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News and Views

Making a splash on Main Street

Disney’s Swim with the Stars, a national tour featuring three medal winners from the U.S. Olympic swim team, ends its cr

Go directly to: News & Views | Current
Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events
| Discounts/Promotions | Park
Schedule/Blockout Dates

News and Views

Making a splash on Main Street

Disney’s Swim with the Stars, a national tour featuring three medal winners
from the U.S. Olympic swim team, ends its cross-country run at Disneyland
on Tuesday, October 5. The event kicked off August 30 at Walt Disney World,
and has been making stops at aquatic centers in 10 cities from New York
to San Francisco on its way to the closing event at Disneyland.

The scheduled event at the Happiest Place on Earth had several people
asking where the athletes would swim. None of the three Disneyland Resort
hotels have Olympic-length pools, and let’s just say that the Rivers of
America are not friendly to swimmers.

Last week, Disney announced its plans for hosting the event—the
park is building a swimming pool on Main Street, USA. Disney says the
pool will be 21feet wide, 4 feet deep, and feature three swimming lanes
and “span almost the entire length of Main Street.”

Local youths will also participate in the two-hour event, which is said
to include stroke demonstrations, rematches of the Olympic races, and
a relay and match race with the youth swimmers. The event is set to begin
at 10:00 a.m. at Disneyland.

For more information on the Swim with the Stars tour, visit the official
tour Web site (link),
or the Disneyland event Web page (link).

Don’t shop early

Last week we reported on operating hour reductions at the Disney Gallery.
Now there are even more cuts to report. Some Main Street stores—including
the Magic Shop and 20th Century Music—opened at noon last week, instead
of opening with the park. It has been reported that New Century Timepieces
and Disneyana are also operating on this newly reduced schedule. Cast
members at the locations complain that they were given almost no notice
of the schedule changes, some being notified only the day before that
they should report to work later the next day, and for the rest of their
scheduled shifts.

This is Halloween

The publicity branch of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts sent out a press
release last week, touting the myriad of Halloween offerings at the Disney
Resorts worldwide. Among the highlights:


  • Disneyland Paris debuts a new Halloween-themed parade featuring
    the Disney Villains, and a park-wide theme called “The Mystery
    of the Pumpkin Men.”
  • Tokyo Disneyland introduced the “Haunted Mansion Holiday
    Nightmare” attraction to the country where The Nightmare Before
    Christmas     is much more than a cult hit. According to the press release,
    Tokyo Disneyland’s two-month Halloween promotion also includes, “a
    special Halloween parade, decorations, ‘trick or treating,’ a stamp
    rally, special merchandise and much more. The Disney Stores in Japan
    will support the park’s Halloween efforts with spooky decor and merchandise
    to help spread the Halloween fun.” The release goes on to describe
    how Japanese guests wear such elaborate costumes to the park that they
    are asked to wear stickers explaining that they aren’t real characters.
  • Walt Disney World continues to offer “Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary
    Halloween Party,” based on the “Mickey’s Halloween Treat”
    event developed at—and subsequently abandoned by—Disneyland.
  • The Disney Cruise Line is adding a costume parade, special
    Halloween activities and a “decorated atrium that may make Guests
    wonder whether they are actually on a ghost ship.”

And Disneyland, you ask? If the past several years are any indication,
the park is probably going to celebrate Halloween by dressing up as Christmas,
hanging holiday wreaths and garlands all around Main Street. The press
release touts the four-year-old Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction and
the new Tower of Terror ride as the centerpiece of the Disneyland Resort
offering, and talks about the themed food offerings of the French Market,
and the Nightmare souvenirs at Le Bat en Rouge.

Disneyland had a Halloween surprise for customers who called to purchase
tickets for the Myths, Mysteries and Legends tour when they went on sale
last Friday—several Sunday night tours were added to the original
tour schedule, including a Halloween night tour. As of this writing, tickets
were still available for many of the midweek tours, but all of the Sunday
evening tours had sold out. This edition of the tour will end right before
Thanksgiving, but look for a new incarnation of the tour to be offered
next spring, after the holidays are over. You can read the full text of
the press release on our MousePad discussion boards (link).

