Parks make decision to open Monday (link)
The Orlando Sentinel reports that of Orlando's seven theme parks, only
Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom will be closed on Monday.
The two Walt Disney World theme parks will remain closed on Monday,
not because of Hurricane Frances damage, but because of staffing issues,
the article reports. The article also takes a look at other Orlando
theme parks, the Orlando airport returning from its closure due to Hurricane
Frances, and other tourist attractions and hotels that were impacted
by Hurricane Frances damage.
From the article: "As the day progressed at Disney Sunday, rain
raised the water levels in the numerous canals that drain the resort's
swampy property. A few trees fell on roads and golf courses throughout
the property, and rain and wind sprayed brown pine needles and palm
fronds across the asphalt. The wind bent a few signs. By 5 p.m., the
cleanup had already begun. Street sweepers brushed off the trees as
utility trucks roamed the property looking for drowned tree limbs."
Disneyland Resot update (link)
Disney Forever offers a major Disneyland Resort update with everything
going on at the park. From the Disneyland update:
"This update includes photos from Big Thunder, the castle, Tomorrowland
work, Space Mountain, Main Street, and a ton more. … As for a tidbit
of news, Tinkerbell's last flight from the top of the Matterhorn is
today! She will have a new flight when Remember debuts. A lot will be
happening in the next few weeks with Matterhorn and Haunted Mansion
going down on Tuesday as well as the last performance of Fantasmic!
on Monday the 6th. The Columbia will then get a much needed rehab. It's
a Small World also will be down for holiday layover in October! This
will make it tough for Fantasyland as there will be a big wall covering
all of Small World all the way down to around Matterhorn, as they will
have 24/7 truck access to the mountain."
Disney's Eisner sees Iger as successor (link)
The Los Angeles Times reports that Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner
says that he prefers company President Robert Iger to replace him. From
the article: "There's nobody who has a better education and training
to do that job," Eisner was quoted as saying.
Weblog: Hurricane Frances (link)
The BBC offers a reporting from a correspondent in Orlando, who makes
observations on the impact of Hurricane Frances on the Central Florida
area, especially near the Walt Disney World Resort at Downtown Disney.
From the article: "The rain has now stopped and the visibility
has improved. I can now see the Disney downtown area, which seems to
have suffered no structural damage. There are numerous trees down, but
the wind has now dropped and is gusting rather than constant. Quite
a few cars are now on the streets even though the curfew is still in
place. Most of the kids in the hotel are going stir crazy after the
second day locked inside."
Hurricane Frances Developments (link)
Guardian Unlimited provides recent developments and closures in the
Florida area due to Hurricane Frances. The article reports that Walt
Disney World Theme Parks, Water Parks, Recreation Areas, the Boardwalk
and Downtown Disney are closed Saturday due to Hurricane Frances.
Phelps, teammates to perform at U-M (link)
Baltimore native Michael Phelps and fellow Olympics stars Ian Crocker
and Lenny Krayzelburg will stop by Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan,
where Michael Phelps will attend college this fall, as part of the 12
city Disney's Swim with the Stars tour. According to the article, the
swimming sensation from the Athens, Greece Olympics, Michael Phelps,
will visit Ann Arbor for the first time as part of this Disney's Swim
with the Stars tour stop. From the article about the Swim with the Stars
tour stop: "Details were still being completed this weekend, but
ticket information for the event at the University of Michigan's Canham
Natatorium will be available this week. Phelps and fellow Athens gold
medalists Ian Crocker and Lenny Krayzelburg are the stars of the barnstorming
tour, putting on two-hour exhibitions featuring match races, demonstrations
and youth clinics. Phelps is moving his training base to Ann Arbor,
where he'll join his coach, Bob Bowman, the new U-M men's swimming coach.
Phelps, who plans to enroll at the university this winter, will be a
volunteer assistant on Bowman's staff while continuing his professional
swim career with Club Wolverine, the Olympic training program based
in Ann Arbor."
Live cameras from Walt Disney World (link)
DisneyGeek points out two recently discovered live webcams from the
Walt Disney World Resort that can provide a view of outdoor conditions,
especially in light of the arrival of Hurricane Frances. One camera
shows the Yacht/Beach/EPCOT resorts from the Swan hotel. The other webcam
is from Celebration, Florida.
Family vacations destined for dollars: Amusement parks,
beaches most lucrative travel markets (link)
CBS MarketWatch reports that amusement parks are among the most lucrative
travel markets and discusses the success of Disney theme parks, especially
the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The report interviews Jay Rasulo,
president of the parks and resorts division of Walt Disney, who notes
that people who stay at theme parks have to pay for lodging at hotels
and meals, so they are spending more money.
"The Magic Kingdom might be gaining at the expense of Six Flags,"
the article says. "Disney's latest earnings report showed a 32
percent jump in revenue from its theme parks"
Atlanta on Disney 'Swim with the Stars' tour featuring
Phelps (link)
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports on Atlanta being a stop for
Disney's Swim with the Stars tour with Olympics stars Michael Phelps,
Ian Crocker and Lenny Krayzelburg.
Most theme parks to close early to prepare for storm:
Few industry experts think the 2 storms will hurt tourism in the long
run (link)
The Chicago Tribune offers an article about theme parks in the Orlando
area, including the theme parks of the Walt Disney World Resort, and
how Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances have affected and will affect
the tourism industry in the area. The article talks about how the various
parks are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Frances.
From the article:
" At Disney's Animal Kingdom, a flatbed trailer wound through the
parking lot, picking up large plastic trash cans.
Much work remains to be done today. Before Hurricane Frances arrives,
crews at different parks must strap down food carts, move trash cans
indoors, board up windows, remove decorative emblems, lower water levels
in lagoons to protect against flooding and move animals to safety.
Hurricane Charley largely spared the parks, though cleanup of the damage
it did cause has not yet been fully completed.
At Walt Disney World, uprooted trees and broken limbs were still scattered
along the park's highways Thursday, and debris near the monorail station
at the Magic Kingdom had been artfully stacked to form a silhouette
of Mickey Mouse."
Frances brings Magic to island (link)
The Daily News offers an article about an emergency berthing on the
coast of Galveston for the Disney Magic cruise ship due to Hurricane
Frances. Many passengers will find transportation home from the port.
Disney World closes for Frances: Hurricane Frances forces
the Disney theme park to shut down, but fills hotels outside the storm's
path (link)
CnnMoney offers a story about how Walt Disney World parks will close
in anticipation of Hurricane Frances as it makes its way towards Central
Florida. It reports that while many Walt Disney World Resort visitors
are not visiting the theme parks, they are staying in their hotels,
so Disney World hotels are pretty full. The article mentions, however,
that Disney may lose out financially, as many locals will stay away
during the storm, so theme park attendance may be low during the appearance
of Hurricane Frances near Walt Disney World.
Charley, the Mouse, and Me: Part 1: Hurricane interrupts
visit to Walt Disney World (link)
MousePlanet offers an article about being at the Walt Disney World Resort
during Hurricane Charley. The article talks about the storm approaching
and the Walt Disney World Resort preparing for the storm, the arrival
of Hurricane Charley, and offers photos of Hurricane Charley damage
on Walt Disney World.
Gold medal swimmers on tour (link)
The Tucson Citizen offers a story about Olympic swimming star Michael
Phelps as he participates in Disney's Swim with the Stars tour along
with other Olympic gold medalists Lenny Krayzelburg and Ian Crocker.
Phelps to stop in Baltimore (link)
The Herald-Mail offers an article about Michael Phelps' homecoming to
Baltimore with Disney's Swim with the Stars tour.
Walt Disney World Update (link)
LaughingPlace offers an update from the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney
World. The Magic Kingdom update includes Tom Sawyer's Island refurbishment
photos, the Jungle Cruise closed, Stitch's Great Escape photos from
Tomorrowland, which is scheduled to have soft openings soon, and Big
Thunder Mountain Railroad photos from Frontierland.
Working for the Mouse, Part 2: The Interview (link)
MousePlanet editor Shoshana Lewin continues her series on working at
the Disneyland Resort, and in today's article she discusses the Disney
interview. The article features advice from an actual Disneyland cast
member and their experience going through the Disney interview.
Approach of Hurricane Frances blows away Florida's Labor
Day Weekend tourism (link)
Lex18 offers an article about Hurricane Charley's impact on tourism
in Florida, where Walt Disney World is located. Damages, the article
says, could total into the millions, as Labor Day weekend is one of
the worst times for a hurricane to hit Florida's tourism industry.
When KingODisney met the "King of Pop" (link)
"Jeff Lange (AKA KingODisney) shares some unique pictures from
his photo archives as he talks about his long-ago encounter with Michael
Jackson at Disney-MGM Studios theme park."
Wednesday, September 1, 2004
Disney's Swim with the Stars tour update
Disney's Swim with the Stars tour with Olympic gold medallist
swimmers Michael Phelps, Ian Crocker and Lenny Krayzelburg continued
today at Walt Disney World. The swimmers appeared at Typhoon Lagoon
to meet with youth, give tips on technique, and promote the sport of
swimming. Tomorrow, Michael Phelps, Ian Crocker and Lenny Krayzelburg
will appear in Atlanta for the second stop of Disney's Swim with the
Stars tour. More
information about Disney's Swim with the Stars tour with Olympics Gold
Medal Swimmers Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg.
