Last week brought news of unexpected ride closures at the Disneyland Resort. The latest MiceAge Update explains why those closures happened, along with news on what’s coming soon to Disneyland. Bob Gurr looks back at Light Tragic Magic and explains why it wasn’t a suitable replacement for the Electrical Parade. More people share their opinions of the Iron Man exhibit at Innoventions, wonderful memories of Annette Funicello, and tracks for the upcoming Seven Dwarfs mine coaster.  Of course, there’s much more.  We take a look at the new Mystic Manor ride in Hong Kong, Universal Studios Hollywood gets the green light for massive expansion and new Communicore weekly and Unofficial SeaWorld Podcasts are ready for your enjoyment.  And off we go!

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

MiceAge Update: Disneyland’s Great Space Safety Race

With the breaking news of ride closures across the Disneyland Resort, Al and the MiceAge crew bring the info to you.  Who did it?  Cal OSHA?  TDA?  We give you the straight scoop here and fill you in on a few more situations too.  Who’s excited for the Lone Ranger movie?  Yeah, we aren’t either.

Universal Studios Hollywood Given Green Light For Evolution

Harry Potter’s magical arrival to Hollywood was announced nearly a year ago.  But the plans have been on hold until now.  The County and City of Los Angeles finally gave NBC Universal the green light for the major “evolution” plan that will bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and thousands of jobs to the area.

Spoiler Alert: Hong Kong Disneyland Mystic Manor Ride Through!

Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mystic Manor is up and running in cast member tests and previews. The first videos prove that the attraction is a spectacular family-friendly dark ride with advanced special effects. The trackless ride vehicles allow for superior fluid movement and the music and cute central character are sure to hook guests and create a beloved new Disney attraction.

Sign Up for the Mice Chat Round Up Here!

 

The Anabella Hotel has a very special offer just for MiceChatters! For the remainder of April, we are offering a rate of $79/night (plus tax and fees) and FREE parking for King, Queen, and Queen/Queen rooms. In addition, you’ll receive a coupon to return later this year where you’ll receive one night half off with a minimum two night stay. Space is limited so make your reservation now by calling 714.905.1050 or clicking this link: https://bookings.ihotelier.com/bookings.jsp?HotelID=12698&ProdID=497614&killcookie=1&LanguageID=1


micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

Marvel has entered Tomorrowland,  and then we go back in time to the 50’s and 70’s this week! ~ Aladdin

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

Our photo tour of the Iron Man exhibit in Innoventions

Fresh Baked Disney enters Innoventions to take a look at Stark Industries latest technology. Can this bit of Marvel fiction breath new life into Innoventions, or is it just kissing a corpse of an attraction “buh-bye”

Early 70’s Disneyland Hotel Screen Shots From Film

oldhotelguy takes us back to the early 1970’s, with photos of the Disneyland Hotel area!

My first TR, my 50th visit with this pass!

CassiefRN takes us for a ride on the Lilly Belle, and then over to the Carthay Circle for dinner!

1957 Disneyland Hotel Footage Featuring Annette

Going back to 1957, oldhotelguy has this cute video of Annette dancing at the Disneyland Hotel, for a special benefit.

1957 Disneyland Hotel Footage: Mouseketeers March & Roll Call

Here is the Mickey Mouse Club performing their roll call at the Disneyland Hotel! Thanks to oldhotelguy for locating this video for us to enjoy!


 

 The Special Events Crew is looking for a
few volunteers for the Gumball Rally.

We need people who can give us at least 3 hours of their time on Saturday, May the 4th, between the hours of 9 am and 8 pm. If you make the commitment to give us some time, the only thing we ask in return is that you show up. micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

If you wanted to be a part of the Gumball Rally but didn’t sign up for a team, please click this link and complete the form to let us know your availablity the day of the Gumball Rally. The Spotters will be out in the open again this year so that the teams can find them if there are questions or concerns during the event. Please do not reply in this thread.

The last day to volunteer is Monday, April 29th.


micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Would California Adventure be a good place for a ride similar to Hong Kong’s Mystic Manor? Read what our armchair imagineers have to say. Meanwhile, over at Walt Disney World, there’s a hat whose days might be numbered. ~ Trekkie Dad

Grizzly Peak Mystery Shack. A new take on Mystic Manor

SoCalFan has seen the videos of Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mystic Manor and wonders if a similar (but not identical) ride might be a good addition to the Grizzly Peak area of Disney California Adventure.

