Update for December 27, 2011 – January 2, 2012
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News and Views
The busiest week and night of the year | Could technical issues impact New Year's Eve fireworks? | Rose Bowl teams and bands visit Disneyland | One more Disney mystery | Disney Cruise Line cancels four Mexican Riviera cruises | Resort construction update | This and That… | Crowd Forecast
The busiest week and night of the year
Disneyland's busiest week of the year is in full swing, as thousands of families with out-of-school children, holiday travelers, and college football fans spend the days between Christmas and the Rose Bowl at the Disneyland Resort. If you're planning a visit during this period, we recommend reading the holiday tricks and tips in last week's Disneyland Resort Update, as well as the New Year's highlight below.
There was one surprise last week on the parking front, as the Resort sent out a message via their official Twitter account Saturday advising that the new Toy Story parking lot was full, and advising visitors to park instead in the Mickey and Friends parking structure. Disney has put a massive amount of effort into an awareness campaign trying to lure day guests and annual passholders to the Toy Story lot south of the Resort instead of the Mickey and Friends structure, and apparently the word is out. We still recommend that visitors arriving from the south use the Toy Story lot, but those arriving in the late morning or early afternoon should be prepared for a detour.
Don't let this be you. Buy your tickets before you head to Disneyland. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
If you're planning to ring in the New Year at the Disneyland Resort, have a choice to make—do you opt for Fantasmic and fireworks at Disneyland, or ElecTRONica and World of Color at Disney California Adventure?
Disneyland is open 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Holiday entertainment includes the Christmas Fantasy Parade at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and the Believe… in Holiday Magic fireworks at 8:45 p.m., assuming the technical issues are worked out (see story below). Fantasmic is scheduled at 9:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.
Disney California Adventure is open 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Park entertainment includes Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular, Disney Channel Rocks and Disney Dance Crew shows, and the popular Phineas and Ferb's Rockin' Rollin Holiday Dance Party. In addition to the regular 8:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. performances of World of Color, a special 12:05 a.m. showing has been added. Last year there was a “fountains and fireworks” countdown in Paradise Park just before the first World of Color show of 2011, and we expect the same this year.
ElecTRONica is strangely missing from the entertainment line-up, but we expect this is because the nightly dance party is part of the still-unpublished New Year's Eve entertainment schedule. Also missing is the midnight fireworks display over at Disneyland, and the normal post-midnight showing of Fantasmic. Disney will likely publish the full schedule in the next day or so. Cast members have already been told that countdown locations, likely featuring a DJ or other live host, will be set up throughout the Resort and even Downtown Disney:
- Sleeping Beauty Castle
- Tomorrowland Terrace
- Rivers of America
- “it's a small world” mall
- ElecTRONica
- World of Color/Paradise Pier
- Downtown Disney
New Year's Eve is often the busiest night of the year, especially when it falls on a weekend as it does again this year. The Saturday holiday and mild weather will likely make for huge crowds at the Resort, with most people off work and out of school on Sunday, and the Rose Parade and Bowl postponed to Monday. Pack extra patience, and keep these tips in mind as you prepare to bid farewell to 2011:
- Know where you want to be at night's end – Decide if you want to end your night with fireworks and Fantasmic at Disneyland, or ElecTRONica and World of Color at Disney California Adventure. Park hopping may not be allowed if the parks get too crowded, so pick a park and stick with it.
- Get there as early as possible and plan to make a day of it. Both parks may reach capacity before Noon, and you may not be allowed to enter or re-enter the park once the crowd-control restrictions are in place. This is not the day to go “off-site” for lunch, or return to your hotel room for a nap.
- Be willing to skip stuff – this is also not the day for riding every single ride and seeing every single show. We recommend using Disney's free Fastpass service where possible to reduce your wait times, but be prepared for long lines. If you have a iPhone you can download a diversion like the Wishing Stars application to play between rides (link), or pick up a copy of the Disneyland edition of the Hidden Mickeys book to read while you're waiting in line (link), and use a smartphone ap like Touring Plans to keep tabs on wait times.
- Be flexible – while a little planning can help make the day more enjoyable, you should also be prepared to be flexible and change your plans on the fly. Expect to grab a meal on the run if your preferred restaurant is too busy, skip a favorite ride if the line is too long, and explore parts of the park you may never have seen before.
- Visit movie-based attractions – whether it's Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Captain EO, It's Tough to be a Bug, or Muppet*Vision 3-D, these offer an opportunity to get out of the crowds and sit down, even if just for 15 minutes. Peruse the Blue Sky Cellar in DCA, explore the Disney Gallery on Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A., or go play with some new and not-so-new technology in Innoventions.
