| Wednesday
is MiceChat Round-Up day here at MiceAge. We have tons of trip reports
from the Disneyland Resort and extensive coverage of Walt Disney
World too. The Empire Strikes Back celebrated a 30th anniversary
and we discuss the strict rules at the overseas parks. We finally
find out (thanks to Al) why the Hatbox Ghost didn't materialize
this spring as was expected. Enjoy! - Fishbulb
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Q. Several readers wondered why the Hatbox Ghost
didn't appear in the Manson this spring as had been expected...
A. The Hatbox Ghost is one of those projects that
Tony Baxter still wants to finish up and get installed at Disneyland's
Haunted Mansion. The new version of the Hatbox Ghost was all ready
to begin fabrication in the early summer of 2009, for installation
into a slightly reworked Attic Scene after the popular Holiday overlay
was removed at the end of the Christmas season. But a rather last
minute shifting of funds by Team Disney Anaheim (TDA) execs put
the project on hold as the money was spent on another ghostly attraction
instead. In short, all of the money originally dedicated to the
Hatbox Ghost for 2009 was shifted over to the Space Mountain Ghost
Galaxy project at the last minute, and that budgetary infusion helped
boost the exterior dome show from what was just supposed to be some
basic lighting effects into the much more impressive audio and visual
projection show Disneyland ended up with.
It can't be stressed enough how last minute the decision was to
move the funding for the Hatbox Ghost over to Ghost Galaxy, but
that's exactly what the top TDA executives are paid to decide in
oftentimes stressful planning sessions held in a fancy conference
room on TDA's 4th floor. TDA knows the Hatbox Ghost will be a big
hit with the diehard Mansion fans and hardcore Disneyland experts,
but they also were trying to ensure that their second attempt at
a Space Mountain makeover was a success with a wider and far larger
audience.
After the embarassing mistake made with the corny Rockin' Space
Mountain overlay in 2006, they wanted to make sure the Ghost Galaxy
overlay had the steak to go with the marketing sizzle TDA already
had planned for HalloweenTime '09. Lucky for TDA that Ghost Galaxy
was a huge hit with locals, and almost immediately erased any memory
of Rockin' Space Mountain. There are more additions planned for
Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, most notably to the queue and some
additional projections inside the dome, but the extra cash swiped
from the Hatbox Ghost seems to have been well spent judging by the
big hit Ghost Galaxy ended up being for them.
The Hatbox Ghost is still kicking around on the short list of Tony
Baxter's projects for the park. But he only has so much money to
work with on these smaller projects, as the big ticket expansion
funds for major new attractions coming to Disneyland have to be
voted on by the Board of Directors up in Burbank. Tony's pot of
cash is basically given to him by TDA year to year and project to
project, and it's TDA's money to spend or re-allocate to keep the
park fresh. For example, some nifty tech updates to the Snow White's
Scary Adventure dark ride that Tony's team has been installing lately
are next up, and they'll be debuting by the end of the month.
It would be nice if Tony had access to a larger fund for all these
little pluses he wants to add to Disneyland, but compared to the
situation out in Orlando where the executives there hate to spend
money on anything that doesn't involve a time share condo or a pin
cart, Anaheim is doing pretty well with this financial setup between
a sympathetic TDA and a passionate Disneyland fan like Tony Baxter.
If the Hatbox Ghost gets the green light (again), we'll try to ensure
that our readers will be among the first to know, outside of that
fancy TDA conference room of course. - Al
Got a question for Al or any of the MiceAge
columnists?
Email them at [email protected].
Your question may be featured in a future MiceChat Round-Up!
If you are a
D23 member you can join Jeffery, Becky and the rest of the D23
gang at ESPNZone in Down Town Disney Anaheim on Thursday May 27th
for a night of fun and games and a free $10.00 gift card to play
to your heart's content.
Disneyland
is getting ready for the summer crowds! This week several attractions
have reopened after updates and refurbishments! Toy Story Midway
Mania installed the updated games, the Mark Twain is once again
traveling the Rivers of America, the Disney Gallery has a new exhibit,
and the Silly Symphony Swings will soon be swinging into action!
The Candy store on Main Street brought back some treats from the
past. And LOTS of great photo’s and trip reports have been
contributed by all of you! ~ Aladdin
Another
photo filled trip report...
Hot Sauce 1 has some wonderful photos of details
throughout Disneyland and DCA!
Cell
Phone photo report - super long TR
phi1215 and family travel to Disneyland and bring
us a great trip report!
Springtime
For Mac Dad In Disneyland
Mac Daddy brings us a few more phenomenal photos!
Haunted
Mansion Lumos!
orbital punk has some incredible Haunted Mansion
pictures for you in this thread!
Aladdin
The Musical-Tiana's Showboat Jubilee-Pixie Hollow
asianbma has posted a few fantastic photos from
over the past few months!
Another
A113 Trip Report: 5/21 - 5/23
A113 brings back tons of pictures from all over
the Disneyland Resort. Look here!
Executioner's
Hipstamatic Pics
Executioner brings an old look to some new photos. Look here!
Day
One Disneyland - The Disney Gallery
Ron W has photos of the new exhibit at The Disney
Gallery, Day One Disneyland!
Silly
Symphony Swings
The Orange Stinger makeover to the Silly symphony Swings is going
final testing, and will be opening soon! And videos are ready
for you to see!
New
Midway Mania Game
Mr. Met reports in that Toy Story Midway Mania
has the Toy Story 3 update is up and running! Check the update
beginning with post number 77! And be sure to see the video in
post number 104!
The
Mark Twain is running!
huskydawg reports in that the Mark Twain is travelig
the Rivers of America, after it's extensive refurbishment! MacDaddy
provides the photos!
First
Trip to Disney - Circa 1986
ThanksRichard takes us on a trip to the past,
1986 specifically, for a family trip to Disneyland!
Favorite
Disneyland Fact!?!
DisneyRicky wants to know your favorite Disneyland
fact. Tells yours, here!
New
items at the Candy Palace
disneyfn has news of a certain candy returning
to Main Street's Candy Store, for the first time in nearly 25
years! Sue Kruse provides the photos!
Welcome
back, MiceChatters! This week we have no rumors to share, and just
a few Armchair Imagineering posts. If you post your ideas and rumors
they might just make it here next week. What are you waiting for?
;) -Demigod
Horticulture
Tour
MiceChat member Lalalex’s mother loves
the plants and gardening at the DLR, so she thinks that a horticultural
tour of the resort would be a nice addition.
Into
the Wilderness (DCA Bambi Attraction)
hawk671 brings us an idea for an E-ticket Bambi
attraction for Disney’s California Adventure.
This
week, some vivid photography, a couple of Trip Reports, a moving
tree, and the cost of eating. Covers a few bases, eh? ~ PEZZ
Lightyear
Exploring
a new HDR technique...
Hot Sauce 1 treats us to a few 'HDR-ized' photos
from around WDW that have a painted, surreal look to them. Amazing
colors!
My First Trip Report
DoctorWho.48 spent some quality time in the Parks
and brings back this lovely text recap!
STS-132,
WDW and Orlando first time visitor Trip Report
CAspace went to Florida recently to see the shuttle
launch and take in WDW for the first time! Excellent narration
and superb observations!
120
Ton Winnie the Pooh Tree
10/6 found some awesome video of the Winnie the
Pooh tree being relocated, behind-the-scenes, in the ongoing Fantasyland
reconstruction. Check out the heavy-duty assistance needed to
make the magic happen!
Has
WDW become too aggressive with Meal Pricing?
Lightning509s has noticed, especially recently,
that eating at WDW sure does make your wallet lighter. Read this
and other amazing gastronomic insights here!
Dis
& That
TDLFAN takes a rainy day journey into both Tokyo
parks and presents us with a lovely trip report with a twist.
There are no pictures, but it's a great read nonetheless.
Newport
Bay and Halloween Questions
Nathan Detroit and family are planning a trip
to Disneyland Resort Paris. And he's looking for your thoughts
on the hotels and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Party.
Strict
Rules why is that ?
DLRP_bopazot is now a fan of the Tokyo Disney
Resort, but is curious about the strict rule enforcement in practice.
Join this interesting thread on what makes TDR different from
other Disney parks.
Heading
out to someplace other than a Disneyland Resort this coming travel
season? Be sure to share your trip report here with us on MiceChat
and you might find yourself featured in a Weekly Round Up! ~elly
Le
Mont St Michel - Normandy, France
10/6 has brought us an amazing trip report from
Normandy, France this week. Beautiful photos of the amazing architecture
and history of this historic area are a definite 'do not miss'
this week.
The
Karate Kid had a Six Flags day at the Clean Park... presented
by Axe (5/21 TR)
Wait until you read what dth316 saw wrapped on
the Ninja roller coaster's cars on their last trip. And then read
what they found wrapped on Viper's cars, its astounding!
Universal
Update, Transformers and Special Effects Show Pictures!
Been waiting for a video update of Universal Studios Hollywood?
Well step right up! JerrodDRagon might have just
what you're looking for.
Yosemite
national park Part 1 and 2
Eagleman shares their first ever MiceChat trip
report with us and it's been worth the wait. Some of the most
lovely photos of Yosemite are included in this thread.
Anyplace
left in US for a medium to large theme park?
A great discussion thread comes to our little section of the boards
thanks to Meyers this week. Where do you think
the next big theme park could be located in the United States?
From
Blu Rays to a Blues Festival, there is a lot happening in the wide-world
of entertainment. - Princess626
Walt
Disney's Imagineering Book II now released
Coheteboy: 'It is a FOLLOW-UP book that covers
a lot of new stuff that has happened since 1995's release'
Disney
Jumps to 'Light Speed'
BuzzedLightyear brings a new space story. 'They
are few and far between these days.'
Show
us you Futterwacken!
Barbossa asks 'Any MiceChatters submit their
version of the Futterwacken?'
Happy
30th Anniversary Empire Strikes Back
'Where has the time gone?' 'Thirty years ago today at precisely
12:01 a.m.' AlohaStitch and friends, attended
the premier.
Well,
another week has come and gone, and even though it aired on Sunday,
I'll still thinking about the Lost finale. Maybe these threads will
help get my mind off it for a while... - yoyoflamingo
Introducing
Wenlick and Mandeville: London 2012 Olympic Mascots
While it seems so far away, the 2012 Olympics in London have already
revealed their mascots. What do you think? Share your opinion
here!
Disney
+ MAC Cosmetics = Venomous Villains Collection
From the Gibson Girls section, we have a new collection of MAC
Cosmetics, specifically inspired by your favorite Disney baddies!
I always knew the villains had the best fashion sense!
5/18:
Kevin Yee - Water Wizard
This week Kevin gives us a Water Park Update, a Harry Potter Peek,
and more...
5/20:
Sue Kruse - Pressing Matters
Amongst Sue's Pressing Matters this week are Legos & more
Legos, The Prince of Persia, Pollyanna’s house & The
Ball, Silverlake and the Jubilee and more!
5/21:
In The Parks
Disneyland's construction walls come down, as well as the latest
news from Universal and Knotts' 'Get Ready For Summer.'
5/21:
Werner Weiss - On the Road...again?
Yes, there are plans to bring back the Midget Autopia at a new
location to delight a new generation of children. Good idea? Discuss.
5/22:
Weekend Update
This week's great collection of photos feature Hong Kong Disneyland,
a Walt Disney World Update, and Key West's Hemingway House.
5/24:
Andy Castro- Dateline Disneyland
Day One Disneyland, Toy Story 3 Mania, Silly Swings, Little Mermaid
takes shape, and MORE!
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