home > Disneyland Resort > Pictures > Thursday, May 21, 2015

This page is to help you quickly jump through this picture set. Below you will see a listing of the pages and the captions on that page.

  • Page Number: 1
    Arrived at the Disneyland Resort just before 9am to start my second day of three this week.
    Another look a the Diamond Celebration decorations on the entrance.
    A new exhibit opening in the Disney Gallery.
  • Page Number: 2
    The Omnibus arriving in Town Square
    Noticed a diamond on it even...
    A closer look.
  • Page Number: 3
    Today there was a lot of media and filming going on around the parks. Here is a location on the Main Street Train Station.
    In Town Square a show called the Social was broadcasting live.
  • Page Number: 4
    Blue everywhere for the anniversary
    Another view of the Social
    The windows of the Emporium have not been completed yet.
  • Page Number: 5
    Main Street USA
    Mickey and the gang waiting to join the TV broadcast. They all had their new 60th outfits on.
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    Stopped by the Disney Showcase which has a large assortment of 60th Anniversary merchandise.
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    Thought this was interesting.. the chocolate was on display in a glass box. It was $64.95.
  • Page Number: 10
    The characters were still waiting when I returned to the street.
    A check of the waits at 9:23am Noteworthy that Space and Indy were both down.
    The roof of Tropical Imports looks to be done. From down here you cannot really see any changes.
  • Page Number: 11
    The Jungle Cruise was also closed right now.
  • Page Number: 12
    New Orleans Square was relatively quiet. Pirates was open..
    The Haunted Mansion... my destination.
    Since it was a walk on I skipped FastPass.
  • Page Number: 13
    The Hatbox Ghost has rematerialized inside the Haunted Mansion. He is as you exit the attic right before descending to the graveyard. Here is my first attempt at capturing the Hatbox Ghost.
    I swear we sped up when we approached the area...
    Since my shots did not come out that well.. here is some video Disney released of the Hatbox Ghost.
  • Page Number: 14
    Walked through and grabbed a FastPass for later just in case I wanted to go a second time.
    Walked through New Orleans Square. There are new Pandora charms for the 60th.
    Here are the three choices.
  • Page Number: 15
    Took the Railroad around to Toontown. The last section of the Small World Facade work appears to be done (this is where the small fire was months ago)
    A closer look.
  • Page Number: 16
    No wait this morning at the Matterhorn Photo Op.
    As I mentioned yesterday this is the first of 6. The other three announced ones are Big Thunder, Screamin, and Grizzly Peak. The last two have not been announced yet but all will be up before July 17th.
    Walking by Buzz Lightyear and its new color scheme.. still sticks out to me.
  • Page Number: 17
    Next stop Disney California Adventure and Trolley Treats. A look at some of the 60th offerings.
    Candy Apples
  • Page Number: 18
    Ice Cream cups next door at Clarabelles
  • Page Number: 19
    A foods interview location in Grizzly Peak Airfield.
    I was heading for Soarin to go for a flight
    Some props between Humpreys and the restrooms
  • Page Number: 20
    Outdoor seating at the Smokejumpers Grill
  • Page Number: 21
    Heading into Soarin, first time for me since it reopened.
    The interior looks the same.
  • Page Number: 22
    The safety video is back to the original.. no more Planes characters showing up.
    A prop in the planter of Smokejumpers
  • Page Number: 23
    Anyone remember where this is? It has been years since I have been to this area in the park. This is the courtyard in the Dream Suite above New Orleans Square.
    The entry way for the Dream Suite. At the far end is the doorway that leads to the elevator you see from the Pirates queue/Tree house. To the right is a room for Cast Members as well as a bathroom. The suite entrance is to the left and the courtyard is behind me.
    Taking a step back into the courtyard the hallway is the dark area to the slight left and straight.
  • Page Number: 24
    This is the door to the suite from the hallway.
    In the entrance hallway some original concept art for Walts apartment here.
    More artwork
  • Page Number: 25
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    Spinning around you can see the courtyard door and to the right the suite door.
    The interview session was supposed to be about the Diamond Days Sweepstakes but ours was cancelled. We did get to see the crystal slipper which is valued at just under $30,000 (notice the security guard in the mirror standing right next to me).
    A closer look at the slipper.
  • Page Number: 27
    The frontier inspired bedroom (note the chairs are from the living room but were moved for the camera crews and glass slipper)
    A look at the bathroom for this room.
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    A map of Disneyland on the wall.
  • Page Number: 30
    Back out in the living room the chandelier
  • Page Number: 31
    We got a quick glimpse into the other bedroom from the doorway this is the one closest to Adventureland.
    The Matterhorn is returning from its winter renovation work and features some new elements. It was open for a preview on Thursday and opened to all guests on Friday.
  • Page Number: 32
    I did not ride... but my camera did thanks to Laura from AllEars.net.. here is the video she shot for me.
    If you did not catch the new/updated elements.. here is a video Disney released that shows them.
    I headed for the hub next for a ceremony to unveil the last element of the decorations on Sleeping Beauty Castle and a cast recognition event.
  • Page Number: 33
    Noticed the plastic covers that looked like Space Mountain have been removed.
    The event was broadcast on cast TV and here is one of the co-hosts for the event doing a stand up before the show. Notice the duck in the background walking around.
  • Page Number: 34
    The duck entertained us while we waited. Here it is checking out the time castle.
    The sun began to come out as we stood there.
    Both hosts for the cast TV event.
  • Page Number: 35
    Ready for the show to begin..
    Trumpeters mark the beginning (the cast member on the right was a sign language person)
    Disneyland Resort President Michael Colglazier and a Disneyland Ambassador take the stage.
  • Page Number: 36
    Characters and representatives of the cast stream out from the castle
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    Mickey, Minnie, and the Ambassador head back to unveil the final element.
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    The 60th logo.
    The cast throws their hats in the air.
  • Page Number: 41
    The cast assembled for a group shot after the event.
    And of course a selfie
  • Page Number: 42
    Here is my video of the event.
    Michael came out for an interview and picture too.
  • Page Number: 43
    Pluto out with a guests Pluto
    Walking back by Sleeping Beauty Castle as the skies are clearing.
    Cinderella Coach Popcorn buckets $15.50
  • Page Number: 44
    Did not catch the no selfie sign earlier but saw it this time by the Matterhorn. These are showing up on many attractions around the parks.
    No visible progress on Innoventions.
    A new photo op opened today.. this is to the left of Tomorrowlanding and features to back drops for Avengers.
  • Page Number: 45
    The posted wait this afternoon was 20 minutes
    Captain America was out
    Across the way at Innoventions Tomorrowland signage on the construction wall.
  • Page Number: 46
    They have cleaned up most of the set pieces and equipment from Town Square.
    The Main Stage was left up though.
    Noticed a Star Wars billboard over at DCA (I believe this has been there for weeks maybe months now but not sure I took a picture of it).
  • Page Number: 47
    Over in DCA more new flags on the ropes, this time along the parade route.
    Stopped by Soarin for another flight
  • Page Number: 48
    I cannot remember did they remove the counters a while ago or is that new as you exit.. I want to say it happened a while ago but I have not had time to check my photos.
    Inside Elias and Co. some more diamond props.
  • Page Number: 49
    The top of the Carthay.. curious how this lights up.
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    We had some time to kill so stopped by a soft opening of the Mad T Party that was just kicking off.
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    Here is a video clip of the band being introduced.
  • Page Number: 52
    These benches were behind barriers and it smelled like fresh paint.
    The Flower Market has returned to center street
    I made my way out to the Premiere event for the new night time entertainment. It was held in Frontierland and New Orleans Square while the rest of the park was cleared.
  • Page Number: 53
    While eating noticed what looked to be a new gutter or at least new supports for the gutter on the Stage Door Cafe
    A band out on the Rivers of America was providing entertainment
    Decided to try my luck at the Hatbox Ghost again... here is the best pic I took.
  • Page Number: 54
    The Mark Twain was brought out and used to host a performing group too.
    There was also a steel drum band in Adventureland. Too bad they are not a regular fixture here like they used to be.
  • Page Number: 55
    Speaking of Adventureland since it was closed it was really peaceful to look around as the sun set and we listened to the band.
    Walking by Sleeping Beauty Castle on my way to Main Street for the event.
    In my spot for the opening remarks by Bob Iger.
  • Page Number: 56
    Bob Iger making his remarks.
    Here is my video of Bob Igers remarks.
  • Page Number: 57
    As we were getting into position they lights went out and the Paint the Night opening started.. here is a quick clip taken for the audio.. the video is all over the place as we were moving into position.
    Time for Paint the Night.. the lead performers.
  • Page Number: 58
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    A couple other fairies lead the way.
    Followed by Tinker Bell on the lead float. This float is 40 feet long and 850,000 points of light.
  • Page Number: 60
    She flies around ahead of the parade.
    Her wand is handmade and is capped by a rosette from the original 1972 Main Street Electrical Parade.
    Peter Pan atop a large drum paying tribute to the original parade follows (this drum is unique/new for Disneyland and was not in Hong Kong).
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    Tigger, Genie, and Lumiere puppets follow these are also new for Anaheim.
  • Page Number: 63
    Monsters Inc - the float is 11 feet wide and 21 feet long with 17,000 points of light.
    The five doors are 9 feet tall and contain 40 LED panels.
