|
 |
Hello everyone,
First off, I would like to apologise for the lack of updates lately - especially since there has been so much character news! I really feel like we've failed the last couple of weeks in bringing you the latest news and rumours.
But, sadly, "real life" gets in the way, and we have indeed been very busy with some rather life changing adjustments.
Anyway, with that said and done, let's take a look at what we've missed, and also some actual news, too!
Over in Disneyland, the vote for the next Long Lost Friends concluded, as announced by the Disney Parks Blog, and yesterday (being Monday and the start of a new Limited Time Magic week) those beloved Disney pals returned to the Big Thunder Ranch at Disneyland Park.
The full line up is as follows:
- Merlin
- Hercules, Megara and Hades
- Pinocchio, Gepetto, Foulfellow, Gideon and Jiminy Cricket
- Meeko, Pocahontas, John Smith and Governor Radcliffe
- Snow White and Dopey
- Robin Hood, Prince John, Friar Tuck and the Sheriff of Nottingham
- Lilo and Stitch
- Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Mr Smee and Wendy
- Tarzan, Jane and Terk
- Brer Bear, Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit.
A lot of those made appearances last time, and some, as always, aren't rare at all, but overall it's a good mix. Definitely very cool to see Hades and Merlin greeting guests! They do not get out at all these days! All characters are on a rotational system, and subject to change or cancellation at any time.
Staying with California, but rewinding back to D23 which saw some really awesome character opportunities.
Debuting for the first time (as official Disney Characters at least, and not at Universal or elsewhere) were Iron Man, Spider-Man and Captain America.
Doc McStuffins also made her grand debut in her Disney Parks make-over look (Doc could already be seen, and still can in fact, in the Disney Junior Live! show, where she looks a little different...)
Other characters that were at the event included some Mickey and Friends, Phineas and Ferb, and I believe Agent P, but I don't have confirmation of him. Characters from ABC's Once Upon a Time also greeted fans, although this was not the first time they've been seen - they were also at the San Diego Comic-Con recently, too. I believe there were five characters - Emma, David, Regina, Mary-Margaret and Hook.
Of course, the highlight for the fans attending though was when Dreamfinder made a surprise limited appearance! This is the second time in recent history Dreamfinder has shown up (the other being at Destination D: Walt Disney World in 2011), and gives fans a glimmer of hope that someday he might return full time, perhaps once WDI figure out what to do with the current Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT.
Dreamfinder links us in nicely to Walt Disney World, where it has been confirmed that Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas will debut at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party this year (held at the Magic Kingdom). This will be their first ever regular appearance at the Florida Resort.
Other MNSSHP changes include Phineas and Ferb joining the dance crew on Main Street before the Boo To You Parade, and the Tomorrowland dance party being re-themed to Monsters University.
Friday the 13th of September will also be a spooktacular Halloween occasion, as Disney's Hollywood Studios will hold a special Limited Time Magic event for all regular park guest that day, 'Unleash the Villains'.
Originally perceived to be a dance party featuring the Disney Villains, there have been rumours that cool creeps such as Hades and Maleficent could show up for meet 'n' greets too! (Though, again, there is no actual confirmation of this, as far as I know)
They will also hold a special fireworks spectacular that night, 'Villainy in the Sky', as well as feature special merchandise just for the evening. The event will be held from 8pm to 1am. It's best to check the Limited Time Magic website nearer the time for more details.
Finally for WDW, and WDWMagic posted that they think the epically long running Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade will finally end right before Christmas. The parade is definitely being retired due to the fact that earlier this year Disney announced the Magic Kingdom would finally be getting the brand new Festival of Fantasy Parade.
Over in Disneyland Paris, the Dreams of Romance '2' float was taken out of the parade earlier this month, for a 2 month long re-imagining, ready for its (rumoured) October 1st debut featuring the brand new Frozen characters, Anna and Elsa! We'll be in DLP for a few days mid-October, so we really look forward to seeing them for the first time!
If you had been following our Facebook page and Twitter last week, you'd have seen that we launched the second in our Trip Planner series, this time for Hong Kong Disneyland! Covering practically every aspect of trip planning for the park, from flights, tickets, hotels, dining, shopping, FastPasses, local area information and much more, it really is an invaluable resource.
