Right now there are closures on the I4 both directions and International Drive is closed in the area. So far the fire has damaged no structures.

Fire plays havoc with traffic near Walt Disney World originally posted on
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Ever since filming a few episodes of Spin and Marty back in the day, the Walt Disney Company has worked on a piece of property, once a cattle ranch, and now known as the Golden Oak Ranch out near the Santa Clarita Valley. If you’ve watched any Disney movies or Disney Channel specials, you’ve no doubt seen large parts of it. The 890 acre plot is close enough to Hollywood that you can easily get there to film but not have to pay expensive transportation costs.

Part of the wonder of Golden Oak Ranch was that it was kept in a mostly natural state, but now Disney is looking at expanding some more permanent structures and building a high tech studio for ABC and the movie divisions.

Already, Disney has been promoting its plans to local residents, sending out brochures touting the economic benefits, saying the complex would create 3,152 construction jobs, in addition to 2,854 positions once completed, and contribute $533 million annually to the county’s economy.

Disney said the development would affect only 6% of the ranch, on two mostly barren parcels of land, preserving most of the property as natural backdrop. Plans also call for restoring a portion of Placerita Creek with natural vegetation, planting 1,600 oak trees to replace 158 that will be removed, and adding a nature trail to connect to existing trails in the Los Angeles National Forest.

More at the LA Times.

Disney to Develop Golden Oak Ranch into High Tech Studio originally posted on
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The walls have come down around the new park icon at Disney California Adventure. Carthay Circle Theatre sits at the south end of Buena Vista Street and will act as the primary ‘wienie’ (Walt’s term for an icon that draws you into a land). Looks beautiful in the rain, right?

Disney California Adventure is set for a grand reopening on June 15! Will you be there?

(Photo courtesy Disney./Paul Hiffmeyer )

Carthay Circle Theatre Revealed at DCA originally posted on
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Growing up I always wanted to help set a Guinness World Record. I’ve now done it twice at the same location, but at two different theme parks and for two different records. How does that work? First was at Cypress Gardens for the world’s largest Easter Egg Hunt. This morning was at LEGOLAND Florida’s new water park where we set the record for most beach balls in the air at the same time. LEGOLAND Florida, of course, took over the old Cypress Gardens adventure park and water park.

Here’s a video of the event. I like the section where over 1000 beach balls are launched into the air simultaneously.

The water park features the same attractions as the Cypress Gardens version, plus a new toddler play area, but refurbished and with many LEGO touches added. I enjoyed the Lazy River, where you can build a LEGO brick raft and the wave pool. The LEGOLAND Water Park opens to the public on May 26th and is sure to be a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

LEGOLAND Florida Smashes World Record in Water Park Preview Today originally posted on
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Disney Channel’s Friday night was Gridlicious (New word…what do you think?) as “Tron Uprising: Beck’s Beginning” premiered. This is the prequel to the new series premiering on Disney XD (Disney’s boy-centric network) on June 7th at 9pm. The gorgeously animated special centers on a program named Beck whose land is becoming overtaken by “Clu 2′s Crew” (or the orange people for you Tron newbies). Though Tron (The George Washington of the Grid Revolution, if you will) has “died,” Beck thinks he can disguise himself as Tron, rally up his fellow programs, and lead them to victory against Clu 2. After a successful/failed attempt at a defeat, an “Clu 2 Assistant” captures him and they discuss his past and future. After Beck fights him, not even phasing the masked man, Mr. Orange reveals himself as Tron (OH NO YOU DIDN”T!).

Tron believes in Beck so much, he decides to hand over the baton, er, disc, to Beck and announces him as the new Tron. All this is happening while Clu 2′s man henchman, General Tessler, has decided to take innocent programs, (cough cough Beck’s friends cough cough), and put them into “The Games” (Think Hunger Games, but with cool light-up Frisbees). Beck eventually proves himself to Tron after an orange lends Beck a helping hand after Beck spared his life. The helping of the hand results in the orange’s derezzing (The term on The Grid for a death). Beck does safe his friends, comes way too close to dying after a fight with General Tessler, and seems to give off a “love vibe” with…wait for it…an Clu 2 supporter (Say it ain’t so!).

