9/29/08 - Monday in the Parks - News, Photos and Tips
WARNING : Today's article is focusing on the Halloween Events, and is rated PG-13, and some of the photos/comments might not be suitable to all readers.
Good morning, I normally focus on the Southern California area, and we will mainly focus on the "OC", but we need to make a couple of mentions from the "East Coast"...
First is a piece of sad news....
John Curry, Disney World's first hotel employee, dies at 78 -- OrlandoSentinel.com
Everyone at MiceAge/MiceChat sends the condolences to the Curry Family, and thank him for all the years of making Guests happy!
Also in the news, Pleasure Island at WDW closed at WDW Saturday night, as much as a lot of us would love to see the Adventures Club come to Anaheim, we need to thank all the Cast Members who worked hard in Florida to keep the "party-ers" entertained!
And moving to South Carolina, a new Theme Park, Hard Rock Park, filed Chapter 11 this week.
Hard Rock's and Strand's reputations in jeopardy - Business - Myrtle Beach Sun News
And in the Disney Store universe...
Disney Store Unveils Exclusive Line of Camp Rock and Hannah Montana Costumes; Magical Styles Make Tweens Shine Like Stars on Halloween Night - MarketWatch
OK, enough of the sad stuff, let's get ready to scare you!!!!
It has been a very busy week for me, and it was wonderful to meet a lot of you Saturday night at Knott's. This week will be picture heavy, but don't forget that MiceAge runs articles 6 days a week (7 if there is major news). We have been featured at the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, and the wire services many times recently, and appreciate the fact that they know where to find some of the latest Theme/Amusement news.
Before the Halloween photos, let's look at some of the "SoCal" news...
Work begins on Terminator wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain - Travel - LATimes.com
A new wooden Roller Coaster is coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2009, and Brady MacDonald is on covering the story. Also, don't forget, "Fright Fest" starts next week, and is the only major SoCal Halloween event that comes at no extra charge, just part of the regular admission fee.
Universal Studios Hollywood also is starting its "Halloween Horror Nights"....
Universal's trammed souls - Entertainment News, Business News, Media - Variety
Physical effects include prodding visitors to walk through hanging underwear, fake carcasses or faux skin hanging from hooks or spraying them with liquids. This year it's also piping in such gross odors as vomit, feces and rotting flesh.
"Every year, if there's a line, we cross it," Murdy says. "That's how you touch people. Those things send triggers to your brain."
And that quote might get your attention, and it is an important fact, the vast majority of Halloween events in Southern California are ADULT based, with the main exception being Disneyland's Halloween Time.
I placed a warning at the top of the page, and need to do it again, some of the photos in this article will be not suitable for younger kids.
Orange County Register is focusing on the Halloween events!
Around Disney kicks off Halloween Week coverage - Around Disney - OCRegister.com
As much as we want you to keep reading MiceAge on a daily basis, we also need to tip our hat to the OC Register, who covers the SoCal Theme Parks with great coverage.
Disneyland Raises Stroller and Wheelchair fees.
Friday, Disneyland raised the prices of Strollers and Manual Wheelchairs $2, and Electric Convenience Vehicles $10.
Disneyland Lawsuit - Dog Mauling
Disneyland sued by little girl - Around Disney - OCRegister.com
I highly recommend you read the actual complaint filed by the attorney.
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/liv..._COMPLAINT.pdf
This story has been a major thread on many Disney related message boards this week, and while nobody wants to see Disney makes mistakes, there are some serious issues here. Of course, the job of the attorney is to make the legal case sound as bad as possible, but there is enough evidence that makes the lawsuit valid. Hopefully the parties will settle before it goes in front of the judge.
Disneyland Park Early Closures October 5th and 21st
FYI, for those who are planning trips, both Sunday, October 5th and Tuesday, October 21st, Disneyland is closing at 5 PM for private parties.
Sunday the 5th is for the special Disney Parks Marketing event, the "What will you celebrate?" Miley Cyrus 16th Birthday party, and Tuesday the 21st is an "unknown" event.
Disney has made some adjustments to the October 5th schedule, the main change is that there will be one Parade of Dreams, at 2 PM.
A reminder - Gay Days weekend is this week
Just in case you don't follow the Disney schedule, the "unofficial" Gay Days event is happening this coming weekend.
Gay Days Anaheim
Should be fun seeing some folks wearing Red ANAHEIM Angels shirts looking confused on October 3rd through the 5th. (Yes, I know I am supposed to say the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but NO!!!)
And here is my humble opinion, GO ANGELS!!! and that the Dodgers need to lose in the first round.
FYI, MiceChat is planning Noon meets both Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th at the normal meet location, the "Hub", but if the Hub is blocked off on Sunday, check the alternative "rain" location, Coke Corner.
More DCA Mickey's Trick-or-Treat days sold out.
5 days are now sold out, October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st. All other days are still available at Disneyland.com.
A great Annual Pass deal is available at Southern California Costco's.
While the price is the "regular" fee, Costco's in Southern California are offering a $50 Disney Gift Card with purchase. (Item# 295609).
Costco in Tustin has them.
They are located in the Gift Certificate area of the store, which in Tustin is near the main entrance. They are on trays, and have 8 & 1/2 by 11 inches pieces of cardboard (mainly red) as the voucher to take to the cashier.
When you buy one, you get a voucher to take to the Disneyland Ticket Booths to exchange for an Annual Pass and the $50 Disney Gift Card. Must be used by May 31st, 2009.
No sales tax should be charged, at least in California.
This is the best deal for anyone who wants to buy or renew a Deluxe or Premium AP.
If you want a Premium AP, buy the Deluxe at Costco, and then take the voucher to Disneyland. The first day of use is always not blocked out, so you can go to the Bank of Main Street. Then just take the $50 gift card and use it to upgrade to a Premium AP that day. (Don't forget to bring your Paid Parking Receipt, as Disney will refund one day of parking to those buying a Premium AP or paying for the Parking upgrade on any other AP).
But $50 off is better than the current $30 renewal discount, and the second benefit, you get a slightly longer expiration date if you are a regular visitor.
Jewel of Orleans (aka Dianne's Estate Jewellery) is opening a third location.
Dianne's started in San Francisco, and then opened a second store in New Orleans Square. And now will be opening up a third store in Healdsberg, California (North of the Bay area).
Christopher Eykel, a long time Jewel of Orleans employee has been named manager of the new store, and we wish him the best of luck in his new position.
If you are a fan of Christopher, he is working this upcoming weekend (October 4th and 5th) at Disneyland, and it will be your last chance to say Hi before he moves to NorCal! He would love for you to buy LOTS of stuff before he starts wearing gloves and Trench Coats, and needing an umbrella!
The official opening in Healdsburg is Saturday, October 11th from 5 to 9 PM.
The new store is located at 387 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448. And you can reach them by phone at 707-395-0855.
Anaheim GardenWalk update
More shops opened this week.
My favorite - San Sei Japanese Grill staterd operations on Friday, and is a great choice. Highly Recommened.
Also Bar Louie, Sbarro and Momotree opened this week.
And the CinemaFusion Movie Complex is now serving Alcohol!!! (Theaters 2 through 7)
Indiana Jones Adventure brings back Single Rider Passes
Giood news, a MiceChat poster reported and posted photos of the new Single Rider option for Indy!
http://micechat.com/forums/disneylan...adventure.html
Still need to watch the "seat belt" safety video though...
Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar to open in "mid" October
The new Disneyland Resort Guides to the Magic are plugging the new DCA preview center, along with "Pixie Hollow" (former Ariel's Grotto area). Pixie Hollow is supposed to open in late October, based on the guide.
Selected Photos from Darkbeer.Smugmug.com
TWO EARS!
ONE EAR!
The new Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread house
No more McDonald's ad in Paradise Pier!
For former Washington Mutual customers, the change to JPMorgan Chase Bank will save you some money, as you will no longer need to pay ATM fees at the Disneyland Resort (coming soon!).
One of the MiceChat users/Knott's Haunt Monsters, Kritter poses for the camera. By the way, MAJOR kudos goes out to all the Monsters that entertain us every year!!!! THANKS!
The infamous Knott's Haunt "Hanging" is themed to Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull this year.
Heck, at least Knott's can get a working animated WALL-E in its park!
Bagpipes, Drums and Bugles, Monster style!
You KNEW you would see this! GO CHARGERS!
That should do it for this week, thanks for stopping by, and make sure and visit MiceAge on a regular basis!
Good morning, I normally focus on the Southern California area, and we will mainly focus on the "OC", but we need to make a couple of mentions from the "East Coast"...
First is a piece of sad news....
John Curry, Disney World's first hotel employee, dies at 78 -- OrlandoSentinel.com
Quote:
Walt Disney World's first-ever hotel employee died Friday.
John Foster Curry, 78, was hired by Walt Disney in August 1966 as the company's hotel planner, according to David Koenig, author of Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World.
Curry helped conceive of, construct and operate the Contemporary and Polynesian resorts at the Central Florida theme park. He researched hotels across the country, worked with U.S. Steel Corp. on the construction and hired the first executive hotel staffs.
"He was a kind, generous man," Koenig said Saturday in a telephone interview. "Always with wonderful stories. He was a modest person, too."
John Foster Curry, 78, was hired by Walt Disney in August 1966 as the company's hotel planner, according to David Koenig, author of Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World.
Curry helped conceive of, construct and operate the Contemporary and Polynesian resorts at the Central Florida theme park. He researched hotels across the country, worked with U.S. Steel Corp. on the construction and hired the first executive hotel staffs.
"He was a kind, generous man," Koenig said Saturday in a telephone interview. "Always with wonderful stories. He was a modest person, too."
Also in the news, Pleasure Island at WDW closed at WDW Saturday night, as much as a lot of us would love to see the Adventures Club come to Anaheim, we need to thank all the Cast Members who worked hard in Florida to keep the "party-ers" entertained!
And moving to South Carolina, a new Theme Park, Hard Rock Park, filed Chapter 11 this week.
Hard Rock's and Strand's reputations in jeopardy - Business - Myrtle Beach Sun News
And in the Disney Store universe...
Disney Store Unveils Exclusive Line of Camp Rock and Hannah Montana Costumes; Magical Styles Make Tweens Shine Like Stars on Halloween Night - MarketWatch
OK, enough of the sad stuff, let's get ready to scare you!!!!
It has been a very busy week for me, and it was wonderful to meet a lot of you Saturday night at Knott's. This week will be picture heavy, but don't forget that MiceAge runs articles 6 days a week (7 if there is major news). We have been featured at the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, and the wire services many times recently, and appreciate the fact that they know where to find some of the latest Theme/Amusement news.
Before the Halloween photos, let's look at some of the "SoCal" news...
Work begins on Terminator wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain - Travel - LATimes.com
A new wooden Roller Coaster is coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2009, and Brady MacDonald is on covering the story. Also, don't forget, "Fright Fest" starts next week, and is the only major SoCal Halloween event that comes at no extra charge, just part of the regular admission fee.
Universal Studios Hollywood also is starting its "Halloween Horror Nights"....
Universal's trammed souls - Entertainment News, Business News, Media - Variety
Quote:
Physical effects include prodding visitors to walk through hanging underwear, fake carcasses or faux skin hanging from hooks or spraying them with liquids. This year it's also piping in such gross odors as vomit, feces and rotting flesh.
"Every year, if there's a line, we cross it," Murdy says. "That's how you touch people. Those things send triggers to your brain."
I placed a warning at the top of the page, and need to do it again, some of the photos in this article will be not suitable for younger kids.
Orange County Register is focusing on the Halloween events!
Around Disney kicks off Halloween Week coverage - Around Disney - OCRegister.com
As much as we want you to keep reading MiceAge on a daily basis, we also need to tip our hat to the OC Register, who covers the SoCal Theme Parks with great coverage.
Disneyland Raises Stroller and Wheelchair fees.
Friday, Disneyland raised the prices of Strollers and Manual Wheelchairs $2, and Electric Convenience Vehicles $10.
Disneyland Lawsuit - Dog Mauling
Disneyland sued by little girl - Around Disney - OCRegister.com
I highly recommend you read the actual complaint filed by the attorney.
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/liv..._COMPLAINT.pdf
This story has been a major thread on many Disney related message boards this week, and while nobody wants to see Disney makes mistakes, there are some serious issues here. Of course, the job of the attorney is to make the legal case sound as bad as possible, but there is enough evidence that makes the lawsuit valid. Hopefully the parties will settle before it goes in front of the judge.
Disneyland Park Early Closures October 5th and 21st
FYI, for those who are planning trips, both Sunday, October 5th and Tuesday, October 21st, Disneyland is closing at 5 PM for private parties.
Sunday the 5th is for the special Disney Parks Marketing event, the "What will you celebrate?" Miley Cyrus 16th Birthday party, and Tuesday the 21st is an "unknown" event.
Disney has made some adjustments to the October 5th schedule, the main change is that there will be one Parade of Dreams, at 2 PM.
A reminder - Gay Days weekend is this week
Just in case you don't follow the Disney schedule, the "unofficial" Gay Days event is happening this coming weekend.
Gay Days Anaheim
Should be fun seeing some folks wearing Red ANAHEIM Angels shirts looking confused on October 3rd through the 5th. (Yes, I know I am supposed to say the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but NO!!!)
And here is my humble opinion, GO ANGELS!!! and that the Dodgers need to lose in the first round.
FYI, MiceChat is planning Noon meets both Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th at the normal meet location, the "Hub", but if the Hub is blocked off on Sunday, check the alternative "rain" location, Coke Corner.
More DCA Mickey's Trick-or-Treat days sold out.
5 days are now sold out, October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st. All other days are still available at Disneyland.com.
A great Annual Pass deal is available at Southern California Costco's.
While the price is the "regular" fee, Costco's in Southern California are offering a $50 Disney Gift Card with purchase. (Item# 295609).
Costco in Tustin has them.
They are located in the Gift Certificate area of the store, which in Tustin is near the main entrance. They are on trays, and have 8 & 1/2 by 11 inches pieces of cardboard (mainly red) as the voucher to take to the cashier.
When you buy one, you get a voucher to take to the Disneyland Ticket Booths to exchange for an Annual Pass and the $50 Disney Gift Card. Must be used by May 31st, 2009.
No sales tax should be charged, at least in California.
This is the best deal for anyone who wants to buy or renew a Deluxe or Premium AP.
If you want a Premium AP, buy the Deluxe at Costco, and then take the voucher to Disneyland. The first day of use is always not blocked out, so you can go to the Bank of Main Street. Then just take the $50 gift card and use it to upgrade to a Premium AP that day. (Don't forget to bring your Paid Parking Receipt, as Disney will refund one day of parking to those buying a Premium AP or paying for the Parking upgrade on any other AP).
But $50 off is better than the current $30 renewal discount, and the second benefit, you get a slightly longer expiration date if you are a regular visitor.
Jewel of Orleans (aka Dianne's Estate Jewellery) is opening a third location.
Dianne's started in San Francisco, and then opened a second store in New Orleans Square. And now will be opening up a third store in Healdsberg, California (North of the Bay area).
Christopher Eykel, a long time Jewel of Orleans employee has been named manager of the new store, and we wish him the best of luck in his new position.
If you are a fan of Christopher, he is working this upcoming weekend (October 4th and 5th) at Disneyland, and it will be your last chance to say Hi before he moves to NorCal! He would love for you to buy LOTS of stuff before he starts wearing gloves and Trench Coats, and needing an umbrella!
The official opening in Healdsburg is Saturday, October 11th from 5 to 9 PM.
The new store is located at 387 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448. And you can reach them by phone at 707-395-0855.
Anaheim GardenWalk update
More shops opened this week.
My favorite - San Sei Japanese Grill staterd operations on Friday, and is a great choice. Highly Recommened.
Also Bar Louie, Sbarro and Momotree opened this week.
And the CinemaFusion Movie Complex is now serving Alcohol!!! (Theaters 2 through 7)
Indiana Jones Adventure brings back Single Rider Passes
Giood news, a MiceChat poster reported and posted photos of the new Single Rider option for Indy!
http://micechat.com/forums/disneylan...adventure.html
Still need to watch the "seat belt" safety video though...
Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar to open in "mid" October
The new Disneyland Resort Guides to the Magic are plugging the new DCA preview center, along with "Pixie Hollow" (former Ariel's Grotto area). Pixie Hollow is supposed to open in late October, based on the guide.
Selected Photos from Darkbeer.Smugmug.com
TWO EARS!
ONE EAR!
The new Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread house
No more McDonald's ad in Paradise Pier!
For former Washington Mutual customers, the change to JPMorgan Chase Bank will save you some money, as you will no longer need to pay ATM fees at the Disneyland Resort (coming soon!).
One of the MiceChat users/Knott's Haunt Monsters, Kritter poses for the camera. By the way, MAJOR kudos goes out to all the Monsters that entertain us every year!!!! THANKS!
The infamous Knott's Haunt "Hanging" is themed to Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull this year.
Heck, at least Knott's can get a working animated WALL-E in its park!
Bagpipes, Drums and Bugles, Monster style!
You KNEW you would see this! GO CHARGERS!
That should do it for this week, thanks for stopping by, and make sure and visit MiceAge on a regular basis!
Total Comments 24
Comments
-
AzGizmo wrote:
"So no one knows why Disneyland is closing early on October 21, eh? Bummer as that's when my hubby and I are going to be down there...'
That's interesting because looking at the calender they show the Park closing at 5 PM and the parade starting at 5 PM which, with all the show stops, takes awhile. They also show a Billy Hill show at 5:15. Interesting.
I also still don't know why there is no parade on October 13 when there is one (sometimes two) every day except that one day during the month of October????Posted 09-30-2008 at 04:04 PM by Wendygirl
-
I live near Healdsburg -- you made me go look!
The store is there and it looks like they are still setting up. I took pictures, and if they saw me they probably thought I was nuts.
They have a nice location -- thanks for the heads-up!Posted 09-30-2008 at 08:03 PM by Javamom 
- Oh, man, I am kicking myself. I just renewed my so cal ap online, and then read about the $50 discount at Costco. At least I can renew my wife's so cal ap there. I have trouble getting miceage on my computer, storage? busy servers? I paid an extra $59 for parking, a good deal, since I hit the park a dozen times last year. Dodgers look like toast. Mike Schmidt was right, pitching is everything in the playoffs, and the Dodgers don't have the big starters like the Angels and Cubs. Rats! (I'm a Dodger fan).Posted 10-01-2008 at 06:03 PM by whamo
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I LOVE both the Dodgers and the Angels, being a SoCal native. But.....well...NEXT YEAR!! Anyway, it's GREAT whenever I hear about anything dealing with Halloween! I love the pics and I love the comments. My memories are with my growing up with Knott's Scary Farm for so many years. But, I do hope that Universal upps the ante and scares the crap out of their "guests". I look forward to their next year antics as I will be moved back to SoCal after being in Michigan (a Lovely State) these past 2 years. Great stuff!Posted 10-16-2008 at 01:33 AM by DisneylandManFan
