It’s Christmas time at Disneyland. It almost hurts to say that. What ever happened to waiting for turkey day? I’d like to take this moment to reach deep inside and pull out my crotchety old man voice to say It seems to get earlier every year. And this year it comes in a 50th aniversary gold edition. From a Disneyland press release:

DISNEYLAND 50th ANNIVERSARY GOLD CHRISTMAS TREE FUN FACTS

The 2005 holiday season at the Disneyland Resort will be a whole lot brighter this year as the traditional Christmas tree in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. goes gold in honor of Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary celebration (continuing daily through 2006). Glittering in gilded splendor the traditional live tree has received the “Midas Touch” with a golden theme to commemorate Disneyland’s half-century milestone.

Here are the trunk-to-tip facts regarding this most unique Disneyland holiday icon:

• The Disneyland 50th Anniversary Gold Christmas Tree stands in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland from November 11, 2005 to January 2, 2006.
• The tree is 60 feet tall and decorated with 5,000 golden ornaments and 5,000 holiday lights.
• The lights decorating the tree are clear, white and amber accenting and highlighting the tree’s golden luminescence.
• The tree’s gold topper is a symbolic pair of golden Mickey Mouse ears with the numeral “50” in the center, and is accented with genuine, hand-applied 24-karat gold leafing.
• At the base of the tree are giant decorative gift boxes and colorful red poinsettias.
• The tree was harvested from the Mount Shasta region of Northern California, near the city of Redding.
• The tree is a White Fir, which is also known as a Shasta Fir.
• For its journey to the Disneyland Resort the tree was secured horizontally on a flatbed tractor-trailer and transported by a trucking company to southern California.
• The tree arrived at Disneyland on October 17 and soon began an extensive preparation and decorating process that took place in the Resort’s “backstage” area.
• More than 20 Disneyland Resort Cast Members were involved in the process of preparing, decorating and displaying the Disneyland 50th Anniversary Gold Christmas Tree.
• The entire process for this year’s tree, from selection to installation on Main Street, U.S.A., took 560 hours.
• The tree firmly rests in a planter in Town Square and is kept secure from any wind effects by four guy wires that are attached to the tree.  Two guy wires are anchored to Main Street buildings and two are anchored into the ground.
• During the decorating process, the tree was placed in a five-foot-deep well containing 50 gallons of water.  While in Town Square for its eight-week display, the tree sits in a similar well that is replenished with water every few days.
• The Disneyland tradition of a giant Christmas tree towering over Main Street, U.S.A. began in 1956. Disneyland is the last Disney park in the world to still utilize a real live tree as its holiday centerpiece in Town Square.
• Since its first holiday season in 1955 Disneyland has celebrated this special time of year with Yule time parades, an abundance of festive décor and special entertainment including the annual holiday parade, carolers, holiday foods, seasonal merchandise and the traditional Candlelight Ceremony and Processional.

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It’s Christmas time at Disneyland. It almost hurts to say that. What ever happened to waiting for turkey day? I’d like to take this moment to reach deep inside and pull out my crotchety old man voice to say It seems to get earlier every year. And this year it comes in a 50th aniversary gold edition. From a Disneyland press release: < more... >

The Italian paper Agenzia Giornalistica Italia is reporting that Ferrari has plans to develop a theme park in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

(AGI) - Rome, Nov. 14 - Ferrari and Aldar Properties have announced an exclusive agreement for the development of an innovative theme park in Abu Dhabi dedicated to the prestigious and famous Ferrari trademark.

The project promises entertainment for the whole family, including a race track, an amusement park and various initiatives aimed at informing visitors on the story and traditions of Ferrari. The park will also include participation in Ferrari’s sporting events and the possibility of experiencing the Ferrari trademark also through virtual simulations. Another major aspect of the structure will be a modern and sophisticated race track which, in addition to car races, will also be used for tests and driving lessons. Furthermore, the project will also include hotels, shops and residential areas that will encapsulate the style and design of the Ferrari brand.

"The agreement with Abu Dhabi will give Ferrari many opportunities," said Ferrari Director General Jean Todt. "This area will be a great attraction for fans and car enthusiasts from around the world," he stressed. "The structures for sporting and driving events will be a great call for Ferrari’s drivers and supporters," Todt added.

Giulio Zambeletti, Director of Ferrari’s division of Brand Development & Partners said, "Ferrari’s products and stores are having great success all over the world confirming the great potential for inspiration that our brand has."

So… Anybody up for a quick trip to the capital of the United Arab Emerates? 

The Italian paper Agenzia Giornalistica Italia is reporting that Ferrari has plans to develop a theme park in Abu Dhabi, UAE. < more... >

The Festival of the Masters in Downtown Disney is a huge art show that has been appearing one weekend in November for the last 30 years! This year over 200 artists from 34 different states joined the festival that takes over all of Downtown Disney.

Booths are set up all over the West Side, there is live music as you walk through Pleasure Island over to more art in the Marketplace. All kinds of art is represented from paintings, sculptures, folk art, photography, jewelry, and my favorite the sidewalk chalk art. There was even an artist that carved a big Mickey out of soap for the Basin shop. I was told the soap Mickey will be on display in the store for awhile after the festival.

Of course this is Disney so even an art show doesn’t leave out the kids. There were a few spots for kids to make their own art and a DJ keeping the kids entertained.

The Festival of the Masters in Downtown Disney is a huge art show that has been appearing one weekend in November for the last 30 years! This year over 200 artists from 34 different states joined the festival that takes over all of Downtown Disney. < more... >