Would you like to see Mystic Manor in DCA ?

DCAfanatic has an idea similar to the one above and has created a poll where you can voice your opinion.

Sorcerer Hat to be Gone by the end of 2013?

An unnamed cast member has told the Witches of Morva that the hat standing in front of the Chinese Theater at Disney Hollywood Studios will be gone by the end of the year. Do you think it will happen?

Mystic Manor imagination redo

Some Disney characters are rarely seen around Disneyland and MTdizzle94 has ideas about where they could appear.


micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
This week brings us some joy in a rather bleak time, some rumors about the future of a certain despised icon and Walt Disney World as a whole, and all four parks in just one day! Take a look at all this and more in the RoundUp this week! ~yoyoflamingo

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

All Four Disney World Parks in One Day! (Photo Heavy)

Join Flickering Bulb and his family as they do the oft talked of but hardly achieved 4 parks in one day trip report. There’s a lot of pictures to take in here!

Disney at Work to Spread Joy in an Evil World

In light of some difficult times, here’s a story meant to put a smile on your face and some tears in your eyes. Read and see what makes Disney so special.

Sorcerer Hat to be Gone by the end of 2013?

While we’ve seen this rumor before, and with rumors swirling about the Studios in general, could this spell the end for an icon that brings up almost as much controversy at the

EPCOT wand? EPCOT ‘announcement’ Thursday’s media event

With a big media event planned for Thursday and the rumors of a big announcement coming, should we get our hopes up, or are we awaiting the arrival of more benches?


Be a Mouseaddict! MiceChat has partnered with the best of the Disneyland in-park app to bring you wait times, tips, maps, events, schedules and more . . . all with MiceChat integration and special deals. With just a tap in this beautifully designed app, you can read the very latest MiceChat blogs, check your private messages, find showtimes up to a week in advance, view menus and make dining reservations, see current wait times and crowd levels, see the park as it was in 1955, create reminders for shows, dining and FastPass… and too many more features to list here.

Here’s the best news: Mouseaddict is free and available right now in the App Store for iPhone and iPad. Visit http://mouseaddict.com to learn more and download the app for free.


micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

MiceTrip: Sail Away on the Disney Fantasy with MiceChat 
October 19th – 26th, 2013

Treat yourself to a very special MiceChat voyage to the Eastern Caribbean on the newest ship of the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy. Don’t miss out on this unique MiceChat experience!  Contact [email protected] today and prepare to sail away with magical memories at sea.


micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

MICECHATTER with SARAH

It was a week of big changes at Disneyland as Iron Man opened and the Market House closed.

COMMUNICORE WEEKLY

A Brand new Communicore Weekly with Jeff and George as we talk about Six Flags, Disney U, Lincoln, and Liberty Square!

IN THE PARKS – EXCLUSIVE TOUR

A Hardhat Tour of Knott’s Boardwalk rides under construction and The Timber Mountain Log Ride refurb.

UNOFFICIAL SEAWORLD PODCAST

Get the all new Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast here!

Direct Link | iTunes Link

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

Limited Time Listening remembers a Disneyland classic

This week on Tuesday through Thursday at 1pm Eastern, Limited Time Listening brings you Date Night at Disneyland! We’re playing audio from the beloved event from Disney’s past. Jive to big band music all hour atV24Radio.com!

Limited Time Listening goes every Monday to Thursday at 1pm Eastern on V24 and features a different themed show each week.

New Music on V24

V24 Radio has added some new tracks to the station this week! Listen for these:
The Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian – Pop Century Lobby Music
Wild Wild Life – Wailing Souls – Blizzard Beach Area Music
Raven – Superstition – Haunted Mansion Movie Remix

Free lunch at Earl of Sandwich

V24 Insiders get station information before anyone else! Plus, for becoming one by signing up here, you are automatically entered for a free lunch!
V24 Radio has teamed up with Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney Anaheim and Orlando to give you a $20 giftcard every Friday! V24 Insiders will be notified by email each week if they’re the winner. Good luck!

