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News and Views
A final, “final answer”
Last Wednesday on July 28, the cast and crew of the Who Wants to be
a Millionaire – Play It! attraction at Disney’s California Adventure
were notified that the game show attraction would be closing on Friday,
August 20. There is no word on whether the Walt Disney World version will
suffer a similar fate.
The latest closure has sparked yet another round of speculation about
the future of the Hollywood Backlot District. Three closed venues—Hollywood
and Dine, SuperStar Limo and now the Millionaire stage—all
sit next to one another. As one MousePlanet reader observed, “That’s
a lot of contiguous, available, real estate.” Many hope that the
long-rumored Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster project from Florida’s
Disney-MGM Studios will come to fruition.
Red light, green light
A usually reliable source tells us that the rumored Finding Nemo
attraction slated for the Submarine Lagoon has been given the green light—again.
Riders will board a submarine to take an “educational” trip
among the reefs to learn about the fish and flora of the ocean.
Nemo, Marlin and Dory may be moving in with the mermaids. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
Of course, something will go “terribly awry,” with passengers
enlisted to help Dory save the day. Our source says that work can begin
as early as this month, with the ride scheduled to open in November 2005—the
same time that Space Mountain reopens. We’ll be waiting to see if this
reoprt pans out, or, if like so many rumors about the Submarine Lagoon,
it’s just another fish tale.
Speaking of holes
Downtown Disney has another vacancy. Petals, which sold purses and luggage,
has closed. The store was operated by the group behind three other original
Downtown Disney tenants: MainSpring, Soliton and Liquid Planet. Soliton
closed last year, moving into the MainSpring store and making room for
a new Jamba Juice. Liquid Planet went through a major transformation this
spring, and recently reopened as the Quicksilver Surf Shop.
Your name here—Downtown Disney has new vacancy. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix,
The vacancy was not unexpected. We reported in March that a rumored expansion
of neighboring Marceline’s Confectionary could bring a new Disney Home
store to the resort just in time for the holiday season. But some cast
members were told that the expansion is off, and Disney is looking for
a new tenant to fill the Petals space; possibly another quick-serve restaurant.
Grab your carpet
Disneyland visitors have the opportunity to purchase the next movie in
the Platinum Collection right at the park. The Aladdin Special
Edition DVD ($29.99), with a release date of Tuesday, October 5, can be
ordered at various stores around the Disneyland Resort. As with the other
Platinum Dollection films Disneyland has offered in the past, there is
free shipping on all orders. Those who order the DVD receive a lithograph
of Aladdin and Jasmine on the flying carpet on the spot, so either get
a locker or order at the end of the day. Annual pass holders also get
a 10 percent discount.
Among the features on this release:
- “Proud Of Your Boy” – a new song that is not integrated
into movie - Fun Facts trivia track mode
- Deleted scenes
- “A Diamond In the Rough: The Making of Aladdin”
- Audio commentary
- “Inside The Genie’s Lamp,” a 3D tour of the Genie’s lamp
with Robin Leach - Genie’s Magical Journey, a trip around the world with the Genie based
on the original animator’s end-credit concept - Disney’s Virtual DVD Ride: Aladdin’s Magic Carpet activity
- The Bizarre Bazaar Game
- New music videos and sing-along songs
Osmond to narrate Candlelight Procession
During a meet and greet at Disneyland on July 24, entertainer and doll
designer Marie Osmond told fans that she will be the guest narrator for
Disneyland’s 2004 Candlelight Procession and Ceremony event. In 2003,
Osmond, who was at Disneyland for another merchandise event, agreed to
narrate the ceremony when scheduled narrator Louis Gossett, Jr. suddenly
fell ill. Osmond said that she enjoyed the event, and was pleased to be
asked to return. Disneyland has not yet announced the dates of the 2004
event.
Correction
In last week’s Park Update: Disneyland, we
incorrectly reported that a Disneyland 50th Anniversary charity gala event
would be on board the Disney Wonder cruise ship on July 17, 2005
and benefit the Boys & Girls Club. The event instead benefits the
Make-a-Wish Foundation on Saturday, July 16 aboard the Disney Magic.
Thanks to Disneyland Resort Ambassador Becky Murphy for the correction.
Ears to the ground
…Start saving your pennies. Members of the 2004 Disneyland Creative
Advisory Council, a consumer focus group, had its first meeting last week.
Although participants sign nondisclosure agreements promising not to discuss
what they see and hear, a few rumors have already trickled out. Among
the products in development for the 50th anniversary are a series of “Big
Fig” sculptures based on classic Disneyland attractions. Unlike the
current character-based figures, these new “Big Figs” are said
to be models of the attraction buildings, including an Enchanted Tiki
Room hut and a Splash Mountain with working water effect.
A cast member mists a passing park visitor. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
…The Downtown Disney AMC Theatre hosts the premiere of Princess
Diaries 2 on Saturday, August 7.
…Halloween has arrived at the Disneyland Resort. The World of Disney
and Disney Showcase locations are now offering Halloween costumes for
children and adults. While it seems odd to be shopping for Halloween in
the middle of summer, cast members warn that many costumes sell out even
before school starts. They also remind shoppers that Disney may raise
prices if a costume proves to be especially popular, so shop early and
avoid the markup.
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 moat is being drained as part of the Sleeping Beauty Castle refurb.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
- Sleeping Beauty Castle closed through November 23.
- Aladdin’s Oasis closed through March 12, 2005.
- Plaza Pavilion closed through March 12, 2005.
- Enchanted Tiki Room closed through March 12, 2005.
- Space Mountain closed through November 2005.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed indefinitely, pending
results of the DOSH inspection. For more information about the latest
accident, see our BTMRR
Accident page.
- Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely; not
listed on park maps or the Disneyland Web site.
Work continues on Sleeping Beauty Castle. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Disney’s California Adventure
- Superstar Limo closed indefinitely; not listed on park maps
or the Disneyland Web site
Future Closures
- Snow White’s Scary Adventures closes August 23 – September
11.
- 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.
- Maliboomer reduced capacity (2 of 3 towers operating) November
1–25, January 3–22, 31, 2005 – March 12, 2005.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds closes September 13 – November 24.
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish reduces capacity January 21, 2005 –
March 5, 2005.
Disneyland Resort Hotels
- Disneyland Hotel Convention Center lobby, upper level &
lower level closed through September 1.
