Disney has finally given us our first real look at the new dragon in Fantasmic, after 3 months of waiting:
You’ll be absolutely stunned once you watch this video
There’s still no word on if “Murphy” will debut tonight or not, but stay tuned to Disneyland News Today as we keep up with the latest on Fantasmic’s new dragon.
Disneyland News Today has acquired the very first picture of the new dragon set to debut in Fantasmic!:
Keep an eye out on Fantasmic! this weekend, as “Murphy” is strongly rumored to debut. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest on this story.
The Disney Gallery set to open this Fall in the former Bank of Main Street Building!
Like most, you’ve probably missed visiting The Disney Gallery on your recent trips to Disneyland® park. Well, good news! the hotspot for viewing original and one-of-a-kind Disney artwork and artifacts is ready to re-open in the fall at its new location – in the former Bank of Main Street, right next to the Disneyland® Opera House.
This new location offers roughly the same amount of area as the gallery’s previous home above the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction (which is now occupied by the Disneyland® Dream Suite). And, just as before, The Disney Gallery will be made up of three separate rooms – two exhibit rooms and a gift shop. “This will allow us to tell on continuous story, or three separate stories, as we used to in the former gallery,” said Kim Irvine, Walt Disney Imagineering and Art Director for this project. She also told us that the unique qualities of the building have been incorporated into the gallery’s theme: “We’ll maintain the bank look and architecture and visually tell the story that this was an old bank that has been turned into an art gallery. Guests will still see remnants of the old bank influence – like the vault!” So be sure to stop in and visit this longtime favorite attraction and store in its new digs.
Please continue to watch for the opening date and a list of exhibits, events and Disney inspired artwork!
Artwork shown: Madame Leota by Yakovetic and Haunted Mansion by George Scribner
According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:
The image of a giant glowing dragon spitting fire graces most promotional material — billboards, flags, fliers — for Disney’s Summer Nightastic events.
But the theme park’s official summer season will end this weekend without any appearance of the dragon in the water-and-light Fantasmic show because of technical difficulties.
Still, Disney officials promise that fans should get ample time to see the dragon, once it’s ready, because the Fantasmic show will be extended until the end of the year, said John McClintock, a Disneyland spokesman. Disney recently decided to add extra time for the show. On busy days, a third show is added at 11:30 p.m.
But a firm date for the dragon’s debut has yet to be released.
The dragon was supposed to emerge as the centerpiece of a revamped Fantasmic show, stretching 35 feet high in 17 seconds as “Sleeping Beauty” character Maleficent transformed into a dragon in the water and light show. The dragon then was to ignite the Rivers of America for 25 seconds, according to Disney’s press materials.
The dragon was designed to be 40 feet tall by 28 feet wide, weighing about 10,000 pounds.
But the dragon has yet to get off the ground in public, prompting much debate and discussion among Disney fans online. Fans even gave the dragon the nickname of Murphy after Murphy’s Law.
Disney has continued to release the same official statement about the dragon:
“Our goal is to exceed our Guests’ expectations every day. Because the dragon is technically complex and the largest and most fully animated Disney character ever created for a live stage show, we want it to be perfect before adding it to Fantasmic! However, Fantasmic! is a summer tradition at Disneyland, and we’re glad we have been able to offer the show throughout the summer. We’re happy so many Guests have been able to experience it.”
Al Lutz, editor of Miceage.com, a Disney watchdog blog, said he has heard that the dragon may be up soon, but he isn’t sure he believes it after so many delays. Lutz has monitored the behind-the-scenes problems on his blog.
“I’ve never seen so much attention on one thing,” Lutz said of the fans. “I find it fascinating.”
The Summer Nightastic season officially runs June 12 through Sunday, although some features will go beyond this weekend.
Here is the schedule for some promotions:
- Disney’s Electrical Parade in Disney’s California Adventure will go on for the last time Sunday.
- Sunday is the last day for Southern California residents to buy three day passes for $99. The first visit must be made on Sunday at the latest.
- The fireworks show, called “Magical,” will go on nightly through Labor Day and on weekends until Sept. 20. A special Halloween fireworks show is set to begin Sept. 25.
