An In-Depth Look at Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, Including the Hidden Music Track!

Swing and sway with a herd of baby tractors in Mater’s Junkyard for a Cars Land Jamboree you aren’t soon going to forget. This particular ride video contains the rare “error” track where Mater forgets the lyrics to the song “Welcome to Radiator Springs”. The story behind this is that Imagineer Kevin Rafferty originally forgot the lyrics to one of the songs during a test recording session and John Lasseter thought it would be funny to include a track where Mater forgot the lyrics to the song. Listen for yourself:

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The sign adds a trailer to the famous Tow Mater sign… pretty clever

Those lighting pieces usually aren’t there, but there is a neat photo area for guests to get a pic with a baby tractor

The queue is filled with props from the Mater’s Tall Tales Cars Toons

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Awwww…

Guests having a great time

Overall, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is a lot more fun that we expected. The randomized music tracks for the tractors to dance to add a lot to the ride, and it packs a surprising wallop on those turns. If you are looking for a reasonable wait in Cars Land and a minute-and-a-half of fun, then the Junkyard Jamboree is the place.

Early Admission Opportunities

From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:

We’ve already told you about Extra Magic Hour benefit for Disneyland Resort hotel guests, but that’s not the only way to enter Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park early. Read on to learn how Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders and guests who purchase 3-Day, 4-Day or 5-Day theme park tickets prior to arrival can also enjoy early admission benefits.

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders

Annual Passholders have the opportunity to register for Annual Passholder Early Entry, which allows a valid Passholder early admission to select attractions at a Disneyland Resort theme park beginning one hour prior to scheduled opening between June 18 and September 13, 2012.

    • Offered on the following days:
      • Disney California Adventure park on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
      • Disneyland park on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

 

  • Passholders must register in advance for Annual Passholder Early Entry by visitingdisneyland.disney.go.com/passes/early-entry/.
  • Availability is limited each morning, and Annual Passholders may only use the privilege once at each park.
  • Must be at least 18 years old to register and must have an Annual Passport that is valid for Theme Park admission at time of registration and on the date of the event.
  • See disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/early-entry/ for more details.

Disneyland Resort Guests with 3-Day, 4-Day or 5-Day Theme Park Tickets and 2012 Southern California CityPass

Disneyland Resort guests who purchase 3-Day, 4-Day or 5-Day theme park tickets prior to arrival at the resort and those with valid 2012 Southern California CityPass can choose one day during the duration of their Theme Park ticket or Southern California CityPass to enter Disneyland park (only) one hour prior to scheduled opening on any of the following days: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests

As a continuous, ongoing benefit for Disneyland Resort hotel guests with valid theme park admission and active hotel key, early admission to the parks occurs one hour prior to scheduled opening the following days. Guests will be required to present valid theme park ticket and active room key for admission.

  • Disneyland park on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
  • Disney California Adventure park on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
    • Early admission at Disney California Adventure park will include access to select attractions, food and beverage locations, and merchandise locations in Cars LandHollywood Land and Paradise Pier, subject to availability.

Early Entry admission is non-transferable and does not guarantee access to any attraction or location. Applicable days and times of operation, and all other elements including, without limitation, operation of attractions, entertainment, and services may vary and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Subject to capacity, previously scheduled park events and other restrictions.

Story Behind “Storytellers” Statue

From Erin Glover of Disney Parks Blog:

We showed you a glimpse of the new “Storytellers” statue last year during the D23 Expo, and tomorrow, Disney California Adventure park guests will be able to greet the new statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse themselves when Buena Vista Street officially opens! Take a look:

A plaque just to the right of the statue tells the story of Walt Disney’s arrival in Los Angeles in 1923 in his own words:

It was July 1923. I packed all of my worldly goods – a pair of trousers, a checkered coat, a lot of drawing materials and the last of the fairy tale reels we had made – in a kind of frayed cardboard suitcase. And with that wonderful audacity of youth, I went to Hollywood, arriving there with just forty dollars. It was a big day the day I got on that Santa Fe California Limited. I was just free and happy!


