In the Parks

Welcome to In the Parks, your weekly update of Disney, attractions and fun in Southern California. The kids are finally back in school and the calendar has flipped to September. That can mean only one thing in the theme park industry . . . Halloween Time! This week we find Disneyland Halloween decorations are going up. Disney California Adventure gets a temporary entrance, San Diego Zoo features some adorable Pandas in a newly redesigned exhibit, Six Flags announces a BIG new ride for 2012. Plus, we have Halloween construction updates from Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios. There is almost too much to share. But first, a very exciting MiceChat event series you won't want to miss . . .

Tickets have gone on sale for MiceChat's Sat. September 24th Knott's Scary Farm event and we are asking everyone to SAVE THE DATE of and Fri. September 30th for the MiceChat Universal Halloween Horror nights meet. We're even planning a spooky night at the Queen Mary (one of the real haunted spots in LA). Our events include AMAZING behind the scenes access, dinner, and front of the line access to the scary fun. Meet the creative folks who make haunt happen and experience the scary season with hundreds of your new best friends. . . All at a price that won't scare you to death!

Discusion and updated info on MiceChat HERE.

THE EVENT WILL INCLUDE: •Admission & Early Entry •Backstage tour (Maze/costuming/make-up) •Pre-Scare Dinner •Meet and Greet with Haunt makers and legends •Raffle with your chance to be a •monster in a haunt maze that night •Front of the line access to mazes •VIP seating to all shows A $150 dollar value for just $85.00 !

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights Discusion and updated info on MiceChat HERE.

THE EVENT WILL INCLUDE: •Admission & Early Entry •Backstage tour (Maze) •Pre-Scare Dinner •Meet and Greet with John Murdy •Front of the line access to and Terror Tram (One time use per maze) •VIP seating to all shows A $160 dollar value for just $99.99 !

Discusion and updated info on MiceChat HERE.

THE EVENT WILL INCLUDE: •Admission •Dinner •Front of the line access Price to be announced soon!

THIS JUST IN!
We have a very special opportunity for the first 10 folks who take advantage of it. Last year, we visited the Neon Art museum in Downtown LA. They do a special bus tour of the city called the "Neon Cruise" which highlights some of LA's historic neon signs and interesting history along the way.

We enjoyed it so much that we are signing up to go again this Saturday (September 3rd) around 7:30 pm.

The fantastic folks at the Museum of Neon Art are giving us 20 discounted tickets (normally $55 for just $30). To claim your spot, just call Kim at the museum and ask if there are any MiceChat discounted tickets left for the Neon Cruise this Saturday. The number is 213-489-9918.

Now on to the update!


Fall is in the air at Disneyland, Matterhorn has reopened, and Disney's Vacation Club hits Frontierland.

MAIN STREET U.S.A.
It's barely September and the fall decorations are already going up on main Street. This is mainly happening in the window displays as they require quite a bit of time to set up.

Disney Showcase:
Over at Disney Showcase the wonderful vintage decorations have made it to the windows.

The Market House:

Market House has gotten into the act early as well with an assortment of confectionery displays

FORTUOSITY:

This shop has the most elegant and macabre displays complete with coffins and jewelry.

MATTERHORN:
The Matterhorn Bobsleds have re-opened after a lengthy refurbishment that focused on track replacement. Additionally, there was testing of the new 6-seater bobsleds which will be installed during the next refurbishment this winter. We were fortunate enough to have a Micechatter on the scene to take pics. A big thank you to Wendy Morton for her help with some of the photos below!

These are the bobsleds as you know them today


What's that in front of the orange and red sled?


The new red sled has new higher bucket seats, new metal seat rails and auto locking seatbelts. But we've just got to wonder about that big white box on the back rail of each car. Speakers? Or something much less exciting. We shall have to wait and see

GHOST GALAXY:
Speakers and projectors are now being installed as part of the outdoor pre-show for the spectacular Ghost Galaxy layover of Space Mountain.

High up on the old People Mover track, a huge speaker array has been installed.

FRONTIERLAND:
The fall decorations have also begun popping up in the wild west. Again, it's the great vintage decor that fits right in with the theme. While, at the same time, a new DVC location has turned up here. It's beginning to seem like their soft-sell tactic is not as easy to avoid. Take a look and let us know your thoughts about the expanding prevalence of DVC in the parks?

A new DVC cart was installed directly across from the exit to Big Thunder. The theme fits in just fine (as do all the DVC kiosks in the park). But how many is too many?


The side porch is getting some new planks at the Golden Horseshoe

Sarah gives us the D23 wrap-up in the later MiceChatter. Check it out here

The final phase of Disney California Adventure's makeover has begun. The new Pan-pacific gates have been built and guests are now being diverted from the front entrance through a backstage path to get into the park. It's not as bad as it sounds. It's actually very nice and a suitable temporary solution. We were impressed with what we saw. We also check on Cars Land and reminisce about the now closed Greetings from California store

BUENA VISTA STREET:
The building of Buena Vista Street is now well underway. After entering, guests are being routed from the main gate area through a temporary entrance which takes you backstage behind Sorin' over California. Sounds terrible BUT it's actually very well done.

