It’s August 1st and the dog days of summer are upon us. Disneyland’s attention is turning to the fall season and the huge crowds which descend upon the Resort with one-two punch of Halloween and Christmas. Disneyland’s busiest days are yet to come. The 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration is about to wrap up its year and a half run, but as one door closes, another is ready to open. All that blue and silver bunting will soon be gone, so too will Season of the Force. . . and, sadly, a beloved attraction is about to drop out of existence. But, just around the river bend and behind a pile of dirt is the future . . . which happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
We’ll lead off today with a short editorial about the retheming of Tower of Terror. There’s a lot of passion out there about this project which deserves addressing. Then I’ll move on to a more traditional, and less opinionated, photo update from the parks.
Your rooms are ready . . . right this way . . .
Tower of Controversy |
Disney made our rumors about Tower of Terror official during San Diego Comic Con. The beloved ride will be transformed into “Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!“. They even released a video of famed Imagineer, Joe Rohde, talking about the project. But a quick look at the comments on that video, or on any article about the retheming, is filled with harsh comments and anger. It’s clear that this particular project hasn’t been fully embraced by local Disney fans. And since the Anaheim parks rely so heavily on a local crowd, we hope Disney is listening and coming up with a better PR plan than their initial release.
Tower of Terror is a massive structure seen from all over California Adventure. This view is about to change.
The official concept art takes a creepy looking tower and makes it even more foreboding.
Joe Rohde describes the new attraction:
Deep inside his fortress-like collection, the mysterious Taneleer Tivan (aka The Collector) is displaying his newest acquisitions, the Guardians of the Galaxy. They are trapped in customized display cases, suspended over a vast abyss. Unbeknownst to their unscrupulous captor, the intrepid Rocket has escaped and is enlisting the Collector’s VIP guests for help. Guests board a gantry lift, which launches them into a chaotic and hilarious adventure as they join Rocket in an attempt to break his fellow Guardians out of captivity.
And here’s the video where Joe attempts to describe how the attraction will look: “The setting is a sort of a warehouse, fortress, powerplant . . . “.
Hmmm. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a warehouse/fortress/powerplant before. They may be stretching there. The rest of the concept actually sounds like a lot of fun. But that’s not what seems to have the fans upset. Few are arguing that Disney shouldn’t build a Guardians of the Galaxy ride. The concerns come more from the further loss of California theme in California Adventure, a park which recently spent billions to build a Buena Vista Street, put in a Red Car Trolley, and reinforce the theme of California’s golden age. The last year has seen the loss of Soarin’ over California and soon the Hollywood Tower Hotel as well. There’s fewer and fewer things left in California Adventure that have much to do with “California.” Perhaps it’s time for Disney to drop the handcuffs and rename this park. But that still doesn’t explain how “Mission: BREAKOUT!” fits into the theme of Hollywood and the adjacent Hyperion Theater. If Disney were to further explain the upcoming Marvel Land plans, and the Tower’s placement in that plan, it might help cool some of the concerns. Though, most of you would probably be a lot happier if they kept Tower of Terror and built a brand new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction elsewhere in the park.
Personally, I’m not worried about the story or ride experience for the new Guardians ride. This is Disney Imagineering’s “A Team” working on this ride. I have no doubt that it’s going to be fantastic. However, I do worry about theme and consistency. Not every ride is right for every park. It’s not unheard of for Disney parks to plug in attractions which don’t quite fit the theme of the land they are placed in, but that’s less a problem for parks with an otherwise stronger sense of theme and setting than California Adventure. In short, I’m cautiously optimistic about the ride, but disappointed in what it may do to the theme of Hollywood Land and the park at large.
But what’s more important is what you think. I’m just one guy. Whether or not I buy a ticket doesn’t budge the needle. MiceChat represents millions of theme park travelers, we really want to know how YOU feel. Is Disney being a good steward of California Adventure? Are they making the kinds of changes which will motivate your family to buy tickets and book a trip out to Anaheim? Let’s hear from you.
Disneyland |
On to a Happier Place
The 60th Anniversary celebration is about to come to a close at long last. What was beautiful a year and a half ago is starting to outlive its welcome, especially since Disneyland is now 61 years old. We loved the bling and new spectaculars tied to the Diamond Anniversary, but it’s time for Disneyland to fall back into its regular routine. Much like the popular 50th anniversary before it, we hope Disney will keep and retool the best of the offerings and say farewell to the rest. What do you hope will stick around from the 60th?
