Disneyland Paris may get a new Ratatouille dark ride, Universal Singapore debuts a new parade and we catch a glimpse of the new Matterhorn Bobsleds all in this edition of the MiceChat Round-Up. But that's not all: Marvel further at the Muppets performing Bohemian Rhapsody and see how the Crush Coaster was built at the Paris Disney Studios Park. Sarah has just uploaded her latest MiceChatter video. Be sure not to miss the rather blunt post by a former D23 member where he details the continuing problems he had with the once promising Disney business unit. And Al has a follow-up to a letter he published last week from a disappointed Walt Disney World visitor. All this plus MiceChat announces the winners for both the Florida and Southern California Theme Park Awards, all right here! ~ CakvalaSC
EDITOR’S PICK'S
January 3-6, 2012: Photographic Results Regions Beyond has a wide assortments of photos from his first trip to Disneyland in 2012. See if you can determine where in Disneyland these photos were taken!
Reserve Your Copy Of "Disneyland Paris, From Sketch To Reality" One of the most collectible Disney theme park books of all time is Disneyland Paris From Sketch To Reality. Sadly, it has long been out of print and now goes for about $500 used and well over $1,000 in new condition. But we have some good news if you want to add this to your library at a much more reasonable price.
MiceChat is NOT affiliated with the Walt Disney Company in ANY way.
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Readers of last week's Round–Up may remember the e-mail we ran from Kurt, expressing his dissapointment with a recent visit to Walt Disney World. The note was sent to a general e-mail address on the first of January and copied to us at that time. We ran the note on 4th, and later that day found out that a response was sent out to him on the 3rd. Here's a follow up from him on it:
Here's how Disney responded to my letter (and my take):
I received a phone call first thing Tuesday morning, January 3 from Joan Martin at WDW. She informed me that my email to Meg Crofton had been brought to her attention, and she offered their sincere apology for our "less than magical" experience at the Magic Kingdom. She indicated my correspondence would be shared with the management teams of the affected areas, to make them aware of our observations. She then offered to "replace" one day of our admission, so that we might enjoy a day in whatever park we choose on our next visit.
Joan was extremely courteous and gave me the impression she was genuinely concerned about what I had written, and would pass the information along to those who can (and hopefully will) make things change for the better. I had no intention of asking for any compensation or remuneration for our tickets, and although a very generous offer I hope this goodwill gesture is not a substitute for taking steps to make the park a better place for everyone who visits. Actions speak louder than words, and the quick response I received indicates that Disney DOES listen to those who matter most, the people walking through the gates every day!
First, my thanks to Kurt for sharing both his original note and the response he got back with us. I have to say I was pleased to see the Orlando folks respond so rapidly to Kurt's e-mail. It's great to see such a proactive effort made. Like Kurt, my hope is that this reflects a genuine effort to get things fixed out there.
I'll wait and see if and how they begin to address their many upkeep issues. The good thing is that the two Orlando reports we ran yesterday from Kevin and the Orlando Parkhopper team indicate they may be at work on some of the major problems they have had.
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January 27th through 29th
A magical MiceChat 7 Year Anniversary celebration Here's the schedule:
MICECHAT 7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND
It all begins on Friday January 27, 2012. Join us on a very special one day Adventures By Disney "Hollywood Magic" trip that starts at the Walt Disney Studios and then takes you to other famous Hollywood locations with your MiceChat pals. We'll tour the Walt Disney Studios, see the famous Disney Archives, dine in the commissary and shop in the studio store.
ADVENTURES BY DISNEY - DISNEY ARCHIVES AND HOLLYWOOD TOUR
Then it's off to Hollywood where you'll tour the El Capitan and the Kodak Theaters (the latter the home of the Academy Awards) as well as other famous tinseltown and Sunset Strip sights and landmarks. The day wraps up with a cocktail reception on Malibu Beach at sunset. What better way to kick off the MiceChat anniversary weekend!
CELEBRITY BREAKFAST
The fun continues on Saturday January 28th, with the MiceChat Celebrity Breakfast at ESPN Zone. A wonderful buffet breakfast/meet and greet with Disney celebrities including Susan Egan (Broadway's Belle and the voice of Meg from Hercules), Disney author Sam Gennawey, Margaret Kerry (the original reference model and actress for Tinker bell), and other invited guests. The event will take place from 9am-11am, Saturday, January 28th at the fabulous ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney. And YES, the world famous, ESPN Zone Maple Bacon will be served! BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
Following the breakfast we'll spend the day in Disney California Adventure.
