11/30: More Holiday round-up, Toy Story Midway Mania, Grand Californian Hotel
Welcome to the second installment of Dateline Disneyland! This week, we take a trip around the Resort and discover even more holiday cheer, we also look at Toy Story Midway Mania construction, and the Grand Californian Hotel's expansion pit.
Let's get to it!
WELCOME TO
THE MERRIEST PLACE ON EARTH!
These yellow metal things have appeared on the top of the entry turnstile booths. Hopefully it isn't the precursor to more DreamSparkles that recently attacked the main entrance of Disney's California Adventure and the Resort's parking entry marquees.
The Candlelight procession and ceremony takes place this weekend at Disneyland park. Early set-up was already visible on Saturday, November 24.
The Dapper Dans have their holiday finest on
A BIG THUNDER CHRISTMAS
Over in Frontierland, Big Thunder Ranch is once again Santa's Reindeer Round-up. The Halloween and Christmas overlays for this part of the park are exceptionally done. Tons and tons of tiny, charming, themed details abound. Plus, the area offers cookie decorating and crafts for the kids along with live entertainment ranging from music to magic shows.
Santa Claus is welcomed to his holiday retreat on the frontier.
Of course, it wouldn't be a reindeer round-up without reindeer:
The fence blocking entry to the Festival Arena is lightly decorated:
WACKY HOLIDAYS
It's a shame that Mickey's Toon Town doesn't have much to offer, because if people knew just how much witty and clever holiday fun they were missing in the back of the park, they'd be sure to head back there to visit Roger Rabbit or Goofy. Toon Town's holiday decor is some of the most cleverly detailed, humorous stuff in all of Disneyland. Almost every building or facade has its own uniquely themed decorations.
The Firework Factory's garlands have been burnt to a crisp.
Rubber chickens and banana peels dangle from the Gag Factory
Dr. Drillum's dentistry has some rotten teeth adorning its holiday garland
Film reels from classic Disney films decorate the film shop
The clock shop has clock gears and clocks in its garlands
The Power House's holiday garlands consist of wires, power cords, and caution tape
The Toon Town post office is decked out in red, white, and blue ornaments and has a couple letters from some famous friends stick in its wreath
Minnie likes how Daisy has decked out her diner...
Speaking of Daisy's Diner...
Next door to Daisy's Diner, a small door which is part of a facade, somehow got unlocked. Curious kids who have spent a while running around Toon Town pulling on doors to hear funny noises might think this is another clever gag that Disney has cooked up. Unfortunately it's not. Not only is it bad show, but it could be hazardous to an unsuspecting (or daring kid) who might venture inside while their parent is ordering them a pizza from Daisy's. This problem needs to be fixed!
Scary!
Anyway, back to the decorations. Pluto's Dog House is decked out with huge mustard, ketchup, and relish serving as Christmas decor.
Apparently, Clarabelle's is now serving sandwiches
But you'd never guess you were at Clarabelle's with the sign missing!
Toon Town Bank has some richly themed decorations, too
City Hall is decked out in red, white, and blue
The Library has classic Disney titles in its garland
Toon Town's Christmas tree
Mickey's House
DETAIL MANIA!
Toy Story Midway Mania construction presses on, revealing more and more detail as the days go by. The facade isn't even complete, and most of it isn't even visible yet, but what is visible sets a new level of stunning quality for DCA that is, until now, unprecedented in this park.
Detail, detail, detail
Beautiful wrought iron detail work which was only once found in Disneyland, is now popping up atop Midway Mania. It's a welcome sight.
A view of the right side of the building, next to King Triton Carousel.
The charmless fountains next to King Triton's Carousel was dry.
Meanwhile, as Paradise Pier starts to turn into a true paradise of charm and detail, Sunshine Plaza has finally gotten its own trash cans. For a long time it was borrowing from the Hollywood Picture Backlot's trash cans which featured the themed "Keep Our City Clean" decals. And briefly during HalloweenTime, the trash cans in the plaza featured "Candy Corn Acres" decals. The new Sunshine Plaza trash cans simply feature the simple, plain DCA logo. Yawn.
A GRAND CHRISTMAS
The Holidays don't just bring decorations to the parks, the Hotels get some, too. The Grand Californian's holiday decor, in particular, is quite nice.
Over near the Disneyland Hotel, on the edge of Downtown Disney, a big Christmas tree can be found.
A GRAND HOLE
The Grand Californian expansion construction is nothing more than a big hole still. Progress is being made though, slowly but surely.
SNOW NO-GLOW?
Glitches here and there still seem to be affecting Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle. Last weekend debuted the second act of the Snow Show, and testing before the first lighting of the Castle at 5:30 offered a look at the Castle lit up early.
They've managed to fix all of the icicle lights, it seems, as the wreath is now fully lit.
The rest of the icicles on the sides of the Castle are fully lit, too.
