Hi all! This is a live update from Los Angeles International Airport!
So we had an awesome few days at the Disneyland Resort in California and are now on our way to Tokyo Disneyland. We will be in the parks in approximately 26 hours from now. We will try to update via twitter, facebook and this blog when possible, so be sure to check later in the week for more updates.

When we return we shall of course have lots of information to share including trip reports, and will have course thousands of new pictures! We shall endeavor to add all new characters and locations to the site as soon as possible.

Ok that's all for now, we have to board our plane in just ten minutes!

Dan :)

Hot off the press are some cool posters for the Halloween Season at Disneyland Paris. Following on from last months press release posters, as posted on the magicforum by user Donald-Duck-Malta, this week's were posted by dlrpexpress here, and have received quite a welcome from fans. Showing for the first time a very interesting pumpkin Mike Wazowki, and some of the other Disney Villains, including Dr. Facilier, who makes his debut at Disneyland Paris this Halloween.

Over the past couple of weeks since information has been being released about the Halloween Season, there has been some concern that Maleficent has been replaced this year at DLP by Facilier. Although slightly disappointing, I think that it is a welcome change, and although Maleficent truly is the best Disney Villain, showcasing new Characters in the parks is always a good thing. Dr. Facilier also brings a cavalcade of other new things to DLP this autumn, starting with a brand new Halloween parade float. Although little details are known, it is thought to resemble a boat on the swamps of the Deep South. The float will now appear at the end of the Once Upon a Dream Parade, and not at the start as the Halloween floats normally do. It is also thought that Cruella will get her own car in the parade - maybe the one she used to use over at the Walt Disney Studios in previous years? Facilier will also feature in a brand new Halloween show on the hub, and also a meet 'n' greet character in Town Square (subject to change). With the return of some old favourites too, Halloween looks set to be awesome once again this year.

Staying with DLP, DLP.info has posted a couple more blog posts regarding Toy Story Playland. It is revealed that there will be a talking Rex scale model, much like the Buzz and Toy Soldier ones seen elsewhere in the land. As with the others he will make comments to passing guests, and will also provide some interactive commentary for the Slinky Dog Spin. In a number of the pictures it would appear a previously unmentioned retail space is also going in, albeit very small.

Toy Story Playland officially opens on the 17th August 2010 at Disneyland Paris. Be sure to check it out!

Finally, Jon and I are off from tomorrow on our grand adventures around the world, visiting both Disneyland Resort in California, and Tokyo Disney Resort! We shall try to make some blog posts while away and be rest assured there will be a lot to talk about when we return! As a reminder, as previously promised I will also be making new posts regarding meet and greet tips and info as part of my article series. So be sure to check them out too (most likely to be posted after our return).

Dan :)

Today DLP.info have completed their photographic tour of the new Toy Story Playland at Disneyland Paris with pictures of RC Racer. Once again, this looks amazingly detailed, clean and fresh. The queue area is by far the best part of the new Playland, being an actual Scalectrix style track for the pathway, with scenery to match.

Over at Walt Disney World, the new Italian restaurant, Via Napoli, opened officially today at the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT. Some pictures appear on the Stitch Kingdom Blog here. To see the full sized images, click on them. Notice the cool Mickey and Minnie Italian outfits! You can also read about it on the official Disney Parks Blog.

Toy Story Playland officially opens on the 17th August 2010 at Disneyland Paris.

Be sure to check it out!

Dan :)

Be sure to catch all the latest news about our relaunched blog page on my earlier post here.

Once again, in the run up to the grand opening of Toy Story Playland at Disneyland Paris, DLP.info has provided some great new pictures of the new area, this time focusing more on the Slinky Dog Spin.

Again, following on from what I said previously (here and here), the new land looks amazingly detailed, fresh and crisp. We look forward to seeing it soon!

Apparently, there are some Annual Passport Dream previews this coming week, as well as cast previews. Rumour also has it that there may be some other random opening times in normal park hours to give it a test run. Of course these are not guaranteed and it is just luck whether you are there when that happens.

Toy Story Playland officially opens on the 17th August 2010 at Disneyland Paris.

Be sure to check it out!

Dan :)

Be sure to catch all the latest news about our relaunched blog page on my earlier post here.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank a good friend of ours, who helps us in our character hunting at Disneyland Paris.

Hilde Heyvaert has allowed Character Central to use some of her images to fill in some gaps with character outfits and locations that we had.

So far Hilde has allowed us to give Mickey and Minnie Irish outfits, has written the information for the Flying Madmen, and provided Donald and Minnie with a location at the Santa Fe, as well as a Santa Fe costume for Minnie.

In the future we will be continuing to work with our friends, including a close friend in California, to offer more great content, so be sure to check it out!

Dan :)

Be sure to catch all the latest news about our relaunched blog page on my earlier post here.

Hi all,

Today see the launch of our new look blog here at Character Central!

Over the past eight months the site has come along amazingly, with many, many new characters, locations, shows, parades and more. The thing that has pretty much stayed the same though was the blog. Lately we have been making a lot more frequent posts, and updating our fans a lot more regularly, so we decided that it was about time the blog got a new look!

When on the main blog page you can now see a list of the most recent entries without having to scroll down; longer posts are now "cut" to make the main blog page shorter (to see a longer entry you click to read more); there is now a links box to some of the other Disney web blogs; and there is also a box with the 5 most recent pictures from each of Jon and I's Flickr photostreams, showing the latest Disney pictures. Also now when you click actually into a blog entry, to see the longer version, all the sidebars remain in place (they used to disappear before).  [ Read More... ]

This is the second in a series of articles I am writing about the Character Meet and Greet Experience. The first can be read here.

Along with being asked how we get to meet such a vast amount of characters, the next biggest thing we get asked by anybody is how do we get such fun pictures with them? Why does it look like we're really having a blast? Well, usually, we are! Your experience doesn't have to be just standing for a picture with them.

This article is aimed at getting you the most out of your character meeting experience. Ultimately it comes down to how interested you are in actually interacting with the characters. You may just want your photo and be done, which is fine, but for those of you like Jon and I, you will probably find this article very useful. Tips for actual photography of characters will be my next article.  [ Read More... ]

Today DLP.info updated their blog again, and have some more really neat shots of the new Toy Story Playland.

The latest one goes into more detail about the Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop attraction, and takes you on a photographic journey through it's queue area.

I also learned from their blog, that the large Buzz Lightyear that is to stand at the entrance to TS Playland - the one that speaks - is to have a seasonal set of phrases that he greets guests with, at Christmastime! I thought that was a neat touch.

Toy Story Playland opens on the 17th August 2010 at Disneyland Paris.

Be sure to check it out!

Dan :)

Today, DLP.info posted an entry revealing some really nice images from inside the new Toy Story Playland at Walt Disney Studios, Disneyland Paris.

When you click the larger size images, you are treated to some really fantastic details. It far exceeds any of my previous expectations for the new sub-land, and I really am looking forward to seeing it in person!

From the K-NEX fences, the Domino wall, and the giant PIXAR ball, everything just looks fresh, new, colourful, and superbly themed.

Toy Story Playland opens on the 17th August 2010 at Disneyland Paris.

Be sure to check it out!

Dan :)

This morning I learned that starting August 9th, the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade will be changed once again. This time they are removing half of the horrible Princess float, and will now only feature the Fairy Godmother and Cinderella section. Ariel and Belle's floats will be removed.

In addition to this, Ariel and Eric, Belle and Beast, and Tiana and Naveen will move to the now archaic Crystal Castle float, replacing the Fab 5 friends that are currently there. The other characters that are normally associated with the Castle float (on or around), will be moving to in front of Mickey's float at the start of the parade. Aurora and Phillip still will not be joining the parade, and remain the only couple never to be given a permanent feature in it (Snow White and the Prince are on the Pinocchio float).

There is some rumours suggesting that the princes will not be joining Ariel, Belle and Tiana on the Castle float, but I guess we'll wait and see. Baloo and Louie are being replaced by the Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit, and these will walk in front of the Peter / Alice float. There will still be no villains float.

The Los Angeles Times had an article talking a bit more about the new Disneyland Parade that I announced here last week. They do not really tell you any more than you can figure out yourself, but it is interesting reading.

As a recap, I also announced earlier this week that Belle would be axed from her storytelling spot, and being replaced by Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in a new "play and greet". There had initially been a suggestion that the main new villain would be coming too, but latest news and rumours do not seem to support this. Belle leaves August 12th, Rapunzel and Flynn arrive on 15th October.

I have also started a new blog series giving hints and tips about meeting Disney Characters. The first part can be read here. More to follow this week.

Finally, don't forget that this week is the very last week that you can catch the Power Ranger on the Streets of America at Hollywood Studios before they leave to save the world one last time. You last day is August 7th. The Good Time Gatherings Spot featuring all your favourite woodland pals also ends it's summer run this day too, likely to return at Christmas again.

Ok, that's it for now! Have a magical day,

Dan :)