According to the OC Register two dozen passengers had to be removed from California Screamin Rollercoaster Friday afternoon due backpack that fell onto the track.

Here are the full details:

Firefighters removed two-dozen people from a rollercoaster at California Adventure after a backpack fell onto the track and stopped the ride Friday afternoon, Disney officials said. A backpack fell out of a “ride vehicle” on the California Screamin’ rollercoaster about 6:30 p.m., landing on the track and causing the other vehicles to automatically stop, Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown said.

No injuries or collisions were reported.

About 24 people in one of the vehicles were stuck on the track. It took about an hour for firefighters to remove them one at a time by ladder, Brown said.

About 20 fire officials responded, including members of the Anaheim Fire Department’s urban search and rescue team and paramedics stationed at California Adventure.

Rescuers used a ground ladder to reach the riders, who were no more than 20 feet up at the bottom of a loop on the coaster, Anaheim Fire Marshal Jeff Lutz said. The backpack was removed from the track.

Click here to keep reading.

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A Disney cast member collapsed last Wednesday in Disneyland amusement park, and later died.

Philip Doyle, 58, worked in the food services department.  Doyle was making a delivery after 1 pm near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and his co-workers got concerned when he didn’t return quickly.   He was found with very shallow breathing.

An Anaheim ambulance was called around 1:18pm and he was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at 2:16 pm, said Deputy Coroner Larry Esslinger.

Disney officials released a statement, “Philip was a longtime member of our Disney family. As we grieve his loss, we also offer our deepest sympathy to Philip’s family, friends and loved ones.”

This article comes to us from Sarah Tully at the OC Register.

Disney hiked the price of its annual two-day ticket deal for Southern California residents — a promotion that begins Sunday.

Southern California residents can pay $99 for two days at Disneyland Resort parks — Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. (The usual cost for a single-day, one-park pass is $76).

In recent years, Disney sold two-for-one park tickets to Southern California residents at the start of the year, roughly January to May, when attendance is down. Last year’s deal cost $72. Read about last year’s 2-for-1 Disney deal.

The new Southern California tickets do give more flexibility than the previous ones.

The old two-for-one deal required guests to go to one park on one day and the second park on another day. Both trips had to occur within 30 days of each other.

This year’s ticket can be used at either park — two visits at one park or one visit at each park. The two trips can happen any time between now and May 14.

“Our new offer gives local residents flexibility to choose which park, and a longer time period in which to visit,” said Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.

Click here to keep reading.

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This exciting news comes to us from Sarah Tully at the OC Register.

Disney California Adventure plans to temporarily close corridors, shut down stores and stop its parade as crews work on a major, $1 billion overhaul of the theme park.

Disney next year will start finishing major projects of the five-year, park makeover, which is set to be completed in 2012. New jobs are set to begin in early January, said John McClintock, a Disneyland Resort spokesman. Click on the photo to see a slideshow of before, during and after artwork of Disney California Adventure, as well as other changes.

The biggest project will come in the entrance area of the park, which will transform into Buena Vista Street — an area meant to look like Southern California when Walt Disney began his career here. The park’s entrance will move temporarily at the end of summer.

Pixar Play Parade is set to go on hiatus for most of the year as crews repave and close major corridors. Check the blog tomorrow for a story on entertainment changes in 2011.

Most attractions will remain open during the construction, McClintock said.

Click here to see the schedule of changes.

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This article comes to us from Sarah Tully at the OC Registers Around Disney Blog.

A high-tech, talking Mickey Mouse character will begin making regular appearances at Disney California Adventure as part of a new show.

This is the first time that the upgraded Mickey character, which has a moving mouth and blinking eyes, will routinely appear in front of visitors at Disneyland Resort. Mickey will play a central role in “Disney Dance Crew” that debuts Friday at California Adventure. Read a previous story about “Disney Dance Crew.”

Until now, the talking Mickey has only showed up on a limited basis at the Disneyland Resort.

