Pictures and comments by Brad Chowen from the parks.
Cartoon Reviews, Attraction and Restaurant Reviews from Disneyland, Disneyworld and just generally everything Disney
My Disney Facebook page is here
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As you exit Star Tours you enter into a
bunch of Star Wars merchandise.This has
always been the case for as long as I can remember---but the main section of
the Star Trader had always carried regular Disneyland Merchandise. When Disney bought Star Wars –Star Wars
merchandise slowing began to leak out into the main section of the shop.When I arrived to the parks the day before
Seasons of the Force –the invasion ofStar Wars merchandise had completely taken over the entire store. Force Awakenssignage and shirts and toys were
everywhere. It is like a Star Wars fans
dream with too many choices of cool Star Wars gear to choose from.Here is just a glimpse inside the store
Star Wars Land was finally been announced for Disneyland and
Disney Studios. Now we just have to wait for it to be built.(Where’s my Delorean when I need it) I'll talk about Star Wars Land itself in a different blog…… but in this blog I'd like to discuss what we will get until then. The
announcement of a Star Wars Land –was expected and is truly exciting –but just
makes us want to know more because the details are vague.I have always dreamed of a Star Wars
theme park and have discussed my ultimate vision for one years ago beforeDisney even boughtStar Wars.A full Star Wars theme park has always been a pipe dream---I’m just
thrilled that at least we are getting a land.
So wisely they have plans to give us more
Star Wars while we wait. Here are the 4
things we can look forward to in the near future……while we wait for Star Wars land to be built
1. Star Wars Launch Bay:Innoventions is going to basically have an entire floor dedicated to
Star Wars. News out of D23 and the Disney Parks Blog describes the
Launch Bay as an experience that will take guests into the Force Awakens with
exhibits and behind the scenes looks.It will have special merchandise andStar Wars characters.This is
exciting news!!! When I went to the Star
Wars Celebration earlier this year---I thoughtthat the Force Awakens exhibit should just make its way across the
street to Disneyland …..I guess Disney agrees and is bringing us an extra floor
full of Star Wars to the Innoventions building.No specific date was given for when this
will open.I would assume that it
will open right around when the film is going to come out in December.
2. Jedi Academy is getting updates.
Darth Maul will likely be replaced with one of the Villains from Season 2 of Rebels
This popular experience for young kids (that every Star Wars
fan my age wishes they could be a part of as well)will be getting an update that will feature
characters from the excellent Star Wars Rebels animated series.The second season of this show should be
hitting Disney XD sometime this fall.I
would assume the changes to the Jedi Academy will accompany that shows return.
3. A new adventure added toStar Tours:
The Disney Parks blog says " Later this year, Star Tour - The Adventure Continues will include a new adventure" It will supposedly feature locations and character from The Force Awakens. No specific date has been given, but this will most likely occur right around the release of the new film
4. Season of the
Force: This sounds like a Star Wars
versionof when Disneyland decorates for
the holidays. It is described as a new seasonal event that will start in early 2016. This is super exciting for the West Coast Disneyland Star Wars fans that have been begging for something like Star Wars weekends which occur every year in Orlando. Guests to the park during this event will get a taste of some special Star Wars entertainment that will include food locations and much more......The Disneyland version will include Hyperspace Mountain: a Star Wars Overlay to Space Mountain that will include effects and a John Williams soundtrack (Dream do come true). Why didn't they think of this earlier.
So while we patiently wait a couple of years for Star Wars Land to be built there is a lot to look forward to.
I’m a Disneyland Pass holder so if you have noticed I’ve trended in the direction of the California parks in this attraction battles so far.
This battle in my opinion there is a clear winner. Let’s take a look at the two castles.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle:
Disneyland’s Castle is a total icon.It is the first Castle and one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Disneyland’s castle uses forced perspective to make it look further away as you enter the park.It is a scaled down version of a castle. The castle opened in 1955 and was inspired by an actual castle in France.
Cinderella’s Castle:
When you have grown up visiting Disneyland’s castle and see the one at Disneyworld for the first time it is a shocking site.Disneyworld’s Castle is well a Castle.They had a lot more space when they built this castle and this time they went for wow factor.This castle is over 100 feet taller than its counterpart in Disneyland.
Disneyland’s castle has a walk through Sleeping Beauty attraction that features dioramas like those seen in the windows on Main Street – that tells the story of Sleeping Beauty.
Disneyworld’s castle has a restaurant and a dream suite. That is right people have actually been lucky enough to stay in Disneyworld’s Castle.
The Restaurant -known as Cinderella’s Royal Table is located on the second floor of the castle.I ate there over 15 years ago and it was a really cool experience that should be done on one of your visits to the park --if only so you can say you ate in the castle.
I had one goal on the way home from work on Friday.
That goal was to see the new Yeti from the Matterhorn at Disneyland. I had heard whispered rumors that a new Yeti had taken residence in the old Mountain and I had to see it for myself.
I remember back in the 1970's when I was a little kid and the first Yeti took up residence in this mountain. That commercial made me afraid to go on the attraction. In the commercial it looked like you went past a Yeti that was the size of Gozilla. When I went on the ride I broke out in laughter --because Harold the Yeti wasn't nearly as scary as the advertisement made him out to be. I have always loved the attraction despite the Yeti not being so scary.
I arrived at the park via Monorail and starting walking around
the outside of this mountain I saw evidence of his presence.
The Matterhorn was closed for awhile earlier this year --but reopened on May 22nd 2015 with a couple of new surprises.
New enhanced special effects that bring a renewed sense of excitement to a ride that has been around since 1959 and was the first tubular steel continuous track roller coaster.
The new effects include a projected image of the Yeti at the top of the hill that starts your ride. This effect and its use of sound are a really cool addition to this classic coaster ride. The ride also has enhanced sound effects for a section of the ride that goes through darkness that makes you feel like the new Yeti is breathing down your neck.
The new Yeti himself is a great addition to the ride. I will miss Harold (the old Yeti) --but his replacement is much more dynamic and full of energy and make this old coaster seem new again.
I foolishly attempted to get photographic evidence of this beast, but anyone who has seen the show "Finding Bigfoot" will know how difficult --capturing a Yeti on camera is.
I will keep scaling this Matterhorn in search of Adventure for years to come in search of this beast as it is still very much an E Ticket attraction.
For a look at the new Yeti and effects --Check out this Disney Parks Blog video.
