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Park News - (8/31/10) I’m not quite sure what happened, but over the weekend “Murphy”, the new Dragon figure added to Fantasmic! last year, suffered a massive failure on Saturday night, breaking down on stage, nose to the ground. The dragon has now been removed from the show indefinitely, just under a year from when he finally appeared in-show on Sept. 1st, 2009.
    According to some rumors sent our way, Murphy “snapped some internal components” and was nearly dislodged from the hydraulic lift it’s mounted to. It will likely take several months to be repaired, though given the problems Disney had with it last year, I’ve got to wonder if they may go back to the drawing board and get a new and improved version instead. It’s kind of odd though, between this and the trouble’s with the Yeti in Florida, Disney seems to be having some unusual problems with their large-scale animatronic figures of late.
    I’ve also updated the Attractions Rehab list to include all the known Fall Rehabs on the way over the next few months. Check it out below.
    (8/12/10) Cal/OSHA will apparently come by Disneyland today to inspect the new temporary fix the park put in place on Alice in Wonderland outside track. If all goes well the ride is expected to reopen on Friday.  It is expected that the ride will likely close again sometime next year to install a new permanent solution to the problem. Thanks to one of our readers for sending in pictures of the new handrails installed.
    (8/3/10) Westcoaster takes another look at the closed Star Tours building as well as the retrofits going on over at Alice in Wonderland.
    (7/29/10) You can see here the work progressing on Alice in Wonderland to add stupid hand rails.
    (7/24/10) The LA Times reports that Alice In Wonderland was closed this week at Disneyland when state inspectors noted that the outside portion of the track didn’t have any handrails for the maintenance staff to use when working on ride. So now they are installing some… but I don’t know if these are going to be visible at all times or something that just pops up when they need to work on it. I’m hoping for the later since it would ruin the themed appearance of the ride if they were forced to put up hand rails.
    In other news: I’ve heard a new rumor claiming that Ghost Galaxy, the haunted version of Space Moutain, will likely see some new upgrades and effects added this year, improving the popular experience even more.
    (7/22/10) DisneyGeek has posted some pictures from their day at the park for the official 55th Birthday event at Disneyland. Check it out.
    (7/12/10) According to several readers the prototype Matterhorn cars were seen covered up, sitting on the left-side’s transfer track for weeks. Though two more reports came in from visits during the July 4th weekend saying that the cars were taken away and were still missing this weekend as well.
    (7/6/10) I’ve updated the rehab schedule for Disneyland below.
    (6/2/10) I’m kind of bummed about this news piece… as it seems the upcharge Halloween event where kids can wear costumes will be moving into Disneyland this season from California Adventure and be renamed as Mickey’s Halloween Party. In my opinions it’s a step backwards for the Disneyland Resort, as I was always happy to point out to people in Orlando that you didn’t have to pay anything extra to get into Disneyland for some great Halloween or Christmas fun… while Walt Disney World management would do anything and everything to shake more money out of guest’s pockets. WDW charges extra for Christmas events, Halloween events, Pirate and Princess events and probably a few others I’m forgetting.  According to the official blog report, it will take place every Tuesday and Friday evening in October… so you local passholders can forget about those nice Friday evening visits to the park…
    (5/20/10) Westcoaster’s Disneyland update this week focuses on the refurbished Rivers of America area now that the water is back and the attractions are running again. I’ve also updated the park’s rehab list down below.
    (5/6/10) It’s kind of scary at first, but video footage has surfaced on YouTube showing off a brand new uber cool walking / talking interactive Mickey Mouse Meet ‘n Greet character being tested at Disneyland. About a year or two ago Disney launched a new line of walk-around costumes to perform in a show in front of the castle at WDW’s Magic Kingdom, based on technology first put to use for the Diseny on Ice shows. These costumes could lip-sync to pre-recorded audio and blink their eyes.  Now it seems Disney has somehow upped the technology to the point where when you meet Mickey Mouse in person, he has all the fully interactivity of talking to Crush in Turtle Talk, as he seems fully able to deliver any line on the fly and can even say your name. Watch the video clips embedded below and be prepared to pick your jaw off the ground, because this is just another step in Disney’s top secret “Next Gen” initiative.


