Monday in the Parks Update

WDWNT on July 28, 2008

The latest Monday in the Parks update on MiceAge covers a lot of new happenings at the Disneyland Resort. Here are a few of the more prominent ones:

  • Various members of the USA Olympic Team will be appearing in Downtown Disney this Tuesday Afternoon, from 2:30 to 5 PM at the ESPN Zone.
  • As previously reported, Monorail Red is still operating at limited capacity (15 people per car as opposed to the normal 22). According to the article:Disney is looking at bringing out Mark VII Monorail Blue this week, but only if the Mark V Purple or Mark VII Red cannot run. Mark VII Blue is not yet approved to carry guests, but needs hours of proven operation to get that approval. Disney also does not want 3 trains on the track at one time, so only if there is an available space on the track will you see it, and once again, it is not available to guests.
  • The previously reported Pirates of the Caribbean refurbishment that will start on October 13th, is planned to last for just over a month, & should be open in time for the Christmas season which starts on November 21st.
  • Either this fall or early 2009, the Matterhorn will be getting new bobsleds cars. They will have the same seating arrangement, & the only major difference will be new seat-belts, which will be similar to the ones found in the Indiana Jones Adventure, Star Tours, & Soarin’ Over California.
And now a couple of Darkbeer’s pictures:

The emptiness of the It’s a Small World Toy Shop
Where’s his ear!?

Adam Roth’s 7/27/08 Update

WDWNT on July 28, 2008

Our good friend Adam Roth from WDWCelebrations has provided us with a fantastic photo update from his latest trip to the  Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s take a look at some interesting things going on at the world this weekend:

A new spinning topiary has appeared outside the Imagination pavilion at Epcot. Expect this to be a temporary change…

Something new in Innoventions, most likely for the return of the interactive Kim Possible game at Epcot.

Some exterior work taking place as Nine Dragons Restaurant is refurbished.

While the restaurant is closed, Epcot invites you to enjoy the rest of the China Pavilion, and the restrooms in Norway.

Some construction going on in the Morocco Pavilion as well.

More exterior work on some buildings in the United Kingdom.

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Drew Carey and Golden Age Souvenirs are closed until August 5th for refurbishment.

As you can see, just having Sounds Dangerous closed has effected the crowds in this area.

Al’s Toy Barn has been completely removed and is set to become a backdrop for Lightning McQueen and Mater from Cars.

The back-side of Pixar Place is complete and looks like a pretty picturesque spot to end this photo report.

I’m Lovin’ It!

WDWNT on July 24, 2008

A whole load of new refurbishments during September & October have been announced. There’s so many, that I’m just gonna bullet them bellow:

  • French Market – 9/2/08-9/19/08
  • Sailing Ship Columbia – 9/2/08-10/25/08
  • Conostoga Wagon – 9/2/08-????
  • Fantasmic – 9/2/08-????
  • Harbour Galley – 9/2/08-????
  • Big Thunder Ranch – 9/15/08-9/27/08
  • Pirates of the Caribbean – 10/13/08-????
  • Jungle Cruise – 10/20/08-10/22/08
  • Gadget’s Go-Coaster – 10/20/08-????
  • Burger Invasion – 9/2/08-????

It’s interesting to note that all 3 McDonalds locations in the Resort (Conostoga Wagon, Harbour Galley, & Burger Invasion) will be closed starting September 2nd, for an undetermined amount of time. Could this be the end for McDonalds at the Disneyland Resort?

Also, the Hyperion Theater refurbishment has been pushed back to start on September 29th, instead of September 2nd. We still have no information on when it will end, but it should be in time for the Christmas season.

Finally, I just want to remind everyone of the already announced refurbs:

  • Plaza Pavilion – 1/11/08-10/10/08
  • It’s a Small World – 1/22/08-11/28/08
  • Mark Twain Riverboat – 8/25/08-8/27/08
  • The Haunted Mansion – 9/8/08-9/25/08
  • Flik’s Flyers – 9/2/08-9/12/08
  • Sun Wheel – 9/11/08-????

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for updates on all attraction refurbishments. And for up-to-the-minute information on the various refurbishments, be sure to check our Attraction Refurbishments page!

Possible Parade of Dreams “Hiatus”

WDWNT on July 24, 2008

According to Screamscape:

Park News – (7/22/08) According to Screamscape sources the Disneyland Parade of Dreams will go on hiatus sometime this fall to allow for the Main Street USA area to be resurfaced. The plan right now is to make up for this by holding Fantasmic offered nightly, with one performance on Mondays – Thursdays along with two shows on Friday – Sundays.

