Innoventions just recently added new banners. They help show what you will learn about in the building. The banners look very good and help add to the building's look, not take away. They put these banners up to help tell people what Innoventions is. That is one of the biggest problems they have, park research has found that most people don't know what Innoventions is all about so they don't go in there. Look for in the next little while for an increased effort to educate Park guests to what Innoventions is and why they should visit there.

Hotel News!!!

The exterior of the Disneyland Pacific Hotel (or should we say the Paradise Pier Hotel) should begin any week now. They did a test sample of the paint on the side of the Hotel two weeks ago this should really help to add more theme to the Hotel. The new tile work is progressing and is really looking good.
The Disneyland Hotel will start to get a remodeling in September on the Marina Tower. The grounds in front of the Sierra Tower are still under construction and should be completed within the next 2-4 weeks. A facelift is planned to begin in mid-to-late July for the exterior area of Granvilles this will help theme that area to the new Goofy's Kitchen. It will take 2 months to complete so it should be more than just a new paint job (I hope this looks wonderful, it sounds good so far). Also, the new entryway and lobby entrance for the Disneyland Hotel will begin within the next 2-4 weeks. But this really dependant on when the parking structure is going to open Yes it is planned for June 27th, but might get pushed back one more time due to a city issue.

What is going on with Park Upkeep??

I get so many emails worried about park upkeep, and I also get worried for the park as I see Paint Peel, and other problems around. Here is some news on what the parks plan is as of now. Small World was slated for a summertime repainting on the facade but I do not have word if they got the approval they needed to start work. If you think we are the only ones worried and frustrated about this think again the people in Facilities are even more frustrated because they know about the areas too and want to fix them. But there is only so much money to go around and a majority of Facilities money has been devoted the last few years and for next year as well in addressing many of the neglected infrastructure items that no longer can be put off and are costing millions upon millions of dollars. The infrastructure are items that the typical guest does not see in the Park, but has to be done in order for things to continue to work and operate. And the Paint that is made today isn't as good our doors Toontown has been painted in many areas up to 5-6 times already. The area isn't even 8 years old yet. In many places Facilities is making progress painting and repairing as much as possible and it is looking good. Critter Country buildings, parts of Toontown, parts of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland and even on Main Street have been recently done or are in progress. I pray for the Park to look as good as it can, and I beleive with Disneyland Fans like us and the wonderful people in Facilities it can.

Frontierland, Rocket Rods and other news Oh My!!!

Last time I posted a lot of news on Frontierland, but have now know that what I posted will most likely happen but it is more of a Wish List. Frontierland still has a major rehab planned to start in late September early October and completed by Thanksgiving. The details are being finalized right now they are looking at adding additional atmosphere entertainment like the miner with the mule and a new performance stage, however that has not been confirmed yet in the plan. The mining for gold is a wish list element and also is not formerly approved. If anything goes from the plan, that will probably be high up on the hit list. The rehab will mainly focus on replacing an aging sewer system. I know what you all just said WHAT A SEWER SYSTEM? but those things need to be done and that sewer system cannot be ignored any more. With that, an all-new pavement will be put in replacement the asphalt and slurry coating. It will most likely be a themed pavement (like Adventureland) but not quite as bumpy. Yes Adventureland pavement looks great, it does become very uncomfortable for wheelchairs and strollers. In addition, all of the buildings will get facade refurbishment and wood replacement and the entrance fort will be greatly refurbished too with the sign coming back. Much of the boardwalk and overhead wood work above the Shootin Arcade will be replaced as it is about to fall apart. Additional props, landscaping and themed elements will be added to bring Frontierland to life. Guess who is the main man behind this? If you said Paul your right he really wants to bring each land to life.
Rocket Rods will not disappear after the opening of Autopia. There are two rehabs planned for September and December to do some work to the beamway along the dispatch and reentry beam. It has now been completely confirmed that Rods have been given a significant amount of money to try and fix the problems. If that doesn't work ina a year or two Rods would be replaced with a new ride.
No News on MSEP and Autopia opens on the 25th but has the official opening on the 29th.
Hope you got through the update ok, I know it was a Large one but a very good one at that!!! I think that will do it for this week, not sure if the next update will be this (June 19-26) Week or next?
Oh yea Write me!!! That makes me want to do these things LOL. And check out the Newswire for all the Older News
Till next time.

