Non-Magic Crystals

WDWNT on January 17, 2009

It seems that the newly opened Wishing Star Crystals store will be closing, along with the entire Crystal Magic chain:

Effective immediately, Crystal Magic will no longer have store locations here at the Resort. These locations include Wishing Star Magic Crystals in Disneyland® Park, Off the Page in Disney’s California Adventure® Park and World of Disney® in the Downtown Disney® District. If a Guest has placed an order with them or has a question about their purchase, please direct them to call 877-236-2672 or e-mail customerservice@crystalmagic.com.

The Forgotten Land

WDWNT on January 10, 2009

An area at Disney’s California Adventure we rarely ever talk about is Pacific Wharf. But now it seems that land will be getting some attention in the very near future. First up, walls should be going up around the deserted Lucky Fortune Cookery restaurant this Monday, & that restaurant will become the new home of the restaurant currently opposite it, Concina Cucamonga. The reason for this move is to allow for a larger location for the popular restaurant. The original Cocina Cucamonga location will remain open until the new version is ready to debut (with an expanded menu) on June 13th. There’s currently no word on what will become of the original Cocina Cucamonga.

Secondly, a refurbishment of an undermined length of The Boudin Bakery Tour & Restaurant will take place beginning February 9th. However this is likely just routine maintenance.

Ratatouille Float Cut From the Pixar Play Parade

WDWNT on January 9, 2009

In some late breaking news, it seems the Ratatouille float in the Pixar Play Parade has been removed from the parade due to budget cuts, as it is the float that has the most performers. The float will most likely return for the peak seasons such as spring break & the summer.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest.

Disneyland Resort News & Rumor Report

WDWNT on January 8, 2009

Here’s a round-up of some of the latest rumors that our sources here at Disneyland News Today have been hearing:

  • Due to construction on the World of Color Amphitheater, which is right by where the second High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now! show stop is, only one show stop will be made per show, in the location at Sunshine Plaza. However this will mean the show will now be rolled out 5 times a day, instead of the usual 3. Also, instead of going all the way up to the Paradise Pier gates, it will now exit at the gates next to the Mission Tortilla Factory (aka, the future entrance to Cars Land). Don’t forget, the show will be dark Mondays-Thursdays for the foreseeable future due to budget cuts.
  • In news from backstage, the majority of the floats from Disney’s Electrical Parade (excluding the Alice in Wonderland whirly bugs, Dumbo section, & the Cinderella section) have been temporarily moved off Resort property. While we have no exact reason for the disappearance of these floats, it is quite likely that they’re probably getting newer GE 35 motors. For the time being, the Pixar Play Parade has temporarily moved into the parade storage building usually used for Disney’s Electrical Parade. In other news from Disney’s Electrical Parade, it seems some of the floats may be getting added LED effects, which will definitely be an extra boost in bringing the parade into the 21st century. There’s also the possibility that with the addition of the Snow White Dwarf Mine, Pinocchio section, & Tinker Bell section, that the Blue Fairy & Dumbo section may be removed from the parade, however I personally highly doubt that is true (at least the latter).
  • Construction, & just some basic changes, are really starting to beef up over in Paradise Pier. Apparently sometime this week, Mickey’s ears on California Screamin’ will be removed just leaving his “face”, which will eventually be changed over to a sunburst. As we mentioned in Myrna Litt’s latest photo report, the lenticular panel on the Paradise Pier bridge advertising World of Color has for some strange reason been removed. Speaking of removals, all of the old support structures for LuminAria (the holiday fireworks at DCA back only in 2001) have been removed. And lastly, the Orange Stinger is expected to close sometime in April (most likely after Mickey’s Fun Wheel opens up) for it’s conversion over to the Silly Symphony Swings.
  • An interesting development that was first brought up on MiceAge’s latest Al Lutz update is that this year, New Years Eve at Disneyland Park may become a hard ticketed event, the reasoning for this to be done would to keep crowds down slightly in Disneyland, & hopefully get more people to visit DCA. More information on this is available in the link to MiceAge.

Myrna Litt’s 1/6/09 Photo Report

WDWNT on January 8, 2009

It’s once again time for a photo report from our very own Myrna Litt. Let’s take a look around the Disneyland Resort as the Christmas decorations start to come down:

The Year of a Million Dreams themed Mickey floral is being removed for a new What Will You Celebrate? themed floral.

Here you can see what looks to be a party hat.

Mickey & the rest of the Fab 5 are finally back out on Main Street in their original costumes.

Read More about Myrna Litt’s 1/6/09 Photo Report

On the Spot at Paradise Pier

WDWNT on December 31, 2008

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.

Secondly, this lenticular panel has been put up on the bridge to Paradise Pier instead of construction walls to let guests know what the construction is all about, which of course for World of Color.

Fun Tidbits From The Xmas Day Parade

WDWNT on December 31, 2008

I’m back from England! Upon arriving home from my flight, I finally got the chance to sit down & watch the Walt Disney World Christmas Day, & I managed to grab a few screen shots of the Disneyland side of the parade:

Ryan Seacrest, the host from Disneyland, went over some of the latest additions at & coming to the resort. Among the additions mentioned were the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough.

Celebration Roundup at Big Thunder Ranch.

Pixie Hollow.

And the thing I was most looking forward to seeing, concept art of the new Tinker Bell float in Disney’s Electrical Parade!

There was a recap of the kick-off for What Will You Celebrate?- Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 birthday bash.

Read More about Fun Tidbits From The Xmas Day Parade