In Disney News...

...The Spring 2011 issue of the Disney Twenty-Three magazine arrived in my mailbox today, with a beautiful cover featuring the new Disney Dream cruise ship, which just left today on its maiden voyage. Besides a photo tour of the new ship, topics include an interview with Imagineer Bob Gurr, a tour of Disney collector Richard Craft's home (love the Submarine Voyage sign by the swimming pool!), and a story on changes to the Living Seas at Epcot.

...Speaking of the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Wonder has been forced to cut Mazatlan from the cruise schedule for safety reasons. Cruises to the "Mexican Riviera" could be problematic for all cruise lines in the years ahead. It's disturbing to read stats such as 31 people murdered in the coastal resort city of Acapulco in a four-day period earlier this month.

...There are beautiful new attraction posters for Paradise Pier at Disney's California Adventure. The upcoming book THE POSTER ART OF DISNEY PARKS, by Danny Handke and Vanessa Hunt, will be a "must" purchase for me.

...The official Disney Parks Blog has a short video story on the scuba divers who maintain the Submarine Voyage as well as other water rides at Disneyland.

...Here's another video from the Disney Parks blog, a preview of Ariel's Undersea Adventure, which opens at California Adventure this spring.

...Disneyland's Splash Mountain and the surrounding Critter Country are both closed at the moment. Critter Country reopens in March and Splash Mountain in late May.

...Nooooo! Splash Mountain at Disney World is having lap bars installed. I guess it's no surprise given what's going to happen to Disneyland's Matterhorn. The new safety restraints are expected to have a negative impact on hourly ride capacity.

...Storybook Land Canal at Disneyland Paris has had a Rapunzel tower inspired by TANGLED (2010) added to the ride. Nice idea!

...Disney World has announced revised plans for its Fantasyland makeover, geared to be a little less "princessy" and more boy friendly. The most surprising announcement was that Disney World will be removing its Snow White ride, replacing it with a new mine train ride based on the same movie.

...I've only had time to watch a few minutes so far, but Dear Old Hollywood links to what looks like an interesting 1956 video documentary about a trip to Disneyland and other Southern California sites.