We are well into this year’s summer pin event, Mickey’s Pin Odyssey. As predicted, pins are being added to the line up all of the time, & we have been keeping up to date on the pins in a thread on the WDWNT Community Forums. This really is a quality event as the 2 upcoming releases pictured bellow will show:
So be sure to check by the Mickey’s Pin Odyssey Guide on the WDWNT Community Forums for up to date information on Mickey’s Pin Odyssey!
Let’s take a look at some of the various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from this week’s Dateline Disneyland on MiceAge:
This sign for Disneyland’s 53rd Anniversary was up just before the tunnels yesterday
Signs were also up at the Main Street Train Station
At 4:45pm, there was a small ceremony with the Mayor of Main Street & the Fab Five (the Dateline Disneyland article, linked at the beginning of the post, has plenty of pictures from this ceremony)
Cast members wore this anniversary button
The It’s a Small World Toy Shop has come out from behind tarps with a fresh coat of paint, but is still closed to guests
The metal portion of the Tomorrowland marque got repainted a lighter tan & dark brown scheme
The back of this globe used to be blue
The Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries photo-op now has a sign, just in case people aren’t aware that the boulder is to take photos with
This lovely painting by Manny Hernandez was released yesterday to commemorate Disneyland’s 53rd Anniversary (more info on this painting can be found at DisneyGallery.com)
To cap this Dateline Disneyland update off, Andy (the writer of Dateline Disneyland) managed to get some concept art for the new Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough:
What is already starting to be a very interesting weekend has begun here at WDW News Today, and here are some news and notes to bring you up to speed:
-Rumors are swirling about a video that appeared on the Walt Disney World cast member website that provided full details on the next attraction coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a Monsters Inc. themed roller coaster. The video was apparently pulled from the site fairly quickly, yet we can still not confirm that these reports or that the video actually exists. Be sure to keep you eyes on WDW News Today as more info becomes available on this rumored project.
-Here’s a picture of the progress of the new north wing at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (provided by Jason Diffendal’s sister):
Notice that the glass and exterior on most of the building is nearing completion
-On a final note, if you are attending the MagicMeets fan gathering this weekend, be sure to look out for myslef and Jason Diffendal who will be representing WDW News Today and WDWCelebrations.
I’m back from a lovely 2 day trip to the Disneyland Resort for my birthday & guess what that means… A photo report! There’s lots of images today, so let’s get to it:
The theme park information sign is back out by all bag search booths
When DCA opens, there’s 2 paths to go, Midway Mania’s line & the Princess Breakfast at Ariel’s Grotto
Guess this sign will have to be changed soon
My score this time wasn’t as good as my last trip
Now let’s take a tour of the Sun Wheel, as it is now (as it will be made into Mickey’s Fun Wheel this fall)
Non-swinging gondolas
Swinging gondolas
I’m Missing It… NOT!
There was some kind of convention in the Grand Californian Hotel
Department 56 in Downtown Disney is having some work done
There will be a Mardi Gras “extravaganza” at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen on September 6th
I ate at Rainforest Cafe for my birthday
The Build Your Own Lightsaber stand in Star Traders
A couple of shots here of Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams… Plenty will be available in the Image Gallery tomorrow
The It’s a Small World Top Shop is out from behind tarps… Notice the missing dolls in the boat?
New colors on the Small World attraction sign I believe
New Century Timepieces is a thing of the past
A nice new painting available, with a hefty price tag of $1,500!
Some nice Tiki Room merchandise that was released for the attraction’s 45th anniversary… You’ll be able to see all of it in the Image Gallery tomorrow
I want to get this lovely poster of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle
Surprised they’re still selling this one… I still want it!
Saw the tribute band Tomasina at the Tomorrowland Terrace Tuesday night
WOOOO!
Here are a few (blurry) shots of Fantasmic!
Moving on to Wednesday, a little look at the Midway Games, which should be changed this fall
ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD!?