Tastes at the Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical Café

From Pam Brandon of Disney Parks Blog:

At last, lots of new spots for dining have debuted at Disney California Adventure park! And what we love most is that quick-service dining has moved way beyond burgers and dogs.

Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café has caused lots of excitement with the announcement of Starbucks coffee drinks, but we’re just as excited about the signature sammies like a turkey Reuben, paneer and roasted vegetable, and salami with olive tapenade. And our favorite soup is this slightly spicy cheesy enchilada soup.

Have you tried this soup yet?

Cheesy Enchilada Soup
Serves 6 to 8

5 yellow corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup corn
5 cups chicken stock
15-ounce can tomato puree
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 1/4 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon Tapatio hot sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
4 teaspoons flour
1/2 cup water
2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

  1. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a 10-inch skillet. When oil is hot, add tortilla strips and stir until golden and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
  2. Cook onion in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until translucent. Add garlic, bell pepper and corn; cook for about 2 minutes.
  3. Stir in chicken stock, tomato puree, salt, chili powder, pepper, sugar, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Whisk flour and water in a small bowl and stir into soup. Bring to a boil, then simmer 4 minutes.
  5. Add chicken and bring back to a simmer. Stir in cream, sour cream, shredded cheese, and black beans.
  6. To serve, garnish with fried tortilla strips and cilantro.

In-Depth Look: Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge

Disney California Adventure has a new icon and it’s the beautiful Carthay Circle Theater. While the real Carthay Circle Theater that housed the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is long gone, this new theater houses the Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge. If you want to hear a full review of the menu for both, you can head on over to the latest Disneyland News Today Podcast, but for this report, we’ll just be taking a look inside and out of this gorgeous new building:

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The marquee

Inside the lounge

The wine list

The walls of all floors are covered with pictures of Walt and various other company celebrities

A cool display downstairs

Some cool displays in the lobby

Some actual pictures of the real theater

We won’t be seeing in there anytime soon…

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The transition from the rest of the park is still a little strange

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It is stunning at night

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Gorgeous… we also have a comprehensive video tour of the restaurant, looking at both the lounge and the second floor:

In-Depth Look: Luigi’s Flying Tires

Luigi’s Flying Tires is the culmination of a five decade journey for the Disney Parks. After the Flying Saucers attraction closed in the 1960’s guests continued to ask when Disney would take another crack at a floating vehicle attraction. After 5 years of waiting, Luigi’s Flying Tires is open, and once you get the hang of it, you can fly across the “dance floor” with great accuracy. Let’s take a look:

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A test tire out front of the attraction allows Cast Members to point out that you make sure not to step on the tire, but rather over it

The indoor queue is divided into two areas, the first area you pass is the showroom

Here are the various brands of tires that Luigi sells

Fettucini brand!

The lift in the show room

The second room had display cases filled with personal mementos belonging to Guido and Luigi. Here are items from their home in Italy

Radiator Springs keepsakes

Lightning McQueen career items

Items from the World Grand Prix in Cars 2

Luigi’s office

A mirror, should you want to try on a tire

Moving on to the outdoor portion of the queue

3 simple rules. Balance..

Lean…

Don’t lean too far…

Now lets recap…

Pre-boarding area

And finally we have a video of the queue and ride. Enjoy!

Overall: Luigi’s Flying Tires is a ton of fun. The lines can be very long with the slow loading, but if you can catch a wait time under 30 minutes, it is most definitely worth you floating on over for a ride.

Conner Purzycki’s 6/13/12 – 6/22/12 DLR Photo Report

Lost in the shuffle of everything else happening over the past few weeks, here is a photo report of some news not previously covered.

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New Churro Cart in Carthay Circle

November, 18th, 1928, The date that Steamboat Willie premiered

Taste Pilots Grill minus the rocket blasting out of the front is pretty plain

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Dancin With Disney is a cute experience in Hollywoodland.

Basically a giant dance party with a DJ and characters

Lots of strange characters in here

Clarabell cow

Clara Cluck and Clarice

The Disney Channel Rocks Sets are being used

The All American College Band is back this year and they are doing a set in DCA probably because they lost their usual once a day venue in Carnation Gardens.

