 | Meet Mickey Mouse! |
|
| DisneyDan
Sunday, July 22, 2012 7:14:33 AM |
|
|
Hi all,
On our most recent trip to Disneyland Paris we got to meet Mickey Mouse in his new home, in Fantasyland.
The Fantasyland Theatre finally closed its doors last year to make way for the brand new meet 'n' greet experience, after nearly 20 years of service to the fans.
Fantasyland Theatre had previously showcased such shows as Winnie the Pooh and Friends (and it's Christmas version), as well as the Magic Music Days.
Mickey had never really had a real permanent position in the parks, and had spent many years at the Boarding House on Main Street USA (and even further back in time at Casey's Corner).
Of course, the parks are his home, and anywhere is good for Mickey, but he really needed somewhere warm and dry.
With Fantasyland Theatre so infrequently occupied in recent years, it became the obvious choice.
DLP had released a picture long before the new theatre opened, that depicted something that, without using too much away, looked a lot like the recent Town Square Theater make over in the Magic Kingdom.
When we visited last month we were suitably impressed with the transition.
The building still retains the feel of a theatre, and the concept is similar to the Magic Kingdom, with the idea of going backstage to Mickey's dressing room.
The difference though is that the queue line is much more interesting and builds the atmosphere up more into actually being a real theatre! (unlike the Magic Kingdom).
Building into the existing theatre does end the years of speculation that any future expansion may be accomplished by going under the tracks of the railroad by taking the theatre out.
It does also make me wonder what will happen at seasonal times of the year. Will Mickey continue to have seasonal clothing like he has in the past? I guess this Halloween and Christmas we'll know that for sure.
Instead of describing in intricate detail every nook and cranny, let's now take a photographic tour of Mickey's new place!
The tour begins as you approach the building at the back of Fantasyland. [ Read More... ] |
|
 | Philippe and Mickey | |
| DisneyDan
Sunday, June 3, 2012 3:33:36 AM |
|
|
I thought I would share this picture I uploaded today from our April trip to DLP for their 20th Anniversary launch.
It shows Mickey and Philippe Gas on Main Street USA, casually enjoying a moment, right before the Cast Member Flash Mob and all massive celebrations begin.
I thought it was cute :)
Dan. |
|
|
|
Hi all,
Sorry it has been a while again, but we have been ever busy, and to be honest, there hasn't been too much character news out there!
But, nonetheless I thought I'd just mention a few things that have happened in recent days.
At Disneyland Paris, the new Meet Mickey opened in Fantasyland at the former Fantasy Festival Stage location.
We don't have any of our own pictures to share right now, but from what I have seen of the inside, it is really neat! I think that they did a much better job of it than Town Square Theatre in the Magic Kingdom, that's for sure!
Disneyland Paris also released the new Winter brochure for this year, and it provides some small (very small) details about what to expect this Halloween and Christmas seasons.
Characters in themed outfits seem to be returning to both celebrations, and at Halloween the Villains too.
As we already knew, but now confirmed, the MNSSHPs are not returning (sadly), but the Soiree will.
At Christmas, Mickey's Winter Wonderland will return, and the description uses a plural - shows - so we expect that the Tree Lighting will return, and a new, reworked Castle Lighting (seeing that Central Plaza Stage has now gone).
Find a out a few more details, including dates, on our forum here (Christmas) and here (Halloween).
Over in Walt Disney World, Star Wars weekend began last week, and have, as always, been featuring all the best loved characters from the movies. I haven't heard of anything exceptional this year, or anyone new, but if I do I'll of course post it here.
Staying with the US Parks, both WDW and Disneyland launched Princess Merida from PIXAR's Brave last week.
Merida now meets at the Fairytale Garden in the Magic Kingdom, and near "it's a small world" in Disneyland.
Finally, last week I had posted a Happy Birthday Goofy post... I had done this because, according to numerous sources - including the Disney Parks Blog itself! - that it was indeed Goofy's Birthday. Now, according to Disney, it is Goofy's Birthday today!
I have double checked against various different sources, and most places seem to agree it is today, but some places still record it as the 12th of May!
Well, anyway, what ever the actual date (and my suspicion it is indeed today), we'll wish Goofy Happy Birthday again! Check out last week's post for a photo filled tribute to our favourite goof in action at the Parks and Resorts!
Ok, that's all for now,
Dan. |
|
 | Happy 72nd Anniversary Pinocchio! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 8:30:10 AM |
|
|
Today is the 72nd anniversary of Walt Disney's 1940 animated feature film, Pinocchio.
Premièring at the Central Theatre in New York City, it features probably the most famous of all Disney songs, When You Wish Upon a Star.
So, join us in celebrating Pinocchio and all his friend's birthdays in this character picture filled cavalcade!
Today is also the birthday of the late Wayne Allwine, who was the unmistakable voice of Mickey Mouse for over thirty years.
So in tribute to him, here is Mickey and Pinocchio together with Jiminy Cricket.
Dan. |
|
|
|
|
|
Hi all, The last week or so has been fairly quiet overall (again) for character news, but I have the following to share. Not character related, but Disneyland Paris have now launched an official fan survey, where you can give quite in-depth feedback. There is a section on there to mention websites that you frequent for all you DLP news and information needs - so Jon and I would be eternally grateful if you would list us! Staying with Disneyland Paris, and after months of speculation, and nearly happening (I mentioned this back in June I think), Disney's Stars 'n' Cars has finally dropped the show part of the show/parade at the Studios. It has always been a bit of a struggle for them to make it work feasibly, ensuring everyone can see the show and the parade, and so now I guess they finally gave up trying. With the limited space and many disappointed guests who cannot get to the show part in time enough to get a good space, a straight out parade seems the most logical option. Of course, they do now need to beef it up a bit with some more characters or performers along the parade route, but we'll see what happens... Earlier in the year, when I was discussing the upcoming changes to the Once Upon a Dream Parade in DLP, I mentioned that the Dreams of Power (Villains) float would be dropped. Although this is still the case, we have heard that it will be back for Halloween next year, implying maybe that DLP are going to make a return to some special Halloween additions to the Parade, which were dropped for the first time this year, with much uproar from the fans. Maybe they learned their lesson? Be sure to check out the latest instalment of my Grand Circle Tour of DLP which of course includes some character encounters, and stay tuned for the next part coming this week. Finally for Paris, construction on Mickey's new meet 'n' greet location at the former Fantasy Festival Stage has begun, and you can check out my special report on it here. Discover the wonder and magic of this new location in Fantasyland! Jumping across the pond now to Florida, and I realise I'm a bit late on this one, but the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties have started in Florida, and as expected, no-one really special has showed up. Although Phineas and Ferb are appearing in Christmas hats and scarves, which is a nice addition to their usual costumes (they normally meet at DHS in the daytime). Also in Florida, Holidays Around the World started this week at EPCOT, and saw the return of many favourite characters including Father Christmas and Nowell the Lumberjack. Florida has also had some sort of divine inspiration this last week or two, and our friends on the ground have been reporting some cool random appearances, including Li Shang in China (who will be back on December 1st - so go check him out!) and John Smith. Ther have been some others too, but they were the most exciting ones! Over in California, Loren posted his latest report, and includes some of the character related Holiday happenigs there. Finally, Hong Kong Disneyland opened it's brand new Toy Story Land, and Woody, Jessie and the Green Army Men are reported to now be appearing regularly. Ok I think that's all for now. Nothing extraordinary, but good to catch up nonetheless! Dan. |
|
|
|
It has been known for some time now that Fantasy Festival Stage in Fantasyland in Disneyland Paris will be closed and converted into the new pemanent meet 'n' greet location of Mickey Mouse.
In the last two weeks, as expected construction walls have indeed gone up around the theatre, and work has begun to install Mickey's new home.
The new 2012 DLP brochure, now available in travel agencies and online, which was released just about two weeks ago, also now has a small description that reads (and I quote)
"[Mickey] welcomes you to meet him backstage in the rehearsal room of his theatre in Fantasyland."
The description goes on to detail the "ornate music hall" where, while waiting in line, you can "laugh along with some classic short films featuring Mickey". [ Read More... ] |
|
 | Happy 83rd Birthday Mickey and Minnie Mouse! | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, November 18, 2011 12:05:57 AM |
|
|
Today is Mickey and Minnie Mouse's 83rd Birthday, so join Character Central as we take a photographic look at the pair in action across the parks and resorts.
Happy Birthday Mickey and Minnie from Character Central!
 |
|
|
|
Hi all, After a quiet couple of weeks on the characters news front, like buses, it all comes at once today! As Halloween Season across the parks draws to a close tonight, I have a few things to mention. Disney's Animal Kingdom, which for as long as one can remember has featured the Pooh and Fab 5 characters in Halloween outfits during the last few days of the season, has this year dropped this tradition. It was the only place across the WDW Resort you could meet any Halloween characters without having to pay for the parties (with exception to Duffy at Epcot this year). So we say a sad farewell to scarecrow Mickey, mummy Eeyore and all the other cool costumes from years passed. Over in the Magic Kingdom at the parties, it was reported that Donald has been seen in his pirate outfit on some random occasions even though he is supposed to be meeting as the pumpkin this year. Moving across the pond to Paris, and this weekend saw the Terrorific Nights return, this year with the addition of some Disney Villains. The event in it's two previous incarnations had billed itself as being the more adult, and much scarier event, with very little Disney influence at all. This year saw all the regular Villains from DLP's main Halloween Season and parties appear at the Studios events, including Shan Yu, The Witch, Hades, Frollo and Jafar. I had previously said that the Headless Horseman was making a surprise appearance at the Halloween version of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show for all performance in the last week of October, and much to everyone's surprise, he even made it over to Terrorific Nights as well! Staying with Paris, but jumping ahead to next week, and in preparation for his Christmas Season public début, Duffy the Disney Bear is appearing at a special Annual Passholder event tomorrow at the Newport Bay Club. From 1pm to 2.30pm, Duffy will greet his fans who hold the Dream pass. I have no working link for the sign up, so you will have to contact Disney if you want to attend. Over in California, Loren keeps us up to date as always with any character developments there. His latest post can be found here, and includes details about the Christmas Day Parade taping at the park this coming weekend! It is likely to be awesome, but also very hectic, so make sure you read his post about all the events before you go! Over at WDWMagic, our friend Drew posted that Talking Mickey will be making appearances in WDW this week at Town Square Theater. Disney will probably not release any details about this, and it will be pot luck if you get to meet him. Let us know if you get to see him! Don't forget to check out all the latest additions to the site. Happy Halloween everyone! Dan. |
|
|
|