Now, this is just pure speculation, but if this does happen around September or October, they will need a good deal of time to do the resurfacing of Main Street, so when it’s done, it will probably be time for a Christmas Fantasy Parade. So this “hiatus” could be the end for Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams, as it’s due to head off to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom next year.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for all the latest updates on Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams!

Little Mermaid & World of Color Rumors

WDWNT on July 24, 2008

Here are a few juicy rumors concerning the Little Mermaid attraction & World of Color:

  • The Paradise Pier lagoon will be drained at the end of the year in preparation for World of Color.
  • Some of the fountains that will be used for World of Color reportedly will be able to shoot higher than the Maliboomer! Because of this, is the Cove Bar at Ariel’s Grotto may be have to be enclosed.
  • The control booth for World of Color will be on top level of the Little Mermaid building, which will be 3 stories tall.
  • Underneath the Little Mermaid will be the Parade Guest Control offices, as well as offices for the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
  • And speaking of Redwood Creek, it will be cut almost in half for an expansion to the building that will become the Little Mermaid attraction.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for updates on these & any rumors involving the DCA Expansion!

Getting Ready for Magical Celebrations

WDWNT on July 23, 2008

In case you didn’t hear our last report on Magical Celebrations a few weeks ago, It is set to be the event that replaces the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort in January 2009. However, don’t expect free giveaways and new entertainment to be the focus of the next year-long marketing campaign.

Much like the celebration of Magical Gatherings back in 2004, Magical Celebrations is set to be the starting point for a line-up of new add-on vacation offerings that will be offered to guests looking to celebrate lifetime milestones during their vacation. As Jim Hill reported in his latest article on Jim Hill Media, Disney has just purchased some new Internet domain names that will be just a small part of the 2009 event.

Better yet, let’s talk about the new Disney Weddings packages that the company will soon be offering. Which will cover everything from elaborate on-property proposals …

  • DISNEYPROPOSALS.COM

… to honeymoons that will now allow newly blended families to bring the kids along with their post-wedding trip to the Resort.

  • DISNEYFAMILYMOONS.COM

Or — better yet — how about a honeymoon package for stressed over-achievers who don’t really have the time to vacation at WDW.

  • DISNEYMINIMOONS.COM

    •  

    While Married Couples will find a number of new offerings during this celebration, those looking to mark birthdays, anniversaries, and just about anything-else will find a variety of new ways to celebrate good times around the resort.

    Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for more details on this new celebration as we get closer to January 2009 and the beginning of Magical Celebrations.

    Fake or Real?

    WDWNT on July 23, 2008

    We have been hearing various reports that during Christmas this year, Disney will use a fake Christmas Tree on Main Street, as opposed to a real one, which they have used all years past. The decision for this is unknown, but I’m going to guess it’s either to save money, or for safety.

    Again, this is not confirmed, but stay tuned to Disneyland News Today to find out if this will be happening.

    Whole New Perfomers

    WDWNT on July 22, 2008

    According to the OC Register, Disney is looking for new performers in the Aladdin stage show at DCA. This Wednesday there will be an auditon at 2pm, as listed on the Disney Auditions website. Similar auditions will be held in New York City on July 29th.

    Again, as previously reported, the Hyperion Theater will be closed from September 2nd through early December for “rehabilitation & system upgrades”. Aladdin will then return in time for Christmas!

    As Far As Attendance, The Party’s Over

    WDWNT on July 22, 2008

    In another sign that things are about to get ugly in the attendance department for the Walt Disney World Resort, the October 3 scheduled Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom has been cancelled. The stranger part of this equation is that the park closing time will remain at 7pm, perhaps another cost-cutting measure to insure profits despite the expected low crowd levels, especially for what is already a slow time of year for the parks. If you ordered tickets to this October 3 party, you can call (407) W-Disney to move your tickets to another party or obtain a refund.

    Let The Good Times Roll!

    WDWNT on July 21, 2008

    Construction is about to begin at Disney’s California Adventure, according to Blue Sky Disney. Come this August, construction walls will be up all through-out Paradise Pier & other area of the park will follow.

    Also while construction is underway in Paradise Pier, the parade route will be shortened & will only run from Sunshine Plaza to the gate in between the Mission Tortilla Factory & the Bountiful Valley Farmers Market.

    Let The Good Times Roll!