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

Ticket Prices:

August 5th, ticket prices going up..............

Ages 10+ Ages 3-9

6-Day Park Hopper $256.00 $230.00

5-Day Park Hopper $251.00 $226.00

4-Day Park Hopper $231.00 $208.00

3-day Park Hopper $206.00 $185.00

2-Day Park Hopper $161.00 $146.00

2-Day $151.00 $136.00

1-Day Park Hopper $101.00 $91.00

1-Day $76.00 $68.00

Base Ticket admits guests to one theme park each day of use. Park choices are: Disneyland, Disneyland California Adventure.

Park Hopper option entitles guest to visit both theme parks on each day of use.

All tickets expire 14 days from the date of first use.


[Theme Park Annual Pass Options


Premium $459.00

Deluxe $329.00

Southern California* $239.00

Southern California Select* $184.00

*Valid proof of Southern California residency required for purchase and use.


DR LEE


P.S. Still a great price for what you get! From early morning to late into the night, family,friends memories and lets not forget the entertainment, shows,and parades.Oh yes, those FIREWORKS,BOOM, BANG AND FLASH............DR LEE

P.S.S. To those few who can, lunch or dinner at "Club 33".........DR LEE

World of Color:

World of Color has been extremely popular with Guests this summer, and we are happy to report that the show will continue nightly throughout the year. After Labor Day, Disney California Adventure Park will remain open until 8p.m. Monday thru Thursday and until 10 p.m.Friday, Saturday and Sunday to accommodate the nightly performance. Dining packages will be available. There may be some days during the year when the show will be dark, so please check disneyland.com for more show and dining information.

DR LEE

Egyptian excursions:

Seven.The Seven Seas Lagoon at the Walt Disney World Resort. Seven night cruises offered on Disney Cruise Line. And those adorable seven dwarfs from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
There's a whole new reason to celebrate the lucky number seven at Disney.
In 2011, Adventures by Disney will be taking families to the country which houses the seventh wonder of the ancient world still in existence, Egypt.
Two itineraries, a seven-night and a nine-night vacation, will be offered in Egypt filled with daily activities that are appropriate for the entire family, including childern who will step into the pages of their history books. The seven-night itinerary features the highlights of Cairo followed by a three-day Nile River Cruise sailing from Aswan to Luxor. The nine-night itinerary will add an additional two days on the Red Sea in the resort town of Sharm El Sheikh, which is famous for its underwater national park, a veritable snorkeling paradise for seasoned and first-time snorkelers alike. Both programs are escorted by an Egyptologist to enchance Guests'understanding of the ancient world.
Guests will discover the astonishing array of the treasures of antiquity, from the pharaonic collections housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to the ancient temples and royal tombs along the banks of the Nile River-and to see the Great Pyramids and mysterious Sphinx.
Families can also look forward to Egyptian cooking demonstrations, a camel ride at the pyramids and papyrus-making activities.


DR LEE

11014 hits on Dr Lee's blog:

Since 2000, I have gotten into the habit of keeping a "journal." At first,it was hit-an-miss at best, not very much was written. However, as these past few years have come and gone,I have improved much.
Every night,at approx. 9 p.m.,I sit and I write, what time I woke up,were I went,things I did that day,what bills were paid, people who I had contact with,and how many people looked at my blog. From August 1st 2009 to August 1st 2010, 11014 people looked at my blog and I say "thanks."
August 1st is an important date for me, it has been 3 years since I moved to Pleasant Hill, California(about 20 miles from San Francisco) from Riverside,California since retiring from Disneyland Club 33.
Reading my blog, you will notice a comment section at the bottom of each entry. If there is something you would like me to write about,let me know in this section.
Again, I say "thanks" and look forward to another exicting year blogging,and oh yes,see you at the Disney Resort.


DR LEE

Golden Oak resort community unveiled:

Disney has unveiled Golden Oak, a luxury residential resort community offering the unprecedented opportunity to purchase a home at Walt Disney World Resort. Designed by Disney's famed Imagineers, the gated community will feature intimate neighborhoods and amenities created with everyone in the family in mind. Disney's well-known attention to detail is visible in every park, pathway and the custom-design of the proposed private clubhouse. Expansive conservation areas comprise almost half of the entire 980 acre footprint, all just steps away from the Magic Kingdom Park.

DR LEE