disneygeek.com - Disneyland Resort Pictures

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• What appears to be utility work going on along the tram load/unload area for the Mickey and Friends garage.
• First signs of progress for the Star Wars project. A fence up and you can spot a backhoe in the back/middle of the shot.
• Out in the Pinocchio lot work continues on the support facility.
• The billboards at the tram stop feature the cars characters. no slogans.. really surprised no Cars Land logo on it.. just characters.
• This weekend is the Star Wars Half Marathon weekend
• As usual they were using the parking lots for the events.
• A ground level view of the work in the Pinocchio Lot.
• A directory sign as you approach the Downtown Disney entrance after crossing Magic Way.
• Downtown Disney parking was a mess. Assuming most of these guests were runners arriving to pick up packets.
• Found this funny. They have a sign saying the lot is busy but it is after you pass through the tollbooths and are already stuck in the traffic.
• The Lilo lot has the race stage and other support tents.
• The finish line
• Where the race announcer will stand
• The final stretch for those running, sure to be a welcome sight.
• The Star Wars carpet is back leading down to the packet pickup.
• I turned around and headed for the Expo.
• Several weeks (well I guess months now) the picture displays were updated. I had not been over to this area to see them.
• A look around the 50s and 60s
• The 70s and 80s
• Inside the ballroom a presentation was going on. They were talking about how long it would take to run around the Death Star
• The merchandise area was to the left as always. The line wrapped quite a ways outside the store but moved quickly when I entered it later.
• There was a bar when you entered (I do not remember this from past Expos)
• A walk around the Expo floor.
• New Balance running shoes
• A look at the directory
• The rest of the directory
• Time to go join the merchandise line.
• A photo op for the race.
• Now a look at some of the merchandise as I roamed the store.
• A selection of bags and purses featuring this design were available.
• Olaf made a shirt design.
• Anger too.
• Disgust
• The cover of the official event guide.
• The swimming pools are closed and being renovated. They were jack hammering this afternoon.
• The water slide area was the only area open.
• Special hours this weekend for the races.
• Interesting they only put walls up near the entrance/exit paths of the pool this time.
• A sign as you entered Downtown Disney warning of the early closing tonight.
• Barriers are up for the race.
• The winter village and ice rink are gone.
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens banners at the AMC still.
• Monorail Red passing overhead.
• The temporary Ghirardelli store is gone.
• The race start line
• More special hours for the race weekend.
• Build a Bear features Star Wars
• And some Marvel bears too
• The word of the day is still going... anyone know of anyone who has won anything?
• The closure list is substantial. A good way to save space, combing the four attractions as Rivers of America.
• All signs of Christmas are gone now.
• With the railroad closed for the next year+ they have trains pulled into Main Street and New Orleans Stations. The EP Ripley with the Lilly Belle were on Main Street.
• Filming today for the Disneyland 60th Anniversary TV show that will air on ABC in Feb.
• The Straw Hatters at the Train Station.
• The east side (left) of the station was barricaded off.
• Inside the station those doors were blocked too.
• Would be fun if they swapped out this map early to give a hint at the new train path.
• You could get up close to the train for pictures. There were cast members around to answer questions about the trains.
• One car available for pictures.
• The Lilly Belle. It was closed but cast members were opening the door to get a look in from time to time.
• Had a request for the gate by the fire house.. so here are a couple pictures of the art work on it.
• Looking back down Main Street.
• Equipment, walls, etc.. between Partners and the Castle for the TV taping tonight.
• The center part was roped off and plenty of cast members along the rope line.
• The instruments and other equipment on the stage were covered this afternoon as crews prepared for the evening.
• The segment featured Elton John performing. Here is his piano.
• From the other side.
• The Royal Theatre has reopened. Frozen is now performed only in the morning then Tangled in the afternoon.
• Extra lights for the taping.
• Small World Holiday is still in operation for a few more weeks until the Haunted Mansion returns to operation.
• All is quiet at the Toontown Train Depot.
• A quick walk through Toontown. All the Christmas decorations are gone.
• Small World was only a couple minute wait so went for a cruise.
• Soundsational was passing by as I walked back through Fantasyland.
• Crossed paths with the Evil Queen
• And the Pearly Band
• The Big Thunder Trail is open through the weekend then slated to close for Star Wars work.
• The park maps show it closed now. Also note they photo spot is moved down the trail.
• Interesting to note on the guide they did not change the text to indicate what is closed.
• No signs of work on the Ranch Area yet. It was odd to see it roped off and looking ready to open but knowing it will never. I did over hear some interesting conversations.. some complaining about Star Wars, some excited, and others wanting to know what time the BBQ opens because it was approaching dinner time.
• Surprised they did not pack up the Christmas decorations since they did the rest of the park. Seems they could re-use them elsewhere in future years.
• Some random pictures as I roamed the area.
• The decorations from out here were packed up.
• Thought this was odd too.. they just left the brooms, pans, etc..
• No visible change to the River this week. Thought maybe they would have started to drain it.
• A fair number of people in Frontierland today.
• Seems the bottom part of this sign could have been removed.. no departures for a long time..
• The Columbia was in port and open so you could go aboard and walk around.
• There was a PhotoPass cast member onboard too.
• Looking up River
• Some repainting of the Fantasmic light tower housing covers.
• The Mark Twain is in the dry dock at Fowlers Harbor
• Princess Tiana was out along the river.
• Seems they should have docked the rafts up river.. or not put the sign above up.
• Some work going on. The boiler area was open
• And they re-stained the steps (you could smell it)
• The paint smell was competing with the river slug smell. For those not familiar when they drain the river a not so pleasant odor is present.
• Continuing up river.
• No visible changes here yet either.
• Walls and mesh are up at the Hungry Bear. It is open for business. This is all to hide the upcoming river work.
• The lower level has a brand new custom made wall.
• The rest has this mesh which does not look that great from this angle.
• It continues all the way around.
• The lower level seating has been shrunk to one row of tables and is rather dark.
• Upstairs the mesh has a forest print on it. Not too bad.. but I would have rather watched the construction :)
• Along the train tracks the print features bears.
• It continues down the emergency evac/cast member steps too.
• A test look through the mesh.. you can sort of see.
• But they did not continue the print around to the front. This is opposite the registers.
• The Critter Country trestle
• The rail has been removed from the trestle and into the tunnel. Guessing all the way back now.
• Random light picture on the way out.
• The Haunted Mansion is closed for removal of the holiday overlay.
• The New Orleans Square station is open with the Ernest S Marsh parked there.
• Again plenty of cast members available to talk with.
• There were a couple cars here to sit in or look at.
• They had another car and caboose detached and parked further down the line.
• Guessing this was to allow for Cast Members to cross. They had a warning sign up for them.
• There was a PhotoPass photographer here too.
• Mardi Gras decorations in New Orleans Square (or left over Christmas)
• The Jungle Cruise is closed for removal of the Holiday overlay as well as some dock work for the next several months.
• Thought this was really cool. An attraction poster saying it is closed.
• The wall features concept art.
• A closer look at the concept art.
• Next door they now sell Paint the Night meals since Fantasmic is dark for the next year+.
• The menu.
• Approaching the hub they had the lifts up and were rehearsing for this evening.
• Wait times around 4:40pm
• The invited audience was starting to arrive and line up. The taping started around 8pm.. so they were standing there for 3 hours before.
• Passing by the Big Thunder Ranch again. All the lights were on.
• Speaking of lights.. they were testing and adjusting for the TV show.
• Wait times around 5:30pm
• At center street this sign for Blue Bayou Reserved Viewing.
• This taped off and roped off area was for dinner package guests. I believe the grab and go guests were in the Small World Mall.
• More light testing going on as I waited for Paint the Night.
• Managed to find a decent spot for the parade tonight.
• A couple of clips from Paint the Night.
• The speakers to my right at the Hotel went out about this point. So the audio was off.. with bleed from other zones and nothing playing in ours.
• Only four yo-yo cowgirls with Jessie tonight instead of six.
• Also only three performers leading the princesses vs four. And two of the winged performers behind too.
• I moved out into the street for the 6:30pm Disneyland Forever show
• Then I moved up the street to the hub to find a spot for the taping.
• The crew preparing for the show.
• A guy came out to warm up the crowd.
• He told a Star Wars story.
• Then around 8pm Elton John took the stage and performed Circle of Life a couple of times and his new song Wonderful Crazy Night.
• I had to shoot through a sea of cameras, arms, and people... so the pics are not the best..
• A choir for Circle of Life.
• Here are a couple video clips from the performances of Circle of Life (he sang it several times).
• Next up his new song which was accompanied by Fireworks and will be the finale for the TV show.
• Finally people lowered there cameras enough to get a fairly clear shot.
• Some clips of Elton John performing his new song with fireworks.
• As I was leaving the area they were filming crowd shots. you can see the lights up with the spotlights.
• Main Street USA at 8:30pm as I was leaving (along with a large number of guests).
• Over to Disney California Adventure now. Christmas is gone from Buena Vista Street this week.
• Aladdin is gone and the Hyperion is advertising the upcoming Frozen show.
• In Cars Land a new sign for Luigis.
• Christmas is gone from here too. The poles on the left side of the street that support the Christmas lights are gone too.
• DJ having a dance party.
• The Cove Bar was quiet this evening. Three cast members out front explaining to guests they are closing for the evening. Last seating was around 8, I believe I overheard 8:15.
• Walking out past Carthay Circle Restaurant.
• Next week Zootopia preview starts in the Bugs Theater.