Dapper Days, Disneyland Weekends and Disney California Adventure are just some of the topics to be found in this all-new MiceChat Round Up.  Disney and Theme Park News is in full effect here as we bring the interesting news that the tired Backlot Tour at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios is finally closing this weekend.  Better get there fast if you want to take one last ride.  We also visit the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and then see that the Mark Twain at Disneyland Paris is literally falling apart.  We round things out with a lovely trip to Southern California’s Castle Park and the latest from the MiceTube and MicePod. Don’t forget that there are still tickets left for some of MiceChat’s biggest events. Grab your tickets now!

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Disneyland Sweltering Autumn Fun
There was quite a bit happening at the Disneyland Resort this week.  Halloween Time is back in business at Disneyland and festivities abound.  This week, we take in more of the wonderful Halloween Time decor and look at the updated refurbishment schedule.  The downtime for it’s a small world has been announced which will allow for the installation of it’s a small world holiday for the Christmas Season.  The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is slowly churning back to life with the construction walls receding.  We next see a smattering of refurbs on rides like Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.  We also catch the news about Big Hero 6 coming to the Magic Eye Theater and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit finally finding a home on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure.  Here we go!

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Halloween Time scares up special eats and treats at Disneyland as changes come to Sleeping Beauty Castle
Halloween Time is in full swing at Disneyland, with restaurants throughout the park serving up terrifyingly tasty seasonal specials. Meanwhile, the park continues to take advantage of what was traditionally its off-season with various refurbishments including repainting the iconic “it’s a small world” facade and preparing the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage for its reopening later this week. And at Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disney’s on-going voluntary safety-proofing of the park is bringing some controversial changes to the nearly 60-year-old park icon.

Micechat Tickets

MiceChat Queen Mary Dark Harbor VIP Event

MiceChat’s Nights of Horror continues with an terrifying event at The Queen Mary Dark Harbor. Once again this classic ocean liner will rise from the depths of a rich, haunted history to frighten those who dare to wander into her murky corridors. Join us for an exclusive trip through of 6 horrifying mazes including the new Soulmate, B340, and Voodoo Village that will include front of the line access, a private reception with the Dark Harbor creators and characters, and all night access to the RIP lounge including 4 drinks and delicious delectables.

Your VIP ticket price includes:

  • Early entry into the R.I.P. Lounge at The Queen Mary Dark Harbor (a private lounge where food and beverage are served)
  • Private MiceChat Reception from 6:30pm-7:00pm with the creators of Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor creators and the characters from the event, including the inimitable Ringmaster.
  • Front of the line access to all mazes including the new Soulmate, B340, and Voodoo Village, all night using Fast Fright passes.
  • All night access to the R.I.P. Lounge (includes four drinks and food)
  • We will also offer a discount code to ticket holders of our event to purchase an add-on to the all-new “Encounters Experience”.

The tickets for this event are going very fast. Grab yours right away!

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TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW, READ BELOW AND SIGN UP TODAY!
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MiceChat Walt Disney World Invasion – October 22nd through 29th, 2014: We’ll visit the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando, offer an optional Halloween Horror Nights event, hold a Walt Disney World GUMBALL RALLY, travel the World Showcase in our wonderful Food and Wine Festival Sip and Nibble event, enjoy Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, PLUS La Nouba, meet-ups, meals and more. Don’t miss this fantastic week of Orlando fun!!!

Just look at the crazy itinerary of events we have lined up for this totally awesome trip:

Universal Orlando Resort – October 23th

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This year we kick off the fun with a trip to Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure. Here we will experience daytime thrills and nighttime chills. Contact Fairy Godmother Travel for discount Universal Studios theme park admission.

Then, as the sun sets, the brave souls who remain will join us for the 24th annual Halloween Horror Nights.

Sip and Nibble – October 24th

Friday will be the always fun, often imitated, but never duplicated, Sip and Nibble at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. This is where we meet new and old friends, share food & drink, and try to make it through all the food and wine offerings. This year there are 25 separate kiosks featuring food and wine from continents and countries such as Africa, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Patagonia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea. There are also odd kiosks with really great food (the Cheese kiosk is really GOOD!), the most delicious vegetarian dishes and fantastic drinks (alcoholic and non) for you to enjoy. Lets take bets—will we make it past France this year? (Hint . . . we’ve never failed to finish yet!). It’s an absolutely amazing day of food, drink and friendship!!!

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Our Sip and Nibble event has a small fee to cover the cost of lanyards, pens and shot glasses for attendees. if you can’t afford the fee, please come anyway. The more the merrier.

