Myrna Litt’s 10/16 Photo Report – Part #2

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

As promised, here is the second part of Myrna Litt’s 10/16 photo report:

Earlier than expected, the Paradise Pier lagoon has started to be drained. And as you can tell from the picture, another testing barge for World of Color is in the lagoon.

The Sun Wheel is now closed for its conversion over to Mickey’s Fun Wheel.

Ray Bradbury’s Halloween Tree in Frontierland all lit up at night.

The Halloween Tree’s dedication plaque.

A couple of shots of Haunted Mansion Holiday at nighttime.

Pumpkin Mickey winks you goodbye as you exit Disneyland.

To cap off this photo report, the 3rd billboard at the Mickey & Friends Tram Station has FINALLY returned! It took 4 months!

Two Cast Members Honored as 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassadors

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 17, 2008 –- Before an audience of more than 1,000 Cast Members, media and former Ambassadors, Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier announced the 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team at Disneyland today. Cast Members Danielle DuBois and Quinn Shurian will serve as the 44th team to represent the resort and its Cast as the 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassadors.

“Being chosen to represent 20,000 Disneyland Resort Cast Members is an incredible honor and one of the highest achievements of a Disney Cast Member. This program is a unique and important part of our company’s heritage,” said Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier.  “These two Cast Members will take the magic and good will of Disneyland throughout our community and beyond in the coming year.”

The prestigious honor of being selected as a Disney Ambassador began during the 10th anniversary of Disneyland, when Walt Disney realized the need for an additional representative to help fulfill the many media, public appearance and VIP hosting requests he received. He selected the very first Ambassador in 1965 and the tradition has continued ever since.

Today, the Ambassador selection process involves months of preparation and interviews with fellow Cast Members and executives where candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate the depth of their Disney knowledge and their passion about being a Disney Cast Member.

The new Ambassador team will represent the company during the recently announced “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign. The celebration runs through 2009 and invites all guests to mark their special occasions at a Disney park in a way only Disney can provide. Their full-time duties include participating in more than 200 events from – Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2009 – including Cast Member recognition ceremonies, grand openings, marketing events, special promotions and media interviews. They will also host dignitaries and other VIPs at Disneyland Resort.

In 2006, DuBois began her career at the Disneyland Resort as a lead and trainer in the imaging department. Prior to that, DuBois lived in Yokohama, Japan and served as an English teacher to students that ranged in age from 3 to 80 years old. After attending California State University, Chico, where she received a degree in communication design, DuBois participated in the Up With People Worldsmart program – an international community service youth group. For one year, DuBois dedicated her time to giving back through performances and activities in 18 countries. DuBois attended College Park High School in Pleasant Hill and currently resides in Irvine, Calif.

Shurian began his career at Disneyland in attractions in 1994 and had roles in Guest Relations and Guest Communications before reaching his current position as a communications specialist in Cast Communications. He also is an Adventure Guide for Adventures by Disney – traveling around the world sharing his passion for Disney with families on vacation. Shurian has been a Disney VoluntEAR for nearly 10 years – dedicating time to various projects around the community. Two of those years he has held spots on the Disney VountEARS Leadership Council. Shurian attended Newbury Park High School and currently resides in Orange, Calif.

Videos From Myrna’s 10/2 Trip to Disneyland

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Myrna has sent in 2 short videos from her trip 2 days ago that I want to share with everyone. The first is a clip of the Halloween displays along the Mickey & Friends tram route:

And the second is of the Year of a Million Dreams Mickey Mouse Floral, with Halloween decorations on the Main Street Train Station in the background:

Myrna Litt’s 9/29 Photo Report

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

It’s once again time for a Disneyland Resort Photo Report from our very own Myrna Litt.  Even though I was just at the Resort, she still managed to find some neat tidbits.

More Halloween Time banners at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure.

They were loading on both sides of the tram station, which appeared to confused some people.

Signs are all over the Resort showing the special hours this Sunday due to the Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 event.

Seems like a pretty long line for Toy Story Midway Mania on an off season Monday.

Myrna’s score is on the left.

Halloween Time popcorn buckets.

Myrna gave a helpful tip on getting prizes from the Dream Cast Members: “When you see a cast member with the Million Dreams bag, just start asking a lot of questions. We have won front row seats to shows, pins, hats and other goodies. They will not offer them to you, but if you ask they may have something cool.”

The outside eating area was closed for the Wine Country Trattoria.

Here are a couple of pictures of exterior decorations for Haunted Mansion Holiday.