The grand finale is on Sunday January 29th which is our traditional Disneyland day with breakfast along the Rivers of America, a grand circle tour of the happiest place on earth and the classic noon meet at the right hand of Walt Disney himself. We hope you'll be able to join us.
We have a photo tour of Disneyland through the eye of Regions Beyond, then we take a sneak peak at the new bobsleds as the Matterhorn goes under another lengthy refurbishment. ~ Aladdin
New Matterhorn Bobsleds
The Matterhorn settling down for a long Winter refurbishment. frankiefalzon has located photos of the new bobsleds!
Fantasmic Presents.. The Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody!
Take a look at one of the surprises at Disneyland on New Years Eve. It's one of the viral Muppet videos that hit a while back ~ on the Rivers of America! nonob88 located these videos.
The A/V Room
Sarah has a brand new MiceChatter video for you today:
MAGIC 24.7
LISTENERS, CALL US! MAGIC 24.7 has unveiled a phone number where listeners can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and request a song, send out a dedication, or leave a station comment. The MAGICLINE is equipped with voicemail, so feel free to leave a message for us, and you may hear it on the air! Call (424) 270-1955. Long distance charges may apply!
NEW MUSIC MONDAY
We add a couple of new tracks every week!
APP UPDATE We’re working on finishing up our iPhone/iPad/iTouch App for MAGIC 24.7! Soon you’ll be able to interact with our station on your favorite devices from Apple. We’re hoping to launch it very soon - so stay tuned!
PODCAST UPDATE
Every Monday to Friday between 6-9 am Pacific, we give you your MiceChat.com Newscast. Coming soon, you’ll be able to get a full recap of news from your favorite site.
Have you signed up for MiceDeals? Don’t miss out on 50% to 80% off Southern California and
Orlando area theme park, restaurant, hotel and attractions!
Visit MiceDeals.com today and sign up at the top of the page for your daily
deal reminder. Hurry, because they sell out quick and don’t last long.
The Ratatouille dark-ride is now official
Looks Euro Disney SCA, the company that runs Disneyland Paris, has just officially confirmed having the money for this new attraction in the Walt Disney Studios Park on it's official website!
Making of Crush's Coaster- Ride Thru At End Ride Warrior has found a YouTube video that shows some of the construction of this popular ride at Walt Disney Studios Park in France.
Construction walls up at JAWS
Last week we saw the end of JAWS! at Univeral Studios Orlando. Now, the day after closing, construction walls have gone up and it has KingEric excited! They are moving fast, so does this have you excited too?
Celeberities at USH tram tour
Everyone who has gone to Universal Studios has done the Studio Tram Tour. toneloc has done it more than 100 times since 2000 and has never seen a celebrity. So has anyone ever seen a celebrity or do they all hide when the tram goes by?
Aulani photos from our stay 3IAlienKid shared incredible pictures that they took during their stay at Disney's new resort in Hawaii, Aulani. This place looks wonderful and so creative!
'Maleficent' live-action feature
It looks like there is new life for Maleficent, Disney's live action version of Sleeping Beauty. Now with Robert Stomberg at the helm, what do you think we can expect?
Brian Beletic to helm film based on Disneyland's Matterhorn
Disney has announced plans for their next theme park movie based on the Matterhorn. With hits like Pirates of the Caribbean and misses like Country Bears and Haunted Mansion are we ready for another ride-based movie? What's next - the teacups?
How many buttons are there?
Drac has posted a question on what unique items they should be collecting for Buttons / Pins. Anyone have suggestions on sites that list this type of item?
Vintage Mickey mouse hat/mask?
Jennowned has posted pictures of a unique Disney hat that she is looking for assistance with.
1/10: WorldView - Kevin shares news, gossip & rumors from Walt Disney World. Everything from Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom testing to all the current construction!
