It's official: we have a new princess!!

By proclamation of the powers of Disney, Rapunzel, star of "Tangled," is now an official Disney princess.

In a London celebration hosted at Kensington Palace on Oct.2 2011, Rapunzel was crowned the 10th Disney princess joining Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Snow White and Tiana.

Since the November 2010 release of the movie, Disney's 50th full-length feature animated film has become one of the top 10 grossing Disney movies of all time, ahead of "Toy Story," "Beauty and the Beast," "Cars," and "Toy Store 2." Due to the overwhelming popularity of the film, it's no surprise that the No.1 sellling Disney princess costume this season at the Disneyland Resort is Rapunzel.

What a great movie...DR LEE

Disney's haunting Halloween history:

Today we know it as Mickey's Halloween Party- the only opportunity for guests of any age to dress up in halloween costumes at the Disneyland Resort. However, the popular after-hours trick-or-treat party was called Mickey's Halloween Treat! when it debuted in 1995. It ran for two years and then resurfaced at Disney California Adventure Park in 2005 as Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party. The party moved back to Disneyland Park in 2010 and adopted its current name: Mickey's Halloween Party.

The Walt Disney World Resort has been hosting a similar event since 1995, called Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. What started as a one-night event at the Magic Kingdom quickly grew in popularity, transforming into multiple-night party that includes a pre-parade ride of the Headless Horseman from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." As the sounds of the horse's clip-clops echo down Main Street, U.S.A.,Guests anxiously await a glimpse of the beheaded ghost as he searches for his head.

Disney villains:

Ursula: Villain? Little ol' me? Preposterous! Certainly I've been called some very unflattering names-"nasty,"-"witch"- but really, I'm simply misunderstood. I want what every merperson wants-happiness. Oh, and of course Triton's kingdom, too, but I'm worth it, aren't I?

Hit Film..."The Little Mermaid" (1989)
Likes...eels,the color purple,the perfect spell
Dislikes...Mermaids, singing fish and crabs


Maleficent:the Mistress of All Evil, I am without equal or peer.

Hit Film..."Sleeping Beauty" (1959)
Likes...dragon,fire
Dislikes...heroic mice,knights on white horses


Queen of Hearts..."Your Highness of Hissy Fits" for being the "overlord of outbursts" and the "ruler of rage." You should be warned my dear, "if I lose my temper, you should lose your head!!!!! Understood?

Hit Film: "Alice in Wonderland" (1951)
Likes...red,hearts,croquet
Dislikes...people,spades, diamonds and clubs

Love the Disneyland Resort during the hoilday season...DR LEE

Disneyland Mine Train:

Before there was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a roller coaster that hustles about, there was a battery-powered mine train that rolled along in that same stretch of Disneyland, an attraction that its former cast members fondly remember. Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland was the first major attraction added at the park following its summer 1955 opening.
"Walt's choice was, right after Disneyland's first summer, "What do we do next? We'll do a railroad. They're easy to design and build."
The train took guests on a journey through Rainbow Caverns; it eventually was expanded to include a trip through Nature's Wonderland including visits to Beaver Valley, Bear Country and the Painted Desert. The landscape was barren desert with large boulders; there were geysers, a wooden bridge over the water and large bears, one in the water with a fish in it's mouth. The men who worked the attraction as attraction hosts formed a club, the Order of the Red Handkerchiefs. Part of their costumes were red handkerchiefs, worn around the neck, then that costume was changed,and then this red handkerchief were carryed in their pockets. At first, the attraction hosts did live spiels, that was changed to a recording and the attraction hosts would focus on driving the trains.
This was Walt's Disney favorite park attraction: When he brought guests to Disneyland, he would take them to the Golden Horseshoe to watch the live show then have the guests take a mine-train ride.
Disney also used to walk the track to keep an eye on the auto-animatronic animals that populated the attraction.There are still signs of the long-gone attraction. Along the banks of The Rivers of America are some of the original tracks, coming out of two tunnels. Along the trail next to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad sits the pond that was home to Bear Country, along with the other side of the two tunnels.
Many of the buildings around the waiting line for Big Thunder are the same ones from the mine Train. That area is still referred to as the town of Rainbow Ridge, like it was for the original Mine Train attraction.
The attraction closed in 1977, because of the attraction's limited capacity and the park's desire for an attraction with more thrills. Also, there was rarely a line for Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland during its last years.
Once a year, cast members gather for dinner and to swap stories about working on the attraction. Because of the cast members dwindling numbers, it now allows anyone who worked on the west side of the park while the Mine train was opened to join. Early next month, in an Anahiem hotel, the stories will fly again.


