Disney News Round Up: Happy New Year!

MiceAge Disneyland Update: Goat Hijinks, Jedi Mind Tricks and Rabbit Holes
The Disneyland Resort has just finished one of the most consistently busy Christmas seasons in its history, and you can practically hear the Cast Members breathe a sigh of relief this week. But now the parks in Anaheim plunge into a winter of unknowns, as money from Burbank is coming in fits and starts, and with recent pre-Christmas layoffs in TDA casting a chill over many back-of-house and nonessential departments. In this update we’ll recap just how busy the season was, what’s really going on with some of the weird refurbishments this year, and what’s been approved and what is still on hold for both Tomorrowland and the 60th Anniversary in 2015.

FastPass+ Midterm Report
In the early days of FP+ and MagicBands, there was a lot of speculation (and more than a little hand wringing) because we didn’t know a lot of details. Now that the tests are several months old and have spread to all Disney Resorts, it’s time to dip our toes back into the water of evaluation. Is this system making things better, or worse? It turns out to not be the disaster that some feared. In some ways, things are roughly the same. Granted, power users of the legacy FP system will have to expect some changes on their next visit, perhaps even big ones, but to my mind the managers in charge of this rollout have done a surprisingly good job at keeping things fair.

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]

Happy New Year!  This week we take a look the upcoming possible removal of the blockade at the entrance of Tomorrowland.  We also look at Neil Patrick Harris’ opening song and dance number from the Disney Christmas Day Special (the best part of the entire special). And we also wonder if Valentines Day will get an even bigger celebration this year.   ~ Aladdin

A VERY LATE Monster U 24 Hr Mice Chat Day
One of 2013’s memorable events at the Disneyland Resort was the 24 Hour All Nighter event themed to Monsters U. jenmurray takes us back to that day, with lots of photos!

Editor’s Note about TL and Soarin
Tomorrowland may be getting ready for a makeover, including the unclogging of its entry, with the removal of the 1998 Astro Orbitor and its Lion King Pride Rock formations. Also, Soarin in DCA is now scheduled for a High Definition makeover. Find out more here, and tell us what you think!

‘True Love Week’ Valentine’s Day 2014?
In 2013, Disney experimented with some different Limited Time Events, by bringing back some old characters and updated old shows. They even expanded upon other seasonal events. Such was the case for True Love Week for Valentines Day, where the princes were allowed to appear with their princesses. Could we see an even more expanded Valentines Celebration this year? or will they keep it at a week? or will it go back to just the day? Tell us what you think about expanding the Valentines celebration!

Christmas Parade promoting Magic Bands and FP+
Neil Patrick Harris is know for his spectacular opening song and dance numbers in variety of shows he has hosted, and this year he lent his talents to the Disney Christmas Day Special. Be sure to catch his opening routine in the video found here, or watch it again, if you already saw it.

People Mover today – how would it be perceived?
Coheteboy brings up a interesting topic about the People Mover. Many new Disneyphiles may not know it, but it was an attraction many rode in their youth. How would it stand today?

Hope everyone had a happy New Year celebration and wonderful Christmas if you celebrate. The first roundup of the New Year brings us questions about the Animal Kingdom nets, dining at Walt Disney World, first timer questions, minecart painting, and EPCOT’s future – what do you think? Check out everything you missed over the holiday here in the Walt Disney World forum! ~YoYoFlamingo

The Epcot Conundrum
What exactly has EPCOT become? Does it still try to retain its original message or should it look to a new message to share? Share your thoughts with others here.

They can sure paint a minecart
The DisneyParks blog has shared a new video of the mine carts coming to Fantasyland. Take a peek – it even shows parts of the interior of the ride. What do you think?

Dl Natives, First Timers to WDW… ADVICE NEEDED 🙂
Austin asks about a scheduled trip to Walt Disney World. Do the plans posted make sense? Any restaurants you can recommend or advice to share? Which hotel is worth it? Share your thoughts here.