1/10: Dumbo gone, Thunder quiet, Sorcerers and more Movies and mine trains and elephants, OH MY! The Florida theme park scene is currently going through some interesting changes. Big Thunder has been shut down for some much needed refurbishment, Dumbo has been closed for relocation, and the Great Movie Ride is on its last leg but not for reasons you would think. We take another glimpse at those cool new Test Track cars in action and the developments in Fantasyland. But it isn't all Disney this week. Join us on safari as we take a trip into an often overlooked Florida Adventure, the Giraffe Farm.
1/9: Jolly Holidays, Three Kings and changes in Paradise Big changes are underway at the Disneyland Resort as the holiday season comes to a close. A large section of Main Street dining and retail locations have closed for major remodeling projects as the new Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe opens at the end of the street. Meanwhile, the new bakery-cafe is serving up a selection of new and old favorites in a gorgeous new foodservice location. Across the Central Plaza, the Matterhorn Bobsleds have closed for a major refurbishment that will include the addition of a brand new fleet of bobsleds. In Fronteirland, Disney closed out the holiday season with its first-ever Three Kings Day celebration, blending festive decor with Latino culture and entertainment. Over at Disney California Adventure, construction pressed on at the major Buena Vista Streetand Cars Land projects while new work got underway on remodeling the garish Midway Shops facades on Paradise Pier. Outside the parks, work has begun on some Downtown Disney projects and completing the Disneyland Hotel renovation. Join us with a complete photo and video tour of all the news and changes in today's Dateline Disneyland!
1/8: MiceChat Anniversary Weekend, You are Invited to some very special events The big MiceChat anniversary weekend is coming up and you are invited! The fun starts January Friday, 27th with an Adventures by Disney trip to the Disney Archives and Hollywood. Then, Saturday is the big Celebrity Breakfast at ESPN Zone with Susan Egan and Margaret Kerry. Finally Sunday is the traditional Disneyland Meet Day. Join us for the fun!
1/6: A Year of FUN! Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Six Flags and more The first Weekend Update of the New Year! What better way to celebrate than to look back at highlights that include Legoland, Shrek the Halls, Rapunzel at Walt Disney World, Dick Van Dyke at the D23 expo, 40 years of Walt Disney World Magic and so much more! We even get to take a trip to the far reaches of the deep south when Sir Clinksalot documents his trip to Six Flags Over Georgia.
1/6: A Jolly Holiday, Results for MiceChat's SoCal Park Awards, more A bright and sunny new week begins and we are here in at the Disneyland resort to sample the new Jolly Holiday Bakery. Is the food as good as the hype? We shall see. Buena Vista Street and Cars Land continue to develop at Disney California Adventure. We get a possible opening date for the Transformers ride at Universal Hollywood and wonder why Christmas is still around at all the parks. Last but certainly not least, we announce the winners for the 2011 MiceChat SoCal Theme Park Awards.
1/6: Werner Weiss - Safari Adventure There's another Jungle Cruise nearby. It's Safari Adventure over at the Yesterland Hotel-where you can be the skipper! That means you get to steer the boat. And, if you like, you can even make up your own corny narration.
1/5: From Slope to Nope - The Story of Walt Disney's Mineral King Walt Disney was a man of big dreams. Following a trip to Switzerland he posed two big projects to his Imagineers. One of these projects became Disneyland's first rollercoaster, the Matterhorn. The other project was dear to Walt's heart but never to be - his very own ski resort. Mineral King would have been one of the finest family vacation destinations in the world. But how and why did this dream go down hill? Tune in for all the twists and turns of this trail tale.
1/5: Pressing Matters - Sue finds cool things and fun events you may have missed, such as Ronald Searle * Welcoming Dragons * Kings * Prima Donna * Toonful * January at the Walt Disney Family Museum.
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The MiceEars Crew and MiceChat News Club put a lot
of time and effort into making these Round-Ups happen. Here are the members:
Your Editors: Dustysage, Fishbulb and CakvalaSC
The MiceEars Crew: Demigod, Aladdin, elly, pezz lightyear, Yoyoflamingo, Tinkermonkey, Pineapplewhipaddict, KnittingKnerd, Trekkie Dad, DLandFansAZ ,RegionsBeyond, HKDLFAN and Disney Wrassler!
The MiceChat News Team: sir clinksalot, ALIASd, Disneytim, OogieBoogie.
The MiceEars Crew can be e-mailed at: RoundUpCrew@gmail.com
Please keep in mind they may not be able to respond to each note personally.
