Update for August 20 – August 26, 2007
Go directly to: News & Views | Current
Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events
| Discounts and Promotions | Park
Schedule/Blockout Dates
News and Views
High School Musical Mania | DVC
turns up the volume | Garden Walt tenant list updated
| This-and-That
Hundreds and hundreds of giggling, screaming High School Musical fans converged
on Downtown Disney to watch the stars of High School Musical 2 arrived for
the film’s World Premiere last Tuesday. Some arrived before 5am to get in
line to claim the best spots along the “summer sea blue” carpet.
Thought the sight of star Zac Efron was enough to make some fans feel weak
in the knees, the brutal summer sun and 95+ degree temperatures took care
of the rest of the crowd. Some fans gave up, and instead went inside the theme
parks to catch a glimpse of the stars during a mini-parade inside Disneyland
and a later one inside Disney’s California Adventure. The Downtown Disney
merchants did their best to cater to the die-hard fans who remained. Jamba
Juice, Wetzels Pretzels and Haagen Daas all sent vendors into the crowds to
hawk drinks and snacks. ESPN Zone offered sun block, umbrellas and disposable
cameras while Compass Books sold stacks of teen magazines and puzzle books.
High School Musical fans wait to catch a glimpse of the film’s stars. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
After a cast-and-crew press conference, during which it was confirmed that
there will be a High School Musical 3 (to be released directly to theaters),
the stars retreated to the Napa Rose restaurant for some one-on-one interviews,
and the media prepared for the blue carpet arrivals to start at 4:30. Invited
guests included stars from other Disney Channel shows including Wizards of
Waverly Place, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Phineas and Ferb. Billy
Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus led the delegation from Hannah Montana. David and
Victoria Beckham and their children bypassed the media and crowds to slip
into the theater for the premiere.
High School Musical star Zac Efron signs autographs for fans before the film’s
world premiere. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
MousePlanet reader Shannon was plucked from the crowd of waiting fans after
demonstrating her knowledge of everything High School Musical, and offered
the opportunity to interview the film’s stars for the official Disneyland
Pod cast. Shannon has started posting a trip report on our MousePad discussion
boards about her experience (link).
MousePlanet reader Shannon and her cousins show their High School Musical
spirit. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The new High School Musical 2: School’s Out! show debuted at Disney’s California
Adventure this weekend. The “street celebration” has two stops along
DCA’s parade route, one in front of the park near the Sunshine Plaza, the
second near the entrance to Golden Dreams. High School Musical 2: School’s
Out! features songs from the new movie, and offers several opportunities for
kids to get up and dance and interact with the performers. High School Musical
2 merchandise, including clothing, dolls and board games, is available at
stores throughout the resort.
DCA has a new show based on High School Musical 2. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Disney Vacation Club turns up the volume at Disneyland
Another permit has been issued to Disney for construction at the Grand Californian
Hotel. This time the permit is for “Addition to Hotel (Grand Californian
Hotel) Shell Only.” Earlier this month permits were issued for the demolition
of a portion of the hotel’s roof; and for the remodeling of a “mock up
unit for time share sales.” All of this is surely in preparation for
the as-yet-unannounced first Disney Vacation Club property at the Disneyland
Resort.
Meanwhile, DVC has just announced a sweepstakes for Disneyland Resort annual
passholders. The grand prize is a Disney Vacation Club Getaways SamplEAR,
a three-year vacation contract good for up to 225 DVC “points” per
year. Points can be redeemed for accommodations at any DVC property, or at
properties included in the Membership Getaway program. There are three first
prizes, each offering a 7-night stay at one of the 500 Interval International
resort hotels that DVC members can book using DVC points. Passholders can
enter through the Disneyland Resort annual passholder Web site (link),
or by completing an entry form at any one of the DVC sales kiosks throughout
the Disneyland Resort, though the rules (link) state that only one entry per passholder, no matter the method of entry, is permitted. Although the contest rules state that no purchase is
necessary to win, you must be a current Disneyland Resort annual passholder
to enter. Entries must be received by October 31, 2007 and the winner will
be selected around November 7th, 2007. The official rules make it abundantly
clear that DVC is collecting passholder information for marketing purposes,
probably so DVC will have a ready pool of interested prospects as soon as
sales begin for the Grand Californian property.
Garden Walk tenant list updated
Garden Walk has released an updated leasing plan (link)
for the development taking shape near the Disneyland Resort. Tenants include
a nearly-44,000 square foot bowling center; restaurants including the Cheesecake
Factory, Bubba Gump, P. F. Chang and California Pizza Kitchen; the usual mall
retail assortment of Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie
& Fitch; less common stores like Tommy Bahama and Harley Davidson; and
quick-serve staples Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Sbarro’s and Cinnabon. The
plan also shows an unbranded movie theater and quite a number of unleased
spaces. The first phase of the project is set to open in Spring, 2008.