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News and Views
Rolling Thunder
In a long-awaited report of its findings and recommendations regarding
the July 8 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad accident that sent three passenger
to the hospital for minor injuries and injured at least two more, the
California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) cited two
factors in the accident (read our MousePlanet coverage here).
According to the report released last Friday afternoon, a ride operator
who had only been working in his position for three days failed to follow
the proper procedure to remove a train from the rotation. This error sent
a train full of passengers into the occupied side of the station.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad back in action. Photo by Karl Buiter.
DOSH also found that the ride control system failed to prevent the train
from entering the station when another train was on the same spur, although
the report noted that five “unique and rare conditions” occurred
in specific order to cause the accident.
The report detailed corrective actions necessary—including retraining
the cast member and enhancing the ride control system—to resume operation,
and indicated that those actions had already been completed. A copy of
the DOSH report is available online (link).
In a prepared statement, Greg Hale, chief safety officer of Walt Disney
Parks and Resorts, said, “We agree with the report and have taken
all the required corrective actions. We remain committed to driving continuous
improvement and upholding the high standards that keep us at the forefront
of ride safety.”
The ride reopened Friday night, less than three hours after the DOSH
report was released.
Game On!
MousePlanet is pleased to announce the return of its popular MouseAdventure
puzzle-and-hunt event. This time around, we’re going to be in Disney’s
California Adventure on Sunday, October 10, 2004.
MouseAdventure is a popular and fun quest-based event produced by MousePlanet
and held regularly at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
For more information, see our MouseAdventure information page (link).
If you wish to register, go directly to or MouseAdventure registration
page (link).
Register between: | Pay: |
| August 25 – September 26 | $12.00 per person |
| September 27 – October 07 | $20.00 per person |
Registration closes October 07 at 9:00 pm PDT | |
No dice for Garden Grove
On August 18, the Associated Press reported that Garden Grove city officials
were in talks with developer Steve Wynn to build an Indian casino two
miles south of Disneyland. The development would require the city to sell
land to, or trade land with, the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians,
who could use the Garden Grove parcel to build a casino and entertainment
center.
The plan drew heated debate from local residents, and was the main subject
of discussion at the city’s August 24 council meeting. Citing potential
controversy, the council voted at that meeting to reject the proposal.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Sun earlier that week, Winn
said that reports of his involvement were exaggerated, and that he wanted
no part of the project until the land use issues had been resolved.
Wake up like a princess
The Disneyland Hotel has transformed a bedroom in the Presidential Suite
into a re-creation of Princess Mia’s room from The Princess Diaries
2: Royal Engagement. Located on the top floor of the Sierra Tower,
the Princess Suite is decorated with furnishings from the original movie
set, and pieces from a new Drexel-Heritage furniture collection.
Disney’s new Princess Diaries Suite recreates a set from the sequel. Photo
© Disney.
Scattered around the room are photos of the film’s cast and crew, including
candid shots of stars Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews and producer Garry
Marshall. Of the items showcased in the suite, the bed, bench, slipper
chairs, demilune chest and dresser can be ordered through Drexel-Heritage
retailers (link).
Like the demilune chest? You can order one for your own castle. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
When you’re done looking at the décor, the room also has a fantastic
view of Downtown Disney and the Disneyland fireworks. Tea service is already
laid out in the room, and a variety of princess-themed items or services
can be booked for an additional fee.
When you’re a princess, you can take some of the decorations—the
CD, DVD and tiara are yours to keep. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Guests receive The Princess Diaries Special Edition DVD, The
Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement motion picture soundtrack, and
a rhinestone tiara in a presentation box. The suite is a concierge-level
room, so guests have access to other concierge amenities, including the
concierge lounge.
The bathroom features Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries and a photo of
actor Chris Pine. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The Princess Diaries Suite can be booked by itself, starting at $430
per night, or as part of the larger Presidential Suite, starting at $1,400
per night. Actress/model Anna Nicole Smith was the suite’s first official
guest.
Say cheese—please!
When “The Happiest Faces on Earth… A Disney Family Album”
was first announced, prospective participants submitted photos and crossed
their fingers, hoping that they would be lucky enough to have their photo
chosen for the project. If this sounds like you, relax—your odds
may be better than you think.
