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Hi all!
Sorry that it has been a few days since a proper update.
I have been very busy with getting ready to move house, preparing for our trip to Disneyland this week, and a whole lot of other things that basically get in the way!
We do actually try to keep up to date on our forums, and our members there often post news before I get chance to blog about it; so be sure to join our friendly forum to get the most out of Character Central!
Ok so to the news!
Tokyo Disneyland have finally added Rapunzel and Flynn as meet 'n' greet characters, which means that Rapunzel can now be met at all five resorts worldwide!
Disneyland celebrated it's 57th birthday last week, and there was a small ceremony in Town Square. Here's a link to a video of the occasion.
Hong Kong Disneyland's newest land opened last week. Grizzly Gulch features a new take on the Frontierland concept, with a new attraction that is a unique take on Big Thunder.
Of course characters now meet there, and guests can meet Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale in brand new Western outfits. Koda and Kenai also meet there.
Over in Disneyland Paris they released their press information for Halloween Season this year.
I had already said previously here on the blog that people should expect the Mickey's Trick or Treat in the Street to return, and I was right!
Goofy will have a new Halloween location in Town Square, and will be themed around the Goody Candy Co concept which they have in the US.
The Villains will of course be back, but in Fantasyland, and Jack and Sally will return as usual, this year near Phantom Manor.
The Soirée sadly will not be getting a replacement show because of the loss of Central Plaza Stage, but Disney Dreams! will be run instead (which can of course be seen any night of the year).
I haven't heard of any more changes to the Soirée, so hopefully all the other weird French entertainment, performers and characters will return as usual.
There is one last thing for Halloween, but it is linked with a recent event too.
We all know that Duffy the Disney Bear has never been popular at any park except Tokyo, despite the fact that he continues to be pushed everywhere. Well, despite the US pushing him ever forward, Paris actually decided last week (unofficially I guess) to drop him!
Now, instead of Duffy at the Boarding House in Town Square, any other main character (usually a Big 8 or Pooh pals) appears if they decide to do that, at any given point (Duffy might still appear, but it is less likely now).
What we have heard though is that Duffy will be back full time for the Halloween Season in a Halloween outfit. I wonder if it will be the same as the US Parks outfit?
I think that's everything for the news today!
A couple of things here at Character Central before I go.
First off, and I hate to write this sort of thing but needs must, I have seen on a number of occasions again recently people copying our work. Whether that be pictures and even my blog posts. Please do not do this. We work hard - and unpaid! - at this to bring you the best character website on the Internet, and it is so disappointing that people can't even be bothered to link back to us or credit us. Groan over!
Second, we have been working really hard to get some great new content up on the site ready for our relaunch, and we are really pleased with how it is all going! I know some of you have asked us on the forums when you can expect to see the new version of the site, and at the moment all I can say is, just be patient and it'll come soon enough!
Thirdly, we are off to Disneyland in California on Wednesday, and as always - where possible - we will be updating throughout our trip with pictures and more on our Facebook page and Twitter. So be sure to follow us there!
Finally, we are still trying to reach our goal of 2000 Likes on our Facebook page, and when we do, we'll be running another great prize giveaway! So get sharing our page with all your friends!
All the best,
Dan. |
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Hi all, Let us begin today's news in California, where apparently the Pooh meet 'n' greet area is being removed. At the moment it is unclear as to whether there is a replacement in the works, or if the Pooh characters are being permanently evicted. I guess we'll see in a few weeks, but it is strange that they didn't work on this when the whole land (Critter Country) was completely closed for several months earlier this year! California doesn't really need any less characters, and the Pooh friends are especially popular, so let's hope they return in a fab new location soon! [ Read More... ] |
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 | Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Report - Part Six | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 10:32:27 AM |
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Hi all,
Welcome to the final, albeit delayed, part of my Hong Kong Disneyland trip report.
There are just a few things that I wanted to talk about that did not really fit into the other parts, as they were more about the individual lands.
So I want to now just mention the 5th anniversary happenings, summer events and a couple of other special things that we did while we were there.
Since last September HKDL has been celebrating its fifth birthday, and this year made some additions and changes to the entertainment line-up. [ Read More... ] |
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Hi all, We begin today's news with Halloween at Disneyland Paris. According to a friend of mine (who has many contacts), this year Disneyland Paris will not feature the Pumpkin People or the Halloween post/pre parade! I am not sure how accurate this is, because at very least the post/pre parade has always been a popular staple of the Halloween offerings at the park. I will be very surprised if they do actually go forward with this. [ Read More... ] |
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 | Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Report - Part Five | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, August 12, 2011 4:21:59 AM |
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Hi all, Welcome to part five of my HKDL trip report.
In this section we move onto Tomorrowland.
I know you probably think I sound like a cracked record by now, but I'll say it anyway! Like the rest of the park Tomorrowland has some really good features, but definitely needs more. It has just five attractions, two restaurants and two minuscule stores. This is compared to say the Magic Kingdom that has eight, two and three respectively (you could even count the Lunching Pad which would make three restaurants).
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 | Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Report - Part Four | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, August 4, 2011 12:40:43 PM |
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Hi all,
Next up on my tour around HKDL is Fantasyland.
From Adventureland you can enter Fantasyland from near the Liki Tikis and the drumming area.
Alternatively you can go back to the hub and wall through the Castle or via the parade route to the right.
Fantasyland in HK like the whole park is in need of more.
Overall it is a pretty land and has some good attractions, but it does lack a lot.
I would say in terms of design and theming it is better than the Magic Kingdom (once the expansion is done this statement will no doubt change), and it is certainly far better than the miserable Fantasyland in Tokyo! [ Read More... ] |
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 | Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Report - Part Three | |
| DisneyDan
Monday, August 1, 2011 11:39:04 AM |
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Hi all,
Welcome to part three of my Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Report.
In this part we venture into the jungles of Adventureland to see what it has to offer.
You approach Adventureland on the left hand side of the Hub much the same way you would at all the other Magic Kingdom style parks.
Adventureland in Hong Kong is the sole land on the left hand side of the park. No Frontierland, no Critter Country… Just Adventureland.
You enter under a sign that is similar to the one in Florida and Tokyo, find yourself in an area completely surrounded by trees and vegetation. Adventureland in HKDL takes a lot of its inspiration from DLP’s Adventureland with the tree filled more intimate and winding walkways. [ Read More... ] |
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 | Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Report - Part Two | |
| DisneyDan
Sunday, July 31, 2011 4:01:43 AM |
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Hi all,
Welcome to part two of my Hong Kong Disneyland trip report.
In the previous part I talked about arriving in HK, our impressions, breakfast at the Enchanted Garden, and our first impressions of HK DL.
We begin our tour of the park where it always begins in the Magic Kingdoms, on Main Street USA.
Just like the other parks (except Tokyo) HK DL's main entrance sports a train station. It looks almost identical to the California one, except some of the roof tiles and other small cosmetic differences; but for all intents and purposes is the same. [ Read More... ] |
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