8/01: Hello Monorail Blue, Bye-bye watches, Bon voyage burgers, C-ya crystals, +MORE!
Posted 08-01-2008 at 02:36 AM by Dateline Disneyland
Updated 08-01-2008 at 03:18 PM by Dateline Disneyland (Typo)
Updated 08-01-2008 at 03:18 PM by Dateline Disneyland (Typo)
WELCOME TO DISNEYLAND!
The park information signs have re-appeared at the security tents. They now feature the "new" Disney's California Adventure logo instead of the original Grizzly Peak logo.
On Main Street, New Century Timepieces is closed as it is converted into a new shop.
Despite what the sign says, New Century Jewelry remains open. Access to New Century Timepieces is walled off.
The Disney watch artist has been relocated to the Main Street Opera House exit lobby in the current "pop-up" gallery.
A small display case features a handful of available watches.
FLYING AWAY
The Three Fairies Magic Crystals shop in Sleeping Beauty Castle is now closed, as it prepares to be converted into an alternate experience room for guests who are unable to access the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough which opens up later this fall.
The window display is still in place.
FLYING IN
As David "Darkbeer" Michael noted in his 7/28 Monday in the Parks column, the new Mark VII Monorail Blue is now making daylight test runs.
MC BYE-BYE
Earlier this week Darkbeer also talked about the soon-to-be departure of McDonald's from Disneyland. If you're a fan of the $3 McDonald's fries in the parks, you better get your fix soon because they'll be on their way out of the parks soon after Labor Day.
I'm hoping this conestoga wagon is removed completely, but I won't get my hopes up.
The Harbour Galley could definitely use a new menu. This place would be a great location for a good, quick bite besides French fries.
Over at DCA, Paradise Pier's Burger Invasion will be losing its McD's menu as well.
Looks like the S.S. rustworthy play area will be losing its sponsor.
The Burger Invasion billboard will need to get updated once McDonald's leaves.
Will the other billboards be updated when the Sun Wheel becomes Mickey's Fun Wheel and California Screamin' loses its Mickey icon?
RE-ROUTING THE FRENCH MARKET
The French Market is slated to go down for refurbishment again soon, reportedly to address issues with crowd flow in the buffeteria-style restaurant. Here's a look at how the restaurant is currently set-up.
The restaurant splits into two buffet queues where guests can pick up the dishes and beverages of their choice.
DOWNSIZING 56
In Downtown Disney, half of Department 56 is curtained off and emptied. In its window, a new sign says "Coming Soon... Downtown Disney" -- But what is coming soon? Who knows.
Behind the curtain...
DISNEYLAND AFTER DARK
Some night shots from around the park.
COMIC CON 2008
I took last week off from Dateline Disneyland to attend San Diego Comic Con 2008. Of course it was four days of amazing nerdy craziness. Here are a few shots from the convention.
The exhibit hall is expansive.
The Walt Disney Studios area had models of the Halloweentown from The Nightmare Before Christmas which were available for pre-order.
The Disney/Pixar panel was great. Bolt co-directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard were present to discuss the film and showed about 20 minutes of footage from the upcoming Disney flick.
And Pixar's Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.) was there to tout his latest film, Up.
The park information signs have re-appeared at the security tents. They now feature the "new" Disney's California Adventure logo instead of the original Grizzly Peak logo.
On Main Street, New Century Timepieces is closed as it is converted into a new shop.
Despite what the sign says, New Century Jewelry remains open. Access to New Century Timepieces is walled off.
The Disney watch artist has been relocated to the Main Street Opera House exit lobby in the current "pop-up" gallery.
A small display case features a handful of available watches.
FLYING AWAY
The Three Fairies Magic Crystals shop in Sleeping Beauty Castle is now closed, as it prepares to be converted into an alternate experience room for guests who are unable to access the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough which opens up later this fall.
The window display is still in place.
FLYING IN
As David "Darkbeer" Michael noted in his 7/28 Monday in the Parks column, the new Mark VII Monorail Blue is now making daylight test runs.
MC BYE-BYE
Earlier this week Darkbeer also talked about the soon-to-be departure of McDonald's from Disneyland. If you're a fan of the $3 McDonald's fries in the parks, you better get your fix soon because they'll be on their way out of the parks soon after Labor Day.
I'm hoping this conestoga wagon is removed completely, but I won't get my hopes up.
The Harbour Galley could definitely use a new menu. This place would be a great location for a good, quick bite besides French fries.
Over at DCA, Paradise Pier's Burger Invasion will be losing its McD's menu as well.
Looks like the S.S. rustworthy play area will be losing its sponsor.
The Burger Invasion billboard will need to get updated once McDonald's leaves.
Will the other billboards be updated when the Sun Wheel becomes Mickey's Fun Wheel and California Screamin' loses its Mickey icon?
RE-ROUTING THE FRENCH MARKET
The French Market is slated to go down for refurbishment again soon, reportedly to address issues with crowd flow in the buffeteria-style restaurant. Here's a look at how the restaurant is currently set-up.
The restaurant splits into two buffet queues where guests can pick up the dishes and beverages of their choice.
DOWNSIZING 56
In Downtown Disney, half of Department 56 is curtained off and emptied. In its window, a new sign says "Coming Soon... Downtown Disney" -- But what is coming soon? Who knows.
Behind the curtain...
DISNEYLAND AFTER DARK
Some night shots from around the park.
