Disneyland ride refurbishments and closings November to December 2013

The Mad Tea Party, Dumbo and it's a small world  just some of the rides and attractions which will be closed in Disneyland and California Adventure in November and December 2013.

These closings are subject to change, so check before you go.

UPDATED: Oct. 31, 2013

Now-Jan. 1, 2014: Tower of Terror will operate at reduced capacity during routine
maintenance.

Now- February 2014: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Now - Nov. 4, 2014: King Arthur Carrousel

Sept. 11-Nov. 20, 2013: Captain EO (Magic Eye Theater) will be closed. 

Sept. 30-Nov. 12, 2013: Disney Animation will be partially closed for maintenance.

© Steven Liebman

Dumbo The Flying Elephant

Oct. 21 - Nov.14, 2013: Flik's Flyers will be closed.

Oct. 27-Nov. 7, 2013: it’s a small world will be closed.

Oct. 28-Nov. 14, 2013: Dumbo The Flying Elephant will be closed.

Nov. 1-7, 2013: Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm will be closed.

Nov. 4, 2013: Space Mountain will be closed.

Nov. 4-7, 2013: Radiator Springs Racers will be closed.

Dec. 2- 12: 2013: Casey Jr. Circus Train and Storybook Land Canal will be closed.

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Disney Infinity: The reviews are in

It seems like Disney can put the debacle of "Epic Mickey" behind it. Its latest video game release, the highly touted Disney Infinity, debuted two weeks ago to mostly warm reviews.

The collectible toy video game platform has two modes: Play Set and Toy Box. In Play Set mode, you set your Jack Sparrow figurine in the Infinity Base, and you're transported to the world of Pirates of the Caribbean where you work through a campaign. Toy Box mode, which got glowing reviews from critics, allows players to build and explore their own worlds.

One big complaint about the game: its price. The Disney Infinity Starter Pack, which includes three characters, goes for about $75. But that's just the beginning. If you have more than one kid and they'll want to play together, you'll need either a sidekicks pack or a villains pack ($29.99 each). If you're dying to visit Cars world, you'll need to buy the Cars set ($39.99). Finally, if you want to add individual characters -- Mater from "Cars" or Violet or Dash from "The Incredibles" -- they will cost you $13.99 each. And this won't be the end -- Disney will be rolling out more Spaces, including Toy Story, starting in October.

Should you take the plunge? Read some of the first reviews from real gamers:

GameZone: "When you take into account everything that this project has to offer, you quickly realize that there’s just as much to love as there is to loathe. This is indeed Disney’s best venture in recent memory, even if it isn’t anywhere near perfect.

The Guardian (4/5): "Disney Infinity is a bright, shining gem of a game. It comes as close as any video game can to recreating that starry-eyed sense of fun that comes from simply playing with toys and creating worlds with one's imagination."

IGN (8.7/10): "Disney Infinity is an enchanting adaptation of one of the richest fictional universes into a surprisingly great game.

TechHive (4/5): "Infinity has gotten a bad rap as nothing more than a menacing money grab, and at some points it is, but the core game is just too much fun for me to stop playing.

Lazygamer (7.5/10):"Disney Infinity aims high, but a prohibitive cost barrier and a few bugs prevent the game from really soaring. Still, compared to previous Disney attempts at breaking into the video game market, this is their best effort to date."

Gamespot (6/10): "This is not always the Magic Kingdom you were expecting." Watch the less-than-glowing review from Gamespot below:

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Jimmy Grabow wins Disneyland Half Marathon

Jimmy Grabow won the Disneyland Half Marathon for the second year in a row this past weekend.

Grabow from Runner Springs, Calif., crossed the line at 1:07:41, slightly off his record-setting pace of 1:05:29 in 2012. Ricardo Ramirez finished second with a time of 1:14:30.

Jimmy Grabow crosses the finish line in this Disney
publicity photo.

Stephanie Dinius captured the women’s title with a time of 1:15:47. Last year’s female champion, Cindy Lynch, finished as runner-up with a time of 1:25:29.

Celebrities Alison Sweeney, Sean Astin, Joey Fatone and Ali Vincent participated in the new Dumbo Double Dare, both the 10K and half.

More than 25,000 runners, from all 50 states and 15 countries participated in all of the running events. The half marathon alone had a field of 17,500 registered runners.

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Disney princesses sing for equal pay

Disney's Ariel seemed like "a girl who has everything," surrounded by gadgets and gizmos aplenty.

Not this Ariel.

This Ariel, singing to the tune of "Part of Your World," wants to be paid as much as her male colleagues. And she puts it in no uncertain terms: "What's a penis and why does it -- what's the word? -- earn?"





The video was created by a New York-based production company called Tex Pats, according to CNN.

"We don't have all the answers. But it's great to empower women to discuss their earnings and consider negotiating their salaries," Jenny Joslin, one of the women behind the video, told CNN. "We always want to make sure we have a healthy dose of laughter and lightheartedness in our videos."

