Disney California Adventure – Page 37

The Leaning Tower of Tires Gets Topped Off

WDWNT on December 8, 2011

From Imagineer Kathy Mangum on the Disney Parks Blog:

As the executive producer for Cars Land for the last 4 1/2 years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of seeing our project transform from concept sketches to the construction and installation phases. It’s so exciting to see the site get one step closer to completion every day and I continue to be amazed at all the work our talented team has done to make Cars Land a reality at Disney California Adventure park.

This part of the project is always my favorite because you can see the project really taking shape. We’re now testing all the rides, completing primary construction and installing major show pieces.

One of our biggest show pieces – the leaning tower of tires in front of Luigi’s Casa della Tires – was installed recently. It was a big production as we literally parked a crane in the middle of the job site to lift the tires into place! Cathy Ritenour, our production designer, was responsible for ensuring the tower was fabricated and installed to our specifications. Cathy gives a little more explanation about the tower in the video below that I think you’ll find interesting.

Jamie Nakagiri’s 11/18/11 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on December 3, 2011

I apologize for the lack of posts few days as I have had some internet problems. Catching up on news, I have a photo report from a few days ago from DLNT Podcaster Jamie Nakagiri…

Holiday billboard and Mickey and Friends

Pirates has already reopened form its refurbishment

Holiday season maps

Holiday cookies!!!!!

Disneyland invites radio stations every year to broadcast from the park for the holidays

Ornaments galore

Into DCA

The new locker and restroom building facade

Duffy’s Holiday Meet and Greet

Not Bad…

Wowza. Looking good

Elias and Company Department Store

The World of Color holiday pre-show premiered a few days back

Will have more photos and video soon

And to finish off the report some picture of the always beautiful Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop Coming To Pacific Wharf

WDWNT on December 2, 2011

Some exciting news from Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

I’m so excited to let you know that there will soon be a new place to satisfy your sweet tooth at the Disneyland Resort. In late spring 2012, a new Ghirardelli location will open at the Pacific Wharf area, inside Disney California Adventure park!

The soda fountain and chocolate shop, similar to the location at Downtown Disney in the Walt Disney World Resort – which has been a must-do for me (and many of you, I’m sure) for 13 years – will feature Ghirardelli’s world-famous hot fudge sundaes and chocolate products. And each guest will be able to receive complimentary samples of their signature Ghirardelli Squares chocolate!

You can find out more about Ghirardelli – their chocolate treats, products and gifts – by checking out their Facebook page.

I know I’ll be counting down the days until I can get my Ghirardelli hot fudge sundae! Who’s with me?

Matt Valdez’s 11/17/11 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on November 25, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!! I would like to welcome Matt Valdez to Disneyland News Today as a staff photographer. Matt already has a photo report to share with us…

Starting off in Disneyland

Main Street is already decked out for the holidays

The new Disney Gallery exhibit, “Trains of Disney” is now open at the Disney Gallery

The rocks at the front of Adventureland still look strange to me. Bright turquoise was a strange choice.

Work on the Jolly Holiday Bakery continues.

Good day to be at the parks

Not much visible progress on the exterior

Nope, they are still funny looking

Planter work in Adventureland

The Pirates refurbishment wrapped up today

The only changes reported was that now both Blackbeard and Davy Jones are on the waterfall right before the battle scene.

How about a quick look around Santa’s Reindeer Round-up

Awwwwww…

Some LED snow on the castle roof

Wreath in the Small World Mall

Notice that the reefs on the facade are missing this year because of the Magic, The Memories, and You needs a flat surface to project on to

Quick peek at decorations around Toon Town

One of the trees that was imported from Walt Disney World’s Toon Town

No extended queue today at Star Tours

Into DCA

Buena Vista Street Construction

Attempt at decorating the DCA entrance way

Carthay Circle Theater

The Carthay Circle fountain was on

Oooooh….

Ahhhhhh..

