Can you believe how quickly the time has gone? We are just less than one month away from the opening of Buena Vista Street and Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park, and I’ll tell you I’m not sure what I’m more excited for. It seems like it was only yesterday that we made a trek out to see some of the old railway cars and trolleys at a local Southern California museum. But it was Disney Design Group Principal Character Artist Brian Blackmore and Graphic Designer Tyler Dumas that led these designs down the right track, alongside Product Developer Lisa Bergman. So of course, when I had the chance to spend a few minutes talking to them, I had to get all the details, so I could share them with all of you.

“Our goal was simple,” Lisa explained. “Provide authenticity to the trolleys and railways systems of yesteryear.”

“There is a passion and romanticism around the Red Car Line as it harkens back to a time in SoCal when we had a great public transportation system with beautifully designed trains – alternative travel at its best, kids,” Tyler jumped in, going on to explain that “It was the inspiration from the trolley engineering blueprints being used to create the Disney California Adventure park vehicles, along with color palettes, old time tickets and collateral from the 1920s and 1930s that really drove home the concept for the Red Car Trolley collection. We wanted this program to excite young train fans, appeal to adult retro character fans and really become an homage collection for vintage transportation enthusiasts.”

But it was Brian who broke it down for us even further. “For the kids we tried to give the trolley a personality, something that would encourage them to play, dream and use their imagination. Sitting beside that is a more hyper-stylized version that we knew would appeal to an older audience. But the big key for us in creating this program was to make it feel very nostalgic, complete with vintage era-appropriate graphic styles, features and characters, especially when it came to the technical trolley version, where we were able to use mechanical and rail aspects to produce the look.”

This new collection, which will make its debut in Los Feliz Five & Dime on Buena Vista Street, will include ladies’ and men’s tees, fleece sweatshirts, hats, figurines, souvenirs, tin signs and more. There is one more thing that I guess you could say I have to tip my hat to…the Red Car Trolley Conductor Mickey Cap. It’s sure to set you ears apart from the rest. What about pins? Well, I’m glad you asked. I’ll be covering those in a separate post, so keep watching.

So hop on board the Red Car Trolley and make Los Feliz Five & Dime one of your many stops when Buena Vista Street opens on June 15.

Check out these posts for more Disneyland Resort merchandise news:

• Five Quick Finds for Father’s Day in Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort
• Take a Road Trip to California as We Gear Up for Disney California Adventure Park
• New Storytellers Collection to Debut in Disney California Adventure Park

Get on Board with the Red Car Trolley Collection at Disney California Adventure Park by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

From time to time, we feature cast members with some pretty cool jobs – but for travel junkies, it doesn’t get better than Heather Killingbeck’s work. Heather explores the world in search of amazing new experiences for Adventures by Disney. That’s what she does: she hunts awe-inspiring adventures!

With such a job, Heather is the person you’d want to talk travel with – she’s been there, done that. And for all of us who are unable to catch up with her on camelback in Egypt, we’ve got the next best thing. Heather is now sharing expert advice, tips and stories on Family.com. We thought Disney Parks Blog readers would be interested in this new series, so go check out Heather’s “My Favorite Things” story and let us know what you think.

Check out these posts for more Adventures by Disney news:

• A Peek into Tinseltown’s Legendary Landmarks with Lights…Camera…Magic! from Adventures by Disney
• Moms Panel Monday: Meet Elisabeth Lackey, Our Newest Adventures by Disney Mom
• Adventures by Disney Heads to Southeast Asia

Disney ‘Adventure Hunter’ Offers Advice on Family.com by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

By now, you may have heard that a funderful new party is in the making at Disney California Adventure park … the Mad T Party! But, before experiencing the assortment of joyfulutionary entertainment that awaits you, you must make your way down the Rabbit Hole!

This magical, mystical passageway is unlike any other … and it leads to a party that is fit for a Queen (or King)! Guests will feel as if they are leaving their world behind and entering into a special place that just gets curiouser and curiouser!

