"Frozen-Inspired" stage musical announced....

 Disney's blockbuster musical "Frozen" will come to life in an all-new theatrical production next summer at Disney California Adventure Park.

With the new show set to open in the Hyperion Theater, the award-winning "Disney's Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular" will take its final curtain call January 10, 2016, after nearly 14,000 performances since 2003.


my granddaughter, Averia, 5 yrs. old, loves frozen...Dr Lee

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

60 years young.......July 17, 1955 to present day:

"""""HAPPY BIRTHDAY"""" to the Disneyland Resort. I was only 3 years old when Disneyland opened and my first time to Disneyland was in the early 60's.

Post any comments about your memories.......



totally very cool...Dr Lee

something funny...

If you are ever surrounded by a group of clowns, go for the juggler......Hahahahahah


cute...Dr Lee

p.s. my mom is doing better

Resort Ready.....

 A Millennium Falcon attraction? Going for a spin in an Iron Man suit? Disney executives have announced plans to spend $1 billion on new attractions in Disneyland and/or Disney California Adventure Park. Here are some options.

Mapping out possibilities....

 Disney's mum on what exactly it would do with a $1 billion investment at the Disneyland Resort, but Disney Chairman Bob Iger told shareholders earlier this year that the company's Imagineers already are working on new "Star Wars" attractions for it's theme parks. And Disney experts said it's a "slam dunk" that a new land based on a galaxy far, far away is coming to Anaheim. But where??? Here are some possibilities.

 Big Thunder Ranch- less likely...Mostly used for holiday events and private parties, the area includes a petting zoo and barbecue restaurant. The area is a money maker for the resort, mostly because of these private parties.

Mickey's Toontown- Less likely..."Star Wars" land has long been rumored to be going here, but because of the popularity of this area for families with children, and it's closure each night for the fireworks show, it's unlikely Disney would build a popular land here.

Tomorrowland- More likely...The area covered by Autopia and innoventions is a big footprint, making it prime real estate for any new land. It also includes the area covering the old Motorboat Cruise.

Hollywood Land- More likely...The area encompassing Muppet" vision 3D, Stage 17, Monsters, Inc. , Mad Tea Party and another structure is currently underutilized. There is a lot of room in this area for attractions based on any of Disney's intellectual properties, though more likely thet would be either "Frozen" or Pixar related.

Behind Cars Land-More likely...This used to be a parking lot for Guests, and still is for Cast Members-making it the easiest area to develop  into a new land. As to whether it is Pixar related, "Star Wars," Marvel or something else- who knows.

Behind California Screamin` rollercoaster- Less likely... There's enough land here to support an attraction as large as Pirates of the Caribbean and new Orleans Square. But there are key backstage support buildings for things like the daily parades. This would be good for something based on the "Toy Story" movies.



only the future will tell....Dr Lee

Vacation:

Hello everyone. Been on vacation the past few weeks, mostly Riverside,California helping with my mom. All is good now with her and shall return to this site to inform all of you with this blog.




Thank you for understanding...Dr Lee

Top 5 fun facts about Guest Research:

 Did you Know:

1...The Guest Research team conducts between 2,000 and 4,000 interviews a day.

2...Knowledge of world geography is essential for Guest Research Cast Members (so they can talk knowledgeably with Guests about where they are from.)

3...For new offerings, such as Frozen Fun or the upcoming Diamond Celebration, Guest Research is brought in to get feedback from Guests.  


4...When you are visiting the Resort as a Guest, if you are approached by Guest Research team, take a moment and answer their questions. They want to hear what you think.

5...The feedback these Cast Members get from Guests influences major decisions that affect resort development.


cool...Dr Lee

History and Heritage:

" A vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying man's achievements... a step into the future, with predictions of constructive things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals: the Atomic Age...the challenge of outer space ...and the hope for a peaceful and unified world."

                                -Walt Disney, July 17,1955




 With these words, Walt dedicated Tomorrowland-one of the original five themed lands of Disneyland. Inspired by his vision of the future, the original Tomorrowland represented the year 1986 and included such attractions as the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry, Autopia, the clock of the world and Rocket to the Moon-years before the first manned space flight. Several attractions would soon follow, including Submarine Voyage, Disneyland Monorail and Matterhorn Bobsleds (which would later become part of Fantasyland).

 The 1967 version of the land, dubbed New Tomorrowland, introduced The Carousel of Progress, Adventure Thru Inner Space, Flight to the Moon and the PeopleMover. Later, America Sings, Mission to Mars and Space Mountain would help refresh the land and emphasize the theme of progress. 


