WDWCelebrations Hits The Road To Celebrate “Fifty-Five”

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

WDWCelebrations Heads West in 2010 to present “Fifty-Five”, a WDWCelebrations Commemorative Event Honoring the 55th Anniversary of Disneyland®

Orlando, FL, July 15, 2009 – WDWCelebrations is pleased to announce an exciting new Commemorative Event for 2010, celebrating the historic 55th anniversary of Disneyland® Park in Anaheim, California. Dubbed “Fifty-Five”, this Commemorative Event takes place Thursday through Saturday, July 15th to July 17th, 2010, and will be produced in association with our newest partner, WindowtotheMagic.

During the organization’s longest and largest Commemorative Event to date, guests will be able to enjoy favorite WDWCelebrations signature offerings such as history walks, scavenger hunts, group rides, group meals, and, of course, a few very special surprises. This event will encompass the entire Disneyland® Resort, offering fans a taste of the West Coast Disney with an East Coast twist.

WDWCelebrations warmly welcomes WindowtotheMagic to our family of treasured partners.  Paul Barrie, Jr. and his team currently produce the internet’s preeminent Disney audio podcast “A WindowtotheMagic,” as well as numerous fan DVDs.  Paul has been creating Disney-related content for the internet since 1996.

Jason Diffendal, Co-Founder of WDWCelebrations, remarks, “We are constantly looking at new opportunities to bring like-minded Disney fans together to celebrate. We couldn’t pass up an opportunity to celebrate the fifty-five years since 1955 when Walt realized his dream.  Disneyland® is Walt’s place and sets the stage for what is sure to be a spectacular event!”

Jackie Steele, Core Team Member of WDWCelebrations, adds, “Our past events have focused on the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida, but this is the perfect occasion to recognize Walt Disney’s first theme park masterpiece, the one that started it all.  We are also very excited to be working with Paul Barrie Jr. and his talented team for this event.  Paul does such a great job with his podcast, and it will be a pleasure to have him on our team.”

Registration for this event will open in December 2009.  More information about the event will be released in the coming months via the WDWCelebrations.com website and newsletter as well as the WDWCelebrations official fan page on Facebook and the WDWCelebrations Twitter feed.

About WDWCelebrations, L. L. C.

WDWCelebrations, L. L. C. is a Florida-based organization created by Disney fans, dedicated to “celebrating the magic of the past, present, and future, together.”  WDWCelebrations was founded by the organizers of Celebration 25, which commemorated the 25th anniversary of Epcot® in 2007.  WDWCelebrations Commemorative Events are designed to celebrate milestones in Disney park history.  More information about WDWCelebrations and its events can be found at http://www.wdwcelebrations.com.

About “A WindowtotheMagic”

WindowtotheMagic is owned and operated by Paul Barrie, Jr.  Paul has been creating Disney-related content for the internet since 1996, and visits Disneyland® many times a year to record audio and video for his podcast, “A WindowtotheMagic.”  More information can be found at http://www.windowtothemagic.com.

Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney World® Resort are registered trademarks of The Walt Disney Company.

Chuck Canzoneri’s 7/6/09 Photo Report

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Chuck Canzoneri returns with a new Disneyland Resort photo report:

Lots of unexpected barriers up. Behind these tarps, some fresh asphalt had been laid in

Loading to the left, unloading the right. Hopefully this’ll make things work much more smoothly

Looks like some freshly painted railings around the Hub

The railings surrounding the Matterhorn were so freshly painted at rope drop…

…the painters were still there

Read More about Chuck Canzoneri’s 7/6/09 Photo Report

DLR Photo Report – 7/6/09

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

I’m back from a wonderful evening trip yesterday to the Disneyland Resort. Even though I visited both parks, this photo report only covers Mickey and Friends and Disney’s California Adventure. So let’s get to this photo report:

Some work going on at the Mickey and Friends Tram Station. The tram only loads on the right side at the moment

As I got into DCA, the Pixar Play Parade started, so here are some photos

The Ratatouile unit has finally returned to the parade

Read More about DLR Photo Report – 7/6/09

Tom Corless’ DLR Pin Report From The Museum of Pintiquities

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Tom Corless of WDW News Today attended last weekend’s Museum of Pintiquities pin celebration in Walt Disney World, which provided some exciting previews of pins coming soon to the Disneyland Resort. Here are some of his photos:

