9/22/08 - Monday in the Parks - News, Photos and Tips
Good day, hope everyone is enjoying the first day of fall, and getting ready for the next Theme Park "season", Halloween.
Catching up on last week's news.
In case you missed it, I had two special updates here at MiceAge last week.
The first one focused on Greg Emmer's new window on Main Street.
http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/mon...ew-window.html
Then on Thursday, MiceAge ran photos of the new Small World boats.
http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/mon...oats-more.html
And if you missed the special updates, then you need to make sure and follow the suggestion from Sean Stangland of the Chicago Daily Herald.
It's like they're reading my mind | DailyHerald.com Blogs
"What will you Celebrate?" is the official new 2009 Marketing Theme
Last Thursday, Disney Parks and Resorts and a major Media event in New York to announce the new Marketing Event where Mickey Head Balloons will be a major part of the new theme.
As mentioned last week, the 30 city tour was announced, when Cast Members will hand out balloons and help to promote the parks in local shopping malls and similar locations.
Also, in a tie-in with Miley Cyrus's 16th Birthday Party being held at Disneyland Park on October 5th, Disney will be offering everyone a free admission to one Disney Theme Park in Anaheim or Orlando in 2009 on their actual Birthday (Those who birthday is February 29th can visit the parks on February 28th or March 1st). While not required, Disney is asking folks to pre-register at www.disneyparks.com/celebrate.
For those folks who are travelling on Multi-Day Vacation Packages that come with ParkHoppers, or Annual Passholders, Disney will be offering some "Alternative" Birthday gifts instead of the free admission, including a "Fun Card" that will have the same value as a one day/one park ticket. The "Fun Card" will be good for Merchandise at most stores in the parks.
The Marketing plan will include many new features in 2009, including special Birthday Parties in the parks, customized Birthday Cakes and a new "Celebrate Today!" entertainment event at both Disneyland and WDW.
A lot of the the new features will be "upsells", and most of them will be available to order on the web, including booking the birthday parties and ordering the cakes.
Halloween is coming!
This Friday is the start of Halloween Time at Disneyland, including the opening of Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Mickey's Trick or Treat, the special after-hour event at DCA has now sold out on Friday, October 3rd and 24th, all other days are still available at Disneyland.com
Disneyland is not the only Theme Park that celebrates Halloween, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott's Berry Farm all offering special Adult themed Monster Mazes and special events.
Knott's Berry Farm Update
This Thursday is the start of the 36th Annual Knott's Halloween Haunt (aka Knott's Scary Farm). Offered most evenings in October, this special after-hours event was the first Halloween event at a Theme Park, and still the best, based on all the awards it has won.
http://micechat.com/forums/news/1033...formation.html
MiceChat is having a special meet at Haunt this Saturday, September 27th. Check out this thread for more details, http://micechat.com/forums/meets-eve...sept-27th.html
This year's Hanging, a great spoof on what happened in the last year, will be themed to Indiana Jones and his latest movie.
Knott's also has a special kids version of Halloween at Camp Spooky on weekends in October. This event is held during normal park hours, and is part of regular admission price (Just $22.99 for kids 3 through 11).
A new Water Park is planned for Ontario, California
Water Park for Ontario | The Business Press | Inland Southern California's Business Newspaper | Section Title
The water park will be built near Ontario Mills, Ontario Convention Center and Citizens Business Bank Arena, the multipurpose entertainment venue scheduled to open next month.
Construction hasn't started, but Liquid Management Group plans to have the park operating by May. The company has signed a 45-year lease with San Bernardino County on the site.
Yesterday was the last day for Knott's Soak City in Buena Park for 2008, scheduled to reopen around Memorial Day, 2009.
Quote of the week
This quote comes from Michael Fisher, the son of Marla Jo Fisher, a writer for the Orange County Register and was featured in Sunday's Travel section of the paper.
Travel: A family safari in Kenya | kenya, safari, africa, masai, animals - OCRegister.com
Mommy, Africa looks just like the San Diego Zoo!