The third iteration, Tomorrowland: Imagination and Beyond, debuted in 1998 and included (the recently closed) Innoventions, the new Autopia, Rocket Rods and the relocated Astro Blasters opened and in 2011, Star Tours -The Adventures Continue refreshed the nearly 25-year-old attraction.



Nearly 60 years after it debuted, Tomorrowland continues to evolve, fueled by dreams of a better tomorrow.


60 years old,wow...Dr Lee

Celebrating the Decades:

 !975-1984......


1975...

March... Six years after the first man walked on the moon, Flight to the Moon in Tomorrowland becomes Mission to Mars, sending Guests on a trilling expedition to the next frontiuer.

June..."America on Parade," part of a 15-month salute to the United States Bicentennial and the 20th anniversary of Disneyland, premiers with 50 floats and 150 performers. "Fantasy in the Sky" lights up the sky with red, white and blue fireworks.

 "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" returns the Main Street Opera House, becoming a featured element in The Walt Disney Story.

1976...

January...The Mickey Mouse Club Reunion brings together the original Mouseketeers to celebrate the club's 20th anniversary with a parade and TV show in Fantasyland Theater.

December...The Jungle Cruise adds seven new scenes and 31 new Audio-Animatronics figures.

1977...

May... Four Mercury Program astronauts take part in the official opening ceremonies of Space Mountain, a high-speed race through spave in Tomorrowland.

The SuperSpeed Tunnel is added to the PeopleMover, while Starcade provides fyturistic arcade fun. New entertainment and dining options include the Space Stage and The Space Place restayrant.

December...The new "Very Merry Christmas Parade" brings holiday cheer, featuring traditional Christmas themes and Disney characters.

1978...

June...Updates to the Matterhorn Bobsleds add more show scenes, including and ice cavern, glowing ice crystals and the Abominable Snowman, along with a new ride system featuring tandem bobsleds.

July... The Disneyland Hotel unveils the 13-story Bonita Tower, Anaheim's tallest structure and the first hotel in the U.S. with solar heating system.

November...Disneyland is the focal point for Mickey Mouse's 50th Birthday Celebration with special shows, parades and a party with Mouseketeers from the original Mickey mouse Club TV show.


1979...

September...The wildest ride in the wilderness Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, debuts, sending Guests aboard a runaway mine train through exhilarating scenes of dark caverns, a spooky abandoned mine shaft, and so many twists and turns that Guests are advised to "hold on to your hats and glasses."


1980...

January...Disneyland begins a yearlong Silver Anniversary celebration with a pre-parade show at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses on New Year's Day, followed by a 25-hour party at Disneyland from midnight July 17 to 1a.m. July 18. New entertainment offerings include "Disneyland is Your Land," a show featuring Disney characters, and the "Disneyland 25th Birthday Parade" with more than 250 performers.

 Other special events this year include; Contempo `80, Honor America Weekend, Festival Canada, Nite of Joy, Make believe Ballroom, Country Jubilee, Senior Fun Days, Cowboy Fever Weekend, Mouseedays, Bluegrass & Folk Festival, Top 40 Night and Celebrate the Lands weekends.


1981...


June...Updates are made to the Storybook Land Canal Boats; many of the original 1956 miniature buildings and scenery details are replaced with more durable replicas.

12-12-81 was my first day as a new Cast member, Mark Twain was my first attraction.


1982...


April...Children  are invited to follow clues to find Easter Eggs with hidden prizes during the inaugural Thumper's Easter Egg Hunt.


June...A  single passport allowing admission to all attractions and performances replaces the A, B, C, D, and E attraction coupons.


November...Mickey's Month introduced as an annual celebration of Micky Mouse's birthday, complete with free gifts for Guests and special events like a Mouseketeer Reunion and "Micky's Birthday Parade."

1983...

May...After 20 months of renovations, a new version of Fantasyland debuts with attraction facades themed to the locale and era of the films represented in the area, instead of previous medieval tournament tents. Classics like Snow White's Scary Adventures and Peter Pan's Flight remain, and a new adventure, Pinocchio's Daring  Journey, is added. Village Inn Restaurant, themed after, "Pinocchio," opens and is later renamed Village Haus Restaurant.

June...In the summertime "Flights of Fantasy Parade," colorful air-filled figures bring to life scenes from beloved animated films above rolling stages, dancers and Disney characters.

1984... January  25...My first Daughter, Kimberly is born. Would later go on to be an attraction hostess for "it's a small world" (trainer), Matterhorn Bobsleds and parades.

February / March...Olympic Night at Disneyland raises $600,000 for U.S. Olympic Team for Summer Olympics in Los Angeles , and includes a patriotic parade and an enormous Olympic logo-with fireworks-suspended from a helicopter. During the games, the park hosts thousands of athletes, dignitaries and news media from 140 nations.

