New Monorail Train Rolling in Friday

WDWNT on April 24, 2008

From the OC Register:

ANAHEIM – What’s red, white and blue and glides through the air?

It’s not some superhero. It’s the new monorail opening to the public Friday at Disneyland.

The first new monorail car in two decades – called the Monorail Red or Mark VII – is expected to open to the public Friday morning.

“I think we’re always looking for ways to update and refresh classic attractions,” said Scot Drake, the monorail lead designer. “This is definitely an iconic attraction.”

The biggest change is the look of the train: The first electric cars have blue glass and red stripes that change color in the sunlight. The next two cars will be blue with purple glass and orange with blue glass.

Bench seats will face the windows, allowing visitors a full view of the parks, Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Hotel. The capacity and speed will remain the same.

The Monorail started in 1959 as part of Disneyland’s first expansion and the track was extended to the Disneyland Hotel in 1961 to a length of two and a half miles.

“For us, the monorail was an attraction in a family theme park. But for Walt (Disney), this was a teaching demonstration to solve a problem,” said Bob Gurr, Disney’s Monorail designer, about the attraction in 2004.

The current Monorail trains, called the Mark V design, debuted in 1987 with a fiberglass body, computer controls and 100 horsepower motors.

For three years, Disney Imagineers have been working on upgrades.

Red: In Pictures!

WDWNT on April 23, 2008

As reported yesterday, the Mark VII Monorail Red did begin daytime cast member previews. But we only just got in pictures, & here are some, courtesy of David “Darkbeer” Michaels:

Red On The Tracks!

WDWNT on April 22, 2008

The Mark VII Monorail Red finally began cast member previews today. And a little video of it circling the tracks is up on YouTube!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS6uNF6uXf0[/youtube]

No More Sleeping

WDWNT on April 22, 2008

You know that 50th anniversary of Sleeping Beauty exhibit that was supposed to of gone into Disney Animation in DCA? Well, it looks like it wont be happening now, according to David Koenig:

“The Snow White exhibit in the lobby of DCA’s animation building is scheduled to vanish April 27, but don’t expect a replacement until the fall—if ever. The hope was that the 120-piece exhibit of rare animation art would increase attendance at the facility. Instead, according to one source, attendance actually dropped. The animation building’s biggest draw, you see, has never been its interactive displays, but rather its expansive, air-conditioned lobby. “Guests missed the open space, plush seats, and the collage of scenes projected on the multitude of screens,” the source said.

She said that Snow White’s disappointing reception jeopardizes the exhibit originally planned to replace it—a 50th anniversary tribute to Sleeping Beauty. The insider explained, “The costs of framing the artwork, reinstalling the security systems, and the extra cast members to patrol it might prevent it from happening.”

Quinceanera Dreams Come True

WDWNT on April 22, 2008

The Quinceanera Dream Come True event that is going to be held at Disneyland this week will have major impact on the parks this week. A stage will be put up in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle from Tuesday through Friday blocking access through the Castle. The Horse Drawn Streetcars wont be running Wednesday through Friday so the tracks can be blocked for the event.

Aladdin’s Oasis will be closed for the event on Wednesday & Thursday, as well as Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years. But expect the latter to re-open sometime Friday afternoon. The Princess Fantasy Faire will also be closing early on both Wednesday & Thursday. Finally, Thursday’s second performance of Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams will be pushed forward to 5:30PM.

Here’s a little more information on the event:

Tune into “El Show de Cristina” on the Univision Network for a one-hour special highlighting the enchanted Dream Come True Quinceañera event at the Disneyland® Resort — check your local listing for day and time.

As part of The Year of a Million Dreams celebration, 15 very lucky girls had their Quinceañera dreams come true. They won an enchanted Quinceañera celebration hosted by Cristina Saralegui — the star of the popular television program “El Show de Cristina” — featuring dancing, music, celebrity performances, Disney magic and a few very special surprises!

Head’s up to Monday in the Parks for information on the attraction closures!

Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky

WDWNT on April 20, 2008

Now looking all the way ahead to July 4th… In previous years, Disneyland just did a little July 4th tag on the end of whatever fireworks show may be showing. Well it appears this year a full fledged 4th of July fireworks show will be shown instead of Remember Dreams Come True!

Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky
 9:25pm

Monorail Red Cast Previews Begin Tomorrow!

WDWNT on April 20, 2008

Cast previews for Monorail Red will begin tomorrow & last through-out the rest of the week. Here are the exact times:

Monday, April 21
6:45 – 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.

Tuesday, April 22
6:45 – 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.

Wednesday, April 23
6:45 – 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 24
6:45 – 8:30 a.m.

So if anyone’s at the park tomorrow, be sure to have your camera at the ready! We all should be riding Monorail Red very soon!

Thanks to Year45 for sending in this information!

Summer of Mysteries to Begin May 22nd

WDWNT on April 20, 2008

We’re hearing that the new Indiana Jones & Summer of Mysteries show could start showing at Disneyland, in the streets of Adventureland, on May 22nd. It’s also been rumored that the show may go into Aladdin’s Oasis, but seeing as there is no refurbishment planed for that theater, it’s highly unlikely.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for further developments in this, the Summer of Mysteries!

The Bugs Are Back In Town!

WDWNT on April 19, 2008

It looks like the Bugs are back in town! The Bug’s Life float in the Pixar Play Parade has returned to the parade! However only the front half of the float has returned which has one single swing holding Flik and Atta..