Conner Purzycki’s 4/30/10 DLR Photo Report

I took a trip to the Disneyland Resort last Friday and have plenty of newsworthy photos to share.

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Thanks for Reading!

Disney Vacation Connection Launches

A few weeks ago, we told you about Disney Vacation Connection. Well it has officially launched. It may take you a while to load the page and download it, but I think it’s going to be worth it in the long run. Here’s what the Disney Parks Blog posted today about Disney Vacation Connection:

UPDATE – May 7: It’s here. We’ve launched the new Disney Vacation Connection desktop widget and it’s ready for you to explore. Just visit DisneyVacationConnection.com and click the “Download Now” button. Also, if you’d like a quick tour to see what it’s all about, check out the video from our earlier “sneak peek” post below.

Disney Vacation Connection Desktop Widget

Today, we’re sharing a sneak peek at the new Disney Vacation Connection desktop widget –- that’s it…right there with Pluto. When you open the red suitcase on your computer screen you’ll find valuable news, calendars and information about Disney theme parks, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club. It’ll be easy to try. Just download the widget to your desktop (free of charge) and you can customize planning for your next vacation, find special events and ticket prices and create a personalized Disney vacation countdown. Here’s a quick walk through showing how it’ll work.

Fantasyland Construction Walls Provide Some Disney Magic

WDWNT Network Community Forum user FreakOuter84 provided us with the following photos of the construction walls in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom:

The walls now have large landscapes and descriptions of what’s to come

Note that this isn’t concept art, but artwork from the films

Preview of “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid”

Enchanted Tales with Belle

Prince Eric’s castle from The Little Mermaid

Maurice’s Cottage

To discuss this update, click this link.

Chris Lastrapes’ 5/6/10 DLR Photo Report

Chris Lastrapes took a trip to the Disneyland Resort today and has plenty of newsworthy photos to share.

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Thanks for the report Chris!

Last Tour to Endor (Or Is It?)

The following press release was issued by the Star Wars Celebration website:

BE THE FIRST TO BE THE LAST,

AS STAR TOURS PREPARES TO LAUNCH ITS…

LAST TOUR TO ENDOR

On August 14, Fan-Favorite Disney Theme Park Attraction

Gets the Ultimate, Out-of-this-World Send-Off

Exclusive Festivities Coincide with the Biggest Party

This Side of the Galaxy – Star Wars Celebration V

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – After more than a decade of interstellar travel, Disney Parks’ StarTours attraction is powering down to make way for its reimagining in 2011 – but Last Tour to Endor offers fans the opportunity to attend an out of-this-world, first-of-its-kind decommissioning party before Star Tours launches its final flights. Taking place on August 14 from 8:00pm – 1:00am at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Last Tour to Endor is a special event on the Saturday night of Star Wars Celebration V – THE official Lucasfilm fan convention and the biggest Star Wars™ party in the galaxy! Fans and families attending Last Tour to Endor at the Walt Disney World Resort can enjoy a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience – including specially-themed intergalactic party zones, Star Wars shows, a Death Star Disco and much more. The evening will culminate with Symphony in the Stars – a Star Wars fireworks spectacular as only Disney Parks can create. Though the party begins at 8:00pm, Last Tour ticket-holders will also be allowed early entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 4:00pm – where they can be sure to secure a seat one of the StarSpeeder 3000’s final voyages!

Disney Parks will also have a prominent presence on the Celebration V show floor at the Orange County Convention Center – including Jedi Training Academy for younglings and Padawans and a Disney merchandise booth featuring a host of exclusive items as well as Star Wars items only previously available at Disney park stores. CV attendees will also enjoy special room rates at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, specially-priced tickets with pre-arrival purchase savings for Walt Disney World parks and an exclusive, reserved room block at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – which will include complimentary round-trip transfers to and from the
convention center.

To purchase tickets – and to take advantage of Last Tour to Endor special offers – visit www.starwarscelebration.com/Disney. For more information on Star Wars Celebration V visit www.starwarscelebration.com for the latest updates.

Tickets to this event guarantee only one of the final rides on the original Star Tours, not the last. The ride will still operate beyond August 14th. How much longer after that date is unknown. Rumors indicate the attraction will close on September 8th, but it is yet to be confirmed by Disney. Stay tuned as we get more information on the Star Tours farewell festivities.

