Disneyland Resort – Page 50

New Look for Buena Vista Street Merchandise at Disney California Adventure Park

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Barely shy of it’s one year birthday, we know Buena Vista Street is home to unique shops and merchandise. Disney has now announced new Buena Vista themed products coming this month.

Were you a fan of the Buena Vista Street-inspired merchandise created in celebration of the opening last year? If so, and you are looking to update your wardrobe, there are new collections on the horizon. Here’s your first look at some of the new art that will appear on an array of merchandise including tees, fleece, hats, drinkware, pins, souvenirs and more.

If you are looking for summer wear for the kids, then be sure to pick up this Oswald youth tee.

Look for this new collection to debut in July at Elias & Co. atDisney California Adventure park, among other select locations.

Photo reports will make an appearance as soon as the new merchandise does, so stay tuned!

Tim Alcoser’s 7/4/13 Disneyland 4th of July Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Disneyland News Today Reporter Tim Alcoser was at Disneyland for the Fourth of July and was able to attend events featuring the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band and fireworks.

Another beautiful day in Anaheim.

Over to Disneyland.

Notice the America Sings characters.

Crowds gathered early for a chance to see the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.

You never know who is going to show up and where at Disneyland. Like Mickey…

…or Princesses…

…with young fans in tow.

The stage is set for the special 4th of July Flag Retreat Ceremony.

Marine Band makes it’s entrance.

A female Staff Sergeant led the band.

The All-American College band did not participate, but got to enjoy the entire performance.

A well used, but well taken care of instrument.

The band ended the ceremony with a March Down Main Street USA.

Over to the stage at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree where the band would play select music.

The scenery in and around Big Thunder Ranch has changed a lot and improved.

Lots of detail.

A Lance Corporal helps set up.

A Gunnery Sergeant narrates the entire performance.

Marine Corps Combat Camera was on scene.

The Staff Sergeant from the flag retreat is back.

The band plays all the tracks from Mary Poppins.

The band changed up the tempo and played select Disney favorites such as “Kiss the girl” and “You got a friend in me”.

A Corporal performs the flute solo to “Stars and Stripes Forever”

The bandstand has been back for several weeks and is very popular.

A few snapshots from Disney’s Celebrate America: A Concert in the Sky!

Heavy crowds before, during and immediately after the show. But not as intense as last year.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PKeFBFhsE8&w=800&h=600]

VIDEO: The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band plays all the music from Mary Poppins.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DrV4YJ_k44&w=800&h=600]

VIDEO: The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band plays “Mahna Mahna” from the Muppets.

Thanks for reading! Have a Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Behind the Wall: Update on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Park

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

The long-running refurbishment still continues on Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Park, but everything is looking on schedule. The Disney Parks Blog updated us with a few tidbits:

Work continues behind that tall, wooden fence in Frontierland at Disneyland park, as the major refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad nears its fall 2013 completion. Today, I’m excited to take you behind the walls for a peek at the progress so far!

Disneyland Chief Photographer Paul Hiffmeyer had the opportunity to check in on Rainbow Ridge Mining Town last week, and brought back the shots above. As we told you back in January, this classic piece of the attraction has also received a major refurbishment, and you can see in the photos above that great care is being taken in the Rainbow Ridge restoration.

Elsewhere on the mountain, the new track has been laid and is in the process of being fully completed. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog; we’ll continue to bring you updates leading up to the reopening of the “wildest ride in the wilderness” in just a few months!

Big Thunder Mountain is currently the only major attraction that is down at the Disneyland Resort at the moment. It will be up and running again by the fall.

Disney Parks to Kick Off the Summer with Another 24-Hour Day on May 24th

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

Disney just announced (via a giant projection on Spaceship Earth) that the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure will be open for 24 hours on May 24th, 2013:

Our first-ever, three-park all-night party is happening at the Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park in California. The parks will stay open from 6 a.m., May 24 to 6 a.m., May 25, 2013, local time.

In Florida, Magic Kingdom Park will feature a “Monsters University” theme where Mike and Sulley will be the Grand Marshals of the “Celebrate a Dream Come True” day parade and make appearances in Tomorrowland. There will be extra entertainment throughout the day and night, including characters in their pajamas in Town Square during the late night and early morning, and late-night dance parties in and around the courtyard of Cinderella Castle.

In California, you’ll be able to party the night away at both parks with special entertainment including: a “Monsters University” “TLT Monstrous” Dance Club and Star Wars characters in Tomorrowland and late-night Character Pajama Party in Mickey’s ToonTown at Disneyland park. The new Fantasy Faire Royal Theatre at Disneyland park will become a Royal Dance Hall late at night with a live band and dancing; and guests of Disney California Adventure park will find Monstrous photo opportunities with new “Monsters University” “Dorms” in Hollywood Land and a new “Monsters University” float leading the Pixar Play Parade.

