The Pirates League Coming To New Orleans Square

Jul 31, 2012 by Conner Purzycki    1 Comment     Posted under: Disneyland

From Michelle Harker on the Disney Parks Blog:

A roll of the dice can change your face, your fate or even your name. A new wave of swashbuckling fun is set to hit land (Court of Angels in New Orleans Square at Disneyland park, to be exact) September 1, as The Pirates League plants its flag in the sands of the western shores.

Captain Jack and his trusted mates have searched across the land to find treasures and new recruits to join their crew. In The Pirates League, savvy pirates will transform guests, giving them their own pirate look and name, training them to swashbuckle and teaching them the official Pirate League Oath! The Pirates League is an interactive pirate experience you won’t want to miss.

The Pirates League is the ultimate pirate transformation available to guests ages three and up that lets you live your pirate dreams and learn the ways of the seven seas from veteran pirates straight from Captain Jack’s crew!

The Pirates League will offer three different packages for guests to choose from: Jake and the Never Land Pirates, First Mate, and Empress (created especially for all the pirate princesses!). Packages range from $29.95 – $34.95. Which will you choose to fulfill your pirate destiny?

This treasured experience, which launched in May 2009 in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, also launched this year aboard the Disney Fantasy! This special experience will be available at the Disneyland Resort, for a limited time only, this fall.

Special Tip: Landlubbers Beware! Reservations on Mickey’s Halloween Party nights will book up quickly, so be sure to call 714-781-STYLE beginning August 7, before I make you walk the plank!

Matt Valdez’s 11/17/11 DLR Photo Report

Nov 24, 2011 by Conner Purzycki    3 Comments    Posted under: Disney California Adventure, Disneyland

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!! I would like to welcome Matt Valdez to Disneyland News Today as a staff photographer. Matt already has a photo report to share with us…

Starting off in Disneyland

Main Street is already decked out for the holidays

The new Disney Gallery exhibit, “Trains of Disney” is now open at the Disney Gallery

The rocks at the front of Adventureland still look strange to me. Bright turquoise was a strange choice.

Work on the Jolly Holiday Bakery continues.

Good day to be at the parks

Not much visible progress on the exterior

Nope, they are still funny looking

Planter work in Adventureland

The Pirates refurbishment wrapped up today

The only changes reported was that now both Blackbeard and Davy Jones are on the waterfall right before the battle scene.

How about a quick look around Santa’s Reindeer Round-up

Awwwwww…

Some LED snow on the castle roof

Wreath in the Small World Mall

Notice that the reefs on the facade are missing this year because of the Magic, The Memories, and You needs a flat surface to project on to

Quick peek at decorations around Toon Town

One of the trees that was imported from Walt Disney World’s Toon Town

No extended queue today at Star Tours

Into DCA

Buena Vista Street Construction

Attempt at decorating the DCA entrance way

Carthay Circle Theater

The Carthay Circle fountain was on

Oooooh….

Ahhhhhh..

Elias & Company Depatment Store

The Pump House

The Backlot entrance showing a little wear

The workwalls along the entrance have been moved around and they are no longer the blue Electronica walls… Interesting

Walking down by Tower…

New work walls at the parade gates

Looks like some executives are getting a VIP look at Cars Land

The giant ornaments have returned to Flick’s Fun Fair

The mural is cracked and faded, wondered what’s going to happen to it

Cars Land

The leaning tower of tires has been constructed

So has the sign for Luigi’s

The mountain side facing pacific wharf has been mostly completed

Looking back the Carhtay Circle Theater

Ahhh….

The Christmas Tree is up in Paradise Pier

Mustache!!!

The Cadillac Range from Paradise Park

Another mustache!!

Decorations on The Little Mermaid

Thanks for Reading

Hayley Nance’s 11/11/11- 11/13/11 DLR Photo Report

Nov 14, 2011 by Conner Purzycki    1 Comment     Posted under: Disney California Adventure, Disneyland

The holidays have arrived at the Disneyland Resort and the parks are getting ready for the busiest season of the year. DLNT Photographer Hayley Nance was at the parks this past weekend and took some newsworthy photos to share.

The holidays are here, only some decorations are up on Main Street

The Omnibus looking good for the season

Work on Jolly Holiday Bakery continues

The Pirates facade refurbishment is wrapping up

Short wait for mansion (Is that Fastpass sign new?)

Splash Mountain has been decorated

Tigger has been stuck in this position past few rides I have been on

TO: Brer Bear, Brer Fox

FROM: Brer Rabbit

Neat penny press in New Orleans Square

Interesting…

Court of Angels decked out with a lot of blue

Lots of holiday merchandise for sale

Blue Bayou is scheduled to reopen on the 23rd

I want this sign…

Some props have been refreshed in the Indy queue

Get your Matterhorn rides in now as it will be closing early next year for the second half of its major refurbishment

Slow day at the parks

Now for a quick ride through this years small world Holiday

A new addition this year, a giant snowman in the finale

This years Christmas tree on Main Street

Now for some quick pictures from DCA

New turnstiles decorated for the holidays

Carthay Circle coming along

Love this shirt

and this one…

and this one.

Michael Wada’s 10/22/11 Disneyland Photo Report

Oct 27, 2011 by Conner Purzycki    1 Comment     Posted under: Disneyland

DLNT Reporter Michael Wada was at Disneyland this past weekend and has a few newsworthy photos to share.

Halloween is still in the air at Disneyland Park

Starting of in New Orleans Square, Pirates is still closed for a standard refurbishment

The Court of Angels is already decked out for the holidays

Was a very busy afternoon at Disneyland, 90 minute wait for Haunted Mansion Holiday

New pumpkin carving in process at Big Thunder Ranch

HA. Who doesn’t love Heimlich… (nice bag)

Now for a look around the recently refurbished Emporium

Gone is the circular checkout desk

The Plaza Pavilion arch has been removed

Back in New Orleans Square, the front facade work on Pirates continues

You can see a little bit of the new exterior of the building

Blue Bayou is also closed for refurbishment

Jamie Nakagiri’s 10/12/11 “Soundsational Party” Photo Report

Oct 17, 2011 by Conner Purzycki    2 Comments    Posted under: Disneyland

DLNT Podcaster Jamie Nakagiri attended last weeks Soundsational Annual Passholder Party and was nice enough to grab some pictures from that event.

Checking in…

Read more »

Michael Wada’s 5/5/11 “Pirates 4″ Premiere Photo Report

May 6, 2011 by Conner Purzycki    2 Comments    Posted under: Disneyland

DLNT Reporter Michael Wada was at Disneyland yesterday and was able to grab a few photos of the completed Pirates 4 premiere bleachers and stage…

Read more »

Captain Blackbeard To Temporarily Haunt “Pirates of the Caribbean”

May 6, 2011 by Conner Purzycki    No Comments    Posted under: Disneyland

From Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald on the Disney Parks Blog:

On February 11, actor Ian McShane appeared on a soundstage in Los Angeles for a very special “head shot” – one that will soon be featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean attractions at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

Captain Blackbeard will make his appearance on the ghostly waterfall in the grotto scenes of the park attractions beginning May 20, coinciding with the release of the new film, “Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides,” in which McShane plays a starring role.

Walt Disney Imagineering writer Michael Sprout (who wrote the script for Bill Nighy as Davy Jones several years ago) was on hand to direct the special shoot with Ian McShane. Michael said, “He came in wearing his complete Blackbeard costume, including the sword, saying it helped him stay in character!”

Look for Blackbeard soon in this classic attraction, and the return of Davy Jones later this year.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” To Premier in New Orleans Square May 7th

Apr 5, 2011 by Conner Purzycki    1 Comment     Posted under: Disneyland, Events

From the Disney Parks Blog:

“Psst…Ye come seekin’ adventure with salty old pirates, eh? Sure you’ve come to the proper place.”

Pirates fans are in for a double treat this morning. First, a big announcement, then a special video that takes you back to where it all began.

First, the big news…

Disneyland park will make history on May 7 when we host the first-ever 3D outdoor film premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All of the film’s stars are expected to attend along with many more Hollywood celebrities.

The Walt Disney Company is hosting the gala event and funds raised from ticket sales will go directly to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America is to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Individual tickets for the premiere event are priced at $1,000 and are now available for purchase at www.piratespremiere.com.

While only invited guests with the proper credentials may attend the film premiere, a limited number of Disneyland park guests may be able to view the “Red Carpet Arrivals” (the carpet is actually going to be black this time!) on Main Street, U.S.A., although, again, viewing capacity will be very limited.

Disneyland Resort park hours have been adjusted on May 7 for this very special event. Disneyland park will open at 7 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Disney California Adventure park will open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m.

Now, as a special treat, in this swashbuckling video exclusive, Barbossa takes you on a journey from Pirates’ beginnings at Disneyland park, to behind the scenes “on stranger tides.” It’s clear that the attraction that started it all is never far from the filmmakers’ minds.

Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” opens in theaters May 20, 2011, in Disney Digital 3D™ – and for those of you who simply cannot wait, remember, you can “join Jack’s crew” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through May 30, and seven nights a week from April 15 through May 1, exclusively at Disneyland park!

More Information Released for “Pirates of the Caribbean 4″ Sneak Peak

Mar 21, 2011 by Conner Purzycki    No Comments    Posted under: Disneyland

Information has been posted on Disneyland.com for the upcoming  3-D sneak peak of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” coming to the Festival Arena inside Disneyland Park.

Calling All Buccaneers!

For a limited time, Capt. Jack Sparrow is in need of a few good scoundrels to join his crew. Embark on the Thunder Mountain Trail, become a member of Jack’s crew and view a 3D extended sequence from the upcoming Walt Disney release of Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides.

Keep a lookout on weekend nights March 25 through April 14, 2011 and every evening from April 15 to May 1, 2011.

Prepare for Adventure

Your training starts when a group of rollicking, marauding misfits teach the basics of the buccaneer trade. Along the way, fortify your courage with a mug of pirate grog and purchase swords, hats and eye patches.

The Great Pirate Gathering

The Festival Arena has been transformed to evoke Blackbeard’s mysterious ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. With training now complete, Capt. Jack Sparrow makes a visit and presents 3D Sneak Peek of Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides., exclusive to Disneyland Park. But beware! Blackbeard may not be far off on the horizon.

The Attraction
Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides: Sneak Peek is an interactive stage event featuring state-of-the-art projections, 3D film sequences and special effects that include bursts of flame, dramatic sound effects and theatrical lighting.

WDWNT Fan Meets – August 1st and 2nd at the Disneyland Resort

Jul 22, 2009 by Anthony Yacullo    No Comments    Posted under: Disney California Adventure, Disneyland, Website News

I’d like to remind everyone about our upcoming fan meets at the Disneyland Resort on Saturday August 1st and Sunday August 2nd. First up on Saturday:

Come enjoy an evening of fun on Saturday, August 1st, with the WDWNT Network and Disneyland News Today staff at Disney’s California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort. Among the fun and surprises, here is a schedule of group gatherings that will be a part of the unofficial fan meet:

4:00 PM – Meet outside the Blue Sky Cellar for distribution of “free gift” Group walk through the Blue Sky Cellar
4:30 PM – Meet directly in front of the Blue Sky Cellar to watch the Pixar Play Parade
5:30 PM – Group meet n’ mingle (and possibly some eating) at Bountiful Valley Farmer’s Market
6:30 PM – Meet for group photo and showing of MuppetVision 3-D in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot
7:15 PM – Meet for group ride on Mickey’s Fun Wheel in Paradise Pier
8:00 PM – Meet in front the former Orange Stinger attraction (Silly Symphony Swings construction walls) to watch Disney’s Electrical Parade

Then on Sunday:

Come enjoy an afternoon of fun on Sunday, 8/2/09 with the WDWNT Network and Disneyland News Today staff at Disneyland Park. Among the fun and surprises, here is a schedule of group gatherings that will be a part of the fan meet:

3:00 PM – Meet n’ mingle and group photo at Carnation Gardens on Main Street U.S.A.
3:30 PM – Meet for group showing of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland
4:15 PM – Meet for group ride on the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland
5:00 PM – Meet for group ride on Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square
5:45 PM – Meet for group ride through the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square
6:30 PM – Group meet n’ mingle (and possibly some eating) at the Hungry Bear Restaurant
7:30 PM – Meet for group ride on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country
8:00 PM – Meet in the hub on Main Street U.S.A. to view “Magical – Disney’s New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical Celebrations In the Stars”

You can R.S.V.P. (although not necessary to attend) and get more information on Facebook about the Saturday meet at this link or our forums at this link and the Sunday meet at this link or our forums at this link. These will be the first fan meets the WDWNT Network has done at the Disneyland Resort, and we hope you come by and enjoy the fun with us!