Today’s MiceChat Round Up is filled with Disney and theme park news, rumors, podcasts, photos and videos. FastPass is going fully electronic at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom.  Towne Square Photography is closing in Disneyland Paris.  Dreamlights at Tokyo Disneyland is getting show stops again. Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates Grinchmas with wonderful new streetmosphere and The Discover Science Center takes on the Science of Gingerbread.  There’s a lot to see today!

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MiceChat Newsletter

Going Paperless: FASTPASS Becomes Fully Electronic at Disney Animal Kingdom
I think I’m going to bring cookies to the Guest Relations Cast Members at Animal Kingdom. They will need the boost! What’s going on? FASTPASS as you know it will end this week (starting December 18) at Animal Kingdom, with only electronic (ie, FASTPASS+, or FP+) reservations remaining. The paper ticket system (“legacy FASTPASS”) will be turned off. This test is scheduled to last for four days, but clearly this is meant to be a taste of the future and what awaits us all.

MiceChat Newsletter

Help Us Save Walt Disney’s Birthplace
Our good friends Dina Benadon and Brent Young of design company Super 78 have embarked on a remarkable journey to save the home that Walt Disney was born in. So many of the important structures of Walt’s life have passed into history that it is a small miracle the little house in Chicago remains at all.

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It’s time to get ready for the next BIG MiceChat Trip!  Join Bob Gurr and the MiceChat Crew as we set sail for the Mediterranean for points exotic.  Stay long enough and you can also join us for a trip though Disneyland Paris!  Ask us for more details by emailing us at [email protected]Divider

MiceChat Podcast

MiceChat Podcast #13- Disney Holidays & Walt’s Birthplace Revealed!
Dusty and Doug are back behind the microphone with their pals from Super 78 and they’ve got some amazing news that involves you. We’re going to save Walt Disney’s house, the one he was born in! But that’s certainly not all, we take a quick look at the jingle jangle spirit in the theme parks this Christmas season and we’ve also got news, rumors and more about upcoming Disney Imagineering projects. This is a very fun episode. Be sure to share with your friends.


Direct Link | iTunes Link

Enter the Save Walt’s Birthplace Contest:

Complete the information below and we’ll enter you in a contest to win one of the limited-edition Walt Disney Birthplace cedar shake wood chip (from the original cedar shake roof material Elias used to build the house) molded into an engraved acrylic block.

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Please help us save Walt Disney’s Birthplace – Click the Kickstarter Widget Below

Disney Parks News and Reports

Disneyland – Old Photos and Ephemera Thread
Started by RegionsBeyond two years ago, this fantastic read goes through every possible area of Disneyland of yester.

Disneyland food
SultrySiren wants to know your favorite Disneyland food, and why. Share some possible recipes that duplicate those great dishes!

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Look below for a couple rumors and additions from our fellow MiceChatters! ~ Trekkie Dad

Frozen being tossed around as a replacement for Aladdin in DCA?
It looks like Frozen is the latest idea under consideration for replacing the Aladdin show at Disney California Adventure, according to a rumor found by imaginashton.

Additions to WDW
mtlchuck has seen a few attractions at Disneyland Paris that would make good additions to Walt Disney World in Florida.

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MiceChat Newsletter

Photo report from DisneySEA – Christmas Wishes
Duyanh92 brings us a great trip report from DisneySEA with outstanding photographs.

The end of Town Square Photography
For those use love Town Square Photography at Disneyland Paris. It will be replaced with Flora’s Boutique shop.

DREAMLIGHTS show stop is Back
Last week was the return of the Dreamlights show stop at Tokyo Disneyland.

HKDL trip report
biggsworth brings us another photo trip report, this time from the Hong Kong Resort.

 

AV Room

DoomBuggies Spook Show #3: Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Holiday
In this special episode, the DoomBuggies Spook Show celebrates Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Holiday seasonal overlay with an extensive behind-the-scenes look at the development and creation of this extremely popular attraction.

