Disneyland Resort – Page 18

Happy Belated 57th Birthday Disneyland!

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:

Today we celebrated 57 years of magic at the Disneyland Resort! This afternoon, Disney characters filled Town Square, balloons in hand, to sing “Happy Birthday To You” with Disneyland park guests.

All of us at the Disneyland Resort are proud to celebrate 57 years of creating happiness. I wanted to share with you some thoughts from my fellow cast members, who were asked to share one reason why they love Disneyland park:

“I grew up coming to Disneyland and now I refuse to grow up at Disneyland.” – Jeremy P., “Fantasmic!” and Haunted Mansion

“I’ve spent more than half my life in a place designed and built to make people happy, alongside cast members wired to make others happy and filled with guests who come wanting to be happy. How could anyone not love that?” – Matt G., general manager, Disneyland Park Food and Beverage

“Because one feels proud to be part of the magic that Disneyland creates, and from the time we are children, we wish to visit this wonderful place full of joy and dreams.” – Ricardo H., Central Bakery

“I love Disneyland because it was part of my childhood as a guest, teenager and college years as a cast member. I literally grew up here!” – Colleen N., CMR Program Manager

“Working with such an awesome and remarkable man [Oscar Martinez].” – Robin P., Carnation Café

“Because it is a place where families can pass on or make traditions for generations to come.” – Andrew S., Global Rooms Assignor

“Disneyland represents everything that has made America great: optimism, imagination, nostalgia, pioneering spirit and innovation.” – Nathan E., Disneyland Resort Creative Entertainment

“I’ve been watching Tinker Bell fly over Sleeping Beauty Castle for 50 years and it’s always just as magical for me as the first time!” – Sandy R., Pre-Arrival Sales

“The magic Disneyland creates leaves you with a big smile and a full heart.” – Jenny P., Disneyland Resort Casting

“How many places are there that you can be taking a break and have Goofy walk by and wave at you? You can’t help but smile.” – Cindy D., Public Affairs

“I love seeing one man’s dream being not only lived out, but still growing and evolving long after the dreamer has passed.” – Carrie H., Hollywood Land Attractions

“I love Disneyland park because when other people sigh and say, ‘I’m going to work,’ I say, ‘I’m going to the Magic Kingdom.’” – Wade H., Guest Service Manager

“It is the only place where I enjoy a Dole Whip for breakfast, five churros for lunch and a Mickey Pretzel. Plus another churro for dinner.” – Christian C., Disney University

“I grew up coming here with my family and friends, I met my true love here, made some of my best friends here, and it’s here that I get to spend my time with an amazing group of people at an opening-day attraction, cruising around the Jungle Rivers of the World… Move it up skip!” – Ryan W., Jungle Cruise

New Options for PhotoPass

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

From Kelly Glassburn of the Disney Parks Blog:

If you haven’t heard, we’ve launched our Disney PhotoPass+ for Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort! And today, I wanted to share a new way to save on PhotoPass+ packages at both resorts this summer – it’s by pre-ordering online before your next visit.

It’s easy to pre-order. Just visit our special Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney Resort PhotoPass+ pages and look for the “order” button. We’ve also included more details on the benefits, but here’s a quick look at what’s included:

A voucher to exchange for your Disney PhotoPass+ card

Disney’s Photo Gallery CD with hundreds of stock photos

A unique code to create and order a Photo CD

Print packages at select dining locations

Digital photos from select attractions

Disneyland’s August Trade Night

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

Zoe sent some pictures to us of Friday’s Trade Night at Disneyland of the crowd and some of her favorite customs.

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Tim Alcoser’s 08/1/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

DLNT Reporter Tim Alcoser visited the Disneyland Resort on Wednesday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us:

Live birds in front of Rainforest Cafe

Work progressing on Earl of Sandwich while the nearby merchandise booth is vacant

Flowers in bloom all around the park

Work on the Fantasy Faire progresses

The Jungle Cruise has added safety nets and boat bumpers to avoid guests getting their hands stuck between the boat and the dock

It can make the attraction hard to see for younger guests

A look from inside

We’re zooming off!

New “Walk In Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps” Tour

WDWNT on August 30, 2012

From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:

If you love Disneyland history, I’ve got a tour for you. The “Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps” Tour replaces the current “A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour beginning September 9, and is available to book right now. Traveling through Disneyland park, you will learn about the challenges, excitement, inspiration, and fun that went into creating Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom as well as the story of the life of Walt Disney himself.

The newly re-launched tour includes an exclusive look into Walt Disney’s private apartment, a peek into the lobby of the exclusive, members-only Club 33, a private lunch on Main Street U.S.A., two classic attraction experiences and a collectible pin.

Here are some things you should know about the “Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps” Guided Tour:

The tour is approximately three hours long.

Theme park admission for Disneyland park is required to attend the tour.

The tour leaves from Disneyland Tour Gardens (left of City Hall) every day at 9:30 a.m.

Attractions and entertainment are subject to change without notice.

For pricing and booking information (and to find out about a special discount for Disney Rewards Visa and AAA card holders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disneyland Resort Annual Passport holders) call 714-781-TOUR (8687). Also, be sure to check out the other Disneyland Resort Guided Tours at Disneyland.com/Tours.

