Electric Screams of Color: The Musical, This Christmas

Screamscape have posted a few interesting rumors from through-out the Resort, some of which we have already reported, but they give extra backing to what we have already said:

Some improvements are slated to be made to the Electrical Parade for Summer 2009. First off it seems that the California parade will import a couple of floats from the old Paris parade, namely a new Pinnochio float and the Diamond Mine float. Meanwhile we’ve heard that the Blue Fairy float is likely to be on the way out and will be replaced with a brand spankin’ new Tinker Bell float that will serve as the new lead float for the parade. Apparently the float itself will still use the old-school style lights like the rest of the parade, but Tink herself will be covered in new LED lights instead. Speaking of LEDs… apparently the plan is to install a few new LED effects in all the floats so that Tink can create some kind of magic effect at the start that will travel back through the rest of the floats in the parade.

While the improvements to the parade are likely to happen, the only question is if it will be in DCA or Disneyland.

In a disappointing twist, it seems that the real world Wall-E may not be coming to California Adventure after all. If the rumors are true something may have gone amiss with the first robot that we’ve all seen clips of already, that may be caused them to drop or delay plans to bring one to the park. Also due to construction on the Little Mermaid ride, there will not be another Golden Screams show held this fall. They may come up with some kind of replacement Villains concept in the Hollywood Backlot instead. And the fun news is that the new DCA Preview Center that will show off all the proposed changed coming to the park may be ready to open sometime this fall.

I have been hearing that they will actually close Golden Dreams as Golden Screams as soon as Halloween is over & then they will start work on the Little Mermaid. Although if you look at Disneyland’s official page for Halloween Time 2008, Golden Screams doesn’t appear to be listed. Time will have to tell on this one.

Early 2010 – Toy Story: The Musical – Rumor – (8/3/08) While I don’t know what the short-term plan is for the Aladdin show, we’ve heard that Toy Story: The Musical is now scheduled to open in early 2010 as a replacement. So I guess the question remains as to when exactly the current Aladdin show will close down.

2010 – Wonderful World of Color – Confirmed – (8/2/08) Sometime in very early 2009 I’ve heard that we may see the park drain the lagoon to do some of the extensive work needed for the upcoming World of Color night show.

And moving quickly over to Disneyland…

For the Holiday season we’ve heard that the park may add the “light up” snow effect to cover the front and back of the castle this year as well as expand it into the trees and garland in the hub and main street areas as well as the Town Square Christmas Tree. I’ve also been told that a new Toy Factory float will be added to the Christmas Parade to replace the old float.

I did once hear that what Screamscape is talking about might even be expanded to the Matterhorn, but I highly doubt that would happen. However, if the lighting effects do expand to the back of the Castle, that will make the whole thing look even nicer, & more complete!

The next few years at the Resort are going to be really exciting, & if even one of these rumors come true, I’ll be happy!

Refurbishment Updates

We have a couple more updates to the attractions refurbishments list. First up, it looks like the Harbor Galley, Conostoga Wagon, & Burger Invasion refurbishments wont last as long as we originally thought. The refurbishments will start on September 2nd & end on September 26th. It looks like they’ll all just get new menus, & have all McDonalds references removed. So it seems we’ll have to wait a little while longer for a Burger Invasion re-theme.

Also, last week it had looked like Disney moved back the refurbishment of the Hyperion Theater to start on September 29th, but that is no longer true, & will start as originally planned on September 2nd.

Finally a little update on It’s a Small World… The new flume apparently has apparently been installed, & the attraction will be going through a 10 week test & adjust phase, & if all goes according to plan, it will re-open on November 29th.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for updates on all attraction refurbishments. And for up-to-the-minute information on the various refurbishments, be sure to check our Attraction Refurbishments page!

