We’re happy to hear a second Dapper Day at Disneyland has been announced. It actually more of a Dapper Evening starting at 6pm at running through midnight at the Disneyland Resort. There are two scheduled ‘events’ to meet up and celebrate your dapper-ness together. But… Read More »Dapper Day at Disneyland – Fall 2011 on September 9th
I love this little skit from D23 that Ricky Brigante caught and put up on youtube. It shows Disney Parks & Resorts President Tom Staggs doing a variety of cast member jobs as he takes over the position from Jay Rasulo. Quite funny, huh! It’s… Read More »Disney Parks Chief Is Every Cast Member
It’s the sixth year of record turn out for the Disneyland Half-Marathon. The Labor Day weekend races include a course through the parks, special medals, and this year will feature a couple of Hollywood celebrities. Hollywood actors Drew Carey and Megyn Price are expected to… Read More »Disneyland Half-Marathon Draws Big Names, Full Participation
Are you a Verizon customer with an Android phone? Then you’re in luck, Disney Parks and Verizon have just reduced the price of their “Mobile Magic” application down to nothing. Yep, download it for free right now and next time you’re in the parks get accurate wait times and fast pass information in real time. iPhone users will have to wait as that application is still in development.
This is a good move for Disney, I never understood why they charged people to learn more about the parks in the first place. Seems like they’d want their guests to be better educated about their in park choices so they can have a better time and tell others about it, hence bringing back more families in the future.
With NextGeneration (NGE) technology coming soon, Disney’s relationship with Verizon is likely evolving and may dissolve completely. That will allow those who have other carriers to get in on the fun. But for now, it’s only for Verizon customers. Thankfully I am one, I’ve now downloaded the app and will try it out next time I’m at the park.
More details on the app below the jump:
Read More »Disney Parks Mobile Magic App Now Free for Verizon Customers
Ed – Please welcome back Alison with her own report from D23 Expo.
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the D23 event on Sunday with my family. There were some big highlights but also a huge disappointment.
The Carousel of Projects was a highlight for my family. It had a great model which showed the Disney World Fantasyland expansion project. I had been having difficulty visualizing the whole thing but the model really brought it to life.
Video of the model and much more from D23 Expo below the jump:
Psst! Hey You. We’re hunting the elusive Jungle snipe. Well, not snipe, but a cast member. One specific cast member at the Jungle Cruise. As it turns out, from late 1977 through spring 1978, John Lasseter, before becoming chief creative officer at Walt Disney and… Read More »John of the Jungle – Spot John Lasseter in Jungle Cruise 1977 to win Disneyland Trip
For years, the Disneyland hotel has been the black sheep of the Disney owned hotels in Anaheim. It’s age and location left it the least desirable property of the three hotels. But the culmination of upgrades made over the last 5 years have finally paid off. AAA has bestowed its coveted 2012 Four Diamond award upon the landmark Disneyland Hotel making it the second property at the Disneyland Resort to secure such a high rating.
Only four percent of the 31,000 hotel properties AAA reviews achieve this enviable distinction. In fact, in order to become a five star resort you need to have a golf course and on-site spa. These are conditions Disneyland’s hotels can never meet. So four stars is really a great score.
“This is tremendous news, especially for the 1,000 Cast Members who work at the Disneyland Hotel and create magical experiences for our guests,” said Tony Bruno, vice president resort hotels and Downtown Disney. “The award underscores our continued investment in the guest experience and all our ongoing work, which has transformed the Disneyland Resort and Anaheim into Southern California’s world-class, multiday tourist destination.”
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa also is a AAA Four Diamond award winner and is home to yet another AAA Four Diamond recipient: the popular Napa Rose restaurant.
“North America’s AAA Diamond Rating System is a long-time trusted systematic method of rating lodgings and restaurants,” said the Auto Club’s Approved Accommodations Supervisor Patricia Marenco. “Southern California’s hotels and restaurants that earn the AAA Four Diamond award maintain a very high standard of service in their hotels and restaurants in order to continue pleasing their guests.”
Earlier this summer, the Disneyland Hotel marked a milestone in the property’s major “re-imagination” project with the opening of a new courtyard, restaurant, bar, pool and water play area.
Here’s a fun blast from the past. In December 1961, former US President Dwight Eisenhower, visited Disneyland with his family. The British News Reels have recently uploaded a short clip from his visit. Check out those Christmas parade costumes.