Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 Tickets Sold Out

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

According to the OC Register:

You probably figured it was going to happen sooner rather than later, but Disney spokesman John McClintock confirmed today that tickets for Miley Cyrus’ birthday bash at Disneyland sold out this week.

Five thousand fans — or their parents — forked over $250 for the privilege of hanging out with Cyrus in the park Oct. 5, which will be closed to other visitors that evening.

Cyrus, wildly popular among elementary schoolers and pre-teens as a singer and Disney Channel sitcom star, will celebrate her birthday at the park from 6 to 11 p.m. The park closes that night at 5 p.m., and only ticketholders are allowed in during the party. Tickets went on sale at 9 a.m. Aug. 30.

About time in my opinion. Even though I couldn’t care for the event…

2008 Halloween Time Tour

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Just an FYI for everyone, that the Halloween Time Tour is being offered once again this year, from September 26th through October 31st. 2 tours will be held daily, dispersing at 5:15pm & 5:30pm, with 20 people per group. The cost of the tour is $59 per person (Annual Passholders get a discount which takes the price down to $47.50), not including admission. The tour includes rides on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion Holiday, & new for this year, Snow White’s Scary Adventures.

To book a tour, & for more information, you can call 714-481-4400.

Bagless in Disneyland

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Taking a cue from Walt Disney World, Disneyland is now testing out a bagless line at the security checkpoints, which basically means that if you do not have a bag, you don’t have to wait in the bag search line. I personally think this is a great idea, & I hope that it becomes more than just a test, & becomes permanent.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for more information.

How Many Details Will We Get?

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

A couple more small details have come in for the new “What Will You Celebrate?” promotion:

*Based on ticket prices at the Main Entrance ticket booth. Adults receive a birthday fun card in the amount of an adult ticket. Children ages 3-9 receive a birthday fun card in the amount of a child ticket. See terms and conditions of the birthday fun card and details on participating locations.

**The number of birthday FASTPASS® tickets issued is limited and may not be available after 11am. Valid Theme Park admission is required. Use of birthday FASTPASS® ticket is restricted to the celebrant and up to 5 members of his/her party.

Also be sure to check out the official page for “What Will You Celebrate?”, that has yet another version of the “Time of Your Life” theme.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today as more details come in on 2009’s new promotion.

Key to the Land

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Often when guests visit the Disneyland Resort, they are asked by Cast Members when entering the park if they’d like to take an online survey about their day at the park, & how the whole Resort experience can be improved. My family is asked to take this survey quite often, & in a recent survey, this possible idea was brought up:

One card does it all!
 Load spending money directly onto your Annual Pass for flexibility, convenience and added benefits:

• Flexible – use your card to dine and shop anywhere at the Disneyland® Resort
• Convenient – one card is all you need for your admission and purchases during your visit
• Safe – a Passport photo keeps your spending dollars secure
• Customizable – reload your card at any Disneyland® Resort location or online
• Family Friendly – add an allowance to your teen’s Passport to let them explore the Resort without worrying about cash

If you’re familiar with staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, then think of this as being some what similar to a Key to the World card. I personally think this is an absolutely fantastic idea & hope it comes to pass.

The Mouse is Mad Over Governor’s Plan to Tax Tickets

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

According to the OC Register’s Around Disney Blog:

Disneyland is predictably angry about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plan to tax theme park tickets and tickets to sporting events to reduce state revenue shortfalls. (At-a-glance fact sheet of the proposal IS HERE.)

“We oppose the Governor’s proposed theme park tax because it unfairly targets the tourism industry and may deter new visitors to the Golden State at a time we need them most,” said resort spokeswoman Lisa Haines in an e-mail statement. “This tax is not worth the risk to an industry that is a proven job creator and economic engine for California’s growth.”

Schwarzenegger today announced a financial rescue package for the state government that includes a 1.5 percentage point hike in the state retail tax that would take Orange County’s sales tax rate to 9.25%. (The state would get 6.5%.) The fresh cash is needed to backfill an $11 billion deficit in this year’s budget.

Celebrating 25 Years Of Holiday Magic

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. and ANAHEIM, Calif. (December 17, 2008) – Silver Bells ring for the Silver Anniversary, as Disney Parks celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade this December 25 on ABC-TV. Hollywood’s biggest names and Disney’s most beloved characters will bring the holiday magic home in song and style as they light up the holiday from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

Alongside show-stopping performances and incredible float displays, America’s favorite hosts – Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa from Walt Disney World and Ryan Seacrest from Disneyland – mark the special anniversary of the Emmy-awarding winning television spectacular. Together, they will introduce a star-studded ensemble shining as bright as the fireworks above the parks’ gleaming castles.

The two-hour special of the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade will air in HD December 25 on ABC-TV throughout the country – 10 a.m. Eastern and 9 a.m. Central, Mountain and Pacific times.

The magic builds with an array of classic floats as well as new characters in celebration of Disney’s monumental Parade anniversary. Special highlights from holidays past will feature memorable moments ranging from wacky hosts, unforgettable performances and traditional favorites.

*A True Disney Celebration 25 Years in the Making*

From the hottest pop stars and legendary performers to world-class artists, a symphony of sounds unites as celebrities help Disney mark the 25th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade. 

WDW Christmas Parade 2008

  • Kicking off the celebration, megastar Miley Cyrus returns to the Parade for another upbeat performance, singing a rockin’ version of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” at the Magic Kingdom.
  • Sibling pop-rock phenomenon, Jonas Brothers, are sure to thrill fans as they perform their Christmas tune at Disneyland Park, “Joyful Kings”.
  • Grammy award-winning legend Jose Feliciano performs his classic “Feliz Navidad”.
  • “American Idol’s” 2008 champion David Cook rings in the holiday spirit with an exclusive acoustic arrangement of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.
  • Multi-platinum recording artist and co-star of Disney Channel’s popular series “Hannah Montana,” Billy Ray Cyrus, will bring down the house with his rock ‘n’ roll Christmas single, “Run Rudolph Run”.
  • Broadway superstar Sarah Brightman performs “Silent Night”.
  • Star of Disney’s blockbuster “High School Musical” films, Corbin Bleu, heads to the front of the class for an A+ act singing a Disney Parks original song, “Celebrate You”.
  • Playhouse Disney’s entertaining music group for preschoolers, Imagination Movers, will spread festive cheer singing an original holiday song, “Give a Gift”.
 
*Just a Spoon-Full of ‘Pixie Dust’ Makes for ‘Practically Perfect’ Appearances*
  • Donning their holiday best, Disney’s most cherished characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Ariel and Jasmine gallivant through Magic Kingdom alongside gingerbread men, toy soldiers and reindeer throughout the anniversary special. They will be joined in the Christmas character cavalcade by some of the newest and brightest additions to the Disney family, including Prince Caspian.
  • Adventure, danger and intrigue are ‘unleashed’ when the characters from the new Walt Disney Pictures “Bolt,” starring the superhero dog, Bolt and friends including, a jaded housecat named Mittens and TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino, let loose for the Parade atop a brand-new float.
  • Taking flight in their parade debut, Tinker Bell’s glittering Disney Fairies from the enchanting world of “Pixie Hollow” sparkle with delight as they sprinkle Pixie Dust in the 25th anniversary celebration. Tinker Bell will be joined by her four fairy friends – Iridessa, Fawn, Silvermist and Rosetta. The five fairies currently star in the new animated hit film on Disney DVD, “Disney Fairies”.
  • ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ takes on new meaning when stars of “Mary Poppins” at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre are accompanied by 600 performers to create a rousing performance down Main Street U.S.A. – leading the way is Ashley Brown, the original Broadway actress playing Mary; Gavin Lee who first played Bert at West End Prince Edward Theatre; Cassady Leonard as Jane Banks; and Neil McCaffrey as Michael Banks.
  • It’s a jungle out there when the show-stopping musical number, “Festival of the Lion King” creates a high-energy spectacle in this lavish celebration featuring favorite Disney songs.

Celebration Central

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Disneyland has set up a new website called Celebration Central. There doesn’t really seem to be much of a point to this website other than just being a promotion for What Will You Celebrate?. Once your at the website you can chose to either be shown ideas to get started or be guided through the process from start to finish. You can create a scrapbook which you can then print out, as well as a pocket guide & a map. That’s all that appears to be up on the site for now, but be sure to check it out yourself to see what other features there may be!

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Beat the Heat with the Summer ‘09 Disney Twenty-Three

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Today, a lot of D23 members received their Summer 2009 edition of the Disney Twenty-Three magazine. The magazine, just like the first one, looks simply amazing this time featuring Donald Duck as he celebrates his 75th anniversary of Mischief, Mayhem, & Mirth! This edition of the D23 magazine includes a tour of the new Tokyo Disneyland attraction, Monster’s Inc Ride & Go Seek!, beautiful art from Disneyland’s Disney Gallery, a Q&A with the director for the all new movie Rapunzel, a documentary with the famous Sherman Brothers, an in-depth look at the future of Disney’s California Adventure Park, 75 of Donald Duck, and lots more!

Front Cover of the Summer 2009 D23 Magazine

Back Cover of the Summer 2009 D23 Magazine

Also, as a suprise for D23 members, from the Walt Disney Archives they have included a beautiful fan. The description reads as follow: “This reproduction of a 1955 ‘Acres of Fun’ Disneyland souvenir fan was made exclusively for D23 members by the Walt Disney Archives Collection. Capturing a simpler time, these paper fans featured original artwork depicting attractions from Park’s inaugural year.”

“Beat the Heat this Summer!”

The fan features some opening day attractions from Disneyland