Pumpkin carving at Woody’s Halloween Roundup.

This area of Sleeping Beauty Castle is walled off in preparation for the re-opening of the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough.

A crane has moved into the Pixie Hollow construction zone. It also looks like the Ariel’s Grotto sign has finally been removed.

It seems Carnation Cafe was closed for some reason.

DLR Photo Report – 9/27/08

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

It’s once again time for a Disneyland Resort Photo Report, which is in fact our biggest ever, with nearly 200 photos! So let’s not dilly-dally, & get straight to it:

The banners at the Mickey & Friends Parking Stucture have been changed for Halloween Time.

New billboards at the Tram Station for Halloween Time. I wish they’d fix the third one already!

Some Halloween displays along the tram route.

Halloween Time banners through-out Downtown Disney.

The 50th anniversary of Sleeping Beauty being advertised in one of the World of Disney’s windows.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen this thing 100% accurate.

You’d think they’d advertise something related to Halloween.

The California letters have been given their Hallowen touch-up.

These are on the DCA turnstiles.

Halloween Time on the Golden Gate Bridge.

The times guide with all of the Hallowen Time entertainment.

The new DCA map cover.

Hmmm… Not everything here is for Halloween Time.

This is the first time that Disney has officially used the Blue Sky Cellar name for the new DCA Preview Center, that opens on October 20th. Pretty cool logo too.

Candy Corn Acres on the DCA map.

The Burger Invasion billboard near California Screamin’ has been removed.

I’m pretty sure this is a new menu.

Bye Bye Whoopi… Hello Ariel!

Where the banners used to hang from. I pressume the clip things will be removed (I hope!).

Oh boy… This sure isn’t a refurbishment!

All of the queue/waiting area for Golden Dreams is still in tact.

These lighting towers were set up through-out the park. Not sure why.

Burger Invasion is now completely walled off & behind tarps.

The restrooms are still open.

These tables are most likely the only McDonalds references left in the Resort.

Next door at the SS Rustworthy, the various McDonalds flags have been removed.

Bellow SS Trustworthy, there used to be a sign saying “Presented by McDonalds” (or was it sponsored?).

The Sun Wheel now remains open through October 12th.

Cast Members started to remove the extended queue for Toy Story Midway Mania at about 10:30am yesterday.

Another one of those lighting towers over by the entrance to A Bug’s Land.

Now let’s take a tour of Candy Corn Acres.

New displays on Toy Story & the Toy Story Zoetrope inside Character Closeup in the Disney Animation building.

Cinderella, Mickey, & Woody came into Disney Animation to do meet ‘n greets after Drawn to the Magic.

Banners for Halloween Time in Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

Muppet Vision 3D re-opened Thursday after a brief refurbishment. The film itself looks crystal clear now.

The clever Muppet movie posters in the Award Weiners seating area have been replaced with posters for upcoming Disney films.

Considering these posters were only put up about a week ago, this one is a little dated.

The Wall-E display over by the Hyperion Theater.

The Queen of Hearts & the Bowler Hat Guy doing meet ‘n greets… Two characters you don’t usually see out. Guess we should thank Hallowen Time for this opportunity.

The Hyperion Theater is closed through December 11th I believe.

Moving over to Disneyland… The Fab 5 as pumpkins now loom over the turnstiles.

The Main Street Train Station is decked out for Halloween, however the floral Mickey remains in its Year of a Million Dreams form.

Beast is another character you don’t usually see out & about (except for in Parade of Dreams of course).

The new Disneyland Park map cover.

Now let’s take a look at some of the Halloween decorations on Main Street… The back of the Train Station.

The Main Street Opera House.

The giant pumpkin Mickey.

Construction on the Plaza Pavilion.

The front of South Seas Traders was walled off breifly last week, but is now open to guest flow.

The Sailing Ship Columbia is closed.

Haunted Mansion Holiday Fastpass distribution area.

Fastpass is only used during Haunted Mansion Holiday.

The New Orleans Square Train Station is closed & walled off through October 15th.

The new pavement around Haunted Mansion Holiday.

The French Market has re-opened after its refurbishment, with Halloween decorations up, that are very similar to the ones found next door at Haunted Mansion Holiday.

I believe this area was repaved also.

You have to go through the French Market to get out of this area.

I didn’t look, but I believe this is the Mint Julep Bar.

Now let’s take a look at this year’s Haunted Mansion Holiday.

