MiceChat: A Different Look At Disney

Is The Disney Dining Plan Worth It?

Fishbulb — Thu, 31 May 2012 05:02:32 +0000

If you read MiceChat, you probably already have a good handle on how the Disney Dining Plan works, but what you might not know is whether or not it’s a good deal for you. Chris Wood goes through the ins and outs of the Disney Dining plan and examines what a vacationer should consider before opting in. On the one hand, you simply will not go hungry, on the other hand everything is planned out. It’s good because everything is planned, it’s bad because what you don’t use, you lose. Read on to get a better insight into this daunting subject. Is the dining plan worth it for you?

A Story With Bite – Remembering the California Alligator Farm

Fishbulb — Thu, 31 May 2012 05:01:46 +0000

Sam is joined by historian, Richard Harris, this week as they examine the history of the California Alligator Farm. You may not know it, but this slithery story began in Arkansas of all places in 1906. Later on the exhibit was moved to Los Angeles California, before finally settling in Buena Park California, near Knott’s Berry Farm. This colorful history is a surprising story of the good and bad fortune of this California icon.

The Very First Look at Cars Land at Disney California Adventure

Fishbulb — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:50:11 +0000

Were you one of the lucky 66 guests invited to preview Cars land at Disney California Adventure? A very lucky MiceChatter was, and they are here to share their opinion. Read here as they detail the tour through Luigi’s Flying Tires, the Cozy Cone Cafe area and Flo’s V8 Cafe. Hear what the imagineers Kevin Rafferty, Sr. and Kathy Mangum had to share with the visitors. We even get to hear what they thought of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree! If this doesn’t make you excited for Cars Land, nothing will!

Mad T Party, Bob Gurr Book Signing, the Carthay Circle Theater and more…

Fishbulb — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:53:37 +0000

The Mad T Party arrived this week with a flourish of color, noise and pomp. The walls were removed from the Carthay Circle Theater area, revealing a beautiful fountain and lots of amazing details. Did you hear that Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are moving to Big Thunder Ranch? What bout the accident on the Raging Spirits coaster in Tokyo? Why did Universal Hollywood announce Harry Potter so early? You’ll find theme park topics aplenty in this week’s MiceChat Round Up. All this plus three new videos on thevMiceTube and George and Jeff review Bob Gurr’s new book, Design: Just For Fun. Read about the book, then learn how you can have lunch with Bob Gurr on June 30th! It’s true! A brand new MiceChat event on June 30th! It’s all here and ready for you!

Laugh With Mike From Monsters Inc Laugh Floor

Fishbulb — Wed, 30 May 2012 08:00:42 +0000

So what happens when you combine standup comedy and the magic of Disney? You get the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, of course! Continuing the plot of the Pixar film, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor opened in April 2007 as a comedy club, where folks from the human world could go to help power Monstropolis through the power of their laughter. This week we speak with Mike, a cast member from the laugh floor. He tells us how things worked behind the scenes and how the cast members worked to make each performance frighteningly funny!

Design: Just for Fun by Bob Gurr, a Book Review

Fishbulb — Tue, 29 May 2012 05:34:20 +0000

If you delve into the history of Disney theme parks, you’re going to see Bob Gurr’s name mentioned with Marc Davis, Roger Broggie, Rolly Crump, Claude Coats, Marty Sklar and many other Disney legends. If you’ve visited Disneyland or Walt Disney World, then you’ve experienced a ride vehicle or attraction that Bob designed. Bog wrote a brand new book, Design: For Fun and George reviews this highly anticipated book!

Disney’s Big Thunder Reopens, Animation Resort Tour, Uni’s Spongebob Store and More

Fishbulb — Tue, 29 May 2012 04:32:49 +0000

This week the Orlando Parkhopper crew jumps around the area theme parks to brings you the latest news and info. The big story this week is from the Magic Kingdom where Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has returned from its epic refurbishment. Merida, from Disney Pixar’s Brave has also begun greeting guests as well. Next up, we venture over to the new Art of Animation resort to tour the grounds and see if it’s worth a stay. From Disney, we head down the road a bit to Universal Studios Resort to see their new Spngebob Square Pants shop and we even stop by SeaWorld just for fun.There’s a lot of ground for us to cover today, so let’s get started. We hope you had a fabulous three-day weekend!

Dateline Disneyland — Carthay Circle unveiled and T Time in Hollywood

AndyCastro — Mon, 28 May 2012 08:45:19 +0000

It was a busy week at the Disneyland Resort as Disney removed construction walls around Disney California Adventure’s new Carthay Circle Theater and fountain area. The unveiling of these key features gave guests a big sneak peek at the new Buena Vista Street area, which officially opens June 15. Meanwhile in Hollywood Land, the new Mad T Party nighttime event soft-opened, giving enthusiastic Memorial Weekend crowds their first taste of the new Alice In Wonderland-themed dance party. In Cars Land, finishing touches continue to be lavished on the new 12-acre land as the nearby Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and Soda Fountain nears its grand opening. At Disneyland, the Carnation Caferemodel and expansion project continues to show progress with gorgeous new signage. And in Downtown Disney, the La Brea Bakery reopened after completing its own expansion project. We’ve got all the latest news, photos, video and more in today’s Memorial Day edition of Dateline Disneyland!

The Best Food you Never Ate – Fictional Food of the Magic Kingdom

Fishbulb — Mon, 28 May 2012 06:33:14 +0000

It’s something you have seen on each visit but never really grew a taste for. Hidden in the details of many of the lands at the Magic Kingdom are references to food, or food packaging. Hercules Oats, King Carrots, Muskrat Moonshine, they are all there in plain sight. But they are enhancements to the land, rater than things you can actually eat. Join George Taylor as he observes some of the finer details in set dressing from around the park. You will see things you never knew you never knew.

Monkey Madness – Part 2 of a Safari to South Africa with Adventures by Disney

Fishbulb — Sun, 27 May 2012 06:33:39 +0000

Teresa Cory brings us another spectacular installment of her once in a lifetime Safari to South Africa with Adventures By Disney. This week we detail some pretty amazing meals. Visit a park called Monkeyland where the little simians roam free. We’ll also see the Birds of Eden, the beautiful Bramon wineries, take a hike to the beach and visit elephants at Knysna Elephant park. There are plenty of surprises in store in this chapter of the Safari to South Africa.