Disney News Round Up: California Grill Review, Halloween Villains and more

California Grill Re-Imagined
After seven months of refurbishment, the California Grill is back with a new menu, subtle decor enhancements, and one Mother of All Parties to kick off the re-launch.

MiceChat Urgently Needs Your Help to Give Kids The World
MiceChat needs your support. Next week (Sept 12th), we’ll participate in a fundraiser for one of our favorite charities, GIVE KIDS THE WORLD.

MICECHAT PODCAST #11

Did you hear the Disney angels singing hallelujah? For a long weekend in August, all the Disney stars aligned during Disney’s big Comic-Con like event, the D23 Expo. Of course, MiceChat was there. We set up a huge booth and offered three days of Disney Celebrity meet and greets, giveaways, podcasts and more. But the big fish was Disney itself, who set up massive pavilions for Imagineering, Archives, Legends and more. In this show, we tie ropes around our waists and jump head first into the cave of Disney wonders. We make it back with quite a few gems to share. Oh, and we finally break Dusty. We think you’ll be touched. It’s truly one of our best (and also the longest) podcast we’ve done to date:

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LAST CALL: Set sail for adventure on the high seas with Disney Imagineering legend Bob Gurr. MiceChat’s fall cruise on the Disney Fantasy is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You’ll be kicking yourself forever if you skip this one. Don’t miss the boat. Click HERE for details!

Disney’s Halloween Time
This time of the year is a favorite for many Disney fans, Disney’s Halloween Time is offered at the Disneyland Resort during the times of September 13th – October 31st. What you will expect for this is listed out below!

• On Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland is decked out for the Main Street Pumpkin Festival. Hundreds of unique carved pumpkins will be on display in shop windows and none of them are the same!
• In Adventureland they have The Pirates League which kids of any age can become a swashbuckling buccaneer!
• Looking for your favorite Villain? During this holiday event you can find Disney villains gathering to plot Halloween mischief at “it’s a small world” Mall in Disneyland, while other characters in spooky attire greet guests in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A.
• If you are traveling to Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland will find pumpkin carvers, Halloween décor and activities for youngsters!
• Looking for some scary excitement? Space Mountain offers a Halloween overlay called “Ghost Galaxy” which takes you through a scary haunted ride!
• No Halloween celebration would be complete without the return of Jack Skellington and his friends to transform the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square into the popular seasonal Haunted Mansion Holiday which is celebrating its 13th year!
• Lastly Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separately ticketed night time event which gives kids and their families the opportunity to dress in their Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat throughout Disneyland after it has closed to regular guests.

This coming Friday is the beginning of Halloweentime at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, and the Villains have a special event to kick things off that evening!  Even the Mad T Party gets a little change for the season. We also have an interesting Dapper Day report this week, and a full video walking tour of Disneyland Park for you to enjoy! ~ Aladdin

Dapper Day 2013 – Villains Style!
Last Friday was an unofficial Dapper Day at Disneyland. Dreams of Color and friends decided to place a different spin on the day, and got in the Halloweentime spirit a little early. See their unique take of Dapper Day in his report!

Sights and Sounds of Disneyland in a Smooth 1 Hour Steady Walking Tour – Steadicam
SoCalbma has another wonderful video. This this he has a full walking tour of Disneyland Park! A full hour long. If you need your Disneyland fix, between trips, this will help you through that time!

Disneyland to buy and build new parking lot
Disneyland is in the process of purchasing additional land near the resort, this time to meet the needs of Cast Member Parking! Details are here!

Disneyland Name Paintings
MrsRider29 asks about the Name Painting that are done near the Matterhorn and in Downtown Disney. Find out what they look like, if you don’t already know, and if yo have had one done, tell us about yours, or even share a photo of how yours turned out!

Halloween additions coming to Mad T Party
The Mad T Party in DCA will change things up, just a little, and add a little Halloweentime flavor to their repertoire! Find out more, here.

New threads this week include a cozy collection of Disneyland rumors and an unqieu idea for a themed land there. ~ Trekkie Dad

A Winterland Themed Area (Original Concept Art Included)
Flickering Bulb has worked out a plan for knocking out TDA offices and replacing them with a themed land that’s in winter all year round. Included is ski inspired coaster. Check out the impressive art work.

Main Villain each year for Halloweentime
imaginashton thinks Disneyland’s Halloweentime should be hosted by a main villain each year whose influence takes center stage throughout the park, starting with taking over the castle.

New DLR Attractions
muppetaz found that when you chat with a cast member, you get an earful about planned attractions and refurbishments that may or may not see daylight.