April...The final addition to an updated Fantasyland, a newly remodeled Alice in Wonderland pulls Guests down the rabbit hole once again. Kathryn Beaumont, who provided the voice of Alice in the 1951 film, narrates tracks for the attraction.

June...Magic Journeys makes its West Coast premiere at the Space Stage in Tomorrowland.  The popular film showcases a fanciful 3-D adventure through a child's imagination, including a moonscape and a high-flying circus act.

Disneyland celebrates Donald Duck's 50th birthday with a parade, bands, singers and dancers in Town Square, the grand culmination of a 15-city tour across the country.


November...Country Bear Christmas Special debuts in Bear Country at Disneyland. The new show features the original cast of the Country Bear Jamboree in a holiday romp of favorite Yuletide songs. This is the first time an Audio-Animatronics attraction is reprogrammed to create a completely new experience.


so cool...Dr Lee

To my Two amazing daughters,Kimberly and Tiffany:

I smile because you are my daughters!!!! And I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!!!


I Love you both...Dr Lee

An electric farewell:

 It's been five years since the final dazzling performance of Disney's Electrical Parade at Disney California Adventure Park on April 18, 2010.

 The following June, the parade-which originated as the Main Street Electrical Parade in 1972-began appearing at Walt Disney World Resort, were it continues today.

 The original parade, which ran at Disneyland Park through 1996, is Disney's longest-running and most traveled parade. Although it was first sent to the Walt Disney World Resort in 1996, it also made a one-night-only appearance in New York City in 1997 to herald the opening of "Hercules." It returned to California in 2001, when it began its nightly run at Disney California Adventure Park until 2010.

 The spirit of the parade- with its floats and live performers covered in thousands of lights synchronized to the catchy "Baroque Hoedown"-will live on in the new "Paint the Night" parade debuting May 22 for the launch of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration.


Love this parade....Dr Lee

Property Control works towards goal of zero waste:

 From the 19,000 pairs of shoes donated to Goodwill to the original "Fantasmic!" dragon sent to the Walt Disney Archives, the Property Control team is leading the change towards our goal of zero waste at the Disneyland Resort.

 Property Control repurposes items in a variety of ways; reissuing supplies to other departments, sending historical items to be archived, donating items to nonprofits, hosting merchandise sales, auctions and more. cast Members can visit the Property Control cage at Company D for sales on Disney theatrical costumes, furniture and other unique merchandise, or snag one-of-a-kind items through CastAuction.com, through which a portion of the proceeds are donated to local charities.

also....


For years, Guests staying at our Disneyland Resort Hotels were greeted by a newspaper each morning. While this practice provided the world-class service our guests expected, many unread newspapers were discarded and recycled daily as a result. And while recycling newspapers is great, it's even better not to waste the paper in the first place. Today, instead of delivering a newspaper to every Guest room, small stacks of  newspapers are placed in each elevator area for Guests to take as they please, translating into 250,000 fewer newspapers being printed- and then wasted-over the course of a year.

one more item...

saving used once crayons, about 4 pounds weekly are saved and donated to Goodwill of Orange County...

very cool...Dr Lee

Charging forward with new electric vehicle charging stations:

 In January 2014, 30 electric vehicle charging ports were introduced to Guests in the Mickey and friends parking structure and to Cast Members in the TDA parking structure. The response has been overwhelming positive., with Guests and Cast alike requesting additional locations around the resort to charge their vehicles. By next fall, the number of Cast electric vehicle charging ports will double to more than 25 spread across three different Cast parking lots (Simba, the new Harbor lot,and the existing ports in the TDA parking structure). Additional work to expand Guest charging stations will grow the program to more than 100 ports (all in the ChargePoint network) across property in the coming years.

very cool, not using fossil fuels , a greener future...Dr Lee

Jungle Cruise facts:

 5 fun facts about  the Jungle Cruise;

1...The original script in 1955 was purely educational, based on "True-Life Adventures," a collection of documentary films produced by Walt Disney Productions. Thanks to Imagineer Marc Davis, jokes were incorporated in the early 1960's.

2...Jungle Cruise Skippers can submit jokes annually to WDI for approval into the official script. This means the script has been compiled over time by the skippers.

3...In 1955, the "jungle' wasn't fully grown, so to make it look more lush, orange trees were planted upside down with the roots sticking out.

4...The Jungle Cruise waterway originally reached all the way to Rivers of America. It was shortened first for the building of New Orleans Square and then for the Indiana Jones Adventure.

5...The guns on board the boats are real!!! They are licensed to the Disneyland Resort, making it the only Disney site with real guns.

5 1/2...As a new Cast Member , one of the attractions I was trained on was Jungle Cruise. I do believe after all these years I still can say most of my spiel...

very cool...Dr Lee