Disney and Theme Park news never stops. We gave our Weekly Roundup crew two weeks off for the holidays, so now we've got a backlog of great news, stories, trip reports, photos, and tips to share with all of you.  Welcome to the New Year! [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="599" caption="The Great Movie Ride"][/caption] Read the entire collection of Disney, Theme Park, and Vacation news, rumor, photos, trip reports, and tips HERE Read More

View: MiceChat Weekly Roundup of Disney and Theme Park News, Rumor, Discussion, Photos, and Tips

Andy Castro of MiceChat's Dateline Disneyland blog is taking over the Monday slot with news from Disneyland and other Southern California theme parks.  David "Darkbeer" Michael will return soon on a new day. This week, Candlelight returns to Disneyland in all its Christmas glory.  Two lucky turkeys take up residence at the Happiest Place On Earth.  Construction continues at California Adventure.  Merchandise events and updates.  Holiday offers at Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios.  The "Festival of Lights" at the San Diego Wild ... Read More

View: Dateline Disneyland News From Disney And Other Southern California Theme Parks

The Walt Disney Company announced their newest advertising campaign on Thursday and revealed that if you come to Disneyland or Disney World on your birthday, you will be granted free (yes, FREE) admission into the parks. This will no doubt be an extremely popular campaign. The free birthday offering is just the icing on the cake for Disney's newest marketing campaign which targets "Celebration Vacations."   The press release explains that "In 2009, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts will lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences." But that's not all, Disney will promote over 200 experiences at Disney World alone, ranging from "Breathtaking (magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths with undersea creatures) to mirth-making (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character dining, kids' pirate adventures). At Disneyland Resort, celebrants can book more than 50 magical experiences including 'My Disneyland Birthday Party' and guided tours that reveal Walt Disney's inspiration for Disney Parks." The release continues, "With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor their celebration with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experiences. Maybe they have a "princess" day with themed meals, shows, attractions and perfectly princess merchandise at Disneyland. Or they turn Walt Disney World "wild" with trail riding, bass fishing and parasailing." While the marketing is a distinct improvement over the confusing year of a million dreams campaign, many of the items being promoted aren't so much new as they are simply being targeted toward those celebrating certain occasions.  The new Disney Celebrations make it easier to play a specialized trip, but don't offer much in the way of new thrills and attractions for regular park guests. What will you celebrate?  A birthday, anniversary, wedding, achievement?  What will Disney celebrate?  With any luck, another year of record attendance. You can research all of your options for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World at www.disneyparks.com [1]. All photos copyright Disney [1] http://www.disneyparks.com/

View: What will you celebrate?

Another packed update today from David Michael regarding all the news from Disney and the rest of the Southern California theme parks and family vacation locations. This week: Miley Cyrus at Disneyland, Halloween party tickets, Disneyland Half Marathon, Disneyland Hotel tour, and a slew of closures and construction projects at Disneyland. After Labor Day, construction walls will start popping up and big changes begin all over the resort. Mcdonalds locations are all closing at the resort, Golden Dreams makes its final appearance next week, Fantasmic, Electrical Parade, and Aladdin all go on hiatus during the slow season, repaving projects begin at Disneyland, and Haunted Mansion closes to become the Nightmare Before Christmas themed "Haunted Mansion Holiday." But Disneyland isn't the only park with news. David brings us word from the San Diego Zoo, Six Flags, and Knott's Berry Farm as well, and invites readers to join the MiceChatter's at Knott's Halloween Haunt [1] for an evening of frightening proportions. Read all of the details of the Monday in the Parks blog HERE [2] And don't forget to sign up for MiceChat's daily email newsletter below. If there is a featured item on our front page, you'll get a summary and link sent directly to your inbox so you never miss an important update or story. [3] _______________________________ Join the MiceChat Daily Email Update - Enter your email address Here: Delivered by FeedBurner [4] _______________________________ [1] http://micechat.com/forums/meets-events-scheduling/100032-2nd-annual-knotts-scary-farm-mc-meet-sept-27th.html [2] http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/monday-in-the-parks/665-9-1-08-monday-parks-news-photos-tips.html [3] http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php [4] http://www.feedburner.com

View: Monday in the Parks Southern California Theme Park and Disneyland Updates

Our Dateline Disneyland blog chronicles the beginnings of Halloween at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. While the main park decorations have yet to appear and won't be fully in place until October 3rd, Signs are going up and merchandise is moving in. In addition to the costumes, t-shirts, antenna balls, and hats, this year's Halloween collection also contains some nice (and affordable) collectibles. As he always does so well, Andy details all the little changes at the parks and adds some of his favorite shots of the park as well. BOO! The entire Dateline Disneyland Blog post can be read HERE [1] [2] _______________________________ Join the MiceChat Daily Email Update - Enter your email address Here: Delivered by FeedBurner [3] _______________________________ [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=656 [2] http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php [3] http://www.feedburner.com