Jamie Nakagiri’s 4/30/10 DLR Photo Report

DLNT Reporter Jamie Nakagiri took a trip to the parks last friday and has several newsworthy photos to share.

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Disney Gallery Celebrates Disneyland’s 55th Anniversary

From Art of Disney Parks:


DAY ONE DISNEYLAND

Original Inspirations for “The Happiest Place on Earth”

Art Exhibit Opens – May 22, 2010

Join us as we unveil the new 55th Anniversary themed exhibit at The Disney Gallery which will showcase original inspirations for The Happiest Place on Earth. This new exhibit will capture your imagination while it takes you on a visual journey back in time.

The Disney Gallery will also offer a selection of
55th Anniversary inspired original art, giclees and deluxe prints by Walt Disney Imagineers and Disney inspired artists as Steve Adams, Charles Boyer, Jim Crouch, Jeremy Fulton, Larry
Nikolai, Noah, Maggie Parr, Jimmy Pickering, George Scribner, Mark Seppala
and Yakovetic.  Please continue to watch for more information
regarding a special product release & signing with these artists on
from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in The Disney Gallery.


Steve Adams

Main Street, U.S.A. Horse-Drawn
Streetcars

Original –Acrylic/Colored Pencils – $3,600

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $tbd

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Tink Over Castle with Fireworks

Original –Acrylic/Colored Pencil – $3,100

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $
tbd
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition –
$35

Charles Boyer & Bruce Boyer


Disneyland park, 55th Anniversary


Original –
Oil Paint – $19,500

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $495

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35


Jim Crouch


Image will be available shortly


Title TBD


Original –
Oils – $TBD

Limited Edition TBD Framed Giclee – $TBD

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $TBD


Find out more about Jim Crouch


Jeremy Fulton

Fantasyland

Original – Ink & Paint- $2,000

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
Jeremy Fulton

Main Street, U.S.A.

Original – Ink & Paint – $2,000

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $450
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Jeremy
Fulton


Larry Nikolai


Welcome to Fantasyland


Original –
Acrylic on Masonite Board – $5,850

Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee – $400

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Larry Nikolai


Noah


Image Will Be Available Shortly


Title TBD


Original –
Acrylic on Linen and Board – $TBD

Limited Edition TBD Framed Giclee – $TBD

Deluxe Print – Open Edition – $TBD

Find out more about Noah


Maggie Parr

Dare to Dream

Original – Oil on Canvas – $5,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee
– $650
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
Maggie Parr

Welcome Aboard

Original – Oil on Canvas – $4,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee
– $795
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Maggie Parr


Jimmy Pickering


Disneyland 55

Original – $2,800
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee
– $450
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Jimmy Pickering


George Scribner


6 pm Stage, Disneyland park 1955

Original – Oil on Canvas – $5,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee
– $375
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $35

Horse Drawn Wonder

Original – Oil – $1,500
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee
– $300
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
George Scribner

Follow Me

Original – Oil – $1,500
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee
– $300
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $35

Find out more about
George Scribner


Mark Seppala


Fantasyland Grape Juice Bar Mural

Original -Acrylic – $TBD
Limited Edition TBD Framed Giclee
– $TBD
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $TBD


Yakovetic

Opening Day

Original – Oil on Wood Panel – $7,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee
– $450
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Yakovetic

Jingles

Original – Oil on Wood Panel – $8,000
Limited Edition 95 Framed Giclee
– $450
Deluxe Print
– Open Edition – $35

Find out more about Yakovetic

*****************************************

Merchandise available while supplies last. Information subject to change without notice.  Separate
admission is required to enter Disneyland Resort theme parks.

You’ll Be Looking for Droids at Star Wars Weekends

We were quite excited to tell you that Jedi Mickey Mouse would get his own astromech droid companion in the form of toys, pins, and more a few weeks ago, but R2-MK may be doing a bit more at Star Wars Weekends 2010. He may actually be appearing. Rumors indicate that a “walk-around” living character of R2-MK will be making appearances with Jedi Mickey at Star Wars Weekends this year. While this is just a rumor at this point, we have been hearing rumblings that the character is backstage at Walt Disney World and should appear when Star Wars Weekends begin at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 21st. Star Wars Weekends events then run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Studios until June 13th.