DisneyGeek DLR Update

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

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

A new banner up at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure


One of the counters & some seating at the Bengal Barbecue are behind walls


Apparently this is new wood for the Pacific Wharf Bridge


One of the shop windows in Downtown Disney now displays Disney’s Fairytale Weddings


It’s Tough to be a Bug is closed until May 23rd


And Corn Dog Castle is closed until May 22nd


Finally, it seems the Carnation Cafe restrooms are getting some work done

Dateline Disneyland Picture Update

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Let’s take a look at some various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from this week’s Dateline Disneyland on MiceAge:


The Harbor Blvd. entrance to the resort is closed due to electrical work for the DCA & Grand Californian expansions


The Pixar Play Parade sign at the Mickey & Friends Tram Station is getting some work done


A copy of the Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters mural has been added to the Segway Experience in Innoventions. Talk about originality!


Here’s a better look at the new Build Your Own Lightsaber stand inside Star Traders


The exit waterfall at the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is getting some extensive work done


The hot dog/turkey leg stand opposite Toy Story Midway Mania is to be known as Don Tomas

HKDL’s It’s a Small World Is Officially Open!

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Hong Kong Disneyland’s It’s a Small World has now officially opened! A short little video of the opening ceremony is available on YouTube. Also, the attraction’s website is up, & I must admit, it is a very good website! Featured on it are pictures of each Disney character doll, the theme song sang in different languages, wallpapers, & much more! You can find the website here!

More From Hong Kong

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Let’s pop over to Hong Kong Disneyland once again… A complete video has surfaced of their new It’s a Small World attraction. As you watch the video, be sure to look closely for the Disney characters, & listen closely for interspersed Disney music. We’ve also found video of their clock ceremony, which is pretty much the same as ours. But man, I wish we’d get their facade color scheme!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB-Zyk_Cjlw&feature=related[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TewofEWtFuE&feature=related[/youtube]

Hong Kong Disneyland’s It’s a Small World

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Let’s for a moment wander over to Hong Kong Disneyland… Soft openings have begun for their new version of It’s a Small World, & video has surfaced of it already (although do note, this video does not include all of the attraction)! As you watch the videos, be sure to look closely for the Disney characters, & listen closely for interspersed Disney music.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDKnpRq6lZk[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOUUabRnepA[/youtube]

I will not share my opinion here as I really just want to spread the news, but I will be sharing my opinion of this attraction on this week’s Disneyland News Today Podcast!

My Favorite Season

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Beginning last Friday, the Travel Channel began what will be a weekly series of new programs showcasing the Disney parks. They are referring to the series as their “Season of Disney”. Here is the schedule, including last week’s show which is now running regularly on the network:

  • 4/11: Samantha Brown’s Disney Favorites
  • 4/18: Disney Splurge
  • 4/25: Disney: On a Dime
  • 5/2: The Disney Royal Treatment
  • 5/9: Disney Cruise Line

These shows have been airing at 9pm EST on Fridays, but you still may want to check you local listings just to be sure of when you can check them out.

Top 3 Announced in the CMO Contest

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

With nearly 500,000 online ballots cast, the field in the Disney Dream Chief Magic Official (CMO) competition that once numbered 1,300 contestants has been narrowed to the Top 3: David “Blooper Reel” Hawley of California, Justin “Adventurosity” Muchoney of Pennsylvania and Tripp “Radio DJ” West of Georgia.

Online voters cast ballots throughout March for their favorites among the Top 10 finalists. (Watch videos and read profiles of the Dream CMO finalists from earlier posts.)

The Top 3 vote getters travel to Walt Disney World in mid-April for a head-to-head competition that will be videotaped and voted on again by the online public April 17-21.

The reality television-style tests of creativity, enthusiasm and Disney theme park knowledge include:

Stroller mix-up — Match the stroller with the correct accessory bag.

Towel folding — Create a towel animal following a training session.