But wait! Not just anybody will be allowed to enter! You must have a smile as big as a Cheshire Cat … and a laugh as mad as a Hatter! Helping us enforce the rules are our Mad T Party “bouncers,” Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

Enlisted by the Mad Hatter himself, these towering twins will officiate over the official opening of the Rabbit Hole each night. Afterwards, our D-lightful duo will remain outside the Rabbit Hole, making sure that all guests attending the Mad T Party are suitably splendiful.

Each night, a different password will be required in order to enter. How will you know the password of the day? That’s where our Hatters come in …

Fashionably festooned in wild colors and patterns – complete with TOP HATS – they are easily identified as they make their way through Disney California Adventure park. If you happen upon them, or if they happen upon you, they will offer an “invitation” that includes the night’s secret-but-not-too-secret password.

So, now you know how to enter the Rabbit Hole! And, from past Disney Parks Blog posts, you already know whom you will meet and what you might hear, which games you might play and when it all begins. The “Maddification” of Disney California Adventure park is almost upon us! Get your hats and smiles together and get ready to go “Mad” at the Mad T Party!

Down the Rabbit Hole … The Mad T Party Awaits at Disney California Adventure Park! by Robin Trowbridge: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

The countdown has begun to the 20th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon on Jan. 13, 2013, and not surprisingly, our runDisney folks are hard at work putting their creative juices together to come up with some fun new twists for the race.

So far they have added some special entertainment along the 20th mile to commemorate the 20th anniversary and added a post-race party at Downtown Disney. They are also working on the creation of a special 20th anniversary medal, which I’ll reveal later.

But the latest development that I can share with you now involves some unique twists to the course. Here’s a hint: the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon is going to have some “high-speed’’ elements that will knock this race “out of the ballpark.’’

Think you have it figured out?

Well, just check out this video for all of the new details about the fun enhancements to the 26.2-mile course that will go through the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks – and a few other places you probably never dreamed about.

If you want to get in on the fun, just sign up at runDisney.com for the marathon or any of the other family-oriented races taking place here during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, Jan. 10-13.

Check out these posts for more runDisney news:

• From Wheelchair to Running on Air at Walt Disney World Resort
• Booth’s Record Day at Disney is a Family Affair
• Everyone’s a Winner in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at the Disneyland Resort

New Twists and Turns Coming to 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Course by Darrell Fry: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

This weekend Fantasia Gardens celebrates its 16th year of being the only miniature golf course inspired by Walt Disney’s “Fantasia.” The 36 holes of golf at Fantasia Gardens are split up into two courses – Fantasia Gardens and Fantasia Fairways. And when the courses opened on May 20, 1996, a few famous friends were on hand to try their luck at the courses.

Fantasia Gardens is themed to five “Fantasia” sequences “Toccata & Fugue,” “The Nutcracker Suite,” “The Pastoral Symphony,” “The Dance of the Hours,” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” Below Minnie does her best putting on hole four themed to “The Nutcracker Suite.”

Pluto was up for challenge of Fantasia Fairways where you can see the 40-foot tall Mount Olympus from Fantasia Gardens and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios behind him.

While I’ve never played a round of real golf in my life, I’m not too shabby at miniature golf. I’m thinking about going pro.

Look below for more Vintage Walt Disney World posts:

• Vintage Walt Disney World: Honoring Our Favorite ‘Attraction Moms’
• Vintage Walt Disney World: Mexico Pavilion in the 1980s
• Vintage Walt Disney World: Filming ‘The Mickey Mouse Club’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Vintage Walt Disney World: Looking Back at the Debut of Fantasia Gardens by Nate Rasmussen: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

You’ve been asking for a Cars Land meet-up, and now is your chance to be among the first guests to see Cars Land for yourself at our next Disney Parks Blog meet-up! Come with us as the lead Imagineers on Cars Land take 66 participants (see what we did there?) for a walking tour of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park on Tuesday, May 29.

