New DL Update From AL

[Isaac]

One of the highlights from this update:

Hello Main Street Electrical Parade
So what is Ed Grier's plan to counter this one-two-three punch of theme park misery? He's going to bring back the Electrical Parade to Disneyland!
Really.
At least that's the current plan, to create a marketing campaign to run from spring through Christmas of 2009 that focuses on the entertainment offered at Disneyland. The campaign would tout the new daytime "Wonder" parade that will debut at Disneyland in '09 once the Main Street paving is complete. And at the same time in the spring the Electrical Parade would move from DCA back over to Disneyland, where it was supposed to have "glowed away forever" 13 years earlier.



http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al040808j.jpg



He also mentions the new Indy show that's going into Aladdin's Oasis, this summer.

http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al040808a.htm

[BarTopDancer]

Oh man I hope he's right about MSEP

[innerSpaceman]

I found this update to be chock full of good and bad, but so much NEWS.


I understand they don't want another static, losing-steam-per-day show at DCA, but to leave the Carthay Circle Theater an empty shell when it's the new "Castle" of the park is going to be worse than two decades of empty Carousel of Progress taking up a third of Tomorrowland. And I daresay that, declining visitorship as may have happened, a supreme Walt Disney Story would remain better than Innoventions forever.


And much as I understand the rationale, I cringe at them destroying the Disneyland Hotel. The resulting New Disneyland Hotel will be nicer architecturaly, but will have GrandCal-style tiny rooms at bankbreak rates.


Well, PLEASE don't do the demolition before the 55th. I want to party in that cool BONITA (aka Wishes / Wonder / Magic / Dreamyear / Princess) Tower suite one more time before it all collapses away forever.

[Kevy Baby]

If they really want to bring back some top notch entertainment...

http://www.thedisneyblog.com/tdb/images/7815m.jpg

[Disneyphile]

I pray he's right about MSEP returning.

Come on, Disney, grant some of us a TRUE dream in a million!

[Kevy Baby]

OK, THIS is going to be a cluster fornication:
Instead, the plan now is to use the same scenario but on the opposite side of the main entrance. The big utility gates adjacent to La Brea Bakery will now be used as the temporary entrance into DCA during parts of 2009 and 2010, with temporary turnstiles and support services installed on the road that leads along the east end of the Soarin' Over California hangar.http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al040808q.jpg

Hopefully they realize that the actual gates will need to be WAY inside and not right between WOD and La Brea Bakery

[Alex]

Especially once they put in the security checks that'll be needed.

[Chernabog]

Honestly, I don't understand most people's obsessions with MSEP at Disneyland. I wish they would change the music and update the floats and costumes -- I mean, keep the concept, just change all of the floats already. Pete's Dragon? Jesus.

[Alex]

Yes. Please. Change the music and then I can enjoy the parade. It doesn't have to be good music, just music that doesn't make me want to rip my ears off and feed them to the feral cats roaming around.

[Isaac]

Jesus
He was never in the parade. ;)

[Kevy Baby]

Pete's Dragon? Jesus.LOL: That's my 2nd favorite float (behind the Calliope)

[Kevy Baby]

Change the music...How about some Lords of Acid? That would blend right in.

[BDBopper]

Cripes! If I was in Mary Poppins I'd be floating to the ceiling laughing with no hope of floating back down any time soon! :D

[Not Afraid]

LOL: That's my 2nd favorite float (behind the Calliope)

They're gonna make Calliope be in the MSEP? How fun!

[Morrigoon]

Bloody hell... apparently MA is now miceage.micechat.com - which means I can't read it from work :mad: (my company blocked mc)

[Gemini Cricket]

If y'all haven't seen Fantasmic! lately, do so. It has been plussed here and there. There are new lights on the princess floats and some new lighting effects here and there. It's worth seeing again. It looks all glossy and shiny again.

If you do see it again, check out the lights on the princess floats. I think that kind of technology and the ones used on the (ugh) Light Magic floats could be used to improve MSEP.

[CoasterMatt]

LEDs are full of win.

It's A Small World sounds like a ship full of fail.

[innerSpaceman]

Um, well, the LED's on the Princess floats were from the last upgrade, but they are still cool. (It's best to keep watching them thru the begiinning of the Evil Queen bit, because the way they "turn off" is bitchin').


No, the new stuff is:

Projections on the TSI Stage/House/Thingy during 2 segments

New design for lighting and pyro during the finale (actually less pyrotechnics overall - allowing for more AQMD credits - but better looking and snappier)

and, most important,

better audience-participation twirly-wands used by the characters on the Mark Twain!!

:D

[Chernabog]

Bloody hell... apparently MA is now miceage.micechat.com - which means I can't read it from work :mad: (my company blocked mc)

Sorry hun -- miceage switched servers completely over to the micechat servers (I think over the weekend).

However -- I read miceage today from my cell phone :) It's a pretty mobile-friendly site, and I'm sure you could get it if you can download the Opera mobile browser into your phone. It was wierd, with my new phone I read my email today on the crapper. Random. I need more sleep. :)

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Electrical Parade is just a shell of it's old self. Putting it back on Main Street is where it belongs and one can only hope they will improve it from there. They used to update it all the time back in the day. Thusly I was very impressed with Spectromagic... (yeah, yeah)

And, Pete's Dragon is still my fav. There's just never a good Pete up there.

[Morrigoon]

Yeah Pete's Dragon is a great float :)

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

ALSO, regarding Jingles!

I saw it was missing the other day but it seems today it has been rededicated in honor of Julie Andrews although it is known as Lilian Disney's horse.

Bastards...

[Gemini Cricket]

Sometimes, there's no Pete at all up there...
:)

[Gemini Cricket]

And another thing I noticed the other day. Big Figs are now $175.
They went from $100 to $125 to $150 in a couple of years. I think that's messed up.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm so glad I covet no Disney merchandise. I'm cured. Whew.

On the other hand, I received my AP Renewal app in the mail today, and I'm afraid to look.


Is that true about Jingles being dedictated to Julie? Huh? Was she riding sidesaddle in the Park? Did they play Jolly Holiday with Mary???

[Disneyphile]

On the other hand, I received my AP Renewal app in the mail today, and I'm afraid to look.$379 for a premium now, but you'll save $20 if you renew early! ;)

And, if they remove "Baroque Hoedown" from the parade, I'll rip their nuts off. ;) I'm sorry, but that would be like rewriting the "Mickey Mouse Club March" or the "Fantasmic" main theme.

[BarTopDancer]

$379 for a premium now, but you'll save $20 if you renew early! ;)

Reason #2 I haven't renewed yet.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

ISM - http://www.ocregister.com/articles/andrews-horse-carousel-2013970-park-theme

Why don't they just dedicate Small World to her too. Not like it was dedicated to anyone before. B.S.!!

[wendybeth]

I agree with DP- I love the MSEP music. I'm also with the 'get back to DL' crowd; it's from there (Main Street) and it belongs there.

[Gemini Cricket]

I love the MSEP music!
Who doesn't?
:)

[wendybeth]

Alex.

[Gemini Cricket]

Alex.
Oh, him.
:D

[Cadaverous Pallor]

CHANGE the MUSIC??? Et tu, Chernabog? :p

[Alex]

I've always operated under the assumption that Main Street Electrical Parade was originally designed as an experience solely for deaf people.

[Leigh-Ann]

If y'all haven't seen Fantasmic! lately, do so. It has been plussed here and there. There are new lights on the princess floats and some new lighting effects here and there. It's worth seeing again. It looks all glossy and shiny again.

If you do see it again, check out the lights on the princess floats. I think that kind of technology and the ones used on the (ugh) Light Magic floats could be used to improve MSEP.


yeah Fantasmic is looking super cool we saw it this past weekend the little changes that they have made are great

[RStar]

Crap.

I was just on my way to bed and I tend to get songs stuck in my head that play all night. Guess what I'm going to be hearing all night.:eek:

Thank you very much!

I'm going to go rip my ears off now.

Good night.

[Disneyphile]

I wish I had bought the alarm clock that played that song about 10 years ago. I'd seriously wake up in an awesome mood everyday. :p

The song means a lot to me. For some reason, it inspired me to pursue a career in entertainment and make people happy when I was just 4 years old. Seriously, when I'm having a bad creative block, I can stop and listen to that, and I'm re-energized.

I love it so much, it even became my license plate. ;)

[innerSpaceman]

Baroque Hoedown IS The Main Street Electrical Parade. Don't go getting the idea that they're changing it simply because Alex has demonstrated his most supreme non-human trait in dissing that iconic music. You did not read anything like that from AL, only from the misanthrope that is ALex.

Granted, Al says they're considering changing out the blue fairy opening. I'd be sad to see that go, but change is good for the parade. Ditto the patriotic finale ... which, ironically, was fantastic for the first time to me from a vantage point in DCA (looking down on the red white and blue endless ribbon of flag festoon from the balcony of the Mondavie (sp?) restaurant)


* * * *

Thanks for the link to the Andrews piece, Borneio. I don't mind them decorating Jingles with some Julie stuff. It's not like they changed his name to Andrew ... and he's had several different decorative changes throughout the decades.

[Gemini Cricket]

With all the jokes about DL using Julie Andrews so much, I'm glad they are paying her tribute while she's still around. I mean, she's an amazing actress with a terrific singing voice. A true legend.
:)

[innerSpaceman]

They should stage a revival of Victor/Victoria at the Fantasyland Theater. :D

[Disneyphile]

They should stage a revival of Victor/Victoria at the Fantasyland Theater. :DI just saw that for the first time ever last week. Dear gods, have I ever missed out all this time. It's bloody brilliant!!

[Chernabog]

I just saw that for the first time ever last week. Dear gods, have I ever missed out all this time. It's bloody brilliant!!

Cheese man and I went to a showing for Outfest, where Lesley Ann Warren was watching in the audience and did a Q&A afterwards... she looked fabulous. Best part was when the audience got her to get into character and say... "I'm horny!" :) :)

[Gemini Cricket]

Cheese man and I went to a showing for Outfest, where Lesley Ann Warren was watching in the audience and did a Q&A afterwards... she looked fabulous. Best part was when the audience got her to get into character and say... "I'm horny!" :) :)
Hmph, I was there too, I hope you realize.

Hmph.





:D

[Chernabog]

Hmph, I was there too, I hope you realize.


So was a tow truck, I can't mention EVERYONE you know ;)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Thanks for the link to the Andrews piece, Borneio. I don't mind them decorating Jingles with some Julie stuff. It's not like they changed his name to Andrew ... and he's had several different decorative changes throughout the decades.

Meh. I don't recall Marry Poppins doing any care taking for wee Prince Arthur. It's King Arthur's Carousel. Worst travesty ever? Hardly, but I wish they'd found some other way to honor her.

[innerSpaceman]

Funny, I don't recall Sleeping Beauty hanging out with King Arthur either, but the Carrousel has been decorated with those images for many a year.


I don't think it's the best way to tributize her either, but it's not like the King Arthur Carrousel has always been thematically pure.

[Alex]

If you're going to dedicate something in DL to Mary Poppins isn't a carousel horse about the most appropriate thing? I haven't seen up close pictures of the horse yet. Is the dedication something that really sticks out or more subtle so that most people wouldn't notice?

If the latter, I don't really see the issue. Disneyland rides are full of little tributes that don't technically fit the theming.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Fair enough I suppose.

[BarTopDancer]

How about a Marry Poppins attraction?

[Ghoulish Delight]

If you're going to dedicate something in DL to Mary Poppins isn't a carousel horse about the most appropriate thing? I haven't seen up close pictures of the horse yet. Is the dedication something that really sticks out or more subtle so that most people wouldn't notice?
I was comparing photos yesterday and it looks like the only changes are that the saddle cloth has been changed from pink to a light blue and some sort of crest has been painted onto the saddle itself. I have not seen detail on that crest.

[Kevy Baby]

$379 for a premium now, but you'll save $20 if you renew early! ;)

Reason #2 I haven't renewed yet.Renew to a lower level pass. Then, when you have the money, upgrade to the next level up. This year, I started with a So Cal Pass, upgraded to Deluxe (and added parking, but you could do that separate or before Deluxe upgrade) and then upgraded to premium.

I call it the AP payment plan.

I love the MSEP music!
Who doesn't?

Alex.Yeah, but he doesn't like anything.

[BarTopDancer]

Renew to a lower level pass. Then, when you have the money, upgrade to the next level up. This year, I started with a So Cal Pass, upgraded to Deluxe (and added parking, but you could do that separate or before Deluxe upgrade) and then upgraded to premium.

I call it the AP payment plan.


That's what I am going to do the next time I find myself at the park.

[NirvanaMan]

Happy to hear that they may be bulldozing the Disneyland Hotel. I remember the first time I came to DL about 7 years ago and thinking, christ - what a dump! They are a bit of an eye-sore and massively underwhelming for those used to typical Disney resorts.

Nostalgia be damned in this case.

Of course, I didn't grow up here with them yada yada. That's just my "outsiders" perspective. I think I actually still frown a bit when I see them from the tram on the way into the part. 1960s Hilton indeed.

[innerSpaceman]

It's not nostalgia. I will miss the big rooms. For the same or higher prices, all that will be available will be tiny closet rooms. Rooms the size of the current standard Disneyland Hotel room will likely run $2K per nite.

Bah.


And the balcony suites in the Bonita Tower are so cool. I want to have that for one more big Disneyland Birthday.







Then let the bulldozers roll ... because, yeah, the hotel is ugly.


Oh, except for the waterfalls. They installed very cool new lighting a few months ago. Has anyone been at night besides me and zapp? It's worth seeing. Especially if it's soon to be history.

[€uroMeinke]

So when is the hotel thing supposed to happen? We need to rent the swank suite at least once before it goes - that would be some party

[Cadaverous Pallor]

So when is the hotel thing supposed to happen? We need to rent the swank suite at least once before it goes - that would be some partyIN.

[lashbear]

Cheese man and I went to a showing for Outfest, where Lesley Ann Warren was watching in the audience and did a Q&A afterwards... she looked fabulous. Best part was when the audience got her to get into character and say... "I'm horny!" :) :)
I hate you.

Hmph, I was there too, I hope you realize.
You too.

It's not nostalgia. I will miss the big rooms..
Why? how many people do you want to have in the room at once?

....don't answer that.

except for the waterfalls. They installed very cool new lighting a few months ago. Has anyone been at night besides me and zapp? It's worth seeing. Especially if it's soon to be history.
I'm glad I got to see the waterfalls at least. Even if the dancing water thingy wasn't going.

[BarTopDancer]

Happy to hear that they may be bulldozing the Disneyland Hotel. I remember the first time I came to DL about 7 years ago and thinking, christ - what a dump! They are a bit of an eye-sore and massively underwhelming for those used to typical Disney resorts.

Nostalgia be damned in this case.

Of course, I didn't grow up here with them yada yada. That's just my "outsiders" perspective. I think I actually still frown a bit when I see them from the tram on the way into the part. 1960s Hilton indeed.

Nostalgic to me. It will always be the "super cool hotel that the monorail ran through* that I never got to stay in because I live so close" to me. However, since I've been in the hotel, and in the rooms, I no longer *have* to stay in it. I'll be sad to see a landmark go, but it can go.