    (5/5/10) Westcoaster has posted a nice overview of the construction taking place at Disneyland this week as the park prepares to begin refilling the Rivers of America. Once last look at the dry river bed and all the Fantasmic tech hidden under the surface. Oh... and those new prototype Matterhorn Bobsled trains are still at the ride on the transfer track.
    (4/28/10) A truly awesome and rare photo collection showing off what it looks like to walk around on the catwalks INSIDE the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage caves has been posted to Theme Park Review. You don’t want to miss this one.
    (3/19/10) Disneyland is preparing to open a new parking lot (the Toy Story lot) on the land own Harbor Blvd earmarked for a future 3rd theme park. The current land use agreement with the city allows for Disney to use it as a temporary parking lot for up to 10 years. Unfortunately guests will have to wait and take a free shuttle bus ride to the park from here, and it will still cost $14 to park, just like the regular parking lot.
    (3/17/10) Screamscape has heard a rumor that Disneyland may be adding some kind of new special Halloween parade this fall as part of this year’s event. The return of Ghost Galaxy is all but confirmed at this point for Disneyland along with other proposals such as adding new Halloween themed games to Toy Story Mania at DCA and more.
    (3/5/10) It seems the Disney legal team is mucking about with Disney’s E-Ticket rides again… and we know what they did after messing around with Splash Mountain a few years ago. This time the target is rumored to be Big Thunder Mountain, as apparently the numbers are being drawn up to see what it would take to replace the current bench-seat style trains with something more like Expedition Everest, which will feature two individual seats and individual lap bars. If approved, I’ve heard that the new trains could actually arrive by the end of 2010.

Ride Rehabs - The following information is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.
Star Tours – NOW CLOSED through to May 2011
Haunted Mansion – NOW CLOSED through 9/16/10 (Haunted Mansion Holiday)
Minnie’s House – 9/7/10 through 9/23/10
Main Street Vehicles – 9/7/10 through 9/30/10
Space Mountain – 9/12/10 through 9/16/10 (Ghost Galaxy Install)
Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin – 9/20/10 through 12/16/10
Indiana Jones – 9/22/10 (One Day)
Mark Twain – 9/27/10 through 9/30/10
Winnie The Pooh – 9/27/10 through 9/30/10
Mickey’s House – 9/27/10 through 10/14/10
It’s A Small World – 10/25/10 through 11/11/10 (Holiday Install)

2010 - Captain EO - Confirmed - (2/20/10) Disneyland has confirmed at last that Captain EO will return in Tomorrowland starting February 23rd.  It also seems that the @Disneyland twitter will also be making some kind of new Captain EO announcement sometime next week. Perhaps time to share the return of EO with Florida and Japan?

2011 - Mickey’s Soundsational - New Parade - (7/31/10) Disneyland has confirmed that rumored new parade for 2011 I told you all about back in May, naming it Mickey’s Soundsational. You can catch a peek at the artwork for it here.
    (5/10/10) I’ve been told that the park will launch a new special parade in early 2011 called Soundsational that will be very Disney music focused. This new show will replace the current Celebrate: A Street Party parade.

2011 - Star Tours 2 - Confirmed - (8/18/10) I’ve got a few new interesting items about Star Tours 2 this week. The interesting new rumor is that despite the latest video promoting tours to Alderan, Endor and Bespin, I’m told that none of these locations will be in the actual ride.
    Also, we’ve been told for some time now that the ride will feature randomly inserted sequences to make it so you experience a new ride every time, in new locations. However I’ve also heard that they are looking into adding special “easter egg” versions of certain scenes that will play up to various Holidays. For example… visit the park during the Christmas season and you just may fly past a Wookie wearing a Santa hat.
    (8/17/10) I came across an awesome video on YouTube showing off a pre-final version of the original Star Tours ride film. Check it out.

    (8/13/10) Disney released a new teaser video for Star Tours 2 showing off three possible new destinations: Bespin, Endor and Alderaan. The inclusion of the later also places the timeline of Star Tours 2 as being set before the events of Episode 4. A sly little joke there as the video mentions that Alderaan was just voted as the “safest planet in the galaxy.”

    (7/7/10) According to this article at the LA Times D23 members will have the opportunity to attend the last trips to Endor on the attraction just before they lock it up for good. On the morning of July 14th D23 members can sign up for the free chance to be one of the last 160 riders on Star Tours at the special after-hours event on June 26th. Why 160 people? Each cabin (Starspeeder) holds 40 riders and there are 4 Starspeeders at Disneyland.
    (6/23/10) According to Stitch Kingdom the dates posted by MousePlanet for the opening of Star Tours 2 are all off by one day and should be May 10th at Disneyland and May 17th at WDW.
    (6/22/10) According to Mouse Planet, May 16th has been set as the opening day for Star Tours 2 at Walt Disney World. Star Tours will open about a week earlier in Disneyland first however on May 9th. These are tentative date placeholders however, don’t plan any trips by them as they probably wont even be close to knowing the exact opening dates until we get closer to Spring Break 2011.
    (6/16/10) A few new details about Star Tours 2 were posted to DizFanatic this week. In addition to the previously mentioned multi-destination feature, they confirm it will be in 3D. Perhaps the most interesting was this comment from Al Weiss, “There will be several points during each journey where the audience will be able to change where the story is going,” and, “You will rarely, if ever, see the same show twice.”
    (6/14/10) Disney issued some new details about Star Tours 2 on Friday, revealing that the new version of the ride will stop into many famous Star Wars galaxy locations. New artwork showing off a StarSpeeder 1000 flying over the Coruscant cityscape (below) was shown as just one of the new locations. They also reconfirmed that the last flight to Endor at Disneyland will be on July 26th… as the ride will be shut down the next day.

    (5/14/10) Disney confirmed the official closing dates for Star Tours at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The original Star Tours at Disneyland will indeed close earlier than expected on July 27th. Meanwhile the Florida version at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park will close forever on September 8th.
    (5/13/10) I’m told that the latest rumor going around is that Star Tours at Disneyland may close down for good on July 26th, 2010 to begin work on the new attraction. This is a lot earlier than the previously expected October 2010 date. According to one rumor the new ride may be planning on reopening on May 9th, 2011… but I think they could work a little harder and have it ready for May 4th instead if they tried. ‘May The 4th Be With You…”
    (9/14/09) Disney confirms lots of goodies for a theme parks over the weekend. For starters Star Tours 2 is now OFFICIAL and will be departing from Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2011. The all new version of Star Tours will be in 3D this time and include a very upgraded projection system as well as all new in-cabin special effects. They also hinted at the ability to alter the ride film as well, which has long been rumored that many alternate beginning, middle and end action sequences may be created which can be mixed together in new ways to create a wide assortment of ride possibilities, allowing Star Tours II to possibly be different every time you ride it. Star Tours as we know it will close in October 2010 so the transformation can begin. In the meantime, checkout the announcement video below which is quite funny and has some interaction between Darth Vader and Jay Rasulo. So far all the preview footage shown only shows Pod Racing on Tattooine, but the ride may involve much more than that. A better video clip of the Pod Racing segment is in the second video, along with concept artwork that confirms that you will indeed still be taking a ride in an official Star Tours Starspeeder.

2011/2012- Matterhorn w/ New Cars - In Development - (8/12/10) I’ve heard from a reader that the prototype Matterhorn cars have been taken away and we will not likely see that version again. From what they tell me they were not entirely pleased by how well the rode the track, and it’s thought that the concept will be redesigned once again.
    (5/11/10) DisneyGeek has posted a nice construction update from the Disneyland Resort this week. I didn’t mention it last week either, but they also got a couple of great shots showing off the new prototype Matterhorn train cars making test runs (empty) on the rails. Click here to see the first Matterhorn picture and then scroll through the next 3 to 4 pages to see even more.
    (4/22/10) New pictures of the 3 seater prototype Matterhorn car can be found at MiceChat. Looks like they’re going for Seat Belts instead of Lap Bars on this one… probably a good idea as the Matterhorn can be a bit jerky.
    (4/15/10) How’s this for service?  I point out the new Matterhorn trains covered by a tarp yesterday and today we’ve got pictures to enjoy of the tarp covered trains, and one peek uncovered, over at Theme Park Review.  I’d be okay with the new trains more if they didn’t have such high headrests… blocking the view for everyone behind you. In general though, from what I can see, it looks nice... more Matterhorn style looking than the older all white prototype (see photo below) photographed two years ago.
    (4/14/10) One of our readers tells us that while at the Matterhorn over the weekend they spotted two trains covered by a tarp on the left side’s transfer track. I’m told that even when the ride is closed the Matterhorn cars are usually left uncovered, so these mystery trains kind of stuck out. Looking them over, I’m told that the trains outline under the tarp seemed to show off a different profile than what you’d see from a normal Matterhorn car… perhaps showing off the three seatback humps from those long in development new prototype cars (see below) to make the Matterhorn experience a bit more like WDW’s Space Mountain with individual seats. Anyone get out to the park lately and spot this? I’d love to see a picture of one of these trains under the tarp next to a passing uncovered normal Matterhorn Bobsled.
    (10/3/08) The latest rumor on the proposed new Matterhorn cars claims that any plans to retire the current trains in favor of a new fleet will have to wait until at least 2011 at this point, as it was not approved for the next year’s budget.
    (11/19/07) A reader pointed out a little bit of information to me about the new 3 seat Matterhorn cars in the works. While it is true that the current cars hold 4 adults at once (8 per train), they point out most trains only go out with anywhere form 4 to 6 riders right now because so many people don’t want to sit on someone’s lap. Add in the extra “weight” factor where it often it can be a bit uncomfortable for two “full sized” adults to sit together and you realize that the six individual seats may actually increase the ride’s capacity in the end.
    (11/14/07) I had no idea this was in the works, but as you can see in the photo sent in, new trains are being considered for the Matterhorn based on the individual seat designs used on Florida’s Space Mountain. While this will likely make the ride a more comfortable experience, it could increase the length of the line and raise the height limit for the ride. The old cars would usually hold four riders and the new cars can only hold three, and since you can’t hold your small children on your lap anymore, expect to see the height limit raised to at least 40 inches… or maybe even 44 inches since that is what they use on Space Mountain in Florida. The current height limit on Matterhorn is just 35 inches.

2012/2013 - Tron Legacy Ride - Rumor - (4/4/10) Though the concept is still years away, the rumor mill is buzzing with rumors about Disney Imagineers dreaming up wild new ride concepts for a Tron themed attraction for Tomorrowland that could see the light of day as early as 2012 or 2013. And yes Programs… the Light Cycles are said to be the most likely experience to get the green light so far, as Tron Light Cycles are pretty much the visual iconic representation of the Tron universe. 
    End of Line…
    (3/5/10) As wild as it sounds, one rumor going around the Disneyland Resort is WDI is in talks with Vekoma on creating a Tron Lightcycle themed version of their Booster Bike coaster. It’s just a Blue Sky idea right now, but I’m told the coaster system may have multiple launch zones to increase the speed of the ride as you approach and enter into a very twisted finale sequence. Sounds great to me.
    (3/4/10) According to Blue Sky Disney, Disney is pushing ahead boldly with plans to not only market the new Tron Legacy film (which could be the first in a new trilogy) but is also likely to drop in little Tron themed areas around many of the Disney parks this fall/winter to promote the film. For example, it’s thought that the Starcade at Disneyland is likely get a Flynn’s Arcade makeover. And then there are rumors about plans being set in motion for a top notch Tron themed attraction, that could likely server as a new anchor attraction for the long-overdue re-launch of Tomorrowland.  As for me… I’m still up for putting some Light Cycles on the old PeopleMover track along with a stop inside a new showbuilding where you can experience the Game Grid first hand. Hey, I can dream can’t I?
    (11/27/09) With the all new Tron Legacy movie on the way, as well as a new Tron video game experience, I've also heard a rumor that Disneyland may be planning some kind of new Tron themed attraction that could take over the old Peoplemover track. Light Cycles anyone?
 

