March 10, 2007 - DLR News and Info

[dlfreak]

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Rockin' what? The billboard on the 5S has been replaced with this Leibovitz photograph of Scarlet Johanson dressed as Cinderella.



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Segway what? The Resort has been testing out these handy new toys in the Mickey and Friends parking structure. Similar T3 vehicles are in use by various law enforcement agencies around the country. Apart from greater stability and easier use, they can reach speeds of up to 25 mph. The testing has apparently gone over really well and the T3s are expected to see a greater presence at the Resort.



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This sign has been repainted and the similar sign at the other end of the Esplanade (not shown) is currently being painted.

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The farthest western entrance gate has been tarped up for some repainting.



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Tulips what? They are so last week. These and various other blooms have taken residence around Town Square.



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Madam Esmeralda sends her love.

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The castle appears to be finished with its repainting for now. The Princess Shoppe is still behind scaffolding and pink tarps.



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The formerly sunken swan appears to be on a fixed base now.



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Over in Tomorrowland, I noticed the back of this barrel is a mesh-type material. Perhaps it houses a speaker for area music?

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Nothing interesting here but the lights were on over this door.



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New mesh guards have gone up, likely because of low clearance.



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Both pathways for the Monorail are now in use. The right ramp leads UP to the monorail platform while the one on the left leads DOWN from the monorail platform. The stairs at the western end of the monorail station are also being used as an exit.

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A look across the submarine loading station.



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It's a bit hard to see but rocks poke out above the water near the underwater swaying crabs.



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An open hatch on the Neptune.

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A row boat sits on the lagoon next to a bag of red life preservers.



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Workman entering the hatch. (Yes, that’s a double LOST reference)



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A look at the Nautilus' open hatch.

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These plastic containers are filled with water and are used to simulate guest's weight while they test ride vehicles.



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From the monorail we saw some Splash Mountain logs sitting near the Indy show building.



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A look at the station and a temporary tent set up on the dock. I wonder what the black tube coming out of it is for…

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Seafarer and Neptune sitting pretty.



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Nautilus and Scout sitting equally pretty.



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A look at some of the underwater sea-life.

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Looking closer, you can see the some Atlantean ruins, a big tiki, and the infamous giant fish.



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The reflection of the sky blocks a bit more of peeking and it looks like the cave entrance is covered.



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Another tiki and some more ruins.

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It almost look like there's no water in this shot, that’s some clear H2O. There’s no word yet on whether or not the attraction will have any sponsors; Disney should give Aquafina a ring.



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A nice little reef hiding little green, pink-spotted, fish.



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The sandy, rocky, roof of the show building.

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Landscaping in progress on the piece of earth that connects the show-building with the Autopia. It’s going to be one beautiful view from Autopia once they are done and the walls are down!



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One final shot of the faux sand which may very well be underwater in the coming weeks when the waterfalls begin testing.



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Now some work going on in the former Motorboat Cruise area.

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If I'm not mistaken, these white rocks are originals from the Motorboat attraction.



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It looks like a pathway is being made.



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A pathway or maybe a water channel.

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A less photographed angle of the Matterhorn.



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A sub making its way around the lagoon.

Video Clip: Submarine circling the lagoon
RealPlayer - 8 seconds.
Download: High Bandwidth (0.70 megs)

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A look at some of the fake sand leading into the lagoon; creating a little shore.

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The Villain's Lair photo-spot has yet to return. Perhaps they are not quite done repainting the castle?



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The repainting of Dumbo's organ continues. Stop giggling.



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Geppetto's [Insert merchandise name here] Workshop was closed.

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I don't remember these banners on the back of the castle...



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The little cabin I photographed last update (here) is behind refurb walls.



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A peek between the cracks shows that that little cabin is GONE. Or at least, most of it. It looks like the frame-work is still there. A new merchandise location, maybe?

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A fickle little goat.



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A crane was out along the Big Thunder Trail, on the hunt for food.



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There's still scaffolding up but it doesn't look like anything is happening.

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The Colombia continues with its evening-only voyage schedule. Trips around the island begin at about 6pm.



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I loved the composition, the framing needs just a bit of work.



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Various construction-related bric-a-brac. Enthralling!

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The cave exit is open once again and a trashcan has been covered with a trash bag. Exciting!



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Orange rubber stoppers on exposed rebar. Fascinating!



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Barriers on the island. Titillating! I said stop giggling.

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Gotta love that 12x zoom lense! I got this shot from the docked Columbia.



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Bonanza Outfitters gets some TLC.



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The shop remains open while the exterior work continues.

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The Holiday Shop in Frontierland sports a pot of gold’s worth of St. Patty's merchandise including the ears which, as of Saturday, were not available at the Emporium.



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I loved this shot with Space in the background. Too bad the sky is washed out. :-\ I’ll get this one perfect, yet!