*yes, I realize now that the monorail never ran through it.


Oh, except for the waterfalls. They installed very cool new lighting a few months ago. Has anyone been at night besides me and zapp? It's worth seeing. Especially if it's soon to be history.

Went to go see it a few weeks ago, but they had turned the falls off. Any idea how late they are normally left on?

So when is the hotel thing supposed to happen? We need to rent the swank suite at least once before it goes - that would be some party

IN.

Ditto.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Best part was when the audience got her to get into character and say... "I'm horny!" :) :)

I thought the best part was when I got into her character and said, "I'm horny!"

The worst part was finding my truck towed away.

GC got to enjoy that adventure with me.

[innerSpaceman]

Um, the Swank Suite (fka the Marina, now the WonderBra for all we know) was $6,000 per night back in 2005.

Um, tell me again who's in???

I'll kick in $1500 if that will get the ball rolling, btw.

[wendybeth]

It's not nostalgia. I will miss the big rooms. For the same or higher prices, all that will be available will be tiny closet rooms. Rooms the size of the current standard Disneyland Hotel room will likely run $2K per nite.

Bah.


And the balcony suites in the Bonita Tower are so cool. I want to have that for one more big Disneyland Birthday.







Then let the bulldozers roll ... because, yeah, the hotel is ugly.


Oh, except for the waterfalls. They installed very cool new lighting a few months ago. Has anyone been at night besides me and zapp? It's worth seeing. Especially if it's soon to be history.

I appreciate the history and nostalgia behind the hotel, but it is falling apart. (And we must have been given the broom closet when we stayed, because our pool view room in the Sierra tower was frikken tiny!!!) The pool areas are cool, though. I wonder if those will stay?

[innerSpaceman]

Heheh, the biggest and the smallest rooms are in the Sierra Tower. It's the oldest and the weirdest.

[€uroMeinke]

Um, the Swank Suite (fka the Marina, now the WonderBra for all we know) was $6,000 per night back in 2005.

Um, tell me again who's in???

I'll kick in $1500 if that will get the ball rolling, btw.

How many does it sleep - we'd have to have it for at least two days for the full swank effect, but I'd be willing to contribute for an appropriately celebratory occasion

[wendybeth]

Heheh, the biggest and the smallest rooms are in the Sierra Tower. It's the oldest and the weirdest.
I suppose that's why they stuck me there.;)

[innerSpaceman]

I think the Swank Suite sleeps six comfortably and 30 in camping style. Let's call it a median of 9.

Yes, two nights is required. That's why, demolition or not, I consider it prohibitive .... only because we can throw a better party for $15,000 (I threw in $3K for the party).

If it's a Disneyland occassion we have in mind, say Disneyland 55 on July 17, 2010, keep in mind that one of the major drawbacks of the Swank Suite is there's no view of Disneyland and no view of fireworks.

You can get a nicer, no Disneyland view suite, at the Grand Cal for that money. Less 60's Swank, more gorgeously arts and crafts. I'm torn, but I think I was more impressed with the high-level Grand Cal suites than the Swank Suite.


If we've got $30,000 to burn, we can do both!!!

[€uroMeinke]

I just wonder how much play the quoted rate has, after all they make nothing on the suite if it stays empty - yeah the price may be too steep, but the possiblitiy is to cool not to explore.

[Chernabog]

I just wonder how much play the quoted rate has, after all they make nothing on the suite if it stays empty - yeah the price may be too steep, but the possiblitiy is to cool not to explore.

The answer lies in knowing with someone who is a hotel cast member. I went to a suite party at the DLH that was put together entirely by a DLH cast member and I don't think it was expensive whatsoever.

[Isaac]

The hotel suite is called the Wrather Suite,
name after Jack Wrather and his wife, Bonita Granville Wonder Steakhouse Wrather.
It sits atop the Marina Tower.
The price is $2,000 - $3,000 per night, depending on whether it's the high or low season.
It can easily sleep 20 - 30 people.

I say we rent it out for the 53rd anniversary!

FiFtY ThReE ! ;) :D

[innerSpaceman]

Ah, $6,000 for the two nights. That's where I got that.


A Bargain! Fifty-Three, anyone???

[mousepod]

Sounds like fun. I'm (tentatively) in.

[Chernabog]

So we're talking $200-$300 per person for 2 nites at the Swank Suite? Seriously... cast members, who do you know at the hotels? ;)

[Gemini Cricket]

Well, I don't think I'm in. I have to start saving for... oh... you know... Japan!
:)

[lashbear]

Well, I don't think I'm in. I have to start saving for... oh... you know... Japan!
:)
I Love You. :D

[Sub la Goon]

Ah, $6,000 for the two nights. That's where I got that.


A Bargain! Fifty-Three, anyone???


Exactly how many hookers are included in these prices?

I am just a poor kid from OC and this is way rich for my blood.

Feel free to skank swank it up in style though!

[Chernabog]

We could just start a "courtesy head" campaign over at the DLH. :D :evil:

[Sub la Goon]

Do we need a "head" count first?

[Chernabog]

Do we need a "head" count first?

I mean, I am willing to take one for the team. So to speak. :rolleyes:

[Morrigoon]

Such selfless sacrifice... I hope people appreciate all you do for them! ;)

[Not Afraid]

Do we need a "head" count first?

Are we talking giving or just having?

[JWBear]

Do we need a "head" count first?

Yes, we need to know how many bathrooms it has. That's important information.

[Kevy Baby]

Is it too early to bring up bacon in this thread?

[lashbear]

Try holding it down, Kevy. Bringing it up makes such a mess.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Someone needs to bring a hotplate to the hotel so Bacon can be cooked. :)

There....

[Deebs]

Is it too early to bring up bacon in this thread?

It's never too early...

[barfownz]

Go ed!

[Plumenom]

The answer lies in knowing with someone who is a hotel cast member. .


better yet, a CM that has a role in reservations:cheers:

[innerSpaceman]

Well, hypothetically, if we did happen to know a CM who had a hand in reservations, we would want to find out .... when the Marina Tower is coming down, and when close to that date we could get the best deal on 2 nights in the Wrather Suite (which I still rather call the Marina Suite).


Because, hypothetically, we want to have a bunch of people chip in a couple hundred per, and throw a fantastic Disneyland Hotel Going Away Party.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I wonder if we could get a conga line going through the whole Hotel before the flatten it.

[CoasterMatt]

I can think of all kinds of hijinks and shenanigans for closing a hotel :evil:

[CoasterMatt]

I'll rent a motorcycle, and ride it down the hallways ala Motley Crue at the Hollywood Hyatt (Riot) House, to give it a proper sendoff :D

[lashbear]

I would be willing to come to the USA again for this event.



..providing I win the lottery first.

[RStar]

If it was the LAST night, would they charge us if we put holes in the walls?

[wendybeth]

If it was the LAST night, would they charge us if we put holes in the walls?

What is it with guys and holes in walls?


;)

[RStar]

It's a guy thing. Distruction is way cool! :cool:

[Kevy Baby]

What is it with guys and holes in walls?Glory holes

[SzczerbiakManiac]

I'll rent a motorcycle, and ride it down the hallways ala Motley Crüe at the Hollywood HyattOr Eddie in the Lab! ;)

[Kevy Baby]

Or Eddie in the Lab! ;)Or D Day in Animal House

or...

[JWBear]

What is it with guys and holes in walls?


;)

You owe my employer a new keyboard!!

[wendybeth]

You owe my employer a new keyboard!!

:D

[CoasterMatt]

You owe my employer a new keyboard!!

The thought of a hole in the wall got you THAT excited?!?

[JWBear]

The thought of a hole in the wall got you THAT excited?!?

Ummm...No.