5/09/2008 at 9:30 AM
Tags: Disneyland, China Travel, Theme Parks, Attractions, Disney (all tags)
In the eternal struggle to make Hong Kong's Disneyland pay its way, the park has just opened the Hong Kong version of the classic It's A Small World ride.
Small World's been having a tricky year, with alterations planned for the original in California, possibly to accommodate fatter passengers. In Hong Kong, they're hoping that the world-peace style message of the ride will bring in a few more customers.
The Hong Kong version has a couple of unique features--those new Disney dolls are there--but the most significant is that four new languages have been added to that never-ending, high-pitched singing. Now you get Cantonese, Putonghua, Tagalog and Korean versions as well. We'll see if that brings the crowds in.
Related Stories:
· Hong Kong Disneyland Launches Classic Attraction [The Star]
· Disneyland's Small World Ride to Get Some Changes [Jaunted]
· Year of Mickey Mouse in a Mao Suit [Jaunted]
[Photo: jimmiehomeschoolmom]
by amandak
4/22/2008 at 9:15 AM
Tags: Disneyland, Disney, Japan Travel, Theme Parks (all tags)
Happy belated birthday to Tokyo's very own Disneyland, which turned 25 last week. In a country where even grown women are allowed to go manic about Mickey, Tokyo Disneyland has long been attracting Japanese visitors, many of whom go dozens or even hundreds of times throughout their lives.
But the bosses of Tokyo Disneyland can see change coming. Japan's aging population means there will be fewer and fewer visitors for Disneyland, so they're looking further afield to keep their company going strong. Various sites in Southeast Asia are in the shortlist at the moment so you never know where the culture of Disney will strike next.
In the meantime, Tokyo Disneyland is adjusting for its elderly customers. They've started a special "Flowers and Trees Tour" because that's what gray-haired Japanese like to look at, and some of their current special packages focus on couples in their 60s. Perhaps they'll even let Mickey go gray?
Related Stories:
· Magic Goes On, Tokyo Disneyland 25 [AFP]
· Tokyo Offers Free Pizza to Pensioners [Independent]
· Disneyland coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: aida]
by amandak
4/16/2008 at 5:15 PM
Tags: Disneyland, Disney, Theme Parks, Attractions (all tags)
The folks over at Disney are going to be tinkering with the original Small World ride at Disneyland and that has some Disney fans pissed.
Disneyland is going to alter the ride, which was created by Mary Blair in 1964, to incorporate stylized Disney characters like Alice in Wonderland and Lilo and Stich. Yeah, we know. Blasphemy
The family of Blair penned an open letter to Disney execs criticizing their decision to alter the 14-minute ride. And more Disney fans have been hitting the blogs protesting the renovation. But the Disney execs have struck back too, saying that Walt Disney never meant for his theme park rides to remain static. It gets a little confusing to follow, but the Daily Travel & Deal blog is chronicling every step of the fight.
Even TMZ is jumping on the bandwagon saying that Disney is only changing the ride because too many fat people are on it, causing the ride to get stuck and thus having passengers escorted to dry land. This could possibly be true, but it was on TMZ.
Related Stories:
· Disney Fires Another Salvo at Small World Fans [LAT]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Yeoh_Ts]
by juliana
3/24/2008 at 1:30 PM
Tags: Disney World, Disney, Orlando, Dangerous Travel, Crime (all tags)
When a Disney World restaurant announced it would ban kids under a certain age, some rebelled against the idea that there could be adult zones of a child-oriented place. But given this week's tale of "line rage," maybe it's best to keep your children at home: Alabama resident Victoria Walker faces up to 15 years in prison for allegedly kicking and beating a woman in line for the Mad Tea Party ride in the Magic Kingdom.
Walker and victim Aimee Krause were both waiting in line for the Mad Tea Party ride last year when, according to Walker, Krause tried to cut the line. Krause is considering filing suit against Disney security, who she says delayed calling in the local police to take witness statements at the scene. Thank goodness they weren't armed.
