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.

IMG_1347

Tower of Terror is a massive structure seen from all over California Adventure. This view is about to change.

IMG_1343

IMG_1342

IMG_1341

The official concept art takes a creepy looking tower and makes it even more foreboding.

GOTGExt1280

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.

GOTGShow610

GOTGInt610

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?

IMG_1365

IMG_1367

IMG_1368

Nothing new here, but I love stopping by Disneyana on Main Street. Here are a few things that caught my eye. IMG_1369

IMG_1370

IMG_1371

IMG_1372

IMG_1373

IMG_1374

And, of course, a couple items soon headed to the discount bin. . . IMG_1377

IMG_1378

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.

IMG_1382

IMG_1383

IMG_1384
Don’t see anything new here . . .
IMG_1385
And nothing new here either . . .

I was beginning to think that perhaps I was just remembering things wrong. More about that a bit later in our update . . .

IMG_1386
The upper shelves of the Candy Palace are always worth a look, they have really cute decorations.

IMG_1387

IMG_1388

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.

IMG_1394

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.

IMG_1396

IMG_1397

IMG_1412
The plantings around the hub are stunning right now.
IMG_1398
Those white flowers look like fireworks.

 

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.

Bees1

Bees2

It just goes to show you . . . it’s tough to be a bug.

IMG_1405

IMG_1496

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. IMG_1442

IMG_1447

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? IMG_1415

IMG_1416
We took these photos mid-day on Saturday. The park as a whole was busy, but not packed. However, this stretch of Tomorrowland was wall to wall people.

 

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.

IMG_1435

While we love the Star Wars menu at Tomorrowland Terrace (Galactic Grill), we wouldn’t be sad to lose this.

IMG_1438

IMG_1441

IMG_1439

But we would miss these guys. They should stick around. Right?  At the very least to pull folks into the Launch Bay. IMG_1421

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.

IMG_1424

Star-Wars-Force-Awakens-Vinylmation

Coming soon to a screen near you . . . and therefore to shops everywhere . . . Rogue One IMG_1428

IMG_1426

If I was a girl, I’d wear an R2D2 dress every day.  (you only think I’m kidding) IMG_1429

I’m slowly becoming obsessed, the Tsum Tsum craze is for good reason. These cute little plush characters are completely and totally adorable!!! IMG_1430 IMG_1431

We’ll see more Tsum Tsum in just a bit . . .

IMG_1449

IMG_1453

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.

IMG_1460

IMG_1461

IMG_1473

IMG_1464
Princess Minnie and Sorcerer Mickey
IMG_1465
I know the first three are the hippo from “small world,” a carousel horse, Mr. Toad . . . but who are the last two?

And there was more good news from this store:

IMG_1472
The Gag machine is working. LOVE this effect.
IMG_1474
And that popcorn I was telling you I couldn’t find on Main Street?  I found three of the new flavors here.

 

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. . .

IMG_1477

IMG_1478

IMG_1480

IMG_1483

IMG_1482
Mr. Toad was popular on Saturday.
IMG_1486
I can’t look at the back of the Castle without thinking of the story Marty Sklar told at one of our MiceChat events about how this was originally intended to be the side of the castle you see when you walk up Main Street. During the design of Disneyland, legendary Imagineer Herb Ryman rotated the top of the castle model and Walt just happened to stop in unexpectedly and said he liked it. So the design was altered to what we see today.

 

IMG_1488

 

Disneyland Pin Quest Challenge

Challenge you say? PinQuest

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

IMG_1512

IMG_1501

IMG_1502

IMG_1505
I like this Walt Disney pin.
IMG_1506
And I found this Simba and Scar pin to be a bit odd.

 

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.

IMG_1596

IMG_1599

IMG_1598
Disneyland was Walt’s life-sized train set.

IMG_1600

IMG_1597
The water tower is behind refurbishment tarps.

IMG_1601

IMG_1602

IMG_1604
Learn about the steam boilers.

IMG_1607

IMG_1606
Some of the facades behind the station are also under refurbishment.

 

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!

IMG_1629

IMG_1632

IMG_1633

IMG_1634

IMG_1636

IMG_1638
The skipper on this cruise was very funny.

IMG_1637

IMG_1640

IMG_1642

IMG_1644
Bengal Tiger in front of the world’s largest animal cracker.

IMG_1645

IMG_1648
Go ahead and take pictures folks, these elephants all have their trunks on.

IMG_1649

IMG_1651

IMG_1652

IMG_1653

IMG_1655
The front side of water

IMG_1656

IMG_1657

IMG_1659
Some black and white horses, long neck cheetahs, and I don’t know what those black animals are on the right. They must be gnu.
IMG_1662
Can you feel the love tonight? Those lions are protecting the sleeping zebra. Ahhhhh. He must be dead tired.
IMG_1663
That rhino is bound to get his point across . . .
IMG_1664
. . . in the end.
IMG_1669
The natives are restless . . . let me see if I can translate . . . You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out . . . sorry folks, it’s all a bunch of hokey pokey to me.

 

IMG_1671

IMG_1674
The moment you’ve all been waiting for . . . The back side of water!
IMG_1677
This is trader Sam. He’s the head salesman of the jungle. He’s offering a special today: Two of his heads for just one of yours. Any way you slice it folks, you still come out ahead.

