Winter Updates

Just a quick note on what's happening here at D Que Blog.

Updates are coming slow, as Winter is a slow time at the resort.  Now when I say "slow" it is all relative.  For those guests visiting the parks you will have less opportunity to ride some of the popular attractions. Right now rides like "a small world", Splash Mountain, Mad Tea Party, Grizzly River Rapids, Silly Symphony Swings, Mark Twain/Fantasmic and others are all down for annual refurbishment.  And of course, there is a big yellow crane hovering over Big Thunder Mountain as it continues its HUGE rebuilding. Fantasy Faire is nearing completion at the Hub area, and the Fantasyland Theater is still working toward it's new show this spring/summer. So what's left to do?

Well, if your like me, you could race through space at Space Mountain, race around the southwest at Radiator Springs Racers, take a plunge with Pirates of the Caribbean, or plunge into the depth of Tower of Terror. You could still take a break and watch Aladdin and Genie over at the Hyperion or sing along with Jose and the other birds at the Enchanted Tiki room.

Things around the resort will start slowly coming back to normal beginning later this month and into March.  So stay tuned as we get ready for the coming attractions.

For random updates or items be sure to follow me on Twitter or Facebook. See links at the right.

See you in the parks.

BONUS

Meet Paperman

If you have not already seen Wreck-it Ralph in theaters then be sure to see it when it comes out on DVD/Blue Ray.  I had the opportunity to see it in theaters (in 3-D) and loved it. But I was also impressed by the "short" that preceded the movie. Paperman. Curious about it?  Then click below.

Paperman

Enjoy, and be sure to get Wreck-it Ralph when it comes out.

Windows

Look Up

Welcome to first of a multi-part post highlighting the windows of Main Street USA.  Not the windows of shops and stores.  Most of these windows are a little higher up, on the 2nd floor, and have some special meaning.  You have to look up when you walk down the street, and in many cases you need to stop and take a moment to see them.  Come along as we stroll down the street.

 

For many people entering into the park the first choice they have to make is which side of Town Square to enter from. If you enter through the east tunnel you will pass directly in front of the Disney Gallery and Opera House, but if you enter under the west tunnel then you will pass the tours garden and be directly in front of our first window, located at City Hall.

 

If you look at the upstairs window, just to the right of the porch you will find the window dedicated to the "Honorary Mayor" of Disneyland, Jack Lindquist. Jack is one of the Disney Legends, and was integral to the history of Disneyland.  From the Disney Legends site:

 

Jack Lindquist was hired by Walt Disney as Disneyland's first advertising manager, and eventually played a key role in making the Park a world-famous tourist attraction. From . marketing the original "E tickets" to lobbying for Disneyland's millennial expansion, Jack was involved in nearly every aspect of the theme park.

 

For a detailed bio click here

 

 

Now let's move down the west side of the street.

 

Between the Emporium and the Crystal Arcade sits one of the many facades along the street. Next time you pass by take a look up at the window.  The name my ring a few bells.  Elias Disney, husband of Flora and father of five children. Born in February of 1859, he would go on the have a varied career which including working in construction. Oh, and his youngest son went on to do some great things as well.

 

Walter Elias Disney paid tribute to his father in a very special way with this window on Main Street.  Having passed away in 1941, Elias never saw what would become The Happiest Place on Earth, but he would forever be a part of it with this window. For more history look here.

 

 

Continuing, between the Crystal Arcade and The Fortuosity Shop is out next stop. 

 

The first of two windows here belongs to Wathel Rogers, imagineer and Disney Legend. Do you love the audio-animatronics that are all over Disneyland? Thank Mr. Rogers for his work each time you pass by the window. More here.

 

The next window belongs to another Disney Legend, Mary Ann Mang.  After writing to Walt Disney in 1960, asking for a job, she went on to become a vital part of the park and resort. More here.

 



 

And to finish this posting we look above the door to the Fortuosity Shop

 

This is a fairly non-descript window, with two names on it. C.V. Patterson & W.F.Allen. These two gentlemen were, respectively, Vice-President of Upjohn Pharmaceuticals and a pharmacist from Upjohn, who were instrumental in getting a pharmacy on Main Street. Nowadays if you want medical attention you can visit First Aid.

 

 

Next time we will continue down the west side of the street and look at more windows.





BONUS: Blog Statistics

2012 Statistics

When I created this blog (back at the beginning of 2012) and made my first post on April 22nd, I had no more ambition than to document my monthly trips to the resort as a guest (rather than as a Cast Member going to work). Now, nearly a year later, it has become a different sort of thing. And, like all things in life, it continues to evolve.

I still am in the parks regularly. I continue to take pictures and video of things that interest me - hopefully they interest you as well. I keep following the historical blogs about Disneyland as well as the rumor blogs. Some of these items I bring to you in the form of Tweets or Facebook posts - and much much more I do not pass on. After all, If I posted everything I saw then this would be nothing more than a news feed.

So as the blog evolves I want to take a quick look back at 2012 statistics. So...

• 131 posts were made to this blog. Many included photos, videos and other trivia.
• First Original Video of the year was posted on April 5th (The Big Thunder video which was recently re-posted on January 7th after Big Thunder Railroad went down for refurbishment).
• Total number of 2012 visits to the parks - 38. These are visits that put me in the guest roll - riding rides, dining in restaurants, seeing shows and entertainment. Most of those visits lasted at least 5 hours or more.
• Average number of visits each month - 3+. Some month I visited more often (see below) than others. Some months are more obvious than others.
• Most visited month(s): May - 7 visits, April & June - 5 visits each.  If you had been paying attention to ANY Disney news this past year then you know that this past April & May the final preparations were being put on the DCA Expansion (ie. Cars Land). So I spent a lot of time in the parks those two months. June, of course, is when the expansion opened so I spent a few days documenting that as well.
• Least visited months: January & December - 1 visit each month. January is a slow time of year for the parks and as a result not much is happening.  December is perhaps the exact opposite and is the busiest month of the year, and I get very few days off to go to the parks. And to be honest even if I could get to the parks more in December I most likely would not, due to the huge crowds that would be there.
• Most popular posts of the year revolved around the updates of Cars Land and the expansion at DCA.  No surprise there!

