Yesterday we got a special preview of the Horticulture and Garden tour at Disneyland, today we meet one of the cast members who keeps everything looking magical in the latest video from “Every Role a Starring Role”
Following in the footsteps of Bill Evans, cast member Greg Vierkant explains how he helps every inch of Disneyland Resort horticulture look “show ready” through careful planning.Read More »Disneyland Horticulture Cast Member Profile
Although I personally have yet to partake in any runDisney events, I’ve been pleased to be invited to cover a few. All of them have their own quirks and styles, but there is something that unites them all and that’s the magic of running at Disney. That element turns out to be so popular, even with 7 race weekends throughout the year, runDisney can’t keep up with the demand. But that’s okay, they continue to add new opportunities to their existing races, such as broadening the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort next year by adding a 10K and a new two-race challenge.
The Princess 10K gives runners of various levels more opportunities to run through Disney theme parks and receive a specially-designed finisher medal. And runners looking for an even bigger challenge can sign up for the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday (19.3 miles total) to earn the inaugural Disney Glass Slipper Challenge Medal to go along with medals from each individual race.Read More »Princess Half-Marathon Weekend adds New Race and More Fun
Back in the day when I used to haunt the original Disneyland park in Anaheim, I looked to take whatever walking tour Guest Relations would offer. If there was no new tour on the horizon, there was often an unofficial tour to enjoy too. One… Read More »Disneyland Horticulture and Garden Tour
Disneyland is restoring long missed magic to the newly refurbished Fantasyland theatre when Mickey Mouse and a cast of beloved Disney characters will embark on a series of musical adventures through the magical powers of a sorcerer’s map in “Mickey and the Magical Map.” The all-new live show coming is scheduled to open on May 25.
“We’re very excited to welcome guests to the Disneyland Resort this summer to enjoy all the entertainment and attractions that make this a world-class, family vacation destination,” said Michael Colglazier, President of the Disneyland Resort. “We’re particularly thrilled to debut our captivating new show ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ and to invite guests to experience Fantasy Faire, a new themed area with Disney Princess encounters and two live shows based on favorite princess stories.”Read More »Mickey and the Magical Map stage show coming to Disneyland
Tonight Spaceship Earth transformed into “Monsters University” Star Mike Wazowski to help announce 24 hour events that will include special parties for the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure. Sully put in a brief ‘scary’ appearance too.
“This summer, Disney Parks are bursting with a monstrous lineup of new thrills, shows and happenings,” said Kalogridis. “Guests can start Memorial Day Weekend with a 24-hour-marathon of memory-making as three Parks stay open all day and all night to celebrate the bi-coastal kick-off of a Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks.”
Here’s a video featuring just Mike Wazowski:
[Updated] and here’s the whole announcement:
More details from the press release below the jump:
Read More »Mike Wazowski Kicks Off Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks
Earlier this month, I posted a marvelous photo of Walt Disney standing on the steps of the Main Street Train Station in 1955 looking out into the present. The component parts of that picture came from a amazing collection of photos that capture how Disney… Read More »Disney Parks Then and Now
Yesterday the news was flying fast and heavy from the Disneyland Resort. Fires, attraction closures, and long lines were the order of the day. Today, two major attractions remain unexpectedly closed while Disneyland completes safety inspections and upgrades. I’ve been piecing together the timeline and… Read More »Disneyland Closes Attractions After Internal Review Related to CAL/OSHA Report
Update: Sunday 4/14/13 12pm PT – Just spoke with our contact at Disneyland and have a new story with important updates to the below post:
Update: Sunday 4/14/13 9am PT– Disneyland opened today with the Matterhorn Bobsleds running. Space Mountain and Soarin’ over California remain closed, according to Disney PR. Yesterday’s Matterhorn closure may have been unrelated to CAL/OSHA inspection. I’m hearing more inspections could happen over the next few days. Still awaiting official statement from Disneyland PR.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA) delivered seven safety violation citations to the Disneyland resort yesterday for Space Mountain. For some reason (update: the closures were made voluntarily by Disneyland after an internal safety review), this has resulted in three major attractions to be closed at the Disneyland Resort today. Those attractions are Space Mountain, The Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Soarin’ Over California. It’s not yet clear if the Matterhorn and Soarin’ are related to the same CAL/OSHA filing. I’ve asked Disneyland for clarification.
The citations were related a 2006 agreement to make improvements and to inspections following recent accidents such as the man who was seriously injured while cleaning the outside of Space Mountain in November 2012. The findings include simple failures like not having a charged fire extinguisher and more serious ones like failure to protect employees from unsafe ladders or lack of railings preventing a fall hazard. Serious fines of up to $70,000 for each infraction could be levied if Disneyland does not comply immediately with the requests (although appeal is also an option). Total penalties for just the Space Mountain citations could reach over $230,000.
These are the same sort of hazards that forced Disneyland to close Alice in Wonderland until temporary scaffolding could be erected with guardrails. The park still hasn’t made permanent fixes there.