Diana – The people’s princess the new exhibit is now open. It occupies the old Virgin Mega store in the West Side part of Downtown Disney. There are many artefacts on display along with some of her dresses. The exhibit covers the whole of the downstairs part of the building. It charts her life from child to icon.

Admission is $14.50 (ages 10 and above), $5 for ages 3-9. Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. The exhibit will be at Downtown Disney through Nov. 30, 2009.

President Obama has now joined the revamped Hall of Presidents in Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom. The show is to reopen on the 4th July.

There have also been some new speeches added A film narrated by Morgan Freeman with video of presidents speaking during turbulent times, including Lyndon Johnson after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing and George W. Bush encouraging citizens at ground zero after 9-11. Midway through the film, a screen lifts to reveal the animatronic Abraham Lincoln, alone on the stage. He now delivers the full Gettysburg Address.

A new attraction at Downtown Disney featuring a balloon that carries guests up to 400 ft giving views of all around Walt Disney World has opened at Downtown Disney. One word of warning though, you could be waiting in line a long time if it is a little windy. The attraction operates on a “weather permitting” basis. Given the amount of thunderstorms around the area in the Summer I would say it will be closed quite a lot.

It works on a scale so if the wind speed is between 12 – 22 mph there will be fewer than 10 riders and each round trip lasts 10 minutes so by that calculation there wont be many people going through the attraction in an hour. If it gets much windier than that then the flight is grounded. Don’t forget it might just be breezy where you are stood but up at 400 ft it could be quite strong.

 

The restaurant Spoodles is being replaced on Disney’s boardwalk. The new restaurant to take it’s place is Kouzzina (Greek for “kitchen” and pronounced “koo-zee-nah”) It is being opened by Cat Cora and will feature Mediterranean style food. Kouzzina will be owned and operated by Walt Disney World.

 

It appears that Sea Worlds manta Roller Coaster is now testing using “Water Dummies” to add weight. It is due to open on May 22nd the weekend before Memorial Day.

Here are some stats on Manta

Top speed: 56 mph

3 trains seating 32 people each.

4 inversions.

Max drop: 113 feet. Max height: 140 feet.

Ride length: 2 minutes, 35 seconds. Track length: 3,359 feet.

Wing span: 12 feet.

There is a new Farmers market open on the corner of Sand Lake Road and Turkey Lake Road. It is sponsored by the Whole Foods Market It is open every Saturday from 9am till 2pm.

From the Orlando Sentinel 29th May 2008

For its next big attraction, "Manta," SeaWorld Orlando intends to mix 184,000 gallons of water, 3,000 sea animals and a roller coaster that puts riders in a prone position, then takes them through four inversions and as high as 140 feet and as fast as 56 mph.

"You say, 'Hey, you're putting as much emphasis on the animals as on the ride.' Absolutely. That's who we are. This is uniquely SeaWorld. We don't want to just put in a ride," said Joseph Couceiro, chief marketing officer for SeaWorld's parent company, Busch Entertainment Corporation.

SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Entertainment officials today announced details today for the new Manta roller coaster, which they said will seamlessly take guests from the awe of encountering rays in underwater flight into the sensation of actually being one.

Swooping over water and sky, Manta will show riders underwater animal habitats, then soar them face-down aboard a manta-inspired flying coaster, donned in hues of dark purple, ultramarine blue and cobalt.