So, what do you think of another Disney Parks 24-hour day?

24 Hours of Fun and Entertainment in Three Disney Parks

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

Disney has given us a sneak peek into the entertainment schedule for the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and California Adventure for the special 24 hour event on May 24th, 2013.

We’re just one week away from our next Limited Time Magic event, the huge Disney Parks Monstrous Summer All-Nighter on May 24! Pam Brandon and Steven Miller will be along later to share details about some of the great food and merchandise you can expect to find, but first I’d like to tell you more about the special entertainment we have in store.

Everything kicks-off with special opening moments in front of the parks, leading up to 6 a.m., and then you’re off and running for 24 hours of fun!* Many of your usual favorite characters and shows will be happening throughout the day, but we also have some extra things planned just for this event.

At Magic Kingdom Park, Mike and Sulley from this summer’s new Disney•Pixar film “Monsters University” will pop in to “scare up” some excitement at the “Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It!” Street Party, and serve as Grand Marshals during a special pre-parade, complete with a cheer squad, flag corps and a marching band playing the MU Fight Song! You can catch this procession just ahead of each of that day’s two performances of the “Celebrate a Dream Come True” Parade. In Tomorrowland, the Rockettower Plaza Stage plays host to a “Monster Mania” DJ Dance Party from 4 – 9 p.m. and “Monsters University Movie Night” from 11 p.m. – 5 a.m., featuring back-to-back showings of the original “Monsters, Inc.” and an opportunity to meet Mike and Sulley! Finally, you can dance the night away at Disney’s Up All Night Dance Party at Cinderella Castle, keeping things lively from 2 – 5:45 a.m.

At Disneyland Resort, the fun spreads out across two Disney Parks! Disney California Adventure park is having a Hollywood Viewing Party, screening “Monsters, Inc.” inside Muppets Theater and hosting Mad T Party outside inHollywood Land. Both start at 9 p.m. and continue through the night. Elsewhere, the “Monsters University” gang will be out and about with the new MU float from the Pixar Play Parade, happy to pose for pictures with you.

Disneyland park celebrates with a Disney Character Pajama Party, starting after midnight in Mickey’s Toontownwith classic Disney cartoons, a Mickey Mouse Party Zone with DJ and activities for kids, plus goodies available for purchase, like hot chocolate, milk and cookies and other treats. Over in Tomorrowland, there will be Star Warscharacters to meet and the TLT “Monstrous” Dance Club at Tomorrowland Terrace, where you can keep the party going from midnight to 5:30 a.m.

During the All-Nighter, the Royal Theatre at Fantasy Faire hosts a Royal Swing Ball, with a live band from 10 p.m. – 1:40 a.m., and beginning June 15 the “Jump, Jive, Boogie Swing Party” will return to the Royal Theatre for select nights during the summer. Keep an eye on the calendar page on Disneyland.com for dates and information.

So whether you’re heading to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort for the Disney Parks Monstrous Summer All-Nighter, you’re in for a monster-sized good time!

Please note that the parks will be open between Friday, May 24th, 2013 at 6:00 AM to Saturday, May 25th, 2013 at 6:00 AM and entrance is subject to capacity.

Special Eats Part of Monstrous All-Nighter Fun at Disney Parks

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

Unique food, treats and snacks are being added to many locations around the Disneyland Resort for the Monstrous all-nighter event and Disney is sharing a few of these items to whet our appetite.

Of course the Disney chefs had to get in on the Memorial Day weekend fun to kick off a Monstrous Summer at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park, Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park will stay open from 6 a.m., May 24, to 6 a.m. May 25, – which gives us 24 hours to nosh our way through the delightful bites.

We won’t give away all the ideas the chefs have planned, but here are a few:

The cupcake craze gets a nod at Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom Park, with a chocolate cupcake topped with tasty “Monsters University” sweets. And we can’t resist the “Eye Scream Sundae” at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and Plaza Restaurant in two flavors – mint chocolate chip or strawberry.

The Launching Pad in Tomorrowland will have two theme drinks, Randall’s Suds and Mike’s Punch.

At the Disneyland Resort, tasty treats are everywhere. From a steak and eggs breakfast at Carnation Café in Disneyland park to a Monster Nacho Dog at Award Weiners at Disney California Adventure park, there are dozens of creations added to menus. We expect lots of guests will be looking for early-morning eats, like the breakfast pizza at Redd’s Pizza Port with eggs, chorizo, roasted tomatillos, mozzarella and pico de gallo. Blue Bayou is adding roasted bourbon shrimp stuffed with Dungeness crab mousse served with spinach, pasta and smoked tomato-habanero-artichoke sauce. Café Orleans has decadent bananas Foster French toast, or, if you must behave, fresh fruit with yogurt and granola.