Selected Photos from Darkbeer.Smugmug.com
Pony Express, the new Knott's Roller Coaster for 2008
The French Market in New Orleans Square has gotten new pavement
Monorail Blue, as mentioned here last week, has started to take guests around the park
Of course, there is no guarantee any specific Monorail will be running at any specific time, but on Sunday both Mark VII Red and Blue were in service
New Halloween Themed Napkins are be offered in the parks
Even the back of the napkin has a design on it
New Soda cups have also been stocked for use
And the new Popcorn container
Rancho del Zocalo has switched to a new brand of Hot Sauce
That will do it for today, and unless something major comes up, will be my only update here at MiceAge.com for the week.
I do have a schedule for this week in case you are curious what you can find at Darkbeer's photos- powered by SmugMug this week.
Wednesday, September 24th - Disneyland and a look at the Halloween decorations going up
Thursday, September 25th - Knott's and a look at the final preparations for Halloween Haunt
Friday, September 26th - Disneyland and the start of Halloween Time
Saturday, September 27th - Knott's Halloween Haunt
And of course, highlights will be here next Monday, September 29th at MiceAge.com
Have a great week! And Go Chargers! tonight
Here is a joke (Oh, I hope it is a joke) taken from Sunday's LA Times Sports Section...
What Bizarre Way will the Chargers lose this week?
(And you had a choice of many options in Columns A, B and C) my favorite....
4 hours after the game, Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Grinch rules the Jets win based on online voting from "American Idol"
And public kudos to Referee Ed Hochuli who admitted he made a mistake last week, and has been a class act this week by apologizing and answering his e-mail personally. Hopefully the NFL will follow up and figure out a way to make sure another team doesn't lose a game due to the rulebook quirks.
Catching up on last week's news.
In case you missed it, I had two special updates here at MiceAge last week.
The first one focused on Greg Emmer's new window on Main Street.
http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/mon...ew-window.html
Then on Thursday, MiceAge ran photos of the new Small World boats.
http://micechat.com/forums/blogs/mon...oats-more.html
And if you missed the special updates, then you need to make sure and follow the suggestion from Sean Stangland of the Chicago Daily Herald.
It's like they're reading my mind | DailyHerald.com Blogs
Quote:
Last Thursday, Disney Parks and Resorts and a major Media event in New York to announce the new Marketing Event where Mickey Head Balloons will be a major part of the new theme.
As mentioned last week, the 30 city tour was announced, when Cast Members will hand out balloons and help to promote the parks in local shopping malls and similar locations.
Also, in a tie-in with Miley Cyrus's 16th Birthday Party being held at Disneyland Park on October 5th, Disney will be offering everyone a free admission to one Disney Theme Park in Anaheim or Orlando in 2009 on their actual Birthday (Those who birthday is February 29th can visit the parks on February 28th or March 1st). While not required, Disney is asking folks to pre-register at www.disneyparks.com/celebrate.
For those folks who are travelling on Multi-Day Vacation Packages that come with ParkHoppers, or Annual Passholders, Disney will be offering some "Alternative" Birthday gifts instead of the free admission, including a "Fun Card" that will have the same value as a one day/one park ticket. The "Fun Card" will be good for Merchandise at most stores in the parks.
The Marketing plan will include many new features in 2009, including special Birthday Parties in the parks, customized Birthday Cakes and a new "Celebrate Today!" entertainment event at both Disneyland and WDW.
A lot of the the new features will be "upsells", and most of them will be available to order on the web, including booking the birthday parties and ordering the cakes.
Halloween is coming!
This Friday is the start of Halloween Time at Disneyland, including the opening of Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Mickey's Trick or Treat, the special after-hour event at DCA has now sold out on Friday, October 3rd and 24th, all other days are still available at Disneyland.com
Disneyland is not the only Theme Park that celebrates Halloween, with Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott's Berry Farm all offering special Adult themed Monster Mazes and special events.
Knott's Berry Farm Update
This Thursday is the start of the 36th Annual Knott's Halloween Haunt (aka Knott's Scary Farm). Offered most evenings in October, this special after-hours event was the first Halloween event at a Theme Park, and still the best, based on all the awards it has won.
http://micechat.com/forums/news/1033...formation.html
MiceChat is having a special meet at Haunt this Saturday, September 27th. Check out this thread for more details, http://micechat.com/forums/meets-eve...sept-27th.html
This year's Hanging, a great spoof on what happened in the last year, will be themed to Indiana Jones and his latest movie.
