Limited Time Magic at Disney includes pirates and other villains

Are you ready for Disney’s “Pirate Week?”

Disneyland has some fun Limited Time Magic surprises planned for the next few months, including “Pirate Week” and “Unleash the Villains.”  Here is their official press release about these events:

For a Limited Time Only! Disney Parks Rolls Out the Unexpected with Weekly Surprises, Delights for a Little Extra Magic

Guests will find an extra sprinkling of pixie dust each week when they visit Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts in 2013.

The O.C. Register refuses to run an ad slamming Anaheim Council Members

From the OC Politics Blog

The Orange County Register abruptly altered its advertising policy, barring ads that challenge politicians by name, after two Anaheim city councilwomen complained to the newspaper’s new owners about ads from a local activist that criticized their support of a controversial hotel subsidy, according to the Voice of OC.

The Voice of OC reported that “The ads came from Jason Young, a City Hall blogger who opposes the council majority, which is heavily backed by Disney and other influential local business interests. In December, the Register ran an ad submitted by Young in its Anaheim weekly publications asserting that Councilwomen Kris Murray and Gail Eastman violated state law when they approved a $158-million subsidy for local hoteliers.”

Disney Resort now offering a $30 discount on a 3-Day Park Hopper ticket

The Anaheim Disney Resort has reacted to pressure from Southern California residents who were upset at the loss of their pass discounts.  They are now offering a 3-Day Park Hopper ticket for only $220.  Here are the details, courtesy of Disneyland’s website:

A family can buy season passes to Knott’s for less than one Disney passport

The OC Weekly reports that: “Disneyland and California Adventure, which are practically printing money these days they’ve been so successful with the whole Cars Land thing, announced earlier this week the end to the Southern California resident program that provided reduced admission prices to locals.  Perhaps the Mouse House’s snub of Southlanders will pay for another Orange County theme park?”

You can buy an annual admission card at Knott’s Berry Farm for only $72–with no blackout dates.   A full unblocked Premium Annual Passport at Disneyland would set you back $649, for admission to both parks at the Disney Resort in Anaheim.

Another White Rabbit at Disneyland caught allegedly mistreating a family

New video obtained by 10News appears to show a Disneyland character — the White Rabbit — behaving badly by cursing and getting physical,” according to ABC 10News.

The video was shot on a phone by Manuel Carlos.  After one of his daughters “pulls on the tail of the White Rabbit, his other daughter, 14-year-old Jocelyn, also takes a turn.”

High School band member from Long Island died during a trip to Disneyland

A Long Island teenager died suddenly during a trip to Disneyland with the school band. Joseph Tutaj, 15, complained of a fever shortly before he died. Tutaj and 80 members of the Seaford High School band were enjoying the trip to the theme park before tragedy struck. Tutaj played the trumpet,” according to the Inquisitr.

“On Tuesday, Tutaj was at the Santa Monica Pier when he complained of a high fever. The teen was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and died 24 hours later,” according to CBS News.

Should we be worried after a Disneyland Monorail train was damaged?

“The monorail at Disneyland was temporarily shut down after a wheel fell off and some smoke appeared,” on Monday – Presidents’ Day, this week, according to CBS News.

“Because the power was shut off as a safety precaution, a second train was stranded on the track. Passengers got stuck for about 45 minutes until that car was towed to a station. There, passengers were given front-of-line passes and free dining vouchers,” according to the O.C. Register.

No more Disney pass discounts for So. California residents!

“Southern California residents can’t get deep discounts on Disneyland and Disney California Adventure tickets this spring. Disney sold 2-for-1 tickets or similar deals to local residents from 2003 through last year as a way to bring in visitors during the slower season, usually January through May. But higher attendance, bolstered by last year’s Cars Land improvements, prompted this year’s cancellation,” according to the O.C. Register.

Oz movie hot air balloon to land at Disneyland on February 17

Disneyland will be celebrating the upcoming release of “Oz The Great and Powerful” when the “Journey to Oz Balloon Tour” floats into the Disneyland Resort on February 17, according to the DisneyParks Blog.

This is part of a multi-city tour sponsored by HSN and IMAX Corporation, the tour kicks off February 12 from the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, Calif.

Former Disneyland cast member says costumed cast members aren’t racist

“A man who played a Disneyland character for a decade is questioning several claims of racism made against characters at the popular attraction,” according to ABC 10 News, which broke the stories about two families who sued Disneyland in the past few weeks, after alleging that costumed Disney characters ignored their children – who are African American.

The former cast member, who played Pluto at Disneyland, told ABC 10 that he did not think that any cast members would act in such a manner, and that their actions may have been misunderstood.  He claimed that it is very hard to see and hear, when one is in costume.