2009 WDWNT Network Guest Survey

WDWNT on March 31, 2009

We here at the WDWNT Network would deeply appreciate it if you would take a few minutes of your time and tell us what you think about the current state of the WDWNT Network of Disney inspired websites and podcasts (WDW News Today, Disneyland News Today, the WDW News Today Community Forums, the WDWNTube, etc.). We will be using your survey responses to guide the direction of our websites and podcasts over the next year in order to better inform and entertain you. Thank you very much for your time and support.

We ask that you please take a few moments and click HERE to take the short 5 minute survey.

Glowing Back In June

WDWNT on March 31, 2009

According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

The classic Electrical Parade at Disneyland is on its way back, this time to Disney’s California Adventure.

Disney spokesman John McClintock said the seasonal night parade — marked by float’s and characters decked in thousands of lights — will start again in June.

There will also be a number of other new after-dark shows and attractions — possible a new fireworks show.

McClintock said all of the details of these new shows and features will be announced April 24 — a press event that we at Around Disney will, of course, be folllowing.

The parade started in Disneyland, but was retired in 1996. A popular show, McClintock said Disney resurrected the parade in 2001 during the summer after California Adventure opened as a way to draw people to that park.

The show was originally conceived and performed in 1972. It has been performed about 3,600 times.

The parade uses 500,000 lightbulbs now, powered by 500 batteries.

More than 50 six-volt batteries power the same number of costumes worn by performers — lighting up 11, 000 bulbs.

Since July, 2001, the parade has been performed about 620 times in California Adventure.

Disney themselves have announced that a Tinker Bell float will be added to the parade, and it has been rumored that the old Snow White Dwarf Mine and Pinocchio floats will make their way back into the parade, as well as the possibility of a new soundtrack inspired by Tokyo Disneyland’s Electrical Parade: Dreamlights.

Being released on April 26th, two days after the press event, is an open edition pin featuring the new Tinker Bell float coming to Disney’s Electrical Parade:

Disney’s Electrical Parade is one of my personal favorite things at the Resort, so definitely tuned to Disneyland News Today for all the Electrical Parade coverage you could need.

People Still Vacation!

WDWNT on March 31, 2009

According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

As hundreds of workers hang drywall, weld girders, pour concrete and install plumbing in the new wing of Disney’s Grand Californian, the sales staff are kicking off selling space in 50 time shares.

The villas at the Grand, to be completed in the fall, will be the 10th location in Disney’s growing “Vacation Club” business.

Mike Brunson, the sales director for Disney Vacation Club on the West Coast, said he expects the timeshares to sell out fast, despite the spiraling economy.

“We’re actually finding we’re doing very, very well,” he said. “In economic times like these, people still vacation. We’re actually growing year over year.”

The vacation club is based on a points system, Brunson said. Consumers tend buy between 160 and 300 points at $112 a point – so a typical timeshare with the club costs an average of $18,000 to $30,000. The 200 to 300 points refresh every year.

Annual fees, in addition to the cost of the time share, run about $500 or $600, according to the Disney Vacation Club member Website.

Members use the points like Monopoly money to purchase nights in suites at any of the Disney resorts. For example, a studio – basically a hotel room with a kitchenette – sleeps up to four and costs as much as 227 points per week during the busiest season in spring and during the holidays. In the slowest seasons, a week in a studio is 129 points.

There are also one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom Grand Villa suites that get pricier – 160 points a night in the busiest season.

There are two “Grand Villa” suites under construction at Disneyland, with balconies overlooking Paradise Pier and what will be the “World of Color” light, water and pyrotechnic show each night.

The Worldmark Anaheim timeshare resort opened in the nearby Anaheim Gardenwalk about six months ago, and officials from Wyndham, the company that operates the huge unit, said all the space was sold out by the time the resort opened.

Worldmark spokeswoman Liz Hutchison said that timeshare resort has been at almost full occupancy since it opened.

“Consumer demand remains strong,” Hutchison said.

For more information about the Disney Vacation Club, visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.

More pictures are available at the link to the OC Register.

Curtain Raised On More Studios’ 20th Anniversary Merchandise

WDWNT on March 30, 2009

It seems that there will be some merchandise released on May 1, 2009, (not all on April 28th as we previously speculated) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Among other options, 5 limited edition pins will be released to commemorate the special day:

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Each pin will retail at $10.95 and will be a Limited Edition of 1500. This is a “gold-plated” version of the open edition pin we showed you a few weeks ago.

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This pin has director Mickey Mouse in front of the Earful Tower

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This rather simple pin features director Mickey in front of a star

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This pin features Mickey sitting in the director chair on top of some film reels

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The final pin features director Mickey in front of Rock ‘N’ Roller Coater and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

As most of you know, I love the parks and I love pins, so these will be absolute musts for me. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more details on the 20th anniversary celebration of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Matt Paul’s 3/27-3/29/09 WDW Mini-Update

WDWNT on March 30, 2009

Matt Paul has returned from a weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort with a few photos to share. Due to problems with his camera, these pictures had to be taken via cell phone, so we apologize in advance for the quality:

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The Universe of Energy has re-opened from refurbishment with a new audio system among many technical upgrades

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As previously reported, the old color scheme has returned to the sides of the pavilion

Read More about Matt Paul’s 3/27-3/29/09 WDW Mini-Update

Free Dining Plan Returns for 2009

WDWNT on March 30, 2009

That’s right, the very popular free dining plan offer for the Walt Disney World Resort is back and here are the details:

Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels will have extra reason to celebrate with a great vacation offer that features the popular Disney Dining Plan for free.

Guests buying a five-night/six-day room and theme park ticket package for stays most nights from Aug. 16 to Oct. 3, 2009, can enjoy the Disney Dining Plan for free. The plan includes one quick-service meal, one snack and one table-service meal at up to 100 restaurants for each night of the package stay.

With this special offer, a family of four can get a five-night stay at a select Disney Resort and a 6-day Magic Your Way base ticket (with free dining) for as little as:

$1,390 in a standard room at a Disney Value Resort
$1,764 in a standard room at a Disney Moderate Resort
$2,276 in a standard room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
$2,586 in a studio at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort or Disney’s Old Key West Resort.*
Guests taking advantage of this offer will find even more to celebrate during their visit. Throughout 2009, Disney Parks asks guests “What Will You Celebrate?” and guests of Walt Disney World can revel in new attractions, entertainment and services that allow them to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences.

The package can be booked now through June 21, 2009 at disneyworld.com or by calling 407/W-DISNEY (407/934-7639) or their local travel agent and asking for package code RYH.

* Prices are based on two adults, one junior (ages 10 to 17) and one child (ages 3 to 9). The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets are for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Excludes gratuities.

Of course, you can book this excellent offer by choosing the fabulous Magical Travel at Magicaltravel.com.

New Horse, Old Bridge

WDWNT on March 28, 2009

The Twilight Bark news section of D23’s website continues to be a great source for little news tid-bits about the Disneyland Resort:

  • 03.27.09 — Danny Makes His Debut!
    On March 20, Danny the Clydesdale made his debut as the newest addition to the horse-drawn streetcars on Main Street, U.S.A. At 5 years old, Danny is the youngest of the horses that pull streetcars from Town Square to Sleeping Beauty Castle.
  • 03.27.09 — Pacific Wharf Bridge Reopens
    The Pacific Wharf Bridge in Disney’s California Adventure opens again on April 3 after a planned refurbishment. The bridge connects the Pacific Wharf area with Golden State Plaza.

Yamabuki To Close April 11th

WDWNT on March 28, 2009

According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog, the Yamabuki Restaurant inside the Paradise Pier Hotel will soon be closing:

Disney officials announced Thursday afternoon that Yamabuki restaurant, inside the Paradise Pier Hotel will close down  April 11.

Some 39 hourly employees who work at the restaurant were informed of the pending closure during a closed-door meeting around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown said the company will work to relocate the employees to other park restaurants. Those who cannot be placed elsewhere will receive at least 60 days pay as severance and  an extension of some health care benefits.

A “handful” of salaried managers could either be relocated or lose their jobs, as well, Brown said.

“The concept of the restaurant no longer resonates with our guests,” Brown said.  The closure was not related to other layoffs and staff re-organizations related to the sagging economy, she added.

“We continuously evaluate all of our concepts and listen to what our guests are telling us,” Brown said. ”We’ve scaled back the hours at this restaurant since the beginning of the year. Other restaurants at the Resort are doing quite well.”

The upscale  restaurant at 1717 S. Disneyland Dr., originally opened in 1996 with a lunch and dinner menu. Meals averaged $20 to $30 per diner. The restaurant shortened its hours and discontinued its lunch menu within the last year.

Restaurant hours will remain as normal until the April 11 closure.

A now former employee of the restaurant, Kumiko Swearingen, worries about her future:

Kumiko Swearingen, 51, of Irvine is one of the 39 employees who  — for now – won’t have a job after Disney closes the Yamabuki restaurant in the Paradise Pier Hotel.

“The main thing everyone is worrying about is medical benefits,” Swearingen said in a phone interview today.

