Little Mermaid & World of Color Rumors

WDWNT on July 24, 2008

Here are a few juicy rumors concerning the Little Mermaid attraction & World of Color:

  • The Paradise Pier lagoon will be drained at the end of the year in preparation for World of Color.
  • Some of the fountains that will be used for World of Color reportedly will be able to shoot higher than the Maliboomer! Because of this, is the Cove Bar at Ariel’s Grotto may be have to be enclosed.
  • The control booth for World of Color will be on top level of the Little Mermaid building, which will be 3 stories tall.
  • Underneath the Little Mermaid will be the Parade Guest Control offices, as well as offices for the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
  • And speaking of Redwood Creek, it will be cut almost in half for an expansion to the building that will become the Little Mermaid attraction.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for updates on these & any rumors involving the DCA Expansion!

Getting Ready for Magical Celebrations

WDWNT on July 23, 2008

In case you didn’t hear our last report on Magical Celebrations a few weeks ago, It is set to be the event that replaces the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort in January 2009. However, don’t expect free giveaways and new entertainment to be the focus of the next year-long marketing campaign.

Much like the celebration of Magical Gatherings back in 2004, Magical Celebrations is set to be the starting point for a line-up of new add-on vacation offerings that will be offered to guests looking to celebrate lifetime milestones during their vacation. As Jim Hill reported in his latest article on Jim Hill Media, Disney has just purchased some new Internet domain names that will be just a small part of the 2009 event.

Better yet, let’s talk about the new Disney Weddings packages that the company will soon be offering. Which will cover everything from elaborate on-property proposals …

  • DISNEYPROPOSALS.COM

… to honeymoons that will now allow newly blended families to bring the kids along with their post-wedding trip to the Resort.

  • DISNEYFAMILYMOONS.COM

Or — better yet — how about a honeymoon package for stressed over-achievers who don’t really have the time to vacation at WDW.

  • DISNEYMINIMOONS.COM

    •  

    While Married Couples will find a number of new offerings during this celebration, those looking to mark birthdays, anniversaries, and just about anything-else will find a variety of new ways to celebrate good times around the resort.

    Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for more details on this new celebration as we get closer to January 2009 and the beginning of Magical Celebrations.

    Fake or Real?

    WDWNT on July 23, 2008

    We have been hearing various reports that during Christmas this year, Disney will use a fake Christmas Tree on Main Street, as opposed to a real one, which they have used all years past. The decision for this is unknown, but I’m going to guess it’s either to save money, or for safety.

    Again, this is not confirmed, but stay tuned to Disneyland News Today to find out if this will be happening.

    Whole New Perfomers

    WDWNT on July 22, 2008

    According to the OC Register, Disney is looking for new performers in the Aladdin stage show at DCA. This Wednesday there will be an auditon at 2pm, as listed on the Disney Auditions website. Similar auditions will be held in New York City on July 29th.

    Again, as previously reported, the Hyperion Theater will be closed from September 2nd through early December for “rehabilitation & system upgrades”. Aladdin will then return in time for Christmas!

    As Far As Attendance, The Party’s Over

    WDWNT on July 22, 2008

    In another sign that things are about to get ugly in the attendance department for the Walt Disney World Resort, the October 3 scheduled Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom has been cancelled. The stranger part of this equation is that the park closing time will remain at 7pm, perhaps another cost-cutting measure to insure profits despite the expected low crowd levels, especially for what is already a slow time of year for the parks. If you ordered tickets to this October 3 party, you can call (407) W-Disney to move your tickets to another party or obtain a refund.

    Let The Good Times Roll!

    WDWNT on July 21, 2008

    Construction is about to begin at Disney’s California Adventure, according to Blue Sky Disney. Come this August, construction walls will be up all through-out Paradise Pier & other area of the park will follow.

    Also while construction is underway in Paradise Pier, the parade route will be shortened & will only run from Sunshine Plaza to the gate in between the Mission Tortilla Factory & the Bountiful Valley Farmers Market.

    Let The Good Times Roll!

    The Goat Is Gone Again!

    WDWNT on July 21, 2008

    According to various reports, the Goat is once again missing from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I’m guessing again it’s just for regular maintenance, & he should return soon.

    One Monster Coaster

    WDWNT on July 21, 2008

    Just as we briefly mentioned at the end of last week, rumors are swirling that an inverted roller coaster themed to Disney Pixar’s Monsters Inc. will be the next major new attraction for the Walt Disney World Resort after the opening of the American Idol Experience this January. Our good friend Jim Hill over at Jim Hill Media had a lengthy article about the proposed Hollywood Studios roller coaster today, although he did go into more detail on some other upcoming projects as well.

    Jim also mentioned two new attractions that were first rumored to the public right here on WDW News Today over the course of the last year. First mentioned was that the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure will be themed to “A Bug’s Life” (probably in the very-near future), and next was the Little Mermaid dark ride that will most likely be heading over to Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in October of 2011. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for updates on all of these very strong rumors, and be sure to read Jim Hill’s article HERE.

    Some Imagination, Huh?

    WDWNT on July 19, 2008

    A press release about entertainment at Walt Disney World was just released. Part of it shows that during the slower times of year, Fantasmic will only be performed 2 nights a week:

    We regularly evaluate and refine our operations. At the same time we unveil The American Idol Experience in January 2009, we will make an adjustment to our operation by offering Fantasmic! on select evenings each week. Fantasmic! will be performed two times weekly –generally Mondays and Thursdays – and more often during our busiest times of the year.

    On nights when Fantasmic! is not performed, Guests (with appropriate ticket media) will continue to have the opportunity to enjoy nightly fireworks spectaculars such as Wishes at the Magic Kingdom® Park and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot®.

    Showtimes will be published for Guests in the Times Guide, which is available at the theme parks, and online at disneyworld.com.

    Weekend Round-Up

    WDWNT on July 19, 2008

    It’s been a news filled past few days, & there’s been a few things that we haven’t reported, as well as some updates, that were covered in this week’s Monday in the Parks update on MiceAge. Let’s take a look through some of the news pieces brought up:

    • After going missing for a second time in a year, the Goat in Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has returned.
    • We here at Disneyland News Today reported earlier this week on the closing of the Vineyard Room at Disney’s California Adventure on August 31st. Well apparently, for the last few years, the restaurant has only been opening on weekends, & it seems that these last few weekends that it’s supposed to be opened… Well basically, it won’t be. Again, it’s not confirmed, but highly likely.
    • Last Friday, both the Green Army Men stand before the security check & the Honda Pilot display in the Esplanade were removed, & everything is back to normal in that general area.
    • Also, the All-American College Band had its last performance at Disneyland last Friday, due to the performers heading back to school.
    • The Magic Morning early entry to Disneyland Park for Disneyland Resort Hotel guests that is usually offered on Sundays, will not be offered Sunday August 31st due to the Disneyland Half Marathon. It will instead be offered Saturday August 30th.

    And now a couple of pieces of news in pictures:


    As we reported earlier this week, the Grand Marshall Pre-Parade to Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams no longer features the dancers, characters, or the Year of a Million Dreams banner at the beginning


    Yesterday at 5:45pm, Ariel made her final ever exit from Ariel’s Grotto