Tim Alcoser’s 8/30/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

Tim was at The Disneyland Resort yesterday and grabbed some pictures of some newsworthy stuff so lets take a look…

Disney Half Marathon starting point bridge, located at the Mickey and Friends Parking Center Tram Stop.

Its that time of year again when traffic around Disneyland is going to be a mess

Yup, marathon

Very, very unique name...

Disney Half Marathon equipment being staged at the Lilo Parking lot near Downtown Disney.

Heavy construction work on the Disneyland Hotel.

Climbers on the Tomorrowland Side

I caught a glimpse of Cinderella, unaccompanied, as she was walking away.

“Hello Future Rocks”

Haunted Mansion is Closed for Holiday Install

The only time of year when Fastpass is open for Haunted Mansion

Wrapping the report up with some pictures of DCA’s flag retreat

Halloween Carnival Coming to Big Thunder Ranch

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Shawn Slater of Disney Parks Blog:

There’s something new this Halloween Time at Disneyland park, and it’s happening over at the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree in Frontierland. That’s where you’ll find a magical Halloween Carnival filled with fun for the whole family, with favorite Disney characters in Halloween costumes, special Halloween entertainment, amazing pumpkin carvers, activities, holiday merchandise, yummy treats and even the Disney Villains!

You can make your own Halloween mask at the craft station, and then join Mickey Mouse and his pals in a “Mask-Parade.” Try your hand at carnival games, like tossing rings on a witch’s hat or spinning the Crystal Ball Fortune Wheel to seek your own happy Halloween fortune. Everyone’s favorite Frontierland musical group joins the fun, too, as Billy Hill and the “Haunted” Hillbillies take the stage six times a day for a round of appropriately spooky tunes, all done in their inimitable bluegrass style.

The highlight of the Halloween Carnival is sure to be the Magic Cauldron Sideshow. Dare to venture into this tented area, and you may be asked to help cast a magic spell, conjuring a Disney Villain from his or her realm to meet your group before returning to worlds beyond. Disney Villains fans will want to visit more than once, since you never know which Disney Villain might be summoned each time. Sounds like a real “scream!”

The Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree opens September 14 and continues most days through October 31. Please check the park Times Guide for daily operating schedules.

Tim Alcoser’s 9/5/2012 Disneyland Photo Report

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

Tim Alcoser was at the Disneyland Resort a few days ago and got some pictures of some newsworthy items around Disneyland Park.

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Welcome to Disneyland

Christmas decorations were temporarily up for filming.

City Hall can still be accessed while under refurbishment.
City Hall is all wrapped up for refurbishment. 


As can the restrooms near City Hall. But the firestation is closed.
So is the firehouse 


A mini sneak peak of Christmas decorations.
Holiday decorations are up for filming 




Indiana Jones closed until the end of the year. Good thing too, there was A LOT that needed to be refurbished and repaired.
Indiana Jones is closed through December 7th

The Bootstrappers play for thrilled guests.
Now for a peak in the Pirate’s League 

The Pirate's League crew did a little redecorating to the Court of Angels.










I think it is a nice use of the space 






Haunted Mansion is closed through the 13th for holiday install

Haunted Mansion Holiday decorations are moving along well. Less than a week before it's open.

Looks like all the exterior decorations are up on the mansion 



A more simple time...
Neat picture 

Casey Jr. and Storybook Land are closed for refurbishment and to install new “safety features.” 


Monstro is getting a much needed new coat of paint 



The new location for the Princess Meet and Greet is on the right side of the pathway to It's a Small World in Fantasyland.
The princess meet and greet in the Small World Mall


Guests still
You can still meet Merida 

Closed up.
The theater is being prepped for the new show coming next Spring 

Minnie's House under refurbishment. Mickey's is still open.
Over in Toontown, Minnie’s House is closed for refurb 


But you can still meet Minnie near Goofy's house.
Though Minnie is out and about around Toontown doing meet & greets 

Terribly sorry sir, I thought Fantasyland was this way...

