Halloween Time Starts Today!

WDWNT on September 27, 2008

Anaheim, Calif. – Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort will fill Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks with not-so-scary spook-tacular entertainment beginning Friday, Sept. 26 and continuing through Sunday, November 2.

The season of tricks and treats will be celebrated at Disneyland Resort with the traditional giant “Mickey Mouse” jack-o’-lantern in Disneyland Town Square, Haunted Mansion Holiday in New Orleans Square and Candy Corn Acres in Disney’s California Adventure, along with festive foods, a lively mix of Disney characters in Halloween costumes and year two of Disney’s Happiest Haunt Tours.

During regular park hours at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort offers parents and children plenty of family-friendly fun in addition to the parks’ many popular adventures. Halloween Time activities include special shows, meet-and-greets with Disneyland characters in spirited costumes, along with opportunities to decorate Halloween cookies and listen to storytellers at “Woody’s Halloween Roundup” at Big Thunder Ranch.

Dedicated fans of Halloween and the Disney parks will want to sign up to experience all the “hot and cold running chills” of the season on Disney’s Happiest Haunt Tour, an expanded version of the Halloween tour launched in 2007. From Sept. 26 to Oct. 31, the three-hour Disney’s Happiest Haunt Tour will be offered twice a day, beginning at the “witching hours” of 5:15 and 5:30 p.m. The tour, conducted by a “unique” Disneyland Resort tour guide, includes the stories behind some of Disney parks’ spookiest attractions, told from the perspective of Disney villains. Stops at thrilling attractions including the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Snow White’s Scary Adventure are among the highlights of the tour.

Disney’s Happiest Haunt Tour is darkly humorous and spooky and is not recommended for young children or for those who might not enjoy the featured attractions (or might not meet the 40-inch height requirement for Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad). The tour fee is $59 and does not include park admission. Guests who take the tour receive an exclusive collectible remembrance and a Halloween treat. Each tour group has a maximum size of 20 guests. Tours may be booked up to 20 days in advance by calling (714) 781-4400.

Popular, family-friendly entertainment also returns for the Halloween season. At Disney’s California Adventure Sunshine Plaza is the Candy Corn Acres, where Mickey Mouse’s pal Goofy sets out to grow the West’s biggest and most unusual candy corn, including candy corn coconuts, candy corn carrots and candy corn pumpkins. The Plaza will be overgrown with the “fruits” of Goofy’s labor.

Also returning for the season is Haunted Mansion Holiday. Inspired by the innovative animated film, Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas,” Haunted Mansion Holiday comes to life when Jack Skellington and his friends create holiday mayhem at the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square.

A perfect way to celebrate Halloween in special Disney style is the one-of-a-kind Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party. This private costume party lets little ones laugh and play with some of their favorite Disney Characters—including Mickey himself—and ride select attractions as they trick-or-treat through Disney’s California Adventure park. The experience also includes interactive games, “spirited” music, and a nightly character cavalcade. It’s an unforgettable evening of Halloween fun for everyone. Dates for Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party are Oct. 3, 10, 16. 17, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Tickets are $29 per person when purchased at least one day in advance, $37 per person for tickets purchased day-of and for all Oct. 31 tickets. They may be purchased online at www.disneyland.com or by calling (714) 781-4400.

Throughout the Disneyland Resort during Halloween Time, families can enjoy unique Halloween-themed food items including Zero’s Ghostly Ghoulash, a favorite of Jack Skellington’s pet in “Haunted Mansion Holiday,” and merchandise including Disney costumes, collectible pins and coins and a special set of Halloween-themed Mickey Mouse ears resembling the Mickey jack-o’-lantern in Town Square.

For more information about Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort and new attractions, visit www.disneyland.com/halloween.

Some DCA Changes & Concept

WDWNT on September 24, 2008

If anyone’s looking for a nice little treat, I advise you to take a look at this thread on MiceChat. The thread offers some new concept art for the DCA expansion, including a new map of the park, the re-designed vehicles for Mickey’s Fun Wheel, the first ever concept art seen for the Silly Symphony Swings, the vehicles & facade for Goofy’s Sky School, & concept for the Little Mermaid ride, that not only shows a slightly re-designed exterior, but also gives the attraction a name; The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Adventure.

Some other points; Cars Land will include 2 sections of sorts, Radiator Springs & Route 66. The soon to be altered parade route will be called El Camino Real, that will go from Cars Land to Paradise Pier. As we reported last week, Walt Disney Plaza will now be called Buena Vista Street. Finally, the Red Car Trolley Line will span from Buena Vista Street, all the way up to the Tower of Terror.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest on all changes coming to Disney’s California Adventure.

3 Days and Counting…

WDWNT on September 24, 2008

Halloween Time officially starts this Friday, & to get you in the mood, we have a couple of Halloween Time related items for you. First, from our friends at the LA Times Funland Blog:

Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is expected to “soft open” on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, with the now-traditional Halloween/Christmas holiday overlay.

The official reopening of the refurbished Mansion — on Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 — coincides with the kickoff of Halloween festivities at the Anaheim theme park.

Also, the guys at the OC Register have 2 interesting articles up. The first is an interview with 2 of Disneyland’s chefs that have worked on this year’s gingerbread house in the ballroom scene of Haunted Mansion Holiday. To find out exactly what it will be this year, follow this link. And for a guide to what Halloween treats will be available this year, click here.

I will be at the Resort this Saturday to check out the Halloween Time festivites, so expect a photo report either late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

Heeeeerrrrreeee’s Luke!

