Japan:

All our thoughts and prayers go to the people of Japan, cast members and guests who were at Tokyo Disneyland that day last week during that huge earthquake. It's my understanding that Tokyo Disneyland will remain closed for about 10 days because of all the attractions and support units need to be inspected. Did you know that most of Tokyo Disneyland was built on landfill and that during this 9.0 earthquake pools of water appeared throughtout the resort?

Reading in the Los Angeles Times this past weekend, that the east coast of Japan moved 12 feet towards California(approx. give or take 36 million years from now, Japan and California will be one large land mass) and that this earthquake lasted approx. 3 minutes. It also shorted the length of a day by 1.8 seconds and that this wave of water travel approx. 6 miles inland at the speed of a jet airliner. Worst earthquake ever recorded in the history of Japan.

Next time I blog on this site will be tomorrow and about the new "Star Tours" attraction at Disneyland Resort, Anahiem....


Thanks, Dr Lee, sorry to write about something so sad, But I felt It was needed.....
DR LEE

Pixie Dust, beyond the castle:

Partners Federal Credit Union:
While most cast members who work for the Disneyland Resort make magic for our guests, those working at Partners Federal Credit Union make magic for the "magic makers."
From credit loans to depositing a check, Partners Federal Credit Union serves the nearly 21,000 cast members of the Disneyland Resort and their families. There are three Partners Federal Credit Union locations in Orange County- two in Anahiem and one in Fullerton.

Ontario Warehouse:
The Ontario Warehouse employs 50 cast members that handle everything from Mickey Mouse plush toys to storage of decommissioned attraction vehicles. Last year, the distribution team handled 30 million units of merchandise that made their way into homes around the world.

Cerritos Warehouse:
Have you ever wondered where the Christmas decorations are stored after the holidays? Or who makes parade floats? Most likely, cast members at the Cerritos Warehouse had a hand in creating this Disney magic. The team consists of painters, wood workers,decorators and more. The team creates and designs products for the Disneyland Resort and parks worldwide. Recently, the model shop created a miniature "Flights of Fantasy" parade for the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Also, these cast members support live entertainment and host of special events; created props for the rehab of Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin; and currently providing de'cor for Family Fun Weekends.These cast members also support the parade team with the over-dressing for "Mickey's Soundsational Parade" and "Pixar Pals."

Distribution Services truck drivers:
It takes more than pixie dust to transport merchandise from the Ontario Warehouse to World of Disney or holiday decorations to Main Street, U.S.A. from the Cerritos Warehouse. A team of truck drivers work around the clock "delivering the magic" and supplying the needs of every line of business at the Disneyland resort. Wondering what the two most frequently moved items are? The drivers annually transport more than 3.3 million pairs of food handling gloves and more that 1 million rolls of toilet paper.

Company D:
Located just a few miles from the Disneyland Resort, Company D is a cast-exclusive shopping destination offering discounted items for gift giving, healthy food, or assistance accessing The HUB,this is a one-stop shop for your needs.

The Walt Disney Travel Company:
Where does the Disney experience start for guests? It could be Mickey and Friends parking structure, perhaps Downtown Disney District, but for many, the experience begins even sooner. Months prior to visiting the resort some guests call The Walt Disney Travel Company,located in downtown Anahiem, to plan their vacation. These cast members have knowledge in Disney theme parks and hotels, which leads to an amazing initial experience for guests. During fiscal year 2011, there were 143,000 bookings made for vacations at the Disneyland Resort.

Character Programs and Development in Fullerton:
The hard-working team at Character Programs and Development makes sure that every Disney princess has a dress in immaculate condition and that every Mickey Mouse has an outfit for every occasion. They create costumes for the Disneyland Resort and for Disney parks worldwide. All items are tailored by expert sewing operators, who have years of experience making costumes.

DR LEE

Family Fun Weekends:

Since early January, guests have been living it up at the festival Arena in Disneyland Park thanks to Family Fun Weekends. Fiesta Disneyland, Disney's Kickin' country Weekend and Lunar New year celebrations have given guests delicious specialty snacks, unique enterainment and crafty merchandise from local artisans. Character Fan Days allowed guests the opportunity to vote on their favorite rarely-seen Disney characters and the opportunity to meet them in person.
Next up for Family Fun Weekends is one of America's oldest and grandest parties- Mardi Gras! The festivities will move to New Orleans Square and feature music by the Royal Street Bachelors and the Jambalaya Jazz, street celebrations with Princess Tiana and her friends,and delicious crepes and desserts that celebrate the bayou.Join the party every Friday,Satuarday and Sunday now through March 6,2011.