One of these seagulls is real.

Pizza Port is down for refurbishment. Maybe they will fix the pizza too.
In tomorrowland, Redd Rocketts Pizza Port is closed through the 21st 




Tiki Room 50th Anniversary Merchandise Event June 28th – 30th, 2013

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Disney Theme Park Merchandise:

We invite you to Save the Date, June 28 – 30, 2013 as we celebrate the 50thAnniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.  This special merchandise event is set to include themed Tiki and Polynesian style merchandise as well as trading elements.    Please continue to watch the Disney Parks Blog and ArtofDisneyParks.com for more information in the near future.

Oswald Merchandise Coming to Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Steve Miller of Disney Parks Blog:

As my fellow author Jennifer Fickley-Baker recently shared, this week marks the debut of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. At Disney Theme Park Merchandise, we’ve introduced a variety of Oswald merchandise this past year in honor of his 85th anniversary. Being a fan of Walt Disney Company history, I find it wonderful to see so many new items featuring this classic character. Here is a quick look at some of the Oswald merchandise.

One of the more celebrated (and highly desired) items created this year was an Oswald hat. The hat was created for our partners with Disney Interactive Studios to celebrate the upcoming release of Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two on November 18. The hats were distributed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo and at San Diego Comic Con this past summer. I’m happy to report a Disney Parks version will be released in late October/early November. The hat features a different Oswald logo than the previous hat but is still just as awesome (I intend to wear it while playing the game).

This past summer also saw the opening of Oswald’s on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park. This new location contains a variety of “road trip essentials” including autograph books, hats, bag and more. During a recent visit to the park, I spotted the amazing vintage-inspired knitted Oswald plush. Denise Edelmaier, product developer for plush, said that the knitted plush was in development for about three years as they finally found a way to make the plush extra soft (early versions were too coarse).

Oswald also found his way onto a popular men’s tee-shirt and a collectible big figurine (or “big fig” as we sometimes call it) designed by Disney Design Group artist Randy Noble.

Disney pins started celebrating Oswald in January by releasing an 85th anniversary pin. We also released an open-edition pin, a limited-edition pin and a Hidden Mickey pin for Disneyland Resort. Look for another open-edition pin next spring.

But one of my favorite items (besides the hat) will be a new 3-inch Vinylmation figure from the Classic Collection series designed by Disney artist Eric Caszatt. Planned for release in early November, Oswald will be the mystery chaser figure. I know, it’s a spoiler but I couldn’t resist – the figure looks great!

Halloween Time Starts @ Disneyland

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

Posted by Erin Glover from Disney Parks Blog:

It’s officially Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, and there are so many spooky experiences in store, such as:

And fans of Haunted Mansion Holiday and the upcoming film “Frankenweenie” should keep an eye out for a new, special surprise in the Haunted Mansion pet cemetery. “It’s fun to add little unexpected details like this where we can bring the magic of the film right to the park for our guests to experience,” Kim Irvine, Walt Disney Imagineering Art Director for Disneyland park, told us. What is this surprise? Here’s a hint:

Will you be scaring up some fun at the Disneyland Resort during Halloween Time?

Read more about Halloween at Disney Parks in the posts below:

Fun Facts About Halloween at Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Erin Glover of Disney Parks Blog:

Halloween Time is here at the Disneyland Resort and spooky spectres have been spotted all around! This is a favorite time of year for many Disneyland park regulars but whether this is your first Halloween visit or your fifteenth, there may be a few things you don’t know about Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, such as:

  • There are more than 300 sculpted pumpkins on Main Street, U.S.A., and no two are alike.
  • Props and set décor used in window displays along Main Street, U.S.A., are reproductions of original turn-of-the-century Halloween décor.
  • This year’s Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread confection, “Jack’s House,” stands 9 feet tall – making it the tallest gingerbread house ever presented in the attraction.
  • Sandy Claws covers the Haunted Mansion Holiday graveyard scene with more tha 7,500 square feet of ghostly white snow.
  • In the attic of Haunted Mansion Holiday, a snake devours a holiday list featuring the names of many of the cast members who helped create the attraction.

