Disney Vault 28 Signing with Billy Martin
Opening Day T-Rex Restaurant Video
As promised, here is a short video from Jose Eber of the new T-Rex Restaurant, now open at the Downtown Disney Marketplace:
T-Rex Restaurant Now Open
WDWNT Photographer and Videographer Jose Eber made a special visit to the Downtown Disney Marketplace today to see the grand opening of the new T-Rex Restaurant. Here are some pictures of the new “prehistoric” eatery:
The interior is really well themed and has a shop inside much like the Rainforest Cafe’s.
The complex is littered with moving Dinosaurs, only slightly less impressive than the ones in 25 year old Universe of Energy.
As previously reported, the store portion contains a unique Build-a-Bear workshop called Build-a-Dino.
A well themed “underwater” portion of the restaurant.
This huge Octopus looms over the bar area.
A Woolly Mammoth stands in front of the very cool ice cavern area that changes colors.
This Woolly Mammoth is apparently young.
Some frozen fossils in the ice cavern.
“That’s not our Dino…”
“Welcome to Jurassic Dark”
I forget the name of these guys, is it Allosaurus?
Looks a lot like the Rainforest Cafe over in this section.
A family of Triceratops who don’t fly around in a circle or seat people.
“Where’s Nemo?”
A Stegosaurus.
From the looks of it, this place is pretty big.
Again, some leftovers from the Seas with Nemo and Friends.
If you enjoyed these pictures, be sure to stay tuned for a short video of the restaurant that we will have up later tonight. Again, a special thank you to Jose Eber for the photos.
“Countdown to Extinct… I Mean Opening”
The T-Rex Restaurant at the Downtown Disney Marketplace will be opening at 4pm today and our own Jose Eber will be there to cover the opening of the newest dining experience at the Walt Disney World Resort. Expect pictures and video of the “Prehistoric Family Adventure” later this evening.
ESPN Zone Evacuated Last Night
According to the OC Register’s Around Disney Blog:
Patrons and employees of the ESPN Zone restaurant at Downtown Disney in Anaheim were evacuated Tuesday evening as a precaution because of what was described as a minor electrical problem, officials said, according to the City News Service.
Anaheim firefighters received a call of light smoke in an area near a ticket booth about 5:30 p.m., a dispatcher said.
No fire was found, and there was no additional smoke after someone turned off a fan, the dispatcher said.
The last unit left the restaurant about 6 p.m., the dispatcher said, and it was not known how many people evacuated the restaurant.
Dateline Disneyland Construction Update
The latest Dateline Disneyland article on MiceAge has a fine update on construction through-out the Disneyland Resort. Let’s take a look at some of the latest happenings:
The King Triton & Ariel statues have been removed, as well as most of the current theming in Ariel’s Grotto.
This is what has become of the turntable where Ariel entered to meet ‘n greet guests. No word on if the turntable structure will remain for Pixie Hollow.
A construction wall has popped up near the old Fantasyland Skyway Station. Don’t get your hopes up though, because there’s no way the Skyway is ever returning.
Let’s take a quick tour of the new Wishing Star Crystals store, which opened August 30th.
A window display.
In the store, you can buy personalized “magic crystals”.
The Conestoga Wagon near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is still 100% in tact.
This sign is in place at Harbour Galley.
Some of the exterior Haunted Mansion Holiday decorations have already arrived, & are waiting to be installed in the queue area.
Many of the Halloween displays in the shop windows on Main Street USA have already been installed.
Finally, over at Department 56 in Downtown Disney, the new wall sectioning off the store looks to be mostly complete.
“That is Our Dino!!!”
In case you didn’t get the Dinosaur attraction joke in the article title, here are some details on Downtown Disney’s newest resident:
A two-story tall dinosaur is pictured August 13, 2008 being transported on a flatbed truck past a pedestrian crossing sign at the Downtown Disney entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The dinosaur will be featured inside a new restaurant, currently under construction, called “T-Rex: a Prehistoric Family Adventure.” Developed by Schussler Creative, Inc. and operated by Landry’s Restaurants, the 600-seat restaurant will feature dinosaurs, waterfalls, bubbling geysers and a fossil dig site. “T-Rex” will open in mid-October at Downtown Disney. (Kent Phillips, photographer)
Notice that the restaurant is once again ahead of schedule and will now open even earlier than was last reported, Sometime in the middle of October. Stay tuned to WDWNT as we continue to update you on the progress of the T-Rex Restaurant at Downtown Disney.
Monday in the Parks Picture Update
Let’s take a look at some of the various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from this week’s Monday in the Parks column on MiceAge:
The new ticket prices went into effect yesterday
In addition to the water playground in the Bountiful Valley Farm that we reported was closed last Friday (and it still is closed btw), a couple other water playgrounds in DCA appeared to be closed, at least yesterday…
… Including Princess Dot’s Puddle Park in a Bug’s Land…
… As well as the SS Rustworthy in Paradise Pier
Construction seems to be happening on both sides of Department 56
The stilt chefs in the Ratatouille section of the Pixar Play Parade appeared to be off their stilts once again yesterday… Probably was just for yesterday though
Be sure to check out the Monday in the Parks column (linked at the top of the post) for tips on how to get cheap tickets, & plenty more updates from the around Disneyland Resort this week!
Mega DLR Update
David “Darkbeer” Michael visited the Disneyland Resort today, & saw some of the effects of the earthquake, as well as attending a lot of different events & exhibits in Downtown Disney (of which I don’t have a clue what any of them are, but I have my duty to report them!). Let’s dive on in this mega update:
The Disneyland Monorail was closed due to the earthquake
This Anaheim Ducks exhibit of sorts seems to of replaced the very similar High School Musical: Get in the Picture “exhibit”
The “ducks” are still alive?
Think this is something to do with the earthquake?
A signing of some kind… Maybe it wasn’t to do with the earthquake?
Then inside the ESPN Zone, there was something to do with the Anaheim Arsenal (which I’m guessing is a sports team of some kind)
Some kind of presentation in the ESPN Zone, which judging by the background of the picture, has to do with the NBA
Finally going inside the parks to see the effects of the earthquake… Here we see the Abandoned Tiki Room
And a rare site… NO LINE FOR INDY!
By this point, I’m guessing Pirates of the Caribbean had re-opened, unless everyone stayed in the line
Most attractions had re-opened, but apparently Indy was closed all day!
New Century Timepieces is a thing of the past, as previously reported, Fortuosity Shoppe will open up in that space this October
Toy Story Midway Mania re-opened by 12:30PM along with most of DCA… Seems Mr. Potato Head grew back his ear!
Finally, the Maliboomer was closed all day, as it can’t test when the park is open for some reason
Due credit goes to Mr. Darkbeer & his lovely SmugMug page! Be sure to check out his gallery from today, at this link.
Monday in the Parks Update
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!?