Tour of Buena Vista Street at California Adventure is next Limited Time Magic

Disney continues its tour a theme park with an Imagineer for its Limited Time Magic.

Buena Vista Street in this Disneyland publicity photo.

In this installment, from Dec. 9-13, 2013, you can take a tour of Buena Vista Street at California Adventure with an Imagineer.

The tour will focus on the architecture, design, music and even the replica of an authentic Red Car Trolley which Walt encountered on him coming to California, according to the Limited Time Magic website.

The space is limit and you must register at the Disney Parks Blog to get a spot.

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Disney receives 3 top awards from the Themed Entertainment Association

Disney received two of the 10 Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement this year, including one for Mystic Manor and another for Enchanted Tales with Belle.

The Themed Entertainment Association Thea Award is considered the industry's top honor. In addition, the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland received the Thea Classic award.

Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland "signals a new generation of possibilities in the integration of projection mapping with ride technology, audio-animatronics and other special effects." according to the TEA website.

There are some 40 visual effects created by different technologies and 36 projectors, including four ultra-high-definition (4k) projectors. The wire-guided, trackless ride system can position the vehicle where guests ride in any direction.

Enchanted Tales with Belle at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World is more than a typical character greeting, adding a magic mirror effect as well as the Audio-Animatronics figure of Lumiere, the candlestick.

"While it may have been tempting to focus on more contemporary theatrical media and technology to create this experience, the daring use of absolutely simple storytelling and playacting (with background of Imagineering wizardry) creates a much stronger and more personal connection than a more programmed experience," according to TEA.

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Jingle Cruise mini-poster is next Limited Time Magic at Disneyland and Disney World

As we have mentioned before the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland and Disney World have been transformed into the Jingle Cruise for the holiday season.

The queue and the boathouse have been filled with decorations and the boats have been renamed with the holidays in mind.

And the Skippers have a number of new holiday centric jokes.

Now, to help celebrate, Disneyland and Disney World are offering free "Jingle Cruise" mini-posters as long as supplies last as part of the next Limited Time Magic at both parks.

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Nikon named official camera at Disneyland and Disney World

Nikon has been named the official camera of Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

The multi-year deal means Nikon will have branded Picture Spots throughout the two resorts. In addition, the Disney PhotoPass Photographers will use Nikon equipment exclusively, as well as 

Disney Fine Art Photographers at Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons and  Adventure Guides with Adventures by Disney.

"The alliance between Nikon and Disney allows us to connect with millions of passionate Disney guests who want to tell their stories through the capture of amazing imagery," Nikon President Nobuyoshi Gokyu said.

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Special World of Color - Winter Dreams viewing area is next Limited Time Magic at Disneyland

Disney publicity photo of the holiday World of Color show.

A special viewing area for the new "World of Color – Winter Dreams" is the next Limited Time Magic at Disneyland.

From Nov. 18-24, 2013 with a FastPass and Glow with the Show Ears guests will have access to a special viewing area, according to the Limited Time Magic website.

Access to the viewing area is on a first-come first-serve basis.

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Petition started to save Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at Disneyland

No one likes it when Disney decides to retire one of its attractions or shows. Over the years well over 100 have closed between Disneyland and Disney World.

Disney publicity photo

Each time a ride fades into Disney lore there is outrage and consternation.

This scenario is playing out again in Disneyland. Earlier this month we
reported that after more than 20 years Billy Hill and the Hillbillies will be retiring from the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree. 

There is now a petition on change.org seeking to keep the show. Steven Iverson of Orange, Calif. hopes to get 2.000 people to sign on. So far he is 298 short of the goal.

"Uncountable guests plan their vacations and trips around the Billy Hill & The Hillbillies show, making it the highlight of their trip and their main focus once they arrive. This show is the main reason many people continue to purchase annual passes and travel from around the country. Disney needs to know how many people love this show and these great musicians, and how it will upset many guests and may cause them to lose valuable customers by guests not renewing annual passes or buying their traditional disneyland vacation tickets for the entire family," the petition states.

For many people this show has been part of a family tradition. Here's a look at what some people  have said about the closing:

"The Billy Hill show is like family. You cannot fire family. If you had any idea of how many audience members spirits are lifted or depression lessened by attending a Billy Hill show, you would not be considering their departure. Indicates to me that Disney management has no idea what it is doing. Sorry Walt, they got the train off the tracks," wrote John Moser of Joshua Tree, Calif.