I remember as a kid, riding this attraction...DR LEE RETIRED, BARTENDER

Gingerbread House:

Each year, Entertainment designers create one of the most anticipated Halloween Time decorations-the gingerbread house in the Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction. And this year is no exception.
Every year is a new challenge to outdo last years creation. This year, something new was added,gumdrops that light up...taking our guests into the eerie world of Jack Skellington. The foundation of the 6-foot house is made of wood and wired for animation. It then goes to the Disneyland Resort Central Bakery, where it is meticulously adorned with 500 pounds of gingerbread, 10 yards of fondant and miles of frosting and oversized candies.
To commemorate the 11th season of the holiday overlay based on Tim Burton's "the Nightmare Before Christmas," a new line of pins are now avaiable. These pins are replicas of each gingerbread display from the past decade. The Haunted Mansion Hoilday Gingerbread Mystery Collection will debut Oct.8,2011.


Love Halloween/Christmas time at the Disneyland Resort...DR LEE

Hawaii Disney Cruise:

Due to an overwhelming response to its first Hawaiian itinerary, Disney Cruise Line is adding a second Hawaiian cruise from Los Angeles to its 2012 schedule. The Disney Wonder will sail through the breathtaking beauty of the Hawaiian islands, where Guests can experience the famous beaches of Waikiki on Oahu, see the views from high atop the summit of Haleakala Crater on Maui, take in the lush tropical gardens and waterfalls of Kauai and, on the Big Island, explore the natural wonders of the world's most active volcano.

The 15-night Hawaiian itinerary, which includes nine days at sea, departs April 29,2012. The newly added 14-night Hawaiian itinerary, with eight days at sea,departs Oct. 14,2012.

Disney Cruise Line offers an array of itineraries departing from the West Coast, including cruises to the Mexican Rivera,Pacific Coast and Alaska.


sounds amazing.....brings back memories from my cruise on the Disney Magic, April/May 2008?? DR LEE

P.S. Oct. cruise sounds nice??

Walt Disney World Resort celebrates 40 years:

On Oct. 1,1971, Walt Disney World Resort welcomed its first Guests, fulfilling Walt Disney's dream for a built-from-scratch, all-encompassing family vacation destination. Adventureland, Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Tomorrowland all gleamed that fall morning as the first Guests streamed into Magic Kingdom Park and its two hotels.
The resort, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary throughout the month of October, today has grown to include four theme parks, two water parks,four championship golf courses and a shopping and dining district. Its Cast Member population has soared from 6,000 to 62,000.
To celebrate this milestone, Magic Kingdom Park is rolling out special anniversary merchandise and memorabilia(much of it adorned with the famous Flordia Orange Bird), a special fireworks show and a character cavalcade culminating in a celebration at Cinderella Castle on October 1,2011-complete with a sing along.


Disney World is fun...DR LEE

Halloween Time :

No tricks-only treats...

Halloween Time is back at the Disneyland Resort through Oct. 31, featuring specialty food, drink and merchandise offerings that are scary good.

Just Desserts:
Resort bakeries are serving pumpkin-spice Halloween Time cupcakes- a perfect treat to reward yourself after riding Ghost Galaxy. If gingerbread is more your taste, head to Cafe Orleans for Haunted Mansion Holiday beignets. At select table service restaurants, delicacies come served in a ghoulish Donald Duck demitasse (that's a fancy French word for "half cup").

Spooky Snacking:
A coffin, Jack says, makes a fine popcorn bucket! Find them in New Orleans Square and Frontierland, or Ghost Mickey popcorn buckets throughout both parks.

Runaway Brain:
Oh,no! A monstrous Mickey Mouse has jumped out of his classic 1995 animated short, joined by Minnie, Donald,Goofy and Tinker Bell sporting villainously cool costumes. Find them on coffee mugs,pens,yard flags and more.

