Friday, July 10, 2015

A Walk in the Park: Disneyland Edition - Summertime at Disneyland

By Daisy Sparks



Hello, Disney Avenue! Summer is here, people are on vacation, and they all seem to be at Disneyland. I have a little bit of everything to share with you this week for our “Walk in the Park" so we better not waste a single second. Continue after the page break and let's go enjoy the magic of Disneyland...



 
 
 
 

As the big birthday week approaches, most things are in place. I think that the big May 22nd 24-hour party that served as the official kickoff to the 60th Diamond Celebration, was the BIG BIRTHDAY bash. Three new night time shows premiered last month (Disneyland Forever - Fireworks, Paint the Night - Parade, and World of Color: Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney). Most of the 60th Diamond merchandise was made available at that time. A Couple of the Enchanted Windows on Main Street have also been unveiled. Attractions that have been “plussed” like Haunted Mansion and the Matterhorn have all been operating since May.

Last week, Disney Parks Blog announced that for July 17th, the actual birthday of Disneyland, they are encouraging Guests to come to the Park in their best 1955-style outfits. I am sure that it will be a very well dapper crowd that will show up. It will be fun to see everyone show their Disney Side - 1955 Opening Day style.

On July 1st, Peter Pan’s Flight attraction was finally unveiled after an extensive rehab that included being “plussed up” for the Diamond Celebration. It’s always been a Guest favorite with this particular ride having one of the longest lines most of the day even before it was redone. Most everyone is excited to be able to fly off to Neverland again as you can see in these following photos.












They actually close off Fantasyland during the fireworks so you cannot access Peter Pan’s Flight. My family and I immediately made our way to Peter Pan’s Flight after fireworks the other night and the wait time was still about 45 minutes. The attraction does look fresh, cleaner and spiffy. The new enhancements give it a little more pixie dust. It’s pretty good when you think that this particular attraction had been unchanged since 1983.

A corner of Tomorrowland remains a bit sad. Although Innoventions is gone, the popularity and demand for Marvel continues. There is a make-shift meet and greet for Marvel characters such as Thor and Captain America. The the nearby store, “Tomorrow Landing,” Ant-Man merchandise has made its way to Disneyland. You can also find an assortment of Marvel apparel, pins, and hats at this location.












On a side note, you can view an extended Ant-Man trailer over at Disney California Adventure over at the Bug’s Life Theater.














The wall around Innoventions has some Tomorrowland (from the movie) theming on it. The Marvel banners remain. Over at the Magic Eye Theater, the Tomorrowland movie trailer as disappeared and who knows what will come next. They really should just show Marvel or Star Wars movies in there all day. People would go sit in there for a couple hours to watch their favorite Marvel or Star Wars movie. There is a generation that has never even seen the Star Wars Episode IV, V, VI on a big screen.












Back in April, Disney Parks Blog announced that there would be special Diamond Celebration Penny Press machines throughout the resort. When they first debuted, demand was very high and many machines broke down as it could not handle the traffic.












A lot of the machines are themed to the location that they can be found in. These Penny Press machines are found in as the exit of the Opera House. You can get a pressed penny that represents the different lands. You can also find a Diamond Press here that requires a nickel instead of a penny so you end up with a silver pressed coin.




















You can go HERE to download a map that also doubles a checklist to collect your commemorative pennies. It’s kind of a fun scavenger hunt and you end up with a special keepsake. If you visit City Hall, you can also ask for the official Penny Press map that is a nice memento as well.

Finally, this new month meant the enforcement of the “no selfie stick” rule at all Disney Parks. Pamphlets that have multi languages translations are distributed at all parking locations. There are signs before you enter through security. If security does confiscate a selfie-stick, a Guest is given a yellow pick-up slip to pick up their item at the end of the night from Lost and Found. However, “Folding tripod stands or monopod stands that can fit inside a standard backpack are permitted.”










Everyone is getting pretty excited about the Diamond Celebration. They haven’t officially announced how long it will be or when it will end. I hope you are able to make it to Disneyland during the Diamond year or at least come back every other week for my next post, “A Walk In the Park: Disneyland Edition.”








Happy 60th, Disneyland!

-Daisy




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Daisy Sparks grew up in Southern California and Disneyland was a regular part of her life. While in college, she started working at Disneyland as a Main Street Merchandise Host. Her "college job" led to 12 adventurous years working with Mickey Mouse. She was a trained Magic Demonstrator, Hat Writer and was even signed off as a Disneyland Monorail Ride Operator. Daisy loved every minute of it while she held various management positions in Merchandise, Business Operations and Attractions. 

Daisy is married to her college sweetheart, David (a former Jungle Cruise Skipper). David solicited Daisy's Duck's help in memorable engagement proposal that took place at Disneyland's Club 33. Daisy left Disneyland in May 2001 to raise her two daughters. She continues to visit the Disneyland Resort multiple times a week as a Guest. Daisy particularly loves the Disneyland heritage because of all of the little details and stories that make it "the happiest place on earth."

You can read more about Daisy's Disneyland adventures over on her personal blog at DisneyDaze .

You can find all of Daisy's articles here.
 
 
 



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