Disney's California Adventure Weekly Update: May 3, 2010

Last week Mouseplanet reported that "Toy Story Midway Mania opened two hours after park opening at Disney's California Adventure park several days in late April—and now we know why. Taking advantage of the inherent flexibility of a video-based attraction, Disney Parks announced that both the West Coast and East Coast versions of Toy Story Midway Mania will be updated in May with an new game featuring characters from the upcoming Toy Story 3 film. The new game, called "Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts," replaces the current Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop game. Trixie, the new triceratops toy from the upcoming movie, is just one of many Toy Story 3 characters who will make an appearance in the attraction. Toy unicorn Buttercup joins Hamm in the opening Hamm & Eggs game, and five Toy Story 3 characters join Woody and Jessie in the prize scene. Disney has not given an exact debut date for the updated attraction; a cast member speculates that Disney might not publicize it at all, and just open the attraction one morning with the new game in place as a way to spark viral publicity.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Rex and Trixie's Dino Darts will join Toy Story Midway Mania in May. Image © Disney.

The cross-promotion with the new Pixar film won't end at the attraction's exit/gift shop. A new character meet and greet will let visitors pose with Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear inside an oversized toy "blister card." A Toy Story 3 "pre-parade" featuring Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear will be added to the Pixar Play Parade starting Sunday, May 9.

A Toy Story 3-related video appeared on You Tube last week, purporting to be an original 1980s-era commercial for Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear.


DCA Construction Update

Another week, another story to the Little Mermaid show building. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" construction site was quiet Saturday morning. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

An aerial view of the "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" construction site. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Silly Symphony Swings also sees some progress. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

More progress on the attraction queue. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A new walkway and planter have replaced the front half of the S.S. Rustworthy. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A peek into the Cars Land construction site, which will shortly be blocked from view by the screening wall. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Blue Sky Cellar closes June 3–9 to remove the current World of Color exhibit and to install a new exhibit focusing on the Little Mermaid attraction.

The ongoing Red Car construction zone in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, which includes a construction wall in the middle of Hollywood Blvd. and the closure of the connector between a bug's land and the Tower of Terror areas, is creating a traffic flow problem through the area. On busy weekend days, the crowd standing in line for Award Wieners block the sidewalk in front of the restaurant and overflow into the narrow street, bringing traffic to a halt. With no alternate entrance into the area, the crowding will only be relieved when the construction walls come down later this month."

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix


Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Seasonal refurbishments:

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – closed through May 20 for refurbishment.
• Blue Sky Cellar – closed June 3 - 9 to install a new exhibit.

Construction-related closures:

• Golden Dreams– closed. The building that once house this film-based attraction has been demolished, and will eventually be replaced with the new Little Mermaid ride.
• Burger Invasion – closed. No announcement has been made about a potential replacement for this former McDonald's location, but an employee publication lists May 24, 2011 as the return date.
• Paradise Pier Lagoon – work continues on the World of Color installation.
• Paradise Park – area closed for construction of new viewing area for Disney's World of Color water show.
• Corn Dog Castle – closed due to construction in the area. An employee publication lists March 24, 2011 as its return date. During the renovation, corn dogs are available at Bountiful Valley Farmer's Market.
• Souvenir 66 – closed due to construction in the area. An employee publication lists March 24, 2011 as its return date, and "Seaside Souvenirs" as the new name of the store.
• Orange Stinger – closed through May 28 for refurbishment and renovation into the Silly Symphonies Swings.
• Golden Vine Trattoria – closed through June 9; will be renamed "Wine Country Trattoria."
• Tower of Terror Fastpass – not offered through August 15 due to construction of the connector between Bug's Land and Tower of Terror.
• Bug's Land / Tower of Terror connector – the temporary connector path will be closed through August 15 to allow construction of a more permanent route between the two lands.

Disclaimer: this blog does not claim own these photos or this information.
They were borrowed from Mouse Planet