April 2022 – A Walk With The Mouse

Disney Hotel Undergoing Revamp, All-New Pixar Theme Coming Soon

Posted on April 29, 2022April 29, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Disney has just announced that the fan-favorite hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, located in Disneyland, will soon get an all-new theme!

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel in Disneyland Resort is a fan-favorite hotel, themed to the California beachfront boardwalks. Disneyland currently describes the hotel as:

Celebrate the heyday of California beachfront boardwalks at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Step back in time at this old-fashioned yet modern hotel—home to a variety of shopping and recreation opportunities—and ride a wave of relaxation from your charming seaside-themed room all the way up to the rooftop pool for some welcome fun in the sun.

Soon, however, the California beachfront theming will wash away as Disney announced the hotel will undergo a revamp and will include an all-new Pixar theme!

As seen in the concept art above, Paradise Pier will soon include Pixar theming elements, including the iconic Pixar balls seen in various films.

According to Disney Parks Blog:

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel will soon begin a transformation, with an all-new theme! The reimagining of the hotel will weave the artistry of Pixar into its comfortable, contemporary setting. Guests will gain a new perspective on some of their favorite Pixar worlds and characters through carefully curated artwork, and décor that reveals the creative journey of the artists who helped bring these stories to life.

Additionally, the new Pixar-themed hotel will include the Pixar Lamp as the center of the lobby, as seen in the concept art above. Disney Parks Blog shared:

Guests will be welcomed into whimsical character moments, like the iconic, playful Pixar Lamp balancing atop its ball in the lobby (as pictured in this artist concept rendering). Stay tuned, as we will share much more about this project soon!

At this time we do not know what the new hotel’s name will be, or when this revamp will be taking place, but Inside the Magic will update you as we get information.

Disney also recently announced new hotel benefits coming for Disneyland Guests, including a new walkway from Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel to Disney California Adventure Park, as well as early theme park entry.

Other exciting news at the Disneyland Resort includes upgrades coming to the shopping and dining district, Downtown Disney. As previously announced by D23, the multi-year project to reimagine Downtown Disney District is being planned with work starting in January 2022 and will include an even broader collection of shopping, dining & entertainment experiences.

Disney Cruise Line Announces New Experiences for Halloween in 2022

Posted on April 29, 2022April 29, 2022 by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Halloween on the High Seas will return to Disney Cruise Line with more sailings than ever before and new one-of-a-kind experiences for families in September and October 2022. Guest-favorite entertainment and activities, including trick-or-treating, spooky parties, elaborate décor, and themed food and beverage items, will await guests on these limited-time voyages as each ship transforms into a ghoulish wonderland.

1- First-of-its-Kind Character Meet and Greet
Disney Cruise Line guests will be the first to experience an all-new character meet and greet opportunity across the fleet during Halloween on the High Seas sailings. While all of the Disney characters on board will adorn Halloween costumes as part of the festivities, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow will debut a never-before-seen look as they dress up as their favorite Halloween sisters, the Sandersons from the movie “Hocus Pocus.”

2 – Disney Wish Debuts All-New Magical Pumpkin Tree
During its inaugural season of Halloween cruises this fall, the Disney Wish, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, will introduce a unique twist on a Halloween on the High Seas hallmark.

The centerpiece of every ship during Halloween sailings is the signature magical Pumpkin Tree towering over the atrium lobby, each with sprouting Jack-O-Lanterns and flickering lights.

Aboard the Disney Wish, guests will witness the debut of an all-new Pumpkin Tree in the “Cinderella”-inspired Grand Hall. Featuring lighter bark, graceful branches and a mystical face, this enchanted tree that grew perfect gourds with the help of a Wishing Star at night produced the perfect pumpkin that became the coach that carried Cinderella to the Prince’s Ball.

Other special experiences on Halloween on the High Seas sailings include:

Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party: Beloved Disney characters in Halloween attire will join guests for a fun-filled costume party.
Halloween Isn’t Just For Kids: Adult-exclusive venues across the fleet will become a ghoulish setting for costume contests and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor.
Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in staterooms.
Ghoulish Delights: Guests will enjoy special themed food and beverage items.
More spooky fun includes mask-making and a ghostly takeover of ship announcements.