Magic Kingdom and La Nouba – October 25th

We’ll spend the day at the Magic Kingdom with a noon meet at Tomorrowland Terrace. We’ll meet for about 15 minutes or so to allow folks to gather and then head off for lunch together (Lunch will be upstairs at Columbia Harbor House at 12:30). Then we’ll explore some of the wonderful attractions of this great Disney park.

If you book your MiceChat Orlando Invasion vacation with Fairy Godmother Travel you will get to attend Tuesday’s Cirque du Soleil show for free! This is a $100 savings per person and can only be obtained by booking through Fairy Godmother Travel – Contact Fairy Godmother Travel HERE

Walt Disney World Gumball Rally – Sunday October 26th

One great day, two huge parks, a world of maniacal fun, how many attractions can YOU ride?

The MiceChat Walt Disney World Gumball Rally returns October 26th in the “Walt Disney World Monorail Rally.” Teams of 2, 3, or 4, will race to see who can ride the most attractions in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot in one day. Players who have competed in the Disneyland version have raved, “It’s the most fun I have EVER had in the park!”

To win, you’ll need a good strategy, but even the most prepared teams will have to deal with with varied operating hours, closures, ride breakdowns, parades, and weather to visit a set of specific attractions in each of the two parks in this year’s event.

!!! This time around, the event includes a dinner buffet while you await the scores !!!

1st place for the WDW 08' Gumball Rally went to . . .THE DISNEY DIVAS!!!!! - Teresa Cory and Lisa Schneider

What amazing adventures are in store for the players this year? Sign up to find out . . . it really is the most fun you’ll have in the parks all year.

Adventure Day – October 27th

MiceChat will be having a lunch meet-up at Animal Kingdom on this day at 11:30 am, followed by a trek into the jungles of Disney.

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We are having a lunch meet up at 11:30 at the Flame Tree BBQ. Get your food and head down to the first covered hut near the lagoon.

From the Movies to Mickey – October 28th

Join us for a quick bite at 10:30am at “Starring Rolls” in the Disney Studios park. We’ll ride Tower of Terror, see the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, pick up some of the stage shows. Then, as the hours begin to fade to darkness, we’ll join Mickey and pals in the Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

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Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – October 28th

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Halloween isn’t just about scares. At Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party you can become a kid again and spend the night trick or treating with all of your MiceChat pals! You’ll be treated with the special Halloween Fireworks at Cinderella’s Castle, the amazing Boo to You Parade, bags filled with candy and endless character interactions. Not to mention the rides! When was the last time you got to yell “trick or treat” (and get candy)?!

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Meet at on the train platform on Main Street-Just in case of rain we’ll have cover while we wait for our Mice Pals to assemble. We will shut down the Magic Kingdom in true MiceChat style!

These parties sell out (Oct 31st is already sold out!) so we recommend getting your tickets HERE ASAP. The party tickets are running $71.36 per adult.

 

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So what do you think? See any events here you’d like to attend? Book a week with Fairy Godmother Travel and save – Or add your name to the list below and we’ll let you know when and where you can sign up for each of the events. It’s a pretty impressive line up of amazing fun and events. We will see 6 different theme parks, two halloween parties, meals at outstanding restaurants, and the nicest people you can ever travel with. Yes, the MiceChat WDW Invasion will be a magical not-to-be-missed week!

Join the MiceChat WDW Invasion and Gumball Rally Info List
for updates and information on the MiceChat WDW Invasion 2014.

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Upcoming MiceChat Events – Don’t Miss Out:

Contact [email protected] to book travel to Orlando. Sign up for our email list to be sent sign up information for the Gumball Rally, Sip and Nibble and other MiceChat Invasion events!

REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION HERE

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MiceChat 7 night Alaska Cruise on the Disney Wonder – June 1st, 2015: Join us as we sail toward the top of the world on the delightful Disney Wonder. We’ll hold all sorts of special MiceChat meet-ups on board. Suggest group excursions you might want to join us on. Dine as a group to discuss our adventures and more.

Day Port Guest Ashore Guest Onboard
1 Vancouver, Canada 4:00 p.m.
2 At Sea
3 Tracy Arm, Alaska Cruising Cruising
4 Skagway, Alaska 7:15 a.m. 7:45 p.m.
5 Juneau, Alaska 6:15 a.m. 4:45 p.m.
6 Ketchikan, Alaska 11:15 a.m. 7:45 p.m.
7 At Sea
8 Vancouver, Canada 8:00 a.m.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? SIGN UP NOW!