Elias & Company Depatment Store

The Pump House

The Backlot entrance showing a little wear

The workwalls along the entrance have been moved around and they are no longer the blue Electronica walls… Interesting

Walking down by Tower…

New work walls at the parade gates

Looks like some executives are getting a VIP look at Cars Land

The giant ornaments have returned to Flick’s Fun Fair

The mural is cracked and faded, wondered what’s going to happen to it

Cars Land

The leaning tower of tires has been constructed

So has the sign for Luigi’s

The mountain side facing pacific wharf has been mostly completed

Looking back the Carhtay Circle Theater

Ahhh….

The Christmas Tree is up in Paradise Pier

Mustache!!!

The Cadillac Range from Paradise Park

Another mustache!!

Decorations on The Little Mermaid

Thanks for Reading

The Blue Sky Cellar Is Here For Good

WDWNT on November 23, 2011

From Erin Glover the Disney Parks Blog:

Many Disney Parks Blog readers already know that Blue Sky Cellar is the place to get a behind-the-scenes peek at what’s coming to Disney California Adventure park. The space is periodically updated with new photos, videos and models – the latest refresh, which was installed in September, focuses on Buena Vista Street which will be completed next year. The video below, from Walt Disney Imagineering, takes you inside Blue Sky Cellar for a look at the latest updates. If you haven’t been yet, check it out!

Most of the info in this post we already knew being that this exhibit has been open for close to two months now. Though at the end of the movie, show producer Sarah Farmer Earll mentions that WDI does intend to keep the Blue Sky Cellar open after the DCA expansion is competed next year. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today as we will report any changes in the Blue Sky Cellar.

One of a Kind Holiday Experience Coming To the Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on November 23, 2011

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Hey Disneyland Resort fans – an interesting opportunity has come across my desk, and I wanted to share it with you. It is a limited-capacity event that combines some rare Disney Parks experiences, and is unlike anything we’ve ever offered – especially here on the Disney Parks Blog. Take a look below.

Disneyland Candlelight Experience

December 4–5, 2011, $1,250* per person based on double occupancy, includes:

One-night stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011; valet parking for one vehicle included.

An evening of holiday elegance beginning with a private reception and dinner at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Reserved seating for the 8 p.m. performance of Candlelight on December 4.

Exclusive 2011 Candlelight mementos.

A sunrise breakfast at The Plaza Inn, one of Walt Disney’s favorite dining locations, on his 110th birthday, December 5. Breakfast will be followed by a pre-opening walk through Disneyland park.

A visit to several locations in the park with Disney Legends and Creative Staff as they share their stories about Walt Disney, Disneyland park and the magic of the holiday season. Guest speakers currently scheduled include Dave Smith, Bob Gurr, Marty Sklar, Tony Baxter, and David Caranci. Speakers are subject to change.

A visit to Walt Disney’s private apartment above the firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A.

Reserved viewing of “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade.

Theme park entrance for both days.

To reserve this special opportunity, call 866-309-9683. Full payment is required at time of booking, and bookings must be made by November 25, 2011. You must be at least 18 years old to RSVP for this event, but your guests may be younger. Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.

*Package rate shown is based on double occupancy and standard accommodations. Single occupancy, standard room rate is $1,500. For groups of three (3) to five (5), a charge of $1,000 per person applies for each additional guest occupying the same room, with a maximum of five (5) occupants within the same room. Excludes applicable taxes and fees.

Offer is limited and restrictions apply. May not be combined with other offers, packages or discounts. No items in this package may be redeemed for cash, and all items (and portions thereof) are non-refundable and non-transferable. No credit or compensation will be given for unused portions of this package and such unused elements will be forfeited if not used in conjunction with the Candlelight Experience. No substitutions, refunds or credit for any package element that is canceled for any reason including, but not limited to, inclement weather. Please do not bring any items to be signed by the guest speakers. Walt Disney Travel Company CST: 1022229-50.

All elements of the event and the package are subject to change and cancellation without notice.

Hayley Nance’s 11/11/11- 11/13/11 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on November 15, 2011

The holidays have arrived at the Disneyland Resort and the parks are getting ready for the busiest season of the year. DLNT Photographer Hayley Nance was at the parks this past weekend and took some newsworthy photos to share.

The holidays are here, only some decorations are up on Main Street

The Omnibus looking good for the season

Work on Jolly Holiday Bakery continues

The Pirates facade refurbishment is wrapping up

Short wait for mansion (Is that Fastpass sign new?)