Nothing new here, but I love stopping by Disneyana on Main Street. Here are a few things that caught my eye.
And, of course, a couple items soon headed to the discount bin. . .
I also popped into the Candy Palace on Main Street looking for the fancy new popcorn flavors I’d heard about. In addition to the standard caramel, kettle corn and cheddar flavors you can always get, they have some fun new flavors which are supposed to be available.
I was beginning to think that perhaps I was just remembering things wrong. More about that a bit later in our update . . .
One of the remarkable things about Disneyland is how musical it is. On Main Street alone, you’ll find small bands, barbershop quartet (the Dapper Dan’s), the Disneyland marching band, Ragtime piano at Coke Corner and all sorts of other musical things.
I really like how they’ve brought Center Street back to life. With a bit of Flower Market decorations, fruit cart, and caricature artists, this little corner of Main Street really feels functional and vibrant.
Buzz off . . . On July 27th, a bee colony tried to make its home on Main Street USA. Disney quickly closed the street and had guests use the backstage walkways. As you can see from the photos posted to Reddit by Pezto, a beekeeper was dispatched to clear out the intruders.
It just goes to show you . . . it’s tough to be a bug.
Music Returns to Tomorrowland
Live music is returning to the Tomorrowland Terrace stage Friday through Sunday beginning August 6th. Bands scheduled are 80z All Stars, Scot Bruce, Suburban Legends and others. The popular Jedi Training Academy should remain around during the day.
Meanwhile, Season of the Force is likely wrapping up soon. Disney has twice extended the campaign, but has announced a return of Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy for Halloween 2016. However even if Season of the Force does end, it was so popular, we’d really like to see it return and updated in January of 2017. Would you like to see a return or expansion?
While some signage may change when Season of the Force departs, we don’t expect Launch Bay to go away. And it’s a pretty good bet that we’ll soon see a Rogue One trailer in the Path of the Jedi theater. And while Hyperspace Mountain will soon be giving way to Ghost Galaxy, we’d love to see it return after Halloween. Hyperspace Mountain is just too popular for it to make the jump for good.
While we love the Star Wars menu at Tomorrowland Terrace (Galactic Grill), we wouldn’t be sad to lose this.
But we would miss these guys. They should stick around. Right? At the very least to pull folks into the Launch Bay.
There’s also a new Star Wars The Force Awakens Vinylmation series which you can now find at StarTraders. Apparently, Vinylmation is not dead after all. But you do see much less of it around the parks these days.
Coming soon to a screen near you . . . and therefore to shops everywhere . . . Rogue One
If I was a girl, I’d wear an R2D2 dress every day. (you only think I’m kidding)
I’m slowly becoming obsessed, the Tsum Tsum craze is for good reason. These cute little plush characters are completely and totally adorable!!!
We’ll see more Tsum Tsum in just a bit . . .
Fantasyland Tsum Tsums – Be Still My Heart
Brand new Tsum Tsum’s inspired by classic Fantasyland attractions such as “it’s a small world”, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Mad Tea Party and the King Arthur Carousel have arrived. I found these impossibly cute little fellows at the Gag Factory in Toontown.
And there was more good news from this store:
Apparently, we should be able to find: Maple Bacon, Sriracha Kettle Corn, Parmesan Garlic, Kettle Corn with Red Alaea Salt, Truffle, and Churro. You had me at bacon. . .
Disneyland Pin Quest Challenge
For you pin nerds, Disneyland is hosting a game which requires you to buy $10 pins in order to solve a puzzle and receive a special completer pin. The game begins August 4th. All the major pin locations are participating (20th Century Music Company, “it’s a small world” Toy Shop, Pooh Corner, Little Green Men Store Command & The Pieces of Eight Shop). However, if you don’t want to play the game and just want the full pin set, you can do that too, if you visit the Westward Ho Trading Co. in Frontierland. That’s always my pin stop. The ladies there are awesome and the store is rarely packed. But it won’t be cheap folks:
- Adventure Kit – $14.99
- Clue Cards – $9.99 (each)
- Completer Pin (Once you have completed the entire Disneyland PinQuest) – $4.99
With the Trains and river attractions set to reopen next year, we stopped by the New Orleans Train Station to take a gander at the old girl up close. They have the steam engine boiler that Walt Built on display along with some great props and photos. If you haven’t taken the time to explore the Main Street and New Orleans Train Stations, try to do so before they begin regular operation again next summer. There’s a lot of great information for you to learn.
