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Hi all,
Sorry that it has been a while since we had a proper blog update, but we have been super busy! We were of course on our long trip to Florida, which I'm sure you all followed on Facebook, and then I moved house! So yes, it has all been a bit crazy!
First up, speaking of our trip to Florida, you can check out my trip report/review of our 2 day side-trip to Universal Orlando Resort. If any of you have ever considered going over there, or have been but not for many years, you may find it useful to find out what is going on over there, and what we thought of everything - including all the awesome characters they have!
While we're on the subject of our Florida trip, Tinker Bell's "long lost sister" (yes, I know...) started making appearances last week while we were there. Of course she now has her own dedicated page on this site (albeit with not many pics yet, but in time!), so check it out!
Staying with Florida, while we were there they were also doing previews for the brand new Enchanted Tales with Belle situated in the New Fantasyland! The official opening date for a lot of the new stuff is December 6th, with previews expected shortly beforehand for those lucky ones! The fact that we got in to it in mid-September, and it doesn't open until December is quite amazing, I think!
Overall it was great to preview something so far in advance, but we were left feeling a bit disappointed that as amazing as the new area looks, and all the effort and money they have put into it, the actual Enchanted Tales experience is, well, disappointing - and we weren't the only ones who thought this. The line is likely to be really long once it opens (and as of present there is no AC nor fans under the cramped canopy outside that traps that intense Florida heat...), and when you get inside it is just a 10 minute re-telling of Belle's story, that members of the audience can participate in. There really is nothing special about it, sadly. The worst part is that you don't even get to meet Belle! This is something that could well change by Dec 6th, as I think there will be a lot of complaints from parents of young girls who thought they were waiting for an hour to meet Belle!
Like I said though, the area looks really neat, and also the animatronic Lumiere and Mme Wardrobe are pretty cool. I look forward to seeing the Be Our Guest Restaurant and all the other things that will open later this year!
We have added an Enchanted Tales with Belle page on the site already, so click on it to see all our pictures from this not-yet-open area!
We also attended the first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party of the year while we were there, and you can check out the new, updated list of where to find all the characters this year, here.
There aren't too many changes this year. Phineas and Ferb are now in Town Square; Duffy has moved to the Boat Dock in Liberty Square; but anyway, do check out the list so that you can plan your evening! It should be note that I have since heard that when it rains, the Villains who meet in Central Plaza appear inside the Tomorrowland Terrace.
The Disney Parks Blog this week announced that the Wreck-It-Ralph characters, Ralph and Vanellope, would make their debut starting in November (no actual date given yet). In WDW they will appear where all new characters usually appear - in the Magic of Animation building in Hollywood Studios. At Disneyland they will make appearances inside the Starcade in Tomorrowland.
We'll be in DL in December and hope they are still there!
At the end of this month on the 28th, 29th and 30th September, there is a special Frankenweenie event in Downtown Disney in Florida, where they will be special screenings of other Tim Burton Disney movies, and - wait for it!- the first EVER appearances by Jack Skellington and Sally Stitches at the Walt Disney World Resort!
It is odd how they have never appeared before, especially since they already appear in DL, DLP and HKDL at Halloween.
It is expected that Jack and Sally will appear between 6 and 11pm each evening, near the Harley-Davidson store.
Along the Halloween lines, Disneyland has started it's Halloween Season, and there aren't too many changes this year, except they have decided (I guess after the success of other events there) to move the bulk of the special characters and characters in Halloween costumes over to the Big Thunder Ranch area of Frontierland. Other than that, expect Disneyland's usual fun Halloween line-up!
Finally, at Disneyland Paris, as we know they have undergone a lot of changes in recent months, and their debt was restructured again just this week.
This does mean that money is sometimes tight for the Resort, and so this year, sadly, Fantillusion and Mickey's Winter Wonderland will not be returning. However, although not really an amazing replacement for a full parade and full show, they will be running a brand new Christmas Cavalcade. A smaller production than the two that were cut, for sure, but a nice change nonetheless, and something to add to the magic of the Holiday Season.
it is expected that the popular Tree Lighting Ceremony will return, as will Santa Goofy, Santa himself and all the Holiday decorations and other goodness that comes with it!!
I think that's everything for now!
We have lots of discussions going on over on the Character Central Forums, so be sure to check those out and join the fun!
Dan. |
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 | Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 2:03:56 AM |
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Yarr!
It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and all your favourite Disney Pirates are here to celebrate!
Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day everyone!
Dan. |
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Hi all,
As you all know, we just came back from a 9 day trip to Florida. If you had been following our Facebook and Twitter accounts, you would know that we managed to get over to Universal Orlando for 2 days while we were there.
This was the first time in nearly 6 years for me, and in over 10 years for Jon, since we had last visited! As you can imagine in the Orlando theme park industry, a lot had changed in that time!
I thought that it would be worth while to write a review of our experiences at Universal Orlando (UO). [ Read More... ] |
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Hi all,
This week we attended the first MNSSHP of the season at the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
There are a few minor changes this year to the line-up, but nothing too noteworthy.
The Boo To You Parade is down by 3 characters this year, sadly. Angelica, Liver Lips and Shaker have all been cut.