Since Cars Land is still being polished up for its grand opening next month, we must keep our meet-up group very small. Thirty-three (33) participants will be invited, each with one (1) guest, to join us. No photography or video recording will be allowed inside Cars Land.* Since we’re visiting a working construction site, each participant and guest must check all electronic devices (including, but not limited to, cameras, phones and recording devices) with security staff who will be joining us for this event. Guests who choose not to check all of their electronic devices with security staff prior to entering Cars Land will not be able to participate in the event. This event is intended for Disney Parks Blog readers to see Cars Land. No members of the news media will be invited or allowed to attend.

Check-in for the event will begin at 5 p.m., and all participants and guests must be checked in no later than 5:30 p.m. All participants will be escorted into Cars Land for the tour, which will last approximately 45 minutes. During this exclusive tour, participants will be able to view Cars Land attractions but will not have the opportunity to ride. After the tour concludes, meet-up participants will be invited to spend the rest of the evening at Disney California Adventure park and enjoy the 9 p.m. showing of “World of Color” as our guests in a reserved viewing section. Park admission is not required to attend the event, but participants will be responsible for their own parking fees.

Space for the event is very limited and you must RSVP to meetups@disney.go.com, following these directions carefully:

• All participants who RSVP for the event must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18. Upon receiving the email confirming your attendance, you will be required to reply with the name of your guest. Meet-up invitations are non-transferrable.
• Valid RSVPs must include: 1) “Cars Land Meet-Up RSVP” in the subject line and 2) your name, email address and phone number in the body of the email. All confirmed RSVPs will be for the person who responds plus one guest. Incomplete RSVPs will not be accepted.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in, and all participants and guests must agree to check all electronic devices with security staff at the event.

Entrants whose valid RSVPs are accepted will be sent an email to confirm their attendance for the event on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. All accepted participants must reply to the confirmation email with the name of their guest.

I will give an update at the top of this post when capacity has been reached. Please note the event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Get your RSVP in now and be among the first guests inside Cars Land with the Disney Parks Blog!

*Any participants found to be photographing or otherwise recording during this event will be escorted off the Disneyland Resort premises and may be precluded from participation in any future events.

RSVP Now for Disney Parks Blog Cars Land Meet-Up at Disney California Adventure Park by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Hundreds of volunteers rose bright and early last Saturday, May 12, to help build a new playground just blocks away from the Disneyland Resort – and it came together in just one day!

Partnering with the City of Anaheim, Anaheim Family YMCA, KaBOOM! and local community members, Disney VoluntEARS built a playground at Stoddard Park in Anaheim that will provide more than 1,000 children a safe place to play. Planning began in March when local children met with Disney and KaBOOM! to design their ideal playground. The children’s drawings were then used to create the playground’s final design.

Disney is a KaBOOM! National Partner, supporting its vision of a play space within walking distance of every child in America. Since 2011, Disney has pledged more than $3.5 million to help build playgrounds and learning gardens across the country with the participation of thousands of Disney VoluntEARS. By the end of the year, Disney will have helped KaBOOM! build nearly 30 playgrounds nationwide!

Disney VoluntEARS Help Build New Playground Near the Disneyland Resort by Kevin Rafferty, Jr.: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Do something completely madcap today to celebrate. Why? Two decades ago, Muppet*Vision 3D opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a new dimension in deliciously demented daffiness was born — in an attraction that blended Fozzie’s “cheap 3-D tricks” with Audio-Animatronics characters, a live-in-person loony, little tiny bubbles and great big explosions. In other words, the perfect Muppet storm!

Muppet*Vision 3D was also the grand finale project to benefit from the creative touch of Jim Henson himself. “Jim was involved in every aspect,” Emmy-winning writer Jim Lewis says. “He worked with all of us and directed the film. After Jim’s passing, Frank Oz came in to help put the finishing touches on it.”

The West Coast version of Muppet*Vision 3D opened almost a decade later at Disney California Adventure park. The two attractions differ mostly by the almost endless little gags that abound inside and outside. “In California, there’s a Swintrek spaceship crashed outside the show building,” said Jim. “But Florida’s the only place where you can find the net full of jello!”

“That’s my favorite gag of all,” says acclaimed writer Craig Shemin, who is today Vice President of The Jim Henson Legacy. Craig was a key member of the creative team, along with Jim H., Jim L., scriptwriter Bill Prady (co-creator of TV’s “The Big Bang Theory”) and Jim Henson Productions Creative Director Michael Frith. “A few feet from the theater doors, if you look up, you’ll literally see a net full of jello. If you say it fast, it can make you giggle.” (Hint: It’s the name of our own Queen of Walt Disney World Resort.)

Muppet*Vision 3D also ushered in one of the pioneering advances in computer-generated animation, the spirit of 3-D himself, Waldo C. Graphic. Fun fact: Waldo and another Muppet*Vision 3D co-star, Bean Bunny, made their debuts on “The Jim Henson Hour” in 1989.

Muppet*Vision 3D is also a treasure in that it combines talent and artistry from both Jim Henson Productions and Walt Disney Imagineering. “What an incredible, brilliant, creative individual Jim Henson was!” recalls Kathy Rogers, Senior Show Producer-Director, Walt Disney Imagineering. “He always acknowledged everybody’s value and talent around him, while he always kept the focus going forward. I was in awe of that.”

For more Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks, see below:

• Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: Robert Sherman Made Our Lives a Jolly Holiday
• Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: For Your Consideration – ‘The Oswalds’
• Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: Ducky and ‘Lady and the Tramp’

Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: A Frog, a Pig and a Dream by Greg Ehrbar: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Many generations have grown up with “The Mickey Mouse Club.” From its debut on black-and-white television in the 1950s through the pop-driven cast of the late-80s and early-90s (when the cast also called Disney’s Hollywood Studios “home”), the show has long been a part of our world’s rich culture.

In the late-1970s, “The New Mickey Mouse Club” hit the TV airwaves and featured segments shot at both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Recently, Julie Piekarski, one of the Mouseketeers from the show’s 1970s revival, vacationed at Walt Disney World Resort — a visit that was loaded with fond memories of her days in the club that’s made for you and me.

And while the series was short-lived (Julie would go on to star on the premiere season of “The Facts of Life”), her memories are ones she re-lives each and every time she visits a Disney theme park. And she still even remembers the lyrics to a song she and her fellow Mouseketeers sang about “River Country.”

We caught up with Julie and asked her about her memories of the show. Be sure to keep a lookout for some classic Mickey Mouse Club memorabilia, as well as a few special guests who pop in to be a part of the homecoming.

One special guest even misses a cue and I give him some good-natured ribbing about it. But don’t worry, while he’s been known at times to lose his cool, he knew I meant it all in good fun.

A Mouseketeer Homecoming Lets ‘New Mickey Mouse Club’ Member Share New Memories with Her Family at Walt Disney World Resort by Gary Buchanan: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

If you’ve been to the Disneyland Resort in the past couple of days, you may have noticed a few new faces along the Disneyland Monorail line. Here to welcome their “Cars” friends to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park, Mandy and Mona Monorails began making trips around the resort yesterday – and they will soon be joined by a third friend, Manny Monorail. You can tell each by their colors: Mandy Monorail is blue, Mona Monorail is orange and Manny Monorail will be red.

Each Monorail has its own personality, which Disneyland Resort guests will certainly hear when riding. Manny, Mandy and Mona Monorails are taking charge of the overhead announcements themselves – providing a new experience along the “Highway in the Sky.”

Come take a ride on the Disneyland Monorail and visit our three newest Disneyland Resort friends – Manny, Mandy and Mona Monorails!

Three New Faces Come to the Disneyland Resort: Manny, Mandy and Mona Monorails by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog