Disneyland 60th plans, Magic Bands, and all the O-Zell soda you can drink!  That is just some of the wonderful fun in today’s MiceChat Round Up of Disney and theme park news and information this week. That’s not all.  Did you know that you can’t ride Toy Story Mania at the Disney Hollywood Studios without a fast pass?  It’s true! Have you heard the latest Epcot rumors?  We have them.  We also have some ideas on how to really build up Disneyland Paris and save it from the brink… again.  All of this plus the wonderful podcasts like the Seasonpass Podcast, Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast, and great videos from the MiceTube. There’s even an opportunity for you to help save the Walt Disney Birthplace! It’s all here, rounded up, and waiting for you!

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Top Stories

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MiceAge Update: Return of the Hatbox Ghost
The Disneyland Resort has had some very busy weeks lately, with the popular Halloween Time season playing to Anaheim’s two key demographics; local Annual Passholders and families from the western states and Canadian provinces on school holidays. The result is full hotels and daily attendance approaching 100,000 for both parks combined on Fridays and Sundays, while the Resort’s parking infrastructure stretches close to the breaking point. Meanwhile, back in TDA, things are just as hectic as the executives and planners struggle to make some unusual decisions on two major initiatives.

Tim Grassey: MyMagic+ and the Myth of Convenience
My wife and I recently returned from a great trip to Central Florida, and while it’s late to the game, I wanted to share my general observations about MyMagic+. We had experienced pieces of it before but this was the first trip where I utilized all the major components.I’ve talked ad nauseam about Fastpass+ and most of it has been highly critical. I still strongly dislike the advanced reservations and the issues it creates. Three bookings in advance results in tiers at Epcot and Hollywood Studios due to a lack of attractions in those parks that necessitate Fastpass+. Three bookings in advance also results in Fastpass+ being added where it doesn’t belong.

LET’S START SOME GOOD

Join us as we support the project to save the home in which Walt Disney was born. This 501c3 nonprofit is restoring Walt’s birthplace so it may honor Walt’s remarkable history and inspire future generations of dreamers and doers.

Pick up some fun items for yourself and help save the magic at the same time .

Micechat Tickets

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 – NOW FREE!!!

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.

!!! EVENT IS NOW FREE – SIGN UP TODAY !!!

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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Even more 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

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

This week we discover some old entertainment has returned to Frontierland, we hear about someone’s Club 33 dining experience, and we get to see a few Villains at the Halloween Party in Disneyland! ~ Aladdin

MiceChat Newsletter

Mickey’s Halloween Parties, Sept 30 and Oct 6
CassiefRN
 was fortunate enough to attend two of the Halloween Parties in Disneyland. She has several adorable pictures of her niece, and even a photo of Lady Tremaine cracking a smirk, if that’s at all possible!

Golden Horseshoe? Laughing Stock Co.? WHAT!?!?!?!
Over the past year, Disneyland management has made several controversial decisions, included getting rid of two entertainment shows that both had a home in the Golden Horseshoe: Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, and the Laughing Stock. This past week, the Laughing Stock has returned to Frontierland. But for how long? Read the reaction to the news here!

Club 33 v2.0
Rachane
 tells us about their recent dining experience at the not so secret Club 33 in Disneyland.

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MiceChat Newsletter

’72 Magic Kingdom and ’75 Parades Restored Film in HD
This week wdwms brings us restored videos of the Magic Kingdom of 1972 and parades from 1975.

Disney requiring FP+ reservations to ride Toy Story Mania!
Quentin shares info that Toy Story Mania is doing a test which includes removing the stand by ling and requiring FP+ reservations to ride.

Rainy Day Parade
Wadepliskin
shares a video of a special occurrence of a ‘Rainy Day Parade’ as Walt Disney World.

Puerto Rico Pavilion to EPCOT?
Imagineer45
has heard rumors of Puerto Rico being engaged in talks for a pavilion at Epcot by 2017.

New Retro EPCOT Merchandise Coming This Month
Just in time for Food & Wine, Epcot is rolling out some new old merchandise.

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Another great week of Rumors and ideas abound from both coasts this week. Some of the more notable ones are below. ~ Trekkie Dad

MiceChat Newsletter

The Hat……
Long an icon (or eyesore) at Disney Hollywood Studios, the giant sorcerer’s hat is missing from a recently published Disney brochure. See what redrhino54 found.

5 Epcot Rumors
We love our new members! disneysource has lists of rumors surrounding Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

some of ideas for DHS…
Mondo Mouse puts forth a number of suggestions to improve Disney Hollywood Studios.

Star Wars Land to DLP
Will Puerto Rico get a pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase? How about a Star Wars land at Disneyland Paris? Imagineer45 has heard both of these rumors.

Create your own New Fantasyland
toonaspie invites you to play armchair imagineer and plan an addition to Fantasyland to replace Toontown.

Retro Tomorrowland
whoever would like to see Disneyland’s Tomorrowland return to its optimistic roots, or something that uses all the area it occupies.

Disneyland Master Plan Outline
Until they do something with this empty track we will continue to receive great ideas, such as Peoplemover Priit puts forth a 20-year master plan for Disneyland.

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MiceChat Newsletter

Great new promo video
Disneyland Resort Paris has received 3 million Facebook likes and has released a video to say thanks.

Tokyo Parks Attraction Posters
forestlite has shared some attraction posters from an limited run magazine.

VERIFIED… Paint the Night Brushes work with Glow With The Show Ears
Roger55 brought home a Magical Paint Brush and Mickey’s Magical Mitt from Hong Kong and they work with the Glow with the Show Ears.

Animal Kingdom Paris? Why DLP needs to adapt to the French ane Europe
With Disney planning on investing capital in Disneyland Paris, CaliforniaAdventurer is wondering will it be a DCA-style makeover?

Star Wars Land to DLP
Imagineer45 has brought up the rumor of DLP getting a Star Wars Land sometime in 2015.

Disney News, Disney News Round Up: Hatbox Ghost Returns!

This week we have a couple of trip reports from events in the Los Angeles area. ~ Trekkie Dad

MiceChat Newsletter

Joe’s Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns trip report at Descanso Gardens
If you are a fan of carved pumpkins, there are 5000 of them to see at this venue in La Cañada Flintridge.

It’s a Trip Kim-port! ‘Monterey Park Night Market’ 9/19/14
KiMcHeEfOrLiFe attended the September edition of this monthly event.

Efteling Dive Coaster for 2015: Baron 1898
Efteling is a theme park in the Netherlands, and the coaster is planned to open next summer.

AV Room

Welcome to this week’s Communicore Weekly, where we talk about 1973 WDW Vacation, Artemis Fowl, Barbershop, and I Crane! DISNEY HISTORY! – Jeff and George travel to 1973 for a vacation at Walt Disney World Resort in this week’s Disney History! BOOK OF THE WEEK! – George and Jeff learn the secret of Artemis Fowl The Eternity Code Graphic Novel for the Book of the Week! CAPTAIN LEO! – Captain Leo returns with a review of the Magic Kingdom Barbershop! FIVE LEGGED GOAT! – And finally, I Crane’s ad 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:
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: The Essential Theme Park Podcast: Paul Barrie of Window to the Magic takes over The Season Pass Podcast to share the horrifying and outstanding sounds of Knott’s Scary Farm!! It’s Halloween Haunt WTTM style: A Window to the Macabre. Enjoy!

The Season Pass dissects Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights 2014 with Mr. Horror Nights himself, John Murdy!  Creative Process talk on all SEVEN unbelievable mazes!

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Disney Avenue Podcast: On this special Halloween edition of the Disney Avenue Podcast, host Keith Michael Mahne interviews famous psychic medium to the stars Michael J. Kouri. Michael has some very interesting stories to share with us and you’ll particularly enjoy the ones about his claimed interactions with Walt Disney. It’s the perfect Halloween episode and it’s going to be like nothing you’ve ever heard before. Michael was a pleasure to speak with and aside from being a medium, he is a huge Disneyland fan and frequent visitor of the parks.

Mousetalgia! – An Unofficial Disneyland Podcast Mousetalgia reports on “An Affair of the Art,” the Ryman Arts annual fundraiser held at the home of Disney Legend Marty Sklar, which raises funds to help offer art training to high school students. This year, the event was focused on Herb Ryman’s history with the circus, and featured a panel discussing the sketches and artwork Ryman created while he traveled with the Ringling Brothers circus while he was away from Disney in 1949-51. We’ll discuss the food, atmosphere, and experience of this benefit party hosted up in the hills above LA.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

DoomBuggies Spook Show: 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: Welcome to part 2 of our Halloween Horror Nights 24 review. On this edition Darren reviews the four Scarezones that can be found at this years event: MASKarade : UnStitched Face Off : In The Flesh Bayou of Blood and The Purge : Anarchy. As well as that our good friend Andy sends us a live review from this years event and that will round out the show.

Direct Link

Featured Columns
MiceChat Newsletter

Rail Trip to the Walt Disney Family Museum
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Walt Disney Family Museum, a group of intrepid Disney fans took to the rails to make an experience out of the event. On board, we had a great group of people, along with the staff: myself, my husband Noe, our daughter Alice and the ringleader for all of this nonsense Roger Colton of Private Car Service. We were aboard the private rail car – the Salisbury Beach (formerly from the Boston & Maine were it used to take Pullman passengers through New England as a sleeping car. All of the roomettes, bedrooms and open sections are still there; although two of the sections serve as a kitchenette when needed now.

MiceChat Newsletter

Where to Satisfy Your Pizza Cravings at Walt Disney World
Maybe it’s that I’m missing the Food and Wine Fest this year. Maybe it’s that I love a good pie. Or maybe it’s just because it’s mid-afternoon when I write this, and my stomach is starting to grumble, but I’ve got pizza on the brain and have been craving one of my favorite slices from the World. But we’ll get to where that is in a second. Pizza tends to be an all-around people pleaser, and I know my little are always happy to sit down for a slice no matter where we are. That being said, there are several different options at Walt Disney World, and they are by no means created equal.

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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 !