D23 Expo: Upcoming changes for the Disney Parks and Resorts

I do not normally do the same type of blog that all the other Disney Bloggers seem to do. This is the exception. I saw some information that was going out that wasn't what was said when I listened to the 30 minute feed twice.

Fantasyland at Walt Disney World is getting revamped. Back behind the area that we know they have already started work. There will be settings for Sleeping Beauty (Aurora), Cinderella, Ariel (The Little Mermaid) and Belle. I am so looking forward to Belle! There will be a new dining area there, "Be Our Guest" I believe is the table service and Gaston's pub will be counter service. They will move the current Storytime with Belle into this area with a change to it. There will be a ride for Ariel (reminded me of Finding Nemo in Epcot). And finally, Pixie Hallow is going to much more than it already is at Toon Town.

Disney Cruise Line had some changes. I thought they said 2 places for new places to see, but only heard Alaska. The Wonder will be permanently moved to the West coast. The 2 new ships, Dream and Fantasy, will be coming soon. Castaway Key is getting some changes too. They did show a little bit of the DVC resort in Hawaii.

I know I have said Tokyo when talking about Adventurer's Club... and I do not know why I keep doing that... but rumor is that after I go to an event there (with 2 others follow the next 2 nights) the AC is being packed up and moved to Hong Kong. Well, now I believe it even more. At DLHK they are adding a new land, a frontier type land, called Grizzly Trails. There is going to be a roller coaster type ride with a mix of California Screamin' and Expedition Everest with added details in all their coasters.

Finally, the AC link. There is going to be a Haunted Mansion type ride that has a interactive part so you never get the same ride twice. It's called Mystic Point and has a theme about a man's adventures and a monkey. This is why I see everything being packed up now at the AC. How sad we lose this great attraction... just because they want to use the props there.

The expansion at DL California Adventure is going on. The World of Color nighttime spectacular is coming along with new boats/barges that look very colorful. They are opening a new land: car Land, that takes you to Radiator Springs. There will be a ride there that is a play on Test Track from the appearance of the mock up. And in Oct 2010, StarTours will be closing at DL for a revamp, that will reopen in 2011. At the announcement, this was only said for the DL resort. Yes, I do eventually see that changing at DHS, but it wasn't announced at that time. Maybe someone asked after the fact, but why would they not say both with all the news????????

Disney Twenty-three

Today I got my lithograph print from D23. I had already seen a picture of this from Joe and some other bloggers that had posted about it. I love it! I am going to get a custome frame for it. Why not? Get it matted and have a pocket on the back for the certificate. May put the letter in it too. Not sure where I will hang it though. Limited space under the current circumstances, that and waiting to redo the one room at house.

I had planned to join D23 when it opened. Joe had done some research a few weeks (month?) before the announcement and found items that Disney had applied for patents for, etc. Unfortunately, on the day of the announcement, I wanted to make sure some other obligations didn't get out of hand. Thankfully, all worked out as planned and two days later, I was 23 also. I doubt that I will regret this investment and am sure I will continue it after the year is up. I had wanted to get the Tinkerbell Charter Member pin, but forgot about it.

I haven't gotten my magazine yet though... not sure what else may come... but looking forward to it!

My Disney Addiction

I was introduced to the joy and wonders of Disney as a child. I remember watching it on television at night with my older sisters and parents. We moved to Florida in 1972 and that was my first trip to the World. That was when it was just the Magic Kingdom. Where you got actual tickets for the rides. They were lettered and certain rides were certain lettered rides. I think we went 3 times in the 3 years we lived in Florida (that time). At some point I got a Disney Long Playing (Yes, LP) Storybook album. It was Robin Hood. I still know all the words to that. I also have one still for Black Beauty that Disney did. There were also some other LPs and small story book albums that were 45's.

When we moved back to Florida (to the same area, 4 hours away), I got to Disney maybe 3-4 times. Then we moved to North Florida. 90 minutes away from my happy place... okay, OUR happy place!

Since moving so close... I have gotten to WDW at least 100 times in 17 years. Nice to go for just a day... couple hours... weekend. To meet up with old friends, some for the first time, some for their first trip ever. To run away from the madness of my world at home! (Don't get me wrong, life isn't bad AT all, but a dose of Mickey does great for one's mental health).

I got to become an Annual Passholder, and eventually, bought into the DVC. I am also a PROUD member of the D23. I just got my card the other day. I am waiting for all the other good things to come. I was in the old Disney Magazine (next to last issue), am a subscriber to Celebrations Magazine and eagerly awaiting the next issue (April/May 2009). I have something posted on my private blog that I will move here eventually.

I will also note for you all that the info here is from my point of view and my experience. There is a chance I may have some wrong info. I admit, to others astonishment, that I am not perfect. LOL If I have some bad info, I apologize.

(Note about the Disney Tunes: yes, I know Anastasia wasn't a Disney Movie... but I love it all the same.)