In May, Disneyland tested out the talking Mickey, who greeted guests by name and had conversations, during meet-and-greet sessions. Read a previous story about the talking Mickey Mouse. Disney California Adventure also used the talking Mickey during the private premiere ceremony of “World of Color” in June. The talking Mickey already performs at Walt Disney World in the “Dream Along with Mickey” show.

Click here to keep reading.

Photo credit d23.com

Flynn’s Arcade, based on a scene from the Disney movie “Tron: Legacy,” opens at Disney California Adventure as part of ElecTRONica.

Photo credit ocregister.com

This article comes to us from the OC Register.

The Disneyland Hotel celebrated Tuesday the 55th anniversary of opening, which came about three months after the park began.

The venue was the first major hotel in Orange County, opening with just 104 rooms. Now, the hotel has 969 rooms and is owned by the Disney company.

Disney released a 1961 photo, showing the Monorail track that was expanded to take guests between the park and the hotel.

Click here to keep reading and for a very cool Birthday Cake photo.

This article comes from Sarah Tully at the OC Register.

Earlier this month, Disney shut down Pizza Oom Mow Mow restaurant, the S.S. Rustworthy play area and the Maliboomer ride to clear space for new restaurants and a dining area, said Michele Himmelberg, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman. Previously, the Burger Invasion restaurant closed nearby.

Crews recently erected construction walls around the venues on the west side of the theme park to begin construction.

The 800-seat dining area is part of a $1-billion renovation project at Disney California Adventure, which is transforming the Paradise Pier area into a 1920s beach-side play land reminiscent of when Walt Disney arrived in California.

When it opens next year, the area will include:

• Paradise Garden Grill, in the former space of Burger Invasion.
• Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta, where Pizza Oom Mow Mow used to be.
• A park area is slated to go where the Maliboomer ride sits. See a previous story about the Maliboomer closure.
• Corn Dog Castle, which closed last year, will re-open in the same spot.
• Seaside Souvenirs, next to the Corn Dog Castle.

Previous reports said that a beer garden would be part of the new dining area, but Disney only revealed information about the restaurants. “We don’t have anything to announce at this time,” Disney officials said in a prepared statement.

The construction of the dining area comes at the same time that other Disney California Adventure food stands closed.

Click here to keep reading.

This article comes to us from Sarah Tully from the OC Register.

Two Disney park rides are set to close Monday to undergo improvements.

Toy Story Mania in Disney California Adventure is set to close for more than a month to undergo routine rehabilitation, said John McClintock, a Disneyland Resort spokesman.

The interactive ride is expected to reopen Oct. 10.

Toy Story Mania, which opened in 2008, takes visitors in a carriage in front of a series of 4D video games based on the movie series. Disney does not plan to add new features or games during the closure, McClintock said.

In Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion will be shut down while crews install decorations for the seasonal Haunted Mansion Holiday. The ride is slated to reopen Sept. 17, the first day of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort.

Click here to keep reading.

This article comes to us from Sarah Tully at the OC Register

A caricature stand next month will temporarily take the place of a custom skateboard kiosk, which recently closed in Downtown Disney.

The Board Factory, which allowed visitors to design their own skateboards, closed Aug. 9 after about seven months. The large kiosk near the Monorail entrance opened in December around the holiday season.

“The diversity of carts and kiosks at Downtown Disney allows us the flexibility to provide our guests with unique experiences while testing new concepts,” said Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman, in a prepared statement. “We have enjoyed a positive relationship with The Board Factory and look forward to future opportunities to work together.”

Disney is looking for a permanent replacement, Sanchez said last week. In the meantime, caricature artists are scheduled to set up at the spot in early September.

Click here to keep reading.

Photo credit Sarah Tully

This interesting article comes to us from the OC Register.

Disneyland recently began selling wooden toy guns again, about nine years after pulling them off of store shelves.

