Here is the second part of Myrna’s photo report, featuring some non-Small World related updates:
The new snowflake structures atop of the Disneyland turnstiles.
There’s just some basic garland on the Main Street Train Station. It’s a shame that it doesn’t get anything more.
The stunning Main Street Christmas tree.
Myrna Litt was at the Disneyland Resort yesterday for the first day of soft openings for It’s a Small World Holiday & has sent us in some great pictures of the classic attraction which has finally re-opened at Disneyland:
The Holiday clock ceremony.
The new boats running through the attraction before guests were let on.
A bunch of Disney executives.
Read More about Myrna Litt’s 11/19 It’s a Small World Holiday Photo Report
According our friends over at the LA Times Travel Blog:
President-elect Barack Obama will soon take his place among the 43 previous commanders-in-chief at Walt Disney World and may join Abraham Lincoln and George Washington at Disneyland. (Story updated below.)
Disney hopes to entice Obama to record an address for his animatronic likeness, which will be added to the Hall of Presidents show at the Magic Kingdom by the Fourth of July 2009. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush lent their voices to their Disney doppelgangers.
The revamped show in Florida will include speaking parts by Washington, Lincoln and Obama, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Mice Age columnist Al Lutz reports that Obama and Washington may join Lincoln at the Disneyland Opera House in time for the Anaheim theme park’s 55th anniversary in 2010.
Disneyland’s “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” closed in 2005 to make way for the 50th anniversary movie, “Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years.”
Walt Disney Imagineering officials said that while discussions have been ongoing to bring back “Mr. Lincoln” at Disneyland, no such plans are currently in the works.
UPDATE: Walt Disney Imagineering officials now emphatically say a Barack Obama animatronic figure will NOT be added to the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” show at Disneyland, calling the Al Lutz story “patently false.”
It appears the project of completely replacing all the track and refurbishing all the vehicles for the Primeval Whirl roller coaster attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom was a bigger project than originally expected. The attraction has been closed since early September and was supposed to re-open on November 16th, however, that did not happen. The ride is now scheduled to return to service in early December, a full three weeks later than we were originally told. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this becomes available and to keep up with all of the upcoming and current refurbishments around the Walt Disney World Resort, be sure to check out the frequently updated “Attraction Updates” page.
Since there doesn’t seem to be any news to report, I’d figured we take a moment to mark the historical importance of today. On November 18, 1928, Mickey Mouse made his grand debut in the now classic cartoon short “Steamboat Willie” at the premiere in New York City. Without this cartoon and the creation of Mickey Mouse, it is doubtful that the Walt Disney Company would be here today, and especially the Disney theme parks we all enjoy so much. As Walt Disney himself said, “It all started with a mouse”.
It just so happens that it all started with a mouse named Mickey 80 years ago today. Happy 80th Birthday Mickey!
WDWNT Photographer Steve Wieczorek has provided us with a picture of the Christmas Tree at Epcot which is now up and ready for the Holidays Around the World:
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It seems that the poor economy in this country is finally starting to hit the Disneyland Resort, as we have received word that a majority of DCA’s regular Christmas decorations will not be put up this year. The regular garlands on the San Francisco buildings will not be put up, & neither will the oversized ornaments in A Bug’s Land. The scope of the decorations in Hollywood Pictures Backlot has been shrunk. And finally, Santa’s Beach Blast will not be returning this year, & likely any other year to follow.
Of course all of this is subject to change, & many of these things could potentially be put up, so stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest.
Jose Eber has sent us a few great photos of the Gingerbread House inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort which is just about ready for the rush of customers who will be buying treats from inside it this year:
Donald Duck is opening a present above this window
Hard to believe it has been ten years since it was first constructed
Here is another fantastic photo (and video) report by WDWNT Photographer Jose Eber from his latest trip to the world:
Refurbishments on the Fantasyland facades has now moved on to Pinnocchio’s Village Haus
Work is now 100% complete on the new Liberty Square Bridge, no more work in the waterways
Christmas has now taken over Main Street U.S.A.
Tinker Bell movie merchandise has taken over some of the windows
This window that was full of Year of a Million Dreams merchandise has been changed, the first piece of the celebration to disappear with just about a month and a half left in it.
Fresh paint going on another facade on Main Street
Moving over to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Contempo Cafe is now open
Here’s a video of the Cafe (boy is it loud on that floor now)
The Holiday napkins have arrived
New promotion, similar bag… 🙁
Continuing construction on the Bay Lake Tower addition
An arial view of the bridge
The lesser seen side of the Bay Lake Tower
Click the above image for a larger version
Here’s a video of the construction on the Bay Lake Tower Jose has taken
Chocolate Advent character with some awesome artwork
Same can be said for these holiday cards
We’ll end this report by looking at this cool recordable gift card holder, again featuring that artwork we love so much
Thanks for the update Jose!!!