Related Stories:
· Woman Charged With "Line Rage" Beating At Disney World [FOX News]
· Mickey, Don't Take Your Guns to Town [Jaunted]
· Adventures of Link: Disney Restaurant Bans Kids, Thrills Parents [Jaunted]
[Photo: jpetraliax]
by egw
2/29/2008 at 9:30 AM
Tags: Disney, Disneyland, Australia Travel (all tags)
We really should be placing bets on where the next Disneyland is going to spring up. Despite the problems in Hong Kong, there was that talk of a Disneyland development in Malaysia, and the latest rumors are about stalled discussions on some kind of Disney product hitting Sydney.
The state government of New South Wales in Australia has just revealed that they've been in discussions with the Walt Disney Company about redeveloping an area of Sydney known as White Bay, near the Anzac Bridge. That's pretty much all they're saying at the moment, although the Sydney Chamber of Commerce people figured a Disneyland would be a "wonderful opportunity for Sydney."
We're not at all sure Australia needs a Disneyland. It's already filled up with koalas, kangaroos and snakes, so there might be no space left for Mickey. And they'd probably want to fill the snack shops with all that weird Aussie food.
Related Stories:
· Disney Considered Plans for Sydney [SMH]
· Disneyland Drama Expands to Malaysia [Jaunted]
· We Love Us Some Aussie Cake [Jaunted]
[Photo: No Middle Name]
by amandak
1/08/2008 at 5:01 PM
Tags: Disney World, Disney, Restaurants, Chris Elliott (all tags)
Tired of kids ruining your Disney World vacations? You're in luck! Tireless consumer advocate Chris Elliott, who visits Disney, like, all the time, says Victoria & Albert's restaurant will stop letting in tots under 10.
But rather than give knee-jerk criticism, Elliott realizes that this is actually a great move by Disney, which gets plenty of adult guests along with all those kids:
I've been to Victoria & Albert's, and it's a first-rate, five-diamond establishment where men are required to wear jackets and women must wear dresses or pantsuits...Saying "no" to kiddies isn't such a bad idea. After all, the adults need their own playground, too.
Related Stories:
· Victoria & Albert's [Official Site]
· WDW's Swankiest Restaurant Bans Kids [Orlando Sentinel]
· Kiddies Verboten at Disney World Restaurant [Elliott.org]
· Disney World Restaurant Bans Children [AP, via Google]
· Disney Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Vortech]
by pbb
1/07/2008 at 9:45 AM
Tags: Theme Parks, Disneyland, Disney, Monuments (all tags)
Ever heard of the city of Vung Tau in Vietnam? We haven't, despite being big fans of the country, but it sounds like it's the up and coming destination of Vietnam tourism.
Situated in the south of the country, just over an hour's ride by hydrofoil from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is the site of a lot of recent investment, most notably a $300 million resort that's currently under construction. It will include hotels, shopping and sailing facilities, and a large aquarium will be built nearby.
Not yet approved, however, is the plan to build a theme park in Vung Tau that will be modeled on Disneyland. How closely it's going to be modeled on Disneyland--and if the Disney guys are happy about that--is not yet publicly known, but one departure will be a "Wonders of the World" section with replica Eiffel Tower, Golden Gate Bridge and Pyramids. Hopefully not exact replicas, or they might have to pay Egypt royalties.
Related Stories:
· Vietnam Plans to Launch Disney-esque Amusement Park [eTravel]
· Egypt's Pyramid Scheme [Jaunted]
· Vietnam Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: ghwpix]
by amandak
12/18/2007 at 2:00 PM
Tags: Nicolas Sarkozy, Carla Bruni, Disney, Disneyland, Christmas, Theme Parks (all tags)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy just divorced his wife two months ago--but that isn't stopping him from enjoying Disneyland Paris without a lovely companion. Sarko was spotted at the theme park, just outside the city, with Carla Bruni, a former model and present-day singer-songwriter who's been linked to Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton.
The pair were on hand to take in Euro Disney's Christmas Parade, which continues until January 6. Also on tap for Christmas at the park is Mickey's Winter Wonderland, a kid-friendly musical production, and Belle's Christmas Village, a Disney-approved holiday fair like the ones you find throughout Europe.
Oh, and unlike Sarkozy, Disneyland Paris is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year!
Related Stories:
· Disneyland Paris [Official Site]
· Nicolas Sarkozy coverage [Jaunted]
· France Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: AP Photo/Francois Mori]
by pbb
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