Toy Story — The Musical to Replace Aladdin at DCA in 2011

From D23:

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Great news, Toy Story fans (and really, who isn’t one?)! Toy Story — The Musical will take over Hyperion Theatre at Disney’s California Adventure park in early 2011.

The characters and playful plot from the Disney·Pixar film Toy Story will come to life before your eyes in this dazzling, musical stage spectacular where you’ll be treated to a unique “toys’ eye view” of life in Andy’s room. As reported on the Disney Parks Blog, the stage show will feature larger-than-life set design, new songs, vivid projected backgrounds and elaborate costumes.

The 50-minute musical preserves the humor and heart of the original film and explores the true meaning of friendship as Buzz Lightyear and Woody transform from jealous adversaries to best friends with an unbreakable bond.

To make way for this exciting addition to Disney’s California Adventure park, Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular will close August 15, 2010.

“Disney Vacation Connection” Coming Soon

The Disney Parks will soon be introducing a new “free” method to get up-to-the-minute official information on your desktop about the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, and Adventures by Disney. Similar to Disney Link, the Disney Vacation Connection will be a desktop message center. Unlike Disney Link, Disney Vacation Connection will focus only on vacation planning tools and information. When operating, the message center will be able to:

  • keep you up-to-date on latest news and special offers
  • help you plan your next vacation
  • have polls and quizzes that will allow you to earn points for Disney downloads
  • give you “insider” information
  • allow you to download a vacation countdown clock
  • show a calendar of upcoming special events
  • provide you with wallpapers and special animation
  • allow you to check the weather at the various resorts

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While the program is not yet available for download, you can visit the official website and sign-up to be notified as soon as it does become available. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on “Disney Vacation Connection”.

Journey into Awesomeness!

The much anticipated Dreamfinder 9″ Figment 3″ combo Vinylmation was released today at D-Street Orlando and California! This is a perfect use of the 9″, 3″ combo and the detailed depiction of these two Disney fan favorites in spot on.

Dreamfinder and Figment were the stars of the former Journey into Imagination ride at EPCOT. The ride opened in 1983 and the pair happily entertained audiences for 15 years. In 1998, the ride was refurbished and Dreamfinder was taken out and Figment’s role was reduced. Guests were very upset. One of the only places in Disney to get your Dreamfinder fix these days is in Mouse Gears. One of Dreamfinder’s flying machines now decorates the EPCOT Mouse Gears store.

And this detail in Dreamfinder’s right ear wonderfully depicts his blimp.
As another imagineer tribute to Dreamfinder, the name Dean Finder, appears on one of the lab doors in the current Journey ride queue. In 2002, Disney once again refurbed Journey and added more Figment for guests to enjoy. Now Vinylmation and Disney fans can enjoy this pair back together again with this Maria Clapsis designed Vinylmation limited to just 1,200 pieces. It retails for $74.95. And here are some of the first up close shots of the new 3″ Figment Vinylmation that accompanies Dreamfinder:
Also released today is the 9″ Retro Magic Kingdom for $44.95 at D-Street California and Orlando.

Disneyland Hotel Makeover Update

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Big news…Today we’re sharing details and concept art that will give the Disneyland Hotel a fun, fresh makeover. The pool area is getting a whole new look, including a brand-new pool, all-new immersive water play area and a complete redesign of the Never Land Pool. Plans also call for a new restaurant and bar, and re-theming of the hotel’s three guest room towers.

The biggest transformation (and what I’m most looking forward to) are the changes coming to the pool area. With a nod to the iconic original park signage, “Disneyland” will be spelled out in familiar blocks atop a platform supporting two huge water slides (the larger slide will be 26 feet high and will stretch 187 feet before it plunges into a splash pool below). Reminiscent of the original Monorail station at the Disneyland Hotel, at each slide’s entrance will sit a replica Monorail Car that guests will glide through as they twist and turn their way to the pool below. The pool will also feature a third, two-lane mini slide, perfect for little ones, which is just 3 1/2 feet high and is 19 feet long.

The Never Land Pool will receive a complete cosmetic makeover but will retain its unique shape. A new, four-foot deep pool will be built between the Never Land Pool and the water play area. A footbridge will stretch over this new pool, connecting both sides of the courtyard area and giving easy access across the property. Six new cabanas will also be added. To help you visualize all these exciting, new changes, here’s a rendering from an aerial view.

And that’s not all! Two new dining locations will be introduced in the current location of Hook’s Pointe, Croc’s Bites and Bits, the Wine Cellar and the Lost Bar. A new “smart casual” dining concept will feature Tahitian architecture that is reminiscent of the ’50s and ’60s era of the hotel and the original Tahitian Terrace restaurant in Disneyland park. A new bar will draw on the adventure theme from the Jungle Cruise attraction.

The new water play area, pool and dining locations are scheduled to be completed by summer 2011, and the remodeled Never Land Pool is slated to be completed by summer 2012.

The hotel’s three guest room towers will be renamed to reflect Disneyland park’s distinctive lands. The Dreams Tower, currently under renovation and scheduled to be completed in 2010, will become the Adventure Tower. The Wonder Tower, next to undergo transformation and slated for completion in 2011, will be the Frontier Tower, and the Magic Tower, which will be finished in 2012, will become the Fantasy Tower. A large marquee featuring classic artwork for Adventureland, Frontierland and Fantasyland will identify each tower.

World of (Late Night) Color

As the popularity of World of Color continues to grow Disneyland has announced a third show has been added. Here is the full announcement from the Disney Parks Blog:

As we celebrate the 55th anniversary of Disneyland this weekend, we’re giving guests, cast members and “World of Color” fans one more thing to celebrate.

We are adding a third “World of Color” show at 11:15 p.m. every night through Labor Day. The show has been extremely popular, and we’re hoping our guests will be thrilled with more opportunities to see this amazing display of water, music and Disney storytelling. (Please note: The time for all shows are subject to change. Please check Disneyland.com for the most up-to-date schedule and tips to reserve viewing).

We also will extend Disney California Adventure park hours until 11 p.m. through Sept. 6, 2010. This will give guests even more time to experience all of the exciting nighttime entertainment at the Disneyland Resort.

And if that’s not enough, we are also thrilled to announce that Toy Story Mania and Mulholland Madness will remain open during performances of “World of Color” while the park is still open to guests.

Of course most of the staff is out celebrating today’s 55th anniversary of Disneyland at the parks in true Disney style. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for full coverage from the 55th anniversary events and the WDW Celebrations event “fifty-five”. Happy Birthday Disneyland!