Refilling Paradise Bay, Houdini moves in, Holiday merchandise, more
Posted 10-25-2009 at 11:11 PM by Dateline Disneyland
Updated 10-26-2009 at 06:20 PM by Dateline Disneyland
Updated 10-26-2009 at 06:20 PM by Dateline Disneyland
MiceChatters waited with anticipation throughout the week for the first signs of water in Paradise Bay after months of construction on the new World of Color show. After numerous delay rumors and filming of a promotional spot, water finally started refilling the Paradise Pier lagoon Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, crews continued to crawl over the World of Color platform making sure the equipment was ready for water, and construction continued on the new 9,000-guest Paradise Park viewing area.
More information and ongoing discussion on many of the various construction projects featured in today's update can be found in the Project Tracker threads on MiceChat. Simply click on a photo with a Project Tracker watermark and you'll be linked up to the latest news and discussion on the various projects underway at the Resort.
Let's get started!
WELCOME TO DISNEYLAND
The Main Street Magic Shop is still closed while the new vendor, Houdini, moves in. Until the store reopens sometime this week, new window displays give guests a hint of what's to come and feature a variety of Houdini references in wonderful little details.
CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION
Construction continues at Disney's California Adventure as water returns to Paradise Bay to begin the test-and-adjust phase of World of Color construction.
WORLD OF COLOR & PARADISE PARK VIEWING AREA
Water is back in Paradise Bay after a year of being dry for World of Color construction.
Disney released a little internet promotional video of Mickey and Goofy in their construction crew outfits helping to refill the Bay late last week:
The OC Register's Around Disney blog had more information on the specifics behind the lagoon refilling:
SILLY SYMPHONY SWINGS
THE LITTLE MERMAID & CARS LAND
Cars Land:
THIS AND THAT
Back in Disneyland, the entrance to Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland has reopened after installing some automatic doors.
In New Orleans Square, the Royal Street Veranda is open after a refurbishment that included a re-working of the walk-up order windows
The French Market's entrance is still behind walls while that gets an update as well.
The Enchanted Cottage snack stand at the Princess Fantasy Faire is still behind construction walls as the food location continues its remodel.
And "it's a small world" is now closed for two weeks while its annual holiday overlay is installed.
From the OC Register's Around Disney blog:
Speaking of the holidays, Christmas merchandise is already lining store shelves throughout the Resort - here's a small sampling of new goodies:
Thanksgiving plush: $14.95 each
Christmas Tree antenna topper
Holiday apron $21.95
Tree topper $26.95
Santa Claus mug and cookie plate $24.95
Jim Shore - Beauty and the Beast ornament set $115
Jim Short - Disney ornament set $75
AROUND THE PARKS
We'll finish up today's photo update with some shots from around the parks:
DISNEYLAND WEEKLY HOURS AND INFO
More information and ongoing discussion on many of the various construction projects featured in today's update can be found in the Project Tracker threads on MiceChat. Simply click on a photo with a Project Tracker watermark and you'll be linked up to the latest news and discussion on the various projects underway at the Resort.
Let's get started!
 Inside Dateline Disneyland |
|
WELCOME TO DISNEYLAND
The Main Street Magic Shop is still closed while the new vendor, Houdini, moves in. Until the store reopens sometime this week, new window displays give guests a hint of what's to come and feature a variety of Houdini references in wonderful little details.
CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION
Construction continues at Disney's California Adventure as water returns to Paradise Bay to begin the test-and-adjust phase of World of Color construction.
WORLD OF COLOR & PARADISE PARK VIEWING AREA
Water is back in Paradise Bay after a year of being dry for World of Color construction.
