Jaunted

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Disney Parks Go Gaga for Gowalla

We talk a lot about the new travel deals that location-based social network Foursquare cooks up, but there are other players in that same game. For instance, Gowalla is their biggest competitor, and although the scales still tip very heavily in Foursquare's favor (explanation: we prefer 4sq because there's more international users = more tips, the design is better and we have no friends who use Gowalla), Gowalla is worth checking out for fun things like the Disney Parks partnership they just launched.

Disney teamed up with Gowalla to offer stamps for most attractions and pins for "trips" completed at their parks, specifically at Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida (sorry, Disneyland Paris and others). Gowalla users who check in at locations within the Disney parks will uncover these rewards, which just add to your other pins and stamps like virtual girl scout badges.

[Image: Gowalla, AboutFoursquare.com]

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Disneyland / Amusement Parks / China Travel / Shanghai Travel / Disney / Theme Parks / → All Tags

Mickey Sends His Passport in for More Pages in Advance of Shanghai Disneyland's Arrival

Way back in the not so distant past of 2009, we found out that Shanghai was on Mickey’s radar for his latest theme park. Fast forward about a year, and now it seems that Chinese officials have given the green light for Disney to bring its bulldozers into the country to prepare the foundation for the world’s newest Disneyland.

Sure there’s already a park in Hong Kong, but it seems that the biggest prize for Disney has always been to set up a place filled with rides, attractions, and gift shops somewhere within mainland China. After all, things in Hong Kong haven’t been crazy successful, so maybe they’re thinking it will be different away from the water.

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Mickey Mouse Flies WestJet This Month

If you’re looking to head down to visit Mickey and friends this month, you might want to think about hitching a ride with WestJet.

The airline that goes everywhere and anywhere within Canada is also pretty good about getting people to Orlando and Southern California, and they are planning something pretty special for those heading to Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

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Mickey Wants Your Money: Ticket Prices Go Up for Disney World and Disneyland

We cannot take responsibility for any nightmares you may have tonight involving Mickey or Minnie Mouse, but here's some bad news: ticket prices for Disney World and Disneyland are going up, and they're doing it tomorrow. The only upside is that the price hikes aren't very high, just a few dollars here and there, and that if you're currently holding a ticket bought at the old price, then you can use it until January 3.

Check out a few of the price hikes:

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Lasers, Lights, and Fire Await At Disney's World of Color

Things have been pretty busy at the theme park across the street from Disneyland, and thanks to all the bulldozers and construction equipment, Disney’s California Adventure is finally ready to reveal what’s been going on behind the scenes. After years of construction the park will debut debut one of the major features of its billion-dollar makeover, and maybe it will finally be worth the price of admission.

Disney’s World of Color has begun testing out its water jets, fountains, and screens of mist after hours at the park, and the official unveil is set to happen on June 11. The park is so excited about the new nighttime attraction that they’re throwing a party worthy of a major Hollywood release; however, we wouldn’t expect too many A-list stars.

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The Three Ultimate Theme Park Season Passes for 2010

The smell of overpriced fried foods is in the air, as theme parks across the country continue to open their gates for the 2010 season. Admission can be a little pricey, but if you plan your ticket purchases in advance you might be able to come out ahead. The best bet is to hit up as many parks as possible in order to take advantage of some of the new premium annual passes to hit the marketplace. That way the per park cost goes down, and we know everyone is all about some theme park economics. And so, without further ago:

The Top Three Ultimate Theme Park Passes for Summer 2010:

· Cedar Fair Platinum Pass
Cedar Fair owns a bunch of parks across the country, but their best known property has to be Cedar Point in Ohio. That park has the country’s largest collection of coasters, and none of them are to be missed. However, they do realize that variety is the spice of life, so that’s why there’s the 2010 Cedar Fair Platinum Pass. It gets you access to 14 parks across the US and Canada for only $160 per person. Best of all, the pass throws in free parking, so there’s no surprise when you drive up to the next place on your list. Both of the new Dale Earnhardt-themed coasters are included in the pass, but if you’re not into NASCAR, the full list of participating parks is right here.

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Easter Sunday Earthquake Sends Tourists Scurrying From Disneyland

When a 6.9-7.2 magnitude earthquake struck in southern California and Mexico yesterday, right in the middle of a beautiful Easter Sunday, the first thing that many did was turn to Twitter for instant-breaking news and commiseration. Among the tweets were pictures snapped by those on the scene in California, and the most compelling (aside from this huge crack on a Mexican street), was the above picture of the masses of merrymakers fleeing Disneyland in Anaheim.

Concerned for the safety of their guests, although not worried about structural collapse, Disneyland closed their park for a safety inspection before allowing people to return to having fun as usual. They announced via Twitter:

Disneyland has no reports of injury or damage following the earthquake. After a safety inspection, nearly all attractions are now operating.

Although mild aftershocks continued to roll through San Diego and up through the rest of California, none are expected to impact tourist sites...unless you're heading below the border to Mexicali, Mexico, where some houses have partially collapsed. The best thing to do is just keep an ear to the news and not plan any major skyscraper or treehouse excursions anytime soon.

Related Stories:
· @Disneyland [Twitter]
· Earthquake at Disneyland: What Happens When the Ground Shakes at 'The Happiest Place on Earth' [Examiner]
· Travel News [Jaunted]

[Photo: TwitPic/ms_kristin]

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Only Scrooge McDuck Can Afford the Disney 'Premier Passport' Ticket

Lately all our theme park excitement has been focused on Harry Potter and his Wizarding World, but there’s something new at Mickey’s house just down the street. Unfortunately it’s not a new roller coaster, ride, or attraction, but it is a new way to give Disney even more of your hard-earned cash.

If you’ve had a difficult time deciding between Walt Disney World and Disneyland, your troubles are now over. The Disney Premier Passport will sell for $700, and will grant you access to all the parks in Florida as well as in California. That means all the water parks, that DisneyQuest arcade thing, every theme park, and pretty much anything else that charges an admission fee is yours to visit. You can even get into the Disney Oak Trail golf course, but we’re thinking there’s some other fees for that one that will prevent us from overtaking Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour.

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Michael Jackson Is Making One Last Appearance At Disneyland

The biggest theme park news lately has been all about Harry Potter, but there’s something else pretty interesting ready to reappear at Disneyland. Captain EO, the snazzy laser-filled 3D movie starring Michael Jackson, is set to return to Tomorrowland sometime this month. We knew it was coming since late last year, but it seems that sneak peeks of the retro attraction might begin any day now.

Apparently testing is already underway as Disneyland employees were invited to check out the attraction last week. An email was sent out to Disney cast members—that’s Mickey Mouse language for employees—describing the testing involved with the movie’s return. Of course they requested that all the secrets of the attraction remain hush-hush, but it looks like someone immediately leaked the email. We’re all for sharing a few secrets among friends, because that’s pretty much why the Internet was invented.

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Vintage Disneyland Photographs Reveal the Evolution of Cuteness

There's something comforting about these vintage pictures of Disneyland from the fifties and sixties, which evoke a carefree era when father knew best and more doctors smoked Camels than any other cigarette. The park opened in Anaheim, California in 1955, blending classic Americana with future modernism and fantasy, and it defined the idea of the family vacation for years to come.

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Susan Boyle Trades 'Wild Horses' For Flying Elephants

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]

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Disney Expo Surprises Include Johnny Depp And New Rides

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.

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