6/16/08 - Monday in the Parks - News, Photos and Tips
Good Day, hope everyone had a great Father's Day and Flag Day. Southern California Theme Park employees are just happy that the Middle School Trips are over for the year.
Disneyland ready to open the Innoventions Dream Home, well, at least part of it.
Disney released a Press Release this morning, and will be holding a Press Preview event later today, but the news is that the attraction will only partially open to guests tomorrow (June 17th).
http://micechat.com/forums/showthrea...ons-98415.html
Anaheim GardenWalk has an official Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting, but still only partially finished.
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and three of the City Councilmembers attended the Ribbon Cutting on the new Shoppertainment/Lifestyle Mall Saturday morning. A few more stores were open for business, including the Harley-Davidson of Anaheim store.
Over the next few weeks, many more stores and restaurants will open, such as the 24 Hour Fitness center, the Movie Experience and the 300 Anaheim Upscale Bowling center.
One interesting note, the Movie Complex is planning to make a few of its theaters "Adults Only", and that is not due to the fact of the type of movie they are planning to show, but to allow adults a chance to watch a Current release Blockbuster in a "calmer" setting.
Indiana Jones Adventure is open for guests
Last week, Disneyland.com listed the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction closed for Refurbishment. This was done in error, and the attraction is operating.
But the ride does need a refurbishment, and is not operating at full capacity, so be prepared for longer waits and the possibility of the ride being closed due to mechanical failure.
Take advantage of the FastPass for Indy, but understand, that even the wait with a FastPass might be longer than normal.
Toy Story Mania! to officially open Tuesday
The Official Press event is scheduled for 10 AM Tuesday morning, so if you are visiting the parks today or tomorrow, be prepared to find some areas blocked off. This afternoon, the Media will be spending the afternoon in Tomorrowland and the early evening at DCA, but also in Adventureland.
Tuesday, the entire Paradise Pier area at Disney's California Adventure will not open until at least 11 AM, to allow for the Media to cover the Toy Story Mania! grand opening.
Last week had Toy Story Mania! offering special Annual Passholder previews, and the reviews have been fairly positive. As with any new attractions, it is having its problems, including guns breaking down, and the attraction in general. I got to ride it about 10 times on Tuesday, and a couple of times, the first scene wouldn't work. Disney is trying to solve this problem, but don't be surprised if you sit in front of blank screen for a minute.
Brady MacDonald over at the Los Angeles Times gave the ride a positive Thumbs Up.
http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal...ry-mania-2045/
Personally I think it is a very nice addition, but I just don't get the idea of standing in a long line to play a video game.
Disney to outsource making of some Audio Animatronics
Sonya Smith over at the Orange County Register got a copy of an internal WDI memo dated June 12th that spelled out the new policy.
http://ocresort.freedomblogging.com/...-animatronics/
But Disney has been outsourcing some Audio Animatronics in the past, so this isn't the biggest news, but more than likely a heads up to WDI personel that there might be some reductions in staff due to the change in policy.
Chuck Oberleitner over at www.o-meon.com lets his thoughts be known about the memo.
http://www.o-meon.com/pages/news&fea...utsourcing.htm
Ken Levine thoughts on the Disneyland Resort
Ken Levine, a multi-talented individual who has been a comedy writer (and also a producer and director) and is currently known for being the host of Dodgers Talk on KABC radio here in Los Angeles, has posted a "trip report" at his blog. (WARNING, the following link does have some 4 letter words that might be offensive).
http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2008/06/disneyland.html
Now, remember that Ken Levine has been a comedy writer, so take the comments in the right tone....
We moved over to California Adventure, which is like going from Times Square on New Year’s Eve to downtown Flint, Michigan a year after they closed the GM plant.
Selected Photos from Darkbeer.Smugmug.com
Much of the former Muppet*Vision 3D outdoor queue has been converted to seating for Award Wieners
Concrete columns have been installed in one corner of the Pinacchio Parking Lot
That should do it for this week, if you go out to the parks, don't forget the sunscreen!
Disneyland ready to open the Innoventions Dream Home, well, at least part of it.
