To hear the Orlando Sentinel’s review and see a short video highlighting the new Block Party Bash parade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head on over to this link. Even though guest reviews have been mixed, the Sentinel has nothing but good things to say.
Please check out our attraction closures page to see dates for some new upcoming attraction closures and new attraction openings at the Walt Disney World Resort. You can go directly to the page by clicking HERE.
An interesting rumor that could almost be true, is the additon of an Indiana Jones show to Disneyland. Here’s what is said on the Disney Auditions website:
Indiana Jones® Summer of Hidden Mysteries
Seeking Male and Female Actors for Indiana Jones’ latest live-action adventure which immerses Guests in a series of experiences that include solving mysteries, battling evil villains and uncovering ancient artifacts. For all roles stage combat experience is a plus but not necessary.
Role Descriptions:
Indiana Jones: Male, 40’s; a rugged adventurer, great physical shape; can play drama, toss off comic lines and throw a punch – all with equal ability; must interact well with childrenArchaeologist: Female, late 20’s–early 40’s; English accent; starts out kind and helpful but eventually reveals a villainous side; will interact with children and lead them through a series of activities
The Bad Guy: Male; imposing stature; physical agility and stamina a must; pursues Indiana Jones through the crowded streets of Adventureland, ending in a series of balcony and rooftop confrontations
Requirements:
* Sides will be provided at sign-in
* Be prepared to learn a stage fight combination
* Bring a current headshot and resume
* Performers must be at least 18 years of age to auditionEntertainers for this show are covered under the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement with the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA).
The audition will be held on April 1st, 2008 at 10:00AM (with sign-in beginning at 9:30AM). The audition hall address is at Debbie Reynolds Studios, 6514 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA, 91606.
Stay tuned to DL News Today for more information on this story as it becomes available!
New articles always keep popping up about the new PIXAR Play Parade. The latest one is in the latest Disney Insider newsletter issue. Take a looky!
The following temporary dining changes are being reported by Laughingplace.com:
Some Spring Magic Kingdom dining changes:
- Cosmic Ray’s will serve breakfast from 8:30a to 10:00a daily, March 16 through 29.
- Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station will be open for lunch and dinner March 16 – 29, 11:00a – 10:00p
- The Diamond Horseshoe will be serving quick service lunch March 16 through 29 from 11:00a to 4:00p. In addition, a full service traditional turkey dinner will be offered from March 17 through 27. Dinner will be served between 5:00p and 9:00p on those dates.
- El Pirata y el Perico Restaurante will open daily for lunch March 16 through 29 from 11:30a to 4:00p
- Sleepy Hollow will open for waffles daily at 8:00a, offering another great breakfast option for Guests!
- Plaza Ice Cream Parlor will open at 7:00a daily for “Coffee Express,” offering coffee, hot cocoa and pastries.
In addition, some temporary carts will be set up around the park:
- Tomorrowland: Kiosk will serve burgers, turkey sandwiches and a salad.
- Tomorrowland: Another cart will serve hot wings and nachos.
- Fantasyland: a cart will serve wraps, sandwiches and fruit.
- Main Street: The Center Street Hog Dog cart will return to on March 16.
- Adventureland: Turkey legs
Here is a video previewing the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, scheduled to open “summer” 2008:
The video features the ride vehicles in motion and gives you a pretty good idea of how the spring action cannons operate. Rumors suggest soft-openings for the attraction should begin by April 2008, with an expected opening sometime near Memorial Day weekend.
Today at 5:15pm there was a soft opening performance for the PIXAR Play Parade. Fishbulb of MiceChat was there, & has posted a bunch of pictures. Take a looky!
We’ll have our own coverage of the parade’s first official performance for you this Saturday!
ANAHEIM, Calif. – March 14, 2008 – All the exciting and colorful worlds of the Disney•Pixar pals – from “Toy Story,” “a bug’s life,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Cars” and “Ratatouille” – will come to life in the all-new “Pixar Play Parade,” debuting March 14, 2008, in Disney’s California Adventure as part of the Year of a Million Dreams celebration at Disneyland Resort.
Characters from every Disney•Pixar motion picture will appear in the magical immersive parade, which will invite guests of all ages to take part in the playfulness of a whirling, spinning, fun-for-all animated playground. The parade features acrobatics, bungees, high-energy choreography, interactive surprises and lively bubble and water effects.
“Pixar Play Parade” features a dozen parade floats up to two stories tall, themed to Disney•Pixar movies and equipped with fun and surprising movement and effects. The cast and crew number more than 100, and behind the scenes is a creative team of top entertainment professionals including Emmy-nominated director Fred Tallaksen (a choreographer for Madonna and numerous television and stage productions), puppet designer Michael Curry (of “The Lion King” on Broadway), costume designer Mirena Rada (“Avenue Q”) and composers Matthew Girard and Robbie Nevil (“High School Musical”).
Girard and Nevil composed brand new tunes for Pixar Play Parade, including the “Countdown To Fun!” theme, which brings the show to life as it travels through Disney’s California Adventure.
Encouraging everyone to dance, play and clap along, Mike, Sulley and their monster buddies from “Monsters, Inc.” will lead the procession. Even sourpuss Roz will put in an appearance – and what an appearance! She’ll be the drum major, slithering her way down the parade route.
Next up is a flowerbed of hopping, swinging bugs: the colony from “a bug’s life.” Then “The Incredibles” will zoom into view, superhero style, aboard amazing hovercrafts. But watch out! The sinister Omnidroid is on the loose and baby Jack-Jack could burst into flames at any moment!
From there it’s into the bubbling world of Dory, Marlin, Crush, Bloat and the colorful underwater friends from “Finding Nemo,” who invite everyone to “play in schools” (schools of fish, that is). “Ratatouille’s” Remy and Emile are serving up fun, too, turning their kitchen into a super soapy pool of creativity with kids and families as the main ingredients.
Woody and the “Toy Story” gang arrive next to encourage guests to kick up their heels, while Buzz Lightyear and the Little Green Aliens celebrate just how “universal” play can be, in any galaxy. Finally, after the parade has been revving up guests throughout the route, lovable Mater and his flashy buddy Lightning McQueen from “Cars” will bring up the rear.
We’ve got one addition to & one removal off of the Attraction Refurbishments list. The Corn Dog Castle restaurant in Disney’s California Adventure will be closed for 2 days on May 5th & 6th. And the planned Gadget’s Go-Coaster refurbishment that was to of lasted from April 28th to May 22nd has been completely removed off the list.
As always, you can keep up with the latest refurbishments on our Attractions Refurbishments page!
This information is confirmed by former Disney artist Kevin Kidney, who works very closely with PIXAR Play Parade designer, Jody Daily, on various projects:
“Soft opening” for the parade is TODAY, MARCH 10, although the official advertised debut is this Friday. The parade will run at 5:15 every day this week at Disney’s California Adventure Theme Park.