 

IMG_1678

IMG_1683
Watch your head and watch your step. If you miss your step and hit your head, then please watch your language. After all, this is Disneyland and there are kids everywhere.

Big Thunder Rocks!

It’s also a great spot to view the Star Wars construction . . .

IMG_1517

IMG_1520
As soon as you crest the very first lift hill, you’ll catch your first glimpse of construction.
IMG_1531
Now THIS is what I call a goat trick.
IMG_1536
“Danger” construction ahead. 😉
IMG_1550
As you exit Big Thunder, you’ll find this concept art where the Big Thunder Trail now ends.
IMG_1551
And if you look through the slats in the fence, you’ll see the big wall that’s being constructed rapidly just on the other side.

 

IMG_1555

IMG_1556

 

Disneyland Railroad and All Rivers of America Attractions to Reopen Summer 2017

ROA-Rendering-900

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.

IMG_1560

IMG_1561

IMG_1562

IMG_1564

IMG_1565

IMG_1566
Lots of work around the Fantasmic Stage.

IMG_1570

IMG_1571
These new stairs and railings really stand out like a sore thumb. Hopefully they are only being used during the refurbishment. They aren’t very pretty or thematically appropriate.
IMG_1572
The tree house on Tom Sawyer Island is under full refurbishment. It sure would be great if guests were able to explore it once more when the island reopens.
IMG_1575
Also, note the new color scheme of the shack in the center of the Fantasmic stage. They painted it teal and burgundy last week.
Fantasmic-Stage
Here’s how the shack looked before.

IMG_1576
Just around the river bend . . . we see more traces of Star Wars construction . . .

IMG_1583

IMG_1586

IMG_1587

IMG_1593

IMG_1594

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.

IMG_1697
Supports and beams are being trucked in.
IMG_1698
Walls are going up
IMG_1702
And the river is being rerouted (they’d better hurry up, they need to have the island and river attractions reopened by this time next year).
IMG_1699
They continue to haul dirt out from the middle of the big dirt mound. But some of it must be staying, because they’ve driven supports (or fence posts) into the hill closest to the Fantasyland Theater.

IMG_1704

IMG_1707
Meanwhile, near Hungry Bear, we can see all the reshaping work going on for the river bed and elevated train trestle.
IMG_1708
A new walkway will be built between Hungry Bear and the river. The path will lead directly into the west side of Star Wars Land.
IMG_1709
Rebar is now in place near where the waterfalls will be built behind the train trestle.

IMG_1710

IMG_1712

IMG_1713

IMG_1715
Guardians of the Star Wars construction. 😉
IMG_1718
No construction in this shot, but I just love this view of the Matterhorn as seen from Mickey and Friends parking structure.
IMG_1719
The train will come through this area and then make a hard right turn into ToonTown station. Hard to believe the train can make a turn like that, but that’s the plan.
IMG_1720
Look at all that construction equipment!

 

IMG_1721

Some close-ups:

IMG_1722
This is the construction near Big Thunder Mountain.

 

IMG_1723

IMG_1724
We think this will be the tip of Tom Sawyer Island.

IMG_1725

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.

IMG_1361

IMG_1353

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.

IMG_1352

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.

IMG_1350

IMG_1351

IMG_3754

IMG_3760

 

Kachow – New Merch in Cars Land

Race cars in the know use DINOCO. Now you can too. Some new items have zoomed into Ramones.

IMG_1326

IMG_1336

IMG_1333

IMG_1332

IMG_1329

IMG_1327

IMG_1324

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.

IMG_2852

IMG_2857

IMG_2863

IMG_2872

IMG_2878

IMG_2882

IMG_2890

IMG_2900

IMG_2901

IMG_2905

IMG_2906

IMG_2909

IMG_2913

IMG_2917

IMG_2922

IMG_2927

IMG_1322

 

As we prepare to leave DCA, we pass Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and find there are no notices. Oh, well, best to move along . . .

IMG_1320

IMG_1319

 

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.

IMG_1318

GrandCalLobby
Love this photo of the Grand Cal lobby that Tom Bricker posted to the MiceChat forums last year.

 

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.

13663503_10154240283984471_2107787137_o
The Carousel (round glass front building) and its driveway will be torn down this fall to make way for a bridge from Disneyland Resort to the new parking structure being constructed just behind the hotel.

 

Here’s what’s happening on the other side of the hotel, and just North of the Pumbaa lot. 13838320_10154240283214471_161068535_o They are wasting no time on the new structure. Lots of progress. 13898391_10154240283249471_108680905_o

13918512_10154240283399471_1429675080_o

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.

 

Are you a member of the MiceChat Sunday Meet-up Facebook group? If you are interested in meeting up with fellow theme park lovers in the parks, please be sure to follow this group: MiceChat Sundays in the Park. And please follow the MiceChat Facebook Page for news and updates from the Disneyland Resort and beyond:

That’s it for this week’s Update. IMG_1692

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]

Dusty Sage
Dusty is the founder and CEO of MiceChat.com. When he's not visiting theme parks and writing, editing or speaking about Disney and theme parks worldwide, Dusty is involved in multiple Disney related projects and charities. He helped save and restore the charming Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, launched the Dick Van Dyke Foundation, and is the curator of Walt Disney's historic 1930's estate in Hollywood. If you've got news or photos to share with the MiceChat community, or would like to book Dusty for an upcoming event, please contact [email protected]