The Martinez family of Portland, Oregon, helps Mickey Mouse and Disneyland
Resort President Matt Ouimet kickoff the “Happiest Faces on Earth—A
Disney Family Album”” by submitting the first official photograph.
Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer © Disney.
By some accounts, photo submissions are arriving slower than expected,
and cast members are being encouraged to “chat up” the promotion
at every opportunity. One cast member joked that as long as you aren’t
doing something vulgar in the photo, you have a good chance of being included.
Don’t worry if you think your photo is similar to every other Castle shot
out there, or has the wrong background color—photos can be cropped
and colorized before use. So dig out those photo albums, and find that
adorable photo of your child meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time.
You can get complete details and instructions for submitting your photos
at the Disney Web site (link).
What do you do when you win Olympic gold?
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and his teammates Lenny Krayzelburg
and Ian Crocker, in their first public appearances in the United States
since winning in Greece, begin a 12-city “Disney’s Swim with the
Stars” tour. The tour begins August 31 at Walt Disney World Resort
in Florida and ends at Disneyland Resort in California.
On August 31, the three swimming champions will serve as grand marshals
in a celebratory parade in their honor at the Magic Kingdom and lead a
special swimming clinic at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park.
Each city stop will also feature a two-hour swimming celebration show,
presented by Disney, which showcases the accomplishments of each swimmer.
Each show will include demonstrations, rematches from Athens and a relay
with the stars and special guests. The tour itinerary is:
- Orlando/Walt Disney World Resort (August 31 – September 2)
- Atlanta (September 3–5)
- New York City (September 6–9)
- Baltimore (September 10–12)
- Chicago (September 13–15)
- Dallas (September 16–18)
- Denver (September 19–20)
- Las Vegas (September 21–23)
- Salt Lake City (September 24–25)
- Seattle (September 26–27)
- 11. San Francisco (September 28–30)
- 12. Anaheim / Disneyland Resort (October 4–5)
Ears to the ground
…Names Unraveled, a Disneyland tenant that sells personalized items
from a cart in Fantasyland, is getting a new home. The company will soon
offer its wares from the now-unused Geppetto’s Toys and Gifts store location
in Fantasyland. Geppetto’s was once the park’s destination doll and teddy
bear shop, and closed when the Tinker Bell Toy Shop was transformed into
a Disney Princess store.
…The long-awaited Tinker Bell Tiny Tot doll by Marie Osmond will
be available for pre-order through Disney DelivEARS starting September
1. More details are available at the Disney Gallery Web site (link).
Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us here.
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
Note: Disneyland is progressively closing more and more attractions as
the park readies for its 50th anniversary celebration in 2005.
The Emporium on Main Street gets spiffed up in preparation for the park’s
50th anniversary next year. Photo by Karl Buiter.
- Pirates of the Caribbean closes September 2 for a one-day rehab.
- Snow White’s Scary Adventures closed through September 10.
- Sleeping Beauty Castle closed through November 23.
- Sailing Ship Columbia closed for daily operation, but
in operation for Fantasmic. Closes September 7 – November
30.
- Aladdin’s Oasis closed through March 11, 2005.
- Plaza Pavilion closed through March 11, 2005.
- Enchanted Tiki Room closed through March 11, 2005.
- Space Mountain closed through November 2005.
- Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely; not
listed on park maps or the Disneyland Web site.
The annual pass processing center is temporarily relocated to Tomorrowland.
Photo by Karl Buiter.
Upcoming Disneyland closures
- Star Tours reduces capacity, as each of the four cabins rotate
through refurbishment September 7–22.
- Haunted Mansion closes September 7 – October 1 for installation
of Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay. Closed January 10–25, 2005
for removal of Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds closes September 7 – November 13.
- Mad Tea Party closes September 20 – October 21.
Disney’s California Adventure
- Superstar Limo closed indefinitely; not listed on park maps
or the Disneyland Web site.
- Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It! closed indefinitely.
Upcoming DCA Closures
- King Triton’s Carousel closed September 20–30.
- Maliboomer reduced capacity (2 of 3 towers operating) November
1–25, 2004, and January 3–22, 31 – March 12, 2005.
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish reduces capacity January 21 – March
5, 2005.
Disneyland Resort Hotels
- Disneyland Hotel Convention Center lobby, upper level &
lower level closed through September 1.