The Midway Stores, which I presume will be changed too
Mr. Potato Head was covered up this morning
Construction on the soon to re-open Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through
An ad for The Little Mermaid III on Main Street
And the Sleeping Beauty Platinum Edition DVD
Classic Ariel picture in Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years
Space chick & astronaut
Characters from Captain EO
Watch makers in the Art of Disneyland on Main Street
An awesome Small World poster
A product release & signing with Robet Olszewski on Saturday August 28th at the Disneyana Shop from 9am to 11am
Now I know this tent wasn’t in the Esplanade on the 5th
Another ad for The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning
And to end off this photo report, me with Ariel… My favorite character picture ever!
Be sure to keep an eye on all of our Image Galleries tomorrow for full size versions of these pictures & many more (over 400 in total)!
There was an event held today in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle for the 2008 series of Disney US postage stamps. Just my luck that I missed the event by a day, but David “Darkbeer” Michael did however attend, so here are a few of his pictures:
So this is what the tent I saw in the Esplanade yesterday is for
This year’s stamps are of Steamboat Willie, 101 Dalmatians, the Jungle Book, & Sleeping Beauty… Marty Sklar was in attendance for the event (like he his for most events that the Disney company hold)
And now a few non-event related pictures from outside the parks:
It might just be me, or is this a new stand in Downtown Disney
Some construction going on in the Disneyland Hotel
Be sure to check out Darkbeer’s SmugMug page for plenty more pictures from around the Disneyland Resort today!
Today is the last day for this year’s Summer Pin Festival, Mickey’s Pin Odyssey. This was a great event in my opinion, & I really hope next year’s one is just as good. Speaking of next years, Diz Pins have put up a little hint of what next year’s event could be:
As we previously noted, the Decoder from Mickey’s Pin Odyssey Lanyard could be used to read not only the corners of the Pirate’s Lair map, BUT, there were 8 Surprise Pins in the Pin Odyssey Collection. When all 8 cards are put together, they formed a picture that revealed a huge hint as to next year’s Disneyland Summer Pin Festival!!
And if you couldn’t tell, it reveals an image of the Haunted Mansion!
So I hope everyone got themselves lots of pins from the festival, & here’s to the season where I don’t have to spend as much money on pins!
The ever useful David “Darkbeer” Michael of MiceAge.com was on the scene outside the Disneyland Resort yesterday, as Unite HERE held their protest against the Walt Disney Company. Here are a few of his pictures showing this unfortunate event (and plenty more can be found on his SmugMug page):
They marched from the Paradise Pier hotel, all the way down to the Timon parking lot entrance
Once there, 32 picketers joined arms in the middle of the road, blocking traffic on all sides!
Unfortunately for them, but luckily for Disneyland Resort guests, all 32 picketers were arrested
UPDATE: The OC Register has put up a couple of videos showing the picketers march, & then them getting arrested. Check ’em out HERE.
The What’s HapPINing official Disney pin blog put up a preview of a pin being release next year, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Monorail system:
It should be safe to say that Disneyland will somehow be celebrating the 50th anniversary of not only the Monorail, but also the Submarine Voyage & the Matterhorn next summer.
I had a lovely day at the Disneyland Resort yesterday, & there is tons of stuff going on around the Resort. Let’s delve into this enormous photo report:
All of the attractions closed. The Mark Twain wasn’t closed by the way!
The lovely new DCA map cover.
Not a lot of entertainment going on at DCA during the off season.
Not really a lot at Disneyland either.
Halloween Time returns September 26th!
The McDonalds logo is still in the Burger Invasion poster near California Screamin’s entrance.
Mr. Potato Head was broken down when I went to ride Toy Story Midway Mania.
SS Rustworthy is still the same as it has always been.
The big McDonalds logo has been removed from the Burger Invasion facade.
A look at the old menu.
The McDonalds logo is still on the main part of SS Rustworthy.
The Vineyard Room has already been removed from all Golden Vine Winery signs.
I hate deserted buildings.
This sign is in front of the upcoming DCA Preview Center.
Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party advertised at the exit turnstiles of DCA…
… And also the exit turnstiles of Disneyland.
The lovely new Disneyland Park map cover.
Halloween merchandise on sale in the Emporium.
I love that 15th anniversary of Nightmare Before Christmas shirt!
The whole Star Tours outside queue is under construction walls, to be repaved.
What a lovely term!
The walls spread all the way from the entrance of Star Tours to the main entrance of the Star Trader.
