In Disney News...

Here's some of the interesting Disney-related news of the past few days...

...The IMAGINEERING FIELD GUIDE TO EPCOT was just released in an updated edition. The IMAGINEERING FIELD GUIDE TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM was updated last December.

The series also includes the IMAGINEERING FIELD GUIDE TO DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM and THE IMAGINEERING FIELD GUIDE TO DISNEYLAND. These are fun little books filled with interesting facts and trivia about each park, perfectly sized to carry in a purse or backpack.

The long-delayed IMAGINEERING FIELD GUIDE TO DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS, originally due in spring of 2009, is due to be published July 27, 2010.

...I thought this was a joke when I first heard it, but apparently it's not: Cinderella's Golden Carrousel at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is being renamed the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. Another victim of Disney's big push to market to boys?

Fortunately Disneyland's King Arthur Carrousel is already named for a man and not in danger of having its name changed as well. Le Carrousel de Lancelot in Paris also seems safe. (Pictured above: Mary Poppins riding the King Arthur Carrousel, photographed by me in 2004.)

...Yesterland takes a look back at one of my favorite Disneyland attractions, the Mike Fink Keelboats.

I was really happy when they were brought back in the mid '90s, after disappearing for a couple of years, and was very sad when the attraction permanently closed in 1997. The Gullywhumper can now be seen parked along the Rivers of America.

...As readers have doubtless heard by now, TV pioneer Art Linketter passed away last week at the age of 97.

Linkletter was named a Disney Legend in 2005. Linkletter was the TV host for Disneyland's opening day on July 17, 1995, in exchange for which he received rights to the park's film and camera concession stands for the next decade; this deal turned out to be a remarkable fee for one day's work. Incidentally, July 17th was also Linkletter's birthday.

Linkletter was part of the park's Golden Anniversary in 2005. To the left is a 2004 photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix published on MousePlanet, where Linkletter and Julie Andrews announced celebration plans.

Linkletter and his wife celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary last November. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Three children predeceased him.

Thrilling Days of Yesteryear has a tribute.