Lads and lassies, we have a nice update for you today from the Disneyland Resort. Disney California Adventure and Disneyland are both experiencing a wonderful lull in attendance. So, if you can get out of work, or school, this is a great time to hit the parks. It’s also a great time to go see Oswald in DCA. Well, not really SEE him, more like see a bunch of Oswald merchandise. But, what did you expect from Limited TIme Magic? We also have the latest information from the Big Thunder Mountain Refurb where a train was recently spotted on the tracks. Don’t get your hopes up, the current schedule still has it opening in February. Lastly, we have the winner of last week’s Photoshop contest. Did FrankenPressler win? Read on and find out.
OSWALD IN DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
For a limited time, Disney California adventure will, as the Disney Parks Blog puts it, bring back “…all things Oswald.” What does that mean? Well, not too much really. There will be no Oswald walk-around character, so don’t ask. Instead, it appears that they will merely be highlighting the character with fully stocked merchandise shelves and treats inspired by the tall-eared character.
Meh. The celebration of Oswald will be continuing through Sunday, September 8th.
CROWDS
With the return of the school year, kids are hard at work terrorizing the teachers, leaving the streets of DCA relatively empty. It’s not going to last long, but it’s lovely to stroll through the parks during a lull like this.
CRUISE THE CARIBBEAN WITH BOB GURR AND MICECHAT THIS OCTOBER!
We have some VERY special news and a great opportunity for you to sail away with the beloved Disney Imagineering legend, Bob Gurr. 
Bob Gurr will be joining us on a very special MiceChat voyage to the Eastern Caribbean on the newest ship of the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy.
This 7 night cruise will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, and visit the islands of St. Maarten, St. Thomas/St. John and Disney’s Private Island Castaway Cay (our favorite port of call)! There’s still time for you to book your trip with us. Contact [email protected] or call 832-284-4002 before this opportunity sails away without you. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, don’t miss the boat!
Last chance for the current MiceChat news and rumor podcast, next week will be a brand new show.
From DCA we head to Disneyland Park. Right now we are experiencing one of the few “off-season” moments left in the calendar year for this charming little park. With school finally back in session the park can be downright empty at times!
Even more Halloween merchandise and decorations have crept into the stores and windows on Main Street USA. We know about Disney showcase, more on our display decorating contest in a minute, but the other stores are getting spooky now too.
Jack Skellington merchandise is here all year long.
But these cookies and costumes and Halloween shirts are new. Well, no, the cookies are from last year, but hey, who’s keeping track?
FORTUOSITY
The decorations in this store are simply brilliant. Step into the Fortuosity shop on the left side of Main Street U.S.A. and you will instantly see a theme done right. They kept in step with the turn of the century look of Main Street U.S.A and stocked every nook and cranny with vintage decorations.
But the fun doesn’t end there. No, the store has a theme of it’s own in that it has been invaded by a murder of crows.
It is a breathtaking overlay that you should make a point of seeing if you visit the park before Halloween (that is if the store doesn’t transform to Christmas before Halloween is over).
King Arthur Carousel
The King Arthur Carousel is currently down for a well-deserved refurbishment. It is scheduled to return on October 11th.
Safety land
The work continues along the rooftops in Fantasyland. Safety first people!
BIG THUNDER REFURB
This week, the Big thunder Trail reopened. Now the rough-hewn dried mud look runs from the front of big thunder, all the way over to Fantasyland’s border.
Along the higher ledges new netting has been installed in the railings.
A Big Thunder train has been spotted on the track. They have been pulling it through testing clearances as well. That big white disk with the extensions simulates the widest reach of a guest’s hands.
HAUNTED MANSION HOLIDAY
We’re getting closer to Halloween. So that must mean Christmas, right? Well, no, but Jack Skellington and his crew will be fully moved in and the attraction is set to open with the kick off of Halloweentime at the Disneyland Resort on Friday, September 13th. While we enjoy this overlay, we sure do wish they’d wait until AFTER Halloween to install it.
PHOTO CONTEST
Last week we had several MiceChatters suggest what they thought would look better in the rather boring Halloween display inside Disney Showcase. And even after the many great ideas our readers sent in, the display still hasn’t been changed.
Last week, our readers voted among the 5 eligible entries, (what, no love for the tasteless Miley Cirus and Robin Thicke display?), we finally have a winner.
THE WINNER IS… DAVEYJONES!
Hitchhiking Ghosts
Congratulations to DaveyJones and thank you to all that entered. Davey will be receiving a wonderful bag o’crap from the MiceChat prize vault. Let’s hope that the Disney Park Enhancements team takes some inspiration from this clever, classic design and livens up this dead spot.
SPECIAL EVENT – EVENING WITH DISNEY AND BROADWAY STARS – SEPTEMBER 9th
THE SEASONPASS PODCAST
Jon Binkowski discusses his career in the Themed Entertainement Industry as well as the creation, operation and closing of the infamous Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach. It’s one of those rare conversations where you hear someone think through their successes and failures. And Hard Rock Park was certainly a failure.
PHOTOS FROM THE PARK
We end the update with a few choice shots from around the park. Too often the details get lost in our rush to the next E-ticket. Slow down, enjoy the park.
That about wraps things up for this week. A BIG thanks to new ITP Photographer, Disneyloon for his help this week. See you next Friday when we will have full coverage of the opening day of Halloweentime at the Disneyland Resort. Until then, we’ll see you In the Parks!