For breakfast goodies at Disney California Adventure park, Golden Vine Winery Trattoria has a Wine Country breakfast with scrambled eggs, herbed potatoes, biscuit, bacon or sausage and fruit; or spinach frittata made with egg whites. For around-the-clock eating, the potstickers are back at Lucky Fortune Cookery, or head to Pacific Wharf Café for a hearty loaded baked potato soup in a fresh sourdough bread bowl.

Oh, there’s so much more, like the mac-and-cheese flatbread pizza with sun-dried tomato pesto at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, or the Monstrous Open-Face Turkey Sandwich at Flo’s V-8 Café (brioche piled high with turkey and topped with gravy, cranberry marmalade on the side).

Come hungry, and you can bet there are plenty of delicious eats to keep you going around the clock.

Attending a 24 hour event may be just cause for being tired, but one thing is for sure, you won’t be hungry.

‘Eye-mazing’ Merchandise for Monstrous Summer All-Night Party on May 24, 2013

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

I can’t wait for the upcoming all-night party that will kick off a Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks on May 24, 2013. I had a blast at last year’s 24-hour party with my fiancée, so I imagine this one will be even more “eye-mazing!” As part of Limited Time Magic, Disney Theme Park Merchandise has created some commemorative items featuring Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, stars of Disney•Pixar’s upcoming film “Monsters University.” Here are some things you can expect starting May 24.

We will have a new logo shirt featuring Mike, created just for the 24 hour party. The shirts will be similar on each coast except for a small logo change on the sleeve (either “Magic Kingdom” for guests in Florida or “Disneyland Resort” for guests in California). This shirt will also be offered on our Disney Parks online store from May 24-27 at http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents. (Please note that items will be shipped in 6-8 weeks from time of order.)

My favorite items are the Sulley-inspired Disney ear hat (it’s furry!) and Mike’s one-eyed novelty sunglasses. We will also be offering an embroidered Disney ear hat with a “Monstrous Summer” logo that day.

The apparel, ear hats and sunglasses will be released at the Emporium and select locations in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. At Disneyland Resort, look for these items in Emporium at Disneyland park and Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park, among other select locations.

The Consumables team will offer some treats inspired by Mike and Sulley, including blue and green cotton candy, cake pops, and decorative candy apples. My favorite (mostly because they gave me a sample to try) is the delicious cupcake complete with green icing and a chocolate logo square. Look for select goodies in locations like the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, Candy Palace at Disneyland park or Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure park.

All of these items will be available for a “limited time” only beginning May 24, while supplies last.

Finally, I invite you to follow the Disney Parks Blog on May 24, as I will be traveling coast-to-coast to party in three Disney Parks that day. I look forward to seeing friends on both the east and west coasts! If you are in the parks, please say hello!

Looks like the Disneyland Resort will have you covered from head to toe with merchandise and limited time gear, and well fed too.

Downtown Disney District Extended Hours for Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at the Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

The Disneyland Resort has posted operating hours for entertainment, restaurants, food carts and merchandise stores at Downtown Disney. In addition to both California Adventure and Disneyland, Downtown Disney will be open, and some locations will continue operating all night.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks aren’t the only places to have a monstrous time during
this Friday’s all-nighter at the Disneyland Resort … the Downtown Disney District is also getting in on the fun with extended hours and more. Check it out

Restaurants, Food Carts and Quick Service Locations:
Downtown Disney District restaurants will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 (excluding ESPN Zone)
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express will be open until 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
Special extended hours at ESPN Zone
The Arena – open until 3 a.m.
The 19th Hole Bar – alcohol available until 1 a.m.
Non-alcoholic drinks served until 3 a.m.
Limited food menu served until 1 a.m.
“1/2 price” special on all Arena games from 12-3 a.m.
House of Blues and Tortilla Jo’s will open for breakfast at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 25

The following will be open 24 hours on May 24-25:
Café Renee
Planet Popcorn
Wetzel’s Pretzels
Jamba Juice
La Brea Bakery Express

The following will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25:
Wetzel’s Pretzels Cart
Gelato Cart
Churro Carts
Merchandise Stores and Carts

Downtown Disney District stores will be open 24 hours on May 24-25
Merchandise carts will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
Live Entertainment
6–10 p.m. – Downtown Disney District live entertainment
11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – DJ Wendy on the Main Stage
11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – DJ Justin at House of Blues area
For more information, click here, and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #Disney24.

Looks like the entire Disneyland Resort will be open for ’round the clock fun.

Tim Alcoser’s 05/23/2013 Photo Report (Memorial Day decorations)

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

Disneyland News Today reporter Tim Alcoser was at the Disneyland Resort the day before the 24 hour Monstrous Summer Event and captured a few photos of newsworthy items:

Studio equipment is ready to go for the Monstrous Summer Event in the middle of the Esplanade.

Red, White and Blue is showing up at both parks in lieu of Memorial Day/Independence Day.

The Market House will be closed until the Fall when it will reappear as a Starbucks.

The Mickey and the Magical Map Media Event took place on May 23rd closing down most of Fantasyland with a Grand Premiere of the show.

Mickey and the Magical Map is now open and showing several times daily at the Disneyland Resort!

When you are at the Happiest Place on Earth, you just never know who is going to show up and where

Refurbishment of the Disneyland Railroad’s New Orleans Square Station has now wrapped up.

A few pictures of Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular!

Buena Vista Street seasonal decorations are also present Memorial Day through 4th of July.

The sun sets over Disneyland. It preps for the Monstrous Summer 24-Hour event the next morning.

Thank you for reading!

Tim Alcoser’s Monstrous Summer All-Nighter Photo Report (20130524 – 20130525)

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

Disneyland News Today reporter Tim Alcoser attended the entire 24-hour Monstrous Summer event at the Disneyland Resort. For those who want to recap or who could not attend the event, there are plenty of pictures here for your enjoyment.

For the event, early guests were parked in the Bambi section of the Toy Story Parking lot, which is traditionally reserved for Cast Member parking only.

Crowds await the 6:00 AM entrance into Disney California Adventure. Time is 5:30 AM.

Camera crews await the 6:00 AM start of Disney’s Monstrous Summer.

Guests eagerly await the 6:00 AM opening of Disneyland.

Watch the Countdown to the Start of the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at Disneyland.

A Monstrous Summer All-Nighter sign at the entrance to Main Street USA in Town Square.

Radio stations recorded live and were set up near It’s a Small World.

The first ride Tim went on was…

Refurbishment work was finally wrapped up at the New Orleans Square Train Station just in time for the event.

A look at the crowds streaming into Disneyland at approximately 7:00 AM. Very light.

However, most of the security checkpoints were bogged down for several hours after opening.

Nickelodeon cutting into Disney’s turf at Build-a-Bear Workshop?

New Monsters University posters at AMC Theaters in Downtown Disney

One of these monsters seems all too familiar…

The Oozma Kappa (OK) Frat.

DLNT Reporter Tim was very fortunate to secure a special screening pass to Monsters University at AMC Theaters in Downtown Disney. 199 other lucky Annual Passholders were granted access to see Monsters University nearly a full month before Release. More details on how this was done on the podcast later.

The quickest way to obtain a Monsters University Identification Card.

Before being granted access to the theater, all cell phones, cameras, camcorders and other equipment had to be checked in. Additionally, “Secret Service” style security guards used Metal detector wands on each guest to ensure all equipment was turned over. As an added caution, two guards were placed at each exit of the theater to constantly watch all guests in attendance.

Fantasyland Theater is now showing Mickey and the Magical Map several times daily at the Disneyland Resort.

Annual Passholders await entrance into Fantasyland Theater to see the first public showing of Mickey and the Magical Map.

The stage to Mickey and the Magical Map. Look for the complete show video on the website very soon.

The Sorcerer’s Hat.

A closer look at the stage.

A closer look at the new Fantasyland Theater.

Over to DCA now, a similar Monstrous Summer All-Nighter sign has been placed near Carthay Circle.

Red Car News Boys still going strong nearly one year later.

Mike and Sully act as Grand Marshall’s for the Pixar Play Parade along with a whole host of friends from Oozma Kappa (OK).

Everyone seems to be in school spirit. Even Roz.

The new Monsters University Meet and Greet is located between Mad T Party and the Hyperion Theater and is very well done.

On Radiator Springs Racers.
“Careful on the turns, Kid” ~Doc Hudson

As part of the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter, Monsters Inc. was shown several times throughout the day and night at Muppet Vision 3D Theater, including 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM. Many guests, evidently, found it a convenient place to take a nap.

Main Street USA at approximately 2:45 AM.

Sleeping Beauty Castle was basked in a brilliant white light to show off for a live taping of Good Morning America.

See the Good Morning America Live taping here: http://gma.yahoo.com/video/disneyland-stays-open-24-hours-130827269.html

Bright floodlights stream into the castle gates.

A closer look at the castle before the taping of Good Morning America.

Over in Toontown, guests had a Pajama Party with their favorite Disney Cartoon Characters and also enjoyed classic run Disney Cartoons on an oversized TV.