DVC Add-On at the Grand Californian Now Open!

WDWNT on September 23, 2009

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sept. 23, 2009) – Disneyland Resort today unveiled a stunning new addition to its Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, including 203 new guest rooms and 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas, the first Disney Vacation Club property on the West Coast. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa immerses guests in the magic of the Disneyland Resort by capturing the spirit of early California through design and architecture. Many of the new vacation villas offer guests spectacular views into Disney’s California Adventure Park.

“This expansion reinforces Disney’s long-term commitment to investing in Anaheim’s Resort District,” said Ed Grier, president of Disneyland Resort. “Since opening in 2001, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa continues to impress our guests with its timeless sophistication and exquisite service. The new villas and hotel rooms will give more guests the opportunity to enjoy the immersive vacation experience Disney is known for.”

The 2.5-acre addition to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which increases accommodations by more than 30 percent, is part of ongoing resort expansion work. Currently underway is a multi-year expansion of Disney’s California Adventure Park, which will add new attractions, entertainment experiences and an entirely new 12-acre Cars Land.  In addition, the resort’s historic Disneyland Hotel also began a major three-year renovation last month.

“We are so fortunate to have a wonderful partner in the Disneyland Resort,” said Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle. “Disney’s continued investment in Anaheim benefits the entire Resort District as well as the surrounding community. This grand addition to the city’s only four-diamond hotel will encourage even more visitors to come to Anaheim and experience a vacation in our great City.”

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa mark the 10th property for Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s innovative vacation-ownership program. As with all Disney Vacation Club properties, guests are able to experience the comforts of home, such as a fully equipped kitchen, living area, dining area, washer and dryer, whirlpool tub and other amenities, depending on the size of the accommodations. Guests can choose from four different room categories including a studio (sleeps 4), one-bedroom villa (sleeps up to 5), two-bedroom villa (sleeps up to 9) and the three-bedroom, two-story Grand Villa (sleeps up to 12).

“It is exciting to witness the incredible growth of Disney Vacation Club, because not only are we creating new accommodations here in Anaheim, we are creating new experiences,” said Disney Vacation Club President Jim Lewis. “Now Disney Vacation Club is part of the place where it all started, a place known worldwide as the Happiest Place on Earth.”

Other new amenities at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa include the Mariposa swimming pool, the Grizzly Game Arcade, a guest laundry facility, two gas barbeque grills, the Paradise View Terrace on the 6th floor overlooking the Paradise Pier area of Disney’s California Adventure Park, underground valet parking spaces and an expanded Pinocchio’s Workshop – a licensed child activity center. The hotel now boasts 948 guest rooms, which includes 44 guest suites as well as 50 Disney Vacation Club two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas.

The Making of Presidents and Play Things

WDWNT on September 23, 2009

Continuing our D23 Expo coverage, we have two more fantastic videos for you to enjoy. The first video is of the “Making of the U.S. Presidents” panel, featuring the creation of the new Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World and the progress on the upcoming Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show for Disneyland. The second video is from the “Making of Toy Story Mania” panel and features the development and execution of the Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios attractions. We hope you enjoy these videos by Matt Paul, embedded via the WDWNTube:

The Making of Presidents and Play Things

WDWNT on September 23, 2009

Continuing our D23 Expo coverage, we have two more fantastic videos for you to enjoy. The first video is of the “Making of the U.S. Presidents” panel, featuring the creation of the new Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World and the progress on the upcoming Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show for Disneyland. The second video is from the “Making of Toy Story Mania” panel and features the development and execution of the Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios attractions. We hope you enjoy these videos by Matt Paul, embedded via the WDWNTube:

“Buzz & Buzz” Land at the Magic Kingdom on 10/2/09

WDWNT on September 23, 2009

The Buzz Lightyear toy that took off into outer space in May 2008 to open Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has come back to earth and will be featured in a celebratory “Celebrate a Dream Come True” ticker-tape pre-parade on October 2nd at the Magic Kingdom. At 2:45 PM on 10/2, Buzz will make his way down Main Street U.S.A. along with Buzz Aldrin and astronauts who served on the International Space Station.

Disney and NASA prepare to honor Buzz Lightyear's return from sp

Buzz Returns from space on 9/11/09(Tony Landis/NASA, photographer)

Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Buzz Aldrin and get an autographed book:

In addition to appearing in the parade, Buzz Aldrin will host a book signing in Exposition Hall on Main Street, U.S.A from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Dr. Aldrin will be available to guests of the Magic Kingdom® Park to autograph his books, “Magnificent Desolation” and “Look to the Stars.”

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Please note: Photographs are permitted during the book signing; however posing with Dr. Buzz Aldrin will not be allowed. Merchandise available while supplies last.  We ask that only two (2) items be signed per Guest. We ask that you bring no personal items to be signed. Book personalizations will not be permitted.   Event merchandise must be purchased on the day of release at the event location.  ValidWalt Disney World® Resort receipt may be required.  Signing is subject to space and time availability and is not guaranteed.  Event information subject to change without notice.  Separate admission is required to enter Walt Disney World® Resort theme parks.

Quick Skyway Demolition Update 9/20/09

WDWNT on September 22, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve made a quick trip to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has a few photos of the continuing demolition of the Tomorrowland Skyway building to share:

The pavement has been completely demolished all the way up to Space Mountain’s entrance

The wreckage has already been moved away

The entire top floor of the building is gone, new restrooms will be built downstairs

Stay tuned as we get more information on this continuing refurbishment

Our Enormous D23 Expo Photo Report!

WDWNT on September 20, 2009

Since there were so many photos taken by WDWNT Network staff members of the inaugural D23 Expo from 9/10-9/13, we decided to combine all of them into one GIANT report featuring photos from Tom Corless, Luke Manning, Scott Smith, Matt Paul, and Myrna Litt:

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This photo wasn’t taken at night, we arrived at the Anaheim Convention Center at around 5:30 AM each day

Read More about Our Enormous D23 Expo Photo Report!

Myrna Litt’s DLR and Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Photo Report

WDWNT on September 19, 2009

Our very own Myrna Litt was one of the lucky few who got into The Haunted Mansion 40th anniversary event last week, and she shares with us her photos of the event, along with other happenings around the Disneyland Resort:

We’ll start off with the day before the event, at the merchandise viewing and pick-up area at the Disneyland Hotel

There was a photo opportunity

Into the store we go…

Various pieces of Haunted Mansion merchandise, from pins to sketches to models

Read More about Myrna Litt’s DLR and Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Photo Report