This week brings us to the Netherlands, to help a reader with some questions, a look at Glow With the Show Ears coming to Walt Disney World, a question about the longest serving CM at Walt Disney World, and the location of Wishes Fastpass. All of this and more in this week’s edition of the Walt Disney World roundup! ~ YoYoFlamingo

Glow with the Show Ears coming Oct 15th!
Are you a fan of the Glow With the Show Ears that were introduced at Disneyland to interact with the popular nighttime shows? Well, you’re in luck because they are now arriving at Walt Disney World in time for the holiday season. Read the details and share your thoughts here.

Wishes fastpass
seafaring_ghost asks a very valid question that no one seems to have asked: just where is the viewing location for Wishes if you choose a Fastpass+ for the popular fireworks show?

Dutch Disney fan needs help
JosM is a MiceChatter all the way from the Netherlands and needs our help scheduling a trip to Walt Disney World. Help answer his questions and offer suggestions to make his trip wonderful!

Longest serving CM at WDW?
An interesting question: Everyone knows of Oscar at Carnation Cafe at Disneyland, but is there a CM at Walt Disney World who has that distinction in Florida? Share your findings and stories here.

Daily Tokyo Disney Resort Photo Sharing Thread
Just like the other park forums, WDWFigment has started a photo sharing thread and it is off to a good start. Add a photo or just enjoy.

Original design for the TDS Tower of Terror
Noticing differences from the model and the acutal versions, mtlchuck wonders if anyone has more information on the early concepts for Tokyo’s Tower of Terror.

HKDL 8th Anniversary merchandise
Asa points out that 8 is a lucky number in Chinese culture and that this is the 8th anniversary of the Hong Kong Disneyland. So here is some of the merchandise available to celebrate.

Tokyo 2020
With Tokyo hosting the 2020 Olympics, disfa10 is wondering how this will effect the parks?

 

Welcome to this week’s Communicore Weekly, where we talk about Empress Lilly, Florida Theme Parks, Whiz Quiz, and Fire Plaques! DISNEY HISTORY! — Have you ever been on the Empress Lilly? Learn all about this Walt Disney World establishment in this weeks Disney History! BOOK OF THE WEEK! — George and Jeff read up on Florida Theme Parks for the Book of the Week! BATHROOM -BREAK! — Want to take whiz quiz? Find out where it is in this weeks Bathroom Break! FIVE LEGGED GOAT! — And finally, the fire plaques in New Orleans Square are this weeks Five Legged Goat!

Sarah – Vanishing Attractions at Disneyland
How do you feel about Captain EO / The Court of Angels disappearing from Disneyland? Get ready for some sweet Limited Time Magic offerings this Fall! Also get ready for Dapper Day this week!

Wakefield Report, covers the latest in theme park news! find full notes on this podcast at WakefieldReport.com.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Coffee with Kurtti features Keith and Jeff reflecting on their in-person recording failure, how fun the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet was, the Saving Mr. Banks trailer, and a little-known Disney employee periodical Jeff worked on called WD Eye.

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Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast, brings you a special edition of the show, recorded live from the Mythos restaurant in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. We include the full update from Darren, on this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, in his Dead Man’s DieGest and then we return to Mythos.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

The Season Pass: This week CEO of Renaissance Entertainment Jon Binkowski joins Doug Barnes and Robert Coker in the Season Pass Discussion Room!  Jon discusses the start of his career at SeaWorld, to starting Renaissance Entertainment, to becoming the CCO of the most famous “Unfortunate” Theme Park in U.S. history–Hard Rock Park.

iTunes Link

Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast, In this episode we will bring you news from all 3 SeaWorld Parks, SeaWorld Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego, along with an incredible interview with Catherine Brown a Sea Lion trainer at SeaWorld San Antonio, talk to Super Fan Becca, and Super Fan Erin who just came back from Career Camp at SeaWorld Orlando. We also have an animal spotlight on Harbor Seals, some inspiring Sea Rescue stories and more!

Direct Link | iTunes Link

V24 Radio presents Disneyland’s FANTASMIC! this Friday!

At 2pm Eastern, our Friday Finale will be the full version of Fantasmic! from the west coast. Tune in at V24Radio.com to hear it!

Every Friday at 2pm Eastern, V24 Radio plays one of the “big shows” from Disney Parks. Which would YOU like to hear? Send a note to us on our Contact Page and we’ll get it on for you on Fridays!

