Conner Purzycki’s 1/17/13 DLR Photo Report

I was at the Disneyland Resort this afternoon and captured some newsworthy photos from all around the resort to share.

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A giant crane is in place right over Big Thunder.




It looks bigger in person 

Work on the center Fantasmic fountain is underway 

New Orleans Bayou Bash has already been setup getting ready for the event kickoff tomorrow 

Very temporary looking speaker setup 




Mark Twain still in dry dock for its annual refurbishment 

Christmas decorations still coming down in New Orleans Square 

Blue sky and no more snow on the castle 

Now for the juicy stuff, Fantasy Faire 

A new structure has sprung up where previously a path led to Fantasyland 








A closer look at that new structure 


Over in DCA, it seems the Hyperion Bridge which crosses over Buena Vista Street was painted overnight to a new darker beige color 






I don’t particularly mind the color change, I’m just curious why? 

Over in Cars Land, one side of Mater’s is being resurfaced 



Over in Flo’s the giant rotisserie out front has been removed

Odd to see this in the middle of the day 

Thanks for reading
 

Happy Lunar New Year Celebration Moves Across the Esplanade to Disney California Adventure Park

By Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Happy Lunar New Year Celebration

Come celebrate the Year of the Snake when Happy Lunar New Year Celebration returns as part of “Limited Time Magic,” February 8-11 – this year at Disney California Adventure park! Lunar New Year is a time when Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures celebrate the sun and moon beginning their journeys for another year.

From 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day in the Pacific Wharf area of the park, guests will enjoy unique cultural experiences, flavorful food offerings, unique merchandise, and colorful performances from dancers, musicians, and martial artists. Some of your favorite Disney characters will be there as well, such as Mulan, Mushu, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more information about Happy Lunar New Year Celebration and “Limited Time Magic.”

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Blue Sky Cellar Exhibit Opens Featuring Fantasy Faire & Mickey and the Magical Map

The latest Blue Sky Cellar exhibit opened yesterday and features the new land coming to Disneyland this spring, Fantasy Faire. Photos courtesy of Tim Alcoser.

Starting out with the film show in the exhibit

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On to the photos 



Starting out with the large model of Fantasy Faire 




Royal Hall

Royal Theater 



Tangled Tower 





The show building 




On to some of the concept art, the exhibits were broken down into several different “steps” of the design process. 

First step is research. For Fantasy Faire, WDI researched the original fantasyland as well as the many expansions the land












Second step is “Blue Sky.” This steps shows some of the first drawings of what eventually became Fantasy Faire 









Third step is “concept” 








Fourth step is “feasibility,” turing the concept into something that can fit into the park and make it work 




Our first look at Maurice’s Treats which is a food cart for the area selling specialty baked items and possibly dole whips. 

A look inside Royal Hall 


An Owl Newl Post 





The Royal Hall logo 
The final step is Implementation



Poster for the Meet and Greet, Royal Hall 


Here is the sign for Fairytale Treasures, the merchandise location for Fantasy Faire. 

Neat tribute to Carnation Gardens 

Cool CGI concept of the area 


Neat art for Royal Hall 

Imagineers talked a lot about a neat music box in the land featuring Clopin from Hunchback of Notre Dame 



We are really excited about this. An outdoor Figaro animatronic will be placed on a window sill in fantasyland and every so often will wake up and try to grab a nearby animatronic bird. 




A new exhibit featured some concept art of Mickey and The Magical Map as well

The art on display of the show are concepts we have already seen 




Though one new piece of art shown was an overhead look at The Fantasyland Theater. According to this art, a pond we be constructed in front of the theater


The giant interactive map of DCA was removed and replaced with a piece of wall from Fantasy Faire. 




Stay tuned to DLNT as we continue our coverage of Princess Fantasy Faire opening this Spring inside Disneyland Park

Mickey Check for Kids’ Meals Debuts at Disneyland Resort,

By Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:

From an udon noodle bowl at Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure park to turkey pot pie atCinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park, the new Mickey Check is now featured on kids’ menus in both quick-service and table-service restaurants across Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
,center>Mickey Check for Kids’ Meals Debuts at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Following the introduction earlier this month at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, the expansion of the Mickey Check helps families easily find nutritious choices, part of an ongoing program that launched in 2006 with nutrition guidelines. The Mickey Check makes it even easier to identify healthier food options in all of the Disney theme parks and resorts.

Choices that receive the Mickey Check must meet Disney Nutrition Guidelines that limit calories, saturated fat, sodium and sugar. For the Disney chefs, it’s been a fun challenge to tweak menus. For example, Blue Bayou inDisneyland park now offers seared salmon, spaghetti, broccolini and fresh fruit for kids. At Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavilion at Epcot, there’s grilled sirloin with green beans and brown rice. (Kids’ Complete Meals must be ordered without substitutions and include at least three of the following food groups: fruits and vegetables; low-fat dairy; whole grains or lean protein, beans, eggs and nuts.)

