Happy Birthday Disneyland. Andy Castro visits the park on the special day to find a small ceremony celebrating Disneyland's 53rd birthday. He also shares the plans for the reopening of the Castle walk-through attraction in time for the December holiday season. As always, Andy includes loads of great pictures of the park: Small World construction updates, Disneyland model, Art of Disneyland, and much more. Read the entire Dateline Disneyland HERE [1] Subscribe to the MiceChat: Everything Disney by Email. Never miss an important story again! [2] [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=515 [2] http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=2025372&loc=en_US

View: Dateline Disneyland Happy 53rd Birthday Edition

My Dearest Disneyland, It is hard to believe that you opened your doors for the first time, today in 1955.  Your opening day was a mess.  The newly laid streets were still soft and ladies high healed shoes got stuck in the asphalt.  The heat was high and water fountains weren't working.  Much of your land was bare, and dare I say, even ugly in spots.  Many of your most iconic rides that we associate with you today wouldn't open until years later.  But somehow, though you were dubbed by the press as "Walt's folly," you succeeded and became the cornerstone of one of the worlds most successful and well loved companies. Today, 53 years later, you are alive and well and entering perhaps the better half of your life.  You are filled to the corners with highly detailed and well themed lands and attractions.  Nearly every available inch of space being used to create a magical pallet which touches a sentimental nerve.  You also have a large and growing family of siblings and children.  Though you have sisters in Orlando, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris, none will ever replace you in the hearts and minds of your adoring fans.  I know you are burdened by your  daughter who has yet to fly on her own, but don't worry, I'm sure that she is merely an ugly duckling who will someday be a swan capable of flying on her own. You are the ultimate survivor.  The 50's were a very different time.  Changing tastes and attitudes and many  tough economic conditions destroyed many of your peers - but did not ruin you.  On occasion, budget cutting executives with short-sighted goals have tried to rob you of your magic.  But sentiment has always brought those who love you most to the rescue.  Today, you are brighter, bigger, busier, and have more potential than ever before.  You are an undisputed beauty queen.  You are also an innovator, unafraid to try new technologies and ways of doing business. That has kept you fresh and from becoming a living memory of a bygone era. But for all that remains the same and all that has changed, you are still the quintessential place where people of all ages can live for a moment as a child - flying high above London town in a pirate ship or plunging headlong into a rabbit hole.  Be they 9 or 90, for those who are unafraid to live out the dreams in their imaginations, you will always provide a home. Happy birthday to the park that has touched my heart, lifted my spirits in times of trouble, and been a source of so much joy and happiness to millions of guests throughout your 53 years.  May the decades ahead be filled with wondrous new dreams and imagination.  May you be blessed with caretakers who see the big picture and understand the character for which you have become famous.  And may the word "Disneyland" forever be associated with magic and possibility. Much love and best wishes always, The Dusty Sage of MiceChat.com Related Link:  View The Al Lutz Photo Tribute To Disneyland [1] [1] http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al071708a.htm

View: Dusty's Birthday Letter To 53 Year Old Disneyland

This week, we attempt to get to the bottom of what's going on with Monorail Blue, the 2nd of the new monorails to arrive at the resort, and when it may begin carrying guests. WheresMickey started a discussion asking for your funny theme park pictures. At Disney World, The Country Bears are set for a big rehab. The Swan and Dolphin hotels have been voted "Best Resort." #1 Goofy wants to know what the difference between the two Mission Space options are. We also have trip reports and information about Maui, Northern California, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris, and a great deal for people who want to visit Universal Japan. And of course, you'll be able to discuss the potential impact on Shamu that the sale of Busch may have on the Busch Entertainment theme parks (Sea World, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Bay, Sesame Place, and Water Parks). If you've been to the movies this week, we'd love to hear your reviews. Journey to the Center of the Earth and Hell Boy II are but two of the many movies currently being discussed. Dive in to the weekly update of News, Rumor, Armchair Imagineering, Discussion, and Community HERE [1] [1] http://miceage.micechat.com/mc/mc071608a.htm

View: MiceChat's Weekly Roundup of Disney News, Rumor, and Discussion

Anheuser-Busch has announced that it has agreed to be aquired by Belgian brewer, InBev. Normally that wouldn't make the front page of MiceChat. However, in this case, it is huge theme park news as well since Busch owns three SeaWorld parks, two Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, water parks, and more. The Bush parks are unique as they have maintained their family appeal over the years. As opposed to what has become of the Six Flags and the Cedar Fair properties, the Bush parks remain firmly on the Family Friendly scale and equate more to the offerings of Disney and Universal than they do with the thrill and coaster set of most of the nation's remaining parks. In the age of Cedar Fair buying regional parks and ripping out the theming and family friendly rides to plop down big ugly extreme coasters, the InBev buyout of Anheuser-Busch opens up lots of questions and fear in the theme park fan community. The Busch parks are loved by many and there is a great deal of sentiment for Shamu and the Busch Gardens parks.   Should InBev decide to stop investing in the parks or sell them off, the effect on the parks could be dramatic. Theme park fans need only look at the example of how quickly Six Flags and Cedar Fair have ruined the parks they have aquired over the years (both financially and thematically) to understand the concern that the InBev buyout raises. The results could even have a ripple effect with Disney and Universal. If the overall investment from competing parks lessens, Disney and Universal could cut back as well. At this point, there is really no way of knowing what InBev's intentions regarding the parks is, or who any potential interested parties in the parks might be. But this will be an interesting story to watch, as much is at stake in the theme park industry right now. Related Links and Discussion: The Weekend Update ran photos of Busch Gardens Europe [1] (located in Virginia) on Saturday. You will find the photos near the end of the Weekend Update at this link [2]. Kevin Yee has an interesting look at the InBev deal and its potential impact on MiceAge [3] There is also a discussion thread on MiceChat's Other Parks section HERE [4] [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=496 [2] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=496 [3] http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky071508a.htm [4] http://micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/anheuser_busch_sold-100166.html

View: SeaWhirled: What happens to the Bush theme parks after the merger?