While we wait for more news on Aquatica we’ll catch up on Shamu’s Halloween Spooktacular, take a tour of a new bridge, visit the oldest amusement park in the world and tag along on a cruise. ~ DLandFansAZ

Bakken – The oldest amusement park in the world
Just outside of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark lays Brakken, the oldest amusement park in the world.

Aquatica Expansion to be announced Friday Sept 6th 2013
Well the announcement came and all we know now is that there is a 105ft waterslide coming to Aquatica Orlando.

Details released on the 2013 Shamu Halloween Spooktacular event at SeaWorld Orlando
KingEric brings us information about the Shamu Halloween Spooktacular this year at SeaWorld Orlando.

Behold-The Most Expensive Bridge! New SF Bay Bridge on foot with camera.
We are given a guided tour by ralfrick of the newly opened San Fransisco Oakland Bay Bridge.

Cruise on the Oasis of the Seas – a Photo TR
mikeland just went on an eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Oasis of the Seas and brings us an incredible photo report.

We invite you to join us on a very special MiceChat voyage to the Eastern Caribbean on the newest ship of the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy.

Universal Orlando Update – New Lorax Ride for Islands of Adventure
We have a huge update for you this week from Universal Orlando Resort. Big crowds at Rock the Universe, a new attraction rumor for Islands of Adventure, and updates all around the Universal Resort.

Disneyland gets ready for Friday the 13th and Halloween Time during the brief off-season
Disneyland guests enjoyed light crowds as the park entered a short post-summer off-season last week. Various projects around Disneyland continue, including Starbucks nearing completion on Main Street, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad‘s refurbishment moving along.

Marvel World: Marvel Was Everywhere at D23
D23 was certainly a different convention experience for me after covering Wondercon and San Diego Comic-Con for Micechat previously.

DESIGN: Those Were The Times – No.17 1961 Soaring With the Birds
We have a treat for you today as Disney Imagineering Legend, Bob Gurr, takes to the clouds. Who says man can’t fly, Bob can!

1972 Walt Disney World Facts
I’m always surprised when I run across articles from Disney publications that promote statistics or behind-the-scenes information. It was a lot more prevalent in the 1970s as Disney was still trying to figure out.

SeaWorld San Diego Gets Curvy
SeaWorld San Diego is preparing for the big 50th anniversary coming up in March. The main attraction of the celebration will be the new interactive entrance facilities.

Alaska Cruise: Icy Strait Point
Here’s part four of BC_DisneyGeek’s report on his Alaska Cruise on the Celebrity Century. I’d like a pineapple fritter please. Rick Part four of the trip has us heading to our first port, Icy Strait.

Port Aventura Spain: One of Europe’s Best Theme Parks
Originally built by Busch Entertainment Corp. and the Tussaud Group, the Spanish theme park, Port Aventura, was purchased by Universal in 1997 and renamed Universal Port Aventura.

Florida Theme Parks by Alex Miller
George: Alex Miller has released a book called Florida Theme Parks: a Guide, detailing 20 different Florida theme parks, amusement parks and family fun centers.

SeaWorld Teases Expansion to Aquatica Orlando
On Friday the 6th, SeaWorld Parks and Resorts teased an expansion to their flagship water park, Aquatica in Orlando. When Aquatica first opened in 2008, Kevin Yee reviewed Aquatica.

Oswald Moves in for a limited Time at Disneyland Resort
Lads and lassies, we have a nice update for you today from the Disneyland Resort.  Disney California Adventure and Disneyland are both experiencing a wonderful lull in attendance.

Epcot Starbucks Now OPEN!
Hello, and welcome to Dateline Disney World! This week, we’ll take a look at the newly open Starbucks location in Epcot as well as preparation for this year’s Food and Wine Festival.

Rainbow Ridge Pack Mules
There’s a ride that’s so low-tech that it keeps operating even if there’s a power failure. However, that doesn’t mean it’s always reliable.

Five Ways To Save Money At Disney When Traveling With Kids
We all know that a Disney vacation can be a hefty financial commitment, but here are a few ways to cut costs when traveling with little ones.

Terminator 2: 3D Battle Across Time
Director James Cameron may be best known for his use of cutting edge technology in telling monumental stories. When Terminator 2: Judgement Day debuted on July 3, 1991.

Hayao Miyazaki Retires From Filmmaking, Fans Shocked
We have some major but very sad news out of Japan where Hayao Miyazaki, the animation genius, has announced that he is set to retire.

Final Thoughts on the 2013 D23 Expo
For many people, the takeaway from the 2013 D23 Expo was the lack of real takeaways. There were no substantial announcements from the Studios or the Parks and Resorts which left some people underwhelmed.

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]