You now can celebrate the return of the most patriotic attraction at Disneyland® Park. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, a beloved attraction for nearly 45 years and a historic landmark in the development of Audio-Animatronics® technology, has reopened in the Main Street Opera House. With a new, stunningly lifelike Abraham Lincoln figure and an enriched presentation, the refreshed attraction combines the best elements of the original Disneyland Park 1965 show and the most advanced technical enhancements. (The show first opened at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.)

The new Lincoln figure represents several major milestones. The fully electric head – a first for human Disney Audio-Animatronics figures, which are traditionally hydraulically operated – is based on an all-new sculpt that is more lifelike than in previous versions of the show. Thanks to Imagineers, Lincoln is more realistic than ever before as he rises from his chair and speaks.

Upon entering the Main Street Opera House, Guests encounter a redesigned lobby, including a separate presentation of items relating to Abraham Lincoln’s life and work. In the auditorium, Guests will first view an onscreen program about Lincoln and the Civil War that features digitally enhanced versions of pictures and sound created for past versions of the show along with fresh material. Next, the state-of-the-art figure of the 16th President of the United States will take the stage to deliver a speech composed of highlights from speeches made by Lincoln during his lifetime. When the 15-minute show concludes, Guests exit through a gallery depicting notable Americans who have followed in Lincoln’s footsteps and continue to inspire others.

Some of the latest enhancements to the show include:

• New Audio-Animatronics technology gives Abraham Lincoln more emotion and vitality during his speech.
• New, specially commissioned artwork by animator John Pomeroy of “Pocahontas” is on display.
• Audiences hear the original audio voice narration that has been preserved and made sharper using digital technology.
• The narration includes passages never heard in past Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln presentations.

Utilizing advanced technology to present Lincoln’s words for a more innovative and inspirational journey, this re-opening provides a fresh take on the nostalgic presentation.

The Disney Gallery has reopened at Disneyland® Park in its new location on Main Street, U.S.A.® (previously occupied by the Bank of Main Street).

While the location may be new, the remodeled Disney Gallery continues the outstanding tradition of showcasing original and one-of-a-kind Disney artwork and collectibles to Theme Park Guests. The new design maintains some of the unique elements of the former bank, including the popular bank vault, which is now used to display select pieces of historical Disney artwork.

In addition to the vault, the Disney Gallery is now made up of three separate rooms: two large display rooms and a merchandise room. The display rooms feature historic Walt Disney Imagineering conceptual art created during the development and enhancement stages of attractions and Disney-inspired art created by current and former Disney artists and Imagineers. Guests visiting the merchandise portion of the Disney Gallery will have the opportunity to purchase Disney prints (including on-the-spot prints from Print on Demand), sculptures, books and many other collectibles from popular Disney attractions and animated features.

The first exhibit on display at the new Disney Gallery location is “Enchanting the Classics.” This exhibit focuses on how artists at Walt Disney Imagineering have kept beloved Disneyland Resort® attractions such as the Submarine Voyage, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and “it’s a small world” fresh and exciting over the years with enhancements and surprises.

When you enter a Disneyland® Resort Theme Park or Walt Disney World® Resort Theme Park Oct. 5 – Nov. 22, 2009, and present your valid Theme Park ticket at select merchandise locations, you will receive a special card with details on how to get a certificate good for up to $8 towards the purchase of one child’s movie ticket when they purchase an adult movie ticket to see “The Princess and the Frog” at participating theaters. This full-length animated feature opens Dec. 11, 2009, and the certificates are redeemable Dec. 11-31, 2009. You must be age 10 or older to receive the special card.

Don’t miss out on “Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy” – giving guests a brand new experience on a classic attraction, only at the Disneyland® Resort. You can experience the supreme scares of this Halloween Time overlay now through Nov. 1, 2009.

“Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy” is a must-see if for you’re looking for new Halloween thrills. You will scream through the darkest regions of space and cross over into a ghostly netherworld featuring haunting new visual effects and a sinister new soundtrack. Guests take a terrifying ride where they try to escape the clutches of cosmic creatures lurking around every turn.

Renovated Rooms at the Disneyland Hotel will bring the Immersive Park Experience into Guest Rooms:

Fall is right around the corner and your next Disneyland® Resort vacation could be too!

Offer Details:
Now through Dec. 20, 2009, you can save $400* when you buy a 4-day/4-night Disneyland® Resort vacation package. That’s as little as $87, per person, per day.

To qualify for this special, you must stay at one of the three Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort.

Booking and Travel Window:

Booking Window: Aug. 12 – Dec. 19, 2009
Travel Window: Aug. 23, 2009 – Dec. 20, 2009

Click here to request a quote for this Disneyland® Resort special!

*$400 savings is based on the non-discounted price for the same 4-night package, with 4-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir tickets, at a Disneyland® Resort Hotel for a family of four (3 adults and 1 child (age 3-9). Offer is valid for bookings from 8/12/09 through 12/19/09 and for arrivals from 8/23/09 through 12/20/09 with travel being completed by 12/24/09. Not valid for previously booked rooms or for suites. Check for offers associated with different package lengths of stays. The Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir tickets expire 13 days after first use or 12/30/09, whichever occurs first, and each day of use of a ticket constitutes one full day of use. Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial purposes. The number of rooms allocated for this package may be restricted and subject to the Blockout Dates of 11/25/09-11/27/09; advance reservations required. Not valid with group rates or any other discount or promotion. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

So, you’re enjoying your day at one of Disney’s magical theme parks and you see on your entertainment guide that you have a chance to see a Disney parade. First of all, you are in for a treat! Disney is the master of entertainment and their parades are wonderful sites to behold. Here are just a few quick tips to maximize your viewing pleasure and enjoyment of your Disney parade. Follow these, and your Disney parade time will be magical!