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

If you’ve never been to Hong Kong Disneyland, you’re in for a treat when you check out the report below ~ Trekkie Dad

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

Mystic Manor Official Opening Date

MickeyHKP has found a link to a short news article (in Chinese) announcing the opening date of Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mystic Manor.

Mystic Manor in the news video!

HongKongDisneyland has a link to a news video (also in Chinese) along with a lot of still shots from it.

Spoiler Alert! Mystic Manor POV ! Magnificent Special Effects!

If you really want to know what it will be like in Mystic Manor, check out the videos found by HongKongDisneyland and Ringu.

Spoiler! Mystic Manor attraction!

After you’ve seen the videos of Hong Kong’s Mystic Manor in the above threads, check out the pictures and commentaries supplied by Vlad.

Tokyo Disneyland Pics April 1-2, 2013

ratoncitaloca has some nice pictures from a recent trip to Tokyo Disneyland.


micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Magic Kingdom’s A Pirate’s Adventure – Treasure of the Seven Seas

The upcoming game, A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas, will soon debut in Adventureland. I will provide several photos here of the game stations now installed in the park, though the game isn’t yet running.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
DESIGN: Those Were The Times No.8 – Disneyland’s Tragic Light Magic

Today’s Wheel of Years has stopped at 1997, so here we go. Everyone remembers the now Classic Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade. Since the early 1970s this wonderful creation has traveled to several Disney Parks and has also inspired similar parade designs in a number of theme parks world wide, some of which are Disney competitors. So how do you top a Classic? Create something even more advanced, since designers have years of operating experience, and the creative equipment and tools have become far more advanced over the years. WRONG!

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Starbucks moves into the Market House as refurbishment projects continue at Disneyland

Happy Earth Day! Disneyland‘s Market House coffee shop closed last week to make room for the park’s upcoming Starbucks location. Building on the success of the hugely successful Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe at Disney California Adventure, the classic Market House at Disneyland will expand into the Disneyana art shop, ensuring the cafe has space to handle big crowds when it reopens this fall. The space will retain its turn-of-the-century Main Street aesthetic but will serve the full selection of Starbucks coffee and espresso beverages, which should be a notable improvement over the shop’s previous menu. InFrontierland, the Mark Twain Riverboat has reopened following an extended refurbishment as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad continues through its major 10-month overhaul. Over at the Fantasyland Theater, the new Mickey and the Magical Map show continues to come together behind construction walls as it nears its late-May opening.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Animal Kingdom News, Construction, and Photos

Jambo everyone! This week, we’ll be taking a look at some news, construction, and photos from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We have about 60 photos of the park for you to enjoy today.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

From The Mouth of the Mouse: Rory’s Disneyland Days – Part 2

In today’s From The Mouth Of The Mouse, we continue our conversation with Rory, who worked at Disneyland in the late 1960s.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Disney U by Doug Lipp

Doug Lipp, a consultant, public speaker and former Disney University trainer has released a new book about customers, loyalty and creating a customer-centric business. Disney U: How Disney University Develops the World’s Most Engaged, Loyal, and Customer-Centric Employees is not your standard tome of how Disney does things different. It’s a book that’s going to appeal to business leaders and Disney nerds.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Hard Hat Tour of Knotts Berry Farm Log Ride Refurbishment and New Boardwalk Rides

Knotts Berry Farm is currently hard at work on two major projects. What will likely get the most media attention is an expansion to the Boardwalk area of the park with three new family rides: The Pacific Scrambler, Coast Glider, and the 52 foot tall Coast Rider family coaster. Knott’s invited us to the park to take a first hand look at the progress of all the construction as well as a bit of one on one time with the creative folks behind these projects.

In The Parks: Fairies, Ride Closures and Springtime Fun at Disneyland

We were invited up to Six Flags Magic Mountain yesterday to see the topping off of Full Throttle’s Loop. We were able to take a great behind the scenes look at this enormous bit of…

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Universal Orlando Resort, Harry Potter, Transformers, and Screen Play

We have a big update from Universal Orlando Resort for you today. Universal’s brand new package deal gives new meaning to their slogan “Vacation like you Mean it.” Signage goes up at Transformers, Rip Ride Rockit gets Express, Mardi Gras gets packed away until next year, Diagon Alley continues to grow, Universal taunts us with Springfield, Grad Bash Delights, Minions fly over Universal Orlando, the Universal Screen Play App goes 3D. Plus loads of photos and commentary.