7 days of dining at WDW?!? I’m gonna need some help with this
One of our favorite subjects to discuss is dining at Walt Disney World – Amahal420 shares his plans for dining with his family. What are your suggestions/recommendations?

Tree of Life nets?
Hopefully one of Animal Kingdom’s New Year’s resolutions is to become structurally sound so the nets can come down. Any news about this from anyone? I’m sure we’re all wishing for this!

La Place de Remy : RATTR, Bistrot chez Remy and Chez Marianne Souvenirs de Paris
Fultimate brings us news of a themed area for the Walt Disney Studio Park in 2014 that will initially include a ride and later a shop.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril to be destroyed and rebuilt entirely
Is Temple of Peril about to be demolished? Then rebuilt?

The Flowers Festival (Easter 2014)
More information from Fultimate, coming this year is the Flowers Festival that is inspired by Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival.

Walt Disney Studios, currently the worse Disney park?
Have you been to the Walt Disney Studios? Could this be the next park that needs a California Adventure overhaul?

OLC Buys More Land
Fukai brings us information that the Oriental Land Company has purchased more land that is ‘withing the Tokyo Disney Resort.’

 

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.

Welcome to the Season Two Finale of Communicore Weekly, where we talk about Michael Eisner, Work In Progress, and the Main Street Marching Band! This is the moment you’ve all been waiting for…the Season Two finale of Communicore Weekly! But wait! Something weird is going on! Who is that mysterious voice that keeps popping up during the episode? DISNEY HISTORY! — Meanwhile, George and Jeff talk about Michael Eisner in this weeks Disney History! BOOK OF THE WEEK! — Jeff…and then George…talk about Work in Progress for the Book of the Week! WINDOW OF THE WEEK! — Jeff looks at the Main Street Marching Band for the Window of the Week! FIVE LEGGED GOAT! — And finally, we have a super awesome, super secret Five Legged Goat!

The Haunted Mansion (Holiday) Show Episode 3: Spine-Tingling Trivia
It’s that time of year again when Sandy Claws Visits the Haunted Mansion and wrecks all the halls! Ghoul-tide secrets lay hidden inside and out, But how many of them do you really know about? Your Ghost Host is here to fill up your stocking With spine-tingling know-how (some might be quite shocking). The rest of the spooks like to wish you right here, “Have a Scary Christmas and a Haunted New Year!”

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
A final ride through of the Finding Nemo Submarine voyage at Disneyland park.

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

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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, Join us for the last show of the year as we tell you about the changes coming to the show, delve in to the new venues coming to CityWalk at Universal Orlando in 2014, share some Universal Japan news, listen to Lora Wallace talk about the Macy’s Parade at UOR, enjoy the audio from the Grinchmas show at Islands of Adventure and then we finish up with our Minxmas segment.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast, Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year.  We are back with episode 15 of the Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast and  we’re thrilled to bring you part 2 of our SeaWorld Christmas special, with lots of treats.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Paul Barrie and Ricky Brigante (from Inside the Magic) talk your ear off with the second half of their annual discussion of everything that happened throughout the wonderful world of Disney during 2013.

Here’s the link to PART ONE, in case you missed it.  LINK Sit back, grab a latte or twelve and… …Enjoy!