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Welcome to this week’s Communicore Weekly, where we talk about George’s Trip Report, The Disneyland Story, Mary Poppins, Crystal Arts! TRIP REPORT! — George just got back from a research trip to Walt Disney World and he tells us what he thinks of the recent changes in the Trip Report! BOOK OF THE WEEK! — George and Jeff read The Disneyland Story for the Book of the Week! 60 SECOND REVIEW! — The Mary Poppins Blu Ray is practically perfect in every way in the 60 Second Review! FIVE LEGGED GOAT! — And finally, the Crystal Arts hides this weeks Five Legged Goat!

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

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Disafterdark Disney Podcast: Our guest this week is Mike from Castle to Castle. This week, Paul B is on Celebration Ale ,Paul D is on Miller Lite and Nick is on mulled wine, Mike is having a Hot Chocolate. We chat about some news as usual. Mike gives us a track by track run down of the album “Together at Christmas” with John Denver and The Muppets

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Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast, Welcome to our penultimate episode before Christmas and on this show we have our usual news discussion, which includes Universal Orlando’s CityWalk announcement, The Who-bilation Presentation at Universal Hollywood and some ticket price rises at Universal Studios Japan, as well as others, we then finish up the show with the second half of our Walk the Walk of Citywalk in Orlando.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast, where we take you inside the incredible Christmas offerings at SeaWorld Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio.  We also share breaking news about the show pool at Shamu Stadium in Orlando closing for the first few months of 2014 while they refurbish it, then we talk about the Killer Whale Calf born in San Antonio.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Window to the Magic: “The Ghosts of Disney Holidays Past” This week, Jeremiah shares with you several forgotten or little known audio files from Disney Parks Holiday celebrations.  The Ghosts of Holidays Past are: The Main Street Electrical Parade – Christmas Version, Luminaria and Holiday Illuminations!

Direct Link | iTunes Link

The Seasonpass Podcast
This Week- TSPP looks into the “Hit” Attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, Mystic Manor! Not only will you hear about the experience from Zane Jench (Attractions Creator and Theme Park Fan), but sitting on the panel is Mysitc Manor creative contributors Jerry Rees (Media, Staging, Concept, Design, etc.) and Stephen Stanton (The Voice of Lord Henry Mystic)! Recorded during the 2013 D23 Expo. Enjoy!

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In today’s Mousetalgia, we discuss the benefits and perils of the new MyMagic+ experience at Walt Disney World and review Disney’s Frozen. First, we talk about dining at Walt Disney World, and the resort’s newest feature, My Disney Experience and MyMagic+, a system that has been getting a lot of press lately due to complications and bugs in the system. Technically still in testing, MyMagic+ promises to make vacations at the Walt Disney World resort a dream – but is the experience living up to the hype? Listen to Dave and Becky’s experience with the new system and judge for yourself. In addition, they discuss the holidays at Walt Disney World, and get stranded on Maelstrom. Also, Jeff and Kristen discuss Disney animation’s latest blockbuster, Frozen. Going back to princess-based fairy tales, Disney seems to be falling back into familiar territory, but does Frozen offer something fresh? We debate the merits of this solid box office hit. Plus – a great sweepstakes giveaway, holiday gift giving ideas – and more.

Direct Link

V24 Disney Radio

V24 Radio is taking you Downtown all week….Downtown Disney that is!

Tune in at 1pm Eastern as we play Disney pop star tunes all hour long.

From Demi Lovato and Katy Perry, to the Jonas Brothers and Aly & AJ, we’ll cover it all!

Catch it while it lasts! Its Limited Time Listening on V24 Radio!

Other Theme Parks

MiceChat Newsletter

2013 Grinchmas and a New Streetmosphere show Videos
SoCalbma brings us some awesome videos from Universal Studios California.

Other Theme Parks


Save the dates of Feburary 7th, 8th and 9th, 2014 for special Disney presentations, cocktail parties, Lunches, breakfasts, meets in the park, giveaways, friendship and more. Make sure you don’t miss out, add your name to the Anniversary Weekend Email List HERE!

