Welcome one and all to a Disneyland edition of In the Parks!  We have plenty for you to see and more than enough for you to read about as we bring you the latest highlights of news from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.  Momentum is building as the Disneyland 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee approaches.  In less than a month we should be riding the newly refurbished Matterhorn Bobsleds complete with a new Yeti.  We will be taking a fantastic new ride through a fully refurbished Peter Pan’s Flight as well as enhancements to several other Fantasyland dark rides.  We will be experiencing a new exhibit about Disneyland’s 60 years inside the recently closed Innoventions building.  We will also be enjoying a fully digital flight through the refurbished Soarin Over California, getting back into the Mad T Party, and finally meeting the infamous Hatbox Ghost inside Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. Plus, new fireworks, night time parade, and a completely new World of Color.   Today we take you through the various projects from the week and talk about the progress being made.  We also drop in to look at the new preview of Brad Bird’s Tomorrowland film in the Magic Eye Theater.  Let’s get moving folks.

Don’t miss the 2015 Micechat Gumball Rally, rolling your way on May 2nd. The Gumball Rally is a competition to see who can ride the most attractions at Disneyland in a single day. It’s the most fun you’ll have in the parks all year. This is your last chance to join the fun! For TICKETS and Information click HERE now.

Main Street U.S.A.

We begin today’s update with a trip through Town Square in Main Street U.S.A.  Here we see that they have switched out the plantings in front of the Opera House.  While different, the colors still honor the Ice Queens exhibit going on inside.

Sure to be a popular spot for parade viewing this summer, the Palm Parlor Porch in honor of Imagineer Rolly Krump is getting some attention.

Sleeping Beauty Castle

The centerpiece for the upcoming diamond celebration appears to be nearly complete and seems to have turned out rather nicely.

Tomorrowland Sneak Peek

If you get a chance, go see the review of Brad Bird’s upcoming film Tomorrowland.  While not in 3D, the clip gives Disneyland fans a glimpse of how Disneyland’s it’s a small world plays into the movie as a World’s Fair location.

 

Across the way, in a small section of what WAS the Starcade, there are props and costumes from the film on display.

Refurb Round Up

There is quite a bit of refurbishment happening throughout the park as Disneyland preps for the big summer celebrations.  Some things are basic fixer uppers, some are plussing-ups, some are mystery projects.

 Peter Pan’s Flight

The classic Peter Pan’s Flight is down for refurbishment as Imagineers bring a “re-imagined” nursery scene to the opening of the beloved attraction, as well as various enhancements and new effects throughout the ride. You thought the lines were long before? Just wait until one million passholders try to get in line for their favorite dark ride! Everything old is new again folks. Sort of exciting.

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

The exterior refurbishment of Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is still shrouded behind trompe-l’œil murals.  The good news is that the attraction is still open during the refurb.

Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters

The same goes for Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters, as scaffolds encase the exterior of the attraction, the interior is still open to guests.

Innoventions

We next look at Innoventions.  Once again behind walls, this attraction is down while they imagineer a new attraction, rumored to be a 60th anniversary museum.

Matterhorn Bobsleds

The big white mountain is getting a new version of its resident monster installed and will reopen May 16th, barring any unforeseen occurrence.

It’s hard to tell if the seats got new padding or not. Let’s hope so, as these new sleds are PAINFUL. Some seat cushioning (as they did with Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain trains) would go a long way toward making this a more comfortable experience.

 

 

 

Refurbs and Projects

Frozen Fun is ending on May 15th. The Mad T Party is returning, and the sing-a-long is remaining for now.

The Freeze the Night party never took off like it should have and, consequently, is already behind walls.  They can’t apply the Mad T Maroon fast enough.

Grizzly Peak Airfield

In contrast, the Grizzly Peak Airfield area looks to be landing nicely.  Just look at all of the trees and new surface treatments being installed.  This is what it looks like when Disney does something right.

Luigi’s

Still no real progress can be seen over at Luigi’s, the former location of the infamous Flying Tires attraction. The new ride will feature trackless vehicles that will dance and spin around in the same area that the tires once floated about.

 

Thanks for joining us today folks. Let us know your comments below. What would you do in place of Freeze The Night/Mad Tea Party? Are you getting excited for the 60th?

We’ll see you again next week.

 

 

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