Changes Coming To Disneyland Grad Night In 2012 And 2013

WDWNT on June 23, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

As our 50th Grad Nite season comes to an end, we are excited to announce new twists and enhancements coming in 2012 and 2013 to this traditional rite of passage so many of us experienced as high school graduates.

In 2012, Grads will have more time, more flexibility and more room for their celebration at the Disneyland Resort including the opportunity to enter Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park at any time during their Grad Nite visit. Students will receive a park hopper ticket allowing them a full day to experience both parks!

In addition, 2012 Grads will now receive a special FASTPASS option to use during their visit and a private showing of “Fantasmic!” to kick off the exclusive private party that begins when Disneyland park closes.

Beginning in 2013, the private party will move to Disney California Adventure park where Grads will enjoy all the newest offerings including an exclusive “World of Color” viewing and the new Cars Land.

Disneyland Resort Grad Nite, 1966 Disneyland Resort Grad Nite

As these pictures show, our Grad Nites have become an important milestone for millions of graduating seniors in the last five decades, and we are excited to share new experiences as Grad Nites evolve just like the Disneyland Resort continues to evolve each year. We look forward to celebrating many future classes to come!

For more details, please visit www.disneylandgradnite.com.

Let us remember that WDW’s Grad Night followed a similar course as they decided to move Grad Night over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2009 and was deemed a massive failure, they moved back to the Magic Kingdom in 2010 and Grad Night did not return to the East Coast for 2011. Let’s hope Disneyland does not follow the same path.

World of Color to Hold 4th of July Pre-Show July 1-4

WDWNT on June 22, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Celebrate America with Special Independence Day Shows at the Disneyland Resort

We’re celebrating July 4th in a very special way at the Disneyland Resort! From July 1-4, guests can experience special nighttime spectaculars celebrating America. At Disney California Adventure park, we’ve got an all-new Independence Day “World of Color” pre-show which will run prior to each showing of “World of Color” and will combine video, water effects, lighting and fireworks to create a spectacular celebration of American independence.

At Disneyland park, guests can commemorate Independence Day with “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.” This special fireworks show combines patriotic music with bursts of red, white and blue to celebrate the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Be sure to check the Entertainment Schedule or the Entertainment Times Guide at each park for show times.

Are you celebrating Independence Day at the Disneyland Resort?

Cars Land Will be “Cars 1.5”

WDWNT on June 20, 2011

An interesting article from The Upcoming Pixar Blog. They had a chat with the Cars Franchise Guardian Jay Ward at a Cars 2 press event.  One interesting subject that was brought up was Cars Land, and Jay talks a little about the backstory of Cars Land and how it will fit into the story of the 2 movies.

UP: The Cars franchise is much more than just the films. What can you tell us about Cars Land, for example?

JW: Cars Land is going in at Disney California Adventure, it opens in the summer of 2012. Cars Land is sort of a snap shot in time, it’s after Cars but before Cars 2. It’s going to have the classic Lightning McQueen in it, not the Cars 2 McQueen, and the reason we have that is that Doc is in Cars Land. Doc Hudson is passed away in Cars 2 because Paul Newman passed away. So we wanted to have this classic, iconic thing; Doc Hudson has the headset on telling you to get ready to race in the ride. If we have Doc Hudson, we have to have classic McQueen. [Cars Land is] going to feel like being in Radiator Springs two years after the original film.

If you would like to read the rest of this interview, you can go over The Upcoming Pixar Blog.

New Characters and Show Coming To Disney California Adventure

WDWNT on June 15, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

New Characters, Russell and Dug, at Disney California Adventure Park

There are new friends coming to Disney California Adventure park this summer! On June 25, the Wilderness Explorers’ Camp will open at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney•Pixar film, “Up.” The Ahwahnee Camp Circle will be the place where guests can participate in a special ceremony with Russell and graduate to Senior Wilderness Explorers. Also, as guests enter the trail, they will be met by Dug, the friendly dog. The trail will feature Wilderness Explorer activities through which young guests can earn merit badges.

On July 9, Phineas and Ferb will debut their new show, “Phineas and Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party,” also at Disney California Adventure park. The show will be an interactive dance party featuring the Disney Channel favorites. Guests will have the chance to join in on dances and activities while a DJ spins songs from the series.

Which of these Disney characters are you most excited to see?

 

Updated Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree Concept Art

WDWNT on June 11, 2011

A piece of concept art was shown in this weeks D23’s Disney Geek showing an updated look at the new attraction coming to Cars Land, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.

