|
|
Hi all, It has been really quiet o nthe Disney Character news as late, but I have been searching around and have a few small items to share today. The Disney Parks Blog announced the dates for Star Wars Weekends next year. These events are always ridiculously popular, and are filled with some excellent Star Wars characters, as well as Disney Characters in Star Wars outfits. Dug and Russell are now meeting in Disney's Animal Kingdom, near the Flame Tree BBQ. I have also heard a rumour - and this really is jus tthat right now - that Dumbo may appear maybe in Aniaml Kingdom (although could be elsewhere) for the early part of next year while his ride relocates across the Magic Kingdom. This is certainly a viable rumour since they did the same thing back in 2005. Lastly for WDW, the Pooh characters are now meeting in Town Square, and not Fantasyland. Over in California, Loren has been keeping us up to date with all the happenings there. Be sure to check out last week's and this week's posts. The Disney Parks Blog also announced a brand new show coming to the Disney Fantasy, called Wishes. It looks pretty neat, so we look forward to hearing more about that one as it develops. Finally, don't forget to check out Part Five of my Grand Circle Tour of Disneyland Paris, which was about Frontierland. Of course, it features some of our favourite friends along the way! Jon and I are off to Disneyland Paris this weekend again, to check out the Christmas Season, and will be back at our desks Monday. Have a great weekend all! 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... ] |
|
|
|
Hi all,
This week sees some sad news from Disney's Animal Kingdom. Apparently due to the new character lunch at Tusker House, WDW feel it apparently necessary to cut a whole bunch of characters from the Park's meet 'n' greet line up. To be honest nothing actually surprises me with WDW any more, and this is just another sad change that will go unchecked.
Quite why they have to cut regular meet 'n' greet characters - especially popular ones such as Lilo and Stitch, when they are receiving money for the meals anyway, is quite baffling. Doesn't it already cost enough to get into Disney, without having to pay for a meal to meet characters? Shouldn't the cost of the meal cover that service? Why should regular meet 'n' greets suffer? Let us know your thoughts on this by replying to this article, below.
Over at the Magic Kingdom, our friend Drew has posted some rumoured characters for Pete's Silly Sideshow. We hope that there are no cutbacks there, and some of those mentioned indeed come true! Oswald would be particularly amazing!
At Disney's Hollywood Studios Jake has finally made his official debut at both the Play 'n' Dine and outside Disney Junior Live at a meet 'n' greet. Sadly, once again, in favour of this one new character, ALL the Little Einsteins have faced the axe! The only one left that I am aware of is June, who still meets at the Play 'n' Dine (which is of course a paying service...) Jake has also started greeting at Hollywood Pictures Backlot in Disney California Adventure. I am sure Loren will have all the updates form that next weekend!
Here in Europe at Disneyland Paris, artwork has been released showing what is expected to be some of the changes to the Once Upon a Dream Parade for the 20th anniversary. I had already posted on the blog back in the early summer that the Fairies would appear at the front, and Mickey and Friends would move to the back onto Princess 2, but this seems to now be confirmed.
It also looks like there could be some new characters in the parade, such as Mowgli and Mike Wazowski. The Mickey and Friends characters are expected to have new outfits, which are the same ones which have been used for all the 20th anniversary advertising so far. Hopefully that will translate into meet 'n' greet outfits too, as they look pretty cool!
Regarding next year and Halloween, I had mentioned before that Halloween may be facing some cuts next year due to the massive expediture on the new "Dreams" night time spectacular. The new brochure (which can be found here, and also has a lot of the new artwork in it) does indeed confirm the sad demise of Mickey's Halloween Parties, but leaves the Soirée in place. It does confirm however that ther ewill be a Halloween Season, filled with characters and Disney Villains. Hopefully that means at least the Fab 5 friends, Pooh (Fab 5 and Pooh in Halloween outfits that is) and Jack and Sally will continue to meet, as they have always done, as well as all the cool Villains.
Ok, that's all for now,
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, 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... ] |
|
 | Happy 40th Anniversary Walt Disney World! | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, September 30, 2011 10:34:50 PM |
|
|
Today is the Magic Kingdom's 40th Birthday, and so as a tribute, I have compiled a series of character pictures throughout the years, from the Magic Kingdom, in celebration of the big day.
Let us begin our magical tour on Main Street, USA... [ Read More... ] |
|
|
|
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, Yesterday the Disney Parks Twitter account very subtly announced that on October 1st - just 3 days away (and after much fan speculation) - there would be a character cavalcade, a sing along at the Castle and special merchandise "and more". This is the first and only time this has actually been announced in any official form, but finally ends the months of speculation that something might happen in the Magic Kingdom on that day. Sadly we can't be there, but will be watching the events unfold, and hope to bring you all the latest information when we have it. [ Read More... ] |
|
|
|
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... ] |
|