DR LEE

Disney's Walk of Magical Memories Program Update:

Over the past 11 years, Disney's "Walk of Magical Memories," the personalized commemorative paving stones between the main entrances to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks, have offered guests an opportunity to be part of Disneyland Resort history. As we continue to evaluate our offerings throughout the resort, we have made a decision to no longer continue the Disney's "Walk of Magical Memories" program. Beginning February 28, 2011, the Disneyland Resort will no longer offer sponsorship of a Disney's "Walk of Magical Memories" paving stone. Existing stones will continue to receive general maintenance, as necessary.

DR LEE

Pixar and Toy Story:

"Toy Story" fans rejoice, Pixar will release two new short films starring Woody and pals by years end. The first short, "Hawaiian Vacation," will run with "Cars 2," which will arrive in theaters on June 24. Pixar unveiled "Hawaiian Vacation" at a gathering of about 300 Disney investors and analysts in Anahiem, California on Thursday. (Barbie and Ken try to stow away with Bonnie for a Hawaiian trip but get left home, to their enormous disppointment; Woody, Buzz and the other toys try to console the pair by improvising an island vibe but...it doesn't go well.) The second short- will run with "The Muppets," a Disney feature film set for a Thanksgiving release.

In related Pixar news, Disney announced a direct-to-DVD spin-off of "Cars," with airplanes as the main characters. "Planes," undoubtedly accompanied by real merchandise, will arrive in spring 2013. The movie will foucs on Dusty, a small-town dreamer who longs to enter an around-the-world air race despite his fear of heights. "Phineas and Ferb," the Disney Channel cartoon, is also headed to the big screen; Disney said it was in the early stages of developing a "Phineas and Ferb" feature that will be a hybrid of live action and animation.

DR LEE

Walt Disney and friends receive Academy Award:

On Feb. 23,1939, Walt Disney received a special Academy Award for the animated film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Walt Disney received one statuette and seven miniature statuettes from Shirley Temple at the 11th Academy Awards. Based on a German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, it was the first color, full-length animated feature in motion picture history. In 1997, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was one of only two animated films to rank in the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest American films of all time, the other being Disney's "Fantasia."

DR LEE

Under Water with Disneyland's scuba divers:

Prospective machinists and electricians often get an unusual question when applying for Cast Members positions at Disneyland: Do you scuba dive??
Scuba diving plays a major role for 54 Cast Members at the Disneyland Resort, one of the oddest jobs at the two parks. Divers are responsible for maintaining and fixing attractions and equipment in the waterways in the two parks, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
After the park close, divers suit up, get in the water and check tracks, animatronics and vehicles-usually in the dark. Divers also retrieve lost items. Up to half of their time is spent in water.
In the lagoon for the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, divers use flashlights or headlights to navigate waters, looking under submarines and testing animatronics. Teams of four are assigned to each job with at least two going underwater at the same time.

The toughest challenge: The cold
One morning last week, the water was about 50 degrees. Even with wetsuits, hands go numb.
Divers go through about four months of scuba training in addition to other job preparation.Disney asks for volunteers among its current staff or seeks outside employees for the scuba jobs. Applicants are asked if they dive or would be willing to train. Divers must go through intense training up to 140 feet in the open ocean, including rescue lessons. Cast Members must learn rescue techniques in case visitors fall in or fellow Cast Members need help.
The deepest point of the Disney waterways is 22 feet, in Disneyland's Rivers of America by the Fantasmic equipment. In the Nemo lagoon, the waters reach 12 feet. Most of the tools, such as bolts and wrenches, are traditional. But some pneumatic tools are designed for the water.
Divers are assigned to one particular attraction, such as "World of Color" in California Adventure or Disneyland's Jungle Cruise.
For Nemo attraction, divers usually get in the water between 2 and 4 a.m. One morning last week, divers demonstrated their work for a Disney camera crew and a group from the Orange County Register staffers before 7 a.m.
Two divers took their equipment- including masks and air tanks- off of a yellow-topped golf cart that they call the "Nemo Mobile." Once in the water, they swam to an animatronic sea bass, checking its jaw movement and cleaning out its mouth. Later, the divers paddled to two clams, one blue and the other purple, ensuring that they open and close.
Divers have their own sign language: pinching index fingers and thumbs to say turn it up, making a clam motion to adjust the mouth or clenching fists to indicate "stop." Beside fixing equipment, divers also retrieve lost items such as cameras, glasses,cellular phones, hats and purses. Divers can not be claustrophobic, in World of Color, divers must go under the platform and go into places with only one way out.