Get ready to walk

MousePlanet columnist David Koenig included this letter in last week’s
Reader Mailbag column, and we thought it was worth repeating here. Though
MousePlanet will not have an organized presence at this year’s walk, we
encourage those readers who can participate to come out and support this
great cause. If you plan to participate, please stop by our MousePad discussion
boards and let us know so we can cheer you on (link).





And, finally, on to something important: the 13th annual CHOC/Disneyland
Resort Walk in the Park October 3. In an effort to raise money for
Children’s Hospital of Orange County, walkers will “have the
opportunity to stroll through Disneyland Park and Disney’s California
Adventure before they officially open for the day, and will be greeted
by special Disney friends along the way.” Let me allow former
Disneyland cast member Laura (Dubuc) Folos to explain just how meaningful
this organization is and why they deserve your support:


Hi, David!

Hope things are well in Mouse Tales land!

I was wondering if you were going to do anything for the CHOC
walk? I’m not sure the rest of MousePlanet is really going to
cover it, being as MouseAdventure is only a few days after the
walk.

I guess I’m so adamant about this because my little 5-month-old
is alive today because of CHOC. When he was born, he had a condition
called Imperferated anus. The non-medical term is that he was
born without his rectum connected to his anus. He was not able
to poop or eliminate waste into his intestines, because they were
filled with meconium. He was born on April 19, and he was rushed
to CHOC on the 20th, had surgery on the 21st. He would have died
if he didn’t have this surgery.

He spent five days in the NICU, on antibiotics, having tests
run and learning how to eat. When he was discharged, he came home,
and a day and a half later, the docs from the NICU called to check
on us. Our first post op visit to Dr. Kabeer (Isaac’s surgeon),
we ran into the geneticist who saw Isaac, Dr. Zadeh. She saw him,
was thrilled with how he looked and told us the test results right
then and there. She said, “It’s all good news. I told you,
if you didn’t hear from me, it was all good!”

Isaac is now a normal, little guy. He’s still got one more surgery
ahead of him, but that’s easy. In and out and over!

I know I’ve blabbered on and on, but it’s an important Disney
event that gets so little coverage and I knew it was there, but
I never knew what kind of place that they were raising money for.
Now I do. I just feel that this should be covered by someone.

I’ve attached two pictures of Isaac so you can see what he looked
like in the NICU and what he looks like now.

Thanks, David!

This week at Disneyland

Thursday, September 30


  • 2004 Haunted Mansion Holiday Event. Tickets are still available through
    the Disneyland Web site (link).
  • Free Mini Album offer ends. For more details, visit the Annual Passholder
    Web page at Disneyland.com (link).
  • The last day for Annual Passholders to purchase discounted park hopper
    tickets for family and friends. The tickets must be used by October
    13. For more details, visit the Annual Passholder Web page at Disneyland.com
    (link).

Friday, October 1


  • Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction reopens to the public.
  • “Doom Buddies” Nightmare Before Christmas pin promotion
    starts Read more information at the Disneyland Web site. (Link)
  • Christopher Radko Ornament Release & Signing. Complete details
    at the Disney Gallery Web site (link).

Saturday, October 2


  • Gay Days at Disneyland – Details at the organizer’s Web site
    (link).

Sunday, October 3


  • Gay Days at DCA – Details at the organizer’s Web site (link).
  • Retro Slide Show Tour of Disneyland – at the Downtown Disney
    AMC Theaters. Performance artist Charles Phoenix presents his slide
    show retrospective of Disneyland. $20 admission is $20. Tickets available
    online (link) or at (866) 468-3399.
  • CHOC Walk – this fun-walk through Disneyland park is a fundraiser
    for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (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.