For those interested, our first one was for Tokyo Disney Resort, and covers similar information, but of course for Tokyo.
Ok, I think that's all for now. Have a great week everyone!
Dan. |
|
|
 |
Hello everyone,
There is breaking news today from the Disney Parks Blog. They just announced that Marvel's Captain America will appear starting in October aboard the re-imagined Disney Magic cruise ship!
He will feature at Marvel’s Avengers Academy in Disney’s Oceaneer Club, aboard the ship.
The really annoying thing about this is that the Oceaneer Club is just for kids. Regular guests are not normally allowed to go down there unless it's an open house (at which time things like the Marvel Academy would not normally be running).
The biggest thing we can take out of this is that, besides the expected appearances at D23 this week, this is the first official confirmation from Disney that any Marvel character will appear to regular guests on a Disney owned property.
I wonder how long it is now until we can expect them in the parks? Time will tell.
In other news, yesterday the Disney Parks Blog also announced that Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort is returning once again from 12th November through 6th January.
This will be a relief for anyone who has been hearing the strong rumours across the internet that Christmas this year would be very different, and would even perhaps have ticketed events for the bulk of the seasonal offerings, like at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
I was busy last week, and didn't get chance to post about the latest Long Lost Friends Week for Limited Time Magic.
Disneyland had a vote on the Disney Parks Blog (now closed), which featured pretty much the same characters as before, with a few more thrown into the mix.
From what I recall characters included the Robin Hood gang, Hunchback friends (still no Quasimodo though), the Three Good Fairies, Merlin (he was a new one), Flik and Atta (Atta was also a new option), and Chicken Little (Abby wasn't listed, oddly enough, even though she was for WDW).
There is no official date for this event yet, but it is expected by most to be in the next two weeks.
Disneyland Paris fans have been hearing rumours across the internet for a few weeks now that Jack Sparrow would be setting sail from the parks after a long running stint there, in October this year. Pirate fans need not despair though as rumour has it that Jake from the Neverland Pirates will start appearing, as well as Sofia the First, over at Walt Disney Studios around the same time Jack goes away.
It'll be nice to get some new characters at the park. The last new characters from any new movie or TV show that DLP got were Rapunzel and Flynn.
Staying with DLP, and Timon has decided to sport his new look in DLP as of yesterday. This now brings him in line with the other parks.
Finally, although we (sadly) aren't attending, D23 takes place this week and is expected to star some brand new characters. We'll of course keep you all posted.
Ok, I think that's all for now,
Dan. |
|
 | Merry Christmas in July! | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, July 25, 2013 12:41:01 PM |
|
 |
| Today is the 25th July, which means it is just 5 months until the big day! Christmas in July is something which is celebrated unofficially in some parts of the southern hemisphere, because that's when their winter is. Although Christmas for those places is still in December, some people feel that summertime doesn't feel right. The earliest know mention of Christmas in July was in an 1892 French opera. In 1933, a girls summer camp in North Carolina held a big Christmas celebration in July, complete with presents and a tree! The rest, as they say, is history!
|
|
 | Christmas in July (and December too!) | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, July 23, 2013 1:45:15 PM |
|
 |
Hello everyone,
Today we have a distinctly Christmas theme for you!
The other day the Disney Parks Blog announced details of some very special Christmas happenings aboard the Disney Cruise Line this year.
Character activities announced include meet 'n' greets with Santa Claus, King Triton’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Deck the Deck Holiday Party!
It all sounds like a ton of fun! Along with the decorations, seasonal food and other entertainment, plus a decked-out Castaway Cay, this Christmas season is set to be truly amazing aboard Disney Cruise Line!
We've only ever done one Disney Cruise in February 2012. We really enjoyed it, and definitely want to return someday to do a Christmas one!
Although none of this is 'new' news as such, I hadn't yet reported on the Christmas offerings that have been announced for the US Parks this year.
We were away for the entirety of May on the big trip, and so I couldn't report on many of the official releases. I am just now finally getting around to catching up!
Anyway, the Walt Disney World Resort website now lists the return of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, which runs on select dates from November to December, Holidays Around the World at EPCOT, the Osbourne Lights at Hollywood Studios and the Jingle Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom.