There are some additional performers, and some new outfits for the performers in the parade.
There is also the new Not So Scary Street Jam! which is basically a street dance party right before the parade. We don't rate this very much, and think that of all the things Disney could have added, they wasted a group of performers' talents, whereas they could be additional characters in the parade!
There is some new merchandise, including the usual pins and t-shirts.
The atmosphere seemed to be a bit more lacking than previous years, with less smoke effects and projections, I thought. Sadly, as the years have gone on, there has been a steady define in the MNSSHP offerings.
Now, for the most important part, the character meet 'n' greets!
Phineas and Ferb at the Arboretum next to City Hall
Mickey and Minnie in Town Square Theater (in Halloween costumes)
Cinderella, Prince Charming, Snow White, The Prince, Rapunzel and Flynn in Town Square Theater
Villains around Central Plaza at select times - includes Jafar, Gaston, The Tremaines' and Lotso
Villains Dance Mix 'n' Mingle - briefly meeting after the show are Dr Facilier, Cruella, Maleficent, The Queen of Hearts and Frollo (as far as we could tell - it is always chaos around there!)
Adventureland Veranda - Tarzan, Jane and Terk
The Nook - Tinker Bell and Periwinkle
Agrabah Bazaar - Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie and Abu
Jack Sparrow outside Pirates of the Caribbean
The Glade (Liberty Sq, behind the Christmas Shoppe) - Tiana and Naveen
Liberty Square boat dock - Duffy (in a Halloween costume)
Frontierland Dance Party - Woody, Jessie and Bullseye (hard to meet unless you dance with them)
The Seven Dwarfs outside Big Thunder Mountain
Castle Courtyard - Aurora and Phillip
Fairytale Garden - Merida
Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet outside the Pooh attraction (in Halloween costumes)
Donald and Daisy opposite the Pooh attraction (in Halloween costumes)
Alice and the Hatter at the Tea Cups
Tomorrowland Dance Party - Goofy, Pluto, Stitch, Chip and Dale (hard to meet unless you dance with them) (in space costumes, including Stitch as 626!)
Buzz Lightyear next to his attraction
The biggest changes this year are the addition of Merida, Periwinkle, Phineas and Ferb. Of course, all these can be met in the parks during the day, but nonetheless, here they are.
To see our full detailed page about MNSSHP, click here.
Ok, I think that's everything for now!
If we hear of any changes as the parties progress, we'll be sure to update you on the blog!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 7th Birthday Hong Kong Disneyland! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 5:39:30 AM |
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Today is the 7th anniversary of the opening of Disney's second Asian resort, and first in China, Hong Kong Disneyland.
We are away in Florida right now, and I can't make a longer post, but here's some pictures I managed to get together to celebrate!
Happy Birthday Hong Kong Disneyland!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 82nd Birthday Pluto! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 3:06:22 AM |
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Today marks the first appearance of Mickey's faithful companion, Pluto. The 1930 short 'The Chain Gang' featured a dog which would eventually develop into the yellow pup we all love.
Although Pluto did not appear as himself until the following year, it is widely recognised that his first starring role was in The Chain Gang.
Happy 82nd Birthday Pluto!
Here's Pluto in action at the Disney Parks and Resorts.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 11th Birthday Tokyo DisneySea! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 10:07:02 AM |
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Hi all,
Today is the 11th anniversary of the grand opening of Disney's second Asian Park, Tokyo DisneySea.
Filled with unique attractions and experiences, DisneySea is often named the best theme park in the world. From the erupting Mount Prometheus, deep under the sea with Ariel, exploring lost jungles and wandering through the big city, DisneySea is simply spectacular.
Let's celebrate in Character Central's usual way with some pictures of our visits there.
Happy 11th birthday Tokyo DisneySea!
Dan. |
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 | Disneyland July 2012 Photo Trip Report Part 2 | |
| PeterPanFan
Sunday, September 2, 2012 8:21:32 AM |
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| Sorry for the delay in posting part 2 of my Disneyland Photo Trip Report; however, I have been busy working on enhancements for the next version of the website as well as some other things... but without further ado here is part 2 :) [ Read More... ] |
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 | Happy 48th Anniversary Mary Poppins! | |
| DisneyDan
Monday, August 27, 2012 8:42:05 AM |
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Today is the 48th anniversary (1964) of Walt Disney's live action/animated masterpiece, Mary Poppins.
Based on the books by P L Travers, the film has been a firm favourite around the world ever since.
So, here's our photo tribute to the characters of the movie that exist today at the parks.
Happy 48th Anniversary Mary Poppins, Bert and the Penguins!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 70th Birthday Saludos Amigos! | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, August 24, 2012 12:23:48 PM |
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Today is the 70th anniversary of the world premiere of Walt Disney's 6th animated classic, Saludos Amigos.
It was the first Walt Disney animated film to have it's premiere outside of the USA, instead debuting in Rio de Janeiro, on the 24th August 1942.
This of course means that it is also the birthday of one of Donald's oldest friends, Jose Carioca!
Happy Birthday Jose!
Dan. |
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