  • Haunted Mansion closed through September 30 to install Haunted
    Mansion Holiday overlay.
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds closed through November 23.
  • Sleeping Beauty Castle closed through November 23.
  • 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

  • Jungle Cruise closes October 11–15.
  • “it’s a small world” closes October 18 – November
    4.
  • Haunted Mansion closes January 10–25, 2005 to remove
    Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.

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

  • 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.
Note: Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. All information is
subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, call
Disneyland at (714) 781-7290.
oss-country run at Disneyland on Tuesday, October 5. The event kicked off August 30 at Walt Disney World, and has been making stops at aquatic centers in 10 cities from New York to San Francisco on its way to the closing event at Disneyland.

The scheduled event at the Happiest Place on Earth had several people asking where the athletes would swim. None of the three Disneyland Resort hotels have Olympic-length pools, and let’s just say that the Rivers of America are not friendly to swimmers.

Last week, Disney announced its plans for hosting the event—the park is building a swimming pool on Main Street, USA. Disney says the pool will be 21feet wide, 4 feet deep, and feature three swimming lanes and “span almost the entire length of Main Street.”

Local youths will also participate in the two-hour event, which is said to include stroke demonstrations, rematches of the Olympic races, and a relay and match race with the youth swimmers. The event is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. at Disneyland.

For more information on the Swim with the Stars tour, visit the official tour Web site (link), or the Disneyland event Web page (link).

Don’t shop early

Last week we reported on operating hour reductions at the Disney Gallery. Now there are even more cuts to report. Some Main Street stores—including the Magic Shop and 20th Century Music—opened at noon last week, instead of opening with the park. It has been reported that New Century Timepieces and Disneyana are also operating on this newly reduced schedule. Cast members at the locations complain that they were given almost no notice of the schedule changes, some being notified only the day before that they should report to work later the next day, and for the rest of their scheduled shifts.

This is Halloween

The publicity branch of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts sent out a press release last week, touting the myriad of Halloween offerings at the Disney Resorts worldwide. Among the highlights:

  • Disneyland Paris debuts a new Halloween-themed parade featuring the Disney Villains, and a park-wide theme called “The Mystery of the Pumpkin Men.”
  • Tokyo Disneyland introduced the “Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare” attraction to the country where The Nightmare Before Christmas is much more than a cult hit. According to the press release, Tokyo Disneyland’s two-month Halloween promotion also includes, “a special Halloween parade, decorations, ‘trick or treating,’ a stamp rally, special merchandise and much more. The Disney Stores in Japan will support the park’s Halloween efforts with spooky decor and merchandise to help spread the Halloween fun.” The release goes on to describe how Japanese guests wear such elaborate costumes to the park that they are asked to wear stickers explaining that they aren’t real characters.
  • Walt Disney World continues to offer “Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party,” based on the “Mickey’s Halloween Treat” event developed at—and subsequently abandoned by—Disneyland.
  • The Disney Cruise Line is adding a costume parade, special Halloween activities and a “decorated atrium that may make Guests wonder whether they are actually on a ghost ship.”

And Disneyland, you ask? If the past several years are any indication, the park is probably going to celebrate Halloween by dressing up as Christmas, hanging holiday wreaths and garlands all around Main Street. The press release touts the four-year-old Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction and the new Tower of Terror ride as the centerpiece of the Disneyland Resort offering, and talks about the themed food offerings of the French Market, and the Nightmare souvenirs at Le Bat en Rouge.

Disneyland had a Halloween surprise for customers who called to purchase tickets for the Myths, Mysteries and Legends tour when they went on sale last Friday—several Sunday night tours were added to the original tour schedule, including a Halloween night tour. As of this writing, tickets were still available for many of the midweek tours, but all of the Sunday evening tours had sold out. This edition of the tour will end right before Thanksgiving, but look for a new incarnation of the tour to be offered next spring, after the holidays are over. You can read the full text of the press release on our MousePad discussion boards (link).

Get ready to walk

MousePlanet columnist David Koenig included this letter in last week’s Reader Mailbag column, and we thought it was worth repeating here. Though MousePlanet will not have an organized presence at this year’s walk, we encourage those readers who can participate to come out and support this great cause. If you plan to participate, please stop by our MousePad discussion boards and let us know so we can cheer you on (link).

