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News Archives > Disney News August 16 - August 22, 2004
Disney News August 16 - August 22
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Disneyland Resort Update (link)
DisneyGeek offers an update from the Disneyland Resort, featuring what's
new at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure with attraction
refurbishments and construction on upcoming Disney attractions! The
Disneyland Resort update includes photos of the promotion of ABC's Primetime
Weekends, new signs around Disneyland and the esplanade, a look around
Disney's California Adventure, a shot of the Miner 49ers music performing,
painting and refurbishment on Disneyland buildings, Sleeping Beauty
Castle under tarps and decorated with the cards from Alice in Wonderland
"working" on the castle, the latest Snow White's Scary Adventures
refurbishment photos, testing and trains cycling through at Big Thunder
Mountain Railroad in Frontierland, a look about Mickey's Toontown, work
on the upcoming Buzz Lightyear attraction in Tomorrowland where CircleVision
used to be, the latest Enchanted Tiki Room refurb or refurbishment,
the Riverbelle Terrace rehab, a look around Downtown Disney, a virtual
soccer game at Innoventions in Tomorrowland, Space Mountain lit up at
night, and a closing photo of the nightly Disneyland fireworks, currently
entitled Imagine... A Fantasy in the Sky.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
From Disneyland to Broadway: Eden Espinosa (link)
MouseInfo offers a look at performer Eden Espinosa, who has appeared
in various shows and groups at the Disneyland Resort including Animazement
at Disneyland and Steps in Time at Disney's California Adventure. Eden
Espinosa is now an understudy in the Broadway musical Wicked. The feature
offers several video clips of her performances in the various Disneyland
Resort shows, like Animazement, the original and updated versions of
Steps in Time, and the ceremony to premiere the Luminaria nighttime
fireworks spectacular at Disney's California Adventure.
Friday, August 20, 2004
Mini-Update: Around Disneyland (link)
LaughingPlace offers a mini Disneyland Resort update, with Sleeping
Beauty Castle refurbishment photos, a close-up on banners describing
the history and future of the Disneyland castle (currently wrapped up
and decorated with the playing cards from Alice in Wonderland "painting"
the castle), and other Disneyland construction pictures.
Hurricane Charley - A Trip to The World (link)
LaughingPlace offers Hurricane Charley damage photos from the Walt Disney
World Resort with a storm damage update. There are photos of damage
created by Hurricane Charley at the Walt Disney World Resort, including
photos of an Electrical Water Pageant barge that was hit, panels missing
on the roof of Disney's Contemporary Resort, roof tile damage to the
Walt Disney World Wedding Chapel, more downed trees at the Wilderness
Lodge, and a tent damaged by Hurricane Charley at the Cirque du Soleil
theater at Downtown Disney
Where Do All Those Bad Ideas Come From? The Fall of
Walt Disney Imagineering, Part Two (link)
SaveDisney offers part two of a series on the fall of Walt Disney Imagineering.
After following the recent history of Imagineering in part one of the
series, part two moves on to talk about the current state of Walt Disney
Imagineering, with a "top-heavy" management structure and
many creative types having been let go. The article ends with a glimmer
of hope, as Tokyo DisneySea shows a creative success is still possible
from Imagineering, if only the proper funding is given.
Disney World - Millionaire may be out for new family
action shows;
It's A Small World - Which soundtrack will they use? (link)
ScreamScape reports on new rumors about the possible replacement of
Who Wants to be a Millionaire: Play It! (especially with today's closure
of Who Wants to be a Millionaire: Play It! at Disney's California Adventure).
There is also a news tidbit about the "it's a small world"
soundtrack once it reopens at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Hurricane Charley - A Personal View (link)
LaughingPlace's Rebekah offers a first-person account of finding shelter
during the arrival of Hurricane Charley in Florida. There are also photos
of Celebration, Florida and just a taste of the damage it experienced
from the hurricane.
Council member views hurricane from Disney World (link)
The Southside Times offers an article about a City Council member who
was at the Walt Disney World Resort during Hurricane Charley. The damage
done to the resort and surrounding areas by Hurricane Charley is described.
Euro Disney stuntman dies after fight (link)
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer offers a story about an American stuntman
at the Old West show at Disneyland Paris who died after being involved
in a fight after work with a colleague.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Don't let the paintbrush hit you on the way out: T.
Irby Steps Aside, Rehab Shots, Photo Essay: A Look Back: Pt. 4 (link)
Breaking news from Alt Lutz at MiceAge, Senior Vice President of Disneyland
Resort Operations Support T. Irby retires. T. Irby has long been criticized
by some for the noticeable decline of quality and maintenance at the
Disneyland Resort, and he was one of the last major executives remaining
at the Disneyland Resort from the Pressler/Harriss administration. The
rest of the update offers Disneyland refurbishment photos, as well as
stills from Walt Disney Treasures DVD sets showing Disneyland in the
old days.
Eisner Visits in Charley's Wake (link)
The Los Angeles Times offers an article about Disney CEO Michael Eisner's
visit to the Walt Disney World Resort to talk with cast members after
Hurricane Charley's devastating run through Florida.
Where Do All Those Bad Ideas Come From? The Fall of
Walt Disney Imagineering, Part One of Two (link)
SaveDisney offers an article detailing the sad tale of the "demise"
of Walt Disney Imagineering, starting from the late 90s onto the current
day. The article looks at the factors that led to a drain of creativity
in Imagineering and consequently in the theme parks.
City Considers Casino Near Disneyland (link)
Newsday reports on Garden Grove's considerations to allow an Indian
casino to be built just blocks from Disneyland. The project would involve
Steve Wynn, who built the Bellagio and Mirage Resort and Casinos in
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Disneyland Hotel's lobby art offers peek at theme park's
beginnings (link)
"Love to look at Disneyland concept art? Well, then Jim Hill suggests
that you tour of the lobbies of the Disneyland Hotel towers. Where you'll
literally find dozens of pieces of vintage DL concept art hanging around."
Jim Hill takes a look at the artwork found in the lobby of the Disneyland
Hotel and describes the attractions and ride concepts featured in the
artpieces. The pieces include early art for the Midget Autopia, the
Viewliner, a Monstro the Whale flume ride, and a bumper boats ride with
a Donald Duck theme.
Reliving Fond Memories: In Spite of Myself... (link)
LaughingPlace columnist David Mink takes another look at Disney's California
Adventure, especially its single rider lines.
Summer 2004 Merchandise Update: Collectors see significant
growth of Disney licensed products (link)
MousePlanet editor Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix takes a look at new Disney
merchandise at the California Gift Show. Some of these products featuring
Disney characters, including a special edition Mickey Mouse Monopoly
board game set, prop reproductions from Disney films by Master Replicas,
new Walt Disney Classics Collection pieces by the Enesco Group, figurines
by Olzsewski Studios, and new Disney watches by Seiko, may find their
way to a retail or theme park store soon.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Natives weather Hurricane Charley while at Disney World
in Orlando (link)
The Stevens Point Journal offers a story about two families who visited
the Walt Disney World Resort during Hurricane Charley and what it was
like to endure the storm at the resort. There are good things said about
how the resort recovered from Hurricane Charley pretty well, considering
how strong the storm was.
Disneyland - Big Thunder Mountain may reopen soon (link)
ScreamScape report on a possible time frame for the reopening of Big
Thunder Mountain Railroad after it was closed from its most recent accident.
WDW - Small World Rumor (link)
ScreamScape offers a news tidbit about a recent development about the
major "it's a small world" refurbishment at the Magic Kingdom.
WDW Project Tracker update (link)
DisneyForever offers an update to its WDW Project Tracker, which showcases
new attractions and refurbishments happening at the Walt Disney World
Resort. The latest update includes photos from the 20,000 Leagues Under
the Sea attraction removal, Expedition Everest construction photos,
and work on Stitch's Great Escape, with two videos in addition to photos.
Night
of Joy to Showcase 24 Acts Over Three Nights As Disney Plans Its Biggest
Christian Music Event Yet (Press Release)
A Casino Near Disneyland? (link)
ABC 7 reports that Garden Grove is looking to allow an Indian casino
to be built just blocks south from Disneyland, a project that would
receive help from Steve Wynn of Las Vegas' Bellagio and Mirage Resorts
fame.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Walt
Disney World Announces Relief Efforts for Central Florida Families and
Cast Members Impacted by Hurricane Charley
(Press Release)
Walt Disney World, in addition to its donations to United Way
and the American Red Cross, will also help its cast members impacted
by Hurricane Charley with monetary assistance through the Disney Company's
Disney Operation Care (DOC) and the Cast Member Hurricane Relief Fund,
complimentary hotel room stays for those in need, and special childcare.
