The End of the Pin Odyssey

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Today is the last day for this year’s Summer Pin Festival, Mickey’s Pin Odyssey. This was a great event in my opinion, & I really hope next year’s one is just as good. Speaking of next years, Diz Pins have put up a little hint of what next year’s event could be:

As we previously noted, the Decoder from Mickey’s Pin Odyssey Lanyard could be used to read not only the corners of the Pirate’s Lair map, BUT, there were 8 Surprise Pins in the Pin Odyssey Collection. When all 8 cards are put together, they formed a picture that revealed a huge hint as to next year’s Disneyland Summer Pin Festival!!

And if you couldn’t tell, it reveals an image of the Haunted Mansion!

So I hope everyone got themselves lots of pins from the festival, & here’s to the season where I don’t have to spend as much money on pins!

Disney US Postage Stamps Event, and More

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

There was an event held today in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle for the 2008 series of Disney US postage stamps. Just my luck that I missed the event by a day, but David “Darkbeer” Michael did however attend, so here are a few of his pictures:


So this is what the tent I saw in the Esplanade yesterday is for


This year’s stamps are of Steamboat Willie, 101 Dalmatians, the Jungle Book, & Sleeping Beauty… Marty Sklar was in attendance for the event (like he his for most events that the Disney company hold)

And now a few non-event related pictures from outside the parks:


It might just be me, or is this a new stand in Downtown Disney


Some construction going on in the Disneyland Hotel

Be sure to check out Darkbeer’s SmugMug page for plenty more pictures from around the Disneyland Resort today!

DLR Photo Report – 8/5 & 8/6

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

I’m back from a lovely 2 day trip to the Disneyland Resort for my birthday & guess what that means… A photo report! There’s lots of images today, so let’s get to it:


The theme park information sign is back out by all bag search booths


When DCA opens, there’s 2 paths to go, Midway Mania’s line & the Princess Breakfast at Ariel’s Grotto


Guess this sign will have to be changed soon


My score this time wasn’t as good as my last trip


Now let’s take a tour of the Sun Wheel, as it is now (as it will be made into Mickey’s Fun Wheel this fall)


Non-swinging gondolas


Swinging gondolas


I’m Missing It… NOT!


There was some kind of convention in the Grand Californian Hotel


Department 56 in Downtown Disney is having some work done


There will be a Mardi Gras “extravaganza” at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen on September 6th


I ate at Rainforest Cafe for my birthday


The Build Your Own Lightsaber stand in Star Traders


A couple of shots here of Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams… Plenty will be available in the Image Gallery tomorrow


The It’s a Small World Top Shop is out from behind tarps… Notice the missing dolls in the boat?


New colors on the Small World attraction sign I believe


New Century Timepieces is a thing of the past


A nice new painting available, with a hefty price tag of $1,500!


Some nice Tiki Room merchandise that was released for the attraction’s 45th anniversary… You’ll be able to see all of it in the Image Gallery tomorrow


I want to get this lovely poster of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle


Surprised they’re still selling this one… I still want it!


Saw the tribute band Tomasina at the Tomorrowland Terrace Tuesday night


WOOOO!


Here are a few (blurry) shots of Fantasmic!


Moving on to Wednesday, a little look at the Midway Games, which should be changed this fall


ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD!?


The Midway Stores, which I presume will be changed too


Mr. Potato Head was covered up this morning


Construction on the soon to re-open Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through


An ad for The Little Mermaid III on Main Street


And the Sleeping Beauty Platinum Edition DVD


Classic Ariel picture in Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years


Space chick & astronaut


Characters from Captain EO


Watch makers in the Art of Disneyland on Main Street


An awesome Small World poster


A product release & signing with Robet Olszewski on Saturday August 28th at the Disneyana Shop from 9am to 11am


Now I know this tent wasn’t in the Esplanade on the 5th


Another ad for The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning


And to end off this photo report, me with Ariel… My favorite character picture ever!

Be sure to keep an eye on all of our Image Galleries tomorrow for full size versions of these pictures & many more (over 400 in total)!

Weekend Round-up

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

What is already starting to be a very interesting weekend has begun here at WDW News Today, and here are some news and notes to bring you up to speed:

-Rumors are swirling about a video that appeared on the Walt Disney World cast member website that provided full details on the next attraction coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a Monsters Inc. themed roller coaster. The video was apparently pulled from the site fairly quickly, yet we can still not confirm that these reports or that the video actually exists. Be sure to keep you eyes on WDW News Today as more info becomes available on this rumored project.

-Here’s a picture of the progress of the new north wing at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (provided by Jason Diffendal’s sister):

Notice that the glass and exterior on most of the building is nearing completion

-On a final note, if you are attending the MagicMeets fan gathering this weekend, be sure to look out for myslef and Jason Diffendal who will be representing WDW News Today and WDWCelebrations.

Disneyland Raises Ticket Prices

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

According the OC Register, Disneyland will be raising it’s ticket prices once again, from $66 to $69 for adults & $56 to $59 for children.