What's interesting is that it was strongly rumoured that Jammin' Jungle would end this Autumn at some point, so the fact that Jingle Jungle is back disproves this. Also, the Osbourne Lights are sadly rumoured to be featuring for their final year, although Disney have not said this officially.
Although not character based, the Osbourne LIghts are undoubtedly the most spectacular Christmas enchantment you'll ever experience at WDW. They are simply stunning, and I know that everyone would be deeply saddened if they were to go away.
The Disneyland Resort website has its Christmas page up now, too, and like with WDW, there were rumours of some major changes (for the worse) this year, but so far everything appears as normal. Character greetings, the Christmas parade, Christmas fireworks and more are all listed on the dedicated Christmas page. This makes us very happy as Christmas at the Disneyland Resort last year, for us, was one of the best things we've ever done there. It's a beautiful time of year, with so much on offer. We'd have been so sad of they removed everything they were rumoured to!
Finally, this weeks Limited Time Magic at the US Parks is Christmas in July. No character greetings are being offered sadly, but they do have some special sweet treats, and ear hat ornaments.
Anyway, I think that's everything for now.
Dan. |
|
|
 |
| Hello everyone,
Today the Disney Parks Blog announced that for Halloween Season this year aboard all ships sailing between late September and the end of October would feature Halloween costume parties with the Disney characters, as well as other small entertainment and food offerings. On the Disney Dream though, they seem to be going a bit further, and for the first time there will be a special programme of entertainment specifically for that ship, which includes a full deck party/show titled 'Mickey's Calling All the Monsters Mouse-Querade Deck Party', greetings with Jack and Sally, and Halloween storytelling with a "mysterious Sea Captain" (I wonder if Captain Hook will show up?...). The whole event will be called Halloween on the High Seas.
The Blog promised that an announcement about Christmas on the ships would come tomorrow - we look forward to hearing what new things they'll be offering!
Staying with Halloween, and French forum ameworld posted what appears to be an official statement from Disney regarding Halloween this year, though Disney themselves haven't released anything yet. The news is that the Castle Stage show Mickey's Halloween Treat in the Street will not return for a third year, but instead we will see a brand new Halloween cavalcade that will feature Mickey and friends, including Huey, Dewey, Louie, Scrooge McDuck and for what is believed to be the first time ever at DLP, Clarabelle Cow! All other regular Halloween elements are expected to return, such as meeting the Disney characters in special costumes including a brand new location for Minnie, and the return of Bon Bon Goofy in Town Square, greetings with the ever popular Disney Villains, Jack and Sally in Frontierland, and all the cool decorations that usually feature throughout the park. Disney's Halloween Party will also feature on 31st October, as it always does. Jon and I will be at DLP for Halloween Season again this year and cannot wait to see the new cavalcade!
Finally, today is Disneyland in California's 58th Birthday, and so if you're going to be there, or thinking about going, you should know that there will be "something special" happening Town Square at 2.30pm Pacific Standard Time this afternoon! In the past these celebrations have usually involved a rededication of sorts, and a vast number of random Disney characters appearing for a brief time (flashmob style).
Ok, I think that's everything for now. I'll try to make an update tomorrow when we hear from Disney about the winter Cruise offerings.
Dan. |
|
 | Happy 58th Birthday Disneyland! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 11:51:59 AM |
|
 |
Hello everyone,
Today (17th July) is the 58th anniversary of the grand opening of the original Disney theme park, Disneyland in Anaheim, California!
For a change, for my photo tribute, I thought I'd share with you non-character pictures. Let's celebrate and enjoy the beauty of the park itself!
Happy 58th Birthday Disneyland!
Dan. |
|
 | Happy Anniversary, Walt and Lillian | |
| DisneyDan
Saturday, July 13, 2013 9:50:19 AM |
|
 |
On this day, 13th July 1925, Walt Disney married Lillian Bounds in Idaho.
They were married for 41 years, until Walt died in 1966. They have two children together, Sharon and Diane.
Walt and Lillian met while she worked for his animation studio as an ink and paint artist. She is credited with having given Mickey Mouse his name.
These photos of Walt and Lillian are on display at Lilly's Boutique on Main Street USA at Disneyland Paris.
Dan. |
|
|
 |
Hello everyone,
There really hasn't been a lot of news surrounding Disney Characters for some time, but finally today, I have a few small things to tell you.