June 11th 2000 ~ Some more news on how the Casa Mexicana/Frontierland Rehab is coming. Autopia is opening on June 29th so what's the word on the 25th?? And more news on different items.

A Frontierland Rehab is a comin
Last time I posted some news on the Casa Mexicana make over. The new Restaurant will include Mexican, BBQ and dessert items. But there are some other changes coming to Frontierland this fall. (I have had several email's on this, and news like this has been posted on several sites). There are plans to build a small stage which will be by the Casa Mexicana patio. On this stage they will have Mariachi bands and other western entertainment perform. They are also adding another Entertainment feature in this area, a Miner and his Burro will sit, walk, talk and make a great photo opportunity for guests. He will also encourage guest to try the all new "Pan for Gold" attraction. For a extra fee you will be able to Pan for gold just like a real Miner. I am excited to see these changes coming to Frontierland. And I am very glad to see that they are adding more entertainment to this area. Expect to start seeing a lot of work going on after Labor Day. I will keep checking to see if there is any more news on the exciting "Phase I" rehab to Frontierland.

The New Autopia opens the 25!!
Thats right on the 25th of June the new Autopia will open. The official reopening will be on June 29, expect to see the park officials out that day to give some remarks. But if you want to get a sneak peek at the new Autopia go on June 25th. I love how it is looking so far, the cars look great (I love how some of them are painted with the new Color Changing paint).
Other News
Starting this year all of the Rooms in the Disneyland Hotel will be redone. It will start with the Marina Tower and then move all the way around. They expect this to be done late 2001. No new News on MSEP But what we posted last time still seems to be true. I know this was a quick update. Look for a Larger update sometime this week.
Thanks again

June 5th 2000 ~ This is a very large update with tons of news. Read the plans for Rocket Rods. The latest news on the Casa Mexicana Rehab. Paradise Pier Hotel news, and Some very interesting news on the MSEP.

They aren't zipping away yet!

As of right now Rocket Rods aren't going any where. They will stay, facilities is working on fixing each vehicle. But if Rocket Rods does not improve after all of these changes, then and only then will they would a replacement attraction be considered. If they can't get it to work as good as they want it would be better to put the money it cost to run it (and it does cost a lot) into a new attraction. And I understand that if they do cut Rocket Rods they would still keep the Beamway and put a new attraction up there.

A while back they started a rehab on the Casa Mexicana and I though I would update you on what I know. They will serve Mexican, BBQ and dessert items. It will not be a two story restaurant as many other sites keep on talking about . That idea was scraped last year. It will be a very high themed single story building with an access route from Carnation Plaza Gardens to Frontierland through the restaurant. What do I mean by high themeing think Plaza Inn. As it was told to be they even brought the original designer of the old Casa Mexicana restaurant to help on the design work on the new restaurant to make sure the feeling of the existing facades remain consistent with the show inside the building. I am very excited to see this open (Although I don't have a date on it yet). It should be a wonderfully themed restaurant and really add a lot to Frontierland.

What will be next summers BIG thing??

For some time now there have been many Rumors that the MSEP would be coming back. It might just come back next summer (Key word there folks might). They plan is this the Parade would come back next summer. Then starting in 2002 new elements would be added. All leading up to the Big 50th Anniversary. That way the parade would remain fresh but still be the Classic Parade that we love. I would imagine that they would also have to take away floats as they add new ones each year. But we still don't know for "Sure" if the Parade will even return.

Hotel Rehab has begun

The Pacific Hotel will begin to change into the Paradise Pier Hotel today (June 5th) with the entire lobby area getting all-new tile. This will replace the carpeting and old tiles from PCH Grill down to the back sliding doors that lead to the parking structure. It should really look wonderful, and add a lot to the Theme and Show of the Hotel. The exterior is scheduled to begin within 2-3 weeks and completed this fall. I have seen the Art for the exterior and although it does look Crazy I think it will be a very nice update.

In the next few weeks I will add a LOT more stuff about the new Autopia. It is truly going to be a wonderful attraction. Also this week look for a lot more landscaping to happen at DCA. And also the Pacific Hotel Changes to start. I think that is all I have for today.
Till next time