Knott's also has a special kids version of Halloween at Camp Spooky on weekends in October. This event is held during normal park hours, and is part of regular admission price (Just $22.99 for kids 3 through 11).
A new Water Park is planned for Ontario, California
Water Park for Ontario | The Business Press | Inland Southern California's Business Newspaper | Section Title
Quote:
The water park will be built near Ontario Mills, Ontario Convention Center and Citizens Business Bank Arena, the multipurpose entertainment venue scheduled to open next month.
Construction hasn't started, but Liquid Management Group plans to have the park operating by May. The company has signed a 45-year lease with San Bernardino County on the site.
Yesterday was the last day for Knott's Soak City in Buena Park for 2008, scheduled to reopen around Memorial Day, 2009.
Quote of the week
This quote comes from Michael Fisher, the son of Marla Jo Fisher, a writer for the Orange County Register and was featured in Sunday's Travel section of the paper.
Travel: A family safari in Kenya | kenya, safari, africa, masai, animals - OCRegister.com
Quote:
Mommy, Africa looks just like the San Diego Zoo!
Pony Express, the new Knott's Roller Coaster for 2008
The French Market in New Orleans Square has gotten new pavement
Monorail Blue, as mentioned here last week, has started to take guests around the park
Of course, there is no guarantee any specific Monorail will be running at any specific time, but on Sunday both Mark VII Red and Blue were in service
New Halloween Themed Napkins are be offered in the parks
Even the back of the napkin has a design on it
New Soda cups have also been stocked for use
And the new Popcorn container
Rancho del Zocalo has switched to a new brand of Hot Sauce
That will do it for today, and unless something major comes up, will be my only update here at MiceAge.com for the week.
I do have a schedule for this week in case you are curious what you can find at Darkbeer's photos- powered by SmugMug this week.
Wednesday, September 24th - Disneyland and a look at the Halloween decorations going up
Thursday, September 25th - Knott's and a look at the final preparations for Halloween Haunt
Friday, September 26th - Disneyland and the start of Halloween Time
Saturday, September 27th - Knott's Halloween Haunt
And of course, highlights will be here next Monday, September 29th at MiceAge.com
Have a great week! And Go Chargers! tonight
Here is a joke (Oh, I hope it is a joke) taken from Sunday's LA Times Sports Section...
Quote:
What Bizarre Way will the Chargers lose this week?
(And you had a choice of many options in Columns A, B and C) my favorite....
4 hours after the game, Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Grinch rules the Jets win based on online voting from "American Idol"
Total Comments 25
Comments
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Great update! Can't wait for Halloween!Posted 09-22-2008 at 07:51 AM by WheresMickey
- Great update!!! Heading up to the parks this weekend and now I'm even excited about the napkins and the soda cups.Posted 09-22-2008 at 08:23 AM by mickeygirl66
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Great update, DB, with one minor exception. When you wrote "Disney will be offering everyone a free admission to one Disney Theme Park in Anaheim or Orlando in 2009", you forgot one important factor - the words "on their birthday" should be included to make it clear when people can take advantage of this freebie.Posted 09-22-2008 at 08:24 AM by danyoung - Fixed, thanks for the heads up Dan.Posted 09-22-2008 at 08:36 AM by In the Parks
-
I thought the French Market sign was taken down a little while back due to the loss of their sponsorship
Posted 09-22-2008 at 08:42 AM by Abominable Snowman -
Darkbeer's column, the best part of Monday mornings.Posted 09-22-2008 at 08:48 AM by Zoe Necrosis -
I'll be there today and you've got me pretty excited!Posted 09-22-2008 at 08:53 AM by dl_appurtenant - I wonder if he meant the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. Either way it is a funny observation. It reminds me of the time my son corrected a friend that had asserted that the Eifel Tower was in Paris. My son said “No, it is in Las Vegas, I should know, I have been there”. Funny stuff.Quote:Mommy, Africa looks just like the San Diego Zoo!Posted 09-22-2008 at 09:06 AM by toemblem
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Darkbeer,
I was in the park Thursday morning and a hellicopter was flying all around taking pictures. I saw a sign that said it was for the new promo and Updating some Soarin video. Nobody believes me that it was also for Soarin. Any info on said helicopter and what it was doing?
thanksPosted 09-22-2008 at 09:42 AM by Leofoenget - I thought the original name was Knott's Scary Farm, does anyone know why they changed to Halloween Haunt? It seems Knott's Scary Farm is more clever and memorable. Also only a Disneyland geek would appreciate the change of salsa at Zocalo, bravo!!! One more question, what does Zocalo mean? Is this just a name they picked because they couldnt use Zorro?Posted 09-22-2008 at 10:17 AM by Disneykin Kid
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Nice update, as usual David. Sorry I missed you yesterday, I was having too much fun and lost track of the time.
You may be interested to know that according to one CM, there are discussuins being held backstage for having a year-round show back up at Big Thunder Ranch once the holidays are over.
It would probably be tied to 'Woody' of Toy Story fame.
See ya'...Posted 09-22-2008 at 11:19 AM by ttrocc7007 -
Great update. I'll be at the park this Friday; can't wait!!!Posted 09-22-2008 at 11:32 AM by xalesa -
Great update! GO CHARGERS! #17 & 43Posted 09-22-2008 at 11:53 AM by aurora1729 -
wow good catch Abominable Snowman, I didn't even notice that.Posted 09-22-2008 at 11:57 AM by J Thaddeus Toad Esq -
Can't wait to see everyone this Saturday at Quarantine!
I'm excited!Posted 09-22-2008 at 12:27 PM by Kritter -
I don't know exactly when they started using the "Haunt" name, but actually Knott's uses both names now. Like on their website- Knott's Berry Farm Haunt the logo actually says "Knott's Scary Farm". The big park signs and ads all are changed to say Knott's Scary Farm. So yes, they still call it Scary FarmQuote:I thought the original name was Knott's Scary Farm, does anyone know why they changed to Halloween Haunt? It seems Knott's Scary Farm is more clever and memorable.
Halloween Haunt is just the event inside the park.Posted 09-22-2008 at 12:49 PM by Wesley815 -
That's for the update, Darkbeer.
Go Chargers!!!
Answer to Disneykin Kid
A zócalo is a central town square or plaza, usually located in Mexican citiesPosted 09-22-2008 at 12:49 PM by MickeyMousePal -
Rancho del Zocalo was the name of Zorro's ranch.Quote:Also only a Disneyland geek would appreciate the change of salsa at Zocalo, bravo!!! One more question, what does Zocalo mean? Is this just a name they picked because they couldnt use Zorro?
[Correction: Oops! My bad memory. Not Zorro's ranch after all. Here's a blurb from another site's review of the restaurant back when it first opened: "In 1955, the big Western heroes were Davy Crockett and Zorro, so the circular plaza in the center of Frontierland was named "El Zocalo" to fit with the more Southwestern feel of Zorro. Recently, "El Zocalo" was retrofitted with a new layout and a stage, so the circular plaza is no longer there in its original form. Now you know why "Rancho del Zocalo" goes all the way back to Disneyland's beginnings to find a theme, and its name.]
Perhaps someone with better Spanish skills can correct me, but I think it translates as "Ranch of the Plaza" or "Ranch of the Main Square." Something along those lines.
Since I am a DL geek and RdZ is my favorite restaurant there, I also say "Bravo for the heads-up, Darkbeer!!!"
-JonPosted 09-22-2008 at 12:50 PM by triesch
Updated 09-22-2008 at 01:10 PM by triesch (Correction) -
A Zocalo is a town square or plaza.
Which, in the tradition of The La Brea Tar Pits, makes Plaza Del Zocalo "Plaza of the Plaza."Posted 09-22-2008 at 01:03 PM by Gn2Dlnd -
Lol! Hanging Indiana Jones. It would better if they'd hang the CGI gophers and the CGI monkeys, but I hope they keep their hands off the fridge!
Posted 09-22-2008 at 02:33 PM by Barbossa
