Hi all,

We are now getting back into our regular schedules following our whistle-stop trip to DLP this past weekend.

We had a good time as always, but sadly on Saturday evening things didn't quite go to plan for one reason or another, and it resulted in us making a very serious formal complaint at City Hall. It is the first time I have ever had to do so at any park (I don't just mean minor issues here and there, this was quite serious), but I have to say that despite the fact I had to make the complaint, we were seen to by the Cast Members at City Hall with care and respect, and we thank them greatly for the efforts to compensate us for our grievance. In fact, I think you'll be surprised to learn that they managed not only to give us a free pin of our choice each from the stores, but we actually got a private meet 'n' greet with our four favourite characters in a back room of City Hall, the following day! They managed to arrange for us to meet Peter Pan, Stitch and Chip and Dale (who were in their Frontierland Native American outfits no less)!

But, complaints aside, we did have a good time, but it was tiring.

There were some cool random character out this weekend including (finally!) Hyacinth Hippo at the Disneyland Hotel! For the past two years Jon and I have waited for her every morning of our trips to come out, but always seem to somehow miss her! She doesn't get out regularly these days but does make appearances, but we just always seem to miss her sets. But, finally on Sunday morning our wish was granted.

In Disneyland Park there have been some alterations for the summer season. There are a lot of random characters that appear up by the Storybook Land gates (next to Casey Jr) every afternoon around 2.30pm (and 3.30pm too, but I can't be sure). Characters have included Mr Smee, Frollo, Fab 5 Friends, Pinocchio characters and even the Dwarfs.

On Main Street, in Town Square a random mix of any of the mainstream princesses have been meeting from about 3pm for about three sets. You should check the exact times when you are there as they aren't published. Princes and Princesses we saw included Ariel, Eric, Belle, Adam, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Tiana, Aurora and Phillip.

There has been an increase in the number of musical bands around the park this summer too, with the return of the park's flagship band, now named the Disney Fanfare, they play on Main Street throughout the day. Others include the African drummers, a pirate band at the new Peter Pan stage and Hoedown Showdown.

We also did the Hawaiian Brunch that is part of the Around the World Brunches at the Disneyland Hotel's flagship restaurant, Inventions. As you all well may know, Inventions is Jon and I's favourite Disney restaurant, and offers a fantastic buffet with the Disney Characters. Every Sunday though they rotate the theme in the afternoon and have it from a different place around the world. The food, music, Cast and Characters are all themed appropriately for the occasion. We had previously done the London one, and this week it was Stitch, much to my joy! Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale were there in their Hawaiian best, as well as Lilo and Stitch themselves.

On the news front, I have heard from a reliable friend that Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! at the Magic Kingdom will be refreshed. The Fab 5 Friends will move to the top of the floats and the other characters and performers on the ground will dance to songs and music chosen by the audience. I don't know exactly how this will work yet, but we'll let you know when we find out!

Finally, staying with the Magic Kingdom, it has been rumoured that we should expect a big announcement regarding the day parade over the coming days at D23. Again, we'll keep you posted on that one, as well as any other big or character related news to come out of D23.

That's all for now,

Dan.