All work and no play makes Dusty a dull boy. So, let’s do what you’re supposed to do at Disneyland and take a ride. . . what about the Jungle Cruise? The line is just 15 minutes and getting out of the sun for a bit should keep me going through the end of the update. Let’s go!
Big Thunder Rocks!
It’s also a great spot to view the Star Wars construction . . .
Disneyland Railroad and All Rivers of America Attractions to Reopen Summer 2017
All of the classic attractions along the Rivers of America are scheduled to reopen next summer, including “Fantasmic!”, Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia, Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, and the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. To prepare, the entire island seems to be under refurbishment right now.
Just around the river bend . . . we see more traces of Star Wars construction . . .
But that’s not the exciting stuff. . .
Star Wars Land Construction
This project seems to be picking up steam. Every visit we notice big changes.
Some close-ups:
Disney California Adventure |
If you are a Disney California Adventure fan, this summer has been a dream. This little park has not been crowded on most days. While we found Disneyland to be moderately crowded on Saturday, DCA was easy and uncrowded.
I really want to like Pete’s Dragon. I have such strong memories of the original, though it always made me sad. Who can forget Helen Reddy’s “Candle on the Water”?! The previews I’ve seen for the new film make it look more like Jungle Book or Tarzan than the Pete’s Dragon I remember. But I’m still going to go see it.
Here’s the public trailer (not the long one at DCA).
Sorry, I can’t let go of the schmaltz. Here’s a couple refrains from Candle On The Water:
A cold and friendless tide has found you. Don’t let the stormy darkness pull you down. I’ll paint a ray of hope around you. Circling in the air, lighted by a prayer.
I’ll be your candle on the water. This flame inside of me will grow. Keep holding on, you’ll make it. Here’s my hand, so take it. Look for me reaching out to show. As sure as rivers flow. I’ll never let you go. I’ll never let you go. I’ll never let you go.
Tears . . . every . . . single . . . time! (Update! Must. Finish. Update!)
Just a dragon’s breath away is the Jammin’ On The Backlot dance party, which has completely failed to catch on with guests. Unfortunately, it was a lackluster followup to the very popular Mad T Party.
Kachow – New Merch in Cars Land
Race cars in the know use DINOCO. Now you can too. Some new items have zoomed into Ramones.
Pixar Play Parade In Limbo-land
When Tower of Terror closes to become Guardians of the Galaxy, it may force the suspension of the Pixar Play Parade. The long-running parade is high energy, fun, and kinetic. It’s also starting to show its age, needs a repaint, and could use an update or total replacement. Darth Daver shares the following photos of the parade in its current form. Let us know if you’d like to see the parade return, or what you’d like to see in its place once the Guardians overtake the Tower.
As we prepare to leave DCA, we pass Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and find there are no notices. Oh, well, best to move along . . .
Save at the Disneyland Hotels
Guests can save up to 25 percent on premium rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel (up to 10 percent at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel), on select Sunday through Thursday nights between August 14 and September 29, 2016. If you’d like to book a stay, contact MiceChat’s Fairy Godmother.
New Parking Structure |
Carousel Closing
On Friday, the employees of the Carousel Hotel received notice that the hotel would be closing in mid October to make way for Disney’s planned walkway from the new parking structure to the Disneyland Resort. This was not unexpected. However, all of us at MiceChat are quite sad as the Carousel was one of our first sponsors and we love and will miss them. Book your final stay now because soon this hotel will just be a fond memory.
Here’s what’s happening on the other side of the hotel, and just North of the Pumbaa lot. They are wasting no time on the new structure. Lots of progress.
Get Disneyland Wait Times with Mouseaddict |
Get Mouseaddict Here You can keep track of the wait times and even where in the park people are congregating by downloading the app (iPhone only at this time).
Thank you ! | |
All of us on the Disneyland Photo Update crew would like to thank you for joining us today. Each week we’ll feature different photographers and commentators (often more than one). Today’s MiceChat Disneyland Update was shot and assembled by Dusty Sage with additional photo contributions from Darth Daver. |
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That’s it for this week’s Update.
Are you a photographer? Do you love the parks? Would you like to contribute to the Disneyland Update or other MiceChat columns? Contact Dusty Sage: [email protected]
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