ElecTRONica:

Starting this fall, the energy at Disney California Adventure Park will rise and the digital world of TRON: Legacy will come alive during ElecTRONica, debuting on Oct. 8. This nighttime party will change both sci-fans and families with excitement,allowing guests of all ages to step into the TRON universe.
The experience begins as dancers on a multi-level stage in Sunshine Plaza help open the portal to ElecTRONica, as electronic music sets the tone. At nightfall, Hollywood Boulevard will be transformed into a computerized color grid, with light cycles racing across building facades and a mesmerizing audio-visual display assimilating "programs" into this new world. Helpful programs will teach young guests how to toss their own "Identity Disc," a Frisbee that replicates the iconic battle implement from the films.
Following a beckoning laser beam towards the Backlot Stage, guests will discover the party's source of energy, as live DJs spin house and electronic music while dancers throughout the area invite everyone to join in.
Specialty performers will entertain with dazzling laser manipulations set to energetic music.
Nearby is Flynn's Video Arcade, a dynamic re-theming of Stage 12 filled with vintage coin-operated games. Outside, guests can compete at the TRON:Evolution gaming area, featuring a hands-on look at the new video game hitting stores this December. Across the Backlot, Muppet*Vision 3-D will offer the TRON: LEGACY Exclusive 3-D Sneak Peek, an extended look at the new movie in theatres December 17, with in-theatre special effects.
ElecTRONica will be offered Friday thru Sunday this fall, and nightly during select holiday weeks.


DR LEE

This Halloween, shop (and eat) until you drop!

Food...

This season,many of our popcorn outdoor vending carts will allow guests to get into the spirit of the fall with a new Halloween premium popcorn bucket in the shape of Mickey Mouse dressed as a ghost. Character dining and buffet locations and bakeries will offer specialty Halloween desserts including a chocolate dipped Mickey bat cookie, cream topped pumpkin muffins, Halloween Time cupcake,and pumpkin spice latte. For a more cultural celebration, guests have the opportunity to celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Rancho del Zocalo, which will offer a new "Day of the Dead" holiday treat.

Merchandise...

Need a Halloween costume for your little one? A variety of Disney character-inspired costumes including, but not limited to, Disney Princesses and Disney/Pixar Toy Story are available in select merchandise locations across the Resort. Locations include Disney Showcase in Disneyland Park,Greetings from California in Disney California Adventure Park and World of Disney in the Downtown Disney District. Also,don't forget to pick up a Mickey Mouse-inspired jack-o-lantern shaped treat bucket and Mickey Mouse ear hat, reusable grocery bag, candle holder and more.

DR LEE

"Toy Story 3" crosses major milestone:

Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3 has crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office today, joining Alice in Wonderland as the second $1 billion film this year from the Walt Disney Studios-the first studio in history to accomplish this feat. Disney first crossed the $1 billion threshold with Pirates of the Caribbean:Dead Man's Chest in 2006. Toy Story 3 becomes the only animated film to reach this milestone and the seventh title in industry history.


DR LEE

Disneyland Hotel:

When Walt Disney set out to bring his theme park dream to life he already knew he was out of his element as film studio director trying to run an amusement park. Due to lack of finances and no experience operating a hotel, Walt called on his friend Jack Wrather to build the Disneyland Hotel.
For the first 33 years of its operation, the hotel was run by the Wrather Corporation. It wasn't until 1988, that The Walt Disney Company purchased the entire corporation,acquiring the Disneyland Hotel.
The hotel opened its doors on Oct.5,1955, with a little more than 100 rooms spread out across five two-story buildings. Today the grounds of the hotel includes three towers increasing the total to 969 guests rooms, with even more Disney magic planned for the next few years.
When the current renovation is complete, it will include a new pool area with three water slides, new iconic dining experiences and all guest towers will be re-themed and renamed Adventure, Frontier and Fantasy Tower. All projects are scheduled for completion by 2012.
The Never Land Pool will remain open during the hotel's current renovation. Also, Steakhouse 55 Lounge's hours have been extended from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.