Disney released a Press Release this morning, and will be holding a Press Preview event later today, but the news is that the attraction will only partially open to guests tomorrow (June 17th).
http://micechat.com/forums/showthrea...ons-98415.html
Anaheim GardenWalk has an official Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting, but still only partially finished.
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and three of the City Councilmembers attended the Ribbon Cutting on the new Shoppertainment/Lifestyle Mall Saturday morning. A few more stores were open for business, including the Harley-Davidson of Anaheim store.
Over the next few weeks, many more stores and restaurants will open, such as the 24 Hour Fitness center, the Movie Experience and the 300 Anaheim Upscale Bowling center.
One interesting note, the Movie Complex is planning to make a few of its theaters "Adults Only", and that is not due to the fact of the type of movie they are planning to show, but to allow adults a chance to watch a Current release Blockbuster in a "calmer" setting.
Indiana Jones Adventure is open for guests
Last week, Disneyland.com listed the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction closed for Refurbishment. This was done in error, and the attraction is operating.
But the ride does need a refurbishment, and is not operating at full capacity, so be prepared for longer waits and the possibility of the ride being closed due to mechanical failure.
Take advantage of the FastPass for Indy, but understand, that even the wait with a FastPass might be longer than normal.
Toy Story Mania! to officially open Tuesday
The Official Press event is scheduled for 10 AM Tuesday morning, so if you are visiting the parks today or tomorrow, be prepared to find some areas blocked off. This afternoon, the Media will be spending the afternoon in Tomorrowland and the early evening at DCA, but also in Adventureland.
Tuesday, the entire Paradise Pier area at Disney's California Adventure will not open until at least 11 AM, to allow for the Media to cover the Toy Story Mania! grand opening.
Last week had Toy Story Mania! offering special Annual Passholder previews, and the reviews have been fairly positive. As with any new attractions, it is having its problems, including guns breaking down, and the attraction in general. I got to ride it about 10 times on Tuesday, and a couple of times, the first scene wouldn't work. Disney is trying to solve this problem, but don't be surprised if you sit in front of blank screen for a minute.
Brady MacDonald over at the Los Angeles Times gave the ride a positive Thumbs Up.
http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal...ry-mania-2045/
Personally I think it is a very nice addition, but I just don't get the idea of standing in a long line to play a video game.
Disney to outsource making of some Audio Animatronics
Sonya Smith over at the Orange County Register got a copy of an internal WDI memo dated June 12th that spelled out the new policy.
http://ocresort.freedomblogging.com/...-animatronics/
But Disney has been outsourcing some Audio Animatronics in the past, so this isn't the biggest news, but more than likely a heads up to WDI personel that there might be some reductions in staff due to the change in policy.
Chuck Oberleitner over at www.o-meon.com lets his thoughts be known about the memo.
http://www.o-meon.com/pages/news&fea...utsourcing.htm
Ken Levine thoughts on the Disneyland Resort
Ken Levine, a multi-talented individual who has been a comedy writer (and also a producer and director) and is currently known for being the host of Dodgers Talk on KABC radio here in Los Angeles, has posted a "trip report" at his blog. (WARNING, the following link does have some 4 letter words that might be offensive).
http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2008/06/disneyland.html
Now, remember that Ken Levine has been a comedy writer, so take the comments in the right tone....
Quote:
We moved over to California Adventure, which is like going from Times Square on New Year’s Eve to downtown Flint, Michigan a year after they closed the GM plant.
Much of the former Muppet*Vision 3D outdoor queue has been converted to seating for Award Wieners
Concrete columns have been installed in one corner of the Pinacchio Parking Lot
That should do it for this week, if you go out to the parks, don't forget the sunscreen!
Total Comments 16
Comments
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Nice update!Posted 06-16-2008 at 07:46 AM by WheresMickey
- Thanks for the clarification on Indy. Great update.Posted 06-16-2008 at 08:08 AM by DisneyFreak2005
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I don't think the concrete things were in Pinnochio yesterday, at least I didn't see them.