This year’s Gingerbread House in the Ballroom scene is a coffin, with a gingerbread man rising out of it every few seconds.

No more McDonalds references at Habour Galley.

The Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise cart near the exit of Haunted Mansion Holiday.

A very small construction wall over at the River Bell Terrace.

Work being done to the top of the Frontierland Shooting Exposition.

An exhibit of sorts near Rancho Del Zocalo. I have absolutely no idea what it is for.

The Conostoga Wagon has now been completely removed.

Now let’s take a walk around Woody’s Halloween Roundup at Big Thunder Ranch.

A peek back at the Festival Arena.

Here you can decorate your Halloween cookie for a hefty price of $6.

I do not like that they have this goat out in the open, with no gate seperating people who don’t want to go near it, like myself.

The small scale Woody’s Roundup Adventure! show is basically an episode of the fictional TV show, Woody’s Roundup.

In the Hub, there are 7 pumpkins that have carvings of a character representing one of Disneyland’s many lands. For Adventureland you have Tarzan.

For New Orleans Square you have Jack Skellington.

For Frontierland you have Woody.

Winnie the Pooh represents Critter Country.

Tinker Bell represents Fantasyland.

For Mickey’s Toontown you have Roger Rabbit.

And for Tomorrowland you have Buzz Lightyear.

The Buzz Lightyear side of the main path in Tomorrowland is now being repaved. That means Fastpass is not being used for Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

There’s a small construction wall in front of the Star Trader main entrance. The store remains open however.

The third seagull has finally returned to the Submarine Lagoon after over a half year of absense.

The tarps have been removed from the It’s a Small World facade.

A peek inside the It’s a Small World Toy Shop.

There was water in the flume, but no boats.

I once again went to the Princess Fantasy Faire to see if Ariel in her human form was there. First I got Belle.

Then I got Jasmine for the first time.

And then I got Ariel in her human form finally! I much prefer the mermaid form.

The Toontown Train Station was closed for some reason when I left the Princess Fantasy Faire at about 4:30/4:45.

The Ariel’s Grotto sign is still in place.

A circular structure has risen where Ariel’s turntable used to be. I’m guessing this will turn into the teapot that will be used for Pixie Hollow.

Can’t tell much of a difference just yet.

The Star Tours exetended queue is being used for Stroller parking for Star Tours, & maybe even Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters too.

New Halloween Time napkins.

This entrance to the Starcade was walled off for some reason. However I did notice some men doing some work on the roof of the building for some reason or another.

After 9 months of waiting, I finally got the chance to ride the beautiful Monorail Red!

The interior of Monorail Red is absolutely beautiful. The lighting is just amazing! However it did get very warm in there, considering I rode it at about 6:45.

The lighting really comes out well at night.

I managed to pick up the Sleeping Beauty 50th anniversary pins that were released last Saturday. I was amazed that they still had some!

To cap off this photo report, these Tinker Bell pins are the first to have “First Release” stamped on the backer card.

That’s going to do it for this ernomous photo report. Hopefully you could load it with-out too much trouble! Stay tuned later tonight, tomorrow, & Tuesday for these images plus many more to uploaded to our Image Gallery, as well as 2 vidcasts!

Valencia Attorney Sues Disneyland in 2-Year-Old’s Dog Mauling

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

According to the Los Angeles Daily News:

Disneyland brought in a “not very social” dog from a local shelter to use in its petting zoo two years ago, and the dog mauled a 2-year-old girl, leaving her permanently scarred, according to a lawsuit filed by a Valencia attorney.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court, alleges that Disneyland adopted the 6-year-old red-and-black-haired German shepherd and labrador retriever mix named Hemmingway from the Orange County Animal Shelter, where facility workers said he was “not very social” and had a history of aggression.

Disney officials did not return calls today seeking comment.

Nobody knew anything about the dog when he came into the shelter, and he wouldn’t let anyone near him for five days. A shelter veterinarian even noted that he couldn’t pet the dog, according to the suit.

A month later, on Sept. 23, 2006, a Disney employee adopted Hemmingway. The company placed the leashed dog on a box in the Big Thunder petting zoo and assigned an employee with no animal training to watch over him while children played with him.

It was there, less than two weeks after being adopted, that the dog lunged at Lena Dickerson, biting her face several times, permanently scarring the girl, the lawsuit alleges. Her family lived in Valencia at the time but recently moved to Illinois.

“It is atrocious what Disney did, and the public needed to be warned,” said Michael Bishay, the attorney representing the family, who declined to comment. “You don’t invite kids to pet stray dogs.”

On the afternoon of Oct. 3, 2006, Lena Dickerson, her parents and two siblings walked up to Hemmingway. Anna, her 9-year-old sister, began petting the dog’s head, her 5-year-old brother Eli stroked his back and Lena, 2 at the time, stroked near his rear.

The family continued to play with the dog – who Disney also used in parades as fireworks exploded overhead, the suit alleges – for a few minutes before Lena’s parents decided to leave. Lena leaned in to say goodbye when the dog lunged at her, knocking Eli in the chest and biting Lena’s face several times.

Hemmingway finally locked his jaws underneath her right eye before her father, Shane Dickerson, pried the animal loose, according to the suit.

Lena is now 4, and the family is seeking unspecified punitive damages as well as reimbursement for their medical cost and trauma imposed by the incident.

“She is doing better than we had all hoped,” Bishay said.

Celebrate Pixies!

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

The great guys over at Orlando Attractions Magazine have scooped up some more concept art for “What Will You Celebrate?”, as well as new pictures of what the in-park Disney Fairies characters will look like at both Disneyland & Walt Disney World, that was shown off this morning at a “Business Behind the Magic” presentation by Disney:

This basically shows off the some general decorations that both Disneyland & Walt Disney World will get. I really like the way that the Habor Blvd. guest entrance will be re-done.

Some concept for the new “Celebrate Today!” show, as well as some weird bikes of some sort.

Here you can see the final costume designs for the Disney Fairies characters.

Orlando Attractions Magazine also has a video where Francois Leroux, vice president of Walt Disney World Entertainment, describes the new Pixie Hollow meet ‘n greets for Disneyland & Walt Disney World. For more information on all things shown off in this post, check out this blog post on OAM.

Myrna Litt’s 9/21 Photo Report

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

It’s once again time for a photo report from our very own Myrna Litt. She attended yesterday’s Pin Trading Night at the Paradise Pier Hotel, & got these lovely pictures for us (plus a couple from Downtown Disney):

The Pacific Ballroom was quite crowded.

These are add a name pins, where (as the name implies) you can add your name to the pin.

A look at some lovely pins coming out this Christmas.

People trading pins at the trading boards.

A kids zone was set up.

The kids trading board.

Concept art of next year’s Summer Pin Festival, the Haunted Mansion O-Pin House.

Construction seems to of wrapped up at Department 56 in Downtown Disney. We’re now just waiting for a new tenant to move in next door.

The beautiful Monorail Blue zipped by, & Myrna manged to get a quick shot of it.

Finally, Myrna captured a quick little video of the crowds & trading at this month’s Pin Trading Night:

Key to the Land

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Often when guests visit the Disneyland Resort, they are asked by Cast Members when entering the park if they’d like to take an online survey about their day at the park, & how the whole Resort experience can be improved. My family is asked to take this survey quite often, & in a recent survey, this possible idea was brought up:

One card does it all!
 Load spending money directly onto your Annual Pass for flexibility, convenience and added benefits:

• Flexible – use your card to dine and shop anywhere at the Disneyland® Resort
• Convenient – one card is all you need for your admission and purchases during your visit
• Safe – a Passport photo keeps your spending dollars secure
• Customizable – reload your card at any Disneyland® Resort location or online
• Family Friendly – add an allowance to your teen’s Passport to let them explore the Resort without worrying about cash

If you’re familiar with staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, then think of this as being some what similar to a Key to the World card. I personally think this is an absolutely fantastic idea & hope it comes to pass.

Yet Another “What Will You Celebrate?” Website

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

While there are still 3 months remaining in the long running Year of a Million Dreams at the Disney Parks, the marketing campaign for “What Will You Celebrate?” is already in full swing. If you head over to Disneyland.com, you can plainly see that the mouse-ear balloons have already taken over the place. More interestingly, there is now a Disneyland Resort specific page for the 2009 celebration that focuses only on what guests of the Anaheim Vacation Kingdom will be able to see or do when they are invited to “Celebrate Everyday!” beginning January 1st, 2009. The website features an overview of what you can get if you visit the Disneyland Resort for your birthday, anniversary, a reunion, etc. There’s also links to a page for the new entertainment in the parks, as well as the “kick-off” for the promotion, Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 event. You can see the new website & all of its features by clicking here.

This banner on the front page of the website is a horrible photo-shopped picture of the Magic Kingdom’s new Liberty Square bridge, with Sleeping Beauty Castle in its old color scheme.