Direct Download

The Seasonpass Podcast
TSPP is proud to have the originator of the Theme Park Industry, CEO of Fake Theme Park, Murph Gantly! Murph proudly discusses the beginnings of his park as well as the origins of the amusement industry itself, plus the amazing festivities the park celebrates during the Holiday Season! There’s a ton of knowledge and passion flowing through the podcast speakers this week. Warning: Murph may sound a “little” frustrated with Disney and Universal.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Team Mousetalgia takes our annual personal look back at the year in Disney, listing off our faves from the “Limited Time Magic” promotion, the various Disney movies, and more. Does the team rank Frozen above Saving Mr. Banks? Listen and find out! We also discuss our favorite change or addition to the Disney company, and offer our annual “Oswald Award” for things that just didn’t go as planned. Finally, we wrap up the show with our personal magic moments of the year, remembering our unforgettable experiences, including Richard Sherman’s 85th birthday party, the Club 33 Marc Davis tribute, time in the Disneyland Hotel cabanas, and earning a runDisney Coast-to-Coast medal. Also – a listener reports on a special tour of the Walt Disney Studios in conjunction with screenings of “Saving Mr. Banks,” and we offer a healthy serving of bits and bytes, including Disney’s new Hawaiian princess, the Frozen app, grapefruit beer – and more!

Direct download | iTunes Link

The biggest tunes from your favorite Disney Parks are counted down every weekday at 10pm Eastern!

The 2014 edition of Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Top Ten at Ten brings you the most-requested tunes of the day.

Is there a song from Disney Parks that YOU think deserves to be on the Top Ten? E-mail us and let us know!

 

Christmas in Tivoli
TimmyTimmyTimmy went to Tivoli Gardens for Christmas and brings us some great photos of the season.

New Universal park in Beijing(?)
So is Universal Studios one step closer to opening a park in Beijing?

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.

Universal Orlando Update – Harry Potter Painted, Beetle Juice Revamp, Farewell Christmas
Alright folks, it is 2014, and we have a busy year ahead of us!  With projects big and small at Universal Orlando Resort, it is going to be an exciting year ahead.

Kickstarter Results for Walt Disney’s Birthplace
The Walt Disney Birthplace Preservation Project just completed an ambitious Kickstarter campaign. How did they do? What’s next?

New Year’s Eve and Three Kings Day wrap up Disneyland’s busy holiday season
Disneyland‘s busy holiday season officially comes to an end today after a huge New Year’s Eve celebration in both parks followed by a festive Three Kings Day celebration and the final holiday crowds.

Perry of the Caribbean
I ran into a new area outside of Pirates of the Caribbean on my most recent trip (it’s been here for a while, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it).

My Special Mary Blair Connection
Today, Scarlett Stahl shares a very special visit she had with Maggie Richardson, legendary Imagineer Mary Blair’s niece.

Free Cake in My Purse – Cast Member Stories from Walt Disney World
Welcome to 2014! We have a couple of new stories for you today in a post we like to call “Free Cake in My Purse.”

Catching Up With The Haunted Mansion Show
We have a bit of catching up to do with MiceChat’s Haunted Mansion show today. There are two videos that we lost track of over the holidays and we want to get.

Dateline Disney World: Crowds and Cold at Magic Kingdom
Hello, and welcome to a Saturday edition of Dateline Disney World! This week, it was cold and crowded at the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Review: Great Muppet Caper / Muppet Treasure Island
I’ve always loved the Muppets. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve watched them, be it on TV for Muppet Show re-runs or in the theaters for their latest round of movies.

Disneyland Paris Update
I apologize that we’re a little late with our Weekend Update articles. I decided to do a close-up (really, really close-up) inspection of the sidewalks in downtown Oceanside on the day after Christmas.

So Long Subs – A Farewell Update from the Disneyland Resort
All good things must come to an end.  It was a wildly successful season that saw insane crowd levels in both parks.

DCA Then & Now, Part 6: Hollywood Land
This is part 6 of Yesterland’s DCA “then and now” series comparing the same spots in 2002 and 2013. Originally, it was the Hollywood Pictures Backlot at Disney’s California Adventure.

Disney Resolutions for 2014
Happy New Year, MiceChatters!!  2013 was fantastic for yours truly, and I have nothing but high hopes for the gift of another year.

SeaWorld San Diego Style Christmas
We’re back with an all-new update from SeaWorld San Diego! Today we’ll be taking a look at the extravagant SeaWorld Christmas Celebration event that runs through January 4th.