Event Outline for Miley’s Sweet 16

WDWNT on October 3, 2008

Here’s some new information on the events planned for the Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 event this Sunday, from the LA Times Funland Blog:

Never mind that her birthday isn’t for seven more weeks, Miley Cyrus and 5,000 of her biggest fans will celebrate her Sweet 16th at Disneyland on Sunday with an exclusive, celebrity-studded party.

The Anaheim theme park will close to regular visitors at 5 p.m. to make way for the privileged few who plunked down $250 a ticket (or more) to party with the “Hannah Montana” star.

The festivities start at 6 p.m. with a red carpet affair on Main Street U.S.A. in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, featuring Disney Channel stars and other young Hollywood types. Expect the celebrities to be whisked in through backstage rather than the main gate — meaning no looky-loos or photo ops for nonpaying fans.

At 8:15 p.m., Miley Cyrus and “friends” (think Disney singing stars) will perform a 45-minute show on the Fantasmic stage of Tom Sawyer’s Island while fans watch from the Frontierland side of the Rivers of America. Miley Cyrus is expected to sing four songs. She’ll “share the stage” with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, but no word yet on whether they’ll sing the duet “Ready, Set, Don’t Go.”

After the concert, the party festivities will be centered in Frontierland and New Orleans Square with interactive activities and special food offerings. Indiana Jones Adventure and Pirates of the Caribbean will be open along with other select rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland (including Space Mountain, intermittently).

Miley fans have been promised a “special” fireworks finale at 10:45 p.m. before the evening wraps up at 11 p.m.

Indiana Jones Adventure Single Rider Line

WDWNT on September 30, 2008

We’re hearing that a Single Rider line has been implemented over at the Indiana Jones Adventure. While there isn’t an actual line set up for it, you can still go single by asking a Cast Member for a Single Rider pass at the entrance to the queue. You then proceed through the exit of the attraction, where a Cast Member will direct you into the room with the safety video. After watching the safety video, you’ll take the elevator to the loading area.

I’m sure this Single Rider line will make it much easier for single guests to get on with-out having to endure the pain of one of Disneyland’s worst set-up queues.

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.

New Height Requirement for Autopia

WDWNT on September 26, 2008

According to our good friends over at Screamscape:

Screamscape sources tell us that the Disney legal department has been snooping around and has come up with a new and unfortunate policy for the Autopia. The current policy is that you only have to be 52 inches to RIDE ALONE, which allowed parents to go for a spin and take any child able to sit upright by themselves along with them. If this latest rumor is true, starting September 30th all guests must be at least 32 inches tall to even RIDE the Autopia, and at least 52 inches to ride alone.

Meet Jack & Sally!

WDWNT on September 26, 2008

According to Disneyland Line CM magazine:

Joining the Halloween Time fun for the first time ever is Jack Skellington and Sally from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Halloween Town natives can be found periodically roaming around the Haunted Mansion Holiday greeting Guests and signing autographs.

Disneyland Closes Early 10/21/08

WDWNT on September 25, 2008

Due to a private party, Disneyland will be closing at 5pm on Tuesday, October 21st. Disney’s California Adventure will close at it’s originally planned time of 6pm.

We don’t have any more information than that given at the moment, but be sure to stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest!

Beware of Sweet 16 Party Ticket Scalpers

WDWNT on September 25, 2008

According to our friends over at the LA Times Funland Blog:

Fans forking over $500 or more to buy tickets on eBay for Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 birthday party at Disneyland may be in for a harsh surprise when they arrive at the Hollywood–style red carpet event on Oct. 5.

The Anaheim theme park has instituted strict anti-scalping procedures designed to prevent reselling of tickets at online auction sites such as eBay — where more than 50 “Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 birthday party” tickets have been for sale in recent days.

The exclusive event featuring the “Hannah Montana” star sold out almost immediately, with the general public snatching up the 5,000 available tickets at $250 a pop. Profiteers immediately put the coveted Cyrus tickets up for sale on eBay with prices starting at $500 apiece.

But here’s the catch. Tickets won’t be issued until the day of the event — and then only to the original purchaser after 2 p.m. at the main gate. (The event runs from 6 to 11 p.m.)

And that’s not all:

— The original purchaser must provide a confirmation letter, identification and signature at the check-in booth in order to receive the tickets.
— Everyone attending the event must be present when the tickets are issued.
— A Disneyland employee will escort the credentialed group into the theme park.

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.

Bibbidi Bobbidi… Celebrate!

WDWNT on September 23, 2008

It seems there’s another new addition coming to the Disneyland Resort for the new “What Will You Celebrate?” promotion that appears to of fallen through the cracks, so to say. Disneyland will finally receive it’s own Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

For those of you who don’t know what the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is… It’s a salon of sorts where young girls can get a makeover into one of the Disney Princesses. There are currently 2 locations of this store in Walt Disney World in Cinderella Castle & at Downtown Disney’s World of Disney store. The location of the Disneyland version is planned to be the current Once Upon a Princess store in Sleeping Beauty Castle.

This is one aspect of the celebration that is not confirmed by Disney, but it is a big chance for them to make money, & I’m sure they’ll go ahead with it. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest.