Halloween Time at Disneyland

In just a couple of days, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy will open at Disneyland, kicking off the relatively new event of Halloween Time at Disneyland.  I'd have to say that this is my favorite time of the year, not just for Halloween but also the weather cooling off and a slower pace after the busy summer.

As a kid, I became obsessed with Knott's Halloween Haunt beginning around 1987.  I've been back every year since and it is probably the only time of year I ever visit Knott's.  I can't recall the last time I visited during daylight.  I've also had an annual pass to Disneyland since 1984.  Disneyland always seemed to poo-poo the idea of doing anything remotely close to what Knott's has been doing for almost 40 years with Halloween.  However, with the growing popularity of the Haunt, it was only a matter of time before Disneyland tried to cash in the holiday as well.  Every year, Americans have been spending more and more on Halloween, making it a huge industry, so it's only expected that Disney is looking to get into that market too.

I've been enjoying the Halloween Time festivities at Disneyland and it was great to have Mickey's Trick or Treat return to Disneyland in 2010, now called Mickey's Halloween Party.  I plan to visit this year and report back.  Stay tuned.

Carthay Circle Club

Disneyland has Club 33 and now it looks like DCA will have their own exclusive club as part of the makeover process. “The Carthay Circle Club”, or Triple C will be part of the new Carthay Circle replica being built in the main entry at California Adventure. There will be one or two lounges and a probably restaurant being built.  One or more of these may be exclusive to the club.

At the D23 Expo, Disney execs again mentioned a teaser about extending the Club 33 program in some form, but no mention was made about whether or not the Carthay Circle Restaurant would be included in that effort.

Voices of the Parks, but mostly Disneyland at the D23 Expo

One of the few panels was able to get into to see was the Voices of Parks presentation with a panel of actors who have recorded voices and soundtracks for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.  Below, I highlight some of my favorites.

Photo: Disney

In between the guy in purple and the guy with the glasses is Corey Burton, the voice of Haunted Mansion Holiday (doing a Paul Frees imitation) as well as the parking lot tram and many others. He confirmed that he declined the change to record the new safety warning in the Haunted Mansion that was added a couple of years ago.  He did not want to add to Paul Free's original masterpiece.  Burton described it as adding a mustache to the Mona Lisa.

Photo: Disney

In this photo is BJ Ward, who voiced the PeopleMover and to her left is Bill Rogers, the current voice of Disneyland.

Disneyland Fantasyland Additions - just announced!

The Princess Fantasy Faire is moving from next to Small World to the Carnation Gardens.  What will essentially become an expansion of Fantasyland, was announced yesterday at D23. Officially, called the Fantasy Faire.

"Guests will travel through a village square surrounded by fairytale cottages and pavilions to the heart of the square – Tangled Tower, inspired by the film. The village square will come alive with activities and entertainment, including a Royal Ribbon Parade where guests can dance and interact with Belle or Rapunzel. Guests can visit the their favorite Disney royalty from such films as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Tangled.”

‪The Fantasy Faire Stage will be a new entertainment venue where the stories of Disney’s fairy tale heroes and heroines will be brought to life, letting guests become part of the story as well.

This photo depicts Fantasy Faire stage (Carnation Gardens) to the left and Sleeping Beauty's Castle would be directly to the right of this image, out of frame.

D23 Expo has arrived!

I will be attending and adding content through the weekend.  This year is going to have some fantastic surprises.  Follow me on Twitter at @no1here.

Disney Studio - Legends Plaza and the Archives

The only other version of this is in the Magic Kingdom in WDW.

Legends Plaza at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, features this statue of Roy Disney, the Walt Disney and Mickey Partners statue and the hand prints of all the Disney Legends to date.

Absent Minded Professor Miniature prop

I am really looking forward to the Archives exhibit this year at the D23 Expo.  It was big crowd pleaser in 2009 and this year is going to be even bigger.  My photo of the Absent Minded Professor prop was taken on my recent studio visit when we stopped by the Archives for a visit.  The D23 Expo opens this Friday!

Walt Disney's former office at the Disney Studio

Walt's former office at the studio

On my recent visit to the Studio for the D23 Expo preview, I was able to take this shot of the exterior of Walt's office.  The current occupant is Shaun Cassidy and his production company.  This is the same office that you once could seen in the lobby to the Walt Disney Story and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.  It used to exhibit his working office and formal office.

D23 will feature presentation on new attractions, movies and products coming the The Walt Disney Company  all debuting in the near future.  Members of D23 also get opportunities such as a tour of the Disney Studios throughout the years.  You do not need to be a member of D23 to attend the Expo.