Getting Ready for Mickey and the Magical Map

The final preparations for Mickey and the Magical Map stage show are underway. This show is set to open on May 25th, 2013 inside the Fantasyland Theatre.

From the Disney Parks Blog:

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There’s still a lot of work to be done to get ready for “Mickey and the Magical Map” to open May 25, but we wanted to give you a sneak peek at the newly refurbished stage inside the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland park. The theatre will be the setting for this all-new show, featuring a cast of live performers along with some of your favorite Disney friends – all interacting with the huge magical map which takes center stage throughout the performance. This first photo shows the opening title for the show, which is revealed during the first sequence.

 

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This amazing, living map is created with an enormous, multi-tiered LED screen, which helps tell the story and allows for the inclusion of fantastic animation and visual effects, taking Mickey Mouse into the lands of his imagination. This wondrous map spans the entire length of the stage, covering 35,000+ square inches with nearly 1 million pixels. The second sneak-peek photo we have for you features the wise sorcerer Yen Sid, whose magical map is the centerpiece of the show.

Disney also provided some videos to our friends at Inside the Magic. Take a look at the video screens that are on stage and some rehearsal footage of the Jungle Book sequence.

 

 

 

Based on these images and footage I’m really starting to look forward to seeing this show. What do you think? Comment below and let us know!

Limited Time Magic Continues with New Orleans Bayou Bash

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From the Disney Parks Blog

It’s almost time to let the good times roll at Disneyland park with the return of New Orleans Bayou Bash! – this year, part of “Limited Time Magic” here at the Disneyland Resort. New Orleans Square will be decked out for a party, and so will some of your favorite Disney friends! New Orleans Bayou Bash! will come alive in New Orleans Square from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on the following dates:

  • January 18-21
  • January 25-27
  • February 1-3
  • February 8-12

Here’s a look at what is in store:

  • Princess Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebration – Princess Tiana, Louis and Prince Naveen make their way through New Orleans Square to the Rivers of America, where a musical celebration takes place featuring tunes from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog.”
  • Jambalaya Jazz Band – The popular band will perform their jazzy tunes along the streets of New Orleans Square.
  • Royal Street Bachelors – This Disneyland favorite will be found at the French Market Stage, and will be joined throughout the day by Princess Tiana.
  • New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band – Throughout the day, a rousing Mardi Gras procession will burst onto the streets of New Orleans Square. In traditional “second line” style, an umbrella dancer leads the mash-up of colorful performers and musicians.
  • Character Greetings at Court of Angels – Princess Tiana will be greeting Disneyland park guests along with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy in their Mardi Gras finest.

The Disney Parks Blog also posted about some of the food offerings for the New Orleans Bayou Bash

Let the good times roll! On select dates from January 18-February 12, the tastes of New Orleans are kicked up for the high-energy New Orleans Bayou Bash! at Disneyland park. Celebrate with Princess Tiana, jazz music and street performers – but feast on delicious “Limited Time Magic” offering seven days a week.

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We’ll make a day of noshing on all the “Limited Time Magic” little bites, like the shrimp cocktail with jicama-mango slaw or the Louisiana-style lobster roll on buttered brioche at Harbour Galley, or the shrimp corn fritters and gooey cupcakes (red velvet or chocolate) at the French Market Restaurant. Maybe hot apple fritters at the Royal Street Veranda or Bananas Foster beignets with caramel dipping sauce at the Mint Julep Bar. We might sip our calories at the Mint Julep Bar with a Cajun and firefly-inspired Mint Julep or lemonade.

Churros, anyone? We have ’em, rolled in cinnamon sugar with a side of chocolate dipping sauce for a little extra.

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But if you want to dig in and enjoy a hearty meal, make a reservation at Blue Bayou and order the wonderful specials available just for “Limited Time Magic.” Start with the Bayou Bouillabaisse with lobster, shrimp, red snapper, mussels and littleneck clams in a saffron-seafood broth, and end with apple fritters a la mode with vanilla bean ice cream. Or make your reservation at Café Orleans for “Fat City” Bass featuring pan-seared bass, cauliflower-potato cake, mango-pineapple relish and a dash of Scotch Bonnet pepper sauce.

For reservations, call 714-781-DINE or email dining reservation requests to dine@disneyland.com.

Disneyland Resort Photo Update – 11/30

Here is a Photo Update form Jae Brattain.  These are photos of the Disneyland Resort Christmas taken 11-30-12. They include shots of the indoors from some of the hotels and other areas around the park.