Noise making — Generate the loudest crowd reaction.

Park information — Offer assistance, directions and tips to visitors.

Face painting — Create a design following a training session.

The overall Dream CMO winner will be crowned in front of Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on April 22. The winner serves as a goodwill ambassador at Disney parks in Florida and California.

It should be noted that I incorrectly picked West to finish last on a number of occasions. I was disappointed that Patrick “Mr. Cut-Out” Hurd did not make the cut.

I’m picking Muchoney to win it all. Who are you rooting for?


— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Tram Updates

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

We’re hearing some rumors on possible changes coming to the Mickey & Friends, & Lion King Trams. The first thing has already come true, & that’s the replacements of the actual seats with rhino liner seats. And seats may be added to the trams to avoid more unnecessary accidents, & just to keep it warmer during the winter. Also, red speakers have been added to the trams to give directions to guests waiting to board.

DisneyGeek DLR Picture Update

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Our friends over at DisneyGeek have posted a new Disneyland Resort Update, & here are a few of the most interesting pictures:


Some of the trams are getting new seats, which have a rougher feel to them


A rare Downtown Disney update… The Pirates room in the World of Disney has been replaced with a Toontown room


A bunch of drawings like this have been placed on the shelves


More pictures of the Toontown room can be found here


A bunch of signs for the Food & Wine Weekends have been placed around DCA. Let’s take a look at a few of them…


The main entrance to the Golden Vine Winery


These signs are on various lamp-posts & light-towers through-out the park


Along the pathway near the Golden Vine Winery


The entrance to Pacific Wharf


Pretty self-explanatory


Quickly over to Disneyland we go… A better look at the new Grand Marshal vechicle


And finally, this sign appears outside the Dream Suite if it is occupied

Thanks again to DisneyGeek for these pictures! For many more, check out their latest Disneyland Resort Update!

Shanghai Disneyland?

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

While this isn’t Disneyland related news, this is something that could affect the whole shape of the Disney Parks. And that is the possible addition of a Shanghai Disneyland!

SHANGHAI, March, 2008 — US-based Walt Disney Company has decided to build a Disneyland at Chuansha town, Pudong, Shanghai, expected to be announced around the period for the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, according to reliable news. Shanghai mayor Han Zheng once said that the city, having the ability to build a Disneyland, was preparing for the construction and waiting for approval from the State Council, China’s cabinet.

Shanghai Current Economics Research Institute head Wang Liang said that the location of Disney had started to influence the city’s every aspect, such as stock market, real estate, tourism and retail business. For instance, Disney concept stocks, Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development Co., Ltd. (SHSE: 600663), Shanghai Jielong Industry Group Corporation Limited (SHSE: 600836), Shanghai Pudong Road & Bridge Construction Company Limited (SHSE: 600284) and Shanghai Construction Co., Ltd. (SHSE: 600170) kept rising from middle February when the whole stock market was down.

Moreover, all houses at a building under construction, which nears Disney Shanghai theme park, have been sold out. An insider pointed out that the to-be-built Disneyland, a large tourism project able to accept customers to stay for two nights, would double the Shanghai tourism industry’s current revenue, which was good for China’s domestic tourism in spite of a certain impact on Hong Kong Disneyland.

As early as five years ago, rumors reported that the Walt Disney Company was to build a Disneyland in Shanghai, the nation’s financial hub, with acreage three times that of Disneyland Hong Kong. Until March 9, 2008, an insider told journalists that the Chinese watchdog had in principle agreed the foreign giant to locate the Disneyland in Shanghai. In addition, subways and light rails to the Chuansha town will be available in 2009 and so did the related supporting facilities around.

As a matter of fact, China’s other large cities, like Beijing, Chengdu and Tianjin have also gotten into a fierce struggle in hopes of locating the Disneyland there, which is expected to boost a city’s economy and industry to a new high, said Zhu Lianqing, director at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences research center.