In Disney News...

...This Christmas will bring new celebrations to the Disneyland Resort. Viva Navidad! will take place in Disney California Adventure, featuring the Three Caballeros in the Paradise Gardens area. Over in Disneyland, the Jungle Cruise will receive a holiday overlay for the first time, transforming into a "Jingle Cruise."

...The holiday season is already starting to creep into the resort, as can be seen in this Dateline Disneyland photo update at MiceChat.

...From Mark Tapson: "In Defense of Disney Princesses." (Via Chris Yogerst.)

...Thanks to a Twitter friend, Brad Abbott, for letting me know about his wife Kate Abbott's recent novel, DISNEYLANDERS. DISNEYLANDERS was written for middle school readers.

...THE LION KING is the first Broadway show to rake in a billion dollars. It's been running for 16 years and has played to less than 80 percent capacity under a dozen times in over 6600 shows.

...Here's a background article from the New York Times on SAVING MR. BANKS (2013). SAVING MR. BANKS is due in theaters December 20th. Disney's other big holiday film, the animated FROZEN (2013), will be out November 27th.

...Disney has discontinued issuing fancy stock certificates.

...Thanks to my friend Jane for letting me know about the WHEN YOU WISH: THE STORY OF WALT DISNEY, a Broadway bound musical currently playing at UCLA.

...There's a 2014 calendar with Disney attractions posters on sale at the Anaheim parks...in other park news, Starbucks has now opened in the Market House on Disneyland's Main Street.

...Currently playing on YouTube: Disney's hard-to-find THE SWORD AND THE ROSE (1953) starring Richard Todd and Glynis Johns. It can also be rented for streaming from Amazon.

...Another rare title which can be rented for streaming from Amazon: WESTWARD HO THE WAGONS! (1956) with Fess Parker and Jeff York.

...Speaking of rare Disney titles, the Disney Generations Collection MOD program, which was launched with little fanfare in 2011, seems to have faded away into oblivion...although it's interesting that titles like AMY (1981) can still be purchased from Amazon.

...Disney recently held its first D23 Expo in Japan, where plans for the new AVATAR land in Florida's Animal Kingdom were unveiled.

...Sam Gennaway shares his thoughts on the sad disappearance of Court des Anges from Disneyland.

...On November 21st the El Capitan Theatre will be hosting a "Throwback Thursday" screening of MARY POPPINS. Tickets for this single screening are discounted from the El Capitan's usual price and include snacks. I've bought a ticket and am really looking forward to a special night.

...I'm pleased to report that in last month's MouseAdventure game in Disneyland, my kids and I tied for 13th place competing among 115 teams in the Basic Division.

...For those who might not have caught them yet, here are my recent photo posts on Halloween Time and the Tiki Room 50th Anniversary exhibit.

For more recent Disney links, please visit the Disney roundups for August and September.