WDWNT on September 18, 2008

Hey everyone, Luke Manning here… Bet you didn’t expect me! I’ll be back on the Disneyland News Today Staff as the Lead News Reporter, due to both time issues, & that I decided I would still like to be involved with the site. So to welcome me back, here are a couple of the last news & rumors from around the Disneyland Resort:

  • It seems that the re-do of Sunshine Plaza, that was to of been known as Walt Disney Plaza, is now planned to be called Buena Vista Street.
  • Tomorrow, Disney will be announcing the new promotion for 2009 in New York City. Here are a few of the things planned to happen during the promotion:

    -Disney has dropped the proposed Magical Celebrations name and will simply be using two primary phrases (”What will you celebrate?” & “Celebrate Everyday”) to promote this new 2009 only celebration.
    -Guests who attend Disneyland on the day of their birthdays will be offered a special gift throughout 2009: The choice of a free birthday 1-day park ticket, $75.00 merchandise gift card, or 4 Fastpasses per person per party of up to 6 guests.
    -Although already previewed on the official Disney pin trading website, Disney will be introducing some new personalized pins that will feature magnetic name badges that can be removed and interchanged.
    -As far as entertainment offerings, Disneyland Park will be introducing a once-daily Disneyland Street Party on Main Street U.S.A.

    Stay tuned tomorrow to Disneyland News Today as this press event happens.

  • Finally, it seems the new boats are starting to be tested in the It’s a Small World flume, as seen in this picture from MintCrocodile:

Muppets Move Out For Halloween Time?

WDWNT on September 17, 2008

The Muppet Vision 3D attraction at Disney’s California Adventure may be experiencing some kind of Halloween layover this year, according to the current Disneyland Resort refurbishment schedule. The attraction is currently scheduled to be closed from September 16-24 and November 3-11, 2008. These two refurbishments sandwich the Halloween Time celebration at the resort, leading us to believe that something rather spooky would be taking up the theater during these fall festivities. The question at the moment is what will be appearing there.

Be sure to stay tuned to Disneyland News Today as more information on this Muppet Vision rumor becomes available.

Sun Wheel Refurbishment Pushed Back Once Again

WDWNT on September 13, 2008

It’s appears that the Sun Wheel did not in fact close down on September 11th. We had announced that the refurbishment was pushed back to start on September 29th, 2008, however the start & end date this time have both been pushed back. The refurbishment will now start on October 13rd, & last all the way through May 13th, 2009.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today as things start happening over at the Sun Wheel, or should I say Mickey’s Fun Wheel…

Myrna Litt’s 9/11 Photo Report

WDWNT on September 12, 2008

Myrna Litt is back with another excellent, yet small photo report. Here are a few updates from the Resort on September 11th:

The Town Square flag was held at half mast to honor the tragic events of September 11th, 2001.

A look at some of the Halloween merchandise & displays inside Frontier Mercantile.

The Golden Dreams banners have been removed from the Palace of Fine Arts.

Walls up for some reason at Carnation Plaza Gardens.

The smallest construction wall I’ve ever seen outside River Belle Terrace.

Myrna however did pass on some interesting information to me that she received from various Cast Members around the Resort. Here’s what she had to say:

They are currently testing the new boats at It’s a Small World. The Pirates of the Caribbean are not testing the new boats with the public. They may start using them in November and they are lighter boats. The concrete is being replaced in front of the Haunted Mansion (I tried to take a picture but was stopped). Also they are testing a new guest interactive exit at the Haunted Mansion. The ghosts will mimic what the guest does and react to them. We were told there will be a lot of new surprises.

Thanks again Myrna!

Goodbye Golden Dreams! Good Riddance HSM2!

WDWNT on September 9, 2008

Let’s take a look at some of the lovely photos of David “Darkbeer” Michael from yesterday, that include the last showing of both Golden Dreams & High School Musical 2: School’s Out, among other things:

The Hyperion Theater is now listed as closed on the DLR Information Board near at the security check-points (albeit being spelled wrong).

The Information Board at the Downtown Disney Monorail Station has a much more precise listing of the closed attractions in Disneyland Park.

You gotta love pins with purchase.

The area surrounding Fowler’s Harbor, the place where the Sailing Ship Columbia is docked, has walls up.

The latest Backstage Pass, Annual Pasholder newsletter offers you a free pair of sunglasses, which you can pick up at at the exit of Innoventions.

Filming of some sort going on in Paradise Pier.

Yesterday had the last ever performance of High School Musical 2: School’s Out!. There will be no High School Musical show until late October, when High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now! debuts.

Goodbye Golden Dreams, We Will Miss You!

Bye Bye HSM 2, Hello HSM 3

WDWNT on September 7, 2008

According to the OC Register:

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Disneyland will hold auditions for performers to be in a new street show titled High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now!. The show is based on the upcoming movie “High School Musical 3: Senior Year”, which is set to release in theaters on October 24.

Disney says they are seeking energetic male and female parade performers with strong dancing skills for a brand new street show inspired by Walt Disney Pictures High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Auditions are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Team Disney Anaheim.

The current High School Musical show titled “High School Musical 2: School’s Out!” has no scheduled performances after Sunday, September 7.

DCA Preview Center Opening Pushed Back

WDWNT on September 7, 2008

According to MiceAge, the opening of the DCA Preview Center has been pushed back 1 month. There are a couple of factors as to why the date was pushed back. Firstly, Jay Rasulo should be announcing Magical Celebrations, the follow-up promotion to the Year of a Million Dreams on September 18th in New York. Secondly, the Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 event that is happening on October 5th. Basically, Disney don’t want the “DCA message” to be lost in-between these 2 events.

So if everything goes according to plan, Cast Member & Annual Passholder previews should be held around the second week of October, with a grand opening planned to happen on October 20th. The good news in this however, is that the exhibits, as well as the 7 minute video that will play on the screen that used to play the Seasons of the Vine movie are both ready. Marketing however isn’t…