DR LEE

Cheers to 10 years!!

This month, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of becoming the Disneyland Resort. Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney District and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel &Spa in 2001. Here are a few of highlights of the areas celebrating a decade of creating Disney magic:

2000...Mickey and Friends parking structure opens.

2001... Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney District and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa open
Return of "Disney's Electrical Parade."

2002... ABC Super Soap Weekends
First Grad Nite Blast Off
"a bugs land"

2003..."Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!"
Lucky the Dinosaur

2004...The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

2005...Turtle Talk with Crush

2006...Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue
Disny's Food & Wine Weekends
Mickey's Halloween Treat

2007 Resort Expanansion plans announced for Disney California Adventure Park

2008..."Pixar Play Parade"
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar

2009... The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa open
Mickey's Fun Wheel and Games of the Boardwalk reopen
Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill and Lucky Fortune Cookery reopen
The Little Mermaid-Alriel's Undersea Adventure and Cars Land Groundbreaking

2010...Silly Symphony Swings Premiere
Glow Fest and ElecTRONica
World of Color


DR LEE

Let the growth continue:

For 40 years, Disneyland was a single theme park and one hotel birthed from creative mind of Walt Disney. In 1995, a second hotel was added to the property, but it wasn't until 2001, that Walt's original vision expanded to become the Disneyland Resort. Using Walt's own words "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

The expansion not only created the Disneyland Resort, but also improved the Anahiem Resort District, generating revenue benefiting the local community. Streets surrounding the resort received a beautiful makeover and signage at local businesses were redesigned to create a consistent look.

Along with the major expansion, thousands of cast members were hired and today nearly 21,000 are employed at the Disneyland Resort. In 2012, the resort's largest expansion to date will near completion with the opening of Cars Land. Of course, this will not signal the end of our growth. One thing is certain, as long as we continue to dream big, and imagine blue sky ideals; the Disneyland Resort will forever change and evolve.

DR LEE

Pixar Pals:

On January 14, 2011, Disney California Adventure Park debuted a new entertainment offering called Pixar Pals. The show features Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and Frozone from " The Incredibles " and their Hit Squad. The team searches the crowd for " heroes in training" and prepares them for a future of crime fighting.


DR LEE

Walt Disney:

" I' ve always wanted to work on something alive, something that keeps growing."

Walt Disney

Welcome to the West, Disney Wonder:

For more than eleven years, the Disney Wonder called Port Canaveral,Fla., home. But now it has a new home- the Port of Los Angeles. On January 21,2011,after spending 15 nights at sea, including a historical pass through the Panama Canal, the Disney Wonder arrived on the West Coast for an extended stay.

The ship will sail seven-night voyages to the Mexican Riviera with stops at Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. In May, the ship repositions to Vancouver, British Columbia, for 7-night itineraries through Alaska, with stops at Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. The ship will return to the Port of Los Angeles in late September and finish the year sailing the Mexican Riviera.

With the brand-new Disney Dream now online, the repositioning of the Disney Wonder to California marks another significant milestone in the growth and expansion of Disney Cruise Line.


Third time's a charm:

Even though this marks the first time the Disney Wonder has sailed the West Coast, it is the third time for the Disney Cruise Line.
In 2005, the Disney Magic repositioned to California to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland Resort and sailed on seven-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera. During the summer of 2008, the Disney Magic also sailed Mexican Riviera itineraries.
With the Disney Wonder now calling the Port of Los Angeles home, cast members have the opportunity to sail on the ship for a discounted rate.



DR LEE

Thought for the day....

If it weren't for golf balls, how would we measure hail??????


DR LEE

U.S. Postal stamps feature Disney characters:

A new set of commemorative stamps announced by the United States Postal Service will soon be available for your correspondence to reach its destination bearing the face of Buzz Lightyear. In addition, characters from the Disney/Pixar films "Toy Story," "Cars," "Ratatouille," "Up" and "Wall-E" will be among the entertainment figures honored on stamps that the Postal Service will begin selling this August.

DR LEE

Village Haus Fun Fact:

Just over the main entrance door is a painted image of Figaro pulling the exit sign. During construction, the sign was installed incorrectly. There was no time to go back, move the sign, replaster and paint. Instead, Imagineers created a humorous fresco of Figaro pulling the sign. The design solution proved so popular that when a similar restaurant was built at Disneyland Paris, an exit sign was placed in the correct spot with Figaro leaning against the exit sign with a "thumbs up" for a job well done.

DR LEE