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,

Friday saw the official opening of the brand new Princess Pavilion in Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris.

Following a few days of soft openings, the Disney Princesses were there at 9.30am along with some other courtiers to officially dedicate the new meet 'n' greet location.

Our good friend Hilde (who is also a life long Disney fan), posted a blog entry to her tumblr account which includes some really nice pictures. You can discuss the Pavilion here on our official forum thread.  [ 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.

Hi all,

As I had previously reported, Rapunzel is having her coronation in London on Saturday (further info in previous post - location etc), and will be joined by all the other Disney Princesses. There have been some neat press photos released this week of Rapunzel's trip to London before her big day. I couldn't find an official Disney source, but Stitch Kingdom reposted some here.

Disneyland in California has said that they will be holding some exclusive new annual passholder events from mid-October, but sadly to begin with these will be by invite only. The first of these parties will include an exclusive evening showing of the Soundsational parade, showing off it's neat light effects not normally seen. Al Lutz has more details here, and there is more to the events than I have time to explain here, but if they are eventually opened up to other passholders, I can see that these will be a success (see Al's post as to my meaning about "if" here).

Over in Disneyland Paris, the opening weekend of Halloween has had it's schedule posted online, much to my joy (I go for two days this Saturday for the opening). It is really good to see some decent times for the two new shows, and some good times for the Villains meets, Jack and Sally, and the Tremaines.

Staying with Paris, and on the Magic Forum, user Poppy has posted some more info about the 20th anniversary Castle show, which I had speculated on previously. The character link here is that Mickey or Peter Pan may appear - but only one of them! Of course, nothing is confirmed yet.

DLP have also announced that there will be an exclusive preview of the new Princess Pavilion for annual passholders (Dream only) on the 5th and 6th of October between 10am and 1pm. If you're there be sure to check it out and let us know what you think!

Finally, our friend Drew posted on the WDWMagic Forum that on Saturday, for WDW's 40th anniversary, the cavalcade I had previously mentioned will be at 10am down Main Street USA, and will feature 60 characters. It will be followed by a speech by Meg Crofton, at CInderella Castle.

Ok, that's all for now,

Dan.

Hi all,

This week saw the official opening of Disney's Aulani resort in Hawaii. Mickey and Minnie were there in their Hawaiian finest of course, along with some of the top Disney executives. There are loads of posts on the Disney Parks Blog about it, so head over there to see one of the many videos and photos they have posted.

Speaking of Hawaii and Disney Cruise Line announced that it will be offering a second LA to Hawaii cruise late next year. This presents a really amazing opportunity for those lucky enough to be able to do it - you could start your trip in Disneyland, then sail on a Disney Cruise to Hawaii, then finish your stay at the new Aulani resort! Imagine the character fun to be had on a trip like that!  [ Read More... ]

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... ]

Hi all,

I have some big news regarding Disneyland Paris's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties that was revealed to me today!

A good friend of ours, who has good inside contacts has told me that for the first time since the parties began three years ago, they are having a complete change of the entertainment offerings for the four ticketed evenings.

Let us begin with what is being ditched. The Merlin Witch Academy show at Castle Courtyard has been dropped, the Cavalcade and the Winnie the Pooh show.

They have been, for the last three years, the key events of the evenings, apart from the character meets of course.

The other key event of the parties was a stage show, which this year is being replaced with a new unique finale show.

The Winnie the Pooh show is being replaced with a new 'Minnie's Pirate Halloween Party', a Minnie Mouse happening over at the new Peter Pan stage in Adventureland. She will wear a new Pirate outfit.

The biggest news of all is that the Merlin replacement will be a new happening with none other than Huey, Dewey and Louie!! Titled 'Huey, Dewey and Louie's Trick or Treat Party', this will be the first time in MANY years that the three nephews will appear for regular park guests.

Of course, before you all go rushing off checking the pages on this site, Jon and I have met Huey, Dewey and Louie a number of times in the last year at DLP, but these were always at exclusive special events that we were invited to, and not available to the public. I just thought I would clarify that point!

This is really exciting news for not just Disneyland Paris, but character fans, and I am pleased to be able to share it here exclusively first!

If and when I hear more details I will of course let you all know!

Dan.

Hi all,

Just some small updates for you this evening.

First off, over in California Halloween Season has gotten under way this weekend. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Chip and Dale have all began appearing in their seasonal costumes on Main Street, and the Villains have returned to the Small World Mall area. Over in DCA Duffy has donned a special pumpkin hat and sweater and his meet 'n' greet area has been given a neat seasonal overlay.

Loren should have a full photo update on the Character Central Forums by the end of the weekend, so look out for that one!

Across the country in Florida, and just one minor change to the characters at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party - Donald and Daisy have moved from the Adventureland Gazebo to near the Winnie the Pooh attraction in Fantasyland. I imagine this is due to the fact there is quite a high volume of characters in that one small area of Adventureland, and they needed spreading out more (others just in Adventureland include Tarzan, Jane and Terk, Rafiki, the Fairies, Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie, and Jack Sparrow; hence the need for the move).
You can check out the full 2011 MNSSHP Character line up here.

Over in Disneyland Paris the Princess Pavilion in Fantasyland is coming along really nicely, and is expected to officially open on October 8th. It will be the new permanent home of the Disney Princesses and is a new, extravagantly themed indoor location. It utilises the space formerly occupied by the Small World post show.

Finally, staying in Paris, but in the Studios, Push the Talking Trash Can has made a random, but much welcomed return this week. He has been spotted out and about on a few occasions. We don't know if this is permanent yet, but we hope it is.

Ok, that's all for now,

Dan.