Tinkerbelle Dark Ride?

WDWNT on April 25, 2008

The OC Register has an interview up with Ed Grier, the president of the Disneyland Resort. In this interview, Ed talks about some of the expansion plans for the resort as a whole. Most of it is stuff we’ve all heard before… But this isn’t:

A Tinker Bell attraction will open at Disneyland in October. This was the first time Grier mentioned the attraction, and he was short on details. All he would say is that “we know how special she is to all our guests” and that she will be in Disneyland in October. That timing coincides with the Oct. 28 Disney DVD and Blu-ray release of “Tinker Bell,” the first in a new franchise of original movies that include the Peter Pan-movie character along with other fairies.

This new attraction will be a dark ride, & unfortunately or not, will replace either Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs or Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. Expect either one of those 2 to be announced to close soon, because if Ed says it, it’s gotta be true!

Of course these plans could change at anytime, so stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for further developments!

Monorail Red Opening Pushed Back

WDWNT on April 25, 2008

From the OC Register:

Just got word today that the new Monorail Red train will not open to the public this Friday.

Disney Spokesman John McClintock said the team working on the Monorail “has decided to take a few extra days for test and adjust so it will not open to guests on Friday.”

No date has been set for the Monorail’s public launch. We’ll keep you informed on this blog about a public opening date.

According to this blog post by Brady MacDonald at the LATimes, the new Monorail train has been testing since mid-March.

Hold On, We’re Commin’

WDWNT on April 25, 2008

Sorry about the lack of posting this week, but between the WDWCelebrations event preparation and the tons of research I’ve been up to the last few days, It has been hard. As we speak, I’m sitting in Orlando International Airport waiting for my flight back to New York, eager to share all of my experiences with all of you in the coming week. Starting tomorrow, everyone at WDW News Today will be back to, getting photos, videos, and news updates ready to roll. Please stay tuned to WDWNT as we continue to bridge the gaps between you and the world.

See Ya Real Soon,
Tom Corless

Blair Family Memories

WDWNT on April 24, 2008

We would like to speak from our point of view as Mary Blair’s nieces.

We have been impressed and deeply touched by the eloquence and outpouring from the hearts of so many people who want to keep ‘Small World’ as it is. And now the Artists! Amazing. A HUGE thanks to all of you!

Our thoughts are the same. PLEASE keep the integrity of Small World–the children of all nations and its message of world peace. It is a completely unique experience, in and of itself. Our intention is not a ‘put down’ to the imagineers, who have made Disneyland a fabulous, magical place for children and adults—something for everyone. ‘Small World’ however, doesn’t need fixing. It isn’t broken. Bring back it’s original color and sparkle. Mary loved ‘sparkle’. She also loved children.

We have enjoyed the ‘special memories’ that many have written about Small World. We have one also. In 1978, several months before Mary died, my sister Maggie and I, along with my family, began planning a surprise 50th wedding anniversary party for our parents. Maggie and I met with Mary at a favorite restaurant of Mary’s near her home in Soquel, California to discuss the plans. She introduced us to the hostess saying, ‘these are my two nieces, whom I adore’. We adored her as well.

As part of the party plans, Lee put together a slide show, and we taped our parent’s favorite ‘old’ songs, putting the music from ‘It’s A Small World’ in several places. We did that to honor Mary, but also to make the party more fun. (And no, it didn’t make us crazy.)

When the party was over and most guests had gone, Maggie and I were doing ‘cleanup chores’. We looked up in time to see Mary, a lone figure in the middle of the dance floor. She had a gentle smile on her face, eyes closed, and was turning slowly around and around to the music from ‘It’s a Small World’. Two weeks later she was gone.

Again, our family appreciates very much your kind words and heartfelt feelings.

Our Best,
Jeanne Chamberlain & Maggie Richardson

New Monorail Train Rolling in Friday

WDWNT on April 24, 2008

From the OC Register:

ANAHEIM – What’s red, white and blue and glides through the air?

It’s not some superhero. It’s the new monorail opening to the public Friday at Disneyland.

The first new monorail car in two decades – called the Monorail Red or Mark VII – is expected to open to the public Friday morning.

“I think we’re always looking for ways to update and refresh classic attractions,” said Scot Drake, the monorail lead designer. “This is definitely an iconic attraction.”

The biggest change is the look of the train: The first electric cars have blue glass and red stripes that change color in the sunlight. The next two cars will be blue with purple glass and orange with blue glass.

Bench seats will face the windows, allowing visitors a full view of the parks, Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Hotel. The capacity and speed will remain the same.

The Monorail started in 1959 as part of Disneyland’s first expansion and the track was extended to the Disneyland Hotel in 1961 to a length of two and a half miles.

“For us, the monorail was an attraction in a family theme park. But for Walt (Disney), this was a teaching demonstration to solve a problem,” said Bob Gurr, Disney’s Monorail designer, about the attraction in 2004.

The current Monorail trains, called the Mark V design, debuted in 1987 with a fiberglass body, computer controls and 100 horsepower motors.

For three years, Disney Imagineers have been working on upgrades.

“May the Merchandise Be With You”

WDWNT on April 23, 2008

Those of you attending the Star Wars Weekend events during the month of June at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be interested to know that the event is getting it’s own specialized shop. The shop will be located next to Toy Story Mania in Pixar Place, the old Sorcerer Mickey meet and greet location. This shopping space may become a permanent home for all of the studio’s special events merchandise.

A Wild Time At “A Wild Decade”

WDWNT on April 23, 2008

The entire WDWCelebrations crew is recovering from what was an amazing day and event at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and would like to thank the many who joined us. WDWNT would like to tell all of our readers that we will be bringing you complete coverage of the 10th anniversary events as soon as possible. Be sure to tune in to the WDW News Today podcast this week, as the entire WDWCelebrations team recaps the entire “A Wild Decade” event and shares some funny stories. Also, coming in the next week, we will begin providing pictures and video of the entire vent, including today’s re-dedication ceremony and imagineer Joe Rhode’s speech.

See Ya’ Real Soon,
Tom Corless

Red: In Pictures!

WDWNT on April 23, 2008

As reported yesterday, the Mark VII Monorail Red did begin daytime cast member previews. But we only just got in pictures, & here are some, courtesy of David “Darkbeer” Michaels:

Celebrating A Wild Decade!

WDWNT on April 23, 2008

WDW News Today would like to wish Disney’s Animal Kingdom a Happy Birthday! With 10 years of being open and bringing us all the nature, beauty, and thrill rides out there, thanks Disney for creating an amazing experience. It truly has been “A Wild Decade”!

Stay tuned to WDW News Today later in the week for coverage of this momentous day!

Red On The Tracks!

WDWNT on April 22, 2008

The Mark VII Monorail Red finally began cast member previews today. And a little video of it circling the tracks is up on YouTube!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS6uNF6uXf0[/youtube]