News From DisneySea!

As DF'82 will be travelling for the next few days, I thought it would be appropriate to have a look at some of the news from around the other Disney Parks. Namely, Tokyo DisneySea.

Today's article is from the DisneySea Transit Steamer Line, No. 20059, Vol 4 (Special Issue). You can have a look at the 'Line' in full, below.

Our Transit Steamers will take you on a round-trip cruise along the waterways of Tokyo DisneySea. During your voyage, please remain seated and keep your head and arms inside the boat at all times.

American Waterfront

The rustic charm of the fishing village Cape Cod.

As the Transit Steamer completes its first turn, Hurricane Point Lighthouse comes into view. You are now in Cape Cod, named for the fish that thrive in great abundance in these chilly waters. Cod fishing is more than just an occupation here; it's a way of life.

Port Discovery - StormRider

Home of the Center for Weather Control, Port Discovery

On the starboard side is Port Discovery. Inside the Center for Waether Control, a group of researchers study the weather. Their most recent invention is a flying weather laboratory called "StormRider" that has the power to break up storms.

What's In A Name?

It's been a very subtle change - one that most of you will not have noticed. And why it happened, well, I'm not so sure!

Disneyland Resort Paris is no more! From now on, the resort will be known only as Disneyland Paris. The change happened almost overnight, with the official website and documentation showing Disneyland Paris as the area's new name. I imagine this change has came about due to the fact that most people refer to the resort simply as Disneyland Paris, and don't mention 'Resort' at all.

Of course, this isn't the first name change the Parks have had. When it first opened it was called EuroDisney - and the Euro Disney Resort. Then in 1994 the resort was called Euro Disneyland Paris. Then, finally, in 1995 it was rebranded as Disneyland Paris - eventually becoming Disneyland Resort Paris in 2004. The name change away from EuroDisney came about with a revamp for the parks and the hotels, after a very long period of being 'in the red'.

I am lucky enough to be visiting Disneyland Paris next week. And I want you all to feel like you have been there with me too! Is there anything specific you would like me to report? Perhaps you want to see what the architecture is like, or the small details? Or perhaps you want indepth descriptions of the rides and attractions? Just let me know in the comments section!

Monday Memories - Ticket Books

Today's piece of memorabilia is something quite new I have - a nice gift from Tokyo Disneyland. As part of their 25th anniversary, you can buy replicas of the Ticket Books that Tokyo Disneyland used to have.
Most of you will know that the original Disney park, Disneyland, started out using Ticket Books. You would buy a Ticket Book, and each ride admittance would correspond to a different lettered ticket. Of course, it's where 'E-Ticket' attractions originate - they were the best of the best, so to speak.

Tokyo Disneyland was the last of the Theme Parks to abandon the Ticket Book - I think it was 1996/1997 that they last had the ticket books.

A Must Visit!

It's been quiet here at DF'82, I know, but I am allowing you all to prepare for the influx of posts you will all get in June! In the meantime, there are plenty of fantastic Disney-themed blogs around the internet, like the ones on the right - just there. See?

But one site I would like to point you to is the fantastic Videblog - it has some great pictures. And most recently highlighted upon our favourite Disneyland Paris, back when it was called EuroDisney. Unfortunately I was never lucky enough to visit when it was called EuroDisney, so we can all relive the past through the posts part one and part two!

Taking Some Time

Sometimes our lives are so hectic - the days we are away from the Parks can feel quite depressing, especially when we are overloaded with reality. Recently I have been quite busy with 'real life' and it doesn't allow me to sit down and enjoy the small things in life.

I have to confess that there have been some times I am sitting down, knowing I should be updating DF'82, but I don't. I just want to sit, and drift away into my thoughts...I apologise for this - I hope you all know how much I love this blog and aim to update it as much as I can. But I thought that this evening, whilst I am sitting here needing to recharge my batteries after a long day and weekend, I would take you to my laughing place.

Well, almost! It's one of my favourite places in Walt Disney World - it reminds me of home, of the days I spent working in the Magical Place on Earth. It reminds me of music drifting along the streets, fireworks going off in the distance, and - bizarrely enough - tea. Welcome to Princess Fee's Peaceful Spot: The United Kingdom Gardens.