Should you want to review any/all of the posts from last year just click the archive list to the right.  Now that those things are out of the way, let's get back to 2013.  To find more postings and information be sure to follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

See you in the parks...

Where in the Parks?

Where...

Welcome back to a new year of visiting the Disneyland Resort.  Let's make the first "official" post of 2013 a little bit of a guessing game, shall we?

How often do you notice the "little" details, the signs on the shops or the landscaping around the parks?  If your like the average guest, then you probably walk right past those things.  Well, now you can test your observation skills of all things trivial.

So, Here goes...

1.

This cute little sign will direct you to a place where kids can get the latest in "Resort Apparel".

Pop right in for a hat, sweatshirt or even socks for the little ones. Where is it? 

 

 

2.

I know the economy is bad, but this is crazy! This store front has closed forever!!!

It seems that even animated characters aren't immune to money woes.

Where is it?

 

 

3.

This flower covered burm leads to a "little" place that anybody can visit.

Where is it?

 

 

Answers are after the jump...

 

Quiet Thunder

Quiet Thunder

As of today - January 7, 2013 - Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland is closed for a major update.  New track (same layout), new braking and ride systems, newly freshened paint job, completely rebuilt station area, and much more.

 

For those who didn't get a chance to ride Big Thunder before it went down for refurbishment I am re-posting one of my videos from early last year below.  This will have to hold you over until later this year when the ride will be back, all fresh and new. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

Check back here during the year for my Thunderous Updates.

Breaking News...

This Just In...

 

 

 

“Mickey and the Magical Map” debuts in summer 2013 at Disneyland park.

 

for full detail check here

New...

It's A New Year

Now that 2013 it officially under way we are all getting over our holiday hangovers of presents, candy and theme park merriment.  I am really looking forward to the coming year at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and the entire resort area.

 

So many changes occurred in 2012, not the least of which was the completion of the BILLION DOLLAR expansion at DCA.  We got an updated Matterhorn Bobsled ride (to mixed reviews), new royalty was added to Downtown Disney in the form of a sandwich shop (Yummy!), the waterways of both Frontierland and Paradise Bay glowed with new color, and for the first time in it's relatively short history the little park across the plaza regularly beat it's big sister in attendance numbers. What a year! (For a full wrap-up read this post)

 

Now it's time for us to look forward to the coming year and the new things coming.  There's Limited Time Magic invading the parks (see the first update here).  There is new construction to be completed at the new Fantasy Faire just off the Hub, a refurbished Fantasyland Theater is making progress, Alice is getting her safety railings (after what seems like an eternity), and there will be less Thunder over in Frontierland as this iconic attractions goes down for a multi-month makeover.

 

I invite you to come back here weekly for updates, photos, unique new videos and other exciting things that help us celebrate what we love most... The Original Magic Kingdom.

 

 

Be sure to follow D QUE BLOG on social media:

 

on Twitter

 

 

on Facebook

 

or watch videos on YouTube

 

and see photos on Instagram

Limited Time Magic

The first of the limited time magic announcements have been made and can be seen below.  Check back each week in 2013 for updates on the offerings at the Disneyland Resort.

 

Three Kings Celebration

January 4 - January 6

Delight in the Three Kings Day party at Frontierland, part of the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree at Disneyland Park from January 4 through January 6, 2013! Celebrate the end of the holiday season with 3 days of music, activities and cuisine that pays tribute to Southern California's Mexican culture.

 

A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue

January 10 - February 4

 

 

For a limited time only, you and your family can experience this musical variety extravaganza inspired by the renowned Frontierland show enjoyed by Walt Disney himself! Join Miss Lily and her Saloon Girls for an homage to the classic Golden Horseshoe Revue, a fun-filled show filled with plenty of family-friendly comedy, singing and dancing. Performances are Thursday through Monday, from January 10 through February 4, 2013.

 

 

Limited Time Magic - Official Site

Happy New Year

Happy 2013

 

Welcome to another magical new year and another 365 chances to make magic and memories at the Disneyland Resort.  Be sure to visit this spot regularly for the latest news, photos, videos, and more from The Happiest Place On Earth.

Looking Back

2012 Year in Review

As you prepare to ring in the new year of 2013, I invite you to take a look back with all of us at the year that was 2012.  These two excellent articles from Mice Chat will take you on a journey through both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and all the things that happened in 2012.  It was a wonderful, crazy year after all...



2012 Disneyland Year in Review

 

 

 

2012 Disney California Adventure Year in Review

For those who don't sleep in, be sure to get up early and watch the Rose Parade for Disney's entry into the parade.  It should be a lot of fun, as long as your not freezing your baubles off sitting out there on Colorado Bl. 

Looking Forward

Looking Forward to 2013

 

 

With less than a week to go until we start a new calender year you might think that Disney would be winding down the marketing machine.  For any other major corporate business that might be the case, but this is Disney, so no pause is in site. 

 

In case you have been living under a rock these past few months, or just don't follow the myriad Disney Parks blogs, then this will be new to you.

 

Limited Time Magic

 

 

In 2013 Disney Parks are trying to get you to visit more.

 

This comes as no surprise, but they ways in which they are trying to do it may be.

 

For Full Details and to see whats coming click the link for the official site.

 

I hope to keep you updated on the magic. So check back here regularly.