Splash Mountain has been decorated

Tigger has been stuck in this position past few rides I have been on

TO: Brer Bear, Brer Fox

FROM: Brer Rabbit

Neat penny press in New Orleans Square

Interesting…

Court of Angels decked out with a lot of blue

Lots of holiday merchandise for sale

Blue Bayou is scheduled to reopen on the 23rd

I want this sign…

Some props have been refreshed in the Indy queue

Get your Matterhorn rides in now as it will be closing early next year for the second half of its major refurbishment

Slow day at the parks

Now for a quick ride through this years small world Holiday

A new addition this year, a giant snowman in the finale

This years Christmas tree on Main Street

Now for some quick pictures from DCA

New turnstiles decorated for the holidays

Carthay Circle coming along

Love this shirt

and this one…

and this one.

‘Never Land Pirate’ Jake Coming To Disney California Adventure

WDWNT on November 11, 2011

From Erin Glover on Disney Parks Blog:

Great news, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” fans! Jake, from the popular Disney Junior show, will begin greeting guests at Disney Parks this month.

Starting November 13, Jake will be making regular appearances at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. He will join Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso and June from “Little Einsteins” at the Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine. Guests at the character dining experience will be able to get into the action by swabbing the deck, rowing the boat and shouting “yo ho” to songs from the show, including “Roll Up the Map,” “Hot Lava” and “Talk Like a Pirate.”

Also beginning November 13, Jake will join the Stars of Disney Junior at their meet and greet location in the Animation Courtyard. In order to make way for Jake, the Little Einsteins will no longer appear at that location.

Jake fans visiting the Disneyland Resort will also be able to meet their favorite little pirate beginning November 20, along Hollywood Boulevard at Disney California Adventure park.

Be sure to check daily entertainment guides for character greeting times and locations.

Yo ho! Let’s go!

New Holiday Entertainment and Returning Favorites Coming To The Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on November 1, 2011

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2011) – Mickey Mouse celebrates the holidays with a cartoon-style Christmas tree this season as new décor adds merriment to Mickey’s Toontown for the 2011 holidays at Disneyland Resort. The holidays shine brightly throughout the resort from Nov. 14, 2011, through Jan. 8, 2012, as guests create memoriesfor a lifetime.

Those holiday memories might even appear in the nightly “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” show on the façade of “it’s a small world” in Disneyland park. A new segment of the show, specially added for the season, features a musical score filled with favorite holiday tunes and images of resort guests celebrating their holiday visits. As the presentation unfolds, the façade of “it’s a small world” Holiday is frozen in ice, decorated with wreaths and candy canes, wrapped in Christmas paper, and even turned into a giant snow globe. This new segment appears in “The Magic, The Memories and You!” beginning Friday, Nov. 18.

Nearby, in Mickey’s Toontown, the centerpiece of the new holiday décor is an 18-foot cartoon-style Christmas tree in front of Toontown City Hall. Sculpted garlands and wreaths adorn the Toontown gazebo and add holiday cheer to the Gag Warehouse. The personal Christmas trees in the front yards of Mickey’s and Minnie’s houses also carry the “toon” theme. On Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland welcomes back the traditional, 60-foot-tall Christmas tree that is a popular guest photo location.

In Disney California Adventure park, guests are treated to a jolly seasonal addition to the “World of Color” nighttime water spectacular. This holiday season, Lanny and Wayne, Santa’s techno-savvy elves from the “Prep & Landing” holiday specials, appear in a “World of Color” sequence.

Disneyland Resort also welcomes back all the guest favorites for the holidays. Among the popular offerings are “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, the nightly snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A, and special holiday versions of “it’s a small world” and Haunted Mansion. In Fantasyland, holiday guests will find the traditional snowdrifts and icicles adorning Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. After dark, a sensational holiday lighting and special-effects show carries the magic of the holidays from the castle all the way to the Christmas tree in Town Square. The 60-foot-tall Disneyland Christmas tree is specially designed to present a nightly holiday light show like no other with more than 62,000 energy-efficient LED lights.

The Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle presentation unfolds throughout the evening in three acts, each of them featuring a touch of winter snow on Main Street, U.S.A. The finale of the show includes the legendary “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show, which takes guests on a journey of sights and sounds of the season and ends with a touching rendition of “White Christmas,” along with a climactic snowfall swirling down on Main Street, U.S.A., “it’s a small world” Mall and New Orleans Square.

“A Christmas Fantasy” parade has become a holiday tradition in Disneyland. Guests enjoy watching as Disney characters celebrate the magic of the season, wrapping gifts, baking holiday treats and preparing for the arrival of Santa Claus, who shouts a jolly greeting to spectators along the parade route. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse even take to the ice for some skating fun.

At The Disney Gallery on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland, a display of vintage and new art celebrating Walt Disney’s love of railroading will premiere during the holiday season. “All Aboard for A Grand Circle Tour of the Trains of Disney!” will survey Disney trains from the classic Disneyland Railroad to such historic routes as Nature’s Wonderland and the Carolwood-Pacific circuit that operated in Disney’s backyard in Holmby Hills, California.

Themed entertainment, sparkling decorations and tasty treats add festive warmth to holiday fun at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Also, guests may book guided holiday tours that provide entry into “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday, reserved seating for the Disneyland “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a keepsake remembrance and entertaining information about the history behind Disneyland holiday traditions. For information and reservations guests may visit Disneyland City Hall or call (714) 781-4565.

Returning holiday favorites at Disneyland park include:

“it’s a small world” Holiday becomes a worldwide celebration of the season, boasting more than 300,000 glittering lights on its facade. Also nightly on the façade is “The Magic, The Memories and You!” show with its new holiday sequence.
Haunted Mansion Holiday presents a madcap celebration as the traditions of Halloween and Christmas collide. The ghoulish but well-meaning Jack Skellington from the film “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” has come to Haunted Mansion to transform it with his skewed vision of the holidays.
Santa Claus and his reindeer return to greet Disneyland guests at Santa’s Reindeer Round-up in Big Thunder Ranch, Frontierland. Kids and their families chat with St. Nick and see real reindeer grazing in a corral.

Disney California Adventure celebrates the season with fanciful park-wide decorations and lively entertainment.

The park’s newest attraction, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, is specially decorated for the holidays, along with its Paradise Pier neighbors, the Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and Paradise Garden Grill restaurants.
“a bug’s land” transforms as Flik and his bug buddies spread giant Christmas lights and oversized ornaments throughout their realm.
The holiday scene along the Paradise Bay boardwalk includes a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and lampposts decorated with seasonal wreaths.
Santa Claus greets guests in a specially decorated gazebo on the boardwalk near Ariel’s Grotto on Paradise Pier.

Guests in Disney California Adventure won’t want to miss the park entertainment. In addition to “World of Color,” with special holiday guests Lanny and Wayne from “Prep & Landing,” the “ElecTRONica” nighttime street party in Hollywood Pictures Backlot transports guests of all ages “on the grid” and into the environment of the Walt Disney Pictures feature, “TRON: Legacy.”

Also part of the regular Disney California Adventure lineup:

A new Disney California Adventure street show, “Phineas and Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party” invites guests of all ages to “seize the day,” dancing and singing on Paradise Pier with the Disney Channel’s inventive animated boy geniuses. Also on tap are the energetic “dance-off” competition of “Disney Dance Crew” on the Backlot Stage in Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and the rock concert-style “Disney Channel Rocks,” featuring music from Disney Channel movies and series, performed on the Palisades Stage in Paradise Park, alongside Paradise Bay lagoon.
In Blue Sky Cellar at Golden Vine Winery, the Imagineers’ workshop offers guests a preview of what’s coming to Disney California Adventure, including Buena Vista Street and Cars Land in 2012.
Guests along Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure also may enjoy the new Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventures and Goofy’s Sky School attractions, along with such favorite as Toy Story Mania!, Silly Symphony Swings, California Screamin’ and Mickey’s Fun Wheel.

The Red Car Trolley Will Carry Guests With “Comfort – Speed – Safety”

WDWNT on October 25, 2011