Disney officials decided to resume sales of the toy guns, which are now orange and green, because of customers’ requests, said Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.

Disneyland had continued selling plastic guns, including space-like and pirate-themed ones, Sanchez said.

The new toys are big sellers, she said.“They are so incredible popular they often sell out,” Sanchez said.

She declined to reveal the number of guns sold.

Disney stopped selling the historic, 1800s-style guns in 2001 when California legislators passed a law requiring all toy guns to be brightly colored to avoid being mistaken for real weapons.

Click here to keep reading.

Photo credit Sarah Tully, Orange County Register

If you weren’t able to snag tickets to a showing of World of Color, then I’m sure you’re well aware of the glow-themed dance party happening in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Sarah Tully from the OC Register gave the inside scoop on the Around Disney blog.

If you loved Glow Fest, I bring sad news. If you disliked it, maybe this will better suit your fancy. Glow Fest is slated for its final party in the backlot on August 22, and performances in Sunshine Plaza will end after Labor Day weekend.

What is it that could be taking Glow Fest’s place? A performance based on the new “Tron: Legacy” film!

There is no confirmed date for the beginning of the Tron performances, but it is expected to make its debut in the fall.

Auditions for the new program are on Wednesday, August 11, in North Hollywood, CA. All information regarding auditions can be found here on the Disney Auditions website.

Interesting article from Sarah Tully at the OC Register.

Disneyland now is showing never-before-seen film footage of the park’s first five years.

Disney released the footage, which was “newly discovered,” as part of Disneyland’s 55th anniversary celebration on Saturday. See a story about Disneyland’s 55th anniversary.

A rare, color movie is appearing at the Main Street U.S.A. Cinema inside the park. The films are set to remain through Labor Day weekend, said Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.

An eight-minute color clip is showing on five screens inside the theater, Sanchez said. The footage includes park construction, original rides and closed attractions, including Nature’s Wonderland and the Mule Pack.

Click here to keep reading.

Source

Photo Mark Eades OC Regsiter

Sarah Tully at the Orange County Register shares with us some interesting news on the prices for Mickey’s Halloween Party in Disneyland.

The Disneyland Resort has more than doubled prices for its special Halloween trick-0r-treat parties since they started five years ago.

This year, the cost starts at $49 each for advanced tickets on most nights, but tickets can go up to $59 for Oct. 29 and 31 at Disneyland. In 2005, the prices began at $18 when the parties debuted at Disney California Adventure.

Last year, visitors paid as little as $32 for most nights.

Tickets to the general public go on sale Friday (today) for Mickey’s Halloween Party on the Disneyland.com website.

For the parties, all visitors must buy separate tickets to enter the park at night for trick-or-treat parties, which include candy stations, music and character visits. The events often sell out.

Click here to read more along with some new events coming your way!

About 325 union members and supporters protested in the Disneyland area about hotel employees’ ongoing contract dispute with Disney.

About 2,100 Disney hotel employees have worked without a contract for about two and a half years — a time period marked by dozens of protests, a one-day strike, walkouts, a week-long hunger strike and arrests. On Monday, union members from other Disney-area venues joined the protest as a way to send a message to their employers to avoid such turmoil during contract negotiations.

Together, the protesters were supposed to represent about 5,000 union members in the resort area.

“It is unfortunate that (the union) continues to focus its energy on protesting rather ensuring its members have the security of a contract,” said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman, in a prepared statement before the protest.

Monday’s protest coincided with Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game festivities, which are expected to draw about 200,000 people to the Disney area through Tuesday.

Some protesters wore Mickey Mouse masks with black eyes to represent that Disney is the black eye of Anaheim, said Leigh Shelton, a spokeswoman for the hotel union, Unite Here Local 11. Protests began in front of the Anaheim Convention Center and Paradise Pier Hotel in the Disneyland Resort then moved along Harbor Boulevard.

“We’re asking the other tourism employers to treat workers fairly and not be like Disney,” Shelton said.

