I’m Finally Going to Disneyland!

WDWNT on May 7, 2008

From the LA Times Travel Blog:

Super Bowl XLII MVP Eli Manning will finally make good on his postgame pronouncement: “I’m going to Disneyland.”

The New York Giants quarterback will ride in a vintage convertible automobile along the Disneyland parade route on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. in a “cavalcade” including Disney characters. The parade could begin up to an hour early depending on Manning’s schedule, according to Disney officials.

Manning’s new bride, Abby McGrew, will accompany her college sweetheart to the Anaheim theme park in their first official public appearance as husband and wife. The newlyweds — married in a celebrity wedding on April 19, 2008, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico — may ride in a Disneyland attraction or two after the conclusion of the official events.

Disneyland was forced to postpone a hastily arranged parade on the day after the Super Bowl when Manning got stuck for hours at an Arizona airport waiting for the skies to clear of corporate-jet getaway traffic.

The abrupt cancellation left disappointed New York Giants fans along Disneyland’s parade route as a team of forlorn Pop Warner football players rode a float sans the MVP down Main Street U.S.A. Manning will meet privately with the Pop Warner players on Wednesday following the cavalcade.

In the days after the Super Bowl, Manning opted for a ticker-tape parade down New York City’s “Canyon of Heroes,” an appearance on the “Late Show With David Letterman” and a sunny vacation in the Bahamas over a photo op with Mickey Mouse.

— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Walk-Around Disney Fairies

WDWNT on May 7, 2008

Jim Hill Media has an interesting article today talking a little in depth on the Disney Fairies promotion that is coming up later on this year. Info on the meet ‘n greet at Disneyland, the promotion itself, & more is in there.

Bellow are pictures of the prototype costumes for the 5 walk-around Fairies:

Parking Prices Hiking Up!

WDWNT on May 7, 2008

Parking prices have gone up, effective today:

Cars and Motorcycles: $12
Trucks with Trailers and R.V: $17
Busses and Big Rig’s: $22

Sailing Ship Madness!

WDWNT on May 6, 2008

2 new refurbishments have been added to the Attraction Refurbishments list. Mulholland Madness will be closed for one day on May 7th. And the Sailing Ship Columbia will be closed from May 12th to the 15th, & then from May 19th to the 21st. That also means that Fantasmic wont be performed on those days.

Stay tuned to our Attractions Refurbishment page for the latest attraction refurbishments!

Aladdin or Indy?

WDWNT on May 6, 2008

According to MousePlanet:

This weekend may have marked the final performances of the Aladdin and Jasmine Storytale Adventure (Aladdin’s Oasis) at Disneyland. The attraction is not listed in the entertainment guides published for the rest of the summer on the Disneyland.com Web site, and there have been persistent rumors that the small outdoor theater venue will be re-purposed to host an Indiana Jones show or meet-and-greet.

MitP Update

WDWNT on May 6, 2008

Here’s a few images from this week’s Monday in the Parks article on MiceAge:


The Small World facade is starting to go under tarps


Club 33 has re-opened from a short refurbishment


Half of the Bug’s Life float has returned to the Pixar Play Parade. This is all of the float!


The Sunshine Plaza fountain has gotten further in it’s refurbishment. It’s planned to be ready for the summer

I also wanted to note that the Innoventions Dream Home, which was originally supposed to open this month, has been pushed back due to construction issues. The open date is “To Be Determined”.

Authorities ID Man Who Jumped from the Disneyland Hotel

WDWNT on May 6, 2008

From the OC Register:

ANAHEIM – Authorities have identified a 48-year-old man who apparently jumped to his death Friday from the 14th floor of the Disneyland Hotel’s Wonder Tower.

John Newman Jr., of Santa Cruz, jumped from a balcony in the hotel’s south tower onto a parking lot at 1150 Magic Way, authorities said.

Newman was in town on business and was staying in a room with a business associate; the business associate was in the room when the man jumped, said Anaheim police Sgt. Rick Martinez.

Newman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives interviewed possible witnesses to see if anyone saw what happened.

The hotel has been the scene of at least two other suicides. In 1994, a 75-year-old man jumped from the ninth floor and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two years later, a 23-year-old man committed suicide by jumping from the 14th floor of the hotel.

In 1998, a 23-year-old Walt Disney Co. employee jumped from the 14th floor but survived the fall.

Taking Pin Traders to School

WDWNT on May 6, 2008

Registration for the 2008 Disney Pin Celebration at Epcot will open promptly at 2pm EST on May 7, 2008 through Disneypins.com. This year’s event is called “Pin Trading University” with a large catalogue of pins themed to school classes, clubs, and more. There is even a discount for those who register on May 7, where attendees would pay $100.00, rather than the regular price of $115.00, Here are all the details:

Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008 – Pin Trading University
September 5-7, 2008
Epcot® – World ShowPlace

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*Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008 is a private, hard-ticket event that will be held in Epcot® during regular park hours. Theme Park admission to Epcot® is not included in the price of event admission, but is required for attendance. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, dates, times, artwork, release dates, edition sizes and retail prices.

*Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008 is a private, hard-ticket event that will be held in Epcot® during regular park hours. Theme Park admission to Epcot® is not included in the price of event admission, but is required for attendance. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, dates, times, artwork, release dates, edition sizes and retail prices.

