Scene-By-Scene Description of Radiator Spring Racers

Spoiler alert.

Disneyland Hotel Waterfalls "No Longer Available to Guests"

Another mercy killing.

(Tip of the hat to Westcoaster.)

Disney Gossip: Why Toy Story Mania is Down Right After Toy Story 3 Hit Theaters

Disney really swept this one under the rug, but apparently a cast member was injured when they fell in an area they were supposed to go. This refurb is chiefly to install safety gates in that area.

Nope.

There was no mystery Cast Member injury but there was concern with guests, especially children, heading back towards the vehicles and the potential for injury. It's true that they're installing safety gates at the exit and the ride will be getting the same treatment in California when it goes down for refurb at the end of the month.

Another Bus Crash at Walt Disney World

Near Disney Hollywood Studios. No injuries and the bus driver wasn't at fault.

Feels like accidents are becoming a normal part of the operating day.

See the Series Premiere of No Ordinary Family Online Today

Doesn't premiere on ABC until 28 September but if you know the password you can watch today.

Viewing is limited to the first Extraordinary 50,000 visitors.

Disneyland / Union Agree to Contract For Food and Beverage Cast Members

The contract took six days to negotiate and guarantees raises for all 4,000 employees under the new agreement. Meanwhile, hotel Cast Members represented by UNITE HERE Local 11 have been working for two and a half years without a contract.

Of which union would you rather be a member?

Muslim Worker Sues Disney for Discrimination

More fun from UNITE HERE Local 11.

Imane Boudlal, who works at the Storytellers Restaurant within the Grand Californian Hotel and is a UNITE HERE member, will hold a press conference today to announce she's filing a discrimination complaint against Disneyland with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

She claims the Mouse won't let her wear her hijab on the job, and have sent her home without pay three times for doing so.

Ms. Boudlal can't win but Disney will probably settle anyway just to avoid the press. And UNITE HERE hopes to be enough of a nuisance that Disney will give them what they want just to go away.

UPDATE: Statement from Disney.

Ms. Boudlal has worked for the company for more than two years and recently made the request to wear a hijab, and we have been working directly with her on accommodations. In the interim, we offered reasonable accommodations to allow her to work during her scheduled shifts, which she declined.

GLOWfest Extended Through Labor Day

Both the performances in the Sunshine Plaza and the dance party in Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

Sweet, sweet liquor sales.

On a slightly related note, construction for Buena Vista Street is now reportedly scheduled to start in November. Who knows, though. It was originally slated for November, then briefly bumped to mid-September and now back to November. Maybe they'll just split the difference and start in October.

Continuing Discounts at Walt Disney World

Free Disney Dining Plan and room discounts up to 40% at deluxe resorts select dates through the middle of February. Free dining continues, except during peak periods, until the end of September 2011.

For the last few quarters Bob Iger and Jay Rasulo or Tom Staggs have been on the quarterly earnings call saying that they're going to ween Walt Disney World off of discounts. Within a few weeks, like clockwork, new discounts are announced.

Discounts are available even in boom periods, but when is the last time someone actually paid for the Disney Dining Plan? After years and years of giving it away, it will be a struggle to ever monetize DDP again.

Toy Story Playland Opening Day

Video from the opening of Toy Story Playland earlier today.

Overall, the expansion looks great and the quality is far above any of the other areas at Walt Disney Studios Paris. Compare it to Toon Studios, previously the high mark for the Park, and you can see how much Toy Story Playland benefited from sharing R&D costs with Hong Kong Disneyland.

But what Toy Story Playland really lacks is a single "must see" attraction. Like Flik's Fun Fair at California Adventure, I can see myself visiting Toy Story Playland but I can't imagine waiting in line for any of the rides.

True, in two year's the exclusive (for now) and expensive Ratatouille attraction will be ready to open, but I'd argue they should be building Toy Story Mania for a fraction of the price.

Walls Up Around Mulholland Madness and Burger Invasion

I would pay good money to attend an event where attendees take a sledgehammer to Mulholland Madness.

Make it happen, Disney!

D23 Star Tours Final Flight Event at Disney Hollywood Studios

Sucks for those that paid $75 to attend Disney's other "closing" celebration last week.

Toy Story Playland Opening Ceremony Live

The grand opening ceremony for Toy Story Playland at Walt Disney Studios Paris will be broadcast live 12:30 PM CEST / 3:30 AM PDT.

The video will be on Disneyland Paris' Facebook page, but you have to be a member and J'aime them to view it.

Harrison "Buzz" Price Passes Away

The man responsible for recommending Anaheim to Walt Disney as the place for his theme park.

Encouraged by Walt Disney, Price formed Economics Research Associates (ERA) in 1958. Ultimately, he conducted 150 studies for the Walt Disney Company (including site and feasibility analysis for Walt Disney World in Florida and Tokyo Disneyland) and “over 3,000 projects” for other clients. 

Clueless Columnist On Disney Price Increases

Ana Veciana Suarez writing for The Miami Herald:

My son and daughter took their families to Disney World in December, and the lines were so long (they couldn't afford the Fastpass) that they rode a total of three rides. Do the math -- $79 divided by three. Ouch!

They couldn't afford a free service?

Disney and More: Toy Story Playland Pictorial

Pictures from AP previews.

How hideous is that drop tower? (So hideous.)