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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.

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.

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.

Below is a video that is floating around the Internet of a full-size animatronic figure of WALL-E from the new Disney/Pixar movie of the same name. This video was taken at the Disneyland® Resort in California. Rumor has it that this life-size version of WALL-E will also be appearing at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, FL soon. Enjoy!

Wall-E Spotted in LA! from Blink on Vimeo.

All the exciting and colorful worlds of the Disney•Pixar pals – from “Toy Story,” “a bug’s life,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Cars” and “Ratatouille” – come to life in the all-new Pixar Play Parade in Disney’s California Adventure® Park as part of The Year of a Million Dreams celebration at Disneyland® Resort.

Characters from every Disney•Pixar motion picture will appear in the magical immersive parade, which will invite you to take part in the playfulness of a whirling, spinning, fun-for-all animated playground. The parade features acrobatics, bungees, high-energy choreography, interactive surprises and lively bubble and water effects.

Pixar Play Parade features a dozen parade floats up to two stories tall, themed to Disney•Pixar movies and equipped with fun and surprising movement and effects. Encouraging everyone to dance, play and clap along, Mike, Sulley and their monster buddies from “Monsters, Inc.” will lead the procession.

Next up is a flowerbed of hopping, swinging bugs: the colony from “a bug’s life.” Then “The Incredibles” will zoom into view, superhero style, aboard amazing hovercrafts. But watch out! The sinister Omnidroid is on the loose and baby Jack-Jack could burst into flames at any moment!

From there it’s into the bubbling world of Dory, Marlin, Crush, Bloat and the colorful underwater friends from “Finding Nemo,” who invite everyone to “play in schools” (schools of fish, that is). “Ratatouille’s” Remy and Emile are serving up fun, too, turning their kitchen into a super soapy pool of creativity with kids and families as the main ingredients.

Woody and the “Toy Story” gang arrive next to encourage guests to kick up their heels, while Buzz Lightyear and the Little Green Aliens celebrate just how universal play can be, in any galaxy. Finally, after the parade has been revving up guests throughout the route, lovable Mater and his flashy buddy Lightning McQueen from “Cars” will bring up the rear.

Pixar Play Parade is now presented daily in Disney’s California Adventure Park as part of The Year of a Million Dreams celebration at Disneyland Resort.

Futuristic new monorail cars have arrived at the Disneyland Resort® in California.  The Mark VII trains replace the current trains which have been shuttling Disney guests for 20 years.  Guests will be able to ride the new trains starting in February.  For more, check out this article.