The Do's and Don't's

In a few week's time, the Royal Family are visiting Disneyland Resort Paris, and we want to take all the readers of DF'82 along with us! But first, maybe we should look at the 'Do's and 'Don't's as per the AA Essential Disneyland Resort Paris book.

Dos

• Remember to bring a sweater, light rainwear and to wear comfortable shoes
• Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times
• Reduce waiting time by making use of the FASTPASS service
• Children under seven must be accompanied by an adult
• Make sure you have your entrance ticket with you if you leave either Disney Park so you can get in again
• Check on closing times
• Pick up an Entertainment Programme from City Hall in Disneyland Park or Studio Services in Walt Disney Studios Park
• Life is easier if you use a credit card.... Guests staying at a Disneyland Resort Paris hotel can ask for a chargecard that can be used within the Resort.
• Visit the tourist office next to the RER station if you are thinking about touring outside the Resort

Don'ts

• Since 1 January 2008, smoking in public places has been banned in France. Eating and drinking are not allowed inside attractions and in queuing areas. A picnic area located between Guest Parking and the Disney Parks Entrance is intended for guests bringing their own food.
• No pets, except guide dogs, are allowed to enter the Parks. They may be left at the Animal Care Centre near the car park on production of a certificate of health or verification of vaccination.
• Do not leave personal belongings unattended
• No flash or movie photography is permitted inside the attractions

Let's Tell A Story

Disneyland Paris can be one of the most peaceful of all the Disney Parks, especially on quiet evenings or during parades. It can also be very busy! But there are many rides and nooks-and-crannies of the park where you can really feel away from it all.

One of my favourite peaceful attractions is the Storybook Land canal boats - more locally known as Le Pays Des Contes de Fées. Unless it's raining, that is! You may know that there is another Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction in Disneyland, California, which uses guides to take you round the canal. In Paris, however, the boats are guide-less, and tour the different, mainly European, fairy tales magically.

There are 16 different boats, with each boat holding around 16 guests. The ride lasts around 5 minutes, and takes you through the following different stories:

• Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs
• Hansel & Gretel
• The Little Mermaid
• Fantasia
• Peter and the Wolf

• Pinocchio
• Rapunzel
• Fantasia's "Night on Bald Mountain"
• Sword in the Stone
• Beauty & The Beast
• Return to Oz

What's DF'82 Reading?

I don't give, or plan on giving, any book reviews - I am no Imaginerding! - but I thought I would share with you some of the recent Disney related books I have, or have been reading. There have been some fantastic books released recently - and there's even more I would like. But here's some I have, or would recommend.

Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World
I got this book a few months ago, but didn't have the chance to get into it. So, I took it into work with me (yes, even in these trying times Royalty have to work!) and finished it as soon as I started it. It's a fabulous book, and even more interesting for me as an ex-cast member! But for any fans of Walt Disney World, and want to know more information, this book is definitely a must read.
Disneyland Resort Paris - AA Essential Guides
I am lucky enough to be going to Disneyland Resort Paris next month and bought this book to help me prepare. There aren't very many Paris-based books, and this is the 2009 edition, so it's the most up-to-date book I could get!
The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland
As part of my aim to get the Coast-to-Coast medal by participating on different half-marathons on either American coast, I will be visiting Disneyland in September. So I thought I would get a book that will help me appreciate it even more! This book will be fantastic, as I love all the other Field Guide titles. I cannot wait for Disney's Hollywood Studios Field Guide to come out, especially after listening to Lou's WDW Radio Show Podcast this week.

The Haunted Mansion: From The Magic Kingdom to the Movies
This has been on my 'Wish List' forever, but I noticed Amazon had stopped selling it here in the UK. So I rushed to the marketplace and managed to grab a copy. The only reason I had put off buying it for so long was because I wasn't as impressed with the film as I thought I would have been. But after this book, I think I will give the film another try!
Disney On Broadway
Lovely Disney Dave gave me this book recently, and it looks like it will be a really interesting read. I love Disney Musicals - and I cannot wait to get the Little Mermaid on Broadway book - so this one will no doubt really interest me.
The Alchemy of Animation
I have had this book since it was out, but haven't had a chance to sit down and read it. I cannot wait to, though, because the book looks truly beautiful (and I have heard so many good things about it).

Happy Birthday Norway!

Continuing the International Flavour to DF'82, let's take some time away from Japan and look to Norway. No, not Norway, Scandinavia, but Norway, Florida.

Today is the Norway Pavilion in Epcot's 21st birthday! Yes, 21 years ago today, the Pavilion - the 11th in the World Showcase - opened it's doors to the public. I think it's only appropriate we take some time out to appreciate this pavilion. Not only does it have the Norway film (which, let's face it, we all have to do at least once in our lives) but it has the Maelstrom. Arguably the best thrill ride in the World Showcase - I know it's a must do whenever I visit Epcot.

So, happy birthday Norway - or, as they say in Norwegian, Gratulerer med dagen! Now you're old enough to drink around the World.

Ticket To...Fantasy!

On our final day of 'Ticket To Tokyo Disneyland', we look at one of my favourite lands of the whole park - Fantasyland! Cinderella Castle, as we've previously discussed, sits as the entrance to this beautiful land. Ready to take guests into a world of magic and fantasy!

As you can see from the map and descriptions, Fantasyland here in Tokyo has many of the same Dark Rides as its Disney counterparts throughout the world.

Although there are a couple of noticeable differences. One fantastic difference is the Winnie The Pooh ride, Pooh's Hunny Hunt. If you haven't heard about this ride, it features a fantastic trackless track, really making the guest feel like they are bouncing along like Tigger! The trackless-ness is created using a Local Positioning System. This is one of the most popular rides here at Tokyo Disneyland, but through the magic of You Tube, we can experience it without the wait!

Also here in Tokyo Disneyland is the Mickey Mouse Revue, an audio-animatronic attraction that used to reside in Florida. This attraction was moved piece by piece and translated for a Japanese audience, because back in 1983 Disney couldn't justify building an exact copy.

And do you remember how I said The Haunted Mansion was in Fantasyland? Well, here it is! I think it's great that it is in a different land in almost every "Magic Kingdom" throughout the world.

Thank you to Disney Dave for the pics, except 'it's a small world' which is from Wikipedia

Ticket To... Tomorrowland!

Tomorrowland in Tokyo Disneyland is similar to the other lands throughout the world, although it is more like a community area than a 'showcase' per se! Like many other parts of the Tokyo Disney Resort, the attractions in Tokyo's Disneyland are slightly more extravagant and have more special effects, due to the budget that the parent company have. Interestingly enough, the entryway to Tomorrowland resembles the entrance in Walt Disney World, before it was refurbished in the early 90s!

Space Mountain here is similar to the ride in Tomorrowland in Disneyland California, although without the soundtrack. And we also have Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, rather than the other names it goes by.
A new attraction newly opened this past April is the Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek ride! In this ride, guests are given torches and have to find Boo who is giggling and hiding all over Monstropolis!
Star Tours is also in this land, as you can see, and is the same attraction but in Japanese. We also have the infamous Autopia of Tokyo Disneyland: Grand Circuit Raceway! Here the ride is sponsored by Bridgeston and has remained relatively unchanged since the park was opened 25 years ago.

We've Come A Long Way...

Today, as many of you may know, is Disney's Hollywood Studios' 20th birthday. Yup, on this day, 20 years ago, Walt Disney World opened it's 3rd park in the Florida resort. Disney-MGM Studios officially opened.



It's one of my favourite parks, and I felt that we should take a break from our tour of Tokyo Disneyland to celebrate this monumental occasion! DisneyWorldTrivia.com's Page-A-Day calendar has a nice piece about the opening of the Studios, including how it would also be a working Animation Studio too. I remember being able to go on the Backlot tour and actually see animated films being worked on. How cool was that?

In honour of this occasion, let's have a look at the dedication plaque that now stands in the epicenter of Disney's Hollywood Studios:

The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood - not a place on the map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine...a Hollywood that never was - and always will be

Happy Birthday, Disney-MGM-Hollywood Studios! Here's to another 20 - and 20 more! And all of you at the Studio 20 event today - enjoy!