Disney announces ‘One More Disney Day’

While we were braving the heavy crowds at Disneyland on New Years Eve, Disney announced the “One More Disney Day” promotion, a 24-hour Leap Year party at Disneylad and Walt Disney World. on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Also announced is a contest you enter daily to win a trip to the Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort.

Here is the Disney Parks Blog Post.

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Magic Kingdom

Happy New Year from Disney Parks!

As you may have just heard on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, we’re kicking off 2012 with a special announcement – an extra day of magic for you called “One More Disney Day.” For the first time ever, both Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland park will stay open for 24 hours straight. That’s right, from 6 a.m., February 29 to 6 a.m., March 1, 2012, local time, you can fill the extra day of leap year with a marathon of Disney Parks fun.

Disneyland

We’re also launching our new OneMoreDisneyDay.com site this morning with a few surprises. Beginning today through Feb. 29, one guest per day can win a memory-making Disney Parks vacation. You can find details about the sweepstakes opportunity as well as information about a special package offer for guests of Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts on the site.

A Video

And here is the Official Press Release.

Episode 26 – After the Jump

Following our interview on WDW Tiki Room, Daniel and Paul keep the Disneyland Vs. Walt Disney World debate going!  Plus Main Street Newsstand and Tip of the Week that is sweet!

News
Disneyland
Christmas is HERE. Christmas has officially started. So now is the time to see It’s a small world Holiday, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, and the return of Believe In Holiday Magic Fireworks spectacular.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining
http://travel.usatoday.com/alliance/destinations/mouseplanet/post/2011/11/Disneyland-Resort-Update/564947/1

Toon Town Christmas Trees look like crap! WTF? (Disney actually released a PRESS RELEASE about these trees!!)
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/mickey-mouse-gets-a-toon-themed-tree-for-the-holidays-as-disneyland-resort-celebrates-the-season-beginning-nov-14-2011-11-07

really?

Really?

REALLY?

Pics from MiceChat.

The Magic, Memories, and You now features a Holiday Version. So Check that out.

The Harbor Blvd. Archway is GONE

“All Aboard… A Grand Circle Tour of the Trains of Disney.” Is now open at the Disney Gallery

DCA
The new Carthay Circle Redline “Stop” and info center was unveiled this week. This is also known as the PUMP HOUSE! I found out what this is. It’s just a small little building to hide the pump to the fountain that will be in the center of Buena Vista Street. There is a little info booth there as well.

James Cameron was snooping around DLR.
http://www.diszine.com/content/james-cameron-visits-the-disneyland-resort-for-avatar-land-inspiration

Phineas and Ferb Dance party show gets a little christmas makeover.

Feature – A fun article to talk about
5 Things Disneyland has over Disneyworld
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2011/11/five_things_disneyland_has_ove.php

Tip of the Week
Candy cane time again

If your holiday tradition includes a trip to Disneyland for one of its famous fresh-made candy canes, here are the dates and details you’ll need to start making plans for 2011. The first batch of fresh candy canes will be made at the Candy Palace on Main Street, U.S.A. on November 30. The candy cane schedule usually begins the day after Thanksgiving, but with an early holiday this year the park seems to be waiting a week, but adding an extra day in December. The full schedule is:
Wednesday, November 30
Friday, December 2
Tuesday, December 6
Friday, December 9
Monday, December 12
Friday, December 16
Wednesday, December 21

Last year the candy canes cost $9.95 each, and were limited to two per person. We expect pricing and limits to be similar this year. Disneyland usually makes two—sometimes three—batches a day, but the number of candy canes in each batch can vary based in temperature and humidity. The typical batch yields fewer than 90 canes. If Disneyland follows the normal operating pattern, tickets will be distributed at the Candy Palace at park opening each day, with the first batch of candy canes usually available to purchase about one hour after the official park opening time. The second and third batches are usually ready 90-minutes to two hours apart.

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Paul @disgeekpaul

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Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom officially announced

Over the past few months there have been rumors online about a new interactive game for The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.  Today the Disney Parks Blog made it official:

Today, we’re thrilled to share plans for a new role-playing adventure coming to Walt Disney World called Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. This is going to be fun – and it’s all happening inside the park. Merlin the magician will recruit guests to become apprentice sorcerers and then help them with maps and clues that show where and how to defeat an army of Disney villains.

Looks interesting, right? Work on this new adventure is already underway. You may notice a few giant crates and even some new spaces showing up throughout Adventureland. They’ll provide early clues to the challenge you’ll face while trying to save the Magic Kingdom. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to debut in early 2012. And we’ll be sharing more details in the future so keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for updates.