“We offer great values for guess who enter our world class resort and enjoy up to 16 hours a day of fun including attractions, parade and other entertaining spectaculars,” said Disneyland Resort Spokeswoman Lisa Haines. “We periodically analyze our pricing to make sure it reflects the entertainment value and quality that we deliver to our guests.”

Here is the current pricing for all tickets available at the Disneyland Resort:

Single-day, one park:
Adults: $69 (was $66)
Children: $59 (was $56)

One-day park hopper:
Adults: $93 (was $91)
Children: $84 (was $81)

Two-day park hopper:
Adults: $143 (was $132)
Children: $123 (was $112)

Three-day park hopper:
Adults: $199 (was $189)
Children: $169 (was $159)

Four-day park hopper:
Adults: $224 (was $214)
Children: $194 (was $184)

Five-day park hopper:
Adults: $244 (was $234)
Children: $214 (was $204)

ANNUAL PASSES:
Southern California Select:
$134 (was $129)

Southern California:
$174 (was $169)

Deluxe:
$269 (was $259)

Premium:
$389 (was $379)

The OC Register has also put up a very interesting graph showing how ticket prices have increased since 1955. Be sure to check it out!

Yet Another Earthquake Update

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

The OC Register have been posting updates on the earthquake & its affects on the Disneyland Resort all day today. Complaints were many, as apparently the line to complain at City Hall stretched all the way down to the Penny Arcade!

Attractions in Disneyland started re-opening just before 1pm, with the first attractions re-opening being the Jungle Cruise, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, & the Sailing Ship Columbia. Over at Disney’s California Adventure, most attractions were re-opened by 12:30pm, with the exception of California Screamin’, the Maliboomer, Grizzly River Run, & Soarin’ Over California.

By 3:15pm, all attractions but 3 at the Resort were re-opened, those three being Grizzly River Run (due to the water level sensors), the Maliboomer (as it can’t test while the park is open for some reason), & the Disneyland Monorail (as it was still testing then, however it should of re-opened by now).

Be sure to check the article on the OC Register to see if they get anymore updates on the status of the Disneyland Resort!

Another Update on the Earthquake

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Another update for you on the Southern California earthquake. Disneyland is slowly getting the attractions back up & running. According to abc7, some of the attractions are operating now, but we don’t know what attractions.

As always, stay tuned to Disneyland News Today to find out when more rides open, & various other updates we get on this Earthquake & it’s effects on Disneyland.

Update on the Earthquake

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

We have an update on the earthquake prowling its way through Southern California. Disney have issued a statement saying that all attractions are still closed, but they are/will be testing the attractions & they should hopefully be open sometime soon!

Again, stay tuned to Disneyland News Today to find out when the rides will be re-opened, & various other updates we get on this Earthquake & it’s effects on Disneyland.

BREAKING NEWS: All Disneyland Rides Evacuated

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Southern California is currently experiencing a relatively major Earthquake, 5.8 on the richter scale. According to the Eyewitness News program on abc7, Disneyland have taken a precautionary measure, & have evacuated all rides, as well as the hotels. I presume the stores & restaurants also have been evacuated. All guests are waiting around outside at the current moment.

abc7’s website has the following:

CHINO HILLS (KABC) — A magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit late Tuesday morning two miles southwest of Chino Hills in San Bernardino County.

The jolt was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego, and slightly in Las Vegas. It caused buildings to sway and triggered some precautionary evacuations. Ten aftershocks occurred in the next dozen minutes, including three estimated at 3.8.

No damage or injuries have been reported as a result of the earthquake.

The quake struck at 11:42 a.m. PDT. Buildings swayed in downtown Los Angeles and San Diego for several seconds.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today to find out when the rides will be re-opened, & various other updates we get on this Earthquake & it’s effects on Disneyland.

Dateline Disneyland Picture Update

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Let’s take a look at some of the various things going on through-out the Disneyland Resort from this week’s Dateline Disneyland on MiceAge:


This sign for Disneyland’s 53rd Anniversary was up just before the tunnels yesterday


Signs were also up at the Main Street Train Station


At 4:45pm, there was a small ceremony with the Mayor of Main Street & the Fab Five (the Dateline Disneyland article, linked at the beginning of the post, has plenty of pictures from this ceremony)


Cast members wore this anniversary button


The It’s a Small World Toy Shop has come out from behind tarps with a fresh coat of paint, but is still closed to guests


The metal portion of the Tomorrowland marque got repainted a lighter tan & dark brown scheme


The back of this globe used to be blue


The Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries photo-op now has a sign, just in case people aren’t aware that the boulder is to take photos with


This lovely painting by Manny Hernandez was released yesterday to commemorate Disneyland’s 53rd Anniversary (more info on this painting can be found at DisneyGallery.com)

To cap this Dateline Disneyland update off, Andy (the writer of Dateline Disneyland) managed to get some concept art for the new Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough: