| MiceChat Round Up | |
| Spring is officially here and brings with it renewal, beautiful new colors and smells. Area theme parks are celebrating Spring with new attractions and events and will see heavy crowds for both Easter weekend and the rest of March as area schools celebrate Spring Breaks.
Meanwhile, Knott’s Berry farm recently kicked off their world famous Boysenberry festival, Universal is almost ready to officially welcome Harry Potter to Hollywood, and Disneyland resort will unveil a new Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure for the month of April. So whether you have Spring Fever, are doing some Spring Cleaning (Goodbye winter sweaters) or ready for Spring Break to start ….. We have you covered on all the new activities coming to your favorite Theme parks! And best of all, tickets for the 10th anniversary MiceChat Gumball Rally are finally available! Quick Jump: All Things Disney | Videos & Podcasts | Special Offers | Column Roundup |
| This Weeks Top News |
Spring Break crowds arrive at Disneyland as the way is cleared for Star Wars
Spring break is here! The park is in bloom and packed as holiday crowds descend on the Resort, despite recently-increased ticket prices and numerous construction and refurbishment projects underway. In Disneyland, the early stages of Star Wars construction continues in the northern wilderness of Frontierland. Meanwhile, changes are afoot at Soarin’ Over California in Disney California Adventure as The Jungle Book moves into A Bug’s Land for a sneak preview.
| 10 Years of the MiceChat Gumball Rally! |
The legendary MiceChat Gumball Rally returns on May 14th. The Rally is a full day adventure through Disneyland to see how many attractions you can ride in a single day. Put together a team of 2 to 4 friends or family members and prove to the world that you are the biggest Disney nerd of them all!!!
- Compete in teams of 2, 3, or 4 people.
- You don’t have to be a trivia buff, ride warrior, or theme park nerd to play. The game is designed to put everyone on a level playing field.
- You can play at the speed that you like. Take it easy or tear through the park. It’s up to you.
- For one low price you get the game and Awards Party, complete with entertainment and prizes. (admission into the parks is NOT included)
- Prizes will be awarded for 1st – 10th place, Best Team Logo, Best Team Name, and Spirit of MiceChat Award. There are plenty of chances to win!
- Plus, while you are waiting for the results, we’ll present you with great entertainment and prizes!
- An all day race through Disneyland to see who can ride the most attractions in a single day . . . There is simply no better way to challenge yourself, what you think you know about Disneyland, and have a fantastic time with your family and friends (whether you win or not).
| All Things Disneyland |
This week we have some good news about the Matterhorn Bobsleds. We also have a couple of trip reports, one from Club 33! ~ Aladdin
Visiting the most crowded… I mean, the happiest place on Earth
After a year away DrFink takes another trip to the Magic Kingdom here in California, his honest review of the park has provided some discussion on how crowded the park can be.
Enjoy Club 33 if You Have the Chance but Don’t Regret if You are Not a Member
Royal Street expressed his concern and ultimate decision about Club 33, which has sparked a discussion on the future of Disneyland as a whole.
| All Things Walt Disney World |
Video TR: Orlando – October 2015
Director_Guy brings us a video trip report from Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World.
“Pirates of Color”: Diversity comes to Pirates of the Carribean
PhonyKingOfEngland reports that Disney has redone some of the animatronics in Pirates of the Caribbean.
| Off Shore Parks |
Check out the pictures posted by Shanghai Disneyland. ~ Trekkie Dad
New photos
Shanghai Disneyland has released a few photos in anticipation of this summer’s opening.
Tokyo Disneyland – 5 Year Anniversary of Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami
It’s been five years already? Our own Dustysage provides us with a link to a report from a reader who was at Tokyo Disneyland when the earthquake hit.
| Other Theme Parks & Destinations |
Cool Skull Island details revealed!
Universal Florida has released some new information about The Skull Island: Reign of Kong.
