Disneyland clearning the way for 'Star Wars'....

 To make way for construction of a 14-acre "Star Wars" themed land, Disneyland resort officials announced Thursday several popular attractions will close for a year at Disneyland, including the railroad, Fantasmic! and most everything around Rivers of America.


 And Big Thunder Ranch, which houses a barbecue restaurant, petting zoo and the Jamboree stage, will close permanently January 10, 2016.


On the same day, all four train stations along the Disneyland Railroad, the nightly Fantasmic! show, the Mark Twain Riverboat, the Sailing Ship Columbia, the Davey Crockett Explorer Canoes and the Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island will close temporarily.


The river will be partially drained and diverted to the Orange County Water district's Groundwater Replenishment system, where it will be treated and stored. When the time comes to refill the rivers, Disney will replenish from the same system.


 Work will take about a year and no dates have been given on the re-opening of affected attractions.


Disneyland's expansion is part of a $1 billion investment agreement made with the city of Anaheim in July in exchange for a continued ban on a gate tax. Disneyland will also build a 5,000 spot parking structure nearby.


As part of the deal, construction must begin no later than 2017, and additions be completed by December 2024.


Disneyland officials have said the "Star wars" land at Disneyland will be built in the northern part of Frontierland and will encompass Big thunder Ranch, some backstage areas and the Circle D ranch, where horses used at the resort are stabled. The ranch and horses will be moved to a nearby off property site.


The "Star Wars" area will be the largest single-themed land expansion at Disneyland and will be the most "immersive." It will feature two signature attractions: One will put Guests at the controls of the Millennium Falcon spaceship, and the other will drop Guests into a battle between the First Order and the Resistance.


Guests will also be able to dine at a cantina similar to the Mos Eisley Cantina from the films.


Disneyland announced a new seasonal event, Seasons of the Force, which opens November 16th and features a "Star Wars" overlay of Tomorrowland.




can't wait....Dr Lee

1985 Disneyland thru 1994;

Now that the Disneyland Resort has successfully launched the Diamond Celebration and marked the 60th anniversary of Disneyland with a party to remember, it's time to continue our look back at the six decades that have made the Disneyland Resort what it is today.

So put on your leg warmers, pop your collar and tease your big hair as we take a look back at 1985-94!!!!!


1985..;.
Disneyland begins operating 365 days a year. Prior to this, the park was closed Mondays and Tuesdays during off-seasons.

Disneyland 30th anniversary celebration  includes the Gift-Giver Extraordinaire Machine, a gigantic contraption that awards a prize for each 30th Guest and a new car to every 30,000 Guest.

June...
Videopolis , a high-tech dance club, opens with a 5,000-square-foot dance floor, 70 TV monitors, a hi-fi sound system and waving flashing lights.

December...


To celebrate Walt Disney's birthday and the Disneyland 30th anniversary, the city of Anaheim releases 1 million colorful balloons in Skyfest .


1986...

January...
Circus Fantasy  debutes with daredevils, animal acts, clowns, stage shows and "The Circus on Parade."

February...
The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown, the second seasonal show produced for the Country Bear Theater, opens in Bear Country with new songs and dialogue built around hilarious vacation experiences.

June...
 Big Thunder Ranch  opens, recreating and 18802 working ranch, complete with draft horses and a barnyard petting zoo. Big Thunder Barbecue (later named Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue) starts serving Guests in December.

September...
Captain EO  debuts in the Magic Eye Theater, taking Guests on a 3-D intergalactic musical adventure starring Michael Jackson and featuring new in-theater special effects.


1987...

January...
A coloration with "Star Wars" creator George Lucas, Star Tours launches Guests into a galaxy far, far away on a flight-simulator journey to the Moon of Endor and beyond aborad a StarSpeeder 3000.

May...
Disney Dollars are introduced as currency within Disney parks, featuring Mickey Mouse on the $1 dollar bill and Goofy on the $5 bill.

July...
The Disney Gallery  opens above Pirates of the Caribbean, displaying original sketches and models used in the creation, development and expansion of Disneyland.

September...
 An all-new event, State Fair, features the best of the 50 state fairs with a balloon tour, parade, pig races, midway games , food booths and daredevil feats.


1988...

January...
Disney purchases the Wrather Co., owner of the Disneyland Hotel, providing a unique coordination of Guest activities and hospitality between the park and the hotel.

June...
 The six-month-long celebration of Mickey Mouse's 60th Birthday  kicks off with a visit to Disneyland by Ear Force one, a 100-foot hot air balloon. Summer welcomes "Mickey's 60th Birthday Parade" and "Mickey's 60th Birthday Bash Cavalcade" hub show.

August...
Disneyland hosts the 1988 U>S> Olympic Team as the athletes assemble in California for their trip to Seoul, Korea. The Olympians march down Main Street, U.S.A., and Disneyland donates $# from every admission ticket that day, raising nearly $900,000 for the Olympic Committee.

November..
.Bear Country's name changes to Citter Country in preparation for the opening of Splash Mountain and the arrival of its friendly new critters.


1989...

February...
 "Star Trek" star Leonard Nimoy hosts the Challenger Spirit Salute in Town Square, honoring the ChallengerCenter established by the families of the seven astronauts who lost their lives on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986.

Summer... "Hooray for Disney Stars Parade" debuts, starring Roger Rabbit, the Gummi Bears, and other recent additions to the Disney cartoon family.

July...
Splash Mountain opens, inviting Guests to find their laughing place with Brer Rabbit and his friends  as they plunge down a series of waterfalls and slides before rocketing down a 52-foot flume.


1990...

The 35th anniversary of  Disneyland  is celebrated with special parades and TV specials, including the "Party Gras Parade," featuring Latin music and 37-foot-high inflated balloons in the shape of giant Disney characters. Mickey's Mouserail , a converted Mark III Monorail train, travels across North America, visiting 25 cities.

August...
The Inaugural Disneyland Pigskin Classic premieres at Anaheim Stadium as the year's first pre-season football game, pitting the Colorado Buffaloes against the University of Tennessee Volunteers.


1991...

The Disneyland Hotel completes a multimillion-dollar interior renewal project, bringing a stronger Disney theme and identity to the hotel property with renovated Guest rooms, lobbies and key meeting spaces. Goofy's Kitchen  begins serving Guests the following year.

 March...
Disney Afternoon Avenue debuts in the promenade of "it's a small world," giving children a chance to meet their favorite cartoon stars from Disney animated TV shows.

April-May...
Thousands of military veterans of the Persian Gulf War and their families are hosted as part of the Disneyland Honors Our Men & Women of Desert Storm Cavalcade and the Great American Celebration.


1992...


May...
 "Fantasmic!" opens on the south end of tom Sawyer Island to rave reviews. The new nighttime spectacular features projections on mist screens, appearances from favorite Disney characters, and mickey mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, pitted against witches, villains and a massive fire-breathing dragon.

April...
A live version of the animated film, "Beauty and the Beast stage Show" dances across the Videopolis Stage with elaborate costumes and all the beloved songs from the film. (It will later inspire the creation of a theatrical version for Broadway).


1993...


January...
Mickey's Toontown opens it's gates as the official home of Mickey Mouse and his pals. A land of bright colors and wacky fun, Guests are welcomed into a three-dimensional, interactive cartoon world. Attractions include:


Mickey's House and meet Mickey, where guests can explore Mickey's house before meeting Mickey Mouse himself in his soundstage barn.


Minnie's House, where guests can meet Minnie Mouse and enjoy a stroll through her house.


Donald's Boat, the "Miss Daisy," serves as a playground for young children and Donald Duck's home.


Goofy's Bounce House, where rubber walls and stretch flooring give children a chance to jump and have fun.


Gadget's Go Coaster, a junior rollercoaster for smaller Guests looking for adventure.


Jolly Trolley, an electrified playland  version of a 19th-century streetcar, twisting it way across the main boulevard of Mickey's Toontown.


Chip 'n Dale Tree House, a sub-compact playground with tunnels and slides for kids to enjoy.


November...


As part Mickey's Worldwide Kids Day, celebration honoring Mickey Mouse and his creator, the bronze statue, Partners, is unveiled in the central plaza in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.


March...


 Aladdin's Royal Caravan celebrates the new animated film with a parade fit for a prince. Aladdin's Oasis provides magic and musical entertainment from Aladdin and his friends while Guests enjoy fine dining with a middle Eastern touch.




September...


The Disneyland Hotel hosts the first West Coast Disneyana Convention.




1994...


January...


Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin begins taking Guests through a whirling world of phosphorescent scenes from the film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" as roger tries to rescue Jessica Rabbit from the weasels and cartoon pandemonium ensues.


June...


The Lion King Celebration roars across Disneyland as a new summer parade spectacular, featuring characters from the movie.








so many memories.....Dr Lee