Pumpkin Mickey:
Bring home Mickey's gourdesque likeness in ornament form, or on a unique candle votive. Specialty merchandise is available at Disney Showcase,Pioneer Mercantile,Off the Page and World of Disney.

The Disneyland Resort takes Halloween to a new level of family fun and memories....Dr Lee

Embarking on a new fantasy:

The D23 Expo at the Anahiem Convention Center, held Aug. 19-21 was bigger and better than ever this year, featuring new merchandise and opportunities to meet popular Disney artists. There were plenty of surprises, too. One of the biggest came when Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announced that the boundaries of Fantasyland at Disneyland Park will be expanded with a new experience called Fantasy Faire.
The project will transform Carnation Plaza Gardens Stage into a storybook village where Guests will be immersed into the stories of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Tangled." Surrounded by fairytale cottages and pavilions, Guests will travel to the heart of the village square-Tangled Tower. The village will come alive with activities and entertainment, including a Royal Ribbon Parade where Guests can dance and interact with their favorite Disney princesses. And at night, the Fantasy Fairs Stage will feature the classic music and dancing offerings that Guests have loved for years.

Disney is all about change...DR LEE

Halloween Time ,Disneyland Resort:

Halloween Time returns to the Disneyland Resort from Sept.16 through Oct. 31, 2011, and villainous surprises await Guests at both parks. Here's your briefing on all things bewitching.

Seasonal decor and entertainment:
Both parks will be spookily adorned, with special atmosphere entertainment along Main Street, U.S.A. and at Big thunder Ranch Barbecue. Classic Disney villains will make appearances at Disneyland Park along with other favorites dressed in their spooky best.

Food,beverage and merchandise:
Did someone say pumpkin spice latte? They're back along with seasonal treats from the resort's bakeries and candy kitchens. Fact: they're enjoyed more while wearing a Halloween-inspired Mickey ear hat.

Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy:
The green glowing exterior should be your first clue something's amiss. Creepy creatures are haunting Space Station 77- prepare for a close encounter like no other.

Haunted Mansion Holiday:
This is Jack Skellington's 11th year of decking the mansion halls. If the first 10 were any indication, one thing's certain: the goblin king's cooking up a mean gingerbread house.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror:
You know this "tall" tale happened on Halloween night in 1939, right? "Drop in" and refresh your memory.

Micky's Halloween Party:
On select nights, Sept. 30 through Oct.31, everyone's invited to scare up a costume and trick-or-treat across Disneyland Park. It's the exclusive place to see the boo-tiful Halloween Screams fireworks.


My costume this year will be, A Bartenter,Ha-Ha...DR LEE

Walt and Mickey Mouse Statue unveiled:

During the D23 Expo, Imagineers unveiled a small model of a statue of Walt Disney with Mickey Mouse, which will greet Guests at Disney California Adventure Park when Buena Vista Street opens next summer. The statue will depict a youthful Walt Disney just arriving from Kansas City to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams, along with his pal, a young Mickey Mouse. The maquette will be on display in the Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure Park.


Disneyland Resort will never be finished...DR LEE

History and Heritage:

The day: Sept. 8,1986

The man: Captain EO

His mission: to change the world

Twenty-five years ago, at the height of his career, Michael Jackson collaborated with "Star Wars" Producer George Lucas and "The Godfather" Director Francis Ford Coppola on a 3D space epic. Michael Jackson played the leader of an intergalactic brigade, who is captured after crash landing on a strange planet and forced to confront an evil spider-like queen(played by Anjelica Huston). Captain EO uses the power of music to subdue the queen's subjects and change their world for the better.

Michael Jackson contributed two songs for the feature, "We Are Here to Change the World" and "Another Part of Me." The film enjoyed an 11-year run in Tomorrowland, closing in 1997 to make way for "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience."


Trivia: When did Captain EO return to the Disneyland Resort, giving Disney guests one more chance to watch the "King of Pop" light up the screen?


amazing how time fly's, 25 years ago...DR LEE


answer to Trivia...Captain EO returned to Disneyland Park on Feb. 23,2010.

Where were you on the morning of 9-11:

Most everyone that I have talked with has a story to tell about the morning of 9-11! Where they were,their feelings, their thoughts.

