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Christmas Coming To Disneyland Early

November 10, 2008 at 9:15 AM | 0 Comments

Fear not, Tiny Tim: Christmas is coming to Disneyland even if the bank repossesses all of Disney's coal on Christmas Eve. The Jonas Brothers--aka What The Kids Are Listening To These Days--get caught taping the Disneyland Christmas Day Parade

Christmas will continue for Disney, but will anyone be there to see it? Stock plummeted Friday after CEO Robert Iger announced that earnings were down at the American entertainment juggernaut. Maybe the company's hoping that "staycating" families will chip in and subscribe to Disney on cable once they've seen the JoBro and Miley Cyrus gallivanting about for an early Christmas.

Related Stories:
· Old Celeb Travel: MTV's VMA Moon Man Turns 25 [Jaunted]
· The Jonas Brothers Hit Up The Bryant Park Hotel [HC]
· Disney Shares Fall After Iger Says Theme-Park Bookings Decline [Bloomberg]
· As Disney Goes, So Goes The Nation [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Just Jared]

Exteme Makeover Travel: Disney Theme Park Edition

October 17, 2008 at 10:02 AM | 0 Comments

Next door to Disneyland is Disney's California Adventure. It's been around for awhile, but has really never caught on with tourists--or locals. Critics have often been quick to call-out its shortcomings and criticize where Disney officials cut corners and wasted money.

But Disney flung open the doors on the new preview center at the park this week so everyone could check out what's to come.

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Theme Parks Travel: Celebrate Your Birthday with Mickey... For Free

September 19, 2008 at 11:30 AM | 0 Comments

If the recent price hikes at Disney World have put the brakes on your trip to see Mickey and his posse, then we have some good news. As part of the park's 2009 "What will you celebrate?" promotion, the park is handing out free one-day, one-park tickets to either Disneyland or Disney World on your birthday. Just show your ID at the gates on your birthday and you'll be good to go.

Although for a family of four, a one-ticket discount doesn't represent a significant discount, it might be just the thing to give attendance a boost. Regardless of how you feel about the "deal," it's certainly better than nothing.

So far this promotion is only available at the Disney parks in the US. Too bad, as a little freebie promotion could definitely help one overseas park in particular.

Related Stories:
· Coming Soon: Free Admission to Disney on your Birthday [BT]
· Free on Your Birthday-What Will You Celebrate? [Official Site]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of an excited Donald Duck: Savannah Grandfather]

Disneyland Travel: Hong Kong Gets Aggressive

September 12, 2008 at 9:00 AM | 3 Comments

Pretty much every time we mention the Hong Kong edition of Disneyland we're telling you about its miserable visitor numbers and general failure to excite the people of the region. Today Hong Kong Disneyland turns three and we're here to tell you: It's still got miserable visitor numbers.

To be perfectly honest, we're not sure if the numbers are that bad--but the fact that they're now keeping them secret isn't a good sign. However, Hong Kong Disneyland now has a new managing director and a new strategy: Aggressively attacking the Chinese market.

New MD Andrew Kam has spent years selling Coca-Cola to the Chinese so convincing them that Disneyland is for them sounds right down his alley. It's probably a good thing he's focusing on that market, because as for us, we're not the slightest bit interested in checking out the Hong Kong version of Mickey. Even if it is his birthday.

Related Stories:
· New HK Disneyland Director Sees Aggressive Growth [IHT]
· Unhappy Birthday to Hong Kong Disneyland [Jaunted]
· Mickey and Hong Kong Don't Mix [Jaunted]

[Photo: coconut wireless]

Miley Cyrus Planning Sweet 16 at Disneyland

August 21, 2008 at 4:25 PM | 0 Comments

Mark your calendars, tweens! Miley Cyrus is selling tickets to her birthday bash at Disneyland for $250 a pop, starting at noon (Eastern) on August 30, though exactly *where* you can buy 'em hasn't yet been revealed.

The sheet-wearing sensation tells ET that she plans to have the rides in full effect:

It's gonna be an awesome party with more than seven things I like!

She'll also be sharing the spotlight with some youngsters from Youth Service America to up the feel-good quotient. Miley's actual birthday is November 23, but ET says the party is scheduled for October 5.

Related Stories:
· Miley Cyrus' Sweet 16 at Disneyland [ET]
· Miley Cyrus Selling $250 Tickets to Her Sweet 16 [US Weekly]
· Miley Cyrus coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: PopCrunch]

Theme Parks Travel: It'll Cost You!

August 7, 2008 at 10:15 AM | 0 Comments

This past weekend, Disney raised prices at both Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. At the World, a one-day ticket will now set you back $75--almost $80 when you include the tax. (The price is up $4.) A similar ticket to the California park is now going for $69, but at least there's no tax.

Not to be outdone, Universal Studios Orlando matched the pricing in an update on Wednesday. Through a statement by Michael Lewellen, Universal VP for public relations, we learned that the price increase was due to the addition of new attractions like The Simpsons Ride, the new Harry Potter world, and the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster coming in 2009. He also admitted that the increase might have had something to do with a jump in ticket prices at Disney.

As of now SeaWorld Orlando is holding steady right under $70 a day, but it's looking likely that they'll get in on the fun as well. If this is going to break the bank for your next theme park vacation, you may want to look for a ticket broker. Often they buy tickets in bulk and may have some of the previous tickets left for sale. Every little bit helps!

