After wrapping its successful 50th-anniversary celebration of Disneyland last year, Disney launched the multi-park event, The Year of a Million Dreams (which curiously spans 15 months and will continue through the end of 2007). The highlight of the event is a Disney Dreams Giveaway sweepstakes that awards large, small, and one-of-a-kind prizes to guests. At California's Disneyland Resort, would-be princesses, pirates, and Jedi Knights can follow their dreams by participating in some new activities. Also, two popular California coasters have been spiced up with some Chili Peppers, and the classic submarine ride is coming out of dry dock (finally).
Crash at Mickey's Penthouse
Prizes for the giveaway range from the not-so-dreamy (trading pins) to the pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming (a worldwide tour of every Disney resort to lead a parade). One of the featured prizes is a night's stay at the new Mickey Mouse Penthouse, a tricked-out Mouse pad atop the Disneyland Hotel. Designed by Disney Imagineers for the Million Dreams event, the two-bedroom suite is like a park attraction in itself. It's loaded with whimsical Mickey artwork, decor, and surprises and boasts posh amenities such as a TV monitor built into the one-way mirror of the master bathroom. Speaking of mirrors, an animated Mickster personally welcomes guests to the penthouse via an intriguing interactive mirror in the foyer.Maria Boone, VIP coordinator for Disneyland Resort hotels, has the unique job of welcoming the daily winner and up to five guests to the penthouse each afternoon. She says that some guests are overwhelmed by the experience. "I've had some who were so excited, they actually started crying."
A stay at the Mickey Mouse Penthouse can't be purchased (according to the sweepstakes' rules, it has a value of $572) during The Year of a Million Dreams. But, Boone says that there are no plans to de-Mickey the suite at the end of the year, and that the Disneyland Hotel may make it available starting in early 2008 (although nothing had been officially determined as of mid-January 2007). Fans seeking a truly unique experience may want to check back later in the year about availability.
For exclusive pictures of the Mickey Mouse Penthouse, go to Disneyland's Year of a Million Dreams photo gallery.
Want to Win the Giveaway? Keep Dreaming.
Other prizes include exclusive Fastpasses that offer immediate access to popular attractions, special after-hours events at the parks, and Disney Cruise Line getaways. Between the Florida and California resorts, over one million prizes will be awarded.So how can enterprising enthusiasts wrangle their way into the penthouse or score some of the other swag, er dreams, that Disney is giving away? It's a completely arbitrary process, and no amount of cajoling will land you in front of Mickey's magic mirror. According to Disneyland spokesperson Dave Kooi, the Dream Squad, Disney employees who roam the resort and hand out the prizes, follow a strict set of guidelines. As he explains it, a computer program randomly chooses the prescribed days, times, and places to pick winners. If a person is in the right spot at the right time (and meets eligibility requirements), he or she wins a prize. If nobody is there, the prize defaults to the next randomly chosen winner. Contestants can enter the drawing by writing in as well. For more details, visit Disney's Dream Giveaway site.
Princesses for a Day, Jedi Knights
If you (or your kids) have your heart set on being a Disney princess, a pirate of the Caribbean, or a Jedi trainee, you don't need to win a sweepstakes or resort to cajoling to have your wish fulfilled. Each day during the Dreams event, Disneyland is presenting a Disney Princess Fantasy Faire (princes invited) during which guests can meet some of the famous heroines and participate in royalty training. Jedi Masters show guests the ways of the Force at a six-times-daily Jedi Training Academy in Tomorrowland, and buccaneers can enjoy a hearty "yo ho" when "The Pirates Have Landed" take over New Orleans Square. The group events are open to all.The Subs Dive Again
One of the most beloved and classic Disneyland attractions, The Submarine Voyage, took its last journey in 1998. It's returning in a big way this summer when it reopens as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Elements of the classic ride will return along with characters and a fanciful story from the popular Pixar film.Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Ride Review
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Photo Gallery
Rockin' the Roller Coasters
The legendary Space Mountain coaster at Disneyland already got a complete makeover in 2005 with new trains, track, projection systems, and other enhancements. The ride is now much smoother, and the storyline is more encompassing. Through the end of April 2007, the thrill machine has an added rock concert overlay. Known as Rockin' Space Mountain, the ride is choreographed to a Red Hot Chili Peppers tune (piped in via onboard speakers that are cranked up loud enough to vibrate the seats) and features wild lighting effects. The Chili Peppers also provide a tune for the California Screamin' coaster at Disney's California Adventure. In May, both rides revert back to their original presentations.As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodations for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
