4/04: Mr. Potato Head! and more Midway Mania, Food & Wine, collectibles, +more
Posted 04-04-2008 at 02:56 AM by Dateline Disneyland
Updated 04-04-2008 at 02:12 PM by Dateline Disneyland
Updated 04-04-2008 at 02:12 PM by Dateline Disneyland
Disney's California Adventure is continually becoming a hotbed of news and progress. And with the major expansion and remodel projects, it isn't going to stop anytime soon. So let's take a look this week at DCA's latest progress - most notably the unveiling of the amazing Mr. Potato Head Audio-Animatronic figure at Toy Story Midway Mania! Let's get to it!
POTATO MANIA!
The highly-anticipated, interactive Audio-Animatronic Mr. Potato Head that will interact with passers-by and guests in line at Toy Story Midway Mania began testing with park guests this week. MiceChatter PhotoMatt got some great shots and video of this impressive addition to Paradise Pier.
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
The "WOW" moment comes when Mr. Potato Head removes his own ear. This is amazing stuff here.
Photo: PhotoMatt
It's too bad that there won't be anymore cool Audio-Animatronic figures like this inside the actual attraction.
Photo: PhotoMatt
You can view PhotoMatt's videos of Mr. Potato head here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETQTKMyqw7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhpv_CerF-c
Photo: PhotoMatt
The gap in the construction walls allowed for a closer look at some of Midway Mania's surrounding area.
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
And work is progressing on the outdoor vending areas...
Photo: PhotoMatt
All of the popcorn lighting on the Midway facade is working now. It looks great.
DISNEY DINING
The 3rd Annual Disney's California Food and Wine event begins next weekend, and Disney is taking every opportunity to let guests of DCA know.
The event, which was previously only held on weekends during the spring, has expanded to a daily event April 11 through May 5.
Food and Wine is great fun, and features many interesting, fun, and free demonstrations, tastings, and classes.
For more information, check out the handy California Food and Wine Festival '08 thread on MiceChat.
Or visit www.Disneyland.com/FoodandWine
While in DCA, a quick peek at the Grand Californian/White Water Snacks emergency egress bridge shows new doors on the White Water Snacks end, and a small gate on the park side.
Bridge lighting
WORLD OF TOONS
The World of Disney store in Downtown Disney has re-themed the large Downtown Disney-side showroom. It matches the new Toon Town-style window displays that we showed you back in early February.
This cool new treehouse was previously a big Pirates of the Caribbean-themed ship mast.
THIS AND THAT
Over at Disneyland, Plaza Pavillion is getting some work done on its roof.
The new Robert Olszewski Main Street Electrical Parade miniature is now available. It retails for $125.
It's a really great piece.
And I'm not sure how long these have been available, but they are pretty nice - especially the Pele one! $18 each.
Alright, that should do it for this week. Thanks to PhotoMatt for once again providing some great shots for this week's column. Even more of his Mr. Potato Head and Midway Mania shots can be seen in his Popular Potato Proudly Prepares Potential Public Performances - Pronto! thread.
And thanks, as always, for reading. Be sure to never miss an update - add the MiceChat Featured Blogs (including Dateline Disneyland, Monday in the Parks, and Weekend Update) to your favorite RSS Feeder.
View RSS Feed
- Andy
POTATO MANIA!
The highly-anticipated, interactive Audio-Animatronic Mr. Potato Head that will interact with passers-by and guests in line at Toy Story Midway Mania began testing with park guests this week. MiceChatter PhotoMatt got some great shots and video of this impressive addition to Paradise Pier.
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
The "WOW" moment comes when Mr. Potato Head removes his own ear. This is amazing stuff here.
Photo: PhotoMatt
It's too bad that there won't be anymore cool Audio-Animatronic figures like this inside the actual attraction.
Photo: PhotoMatt
You can view PhotoMatt's videos of Mr. Potato head here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETQTKMyqw7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhpv_CerF-c
Photo: PhotoMatt
The gap in the construction walls allowed for a closer look at some of Midway Mania's surrounding area.
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
Photo: PhotoMatt
And work is progressing on the outdoor vending areas...
