Disneyland Resort Update for August 4 – 9, 2015

Update for August 4–9, 2015

Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Resort Events | Merchandise Events | Discounts and Promotions | Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

News and Views

Disney's latest land grab, and a construction update | New official Disneyland app released | Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters | Getting ready for D23 | Security Going Virtual at 3 Backstage Entrances | This and that… | Crowd Forecast

Disney's latest land grab, and a construction update

A small blurb that appeared in the Orange County Register two weeks ago was basically overlooked until The Disney Blog and /Film (Slashfilm) expanded on it yesterday: Disney has recently purchased two additional plots of land near the Disneyland Resort, adding almost 14 acres to its Anaheim portfolio.

As you can see from the labeled satellite image map published by The Disney Blog (and reprinted here with permission), the parcels in question are located between Disney's existing Pumbaa parking lot and the recently aquired Carousel Inn and Suites on Harbor Boulevard.

Take a look at the photo, then check out John Frost's theories there about what Disney may be planning to do with its $48 million worth of newly acquired real estate. We expect the Parks and Resorts panel at next week's D23 Expo to be packed with announcements about exactly how Disney plans as part of the $1 billion investment promised to the City of Anaheim as part of last month's entertainment tax exemption.

Lot #1 was recently purchased by Disney, and is strategically located between the Pumbaa parking lot (Lot #2 on the map) already owned by Disney, and the Carousel Inn and Suites (in green on the map), recently aquired by Disney. Map courtesy The Disney Blog, and used with permission.

This aquisition comes as Disney has filed permits for an “assessment” of a plan relocate the backstage “roundhouse” that currently services the Disneyland Railroad and Monorail. One permit references conversion of an existing 3,200-square-foot warehouse into a maintenance garage, and a second permit covers the construction of an adjacent 2,400-square-foot structure for vehicle storage. These were all filed in the past week with a request for an expedited plan check.

An interesting note about the permit: It references the “Roundhouse Building – Autopia and Engine Room Relocation,” but there's no specific mention of the Monorail, or redirection of either the Monorail or Disneyland Railroad tracks.

Another permit was filed for the renovation and expansion of the transportation service center, which is the backstage garage that services Disneyland vehicles like the parking lot trams. Disney is also planning to build a tram refueling station in the Pinocchio parking lot, and requested an expedited plan check for both permits, as well.

It looks like there will be a new store located inside Innoventions when it reopens—Disney has filed a permit for a “Marvel Merchandise Location” as part of its Innoventions refurbishment.

New official Disneyland app available for Android and iOS

A look at the new official Disneyland app now available for Android and iOS devices. Screen shot © Apple.

Updated: After this article published Tuesday morning, Disneyland released a replacement for the Mobile Magic app that was discontinued in late 2013.

The new Disneyland app for Android and iOS devices launched today, offering much of the same functionality of Mobile Magic plus some nice new features. As before, you can browse park maps, see official wait times, find characters, and view dining options. The biggest change seems to be the ability to link your admission media to the app, allowing you to enter the park without pulling your ticket or annual pass from your wallet (you still need your physical ticket to obtain Fastpass).

This looks to be a step towards bringing a Disneyland version of My Disney Experience to the West Coast, but using your own mobile device instead of a MagicBand.

MousePlanet will have a comprehensive review of the new app later this week, but for now, here are the direct links to download the app without having to search through all 200+ “Disneyland” apps on your marketplace:

• Android app
• iOS app

Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters

Disney has seemingly changed its mind about the name of the new ride that is replacing Luigi's Flying Tires at Disney California Adventure. As we reported in April, building permits filed with the City of Anaheim referred to the new ride as “Luigi's Festival of the Dance,” but the Disney Parks Blog announced last week that the ride is officially titled “Luigi's Rollickin’ Roadsters.”

Disney released a new concept photo, and said the ride will open “early next year.”

Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters is scheduled to open in early 2016 in Disney California Adventure. Concept art © Disney.

Getting ready for D23

The D23 Expo starts next week, and there is a massive amount of information for attendees to absorb. If you haven't purchased tickets yet, don't wait much longer—one-day tickets are now sold out for Saturday. One-day tickets are still available for Friday and Sunday, and three-day tickets are also available if you absolutely must attend the Walt Disney Studios and Parks and Resorts panels in person.

The full schedule of events is now available on the D23 Expo website, and an updated 2015 smartphone application is now available from both the Apple App Store for iOS devices, and Google Play Store for Android devices.