This updated art shows the attraction and queue layout. Guests will enter under the marquee on the bottom right where after a few switchback they will end up in the first covered building. Under the first building, guests will either go straight into the queue for the right side or go left down a path to the left side. Guests will then exit our to the top of the image and exit around the rear back out to the street. The building at the top is really a mystery, but in front looks to be a giant Juke Box of sorts, and also should mention that Mater is not in this art.  With 11 vehicles on each side, we estimated that with a 90 second ride time that this attraction will average 1,300 people per hour.

Happy Birthday World of Color!!

WDWNT on June 11, 2011

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of World of Color, seen it many times. To celebrate the shows first anniversary, I’m going to re-post some images, videos, and news stories covering the history of World of Color.

On the Spot at Paradise Pier – 12/31/08

One of our spy reporters was at Disney’s California Adventure yesterday & noticed 2 very interesting developments in Paradise Pier:

It’s kind of to make out, but the eyes & mouth of the sun face have been removed. We’ll have a closer up picture of this for you on Friday.

Read More about Happy Birthday World of Color!!

Laserman 2.0

WDWNT on June 10, 2011

Seem that Laserman has a few more tricks to show us this summer. From the Disney Parks Blog:

Attention Programs! A “Disney Soundsational Summer” is underway at the Disneyland Resort and an all-new Laserman show is coming to ElecTRONica at Disney California Adventure park! With new music, new lasers, and a few surprises, this exciting new show is set to captivate guests starting Friday, June 17.

ALL-NEW Laserman Show Coming Soon to ElecTRONica at Disney California Adventure Park

Laserman has been a nightly “must see” ever since the portal to ElecTRONica opened. Inspired by the action-adventure film “TRON: Legacy,” his unique combination of talent and skill delivered breathtaking performances to audiences, night after night.

But be prepared to be blown away again! Laserman’s been hard at work, creating another visually stunning show to present an exciting battle between Man versus Technology.

So don’t miss the all-new Laserman show as he lights up the Grid of ElecTRONica nightly this summer, starting Friday, June 17.

Disneyland Resort Ticket Prices To Rise June 12th

WDWNT on June 10, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

We wanted to let you know that ticket prices are increasing at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The new prices go into effect on June 12, but today we’re sharing an early look at pricing details as well as some existing special values for Florida and California residents.

At Walt Disney World Resort, the Magic Your Way ticket offers a variety of options for you to customize your ticket purchase and save on your visit. Florida residents can also take advantage of the monthly payment plan we launched last year to give them greater flexibility when they purchase an annual pass. All updated pricing is posted on the Blog and also will be added to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets-passes/.

And at Disneyland Resort, details about ticket prices are posted on a special page we’ve created on the Disney Parks Blog. The information will also be available at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/ on June 12, including details about special summer values for Southern California and Northern Baja residents, as well as our Southern California resident pass, which is more popular than ever with the monthly payments option.

1 Day, 1Park tickets will now cost $80 dollars for adults and $74 for children. Price for Premium and Deluxe Annual Passes are reported to be going up by approximately $50 dollars each and So-Cal passes raising about $20 each. Also, the premier pass will also have a price increase from $700 to $749.

ElecTRONica Extended Once Again Through Spring 2012

WDWNT on June 10, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Flynn's Arcade at Disney California Adventure Park

Grab your identity discs, Programs, because ElecTRONica will continue to power up at Disney California Adventure park through Spring 2012! Also, guests still have the chance to test their light cycle skills as the TRON: Evolution tournament continues as well. And don’t forget – now through June 14, tournament Grand Champions can take home “TRON: Legacy” on Blu-ray.

ElecTRONica features many unique experiences – guests can experience the stunning performance of Laserman, dance to electronic mixes spun by live DJs, enjoy unique food and beverages, play classic 80s arcade games at Flynn’s Arcade and immerse themselves in the world of “TRON: Legacy.”

So come step into the Grid at ElecTRONica now through Spring 2012!

“What’s Next” Presentation Video

WDWNT on June 4, 2011

As usual, Disney held a “What’s Next” presentation yesterday as part of the Soundsational Summer press event in the Pacific Wharf entrance to Cars Land. While not a lot of new stuff was announced, it is still a interesting watch.

 

 

NOTE: My camera decided to run out of memory half way through the Aulani speech with Joe Rhode, so that unfortunately has been cut.