Mickey Check for Kids’ Meals Debuts at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort
While new to table-service restaurants, the Mickey Check also appears on some Disney-licensed food products sold at retail locations, on qualifying recipes at Disney.com and Family.com, and on menus at quick-service restaurants at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Has your family found a favorite Mickey Check item in the theme parks or resorts? For more information, visitwww.DisneyMickeyCheck.com.

‘Limited Time Magic’ Brings Delicious Treats for Happy Lunar New Year Celebration to Disney California Adventure Park

By Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:

While many of us celebrate the New Year on January 1, the Lunar New Year is usually between late January and early February, determined by the cycles and phases of the moon. Best known as “Chinese New Year,” Lunar New Year is also celebrated by the Vietnamese and Korean cultures, and is a time for big festivities.

Pot Stickers from Lucky Fortune Cookery, Part of the Happy Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure Park
Disney California Adventure park is joining in the fun with the Happy Lunar New Year Celebration, part of “Limited Time Magic” from February 8-11, with the eateries in Pacific Wharf adding Asian-inspired treats. Lucky Fortune Cookery is adding chicken and veggie pot stickers and pork spare riblets with char siu sauce to its menu, as well as ginger milk tea (a delicious new creation by the Disney chefs) and mini-almond cookies.

Pacific Wharf Café is adding a barbecued pork bao roll, a traditional Chinese steamed bun, along with ginger milk tea and almond cookies. And their popular Chinese chicken salad in a sourdough bowl fits the bill, too.

Snake-Shaped Sourdough Bread from the Boudin Bread Cart, Part of the Happy Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure Park
The San Francisco cart adds the barbecued pork bao roll, edamame, almond cookies and ginger milk tea, while the Boudin Bread Cart is offering a giant loaf of sourdough shaped like a snake, for “the year of the snake.”

Pacific Palisades Coffee Cart is adding ginger milk tea, edamame and almond cookies, while Rita’s Baja Blenders will offer Tsing Tao beer. Try a little of everything to celebrate lively Asian flavors and a different tradition this year. Happy Lunar New Year!

Disneyland Resort Turns Up the Romance During ‘True Love’ Week, All Part of ‘Limited Time Magic’

ANAHEIM, Ca., Jan. 28, 2012 – Love is in the air at Disneyland Resort as fairy tale princesses find true love with their princes, and “happily ever after” becomes a reality. It all happens during True Love Week February 11-17, 2013 at Disneyland Resort.

The weeklong love fest is part of “Limited Time Magic” at Disney Parks, where each week in 2013 guests will be treated to a sprinkling of Disney magic, with fun and surprises that enhance their vacation memories.

During True Love Week, a tapestry of romance is woven throughout the resort — from special entertainment and limited-edition Valentine’s merchandise to candlelit dinners for two and new, themed photo locations offering encounters with beloved Disney sweethearts – all for a limited-time only.

The weeklong event celebrates the love of friends and family, and invites couples to rekindle the flame. Here is the lineup:

  • Romantic Setting: Guests will feel the romance at every turn, as heart-shaped signage and sweetheart-themed décor adorn Disneyland Park, making it an ideal place to celebrate Valentine’s week.
  • Blushing Castle: At dusk, hues of red and pink will bathe Sleeping Beauty Castle, with projections of flowers and hearts.
  • Floral Heart: A giant floral heart makes a sweet setting for a Valentine photo, in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland.
  • Valentine Wishes: Flowers, garlands and decorative doves will create a second ideal location around Snow White Wishing Well near Sleeping Beauty Castle. At night, magical lighting adds a romantic touch to the wishing well and Snow White Grotto.
  • Disneyland Sweethearts: Also near Town Square, guests will find a photo location with resident Disneyland sweethearts – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck.
  • Dinners for Two: Romantic dinners for two with prix fixe menus will be offered at select restaurants during the most romantic week of the year.  Specially-created menus at Blue Bayou and Café Orleans in Disneyland, Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure Park, Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel or Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel make    ideal choices for a romantic evening. To book call 714-781-DINE (714-781-3463).
  • Cupcake Lovers: Chefs have prepared a specially themed Valentine’s dessert: a chocolate cupcake with raspberry mousse filling and dark chocolate mousse frosting. It will be available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café in Disneyland, Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café and Pacific Wharf Café in Disney California Adventure, and Disneyland Hotel Coffee House.
  • Valentine’s-themed Takeaways: Limited-edition pins, plush, newly-designed apparel and Vinylmations will be available at select merchandise locations.
  • Ears for your Sweetheart: The classic Disneyland ear hat gets a total glitz makeover just in time for the most romantic time of the year. It will dazzle your Valentine and become the most sophisticated pair of ears in your collection.
  • Royal Romance:  Guests will enjoy a rare opportunity to get photos of Disney Princes as they escort their Princesses along The Royal Walk in Fantasyland. In New Orleans Square, guests will find another pair of sweethearts, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.
  • In Search of True Love: Guests may also encounter the Wandering Wallflowers, in search of “true love.”

 

The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., will celebrate True Love week with similar in-park offerings. VisitDisneyworld.com for details.

For more information about “Limited Time Magic,” guests may visit www.LimitedTimeMagic.com or search for Twitter hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic.

Conner Purzycki’s 2/11/13 DLR Photo Report

I took a quick trip to the Disneyland Resort today and captured a few photos from both Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure.

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Starting in Downtown Disney, the stage by ESPN Zone is being replaced


AMC showing romance movies for Valentines Week 

Temporary stage setup down the way 

Over in DCA, the Glendale Hyperion bridge was painted again 



Here is the other side for comparison which still has the beige color 


World of Color just went though two weeks of refurbishment and I noticed some small new things 

Some new LED rings on some of the fountains 


and also a new mist screen nozzle on the front screen that looks a bit different than the old one 

The rear mist screen look the same as they did before. Just the front one is new it seems. 


Silly Symphony Swings is under refurb 

Neat Fun Wheel shirt 

DCA Poster Post Cards 



Swing by again soon! 

“Oz, The Great And Powerful” Preview Coming To Hollywoodland

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

 Get a Sneak Peek at ‘Oz The Great and Powerful’ at Disney California Adventure Park During ‘Limited Time Magic’
If you’re – like me – counting down the days until “Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in theaters March 8, I’ve got exciting news for you. From February 16-March 31, Disney California Adventure park guests can experience a special sneak peek of Disney’s new fantastical adventure as part of “Limited Time Magic.” Throughout the day at the Muppet*Vision 3D theater, guests will have the opportunity to see an extended preview of the film in 3D, mixed with special in-theater 4D effects.

And don’t forget – you can experience these “Limited Time Magic” offerings and more at the Disneyland Resort for less with our special limited-time ticket offer.

Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Tips at the Disneyland Resort

By Michelle Harker on Disney Parks Blog:

 

Happy Holidays, Disney fans!

It’s been another great year filled with events, releases, promotions and so much more. Thank you for sharing the ride with me.

For those who have things “wrapped” or buttoned up for the holidays, I commend you. You would think as the shopping queen out here, I’d be a little further ahead but that’s not the case. So for all of you doing last-minute shopping like me, here are a few things you may want to consider.

Vintage Buena Vista Street Holiday Merchandise – Here’s a look at the art which appears on a variety of items including tees, fleece, ornaments, mugs, greeting cards, tapestry throws and more. Find them at Elias & Co. and Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure park.

Disney California Adventure Park Artwork Available for the Holidays
A few weeks ago I shared some of our holiday gear for Cars Land. If you haven’t made a pit stop at Radiator Springs Curios, don’t wait much longer – folks are racing for it.

Minnie & Mickey in Love Seatbeltbag from HARVEYS, Available at Disneyland Resort
New for the season from our friends at HARVEYS is the Minnie & Mickey in Love seatbeltbag collection. Buckle up and head over to Disney Vault 28 and the Fortuosity Shop and get ready for a great ride.
Sweet Holiday Treats Available at Disneyland Resort
Sweet Holiday Treats Available at Disneyland Resort
 

Next on the list… A sweet Holiday treat, maybe? Then you’re in luck. Candy Palace, Marceline’s Confectioneryand of course, Trolley Treats are filled with goodies for anyone with a sweet tooth. Holiday cupcakes, apples, peppermint break up and fudge are high on the list, but the true hidden gem this season is the gourmet marshmallows, flavored to peppermint and egg nog. Take this from a girl who isn’t typically a fan of egg nog … It’s incredible! Now, we can’t forget the famous candy canes made by our talented team of candy makers, that alone is a true holiday treat to watch.

Fellow Disney Parks Blog author Steven Miller recently shared some of this year’s best holiday deals and stocking stuffers tips. If you haven’t had the time to check out his post yet, be sure to set some time aside.

Wondering how you can find out more about other “must have” holiday gifts and deals? Well those currently following @Disneyland@WaltDisneyWorld and @DisneyParks on Twitter know the trick, because we are right in the middle of our 25 Days of Tweets which offers a different gift item or holiday idea each day. How do you find these tweets? Simply look for #GiftDisney.

So get shopping, get wrapping, watch movies, sing carols, bake cookies and just enjoy the holiday time with your loved ones. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Have a safe and happy holiday and I’ll see you here next year with a lot more exciting merchandise news to share!

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on the holiday season at Disney Parks, and join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #DisneyHolidays.