In the last couple of weeks Sofia the First from the Disney Channel show of the same name has began making regular appearances at Disney California Adventure. I don't think she has started appearing in WDW yet, but I could be wrong. I haven't seen anything saying she has.
In a random piece of "news", Disney's ever popular Vinylmation series released a new Beauty and the Beast set. The chaser was Beast in human form. Now, as some of you may be aware the fan community usually refer, unofficially, to him as Prince Adam. This stems from a really old, rather random, PC-CD ROM trivia game that mentioned his name. Well, guess what? Some 20 years later and the bottom of the new Vinyl says the character's name is Prince Adam! I guess we can now all breathe a sigh of relief and live content in the knowledge that he is indeed Prince Adam!
Of course the biggest news is the latest Limited Time Magic offerings.
Disneyland doesn't really have anything exciting lined up. More of the Dapper Dans singing out-of-character songs, and musicians on the side of the Matterhorn.
Over in WDW though they have had a few interesting weeks, with more lined up.
The 4th July celebrations saw Mickey and Friends appear at EPCOT and some WDW Resort Hotels in patriotic costumes. Sadly we weren't there, but it looked like fun.
Then, this week Mickey and friends have been rocking out the America Gardens Theater in an energetic show featuring hip-hop, acrobatics and more.
Then there is the latest news... The next Long Lost Friends Week vote is in, and dates are revealed!
From 15th July through the 21st, guests can meet the following at the Magic Kingdom:
- Louis and Dr Faciilier
- Chicken Little and Abby Mallard
- Robin Hood and Friends
- and Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox.
What is interesting is that on the official Disney Parks Blog they fail to mention Br'er Rabbit, or Louis and Facilier, yet they are mentioned on the in the blurb on the Limited Time Magic page.
Hopefully all four sets will turn up, and there aren't any oddities.
Anyway, that is everything for today. If I hear anything else, I'll be sure to post it, as always.
Have a great weekend,
Dan. |
|
 | Happy 4th of July! | |
| PeterPanFan
Thursday, July 4, 2013 11:55:11 AM |
|
 |
| Today is the day that the United States of America celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 making it a free nation. On this most patriotic of US holidays we will celebrate with a Disney Character picture cavalcade celebrating both America's birthday as well as her history and the diversity of her people.
|
|
 | A Salute to SpectroMagic | |
| PeterPanFan
Tuesday, July 2, 2013 2:41:23 PM |
|
 |
| Various online sources are reporting that many of the SpectroMagic floats have been destroyed (Think it was first reported on WDWMagic here). When the Main Street Electrical Parade returned to the Magic Kingdom (originally as a special summer promotion) it was rumored that SpectroMagic would be receiving a large refurb and would be returning. Sadly this never happened and MSEP just stayed in Florida.
While Spectro was an old parade and was definitely in need of updates and improvements, it is still sad to hear that it will never return. Especially since it wasn't replaced by something newer and better. While MSEP is a classic and is a much beloved parade, it too is decades old and it pales in comparison to Dreamlights in Tokyo Disneyland.
With Hong Kong Disneyland (and apparently Disneyland) working on a new nighttime parade there is a big question about what will happen in WDW. Will they just run MSEP into the ground and then retire it without a replacement or will they join the bandwagon and begin working on a new nighttime parade?
I have loved the nighttime parades since I was a child and seeing them is always a must; however, after seeing Dreamlights it is obvious both MSEP and SpectoMagic were very outdated. While I am sad to see the demise of Spectro, I will hope that the popularity of the nighttime "light" parades means that eventually even the Magic Kingdom will get a new one (They are FINALLY getting a new day parade... is it too much to hope that they might eventually get a new night parade as well?). Personally I would love to see a new and improved version of SpectroMagic using new technology and the same (or slightly updated) soundtrack ... basically a "SpectroMagic Dreamlights"; however, if they wanted to do something completely new that wouldn't be bad either :)
Since it seems like SpectroMagic is truly gone now, we will have a picture tribute to the late, great SpectroMagic parade (you can find MANY more pictures on our SpectroMagic page)
"On this magic night, A million stars will play beside us, A special spell of light, Glimmering, shimmering, carousel-ling 'Round the world tonight, A symphony in SpectroMagic. Pure enchantment lights our way!" |
|