’s houses? Have they moved them or just taken them away from the parks?
The houses of Mickey and Minnie (along with Donald’s Boat) are no more. They were not moved to another location or put into storage. There was going to be no call for them to be used ever again so Disney simply demolished them.
~ Kevin: Why is there music from ET in the music loop at The Land? Reminds you of the competition and confuses others.
The background music in The Land is actually a large collection of instrumental themes, and most of them actually don’t even come from Disney films. Yes, “ET” is on the loop as are a number of other films that aren’t from Disney Studios, but the same thing happens over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios when you’ll occasionally hear music loops from “Superman,” “Harry Potter,” and others.
Up until Soarin’ debuted in 2005, the interior music loop for The Land had been tracks about moons, the sky, planets, the sun, and more. Now, it takes themes from films, and at different points, you can hear:
- THE TUNNEL James Newton Howard Dave Soundtrack
- DOUBLE DIVIDE Thomas Newman The Horse Whisperer Soundtrack
- HARRIET’S PORTRAIT Rachel Portman Emma Soundtrack
- END TITLES PART I Patrick Doyle Shipwrecked Soundtrack
- THE BANQUET John Williams Hook Soundtrack
- WELCOME TO TSAVO Jerry Goldsmith The Ghost & The Darkness S/T
- MAIN TITLE William Ross My Dog Skip Soundtrack
- OUT OF AFRICA John Barry In Session A Film Music
- MAIN TITLES James Newton Howard Dave Soundtrack
- LOVE EVERLASTING William Ross Tuck Everlasting
- MAIN TITLES Rachel Portman Emma Soundtrack
- ONE FAMILY AGAIN Graeme Revell The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
- EMMA DREAMS OF FRANK CHURCHILL Rachel Portman Emma Soundtrack
- FAREWELL NEVERLAND John Williams Hook Soundtrack
- BIG FISH (TITLES) Danny Elfman Big Fish Soundtrack
- END CREDITS James Horner Field of Dreams Soundtrack
- MAIN CREDITS James Newton Howard Waterworld Soundtrack
- END CREDITS Rachel Portman Cider House Rules Soundtrack
- TENNESSEE Hans Zimmer Pearl Harbor Soundtrack
- THE TAO OF JEET KUNE DO Randy Edelman Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
- A LAND FILLED WITH WONDER Mark Isham A River Runs Through It S/T
- OVER THE MOON (from ET) John Williams Movie Greats
- WILL HUNTING (Main Titles) Danny Elfman Good Will Hunting Soundtrack
- CORA Randy Edelman The Last of the Mohicans S/T
- MAIN TITLE James Newton Howard The Prince of Tides Soundtrack