SeaWorld Orlando Inches Closer to Antarctica

We have a bit of Fire and Ice for you as SeaWorld Orlando kicks off the Viva La Musica festival.  We also check out the progress on Antarctica as it nears completion.  Anyone making plans to be here for the May 24th Grand Opening?  We hope to see you there.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Marvel World: Raphael Sbarge Talks Jiminy Cricket

One of the great features of WonderCon, or any pop culture convention for that matter, is the opportunity to meet celebrities and icons.  While browsing Autograph Alley at WonderCon 2013, I happened upon Raphael Sbarge, the actor who plays Jiminy Cricket on ABC’s Once Upon a Time. He was meeting with his fans and signing autographs.  After introducing myself, Mr. Sbarge very graciously offered me an interview.  Well, how could I refuse!

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Get Park Wise: Top Tips on Using Disney PhotoPass

A couple weeks ago, we pondered the question of whether or not Disney PhotoPass is worth the money.  If you decided it wasn’t, maybe these tips will sway you or give you a few ideas you can use with your personal camera.  If you decided it was, here are a few ways to help you get the most out of Disney’s PhotoPass service.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Disneyland the Exceptional, Acceptable, and Regrettable

Do you have to go to school to learn what are the proper elements that make up spaces that are alive, functional, and beautiful? No. Inside, everybody knows what is right. Most of the time they just do not know how to articulate what they are feeling. My experience has shown me that the best places are those that share these three elements in abundance; qualityvariety, and surprise.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Epic Trip to Tokyo Disneyland: Final Day, Final Thoughts

Weekend update offers the final day of a fantastic trip… “On my third day I visited Tokyo Disneyland in the morning, ready to get onto Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain. Well, that didn’t happen. I was able to get a FP for the Haunted Mansion. I then headed to Pirates of the Caribbean which had the shortest standby line of the day – 10 minutes (that line didn’t stay that short). Pirates is like Disneyland in California, complete with Blue Bayou Restaurant (different menu). The best part was seeing the pirates chasing the women – I remember this from my childhood and it just made me smile.”


Villa View at Aulani

Imagine that you’re on your private lanai about halfway up the Waianae tower at Aulani. No matter which direction you look, the view is great—but the best view is toward the ocean.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
Lincoln: a Blu-ray Review

It might seem odd that Jeff and George are reviewing a Dreamworks Blu-ray in the Disney Review column, but this film has some special ties to Disney.

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni
And that’s our Disney News update for this week. Thank you for reading! If you haven’t signed-up for an account on MiceChat,  you’re missing out on a lot of fun news and discussions. Take a moment to register on MiceChat – IT’S FREE.

MiceChat Family
Would you like to be a MiceChat Sponsor or Partner?

Would you like to sponsor the MiceChat Disney news Round Up? Are you interested in becoming a MiceChat partner? Would you like to write for MiceChat? Have news you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. Please contact [email protected]


The MiceEars Crew and MiceChat Disney News Club put a lot of time and effort into making these Round-Ups happen. Here are the members:

Your Editor: CakvalaSC

The MiceEars Crew: Demigod, Aladdin, elly, Yoyoflamingo, Trekkie Dad, DLandFansAZ, RegionsBeyond, Disney Wrassler, Fishbulb & Dustysage.

The MiceEars Crew can be e-mailed at: [email protected] if you have questions for Anthony our Editor he can be e-mailed at: [email protected]

micechat, MiceChat News Round Up: Mystic Manor Opens, Disneyland Rides Close, Big News for Uni

Thank you for reading! If you are looking for more Disney and theme park news and information, please visit the MiceChat Forums and MiceAge, there is always a world of fun waiting for you.

We hope to see you online again soon, Dusty and the amazing MiceChat crew!

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Norman Gidney
Norman Gidney, also known as Fishbulb, has produced and edited many of the articles on MiceChat over the years.