Where have I been???

Meet the newest Disney Fan

See you real soon!!

Mickey's Fun Wheel, Swan and Dolphin Birthday Deal, DVC Online Check-in and Funny Wars??

DizNews:

Mickey’s Fun Wheel at Disney’s California Adventure Re-Opens

After an extensive refurb and update, Mickey’s fun wheel, will reopen at DCA this week. The former, Sun Wheel, now is adorned with a giant Mickey and characters on the side of each riding gondola.


Swan and Dolphin Sweeten Birthday Deal

The Swan and Dolphin resorts at Walt Disney World are now offering a deal where those traveling to Disney World for a birthday can get their birthday night free at the resort with the booking of a three night stay. http://www.affordabledisneyvacationpackages.com/affordable-disney-world-vacations/make-disney-vacations-affordable-with-a-free-night-on-your-birthday-at-the-swan-and-dolphin-resort/


World Wide Disney: AllEars.net walks you through the process of online check in for DVC members: http://land.allears.net/blogs/debwills/2009/05/online_checkin_for_disney_vaca_1.html

Funny Star Wars???
Check this out: http://blueskydisney.blogspot.com/2009/04/before-empire-before-dark-times.html


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 90 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 77 F.

The Studios turn 20, Disney and Hulu, H1N1 news, The Unusuals and Marty Sklar's Mickey's 10 Commandments

Disney Hollywood Studios Turns 20

Happy Birthday Disney MGM Hollywood Studios!!! Today marks the 20th anniversary of it’s opening day. Not able to make it to the celebrations? Here are a few sites that are covering the festivities:

Theme Park Rangers recounts his five favorites at the Studios.

WDWNT is following the event.

WDWCelebrations is also there and twittering the event.


Disney Joins Hulu

I’ve been waiting to write this for a while now, and I am really excited! Mickey now owns 27% of Hulu.com the online video viewing site (News Corp and NBC own the majority of the other shares). Hulu is the number 3 video viewing site in the US. There is no word yet as to what content will be provided on this site but I am hopeful that this is the online streaming model that Disney will go with - it has relatively few commercials and content is “free” and legal. Just as an aside, my family got rid of cable last fall and instead watches most “TV” online and the majority of that on Hulu. It’s great if you have little kids and want to watch something that is not Sesame Street but may need to watch it at odd times, or in my case over several separate viewing sessions.


H1N1 and Disney...

There have been a few announcements regarding Disney and the H1N1 virus, also known as Swine Flu. Several Greenville, South Carolina students are being tested for the virus after a trip to Disney World. No word yet on their condition. While the students may not have even contracted the virus at Disney, the word is out. I don’t think it’s time to stress about this yet. I’ll keep you posted. More importantly, Disney has made some modifications to those cruising with Disney. Those scheduled to take the May 2 Western Caribbean Cruise will port in Nassau, The Bahamas instead of Cozumel, Mexico. (You can see the modified itinerary here) This is the only cruise itinerary that has been modified at this point.

Finally, there are some new discounts that have come up and I will send them out in a separate e-mail over the weekend. Have a good one!


World Wide Disney:
Have you seen The Unusuals yet? This is a new dramedy cop show on ABC. I have caught the first five episodes and I think it deserves a plug here. It’s not too heavy but is an interesting twist on the procedural. You can catch up on past episodes on ABC.com. The Disney Blog also reviews each episode and here is the link for the latest episode.

Marty Sklar’s Mickey’s 10 Commandments


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 88 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 72 F.

Thanks...

Hi All!

I want to extend a hearty thank you to everyone for their continued patience with sporadic posting here, I apologize. We are getting closer to the littlest Disney fan joining us and this Mamma is pooped! In the next few weeks I will post as often as possible and will go on hiatus once the little one arrives, while I get used to a new little person and being a mom of 2! (Parents of more than 2 children feel free to laugh but I’m getting nervous! Any advice?) Thanks again for your continued readership...

Lots to catch up on today...so let’s get on with the show!

Marty Sklar Retires, Disneyland Summer Nightastic and Earth a Hit!

Marty Sklar Announces his Retirement after 53 years...

Legendary Imagineer, Marty Sklar is retiring after 53 years on the job at Disney. He will leave the company on July 17th, Disneyland’s 54th anniversary. He wrote a lovely letter to Imagineering, Disney and us the fans this past weekend. I won’t try to summarize it here but you can read it in full here.


Disneyland Announces Summer Nightastic

Disneyland has announced a few new offerings to entice us to the left coast for our summer nights. First up is “Magical” a new fireworks’ spectacular where the fireworks are “actors” (I’ve read several descriptions of this and my best guess is that the fireworks will be shaped scenes but I am far from certain that this is the plan.) Music will be Disney tunes scored by Wishes composer Greg Smith. A few of the Disney “stories” featured will be: Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan and Dumbo flying over the castle (can’t wait to see that!). Pixie Hollow, will also get the magic treatment at night time where it will feature twinkle lights and fountains timed to music. The Disney Electric Parade will be back in DCA with a few new features: namely, Tinkerbell will be leading the parade not the Blue Fairy. The parade will also be updated to feature LED lights instead of the old incandescent bulbs. Fantasmic will also be getting an update with some technical changes. Water projections will be in HD and Flotsam and Jetsam and Captain Hook’s Nemesis Tick Tock the Crocodile will troll the Rivers of America. The biggest change will be the addition of a 40 foot fire breathing dragon. TLT Dance Club, for teens, will also debut at Tomorrowland Terrance in Tomorrowland. Teens will be able to text message the plasma screens in the club. Sounds like fun!


Disneynature’s Earth

Disney will be planting 2.7 million trees in honor of those who made the new Disney Earth movie a success this past weekend. The trees will be planted in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered rain forests in the world. The Nature Conservancy will assist Disney in making this effort happen. The movie premiered in 5th place making 8.6 million dollars.


World Wide Disney: Aerial shot of the new DVC Ko Olina Resort in Hawaii


WDW Weather: Sunny. High of 85 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 72 F.

Space Down, TS3 Trailer, Star Wars Weekends, Studio 20 and Photos of Burbank

Space Mountain Down for Rehab...

Space Mountain closed yesterday until November for it’s rehab. Space will be getting a new track (much needed), a new queue and a new ceiling. While the details are out there I am anxious to hear what they do to the ride during it’s 7 month rehab. Some sites are reporting that there is no projected end date to the refurb, we’ll have to wait and see.



Toy Story 3 Trailer

A sneek peek teaser trailer for Toy Story 3 was shown yesterday to the National Association of Broadcasters in Las Vegas. Reportedly, the trailer consisted of Woody and the gang making a sign for the movie and then Buzz making a high tech flashy version that overshadows the “handmade” other one. No links yet but it probably won’t be long before it shows up on the inter-webs.



Star Wars Weekend Details...

Orlando Attractions Magazine has a detailed article on the FX! International Show presentation on Star Wars Weekend merchandise and info. There is a lot of information here, mostly about merchandise but Character meet and greets as well, so I’m just going to link to it. Even if you aren’t going to make the weekends (sadly, I’m not - one of these days!!) the photos are great.


Studio 20 Celebration

Interested in celebrating Disney Hollywood Studios 20th Anniversary? WDW Celebrations is having quite a party. They are holding a two day celebration May 1-2, 2009. Go here.



World Wide Disney: Daveland has some great photos of the Disney Studio in Burbank.



WDW Weather: Rainy. High of 81 F.


Disneyland Weather: Sunny. High of 99 F.