and yes it is a real hot air balloon (we have been asked multiple times)

Some filming going on as well. (LOOK AT THE MINI BALLOON!!!!!)

He must have gotten a lot of followers for that twitpic

There it is…

Neat graphic on the side of the trailer

Anyway, on to the theme park, Fantasy Faire is looking great

Maurice’s Treats has showed up

Over in Frontierland, Big Thunder is still closed

The Mark Twain still in dry dock

Michael was nice enough to go around the park and grab some pictures of the Kodak pictures spots

Despite the sponsorship being pulled, Kodak is still has a heavy presence in the park

Sleeping Beauty Castle decorated for True Love Week

Thanks for the report Michael

If you’re – like me – counting down the days until “Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in theaters March 8, I’ve got exciting news for you. From February 16-March 31, Disney California Adventure park guests can experience a special sneak peek of Disney’s new fantastical adventure as part of “Limited Time Magic.” Throughout the day at the Muppet*Vision 3D theater, guests will have the opportunity to see an extended preview of the film in 3D, mixed with special in-theater 4D effects.

And don’t forget – you can experience these “Limited Time Magic” offerings and more at the Disneyland Resort for less with our special limited-time ticket offer.

Our “Limited Time Magic” surprises continue next week with some musical celebrations at Disney Parks. The talented 8-part a cappella group, Voices of Liberty, will honor Presidents Day with special presidential shows in the parks for you to enjoy.

At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, the Voices of Liberty will bring to life some of the inspirational moments from our nation’s history with their harmonies, accompanied by memorable quotes from American presidents, ranging from Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.

And of course, the celebrations will be for a limited time only. Here are the details:

• At Walt Disney World Resort from February 18–24 at the America Gardens Theatre at Epcot.
• At Disneyland Resort from February 18-19, and February 22-24 at the Main Street Opera House inDisneyland park.

For more information about “Limited Time Magic,” check www.LimitedTimeMagic.com or use the Twitter hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic.

We’ll be celebrating the upcoming release of “Oz The Great and Powerful” when the “Journey to Oz Balloon Tour” floats into the Disneyland Resort on February 17. Part of a multi-city tour sponsored by HSN and IMAX Corporation, the tour kicks off February 12 from the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, Calif.

Before visiting the Disneyland Resort, the balloon tour will appear at the “Oz The Great and Powerful” premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on February 13. After it departs the Disneyland Resort, the tour will stop at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on February 20 and at Central Park in New York City on March 5-6.

Fans can also unlock screenings of the film in cities near them through the “Journey to Oz Balloon Tour” app, which launches on Facebook.com/OzTheGreatAndPowerful on February 15. And don’t miss “Oz The Great and Powerful” when it opens in U.S. theaters and IMAX on March 8!

Today marks 5 years since the launch of Disneyland News Today. DLNT was formed on February 8th, 2008, just as many projects began in the huge expansion of Disney California Adventure. Our mission was to follow that expansion from start to finish, tackling what was arguably the most exciting project in Disney history. From the opening of Toy Story Midway Mania, to the debut of World of Color, to the first side-by-side race through Radiator Springs, we covered it all. We were taken to new heights aboard Mickey’s Fun Wheel, took a swing in a Silly Symphony, and played with our PIXAR pals.

In that time, we also saw the original Disney Park grow, evolve, and change in many ways. We were there for the return of the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough and Captain EO. Our adventures continued on Star Tours, Main Street got Soundsational, and we even grabbed the first bite at the Jolly Holiday Bakery. Best of all, there is more excitement to come. Soon we’ll meet our favorite princesses and find a magical map with Mickey.

It has been a journey as unpredictable as an adventure through the original Magic Kingdom over the last 5 years, and we are happy you were there to take that journey with u.. However, as Walt Disney once said, “We’re just getting started!”

WDWNT Network Founder and CEO,
Tom Corless

Tonight we are starting a new tradition here at DLNT by presenting a special anniversary edition of the Disneyland News Today Podcast LIVE on WDWNTunes.com. The show begins at 8PM PST and will last until 11PM EST. Here is a schedule of events

8:00 PM – Introduction and live chat

8:30 PM – World Premiere of “The Fantasy Faire Trade” segment

9:00 PM – Live Chat

9:15 PM – The Disneyland Compendium – The Peoplemover and Rocket Rods

*All times PST. Subject to change.

The new Fantasy Faire, opening March 12, is home to Disney royalty, but it’s also home to delicious new treats – our favorite is the flaky, crisp strawberry or chocolate twist that’s perfect for sharing and strolling through this new corner of Fantasyland in Disneyland park.

Maurice’s Treats (named for Belle’s father from “Beauty and the Beast”) is an adorable new food cart in Fantasy Faire that offers the sweet twists ($3.49), as well as a savory cheddar garlic bagel twist ($4.19). Pair any with a Boysen Apple Freeze made with frozen apple juice, a hint of wild berry and topped with passion fruit foam that’s served in a 16-ounce cup ($4.69) or a keepsake goblet or stein ($9.99).

The all-new, live stage production, “Mickey and the Magical Map,” debuts this summer at Disneyland park, and today I’m excited to be able to tell you a little more about the show and what you can expect to see when it opens!

The show begins with the timeless character of Yen Sid, the wise sorcerer from Disney’s classic “Fantasia,” who appears within his mysterious workshop to tell us of a wondrous map with the power to take dreamers to any place imaginable. Yen Sid sets his mapmakers to work painting the enormous map – a map so large it covers the entire breadth of the stage.

This is when our hero Mickey Mouse enters, full of curiosity, and dreams of being more than just an apprentice. He’s a bit of a rascal and doesn’t realize what he’s about to get into. When Mickey picks up a brush to paint the map’s one unfinished spot, he soon discovers this is no ordinary map. That’s when his adventures really begin!

 

 

The mapmakers are an ensemble of male and female performers who excel at singing, dancing and acrobatics. They wield enormous, magical paint brushes as they follow Mickey on his journey, helping bring to life fantastic worlds of music, color and beloved characters.

“Mickey and the Magical Map” will be presented in the newly-refurbished Fantasyland Theatre, a venue that merges the tradition of live outdoor performances with the latest in theatrical technology. This is Disney storytelling at its most thrilling, brought to life in the very heart of the most magical of lands, Fantasyland.

“Each new show we create is a chance to push storytelling in a new direction,” said Michael Jung, Vice President of Theatrical Development. “At Disney, we love the challenge of continuously looking at our classic tales and most recent stories to see how we can bring live entertainment and excitement to today’s audiences.”

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog in the coming weeks and months, as we’ll have even more to share about the extraordinary new show, “Mickey and the Magical Map.”

We’ve been giving you peeks into the new Fantasy Faire coming to Disneyland park here on the Disney Parks Blog, and today, I’m pleased to let you know that this area will officially open for guests on March 12.

One of the highlights of Fantasy Faire will be the Royal Theatre, where you’ll be treated to two unique shows relating the tales of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Tangled,” as told by a pair of Renaissance Storytellers, Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones.

Messieurs Smythe and Jones are men of the theatre and lovers of legend and lore. The storytellers present the tale as old as time and the hair-raising tale of Rapunzel, with the assistance of some fellow villagers, all to the musical accompaniment of Sir Samuel of Morocco. Even Belle, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider appear onstage to help tell their own stories.

“We’re using our imaginations to create these stories,” said Show Director Chris Utley. “The storytellers will play a variety of roles, filling in as the other characters. They may put on a costume accessory to pretend to be Beast, or Gaston or Mother Gothel. ”

“The stories are told in a fast-paced, whimsical kind of way – very fun and theatrical,” said Chris. “It’s kind of a Renaissance vaudeville style, and the two guys are reminiscent of the old comedy duos of Gallagher & Shean, Abbott & Costello and Laurel & Hardy. They tell their stories with a lot of humor and heart.”

The storytellers will take to the stage of the Royal Theatre when Fantasy Faire opens on March 12.