Disney released a little internet promotional video of Mickey and Goofy in their construction crew outfits helping to refill the Bay late last week:
The OC Register's Around Disney blog had more information on the specifics behind the lagoon refilling:
16 million gallons begin flowing into Disney’s California Adventure lagoonWater cascaded today out of a large pipe into Paradise Bay at Disney’s California Adventure, refilling the 16-million-gallon lagoon.For the full article, visit Around Disney: 16 million gallons begin flowing into Disney’s California Adventure lagoon
[ . . . ] The water flowing into the lagoon, at 2,800 gallons per minute, was recycled by Disney through the Orange County Water District using its Groundwater Replenishment System.
The same system will be used when the resort drains Disneyland’s 6-million-gallon Rivers of America for refurbishment early next year.
After the lagoon is full, it will be continuously filtered by the park’s system.
Disney officials said that filling the lagoon will take place in installments as they go through a test-and-adjustment period. Filling will continue a few feet at a time depending on how things go during this process, until the lagoon is full; that could take until the end of the year or possibly later.
After the lagoon is full, the Imagineers will begin programming the fountains, lights and projectors to prepare the show for its premiere at the park next year.
SILLY SYMPHONY SWINGS
THE LITTLE MERMAID & CARS LAND
Cars Land:
THIS AND THAT
Back in Disneyland, the entrance to Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland has reopened after installing some automatic doors.
In New Orleans Square, the Royal Street Veranda is open after a refurbishment that included a re-working of the walk-up order windows
The French Market's entrance is still behind walls while that gets an update as well.
The Enchanted Cottage snack stand at the Princess Fantasy Faire is still behind construction walls as the food location continues its remodel.
And "it's a small world" is now closed for two weeks while its annual holiday overlay is installed.
From the OC Register's Around Disney blog:
Disney ride set to close temporarily for holiday makeoverFor the full article, visit Around Disney: Disney ride set to close temporarily for holiday makeover
Halloween may not be over yet, but “it’s a small world” dolls are already getting dressed up for Christmas.
Starting Monday, the Disneyland ride is set to be closed so it can be remodeled for the holidays. Sunday will be the last day that the ride is open to guests for about three weeks, said John McClintock, a Disneyland Resort spokesman.
The ride is set to re-open Nov. 13 with special decorations and soundtrack for the holiday season, which begins that same day.
The classic ride features dancing dolls from different countries singing the same song repeatedly in various languages. When the attraction re-opens next month, “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls” will be added to the song mix.
Speaking of the holidays, Christmas merchandise is already lining store shelves throughout the Resort - here's a small sampling of new goodies:
Thanksgiving plush: $14.95 each
Christmas Tree antenna topper
Holiday apron $21.95
Tree topper $26.95
Santa Claus mug and cookie plate $24.95
Jim Shore - Beauty and the Beast ornament set $115
Jim Short - Disney ornament set $75
AROUND THE PARKS
We'll finish up today's photo update with some shots from around the parks:
DISNEYLAND WEEKLY HOURS AND INFO
THEME PARK HOURS OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1
For a complete listing of theme park hours, please visit the Disneyland.com Theme Park CalendarDisneyland Park
Monday: 10 am - 9 pm
Tuesday: 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday - Thursday: 10 am - 9 pm
Friday - Sunday: 8 am - 12 midnight
Disney's California Adventure Park
Monday: 10 am - 6 pm
Tuesday: 10 am - 8 pm
Wednesday - Thursday: 10 am - 5 pm
Friday - Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 9 pm
CURRENT ATTRACTION CLOSURES & REFURBISHMENTSDisneyland Park
- Disneyland Railroad: Closed through October 28
- Gadget's Go Coaster: Closed through October 26.
- Big Thunder Ranch: Closed November 2 - 12 to install winter holiday overlay.
- Jungle Cruise: Closed November 16 - 19
- Storybook Land Canal Boats: Closed through November 19.
- Casey Jr. Circus Train: Closed through November 19.
- The Enchanted Cottage: Snack stand closed through November 4.
- "it's a small world": Closed through November 12 to install holiday overlay.
- King Arthur Carrousel: Closed December 8 - 10.
- Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years/Main Street Opera House: Closed. Reopens as The Disneyland Story: Featuring Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln December 17, 2009.
Disney's California Adventure Park
- Orange Stinger: Closed for retheming. Reopens Spring 2010
- Jumpin' Jellyfish: Attraction remains open while towers rotate through refurbishment.
- The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure: Under construction.
- Souvenir 66 and Corn Dog Castle: Store and dining location closed for remodeling through May 2011.
- Paradise Bay: Drained for construction of upcoming Disney's World of Color show. Expected to be refilled mid-October 2009.
- Disney's World of Color Nighttime Spectacular: New show under construction. Debuts Spring 2010.
- Golden State Park and Amphitheater: Closed. New, larger viewing area for Disney's World of Color viewing under construction in same location. The new viewing area is scheduled to open February 2010 as Paradise Park.
HOOK'S POINTE GETS MENU MAKEOVER
Hook's Pointe Restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel recently got a brand new seafood-centric menu. The OC Register's Around Disney blog has details:Restaurant becomes Disney’s only seafood houseFor the full story, visit: Around Disney: Restaurant becomes Disney’s only seafood house
A Disney restaurant became the resort’s only seafood house when it recently revamped its menu.
Hook’s Pointe, inside the Disneyland Hotel, re-branded itself last month with new seafood selections because its generic offerings were failing to draw enough customers.
“It didn’t really have an identity, really,” Chef Jason Martin said. “We didn’t have the traffic we were looking for.”
Martin said he decided to try out the seafood concept because there are no other Disneyland Resort restaurants with that focus. Plus, the previous restaurant in the same location was a seafood restaurant until 1999.
Guests now can order their fish their own way: pick their fish, style of cooking, sauce and side dish. There are 18 combinations, Martin said.
2009 CHOC WALK ATTRACTS MORE THAN 12,000 PARTICIPANTS
And here's video clip from Disney summing up the 2009 CHOC Walk in Disneyland:2009 CHOC Walk at the Disneyland Resort
| Okay, that should wrap up this week's Dateline Disneyland. Many thanks to all of you for reading. Be sure to discuss this week's update in the comments section below! Your support keeps these updates coming! Without you they couldn't happen. We all know times are tough, so any amount of support helps. If you can donate to Dateline Disneyland please consider doing so via a safe and quick PayPal donation. To donate, click here. Don't forget that MiceAge and MiceChat has loads of new content weekly! If Dateline Disneyland isn't enough to satisfy your Disneyland itch, then don't miss David "Darkbeer" Michael's In the Parks column which runs here every Friday and is packed full of Southern California theme park news, photos, and gossip. And if you want even more Disney theme park goodness, don't miss MiceChat's Weekend Update, which takes a look at Disney theme parks and other international landmarks, curiosities, and oddities every Saturday! Dateline Disneyland is on Twitter! We now have over 5,000 followers! If you still haven't checked us out on Twitter, head over there now for updates throughout the week with links to breaking news, mini updates, photos, and links to newsworthy MiceChat discussions. Visit Twitter.com/DatelineDisney, or check out the widget to the right to follow us! See you here again soon! -Andy |  Love reading Dateline Disneyland? If so, consider donating so the updates can keep coming through a quick and safe PayPal donation. Thanks for your support! |
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Comments
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Great Update Andy!Posted 10-26-2009 at 12:52 AM by Brer Stefan
- That Astro Orbitor shot is fantastic. It even looks good blown up; the slight blur makes it look more like an illustration than a photograph. Well done!Posted 10-26-2009 at 03:08 AM by thecosmicjester
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I always appreciate the merchandise updates. Keep them coming.Posted 10-26-2009 at 05:29 AM by Melonballer 
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I just realized that, despite having followed this blog routinely for the past year, I haven't posted a single comment! 'Till now, of course. Anyhow, wonderful job as always, and while I always enjoy your Around the Park photos, I thought that this week's were especially amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this ever week! Can't wait 'till the next one!Posted 10-26-2009 at 05:29 AM by Garfieldo -
Nice to see water ,in Paradise-Bay!