Will you be celebrating Halloween Time with us at the Disneyland Resort?

Wreck-It Ralph Characters Coming To Disneyland This November

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

From Shawn Slater on the Disney Parks Blog:

I’m excited to tell you Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz, two of the main characters from Disney’s newest animated adventure comedy “Wreck-It Ralph,” will soon be making their debut at Disney Parks.

Ralph Runs Into Feisty Misfit Vanellope VonSchweetz From “Sugar Rush”
My family and I can’t wait to see “Wreck-It Ralph.” In the movie, video game “bad guy” Ralph is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, the “good guy” star of their game who always gets to save the day. Ralph takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on an adventure across the arcade, with potentially disastrous results! Along the way, he runs into feisty misfit Vanellope VonSchweetz from the candy-coated cart racing game, “Sugar Rush,” and the unlikely duo must team up to try and save the day.

Ralph Helps Out A Few 'Forgotten' Friends At Game Central Station
“Wreck-It Ralph” is going to be great, and meeting Ralph and Vanellope in the parks will be just as fun. At The Magic of Disney Animation attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll step through Game Central Station, catching glimpses of the various game worlds from the film on your way to “Sugar Rush,” where Vanellope and Ralph are waiting to meet you at the finish line.

Meet Ralph and Vanellope at the 'Sugar Rush' Portal in the Tomorrowland Starcade
At Disneyland park, the arcade world of “Wreck-It Ralph” comes to life within the Tomorrowland Starcade. When Ralph and Vanellope are there, you’ll have an opportunity to meet them at the portal to “Sugar Rush” and can even play a round on the classic arcade game “Fix-It Felix, Jr.”

Look for each of these experiences to open this November, and be sure to catch “Wreck-It Ralph” in theaters November 2 in 3D!

Tim Alcoser’s 9/14/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on September 8, 2012

Tim gives us a detailed look at the Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Roundup, the Halloween decorations in Disneyland, plus a look at the changed windows down Buena Vista Street.

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Construction of an outdoor patio/dining area.

Earl of Sandwich construction

Halloween Roundup at Big Thunder Ranch

Ghost Galaxy is back for the holiday

Pumpkins are everywhere to decorate Main Street

The iconic & popular photo spot during Halloween

City Hall still under wraps

Half Staff for Ambassador Stevens.

Half Staff for Ambassador Stevens over @ DCA

Entrance to Turtle Talk with Crush next to the restrooms in between Off the Page and Disney JR on Stage.

Entrance to Turtle Talk with Crush next to the restrooms in between Off the Page and Disney JR on Stage.

The merchandise which has been added to the Buena Vista Street’s artistically designed windows. It’s disappointing to see Imagineer’s hard work covered up by generic merchandise.

Thanks for reading!

Conner Purzycki’s 7/7/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

I was a the Disneyland Resort few days ago and captured some newsworthy items including the new Disney Gallery exhibit. On to the photos…

When I walked by Luigi’s Flying Tires, the ride was down but cast members set up a little play area with the chains in front of the ride and had some of the balls from the attraction for kids to throw around. AWESOME!!!!

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In Pacific Wharf Cafe, they now how Lighting McQueen bread to go with the Mater bread… Want.

Over in Disneyland, the new exhibit Crowing Achievements has opened in the Disney Gallery

The exhibit’s theme is Disney castles

Artist David Avanzino doing a signing in the gallery

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Over in Innoventions, because you enter through the top floor now, the pre-show with Tom Morrow is turned off. So I wanted to see if he was still here.

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Yup. Tom Morrow is still behind the curtain. It’s a real shame because he is a fantastic animatronic.

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Thanks for Reading