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News and Views
Room for 1,001?
“Cyrus the Cryptkeeper” calls on the spirits at the midnight
“burial” of Cary “Jay” Sharp on Thursday night. Photo
by Scott Brinegar, © Disney.
On Thursday, October 21, Cary “Jay” Sharp won the right to
become the honorary 1,000th ghost at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion in a
charity auction on eBay. One week later, the doctor and health care attorney
was the “ghost of honor” at a tongue-in-cheek wake to celebrate
the installation of his tombstone.
Spooks arrive for a midnight spree. Sharp comes out for his swinging wake
in a horse-drawn buggy. Photo by Scott Brinegar, © Disney.
Cary “Jay” Sharp will be memorialized as a bit too much of a
workaholic. Photo by Scott Brinegar, © Disney.
Last Thursday, at the stroke of midnight, Sharp was delivered to the
gates of the Haunted Mansion in a black horse-drawn carriage, and was
greeted by Phineas, Ezra and Gus, the Mansion’s trio of hitchhiking ghosts.
He also received a one-of-a-kind miniature replica of the tombstone and
a “Death” certificate of authenticity officially recognizing
the addition to the attraction. His gravestone is located in front of
a quintet of ghostly musicians who eternally perform in the attraction’s
graveyard scene.
“Cyrus the Cryptkeeper” assists Sharp in reading his paperwork
as hitchhiking ghosts Phineas, Ezra and Gus (behind Cyrus) look on eagerly.
Photo by Scott Brinegar, © Disney.
Hitchhiking ghosts Phineas, Ezra and Gus (l. to r.) assist “Cyrus
the Cryptkeeper” in unveiling a copy of Sharp’s tombstone. Photo
by Scott Brinegar, © Disney.
Several Disney watchers have expressed concern over the sale of in-park
tributes, formerly reserved for honoring those who have made substantial
contributions to the development of the park.
Cyrus holds Sharp’s Death Certificate of Authenticity as Sharp holds a
replica of his very own tombstone. Photo by Scott Brinegar, © Disney.
Marching Orders
David Koenig reports:
Concerns have surfaced over the upcoming 50th Anniversary parade at
Disneyland. The elaborate show will include a half-dozen Light Magic-sized
floats that will periodically stop along the parade route for the actors
to perform. Noted one observer: “Some cast members in parades and guest
control are worried over the huge size of the floats, the length of the
parade, and safety issues. Guest Control crews are drawing up plans for
the parade and the fireworks, and they feel it is going to be trouble.
One lead said she had nightmares just thinking about it.” Others wondered
if the gigantic floats would be difficult to navigate or too heavy for
the pavement, said the “show stops” conjured up memories of poorly received
Light Magic, and feared impatient guests would not wait for the crossovers.
At the same time next year, Disney’s California Adventure will feature
a “Pixar parade.” The procession will include floats and characters from
the Toy Story films, Bug’s Life, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, and The
Incredibles. The parade will coordinate with the unveiling of the new
Buzz Lightyear attraction in Tomorrowland and — some speculate —
possible announcements of a planned Finding Nemo sub ride at Disneyland
and a Monsters Inc. dark ride at DCA.
Character dining shakeup
Changes are occurring this week at some of the resort’s character dining
spots. Winnie the Pooh and friends are being replaced at the Plaza Inn.
Starting tomorrow, the character breakfasts will star Cinderella and her
Fairy Godmother, Jasmine and Aladdin, and Belle and the Beast, Mulan and
Mary Poppins. The new characters will be bringing a new price, as well.
Breakfast will now run you $21.95.
Another change across the way in DCA, as November 24 will see Captain
Mickey and his seaside friends take over Ariel’s Grotto. Conflicting reports
have Ariel either staying on with Mickey or taking a swim.
These changes come on the heels of the announcement that Lilo and Stitch
are taking over from Minnie at the PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel.
No Candlelight dining packages this year
This year, the Candlelight Processional (on December 4 and 5, featuring
Marie Osmond) will again be held in front of the Main Street train station
in Town Square. When Candlelight is done on Main Street, viewing capacity
is increased but seating capacity is extremely limited. This year, the
seats will be occupied by Club 33 members who are dining in Club 33 that
evening.
Voila!
The tarps blocking the lower portion of Sleeping Beauty Castle were removed
last week, and the whole castle is now visible down Main Street. It will
remain this way until after the holiday season, when it will once again
get wrapped up to get its final overlay for the big 50th Anniversary celebration
kickoff next May.