 

Graduate with highest trading honors at Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008 – Pin Trading University. This three-day, Disney Pin event will be held September 5-7, 2008 at Epcot® – World ShowPlace.

Recall your school days with a “superlative” collection of Disney pins created especially for this event. Students will also enjoy games and activities, plenty of pin trading opportunities and “A Live Auction” presented by the drama club. Don’t forget to bring your No. 2 pins as Trading Class 101 begins at 9:30 sharp!

 

CLASS REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 7, 2008 (2:00 p.m. Eastern)
Event admission is $115.00 per Guest
**See below for special early booking discount**
(Theme Park admission to Epcot® is not included in the price of
event admission, but is required for attendance)

EVENT ADMISSION INCLUDES:

  • Opportunity to pre-purchase limited edition pins designed especially for this event.
  • “Purchase with Purchase” pin promotion for event Guests only featuring exclusive pins.
  • Trading activities and games at World ShowPlace located at Epcot®.
  • Limited edition commemorative gifts.
  • Live and silent auctions of pre-production pins, artist proof pins and more.
  • “First Trading Opportunity” to collect brand new Hidden Mickey pins.
  • Opportunity to meet Disney Pin Partners from The Walt Disney Company.
  • Two (2) $15 Gift Cards redeemable at Epcot® Food and Beverage locations.
  • Plus extra special surprises throughout the event.

EARLY REGISTRATION PIN:
Guests that register for this event by June 7, 2008 will received one (1) limited edition early registration pin. The edition size of this pin will be determined once early registration has been completed on June 7, 2008.

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT:
Guests that register for this event by July 7, 2008 will receive an early booking discount. The early booking admission for this event will be $100.00 per Guest. After July 7, 2008, the event admission will be $115.00 per Guest. Theme Park admission to Epcot® is not included in the price of event admission, but is required for attendance.

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SPECIALLY DESIGNED DISNEY PINS:
Four specially designed limited edition pin collections have been created for Disney’s Pin Celebration 2008.

  • “Most Likely To…” – Pin Trading University is home to a diverse group of students, each with their own talents and interests.
  • Clubs – Students attending Pin Trading University find time to involve themselves in social clubs of varying interests.
  • Role Call – PTU’s student body ranges from mice to monsters, princesses to aliens. It is through this diversity that Pin Trading University achieves its success.
  • Class Schedule – Pin Trading University’s curriculum stands among the best in the world of academics.

To see all of the pins being released at the event, go HERE.

High Definition Video of Toy Story Midway Mania Now Available

WDWNT on May 5, 2008

If you enjoyed the youtube video of Toy Story Midway Mania we debuted on WDW News Today (and every other website immediately clamored for), you may want to check out the High Definition version available through Itunes and our podcast download directory as Videocast Episode #11. This version of the video truly shows off the beauty of the Pixar Place area and allows you to see more of the small details of the actual attraction and its queue.

To subscribe to the WDW News Today podcast on iTunes, go to this link. If you do not have Itunes, visit our Podcast Download Directory to download or listen to all of our shows.

Episode 41 of the WDW News Today Podcast is also available in the same place. Here is this week’s show description:

Join Tom Corless and a cast including Jason Diffendal, Justin Heyman, and Jose Eber for a show that Bridges the Gaps Between You and the World. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the Walt Disney World information and fun we have to offer on this spring-action edition of WDWNT.

To kick off episode 41, Jason Diffendal, Justin Heyman, and Jose Eber join me in discussing the Walt Disney World News and Rumors. This week, we discuss two interesting incidents occurring at Walt Disney World recently, as well as a complete spoiler report and review of the new Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Our Walt Disney World history segment, Back To The Future, returns this week, as we talk about the history of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress and the carousel theater of The Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. Join us as we jump into the classic show to see its progression from the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, to Disneyland, to its latest location inside Walt Disney World. We’ll also talk about what we hope and expect for the ground-breaking attraction in the future.

In case you missed it, here is the youtube video of Toy Story Mania provided by staff member Jose Eber:


 

Hidden Mickey, Exposed Wallets

WDWNT on May 4, 2008

In what has to be one of the most controversial decisions made in Disney merchandising, they will now actually be selling Hidden Mickey pins to the public. For those of you who are not aware, Hidden Mickey pins (formerly known as Cast Lanyard Pins) were only available by trade from a WDW Cast Member off of their lanyard, until now. These pins, which have been appearing in some form for over seven years, are now being exploited for cash. Here is the official Disney information release:

Starting May 4, 2008, Guests will have two ways to start or complete their Hidden Mickey pin collections:

  • TRADING with Disney Cast Members and Guests or
  • PURCHASING a new Hidden Mickey Mystery Pouch

At participating locations, select Hidden Mickey pins will be released in colorful mystery pouches for $10.00 each (plus tax)*. Each pouch will contain two (2) randomly assorted pins from a particular Hidden Mickey pin series.

As many of you know, we usually do not take a negative stance towards anything done by the Walt Disney Company, but this is one of those cases where we feel Disney needs to hear our opinions. While pin trading has always been an expensive hobby, why would you hurt the one part of the pin trading experience that was not available on a rack for sale? Hopefully this is only a temporary promotion and Hidden Mickey pins will return to being exclusive to trading, not to selling.