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.

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.

Let the Adventure begin!

This Friday, December 17th D-Street in California will release 2 of the 5 Disneyland exclusive Disneyland ’55 Attraction Poster 9″ Vinylmations ($44.95). Yesterday I told you about Tommowland, today we travel to Adventureland.

Walt Disney loved nature and adventure. This is evident in his award winning True-Life Adventure documentaries. Adventureland was meant to be based on these films and feature real life animals in the Jungle Cruise attraction. Since that was not feasible, Walt had his imagineers create the automatronic animals we all enjoy today. This Vinylmation features the attraction poster from the famous Jungle Cruise ride.

Interesting to note is the placement of the world “Adventureland”. In the original poster, “Adventureland” is under the depticted elephant and boat in the brown space at the bottom of the poster.
What was designer Alex Maher’s reasoning for this? To fill up the empty yellow space on the back? Or was it difficult to write the word across the Vinylmation feet? Also, how about the missing hippo? I would have liked to see the hippo on the finished Vinylmation. There appears to be room to wrap him from the right side to the front, or even on the back… there is some empty green space there as well. Those are 2 questions I will ask him if I get the chance… or if there is an artist signing out at D-Street in California, maybe you can ask for us? A nice Vinylmation gift may be in it for you!

“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”.

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.

D Street Set to Open December 15th

Disney has announced the opening day for D Street a new store coming soon to Downtown Disney. Disney has released the following information about the store as well as upcoming events:

A place where urban art inspired product “intersects” with a Disney creative edge. This raw, unfinished industrial style space will showcase a mix of Disney inspired art created by local and underground artists. Also up for grabs is cutting edge apparel, pop culture novelties, vinyl figures, collectibles and more.

D Street will feature Disney vintage looks from Disney Couture, urban styles and artwork from Bloc 28, Surf and Skate inspired apparel, artwork and accessories, as well as Star Wars tees. Also available at this new hot spot are some of the latest offerings from jewelry designers such as Tarina Tarantino and Classic Hardware as well as fashions from labels like Mighty Fine and Harajuku Lovers. The location will also be home to the work of one of Southern California’s local Artists, Noah. Noah draws his inspiration from his love of Disney as well as his love of the forgotten era that we tend to cling to, which includes old movies, classic cars and rockabilly style Kustom Kulture.

This new urban-style location will also pave the way for everything Vinylmation. Considered one of the flagship stores for Vinylmation figures, D Street will showcase the latest releases from the various collections, including the Park Series, Urban Series, Holiday Series and more. Designed by the creative talents from our Disney Design Group, Disney Vinylmation takes on a whole new meaning in the world of collectibles. These 3″ and 9″ figures are often designed to represent icons, attractions and characters from Disney Parks & Resorts or have more of street feel with their urban-inspired looks.
So be sure to hit the “street” and see what’s in store for you!

Calendar of Events
December 16, 2009
 Goorin Hats Trunk Show
4PM – 7PM
December 17, 2009
 Ed Hardy Trunk Show
4PM – 7PM
December 18, 2009 
Junk Food Trunk Show
4PM – 7PM
December 19, 2009
 Create Your Own Vinyl Experience with Noah
10AM – 12Noon
&
Art Demonstration & Signing with Noah
2PM – 5PM