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News and Views
Grand Marshall Mickey
Mickey Mouse has been chosen to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2005
Tournament of Roses parade. The 2005 parade theme is “Celebrate Family.”
The announcement was made at a ceremony at Tournament House in Pasadena
on November 16, where Julie Andrews congratulated Mickey on the honor.
Andrews is the Honorary Disneyland Ambassador for the park’s 50th anniversary
celebration.
Mickey Mouse serves as the Grand Marshal for the 2005 Tournament of Roses
parade. Photo © Disney.
Mickey starts off Disneyland’s 50th anniversary year by riding in the
116th Tournament of Roses parade on New Year’s Day. Later that day, he
tosses the coin to start the 91st Rose Bowl game. The Disneyland Resort
is also entering a float in the 2005 Tournament of Roses parade.
Tournament of Roses President Dave Davis, Mickey Mouse, and Julie Andrews
at the announcement ceremony. Photo © Disney.
For additional information about the Tournament of Roses parade or the
Rose Bowl, please call the Tournament of Roses Association at 626-449-ROSE
(626-449-7673), or visit their official Web site at Tournamentofroses.com
(link).
Holiday Happenings
The annual “Holiday Time at Disneyland” tour began spreading
seasonal joy this past Friday night. Although the tour has followed a
similar format the past few years, this time around tour-goers receive
a special tour-exclusive “Holiday Time” trading pin. All three
Saturday night tour groups were at full capacity, with shouts of “Happy
Holidays” heard from New Orleans Square to Toontown.
Disneyland’s Christmas tree sparkles after sunset. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
One major improvement this year is the addition of blue lights to the
tops of the tour jockey riding crops, making it much easier to
follow the guides through the crowds of people (and there is a chance
that one or more of the children in your group might get to play “tour
leader” for a bit.)
The Main Street Train Station sports festive holiday trim. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
During the Hanukkah portion of the trip, tour groups visited the Main
Street door of Dr. Benjamin Silverstein. We are happy to report that the
dark brown mezuzah that disappeared several weeks ago has been replaced
by a shiny silver mezuzah.
As promised, a new mezuzah—posted in a slant as is Jewish custom—is
up on Dr. Silverstein’s door in time for Hanukkah. Photo by Shoshana Lewin.
The “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” is also back in its full holiday
glory and can be seen twice nightly (unless otherwise noted in the daily
schedule). No new floats (or characters) have been added this year, to
the disappointment of several people who kept looking for characters from
Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.
Sleeping Beauty Castle gets dressed for the holidays. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Stitch of Lilo and Stitch and Flounder from The Little Mermaid
are both back in “it’s a small world holiday.” Flounder is in
a stocking near the “Jingle Shells” mermaid area, while a mini-Stitch
rides surfboard in the Hawaii section.
Annual passholders receive a $10 discount for the Holiday Time at Disneyland
tour. Call 714-781-4400 to make reservations. Before you go, be sure to
read Shoshana Lewin’s review of last year’s tour (link).
Muppet Stamps Debut in 2005
Disney’s recently acquired characters, Kermit the Frog and the Muppets
gang, appear on a new series of 11 U.S. postage stamps in March 2005.
The stamps honor the late Jim Henson, and feature Miss Piggy, Statler
and Waldorf, the Swedish Chef, and Dr. Bunson Honeydew and Beaker. The
U.S. Postal Service plans to sell the stamps at local post offices and
through its Web site.
Ears to the ground
…Tickets are still available for Chip & Dale’s Wild Wild West PinAdventure, scheduled for February 3 at Disneyland (link).
The event includes a BBQ buffet meal in Frontierland, Western-themed entertainment,
a “pin trading cruise” on the Mark Twain, and games. Since
this is a merchandise event, participants can purchase an assortment of
32 pins, pin sets, and accessories. You can view photos of the event pins
on the event services Web site (link…The Briar Patch store in Critter Country has reopened as a hat
shop. The store has the usual selection of hats, along with cameras and
autograph books.
Critter Country has a new hat shop, as The Briar Patch reopens. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
…The Fastpass machines for Pirates of the Caribbean have been removed.
The Pirates of the Caribbean Fastpass machines are history. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
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 renovation of the front of Sleeping Beauty Castle is finished. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
- Sailing Ship Columbia closed through November 30.
- Fantasmic on hiatus through November during the
Sailing Ship Columbia refurbishment.
- 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.
Upcoming Disneyland closures
- Haunted Mansion closes January 10–25, 2005 to remove
Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
The signage for Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters was installed, along with
the FastPass headers. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
A peek behind the tarps surrounding the Sailing Ship Columbia.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Disney’s California Adventure
Upcoming DCA closures
- Maliboomer reduced capacity (2 of 3 towers operating) through
November 25, 2004, and January 3–22, 31 – March 12, 2005.
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish reduced capacity January 21 – March
5, 2005.
