This system will allow guests to make reservations via the web as an alternative to the current 407-WDW-DINE reservaction phone line system. As more information is available on this system, we’ll bring it to you!

Author’s note: Netcot.com makes a point of reporting only stories that have been confirmed by reliable sources, however in this case, we are releasing this story as a rumor until it can be confirmed “on-the-record” by a Disney spokesperson. We are posting the story as it comes to us from a reliable source close to the Disney company who asked to not be named at this time.

The Show Biz Spy is reporting that Brittany Murphy has been released by Disney and will no longer be the voice of Tinker Bell in the upcoming movie. She was hired in 2006 to provide the voice in the upcoming animated film but has been replaced by 19 year old Mae Whitman. Disney has not given any explanation for her release and is another delay in the production for the film.

This week, a letter from Marty Sklar the Executive Vice President for Walt Disney Imagineering, appeared on Disney fan sites all over the internet. The letter (found here) states that Sklar and others at WDI have been carefully considering what to do with the classic “Its a Small World” attraction for many months.

He points out that Disneyland was open no more than 24 hours before Walt began “plussing” it, and in that spirit, WDI continues to look for opportunities to plus classic attractions. He reminds us about the recent updates to Pirates of the Caribbean which have been praised for their successful, careful plussing that left it truly better than its previous iteration.

Sklar also clears up some inaccurate rumors in his letter stating that changes such as adding Mickey and Minnie Mouse are simply “not true.” He ends with a commitment that they are not turning the attraction into “a Marketing pitch for Disney plush toys” which many rumors have suggested.

I rarely make editorial comments on Netcot, but I’m going to make one now. First, I’m suddenly OK with the idea of changes to this classic attraction. It is clear that Disney is treating IASM as a classic that should be improved where appropriate but within the guidelines of the original intent of this attraction. They intend to honor the original design styles (of Disney legend Mary Blair) and plus it in a way that retains the core theme while making it more relevant to today’s audiences (many of whom couldn’t describe what the World’s Fair was without first accessing Wikipedia).

Second, I am impressed with Sklar’s willingness to address these rumors and clear things up. Disney fan sites run rampant with rumors and they often have a way of subconsciously seeping into our perceptions about Disney, influencing them in inaccurate and negative ways. When Disneyland was first built, Walt took to television to get the message out and tell his fans all about what they could expect in the upcoming months/years. I feel its more important than ever for Disney to do this same thing today to counter the easy proliferation of rumors through the internet.

I applaud Disney for submitting a letter like this and my trust in WDI Imagineers to preside over the estate of classic Disney attractions has been fully restored.

According to TMZ, Disney will be adding signature characters to “it’s a small world” at Disneyland in California. From people familiar with the plan, they will be adding characters like Abu (from Aladdin) to the Middle Eastern area, Nemo (from Finding Nemo) in the Undersea area and Stitch in the Polynesian area. Imagineers are also reported to be working on the new pieces to put into the ride.

Disney is currently testing using a Nintendo DS as a interactive guide in the parks. Guests get a cartridge that contains the information and software from the park. The Disney system is fully GPS enabled and knows where you are located and displays a visual map and character locater. Like Pal Mickey, the system shows trivia, ride information and queue times.

Click here to view screen shots of the system.

Spaceship Earth’s update is said to feature Steve Jobs creating the Apple Computer in his garage but does not include co-founder Steve Wozniak. The scene takes place in a garage with a bearded man working on an early prototype of a computer.

The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ ride at Disneyland was shut down for 45 minutes last week when a woman sprinkled a powder onto the water. Officials were unable to discover what was poured into the water because it was dissolved too quickly. Several sources have indicated that the woman was sprinkling cremated remains into the water. The rider had indicated she dumped baby powder into the water.

“I can tell you that we do get people from time to time asking for permission to sprinkle ashes. Our policy is when we are asked for permission, we deny the request,” a Disney spokesman said; “Beyond that, we don’t know.”

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After posting an article on Netcot.com titled ‘All Dining Transactions At Walt Disney World Will Include 18% Gratuity‘, We received an e-mail from Zoraya Suarez, A Disney Spokeswoman, indicating the included gratuity will only be for Disney Dining Experience members. Suarez additionally indicated that “this is not a policy change across property for regular day guests or individuals on the dining plan.”

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Starting January 1, 2008, an 18% gratuity will be added to all dining transactions at Walt Disney World. This new policy will affect all dining across the property including resorts and hotels no matter the size of the party. This was released in an e-mail sent out to Disney Dining Experience members on November 9th. The full message of the e-mail can be viewed by clicking the link below for the forums.

Update: 11/9/2007

The change evidently is only for Disney Dining Experience Members. Please see the updated article ‘Disney Dining Experience Meals At Walt Disney World Will Include 18% Gratuity‘

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Both the Variety and The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that an upcoming movie, Snow and the Seven, will include actress Natalie Portman and actor Jet Li in an East-meets-West version of Snow White. Francis Lawrence is said to be the director for the film and Yuen Woon-Ping will be the fight choreographer (of the Matrix and Kill Bill).

The plot for the movie is that Snow White would be a 19th century British girl in Hong Kong who is trained by seven Shaolin monks in the ways of kung-fo to defeat an evil force.

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