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Click here and we’ll enter you in a contest to win one of the limited-edition Walt Disney Birthplace cedar shake wood chip (from the original cedar shake roof material Elias used to build the house) molded into an engraved acrylic block.


The world famous MiceChat Gumball Rally will be rolling your way the first Saturday in May. Lots of fun and surprises are in store. Join the info list now so you won’t miss out on early discounted registration (just after the first of the year).  Last year’s event sold out in record time with over 100 names on the waiting list. Don’t end out shut out of the best fan event of the year, add your name to the list HERE and we’ll notify you when tickets go on sale.

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Featured Columns
MiceChat Newsletter

Knotts Merry Farm and MiceChat New Year’s Eve Special Event
Knott’s Merry Farm has returned this year along with the wonderful Christmas Crafts Village and Santa’s Cabin.

Universal Orlando – CityWalk update and Diagon Alley details
With all the Christmas activities and recent CityWalk announcement, we’ve been busy covering Universal Orlando Resort.

The Park In The Dark: Disneyland Resort Christmas Lights
We’ve covered the parades, shows and changes in the parks this holiday season. Today we bring you a special photo report of Disneyland’s beautiful Christmas lights from Fishbulb.

ImagiNERDing: Magic Kingdom Odds and Ends
I just wanted share some odds and ends from the Magic Kingdom that I ran across during my trip in early December.

SeaWorld Orlando Christmas – A Shamu Christmas Miracle
SeaWorld Orlando is awash in Christmas, with 7 unique Christmas shows and decorations around the park, it’s easy to get completely swept away by the Christmas spirit.

Welcome to the Jungle
Welcome to the Jungle! A trek into the wild side of the Disney Cast Blast. We have a couple of new cast member stories for you this week.

Raving Rabbids Invade French Theme Park
French theme park Futuroscope has debuted what is possibly the first theme park ride that whisks you through time on a toilet seat.

Practically Perfect in Every Way: Mary Poppins on Blu-ray
George: One of the most-beloved films of all time, especially from the Disney Studios, is finally on Blu-Ray. Just in time for its 50th anniversary and to help cross-promote the new film, Saving Mr. Banks.

MiceChat Newsletter

Disneyland Resort Holiday Frolic and Flowers
Happy Friday folks!  Today’s update is choc full of fun news and information from the Disneyland Resort.  To begin with, the Flower Market has returned to Main Street U.S.A.

Discovery Science Center: Science of Gingerbread
The holidays are usually associated with visions of sugar plums, candy and old St. Nick. But for the 8th year in a row, Discovery Science Center is presenting an inquisitive take on Christmas.

DCA Then & Now, Part 4: More Paradise Pier
Welcome to part 4 of Yesterland’s “then and now” series about Disney California Adventure. Part 3, featuring Paradise Pier, promised a follow-up article with more Paradise Pier comparisons.

Universal Orlando CityWalk Expansion to Add 8 New Venues in 2014
For fans of the Universal Orlando Resort, it has been a crazy few years.  The world changed in June 2010, when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Islands of Adventure.

How to Celebrate Your Birthday at Disney
Yours truly is having a birthday next Thursday (and, I really can’t fathom how I didn’t plan to be at a Disney Park on my 30th!!), so I thought I’d share some of the fun.

Samland – DISNEY FOR SALE?
Like many entertainment enterprises, sometimes the events taking place backstage are more interesting than what the audience was meant to see. That was certainly the case at Walt Disney Productions.

DESIGN: Those Were The Times – No.24 1943 Movie Stars and Paper Routes
Today’s Wheel of Years has stopped at 1943, so here we go. In the movie, Saving Mr. Banks, Walt Disney, played by Tom Hanks, tries to convince author P.L.Travers to allow Disney.

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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 and the MiceEars Crew: Demigod, Aladdin, Yoyoflamingo, Trekkie Dad, DLandFansAZ, RegionsBeyond,  Fishbulb & Dustysage.

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

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]

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CakvalaSC
MiceChat.com's webmaster and occasional writer. Cakvala is senior graphic designer and photographer. Admirer of all things Disney and theme-parks !