Ask us for more details on any of our upcoming MiceTrips or for Disney adventures of your own by emailing us at [email protected]. It doesn’t cost you more to use our travel agent, it’s just more magical. Let us do the work, you enjoy the Disney fun!!!

MiceChat Podcast

AN ALL NEW MICECHAT PODCAST IS HERE!  The MiceChat crew returns to Disneyland to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion and ponder the upcoming enhancements to the Fantasyland dark rides. As Disneyland prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, there’s lots for us to talk and speculate about. So, join Doug, David and Dusty as we take you for a walk in the park. It’s an amazing audio adventure. Then, we’ll transport you to Scare LA, where Disney Legends Bob Gurr and Alice Davis have a few things to say about the amazing Haunted Mansion.  Be sure to stick through for the very end of the show for a special surprise!

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Profits from the sale of every bottle of refreshing O-Zell soda supports the restoration of theWalt Disney Birthplace in Chicago. Pick up some delicious Victorian style natural soda AND help a great cause at the same time: O-Zell Soda  For a special treat, listen to the O-Zell jingle here: O-Zell Soda Song

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Disney Parks News and Reports

We have a few trip reports this week, celebrating everything from Dapper Day, to Birthdays, and even an upcoming wedding! ~ Aladdin

MiceChat Newsletter

Dapper Day & Bachelor(ette) Weekend Trip Report

2 Miss Mouses and friends celebrated a pre-wedding party with a trip to the Disneyland resort on Dapper Day!

Our Magical, Fun Filled Disneyland Weekend

Berry Princess, along with her daughter and 12 year old son go to Disneyland to celebrate her daughter’s birthday! Here is their photo report!

My Fall, 2014 Dapper Day Trip Report… first trip as a couple without the kids

whoever and his wife also make it to Disneyland, for a Dapper Day Birthday celebration!

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Loss of the backlot tour, to mission that failed. What will move in to that large area? Or will it be shuttered forever? DisneylandFanAZ 

MiceChat Newsletter

Studio Backlot Tour to Close. . . and What’s Next

Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Backlot Tour will be closing on September 27th to make way for new development.

Now it’s time to say goodbye to the Backlot Studio Tour…

Here is more information about the closing from RegionsBeyond.

9/20: Mission Failed

After a short hiatus, PlutoHasFleas brings us an evening trip report from the Magic Kingdom.

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What to do with the Disneyland Peoplemover track and ideas for Frozen have the attention of our armchair imagineers this week. Enjoy! ~ Trekkie Dad

MiceChat Newsletter

I Think I Found a Use for the PeopleMover Track

Imagineer45 thinks a Tron Lightcycle ride might be a good use for Disneyland’s abandoned Peoplemover track.

The Way Frozen Should Have Been Brought to WDW

With all the negative attention that replacing Epcot’s Maelstrom with Frozen has gotten, goofy donald suggests a couple of alternative locations at Walt Disney World that might have been better.

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MiceChat Newsletter

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Review – Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel

LesBesTes brings us a review of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Botique at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.

The Mark Twain is falling apart!

Fultimate brings us some unfortunate news and pictures of the Mark Twain at Disneyland Paris that is not looking so good.

 

Disney News, Disney News Round Up: Disney Days and Spooky Nights

Here are the first two trip reports of seven theme parks visited by indianajack and his family over a period of two weeks. ~ Trekkie Dad

MiceChat Newsletter

SoCal Trip Report Series: Universal Studios Hollywood (7 of 7)

In this detailed report of a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, indianajack explains why it’s ranked at the bottom.

SoCal Trip Report Series: Castle Park of Riverside (6 of 7)

indianajack finds a few gems in Castle Park, though there is plenty of room for improvement

AV Room

Halloween at Disneyland 2014!!
Sarah our very own MiceChatter brings is information about Halloween at the Disneyland Resort! Plus, Maelstrom is turning into a Frozen ride? What do you think?

Welcome to this week’s Communicore Weekly, where we talk about Maelstrom to Frozen, WARP 2, Agents of SHIELD, and a Tiki Mug! DISNEY DEBATE! – Jeff and George talk about the recent announcement about Maelstrom getting Frozen in the Disney Debate! BOOK OF THE WEEK! – George and Jeff travel through time in WARP Book 2: The Hangman’s Revolution in the Book of the Week! 60 SECOND REVIEW! – Jeff and George look at Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 1 [Blu-ray] for the 60 Second Review! FIVE LEGGED GOAT! – And finally, a tiki mug is this week’s Five Legged Goat!

