Back In Time To 1955…

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Even though this year’s summer pin festival, The Haunted Mansion O-Pin House is still going strong through August 9th, Disney aren’t wasting any time in announcing next year’s summer pin festival, which seems to either be called Happiest Memories on Earth or Dateline Disneyland 1955. From the What’s HapPINing blog on DisneyPins.com:

The theme of Disney Summer Pin Festival 2010 at Disneyland® Resort was also shared. Next year marks the 55th Anniversary of the Disneyland® Resort. The Summer Festival will invite Guests to return to the grand opening Press Event on July 17, 1955 and remember their “Happiest Memories on Earth.” Below is a logo from the event. Steven said that in the coming months, Guests should look for the stylized Sleeping Beauty Castle icon buried on various page on DisneyPins.com. When you click on the icon, it will unlock secrets of this Festival.

Be sure to tune in to the only podcast dedicated to Disney Pin Trading, The Disney Pincast, in the coming months for information on 2010’s exciting summer pin festival.

The Rest of The Year at The Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

As Summer Nightastic! lights up the night this summer at Disneyland Resort, more exciting Disney attractions and experiences are on the horizon.

GET A DISNEY STUDIO STAR MAKEOVER AT STUDIO DISNEY 365
Opening Friday, June 26, in Downtown Disney, Studio Disney 365 offers aspiring stars, age 3 and up, makeover transformations and an opportunity to walk the carpet for a grand, show-business-style entrance. Girls and boys can choose from a range of “rock star” hair, makeup and costume options for their own scene-stealing experience, inspired by the characters from “Hannah Montana.”

HOT AND COLD RUNNING CHILLS
The summer-long celebration of a Disneyland landmark, Haunted Mansion, begins in June with the roll-out of new Haunted Mansion-themed additions to the popular Disney pin-trading program. On Sunday, Aug. 9, the 40th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion opening, the popular artist Shag will be in the Disneyana shop on Main Street, U.S.A. signing his new Haunted Mansion artwork. www.artofdisney.com

DISNEY UP CLOSE AND BEHIND THE SCENES AT D23 EXPO
D23, the official community for Disney fans, will present its first-ever D23 Expo Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 10-13, at the Anaheim Convention Center near Disneyland Resort. D23 Expo will offer fans unprecedented access to never-before-seen movies, TV shows, theme park experiences, collectibles and more. Early glimpses of upcoming new Disney movies, a look ahead to new vacation destinations and theme park attractions (including the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure) and an extraordinary exhibition of classic and contemporary Disney artifacts will be among the highlights of D23 Expo. In addition, D23 Expo will be the home for the 2009 Disney Legend Awards, a 22-year tradition that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to Disney entertainment. For more information, visit www.D23EXPO.com.

DISNEY VACATION CLUB COMES WEST
Disney Vacation Club’s first accommodations on the West Coast will welcome its first occupants on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The 50 two-bedroom-equivalent vacation villas are part of a Grand Californian expansion that also includes 200 new hotel rooms, a new swimming pool and underground parking. Bookings begin in June for the first Disney Vacation Club on the West Coast.

THE RETURN OF DISNEY GALLERY AND MR. LINCOLN
Long a favorite of Disney fans and collectors of Disney art, the Disney Gallery will reopen this fall in a new home next to the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland in the space originally occupied by the Bank of Main Street. Later in the year, the Opera House next door will reopen with the inspiring and newly refurbished The Disneyland Story featuring Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. Opening dates will be determined later this year.

HOLIDAY FAVORITES
Of course, Disneyland Resort will also celebrate the fall and winter holidays this year. Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort returns beginning Friday, Sept. 25, with Haunted Mansion Holiday, Candy Corn Acres, Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party and some new, scary surprises. Beginning in late November, Holidays at Disneyland Resort will bring back “A Christmas Fantasy” parade,” it’s a small world Holiday” and all the special holiday décor that transforms Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks into a holiday wonderland.

Enter the Pixie Hollow Summer Vacation Sweepstakes

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Enter for your chance to meet Tinker Bell and see the Disneyland® Resort in a whole new light as Summer Nightastic generates high-energy excitement, from June 12 through August 23!