DR LEE

Hollywood Walk of Fame:

Tinker Bell who has evolved from supporting character in the 1904 play "Peter and Wendy" to an iconic figure in the Disney empire, will receive the 2,418th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday.


DR LEE

Villains return to the Disneyland Resort:

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort returns Sept. 17 through Oct. 31 for the fifth year with thrilling seasonal decorations, attractions, merchandise, food and entertainment.
Back this season is the spine-tingling Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, where creepy creatures and ghosts lurk around every turn and drop, adding an errie effect to the already exicting attraction. Throughout the duration of the Halloween season,a chilling soundtrack will entertain Guests as they "fly" through space. The exterior of Space Mountain will also undergo a seasonal transformation with frightening projected images,audio and illuminating lights.
Also returning this year in New Orleans Square is Haunted Mansion Holiday, which will celebrate its tenth season. Jack Skellington and his friends provide plenty of excitement including the annual Halloween/Christmas gingerbread house in the Mansion ballroom with special spooky new surprises to this year's design.


For family fun:

A variety of Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Pluto, will be in Town Square clad in seasonal costumes. Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park will once again transform into a Pumpkin Festival with more than 300 non-identical pumpkins on display in shop windows. Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Roundup in Frontierland will join in the festivities and feature ranch animals dressed in costumes for a Halloween Roundup,arts and crafts for all ages, and Halloween tunes by Miss Chris and the Roundup musicians.
New this Halloween season at Disneyland Park, Mickey's Halloween Party(formerly Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party at Disney California Adventure) will light up the night and welcome thousands of costumed ghosts and goblins with a newly enhanced trick-or-treat locations, cavalcade, dance and photo locations, and exclusive viewing of fireworks spectaccular, "Halloween Screams...A Villainous Surpise in the Skies."


DR LEE

Haunted Mansion Holiday celebrates 10 years:

Just a mere decade ago, Haunted Mansion Holiday opened its doors for those seeking a frightfully good scare. Ten years later, riding the attraction based on Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas has become a Disneyland Halloween tradition.
One element of the holiday overlay that changes every year is the gingerbread house in the ballroom scene. Each year, several teams work together to take the idea from concept to creation. The work begins with designers who use their imaginations to create a new design.
Once the design has been approved,the blueprints are shipped off to the Scenic Fabrication team at the Cerritos Warehouse, where Cast Members work behind the scenes to construct the foundation of the structure. After all the parts are assembled the Technical Services team takes over to "animate" parts that will move.
Last year's gingerbread creation was a rotating "Scareousel" with LED lighting,the year before was an opening and closing casket. This year,Jack pops out of the house, there is a moving zombie gingerbread man and a special little surprise on the pumpkin ginger bread busts.
The final touch is applied by bakers from Central Bakery, who bake the gingerbread each year and apply the decorations. Finally, the structure is transported to New Orleans Square and installed in the ballroom scene of Haunted Mansion. The aroma of fresh baked gingerbread fills the halls of the mansion, reminding Guests of the "most wonderful time of year."

DR LEE

"Ghosts and ghostesses" lead Happiest Tours:

Dying for the inside scoop on ghouls, goblins and the spookier side of the Disneyland Resort? Beginning mid-September through October 31, Guest Relations "Ghost" and "Ghostesses" will guide the Happiest Haunts Tour, now in its third season.
During the three-hour excursion, Guests will learn how Halloween comes to life at the Disneyland Resort and other little known facts about the holiday. Along the journey, the group stops to experience five of the Resort's most popular Halloween attractions.
The tour's inspiration came from a pervious tour called Mysteries, Myths and Legends.
All Guest Relations tours can be booked by contacting Ticket Services at 714-781-4400........


DR LEE

Global ghosts and goblins galore:

Begining centuries ago as a Celtic festival, Halloween has become one of the most popular holidays worldwide. But during this time of year, the practice of spells, charms and rituals is absent and replaced with Disney magic that transforms our parks into family-friendly Halloween experiences (well most of them).
At the Walt Disney World Resort, Mickey's No-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to the Magic Kingdom. During this ticketed event, Guests of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes and trick-or-treat around the park. In addition, special entertainment, including Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade, led by a spook-tacular ride by the Haedless Horseman, travels down Main Street, U.S.A. and the Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular fills the sky.
Screams also fill the French countryside on Oct.30 via Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. Terrorific Night returns for a new experience in a world more terrifying. Frightening creatures, monstrous characters and artists from another world are determined to haunt Guests for eternity. The experience promises to be so intense that the website recommends that Guests be 12 years or older.
The dark side of Hong Kong Disneyland will have ghosts fill its park, allowing Guests to experience some frightful fun when Disney's Haunted Halloween returns. The immersion begins on Main Street, U.S.A., where Guests will encounter and endless array of Victorian ghosts while in Adventureland, they are wished luck in finding the pathway out of the tribal burial ground before the ghosts claim them as one of their own.
A visit to any of these events will certainly keep the spirits up.

DR LEE

California dreamin':

Now that World of Color is dazzling Guests on a nightly basis it's time to get excited about the future additions at Disney's California Adventure.

Kachow!
Summer 2012, the Disney and Pixar Animation Studio's film, Cars, will come to life when Guests step into Cars Land designed to be a replica of Radiator Springs. Here is a quick list of what to anticipate when the new land opens.

1...Attractions
a...Radiator Springs Racers
b...Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
c...Luigi's Flying Tires

2...Merchandise Locations
a...Ramone's House of Body Art
b...Radiator Springs Curios

3...Food and Dining Locations
a...Fillmore's Taste-In
b...Flo's V8 Cafe'
c...Cozy Cone Motel

Along the boardwalk...

When the newly re-imagined Paradise Pier is complete, it will transport Guests to an early 20th-century California seaside amusement area. With all the romance and charm, who knows, you just might fall in love under the stars, along the boardwalk. Part of this transformation includes the opening of Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and Paradise Pier Garden Grill, in 2011. The two new enhanced dining locations will share a 900-seat outdoor dining area.

Welcome to California...
Soon the hustle and bustle of the 1920s and 1930s California will come to life from the Main Entrance to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. When Guests step past the Gates they will be immersed in the California Walt Disney moved to in 1922, with nothing but $40 in his pocket and a dream in his heart.
In order to bring this transformation to life a few locations will close over the next few months at Disney's California Adventure. Make sure to enjoy these locations or snap a few photos before they are just an entry in "Disney A to Z The Official Encyclopedia."
On Sept.6, Pizza Oom Mow Mow, Reboundo Beach, the S.S. rustworthy and Maliboomer will be opened one last day. Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta (replaces Pizza Oom Mow Mow) and Paradise Garden Grill (replaces Burger Invasion.)
On Sept. 6, Bountiful Valley Farmers's Market Fruit Cart, Sam Andreas Shakes and P.T. Flea Market will serve their last Guests.
In early September, a construction wall will go up around the sun icon and fountain in Sunshine Plaza. The removal of the sculpture and fountain will make way for the replica of Carthay Circle Theatre, sure to become a new iconic family photo backdrop.
On Oct. 1, the Main Entrance mural will begin to be removed for its vintage maheover. Work has already began on the Red Car Trolley, scheduled to debut in 2012.

Fun Fact.....
The Carthay Circle Theatre, in Los Angeles, premiered the first full-length Disney animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, on Dec. 21,1937.


DR LEE

Working and retiring from Disneyland:

"Any place you go in the world, if you tell people you worked for Disney,first of all, you get a big smile on their face. Then, you get a story about how Disney has affected their life in some way....their first trip to Disneyland, opening day, their favorite character or attraction. That's the legacy we all leave when we work for Disney."

