Marc Davis was an iconic Disney Imagineer responsible for many favorite attractions from Haunted Mansion to America Sings.  He had a knack for bringing out the comic relief in any subject or attraction.  Pirates of the Caribbean may have its share frightening elements, but it is Marc Davis' sometimes silly characters and gags which keep the tone fun and approachable and make it a timeless classic.  Many of his projects had a broad canvas and large scale.  But his masterpiece may never have been built.  For the then new Walt Disney World, Marc proposed a Pirates of the Caribbean type of attraction called Western River Expedition.  It would have been an epic attraction with classic Marc Davis characters and gags set in and around a western town.  While Disney World eventually passed up Western River to build the better known Pirates of the Caribbean, the attraction almost got built in another park in the early 1990's.  Join us for a rare look at a class attraction which never got built but which lingers in the minds of Disney fans and Imagineers.

View: A Rare Look At Proposed Marc Davis Attraction, Western River Expedition

The MiceChat weekly news, discussion, rumor, and trip report round up is back with even more fun and interesting news from the parks.  The first MiceChat family has spotted Disneyland's new president in the parks and has the pictures to prove it.  Knott's Berry Farm is running some great ticket specials, including Haunt.  Disney's newest characters from Princess and the Frog are already making appearances in the parks.  New animatronics for Indy.  A possible high speed rail station to Anaheim and connecting Peoplemover to Disneyland.  Animal Kingdom has two very tall babies.  MiceChat rates 'Where The Wild Things Are.'  Plus - Hatbox Ghost, Balloon Boy, FanArt, crowded parks, and dozens of top news and discussion links.  The greatest diversion on earth just arrived - enjoy the round up!

View: Top Disney news, rumor, discussion, photo, and trip report round up

MiceChat assembles the top news and discussions of the week, and what a week it was!  Big news that Ed Grier is leaving the post of Disneyland President.  Bigger news that Rich Ross has been named Chairman  of the Walt Disney Studios.  Both of these stories have the boards buzzing over what they mean.  The man behind the tween-ification of the Disney Channel is now in charge of the Studios and the man who runs the Disneyland Resort (but who rarely set foot in the parks) is leaving.  But that's not all, we also have photographic tours of the new Disney Gallery at Disneyland, Halloween Time trip reports, and thoughts on Mickey's Trick or Treat Party.  A very unique and fun trip report from Walt Disney World's Expedition Everest 5k run and an amazing 3D trip report from Disney World. News that Disney will donate 50 acres of land for a high speed rail project.  Disneyland Paris gets a giant 'UP' balloon and funtastic photos from Tokyo Disneyland's Halloween festivities.  But that's just the tip of the iceberg, there's Star Wars in concert , photos from the parks, news about all sorts of things, rumors about rides, and ideas galore in today'sRound Up!  Dive in, you'll be glad you did.

View: Round Up of the top Disney and theme park discussions, news, photos, and trip reports of the week

You just never know where you'll end up in a Weekend Update.  This week, we visit the surprisingly enjoyable and well produced Jonas Brothers concert.  Then we visit Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion with some of the most beautiful ride photos you've ever seen. From there we explore the Asian branch of the Disney Worldwide Empire with a look at both Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland!  But we are far from finished.  Next up is the half zoo, half theme park known as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom near San Francisco. And we finish the world tour in the always lovely Disneyland Paris.  It's quite a journey.  Join us!

View: Weekend Update Photo Tour Of Disney And Theme Parks Worldwide

Ladies and gentlemen, today's itinerary takes us to Disneyland Paris, the pirate infested shores of the Spanish Main, an amazing miniature golf course at Walt Disney World themed to a melting winter wonderland, and lots of little twists and turns from one of California's classic boardwalks.  All told in glorious photos taken by MiceChat's fantastic team of photographers and spies!   Are you ready for your 5 minute vacation?  Welcome to the Weekend Update!