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Don't waste your day for the perfect view – unless you're willing to get there at park opening and sit on a bench for 18 hours, don't even worry about seeing the midnight fireworks from directly in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. There's a large group of folks who make it an annual tradition to hold that prime bit of real estate so they'll have the perfect view of the festivities, and the area will be completely full by mid-morning.
One strategy for getting a good view of the fireworks is to wait until just after the Believe… in Holiday Magic show ends (it's scheduled for 8:45 p.m. on December 31st), and then grab a spot as people leave that show. You'll still have a three-hour wait until the Midnight show, so bring something to pass the time. We also recommend viewing fireworks from near “it's a small world,” which is usually less crowded than Main Street. - Bring warm clothing and be able to layer – it can get really chilly inside the parks at night. Locker rental is much cheaper than purchasing Disney-priced sweatshirts, scarves and gloves, so plan ahead.
- Wait for the rush to pass – the Resort often suspends tram service immediately following the fireworks shows due to the number of people trying to exit the parks, so wait around a bit if you don't want to walk back to the parking structure.
Could technical issues impact New Year's Eve fireworks?
Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown says unforeseen issues led Disneyland to suspend its nightly fireworks show last Friday and Saturday night, though the show returned Sunday night to delight Christmas Day crowds. There are unconfirmed reports online that one of the launchers misfired Friday, injuring a worker, and that the show may be cancelled some or all of this week to troubleshoot the problem. Brown says no worker was injured, and we are waiting for an update about the fireworks schedule for the coming week, including the all-important New Year's Eve show.
We will post updates on our MousePad discussion forum as we learn more about possible schedule impacts this week.
Rose Bowl teams and bands visit Disneyland
The two teams competing in the 2012 Rose Bowl Game are visiting Disneyland Park today, Tuesday, December 27, to participate in the annual Media Day. Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema, Oregon head coach Chip Kelley, and key players from each team are expected to attend for a very brief ceremony in front of Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle, expected to start at 2:15 p.m.
The event is expected to impact operations around Main Street, with the Castle forecourt roped off starting at 11:30 a.m., and the Main Street vehicles close for the day at Noon. Carnation Plaza Gardens will be used as a staging area for the event, and that area will be off-limits. You'll still be able to access Fantasyland from Matterhorn way, or by walking around Frontierland.
The seating area is reserved for invited guests only, but you can watch from the sidelines if you're willing to wait an hour or more.
Immediately after the ceremony, the coaches and players will participate in interview sessions. Starting around 3pm, keep an eye out for some of the players posing for media photos around the Resort—the Matterhorn Bobsleds and Mad Tea Party are two likely spots to catch a glimpse of the players. Both teams have private receptions at the ESPN Zone, and the last players should depart the Resort by 7:30.
The bands from the Rose Bowl teams will make their annual visit to Disneyland on Friday December 30, with a parade and pep rally featuring the University of Oregon at 1:25 p.m. The parade will step off from the parade gate near “it's a small world,” and end with a pep rally in Town Square at approximately 1:30. The schedule for the University of Wisconsin performances was not available at press time.
One more Disney mystery
In August, Disney Enterprises registered the website OneMoreDisneyDay.com, leading to speculation by some fan sites that this would be the theme of the 2012 global marketing campaign. Disney usually announces its next campaign at the end of summer, and the D23 Expo seemed a likely setting. The Expo came and went with no announcement, and Disney started using variations on the “One More Disney Day” slogan in marketing materials for Walt Disney World, suggesting visitors add a day to their vacation to enjoy the water parks or shop at Downtown Disney.
It looks like these earlier campaigns were just a diversion, and Disney revealed during the Disney Christmas Day Parade that a major announcement would come during “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve” broadcast on December 31. OneMoreDisneyDay.com now boasts a teaser video, countdown clock, and online form where you can sign up to receive the announcement by email.
So what does it all mean? There are rumors that Disney is planning a 24-hour party on February 29, 2012 to celebrate leap year. While this can be part of the marketing mix, it's unlikely that Disney would focus its entire 2012 campaign on an event that will be over by March. More likely is the suggestion that Disney will add a free day to qualifying multi-day tickets, much as it already does during the “buy 3 days, get the 4th day free” promotions offered at Disneyland. Regardless of speculation, it looks like the mystery will be revealed next week.
Disney Cruise Line cancels four Mexican Riviera cruises
Is the Disney Cruise Line pulling out of Los Angeles? That's what some travel agents fear, after Disney announced last week that it had cancelled four already-planned Mexican Riviera cruises scheduled for December, 2012. Disney is contacting passengers already booked on one of the seven-night cruises departing December 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2012, and offering to move their reservation to the December 2nd voyage, or to another 2012 itinerary.