  • Page Number: 64
    Mike on the back of the float.
    Cars Follow behind with Lightning leading the way
  • Page Number: 65
    A dance/pit crew behind him.
  • Page Number: 66
    Mack is 54 feet long and has 28 moving lights.
    There is almost 2,000 feet of LED neon used in this unit.
    The display features 26,730 individual orbs
  • Page Number: 67
    The Little Mermaid grouping is next.
  • Page Number: 68
    Triton stands 12 feet tall and rides on a float 32 feet long, 11 feet wide and 18 feet tall. There are nine fish, eight flowers and more than 250 blades of grass.
    Following the Little Mermaid were some Jellyfish and Nemo
  • Page Number: 69
    A video clip of the Jelly Fish. These were new for Anaheim replacing the spinning fish Hong Kong had.
    Toy Story is next.
    Slinky dog is 32 feet long and Slinky's ears are 18 feet tall and 11 feet across.
  • Page Number: 70
    Woody on Slinky Dog.
    Buzz also rides on Slinky Dog. The 10 spinning disks rotate at 120 RPMs
  • Page Number: 71
    The Princess
    Belles dress has 40 custom-designed jewels. The float is 26 feet long and the rose is 17 feet tall.
    The video screen contains 500,000 pixels
  • Page Number: 72
    Rapunzel following behind (she never looked my way)
    Cinderella did though..
  • Page Number: 73
    Frozen is next featuring a 35 foot long, 30 foot tall float
    The chandelier is made up of 72 individual ice shards each lit by its own LED.
  • Page Number: 74
    There are over 56 snowflakes and 11 water jet cut swirls on the float.
    8 snow covered trees surround Olaf with 3,000 tear drop crystals
    6 unique etched window art panels feature happy memories of Anna and Elsa in Childhood and three feature Kristoff, the Trolls and Sven.
  • Page Number: 75
    The finale group called Mickey Mouse & Friends Finale is next.
  • Page Number: 76
    Goofy is leading the way.
    Each whirling vehicle has 352 points of light custom designed for the character on board.
    Notice how the light is cast onto the ground.
  • Page Number: 77
    Donald
    Minnie
  • Page Number: 78
    Mickey rides atop a float that is 31 feet long and has 40 universes of control and more than 10,000 points of light.
    Mickey stands 12 feet above the ground.
  • Page Number: 79
    This is 14 feet tall, 7 feet wide and contains 6,944 individually programmable LED pixels and 124 paddles on 31 armatures.
    Because of my location and the fact that I really needed both hands so I could not hold the video camera I opted to just take still images of the parade. Here is some video Disney released to give you a flavor for the parade in motion (or you can watch my Hong Kong Disneyland videos too)
  • Page Number: 80
    We then moved out into the street for Disneyland Forever. I figured this was a decent spot since Steve Davison who led the team responsible for the show was right in front of me.
    Showtime.
    The projectors come to life around you as the show starts.
  • Page Number: 81
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    You are transported to the orange grove the was here before Disneyland.
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    A very short video clip of this sequence.
  • Page Number: 84
    A clear view of one of the projectors
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    Had to keep reminding myself there was a fireworks show going on overhead..
  • Page Number: 86
    The roof tops of London appeared as Mary Poppins music filled the air.
  • Page Number: 87
    Tangled
    On the castle there were projections as well as lighting effects throughout. From this angle the projections were a challenge to see because of the camera crews in front of me.
  • Page Number: 88
    Heffalumps and Woozles
  • Page Number: 89
    Pink Elephants on Parade
    Circle of Life
  • Page Number: 90
    Jungle Book
  • Page Number: 91
    Time to head Under the Sea with the Little Mermiad
    The large inflatables on the rooftops.
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    I spotted a hidden Mickey (which I rarely do on a first viewing!)
  • Page Number: 94
    Finding Nemo
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    This leads into Frozen
    Snow is falling on Main Street during this segment.
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    This leads into the Finale
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    Video clip of the finale segment.
  • Page Number: 102
    A new Richard Sherman song, A Kiss Good Night plays
    Another clip of a Kiss Good Night
  • Page Number: 103
    Here is the first 10 minutes or so of the show.
    To give you another perspective here are some video clips Disney released.
  • Page Number: 104
    Sleeping Beauty Castle as we turned to exit.
    Main Street USA from Town Square.
    One final look before leaving.
  • Page Number: 105
    As we left we passed the groups sleeping outside tonight. The people on the right said they arrived at 3pm
    This is the Toy Story bus loading area which became their home for the evening. It was around 10:15pm
    The queue was forming on the other side now that the Toy Story area was full. This wraps up my picture set from today. I headed back to the room to copy my pictures and prepare for tomorrow.. I would be back this way in only a few hours.
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