2012/2013/2014 - Tomorrowland Update - Rumor - (4/4/10) Disney knows that Tomorrowland is in need is a big “fix” once again, to undo some of the damage done during the last one as well as bring new life to the area… the bring it up to speed with today’s vision of The Future once again.  They’ve been busy addressing these issues one by one over the past few years with the introduction of Buzz Lightyear, the relaunch of Space Mountain and the return of the Submarines fleet now on a new quest to “Find Nemo”. Even Star Tours 2 will finally launch in the near future.
    That said however… there remains the sore spot in the middle of Tomorrowland… rotting away at the core of the land much like a cancer is the hulking remains of the old Rocket Jets / PeopleMover tower. The idea of turning the leftover mechnical bits of the Rocket Jets into a spinning animated light and music show died horribly long ago. Beyond anything else in Tomorrowland, I’ve always felt that this central tower was really the true heart of Tomorrowland. When the Pressler era management decided to close down the Rocket Jets and installed the “Meh!” Astro Orbiters at the ground level of their “New Tomorrowland” back in 1998, the core of Tomorrowland died.
    And if the Rocket Jets Tower was the heart of tomrrowland, then the rotting leftover Rocket Rods / PeopleMover attraction below it could have been considered the life blood of the land. Much like a system of arteries and veins, the old PeopleMover track system thread itself in, out and through virtually every single attraction in Tomorrowland and back again to the pumping central heart.
    The Rocket Rods briefly kept this track system alive for about 18 months or so before being deemed as a failure and shut down for good. The track however, still remains as a constant reminder and ‘eyesore’ of the dying land. There really isn’t a spot you can go anywhere in Tomorrowland and not see a section of this once thriving ride system.  Knowing this, WDI has apparently focused much attention on linking this network of infrastructure up with different new attraction concepts over the years to bring it back to life, as well as proposals to move the Astro Orbiters back to the top of the tower where it belongs. Much speculation has been placed on replacing the Innoventions structure as a major part of a possible new Tron attraction. Even new concepts to put something “fresh” into the Magic Eye 4D Theater to replace Captiain EO / Honey, I Shrunk The Audience are being looked into. All said and done, this could put Tomorrowland back on stable ground once again, and much like it’s Florida counter part, Tomorrowland’s new theme may be a bit more immune to the age of time by becoming a sort of SciFi themed Fantasyland for Boys concept.
    Again, this is all just still just a “blue sky” dream right now, but from what I’ve been told, the push from those involved is very passionate as everyone wants to bring Tomorrowland back to life, and Tron may be the key to opening up the checkbook. As always however, the key factor as to the success of failure of these efforts will lie entirely upon the box office reception the new Tron Legacy film receives. Disney is now poised to view this Tron revival on the same level as their very successful Pirates of the Caribbean films. Poised to turn this one film into a new tent-pole series of films, video games and all the marketing and merchandise opportunities that go along with it. Cross your digits Programs…
    (4/25/08) From what I’ve been told, a new future for Tomorrowland is finally on the way. The new Star Tours 2 concept is apparently just the first phase of a larger makeover for Tomorrowland. Once the new version of Star Tours opens the plan is to demolish the old Rocket Jet Tower to make way for an all new tower that will once again house a next generation Peoplemover ride station as well as the base unit to return the Astro-Orbiter back to it’s rightful place high in the sky on top of this new tower.
    (2/25/08) Screamscape sources tell us that there has been some activity along the old Peoplemover / Rocket Rods tracks after hours in anticipation of reinventing the ride once again for the Tomorrowland 2010 project. If the rumors are true people have been seen poking around the track areas in various locations, though most commonly in the old loading station area. Apparently there is some debate about if they should try to reuse the old Rocket Tower location as the loading station once again or if perhaps they may be better off loading from a new location, such as the enclosed tunnel areas near that travel next to the upper floor of the arcade. With the end near for the run of Honey, I Shrunk The Audience, it seems there is talk about reusing the area for the new project as well. As for the theme… no one seems to know right now, though we have heard that The IncrediPod concept may have been tossed out in favor something new. Makes me wonder if the rumor about having all of the Tomorrowland 2010 projects themed to Star Wars may have actually come to pass.
    (12/4/07) With the Submarine Voyage successfully launched not everyone is focused entirely on the future of California Adventure it seems. I’ve been told for quite some time that the next big project for Disneyland itself would most likely be to fix the rest of Tomorrowland, namely creating a new attraction to take over the old Peoplemover / Rocket Rods track that winds throughout the entire land. While no theme has been given, the details leaking out do sound like they would fit that IncrediPod concept we had previously heard about. Guests would be able to ride inside a four passenger “pods” unit, with controls to make the pod spin in a circle (ie: Buzz Lightyear) to control their own viewing angle.
    (9/5/07) According to a report last week at Jim Hill Media, George Lucas and Disney execs will be meeting soon to not only go over the progress of Star Tours 2 but to talk about the possibility of turning the the Tomorrowland 2010 project into a Star Wars themed project. The Star Wars theme wouldn’t touch most of the classic attractions like Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, the Autopia or the Submarine Voyage but could be applied to just about everything else.