Disney continues to dominate theme park business

Disney still dominates theme park attendance worldwide but it was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios that accounted for 45 percent of the attendance increase in North America, according to the 2011 Theme Index Global Attractions Attendance Report.

North American theme park attendance in 2011 grew by 2.9 percent, but 1.3 percentage points of that increase was due to the new Harry Potter land, according to the report, published by the Themed Entertainment Association and the Economics practice at AECOM.

Without Harry Potter, North America attendance grew by 1.6 percent. "That 1.6 percent figure points to continued, slow economic recovery from the recession and modest attendance growth for most parks, in a mature market. This is seen not just in park attendance figures but also in tourism numbers," the report states.

Even with the success of Harry Potter, Disney is still the gold standard when it comes to theme parks, filling the top eight spots on the list.

Disney World's Magic Kingdom remains the most visited park in the world with Disneyland behind it, followed by the two Tokyo Disney parks.

Here's how the parks stack up.

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A time lapse tour of Disneyland

What started out as a camera test by photographer Daniel Navarrete of Disneyland ended up a year later with a 30,000 plus photos turned into a 4 minute 42 second video time lapse tour of Disneyland and the California Adventure.

The video starts you out at the entrance to Disneyland, shows you around, takes you on a few rides, let's you experience a parade and even World of Color. It's a phenomenal accomplishment.

Thanks to Micechat.com for turning us on to this.

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Disney donates CALIFORNIA letters from California Adventure

                                                                                      © Disney

The renovation of the California Adventure entrance at Disneyland Resort will help out the California State Fair.

Disney is donating the 11-foot-high California letters that have marked the entrance to the park since its opening, according to the Sacramento Bee.

"The letters were very popular with millions of guests over the past decade, and Cal Expo is a fitting destination to continue their legacy," Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis told the Bee.

This year's California State Fair will be held July 12-29, and the Cal Expo in Sacramento.

re here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/30/4524219/disneys-california-letters-to.html#storylink=cpy

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'Mad T Party' unveils June 15 at California Adventure

Photo by Walt Disney Company

The new “Mad T Party" show will start June 15 and run nightly through the summer in Hollywood Land at California Adventure in Disneyland.

The rest of the year, the show will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

According to a Disney news release, the centerpiece of “Mad T Party” is a wildly themed, oversized tea table set under a canopy of fanciful lanterns. The tea table doubles as a state-of-the-art concert stage.

The “Mad T Party” band consists of stylized characters inspired by “Alice in Wonderland,” including the Mad Hatter as lead vocalist, Dormouse on lead guitar, March Hare on bass, Cheshire Cat on drums, Caterpillar on keys, and even a special appearance by Alice herself.

When the “Mad T Party” band is not performing, the White Rabbit DJ will keep the party going. Adjacent to the main stage is the House of Cards, a place for games, dancing, drinks, live entertainment and specialty acts.

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Disneyland ticket prices increasing May 20

Ticket prices will increase at the Disneyland Resort starting May 20, a few weeks before the June 15 opening of Cars Land at the California Adventure, the Matterhorn re-opening and a slew of other shows being introduced, the Disney Parks blog announced.

The increases range from a 16% for a 1-Day Park Hopper ticket to an 8% for a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket. And an 8% increase for a 1-Day 1-Park ticket to a 3.5% increase for a 5-Day 1-Park Per Day ticket.

Annual passes will also be increasing.

The changes:

Adult tickets - ages 10+
1-Day 1 -Park - From $80 to $87
1-Day Park Hopper - From $105 to $125
2-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $158 to $170
2 -Day Park Hopper - From $173 to $200
3-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $209 to $220
3-Day Park Hopper - From $224 to $250
4-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $234 to $245
4-Day Park Hopper - From $249 to $275
5-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $251 to $260
5-Day Park Hopper - From $266 to $290

Children - ages 3-9
1-Day 1 -Park - From $74 to $81
1-Day Park Hopper - From $99 to $119
2-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $146 to $158
2 -Day Park Hopper - From $161 to $188
3-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $193 to $205
3-Day Park Hopper - From $208 to $235
4-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $216 to $225
4-Day Park Hopper - From $231 to $255
5-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $231 to $240
5-Day Park Hopper - From $246 to $270

Disneyland Resort Annual Passports
Premium - From $499 to $649
Deluxe - From $379 to $469

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"Brave" will join "World of Color" in Disneyland

There had been talk a new scene being added to the "World of Color" nighttime show, and now Disney has announced it will be a scene from the newest Pixar/Disney film "Brave."

“Brave” is the animated story of a Scottish princess named Merida. The movie is scheduled to be released June 22.

The scene will debut June 15. 

Since the show opened in 2010, it has featured updates including "TRON: Legacy” and “Prep & Landing.” 

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DIsney Facts: World of Color

The "World of Color" at Disney's California Adventure in Disneyland is one of the most remarkable shows I've ever seen. The way the water, light, sound and projections work is a marvel. It is a must see and is hands down the best night time show at Disneyland or Walt Disney World.

The technology behind the show is fantastic. Here is a look at the show, by the numbers:

100,000: The number of digital images used during the show.

30,000: The weight in pounds of one of the submersible electrical rooms, used in the show. These rooms can travel up and down with the platform like submarines, controlling the power and infrastructure that runs the fountains and lights. 

                                                                                                © Steven Liebman
World of Color at Disney's California Adventure

1,200: The number of fountains used during the show.

600: The number of Grid Fountains.

400: The number of Chaser Fountains.

380: How wide in feet the water screen for digital projection reaches.

200: The height in feet the water from the fountains can reach.

65: The number of Dual Water Whip Fountains.

76: The number of Single Water Whip Fountains.

75: The miles miles of cable that help control the lift tables and show equipment in the lagoon.

28: The number of projectors (14 of them, submersible) which brings the images to life.

16: The amount of millions of gallons of water in Paradise Bay, where the show is located.

12: The number of Flower Spout Fountains.

10: The number of Geyser Fountains.

6: The number of Dancer Fountains.

4: The number of Butterfly Fountains.

1: The size in acres of the fountains are laid out in n Paradise Bay.

Source: Walt Disney Company

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Ariel's Grotto changing dinner option to character dining

The dinner dining option is changing at Ariel's Grotto in Disney California Adventure.

Starting at June 15 the "World of Color" dining packages will no longer be offered and instead there will be a princess character dinner to join the character breakfast and lunch.

Reservations for dinner at Ariel’s Disney Princess Celebration are now open available by calling Disney Dine Line (714-781-DINE), according to the Disney Parks Blog. 

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Cars Land opens June 15 at Disney California Adventure

It's official: Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and the Carthay Circle Theatre at Disney California Adventure will open June 15, Disney announced Wednesday.

This ends the 5-year expansion at Disneyland Resort, Disney said in a news release.

A view of Cars Land which opens June 15.
Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort

To accommodate a media preview and make final preparations, the park will be closed June 14 and open the public on June 15, Disney announced.

Cars Land expands California Adventure by 12 acres. Guests will enter the town of Radiator Springs where there are three family attractions showcasing characters and settings from the movie, plus “Cars”-themed dining and shopping locations such as Flo’s V8 Café, Ramone’s House of Body Art and Radiator Springs Curios.

"Radiator Springs Racers is a twisting, turning, high-speed adventure through Ornament Valley and the town of Radiator Springs. Luigi’s Flying Tires invites guests to glide on air aboard special tires, whirling around with their pals. At Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, guests will whip around behind a baby tractor and enjoy tunes from a giant jukebox built from Mater’s most prized possessions," according to the release.

Starting June 15, guests will enter Disney California Adventure along Buena Vista Street, whice evokes the era when Walt Disney arrived in California with new dreams: 1920s Los Angeles. Buena Vista Street features Red Car Trolleys and the Carthay Circle Theatre, modeled after the site of the 1937 world premiere of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Carthay Circle Theatre will include a lounge and the Carthay Circle Restaurant, designed to be the premier dining location in Disney California Adventure.

This summer the new Mad T Party in Hollywood Land will feature nighttime, family fun inspired by the Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” The Pixar Play Parade will return and the new Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop at Pacific Wharf will open.

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Viral video of man being pepper sprayed at Disneyland

Disneyland is supposed to be the "Happiest Place on Earth," until you get physical with cast members.

A video is making the rounds of a belligerent guest pushing a security guard and being pepper sprayed in the face outside the Tower of Terror ride at Disney's California Adventure on Saturday.

The security officer repeatedly tells the man to remain on the ground, but he gets back up and pushes and tries to punch the security officer. The guard then pepper sprays him a few more times in the face, until the guest gets back to the ground.

A few moments later, the four-minute video shows, the man gets back up and pulls the security officer down when a group of other guests get involved and pin the man down until more security arrives.

A woman can be heard screaming, "There are kids here. Does this guy not get that? You're in Disneyland."

Eventually the Anaheim Police arrive and charge the man with battery and assault, according to the Los Angeles Times. No reason has been released as to what sparked the incident.

Suzi Brown, a spokeswoman for Disneyland, released the following statement: "Our security cast member was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for the injuries he sustained and then released. We appreciate the actions of the guests who came to his aid during this uncharacteristic incident."

The video is here, but be aware it does contain some graphic material.

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Smile of The Day: Grizzly River Run

A great view of Grizzly River Run's Watermill looking toward Grizzly Peak at Disney California Adventure in Disneyland.

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Minnie's Fly Girls take off in Disneyland

Minnie Mouse and her Fly Girls have debuted at Disney California Adventure this past week singing and dancing to songs from the 1940s, '50s and '60s across from Soarin' Over California.

“Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline” is a tune-filled “travelogue” of song, dance and audience interaction, according to the Disney Parks Blog, which also has photos.

“Come Fly with Me,” originally performed by Frank Sinatra, introduces the crew – Amanda, Pat, Kate and Lee. The performance also includes two medleys, incorporating a number of other musical favorites including “Brazil,” “I Love Paris” and “Lady of Spain.”

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The making of Cars Land mountains in Disneyland

Building Ornament Valley, the mountain range for Radiator Springs in Cars Land at California Adventure in Disneyland, took a team of artisans.

The range's peak is about 125 feet. At 280,000 square feet, this is the largest rock work job in any domestic Disney theme park – larger that the Matterhorn, Splash Mountain or, in Florida, Expedition Everest, according to Disney.

Here is a Disney video on the making of the mountains, with more than 4,000 tons of steel used.

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New scene may be added to DIsneyland's World of Color, report states

"World of Color"

A scene from the new Pixar movie "Brave" could be featured in the "World of Color" show at the Disney California Adventure in Disneyland, according to the Orange County Register.

Tom Skaggs, chairman of the Walt Disney Parks dropped the hint during a speech at the Orange County Business Council, the newspaper's website reported.

Disney has added several scenes and features since “World of Color” debuted in June 2010.

“Brave” is the animated story of a Scottish princess named Merida. The movie is scheduled to be released June 22.

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Smile of The Day: King Triton's Carousel of the Sea

At Disney California Adventure on the boardwalk is a cute little carousel filled with dolphins, flying fish, otters, seahorses and sea lions. King Triton's Carousel of the Sea is named after Ariel's father in "Little Mermaid."

Around the canopy nods to the various boardwalks and piers in California: Abbot KinneyPier, Venice (1905); Belmont Park, San Diego (1925); Fraser's "Million Dollar" Pier, Ocean Park (1912); Lick Pier, Ocean Park (1923); Looff's Pier, Santa Monica (1908); Ocean Park Pier, Ocean Park (1929) ;Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Monica (1958); Pickering Pleasure Pier, Ocean Park (1920); The Pike, Long Beach (1905); Nu Pike, Long Beach (1950); Playland At The Beach, San Francisco (1928);Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz (1907); Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica (1909); Venice of America, Venice (1904); Venice Pier, Venice (1925) and Virginia Park, Long Beach (1939).

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Smile of The Day: Grizzly Peak

Grizzly Peak is a man made mountain in the shape of a grizzly bear standing 110 feet high at the California Adventure in the Disneyland Resort.

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New nighttime show coming to Disneyland - Mad T Party

Concept art from Disney on the new Mad T Party show.

A new nighttime dance show replacing ElecTRONica will premiere this summer at the California Adventure in Disneyland Park, according to the Disney Parks Blog.

The Mad T Party, with a live band, entertainment, games and dancing, brings the characters from Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" to life. The blog says the the party will "immerse guests in a captivating world that’s filled with exclusive signature foods, beverages" and  - of course - new merchandise.

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Ghiradelli opening location inside Disney California Adventure

Ghirardelli will open a store inside Disney California Adventure park. The store will be located in the Pacific Wharf area of the part and open in late spring 2012, according to a Disneyland news release.

 "The addition of  a world-renown brand like Ghirardelli highlights our focus on providing quality, immersive experiences that transport our guests to a different place – in this case to San Francisco,” Mary Niven, vice president of Disney California Adventure park, said in the release.

The park is now undergoing and expansion which includes a new entrance to the park, and the creation of  Cars Land.

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Smile of The Day: Boardwalk Barker Mr. Potato Head

This Spud's for you. 


He's larger-than-life in more ways than one. Mr. Potato Head welcomes, cajoles and distracts everyone in line at Toy Story Mania in Disney's Hollywood Studios and Toy Story Midway at California Adventure. The nearly 5-foot  Audio Animatronic figure gives you his special "Boardwalk Barker" routine explaining how the attraction is "a ride. It's a game. It's a game. It's a ride."

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