Weekend Update FIRST LOOK: Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy; Halloween Screams Fireworks
BREAKING NEWS! Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Halloween Screams Fireworks!
We're very lucky to have breaking photos from Disneyland for you! Fishbulb provides a first look at the latest seasonal incarnation of one of our favorite attractions: Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. I talked to him on the phone just a few hours ago and his breathless account of the new special effects has me anxiously awaiting my next trip to the Anaheim park.
CaptPhoebus also has breaking photos for us – fantastic shots of the new seasonal fireworks show at Disneyland: Halloween Screams - A Villainous Surprise in the Skies. I didn't get a firsthand report from him, but his photos are worth a thousand words!
We have a report from a Universal Studios Orlando first-timer, and you might be surprised who it is. Weekend Update crew member and theme park aficionado SummerInFL shares a report from her very first visit to the Universal side of town. After Summer's report we have some more signs from Tokyo Disneyland courtesy of TDLFAN.
Ian Parkinson and Richard Williams continue their Beautiful Baltic adventure with photos and video from Stockholm. To complete our whirlwind trip around the world we have photos from Egypt thanks to sir clinksalot.
Halloween at Disneyland Special Report
Fishbulb and CaptPhoebus
We have some great photos of Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy from Fishbulb, but first we set the scene with these photos from the park entrance.
Photos from Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy
SPOILER ALERT! Scroll down to see photos from inside the attraction:
JUST KIDDING! Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Actually, Fishbulb tells me that it is VERY VERY dark inside the actual attraction. Even darker than usual. So dark that photos are nearly impossible. Besides, you want to see it for yourself, don't you?
However, the following photos are of the surprise special effects OUTSIDE of the building – projected onto the Space Mountain dome. Fishbulb reports that the effects are amazing:
Some very satisfied riders:
Halloween Screams - A Villainous Surprise in the Skies
CaptPhoebus
Here are a few of the pics I took tonight. It's not castle close, but it allows for great views of all the fireworks, as well as good angle on the Jack inflatable. Enjoy!
More of CaptPhoebus' photos are HERE.
Universal Studios
Orlando, Florida
SummerInFL provides this chronicle of her first visit to Universal Studios Orlando. This week she visits Universal Studios and next week she will travel over to Islands of Adventure.
A few months ago a thought occurred to me that in the many years I've lived in FL I had never visited Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Well, as luck would have it, not long after, I received a flyer in the mail with a free ticket just for me, what are the odds?
So I hopped in the car last Sunday and drove over to see how the other parks do it.
City Walk
I decided to start with Universal first and I headed in with nothing but a map and a sense of adventure.
If you are Lucille Ball fan, as I am, then you will enjoy this walk through tribute.
Reg..Bev..Wil (Can you guess the movie reference?)
Who says you can't walk Central Park outside of NYC?
As I had two parks to get through that day I opted for the Express Pass which gets you to the front of most of the major attractions.
First up, The Simpsons! I will say this is probably the best simulator ride I've ever experienced, it was AMAZING!
Alien Attack!! At least I think that's what it was, there was this flash of light and I don't really remember what happened? Weird.
I would love to tell you that I encountered Jaws and lived to tell the tale but sadly as I was on the far right of the boat, all I got were pretty buildings.
Everybody say Ohhhhhhh.....
Everybody say Ahhhhh....
But who can complain when you are in San Francisco?
Disaster was like The Backlot Tour at DHS, if the tram went two feet and then stopped. Great audience participation though!
Museum of Antiquities? Yes please! What? A big angry mummy wants to kill me? I didn't sign up for this!!! Luckily I escaped with movie star windblown hair and a smile.
TAXI! Hmm, can't seem to catch one. This place is so realistic!
Who doesn't love a good tornado, apparently not Wakita.
I was unfortunately unable to ride Rip Ride Rocket but it looked really great from below!
Crowded room, stinky face, I think you know where I'm going here. It's Shrek 4-D!
I completely regressed to my childhood when I rode this attraction. E.T. phone hoooommmmee..
Scooby! Shaggy!
After much movie magic and fun I decided to head over to Islands of Adventure, check back next week for the continuation!
I do not like them Sam I am, I do not like green eggs and ham...
Stockholm, Sweden
Quote:
Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden. It is the site of the national Swedish government, the Riksdag (parliament), and the official residence of the Swedish Monarch as well as the prime minister. The Monarch resides at Drottningholm Palace outside of Stockholm since 1980 and uses the Royal Palace of Stockholm as his workplace and official residence. The prime minister lives in the Sager Palace. As of 2008, the Stockholm metropolitan area is home to approximately 21% of Sweden's population and contributes to 35% of Sweden's gross domestic product. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden with a population of 818,603 in the city, 1.25 million in the urban area (2005) and around 2 million in the metropolitan area.
Stockholm has been the cultural, media, political, and economic centre of Sweden since the 13th century. Its strategic location on 14 islands on the south-central east coast of Sweden at the mouth of Lake Mälaren, by the Stockholm archipelago, has been historically important. Stockholm is known for its beauty, its buildings and architecture, its abundant open water and many parks. Stockholm is one of the most visited cities in the Nordic countries, with around one million visitors in 2006.
Stockholm has been the cultural, media, political, and economic centre of Sweden since the 13th century. Its strategic location on 14 islands on the south-central east coast of Sweden at the mouth of Lake Mälaren, by the Stockholm archipelago, has been historically important. Stockholm is known for its beauty, its buildings and architecture, its abundant open water and many parks. Stockholm is one of the most visited cities in the Nordic countries, with around one million visitors in 2006.
Ian and Richard are offering a hardcover book version of Beautiful Baltic at lulu.
Looking for up-to-date reports from Disneyland
including photos, gossip, park schedules and more?
including photos, gossip, park schedules and more?
Visit these MiceChat columns each week:
Andy Castro's Dateline Disneyland
David DarkBeer Michael's In the Parks
Exotic Egypt
sir clinksalot
This week we continue with Belle's aunt's trip and find ourselves in Egypt.
Inside one of the Egyptian churches
Some amazing architecture
Inside another church
The Nile at night
The intricacy of some of the rock work is amazing
And that brings us to the end of another week. Our photographers have just enough time to reload their cameras before we see you all again next weekend. Thank you to all of our wonderful readers, and as always, a huge thank you to our amazing team of global photographers, spies, and gossips:
TDLFAN
Denise nbodyhome Preskitt (mousesteps.com)
SummerInFl
sir clinksalot
MickeyMaxx
CaptPhoebus
Ian Parkinson and Richard Williams
BigPigletFan
Abominable Snowman
Fishbulb
PhotoMatt
Jack Hollywood 1939 Wixom
Your Editor - Rixter
Where have YOU been recently? We invite you to share your photos of theme parks or any other destination that may be of interest to our readers. Please feel free to contact me via MiceChat Private Message (screen name Rixter)
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Total Comments 19
Comments
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Absolutely beautiful photos gang. Off to DL today to see the new Halloween goodies first hand! Going to stop off at Six Flags Magic Mountain's Hurricane Harbor and float around in some pools and a nice lazy river though. Today is their final operating weekend until next May. Summer's over Boo Hoo. First to post huh? Beat Monorail Man by a few seconds. Weeeeeeeeeeee!
The new fireworks seem very castle centric. Didn't they learn their lesson with "Remember..."?Posted 09-26-2009 at 10:13 AM by Crazee4mm
Updated 10-13-2009 at 02:50 AM by Crazee4mm (Clarity) -
Great update this week!
The Halloween Screams fireworks are fantastic(even if it is just remixedHallowishes music), and Ghost Galaxy was fantastic, the outside sound effects were so creepy! I even had dreams of the ghost tonight, so they did a fantasticand scary job!Posted 09-26-2009 at 10:17 AM by Monorail Man -
Can't wait to see the Halloween stuff!
and nice pics of Egypt. Very coolPosted 09-26-2009 at 11:43 AM by J_Showtime -
Stockholm is such a beautiful city, thanks for the update!Posted 09-26-2009 at 12:05 PM by k_peek_2000 - Saw the fireworks last night; two thumbs up. It was a terrific show.Posted 09-26-2009 at 12:07 PM by toemblem
- Great UpdatePosted 09-26-2009 at 04:16 PM by Emmanuel_4
- I debated whether to post my opinion on this or not...and after much deliberation, i decided I should. I did not like the fireworks show last night...at all. It reminded me of all those awful times walking down downtown disney and having to listen to those awful tweeny remixes that caused my ears to bleed. I felt that the soundtrack was horrid, and it ruined the whole show. It had potential...HAD. After reading a few threads I noticed the name 'Hallowishes' popping up. Not knowing what that was, I searched it on youtube...and to my surprise...a video with the same exact soundtrack (minus a few parts) was posted from a fireworks show from last year. UGH. What ever happened to the Disney that wanted to be original and ground breaking all the time?! Are they that burnt out at disney that they constantly need to recycle everything?! Ghost Galaxy was cool, and I think that after a couple of tries, it will be the greatest thing ever. Walking around the park last night, yes, I think that this is the best attempt disney has made for Halloween...I had high hopes for the fireworks last night, but when my girlfriend looked over at me right after the show ended to see what my first impression of the show was....no words. I could not find how to express how much I did not like it. Some may find it entertaining, and some may even like it. I did not, but that's just me Sorry to be THAT GUY lol Great update by the way!
Posted 09-26-2009 at 04:35 PM by Leonelito32 -
Great pictures. I love the ones of Space Mountain at night. Is that something they could keep going year round? It would add some to Tomorrowland I think. Plus then I could have a chance to see it.Posted 09-26-2009 at 05:17 PM by sassy*tink - they should have those light effects year around. they could change the theme for each holiday. the 1st pic reminded me of SM in '98Posted 09-26-2009 at 05:53 PM by mondo
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First Note!
Iam one Not into "Halloween" ....(and i know there is other with same feeling's) my opinion !
But with that been said!
I did think the special effects lighting on Space Mountain
look cool , saw the tape on the Halloween Fireworks and thought the special effects was good like wise...
Stockholm was very beautiful and enjoy the ptcture's and tape on that place! "VERY NICE"
Egypt looks very interesting!
Universal look very nice and great on the themeing!
But I can not stand for the The Simpsons!
I never like them.......
As always TDL looks very clean!
Over all good report and Thank You!
BRING BACK THE OLD POSTCARDS ,I miss them!Posted 09-26-2009 at 07:01 PM by Eagleman 
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What fun! Thank you!Posted 09-26-2009 at 09:53 PM by Disney*Girl*Today -
SO extremely jealous of the Egyptian photos, they are beautiful! I've always wanted to visit.Posted 09-26-2009 at 10:31 PM by TheGr8K8 - How can Space Mountain be "darker than usual"? This ought to be good! Thanks for the photos and the info.Posted 09-26-2009 at 10:55 PM by bayouguy
- I just went on Ghost Galaxy and was DISAPPOINTED! I think it is because of all the posts on here saying how awesome it is. It was just a few projections (not really well done) and new soundtrack. If I had not been expecting anything great, I would have liked it... but too much build up.
The new fireworks were GREAT for a holiday show. And to the guy who posted about how "Disney needs to be more original" with the fireworks... you did not even know it was an old soundtrack until you hunted it down on YouTube! So, clearly it is "new" to the vast majority - including yourself when watching it in the park. And the projection on the balloon and Zero ARE original to the show and new... and great!Posted 09-27-2009 at 03:07 AM by wonderpeep - I guess that not everyone will know that it is a recycled soundtrack for the fireworks...but some will. That makes this soundtrack not original. Original is something new, and not done before. Although you are right about the projection of Jack on the balloon. It was so original that most of the time the voice doesn't really sound like Jack. I guess I kind of thought that Disney would step it up because it was the first time they were doing Halloween fireworks...Posted 09-27-2009 at 12:03 PM by Leonelito32
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Hmmm, very interesting that kodak is not presenting the splash down photo shop at TDL.
I hope they keep the outdoor light effects for SM all year.Posted 09-27-2009 at 03:43 PM by Timekeeper -
awesome pics great to see new stuff @ disneyland. halloween stuff already? i saw christmas stuff @ one of my malls.Posted 09-28-2009 at 11:37 AM by wdwnut4life -
13 Ghosts a GrinningPosted 09-28-2009 at 12:47 PM by GrimGrinningGhost -
Thanks for the update!Posted 09-28-2009 at 06:54 PM by Barbossa
