Disneyland introduced the new Imagine… a Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show on Friday, June 4. Imagine is the last-minute replacement for Believe… There's Magic in the Stars. Disneyland cast members have been told that this new show was designed to take advantage of new launching technology in order to help protect the environment.
The “hidden Mickey” effect returns with the new fireworks show.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The soundtrack for Imagine is a compliation of Disney theme park music—much of it from Walt Disney World—and songs from Disney films and cartoons. One spectator joked that every Disney song containing the word “world” was used.
Some familiar effects light up the night. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Many of the “special” shells first introduced in Believe are used in Imagine: The familiar comets, stars, hearts and double-rings all make their appearance, often in the same “burst” sequence used in Believe.
Launches from the Castle look a little different. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The launchers on top of Sleeping Beauty Castle look to have been re-aimed or repositioned, and the Castle effects appear father apart than before. Some have speculated that those launchers have been repositioned so that the planned rehab can take place on Sleeping Beauty Castle this summer without affecting the fireworks.
The finale is similar to, but smaller than, the previous show. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Tinker Bell appears near the end of this show, making her flight from the Matterhorn and over the Castle. A new light effect on the Matterhorn has drawn some praise as a “new” feature in this show.
Reaction to the new show has been generally positive. Many MousePlanet readers saying that the 10-minute show isn't as good as Believe, but not as bad as some had feared. The show will run nightly during the summer, starting Friday, June 11.
A cast member has posted to our MousePad discussion boards that Disneyland security will no longer monitor access to the Katella Street cast member parking lot. The policy goes into effect June 20.
This action is the latest in a string of cutbacks that have infuriated members of the Disneyland security department, which is currently negotiating a new employement contract. Members have complained that Disney wants to slash the security force by as much as half. Some security cast members have warned that a public walkout may be necessary to bring pressure on Disney to maintain their budget.
50th anniversary signs are plastered on every construction project in
Disneyland. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Several Main Street stores have learned that their locations will be temporarily closed as work continues to restore Main Street for the 50th Anniversary celebration. Chester Drawers closes in June for a four-week remodel, which includes a new floor. Disneyana undergoes a similar remodel in the fall, receiving new carpet and new display fixtures.
…Thomas Kinkade returns to Disneyland on June 17 to continue work on his painting of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The artist will be working near the Main Street Photo Supply store mornings from 10:00 to 11:00. This is not a meet-and-greet or signing opportunity, and Disneyland requests that you bring no personal items to be signed.
Robert Olzewski's City Hall and Fire Station piece goes on sale June 26.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
…As previously noted, the next piece in Robert Olzewski's “Disneyland in Miniature” series—the City Hall and Fire Station complex—is being released at Disneyland on Saturday June 26. Customers who purchase the piece in person at Disneyland will receive a “day of issue” plaque, and can have the piece signed by the artist.
A prototype of the new piece is on display at the Disneyana store on Main Street, and several interesting features were noted, including the roof of the Fire Station, which can be removed to reveal Walt's apartment inside.
Cast members also note that the price of the first piece in this collection, Sleeping Beauty Castle, will be raised to $225 when the third piece is released. Olzewski had originally told collectors that no piece in this series would be more expensive that the Castle, originally offered at $195. One cast member speculated that the price increase would allow Disney room to introduce more expensive pieces that still cost no more than the current selling price of the Castle.
…U.S. Postal Service will release a series of postage stamps, postal cards and stationary featuring Mickey Mouse and friends on June 23. The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony will take place at Disneyland at 10:00 a.m. that day, and the stamps will be available at post offices around the country on June 24.
The postal products will be available for purchase at Disneyland after the ceremony, and two Disney artists will be on hand to sign your purchases.
Images of the four designs can be found on the USPS Web site (link). More details about the event, and how to obtain a first-day-of-issue postmark, can be found in the announcement on our MousePad message boards (link).
…An incident on Roger Rabbit Cartoon Spin Saturday resulted in the ride's temporary closure. According to one witness, a young guest was slightly injured while on the ride, although it is unclear exactly what happened. The injured visitor was taken to Disneyland's Central First Aid department, and the ride was open again on Sunday.
