In The Parks: Disneyland Prepares for D23 Weekend

There is a huge buildup of anticipation for the big D23 convention among Disneyland cast and guests. The big event will take place just across the street from the park at the Anaheim convention center and will steal a bit of thunder from the Disneyland Resort.  If you are planning on coming to D23, we hope to see you at the MiceChat booth #513.  Let’s breeze through the park and catch up on a few things.

BIG THUNDER

Major resurfacing work has finally begun on the walkways outside the attraction.  This substantial rework has forced the closure of Big Thunder Trail until it is all finished up again.  It is wonderful to see them finally addressing this area in a thorough manner.

Everything on the outside is coming along nicely however and the queue is now receiving attention.  in particular the station structure itself is getting a nice overhaul too.

TOMORROWLAND WORK

There appears to be some work happening over in Tomorroland at the restrooms near Autopia.

STARBUCKS

WDI VISITING INDY

We are hearing word that WDI has been making frequent visits to Indy.  This has caused the attraction to open late on more than a few occasions.  From what we have heard, changes will be coming to the voices of Mara at the beginning of the attraction.  So the next time you see Indy temporarily closed, it could be a normal breakdown or it could be more tinkering.

 RIVERS OF AMERICA

Have you ever noticed the second beaver at the dam on Rivers of America?  We just did!  There is one, just off to the right, munching on a tree.  But, if you keep an eye out you will see another beaver behind the dam resurfacing every so often.  What a nice touch (and something we are sure has been there for years that we never noticed before).

MICECHAT PODCAST

We have a brand new MiceChat Podcast for you this week. Dusty and Doug run down the latest Disney parks rumors and then turn to the Creative Director of Universal Studios Hollywood to pin down some rumors and information about what’s coming soon to that park.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

MiceChat Magic at the D23 Expo – August 9th – 11th

As if the D23 Expo didn’t have enough things for you to see and do, MiceChat will have a magical booth in the Collector’s Forum area of the D23 Expo this year as well. We invite you and your friends to meet with the amazing lineup of special guests and Disney legends whom we have scheduled throughout the three day show (Imagineering Legends Bob Gurr and Rolly Crump, Disney notables Nik Ranieri, Mark Silverman, Susan Egan, Margaret Tinkerbell Kerry, Carolyn Carroll, and surprise guests!)

Click the image above for our full schedule and prize information

Plus, meet MiceChat staff (Andy Castro, Fishbulb, Monorail Man, Sam Gennawey, Doug Barnes, Scarlett Stahl, Rixter, Mickey Maxx, Jeff Heimbuch, Gwendolyn Dreyer, Sarah the MiceChatter, Indiana Jenn, Mamabot, Dustysage and more). We will also be giving away lots of great prizes, including hotel stays and an iPad Mini!

Plus, we’d like to invite all of you to join us for a special cocktail party at the Anabella Hotel’s Tangerine Restaurant patio on the evening of Saturday, August 10th. The Anabella will be offering happy hour prices to us from 9pm until 1am. We’ll have some VERY special guests drop by, including Disney legend BOB GURR, buy him a Gurr-tini and let the stories flow!  SIGN UP FOR OUR EXPO INFO-GRAM AND A  CHANCE TO WIN

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Thank you for reading!

That wraps up this week’s edition of In the Parks.  If you will be spending your time at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure, be prepared for increasing crowds towards the evenings as the main D23 programs let out. Note that the Saturday tickets for the Expo have completely sold out and Friday and Sunday aren’t far behind. If you don’t already have ticket, get them quickly.  We hope to see you there!  For those of you who were planning to visit the MiceChat noon meet at the central hub of Disneyland on Sunday, please note that our staff will be at the Expo and we won’t be in the park for the noon meet. But, swing by the MiceChat booth and noon on Sunday. We might just give away a big prize.  😉