Happy 57th Birthday Disneyland

WDWNT on July 27, 2012

As Disneyland celebrates its 57th anniversary, I remember back fondly to my one and only trip to the original Disney theme park. Although my heart belongs to Walt Disney World, I am not afraid to admit that my one day at Disneyland was one of the best I ever had. Here are a few of my highlights…

I love the Disney Character additions to It’s a Small World

Fantasyland sure had it’s picturesque views

I got to revisit some old friends

Nemo Submarine was surprisingly one of the most fun adventures I had.

People always ask me which park’s attractions are better. Overall, my answer is neither. Jungle Cruise, Small World, Big Thunder… to me they all have their own high points. The exception by far is Pirates of the Caribbean. I fell in love with Disneyland’s version and went on it 3 times. WDW’s pales in comparison.

At the end of the day, it was just nice to sit back and enjoy the history and beauty of this park and what it means to us Disney fans.

Ticket Prices Increasing at Disneyland

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Erin Glover of the Disney Parks Blog:

As we have done in the past, we wanted to give our loyal Disney Parks Blog readers a heads-up that ticket prices at the Disneyland Resort will be increasing, starting on May 20. This summer is one of the most anticipated times in the resort’s history, and a visit to the Disneyland Resort has never been a better value. In the past few years alone, we’ve added new world-class attractions, such as The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, “World of Color” and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Now, with the expansion of Disney California Adventure park, including the 12-acre Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and the Carthay Circle Restaurant, almost complete, there are even more reasons to visit.

And this summer, both parks will open each day at 8 a.m. and offer increased entertainment, giving you and your family more time to stay and play. At Disney California Adventure park, we’re adding an additional showing of “Aladdin – a Musical Spectacular” and Pixar Play Parade will be presented up to twice daily. At Disneyland park, you’ll find more shows and characters at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree and increased performances at the Tomorrowland Terrace every day of the week, and the singing sensation “Voices of Liberty” performing at the Main Street Opera House.

We’re sharing the details here on the ticket prices, which also include increases to Disneyland Resort Annual Passports. Annual Passholders recognize that their investment pays for itself after just a few visits. Our California-based Annual Passholders have the added benefit and flexibility of a monthly payment program. This year, we’ll continue to offer unique passholder-exclusive entertainment and experiences, along with 10-20% discounts on select food and merchandise. As an example, you already know that Annual Passholders were invited to special viewings to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Fantasmic!” And later this summer, Passholders also will have early access to the parks through a new Annual Passholder Early Entry program – just for them. Details on this program were announced earlier this week here.

There are other ways to save when you visit. The popular 1-Day Park Hopper Ticket gives guests access to both parks on the same day, or if you are planning on playing with us longer, multi-day tickets also offer a variety of options for you to save on your California vacation. All updated pricing can be found here. The information will also be available at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets on May 20.

New Retro Posters for Disney Parks

WDWNT on July 16, 2012

From Steven Miller of the Disney Parks Blog:

I recently visited California, where I had one of the most amazing experiences of my Disney career. Imagineer Vanessa Hunt gave me a tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library vault in Glendale. This place houses the original art of the most iconic images from Disney Parks’ history. Incredible! Vanessa shared that fellow Imagineer Danny Handke and she have written a book for Disney Editions called “Poster Art of the Disney Parks.” This hardcover book, with cover designed by Imagineer Glendon Lee, is coming to Disney Parks at the end of May. I asked Danny about the role that attraction posters have played.

“Attraction posters entice, excite and educate guests with a preview of the adventures and experiences inside the Disney Parks,” explained Danny.

“When Disneyland park opened in 1955, it was difficult for guests to understand what a ‘theme park’ was. The Disney Imagineers needed a solution to portray their attractions to a diverse audience. The idea to use posters at Disneyland’s Main Entrance was the perfect solution.”

The book was in development for four years! They conducted extensive research by interviewing close to 20 people, including current and former artists. Vanessa said that they put extra effort into making a beautiful book that all Disney fans could enjoy.

“We made an extra effort to ensure the posters in the book were printed as color accurate as possible,” continued Vanessa. “We even found a box containing several poster concepts that had never been published until now. The most challenge part was identifying artists. While many unidentified posters artists were later identified during our interviews, there are some that remain credited to ‘Unknown Artist.’”

I asked Danny about his favorite poster.

“I love the Tokyo DisneySea posters,” said Danny. “They are interesting because they reflect an overall cohesive design, but are stylistically individual to each land. Not many fans are familiar with the Tokyo DisneySea posters, so we hope everyone will appreciate this unique chapter in the book.”

Vanessa said her favorite poster comes from the Disneyland Resort.

“I love all of them, but the one that catches my eye every time I open the drawer is the Grand Canyon Diorama poster from Disneyland,” explained Vanessa. “The colors are absolutely beautiful and the train design is fantastic!”

Which is your favorite attraction poster? I vote Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room!

Once Upon a Pin Podcast #003 – June 19, 2012

WDWNT on July 10, 2012

Once Upon A Pin is a podcast all about Disney Pins. We deliver all the latest news, release dates and reviews with a fun Disney magic twist.

This week we discover the Mickey’s Circus free pin gift. The July Soda Fountain pins are full of Pixar fun. And a ton of new release dates are revealed with a Friday the 13th Jumbo, a 1950’s themed set and many more.

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