Related Stories:
· Universal Keeps Pace with Disney and Raises Ticket Price to $75 [Orlando Sentinel]
· The Blankety-Blanks at Disney Have Done It Again [Arthur Frommer]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: graciepoo]

Theme Parks Travel: Time for Mickey to Apply for Another Visa

July 31, 2008 at 9:45 AM | 0 Comments

With things a little less certain at home, the Walt Disney Company is again looking overseas for ideas to fill up the piggy bank. Clearly, their three current parks in Asia aren't enough: We may only be weeks away from an announcement involving the mouse and China.

The joint venture between the Chinese government and Disney would provide the opportunity to bypass foreign film regulations and pretty much let Mickey run the show. The agreement would also allow Disney to operate in China with limited competition. In addition to all the media opportunities, there'd of course be another Disneyland, this time in Shanghai, close to Pudong International Airport.

Supposedly things are pretty close to happening, although any announcements will be held until after the Olympics. As recently as March the Mayor of Shanghai said that the city had applied to China's top economic planning department for approval to build a theme park in the city. Planning your around-the-world Disney itinerary is about to get even more complicated!

Related Stories:
· Disney Shanghai Park Could Involve Media Deal [Reuters]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: arsene]

One Track Travel: Take a Spin on Mickey's New Ride

July 11, 2008 at 9:30 AM | 0 Comments

It's certainly not a complete renovation of Space Mountain, but nonetheless, it's pretty noteworthy. After months of delays and countless modifications, the latest version of the Disneyland Monorail is set to take guests for a ride.

Constructed away from the Disneyland Resort, the monorail was doomed on arrival. It seemed that there was some miscommunication between two sets of engineers, as the train didn't fit too well on the track. Then there were scratches, screeches and no air conditioning--not exactly a welcome addition in Southern California. But now it's ready for action.

The "soft opening" began last week, which means you usually have to be in the right place at the right time to take a ride on this retro-inspired beauty. However, if you do get a chance to see it in action, ask to take a ride in the front where you can hit up the pilot for the answers to all your monorailing questions.

Related Stories:
·Disneyland Monorail Red Debuts Tonight [LAT]
·Disney coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: uncatigger]

Expensive Gas Travel: California Tourism Seeing Ups and Downs

July 10, 2008 at 6:02 PM | 0 Comments

Costa Mesa, California is so quiet these days that the city's tourism bureau is giving out $25 dining coupons and $25 gas credits for every night visitors stay. Stay three nights and you'll get $50 for gas. One local hotel exec even says $100 vouchers aren't far off.

The California Travel & Tourism Commision says thats a symptom of a nation-wide cutback in travel, though a recent survey on travel habits revealed that only 40 percent of people would change their summer plans because of gas prices. Instead, they're traveling, just closer to home, which in SoCal means heading to Disneyland.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the theme park is sucking up plenty of business thanks to expensive gas, but the company doesn't divulge attendance figures. Also undoubtedly taking advantage of Disney this summer? European tourists, drunk off the power of their euros.

Related Stories:
· Why Disneyland Is Thriving In Rough Economy [NPR]
· Disney coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: fictures]

Craving Spain? Try Hong Kong

July 3, 2008 at 9:30 AM | 0 Comments

Hong Kong might not mix that so perfectly with American culture, if the problems at the local Disneyland are anything to go by. But apparently the people of Hong Kong are more excited about all things Spanish.

Places like the Ole Restaurant doing big business these days. One of the reasons is that Spanish wine is relatively cheap in Hong Kong, but we're sure there's a bit more to it than that.

Flamenco dancing is also a hit, with lots of color and energy. We figure just put Mickey into a flamenco costume and Hong Kong Disneyland could find its way back into the public's good books.

Related Stories:
· Ole! Hong Kong Embraces Spanish Culture [Reuters]
· Unhappy Birthday to Hong Kong Disneyland [Jaunted]
· Hong Kong Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Adam Blicharski]

Television Travel: Speidi's Love Which Will Not Die

June 5, 2008 at 1:30 PM | 1 Comment

Did you know according to recent reports, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag have made some $3 million jointly from the sale of fake staged photos like this one? The on-and-off couple took Spencer's nieces to Cinderella's Castle and Splash Mountain complete with matching mouse ears.

(Aren't you glad you're catching up on their staged photo op at Disneyland for free on the Internet instead of shelling out to catch a glimpse of Heidi's "I Want More Privacy" T-shirt?)

"The Hills" is filming now and is slated to return in August 2008. Anyone else notice that the seasons are getting longer and closer together? It's like their lives don't count unless we can make fun of them!

Related Stories:
· The Hills coverage [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: A Socialite's Life]

New in California: Roller Coasters, Rides and Robots

June 3, 2008 at 11:15 AM | 0 Comments

Though Florida pretends to be a mecca for theme park lovers, California is really where ride junkies should get their fix this summer. In addition to The Simpsons Ride, this year brings a lot of new goodies to the table.

First up is Six Flags Magic Mountain, which just finished a major $10 million renovation of the famous coaster X. Now known as X2, the ride features updated trains and fresh audio and visual effects. Riders spin 360 degrees in their seats while making the journey along a 36,000-foot track. This one should clearly be done early in the day, before the hot dogs and cotton candy.

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