After Tron Legacy’s hype was ginormous and the pay off at the box-office wasn’t, the feelings against Tron haven’t been all that nice. The original Tron was a box-office flop, Tron Legacy was a modest box-office flop, and yet, Disney keeps pushing for this to be a successful franchise. With a stellar cast at the helm of this show (Paul Reubens, Bruce Boxleitner, the original Tron, Mandy Moore, and Elijah Wood), some of the most amazing animation I have ever seen, and a super solid premiere episode (My only complaint? The lips didn’t match the sound. I am not sure if it was my TV, Disney Channel’s mess-up, or how they want the show to look, but the lips and the voices had a significant lag time in between.), I wouldn’t be surprised if this causes another Tron film. I can sense this becoming the “Star Wars: Clone Wars” of the Tron world. I am really looking forward to the full series to begin in June!

Did you watch the prequel? (If you haven’t…I left the full episode at the bottom of the page!) Do you agree that this is a great new show? Are you really jealous of those light cycles? Let me know in the comments below. I will (Hopefully) do a premiere episode recap in June to see if the prequel lives up to the show. Until next time…Don’t step off The Grid! Have a Magical Day!

Tron’s 2nd Reboot: Tron Uprising…will it work? originally posted on
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Thank you Disney for making moments like this possible!

A Cracker Jack Solution at the Magic Kingdom originally posted on
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With the major changes at Disney California Adventure due to roll out, the Disneyland Resort is expecting major crowds this summer. That said, it’s always a good idea to tell people that there’s something new to see. With that in mind, Disney has rolled out two TV commercials featuring Buzz Lightyear as he explores the parks.

The first is specific to DCA

The second has many of the same scenes, but also has some shots specific to Disneyland itself:

It’s a cute idea. I have to wonder if some of this is meant to counter the bad vibes sent out when the resort raised prices on tickets and annual passes. Actual attendance doesn’t seem to be a problem. APs went up 30% in a bid to force some pass holders to downgrade to passes with black outs on the busiest days of the year. Cast Members have also been restricted on how often they can ‘sign-in’ family and friends over the summer.

What do you think? Will crowds materialize this summer?

Buzz Lightyear Themed Commercials for Disneyland originally posted on
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Here are the two course maps for comparison:

Disneyland Half Marathon 2012 Map

Disneyland Half Marathon 2011 Map

Other highlights for the 2012 course will include running through Angel Stadium, as well as starting and finishing by the Disneyland Hotel and the Downtown Disney district. Will you be running the Disneyland Half Marathon this year? What do you think of the course changes for this year?

Previously: Walt Disney World Announces New Course for Marathon.

Disneyland sets New 2012 Half-Marathon Course originally posted on
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Though there were no churros or Dole Whips to be found at Disneyland Paris, one popular treat found in American Parks is also readily available at Disneyland Paris – pop pop popcorn!

Just like in the states, the aroma of fresh popcorn wafts through the air at Disneyland Paris, and it’s offered in adorable collectible buckets. I spotted these three design variations during my visit in early May.

The 20th Anniversary bucket with the yellow lid, dangling star and soaring characters, is an exclusive to Disneyland Paris.

I really loved the the red and black Mickey Ears style, also stamped with the Disneyland Paris logo. (Alas, not enough room in the suitcase for this one!) The blue-topped bucket with Disney character favorites was also a popular choice among Guests throughout the Parks. I can’t say for sure if these two buckets are exclusive to Disneyland Paris and am hoping The Disney Blog readers can help solve the mystery. If you’ve spotted similar designs at other Disney Parks, let us know!

Previously: Hats, but no Mouse Ears, at Disneyland Paris.

Calling All Disney Popcorn Bucket Collectors – Disneyland Paris Sets originally posted on
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The man was on a mission to win the mirrorball trophy. His determination could not be stopped. Beating out the technically brilliant Katherine and Mark, Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd were crowned champions of the ballroom on last night’s “Dancing With the Stars” finale.

After watching this season’s eliminated contestants come back to dance one final time, we saw performances from Kelly Clarkson and Gladys Knight. The three remaining couples each danced a perfect scoring last dance for the judges. William and Cheryl performed another sexy salsa, Katherine and Mark dazzled with a jive, and Donald and Peta heated things up with a cha cha.

William and Cheryl were revealed to be in third place, which left Katherine and Mark and Donald and Peta on the dance floor with the trophy within reach. It was Donald and Peta who came on strong at the end, peaking at the right team to win it all. What a conclusion to a thrilling season of competition!

I’m super excited for the upcoming all-stars season. I can’t wait to see who makes a  return trip to the ballroom. I’ll definitely be watching!

Driven. “Dancing With the Stars” Finale. originally posted on
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