Disney News Round Up: A MagicBand Christmas

It’s Thanksgiving time. In honor of the holiday, we’ve stuffed this update with all sorts of holiday treats, and one big turkey you’ve got to eat. The MiceChat Round up is here to sum up all of the latest Disney and Theme Park News and information from the past week.  In case you missed it, yesterday’s MiceAge Update shared some pretty dire news about upcoming projects at the stateside Disney Parks. But not all of today’s news is bad. Stitch has been added to the Mickey and the Magical Map show at Disneyland Park.  We also discuss a possible reason as to why the Disney Corporation pulled support for the Salvation Army. We also have some great news from Knott’s Berry Farm regarding the Calico Mine Train!  All of this, plus reports from Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland and more.  Read on to learn more.

MiceAge Disney Parks Update: Iger’s Ire

The holiday season is in full swing, and huge crowds have descended on the Disneyland Resort this week. Both parks have never looked better with Christmas decorations covering nearly every land and corner of the resort. But, while it may seem as if the Disneyland Resort has entered a new golden age. There are very dark clouds gathering above the Disney resorts with dire consequences to many of the upcoming projects which Imagineers have been working on for months and years.

JOIN US AT THE FOLLIES

Join us at the lovely Casita Del Campo Restaurant in Silverlake for THE holiday show event of the season.  What is it?  It’s Part Perry Como Christmas special, part Carol Burnett Show, part Pee Wee’s Playhouse and all holiday cheer.  James Gray, a former Disney cast member, leads a cast of brilliantly talented performers in a Christmas variety show like you have never seen before…  EVER. There will be singing, dance numbers, and the occasional cookie thrown at the audience.  Special guest stars are always waiting in the wings to surprise the audience with dazzling new numbers.

This show is hugely popular and sells out every year.  That’s why MiceChat is having a special, private performance just for you.  That’s right.  Get your tickets now to this special private performance of one of the hottest holiday tickets in Hollywood.  We’d hate for you to miss out on all the Holiday cheer.
BUY TICKETS HERE

ANABELLA HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY

Happy Hanukkah and Happy Thanksgiving to all!  Mickey gets a new outfit, just in time for Thanksgiving.  We also take a look at an effort to restore some of the original buildings from Storybookland.  We also sadly say goodbye to Diane Disney Miller. ~ Aladdin

Mickey’s New Outfit and Stitch Added To Mickey And The Magical Map
Mickeys Magical Map has a couple little additions, and The Disney Ninja has the 411!

1981 rebuild of Storybook Land – never before seen images
Rob F has photos of some of the original building s Storybookland, and informs us the buildings saved, are in the process of being restored! Look here!

Let’s pick the biggest area of need for Disneyland Resort
Nirya asks what land should be the next big project for the Disneyland Resort, that would be best opportunity for long term growth of the resort? Give us your opinion on which area of DCA or Disneyland has the biggest opportunity for growth!

Diane Disney Miller passes away at 79
One of Walt Disney’s main inspirations for building Disneyland passed away this week. We sadly say goodbye to Diane Disney Miller. I like to think that in the in the past 45 plus years, Walt had an even better Disneyland ready for Diane!

The reason for no Salvation Army support
lightofdarkness has read an article from the Huffington Post that may provide the reason why Disney has withdrawn support from the Salvation Army and forbids cast members from soliciting donations for the charity.

This weeks seems to have entered a time stream, because we’re talking about the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, which has already passed(!). In addition, we look at first timer questions, and Fastpass+ questions. Take a look and see what we’re talking about in the roundup this week! ~ YoYoFlamingo

Fastpass + question…
Dustinius asks about Fastpass + in February. Can anyone share any information about the switch from paper to Fastpass+? Is there going to be an issue during the changeover, whenever it happens? Answer the questions here.

First timer question
Questions from first timer Dustinius. Specifically, questions about differences, Universal, and February times to visit. Help a MiceChatter out by answering.

50th Anniversary of WDW\
Coasterjunkie shares an Orlando Sentinel article about the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World….that has already passed. Confused? Read the article and find out how…

Mini HKDL Trip Report
arrosen brings us a trip report with pictures from Hong Kong Disneyland.

Mystic Manor received Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction\
Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland received the Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction, which noted the original storyline, special effects, Audio-Animatronics technology, musical score by Danny Elfman, and the trackless, wire-guided ride vehicles as reasons for excellence.

‘Pump up litte moment of happiness’ charity event
The Hong Kong Disneyland is hosting the ‘Pump up Little Moments of Happiness’ charity event to help children attend the park.

Pilot Episode: The Haunted Mansion Show – Let the Ghost Host share the Disneyland news with you. Could it really be him? And why is he so interested in what happens outside his creepy old crypt?

This week’s Communicore Weekly,  where we talk about World of Color, Before The Animation Begins, Little Mermaid, and the Orange Light! DISNEY HISTORY! — Color! Color! Learn all about the night time show World of Color in this weeks Disney History! BOOK OF THE WEEK! — George finds out what happens Before The Animation Begins for the Book of the Week! 60 SECOND REVIEW! — Dive back under the sea for the Little Mermaid sequels and prequels for the 60 Second Review! FIVE LEGGED GOAT! — And finally, the orange light is this week’s Five Legged Goat!

Wakefield Report, covers the latest in theme park news! find full notes on this podcast at WakefieldReport.com.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Disafterdark Disney Podcast, Series 2 Episode 4 From Screen to Theme, to Fantasyland, then to the Pub. Welcome back to the Mouses Head and thank you for the download. We are joined this week by Brent Dodge, author and awesome fancy dress costumier. This week, Paul B is on Pepsi, and Paul D is drinking ‘Hobgoblin’ Nick is on Lemsip and Brent is on Dasani water.

Direct Link

Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast, We bring you the latest news from Orlando, Hollywood and Singapore, A S.P.EW Story and we invite listener and freind, Thomas Wagner on to the show to tak about hi most recent visit and also his other visits that date back as far as park opening year 1990.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast, where your hosts Eric, Mike and Erin are here to share with you that latest SeaWorld news, rumors and inforamtion as we talk about what is happening at all 3 SeaWorld Parks in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Window to the Magic: Magic Joe is back… and he’s brought the non-stop musical collection from the 2013 Disneyland All American College Band with him.  Enjoy the band’s entire final day of performances from the Disneyland Resort, recorded LIVE during the FriendsoftheMagic Gathering in August 2013!

Direct Link
| iTunes Link

Mousetalgia Episode 266: The true story of Mary Poppins

Disney Legend Dave Smith, Disney Archivist Emeritus, joins Mousetalgia this week to tell the true story of Walt Disney’s pursuit of P. L. Travers to bring her book Mary Poppins to the screen. In anticipation of the upcoming feature film Saving Mr. Banks, we look into the history of the making of the iconic film and discover the true-life challenges the studio encountered as the film began production.

V24 Radio is celebrating Thanksgiving by giving YOU a second helping…of Disney Park music!

All day between 11am and 5pm Eastern on November 28, tune in as we play two songs in a row from the same area in Disney Parks and Universal Studios! Plus, we’re sticking to our “No Repeat Weekday” theme…so you’ll NEVER hear the same two songs played!

Enjoy a second helping all day on Thanksgiving from Team V24 – Your Vacation Continues!

 

Thinking of going to Macao? Or maybe visiting Springfield USA? Check out the threads below. ~ Trekkie Dad

Springfield USA Walk through
Coasterjunkie has posted videos of a walkthrough of Springfield USA and Kang and Kodo’s Twirl ‘n’ Hurl at Universal Studios Florida.

Status update: China’s Orlando and Disney sending reps or officials to Hengqin
It looks like China has plans for multiple theme parks near Macao, according to a news article found by HongKongDisneyland.

 

Universal Orlando Resort Update – Christmas and Diagon Alley Details
Universal Orlando Resort is looking jolly. Christmas decorations are now up around the resort, CityWalk construction is pressing ahead at full steam, Diagon Alley gets more details by the day, and we have an extra.

Holiday treats bring seasonal tastes to Disneyland Resort theme parks
The holidays are in full swing at Disneyland as the busy Thanksgiving holiday week gets underway. Big crowds will hit the parks this week, with levels hitting their peak over the weekend.

More Cute Stories, Vol 2: Animators and Imagineers by Rolly Crump
We’re at a very interesting point in time for Disney fans and historians. We find ourselves at an age where you can research almost anything without leaving your keyboard.

Disney’s Frozen is Red Hot
Halfway through Disney’s new animated feature film, Frozen, I realized I had no idea what was going to happen next.  That was about the same time I realized that what I was watching was something special.

The Disneyland Paris that never was
It’s always fun to hear about the Disney attractions that were never built – “the ones that got away” as it were. Only rarely do we get to see the actual renderings and concept art.

Welcome to the Disney Cast Blast
Please join us in welcoming a new column to MiceChat, Disney Cast Blast. We think you’ll agree that this column is a bit like eating popcorn. Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop.

Disneyland Paris Transforms into Christmas Wonderland
Disneyland Paris has achieved another one of those Disney miracles and has transformed the resort from Halloween to Christmas in record time.

Grounded! A Disney Pixar Planes Review
George: The initial announcement for the direct-to-home release of Planes was met with some derision and snickering among the Disney faithful. The Cars line of merchandise has been the most popular brand for Disney/Pixar.

A Holiday for Happy Play at the Disneyland Resort
The Holidays at the resort are in full swing and they are firing on all cylinders.  Disneyland is offering Haunted Mansion Holiday, it’s a small world holiday.

Jingle Cruise and Magic Kingdom News
Hello, and welcome to Dateline Disney World! This week, we have an update from around the Magic Kingdom area, and have over 70 photos! Let’s get started!

Yesterland: The Book of Mouse
The Book of Mouse is not structured as a chronological narrative. It’s collection of stories, anecdotes, quotations, and FAQ-like question-and-answer sections, with a complete Mickey Mouse annotated filmography somewhere in the middle.

Samland: The Motion Simulator Ride
When Star Tours opened at Disneyland in 1987, little did the Imagineers know that they would create a new industry.

How Long Should We Stay at Disneyland
Last week we chatted about length of stay at Walt Disney World.  What works at Disney World doesn’t always match what you should do at Disneyland.

Changes coming to Knotts Mine Train and Camp Snoopy
Welcome back to Knotts Berry Farm!  We last left them in the soupy fog of Halloween.  But now, the park is transforming from scary to merry as they prepare the park for their annual Christmas.

Dueling Disney: MOUSE-ellaneous
See what we did there? As The Year of Dueling Disney starts to wind down, we decided to have one installment be sort of a “grab bag” of random things that wouldn’t fill up an.