Click here to keep reading this article from the OC Register.

The state recently eased up restrictions on Disney’s liquor license, making it simpler for the company to sell alcohol in more areas within Disney California Adventure.

The new rules allow the park to put up temporary bars and stands, such as the ones at the new nightly Glow Fest, without getting further permission from the state Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Previously, Disney had to get approval from the state every time the park added a new bar, said Dan Hart, the Alcoholic Beverage Control district administrator who is in charge of Orange County. Now, Disney officials can put up short-term serving spots whenever they wish.

Source

Another great article & video from The OC Register’s Around Disney Column:

Every night in the Roundhouse at the Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Railroad’s maintenance crew gives its steam engines and passenger cars a detailed inspection to keep them in top running shape.

By watching the way they do their jobs you can tell its more than just a job, its a passion.

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with the night shift in the Roundhouse and took my video camera with me.

Click here to keep reading this informative article.

Photo by Thomas Hawk via Flickr

This article comes to us from the OC Register:

Visitors are getting an early chance to ride a revamped swing attraction with a Mickey Mouse theme at Disney’s California Adventure.

The Silly Symphony Swings had a “soft opening” on Friday — two weeks before the official grand opening of the re-themed ride. A guest relations official said he was unsure if the ride would be open again Saturday.

Disney redid the swing ride as part of the $1 billion expansion and makeover of California Adventure.

The previous attraction, the Orange Stinger, also featured swings, but they were enclosed in a large, orange spiral casing. See a previous story about the Orange Stinger.

The new ride allows visitors to swing in the open air with a Mickey Mouse on top. The theme is based on the the first color Mickey Mouse cartoon, “The Band Concert,” from 1935.

On Friday, LaughingPlace.com posted a photo of Silly Symphony Swings and Twitter users wrote about the experience.

Silly Symphony Swings officially opens June 11 — the same day as the formal summer season begins and the World of Color light-and-water show debut.

The ride isn’t the only Disneyland Resort feature to return early for the summer: The Fantasmic! show and summer fireworks, called Magical, also came back Friday.

Click here to keep reading.

The Disneyland Resort is adding Marvel merchandise to its shelves — the first time that Marvel has appeared at the Anaheim property since Disney bought the comic-book powerhouse late last year.

The merchandise additions come as “Iron Man 2″ is set to open in theaters Friday (today), marking the first major Marvel movie release since the $4.3 billion acquisition was finalized Dec. 31.

For now, Disney is only selling the Marvel merchandise at D Street, a Downtown Disney store that offers edgier Disney products and other brands, including movie and rock-band T-shirts. The Marvel shirts are from the Junk Food label, which specializes in vintage and pop-culture designs. So, the D Street location is a “great place” to feature these kinds of products, said Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.

Disneyland officials have yet to determine if Marvel products will be sold elsewhere, including within the theme parks, Sanchez said.

Click here to keep reading.

The Disneyland Resort plans to give 3 percent raises annually to about 1,100 employees — including plasterers and machinists — over the next five years.

The Craft Maintenance Council, which represents employees from 13 unions, approved the agreement on the first vote — the first time it has done so in more than two decades, according to Disney.

“This is a great example of labor and management working collaboratively and cooperatively for the good of our (employees) to reach a fair and competitive agreement,” said Steve Eisenhardt, vice president of labor relations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in a prepared statement.

Jim Adams, the council’s chairman and chief negotiator, said the employees are happy with the agreement, which was approved swiftly.

“Any kind of increase in today’s economy is pretty good,” Adams said.

Disney has negotiated agreements with 11,100 workers in the past two years.

About 2,100 hotel employees, however, have worked without a contract for more than two years. Their union is opposed to joining Disney’s health plan, which requires employee payments. Workers pay nothing for the union-run program.

Disney and the hotel union are continuing with mediation, which began shortly after some members staged a hunger strike in February.

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