View: Dateline Disneyland Photo Report From The Disneyland Resort

Al Lutz [1] is reporting that Anne Hamburger will be leaving Disney, where she has headed the entertainment department as Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Creative Entertainment.  Hired during the Paul Pressler era, Ms. Hamburger's first assignment was to revamp the horrid "Steps in Time" production which opened with Disney's California Adventure park in the Hyperion Theater. Though her fixes reportedly cost millions, the show did not last and was quickly replaced with a touring production of "Blast," until she was able to complete the work on the replacement show "Aladdin a New Musical." As the artistic director of Disney  entertainment, Ms. Hamburger was responsible for all major shows, parades, and nighttime spectaculars at all of the Disney parks and on the cruise ships.   It was a broad role which paced Ms. Hamburger as producer and artistic adviser in nearly all of Disney's theatrical productions.  While her production values were very high, her artistic sensibilities did not always jive with what guests expected to see in the Disney parks. Ms. Hamburger did have a following of devoted fans. For many years, her Aladdin and Snow White productions (at California Adventure and Disneyland respectively) successfully filled theaters and had many loyal regulars.  Her Nemo Musical at Disney's Animal Kingdom was a smash success, and many of her cruise ship and foreign park productions were also considered critical successes.  Recently, she was reported to have been pitching a Narnia production for the space currently occupied by the Muppets at Disney's California Adventure. The changing of the guard in the Entertainment department at Disney will no doubt allow for a refocusing on the type and tone of entertainment offered in the parks and cruise line in the immediate future.  Such major changes at Disney are usually followed by additional staff changes, department reshuffling, and policy changes. Steve Davison, a Disney fan favorite for his fireworks spectaculars and Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay, is the current Creative Director for Walt Disney Creative Entertainment and was an immediate subordinate of Ms. Hamburger.  He is surely capable of continuing the work of the department until final changes have been made. Mr. Lutz has started a discussion on the MiceChat forums HERE. [2] [3] _______________________________ Join the MiceChat Daily Email Update - Enter your email address Here: Delivered by FeedBurner [4] _______________________________ [1] http://micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/8_14_anne_hamburger_exit-102080.html [2] http://micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/8_14_anne_hamburger_exit-102080.html [3] http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php [4] http://www.feedburner.com

View: Anne Hamburger to Exit Disney Entertainment

This weekend all eyes turn toward China as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad are staged in Beijing. We're lucky that regular Weekend Update contributor TDLFAN was in Beijing last week and shares some photos of the city just prior to the start of the Olympics. We haven't skimped on the Disney coverage, though. Jack hollywood1939 Wixom takes us on a photo tour of the original version of Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland, Micechatter MrTaste shares some Disneyland photos, Denise nbodyhome Preskitt turns in some bicoastal coverage, and SummerInFL takes us shopping in Florida. Don't miss a single picture, catch the entire Weekend Update of Disney, Theme Park, and Vacation locations around the world HERE [1] [2] _______________________________ Join the MiceChat Daily Email Update - Enter your email address Here: Delivered by FeedBurner [3] _______________________________ [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=579 [2] http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php [3] http://www.feedburner.com

View: The Weekend Update photo tour of Disney, Theme Park, and Vacation locations around the world

MiceChat partner Chuck Oberleitner, is starting to recover from Comic-Con and has some terse thoughts on the event: There’s absolutely no doubt that Comic-Con is a pop culture phenomenon. That’s both the good news and the bad news, for most such phenomenon burn out sooner or later. In addition to the overwhelming crowds, a few additional cracks are beginning to show in the Con’s well-worn patina. Celebrity access and the autographs and pictures that go with them used to be a Comic-Con staple. As recently as last year’s Con, the casts of NBC’ Chuck and the SciFi Channel’s Eureka stepped off the stage and waded into the waiting crowds. The stars included Chuck Executive Producer and writer McG who freely signed virtually everything shoved in their faces and posed with fans for half again as many pictures. Pandemonium nearly broke out as various Lost cast members and stars, like Robert Downey Jr., made their way across the exhibition floor for booth appearances and everyone got to take pictures. Of course, that pandemonium was one of the things the Fire Marshall was taken to task for. Now, with few exceptions, there’s almost no such thing as a free-range celebrity. All high-profile programs feature secure, guarded entry and exit ways for celebrity panelists, virtually guaranteeing separation from the fans. Autographs and photo ops are now mostly for sale, and even media access has been heavily curtailed. The bigger stars work the exhibit floor either for their employers, like the aforementioned Warner Brothers, or the professional autograph dealers, who had attendees lined up like kids in a mall waiting to see Santa Claus, at $25 a pop, to say hello to the stars of Torchwood and several StarTrek series. Upstairs in the “autograph area” over the course of the convention, a dozen or so Z-listers whiled away the hours swapping tales with one another between increasingly sporadic sales of autographed headshots. What were your thoughts on Comic Con? For all of Chuck's thoughts, Click HERE [1] digg_url = 'http://digg.com/people/Thoughts_On_Comic_Con_2008'; [2] _______________________________ Join the MiceChat Daily Email Update - Enter your email address Here: Delivered by FeedBurner [3] _______________________________ [1] http://www.obe-mediaone.com/pages/columns/col_2008/08-05_Dead.htm [2] http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php [3] http://www.feedburner.com

