Susan Boyle, the former frumpy songbird from Scotland, has finally made her way to California and where did she go first? That's right, Disneyland. But unlike Rihanna, she didn't get too crazy with her ride choices.

TMZ snapped Boyle riding on the Dumbo ride, which is best known as a kiddie pleaser but is also an original ride from 1955 when the park first opened. TMZ also reports that Boyle enjoyed the revamped It's a Small World ride as well. Guess she's happy with those somewhat controversial renovations.

Boyle is set to sing her cover version of the Rolling Stones song, "Wild Horses," on the finale of America's Got Talent tomorrow night. Her debut album, "I Dream a Dream," will be released on November 23.

Related Stories
· Dumbo Ride, Disneyland [Official Site]
· Susan Boyle coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: 3am]]]> juliana 2009-09-15T09:28:53-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/14/81744/1127

While most were firmly planted on the couch watching Sunday’s football games, things were wrapping up at the D23 Expo in Anaheim. Disney hopes that this year’s expo—which is much like Comic Con for Disney fans—is just the first of many for years to come. If they announce as much as they did during this year’s edition, then we’ll definitely be intrigued year after year. However, we did know about a lot of their new projects already, including a revamp of the Star Tours attraction, thanks to the ol’ rumor mill.

One big surprise was to see Johnny Depp himself step onto the stage in full Captain Jack Sparrow regalia. He was in character and playfully going back and forth with one of the Disney suits on stage; he even commented about what poor Kermit the Frog tasted like. Depp was there to confirm that he will be returning in 2011 to star in the fourth edition of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. ]]> kjb 2009-09-15T09:03:53-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/4/8123/69395

Apparently the fact that the country is in a huge economic mess doesn’t seem to phase the suits at Disney. We understand that earnings were down this quarter compared to last year, and that you need more cash, but the ticket prices to your parks already cost a lot of money. Nonetheless, over the weekend the admission costs to Disneyland and Walt Disney World both went up by a few bucks, just like they have for the last couple of years.

If you have your heart set on heading to the mouse house in Florida this summer, a one-day ticket will now cost $79. This is an increase of $4 over the former rate, and once you add in the tax, you’re looking at well over $80 for a day with Mickey and friends. Like always, it pays to stay longer—they want to fatten you up on churros. The difference between a three day base ticket and a ten day base ticket is less than $30, but it will still cost you over $200 per person. ]]> kjb 2009-08-04T08:54:23-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/22/73648/1000

With Independence Day barely in the rear view mirror, another theme park is already prepping their offerings for Halloween. Hoping to build the excitement for the autumn amusement season, Disneyland in California has announced its plans for the spookiest of all holidays. Halloween Time will run from September 25 through November 1, just in time to take down all the pumpkins and put up all the Christmas trees.

Space Mountain will be getting a special holiday-themed overlay to spice things up for those looking to celebrate all things black and orange. The Ghost Galaxy idea premiered at Hong Kong Disneyland, but the folks in Anaheim will borrow this concept to add some new music and ghostly images to the walls of the roller coaster—sounds spooky awesome. ]]> kjb 2009-07-22T12:04:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/10/768/82849

When you visit Disneyland, you’re supposed to be immersed in the magic and theme, and not walking around wondering what’s behind each and every ride. Well the folks over at the OC Register probably have visited the theme park more times than most, and they wanted a closer look at what makes the Matterhorn tick.

For the ride’s fiftieth anniversary, they've managed to reveal much of the secret and inner workings of the park’s famous attraction. Did you know that the “mountain” rises to 147 feet above the park? That’s also where Tinkerbell “flies” off during her starring role in the nightly fireworks. There’s also a basketball court within the mountain, just in case Mickey and Minnie want to spend some time shooting hoops during their break.

In the 1990s the mountain was patched up to fill in the holes made for the Skyway attraction, which once dangled tourists above Disneyland from a wire. The bobsleds that twist and turn around the ride actually only use the bottom 80 feet of the Matterhorn, and the top is just a place to stick the engines that make the whole thing work. Finally, no matter how hard your scream, you’re still only going about 18 mph during your trip.

Related Stories:
·Matterhorn Turns 50 [OC Register]
·Rumors Confirmed! Star Tours 2 In The Works At Disneyland [Jaunted]
·Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Eccentric Scholar] ]]> kjb 2009-07-10T08:49:19-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/14/142524/566

It's apparently going to be a good summer for theme park rides and theme park ride rumors. After half a decade of teasing, it looks like the Star Tours attraction at Disneyland might finally get an face lift.

The simulator ride debuted at the Anaheim park's Tomorrowland all the way back on January 9, 1987. For the next decade and a half it was one of one of Disneyland's most popular attractions, with long lines that stretched well beyond the physical building.

Once visitors got inside they stood in line some more, albeit within the shinier and more entertaining environment of the mock spaceport. Finally they got to tour the galaxy with a lovable - if frustratingly incompetent - little android.]]> Omri 2009-05-14T17:31:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/5/17033/90324

Remember that time 10 years ago when you and your best friend visited an amusement and you had your picture taken just as the roller coaster you were on began its "death-defying" descent? And remember when you bought it afterwards and laughed so hard, not only your faces but the faces of the random people who were crowded in the log-shaped cart behind you?

Now just imagine if that memorable picture also featured someone flashing? Wouldn't it be even funnier?

Apparently, folk used to flash these roller-coaster ride cameras pretty frequently. So frequently that Disneyland used to employ a "ride photo moderator" to weed out the flashers and anyone else doing anything lewd. That way, when passengers queued up at the photo purchase booth near the ride's exit, they wouldn't be subjected to seeing these scandalous photos.

Ah yes, "used to" is the key word here a The OC Register reports that Disneyland has removed the ride photo moderator position because "actual inappropriate behaviors by guests are rare." However, a warning: photos will still be monitored lest you think this is now an opening to resume your ride flashing behavior.

Related Stories:
· Disney responds to “Flash” Mountain concerns in the blogoshpere [OC Register]

[Photo: Miss Shari] ]]> juliana 2009-05-05T17:04:26-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/