What an amazing wait time for Space Mountain, especially as this was around 2pm!
I have never seen Space Mountain’s wait this short, this late in the day!
While waiting in line for the Matterhorn, I saw Monorail Purple being towed off the track. It returned to the tracks later in the day.
New color scheme on the It’s a Small World attraction sign.
A peek through a whole in the construction wall.
A peek inside the It’s a Small World Toy Shop.
I went to the Princess Fantasy Faire to see if Ariel in her human form was there. While in line for the Princesses, I heard her being announced as part of the Royal Coronation Ceremony. Oh well, better luck next time!
One track of the Matterhorn was not being used all day.
Now a look at construction on Ariel’s Grotto/Pixie Hollow.
The Ariel’s Grotto sign is still in place.
A peek through a whole in the construction wall.
I spy with my little eye- Disney Executives!
You should be able to see a fountain still running just above the construction wall.
Yep, definitely Disney executives!
You cant see it all that well in this picture, but there is some sort of image planted in the ground.
It’s construction wall chaos in New Orleans Square right now!
To get to Critter Country, you have to use the lower walkway right along the Rivers of America.
The whole area from the French Market, past the New Orleans Square Railroad Station, & through to the Haunted Mansion is completely walled off to guest access!
There’s that beautification term once again.
After one day, the French Market is already covered in scaffolding.
I don’t think anything has yet changed over at Harbor Galley.
The Secret of the Stone Tiger show sign has already been removed.
I’m not completely sure, but I think someone was taken ill here right outside Aladdin’s Oasis.
Now let’s take a mini tour of Golden Dreams, which closes permanently to the public this upcoming Sunday.
A look at construction on the Grand Californian DVC expansion.
DCA closed at 6pm yesterday. That’s crazy early if you ask me.
The stores at the Disneyland Resort have special offers on the 2 newest Disney DVD releases, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning…
… And the amazing new Nightmare Before Christmas special edition DVD.
Halloween decor inside Marceline’s Confectionery at Downtown Disney.
A look at the Halloween decorations in the Toontown room of the World of Disney store.
The horrible looking Beverly Hills Chihuahua movie being advertised on the exterior of the World of Disney.
It seriously can’t take this long to fix a billboard!
That’s going to wrap it up for this gigantic photo report. Be sure to check back later today as I’ll be uploading bigger versions of these pictures, plus many more to our lovely Image Galleries.
Here is a press release from earlier today on all the details for next year’s new “Disney Parks” celebration:
NEW YORK (Sept. 18, 2008) – Everyone who visits a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park on their birthday in 2009 can get in free, as Disney Parks embraces a newly identified family travel trend called “celebration vacations.”
In this new national trend, American families are hitting the road to mark life’s special occasions – birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, reunions and more – with a “celebration vacation.” In 2009, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts will lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences.
And to kick it all off – a first-ever opportunity for guests to receive a free ticket to one of the Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks on their birthday in 2009.
“Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, at an announcement event today in New York. “We thought a free birthday ticket would be the icing on the cake as we extend this new ‘celebration vacation’ trend to Disney Parks.”
Disney parks provide the perfect setting for this new style of vacation that celebrates the special occasions in life, Rasulo added.
Whether a guest is celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, Quinceañera or any special occasion, Disney parks already are filled with favorite characters, world-class attractions and entertainment, and legendary guest service – exactly the “something for everyone” that trend-watchers say families look for in a “celebration vacation.”
“The special moments in your life become truly magical when you celebrate at a Disney park,” Rasulo said. “Sharing a milestone at Disney connects families, friends and generations.”
Nationwide Survey Reveals ‘Celebration Vacation’ Trend
A nationwide survey of nearly 4,600 adults conducted by Ypartnership – co-author of the influential National Travel Monitor – showed that 70 percent of U.S. leisure travelers have taken a vacation with the primary purpose of marking a special occasion in their lives – a “celebration vacation,” as Ypartnership President and CEO Peter Yesawich termed it.
Respondents mentioned a broad range of events worth celebrating with a special vacation – not just birthdays and anniversaries but a first vacation with children, a job promotion or recovery from an illness.
