Pixie Hollow Opens October 28th

WDWNT Author on August 16, 2008

We have received confirmation that the Pixie Hollow meet ‘n greet that is replacing the Ariel’s Grotto meet ‘n greet will officially open on October 28th, 2008. As previously reported, the latest set of auditions for the Fairies takes place this Sunday. Ariel’s Grotto closes this Sunday as well.

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for the latest on Pixie Hollow!

The Vineyard Room Officially Closing

WDWNT Author on August 15, 2008

Last week we shared with you the rumor that the Vineyard Room restaurant at Disney’s California Adventure may be closing, & sadly enough, that rumor was made official by Disney yesterday. According to the OC Register, the restaurant will permanently close on August 31st, 2008. Disney spokeswoman Betsy Sanchez said that “In the short term, the area will be used as additional seating for the popular Wine Country Trattoria. Long-term plans are still being considered”.

The closing of this restaurant will leave California Adventure with just 2 table service restaurants, them being the Wine Country Trattoria & Ariel’s Grotto.

You Could Be Tinker Bell!

WDWNT Author on August 13, 2008

The Disney Auditions website is listing an audition for the 5 Disney Fairies characters, to be held this Sunday (August 17th), which ironically is the same day that Ariel’s Grotto is supposed to close.

Seeking females with engaging personalities to portray Disney Fairies, the newest members of our character family. Face Character Look-alikes perform before thousands of guests each day in “meet and greets”, parades and stage shows across the Disneyland® Resort. We are actively seeking performers of all ethnicities!

Roles:

Tinker Bell: 4’11”–5’2”
Iridessa, Rosetta, Silvermist, Fawn: 5’2”–5’5”

What is interesting, is that this audition isn’t just for meet ‘n greets, but also for shows & parades, which while adding extra strength to the ever gaining rumor that Tinker Bell will get the role of the opening float in Disney’s Electrical Parade, which perhaps may feature the other 4 Fairies as well, it could also mean a pre-parade float to Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams tied into the movie, much like was done with Ratatouille, Enchanted, & The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Hat tip goes to the OC Register…

MiceAge DLR Rumor Update

WDWNT Author on April 9, 2008

The plans for the DCA renovations always keep changing, & the latest changes were reported today in Al Lutz’s latest column on MiceAge. We’ll also take a look at some other new stuff supposedly coming to Disneyland, & the resort as a whole:

  • The Walt Disney Story show that was supposed to of gone into the new Walt Disney Plaza has been dropped from the plans. Team Disney Anaheim’s idea behind this is that DCA already has too many shows, & too little good rides. So the last thing DCA needs is another new show! But the extravagant Carthay Circle Theater will still be built, but will only be a facade.
  • With the Walt Disney Story not happening, this now may have Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln being re-installed into the Opera House on Main Street.
  • When Sunshine Plaza is under refurbishment, the temporary entrance may now be the big gate right by Soarin’ Over California, instead of the Millionaire building. You can see exactly where this is by viewing this picture.
  • A water play area themed to King Triton is now planned to be put right next to the new Little Mermaid attraction.
  • The Ariels Grotto restaurant may be re-themed a general Princess restaurant, Princess Palace. The more modern sections of the current exterior of the restaurant would be made more “Princessy”.
  • Originally, the renovation plans for the Disneyland Hotel was to of had each building extensively refurbished, one at a time. Well now, TDA & WDI are looking to completely rip down the current Disneyland Hotel, & re-build it all from scratch!
  • This summer, a Indiana Jones stunt show should take place in Adventureland. We’re not sure if it will last past the summer though.
  • No new attractions are currently planned for the resort in 2009, except for the new It’s a Small World. So Disneyland Park will have a major entertainment themed ad campaign, which will include the proposed new Wonder day-time parade, a new ending to Remember… Dreams Come True, new effects added to Fantasmic, & get this… the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade!

For complete details on all of the things mentioned above & more, check out this MiceAge article!

Goodbye Ariel, Hello Doors?

WDWNT Author on January 1, 1970

We now official confirmation, in the form of pictures of construction walls, that Ariel’s Grotto is indeed closed. Here are a few pictures of construction, as well as a couple of other things from around the Disneyland Resort, off of the lovely SmugMug page of David “Darkbeer” Michael:


Not sure how well you can tell in this picture, but the King Triton & Ariel figurines have already been removed


The walls start by, & run right along with the line for Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters


On the path towards the Matterhorn


The Ariel’s Grotto sign is still in place as of yesterday


And here’s where you originally got in line to meet with Ariel… This is obviously where the walls end


Moving away from Ariel’s Grotto… The cars on the Casey Junior Circus Train that originally had just a cloth coverings as opposed to doors now have real functioning doors


A ceremony was held yesterday, giving Bruno Serato, the owner of the Anaheim White House restaurant, the eighth star in the Orange County Walk of Stars, which is located in the path next to the 15 minute parking lot on Harbor Boulevard

Monday in the Parks DLR Update

WDWNT Author on January 1, 1970

Let’s take a look through some of the latest happenings through-out the Disneyland Resort, brought up in both pictures & words in this week’s Monday in the Parks on MiceAge:

  • A couple updates for you on the Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 event that is being held on October 5th. Turns out that regular Disneyland guests from normal operation that day may be able to stay for the stars parading up the red carpet, much like was done with all 3 Pirates of the Caribbean movie premieres. When all stars & guests for the event are in the park, the regular guests will be escorted out. It also seems that bleachers may be put up along the banks of the Rivers of America, for a maximum amount of guests to be able to see Miley perform.
  • Disney is in the process recording new television commercials for next year’s promotion, which will either be called Magical Celebrations or What Will You Celebrate? Many stars, including Johny Depp were at the park/will be at the park to film these commercials alongside “guests”.
  • 2009 ParkHopper tickets are starting to become available on Disneyland.com. The Early Bird ticket special for 2009 will have everyone at kid’s prices for 3 day or more ParkHopper tickets. This special will last from January through to April 2009.


Traffic is going to be severely effected due to the Disneyland Half Marathon this upcoming Sunday… For information & tips on how to beat the traffic, check the Monday in Parks article


Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party being advertised at both the Disneyland turnstiles…


… And DCA’s turnstiles


A water pump has been added to the It’s a Small World flume


Over at Ariel’s Grotto, this is what has become of the turntable of sorts where you would meet Ariel


According to the Monday in the Parks article, Ariel has replaced Pocahontas over at the Princess Fantasy Faire. No word if you’ll still be able to greet with Pocahontas anywhere… The picture shows that Ariel is in the same dress as used in the Ariel’s Grotto restaurant in DCA