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is Back at The Magic Kingdom

Iago and Zazu… those pesky birds.  They angered the Tiki Gods with all of the celebrating.  Back in January the Gods set, “Under New Management” ablaze and nobody cried.  But this last weekend saw the return of the original classic back to entertain guests for many years to come. Except for one thing, it’s not exactly the same.

As Disney put it, it’s more of a tribute show as certain elements from the original has been left out.  The Enchanted fountain for instance.  But still, a Tiki Room running at 90% is better than no Tiki room OR Under New Management.

Here is a little behind the scenes video the Disney Parks Blog put together:

Good stuff!  Let’s try not to anger the Gods again.

Episode 18 – Enough Naboo!!

We’ve got an official DisGeek Trip Report.  Goofy s Sky School, Paradise Pier, 4th of July fireworks, and more.  Plus Tip of the week and a visit to the Main Street Newsstand. Click More for full show notes.

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Episode 13 – Hurry Baaaack..

In this episode it's Us vs. Them Haunted Mansion style! We also visit the Main Street News Stand and as always our Tip of the Week.  Click MORE for full show notes.
 

Episode 9 – Muggle Me Up

In this episode, our heroes’s talk Twilight Zone Tower of Terror! Daniel and Paul also visit the Main Street News Stand and go over the latest news, and as always, our tip of the week. Click MORE for full show notes.
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Episode 6 – Bite Belle in the Face

In this episode, our heroes visit the Disneyland Resort and check out the first Family Fun Weekends event, Fiesta Disneyland.  Daniel and Paul also visit the Main Street News Stand and go over the latest news, and as always, our tip of the week. Click MORE for Show Notes.

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WDW New Fantasyland – New Details

From the Disney Parks Blog:

As many of you know, we’re in the midst of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history, which will nearly double the size of Fantasyland. And we’re thrilled about the expansion because it’ll allow us to tell our treasured stories in new ways and give you the opportunity to interact with some of our beloved characters like never before. Today, we’d like to give you a first glimpse of the progress we’re making in bringing these stories to life and a look at some of the art will be sharing with the media later tonight.

First, work is already well underway on many of the experiences we’ve already told you about, so let’s start with Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid. In this attraction, Ariel and all her friends will entertain you in a ride-through adventure featuring favorite songs from the popular animated feature.
Not too far from Ariel’s new home, construction is underway on Beast’s castle which will stand majestically upon a hill. You will cross over a stone bridge as you arrive at Be Our Guest Restaurant. Set in the halls of the Beast’s Castle, this location will seat up to 550 guests and offer “great food fast” service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Just outside the restaurant, you will also be able to explore Belle’s Village, which includes Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Nearby at Belle’s cottage, a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of experience, where Belle, Lumiere and guests participate in a lively re-telling of the “tale as old as time.” In Enchanted Tales with Belle, the adventure begins at Maurice’s cottage, where you’ll step through an enchanted mirror that magically transports you to Beast’s library for an interactive storytelling session with Belle.

Just across the way is the brand new Storybook Circus, where we’re doubling the fun by adding another carousel to Dumbo the Flying Elephant. While you wait to board this Fantasyland favorite, you’ll have a chance to join the circus and step inside the Big Top for fun-filled interactive experiences for kids of all ages. Alongside Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the existing Barnstormer is getting a new look as well, featuring Goofy as The Great Goofini. This exciting attraction will take you on a twisting, turning, daredevil, roller coaster “flight” high above the circus fun.

As with any project of this scale, we’ve also continued to look for additional ways to surprise and delight our guests and I think you’ll be pleased. One opportunity we’re especially excited about is the chance to tell Snow White’s story in a fresh new way. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take you on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth as they whisk along the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs.
Our other Disney princesses will also be getting a new home (actually, they prefer to call it a castle) in the all new Princess Fairytale Hall. Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel, will greet you in an elegant royal court at the location where Snow White’s Scary Adventures is today. This new experience will be in place of some of the earlier plans we shared regarding opportunities to interact with your favorite princesses.

And Tinker Bell and her fairy friends will be joining the cast at Epcot where they will have special roles bringing the flora and fauna to life during the Flower and Garden Festival.
The New Fantasyland will be constructed in phases with most new experiences open by 2013. We look forward to sharing more with you as our work progresses.

Mousework – Factoids From Disney Employees

When I was younger, I used to work for Crown Books (this was before the rise of Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon.com, when most books stores were quaint and much smaller). I remember that whenever I told someone that I worked in a book store, people usually thought I was a lucky guy, but working in a book store was no different from any type of retail job. Which is to say it was mostly a well disguised slice of Hell.

I see Disney employees all the time. Some of them even recognize me now, and they are always smiling and always happy, so one may think “Wow it must be great to work at Disneyland!” But since I labored under that same species of misconception from my days as a book store clerk, I know it can’t all be smiles. I have put together some interesting little factoids from Disney Employees around the Net that I have gathered:

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