Halloween on the High Seas voyages will be offered aboard select sailings in September and October. Departing from ports in Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida, San Diego, and New York City, each cruise will take families to fascinating destinations including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico. All sailings from Port Canaveral and Miami will include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise outfitted for family fun and relaxation and brimming with special Disney touches.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party to Return in 2022! Dates Released!

Posted on April 28, 2022April 28, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Happy #HalfwaytoHalloween! That’s right, we’re just about six months away from Halloween and Disney is celebrating with their annual #HalfwaytoHalloween event. Disney has just announced the most frightfully exciting news that the very popular Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party WILL return in 2022. This will be the first time the party has been offered since 2019 (no event in 2020 and Disney After Hours Boo Bash in 2021). We are so excited!

From a Disney Cast Member;

Here at Walt Disney World Resort, we’re celebrating #HalfwaytoHalloween with all treats and no tricks! In honor of the #HalfwaytoHalloween festivities taking place across Disney Parks this week, we’ve teamed up with “Hocus Pocus 2” star Doug Jones to make a very exciting announcement.

There you have it! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this fall during the resort’s 50th Anniversary celebration. Keep reading for details about this fall-favorite event and learn how you can get into the spirit early by taking part in the #HalfwaytoHalloween festivities.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

This fall, ghosts and ghouls of all ages are invited to don their favorite costumes and celebrate all things haunted during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Taking place on 37 select nights from Aug. 12 through Oct. 31, 2022, this special event haunts Magic Kingdom Park after normal park operating hours from 7 p.m. to midnight.

As a part of this limited-capacity event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party attendees will encounter event-exclusive entertainment, notorious Disney villains, frightfully delicious menu items and more! Here’s some of what’s in store:

- The Headless Horseman will ride his ghostly steed down Main Street, U.S.A. as a prelude to “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” which features floats filled with Disney Characters dressed in their Halloween best, Disney villains and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers.
- What’s Halloween without candy? During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests can go trick-or-treating for M&M’S, SKITTLES, SNICKERS, and other Halloween favorites at locations throughout Magic Kingdom Park. And new this year, guests will also receive a reusable trick-or-treat bag featuring a keepsake 50th Anniversary celebration and Halloween design.
- Join the Sanderson Sisters during the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show at Cinderella Castle as they call upon their frightening colleagues to conjure the ultimate “Hocus Pocus” Party Potion.
- Celebrate the season alongside favorite Disney characters as they take over the park for their favorite party of the year.
- Overlays themed for the occasion will return to several popular Magic Kingdom attractions: Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
- The Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, will host “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.” This can’t-miss nighttime extravaganza features projections, special effects and lighting mixed with fireworks, music and Disney characters.
- Discover sweet and savory menu items inspired by fall flavors and the Halloween season.
- NEW! In honor of the 50^th Anniversary celebration, we’re adding even more fun to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year in the form of event-exclusive step-in photo opportunities. And in addition to the reusable trick-or-treating tote bag, guests will also receive a Halloween-themed 50^thAnniversary celebration commemorative print.

Unearth Two New Disney PhotoPass Offerings

Posted on April 28, 2022April 28, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

The Disney PhotoPass team is gearing up for Halfway to Halloween with the launch of two creepy cool things at Walt Disney World Resort.

First stop: The 5^th Dimension. Get your subdued smiles and gloomy glares ready. There’s a storm brewing near the Hollywood Tower Hotel!

The newest Disney PhotoPass Lens launches today, and it’ll make clients feel like they’ve stepped back in time to Halloween night, 1939. Tip: When using this Lens, go far enough down Sunset Boulevard to hear the shrieks of those onboard the attraction. It really adds to the mood.

This Lens is available to use only on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through the My Disney Experience app with the purchase of Disney Genie+ service.*

Starting today, all foolish mortals materializing onboard The Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park will notice that their photo will have a new look. As they’re known to do, the grim grinning ghosts are coming out to socialize – in the dead space of Guests’ photos! And if clients ride this attraction multiple times, they’ll notice that each time they ride, a different ghost might follow them home.

Remember, there’s no photo preview wall at the exit of this attraction where Guests can link their photo, so there are two options to have it automatically linked to a Disney account while riding:

Use a mobile device. Enable Bluetooth® for the My Disney Experience app before riding, ensure you’ve logged into the app sometime earlier that day, and keep the device out of low power mode. Then just put the device in a pocket or bag while enjoying the ride.**
Wear a MagicBand that’s linked to a Disney account.