Cars Land Bus

New Signage in the Bus Area

The ugly frozen drink cart was finally replaced with something themed

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Carnation Gardens reopened recently and here is a look at some of the new entrees. Here is the Chicken Fried Chicken which was absolutely Delicious.

The Meatloaf I was told is very delicious

Here is a PBJ soda…. Yup. I thought it was gross but some seem to like it.

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Earl of Sandwich is finally under construction

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Wrapping up this report is pictures of the Pixar Play Parade which just returned to DCA. Big thanks to Tim Alcoser for the photos.

Thank for reading

Tom Corless’ 12/31/11 – 1/5/12 DLR Photo Report

Owner of the network, Tom Corless took a trip to Disneyland for new years and captured some newsworthy photos to share including Cars land, Buena Vista Street, and Jolly Holiday Bakery…

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Trader Sam’s had some neat additions for the Holidays

Tom had a Mele Kaliki-Mocha.

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Over in DCA now, a look at the carthay circle

Looks good…

Now over in Cars Land, the meet and greet has been removed in front of the work walls giving us some angles of the street we weren’t able to see before.

Back to Buena Vista Street

The backside of the theater was uncovered

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Over in Disneyland, the Jolly Holiday Bakery opened and Tom was one of the first costumers

Love the detail

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Over in DCA, work has begun on fixing the second half of the shops on the boardwalk

Rip that stucco out!

YEAH

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It was so good…. That tom decided to come back for lunch

A nod to the old Stouffers mural 😉

Spoonful of sugar please

The Jolly Holiday Combo, a cheese sandwich and tomato and basil soup… and of course the Practically Perfect Punch which I have been told is very Delicious

Quite a line all day

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Since Jolly Holiday is now open, Carnation cafe and the Blue Ribbon bakery have been closed for refurbishment

Coke Corner has also shut its doors for its refurbishment

Along with the Penny arcade

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Neat picture

Thanks for reading

Conner Purzycki’s 12/31/11 – 1/3/12 DLR Photo Report

For New Years Eve, I spent the day and the following few days at the Disneyland Resort and captured quite a bit of photos to share of all the festivities and much more…

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Starting off this New Year celebration with a ride on the Fun Wheel but it was strangely down

YAY! An actual use for Maliboomer Park

Stage set up for NYE

Balloons in Paradise Gardens for NYE

Holy Corn Dogs!!!

Ohh, Pretty

Was playing with my camera so here are some nifty photos of this pretty bridge

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Double the spotlights, double the celebration

It was a very foggy new years evening and the fog made for some really good pictures

Some neat foggy WOC shots

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In our spot for midnight WOC, the fog kept rolling in

Now on our way out to the other park

WOWZA

Awesome

The castle looks huge for some odd reason

Dance party still hopping by Small World

This is one of my favorite photos taken that night

Happy New Year, hoping on the monorail

Buena Vista Street pics from the monorail

New nerdy shirts in World of Disney

Though an awful hat, bleh

I wonder why Monsters doesn’t use the flick cards like all the other nice attractions.

How about some Cars Land Pics From The Fun Wheel

Disney Channel Rocks set pieces behind Screamin, unknown if the show is coming back

Random shot backstage

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Bountiful valley cows celebrating the holidays

The junkyard jukebox

Look at that WDI stuff, How about the WDI stuff

Yikes, kinda faded

The Bugs Land bridge needs a little tlc

Besides the part that was smashed last summer

Cool wrought iron on the Carthay Circle Theater

Wonder how long these are staying

I hope this is gone soon

Over in Innoventions, a new exhibit has debuted, Nanooze

Here you can discover how to make real little stuff, look like big stuff with magnifying thingys

In all seriousness, it is a neat exhibit learning about atoms and molecules

Just look at how much fun Tom is having!

The Xbox 360 area also got a major facelift

Disneyland Kinect Adventures. Awesome

The stupid circle seat things are gone

The Honda exhibit is back

Down in the dream house, the walls have been turned into a giant screen where you can play…..

Thats right, Kinect Disneyland Adventures

Innoventions is still loading through the top floor, so that means Tom Morrow is no where to be found which is a shame because he was a very good AA.

Over at the Disneyland Hotel, some quick pictures around the grounds

WANT!!!

Finally wrapping this up, it looks like the Soundsational Drummer were getting into the Holiday spirit

Thanks for reading

“Mad T Party” Coming To The Hollywood Pictures Backlot

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Artist Rendering of the Mad T Party Coming to Disney California Adventure Park in Summer 2012
ElecTRONica is still powering up the nights at Disney California Adventure park into the spring, and soon guests will be able to experience an all-new nighttime family celebration when Mad T Party starts to stir up fun in summer 2012!

This psychedelic soiree will be filled with surprises and new takes on some familiar characters from the world of Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Join us for a party like no other as you fall into the rabbit hole and land in a wild and whimsical world where up is down, this is that and nothing is what it seems. A live band, unique entertainment, fun-filled games and plenty of dancing all await guests seeking an escape into a bright and vivid alternate reality.

Throughout the Mad T Party, we will “tip our hats” to the world of Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” with wild and fabulous imagery and imagination. Familiar faces will be re-imagined in fresh, new ways, all combining to immerse guests in a captivating world that’s filled with exclusive signature foods, beverages and merchandise offerings.

So get ready to step through the rabbit hole and into Mad T Party at Disney California Adventure park, coming summer 2012!

And from the D23 website, more photos were released of this new hip dance party…

01.11.12 – Inspired by the world of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, the all-new nighttime family celebration will feature a live band, unique entertainment, fun-filled games, and plenty of dancing.

This psychedelic soiree will be filled with surprises and new takes on some familiar characters from the world of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

Beginning summer 2012, Disney California Adventure park guests will fall into the rabbit hole and land in a wild and whimsical world at Mad T Party. Inspired by the world of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, the all-new nighttime family celebration will feature a live band, unique entertainment, fun-filled games, and plenty of dancing. Familiar faces from the story will be re-imagined in new ways to immerse guests in a captivating world that’s filled with exclusive signature foods, beverages, and merchandise offerings.

 

Get ready to step through the rabbit hole and into Mad T Party at Disney California Adventure.

And finally, The Disney Auditions Website has put out a casting call for the Mad T Party Band and with the posting we get a closer look at the cast costumes and a song list of songs that will be played at the Mad T Party.

Disney Parks Talent Casting is seeking Vocalists and Rock Instrumentalists to perform as a one-of-a-kind, five-piece band at The Mad T Party, a hip, trippy, psychedelic Mad nighttime party to be performed outdoors at Disney® California Adventure park. Guests are invited to “take a trip” down the rabbit hole as we tip our hats to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Live music, unique entertainment, games and dancing all await guests seeking an escape into a fantastic world.

Invitational callbacks will be held Saturday, February 11. Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled to begin early May; performances are tentatively scheduled to begin late May.

The Lead Vocalist/Host for this show is covered under the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement with the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA).

Role:
Seeking strong musical performers with outgoing personalities. If cast, wigs and costumes inspired by Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland will be provided.

LEAD VOCALIST/HOST: Male, charismatic front man with ability to excite and energize an audience, strong Pop/Rock lead singer with an affinity for, and experience in, singing classic rock material such as “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey), “Shout” (The Isley Brothers), “Hot Hot Hot” (Buster Poindexter), “We Will Rock You” (Queen), and more. Will also sing backup vocals.

Requirements:

  • Please prepare 16 bars from one or two selections in the list below
  • Must be at least 18 years of age to audition
  • Bring a picture and résumé

Song List:
I Gotta Feelin’ (Black Eyed Peas)
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder)
Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)
Shout (The Isley Brothers)
Hot Hot Hot (Buster Poindexter)
We Will Rock You (Queen)
Please Don’t Stop The Music (Rhianna)
Locomotion (Little Eva)
Call Me (Blondie)
Get The Party Started (Pink)
Dancing Queen (ABBA)
American Woman (Lenny Kravitz)