Hats off to third shift:

 Before the last Guest head to the park exits at the end of the evening,third-shift  Cast Members are already busy preparing the resort for the next day. From custodians and scuba divers to security hosts and horticulturists, nearly 1,500 Cast Members work through the night in a variety of roles.

 "Each and every thrid-shift Cast Member is vital to ensuring our Guests have a safe and memorable visit," said Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis. "From the Main Street flower arrangements to all of our safe-running attractions to the overall cleanliness of the parks, their work helps create happiness for millions of Guests each year."

 On January16,2013, before the sun came up, the hard work of third-shift Cast Members was celebrated at the Disneyland Hotel during the annual third-shift celebration, this year with a Disney/Pixar "Monsters University" theme and hosted by resort executives.

 A role that never sleeps...

 Unlike in the theme parks, hotel Cast Members interact with Guests 24 hours a day.Third-shift Cast Members are reponsible for checking in Disneyland Hotel Guests-regardless of what time they arrive. It is peaceful at night allowing Cast Members to close up for the night and set up for the next day.

Keeping the lights bright...

 A stroll down Main Street,U.S.A., is full of delights any time,but one of the most magical sights to see is how the street is transformed with lights at dark. But who replaces all those light bulbs when they burn out? The answer, third-shift Utilities Support Services Cast Members, that support the resorts electrical needs. With the park empty, these Cast Members can get their work done without the Guests seeing them at work. With the start of a new day, and Guests arriving, these Cast Members are heading home to relax and sleep,ZZZZZZZZZ.

Keep the party going...

 Guests have been traveling down the rabbit hole to enter Mad T Party since May 2012. Keeping the party fresh is the responsibility of the Stage Technicians. This team of Cast Members focuses on preventive maintenance and repairing light fixtures and set pieces. Safety is really important here,so when working with lifts, we always have spotters everywhere, regardless of where we are. With other departments working in the same area, it is very important to keep all Cast Members safe.

Think green...

 With approximately 16,000 trees beautify the landscape of the Disneyland Resort, there is a department with only 3 Cast Members who sole job is to maintain these trees. Meet the Horticulture department, and they all have a "Green" thumb, just note all those wonderful trees throughout the resort.

Show ready...

 Like all Cast Members, third-shift Custodial is responsible for following The Four Keys. Most of the roles require safety equipment, such as protective glasses and safety vests. But another key that third-shift Cast Members are able to perfect overnight is Show as they deep clean the resort from top to bottom-literally.
 From high pressure washing of Main Street, U.S.A., to gently cleaning the top of the Red Car Trolley, everything is cleaned. Every restroom,trashcan,even the bar at Club 33 is cleaned by third-shift Custodial. Sometimes working the evening dinner shift at Club 33 as the bartender,closing up, I would interact with third-shift Cast Members. I would be going home and these Cast Members were just starting, how would  you like lunch at 3:30 a.m..
 Walking to my locker at 1:00 a.m. , I would see trucks driving on Main Street, U.S.A., not Guests,notice Third-shift repairing a roof , Cast Members in lifts,trimming trees, painting a wall, on and on. Why, because here at the Disneyland Resort, when the sun comes up on a new day, Guests will feel like it's their day to explore and feel that magic.

proud to be a Cast member...Dr lee

Mickey's Toontown at 20 years:

 What would be the perfect place for a cartoon character to call home?

 It would have to have plenty of color,hardly a straight line to speak of and plenty of gags to make life just a little bit more...animated!!!

  Fortunately, Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland Park has all three in spades.

  Opened January 24,1993, Mickey's Toontown is filled with wild and whimsical architecture, from the seemingly impossible angles of Goofy's Playhouse to the classic cartoon look of City Hall, where the "Clockenspiel" marks the time. Minnie  Mouse and Mickey Mouse live right next door to one another, so be sure to stop by for a visit. Then, spend time playing with the interactive gags throughout downtown, including talking mailboxes, jail bars that stretch with ease, and the explosive detonator in front of the Fireworks Factory. For a little more thrill, take a ride on Gadget's Go Coaster or hitch a ride from Lenny the Cab aboard Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin.(opened in 1994)


Would like to live in a house that looks like one from Toontown...Dr Lee

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend:

January 18-19th:
 Health & Fitness Expo

January 19th:
Never Land Family Fun Run 5K

January 20th:
Tinker Bell Half Marathon

TRAFFIC ALERT:

 Surface streets around the Disneyland Resort will be close for the race.

Not ready for a half marathon?

 Try the orange County Heart Walk at the Disneyland Resort  on Febuary 3,2013. Register for the 5K walk at ocheartwalk.kintera.org

Next up:

 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend August 30 thru September 1,2013. The weekend events will include the inaugural Disneyland 10K. Registration begins January 22,2013 at rundisney.com



Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust:

 On Sunday, January 20,2013, at 5 a.m., the sound of footsteps pounding the pavement will rumble through the Disneyland Resort and surrounding streets of Anahiem as 14,000 runners take flight in the second annual Tinker Bell Half Marathon.


2013 FITNESS FRENZY:

 Achieve your 2013 fitness goals by participating in the following fitness offerings,all available beginning January 15,2013:


CAST WALKING LEAGUE:
 Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Stoddard Park in Anahiem, Jaunary 15-March 19 (free)

FITNESS BOOT CAMP:
 Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30p.m. on the TDA hardscape, January 15-Febuary 7,2013 ($77 per Cast Member)

YOGA AT WORK:
 Tuesdays at 7a.m. in Entertainment Rehearsal Hall, January 15-March 5,2013 ($64 per Cast Member)


Staying FIT and having FUN...Dr Lee

Disneyland Hotel acquired 25 years ago:

 As he had done for several other projects in his career, Walt Disney pushed his resources to their absolute limit in building Disneyland, mortgaging his home and selling his life insurance policy. But his plans didn't include a hotel, and he didn't have the money to build one. Knowing a hotel near Disneyland would do well, he convinced his friend Jack Wrather, a businessman and Hollywood producer, to build upscale accommodations across the street.

  The Disneyland Hotel opened Oct. 5, 1955, with 104 rooms in five buildings. As Disneyland thrived, so did the hotel, adding Monorail service directly to Tomorrowland, three high-rise towers and a waterfront marina. Jack refused multiple buyout offers, but after his passing in 1984, the Wrather Corp. was co-purchased by Disney on January 21,1988, in a deal that secured it control of the Disneyland Hotel.

 Jack and his wife, Bonita (for whom the present-day Frontierland Tower was originally named), were posthumously named Disney Legends in 2011.

very cool....Dr Lee