"This show made me want to be an actor and comedian and now I am a professional actor and comedian! This show was the highlight of every family trip to Disneyland. Disneyland Resort needs outstanding theatre like this, to lose it would diminish Disneyland's standards of family entertainment," wrote Sarah Brooks of Riverside, Calif.

"I plan all of my Disneyland trips around the schedule of The Billy Hill Shows, so I can see as many A Team shows as possible. They are my most favorite thing on property. I have been to DL more than 10 times since I discovered the Billys. But I am not sure now when I will return. You are taking something very special and magical away from your guests. I can't express how sad I am about this decision, wrote Donna Miller of Middlebury, Ind. "

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Disney Facts: A look at World of Color-Winter Dreams

The California Adventure has added a new version of the World of Color featuring the characters from the upcoming Disney animated movie "Frozen."

Disneyland publicity photo.

Programming for the “World of Color-Winter Dreams," which is in seven sequences, took three months, according to a Disney press release.

The new show is also coming from a new system with more than 17 million pixels in the screen. More than 700 high-power, color, LED strobe lights were installed along the side of the California Screamin’ coaster.

The holiday show starts off with a season’s greetings featuring the “World of Color” Honor Choir singing “Glow,” written especially for this new show. Then Tinker Bell’s traditional greeting from “Wonderful World of Color” summons Old Man Winter and the skating Frost Fairies.

In the next part of the show Olaf takes guests on a winter sleigh ride, encountering Bambi, Thumper and, from “Frozen,” sisters Anna and Elsa. Images of holiday cards follow with "The Toy Story" characters performing the Nutccracker.

Olaf returns and imagines himself enjoying the sunshine, then leads the audience in a holiday sing-along. In the finale Olaf welcomes a surprising Santa.

Here are some other fast facts about the show:

• The “World of Color – Winter Dreams” features more than a dozen songs, including  “Jingle Bells,” “Feliz Navidad” and “The Dreidel Song.” 
• The voices of more than 500 singers representing all 50 states in the U.S. appear in the pre-show.
• More than 1,400 submissions from around the country were received for the Honor Choir.
• Other Disney fans designed holiday cards and submitted them online to appear in the “Glow-A Season of Light” sequence.

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Alaska Airlines unveils a Disney-Pixar Cars-themed plane

Look. Up in the sky. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it's Mater.

The newest Alaska Airlines airplane has the images of Disney-Pixar's "Cars" characters Mater, Lightning McQueen, Guido and Luigi. The Boeing 737-800 dubbed "Adventure of Disneyland Resort" is the fifth Disney-themed airplane from the airline, according to a new release.

Photo by Alaska Airlines

Mater's rustic-looking muffler is located on the tail of the jet.

"I can't think of a better way to celebrate our strong partnership than to launch this flying invitation to visit Disneyland Resort's newest attraction and Mater's home in Cars Land," said Jeff Butler, Alaska Airlines' vice president of customer service-airports and cargo, and board member of Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.

It took 29 days to create the plane. Painters airbrushed the aircraft with 70 colors and applied more than 10,000 square feet of vinyl graphics to create the characters. More than 72,000 linear feet of masking tape was used during the painting.

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Savor the Flavors at Disneyland is part of next Limited Time Magic

Paradise Gardens at California Adventure in Disneyland will offer special treats as part of the next Limited Time Magic from Nov. 14 to 17, 2013.

The treats are part of of Disney's Viva Navidad, which is taking pace now through Jan. 6, 2014. The treats include  Champurrudo and Pineapple Sweet Tamales, all  prepared by Disneyland Resort chefs, according to a Disney website.

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Billy Hill and the Hillbillies to retire from Disneyland

Disney publicity photo

After more than 20 years at Disneyland, Billy Hill and the Hillbillies will be retiring from the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.

From bluegrass to swing to classic rock, the group performs Western entertainment and even invites the crowd to ]sing along.

At the end of a special seasonal holiday performance, the group will hold its final performance on Jan. 6, 2014, according to the Disney Parks Blog.

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Tour of Disneyland Dream Suite is next Limited Time Magic

Special walking tours are taking center stage for the Limited Time Magic.

This next one, from Nov. 4-8, 2013, at Disneyland is a special look at the Disneyland Dream Suite with a Disney Imagineer. This is the private two bedroom suite planned by Walt Disney located above the Pirates of the Caribbean.

The 2,600 square foot space was stopped after Disney died in 1966, but was redesigned in 2008, according to the Disney Parks Blog.

Space is limited. You can register at the Disney Parks Blog.

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Disney unveils new medals for Princess and Tinker Bell half marathons

Disney as unveiled what some of the new medals look like for races in Disneyland and Disney World in 2014.

Disney publicity photo

The medal for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, which takes place Jan. 16-19, 2014 at Disneyland, has a few enhancements, according to the Disney Parks Blog.

The medal for the Princess Half Marathon, which takes place Feb. 20-23, 2014 at Disney World, has a new look. The medal is inspired by Cinderella. In addition the two new races were added, a 10K and a Glass Slipper Challenge, which includes running the half marathon and the 10K race.

All of the races at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon are sold out. The only races open for registration during the Princess Half Marathon weekend is the Disney Royal 5 K and the kids races.

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Dad makes Disneyland his Halloween costume

What's the one place everyone loves? Disneyland.

From YouTube

So Rob Cockerham said he decided to create a wearable version of the theme park.

"My plan was to wear a map on my shoulders, not parallel to the ground, and not perpendicular to the ground either. I'd wear it at a steep angle, so that kids would have a better view of everything," he wrote on cockeyed.com.

On the website he also describes in detail how he made the costume. This video shows the costume off.

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Photo of the upcoming Throne Room of Odin at Disneyland

Starting Nov. 1, Innoventions in Disneyland will open “Thor: Treasures of Asgard.” Here, Disney says guests will be able to cross the Bifrost cosmic bridge between the realms of Earth and Asgard. Once in Asgard you will be Thor at the throne room of Odin.

Disney artist rendition

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Halloween week is the Limited Time Magic at Disneyland and Disney World

Disney publicity photo

Halloween week at the Disney Parks features special fun and music.

Inside the Magic Kingdom at Disney World from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon is transformed into The Happy Haunted Horseshoe from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hostess Miss Betty Blue calls forth the Cadaver Dans, the piano-playing Dearly Departed Stan and everyone's favorite morbid magician, Abner Cadaver.

At Disneyland, the popular barbershop quartet, the Cadaver Dans, harmonize outside of the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3.

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Jungle Cruise being revamped for the Christmas holidays at Disneyland and Disney World

For the first time, the Jungle Cruise will get a transformation during the Christmas holiday season.

The "Jingle Cruise" will be unveiled in early November at both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Disney announced on its blog.

The queue and the boathouse will be filled with decorations and the boats are being renamed with the holidays in mind.

The fun part of the trip is the standup the Skippers do during the tour. This time they have added new jokes to get people into the spirit of the holidays, the blog states.

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Special stickers available at Disneyland and Disney World starting Oct. 21

Disney publicity photo

As part of a Limited Time Magic with the Glow with the Show Mickey Ears, Disneyland and Disney World are offering special stickers, according to Disney.

Starting Oct. 21, and while supplies last, if you purchase a Glow with The Show special light up Mickey Ears you get two ear cling stickers - one saying "bon voyage" to 2013 and another welcoming 2014.

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Couple gets married on Pirates of Caribbean ride in Disneyland

© Steven Liebman

Yo Ho. Yo Ho. The married life for me.

Who needs those fancy shmancy Disney weddings. Why not just exchange vows on a ride?

A Utah couple did just that, getting married at Disneyland on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Just 150 seconds into the ride Tony Elegante and and his bride-to-be Nikki, declared their love, with the help of a friend, who officiated the ceremony, according to ksl.com.

The couple loaded up one of the boats soley for their family and friends. “By the time we were to the big cannon ship battle, we were already married," Tony Elegante told KSL.

This all begs the question - which Disney ride would you want to get married on?

Here's a photo gallery of the couple's trip.

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Smile of the Day: Jack Skellington - The Pumpkin King - on a pumpkin

Here he is. The Pumpkin King - Jack Skellington - from "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" on a pumpkin at Disneyland.

© Steven Liebman

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Jack Skellington treats available for limited time at Disneyland and Disney World

As Halloween time continues, the Disney parks are offering special treats as part of a Limited Time Magic experience.

From Oct. 14 to Oct. 20, 2013, special Jack Skellington cupcakes and cookies will be available a Disney World and Disneyland, according to Disney's Limited Time Magic website.

At Disney World, the Jack Skellington cupcakes are available at Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square. In Disneyland, cookies will be available a New Orleans Square.

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