All tarps have been removed from Sleeping Beauty Castle, and a construction
wall preventing visitors from walking through the castle is the only piece
remaining. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The rear entrance to the castle is in the same condition. Photo by Jeff
Moxley.
If you move off to the side, such as near the Carnation Plaza Gardens,
you can get an unobstructed view of the castle. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
What Time Is It? Holiday Time
Holiday Time Tour
Even though we just had Halloween, it is never to soon to go from spooky
to season’s greetings. MousePlanet contacted the Disneyland tour line
and got the scoop on this year’s Holiday Time tour. The tour, which runs
from Nov. 19 through early January, will include:
- Stories about Disneyland holiday traditions and traditions around
the world - VIP seating at the Christmas Fantasy Parade
- A sweet treat and a hot chocolate
- A visit to Haunted Mansion Holiday and Its a Small World Holiday
- A tour-tag ornament
- A special tour-only trading pin (this is new this year)
You can make a reservation up to 30 days in advance. The cost of the
tour is $49, but there is a special price for Annual Passholders of $39
for certain tour times — check when you call.
New Orleans Square is decorated for the season. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The tour times vary. From now through Nov. 28, the tour is held at 1
p.m. and 5 p.m.; Nov. 28-Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m.; Dec. 3 at 1 and 5; Dec 4-7
at 9 a.m. and noon. After that it goes back to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., but
that might change.
There will be three tours leaving at each time. Each tour guide can take
15 guests (so a total of 45 people can sign up for any given time slot).
To make a reservation call (714) 781-4400 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. PST. You
can pick up your tickets at the windows to the left of the Disneyland
Park main entrance. The tour is fun for all ages regardless of religion.
To read about last year’s tour, go here (link).
Other holiday happenings
“Believe … In Holiday Magic” returns to Disneyland on
Friday as the resort kicks off its holiday season, which runs through
January 2. The special holiday version of the Disneyland fireworks choreographed
to a medley of Christmas tunes concludes with a snowfall along Main Street,
Small World Mall and New Orleans Square. “it’s a small world holiday”
returns the same day.
Giant jingle bells hang in New Orleans Square. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The “A Christmas Fantasy” parade will run from November 19
through January 2. The “Christmas Candlelight Procession” takes
place on December 4 and 5 in Town Square. All of Disneyland Park will
be decorated for the season, and will feature a 60-foot Christmas tree
in Town Square.
Over in Disney’s California Adventure, the park will also be decorated
for the season, featuring a 30-foot Christmas tree in Hollywood Pictures
Backlot. “Santa’s Beach Blast” will take place in Sunshine Plaza,
featuring Disney characters, surfer Santa Claus, interactive games for
kids and a limbo contest with Lilo and Stitch.
Missing Mezuzah
On a separate note, the mezuzah that Disneyland put up on the west side
of Main Street next to the door of Dr. Benjamin Silverstein was apparently
taken. According to Disneyland Press and Publicity , the mezuzah, which
is a case containing a parchment inscribed with the words of the Torah,
was removed from the park sometime over the last few weeks. It was not
there during MouseAdventure weekend, Oct. 9-10. Quality control is aware
of what happened and they are working on replacing the mezuzah, which
Disneyland Press and Publicity says will happen prior to Chanukah (Dec.
7). Dr. Silverstein is a work of Disney fiction and was given a door while
Paul Pressler was president of Disneyland so there would be a place to
put up Chanukah decorations.
The rear courtyard at New Orleans Square is also dressed up for the season.
Photo by Jeff Moxley.
Ears to the ground
…Disneyland has released the third in its series of attraction-based
“Big Fig” (big figure) sculptures. Put on sale just before Halloween,
the Haunted Mansion figure sells for $195. The first two figures in the
series, the Enchanted Tiki Room and Splash Mountain, both sold for $150.
It is available in the Disneyana shop in Disneyland, Off the Page at Disney’s
California Adventure, and World of Disney in Downtown Disney. Availability
is limited at this point.
This “Big Fig” sculpture of the Haunted Mansion features flashing
lights in the upper windows and gravestones that turn sounds on and off.
Photo by Jeff Moxley.
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.
- “it’s a small world” closed through November 4.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds closed through November 23.
- Sleeping Beauty Castle exterior 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
- Haunted Mansion closes January 10–25, 2005 to remove
Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
Disney’s California Adventure
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 reduced capacity January 21 – March
5, 2005.