View: Weekend Update Photo Tour Of Disney, Theme Parks, and Vacation Locations Worldwide

What a find!  The MiceChat weekly roundup searches through the thousands of posts on the discussion boards to feature the best and most interesting for you every week.  And this week has some really good ones.  From the Hidden treasures of Walt Disney World to trip reports from Tokyo Disneyland and all points in between.  There is also video of the World of Color fountains being tested, rumors about a possible return of the House of the Future, and the new 3-in-one Fastpass machine at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  Information about Epcot's uber-popular Food and Wine Festival are starting to come in as well and the MiceChatters are ready for a drink.  We also round up the top Disney news of the week and give you tips on how to save money at the upcoming D23 Expo next month.  So what are you waiting for?  Dive on in!

View: Weekly Roundup of top Disney and theme park news, rumors, photos, and discussions.

Discover the man and the magic behind a real Disney park treasure, Disneyland Paris' Nautilus attraction.  One man devoted his life to recreating Jules Vern's Nautilus and our own Alain Littaye tells us the tale of Tom Scherman and his wondrous  Nautilus.  If you grew up loving this Jules Vern tale or even if you've never even heard of it, you'll enjoy this story and the dozens of fantastic photos and concept drawings.  Join us for a real treasure of Disney lore.

View: The Story Behind Disneyland Paris' Amazing Nautilus

Weekend Update peeks into the summer scrapbook and comes up with this amazing report from all corners of the Disney globe. Things get wet at Tokyo Disneyland as the repeatedly drench the crowd in tons of water, on purpose!  At Disney World's Polynesian Resort life is relaxed and luxurious.  Disneyland Paris was built to be the ideal Disney park and we look for the signs of proof.  And just to show the other side of the coin, we finish with photos from a much more careless than carefree Orange County Fair - if you've got the stomach and the nerve for it.  Don't miss out on one of the real gems of MiceChat, the Weekend Update!

View: Weekend Update Photo Tour of Disney, Theme Parks, and Family Vacation Destinations Worldwide

Let's face it, you are here because you can't get enough Disney news and rumors.  Luckily, MiceChat's team of reporters have gathered up the very best news, rumors, discussions, and trip reports into one fantastic roundup!  There was one undeniable story this week, as Disney hiked prices significantly in both California and Florida in the middle of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression.  From that heavy topic, we lighten things up with some fantastic video of Disneyland in the 1960's and a video recreation of Big Thunder Mountain's "Goat Trick".   On our Disney World boards, folks are perturbed by changes coming to the already confusing dining plan - what do you think?  And, like candy that you just can't stop eating, we have wonderful trip reports from Disneyland, Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong, and Disneyland Paris.  All this and dozens of news links, information items, photos reports, armchair Imagineering, and tons of fun.  Jump on in, the Roundup's fun!

View: Disney, Parks, and Discussion roundup - the top news, rumor, photos, and discussion

Few parks are more beautiful than Disneyland Paris when it is in full bloom.  We have a wonderful update on the operations of this park, including news about a major upcoming new attraction and tons of fantastic pictures.  Then join us for some spirited discussion as we compare and contrast the good news with the bad on this beautiful park with the ugly operating procedures.

View: Disneyland Paris Update - New Attraction!

Alain Littaye of the Disney and More Blog interviews Imagineer Pat Burke regarding many details of his work.  Pat is like the sheriff of Frontierland, having worked on all of the Big Thunder attractions, Splash Mountain, Phantom Manor, and the various Indiana Jones attractions.  This is an in depth interview which touches on design and story details of Pat's work in Disney parks across the globe.  Along with the fun and detailed interview, you'll find over 55 photos, including design details and concept art.

View: Disney and More Interview and Discussion with Imagineer Pat Burke

Disneyland Paris is arguably the most beautiful of Disney's Magic Kingdom style parks.  With its ornate castle, beautiful arcades, enhanced versions of classic attractions, and delightful nuances, Disneyland Paris was built to improve upon the classic park that Walt built in design and style.  The entire process of designing Disneyland Paris was captured in glorious detail on 320 pages and with 750 pictures  - including 250 renderings from Walt Disney Imagineering - in the book Disneyland Paris : From Sketch to Reality.  It is truly an essential book for Disney theme park fans.  Join us as we take a closer look.

View: Disneyland Paris from Sketch to Reality