This Ariel knows flippin' her fins won't get her far; she's got to make the case for equality.

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LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles debut Sept. 4

From Star Wars website

LEGO's Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles premieres on Sept. 4, 2013 at 8 p.m. on the Cartoon Network.

This is a three-part animated special. "In "Menace of the Sith," Darth Sidious shows off the new Sith clone, JEK 14, an extremely powerful weapon of the dark side. However, JEK has a mind of his own and wants to be his own master. It's up to Yoda and the Jedi to stop the Sith -- and to try and bring JEK 14 to the side of good," according to the Star Wars site.

The Yoda Chronicles is written by Michael Price (The Simpsons) and produced by Wil Film, and marks the first time entirely new Star Wars characters and vehicles have been created specifically for LEGO Star Wars.

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Disney World Review: A stay at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort

The Epcot resort area has long been our favorite place to stay at Walt Disney World, in particular the Boardwalk Inn and Villas. We especially love being able to walk to Epcot -- the food court of Disney World.

© Steven Liebman

Bay Lake Tower

But on our last trip we had the opportunity to stay at Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort, our first stay at a Seven Seas Lagoon resort.

We had a studio overlooking the pool area. The studio is very small -- it felt smaller than what you'll find at some of the other Disney Vacation Club properties -- but it is smartly designed. The kitchenette is tiny but efficient. We would have liked more space, but we weren't planning to spend all that much time in the room. Although we didn't have a coveted (and expensive) Magic Kingdom view, we found we could go down the hall to a lounge in our jammies to watch the fireworks.

We loved the modern look and feel of the hotels, especially the dramatic hallways. No need for crazy theming -- just a plethora of not-exactly-hidden modern Mickeys.

Some tips if you're thinking about staying at Bay Lake Tower:

© Steven Liebman

View from Bay Lake Tower 

• Walk to the Magic Kingdom. Of course you'll want to ride the Monorail, but it's a 7-minute stroll from Bay Lake Tower to the Magic Kingdom. Even at your most tired, you'll get there (or back) more quickly this way, and with much less hassle. You'll get plenty of Monorail time getting over to Epcot. 
• Check the calendar before you go. If you're traveling during Christmas or Halloween seasons, the Magic Kingdom closes early many nights for special events. If you want to go out and about at night, that may make being within walking distance a lot less inviting. We went in March when the park was open until at least 10 every night, which made the location perfect.   
• Don't miss the Top of the World Lounge for fireworks. DVC members and their guests can go up to the Top of the World for drinks, snacks and a good view of the fireworks, which appear beyond Space Mountain, rather than behind the castle. The view is better from the California Grill, but if you don't have reservations there, you can hop on the Monorail and stop at the Polynesian. Head to the beach and if you get there early, you can snag a hammock. The fireworks are further away, sure, but they're right over the castle, the way they're meant to be seen. Believe it or not, you might even get tired of the fireworks after five or six nights. 
• Most of the food is at the Contemporary. Aside from the Top of the World Lounge and the Cove Bar near the pool, the rest of the food -- including the Fantasia Market, where you can stock up your fridge -- is across the footbridge at the Contemporary. You can get your refillable mugs filled at the Cove Bar or at the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary. 
• Make the most of the other Seven Seas Lagoon resorts. Some of the best restaurants and bars in Disney World are at the hotels around the Monorail. We've done a Monorail pub crawl and have noshed around the Monorail (snacking at the bars along the way). And you know you can watch the fireworks from the Polynesian. We also enjoyed taking a boat to the Wilderness Lodge to eat at the Territory Lounge. And the Grand Floridian is deserving of a visit even if you don't have a reservation for afternoon tea. If you have kids in tow, there's a charming Alice in Wonderland-themed water play area they can enjoy. 

©Steven Liebman

Pool area of Bay Lake Tower

Bottom line: As always, think about where you plan to spend most of your time before you pick a resort. If your kid is a Star Wars fanatic who will want to be at Hollywood Studios every day, or if you're a foodie who plans to eat and drink around Epcot, you may be better off at an Epcot resort. For me -- a childfree foodie who likes to go out at night -- Bay Lake Tower would be my first choice in the spring, but the Boardwalk would still be my preference during the Food & Wine Festival and the Christmas season. 

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Fall schedule of special animal awareness days at Disney World

Disney has always been a huge supporter of the conversation effort with it nature films. In 1995, the company established the Disney World Conservation Foundation.

© Steven Liebman

Rhinoceros at the Animal Kingdom.

The foundation helps scientists and communities study animals and their habitats and work with nonprofit organizations on community conservation, education, science and environmental policies.

So far the fund has contributed more than $20 million.

This fall and winter at Disney World, there will be four conservation days at Animal Kingdom, focusing on some special animals. 

Here is the list:

Sept. 5: International Vulture Awareness Day

Sept. 26: Elephant Day

Oct. 31: Bat Day

Nov. 12: Rhino Day

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