The upcoming Piece of History pins include the Main Street Train Station, the Emporium, and the Swiss Family Treehouse. Upcoming Walt’s Classic Collection sets include Bambi (out tomorrow), Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmations, and Cinderella

The next Celebrate Everyday pins include Maleficant, the Cheshire Cat, Goofy and Donald, the Hitchhiking Ghosts, and (it looks like) the Queen of Hearts). Upcoming Pin Trading Knights pins include Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Jack Skellington, Pluto, and Stitch

The first of what I’m sure will be many World of Color pins. This pin set featuring art currently on the construction walls for the show will be released on July 23rd

D23 Expo member exclusive pin

Read More about Tom Corless’ DLR Pin Report From The Museum of Pintiquities

July 4th Trip Planner

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

To prepare everyone visiting the Disneyland Resort during this holiday weekend, I wanted to go over the entertainment schedule for July 4th, as well as the park hours, to make sure everyone can successfully see what they want to see:

  • Disneyland will be open from 8:00am to 12:00am all weekend.
  • “Celebrate! A Street Party” will be performed every day at 3:30pm and 6:30pm.
  • The special fourth of July holiday fireworks show, “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky”, will be performed at 9:25pm starting tonight and running through Sunday night. According to D23, the shows on July 2nd, 3rd, and 5th will be a condensed version, only 8 minutes long, compared to the full show on July 4th which is 13 minutes long and will have much more pyro. The regular fireworks show, Magical, will return on Monday.
  • Fantasmic will have three performances on July 4th, at 9:00pm, 10:30pm, and 11:30pm.
  • Suburban Legends will be performing through-out the night on July 4th at the TLT Dance Club, beginning at 7:00pm.
  • Disney’s California Adventure will be open from 10:00am to 10:00pm on July 4th.
  • The Pixar Play Parade will be performed as usual at 5:15pm.
  • Disney’s Electrical Parade will also be performed at its usual time of 8:45pm.

If you are planning to visit the Disneyland Resort this weekend, be aware crowds will be massive. Disneyland may even be closed in the afternoon due to the park reaching capacity, and you’ll be re-directed to DCA. Parking may also be an isssue, as I explained in this recent post. For the full entertainment schedule on July 4th, which includes smaller entertainment venues around the parks, click HERE.

And So It Begins…

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Some helpful information for everyone planning to use Disneyland parking lots during their next visit. According to the Disney’s California Adventure Project Tracker, the Timon parking lot will be closing permanently on July 6th to make room for additional backstage work, as well as eventually to begin construction on Cars Land. My advice on parking is to go straight to Mickey and Friends, as that will now be your easiest option. Keep in mind though that Disney may re-direct you to other parking lots, such as Buzz Lightyear, Simba, the Anaheim GardenWalk, the Anaheim Convention Center, etc.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest on the 1 billion dollar refurbishment to Disney’s California Adventure.

Back In Time To 1955…

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Even though this year’s summer pin festival, The Haunted Mansion O-Pin House is still going strong through August 9th, Disney aren’t wasting any time in announcing next year’s summer pin festival, which seems to either be called Happiest Memories on Earth or Dateline Disneyland 1955. From the What’s HapPINing blog on DisneyPins.com:

The theme of Disney Summer Pin Festival 2010 at Disneyland® Resort was also shared. Next year marks the 55th Anniversary of the Disneyland® Resort. The Summer Festival will invite Guests to return to the grand opening Press Event on July 17, 1955 and remember their “Happiest Memories on Earth.” Below is a logo from the event. Steven said that in the coming months, Guests should look for the stylized Sleeping Beauty Castle icon buried on various page on DisneyPins.com. When you click on the icon, it will unlock secrets of this Festival.

Be sure to tune in to the only podcast dedicated to Disney Pin Trading, The Disney Pincast, in the coming months for information on 2010’s exciting summer pin festival.

The Rest of The Year at The Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

As Summer Nightastic! lights up the night this summer at Disneyland Resort, more exciting Disney attractions and experiences are on the horizon.

GET A DISNEY STUDIO STAR MAKEOVER AT STUDIO DISNEY 365
Opening Friday, June 26, in Downtown Disney, Studio Disney 365 offers aspiring stars, age 3 and up, makeover transformations and an opportunity to walk the carpet for a grand, show-business-style entrance. Girls and boys can choose from a range of “rock star” hair, makeup and costume options for their own scene-stealing experience, inspired by the characters from “Hannah Montana.”