And I don't know whose bright idea it was to change the lines in the parking lot (they were angled like the bottom of the picture, and now they are straight (at the top)) but it makes parking much harder now because people don't know how to park.Posted 06-16-2008 at 08:56 AM by sir clinksalot -
I have been saying since the first day the DCA open that they should do this. To build a eating location with no seating had to be one of the all time dumb things on the planet.Quote:Much of the former Muppet*Vision 3D outdoor queue has been converted to seating for Award WienersPosted 06-16-2008 at 09:26 AM by ni_teach 
- "Personally I think it is a very nice addition, but I just don't get the idea of standing in a long line to play a video game."
I've never gotten into the video game scene so pardon my ignorance, are there video games that are 3D like the ride is?Posted 06-16-2008 at 10:05 AM by shadylanestudio - Crazy dup post - sorry.Posted 06-16-2008 at 10:07 AM by shadylanestudio
Updated 06-16-2008 at 11:03 AM by shadylanestudio - Are we are still calling it "Toy Story Mania"?
Man marketing is so stupid.
great picture of Mr PotatoPosted 06-16-2008 at 11:22 AM by Baloo -
another great updatePosted 06-16-2008 at 12:16 PM by painted windows -
"One interesting note, the Movie Complex is planning to make a few of its theaters "Adults Only", and that is not due to the fact of the type of movie they are planning to show, but to allow adults a chance to watch a Current release Blockbuster in a "calmer" setting."
About time! Hopefully they'll feature the new Disney films in these Adults-only theaters.Posted 06-16-2008 at 01:17 PM by Monorail Man - Just out of curiosity, what is the purpose of the concrete columns in the parking lot? From the picture, and not having seen them in person, I cannot figure out what they are supposed to be for.Posted 06-16-2008 at 05:49 PM by Mikado
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Thanks for the link to the Ken Levine blog. Wow... yet another trip report from someone who didn't like where they were going in the first place, continued to hate it while there, and had enough anger left over to post about it when they got back home.
Geez, it's not like someone forced him to go in the first place. Next time, make the Parks a little less busy and don't go. :-)
Other than wanting someplace to vent about that -- nice update!Posted 06-16-2008 at 06:21 PM by Disneyphenom -
According to cast members at Innoventions, it is possible that the Innoventions Dream Home will not open at all until the end of June (this includes the delaying of Annual Passholder Previews). This announcement was made on June 16 during the media event.
The Innoventions Dream Home was built by the same people that built the Dream Suite above Pirates of the Caribbean. However, reports of cast members who have been inside of both say that parts of the Innoventions Dream Home truly put the Dream Suite to shame (and the construction workers that worked on both agree).Posted 06-17-2008 at 01:17 AM by PiratesOfAnaheim -
Thanks!
great update!Posted 06-17-2008 at 08:40 AM by SouthHrbrBlvd -
As the ONLY restaurant in Hollywood Backlot, it's rather pathetic that the only thing they serve is hot dogs. It really did need this seating area ever since they closed Hollywood and Dine.
Does anyone know if they will be expanding the menu to include deli sandwiches or burgers here? The "Gone Hollywood" store to the right of Award Wieners usually is empty. AW could certainly take over some of that space.Posted 06-17-2008 at 03:45 PM by Aladdin - Disneyphenom is right on the money about Ken Levine's snarky column.I realize he is a "comedy writer". Comedy means funny and Levine should stick to Dodgers games. I can't figure out why exactly he went to Disneyland other than being paid to write an article about it. If you hate Disney, think Disneyland is a rif off ansd are just going to be a miserable bastard like Levine, then it is really easy---don't go to Disneyland! Leave it for those of us that love it and can't go often enough.But no,we get to hear how awful the experience he never wanted was. I have no use for people like Levine.Posted 06-17-2008 at 04:01 PM by Kissfan
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Great photos and column once again!
I remember when you posted a few photos of things that needed to be repaired at DLR. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I visited DLR and noticed the Partners' Statue needs a bit of retouching. Hopefully someone can forward this to DLR maintenance and have them repaint it.
Posted 06-19-2008 at 03:09 AM by Mauison
