Disney News Round Up: Tony Baxter, Fastpass+ and Disneyland at 58

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Paying the $3 Billion Price Tag for FASTPASS+
The latest test of MyMagic+ (and its FASTPASS cousin, FP+) will start next week, involving guests at Bay Lake Tower–in other words, the DVC crowd. But what cost will the program have on the resort as a whole? Kevin Yee weighs in.

Season Pass Podcast: The Tony Baxter Interview – Part 1
Everyone knows that we wouldn’t have the moments and memories of the most amazing attractions in the world if it wasn’t for Walt Disney Imagineering. Today, we speak with one of the greatest Imagineers of them all, Tony Baxter.

Season Pass Podcast: SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Designers PGAV
PGAV Destinations is responsible for creating some of the most detailed and immersive environments in the themed entertainment world. Al Cross (Vice President), Jim Wible (Senior Attraction Designer) and Josh Rodriguez (Architectural Designer) share their work, love, experience, and journey through the growing field of themed entertainment destinations.

Welcome to the Wakefield Report
Welcome to the Wakefield Report, from Chris Wakefield, the newest member of the MicePod. We think you’ll agree that this show is a very fresh take on the Disney parks.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Happy Birthday Disneyland!

Today, the Magic Kingdom of Disneyland turns 58 years young. The little park, built in an Anaheim orange grove by a father for his daughters, has become one of the most iconic of all entertainment venues in the United States or around the world. While much has changed over the years, the essential character of the park remains a lasting tribute to the brilliant design by Walt Disney and his team of Imagineers. Please join us in wishing a very happy birthday to the original Disneyland!

Hope you are hungry this week for the Round-Up because we interesting stuff to wet your appetite and some great food reviews.~ DLandFansAZ

Disneyland artifact – What could it be?
While visiting the Stage Nine shop in Old Sacremento, Disneymike came across a Disneyland relic. Have a look and take a guess, what is it?

Food Reviews and Pics (July 5 – 9)
OswaldTheRabbit gives us a review of food and dining around the park with excellent photos and descriptions to help you decide what you might want to try.

Food Pictures From My Last Disney Trip (July 5 – 9)
And if you still aren’t hungry, OswaldTheRabbit cuts right to the chase and just shares a bunch of photos.

What the Cars Land back Side wrap means to DCA expansion!
With the back of Carsland wrapped up pretty, DCAfanatic wonders what this might mean for more expansion in the park.

Is (politely!) asking not to be placed with a single rider ever allowed?
Have you ever wondered if you could ask not to have a single rider join your party or even if this is allowed?

Disney Legend Jack Wagner’s Office
ArmchairImagineer shares some photos of the office and collections of the voice of Disneyland, Jack Wagner.

New 2013 Disneyland Resort Documentary
strikeuptheband brings us information on a new Disneyland Resort documentary that now includes the new DCA.

Is a Star Tours update in the works? And what about our beloved Tiki Room and Indiana Jones Adventure? ~ Trekkie Dad

Star Tours to be Updated Again in 2015 to Add New Destinations For Episode 7
Right Ear found this rumor in the Disneyland and More blog, and a lively discussion ensues.

Star Tours changing in 2015
tofubeast found the same rumor cited above and started a similar discussion in the WDW Resort forum. Could this be a start to a Star Wars Land at Disney Hollywood Studios?

Limited Time Magic: Christmas in July at Disneyland Resort
DisneyGeek138 has found this rumor in multiple sources and is waiting for an official announcement.

Enchanted Tiki Birds With Chips For Adding Your Name Into Songs They Croon
Ride Warrior thinks it might be cool to have the Tiki Birds include the names of random guests in their songs.

Indiana Jones Ride Photo
Other attractions have ride photos available near the exit. Why not Indiana Jones Adventure? asks Shark Bait.

This week brings us a rumor of Star Tours changing, coincidentally, the year Episode VII opens, a return of zebras to Kilimanjaro Safaris, a hint at paying for drinks in your refillable mugs, and a question about interesting photo locations in Walt Disney World. Take a peak and see what else is in the Walt Disney World Forum this week.~ yoyoflamingo

Interesting Photo Locations
Does anyone have any suggestions for unique places to take pictures in Walt Disney World for mrjlhayes? Think outside the box and share your ideas, and maybe even some samples, in here!

Multiple Day ‘Rapid Fill’ Beverage Mugs w/ RFID Chips.
Jumping on the RFID bandwagon, and milking guests for all they are worth, are the refillable mugs at most resort hotels, soon to be complete with an RFID chip. Express your shock and outrage here!

Safari – Return of the Zebra
After killing the poacher storyline, the climactic chase at the end of Kilimanjaro Safari was prepped for a zebra area, only to have them removed shortly after. Now, it looks like zebras might be returning? Check it out here.

We have a review of Mystic Manor in Hong Kong, a planned update of the Jungle Cruise in Tokyo, and an evacuation video from Paris. ~ Trekkie Dad

Mystic Point – A Mixed Bag
HKDLFAN is back in Hong Kong and has this review of Mystic Manor.

Jungle Cruise Revamp [2014]
Grimezy has found a press release from the Oriental Land Company announcing a revamped Jungle Cruise at Tokyo Disneyland.

Evacuation Disneyland Paris Pirates of the Caribbean
xceemora has found a video of an evacuation of the Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland Paris.

The state of Disneyland Paris
Looks like Disney’s flagship resort in Europe could use more than just a little TLC, according to this article (in both French and English).

Communicore Weekly –  Cranium Command, Art of Disneyland, and Jerry Rees! GLUCK TALES! — Jeff and George forgot to write a history segment. So instead, they invite Keith Gluck onto the show to talk about Cranium Command! BOOK OF THE WEEK! — Since Keith is already there, George uses his knowledge of Jeff Kurtti when they look at The Art of Disneyland for the Book of the Week! FIVE LEGGED GOAT! — And finally, Jerry Rees helps us find this weeks Five Legged Goat!

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Monster’s Inc Rides!
Sarah talks about possible Monster’s Inc. themed rides that could be coming to the Disneyland Resort?!

Knott’s Scary Farm Haunt 2013 – Announcement Event & Elvira Interview!
Knott’s Berry Farm held an unprecedented event to announce their offerings for this year’s Knott’s Scary Farm Haunt. With a bonus interview with Norm who spends a few minutes interviewing Elvira, Mistress of Darkness, about what she is afraid of, what to expect from her new stage show at Knott’s Scary Farm 2013, and how she keeps herself looking so young.

MiceChat Podcast – Under the Sea With Ursula and Bob. Is it hot enough out there for you?! We’ll help cool you off by dunking you under the sea with the voice of Ursula from the Little Mermaid, the amazing Pat Carroll. And as a surprise for Pat, Disney Imagineering legend, Bob Gurr pops on the show to discuss the creation of a HUGE Ursula animatronic for Tokyo DisneySea. Plus, some quick updates from the parks. This show is a real treat. Please be sure to share with your friends.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast, Join Eric and guest hosts James and Joseph Taylor as they explore news, rumors, and Summer Nights at the SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Coffee with Kurtti: Armchair Imagineering Tomorrowland – Jeff and Keith explore what’s wrong with Disneyland’s Tomorrowland and what they’d do to change it.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast brings you a new segment, Dead Man’s Die-Gest, in which Darren will share all the Halloween Horror Nights news, the Transformers Grand Opening and more!

Direct Link | iTunes Link

V24 Radio is proud to bring you an exclusive interview with Disney Legend and now author, Marty Sklar!

Hear it at 1pm Eastern on Friday, July 19.

The interview will be hosted by Dave Parfitt – hear it at V24Radio.com!

Replica BTTF Replica DeLorean at Twin Pines Mall
Ever wonder why security didn’t intervene in Doc’s plan? Well they did with this replica Back to the Future car at Twin Pines Mall.

NBCUniversal Buy’s Legendary pictures.
Alexshow brings us information about a Universal Pictures and Legendary Entertainment film partnership.

SeaWorld Planning to sell off Busch Gardens Parks
Bill brings us information of a rumor that SeaWorld is planning on selling off Busch Gardens and the water parks.