Good Report!Posted 10-26-2009 at 07:07 AM by Eagleman -
Great update, Andy! Can't wait until the Bay is full again. My favorite part of your updates continues to be your shots at the end from around the parks. Thanks for your excellent work!
Posted 10-26-2009 at 07:27 AM by Mac Daddy -
wires galore
What a MESS of wires, gadgets and electrical stuff! Who knew so much went on beneath the surface of a water show! So complex. What's that big octopus thing? That big plasticy bubble thing in the hole??? I'm sure a big book will surface soon, with the design/planning/construction. Probably for $39.95 (and won't have HALF the great images and detail that we see here on MD!)
Loving the b&w photo of the barbed wire and BTM! THANKS!Posted 10-26-2009 at 08:00 AM by michael darling -
Great update! Yay for water!Posted 10-26-2009 at 08:17 AM by WheresMickey -
Thanks for the great update and really cool photos, Andy!
Now, is it just me, or does anybody else feel that, thematically, there is something wrong with automatic doors on the Village Haus? (Yes, I'm sure that they were installed for convenience, especially for the disabled. I'm just saying.)Posted 10-26-2009 at 09:08 AM by BiggestDisneyFan - The Mickey apron will make a great Christmas gift for my wife....and a good excuse for a trip to the resort to get it! Thanks for the great update and pics!!Posted 10-26-2009 at 09:19 AM by UcanFly
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Thanks again for another great update...I'm curious as to how visible all the WoC inner (under) workings will be beneath the water's surface once the bay is completely filled.Posted 10-26-2009 at 09:31 AM by SpcMtn77 - No, I was gonna say the same.
Why even bother making them look old when it's so obvious they're new?
Lets install escalators in Frontierland as well!Posted 10-26-2009 at 09:35 AM by konekobus -
Automatic doors... hmmm, reminds me of the local Albertsons to be quite honest. You'd think with Disney's *obsession* with "magic" and all that they would figure out some way to make the doors "magically" open instead of an Albersons-style door that just has some extra theming. I don't know how they would incorporate it, but that's why I'm not paid to be a WDI. There does have to be some way to make it feel as though you're not walking into a grocery store or something though.
Anyway, excellent reporting Andy! Mondays are no fun at all... until I go to Miceage. I love this (and Darkbeer's) column.Posted 10-26-2009 at 09:40 AM by Athlonacon -
I was wondering the same thing.Quote:Originally Posted by SpcMtn77
Thanks again for another great update...I'm curious as to how visible all the WoC inner (under) workings will be beneath the water's surface once the bay is completely filled.Posted 10-26-2009 at 10:27 AM by Bobd20011 -
Thanks for the great update..can't wait for the christmas overlay to start happening at the parksPosted 10-26-2009 at 10:50 AM by cositaluvsmickey -
Whose Jim "Short??"
janPosted 10-26-2009 at 11:15 AM by Leofoenget - what camera and lens do you use?Posted 10-26-2009 at 11:46 AM by mattskye21
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Awesome update. I was at the 2009 CHOC Walk. It was such a fun event. I took a lot of pictures like this and the rest can be viewed at my TwitPic page for anyone who is interested.Posted 10-26-2009 at 12:30 PM by disneyDragon923 - Thanks for another great update. They waited till the last minute to install the odd stuff for WOC. What is the bow thingy? Part of the mist screen, or a way to lift big props? Also what are the giant pod things they just put in that seem like they can tilt and pop to the surface?Posted 10-26-2009 at 12:33 PM by datbates
- opps, my bad... hooked the wrong this link up.... that's not even my picture, it should be this. Sorry everyone, but the TwitPic link is correct.Posted 10-26-2009 at 12:35 PM by disneyDragon923