“How are you going to pay for rent and health insurance? One girl I talked to lives by herself — she doesn’t make that much money and she has her bills.

“It’s going to be very tough for everybody.”

Swearingen said Disneyland Hotels VP Tony Bruno called up each employee to let them know the restaurant was closed for lunch and would close completely April 11.

“I want to stay with Disney, but I don’t know if they can offer other jobs,” Swearingen said.

Disney officals yesterday said they would try to place employees in other jobs around the resort.

Meanwhile, Swearingen is waiting for a call from Disney management to see if she can get a job somewhere else.

Tren-D Opens Again on April 9, 2009

WDWNT on March 27, 2009

Even though the Tren-D store opened its doors in the Downtown Disney Marketplace a few days ago, there will be an official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the store on April 9th:

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Event: Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of Tren-D, Disney’s stylish new boutique store!
Event Date: Thursday, April 9
Event Time: 10:00am
Event Location: Downtown Disney® Marketplace, near Disney’s Pin Traders and Once Upon a Toy
A stylish boutique with designer flair and eclectic offerings becomes a premier shopping spot at Downtown Disney Marketplace with the March opening of TrenD. The urban-inspired Walt Disney World® Resort specialty store is a one-of-a-kind, hip destination for fashion-conscious shoppers seeking trendy apparel and novel accessories.

“This unique environment, filled with textured fabrics, silhouettes, and whimsical art and design allows us the opportunity to push the creative envelope as it relates to fashion and our characters,” said Mark Perrotta, Director of Product Development and Design. “Our guests continue to respond to trend merchandise and novel products that they can’t purchase at home. TrenD speaks to what is happening today with a blend of vintage and hip with stylized Disney influences.”

Offerings include organic loungewear, embroidered handbags, jeweled sunglasses and trendy accessories set among whimsical art and unique furnishings. The eclectic environment offers a raw and unfinished feel with jeweled chandeliers, distinct fixtures and mod furnishings.

Much of the merchandise will not be available anywhere else at Downtown Disney. Designers such as Kidada Jones, Tarina Tarantino and Roxy will showcase their artistry — blending it with Disney-inspired creations.

“With its exclusive product lines and new environment, we think TrenD will complement the existing merchandise offerings at Downtown Disney,” said Perrotta. TrenD is in a 2,500-square-foot venue near Pin Traders and Once Upon A Toy. The space previously was used by Summer Sands.

Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream presented by “D23”

WDWNT on March 27, 2009

It appears that the “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will now be presented by D23. Here is the official release from the D23 website:

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Concept art rendered by Walt Disney Imagineering for the new One Man’s Dream attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, presented by D23.

One Man’s Dream has long been a fan favorite at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now, the beloved attraction, which pays homage to the life and vision of Walt Disney, now celebrates the fans who are equally important to the Disney legacy. Starting tomorrow, One Man’s Dream will be presented by D23 with new “D23 Welcomes You” signage on the marquee.

“D23 is the ultimate Disney fan community and One Man’s Dream is the ultimate attraction tribute to Walt Disney in our parks so they fit together perfectly,” explains Eric Jacobson, senior vice president, Walt Disney Imagineering, whose team thought of partnering with D23 on the endeavor. “One Man’s Dream showcases the history of Walt Disney and The Walt Disney Company and gives our Guests a look at what is new around the world and a sneak peak at what’s coming. D23 has a similar mission for its members.”

The partnership includes new D23 theming and a new display case featuring the room of a Disney fan (we won’t say whose!), adding to the robust collection of Disney history currently on display. “One Man’s Dream is a collection of artifacts, models, memorabilia and special effects,” adds Eric. “It appeals to the Disney fans because it can’t be seen anywhere else.”

Many of those pieces came from the Walt Disney Archives, which is a big part of the D23 community. “So it’s only natural and fitting that the One Man’s Dream exhibit should be presented by D23,” notes Becky Cline, manager of the Walt Disney Archives and a D23 team member.

Artifacts from the Archives, which have long been a part of the attraction, include Jimmie Dodd’s Mouseguitar from the 1955 Mickey Mouse Club, original props from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Walt Disney’s working office.

The new D23 display case features items the Archives team pulled together — all pieces a real Disney fan might own. “There’s some fun stuff,” Becky says, including the Ultimate WALL·E, a “Treasures of the Archives” lithograph and the five-Mickey pin set which was very first Walt Disney Archives Collection item. “Plus, a lot of the books are favorites for us in the Archives like The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, The Disney Poster Book and of course from the Disney Archives, Disney A to Z by our very own Dave Smith!” Becky adds.