Fairies fans will be mesmerized by Pixie Hollow Enchantment, an after dark, twinkling light show that unites the Fairies’ hidden talents in a celebration of summer.  Watch in awe as pixie dust cascades across the landscape and playful fountains spring to life. This special summertime event features favorite nighttime entertainment re-imagined with spectacular state-of-the art effects – plus an all-new fireworks show.

Fairies fans will delight in a more-dazzling-than-ever Disney’s Electrical Parade, led by Tinker Bell in a brand-new scene, and with two classic scenes making their triumphant return!

ENTER NOW for your chance to win a family vacation for four to experience Summer Nightastic*.  One lucky winner will enjoy:

  • A special meet-n-greet with Tinker Bell
  • Four 4-day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper Tickets
  • Accommodations at a Disneyland® Resort hotel
  • Round-Trip airfare for the winner and three guests

For the full contest rules and to enter for a chance to win, visit www.PixieHollow.com (click on the “News and Events” tab and then the “Contests” button) and then log in between now and June 29, 2009 11:59 AM PST.

* Travel must be completed by August 23, 2009, to experience the Summer Nightastic offerings.

Myrna Litt’s 6/16/09 Photo Report

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Myrna Litt brings us a great report which includes both of California Adventure’s great parades! Let’s get to her photo report:

The new billboards for Summer Nightastic at the Mickey and Friends Tram Station

It was incredibly busy on Monday and Tuesday, as they were 2 of few days this summer that the SoCal and SoCal Select Annual Passholders can see the new entertainment for Summer Nightastic

Some painting going on in the Hub

Read More about Myrna Litt’s 6/16/09 Photo Report

Chuck Canzoneri’s 6/14-6/15/09 Photo Report

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

It’s once again time for a photo report from our very own Chuck Canzoneri:

Disney now has a parking lot on the famous strawberry fields. I don’t think it’s open to the public yet though

It must have been busy, as Chuck had to park in Buzz Lightyear!

Lots of nice merchandise, including this Sorcerer Mickey with orange robes for some reason

A very musical Goofy from the Mickey Mouse Club collection

Shere Kahn from The Jungle Book

Read More about Chuck Canzoneri’s 6/14-6/15/09 Photo Report

DLR Photo Report – 6/14/09

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

I was at the lovely Disneyland Resort today and have some photos to share with everyone:

Signs for the D23 Expo around the Anaheim Resort

Long lines to get into Disneyland at opening

What’s wrong with these Summer Nightastic banners?

There’s a new Honda sweepstakes in the Esplanade to win a new Honda INSiGHT, as well as other smaller prizes

A Summer Nightastic poster by the security tents

Read More about DLR Photo Report – 6/14/09

Shawn Hutchison’s 6/12/09 Summer Nightastic Photo Report

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Our third and final photo report for today comes to us from Shawn Hutchison who was at the beginning of Summer Nightastic yesterday at the Disneyland Resort:

An ad for Summer Nightastic at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure

Finally new billboards at the Mickey and Friends Tram Station

Guess it was too late to change all the promotional images featuring the dragon? 😉

Looks like they’re going for a dragon combo here

A new edition to the Esplanade, a giant inflated house promoting “Up”

Read More about Shawn Hutchison’s 6/12/09 Summer Nightastic Photo Report

Tickets Soon to Go on Sale for D23 Summer Events

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

It has been announced when tickets will go on sale for the two D23 member events being held in California this summer. The first event, A Day at the Walt Disney Studios and Archives, which will be held on Saturday, June 27th and Saturday, August 15th at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, with tours beginning at 10am, will have its tickets go on sale this Monday, June 15th at 11am.

The second event which is a screening of the “People and Places – Disneyland USA” featurette along with a discussion panel featuring Imagineer Tony Baxter, Disney Legend and Chief Archivist Dave Smith, and Disney Studios Film Archivist Ed Hobelman, will take place on Disneyland’s birthday, Friday, July 17th at 6pm, and will have its tickets go on sale Monday, June 29th also at 11am.

To purchase tickets, just go to the links above at the times listed. Act quickly when the tickets are available, as space is sure to be limited for both of the these events. You can also keep up to date on information about these events by following DisneyD23 on Twitter.