WDW’s Biggest Challenges and Opportunities
In some ways, it seems like Walt Disney World is firing on all cylinders. The parks have never seemed more crowded, for one thing, and it hardly seems like there is an off-season anymore with short lines. That implies plenty of business and profits, and indeed the quarterly results only vary slightly from the basic message of “this parks-and-resorts division makes a lot of money.”

REGISTER FOR THE DCA MICEQUEST HERE

For the third year in a row D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will hit the road with their Disney Fanniversary Celebration, visiting cities across the U.S. to commemorate dozens of magical Disney milestones celebrating landmark anniversaries this year. In honor of the event, which will kick off this fall, we have designed a game including some of the iconic attractions and films that are (or were) represented inside Disneyland Park. You will have to be fast on your feet and quick with your wits as you race to reach the finish line in time to win the grand prize.

JOIN THE FANNIVERSARY EVENT HERE

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AND THAT’S NOT ALL . . . 

We have a full weekend of meets, events, games and more for you to enjoy. Click through to the MiceChat info thread for the Anniversary Weekend HERE.

It’s time to get ready for the next BIG MiceChat Trip!  Join Disney Legend Bob Gurr and the MiceChat Crew as we set sail on the Disney Magic for a once in a lifetime Mediterranean cruise (from Barcelona to Italy and back again).  Stay after the cruise and you can also join us for a trip though Disneyland Paris!  Ask us for more details by emailing us at [email protected]

MiceChat Podcast #14- Looking Into Disney’s Crystal Ball
January is a great time to reflect on the year past and the year ahead. On this episode, we share our favorite and biggest theme park moments of 2013 and our predictions for 2014 and beyond. What will be our biggest story of 2013? Will it be Disney’s MyMagic+, SeaWorld’s Blackfish problem, Tony Baxter’s retirement from Disney . . .?  Listen on to find out. Then we turn our attention to 2014 and what is already shaping up to be a magical year for Universal as Harry Potter 2.0 – Diagon Alley – prepares to open at the Orlando park. Plus, Disneyland to sink the Subs? Tomorrowland Star Wars projects, major construction delays and much, much more. We even have a cameo by Robert Coker about the project to save Walt Disney’s birthplace in Chicago.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Another movie is being shot in Disneyland.  Mickey and Friends parking structure has added several charging stations for electrical vehicles.  Also, tell us which Pirate you like most in Pirates of the Caribbean! ~ Aladdin

Man-nual Trip To DLR
Bamato and friends enjoyed the Disneyland resort during the Christmas season, and have this cell phone photo trip report, which includes several selfies!

Tomorrowland Filming From Today Through Feb 7th
Another movie is in the process of shooting in Disneyland. Some blue screens have been set up at Small World, and rumor is that they are temporarily removing the recently added Disney characters, for this shoot, in order to make it look more like the 1964 World’s Fair version. Get more info here!

Just for fun – who’s your favorite pirate on POTC?
Scarlet Spanky wants to know which pirate is you favorite, at the New Orleans Square attraction! Tell us your favorite, and why. Maybe it’s a pirate that isn’t there anymore!

EVCS are now at M&F
The Mickey and Friends Parking structure has added a few charging stations for electrical vehicles. Find out more here!

Is another 24-hour event in the works for Disneyland? What about a non-ride attraction in Hong Kong? Plus we have a couple new ideas this week, one tongue-in-cheek. ~ Trekkie Dad

Here we go again another 24 hour event
BasilofBakerStreet has heard rumbles of a 24-hour event at Disneyland on Memorial Day weekend.

Rumor about a non-ride Attraction for Fantasyland
The Witches of Morva have heard that a non-ride attraction (possibly a walk-through) being planned for Fantasyland at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Tower Of Terror Update Ideas
Paradise Dude has some interesting ideas to update the Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure.

A great idea!
Seriously? Druggas proposes a Geriatric Land at Disneyland for aging baby boomers. Ideas for additional senior amenities are rolling in. Take this one with a huge grain of salt.

What is the one dining place your trip cannot go without?
For many it may just be a Churro stand on the corner, but for some like DisneyNerdTom those restaurants and small places bring happiness! What is your favorite place to eat at?

Disney By Mark: Reviw of Fastpass+ Fail
Brianpinsky posts a interesting review of the new Fastpass+ system Walt Disney World has been installing for a while now. Disney By Mark brings up a unique point of view that may have a large following that agree.

Festival of Fantasy float arrives at the MK
Swampymarsh posts another great video from the new Parade coming to the Magic Kingdom Park!

Welcome to this week’s episode of Communicore Weekly, where we talk about Sam Gennawey, Main Street, More Cute Stories, and Perry! DISNEY HISTORY! — We are joined by Sam Gennawey to talk about Main Street in this week’s Disney History! BOOK OF THE WEEK! — George looks at More Cute Stories Vol 3 and interviews Jeff for the Book of the Week! FIVE LEGGED GOAT! — And finally, say There you are Perry in this weeks Five Legged Goat!

Direct Link  l   iTunes Link

The Haunted Mansion Show Episode 7: Freaky Fanmail
The air is deathly still, candlelight’s are flickering, and all of the tenants of Gracey Manor are asleep….except for the Ghost Host. Rather than attempt to conjure spine-tingling eye candy, he will instead read frightening feedback that has been left by fans of the subject. If you are any of these fans, we humbly thank you for watching; there will be more to come!

DoomBuggies Spook Show #5: Imagineer Rolly Crump
In this episode, DoomBuggies talks to WED Imagineer Rolly Crump in an exclusive interview. Crump, who worked directly with Walt Disney in the planning and design of Disneyland, was assigned to the development of the Haunted Mansion, where he worked with Imagineer Yale Gracey on many proposed scenes and special effects. In this interview, we talk to Crump about working with Gracey, his relationship with Walt Disney, and his ideas for the Haunted Mansion.

Direct Link

Disafterdark Series 2, Episode 9 – Not A Zoo !
Welcome back to the Mouse’s Head and thank you for the download. Appearing in the Mouses Head this week is Eric Davis from the unofficial Seaworld Podcast. We chat about some news as usual.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast: Welcome listeners to an EPIC episode of UUOP.
On this show we interview the legend that is MIKE AIELLO.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast, Welcome to episode 17 of the Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast! This episode we’re going to talk about the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics, heartwarming Manatee Rescues, the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Conservation spotlight and much more!

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Window to the Magic Part 2 of 3 of Paul’s afternoon in the park.  This audio adventure series, recorded live at Disneyland resort contains lunch, a few rides and a LOT of the Disney sound experience.

Direct Link

The Seasonpass Podcast:This week TSPP brings you all the audio, creative stories, and dissection of Knott’s Halloween Haunt 2013’s Trapped: The New Experiment and the new Skeleton Key Rooms. All is Revealed!! Warning: the audio in this podcast is censored, however it is still extremely intense in nature and is recommended for a mature audience. Enjoy the Terror.

Direct Link | iTunes Link

Mousetalgia Episode 276: Disneyland’s Mine Train, Disney music
Mousetalgia welcomes Mine Train expert James Keeline to the show to help us reminisce about the history of Frontierland’s trains in anticipation of the newly renovated Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction. James discusses the history of Rainbow Ridge and the Mine Train attraction, and describes the scenes, special effects, and set pieces that made the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland such a memorable ride for Disneyland guests. James also discusses Mineral Hall, the souvenir shop next to the Mine Train that sold fluorescent minerals and black lights to guests. Also, February is Mousetalgia Music Month, and we start our musical features by discussing our personal favorites in the world of Disney musicians, including Hazel George, Buddy Baker, Randy Newman, and Dave Brubeck. Kristen unveils a new collection of “lost” music that she is bringing back to life. Plus – favorite Disneyland songs, a Tinker Bell Half Marathon engagement… and more!

Direct download  |   Subscribe on iTunes

Special Offer From Our Sponsor

The Carousel Inn & Suites, one of our favorite hotels, is giving away a 2 night stay in one of their fancy Club Rooms to one of our readers. Just click the link below to enter. And even if you don’t win, you can still get a great rate of up to 20% off by requesting a “MiceChat Discount” when calling 1(800) 854-6767 to book your stay!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck folks and don’t forget to enter and share!

V24 Radio brings you nostalgia from Disney Parks on Thursdays!

Throwback Thursday will give you an hour of music no longer heard in Disney Parks, twice a day every Thursday at 10am and 2pm Eastern.

From Horizons and Delta Dream Flight to World of Motion and the original Star Tours, Throwback Thursdays will cover it all!

Listen live at V24Radio.com or on the TuneIn app for iPhone and Android!

The world famous MiceChat Gumball Rally will be rolling your way the first Saturday in May. Lots of fun and surprises are in store. Join the info list now so you won’t miss out on early discounted registration (just after the first of the year).  Last year’s event sold out in record time with over 100 names on the waiting list. Don’t end out shut out of the best fan event of the year, add your name to the list HERE and we’ll notify you when tickets go on sale.

Universal Orlando – Harry Potter Kingscross Station, Starbucks and Winter Refurbs
Wizarding World of Harry Potter projects are getting pretty exciting with signage going up on Kingscross Station and London facades finishing up their final details. But that’s certainly not all that’s new at the Universal.

Imagineer Tim Delaney: Architect of Hong Disneyland’s Tomorrowland
We’re looking forward to the special MiceChat event with Disney Imagineer Tim Delaney in just a few days (see details at the end of this column).

Disney California Adventure celebrates the Lunar New Year as Hollywood comes to “it’s a small world”
Disney California Adventure celebrated the Year of the Horse over the weekend with a special three-day Lunar New Year celebration.

Disney Village Marketplace 1991: The Whatchamacallit and More
As I’ve often bemoaned, documenting early Walt Disney World history can be difficult. Unlike today’s digital cameras, taking photographs during the first 30 years of Walt Disney World was either an expensive process or one.

Knotts Berry Farm Update: Refurbishments and the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Yesterday, Knotts Berry Farm joined the fight against breast cancer by teaming up with the Susan G. Komen foundation.  A wonderful event was held to mark the beginning of the relationship.

Year of the Horse: Chinese New Year in Bangkok
Several of our MiceChat columnists have shown us how Disney is celebrating the Chinese New Year in the parks this week.

Meet the Amazing Tim Delaney, Disney Imagineer
On Saturday, February 8th, celebrated Disney Imagineer Tim Delaney will be giving a fascinating MiceChat exclusive presentation about the conception and construction of Disneyland Paris.

The Magic Kingdom Storybook by Jason Grandt
Books about theme parks fall into two major categories: guide books and history books (okay, there are also books on social discourse and the parks).

In The Parks – Chinese New Year and Disneyland Resort Update
It’s time to say goodbye to January and hello the Chinese New Year this week at the Disneyland Resort.

Dateline Disney World – Epcot Photos and News
Hello, and welcome to Dateline Disney World! This was a pretty slow news week, and I almost got rained out.

Erasing Wonders of Life, 2014 Edition
Although Wonders of Life at Epcot closed forever on New Years Day 2007—over seven years ago—the golden domed pavilion has had a new life since then as the Festival Center.

Tips for Tipping at Disney
When visiting Disney resorts, many travelers aren’t quite sure who can accept tips, how much to tip and whether or not there’s a need to tip.

Disneyland Resort Official Albums: Souvenirs to Last a Lifetime
It’s no question the Disneyland Resort is the Happiest Place on Earth. You wouldn’t be going there and you wouldn’t be on MiceChat if you didn’t know that to be true.