This update at the Haunted Mansion is the first in our ongoing efforts to enhance onboard photos at some of your favorite Walt Disney World Resort attractions.

Next time clients head off to Magic Kingdom Park or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they can enjoy these cadaverous capture opportunities!

*With the purchase of Disney Genie+ service, Walt Disney World guests can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app as soon as they enter the park. Select Disney PhotoPass Lenses are accessible only within designated areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other Disney PhotoPass Lenses will remain accessible in the My Disney Experience app until 5:59 a.m. on the 45^th day after the day on which the Disney Genie+ service was used; certain states and localities are excluded. Many Disney PhotoPass Lenses use technology that detects the coordinates of key points on a guest’s face and/or hands and may be used only by guests 18 years of age and older who have consented to use of this technology. Therefore, guests unable to provide such consent, as well as guests under 18 years of age, will have fewer lenses available to use. To access Disney PhotoPass Lenses, an eligible mobile device with the My Disney Experience app with access to the device’s camera and location is required. A purchase of Disney Genie+ service at Walt Disney World Resort does not include downloads of a guest’s Disney PhotoPass photos or videos that were captured by photographers and onboard attractions. Use of Disney PhotoPass Lenses is subject to the Terms and Conditions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

**Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

Death at Big Thunder Mountain has led to the belief that the ride is haunted

Posted on April 28, 2022April 28, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via DisDining.com

Nearly 20 years ago, a young man lost his life at the Big Thunder Mountain attraction at Disneyland Resort in California, which led the state to mandate stricter safety requirements. And today, some still believe his spirit lives on inside the park.

Twenty-two-year-old Marcelo Torres, a graphic designer and aspiring animator, was seated in the lead passenger car of the ride vehicle at Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain attraction when a tragic accident happened on the ride in 2003. The crash was the result of the failure of a mechanical part on the locomotive ride vehicle.

Per a report in theLos Angeles Times, the accident happened when two bolts from the locomotive’s left guide wheel assembly came loose and fell off the vehicle, causing a chain-reaction of events.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Opens in Frontierland at Disneyland - D23

The bolts falling off caused “an axle to jam into the railroad’s ties. The locomotive nose-dived, and its rear hit the top of a tunnel. The force snapped a tow bar connecting the locomotive to the lead passenger car, which slammed into the locomotive’s undercarriage,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

Marcelo Torres was killed in the accident, and ten other Guests were injured as well.

Torres’s parents, Jaime and Carmen Torres, of Gardena, California, sued Disney after the death of their son. In December 2005, just three days before jury selection was to begin in the case, Disney settled with the Torres family for an undisclosed amount.

The Walt Disney Company also accepted responsibility for the terrible accident, saying in a statement from then-Disneyland Resort spokesman Rob Doughty, that Disney “deeply regrets that the tragic accident occurred and [is] terribly saddened by the grievous pain this caused the Torres family.”

marcelo torres family disneyland accident

In response, Marcelo Torres‘s parents issued a statement, saying, “There is no money possible to pay for his life– ever–but that is the only remedy the law can provide. Now that this exhausting emotional process has finally concluded and we have our answers, we will hopefully have some closure.”

But some believe that closure hasn’t come for everyone and that Marcelo Torres‘s spirit still lives on near the Big Thunder Mountain attraction at Disneyland Resort.

An online video posted by HauntedTraveler77 claims that the spirit of Marcelo Torres sits on a bench near the attraction in the evenings.

One viewer responded, saying “I haven’t seen the ghost but I get an icky feeling walking over there after closing. There are some places you don’t go alone.”

The accident was one of three serious accidents that happened in just five years at Disneyland. The accident also led the State of California to mandate additional safety requirements for Disneyland. Per the Los Angeles Times:

After the crash, the state ordered Disneyland to retrain ride maintenance workers, managers, and ride operators; to require a test run of all cars on Big Thunder Mountain before passengers are loaded, and to require that those who perform maintenance on rides be the ones who sign that the work was completed.

The Big Thunder Mountain crash was one of three major accidents during a five-year period at Disneyland in which ride maintenance arose as an issue. A patron was killed in 1998 when he was hit by an iron cleat that a taut rope tore from the Columbia sailing ship. Two years later, nine passengers were injured on Space Mountain when a bolt broke on a wheel assembly.