For myself,at approx. 10:30 a.m. New York time, those towers were falling.
Living in Southern California and going to work at Disneyland Club 33, we are 3 hours behind: 7:30 a.m. west coast time.
I was on the 7:21 a.m. metro link(commuter-train)from Riverside,California to Disneyland. Riding this metro-link many times,I was getting ready to take my morning nap. On any other day, commuters are checking e-mails, small talk,relaxing before a busy day,enjoying the moment!
As we were picking up commuters in Corona, California,approx. 7:45 a.m., there was this energy inside the train as we traveled through the Santa Ana Canyon. I was not aware of anything that morning,so I asked a fellow commuter what was going on. He told me, "that the twin towers in New York were falling down," and I asked ,"what movie are you talking about?"
I was informed by several other commuters and was speechless!!
Now as I arrived for work, my fellow commuters and I were stopped at the cast member entrance and told to return home."Disneyland" was closed!!!!
The out-bound train to Riverside normally has only a few commuters on it for most are at work. Not this day. It was standing room only,and I mean, like sardines. I stood for approx. 55 minutes all the way home. I was thinking, how was this train able to move with so many commuters on it?
Returning home, I turned on the TV and then got my American Flag and stood on a very busy corner waving old glory(started with just me,then grew to approx. 40 strangers standing with me). I served in the Army from 1971-1977, chaplin-asst.,and if needed,was ready to serve again.

Tell me what you were doing on that day, in the comment section at the bottom of this article... thanks,DR LEE

The Philosophy of Wine:

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, without a word, he picked up a very large jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, each about two inches in diameter. He then asked the class if the jar was full. They all agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the class again if the jar was full. They all agreed it was.

The professor picked up a bag of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled in between the pebbles.

He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous...yes!

The professor then produced a bottle of red wine from under the table and proceeded to pour the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty spaces bewteen the sand.

"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks being the important things,your family, your health and your childern-things that if everything else were lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else...the small stuff.

If you put the sand in the jar first there would be no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Take care of the rocks first,the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.

The professor smiled,"I'm glad you asked. It goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a good bottle of wine.


Nice...DR LEE aka tigger

Vinylmation Robots:

The robots are coming! The robots are coming! Disney Store recently announced the launch of its exclusive Vinylmation Robots series invading Disney Store locations nationwide and DisneyStore.com. Designed by Disney Store artists who were inspired by vintage wind-up robot toys of the 1950's, the new Vinylmation Robots are also featured in a never-before-seen video on DisneyStore.com/Vinylmation and on the 2,000-square-foot digital billboard above Disney Store in Times Square.

Disney Store also revealed its first limited-edition Disney POP! Vinyl by Funko. The POP! Vinyls are Funko's creative take on Disney characters and the limited-edition designs were on sale in July at Comic-Con in San Diego.


Fall lineup at ABC:

Summer is winding down, but ABC's new primetime shows are heating things up. Many favorites are back with new surprises, including "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Dancing with the Stars," and they're being paired with brand new series. ABC's "Pan Am," takes flight Sunday, Sept.,25, and stars Christina Ricci. "Once Upon a Time" joins the ABC schedule Sunday Oct. 23. In this modern day fairytale, the words of fantasy and reality collide in an epic battle between good and evil. Tim Allen returns to primetime Oct. 11 in ABC's "Last Man Standing" and an all new "Charlie's Angels" takes over Miami begining Sept. 22.


Sounds great...DR LEE

The windows on Main Street, U.S.A.

Have you ever wondered about the names of the fictional business owners you see on the windows above the ground floor on Main Street, U.S.A.? It was a tradition started by Walt Disney when Disneyland opened on July 17,1955, to pay tribute to the men and women who were instrumental in the initial planning, design, construction and operation of the park.

The honor continues today for those who have made significant contributions to Disneyland Resort as Imagineers or Cast Members.

For the 50th anniversary of Disneyland Park, a window was dedicated to those who have helped keep alive Walt's vision for Disneyland.


Trivia: Who was the most recent recipient(s) to receive a window on Main Street, U.S.A.??


Wonder what my window would say, "Bartender to the stars"...DR LEE


ANSWNER:The Sherman Brothers, who wrote "it's a small world," were the most recent reipients of a window on Main Street, U.S.A., on March 10, 2010.