Direct Link | iTunes

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Window to the Magic
Enjoy the sounds of the park on our weekly journeys into the wonderful world of the Disney sound experience!

Dead Man’s DIEgest – Halloween Horror Nights News
On this episode of the Dead Man’s DIEgest we bring you ALL the announcements for the Houses and Scarezones for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Direct Link

The Season Pass Podcast: This week the Season Pass Podcast is back at the TEA Summit 2014 for a very special conversation with Disney Legend Marty Sklar. Marty is the Former Ambassador for Walt Disney Imagineering and worked under Walt Disney since the beginning of Disneyland.  He shares his beginnings in the industry, past Walt stories, and his crazy tour for his new book Dream It! Do it!  Classic Disney greatness is littered throughout the conversation.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Disney Avenue Podcast – Jim Korkis Interview

On this episode of the Disney Avenue Podcast, host Keith Michael Mahne has a wonderful conversation with famous author, Disney historian and the “go to” guy on Walt and all things Disney for that matter, Mr. Jim Korkis. Jim has one of the best personalities around and is full of fantastic stories and insights on Walt and the company.

Mousetalgia Episode 309: Halloween Time, As Dreamers Do – the movie

Halloween time at Disneyland Resort – Join us in an exploration of Dia De Los Muertos, the Halloween Carnival, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Halloween treats and decor… Team Mousetalgia shares our tips and advice to help you make the most of your Halloween Time visit to Disneyland. From spooky tours to terror-ific treats, you’ll find lots of ways to celebrate the spooking season at the parks.

 

Direct Link | iTunes Link

DoomBuggies Spook Show Episode 11: Disney Legend Alice Davis
Disney Legend Alice Davis joins the DoomBuggies Spook Show this week to talk about her late legendary husband Marc Davis, who was one of Walt Disney’s original Nine Old Men and was largely responsible for the majority of the scenes and gags in the Haunted Mansion. Alice talks about Marc’s childhood and early art, and explains why Walt selected him to become an Imagineer, and some of Marc’s artistic aspirations. Also, Jeff’s new book has been published – “The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion,” from Theme Park Press and now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.

Direct Link

The Sweet Spot: In this Episode we welcome former Disneyland cast member Vern Hoiland. Vern was hired into Disneyland in 1969 and retired in 2006. Vern saw a lot fo changes over the years from managment, park changes, his own changes in roles, and much more. This is a great interview if you want to learn about how it was working in Disneyland as far back as 1969. Plus, we’ll look at the latest in the Disneyland Resort news with Tommy. Enjoy and please visit our new website www.thesweepspot.com

 

Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast #109 – New, Rumors and Lombards

On this show we answer Allison from North Carolina’s question about visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we then bring you the latest news and rumours. After taking a quick break, Darren and Hunter talk to us about their trip to Lombards at Universal Studios Florida, we share a live trip report from listener Craig Lucas and wrap up by letting you know about Micechat.com’s “invasion of Orlando”.

Direct Link

 

Featured Columns
MiceChat Newsletter

Food, Wine, Beer: A Guide to the 2014 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Hello, Howdy, Ello, Oi’, Aloha. Welcome to the 2014 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. The festival kicked off last Thursday to its usual great reception. With numerous options for this years consumption, I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes the most successful Food and Wine Festival to date. There are a multitude of experiences this year, this comprehensive guide will help you plan your time at the festival.

MiceChat Newsletter

Jeff and George Review The Hangman’s Revolution by Eoin Colfer

George: WARP Book 2: The Hangman’s Revolution by Eoin Colfer was released this summer and I was thrilled to get my hands on it. The first book in the series, WARP: The Reluctant Assassin really impressed both of us and our review on Communicore Weekly discussed some of our favorite aspects of the book, including time travel. It really was an ingenious set-up for a new series and we both wondered how and when Colfer would take it in the future, so to speak.

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The MiceEars Crew puts a lot of time and effort into making these Round-Ups happen.Our thanks to: Editor CakvalaSC and the MiceEars Crew: Aladdin, Yoyoflamingo, Trekkie Dad, DLandFansAZ, RegionsBeyond, Fishbulb & Dustysage.

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

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If you have questions for Anthony our Editor or our MiceEars Grew they can be e-mailed at: [email protected] or Follow him on Twitter @CakvalaSC | Flickr: flickr.com/photos/cakvalasc/ | Instagram: instagram.com/cakvala

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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 !