The Report
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Welcome to the second edition of our newest column here on LaughingPlace.com, The Report. As mentioned last week, the goal is for this column to be a clearinghouse for news, event information and even rumors about Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Expect lots of links to other websites and our own Discussion Boards as we'll always try to give credit where credit is due.
The Report is not a replacement for our Disneyland and Walt Disney World Updates (in fact, you can expect one of each within the next week). But because those are primarily pictorials and therefore aren't always done on a regular schedule, we wanted another place to share some of the information that appeared there as well as a place to put news that otherwise had no obvious place to go on LaughingPlace.com.
I got some positive feedback on the column last week, but none more surprising, nor delightful, than this email a reader sent:
Hi Doobie! Thanks so much for making a text update column! I'm visually impaired, so I can only make sense out of pictures with descriptions below them. Pictures take up most of each page too, so I kept having to read many pages with hardly any text. Anyway, this is a great column! Thanks for all the website suggestions, and please keep making online videos! They're another favorite thing on your site. Thanks again, and enjoy living close to my favorite Disney park!
'nuff said! One with the show!
Disneyland Resort
Oops!
Lets start with what we got wrong last week. I said Superstar Limo was no longer on the Disneyland map. I've been informed that's incorrect - it is still on the map. What I should have said is it's no longer on the map or attraction list of Disneyland.com. And what I'm now saying is there's word the signs at DCA for the attraction have been coming down as well. What I'll say next week is anyone's guess.
News and Rumors
As expected, "Believe...There's Magic in the Stars" had its final performance last Sunday. The replacement, "Disney's Imagine...A Fantasy in the Sky" starts on Friday. Rumors on the Internet say the new show will have shots off the Castle. The change was made (again, according to Internet rumors) because of changes in fireworks use legislation. MiceAge.com and the Fabulous Disney Babe both weigh in with their insider reports.
Disney is now offering a One Day Park Hopper. That means one ticket will allow you to switch between Disneyland and DCA in the same day. The price is $69 for adults. $59 for children 3-9. For Southern California residents the price is $62.72 for adults and $52.75 for children 3-9. According the Guest Relations, the So Cal promotion will run through September and the general promotion through the end of the year. Tickets are available at the Disneyland ticket booths only.
Disneyland has a new Guided Tour called Discover the Magic. The tour is geared towards children aged 3-9 and is a scavenger hunt adventure. The tour is currently running on Saturdays and Sundays only but should go daily nearer the end of the month. It lasts 3 hours and includes a light meal in the middle. The tour currently begins at 10;30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The cost is $49 for each of the first two guests. $39 for each guest after that. Families are encouraged to play together and there must be at least one adult per party. There is a rather significant Annual Passport discount of $10 per person. As with all Disneyland tours, it can be booked up to 30 days in advance by calling 714-781-4400.
From the "this is definitely just a rumor" files comes these two items on Disneyland's 50th posted by "Disneyland Resort" on our Discussion Boards: " [the] Castle covered in a giant pink and blue “box�? with a golden bow that says “Do not open until May 5, 2005�?. “ Supposedly the front of the huge 50th present will appear to be 'torn open'/ripped and be teasing and hyping by partially revealing the potential present (the completed 50th Sleeping Beauty Castle) inside... but that 'tease' will only be a facade/picture on the huge present not an actual view inside the huge box. But supposedly it will look good enough to be photoworthy and all the 50th refurb work and decor can be done inside it." The poster goes on to say “Also as it trickles down ...The closed Villains Lair inside Sleeping Beauty Castle is rumored to reopen (just before the 50th launches May 5th) as the 'Disneyland's 50th Sleeping Beauty Castle store'. (With a better name, I would guess). The store will get some interior and exterior work & painting done to make it more feel more 'open', more lighted and nicer inside and not as dark and foreboding as it was in it's previous incarnation... and it will sell DLs 50th SBC Castle stuff. Snow Globes, figures, figurines, toys, etc.�? Click here to read the entire topic.
Also on the 50th, the Fabulous Disney Babe has an inside story on the scaling down of the museum of Disneyland's history.
And still on the 50th - Peggy Rose from the Disneyland Alumni Club sent me this note to pass along:
’ll have more information on this soon and will send it to you, but I’ve recently learned that Disneyland alumni (former Cast Members who left in good standing) will have an opportunity to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration if they so choose. Disneyland Resort will be working through the Disneyland Alumni Club, so any former employees who are not currently members will need to join for at least one year to be eligible. Membership dues are $25 for the first year and $15 to renew. Great travel discounts, reunions, a newsletter and other goodies make the price more than worthwhile" You can contact [email protected] for more information.
And finally on the 50th - some great news for Disney music fans. At the Walt Disney Art Classics convention a couple of weeks ago Randy Thornton announced that he is in the process of producing a Disneyland 50th Anniversary recording set. He stated that the plans call for six CDs. The recordings would be drawn from a variety of vintage sources, newly cleaned and remastered. Among the attractions planned for inclusion are such favorites as "The Country Bear Jamboree," "Carousel of Progress," "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," "The Enchanted Tiki Room," and "Adventure Thru Inner Space." Here's hoping PeopleMover music makes the cut as well. And maybe a couple of tunes from the original Steps in Time. :)
Did I say finally? One more - You can now book at room at a Disneyland Resort Hotel for Disneyland's birthday. The "Happiest Homecoming on Earth" package can be booked on Disneyland.com for travel between 5/5/2005 and 1/1/2006. However, for now anyway, the trip must be booked for 3 days. So get those July 17th ressies in now! Click here for more info.
For you Monorail geeks - and I know you're out there - MouseInfo.com reports Monorail Orange has been sent to WDI for reverse engineering. Click here for more details.
Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, one of my absolute favorite things about Disneyland, have released a new CD. This one features many of the favorites they regularly play in their show including Devil Went Down to Georgia. The CD is currently available from CDbaby.com and is expected to be available in the park soon.
Another Disneyland musician, sometimes ragtime pianist Alan Thompson, has released his first solo CD. You can hear samples, order or learn more about Alan at his official site, FlightOfHands.com.
Event Updates
One event update - from the official site DisneyGallery.com regarding The Great American Pin Festival: Due to circumstances beyond our control Mickey's All-American Pin Festival will not begin on June 20th as previously scheduled. Please continue to watch for information, release dates, etc... regarding this program."
Fun Stuff
If you like ride videos, you must check out the new site RemainSeated.com which currently features videos of Matterhorn Bobsleds, Big Thunder Mountain and Tower of Terror at DCA.
Now I know you may only be interested in the Disneyland stuff. But come on, it's good to know what's happening elsewhere. Click the Next Page link below.