So last night wast the debut of ‘Murphy’ the new Fantasmic! Dragon at Disneyland. Murphy got her name because of the problems Disneyland Entertainment experienced trying to get the huge effect to work properly. As such it took quite a ribbing from Disney fans, even during its debut. I have to say I love this particular response:
The Orlando Sentinel has turned it’s industry observer eye on the local economy drivers — the theme parks. The question is with all the cuts going on at the theme parks have they gone too far, cut bone instead of fat? At Disney two of… Read More »ThemePark Recession Cuts – Fat or Bone?
I took off Friday for my son’s 6th birthday. As per his wish, we spent some time meandering through the Magic Kingdom doing what he wanted to do (mostly).
The day started with ride over to the park on the monorail. Believe it or not, that was my first ride on the transport since the tragic death of monorail purple’s pilot. The system functioned as it should, there may have been a couple extra cast members on the platform, but for the most part things were the same as they ever were.
We tried to time our arrival with the little show that takes place at the train station as the park opens to guests. It’s a cute show, but it seemed most of the cast members were just going through the motions and the guests that were selected to open the park really didn’t do any thing much. I think it’s time for some new magical moment to be created here, hopefully one that doesn’t involve crowding hundreds of people into a small area and then forcing them to move through an even smaller passage way all while strollers run over their toes and elbows are thrown jostling for position.
So having survived Disney’s version of the Running of the Bulls, what do we do next? Head to our first Fast Pass? No! Not this day. We went straight to the Harmony Barbershop where the official festivities for “Pink Hair Day” were set to begin.
(follow me below the jump for a photo of the famous pink hair and more from the day)
Jeff Altman’s grandfather had a real enthusiasm for 16mm film. While going through some of the family film archives, Jeff discovered this incredibly colorful and clear film of Disneyland just one year after it opened. There’s even a scene of his grandmother (love her outfit)… Read More »Newly Discovered Disneyland Home Movie from 1956
Sad news tonight from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A stunt performer at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular died during an evening rehearsal for the show. The Orlando Sentinel reports that he died after doing a tumbling roll. Sad proof that even what may seem like… Read More »Cast Member dies after Indiana Jones Stunt Show Rehearsal Accident
Had two relatively brief trips to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this last week. The park appears to be in a stable mode right now. A few small changes here and there, like the meet and great that replaced the smoking zone, but over all the park has settled into a good rhythm.
It still needs more attractions (rides, shows, and/or parades) to help extend it into a full day park (with a 6pm closing on a Saturday, even Disney doesn’t expect guests to stick around). Much has been planned, but as far as I know, nothing is green lit for construction right now.
Labor cutbacks have taken the shine off some of the parks previously polished edges. There is more trash on the ground, fewer costumed cast members around in stores, and more management types out in the park (which is a good thing if you ask me).
I did not see new park Vice President Kevin Lansberry, but I did get a chance to explore the park and the stores. So here’s a quick update below the cut:
A performer in the Magic Kingdom’s Captan Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial has passed away after an injury occurred during a performance. The Orlando Sentinel has reported that Mark Priest, 47, slipped on a wet spot during a performance and was taken to the hospital on Thursday,… Read More »Castmember Dies After Injury
Former Disneyland Cast Member Anne runs the amazing blog – “The Best Possible Job“. It’s full of her amazing memories of working at the Happiest Place on Earth. Anne’s latest post is a little time capsule that takes one back to 1984. Stroller rentals were… Read More »1985 Disneyland Cast Member Fact Card