DCL has already announced the full 2013 schedule for the Disney Dream and the new Disney Fantasy, but has yet to disclose where the smaller Wonder and Magic will sail beyond next December. For 2012, Disney is testing new regional itineraries with the classic ships, with the Disney Magic sailing to Canada, the Bahamas, and the Western Caribbean from new home ports in New York and Galveston, Texas. The Disney Wonder will offer a second season of cruises to Alaska, this time sailing from Seattle, and a new Pacific Coast itinerary departing Los Angeles and visiting San Diego and San Francisco. The Wonder will also sail to Hawaii twice next year, with special two-week cruises in April and October.
Disney says only that “the 2013 itineraries are still being finalized and will be announced at a later time,” and there is a great deal of speculation about the line's plans for the future of the Los Angeles-based operation. Facing safety concerns about travel to Mexico, Disney had previously modified the Mexican Riviera itineraries to bypass Mazatlan in favor of a second call in Cabo San Lucas, but that may not be enough for passengers. The new Pacific Coast itinerary looked like a good option for West Coast families who really want to experience a Disney Cruise vacation without worrying about safety in the Mexican Rivera ports, but stops in San Francisco and San Diego may not be “exotic” enough for vacationers.
One agent suggested that Disney might send the Wonder back to Hawaii in December, taking advantage of long school vacations for a special holiday cruise.
Another travel agent speculated that Disney may replace the seven-night cruises with a series of 3- and 4-night cruises, to test the demand for a shorter cruise out of Los Angeles. Disney's only short cruise out of Los Angeles, the two-night “cruise to nowhere” last January, was a huge hit, but that may have been more about the novelty of the sailing and not an indication of any real demand for quick getaways. Still, a family-friendly alternative to the “booze cruise” offered by most of the Los Angeles-based cruise lines may be just what the market is waiting for.
There's also the issue of Alaska. If DCL pulls the Wonder back to Port Canaveral, what will that mean for future Alaska itineraries? Is Disney likely to abandon the Alaska market after just two years?
It's all speculation until Disney makes an official announcement, but we're crossing our fingers that DCL keeps one ship on the west coast.
Resort construction update
As if there are not already enough reasons to be envious of John Lasseter, Disney just released a video showing Lasseter taking a test spin on Luigi's Flying Tires at Disney California Adventure.
John Lasseter takes an after-hours test spin on Luigi's Flying Tires
New signs are visible on Route 66 businesses, including another sign for Luigi's Casa Della Tires and Sparky's Plugs.
Some Route 66 buildings have new signs. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
More of the scaffolding around the Carthay Circle Theater was removed last week, revealing more of the structure. The building, along with the new structures on Buena Vista Street, are very visible from outside the park's main entrance.
More of the Carthay Circle Theater exterior is visible. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The Carthay Circle Theater is very visible from outside DCA. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Detail work is still being added to the Carthay Circle Theater. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The former Greetings store is getting a new facade to become the Elias Co. Department Store. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
New structures are taking shape on Buena Vista Street. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The new Buena Vista Street structures are much larger than the old buildings. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
A reader pointed out some subtle changes in Condor Flats, starting with the installation of shiny new gas pumps to replace the old rusty pumps outside the Fly 'n' Buy gift shop. The building, supposedly the former Condor Flats Motor Pool, also has new, more colorful paint. These are supposedly the first steps in a plan to bring a new story to Condor Flats, bringing visitors to a time when the air field was still active, in a timeline that is more consistent with the theme of adjacent Buena Vista Street.
New gas pumps and a subtle paint refresh are some of the first signs of the retheming of Condor Flats. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
This and That…
…Island Charters in Downtown Disney closed on December 21, a few days earlier than original expected. In an internal communication, Disneyland cast members were told that the store's owners are retiring, and decided to close the shop. In February, the LEGO store will temporarily relocate to the Island Charters space while the LEGO store is remodeled. No word yet on who will replace Island Charters once LEGO moves back to their renovated space in the spring.
A new sign promises the Jolly Holiday Bakery is opening soon . Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
…The 2011 Anaheim TubaChristmas event missed its bid to set another world record for the largest tuba and euphonium ensemble, the Orange County Register reported last week. The group drew more than 400 performers, less than the 500 performers who helped capture a world record in 2007, and the more than 600 players in Kansas City who set a new record earlier this year.
…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, go to the MousePlanet main page and enter your email address in the top right box labeled “Join the MousePlanet Newsletter.” Click Join, then fill out the fields in the registration page, including your first and last name. The Newsletter is free, but you must complete this registration to receive it, even if you may have signed up for one with us in the past.
…Visitors planning trips to the Disneyland Resort should make a point to check the Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures section each week for the most recent updates. The Disneyland Resort Web site currently only publishes refurbishment information about six weeks in advance. Be sure to check the most recent Park Update for the latest changes, as MousePlanet does not edit past Park Updates to reflect changes.