Monday in the Parks Picture Update

Let’s take a look at some of the various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from this week’s Monday in the Parks column on MiceAge:


The new ticket prices went into effect yesterday


In addition to the water playground in the Bountiful Valley Farm that we reported was closed last Friday (and it still is closed btw), a couple other water playgrounds in DCA appeared to be closed, at least yesterday…


… Including Princess Dot’s Puddle Park in a Bug’s Land…


… As well as the SS Rustworthy in Paradise Pier


Construction seems to be happening on both sides of Department 56


The stilt chefs in the Ratatouille section of the Pixar Play Parade appeared to be off their stilts once again yesterday… Probably was just for yesterday though

Be sure to check out the Monday in the Parks column (linked at the top of the post) for tips on how to get cheap tickets, & plenty more updates from the around Disneyland Resort this week!

Hall of Presidents Changing Again

It appears that one way or the other, some big changes are coming to the Hall of Presidents Attraction at the Magic Kingdom. It was just made official that the attraction will be closed for some major show changes from November 2008 until July of 2009. Despite that this refurbishment is now public information, what changes are going to occur remains a mystery. While we would expect the addition of an Audio-Animatronics figure of the new president of the United States (whether it be John McCain or Barack Obama) with a speaking part, it has been rumored that the new version of the show would simply add the latest president to the line-up on stage and give Abraham Lincoln a longer speaking part in the show. 

This refurbishment is now set to begin on November 1, 2008 and end on July 1, 2009. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on the future of the Hall of Presidents becomes available.

WDW Photo Update 8/1-8/3/08

UPDATED @ 11:32PM EST

WDWNT is back from another of his lovely weekend trips to the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s take a look through some of his most newsworthy pictures:

The Laugh floor seems to be loosing power 🙂

The brand new top for City Hall has been lowered into place after 7 months of waiting.

The wait time board at the Magic Kingdom on August 2nd.

Glaceau Smart Water is a new addition to ODV carts around the Resort.

It seems that the Adventureland Veranda has re-opened temporarily as Veranda Refreshments.

The Diamond Horseshoe has also re-opened, as it always does during busier seasons.

Contemporary north-wing construction is quite visible from Liberty Square.

Just thought this was a nice shot.

The new Grand Marshall vehicle with covering.

New Toy Storry Midway Mania T-Shirts available in… Tomorrowland!?

This is a really nice new Wall-E T-Shirt!

So many great new T-Shirts! I think we’re all in love with this one!

This is a new Figment T-Shirt for women.

Is that a new Kodak sign?

The sign for the new StormStruck exhibit in Innoventions, opening soon.

The top of the new exhibit.

This is something new in the Don’t Waste It exhibit in Innoventions.

The Fantastic Plastic exhibit is still closed, awaiting a new exhibit.

Apparently, you plug Mickey into your MP3 player and he “grooves along with your music.” I wonder what he does when he listens to our podcasts?

The Great Movie Ride sign still needs some fixing.

One of the few remnants of the Disney-MGM Studios left at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Muppet Vision 3D hot air balloon is being fixed behind walls on the Streets of America.

Advertisement for the Night of Joy at the Premiere Theater.

The Al’s Toy Barn facade near Muppet Vision 3D has been removed. It will be replaced with a Cars themed meet ‘n greet.

Refurbing going on near the Hollywood Scoops Ice Cream shop.

The Hanes sponsorship has started over at the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Posters in the exit hallway now have Hanes advertising.

New production art from Bolt inside the Magic of Disney animation.

The latest construction on T-Rex Resturant at Downtown Disney.

Construction of the new stage in Downtown Disney.

Construction going on in the former home of the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary.

A look at the latest construction of the new north wing of the Contemporary.

Hope you enjoyed the update!

The Vineyard Room Closing?

Various reports have been going around saying that the Vineyard Room restaurant in the Golden Vine Winery section of Disney’s California Adventure may possibly be closing, permanently or not, on August 31st.

Please do keep in mind that this is in no way confirmed, & it just pure speculation at the moment, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted on whether the Vineyard Room truly will be closing or not.