- Fantasmic shows will be nightly through Labor Day and on weekends through the end of the year.
Here’s a fun little video Disneyland released today about the 46th annual Cast Member Canoe Races:
For more than 45 years, the Disneyland Resort has hosted Cast Member Canoe Races that take place every summer around the Rivers of America. This tradition allows participants to experience teamwork, stay healthy and have fun all at the same time.
According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:
In a tradition that dates back to Walt Disney’s days, Disney employees raced in the Disneyland’s river this week. The 46th annual Cast Member Canoe Races concluded this morning.
Here are the winners:
Men’s team, below: DC Last of the Rowhicans, 4:07:24
Women’s team: DC Bandits, 4:35:84
The women’s team is in this shot below, along with the men’s and coed teams.
Coed team, below: DC United, The PB&J Edition, 4:18:08
Chuck Canzoneri reports to us with something very interesting that went on yesterday at Disneyland:
Filming was happening at Disneyland
Do my eyes deceive me, or is that the Muppets coming down Main Street in the Fire Engine?
Why yes it is! There’s Sweetums next to the driver
Other characters I can spot in the vehicle include Kermit, Gonzo, Pepe, Ms Piggy, Animal, Fozzy, and Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (sorry if I missed any)
Sweetums looks a little grumpier than usual 😉
Read More about Chuck Canzoneri and The Muppets Invade Disneyland
Its been 40 years since the Grim Grinning Ghosts first opened their doors and invited guests into the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Take a look back to the beginning with Walt and the Imagineers who created the beloved attraction. From stretching rooms to hitch hiking ghosts the 999 Happy Haunts never disappoint and always invite guests to hurry back!
According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:
The Sutton family survived an overnight’s stay in the room with no windows or doors at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. But they didn’t get much sleep.
The mansion’s occupants simply wouldn’t let them: They stuffed the family with chocolate and soda. They groaned, screamed and cackled. Hitchhiking ghosts and a butler serenaded the visitors. A video camera was on the four family members all night.
And when the Suttons finally dozed off, the butler startled them awake.
But the family didn’t mind.
“Sleeping is for rookies,” said Jessica Sutton, 12.
The Sutton family of Santa Clarita won a night’s stay inside the classic attraction in a 95.5 KLOS radio station promotion for the Haunted Mansion’s 40th anniversary. (Read a story about the Haunted Mansion celebration HERE)
Daughters Jessica and Stephanie, 10, got the most votes among kids in a talent contest for singing “Happy Birthday” with a dog singing in the background. The girls brought their parents, Tim and Cyndi Sutton.
The family moved in at midnight after the park closed Sunday and left at 6 a.m. this morning.
The parents prepared their youngest daughter, who can be frightened sometimes, for a scary experience by playing spooky sounds and turning out the lights before bedtime at home. On Sunday afternoon, the family took a two-and-a-half hour nap at the Disneyland Hotel.
Although they were tired this morning, the Suttons were still thrilled after admittedly one of the best night’s they’ve ever had.
The family, who visit Disneyland about once a month, started the night with a tour of the mansion while Disney employees set up three twin beds and a coffin in the chamber at the beginning of the ride. That’s the elevator that stretches as guests first enter.
After the tour, Disney treated the family to a dessert banquet, including tomb-shaped coffins, brains with raspberry sauce and cheesecake eyeballs.
“That was just to keep us up all night,” Jessica said.
Then the family was led into the suite, where they got visits from hitchhiking ghosts. A Web cam from KLOS was on them as viewers from around the world watched. Tim Sutton wrote on a specially created blog, disneyjoe.wordpress.com, which got messages from as far away as Singapore and Isreal. The family spent time playing cards, but their stay was frequently interrupted by creepy noises or warnings of critters on the loose.
Jessica chose the coffin for a bed. But both girls ended up in beds with their parents.
At the end of the night, each family member was given a key to return — in the afterlife.
Our second photo report from the WDWNT Staff trip to the Disneyland Resort comes to us from the wonderful Myrna Litt:
The new Green Army Men show at Disney’s California Adventure, that was formed from the old Trash Can Trio in Tomorrowland
