Park Paradise

Disneyland California - Big Thunder Refurbishment 

Disneyland has confirmed that its popular Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster will close on January 7, 2013, in order to undergo a major refurbishment.

The coaster is not expected to return to action until the fall, meaning that the park will be without one of its major rides for the majority of the 2013 season. Significant work will be carried out on the ride, which has long been rumored to be due for an overhaul.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will receive all-new trains, although Disney has promised that these will retain the visual style of the existing mine train-themed vehicles. The ride’s circuit will remain unchanged, but large sections of the track will be replaced. Big Thunder Mountain itself will also be repainted to restore its original Bryce Canyon-style coloring.

The similar Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride at Walt Disney World is also currently undergoing changes. The attraction was reopened in May, having undergone track replacement work. Further work is currently ongoing to install new interactive elements in its queue line.

Disneyland California - Spotted

“Elf” star Will Ferrell got into the holiday spirit during a recent visit to Disneyland park, donning an elf-inspired Mickey ear hat and spending time with Santa Goofy. 

Disneyland California - Glow with the Snow

One of the Disney classics over the Christmas season at the Disneyland Resort is wrapping up a day in the park with the “Believe … In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular. This year, the Creative Entertainment team has made that show even more special by incorporating the popular “Glow with the Show” Ears. Disneyland park guests will be able to become part of the performance, with visions of sugarplums literally dancing on their heads!

Just as they’ve done with the “World of Color” and “Fantasmic!”, Disney Imagineers have seamlessly integrated the magical, glowing Mickey Mouse ear hats into key moments of “Believe … In Holiday Magic.” 

“Believe … In Holiday Magic” is scheduled to be presented nightly, November 12 – January 6.

Disney Parks - Starbucks Locations

As announced earlier this year, six Starbucks locations were planned to open at Disney Parks in Florida and California. In June, the first Starbucks location opened at Disney California Adventure park in the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café and is already a guest favourite.

Last week Disney announced the first two Walt Disney World Resort locations to open next year, one at Magic Kingdom Park and one at Epcot.

At Magic Kingdom Park, Main Street Bakery will close for refurbishment in January 2013 and reopen as a Starbucks location in early summer. At Epcot, Fountain View will close in March 2013 and reopen as a Starbucks location in midsummer.

Both locations will be designed to fit the theme of their surroundings. 

More locations are set to be announced early next year! 

Disneyland California - Jingle Jangle Jamboree

Yet again I am posting some more updates regarding Christmas, BUT why not, its November now, it’s officially allowed! For another cracking year at Disneyland California Santa and Mrs. Claus are making the trip down from the North Pole to enjoy a special visit with everyone at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland. But this year there’ll be more fun than ever as they play host to the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, starting November 12!

It’s a jolly holiday spot filled with Disney characters, music, games, crafts and seasonal entertainment for the whole family. At the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, you’ll be able to enjoy some of Mrs. Claus’s tasty treats and try your hand at Reindeer Games like “Wreath Around the Antlers” or “Pass the Presents.” When Billy Hill and the Holiday Hillbillies take to the stage, expect holiday tunes with a humorous twist and maybe even a singalong.

Of course, the Jingle Jangle Jamboree is also the place in Disneyland park where youngsters can meet Santa Claus himself and whisper their hearts’ desires into his ear, right up until he departs on Christmas Eve. When Santa visits the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, you’ll find him in a place of honor alongside a sparkling Christmas tree, surrounded by homespun holiday trimmings.

The Jingle Jangle Jamboree promises to be the perfect spot to celebrate the spirit of the season in a warm-hearted way as big as all outdoors!

Disney Parks - Limited Time Magic

Disney has revealed that Walt Disney World and Disneyland will both run a special promotion throughout 2013, dubbed “Limited Time Magic”.

The announcement was made alongside a publicity stunt in New York’s Times Square, in which Disney showed off an enormous “ice castle”. Every week from January onwards, a different themed celebration will be held at Disney’s US resorts. This will help the company to overcome a lack of major new attractions during 2013, as well as drawing in guests for repeat visits.

Full details and a complete schedule for the the Limited Time Magic celebrations have yet to be revealed, but Disney has offered up some examples. This includes a “True Love” celebration during Valentine’s week, “Independence Week” around the Fourth of July, and “Long Lost Friends Week”, when lesser-known Disney characters will meet-and-greet guests.

2013 will be a relatively quiet year for Disney’s US parks. A major transformation of Disney California Adventure was completed in June 2012, with no major additions expected next year. At Walt Disney World, the majority of the Magic Kingdom’s expanded New Fantasyland will open in late 2012, with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train expected to debut in 2014.