Note: Disneyland will progressively begin closing more and more attractions as the park readies for its 50th anniversary celebration in 2005.
MousePlanet reader DJ_MENTOS let us know that Costco is again offering “Play 4 Days” tickets to the Disneyland Resort. The $79 ticket (for ages 3 through adult) is good for four one-day admissions to Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure. The tickets are non-transferable—the same person must use all four admissions.
The ticket expires once the four admissions are used, or on June 30, 2004, whichever comes first. This is not a park-hopper pass, although you could probably use one admission per day at each park, in effect using the four admissions as a two-day park-hopper.
The tickets are available only to Costco members who are residents of Southern California. Costco membership and proof of residency is zip codes 90000 through 93599 is required. Tickets must be purchased at Costco, with a limit of five tickets per member per day.
If you book a three-night resort stay at any of the Disneyland Resort hotels during the 50th anniversary promotion, your package includes a four-day Park Hopper ticket, a special 50th anniversary commemorative clock and a Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour.
The “50th Celebration Package” is available only for three-night stays, with arrival dates through December 31, 2005. The package can be booked through the Disneyland Web site (link), or by calling (714) 520-5060.
Annual Passholders can receive a copy of The Disney Treasures book, worth $60, when they apply for a Disney Visa card. The book will be mailed after the cardholder uses the new account. Apply by phone at 1-800-640-5306, and mention card code 26FF.
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders save up to 20 percent on car rentals from Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental. Restrictions apply—get full details and the necessary discount codes on the Annual Passholder Web site (link).
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders can save 50 percent off the regular price of tickets for the following home games of the Anaheim Angels baseball team, which plays at nearby Angel Stadium of Anaheim (formerly Edison Field):
Prices are: Terrace Box, $12.50 (reg. $25); Lower View Box, $7.50 (reg. $15); and Upper View, $6 (reg. $12).
Although there is no limit to how many tickets a passholder can purchase, you must use mail or fax in the order form provided at the Annual Passholder Web site, and you cannot purchase these tickets online or obtain them at the ticket window on the day of the game. See the passholder Web site for details (link).
If you are a AAA member, you can take advantage of these packages that include hotel nights and theme park tickets, along with extra ammenities:
Sample prices include:
AAA Disney's Resort Magic: Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel for two nights from $269/adult, $127/ages 10-17, $97/ages 3-9
AAA Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Magic: Jolly Roger Hotel for two nights from $193/adult, $127/ages 10-17, $97/ages 3-9
These packages require a minimum two-night hotel stay, and are good for travel now through July 1, August 29 to November 21 and November 28 to December 23, 2004. You can book this package through your local AAA affiliate travel agent.
If you don't need a hotel room, the Passport Plus Package offers AAA members a discount on Park Hopper tickets, and comes with extra benefits:
Prices:
An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address. These tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through AAA offices.
For shorter stays, AAA offers 2- and 5-day tickets for the Disneyland Resort:
These tickets include free parking (the back of the passports note the free parking, so you will need the passport with you when you park your car).
The Southern California CityPass booklet includes admission to five separate entertainment options:
The CityPass is $172 ($129 for children).
You can purchase the Southern California CityPass with Walt Disney Travel Company packages. Instead of the Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket currently included in California packages from the Walt Disney Travel Company, guests can select a Southern California city for an additional charge of $47 per pass ($32 per pass for children 3 through 9).
Note: The Southern California CityPass does not include the $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card, or the California package's feature that allows guests to collect multiple Fastpass tickets at once for free in advance.
DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney’s California Adventure
Annual Pass blockout dates:
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| 6/7 | 6/8 | 6/9 | 6/10 | 6/11 | 6/12 | |
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DL 9a–10p |
DL 9a–10p |
DL 9a–9p |
DL 9a–9p |
DL 9a–11p |
DL 8a–Mid |
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| 6/13 | 6/14 | 6/15 | 6/16 | 6/17 | 6/18 | 6/19 |
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DL 8a–11p |
DL 8a–11p |
DL 8a–11p |
DL 9a–9p |
DL 9a–9p |
DL 9a–11p |
DL 8a–Mid |
Visit ourAnnual Passholders Blockout Dates 2004 page to see more dates.
Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for June 7 to 16 at Disneyland.com here.
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