 

August 9th through 11th at the Anaheim Convention Center . We’ll have a magical booth in the Collector’s Forum area. Meet MiceChat staff, special guests and Disney legends whom we have scheduled throughout the three day Expo. We will also be giving away lots of great prizes, including hotel stays and an iPad Mini.

We invite you to join us on a very special MiceChat voyage to the Eastern Caribbean on the newest ship of the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy.

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights, Springfield and Diagon Alley
Universal Orlando is moving forward on their 2014 plans and beyond, even as summer crowds swarm the parks.  Let’s take a stroll around Universal Orlando Resort and see what’s on tap in Springfield, Diagon Alley, and more!

Universal Confirms EVIL DEAD Maze Coming to Halloween Horror Nights
Universal has finally confirmed that a maze based on the 2013 film Evil Dead will be walk through attractions at both Universal Hollywood and Universal Studios Orlando as part of Universal Halloween Horror Nights 2013 on both coasts.

Disney California Adventure wraps up Cars Land as Disneyland celebrates its 58th anniversary
Disney California Adventure‘s new 12-acre Cars Land is getting a final finishing touch over a year after opening but guests inside the park won’t be seeing it.

Walt Disney World Water Skiing
A few articles ago, I looked at some of the exclusives that Magic Kingdom Club members could get from the MKC Family Shopper catalog. One item was a set of posters from Walt Disney World.

Marvel World: Are You Ready for San Diego Comic-Con?
San Diego Comic-Con 2013 is just around the corner, July 17 -21, and announcements about the event are coming fast and furious. Are you a Disney, Marvel, or Star Wars fan headed to Comic-Con?

SeaWorld Orlando Summer Update and Antarctica Changes
Summer crowds have descended on the SeaWorld Orlando resort, with Aquatica closing at capacity most days during the busy 4th of July holiday week. Lines for Antarctica hovered around the 2 hour mark during day.

Maurice Sendak Exhibit at Disney Family Museum Highlights Walt Connection
The Walt Disney Family Museum is really working hard to present some interesting and thought-provoking programming. Along these lines, the Museum recently presented “The Maurice Sendak Exhibit: 50 Years, 50 Works, 50 Reasons”.

Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men
Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation is the first book to take an in-depth look at the artists that shaped the Walt Disney Studios before and after Walt’s passing.

Disneyland Resort Anniversary, Splash Troubles, and Updates
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure survived the 4th of July holiday mega-week and came out just fine.

Dateline Disney World: Epcot News and Photos
This week, we’ll look at what’s going on over at Epcot. Construction, obstructions and refurbishments! About 50 photos for you, so let’s get started! If you’d like to support the column and shop on Amazon.com.

Two Myths about World Showcase at Epcot
Disney hasn’t added any countries to World Showcase at Epcot since Norway in 1988—that was 25 years ago. On the Internet, two reasons are mentioned over and over. What’s the real story?

Knotts Berry Farm Announces Halloween Haunt 2013 Details
Last night, Knott’s Berry Farm held a huge announcement event in the Charles Schultz Theatre to reveal all of their dastardly plans for the 41st Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt.

Sam Compares Parks, Disney, Universal, Knotts, Magic Mountain
Let’s face it: Tickets for theme parks are expensive. Every year, we have come to expect price increases that exceed inflation, and every year, we somehow find a way to pony up the extra bucks.

Walt Disney World for Grownups
Remember a couple of weeks ago when I hopped a plane from the Sooner State for a week of kid-free fun at the Most Magical Place on Earth?

Disney to Honor Tony Baxter and 7 Others with Legend Award
We talk about Disney Legends all the time on MiceChat, but do you know how they are minted? At the Disney Legends Awards of course! You are invited to this year’s ceremony.

Design: Those were the Times No. 13 – 1955 Surviving Toxic Living
Disney legend, Bob Gurr, proves the point that what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Or does it? Journey back to the toxic 1950′s with a survivor of better living through chemistry.

Danielle Becomes Friends With Some Characters
In today’s From The Mouth Of The Mouse, we talk to Danielle, who was “friends” with a lot of characters.

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