Today is the 23rd of December, and so it is time to open the twenty third door on our Character Central Advent Calendar!

Click to see who is behind today's door!...  [ Read More... ]

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.

Hi all,

We begin today's news with some details about Christmas Season across the parks, which has gotten under-way this week.

First off, to Disneyland Paris, where they welcomed Duffy to the Resort officially.

Duffy was inaugurated at special ceremony which incorporated the unveiling of the Gingerbread House at the Disneyland Hotel. He was joined by the band, as well as Mickey and friends in their Holiday finest.  [ Read More... ]

Hi all,

With Halloween all wrapped up for another year, Christmas Season is literally on top of us now and we have some details to share from around the parks.

Over at Walt Disney World Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party starts it's run on the 8th of November, just 7 days after the last Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Would be neat to have been there for that crossover period and experience both in one trip!

I have heard that Phineas and Ferb are due to appear in the park for the parties, but nothing is confirmed as yet.

Aside from the parties, WDW never tends to offer much in the way of regular daytime Christmas entertainment until the week of Christmas itself. The one exception to this is Cinderella's Holiday Wish at Cinderella Castle. This show is presented once nightly, and features Mickey and friends alongside Cinderella, Prince Charming and the Fairy Godmother. This mini-show is due to begin tomorrow, Friday 4th November.

Over in California the Christmas Season kicks off on the 14th of November, and will see the return of all the traditional favourites such as A Christmas Fantasy Parade. At Disney California Adventure, the immensely popular Phineas and Ferb's Rockin' Rollin' Dance Party will receive a seasonal overlay.

Disneyland Paris's Christmas Season starts on the 7th, and as we all know already, Duffy is making is grand début at the park for the general public. It has now been revealed that he will indeed have a Christmas outfit for the Holidays.

Other seasonal favourites such as Disney's FantIllusion, the Tree Lighting Ceremony (now featuring Duffy also) and Mickey's Winter Wonderland are returning, alongside a brand new Castle show, Princess Aurora's Christmas Wish, which will act as the Castle lighting for the season (much the same way as previous shows have, and how the similarly named Cinderella show in WDW does). Little is still known about the actual show, but I guess we'll find out in 4 days time!

Finally we fly around the world to Tokyo. As always Tokyo have gone all out and there is too much to mention here. This post from someone on MiceChat sums it al up nicely. Highlights include a Christmas Parade, characters in Holiday outfits, and Christmas versions of Dreamlights, Super Duper Jumpin' Time and Big Band Beat.

Ok, that's all for now,

Dan.

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.

Hi all,

As you all know Jon and I have spent the last week in Disneyland California for the Halloween season. I don't tend to write trip reports for places that we visit fairly frequently, but we experienced so much new stuff on this trip that I had to write one!

We had five days of fun and adventures across the resort with many of our Disney friends, including Loren, who you all already know.

While there we not only got to experience the park's Halloween offerings but also some other new things along the way.  [ Read More... ]

Hi all,

Loren posted his Mickey's Halloween Party report to the Forum, so be sure to check that out. As always it contains some really great pictures and useful information for those attending.

I also made a Forum post earlier about the Halloween Season at Disneyland Paris. It was more suited to the Forum as it contained a lot of pictures, rather than specific information. Be sure to check it out as it also has a lot of useful pictures for those who are going to be there this Halloween Season.

On some unrelated news, our friends at Characters Photos Blog on Facebook were in the city of Paris today for a special event attended by none other than Phineas and Ferb! I believe this is the first time they have ever featured anywhere in Europe. Phineas and Ferb is really popular here like it is in the US, so I hope that they come to Disneyland Paris, but I haven't heard anything on that front yet, sadly. But now they have arrived here, maybe they'll stay?...

Finally, Loren clarified the news regarding the Winnie the Pooh meet 'n' greet area in DL. It is being refurbished, and he posted a link here to the update, which includes some photos.

Ok, that's all for now,

Dan.

Hi all,

This weekend was quite an eventful one in the world of Disney.

We shall begin with something close to home (at least for me!), and that is Rapunzel's coronation in London. Although I wasn't there (why did they have to have it the same weekend as DLP's Halloween Season open?!), there have been some videos posted to YouTube. I liked this one, and this one in particular.

There was a small ceremony at an indoor location, which was presented by the Fairy Godmother and also featured Flynn Rider, and there was a horse-drawn procession outside.

It was a neat and different way to induct her a the newest member of Disney Royalty, and I hope that Disney continue to do cool things like this in the future.  [ Read More... ]

Hi all,

Yesterday I reported on the information supplied by Magic Forum member Poppy about the new Dreams show at DLP for the 20th anniversary. With my head all over the place for my upcoming trip, I totally forgot to mention that he also revealed some interesting new changes to the Parade for the 20th also.

Jon and I had heard about some of these before, but never had any proper confirmation, so I guess now we can say with some more conviction that the parade will be reworked next year. Changes rumoured so far (that Jon and I have also heard from sources) include Mickey and friends moving to the current Princess 2 unit, and Disney Fairies (not specified which brand yet - classic, or the new Tink and Friends) to go to the Dreams of Imagination float. Check out his post for the rest of the details.

Over on the our forum, Loren posted some information that a contact of ours sent us regarding the Mickey's Halloween Parties that start tonight in Disneyland. Check out the complete list of who is appearing here (you will have to scroll down). Note also that the Cavalcade will be having two showings per night!

In Florida, Inside the Magic reported (no link sadly as it was on their Facebook), that the Trick or Treat special event that was held in the Magic Kingdom last night (you may recall they announced it on the Parks Blog a few weeks back), was a big hit, and included Dr Facilier among the character meet 'n' greets. No other details of who was there yet, but when I get them, I'll post here or to the forum.

Finally, as you may have gathered, I am off to the opening weekend of Halloween Season Disneyland Paris tomorrow morning, and will be there all day tomorrow and Sunday. I intend to see both of the new shows at least twice each, and check out all the special characters (Villains, Jack and Sally, Fab 5 in costumes etc).

I will be back at my desk Monday afternoon, so expect an update then!

Until then, have a fantastic weekend everyone! For those in London, remember Rapunzel's coronation tomorrow, those in Paris be sure to be at the Halloween open, and for those in Florida make sure you see the character cavalcade at 10am tomorrow for the 40th!

Dan.