Enter and make a sharp right.






We round a corner and come to fork of sorts. To the right is the path into the park...




To the left is a temporary guest relations location. NICE!


What really helps sell an upbeat attitude towards the minor inconvenience is the landscaping.


Beautiful new plantings along the route really make this area a pleasure to walk through.




A left around the back corner of Soarin' and we are in the park.


At the end of the path is a new sign that helps direct guest to their destinations.


If you turn around under the temporary arch you see a screen directing guests to the exit. During the day, you'll simply exit the way you came in. At night, when World of Color lets out, you'll be able to exit directly through that big flood gate you see here (or you can continue to the normal entry/exit to continue on to Disneyland)


A temporary guest relations kiosk is also situated at the end of the path
in the old Smoking section near Soarin'


If you head to the center of the park there is a tight maze of walls which span the gap between Hollywoodland, Condor Flats and Bugs Land.


Yes! You can once again make your way from the front
of the park, back in to Bug's Land and the rest of the park. YAY!




Directly in front of the Carthay Circle theater structure, we can now see the Red Car Trolley tracks have extended into Buena Vista Street.




They have given the asphalt a worn look


Drywall is going up on the theater.




The backboard for the marquee.


Standing near where the Hollywood archway once stood, we look towards Grizzly...


Then towards Hollywoodland and ElecTRONica.


One last shot from the front of the Carthay towards Soarin'

Goodbye Greetings:
With all of the lovely 1920's theming and immersion coming our way in 2012 we decided to take a look at Greetings from California, a shop that opened with the park n 2001. The Pressler-Era decor of the store betrays the last remnants of a park that was seriously misguided.

Memories indeed.


Oh I GET IT! IT'S A GIANT CAMERA! WE CAN GET PHOTOS HERE! D'oh.


Donald surfs with the old Screamin' Sun Wheel and Orange Stinger in the background.




We have a big wall to fill. What do we put there? How about a big MICKEY!


In the end, this sign was advertising a Golden Gate Bridge which had already been removed.




Disney Store? No, DCA's Main Street.






Yes, this passed for theme.


The Candy shoppe was the only thing that we will miss as it was actually nicely done.


POPPIES! (Very Wizard of Oz, don't you think?)

CARS LAND:
Okay, enough belly aching about the past. Here's to the future of Cars Land. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree received major landscaping recently and the much needed shade will be welcome. We then take in the vista that is Caddilac Ridge and see how things are coming along on the main drag.

The large grouping of tall trees make this a very inviting area.


You can see Mater's shack nestled in the trees. This land will look nearly full grown from day 1.


The newest Mountain Range is nearly done. And you can see some of the first plantings in the lower right.




As soon as the rock work is completed near the track, testing will begin (most likely later this month).



Flo's wing nut with Luigi's in the background.




The curio shop.


Ventilation being installed on the backstage side of the land.

Knott's barely has time to come off the excitement of the grand opening of Windseeker and already they have to sprint into Halloween if they are to be ready in time for the opening of Halloween Haunt.

HALLOWEEN HAUNT:
Decorations are already popping up around Knott's Berry farm in preparation for their world-famous Halloween Haunt. You can join us on September 24th by buying your tickets

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE.


Mother, you look divine!

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS:

The Dia De Los Muertos maze is finally beginning construction in the Wheeler Dealer Bumper Car location.

THE HANGING:
The All Wheels Extreme set has nearly been totally struck and the stage is ready for construction of the Hanging set. The Hanging is famous throughout the industry for setting the standard for comedy relief during a haunt event. Who would you like to see them hang this year (They hung Justin Bieber for his crimes against pop culture last year).

SLAUGHTER HOUSE:

The Slaughter House maze has protruded out into the main entrance area once again and the stage is set for scary fun. Let's see what's cookin'.

FALLOUT SHELTER:
The construction of Fallout Shelter has now closed the High Sierra Railway.

CORNSTALKERS:
The facade for Cornstalkers has gone up in the path of the Stagecoach.

ENDGAMES: WARRIORS OF THE APOCALYPSE:

The new maze in Camp Snoopy is coming together, at long last. The construction will have to ramp up fast if they want to meet the deadline for dress rehearsals and opening night just 22 days away. You can read all about the maze in the interview In the Parks with designer Brook Walters here.

An entire floor has to be built in order to give the maze a level foundation.




They've got a ways to go, but we think they will pull it off. Though we always hear hammers right up until opening night. It's sort of a tradition to tinker until the last possible minute.

The new Panda Trek exhibit recently opened at the San Diego Zoo and In the Parks went down to take a look at this new experience. It is a definite improvement over the tight space that was used before. Doubling the size of the existing Panda walk-through, the Panda treks also fleshes things out with other animals indigenous to China.

An overview.


Doesn't look like a Panda to me The new facility includes animals which would be found near the Giant Pandas in the wild.


This one doesn't look like a Panda either. But it is! it's a Red Panda.








What's this?! Now THAT'S what I call a Panda. Hello there beautiful!


Not exactly mugging for the camera.


The exhibit is nicely shaded.


Some side enclosures and aviaries have also been built.


Thanks for stopping bye. If you visit the zoo, be sure to take some photos and share them with us. You can never get enough Giant Panda photos.

It's been a few months since we've taken a walk around Magic Mountain (since Green Lantern opened actually), so let's see what is going on now that the summer season is coming to a close.

Just like the other parks we've covered today, you'll find the first signs of Halloween starting to appear at Six Flags as well.

DEJAVU:
There have been rumors circulating around the Internet for a few weeks that Deja Vu was being removed and sent to Six Flags New England. Well, the rumors are true and Deja Vu is in fact headed east. Let's take one last look at Deja Vu.

As we shared in our "on the spot" reporting last week, they were doing some survey work around Deja Vu.


The Queue Line ... hopefully whatever replaces this won't make it necessary to get rid of all the shade here. This area has grown in quite nicely the last few years.

Make sure if you'd like to get a ride (or one last ride) on Deja Vu, you head up to the park before the ride closes.

But the big news this week was the announcement of a new ride for next year.

Six Flags Magic Mountain Announces
LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom

The World’s Tallest Vertical Drop Ride!

Another one for the history books, Six Flags Magic Mountain, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, announced today the world’s tallest vertical drop ride, LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom, will make its debut for the 2012 season. Named after one of DC Comics’ most dangerously intelligent super-villains and Superman’s greatest enemy, LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom will be an engineering phenomenon, attached to both sides of the iconic SUPERMAN: Escape from Krypton tower. Soaring at a sky-scraping 400 feet, LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom is slated for a spring 2012 launch.

© Six flags Magic Mountain

Fearless riders will be seated inside floorless gondolas on two vertical tracks flanking each side of the SUPERMAN: Escape from Krypton tower. Passengers on the gondolas will be pulled to the top of the tower, experience a brief pause before being released and dropped at speeds of up to 85 miles-per-hour. After five seconds of freefall, the gondola will be stopped by a sophisticated magnetic braking system just a few feet from the ground.

“Six Flags is known world-wide as the industry leader in delivering world-class thrills, and Six Flags Magic Mountain is proud to be at the head of the pack, offering guests the biggest and the best,” said Bonnie Rabjohn, Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President. “We are excited to add another world record to our collection of record-breaking, first-on-the-planet attractions.”

Changing Magic Mountain’s legendary skyline, LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom will offer riders breathtaking panoramic views as they are lifted to the top of the tallest vertical drop ride ever built. Sitting eight abreast, riders will plummet 40 stories at an extreme speed before coming to a stop, all while the SUPERMAN: Escape from Krypton cars are blasted to the top of the same structure.

© Six flags Magic Mountain

“Six Flags Magic Mountain continues to deliver powerful thrills to our guests year after year,” said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.

“LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom is a tremendous addition and brings a new dimension of excitement to the park’s already remarkable collection of thrill rides.”

LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom is being manufactured exclusively for Six Flags Magic Mountain by Intamin AG of Switzerland.

The existing Superman tower.

We'll have a more comprehensive look at the possible areas of construction in next week's update.

D.C. UNIVERSE:

The new color scheme is still bright and bold. Even the Green Lantern has settled in, operationally speaking.

And of course, Green Lantern is up and running quite well. It looks like the crew has finally gotten the load/unload procedure on this ride down pat as dispatches were very quick compared to media day (no surprise there).

Universal Studios Hollywood is bustling with activity. Between the Transformers construction to the preparation for Halloween Horror Nights, things are hopping. Let's take a look.

SAVE THE DATE:

On Friday, September 30th, MiceChat will be holding a very special event at Universal Studios Hollywood. We will get Early entry into the event, Dinner buffet, Meet and greet with the Creative Director of Universal Studios Hollywood, John Murdy, a backstage tour of one of the mazes and a front of the line pass for a trip to the front of the line at each maze and the Terror Tram.

All this, a $160 value for $99.00.

Tickets will go on sale soon. But we need to know if you are interested.
Click here to vote in the poll so we know you are coming.

CITY WALK:
Element is behind scaffolds at CityWalk.

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS:
Here is the latest from the progress of the mazes.

Hostel: Hunting Season
More of the facade and torture devices are moved into place and being readied for opening night.



LA LLARONA:
Okay, this facade looks like it will be amazing!

STUDIO TOUR:
Over at the Studio Tour Load/unload the new bathrooms have now been framed.

On the Metro sets they have already begun shooting commercials for Christmas.

Whooville gets a refurb

Today's update was brought to you by the following members of our fantastic and talented crew of photographers and news contributors: Capt Phoebus, F!an, Sir Clinksalot, Ericbramey, Fishbulb, and Dustysage. Special thanks to Wendy Morton for sharing photos with us of the new Matterhorn cars. (If you've got breaking news or photos to share, we'd love to hear from you. Contact Dusty today.)

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Would you like to be part of this crew? Do you have a park, zoo or botanical garden that you'd like to share with our readers? We are looking for Southern California theme park reporters. We'd love to hear from you!please contact [email protected].