What do Dinosaurs, Disney's new Princess Tiana, Red Bull, and Halloween have in common?  The Weekend Update of course.  Every weekend brings us a new tour, and today's Halloween update is quintessential Weekend Update material. We'll see Princess Tiana's new show at Disney World, visit Dinosaur World, journey through Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, ogle some classic cars, and much more. And as a special treat, we have an encore of vintage Halloween postcards.  Happy Halloween everyone!

View: Weekend Update Theme Park And Travel Tour

Halloween is just one day away and that means huge crowds for the Disneyland Resort all weekend as guests scramble to see the Halloween Screams fireworks, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, and Mickey's Trick or Treat Party before the holiday is over.  That also means parking in remote lots if you arrive late to the resort.  David gives you the tips you need if you plan to visit Disneyland this weekend.  He also fills us in on the newly reopened Magic Shop on Main Street USA, automated stroller rental, an extra night just added to Knot's Halloween Haunt, and lots of great tips and photos from Disneyland.

View: In The Parks Disneyland and Theme Park Blog - Halloween, Parking, Nightmares and Magic

Take a look with us at an attraction near and dear to the heart of Walt Disney himself, Carousel of Progress. First presented at the 1964 New York World's Fair, Carousel of Progress was a smash success and one of the most popular attractions at the Fair.  Walt embraced an optimistic view of humanity and of the future, both present in Carousel of Progress.  But progress itself forced the Carousel out of Disneyland in 1973 and to Disney World, where it remains (occasionally in temporary status) to this day.  Join us for a look back at this classic attraction complete with photos and video.  It's still a great big beautiful tomorrow!

View: Join Us For A Look Back At Walt Dsiney's Classic Carousel Of Progress

Halloween is almost here, and you know what that means . . . Christmas is waiting back stage to make a sudden appearance on Main Street USA.  If you are looking for Halloween fun, we've got lots of trip reports and links to satisfy your haunted cravings.  There is also plenty of news to share this week, From Tiana's Showboat Jubilee to news about the new Houdini Magic Shop on Main Street.  We'd also like you to save the date for MiceChat's 5th anniversary celebration January 29th - 31st, 2010 at Disneyland.  Join us for this week's roundup of top Disney, theme park, and entertainment discussions, news, and photos - it's always a blast.

View: Top Disney and Theme Park news, rumors, trip reports, and discussion of the week

Princess Tiana has made a grand debut at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.  A parade of characters marches through Frontierland to the river for a Showboat Jubilee.  Jazz music, dancing, and a performance by Tiana herself.  This is a high energy little production with guest interaction, upbeat jazz music, and lots of performers.  Join us for photos and discussion.

View: Tiana's Showboat Jubilee At Disney World's Magic Kingdom

One of the most heavily anticipated events of the year has finally occured at Disney's California Adventure park . . . WATER!  Paradise Bay is finally filling up after many long months of World of Color construction.  Of course, we have lots of beautiful photos to commemorate the event, along with a fantastic Disneyland Resort update.  It is a week of change at the parks.  Halloween is not yet over, but Christmas is already pushing its way into the parks.  Houdini is moving into the Magic Shop on Main Street.  Various restaurants are getting refurbishments.  And of course, there are dozens of construction photos from Little Mermaid and Cars Land for you to drool over.  Have a wonderful week and enjoy the update!

View: Dateline Disneyland News and Construction Update from the Parks

Halloween is big business for theme parks and we have photo reports from two great Halloween haunts this weekend. Join us for a unique look at Busch Garden's Howl O Scream  and Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights events. But don't worry, we'll help you get over your nightmares with a tour of beautiful Helsinki, Finland.  And if all that has you ready for a luxurious rest, perhaps a bit of pampering at the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort is in order.  We finish up this week's Weekend Update with a treasure trove of vintage Halloween postcard images.

View: Weekend Update Photo Tour Of Great Theme Parks and Vacation Locations

Darkbeer is back to fill us in on the latest Southern California theme park news.  He is being run ragged by bridezilla, but that hasn't stopped his pursuit of the week's best theme park deals, news, photos, and more.  This week, news from Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags, Universal Studios, and much more.

View: In The Parks - Disneyland and Theme Park Blog

Marc Davis was an iconic Disney Imagineer responsible for many favorite attractions from Haunted Mansion to America Sings.  He had a knack for bringing out the comic relief in any subject or attraction.  Pirates of the Caribbean may have its share frightening elements, but it is Marc Davis' sometimes silly characters and gags which keep the tone fun and approachable and make it a timeless classic.  Many of his projects had a broad canvas and large scale.  But his masterpiece may never have been built.  For the then new Walt Disney World, Marc proposed a Pirates of the Caribbean type of attraction called Western River Expedition.  It would have been an epic attraction with classic Marc Davis characters and gags set in and around a western town.  While Disney World eventually passed up Western River to build the better known Pirates of the Caribbean, the attraction almost got built in another park in the early 1990's.  Join us for a rare look at a class attraction which never got built but which lingers in the minds of Disney fans and Imagineers.

View: A Rare Look At Proposed Marc Davis Attraction, Western River Expedition

The MiceChat weekly news, discussion, rumor, and trip report round up is back with even more fun and interesting news from the parks.  The first MiceChat family has spotted Disneyland's new president in the parks and has the pictures to prove it.  Knott's Berry Farm is running some great ticket specials, including Haunt.  Disney's newest characters from Princess and the Frog are already making appearances in the parks.  New animatronics for Indy.  A possible high speed rail station to Anaheim and connecting Peoplemover to Disneyland.  Animal Kingdom has two very tall babies.  MiceChat rates 'Where The Wild Things Are.'  Plus - Hatbox Ghost, Balloon Boy, FanArt, crowded parks, and dozens of top news and discussion links.  The greatest diversion on earth just arrived - enjoy the round up!

View: Top Disney news, rumor, discussion, photo, and trip report round up

Construction crews have been working through weekends lately to meet World of Color's deadlines.  The amount of technology crammed into one lagoon is impressive and Dateline Disneyland brings us lots of shots to drool over.  Also in Disneyland News today, the first of the 55th anniversary merchandise has begun to hit the stores.  A bit of Disneyland history has returned to the back of Tom Sawyer Island.  New Disneyland President, George Kalogridis, has only been on the job for one week, but is already making a mark on the park.  As always, Dateline Disneyland brings us the news, photos, and construction updates from the Disneyland Resort.  It was a glorious week to be in the parks.

View: Dateline Disneyland News, Photos, and Construction Updates from the Disneyland resort

Hello, and welcome to the Weekend Update.  Each week, we take a unique journey.  This week, join us for the unveiling of a brand new attraction at Walt Disney World.  Tucked inside Epcot's Innoventions, guests are being turned head over heals for Raytheon's Sum of All Thrills!  Then we visit something really sweet, Candy Corn Acres at Disney's California Adventure. Next up is opulent Saint Petersburg, Russia. And as a special treat, we will view more vintage postcard images - this week, Pirates of the Caribbean!  Enjoy the journey.

View: Weekend Update Disney and Family Travel Blog