If you're looking to do a little shopping at the Expo, Disney has not officially announced all of the merchandise that will be released, but attendees who purchased the $2,000 Sorcerer package were sent an online catalog featuring over 200 items they could pre-order from the EXPO Dream Store. It's worth browsing, if only so you can take out that second mortgage if needed.

We will have our guide to the D23 Expo next week on MousePlanet, to give you tips, tricks and suggestions for making the most of this experience. If you use Twitter, be sure to follow @MousePlanetatD23 for updates during the event.

MousePlanet will be back for the 2015 D23 Expo in Anaheim, and we have lots of fun planned for the event. We are looking for readers to help out at our booth at the Expo, both during the event itself but also with the set-up day.

Volunteers receive a MousePlanet shirt to wear at the Expo and keep afterwards. If you volunteer for two shifts, you also receive a one-day pass to the Expo. If you were only planning to spend a day at the Expo to look around, this might be the perfect option for you.

Here's what we're looking for, and what you would be doing depending on the day. If you're interested, please e-mail Adrienne for more information.

Security Going Virtual at 3 Backstage Entrances

David Koenig reports:

Last week, Disneyland Resort cast members were informed at their Minnie's Rollcall meetings and on the resort's intranet website, The Hub, of a major change coming to resort security: officers will no longer be stationed at three of the cast member entrances.

The announcement said, “As part of the company's continuous effort to enhance Cast and Guest safety, new automated security gates are being installed at certain locations around the resort. Security will no longer maintain a continuous in-person presence at the gates. The Cast entry gates will be monitored virtually.”

Currently, cast members are required to show their IDs to the on-duty officer and then scan their IDs before entering the gates through waist-high turnstiles. Construction work to install full-height turnstiles and surveillance cameras began July 27 and should be completed by the end of August. Initially, a guard will be posted at the new turnstiles to ease the transition, but soon after, the three pedestrian gates (one into Disneyland backstage, two into DCA) will be monitored remotely by a single guard in an office (effectively eliminating eight security shifts).

Cast members interviewed sounded concerned. “There will be TV surveillance, but it won't be the same,” one remarked. “How will they know that person walking through the turnstile is the person on the ID?”

This and that…

…Will you be running the runDisney Avengers Half Marathon? Today is the last day to submit your proof of time for corral placement.

…The Looking for Mickey quest has been extended at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, and will be available while supplies last. Visit the Disney Parks Blog for more information about the promotion.

Purchase the Looking for Mickey quests at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure to recieve these lanyard medallions. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…Adventures by Disney is hiring Adventure Guides to lead guided tours to domestic and international locations. Visit the Disney Careers website for more information.

…Disneyland is currently hiring licensed cosmetologists. Visit the Disney Auditions website for more information.

…The Diamond Anniversary photo spot in A Bug's Land, the sixth and final location added for the anniversary promotion, has been delayed and probably won't open until later this month.

…Six Cinemark Cinemas movie theaters in five states are participating in a promotion called Disney Screen, bringing four Disney movies back to the big screen every week. There is a different theme each week. For Music Week, which began July 31, the movies include The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, Hercules, and The Little Mermaid. Each film is accompanied by an animated short.

Unlimited admission starts at $5 for a day, and allows you to see all four movies. You can also purchase weekly, monthly and quarterly passes. The theaters are in Huntington Beach, CA; Union City, CA; Orlando, FL; Plano, TX; Woodridge, IL; and Valley View, OH. Visit the Disney Screen website for more information, and schedules for upcoming weeks.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun MouseAdventure bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your e-mail in the box below.

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Crowd Forecast

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Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Note: Not all of attraction closures have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, visit Disneyland.com – this information is no longer available from the automated phone service.

Disneyland

• Tomorrowland Theater (Captain EO) – closed; reopening date unknown.
• Innoventions – closed; reopening date unknown.
• Starcade – closed for renovation; reopening date TBD.
• Le Bat en Rouge – closed August 24 through September 3 for refurbishment.
• Haunted Mansion – closed August 24 through September 10 for installation of Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
• Space Mountain – closed September 7–10 for installation of the Ghost Galaxy overlay.

Disney California Adventure

• Blue Sky Cellar – reopening date now TBD.
• Luigi's Flying Tires – closed. Ride to be removed and replaced. Reopening date unknown.
• Muppet*Vision 3D – closed indefinitely due to the Frozen Fun overlay.
• Tower of Terror – closes August 31 for refurbishment. Reopening date unknown, but after September 3.
• “it's tough to be a bug” – closed due to the Ant-Man preview. The show is officially listed as closed starting September 8, which may indicate when the preview will be removed. Reopening date unknown, but after September 13.
• California Screamin' – closes September 7 for refurbishment. Reopening date unknown, but after September 13.

Resort Events

Check here to see if a large convention, competition, or park event might fall during your next trip to the Disneyland Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).

2015

• 2015 Taste of Downtown Disney District – Thursday, August 13 from 5:30–10:00. Tickets information to be announced at the event website.
• D23 Expo – August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets available on the event website.
• 2015 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – September 3–6. All events are sold out. Details at the runDisney website.
• Halloween Time – September 11 through November 1.
• Mickey's Halloween Party – September 25, 28 and 30; October 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31. Tickets available now via the Disneyland website, by calling (714) 781-4400, or in person at a Disneyland Resort ticket booth. All nights are still available as of this Update.
• Dapper Day Fall Soiree (Unofficial event) – September 18. Details at the Dapper Day website.
• Gay Days at Disneyland (Unofficial event) – October 2–4. More information on the event website.
• 2015 CHOC Walk in the Park – Sunday, October 11 at the Disneyland Resort. Registration is now open via the event website. MousePlanet readers, friends, and family are invited to register with Team MousePlanet and walk with our group.
• Utah Education Association convention (UEA, a.k.a. “Utah Escapes to Anaheim”) – October 15-16. Expect unusually large attendance levels October 16–20 as Utah students and families take advantage of a 4-day weekend created by their school's participation in a state education convention. Not all Utah schools or teachers close for or attend UEA, but the impact on the Resort is usually noticeable enough to mention.
• 2015 Avengers Half Marathon Weekend – November 12–15. Most events are sold out, but space remains in the half marathon race. Details on the runDisney website.

2016

• 2016 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend – January 14–17. All running events are sold out, but ChEAR Squad packages are still available. Details on the runDisney website.
• 2016 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend – May 5–8. Registration opens August 11, 2015. Early registration for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members opened last week.
• Utah Education Association convention (UEA, a.k.a. “Utah Escapes to Anaheim”) – October 20–21.

We also recommend checking the convention calendar at the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau website. When looking at that site, remember to note both the number of people and the number of rooms resulting from each convention. A gathering of 25,000 people booking few room nights (indicating most will be driving in to the area for their meeting) can impact traffic around the resort much more than a crowd of 25,000 staying in area hotels. Of course, that second group is going to make finding a hotel room more difficult (and possibly more expensive), so it's best to book your own room as early as possible if you see that a big convention is in town during your trip.

Merchandise Events

Current Discounts & Promotions

Disneyland prices as of February 2015.

Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Disneyland Resort Update. Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers!

This first section is a list of discounts on ticket-only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts. If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line. Note, we are no longer listing offers from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, as their convenience fee negates any savings.

Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside the gates stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Disneyland admission, and may result in denial of entry. It is also common for criminals to shoplift inactivated Disney theme park tickets from supermarkets to resell them. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks. Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or travel agency.

Other Discounts

Did we miss an offer? If you know of an authorized discount on Disneyland Resort tickets, standing offers for Annual Passholders from non-Disney vendors, or other promotions which might interest our readers, please drop us a note!

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

• DL – Disneyland
• DCA – Disney California Adventure

Annual Pass blockouts:

• SL – Southern California Select Annual Pass
• SC – Southern California Annual Pass
• DX – Deluxe Annual Pass

Early Admission – full description available on the Disneyland website):

• MM – Magic Mornings for 3-plus day ticket holders, promotional “bonus” tickets, and Southern California CityPASS
• EMH – Extra Magic Hour for Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests
• EA – Early Admission for Annual Passholders (not currently offered)

Disneyland Resort Special Events:

• GN – Grad Nite.
• MA – MouseAdventure (www.mouseadventure.com)
• MHP – Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland. 2015 dates: September 25, 28 and 30; October 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31.

Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland. As always, specifics are subject to change without notice (or occasionally, without us noticing) so when information conflicts between what is presented here and that presented by Disney, it is best to assume Disney's information is correct. Visit the Park Hours section of our Disneyland Park guide for additional details about Magic Morning and Toontown Morning Madness, including available attractions. Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.