Monday in the Parks Update.  News, photos, and tips from the parks.  This week . . . Disneyland turns 53 but is the actual date July 17th or 18th?  David has an interesting point of view.  Scoops added to new monorail to catch air and help cool the cabin - but do they work?  Orange County Fair - along with the deep fried White Castle cheeseburger - open through August 3rd.  New pools, construction updates, restaurant news, and much more. You can read David's entire Monday in the Parks theme park news blog HERE [1] [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=503

View: Monday in the Parks theme park update

The Weekend Update has island fever.  Shades and sunscreen for everyone.  We're going to Maui, Alcatraz, and Adventure Island.  But that's just the start: This week, MiceChatter MKcoastie shares some really interesting photos of Bush Gardens Europe. TDL Fan chimes in with Tokyo Disneylad.  Denise "nbodyhome", of MouseSteps.com, keeps us up to date on Disney World construction.  Hollywood 1939 visits San Francisco.  And SummerInFL slips and slides through Adventure Island. Your adventure awaits you HERE [1] [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=496

View: Your photo adventure awaits

It's another photo Friday with Andy Castro and his wonderful Dateline Disneyland column on MiceChat. This week, new Midway Mania signs have replaced the old ones, but still feature "Disneyland" instead of California Adventure - and still don't reflect the full name of the attraction. Monorail Red is up and running and taking guests for round trips to Downtown Disney and back. Just be sure to get there early. You don't want to be caught on this baby in the heat. Toon Town gets some love. The Sun Wheel is losing face. And some great photos of the exhibits in the Main Street Opera House. Check out the entire Dateline Disneyland Update HERE [1] [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=494

View: The Wonderful World Of Dateline Disneyland HERE

[1] Before there was a Disney Internet fan community, there was an NFFC. For years, the annual NFFC show and sale has been a highlight for collectors and fans curious to see which Disney celebs and Imagineers might show up and what priceless collectible they can snag for their home collection. this year's annual NFFC National Convention, Show, and Sale will be taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Garden Grove, California from July 15 - 20. Convention events are for members only; however, the all Disneyana Show and Sale are open to the public for the small fee of $6 and will be held from 11am until 5pm on July 20th. Here’s the latest information about this year’s convention and show and sale from NFFC.org [2] Our good friend and MiceChat partner, Chuck Oberleitner of O-Meon.com, has a full description of the NFFC event and membership benefits on his site HERE [3]. [1] http://micechat.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/nffc_dfc-2.jpg [2] http://www.nffc.org/ [3] http://www.o-meon.com/pages/news&features/n&f_2008/07-08_NFFC_DFC.htm

View: NFFC Information

This week, Hollywood 1939 and the Mice Ears Crew highlight the impending closure of the Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas with two discussions on MiceChat. Samshio is planning a trip to Tokyo Disneyland and the tips are flowing in. TDLFAN has created a list of the top 20 mistakes at Walt Disney World - but the chatters can help him find a few more. Nbodyhome has another great photo tour of WDW Vacation Club construction at Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Contemporary Resort. PhotoMatt and many others catch Dusty's "Surprise" proposal to Fishbulb. And you can catch the entire Weekly Roundup of Disney news, rumors, and fun from around the world right HERE

View: This way to the weekly roundup of all the fun, news, and rumors from around the Disney World and beyond!

David updates us on the current status of Monorail Red, changes to the Fastpass system, what high winds did to Fourth of July fireworks, and the cheap wine being drunk by the Elias family in their lackluster Dream Home.     We were able to get on Monorail Red Sunday evening - but just for boarding.  As soon as we were comfortable in our seats, we were instructed to exit the train (no reason was given).  We got close, but didn't get to ride.  Mechanical issues aside, these new trains are a work of art.  Simply stunning in their design. Read the entire Monday in the Parks update HERE [1] [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=487

View: The entire Monday in the Parks update here.

We have something special for you today, the Weekend Update [1] crew is taking us on vacation in honor of Independence Day. Texas theme parks, the tallest building in the world, beautiful Paris, road trip, and lots of little surprises. May the force be with you. Happy Independence Day everyone!   Read the entire Weekend Update world wide road trip HERE [2] [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=482 [2] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=482

View: The Weekend Update 4th of July Road Trip!

The Microsoft Dream Home is open and MiceChat reporter Andy Castro is there with an early review.  Monorail Red has also made a hot opening.  And we mean "Hot" as in no airconditioning and windows that open just a few inches.  Wall-E has given Cruella the boot in the Hollywood Pictures back lot and has a Godzilla size location in Downtown Disney.  We round things out with hotel updates and construction updates.     

View: Andy's Full "Dateline Disneyland" Update