Dave Smith, retiring after 40 years,job, Disney Chief Archivist, 70 yrs.old, Oct.13th is birthday, retirement day, Oct.15th...............


Being retired and living in Pleasant Hill, Ca. (near San Francisco),I know this to be true. As I go through my day,it is fun to ask former "Guests" what their favorite attraction is at the Disneyland Resort.Their reply, Tower of Terror,Mr. Toads Wild Ride, Matterhorn,Soarin,Fireworks,World of Color,Pirates,etc."
It is fun to watch those smiles appear on our former "Guests" faces as they describe why and what they enjoy most when at the Disneyland Resort. Everywere I look,billboards,T.V. spots,license plates frames,shirts,etc. Disneyland is everywhere, happy to be part of the magic. Thank You Walt Disney Company..........


DR LEE

Changes coming to Disney's California Adventure Park:

Exciting changes continue at Disney's california Adventure Park. In June, "World of Color" began making a nighttime splash at the park and Silly Symphony Swings began offering a musical ride in Paradise Pier.
As you might already know, Goofy's Sky School will add even more fun to Paradise Pier in 2011. The attraction is inspired by the 1940 cartoon short, "Goofy's Glider." It's a flying academy that follows Goofy's attempts to teach a group of novice pilots how to fly.
In order for Mickey and Goofy to get ready for this transformation, Mulholland Madness will close October 12, and the last time guests can go for a spin on Disney's verion of Mulholland Drive is October 11. For those who want to get a final scream on Maliboomer, you better hurry. Guests will blast off for the final time September 6, as the attraction will be closed on September 7.
About the 12 acre Carsland expansion due in 2012. You might be interested in knowing that the last day to experience Bountiful Valley Farms will be September 8 to help pave the way for Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.
For all the news you need to know about the changes at Disney's California Adventure Park, visit disneycaliforniaadventurepark.com or stop by the Blue Sky Cellar next time you are at the park.


DR LEE

Disney Cruise Ship Rescue:

There was a "magical" ending to a high seas drama in the Mediterranean recently as a Disney cruise ship, the Disney Magic, rescued 18 Algerians lost at sea.
A Disney spokeswoman tells USA TODAY the 2,400-passenger vessel joined the search for the Algerians while sailing from Gibralter to Barcelona. The Algerians reportedly had been stranded on the open seas for four to five days.
"The shipboard team heard crew members from two other vessels talking on the radio about sighting the boat and then losing a visual of it, so the Disney Magic then joined the search and quickly spotted the small boat, which had lost power," Disney spokeswoman Rena Langley says.The Disney Magic took the stranded Algerians aboard and provided them with food,cabins and most important,"healthcare."

DR LEE

Disneyland resumes sales of wooden toy guns:

Disneyland recently began selling wooden toy guns again, about nine years after pulling them off of store shelves.
Disney officials decided to resume sales of the toy guns, which are now orange and green. Disneyland was selling plastic guns, including space-like and pirate-themed ones.
These new toy guns are very popular with Guests and often sell out. Disney stopped selling the historic,1800s-style guns in 2001 when California legislators passed a law reguiring all toy guns to be brightly colored to avoid being mistaken for real weapons.

DR LEE

Gaming Acquisition:

The Walt Disney Company has acquired Palo Alto-based Tapulous, Inc., a leading developer of music games for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Through a merger agreement, Tapulous is now a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company reporting into Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG). In the last year, DIMG has enjoyed many successes in its mobile busniess counting several "platinum" performing apps with more than one million downloads, including Disney's Alice in Wonderland Lite, Fairies Fly Lite and JellyCar 2, which is Disney's most successful premium game in the app store to date. In addition, DIMG creates and delivers unique mobile content and manages a Disney-branded mobile phone service in Japan in association with Softbank.

DR LEE