Editor's Report - May 16, 2000

Editor's Report
Page 1 of 1

by Doobie Moseley (archives)
May 16, 2000
DCA has an opening date.

"Disneyland Will Never Be Complete..."

DCA Is Coming!
It was the big news of yesterday, so I can't imagine you didn't hear about it. Disney has announced an opening date for Disney's California Adventure (DCA). It's scheduled to open on February 8, 2001. The neighboring Disney's Grand Californian Hotel will open on January 2, 2001 and the Downtown Disney shopping, dining and entertainment district will open on January 12, 2001. For more details read the press release.

Last week I used this space to talk about how much I was looking forward to going back to Walt Disney World and hanging out at their wonderfully themed resorts. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to know Disneyland is getting its own fully themed resort in less than a year. When I heard the news I immediately called up to get reservations for the night of January 2nd and I'm counting down the days. If you want to make your reservations, call (714) 956-6425.

I'm also counting the days to January 12th. Ever since we heard about the tenant list for Downtown Disney I've thought about going to ESPN Zone on a Sunday morning for a football game, then heading over to the AMC Theater for a movie before going to the park. Afterwards we'll go to the Grand Californian or one of the many restaurants in Downtown Disney for dinner. To say I'm getting excited about all this would be understatement.

Then there's the park itself, Disney's California Adventure opening on February 8th. I'm sure more words have already been written about this upcoming park than all the previous upcoming Disney parks combined. So I'll just say ... 268 days and counting!

More On Buttons
Last week we mentioned how many of our readers have been asking for LaughingPlace.com merchandise and we've decided to do buttons for anyone attending the Pirates of the Caribbean event on May 20th that would like one. All you need to do is send us (via email or Feedback) how many buttons you'll need and the names you'd like on them. We'll send you an email back letting you know where to pick it up.

This Week
This week we've got another timely interview planned. We'll also be debuting a new column on Friday and the May 16th Disneyland Update is already up.  This week's Online Poll asks the question "Which Walt Disney World attraction do you miss the most?" This week's Trivia Contest is all about Mother's Day.

New Contributors
As you may have noticed last week, legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr became a LaughingPlace.com contributor with his monthly column Designer Times about working at Imagineering in the early days. We'd like to welcome Bob to the team and we can't wait for each month's column!

Also, as of this week we have a new writer for the trivia contests. Up until now I've been creating them with input from our staff and readers. Beginning this week the contests will be created by Matthew Walker, better known to regular visitors as DisneyExpert. Matthew is currently at the top of the Top 10 list having won 11 of our 39 contests. And this should come as no surprise once you know Matthew's background. In his own words:

I was a two-time finalist at The Disney Store National Trivia Showdown Competition, finishing third both years I competed (1995 & 1996). Only the top eight finishers from regional competitions across the United States and Canada were able to advance to the finals. I participated in the regional competition 5 years (1992-1996).

The finals competitions were held each October at Disneyland. They changed the rules in 1994 to only allowed a person to participate in the finals two years without winning before they "retired" you from competition. It was said to be a way to get new blood in the competition. The plaque that they gave retirees is the exact same plaque that they give each year's winner, so we do leave feeling like a champion - we just don't get to display the trophy and have a party. (If you won the competition, you were also "retired" from competition). The plaque reads "The Disney Store, Inc. Proudly Presents The Disney Trivia Achievement Award and Declares Matt Walker a Master of Disney Trivia Recognized for Outstanding Knowledge of The Walt Disney Company Heritage."

Welcome to the team, Matthew. We really appreciate your help!

-- Doobie Moseley (May 16, 2000)

Editor's Report: Doobie's personal look at an aspect of Disney and what's coming up on LaughingPlace.com.

The Editor's Report is posted every Tuesday.