View: Final Thoughts on Comic-Con 2008

Hello Blue! The new Blue has been spotted on the beam - and she is beautiful. Meanwhile, two shops have just closed. New Century Time Pieces is closing to remodel for new merchandise (the watch artist has moved to the exit of the Opera House) . The Three Fairies Magic Crystal Shop is also closing, to make room for enhancements and the return of the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through. But the biggest departure is McDonald's. The fry carts and Burger Invasion are flying the coop to make room for healthier fare. Also this week, amazing shots of Disneyland at night and tons of pictures from Comic-Con '08 which packed the house in San Diego last weekend. See the entire Dateline Disneyland Photo Update of Disneyland, California Adventure, and Comic-Con HERE [1] [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=553

View: Dateline Disneyland: Monorail Blue, Closing Shops, Bye Bye McDonald's, Disneyland after dark, Comic-Con San Diego

David is back and feeling better and has a HUGE update for you today. Sounds like there will be lots of changes this Fall including the closure of all of the McDonald's locations at the Disneyland Resort. The Sun Wheel is preparing to shut down for its transformation into "Mickey's Fun Wheel." Six Flags Magic Mountain is set to get a new wooden coaster in 2009. But that is just the tip of the iceburg, more news about the Hyperion Theater, Fantasmic, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Matterhorn, the decision on an artificial tree for Christmas, another chance to win a free Honda, Garden Walk, and a 3rd Sheraton in the resort area. But that is just the short list. David has much more for you today. Click HERE for all the News and information about what is going on at the parks. [1] Please click HERE to subscribe to the MiceChat "Everything Disney" daily Email newsletter and never miss an important story again! [2] [3] [1] http://micechat.com/forums/blog.php?b=537 [2] http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=2025372&loc=en_US [3] http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php

View: Disneyland News Update

Chuck from O-Meon has posted his first looks from this year's Comic-Con.   If you've never been, Comic-Con is a crazy, packed, and fun look at the comic book and sci-fi community.  Hundreds of thousands of people show up every year.  Tickets sell out months in advance.  This is the IT ticket of the year for geeks everywhere. And that's exactly where we find Chuck today, smack dab in the middle of geek-ville.  A wonderful place to be indeed.  Today, Chuck fills us in on the Dr. Who and Torchwood panel discussions.  With lots of steamy pictures to boot.  We like what we see so far Chuck.  Can't wait for part two. Find Chuck's full description and pictures on O-Meon.com HERE [1] Subscribe to MiceChat: Everything Disney by Email and never miss an important story again! [2] [1] http://www.o-meon.com/pages/news&features/n&f_2008/07-25_Con_On.htm [2] http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=2025372&loc=en_US

View: Torchwood and Dr. Who Panel Pictures and Coverage from Comic-Con 2008

Kevin Yee is wondering where all the Disneyland fan fiction is. So he is offering a contest, write the ultimate short story about Disneyland and win a prize. There are some ground rules: Length: between 5 and 15 pages double-spaced is preferred, but as short as one page or as long as 25 is acceptable. Deadline: all submissions are due by September 1, 2008. Setting: all stories must involve Disneyland in Anaheim. Or, at least part of the action must be there. Genre: all genres are open. You can send in drama, superheroes, action-adventure, horror, ghost stories, mystery, romance, thrillers, crime drama, political drama, and even science-fiction, time travel, or anything else that occurs to you. Time frame: open. It can be set in the past, present, or the future. Restrictions: no Disney characters can be mentioned at all, and do not use real Cast Members. Also, even the fictional CMs cannot be portrayed nefariously. If in doubt, do not include anything questionable, because it won't win. Required component: every story must mention a happy person, a happy coincidence, and a happy ending. The final requirement above is to see how creative you can be in slipping in the references! I got this idea from The Plot Thickens, a collection of mystery short stories with the requirement that every story had to mention a thick fog, a thick book, and a thick steak. Everything else was up to the writers. The diversity of stories was great, and the reader experience included a kind of fun hunt for the required components (some of which were central, and some of which were mentioned only very briefly). Sure, it was a gimmick, but it was fun and it worked. A while ago, I read a bit of fan fiction about the Magic Kingdom, by author Corey Doctorow, called "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom [1]." It was an interesting story about a future in which people live and work in the Magic Kingdom and have taken over the running of the park. What sorts of clever stories might our readers come up with? Learn more about the Disneyland fan fiction contest HERE [2] [1] http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDown-Magic-Kingdom-Cory-Doctorow%2Fdp%2F076530953X%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qid%3D1216737109%26sr%3D8-1&tag=micechat-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325 [2] http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky072208a.htm

View: Disneyland Fan Fiction Contest