HOT AND COLD RUNNING CHILLS
The summer-long celebration of a Disneyland landmark, Haunted Mansion, begins in June with the roll-out of new Haunted Mansion-themed additions to the popular Disney pin-trading program. On Sunday, Aug. 9, the 40th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion opening, the popular artist Shag will be in the Disneyana shop on Main Street, U.S.A. signing his new Haunted Mansion artwork. www.artofdisney.com

DISNEY UP CLOSE AND BEHIND THE SCENES AT D23 EXPO
D23, the official community for Disney fans, will present its first-ever D23 Expo Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 10-13, at the Anaheim Convention Center near Disneyland Resort. D23 Expo will offer fans unprecedented access to never-before-seen movies, TV shows, theme park experiences, collectibles and more. Early glimpses of upcoming new Disney movies, a look ahead to new vacation destinations and theme park attractions (including the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure) and an extraordinary exhibition of classic and contemporary Disney artifacts will be among the highlights of D23 Expo. In addition, D23 Expo will be the home for the 2009 Disney Legend Awards, a 22-year tradition that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to Disney entertainment. For more information, visit www.D23EXPO.com.

DISNEY VACATION CLUB COMES WEST
Disney Vacation Club’s first accommodations on the West Coast will welcome its first occupants on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The 50 two-bedroom-equivalent vacation villas are part of a Grand Californian expansion that also includes 200 new hotel rooms, a new swimming pool and underground parking. Bookings begin in June for the first Disney Vacation Club on the West Coast.

THE RETURN OF DISNEY GALLERY AND MR. LINCOLN
Long a favorite of Disney fans and collectors of Disney art, the Disney Gallery will reopen this fall in a new home next to the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland in the space originally occupied by the Bank of Main Street. Later in the year, the Opera House next door will reopen with the inspiring and newly refurbished The Disneyland Story featuring Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. Opening dates will be determined later this year.

HOLIDAY FAVORITES
Of course, Disneyland Resort will also celebrate the fall and winter holidays this year. Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort returns beginning Friday, Sept. 25, with Haunted Mansion Holiday, Candy Corn Acres, Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party and some new, scary surprises. Beginning in late November, Holidays at Disneyland Resort will bring back “A Christmas Fantasy” parade,” it’s a small world Holiday” and all the special holiday décor that transforms Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks into a holiday wonderland.

Enter the Pixie Hollow Summer Vacation Sweepstakes

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Enter for your chance to meet Tinker Bell and see the Disneyland® Resort in a whole new light as Summer Nightastic generates high-energy excitement, from June 12 through August 23!

Fairies fans will be mesmerized by Pixie Hollow Enchantment, an after dark, twinkling light show that unites the Fairies’ hidden talents in a celebration of summer.  Watch in awe as pixie dust cascades across the landscape and playful fountains spring to life. This special summertime event features favorite nighttime entertainment re-imagined with spectacular state-of-the art effects – plus an all-new fireworks show.

Fairies fans will delight in a more-dazzling-than-ever Disney’s Electrical Parade, led by Tinker Bell in a brand-new scene, and with two classic scenes making their triumphant return!

ENTER NOW for your chance to win a family vacation for four to experience Summer Nightastic*.  One lucky winner will enjoy:

  • A special meet-n-greet with Tinker Bell
  • Four 4-day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper Tickets
  • Accommodations at a Disneyland® Resort hotel
  • Round-Trip airfare for the winner and three guests

For the full contest rules and to enter for a chance to win, visit www.PixieHollow.com (click on the “News and Events” tab and then the “Contests” button) and then log in between now and June 29, 2009 11:59 AM PST.

* Travel must be completed by August 23, 2009, to experience the Summer Nightastic offerings.

Myrna Litt’s 6/16/09 Photo Report

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Myrna Litt brings us a great report which includes both of California Adventure’s great parades! Let’s get to her photo report:

The new billboards for Summer Nightastic at the Mickey and Friends Tram Station

It was incredibly busy on Monday and Tuesday, as they were 2 of few days this summer that the SoCal and SoCal Select Annual Passholders can see the new entertainment for Summer Nightastic

Some painting going on in the Hub

Read More about Myrna Litt’s 6/16/09 Photo Report