But despite getting the icicles fully working, it seemed like none of the snow lights could get working correctly except for one turret and a small portion on the side of the roof.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it glow? Hmm.. Maybe once the glitches are finally all worked out.
And that's this week's edition of Dateline Disneyland. Thanks for reading, and we'll see you here again next Friday!
- Andy Castro
MasterGracey
Let's get to it!
WELCOME TO
THE MERRIEST PLACE ON EARTH!
These yellow metal things have appeared on the top of the entry turnstile booths. Hopefully it isn't the precursor to more DreamSparkles that recently attacked the main entrance of Disney's California Adventure and the Resort's parking entry marquees.
The Candlelight procession and ceremony takes place this weekend at Disneyland park. Early set-up was already visible on Saturday, November 24.
The Dapper Dans have their holiday finest on
A BIG THUNDER CHRISTMAS
Over in Frontierland, Big Thunder Ranch is once again Santa's Reindeer Round-up. The Halloween and Christmas overlays for this part of the park are exceptionally done. Tons and tons of tiny, charming, themed details abound. Plus, the area offers cookie decorating and crafts for the kids along with live entertainment ranging from music to magic shows.
Santa Claus is welcomed to his holiday retreat on the frontier.
Of course, it wouldn't be a reindeer round-up without reindeer:
The fence blocking entry to the Festival Arena is lightly decorated:
WACKY HOLIDAYS
It's a shame that Mickey's Toon Town doesn't have much to offer, because if people knew just how much witty and clever holiday fun they were missing in the back of the park, they'd be sure to head back there to visit Roger Rabbit or Goofy. Toon Town's holiday decor is some of the most cleverly detailed, humorous stuff in all of Disneyland. Almost every building or facade has its own uniquely themed decorations.
The Firework Factory's garlands have been burnt to a crisp.
Rubber chickens and banana peels dangle from the Gag Factory
Dr. Drillum's dentistry has some rotten teeth adorning its holiday garland
Film reels from classic Disney films decorate the film shop
The clock shop has clock gears and clocks in its garlands
The Power House's holiday garlands consist of wires, power cords, and caution tape
The Toon Town post office is decked out in red, white, and blue ornaments and has a couple letters from some famous friends stick in its wreath
Minnie likes how Daisy has decked out her diner...
Speaking of Daisy's Diner...
Next door to Daisy's Diner, a small door which is part of a facade, somehow got unlocked. Curious kids who have spent a while running around Toon Town pulling on doors to hear funny noises might think this is another clever gag that Disney has cooked up. Unfortunately it's not. Not only is it bad show, but it could be hazardous to an unsuspecting (or daring kid) who might venture inside while their parent is ordering them a pizza from Daisy's. This problem needs to be fixed!
Scary!
Anyway, back to the decorations. Pluto's Dog House is decked out with huge mustard, ketchup, and relish serving as Christmas decor.
Apparently, Clarabelle's is now serving sandwiches
But you'd never guess you were at Clarabelle's with the sign missing!
Toon Town Bank has some richly themed decorations, too
City Hall is decked out in red, white, and blue
The Library has classic Disney titles in its garland
Toon Town's Christmas tree
Mickey's House
DETAIL MANIA!
Toy Story Midway Mania construction presses on, revealing more and more detail as the days go by. The facade isn't even complete, and most of it isn't even visible yet, but what is visible sets a new level of stunning quality for DCA that is, until now, unprecedented in this park.
Detail, detail, detail
Beautiful wrought iron detail work which was only once found in Disneyland, is now popping up atop Midway Mania. It's a welcome sight.
A view of the right side of the building, next to King Triton Carousel.
The charmless fountains next to King Triton's Carousel was dry.
Meanwhile, as Paradise Pier starts to turn into a true paradise of charm and detail, Sunshine Plaza has finally gotten its own trash cans. For a long time it was borrowing from the Hollywood Picture Backlot's trash cans which featured the themed "Keep Our City Clean" decals. And briefly during HalloweenTime, the trash cans in the plaza featured "Candy Corn Acres" decals. The new Sunshine Plaza trash cans simply feature the simple, plain DCA logo. Yawn.
A GRAND CHRISTMAS
The Holidays don't just bring decorations to the parks, the Hotels get some, too. The Grand Californian's holiday decor, in particular, is quite nice.
Over near the Disneyland Hotel, on the edge of Downtown Disney, a big Christmas tree can be found.
A GRAND HOLE
The Grand Californian expansion construction is nothing more than a big hole still. Progress is being made though, slowly but surely.
SNOW NO-GLOW?
Glitches here and there still seem to be affecting Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle. Last weekend debuted the second act of the Snow Show, and testing before the first lighting of the Castle at 5:30 offered a look at the Castle lit up early.
They've managed to fix all of the icicle lights, it seems, as the wreath is now fully lit.
The rest of the icicles on the sides of the Castle are fully lit, too.
But despite getting the icicles fully working, it seemed like none of the snow lights could get working correctly except for one turret and a small portion on the side of the roof.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it glow? Hmm.. Maybe once the glitches are finally all worked out.