Tips for Enjoying Disney Parades:

1. Arrive Early – Disney parades are extremely popular and many people line up anywhere from forty-five minutes to one hour and a half before the parade starts. Unless you are there during an extremely busy day, forty-five minutes should be plenty of time to find a good viewing location.
2. Find a Great Viewing Spot – Check your park map for parade routes. Some parades actually stop their forward motion for a period of time to put on a street party/show. You should definitely try to position yourself where those events occur. They are marked on your park map. Also, when in doubt, ask a Cast Member for the best viewing location. They’ve seen the parade tons of times and can tell you their favorite spot.
3. Prepare for the Elements – Whether hot or cold outside, be aware that you may be waiting in extreme weather conditions for over an hour. Be ready to cool off with a fan or sprayer (and don’t forget your sunscreen) OR be ready to warm up with a nice hot chocolate and a blanket.
4. Attend the Late Parade – If the Disney parade you are wanting to experience is running twice on the same day, attend the second running as it will almost always have less of a crowd and you can get a better spot to experience the magic.
5. Be Ready to Party – Disney parades are full of excitement, music, dancing, and other crowd pumping activities. If you want to experience the parade to the fullest, then jump out there and participate. Dance, sing, and have fun. Don’t worry about making a fool out of yourself…you’re on vacation…you’ll never see these people again!

Following a few simple tips can make your Disney parade experience magical. Disney parades are a perfect way to expierence the wonder and fantasy that the Disney parks are famous for!

One of the most beloved attractions at the Disneyland® Resort, “it’s a small world” has reopened with exciting new enhancements. With the premiere of a new “Spirit of America” scene, new musical enhancements and a new look for some of the attraction’s familiar child dolls, “it’s a small world” will once again take Guests of all ages on “the happiest cruise that ever sailed.”

This classic attraction has been renovated and enhanced while retaining the world-renowned charm that holds such a special place in the hearts of Disneyland® Resort guests. The “it’s a small world” journey continues to celebrate children of the world and their message of harmony and friendship. And now, for the first time, Guests will be able to find some of the child dolls dressed as their favorite Disney Characters, in the countries where their stories take place. For example, dolls dressed in Aladdin and Jasmine costumes play in the Middle East scene, and a doll dressed as Alice from “Alice in Wonderland” appears in the Great Britain scene.

View the video of “it’s a small world” reopening

You’ll enjoy riding “it’s a small world” again and again as you search for the 29 Disney and Disney•Pixar Characters now represented in the attraction. Some appear as child dolls and some are playful-looking toys, such as the White Rabbit who accompanies Alice. The new doll costumes and toys are fashioned in the same artistic style that has made “it’s a small world” an icon around the globe. That style was created by art director, color stylist and Disney Legend Mary Blair, whose sense of design shaped “it’s a small world” from the very beginning.

Additional fresh touches can be heard in the augmented “it’s a small world” soundtrack. The renowned “it’s a small world” song, written by Academy Award®-winning composers Richard M. and Robert S. Sherman, will still play throughout the attraction. Now, however, some subtle film music is woven into the song as counterpart melodies, fitting the characters and scenes.

You’ll love these exciting new enhancements to the classic attraction when you experience it themselves on “the happiest cruise that ever sailed!”

Haven’t booked your Disneyland® Resort vacation?  Click here to get started!

Travel + Leisure magazine, known as the authority for the discerning traveler, ranked four Disney resorts on its annual list of the 500 best hotels in the world.

The Walt Disney World® Resort earns distinction with three hotels on the list: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa at the Disneyland® Resort also won recognition for its quality and sophistication.

Now in its seventh year, this prestigious list is pulled together by an international team of Travel + Leisure reporters and editors using reader reviews as a guide as they comb the globe to find the most magnificent hotels, resorts, inns and lodges.

Life’s special moments are magnified when celebrated at Disney Parks — and next year, new interactive entertainment will help get the party started the moment you arrive! Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, reunion or other special occasion, you can celebrate with pure Disney magic!

Beginning in spring 2009, the heart of Disneyland® Park will rock to the beat of some of the best party tunes of all time during “Celebrate! A Street Party.” Balloons and streamers fill the air on Main Street, U.S.A.®, while crazy conga lines, swing dancers and Disney Characters take to the street to celebrate with you!

Also in spring, you can herd up the family and mosey on over to Frontierland® to enjoy the “Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch.” Visitors can enjoy a hearty Western meal along with a heapin’ helping of fun—including live entertainment, Disney Character appearances, and even a petting zoo filled with critters. You’ll want to make sure you have priority seating arrangements for this cowboy-style hoedown.

At the Walt Disney World® Resort, the “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party” will come to life in early spring 2009 at the Magic Kingdom Park. It will feature multiple floats (in this case, “party boxes”) each hosted by a Disney Character with fantastic upbeat music that will have you dancing and celebrating in front of Cinderella Castle. Hosts include Genie (from Aladdin), Lumiere (from Beauty and the Beast), Timon (The Lion King), Sebastian (The Little Mermaid) and the Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland).

And in late spring 2009, you can celebrate everything worth celebrating around the universe as you enjoy a new Stitch-themed dance party in Tomorrowland®. This interactive, retro-futuristic musical revue will feature audience interaction with Stitch, a high-energy dance troupe and high-tech big screen video effects.