And, finally, on to something important: the 13th annual CHOC/Disneyland Resort Walk in the Park October 3. In an effort to raise money for Children’s Hospital of Orange County, walkers will “have the opportunity to stroll through Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure before they officially open for the day, and will be greeted by special Disney friends along the way.” Let me allow former Disneyland cast member Laura (Dubuc) Folos to explain just how meaningful this organization is and why they deserve your support:

/></p> <blockquote> <p>Hi, David!</p> <p>Hope things are well in Mouse Tales land!</p> <p>I was wondering if you were going to do anything for the CHOC walk? I’m not sure the rest of MousePlanet is really going to cover it, being as MouseAdventure is only a few days after the walk.</p> <p>I guess I’m so adamant about this because my little 5-month-old is alive today because of CHOC. When he was born, he had a condition called Imperferated anus. The non-medical term is that he was born without his rectum connected to his anus. He was not able to poop or eliminate waste into his intestines, because they were filled with meconium. He was born on April 19, and he was rushed to CHOC on the 20th, had surgery on the 21st. He would have died if he didn’t have this surgery.</p> <p>He spent five days in the NICU, on antibiotics, having tests run and learning how to eat. When he was discharged, he came home, and a day and a half later, the docs from the NICU called to check on us. Our first post op visit to Dr. Kabeer (Isaac’s surgeon), we ran into the geneticist who saw Isaac, Dr. Zadeh. She saw him, was thrilled with how he looked and told us the test results right then and there. She said, “It’s all good news. I told you, if you didn’t hear from me, it was all good!”</p> <p>Isaac is now a normal, little guy. He’s still got one more surgery ahead of him, but that’s easy. In and out and over!</p> <p>I know I’ve blabbered on and on, but it’s an important Disney event that gets so little coverage and I knew it was there, but I never knew what kind of place that they were raising money for. Now I do. I just feel that this should be covered by someone.</p> <p>I’ve attached two pictures of Isaac so you can see what he looked like in the NICU and what he looks like now.</p> <p>Thanks, David!</p> </blockquote> <p class= /></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h4>This week at Disneyland</h4> <p><b>Thursday, September 30</b></p> <ul> <li>2004 Haunted Mansion Holiday Event. Tickets are still available through the Disneyland Web site (<a target=link).

  • Free Mini Album offer ends. For more details, visit the Annual Passholder Web page at Disneyland.com (link).
  • The last day for Annual Passholders to purchase discounted park hopper tickets for family and friends. The tickets must be used by October 13. For more details, visit the Annual Passholder Web page at Disneyland.com (link).

    • Friday, October 1

    • Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction reopens to the public.
    • “Doom Buddies” Nightmare Before Christmas pin promotion starts Read more information at the Disneyland Web site. (Link)
    • Christopher Radko Ornament Release & Signing. Complete details at the Disney Gallery Web site (link).

    Saturday, October 2

    • Gay Days at Disneyland – Details at the organizer’s Web site (link).

    Sunday, October 3

    • Gay Days at DCA – Details at the organizer’s Web site (link).
    • Retro Slide Show Tour of Disneyland – at the Downtown Disney AMC Theaters. Performance artist Charles Phoenix presents his slide show retrospective of Disneyland. $20 admission is $20. Tickets available online (link) or at (866) 468-3399.
    • CHOC Walk – this fun-walk through Disneyland park is a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (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.
    • Haunted Mansion closed through September 30 to install Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
    • Matterhorn Bobsleds closed through November 23.
    • Sleeping Beauty Castle closed through November 23.
    • 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

    • Jungle Cruise closes October 11–15.
    • “it’s a small world” closes October 18 – November 4.
    • Haunted Mansion closes January 10–25, 2005 to remove Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.

    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

    • 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.
    Note: Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, call Disneyland at (714) 781-7290.

    Author

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