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The wait-board at about noon.

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A look down the BUSY Main Street, USA. No more tulips in the hub, either.



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Over at DCA, we noticed two familiar faces waiting in line for a churro.



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Really gotta love that 12x zoom lense! Pictured here is Nicole Richie and in the photo above, Richie is with her beau, Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden.

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Afterwards, we unexplainably felt the urge to hit up a bar. Here's some of the booze at the Cove.



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It doesn't look like a whole lot has happened since I looked here last.



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Some more framing has gone up near the Carousel, though. The line for non-swinging gondolas on the Sunwheel extended halfway to the main pathway so we opted not to ride for more Midway Mania pictures.

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This tower is STILL down for refurb. Better safe than sorry.



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The Swingers on the Orange appear to have returned.



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Burned out lighting inside the animation building. I actually took this photograph because I don't remember the sign being here up against one of the screens.

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I never see characters in the Character Close-up room anymore even though the sign in the lobby says to go there to take photographs/autographs of your favorite animated stars.



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We hopped into the Hyperion to catch Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular.

Video Clip: Genie makes fun of Jafar
RealPlayer - 2 minutes, 14 seconds.
Download: High Bandwidth (7.42 megs)

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This actor playing Jafar portrays him much differently than all the past actors who I've seen in the musical. He has more of a sophisticated English arrogance, kinda like a male Maleficent.

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A whole new world!



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The sun sets over the Hollywood Tower Hotel.



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On our way back into Disneyland we found the bricks of the past Disneyland Ambassadors, including these 2006 bricks for Becky Phelps and Adrae Rivas.

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The gates that lead backstage are temporarily gone. In the meantime, these barriers do little to hide the buildings and parade floats backstage. Speaking of seeing backstage, on our way out of the park later in the evening, we were escorted backstage behind the Main Street buildings to exit the park. The park was BUSY! No pictures of backstage because, well... its backstage! I can tell you, though, that it's very plain/industrial, the buildings are mint green, and the whole place is very stinky.



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Over in Frontierland, the Mark Twain remains all docked up.



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In fact, now it's in dry dock.

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Some magic-makers overseeing magic-making on the island.



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Nothing very different here since our last trip.



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Doesn't look like much is going on here either.

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Tractors and more construction bric-a-brac.



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Splash is still closed while its extensive refurbishment continues.



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It's a bit hard to see but some grass has been planted on the far left. Also notice, the queue building has gone behind scaffolding and tarps.

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This is the front entrance for Splash.



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Another look at the front entrance.



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Professor Barnaby Owl's Photographic Studio is also getting some attention. Maybe/hopefully they are integrating Disney's PhotoPass into the attraction.

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Over at the French Market, Queeny worked some of her magic with the Royal Street Bachelors. She's such a doll and so much fun to watch.



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The Disney Gallery has reopened sans pirates and now features the "Inspired by Disneyland" exhibit. This sign informs guests of all the artists that are featured.



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This beautiful painting is among some of the imaginative pieces available for sale. Please feel free to buy one for me on your next visit.

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One of the rooms features wonderful old "Golden Books" on display as well as stylized drawings of various Disney stories.



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A stylized painting of a mad tea party. There's no Hatter at this party, though. Actually, there kinda is; as you may know, Ed Wynn (who played Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins) provided the voice for the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.



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On March 18th, the "Fire At Will" piece will be available for purchase for a winsome $250 bounty.

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A lovely painting of Big Thunder Peak.



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A framed copy of the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters Exterior Mural can be yours, too.



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Here is another stylized painting depicting Disneyland; specifically, the Jungle Cruise.



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And finally, these vases and figures are among some of the other pieces available for purchase in the exhibit.

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To conclude, there is a new banner at the Mickey and Friends exit advertising Nemo's Summer 2007 opening.


THE END!

Please use the COMMENT feature to discuss this article!

For corrections please e-mail me, dlfreak, @mouseinfo.com

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Photographs in this update were taken with a Kodak EasyShare p850 camera.

[smitty-78]

Awsome update as always dlfreak!
Looks like lots of good stuff going on at the park.
Love the pics of the artwork!

[dlfreak]

Thanks smitty!

Sorry that the update was so late, everyone. My computer situation is still in the crapper.

[Michael]

The tent at the Subs station is an area being used for painting. That is an air vac if you will hose.

[Michael]

Very, very nice update dlfreak!!!

[Pixelteddy]

*giggle, giggle*


Great update dlfreak!
Thanks!

[nemofinder22]

LOL on the picture of the YOAMD swan theres a roll of duct tape

Great update as always!!!! and Thanks!

[DLmAgIc]

I love the pic of the TOT during sunset

GREAT update as always dlfreak

[ereed62]

Great update thank you.

[angels1517]

Great update! Do we have a date for the opening of Nemo yet?