Expanding horizons: After a decade of shrinking, Disneyland
is finally ready to grow again (link)
David Koenig at MousePlanet offers an article on the long tale of Disneyland's
growth, upon news of the potential return of the Submarine Voyage. He
talks about Disneyland's initial expansion with new attractions, and
then the later running out of space and replacing or remodeling as attractions
became outdated. Koenig discusses what makes Disneyland attractions
so unique and what makes them stand apart from attractions at other
parks, and what needs to be preserved in replaced attractions to keep
that Disney magic.
A royal gain: Fairy tale-themed films and merchandisers
count on the princess in girls, and women, to fuel a $2-billion industry
(link)
The Los Angeles Times takes a look at the lucrative merchandise business
based on the princesses from the Disney fairy tales, as well as in recent
films such as "A Cinderella Story" and "Princess Diaries
2." The sociological impact of the "princess myth" is
discussed, and the article looks at just what makes the princess concept
so appealing to young girls.
Disneyland's Hardy talks about making dreams come true
(link)
eTaiwanNews offers an article about Roy Tan Hardy, vice president for
marketing and sales of Hong Kong Disneyland. The article discusses Hardy's
background and his predictions for the new Hong Kong Disneyland resort.
The article reports that in addition to the two hotels being built for
the resort, there is space for about two more hotels in future phases.
The article also talks about recent polls that predict taking photos
as the most popular thing to do at the park, weddings at Hong Kong Disneyland,
and the study of Asian culture in creating the new park.
Business as Usual? A closer look at Disney's 3rd Quarter
results (link)
Kevin Yee at MiceAge analyzes Disney's third quarter results, which
were recently released. The article concludes that Walt Disney World
is doing well, and Disney's California Adventure isn't doing so well.
Princess Diaries 2 World Premiere (link)
LaughingPlace covers the premiere of the Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,
held at the AMC movie theater at Downtown Disney.
9th
Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Debuts Oct. 1 with
New Events and Longer Run (Press Release)
Monday, August 16, 2004
Park Update: Walt Disney World (link)
MousePlanet offers a Walt Disney World Resort update. The update includes
coverage of the impact of Hurricane Charley on the Walt Disney World
Resort, from the initial park closures to the preparations taken to
secure the buildings and show elements in the theme parks. The update
also covers some of the damage inflicted on the theme parks and resort
property by the storm, including lost power, downed trees, and lowered
staffing levels, and the eventual reopening of all the theme parks and
the continued cleanup efforts. The resort update continues with reports
of a broken hot water pipe that flooded several rooms at the Contemporary
Hotel (the incident was unrelated to Hurricane Charley), Disney being
fined for the death of a parade performer, and lowered prices for Pleasure
Island.
Park Update: Disneyland Resort: Your weekly fix of the
latest in the Land (link)
MousePlanet offers a Disneyland Resort update with news and rumors from
Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. This latest update includes
information about Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It! closing for
good this Friday, the return of the synergistic ABC Primetime Weekend
from September 10 to 12 at Disney's California Adventure and a list
of actors currently scheduled to attend the event, photos of various
parts of Disneyland park under construction, including Sleeping Beauty
Castle, New Orleans Square, and the Enchanted Tiki Room refurb, and
a news tidbit regarding the 2004 Haunted Mansion Holiday merchandise
vent.
Some tourists head to parks -- others head home (link)
The Orlando Sentinel covers the damage created by Hurricane Charley
as it swept by the Florida theme parks, including some of the current
problems at Disney's Animal Kingdom due to the storm (many uprooted
and downed branches and trees).
Walt Disney World - What is going on at the 20K Site?
Narnia may be added to Animal Kingdom, Motor Action Stunt Show Photos
(link)
ScreamScape reports that the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction
area that is currently being razed may make way for a meet and greet
or play location for Winnie the Pooh or the Disney princesses. There
is also a report of a rumor that an attraction based on the Chronicles
of Narnia may appear in Disney's Animal Kingdom, since Disney is making
movies based on the books.
A Mouseketrips Mouseke-tip: There's more to meet the
eye when the Disney Cruise Line heads west (link)
Jim Hill Media: "Disney travel expert Scott Liljenquist offers
some hints about what to expect next summer when the "Disney Magic"
makes its way out to the Port of Los Angeles."
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