Whenever something positive happens in their lives, people seek out ways to make them more special, Yesawich said, and vacations are clearly perceived as both an appropriate and desirable way to do so.
“Time does pass quickly and there is a growing trend to slow down our frenetic lifestyles and stop to rejoice around the things that matter,” he said. “Families on ‘celebration vacations’ are looking to truly commemorate moments in their lives – in special places everyone can enjoy.”
Research showed that when they take that “celebration vacation,” families are looking for destinations that provide activities for children and – better yet – activities adults and children can enjoy together.
“Given these findings, it’s not surprising that Disney Parks topped the list of destinations where families would most like to celebrate these special occasions,” Yesawich said.
Turning Life’s Special Moments Into a Personal Disney Celebration
“We see our parks as the ideal setting for a personal celebration,” Rasulo said. “Guests can immerse themselves in their favorite stories and their favorite characters, creating a visit they’ll never forget.
“And when our cast members get involved, it feels as if the entire park is celebrating along with you.”
At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can add on to the fun, choosing from more than 200 experiences ranging from breathtaking (magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths with undersea creatures) to mirth-making (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character dining, kids’ pirate adventures). At Disneyland Resort, celebrants can book more than 50 magical experiences, including “My Disneyland Birthday Party” and unique Disneyland guided tours.
With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor their celebration with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experiences. Maybe they have a “princess” day with themed meals, shows, attractions and perfectly princess merchandise at Disneyland. Or they turn Walt Disney World “wild” with trail riding, bass fishing and water skiing.
Even before the Ypartnership findings, Disney noticed the celebration trend happening in its parks, Rasulo noted. For instance, guests have visited the parks to propose marriage, celebrate a child’s passage into high school, or pull the whole family together for the golden anniversary of their parents. “But Walt Disney World and Disneyland are now poised to champion milestone vacations for families and friends in a breakthrough way,” he said.
“We’re asking our guests, ‘What will YOU celebrate?’
“Part of the celebration is all the firsts that magically happen at Disney Parks,” Rasulo said.
“Guests become the star of their own celebration. It could be a first trip to Disney or a first family vacation without the stroller. We want to make a first visit – and every visit – even more memorable.”
Even if they’re not celebrating, Rasulo said, guests will be immersed in a “Celebrate Today!” spirit, making every day a party.
Making it Easier than Ever to Plan
Planning any event can be a challenge. With Disney’s new celebration planning tools, it’s easier than ever for guests to plan celebrations large and small, customizing and personalizing each experience and tending to all the details, from a special cake to an elaborate one-of-a-kind celebration that only Disney could create.
Thanks to new Web tools, guests can discover magical experiences, unique events, dining enhancements and more.
Disney’s planning services allow guests to stay focused on what really matters – the people closest to them. And vacation packages make celebrating at Disney right for any budget.
Customizing Your Celebration
Depending on the Disney park they are headed to, guests can order everything from special dining to princess tea parties, from yacht cruises to treasure hunting on a pirate sailing adventure, from a quiet trail ride to parasailing thrills. Or they can opt for magical experiences for their group – from dessert parties to a Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise to special entertainment.
Among add-on experiences guests can choose to customize their “celebration vacation”:
Celebrating in the Parks
Disney is unwrapping all-new entertainment with memory-makers in mind, allowing guests to focus their celebration on favorite characters, favorite attractions and favorite stories to create a custom celebration in the park. New park experiences coming in 2009 for all park guests to enjoy:
Memories to Last a Lifetime
Disney parks are the ultimate setting for any celebration, turning a special occasion into a magical Disney experience. And with the opportunity of free admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park on your birthday in 2009, it’s even more special. All it takes is a valid ID including proof of birth date. Guests can get more details and start the process by registering their birthdays at www.disneyparks.com.
“We believe Disney parks are uniquely positioned for any celebration and offer the ultimate setting for marking a cherished milestone,” Rasulo said. “People trust Disney to make an occasion truly magical. And now more than ever, Disney will help guests seize those special moments and turn them into memories that will live forever in their hearts.”
For more information or to book a Disney “celebration vacation,” guests can visit www.disneyparks.com, call 407/W-DISNEY or contact their local travel agent.