Photo: PhotoMatt
All of the popcorn lighting on the Midway facade is working now. It looks great.
DISNEY DINING
The 3rd Annual Disney's California Food and Wine event begins next weekend, and Disney is taking every opportunity to let guests of DCA know.
The event, which was previously only held on weekends during the spring, has expanded to a daily event April 11 through May 5.
Food and Wine is great fun, and features many interesting, fun, and free demonstrations, tastings, and classes.
For more information, check out the handy California Food and Wine Festival '08 thread on MiceChat.
Or visit www.Disneyland.com/FoodandWine
While in DCA, a quick peek at the Grand Californian/White Water Snacks emergency egress bridge shows new doors on the White Water Snacks end, and a small gate on the park side.
Bridge lighting
WORLD OF TOONS
The World of Disney store in Downtown Disney has re-themed the large Downtown Disney-side showroom. It matches the new Toon Town-style window displays that we showed you back in early February.
This cool new treehouse was previously a big Pirates of the Caribbean-themed ship mast.
THIS AND THAT
Over at Disneyland, Plaza Pavillion is getting some work done on its roof.
The new Robert Olszewski Main Street Electrical Parade miniature is now available. It retails for $125.
It's a really great piece.
And I'm not sure how long these have been available, but they are pretty nice - especially the Pele one! $18 each.
Alright, that should do it for this week. Thanks to PhotoMatt for once again providing some great shots for this week's column. Even more of his Mr. Potato Head and Midway Mania shots can be seen in his Popular Potato Proudly Prepares Potential Public Performances - Pronto! thread.
And thanks, as always, for reading. Be sure to never miss an update - add the MiceChat Featured Blogs (including Dateline Disneyland, Monday in the Parks, and Weekend Update) to your favorite RSS Feeder.
View RSS Feed - Andy
Total Comments 11
Comments
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Thanks for the update Andy, nice pics as always.Posted 04-04-2008 at 08:14 AM by caesarboxfan
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Awesome update! You never let us downPosted 04-04-2008 at 09:15 AM by dsnylndmom - Holy smokes! That is some awesome audio-animatronica! Wow! How do they do the eyes??? The pupils are so fast! And it almost looks like the eyelids scrunch a bit when they close completely. Wow!Posted 04-04-2008 at 09:38 AM by janfrederick
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Really awesome update! I love the layout. I really love Phoot Matt's pictures.Posted 04-04-2008 at 11:24 AM by mamabot 
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Love the Mr. Potato Head! Thats quite impressive! And janfrederick- it looked to me like the eyes were rear projection, just like the faces for Buzz Lightyear and in the Haunted Mansion. They can scrunch up because it's just projected graphics. At least that's my theory.Posted 04-04-2008 at 01:07 PM by Joe_rocks_socks -
Even though I haven't seen it in person, that Mr. Potato Head audio animatronic is seriously impressive with the ability to remove his ear and everything. I'm not sure I'd ever go on the ride itself...I'd just be stupified by that amazing animatronic!
Thanks for sharing all the pics and info. Terrific to look through as always.Posted 04-04-2008 at 02:49 PM by Disney Liz -
Fantastic update. Love the Potato Head AA shots and video.Posted 04-04-2008 at 03:50 PM by DonDuck -
Do you think Mr. Potatoe Head is controlled like Crush is in Turtle Talk? Not the voice, but the reactions and movements he does... the only real indication I got of it being that type of system is in a youtube video when he asks the people to raise their hands if they can't hear him... one guy raises his hand, and Mr. Potatoe Head says, "Ohh, we got a wise guy eh?" Overall, it is an amazing, ground-breaking AA that is superb! I can't wait to see it in person!Posted 04-04-2008 at 04:16 PM by SeaWolf38 -
Is it just me, or does it look like standing in a lot of direct sun & heat when in line for Midway Mania? Is there going to be any shade there?Posted 04-04-2008 at 07:11 PM by JesterMn -
he looks great, although i feel like his upper arms are too long....no?Posted 04-04-2008 at 07:14 PM by Not Quite Cpt Jack -
Hey- is Mr. Potato Head being tested now? Can I go see him?Posted 04-06-2008 at 11:27 AM by CandyPandora