Disneyland will have Twenty Candlelight Processional Performances this Holiday Season

GREAT NEWS!  I’ve always wanted to see the Candlelight Processional and now the odds of seeing it has gone way up.  That is if I can afford it!  My Annual Pass expires by then. <cry>  Anyways for the first time ever Disneyland is extending the the number of performances of this amazing show to 20 nights.  Not many details at this point but this (for me) is very exciting news.

Here is the full story via the Disney Parks Blog..

Glow with the Show is coming to Fantasmic!

Looks like Fantasmic! is getting the Glow with the Show treatment.  Currently you can, “Glow” with Word of Color and Mad T Party so it’s only natural that Fantasmic gets it.  Is wishes next?

Glow in the Show ears cost $25, and that would explain why very few members of the World of Color audience actually wears them. When that is the case the effect doesn’t do much.  I’ve only seen full crowds wearing them at special passholder events. You know, when the ears are free.  But with the technology expanding, hopefully these will sell more.  I’m looking forward to seeing Fantasmic with Glow with the Show in full effect!

Here is the full Disney Parks Blog story

New concept art for Fantasy Faire at Disneyland

While I still mourn the loss of the Carnation Plazza Gardens there is still a part of me that is sort of looking forward to the replacement, Fantasy Faire. And everytime Disney releases new concept art, I get a little bit more into it.

Fantasy Faire opens in spring 2013.  You can currently spot princesses on the path to It’s a Small World.

See for yourself and let me know in the comments if you are excited for the Fantasy Faire.

The Red Car Trolleys of Buena Vista Street

So I have a special place in my heart for Torlleys. Maybe because as a little kid I used to love to watch Mr. Rodgers. The best part for me was was seeing the Trolley take them to whatver it was. Don’t quite remember. Anyways I LOVE the Red Car Trolleys at Buena Vista Street. Here is a video Disney put out all about them.

Halloween Time and Mickey’s Halloween Party Dates at Disneyland Resort

It’s time to start planning Halloween Time at Disneyland – Sept 14 – Oct 31st!

Mickey’s Halloween Party will be on the following dates:

  • Friday, September 28 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
  • Tuesday, October 2 – 6 to 11 p.m.
  • Friday, October 5 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
  • Tuesday, October 9 – 6 to 11 p.m.
  • Friday, October 12 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
  • Monday, October 15 – 6 to 11 p.m.
  • Friday, October 19 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
  • Tuesday, October 23 – 6 to 11 p.m.
  • Friday, October 26 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
  • Monday, October 29 – 6 to 11 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 31 – 6 to 11 p.m.

This year Mickey’s Halloween Party includes:

  • Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular, exclusively for Mickey’s Halloween Party guests
  • Admission to the Disneyland park up to 3 hours prior to the event’s start time
  • Meet-and-greets with your Disney and Pixar pals and Disney Villains
  • Special treat stations offering both yummy candy and healthy goodies
  • Mickey’s Costume Party Cavalcade
  • Special dance parties
  • Access to nearly all attractions, including all the Halloween-themed attractions such as Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday

Tickets go on sale for Passholders on July 9th and everybody else on July 16.

Click here to get your tickets!

More info here on the Disney Parks Blog

NEW VIDEO: Snow on the Mountain

Walt Disney Imagineering put together a video that is all about the new paint job for the Matterhorn. They really did a great job on this, and I’m looking forward to riding again on June 15th.

Thanks to DisneylandLive.com for the amazing photo

Check out the video!

1901 in Carthay Circle Theater More Details

Here are some more details about 1901 – Carthay Circle Theatre’s version of Clube 33

From the Disney Parks Blog

Carthay Circle Theatre, the iconic focal point of the new Buena Vista Street area coming to Disney California Adventure park on June 15, continues to take shape – and today we’re excited to bring you a look inside the exclusive, private 1901, which will be located inside.

1901 will be a special lounge accessible exclusively by Club 33 members. Named for the year Walt Disney was born – 1901 – the club will be a warm, intimate space with eclectic light fixtures, overstuffed leather chairs, and beautiful, rich touches.

“Imagine it’s the 1930s, and this is where the animators would’ve hung out, swapped stories, doodled on napkins,” as 1901 is described by Imagineer Ray Spencer. “This is the place Walt and the animators might’ve chatted, relaxed, unwound . . . a cozy den.”

The lounge will be decorated with personal artwork and photographs of the animators from the early years of the Walt Disney Studios, including some with Walt Disney’s own signature. “The guest is sort of an insider in this backstage world,” says Ray.

As we announced earlier today, a limited number of new members will be offered Club 33 membership in honor of the 45th anniversary of the Club (June 15) and the completion of the five-year expansion of the Disneyland Resort. Those interested in Club 33 membership may request more information by sending an email to club33interest@disneyland.com.