|
as seen in Magically Speaking newsletter
February 8, 2010
January 25, 2010
January 11, 2010
December 28, 2009
December 14, 2009
November 30, 2009
November 16, 2009
February 8, 2010
Disneyland Changes the Name, But Not the Process, of "Priority Seating"
For those who don't visit Disneyland frequently, the concept of "priority seating" at table-service restaurants may seem foreign. To try and combat this confusion, the priority seating term has been abandoned, with Disney now referring to it simply as a reservation. The problem, however, is that the policy itself has stayed exactly the same. You still don't have a guarantee that you'll get in at a certain time, only that you'll get the next available table. We'll have to wait and see if this makes things easier, or just confuses things further.
Disneyland Closures and Rehabs (official calendar updated through March 18,
2010)
- Matterhorn Bobsleds is closed through March 11.
- King Arthur Carrousel will be closed from March 8 through March 10.
- Honey, I Shrunk the Audience is currently closed for the temporary conversion back to the Captain EO attraction, with an opening date TBD.
- Mark Twain Riverboat is closed through May while the Rivers of America is being refurbished.
- Sailing Ship Columbia will be closed through May while the Rivers of America is being refurbished.
- Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes will be closed through May while the Rivers of America is being refurbished.
- Tom Sawyer Island will be closed through May while the Rivers of America is being refurbished.
Disney's California Adventure Closures and Refurbishments (official calendar updated through March 18, 2010)
- Golden Zephyr will be closed beginning February 16.
- S.S. Rustworthy will be closed from February 23 through February 24.
- It's Tough to be a Bug! will be closed on March 8.
- Paradise Pier Lagoon and the Golden State Amphitheater are closed for preparation of the "Disney's World of Color" lagoon show.
- Orange Stinger is closed for conversion into the Silly Symphony Swings through April 28.
- Corn Dog Castle is closed for a major refurbishment that will transform the surrounding area into the new Little Mermaid attraction.
Upcoming Events at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure
- Disney's California Food & Wine Festival, April 16 through May 31.
- Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, September 3 through September 5.
January 25, 2010
New Stroller Rental Location Opens Outside Disneyland Gates
For those of you looking to rent a stroller, as well as a wheelchair or ECV, the process may have gotten a bit simpler. A new rental location has opened to the right of the Disneyland Main Entrance Plaza, replacing the shops that had existed just inside both parks. With a centralized and less crowded location, it should make the whole process a bit easier.
DCA Gets New Walkway Connecting Hollywood Pictures Backlot to Flik’s Fun Fair
In order to prepare for even more construction walls in the future, a temporary walkway has been opened between the Tower of Terror and A Bug’s Land. This should definitely ease some crowding in the area, as it removes a few unnecessary dead-ends, and results in easier navigation of those areas of the park.
Dianne's Estate Jewelry Closing Its Jewel of Orleans Location
Dianne's Estate Jewelry, currently the owners of the Jewel of Orleans shop in New Orleans Square, announced on Jan. 21 that they are closing their Disneyland location effective April 15. The Jewel of Orleans store in New Orleans Square opened in 1997 and has featured high-end estate jewelry and knowledgeable, friendly employees. As one of the last non-Disney themed shops in the Disneyland Resort, its loss to the park's charm will truly be missed. Its San Francisco and Healdsburg locations and its website (http://www.diannesestatejewelry.com/) will remain open. No news yet on what will fill the tiny, ornately decorated space, but we can hope it's a shop equally fitting and unique to New Orleans Square.
January 11, 2010
Pop Culture–Inspired D Street Store Opens in Downtown Disney
A few weeks before Christmas, Disney opened a new clothing and collectibles store to complement the already existing Vault 28. The new store carries both men's and women's clothing, but is slanted slightly towards the male fan. The store also includes the popular Vinylmation figures, as well as other Disney-themed collectibles.
Express Ticket Lines Tested at Disneyland Main Entrance
Disneyland is testing the use of ticket sales directly from the entrance gates themselves. If you're ready to enter the park, and are paying with a credit card, you can skip the ticket booths entirely, and purchase your ticket and enter the park, all at the same time. While it still makes sense to purchase your tickets ahead of time, if that's not possible, this might be your next best option.
December 28, 2009
Captain EO to Return to Tomorrowland
After much speculation, and a couple of false starts, it was finally officially announced that Caption EO will be returning to Disneyland. The extinct attraction was a sci-fi themed 3-D film starring Michael Jackson and produced by George Lucas. Captain EO was initially closed in 1997, but will return for a "limited engagement" in February 2010, replacing "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" in Tomorrowland's Magic Eye Theater.
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is Back on Main Street
As the return of one past attraction is announced, another past attraction finally reopens. The Disneyland Story featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln has finally returned to the Main Street Opera House. The show now features re-mastered versions of the original Royal Dano and Paulo Frees narration, as well as the most "realistic" Lincoln audio-animatronic ever.
Sylvania to Sponsor "it's a small world"
Through a 12-year agreement with Siemens, Disney announced that the lighting company Sylvania would now sponsor "it's a small world," which seems like an appropriate match. As part of the agreement, the attraction will gets its first ever lighted marquee, the design of which will hopefully blend in well with the existing façade.
December 14, 2009
"Toy Story — The Musical" to replace "Aladdin" in the Hyperion Theater
The Disney Parks blog recently announced that beginning in early 2011, a 50-minute version of the Toy Story musical that is currently playing on the Disney Wonder will begin its run at the Hyperion Theater in Disney's California Adventure. But, there's still plenty of time to see "Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular," as its last show is not until August 15, 2010.
November 30, 2009
Troubador Tavern Opens in Place of Former Enchanted Cottage
The counter-service restaurant near the Princess Fantasy Fair has received a new theme, as well as a new menu. The new restaurant is now designed to look like a medieval tent, with a menu featuring baked potatoes and bratwurst. It's a nice addition to the eatery lineup, but is not what you'd consider your typical princess fare.
November 16, 2009
Will Valentine's Day Be the Next Big Holiday Event?
Due to the overwhelming success of Disney's Halloween Time promotion, Disney officials are now thinking of expanding to other popular holiday themes. Current rumors (thanks to author David Koenig) indicate that Valentine's Day may be next, with an explosion of hearts, lace, and princesses next year. If all is well received, expect the makeover to be expanded even more the following year.
Annual Christmas Day Parade Receives a Much-Needed New Name
The annual "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade" is no more, as the other Parks around the world are finally getting their due. Never fear, the show will still go on, but the new parade will now be called the "Disney Parks Christmas Day" parade, to give Disneyland (and the other worldwide parks) some well-deserved recognition.
|
