Former Disney Imagineer Mark Hickson is now blogging over at “Disney by Mark.” He’s been cheerfully sharing some unique peeks behind the magic along with pieces from his collection of Disney memorabilia. I’m particularly enjoying his scans of the 1955 Guidebook for Disneyland – The… Read More »The Story of Disneyland – 1955 Guidebook
The topiaries that surround the exterior of Disneyland’s classic and much loved attraction “it’s a small world” have been impressing guests since 1966. But what behind the scenes magic is involved in putting on this show? This video with Topiary Engineer Craig Minasian reveals a… Read More »Small World Topiaries receive TLC
(photo courtesy LaughingPlace.com) When New Orleans Square’s original perfume shop, with its personalized perfumes, closed in the early 1990s many bemoaned the loss of some of the individuality associated with the theme park. The loss of the One of A Kind shop cemented that. Those… Read More »Mlle. Antoinette’s Parfumerie returns to New Orleans Square
In a project that finished today, nearly 300 volunteers from the local community, Disneyland and other Disney VoluntEARs, city of Anaheim, Thomas Edison Elementary School and Anaheim Family YMCA united to build a new KaBOOM! playground and learning garden for hundreds of Anaheim children. The… Read More »Disneyland Cast Members Help Community Build New KaBOOM! Playground in Anaheim
The Disney History Institute is out with their first documentary and it will make Disneyland Railroad fans weep. The first part of the video reveals 1955 Disneyland in gorgeous full color and includes a trip around the park on the Railroad featuring footage I’d never… Read More »Original 1955 Disneyland Railroad Cars Reunited in San Luis Obispo
The Paul Pressler/Cynthia Harriss era at Disneyland was controversial among park fans. Many saw it as an era of cuts and rollbacks to the park’s decades of magic. Matt Ouimet was moved over from the very successful Disney Cruise Lines to repair not just the damage years of neglect had done to the park, but also repair the parks reputation in time for its 50th anniversary.
Ouimet left Disneyland behind when the opportunity came to be CEO of a major hospitality company. Unfortunately that was not the right fit for Ouimet’s skillset. It is, however, well suited to running a themed entertainment company. So, I’m very happy to hear that Ouimet will be taking over as president of Cedar Fair.
Cedar Fair owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels. Amusement parks in the Company’s northern region include two in Ohio: Cedar Point and Kings Island; as well as Canada’s Wonderland, near Toronto; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; and Michigan’s Adventure, MI. In the southern region are Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC; and Worlds of Fun, MO. Western parks in California include: Knott’s Berry Farm; California’s Great America; and Gilroy Gardens, which is managed under contract.
The reality is that Americans are valuing their entertainment dollars more than ever these days. But a company that is built around attracting local business like Cedar Fair is, has the potential to flourish. That’s not to say I expect miracles from Ouiment at Cedar Fair, at least not immediately. He has to deal with a company that’s been teetering on the edge of profitability for a number of years to the point of shareholder revolt. This move is definitely an attempt to assuage those fears.
One of Ouimet’s first moves will likely be to reach back into his operations experience to implement some efficiencies and improve customer service. That will help put Cedar Fair on stronger financial footing and allow for more growth in the future. In any event, I wish him the best of luck. A stronger amusement park industry benefits everyone.
The full press release is below the jump:
Read More »Matt Ouimet, Former Disneyland President, to run Cedar Fair Parks
When a Jungle Cruise elephant reaches that stage in its life when a “tune-up” is needed, you can’t just walk them out for some TLC. That’s largely because they’re bolted to the floor, but also unless you’re Lucky the Dinosaur, most AA’s don’t walk. So… Read More »Disneyland Elephant Gets A Lift
The crowds were out in full force at Disneyland this weekend. Of course this is to be expected. School is out and two new rides have just opened.
Tomorrowland could be best described as very very crowded. If you do not need to approach Tomorrowland from Main Street at the moment just don’t even go there. Access Space Mountain from the other side of the park and avoid the Jedi crowds.
I had a plan of action to get the most possible rides on Star Tours. I booked a room in one of the Disneyland Resort hotels so that we could get the Soundsational Summer Package. Not only does this give you early entry into the parks on certain days it will give you something even more valuable. 2 Fast Passes per guest. This is a huge deal if you want to avoid standing in the line for Star Tours.
The early entry hours this Sunday meant that Disney resort guests could enter Disneyland at 7am which is one hour ahead of the rest of the park guests. This should have got us a head start but of course after leaving the park at midnight the night before things didn’t quite work out as planned. So we were a little late reaching the Fast Pass kiosk at 8:15am.
