Welcome to the MiceChat news Round-up!

This week 91 years ago, Disney legend Dick Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri. 50 years ago this week, Walt Disney unexpectedly passed away at 65 years of age in Burbank, California.

Though we mourn the loss of a great innovator and creator, we are heartened by the people He touched and that we have legends like Dick Van Dyke around to carry on Walt’s legacy.

This Week’s Top Stories

MiceChat Disney News Roundup

David Koenig: The Last Original Disneylander
What makes me even more fortunate is that, for the most part, these aren’t my stories. They’re on loan, shared with me and in turn with you by the hundreds and hundreds of cast members who have kindly opened up to me over the years. This one is about the last original Disneylander, and it’s a good one.

Upcoming Events

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  • MiceChat Anniversary Weekend – Jan 27-29th, 2017 – SAVE THE DATE! MiceChat’s funnable anniversary weekend will be bigger and better than ever. DON’T miss it!!! Add your name to the waiting list HERE.
  • MiceChat Gumball Rally – May 6th, 2017 – SAVE THE DATE! MiceChat’s world-famous Gumball Rally is rolling your way the weekend before Mother’s Day. Two parks, one day, how many attractions can you ride?!!! Add your name to the waiting list HERE.
All things Disney!

Some concerns are arising about what will become of the Harbor Boulevard entrance to Disneyland.  We have a sighting of Pizza on the Parade route, and a boozy Dole Whip at the Disneyland hotel. and a bowling alley has been announced as the replacement for the old House of Blues location in Downtown Disney.   And the Christmas time trip reports are coming in! ~ Aladdin

Cove Bar Disappointment
TLT DREW has some sad news about he most popular appetizer at the Cove Bar in DCA – Smaller portion size, and larger price.

Neighboring Businesses Push Back on Eastern Gateway Parking Structure
With the proposed new parking structure on the Pumba parking site, some concerns are being aired by hotels and restaurant along Harbor Boulevard, about guest access to Disneyland. Find out the details about this from the Orange County Register article.

Boozy Dole Whip Has Arrived At The Disneyland Resort
Captain Jack Sparrow won’t have to ask ‘where’s the rum’ if he chooses the new version of the famous Dole Whip, that is now available at the Disneyland Hotel.

World’s most expensive pizza?
Disneyland is now delivering pizza, or at least selling pizza to guests who are waiting for parades. But be prepared to pay! Mr. Wiggins has the story here.

Splitsville (Finally) Official
Disneyland has finally reached an agreement for a new tenant at the old House of Blues location in Downtown Disney. Splittsville, a bowling alley will be filling in the space. Will bowling be on your must do list when you visit Disneyland? Is Bowling the right type of entertainment for this location at the Disneyland resort?

Got to see The Christmas Parade and some local marching bands
BradleyC has this video for you, with highlights from the Christmas Parade at Disneyland!

Joe’s 2016 Disneyland Candlelight Processional Trip Report with Ginnifer Goodwin
The Flower’s family celebrate the Christmas season at Disneyland, and enjoy the Candleight Processional and a floating doggie, on their visit.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ – 13th Hour (Final night Dessert Party)
Disneyland is having a special event for the closing of the Tower of Terror at DCA. But get ready for fork over $100 if you want to go. Now the question is, when will the special ticketed event be, for the completed makeover, of the same building.

Other Theme Parks and Destinations.

Harry Potter isn’t the only reason to pop in to Universal Studios Hollywood. ~ Trekkie Dad

‘Laika Experience’ to Return to Universal Studios Hollywood for Holidays

If you missed this attraction, you can catch it between December 21 and January 15.

Podcasts & Videos

MiceChat Podcast: Get Your Wings On: Get a first hand account of what is sure to be the attraction of the year and the best “Soarin'” style ride ever built – Wings over Washington. Plus, Walt Disney’s Los Feliz, Sponge Bob 4D and solving Dusty’s energy crisis. This is a short but fun chat with your MicePals.

Direct Download  | Subscribe on iTunes

Mousetalgia: This week, Team Mousetalgia takes you to the second annual Mouse-con, held recently in Concord, CA. We’ll take you on a tour of the dealer offerings, the venue, the cosplay, the special guests, and the panels, including excerpts from Disneyland Hotel history expert Don Ballard and Disney poster artist Bill Morrison, who tells the story of his controversial “Little Mermaid” VHS cover art. Also, we review a new Disneyland-area hotel: Hyatt House Anaheim Convention Center. Plus – the Haunted Mansion’s opening week, our Disney Christmas gift list, and more.

Subscribe on iTunes Direct Download

The Sweep Spot: In this episode we take a look at the latest Disneyland Resort Current Events, an interview with author Sam Gennawey as we talk about his new book JayBangs.  Lynn and his family went to Disneyland and he will talk with us all about it as well as all the great Christmas offerings at Disneyland. Enjoy this episode and check out our website for our book Cleaning the Kingdom.

Direct Link

Column Round-Up

Plus, don’t miss these other featured MiceChat columns!

Rolly Crump And The Impostor Syndrome – Part 1
If you’ve visited Disneyland in the last 57 years, then you have been touched, and very likely moved, by the artistic genius of Roland Fargo (Rolly) Crump. He first worked for Disney as an animator on Peter Pan in 1952, before moving to WED to join the Disneyland Imagineering team in 1959. Rolly is responsible for many elements of the Enchanted Tiki Room, It’s A Small World, The Haunted Mansion, much of the look of the Adventureland Bazaar, and elements of Tomorrowland, to name just a few of his contributions. He was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2004

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The Round-Up 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 our Editor or our MiceEars Disney News crew they can be e-mailed at: [email protected] !

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CakvalaSC
MiceChat.com's webmaster and occasional writer. Cakvala is senior graphic designer and photographer. Admirer of all things Disney and theme-parks !