7/10: Monorail Red, Toon Town, Bye-bye Sun Wheel, +MORE
Posted 07-10-2008 at 08:18 PM by Dateline Disneyland
WELCOME TO DISNEYLAND!
Billboards in Southern California were updated in Southern California shortly after Toy Story (Midway) Mania opened with the "Take Aim and Ride" tagline in place of the opening date. Interesting, though, that the attraction logo couldn't have been switched out to include "Midway."
MONORAIL RED TAKES FLIGHT
The first train in the latest generation of Disneyland Monorail is now regularly taking park guests now that its issues have mostly been worked out.
David "Darkbeer" Michael mentioned in his July 7 "Monday in the Parks" column that newly-installed air scoops on top of the non-air conditioned passenger cabins address the temperature issue aboard the new Monorails. However, you can ditch the summer heat on the new Monorail by requesting the front driver's cabin or the rear cabins - as they are both air conditioned.
The new Mark VII is really beautiful and is sleek and futuristic in all the right ways.
Colored LEDs light Red's cabins in a cool blue glow and the new Monorail Mark VII logo is proudly displayed inside.
TOON TOWN
The Donalds Boat refurbishment Goofy's Gas projects have been completed for a couple weeks already, but we hadn't been able to get around to covering it. Not much to say, just some refurbishment work.
Goofy's Gas didn't get painted, but got some outside groundwork done where the outdoor vending carts are located.
Across the street at Goofy's Playhouse, Goofy's car is parked back outside after getting re-painted.
BYE-BYE SUN WHEEL
It's been long-rumored that the second phase of the Paradise Pier makeover would start at the end of this summer, but a date has finally firmed up, and the first thing to go will be the Sun Wheel come September 11 when the attraction closes.
The attraction itself actually isn't going anywhere, but the Sun face is. The attraction will be re-themed as "Mickey's Fun Wheel" and will feature an over-sized Mickey Mouse face and new Victorian-era boardwalk queue theming replacing the cement walls of the current queue.
Artist rendering copyright Disney
But what about the Mickey head that California Screamin' loops around? That's moving on to YesterDCA, too in favor of a sunburst and Paradise Pier logo.
Artist rendering copyright Disney
MOUSELLANEOUS
Mr. Potato Head drops his ear, he freezes up and doesn't move until a technician comes to save the day.
Hooray!
The summer flowers in Frontierland and Fantasyland are quite nice.
Roses in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle
And when it's too hot outside, the Main Street Opera House is a great place to cool off and offers a great opportunity to see some great concept art, models, and items from Disneyland's first 50 years.
The amazing opening-day model of the park is still a treat to behold.
Billboards in Southern California were updated in Southern California shortly after Toy Story (Midway) Mania opened with the "Take Aim and Ride" tagline in place of the opening date. Interesting, though, that the attraction logo couldn't have been switched out to include "Midway."
MONORAIL RED TAKES FLIGHT
The first train in the latest generation of Disneyland Monorail is now regularly taking park guests now that its issues have mostly been worked out.
David "Darkbeer" Michael mentioned in his July 7 "Monday in the Parks" column that newly-installed air scoops on top of the non-air conditioned passenger cabins address the temperature issue aboard the new Monorails. However, you can ditch the summer heat on the new Monorail by requesting the front driver's cabin or the rear cabins - as they are both air conditioned.
The new Mark VII is really beautiful and is sleek and futuristic in all the right ways.
Colored LEDs light Red's cabins in a cool blue glow and the new Monorail Mark VII logo is proudly displayed inside.
TOON TOWN
The Donalds Boat refurbishment Goofy's Gas projects have been completed for a couple weeks already, but we hadn't been able to get around to covering it. Not much to say, just some refurbishment work.
Goofy's Gas didn't get painted, but got some outside groundwork done where the outdoor vending carts are located.
Across the street at Goofy's Playhouse, Goofy's car is parked back outside after getting re-painted.
BYE-BYE SUN WHEEL
It's been long-rumored that the second phase of the Paradise Pier makeover would start at the end of this summer, but a date has finally firmed up, and the first thing to go will be the Sun Wheel come September 11 when the attraction closes.
The attraction itself actually isn't going anywhere, but the Sun face is. The attraction will be re-themed as "Mickey's Fun Wheel" and will feature an over-sized Mickey Mouse face and new Victorian-era boardwalk queue theming replacing the cement walls of the current queue.
Artist rendering copyright Disney
But what about the Mickey head that California Screamin' loops around? That's moving on to YesterDCA, too in favor of a sunburst and Paradise Pier logo.
Artist rendering copyright Disney
MOUSELLANEOUS
Mr. Potato Head drops his ear, he freezes up and doesn't move until a technician comes to save the day.
Hooray!
The summer flowers in Frontierland and Fantasyland are quite nice.
Roses in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle
And when it's too hot outside, the Main Street Opera House is a great place to cool off and offers a great opportunity to see some great concept art, models, and items from Disneyland's first 50 years.
The amazing opening-day model of the park is still a treat to behold.
Alright, that should wrap it up for this week. Thanks for reading, and see you back here again next week!
- Andy
Total Comments 38
Comments
-
Great Pics and updatePosted 07-10-2008 at 10:20 PM by Craigroy8287
-
Although the air scoops were certainly designed to address the temperature issue, they clearly haven't due to the fact that they are not running Monorail VII when the outside temperature is 80 degrees and above according to multiple cast members. Doesn't sound addressed to me.
On a personal note, I had a chance to ride it around 10:30 PM and it was humid and stuffy as all heck in there. I hope a more permanent solution is found soon.Posted 07-11-2008 at 02:50 AM by MaryAnn in Wndrlnd -
Thanks for the info, MaryAnn.Quote:Originally Posted by MaryAnn in WndrlndAlthough the air scoops were certainly designed to address the temperature issue, they clearly haven't due to the fact that they are not running Monorail VII when the outside temperature is 80 degrees and above according to multiple cast members. Doesn't sound addressed to me.
On a personal note, I had a chance to ride it around 10:30 PM and it was humid and stuffy as all heck in there. I hope a more permanent solution is found soon.
Truth be told, I haven't had the chance to ride inside a a regular cabin. My first and only ride thus far on the Mark VII was in the sublimely air-conditioned tail cabin. I wanted my first ride to be perfect, and I can't say that it wasn't. Spectacular views, amazing air conditioning, sleek new Monorail. Perfect.
I plan on riding in a "normal" cabin soon enough -- I don't particularly look forward to it, seeing as it has been a warm summer and I don't doubt it is humid and stuffy in those cabins.
- Andy
Dateline DisneylandPosted 07-11-2008 at 03:35 AM by MasterGracey -
Fantastic update with beautiful pictures!Posted 07-11-2008 at 06:30 AM by Lady Stardust -
Great report and update!Posted 07-11-2008 at 06:36 AM by WheresMickey -
Wow, so they're really going ahead with the strange Paradise Pier switcheroo. Like a lot of this renovation, it doesn't make a lot of sense: Replace the Sun on the Sun Wheel with a Mickey... and replace the Mickey on California Screamin' with a Sun.
Other than that, great update!Posted 07-11-2008 at 07:35 AM by Disneyphenom -
Stunning pictures! Thanks for the update.Posted 07-11-2008 at 07:44 AM by Legally Brunette -
Purty! Can't wait to test out the Mark VII in August!Posted 07-11-2008 at 08:05 AM by trippyhop -
It is so wonderful to see that this DCA Makeover is really happening. I am thrilled to see the changes to the Sun Wheel and California Screamin. Does anyone know how long the Sun Wheel will be down for?Posted 07-11-2008 at 08:06 AM by disneyland255 -
I agree completely with Disneyphenom. If they don't like the sun that is currently on the wheel now then go ahead and change it. The Mickey head loop is an awesome feature and one of the most popular photo ops in the park. I can't believe they are going to ruin it.Posted 07-11-2008 at 08:08 AM by SafetyMouse -
Andy - I'm fairly new to your updates - what kind of camera do you use to capture those stunning pictures?Posted 07-11-2008 at 08:27 AM by MouseLouse - I too am surprised they are taking out the Mickey head in Screamin'. It looks especially great at night.Posted 07-11-2008 at 08:35 AM by Dr. G
-
Love the pictures! Great update!Posted 07-11-2008 at 08:57 AM by haunted_hottie -
Mr. Potato Head has been dropping his ear alot lately.
Great update!Posted 07-11-2008 at 09:36 AM by Kritter -
Thanks for the great pictures - nice to see Monorail Red out and about - and you've captured her expertly in your pictures!Posted 07-11-2008 at 10:00 AM by Circa1966 -
Great Dateline Andy!
I love the pictures of the models!!
Posted 07-11-2008 at 10:26 AM by peoplemover1 -
Great Pictures.. Thanks For the updatePosted 07-11-2008 at 10:32 AM by b236en - The Mickey Head on CS was such an icon to Paradise Pier. People who didn't know the name would call it the "Mickey Roller Coaster" what are they going to call it now, the "Sunburst / Paradise Pier Logo Roller Coaster"?Posted 07-11-2008 at 10:36 AM by DisneyPro
-
Thanks, Andy. I really appreciate your weekly updates!Posted 07-11-2008 at 10:37 AM by MickeyMaxx -
The scariest ride at Disneyland comes down September 11th, I wish I could get out there to ride it one more time. One more trip of terror.Posted 07-11-2008 at 10:58 AM by thereviewer