Disneyland Resort update (link)
LaughingPlace offers an update from the Disneyland Resort, with photos
of the return of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad after its most recent
accident, advertising in and out of Disney's California Adventure for
the upcoming ABC Primetime Weekend, photos of Sleeping Beauty Castle
under refurbishment - complete with the playing cards from Alice in
Wonderland "working" on the castle, Snow White's Scary Adventures
under refurbishment, construction on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin,
The Enchanted Tiki Room under refurbishment in Adventureland at Disneyland,
Main Street, U.S.A. buildings being repainted and put under refurbishment,
photos of the Mulan mini-parade at Disney's California Adventure, photos
of the Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It! building after it recently
closed for good at Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and various photos from
around the resort, including a picture in front of the castle with all
the official Goth Day participants.
Disneyland Resort News & Information (link)
MouseInfo offers an update from the Disneyland Resort. The Disneyland
Resort update includes photos of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride
and load station as it returns from a lengthy refurbishment following
its most recent accident, Sleeping Beauty Castle refurbishment photos,
newly painted Main Street, U.S.A. buildings and facades, the Emporium
retail store under refurb, a sign advertising ABC Primetime Weekend
at Disney's California Adventure, and a photo of The Submarine Voyage,
which is rumored to return soon with a Finding Nemo overlay. The update
includes a Disneyland Submarine Voyage video available for viewing.
Working for the Mouse, Part 1: Getting Started (link)
MousePlanet editor Shoshana Lewin offers the first part of a series
about working at Disneyland. The article discusses the various job positions
available at Disneyland and then offers advice from cast members about
how to increase your chances of being hired to work at the Disneyland
Resort. Tips include smiling, having fun, and being able to work at
more varied times.
Walt Disney World Update: (link)
ScreamScape offers some news tidbits from the Walt Disney World Resort,
with information about the ending of Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree
and a set date for the media event for the opening of Stitch's Great
Escape. Stitch's Great Escape's official opening date has not been officially
announced yet, but soft openings for Stitch's Great Escape are anticipated
in the coming months. Also, work on rock theming has been noticed at
Expedition Everest in Disney's Animal Kingdom.
ScreamScape also points out an eBay auction
for a Disneyland Space Mountain rocket, although the seller is not the
Walt Disney Company.
The Disney Bookshelf Checklist: The handy listing for
bookworms returns! (link)
Kevin Yee of MiceAge takes another look at the essential books
about Disney. From theme park books like Window on Main Street (Van
Arsdale France), Disneyland: The Nickel Tour (David Mumford, Bruce Gordon),
and Designing Disney's Theme Parks: Architecture of Reassurance (Marling)
to books about Disney Company history, like Disney Studio Story (Richard
Holliss) and Walt's Time: The Sherman Brothers (David Mumford, Bruce
Gordon), Kevin Yee lists books according to category and then offers
a list of all the books in his extensive collection of Disney books,
ranging in subject from animation to theme parks to Walt Disney biographies.
Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg, and Ian Crocker
kicked off "Disney's Swim with the Stars" tour at the Walt
Disney World Resort on Tuesday, enjoying the Splash Mountain attraction
at the Magic Kingdom and appearing in a parade in the Magic Kingdom.
Later, Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg, and Ian Crocker participated
in the second part of the Disney's Swim with the Stars tour stop at
the Typhoon Lagoon water park at Walt Disney World.
The U.S. Swim Stars go to Walt Disney World (link)
LaughingPlace covers Disney's Swim with the Stars tour with Olympic
gold medalists Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg, and Ian Crocker as
they make their first stop at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
The update offers video and photos from this first stop of the Swim
with the Stars tour, with swimming stars Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg,
and Ian Crocker. The "stars" of Disney's Swim with the Stars
tour rode in a parade and procession down Main Street, U.S.A., and then
they headed to Typhoon Lagoon to give swim tips. More
information about Disney's Swim with the Stars tour with Olympics Gold
Medal Swimmers Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg.
Phelps' first stop: Disney: Olympians kick off 'Swim
with the Stars' tour (link)
FloridaToday reports on Michael Phelps' stop at Walt Disney World in
Typhoon Lagoon water park as part of Disney's Swim with the Stars tour.
The article talks about Michael Phelps' marketing power especially after
the Olympics in Athens, Greece and how Disney is making the most of
it by hosting the Swim with the Stars tour.
U.S. Olympic swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg, center, kisses
the hand of Minnie Mouse as other U.S. Olympic swimmers Ian Crocker,
second left, Michael Phelps on Disney's Swim with the Stars tour (link)
Yahoo! Italia offers a photo from "Disney's Swim with the Stars"
tour at Typhoon Lagoon in Walt Disney World. The caption reads: "U.S.
Olympic swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg, center, kisses the hand of Minnie
Mouse as other U.S. Olympic swimmers Ian Crocker, second left, Michael
Phelps and Mickey Mouse, right, look on, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, in
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The three Olympians are at Walt Disney World
to kickoff a national tour called "Disney's Swim with the Stars"
tour. The trio will embark on to 12 city tour around the country, with
scheduled stops in Atlanta, New York City, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas,
Denver, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Seattle, San Francisco and Anaheim."
Rumble in the Jungle: Jungle Cruise Makeover, Sub News,
Teacups, Costuming Woes, Rehab Shots (link)
Al Lutz at MiceAge offers a Disneyland Resort update, with the latest
news and rumors about: lower attendance at Disneyland and Disney's California
Adventure this summer, but higher satisfaction and spending rates from
guests, a postponement of the Alice in Wonderland spinning teacups ride
refurbishment to a later date due to the Matterhorn refurbishment, reports
of a major Jungle Cruise refurbishment that would return guns to the
Jungle Cruise boats, create a wall that would block off the Indiana
Jones Adventure from sight on the ride, enhance the rainforest scene,
fix many of the old Audio-Animatronics animals in the attraction, and
return area-specific foliage to each area of the Jungle Cruise, instead
of the ubiquitous bamboo. The Disneyland Resort update continues to
talk about progress being made on the potential return of the Submarine
Voyage with a Finding Nemo overlay, which will use Tokyo DisneySea's
dry show scene idea by putting plastic boxes underwater that will keep
the Audio-Animatronics dry, even though they are underwater, the tragic
tale of Disneyland's Costuming Department, which has lost millions of
dollars worth of expensive cast member costumes stolen by cast members
themselves due to a policy that allows the cast members to wear their
Disneyland Resort costumes away from Disneyland and Disney's California
Adventure. Finally, there are Disneyland refurbishment photos.
Disneyland Resort Update (link)
DisneyForever offers a Disneyland Resort update, with photos of the
Enchanted Tiki Room refurb, New Orleans Square painting, Main Street,
U.S.A. refurbishments, an update on FastPass at the Haunted Mansion
and Splash Mountain, the return of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad after
it was closed under refurbishment after a recent accident, Snow White's
Scary Adventures under refurbishment, new screens and features in the
Star Tours queue, and photos from around the Disneyland Resort.
Monday, August 30, 2004
"Disney's
Swim with the Stars" tour to feature Olympic swimmers Michael Phelps,
Lenny Krayzelburg, and Ian Crocker at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
(press release)
America's first-ever eight-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps and
his gold medalist teammates Lenny Krayzelburg and Ian Crocker, in their
first public appearances in the United States since winning in Athens,
Greece, will meet and swim with young American swimming stars of tomorrow
in 12 cities across the country during “Disney’s Swim with
the Stars” tour. The nationwide tour begins August 31 at Walt Disney
World Resort in Florida and ends at Disneyland Resort in California.
Disneyland Resort Update (link)
MousePlanet offers an update from the Disneyland Resort, including information
on last Friday's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopening. The DOSH report
on the latest Big Thunder Mountain Railroad accident was released last
week, and it faulted Disney for a software glitch in the program used
to operate Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as well as an inexperienced
cast member at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad that caused the third accident
in less than a year at the runaway mine train roller coaster. The update
goes on to discuss Garden Grove's proposed Indian casino, as well as
a tour with Olympic swimming sensations Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg,
and Ian Crocker called "Disney's Swim with the Stars" tour.
It will be Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg, and Ian Crocker's first
public appearances in the United States following their spectacular
performances at the Olympics in Athens, Greece. The tour will begin
at the Walt Disney World Resort and end at the Disneyland Resort.
Walt Disney World Resort Update (link)
MousePlanet offers an update from the Walt Disney World Resort, including
information about the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half-Marathon,
a Disney Cruise Line bus fire, more contract negotiations, and news
tidbits about Stitch's Great Escape, Expedition Everest, the bringing
out of the Osborne Lights, and some information about 20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea lagoon.
Tales from the parking lot (link)
Jim Hill Media tells some interesting tales about the Disneyland parking
lot, its history, and some of the things that have happened there.