And that's this week's edition of Dateline Disneyland. Thanks for reading, and we'll see you here again next Friday!
- Andy Castro
MasterGracey
Total Comments 20
Comments
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Another fantastic update. Seeing all that detail in Paradise Pier gives me great hope for DCA's transformation. One day, DCA may just shine brighter than all those tacky icicles on Disneyland's castle. But until then, we'll just keep watching your construction photos for more signs of good things to come.
-DustyPosted 11-30-2007 at 12:12 AM by Dustysage
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Wow... again. :-)Posted 11-30-2007 at 07:32 AM by tonyrr1 -
Fantastic! Great job
Posted 11-30-2007 at 08:47 AM by dsnylndmom - Great update. It's been building for years, but I think Walt would be proud of the decorations.Posted 11-30-2007 at 09:07 AM by heysi
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Wonderful update!
For those of us that live far away and won't be there this holiday season. Thanks for letting us share/experience it in such wonderful fashion!Posted 11-30-2007 at 09:25 AM by MTNGIRL -
I am excited!
I am sooo very excited to see DCA when all is said and done! Part of me wants to just wait until 2012, so that I will be experiencing a brand new park, but let's face it... I don't think I can hold out that long! lol
Thanks for the GREAT update!Posted 11-30-2007 at 09:38 AM by OFTEric -
Great update, Andy! Hopefully someone notified a CM of the "scary" open door in Toon Town.
Posted 11-30-2007 at 10:24 AM by ROBONICS95 -
They are finally fixing the problem with DCA's entrance trash cans. They have all been mixed up for years.Posted 11-30-2007 at 10:34 AM by DisneyMickey -
Thanks MG! I'm dying to go to Santa's roundup to decorate some cookies now! And also to check out Toontown's deco. I see you've been taking pics from the sweet spy-spot on the rail by the King Triton bathrooms!Posted 11-30-2007 at 11:52 AM by twobluestripes -
Wow, thanks for the nice update and all the great holiday decoration photos! I agree w/MTNGIRL; makes it nice for those so far away to appreciate the park in full Christmas decoration splendor!Posted 11-30-2007 at 03:36 PM by xalesa -
Great job!! the door area in Toon Town is alittle scary! hope that they fixed it!Posted 11-30-2007 at 05:26 PM by Tammy77 -
The details, especially in Toontown, are what set Disneyland apart from every other Theme Park. I was amazed at the decorations having so many different things to match the house or building they were on. Thanks for the update and I can hardly wait to see the night time castle show. I hope they get it fixed soon so when I finally do get down there, I will not be "in the dark" so to speak.Posted 11-30-2007 at 05:28 PM by Lost Boy -
Great shots Andy!! Those Dapper Dans are looking good in their holiday finest!!
Posted 11-30-2007 at 06:30 PM by peoplemover1 -
great pics! ..again
I like the MM detailsPosted 11-30-2007 at 07:23 PM by pianoman13 -
Very Nice!
Thanks for the update, and PicsPosted 11-30-2007 at 08:57 PM by ralzap -
Awesome update! Hopefully the castle has the glitches worked out by the time I visit in 2 weeks. Thanks for giving me my weekly Disneyland fix
Posted 12-01-2007 at 09:56 AM by Walt's Girl -
I enjoy your photo updates and commentary, but, why the hand wringing over an open service access door in Toontown? The solution is as easy as finding a custodial host and letting them know about it.
Folks, there's a lot of acreage to cover in the park. I know we like to complain about dead light bulbs and peeling paint, but sometimes things are simply overlooked. Be proactive, let Disneyland know if something is a hazard. Sweepers and security are front line cast members whose jobs are, first and foremost, guest safety. They can usually get something done pretty quick.
Thanks again for the great pix!Posted 12-01-2007 at 02:49 PM by Gn2Dlnd -
Cheap half a show.
Great job on the photo update! But I have something to insite thoughts from you all. Why is Disney still being sooooo cheap. Look at the castle from the Fantasyland side. The lights on the castle could have at have been finished off by continuing to the back side of the turrets. (There are a few extra inches here and there but no completing the show in fantasy land).
What's the deal why only half a snowy castle?They are after all pumping the sound of the snow show into fanatasy land at ear bleeding levels. If you are going to enundate us with the sound at least let us see at least a peak of what they see on the other side. You would think they would get this since there is limited space on either side of the castle.
The best place to see the show would be the front side obviously. But a half finished product looks cheap. And Disney when it comes to this show from the Fantasyland side of the world you look cheap.Posted 12-01-2007 at 03:11 PM by Writergray
Updated 12-01-2007 at 03:20 PM by Writergray (Grammar) -
Fabulous pics! Happy Holidays everyone!Posted 12-03-2007 at 01:23 PM by wdwnut4life - Lovely pictures again. But Someone paint that Toontown door!Posted 12-03-2007 at 04:31 PM by DisneyMickey
