Welcome to the MiceChat news Round-up! |
As we say goodbye to the 2016 holiday season, exciting new changes are on their way to some of our favorite Theme Parks. This weeks newsletter has all the recent New Years events, Park updates and photos for you to discover!
Welcome to 2017 – Wishing each and every one of you an amazing year ahead!
This Week’s Top Stories |
Disneyland 2016 Year in Review
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. 2016 was a year of celebrations and grief. When you look back, it’s amazing how many changes can happen in just one short year. 2016 brought a new Frozen musical to the resort and took away three beloved nighttime spectaculars. We celebrated with two big festivals at DCA and were shocked to hear that Tower of Terror would be re-themed to Guardians of the Galaxy. It was also a year of tightened security, increased prices, and crushing attendance nearly all year long. Let’s look back at 2016 and remember the joy and the pain.
Kevin Yee – Testing Walt Disney’s Cocktail Party Theory Today
A short time before he died, Walt Disney was given a dress rehearsal of the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean ride, moving at the desired ride speed through the sets. The designers were apologetic for the way that conversations bled from one scene to the next, resulting in some moments of babble during the transition. Walt famously replied that it was all right; passengers would treat it like a cocktail party, listening first to one conversation and then transitioning to paying attention to another without thinking too much about it. He also opined that the layers of missed details would excite repeat visitors, who could discover something new every time they rode. Today, let’s examine how much this “cocktail party” theory holds up in Disney attractions of the modern era.
Upcoming Events |
- MiceChat Anniversary Weekend – Jan 27-29th, 2017 – SAVE THE DATE! MiceChat’s funnable anniversary weekend will be bigger and better than ever. This year’s event features David Koenig, Original Disneylanders, and Disney legends! 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! |
A new commercial advertising the limited return of the Main Street Electrical Parade is up. We have some close up views of the Star Wars Outpost under construction. And could the monthly payment plan for annual passholders be going away? ~ Aladdin
New MSEP Commercial in ‘Disneyland Warehouse’
What if all the retired attractions from Disneyland were placed in one warehouse? The newest commercial for Disneyland brings that vision to life! This vision is part of a commercial for the limited return of whatever floats are still remaining from the Main Street Electrical Parade!
Disneyland to end AP payment plan?
Is it possible that the monthly payment plan for California residents will be going away? What do you think about this and would it affect whether you purchase an Annual Pass?
Add moving walkways or a people mover system from the parking structure?
Steve Nguyen asks about adding a people mover or moving sidewalks from the Parking Garage? And how about something for the proposed parking structure on the east side of the parks?
Path From Big Thunder To Fantasyland Picture
With the recent large crowds at Disneyland, Big Thunder Trail has been open frequently, to ease some of the insane congestion. With that we now have several photos and videos of the Star Wars Outpost that is under construction.
Walt Disney World |
Happy New Year from Walt Disney World as we begin the year with a behind the scenes look at Pandora. – DLandFansAZ
New World of Avatar video with footage
Baloo has found a great video of Avatar with Imagineer Joe Rohde, Avatar producer Jon Landau and Avatar director and creator James Cameron.
So if Avatar 2 flops…
With Pandora opening this Summer, mtlchuck is wonder what might happen if Avatar 2 isn’t a box office success.
Was New Orleans an original site for Walt Disney World?
Steve Nguyen has found an interesting article from the ABC new station in New Orleans that discusses the possibility that Orlando wasn’t the first choice.
Off Shore & Other Parks |
Just before the year ended, guests had to be rescued from a Knott’s Berry Farm ride. ~ Trekkie Dad
Shanghai Disneyland Trip report with Videos
wisebearaz spent three days at the Shanghai Disneyland Resort and has shared a fantastic video trip report or the experience.
18 Guests Stuck on Sky Cabin Tonight
If you missed the live feed as it happened, you can follow the link to a local TV station.
Podcasts & Videos |
MiceChat Podcast – Ho, Ho Holiday Happenings: Christmas has become big business for the theme parks. What was once considered the “off season” is now the top draw of the year, with record crowds often recorded in the weeks leading up to New Years Eve. Dusty and Doug put on their elf shoes and take us on a virtual sleigh ride to parks across the country to see what’s going on for the holidays. Disneyland, Disney World, Knott’s, Universal, Six Flags, and beyond!
Subscribe on iTunes | Direct Download
Mousetalgia: It’s a Mousetalgia triple play this holiday week as we celebrate the opening of Lucasfilm’s “Rogue One – A Star Wars Story,” taste test Disneyland’s holiday offerings and chat about Verve’s new release “Jazz Loves Disney.” First, we offer our initial spoiler-free reactions to the latest film from the Star Wars galaxy far, far away. From Michael Giacchino’s new score to some dicey CGI, Rogue One offers a lot to digest, and we do our best to share some first impressions of this new format in the world of Star Wars films. Then, Kristen goes back to Disneyland once again to talk about tasting holiday treats, and shares more feedback about Storyteller Cafe, the Festival of Holidays, and the festive menu at Le Salon Nouveau. Finally, we speak with Boualem Lamhene, an executive director with Disney who founded the We Love Disney brand in France which is spreading around the world. We speak with Lamhene about the latest release in the series, “Jazz Loves Disney,” and we discuss the creative process behind the new album. Plus – Star Wars trivia, and a special feature: Drew Tablak performing Silent Night at Candlelight 2016.
Subscribe on iTunes | Direct Download
The Sweep Spot: In this episode we go on a virtual tour of Disneyland during Christmas time. We worked at Disneyland during the 90s, and 2000’s in Custodial we had the chance to work in all the different areas of Disneyland. This was great because we were able to also experience the different music that was changed in the areas for the Holiday season. Enjoy this tour, plus the latest in the Disneyland Resort Current Events.
Column Round-Up |
Plus, don’t miss these other featured MiceChat columns!
Disneyland Photo Update – Tower of Terror Checking Out Today AND Star Wars Land Sneak Peek
It’s a sad but somewhat exciting start to the new year as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ends its run at Disney California Adventure today to make way for a new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction. We’ll take a final look at this popular ride and also show you a teaser of the construction going on at the back of Disneyland in preparation for Star Wars land. The insane holiday crowds at the park necessitated the temporary reopening of the Big Thunder Trail, and that means exciting new photos for you!
Plus, don’t miss these other featured stories:
- Ten Things to Make a Day at Disneyland Magical
- Fab News: The End of 2016
- Yesterland: California Missions, Real and Knott’s
- David Koenig: Disneyland Exodus Averted
- Dateline Disney World: 2016 Year in Review
Word from our Sponsor |
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] !