COMIC CON 2008
I took last week off from Dateline Disneyland to attend San Diego Comic Con 2008. Of course it was four days of amazing nerdy craziness. Here are a few shots from the convention.
The exhibit hall is expansive.
The Walt Disney Studios area had models of the Halloweentown from The Nightmare Before Christmas which were available for pre-order.
The Disney/Pixar panel was great. Bolt co-directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard were present to discuss the film and showed about 20 minutes of footage from the upcoming Disney flick.
And Pixar's Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.) was there to tout his latest film, Up.
Alright, that should do it for this week. Thanks as always for reading, and be sure to leave comments, info, or feedback below.
Thanks!
Andy
Total Comments 60
Comments
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I think the only thing they have to rework at the french market is bringing back its old menu. I know its early for dinner but empty?? WOW.Posted 08-01-2008 at 05:57 AM by napamaninsocal
- That last photo is quite intriguing. An old house amid a lot of construction reminds us time waits for no one.Posted 08-01-2008 at 06:02 AM by whamo
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I, for one, will not miss the french fry smell after riding BTMRR or Mansion.
Great update and beautiful pictures!Posted 08-01-2008 at 06:41 AM by PEZZ Lightyear -
wow. love the new monorail!!!!!!!!Posted 08-01-2008 at 07:18 AM by lovedisney33 -
Great Disneyland night photos! Thanks for another great update.Posted 08-01-2008 at 07:19 AM by Hammer 
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The new menu at French Market is fantastic actually, the food there is actually healthier and tastes MUCH better. The "guest flow" problem that I see there usually has to do with stupid guests rather than the way the place is set up, but I'm sure there's always a better way to do it.
Thanks for the update!Posted 08-01-2008 at 07:38 AM by Chernabog -
Nice update! I love the night shot of Disneyland!Posted 08-01-2008 at 07:44 AM by WheresMickey - Andy, do you have your pictures posted somewhere in a high res. format?
Thanks!Posted 08-01-2008 at 07:59 AM by blondiethesounds -
French Market is much better now, and it's sad to see the Crystal Shop gone... I guess those will only be available in Downtown Disney now at the WoD store...Posted 08-01-2008 at 08:13 AM by vfire -
I really enjoyed this update. It's nice to stay in touch with day-to-day details about the park. Very nice photos, too, throughout the article, especially the nighttime shots.Posted 08-01-2008 at 08:20 AM by RenMan -
I'm really disappointed to see that the watch shop is being shuttered. It's just yet another example of the cozy, unique corners of the park being gentrified into something lacking any charm or anachronism.
So what's going to fill the space? More pins? More t-shirts? More sweatshirts? More plastic tiaras?
As you can see I'm expecting nothing good.Posted 08-01-2008 at 08:27 AM by Zoe Necrosis -
Monorail Blue looks really weird with purple windows...I definitely like Monorail Red better. No McDonald's? Oh well, there's always the monstrous sourdough breadbowls with a drop of soup inside...(Those are like $9 or $10!!) Or Bengal BBQ...mmm
PS - DL should have a new slogan: Where Dreams Come True for $500.00
PPS - Awesome update!Posted 08-01-2008 at 08:38 AM by SouthHrbrBlvd -
When I first went through the new French Market, we asked if there were free drink refills. The cashier looked around nervous and unsure, and said probably not, but that we went back to her line, she'd allow us. She then further elaborated that they were probably going to turn around the soda fountain so that cast members fill up the drinks, not the guests. That may possibly be part of the new remodel, if her words were accurate.Posted 08-01-2008 at 08:46 AM by JesterMn -
Great update Andy! And nice night shots!
Question: At least two of the off shore parks have stated that they will no longer allow tripods or monopods in the park. Any word on DLR official policy? Were you able to use a tripod for your night shots? I used a tripod on my last set of night shots but caught some grief from one of the security guys. The security people looked at my tripod in my bag and said nothing, but one of the security guys inside said Disneyland did not allow tripods in the park.Posted 08-01-2008 at 09:16 AM by Mac Daddy - Does that last shot remind anyone else of one of the Herbie sequels?Posted 08-01-2008 at 09:29 AM by crankypage
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Nice update.
While in the park yesterday (Thursday 7-31), an Emporium CM told me the New Century will become the new 'One Of A Kind Shop.'
There seems to have been a lot of trouble on Indy lately. Last weekend on both Saturday and Sunday there were serious delays in the 'boulder room.' We were stuck there for what seemed like over a minute each time. This was most noticable to locals, but on Sunday a couple of out of towners actually began freaking out.
A guest also told me the attraction had been shut down since the earthquake and only reopening again late Wed..
Judging from your pics, it doesn't look like monorail Blue's been fitted with those new air-scoops yet. That could slow it's being put into full service a bit longer.
Thanks for the update and pics!Posted 08-01-2008 at 09:44 AM by ttrocc7007 -
Always great photos and information!Posted 08-01-2008 at 09:49 AM by basx - I think the removal of McD's is a sad but necessary thing, however, the removal of the Conestoga Wagon is not. It's very iconic to that area of Disneyland. I think it's necessary to preserve what past we can when it comes to the original Disney park.Posted 08-01-2008 at 09:53 AM by BearFan
- Best photos of "Nightime At The Park" I've ever seen. Thank you very much.Posted 08-01-2008 at 10:07 AM by Root Family
- Disneyland at Night Shots.....what camera settings were set to take the pics, anyone know?Posted 08-01-2008 at 10:08 AM by disneysnout