American Idol Experience Auditions

Walt Disney World have put out a casting call for hosts, judges, and audience warm up personalities for the upcoming American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here are the details:

Walt Disney Entertainment is seeking Hosts, Judges, and comedic audience warm up hosts, for the opening cast of its newest attraction, The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ Park in the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, FL set to open January 2009. Rehearsals begin October 12, 2008 in Orlando.

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ‘ACTORS/ PERSONALITIES’ OF ALL ETHNICITIES AND SHAPES/SIZES:

HOST: Male, 20s – 30s. Charismatic, handsome, trim, hip. Quick wit and improv skills needed. In synch with the times: look and slang. Knowledge of American Idol and the music industry a plus. Confidently ringmaster all the hosting elements of a fast-paced multimedia show.

JUDGES: Male and Female, 30s – early 50s. Music educated with extensive music background. Confident, big personality/charismatic. Improv and comedy skills needed. These roles are not intended to be an impersonation of the American Idol Judges as seen on TV. Types needed: Hip, Optimistic, Comically Constructive. Judges will provide constructive and knowledgeable vocal feedback, always with an entertaining twist.

AUDIENCE WARM UP: Male and Female, 20s – early 40s. Energetic, big personality, playful, charismatic. Improv and comedy background needed. Must be able to command and entertain large audiences. Music and DJ skills a plus. Will be responsible for warming up the 1000+ member audience, making sure they are energized, informed, and ready to play their role as the supportive studio audience.

All performers employed by the Walt Disney World Resort are covered under the terms and conditions of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Actors’ Equity Association.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and authorized to work in the United States.

Please visit www.disneyauditions.com for audition dates, times and locations.

DisneyGeek DLR Update

Let’s take a look at some of the various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from the latest DLR Update on DisneyGeek:


The sign, minus the logo, is out from behind tarps, which brings me to something interesting…


On the left is the sign as it was before the refurb, on the right the sign as it was yesterday… Notice a new color scheme?


The “mini dolls” appear to be missing from the boat


Apparently the tarps on the train track, blocking the view of Small World, are down… So here are a few of DisneyGeek’s shots of the Small World construction progress


And on an unrelated note, the water playground at the Bountiful Valley Farm seemed to be either not working, or just turned off

Honey, I Shuttered the Magic Eye Theater

Rumors are floating around saying that Honey, I Shrunk the Audience could possibly be closing after Labor Day, & there are 2 possible reasons as to why:

  1. Disneyland is seriously looking at cutting down on the money spent, by closing shows during the slow season, & this seems to be stretching to Honey now, as it may join Fantasmic & Aladdin in the shuttered department this fall.
  2. And then there’s the reason everyone is hoping for, & need I say more than, a New Film?

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today to find out the ultimate fate of Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!

Walt Disney World Provides New Offerings for 2009

More details on some new packages and resort offerings for 2009 Walt Disney World vacations have become available and here is what we have been able to gather thus far:

-The quick service Dining Plan will be available for 2009, and will offer guests two quick service meals and two snacks per person, per night. Guests will also receive one refillable resort mug each.

-More Magic Your Way Packages will be offering a 30 minute arcade play card with the booking of most packages. It will most likely be one card per room with corresponding packages.

-All of the off site vacation packages (Swan and Dolphin & good neighbor hotels) will include a $15 Planet Hollywood gift card and 1 free round of miniature golf at either the Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens courses.

-The Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas in the Kidani Village building will be available for bookings by non-Disney Vacation Club guests for as early as May 2009.

-It is being rumored that the Magical Fireworks Voyage will not only be offered to grand gatherings guests next year, but to all guests in 2009.

-The courtesy holds on Walt Disney World resort packages will now be lowered down to just 7 days, rather than the current 14 days that guests are given.

-Some new room categories are coming to some of the WDW resorts in 2009. At Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, they will be adding a “Business Club” level.  Also, premium campsites at Ft. Wilderness & all campsites will include cable and internet access.

For more information on these options as well as 2009 resort pricing, you can contact our good friends at Magical Travel starting Sunday, August 3.