More End Dates

WDWNT on September 1, 2008

We once again have some updates to the attraction refurbishment list for you. First up, as previously reported, today is the last day for the Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries, which includes the Secret of the Stone Tiger & Random Acts of Indy shows. Various reports have been saying that the Oasis theater (home to Secret of the Stone Tiger) will not have any shows performing in it until next summer. Yet another classic example of cost-cutting!

We finally have dates for when 2 of the 3 former McDonalds locations at the Resort will open without McDonalds. Harbor Galley is planned to re-open on December 16th. Burger Invasion will re-open sometime in May 2009! But we do not yet have a date on when the Conostoga Wagon will re-open. All 3 close tomorrow.

Disney’s Electrical Parade will return on December 19th, & Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular will now return on December 12th, as opposed to December 19th, with a partial new cast.

Finally, a short refurbishment for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be conducted from December 1st to the 5th.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for updates on all attraction refurbishments. And for up-to-the-minute information on the various refurbishments, be sure to check our Attraction Refurbishments page!

Attraction Refurb Update

WDWNT on August 25, 2008

We have a few updates to the attractions refurbishment list for you today. First up, the Haunted Mansion refurbishment has been pushed forward to start on September 2nd, as opposed to the 8th. It will still end as originally planned on September 25th.

The removal of McDonalds from Burger Invasion, Harbor Galley, & the Conostoga Wagon was originally supposed to last from September 2nd, to September 26th, but they have seem to of been extended all the way through the end of November. However we have no concrete date for when they will re-open.

The Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries will end on September 1st, which means no more performances of both the Secret of the Stone Tiger & Random Acts of Indy. There is currently no word when or if Aladdin’s Oasis will return.

Finally, it seems that the planned refurbishments of the New Orleans Square Railroad Station & Flik’s Flyers have been completely removed off of the list. So no word on if the repaving of the pavement around the NOS station will happen.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for updates on all attraction refurbishments. And for up-to-the-minute information on the various refurbishments, be sure to check our Attraction Refurbishments page!

Indiana Jones May Get Crystal Skull References

WDWNT on July 10, 2008

From the OC Register:

Crystal skulls may be added to the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction in Disneyland, but the “Summer of Hidden Mysteries” will end after this summer.

Glenn Kelman, a Disney Entertainment Productions senior show producer, talked about the Indiana Jones touches added to Adventureland for the summer.

First, he said that the “Summer of Hidden Mysteries” will only last through the summer.

“There are no plans to keep this event running along past this summer,” Kelman said.

He also mentioned that “as the [Indiana Jones] franchise continues, the possibility may come up to add new things to the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction.”

He said that there are no plans to remake or change the Indiana ride at Disneyland. Kelman said Imagineers’ “imagination could run wild” with new things to add to the ride from the latest “Crystal Skull” Indiana Jones movie.

Imagineering Spokeswoman Marilyn Waters said she knows of no plans to add “Crystal Skull” touches to the attraction.

She added that “it doesn’t mean that in a couple of months we won’t say ‘hey, why don’t we add this.’

Dateline Disneyland Picture Update

WDWNT on July 4, 2008

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


The latest map covers, promoting the Summer of Hidden Mysteries & Toy Story Midway Mania


The latest attractions at the Resort are promoted in the inside flap

Adventure Roadmaps are given to guests at the parking lot toll booths, as part of the TSMM/Honda Pilot cross promotion


Really easy trivia questions to answer as you make your way around DCA, & then send it in for the sweepstakes


Toy Story Midway Mania now being promoted at the Mickey & Friends Tram Station


As mentioned yesterday, the Green Army Men are in the Esplanade letting guests know that Toy Story Midway Mania is in fact in DCA, & not Disneyland


Guests can climb into this Honda Pilot & check it out, much like with the post-show at Test Track in Epcot… “DCA or Bust!”


Toy Story **cough Midway cough*** Mania ad in the Esplanade


This toy Spring Action Shooters, that a certain Staff Member of DLNT badly wants, are now available in the Midway Mercantile


Even though the Innoventions Dream Home is now proclaimed open, regular guests can not enter it. I presume all guests must still enter through the exit of Innoventions. Be sure to check out this Dateline Disneyland update (linked at the beginning of this post) for many “up above” pictures!


The Tomorrowland/Fantasyland smoking area has finally been moved from by the Tomorrowland Train Station…


… It’s now the back half of Fantasia Gardens


Work is finally going on at the old Seasons of the Vine theater

A Softer Side of Indy

WDWNT on June 28, 2008

From the OC Register:

A softer side of Indiana Jones is coming to Disneyland.

During an interview this week, Glenn Kelman a Disney Entertainment Productions senior show director, said that direct hits choreographed into the “Secrets of the Stone Tiger” and the related Adventureland stunt show will be taken out. Kelman said there are three direct hits in the whole sequence that will be removed.

“We haven’t had a big negative response,” he said. “But there will be more pushes and shoves than direct hits.”

Kelman said that the crowd enjoys when Indiana Jones is beat up on, but the bad response is when he hits the show’s female character, playing Col. Dr. Irina Spalko, in the face.

“There are things that can happen in a movie that just shouldn’t happen in a theme park,” Kelman said.

Dateline Disneyland Picture Update

WDWNT on May 31, 2008

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

Banners for Toy Story Mania in Downtown Disney


Another Toy Story Mania ad, this one in the Esplanade


Cast Members at the parking toll booths are passing out flyers for the Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries


The It’s a Small World train has been stripped down to the bear


The pond underneath Gadget’s Go Coaster has gone dry while the connecting water for Donald’s Boat is drained during the Boat’s refurbishment


The fire truck in front of the Toontown Fire Depot is missing


The article (linked above) has a detailed look at the Create Your Own Ear Hat station in the Gag Factory in Mickey’s Toontown


A look at the new Hot Dog Hut’s menu

MitP Update

WDWNT on May 26, 2008

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


Apparently the Hot Dog Hut is now open (even though it’s still behind walls in this picture)


A look at the new Create Your Own Ear Hat (Mickey Ears) station at the Gag Factory in Mickey’s Toontown


Donald’s Boat is closed for a month long refurbishment

Also of note in this article, is a look at some of Southern California’s newest attractions & events, including the Summer of Hidden Mysteries, & Pony Express at Knott’s Berry Farm.

And Darkbeer gave a link to an OC Register interview with Joey Michaels, one of the Imagineers who worked on the Summer of Hidden Mysteries.

MintCrocodile’s DLR Update

WDWNT on May 23, 2008

Our friend MintCrocodile has some great pictures of the Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries (which debuted today), & a couple of things from DCA that I want to highlight here:


A look at the special guide-map for this event


Various “hidden secrets” in the Jungle Cruise & the Indiana Jones Adventure


A special picture opportunity has been set up


The Secret of the Stone Tiger show has replaced Aladdin’s Oasis


Another show with Indy & some bad guy takes place in the streets of Adventureland


Quickly moving over to DCA… The Sunshine Plaza Fountain is now back in operation


The second food stand by Toy Story Midway Mania is the be the Hot Dog Hut

You can find plenty more of MintCrocodile’s wonderful pictures at his SmugMug page!

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: