Shawn Hutchison’s 4/12/09 Photo Report
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A Paradise of Fun, Under the Sun
Disneyland News Today reader Stephen Thomas was nice enough to send in pictures he managed to grab from the HoJo Anaheim’s Mattercam of the progressing work on the California Screamin’ sunburst, as well as work that has finally begun on the Mickey face for Mickey’s Fun Wheel:
The sunburst looks to be pretty much done. Just a little bit left to paint in the middle.
A white backing of Mickey’s head has been put up. His facial features will either be put up on top of that or painted on.
Thanks once again Stephen!
Mickey’s Face-lift Postponed
Some of our sources have reported that Mickey’s Fun Wheel is a couple weeks behind schedule, and is now scheduled to open on May 8th, as opposed to the originally scheduled April 24th date. We’re not exactly sure on the reason of the delay, but it’s most likely due to the Mickey face, as it hasn’t even arrived at the Resort yet.
Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest on the Paradise Pier make-over.
Glowing Back In June
According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:
The classic Electrical Parade at Disneyland is on its way back, this time to Disney’s California Adventure.
Disney spokesman John McClintock said the seasonal night parade — marked by float’s and characters decked in thousands of lights — will start again in June.
There will also be a number of other new after-dark shows and attractions — possible a new fireworks show.
McClintock said all of the details of these new shows and features will be announced April 24 — a press event that we at Around Disney will, of course, be folllowing.
The parade started in Disneyland, but was retired in 1996. A popular show, McClintock said Disney resurrected the parade in 2001 during the summer after California Adventure opened as a way to draw people to that park.
The show was originally conceived and performed in 1972. It has been performed about 3,600 times.
The parade uses 500,000 lightbulbs now, powered by 500 batteries.
More than 50 six-volt batteries power the same number of costumes worn by performers — lighting up 11, 000 bulbs.
Since July, 2001, the parade has been performed about 620 times in California Adventure.
Disney themselves have announced that a Tinker Bell float will be added to the parade, and it has been rumored that the old Snow White Dwarf Mine and Pinocchio floats will make their way back into the parade, as well as the possibility of a new soundtrack inspired by Tokyo Disneyland’s Electrical Parade: Dreamlights.
Being released on April 26th, two days after the press event, is an open edition pin featuring the new Tinker Bell float coming to Disney’s Electrical Parade:
Disney’s Electrical Parade is one of my personal favorite things at the Resort, so definitely tuned to Disneyland News Today for all the Electrical Parade coverage you could need.
New Horse, Old Bridge
The Twilight Bark news section of D23’s website continues to be a great source for little news tid-bits about the Disneyland Resort:
- 03.27.09 — Danny Makes His Debut!
On March 20, Danny the Clydesdale made his debut as the newest addition to the horse-drawn streetcars on Main Street, U.S.A. At 5 years old, Danny is the youngest of the horses that pull streetcars from Town Square to Sleeping Beauty Castle. - 03.27.09 — Pacific Wharf Bridge Reopens
The Pacific Wharf Bridge in Disney’s California Adventure opens again on April 3 after a planned refurbishment. The bridge connects the Pacific Wharf area with Golden State Plaza.
Round-up The Games Bullseye!
One of our readers was kind enough to send us what is undoubtedly the first picture of one of the actual new Games of the Boardwalk:
This picture is of the Bullesyes Stalion Stampede game. A sign not seen before is bellow the Paradise Pier logo, and a tagline is off to the right.
Myrna Litt’s 3/24/09 Photo Report
Myrna Litt had a very interesting trip to the Disneyland Resort yesterday, and she shares these pictures with us:
Changes are afoot…
All of the gondolas have been installed on Mickey’s Fun Wheel.
Workers in the lagoon.
That stuff in the lagoon is pretty big!
Something looks different.
Toy Story “Wii-mote” Mania Opens This Fall
Anyone who owns a Nintendo Wii video game console and loves the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction at Disney’s California Adventure or at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is sure to be excited by this news today:
BURBANK, Calif. – (March 24, 2009) – Disney Interactive Studios today announced Toy Story Mania!, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature “Toy Story,” will be released exclusively for the Wii™ home video game console this fall. Toy Story Mania! showcases an array of entertaining games based on the new Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort attractions, while featuring the iconic characters and humor from the popular Disney/Pixar “Toy Story” franchise.
“The ‘Toy Story’ franchise is a fun, dynamic and heart-warming series containing characters and themes that connect with every age group,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Toy Story Mania! combines those popular elements with the unique antics of the new theme park attraction for the ultimate in family entertainment.”
In Toy Story Mania!, players experience the fast-paced, zany fun of the Toy Story Mania! theme park attraction, which is an interactive experience requiring 3D glasses and involving rapid or quick-firing shooting galleries. In addition to galleries adapted from the attraction, the game includes new and original galleries and a series of mini games, all hosted by beloved characters from the movies. The thematically-connected levels are designed for up to four players of all ages with competitive and co-operative multiplayer options. Toy Story Mania! also includes bonus 3D features, transforming the game experience with eye-popping visuals.
The Pixar-created “Toy Story” and ”Toy Story 2” have both had successful box office and DVD sales. The Disney Digital 3D™ theatrical re-release of “Toy Story” is in the works and will open in theatres on October 2, 2009, followed by the 3D re-release of “Toy Story 2” opening on February 12, 2010, leading up to the premiere of “Toy Story 3” in 3D summer 2010. Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to place characters from these films into a carnival game setting and is expected to resonate with fans of the films and the attraction, as well as gamers who like pick-up-and-play party games
Developed by Papaya Studio, Toy Story Mania! will be available this fall exclusively for Wii.
Roll-Up Early!
Contrary to rumors that the Games of the Boardwalk are behind schedule, we have now received word that they are in fact ahead of schedule, and they will now open about 3 weeks earlier than originally planned on April 7th, 2009. For information on the new games themselves, check this post from back in October here on DLNT.
Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today as we continue to track the progress of the on-going changes at Disney’s California Adventure.
D23 News Round-up
D23’s website has so far proven to be a great source for news and information for the Disneyland Resort, posting some tidbits we haven’t even heard mentioned elsewhere. Here’s a round-up news from the last 2 days:
- 03.18.09 — Golden Farewell
Golden Dreams, one of the original attractions at Disney’s California Adventure, is closing to make way for a brand-new attraction themed after The Little Mermaid. The final showing will take place at a special event for Cast Members on March 22. - 03.18.09 — It’s a Round-up!
Celebration Round-up & BBQ is set to open April 2! Guests can book priority seating now. - 03.17.09 — Easter Bunny Arrives Early At Fantasyland!
In addition to happy passengers, the Storybook Land Canal Boats are carrying Easter/Spring flowers and, if you look closely, you can see baskets of pastel eggs in front of some of the homes along the canal. - 03.17.09 — Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Accepting Reservations
Beginning yesterday, Guests can book reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disneyland. The boutique, which transforms little girls into princesses and boys into knights, will be nestled inside Fantasyland next to Sleeping Beauty Castle and is set to open April 17.