Former Knott’s CEO Terry Van Gorder Passes Away
Sad news as we learn that a former CEO of Knott’s Berry Farm has passed.
| Podcasts & Videos |
The MiceChat boys are FINALLY back with an all-new MiceChat Podcast, and it’s a fun one. Join Dusty and Doug as they dive deep into Star Wars Land, Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Shanghai Disneyland. All that glitters isn’t gold and the guys sure aren’t afraid to share their opinions. You’ll learn things you never knew you never knew in this epic podcast from MiceChat.com (Direct Download):
Our fearless leader is in the news! Did you know that Dusty Sage is saving the Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago? It’s true! He was featured on the Chicago morning news. Take a look, it’s really amazing!
Welcome to another exciting episode of the Disney Avenue Podcast. For our very first show of 2016, we are joined by R.J. and Suzanne Ogren who are two former Walt Disney World cast members. They are about to blow you away with some amazing stories from their incredible careers working at the vacation kingdom. R.J. painted Animatronic figures and “plussed” attractions. Suzanne drove monorails, marched in parades, and entertained as Sleepy the dwarf, among other things. Together, the Ogren’s brought their unique skills to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom during its formative years.
Mousetalgia! Mousetalgia reviews Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters in Dave and Becky’s latest trip report. Does Luigi’s character carry the day, or is this attraction too slow to impress? Other trip report topics include the amenities at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; the Disneyland Resort Egg-stravaganza; VIP seating for the Paint the Night Parade; and the benefits of Disneyland’s Signature Annual Passport. Also, Don Morin, creator of the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet, joins Mousetalgia to announce this year’s talent line up and describes what you might expect from a trip to Seattle this July to visit this convention made by Disney fans, for Disney fans. Stacia Martin, Bob Gurr and Marty Sklar will be joining the Mouse Meet this year, and the event provides fans a chance to get up close with these Disney celebrities. Plus – we announce the inaugural Mousetalgia Platinum Pen Award; Disney releases (and immediately sells out of) “Ghost Post” Haunted Mansion crates; Disney announces a new Indiana Jones film with Ford and Spielberg – and more!
The Sweep Spot: In this episode we take a virtual tour of Disneyland in the year 1996. We go through each land and discuss the attractions that were there during this time. Plus we talk about other events that took place at Disneyland during this time like The Main Street Electrical Parade, Festival of Fools, Lion King, and more. Plus we welcome Jerry Cornell from Theme Parkology to talk about his documentaries about Disneyland, and the latest in Disneyland’s current events.
| Column Round-Up |
Fab News: Maz-Berries-Chopper Base and Are You Ready to Rally?
One of the complaints about The Force Awakens that I heard from someone was: I could tell that Rey wasn’t talking to anyone. She was just staring into space when she took that lightsaber. Um, no. Lupita Nyong’o was right there! I love that we’re at the point where actors can actually act CGI characters, not just voice a fully animated character interacting with live actors. I think it makes all the difference, but there is a lot of contention about the subject. What do you think?
Plus, don’t miss these other featured MiceChat columns!
- Boysenberry Festival Blooms at Knotts Berry Farm
- Big Expansion at LEGOLAND Florida
- Happy World Monopoly Day
- Quench Your Need For Speed at Fun Spot Kissimmee
- Disney & Railroads – The Ward Kimball Connection Continues
- Yesterland: Magic Kingdom 1996 & 2016 Part 2: Frontierland & Liberty Square
- Fab News: Berry Fun, Star Wars and SeaWorld Splashdown
- Dateline Disney World: Nighttime Fun Approaches at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
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| The RoundUp Crew Thanks you! | |
| The MiceEars Crew puts a lot of time and effort into making the Disney News Round-Up happen. Our thanks to: Editor CakvalaSC and the MiceEars Crew: Aladdin, TrekkieDad, DLandFansAZ, RJH76 and Dustysage.If you have questions for Anthony our Editor or our MiceEars Disney News crew they can be e-mailed at: [email protected] If you love Disney Photos, follow him on Twitter @CakvalaSC | Flickr: flickr.com/photos/cakvalasc/ | Instagram: instagram.com/cakvala |