Crowd Forecast
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Advertisement Crowd information and forecasts are provided by TouringPlans.com, the website of the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, to help you better plan your trip to the Disneyland Resort. TouringPlans.com gathers wait time data from a team of in-park researchers and users of their Lines mobile phone application, and then predicts crowd levels for the next 365 days. Using a scale from 1 to 10, TouringPlans.com has a 90 percent accuracy of predicting the crowds to within 1 point, helping visitors prepare for their trips so they can “Do more. Wait less.”
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Community Events
- None currently scheduled – check back for updates
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
- Plaza Pavilion – closed through January 2012 for conversion to Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe.
2012 refurbishments:
Note: not all of these have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit.
- Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor – closes January 2012 for renovation. Expected to reopen in Spring 2012.
- Candy Palace – closes January 2012 for renovation. Expected to reopen in Spring 2012.
- Refreshment Corner – closes January 5 through February 9 for refurbishment.
- Blue Ribbon Bakery – closes January 5, 2012. The space to be converted back to an indoor seating area for the Carnation Cafe.
- Haunted Mansion – closes 9–23 for removal of the holiday overlay.
- Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm – closes January 9–18 for removal of the holiday decor.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds – closed January 9 through June 14 for refurbishment.
- it’s a small world – closed January 23 through February 2 for removal of the holiday overlay.
- Sailing Ship Columbia – closed January 23 through February 17 for refurbishment.
- Fantasmic! – on hiatus at least January 23 through February 17 due to the Sailing Ship Columbia refurbishment, but may return even later in the spring.
- Davy Crockett Canoes – closed January 24 for dock refurbishment.
- Cafe Orleans – closed January 24–26 for refurbishment.
- Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port – closed January 30 through February 10 for refurbishment.
Seasonal refurbishments:
- None currently scheduled
2012 refurbishments:
Note: none of these have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit.
- Redwood Challenge Creek Trail – closed January 9–27 for refurbishment.
- Grizzly River Run –closed January 30 through March 9 for refurbishment.
- Soarin’ Over California – theater A closes January 23-27 for refurbishment, so expect a longer wait for the other side.
Construction-related closures:
- Engine-Ears Toys – closed until summer 2012 for renovation.
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Baker's Field Bakery – closed until summer 2012 for conversion to Clarabelle's Hand-Scooped Ice Cream
Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream – closed until summer 2012 for conversion to Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical Cafe. - Greetings from California – closed until summer 2012 for renovation.
Note: Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, call Disneyland at (714) 781-7290.
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).
Winter
- Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort – through January 8, 2012.
- ElecTRONica – Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights now through Spring 2012; the event is offered nightly December 16-31.
2012
- ElecTRONica – Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights now through Spring 2012.
- Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend – January 27–29. Registration for the half marathon is now sold out; registration for the family races is still open at the Run Disney website.
- MouseAdventure Spring 2012 – We will host two MouseAdventure events next spring, a competitive event on Sunday, March 11 and a non-competitive “Day at the Park” event on Sunday, March 25. Additional details, including registration dates, price, format, and divisions will be sent out in January.
- Grad Nite events – this party for high school seniors graduating in 2012 will be held May 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and June 1, 7, 8, 14. The 2012 event includes admission to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure during regular operating hours, and a private party in Disneyland after the park closes to the public for the night.
- Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Animation – August 11-12. This D23 event returns to the Disneyland Resort in 2012. Additional details and registration information at www.Disney.com/D23.
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.
Current Discounts & Promotions
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.
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One Day, One Park Ticket – Regularly $80/$74 One Day Park Hopper – Regularly $105/$99 |
No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them. |
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Two Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $158/$146 Two Day Park Hopper – Regularly $173/$161 |
No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them. |
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Three Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $209/$193 Three Day Park Hopper – Regularly $224/$208 |
Advance Purchase 3-day, One Park Per Day Bonus Ticket ($199/$183) or 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($214/$198) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. First use must be on or before December 31, 2012. These tickets have a 13-day “fuse,” which means you must use all three admissions within 13 days of the first use, or forfeit the unused days. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from the Disneyland website, this ticket can be purchased and printed at home the same day you plan to use it (eTicket service). You can also ask to pick up the ticket at Will Call ($5 fee) or have it mailed to your home ( $5-$25 delivery fee, depending on service.) Ticket may also be available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway supermarkets (California and Arizona), and participating travel agents. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (a $15/day value). Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Ticket ($95) – A discounted price offered to active or retired U.S. military personnel or their spouses. Based on past offers, Disney defines “Eligible Service Members” as active or retired members of the US military, including active members of the National Guard or Reservists and active or retired members of the US Coast Guard. This discount is available at MWR/ITT offices at your military base, or at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Valid military ID is required. The price is the same for adults and children, and total of six tickets may be purchased per military member, regardless of who purchases the tickets (the member or their spouse). Tickets must be purchased by Sept 30, 2012. The ticket has the following blockout dates: December 24, 2011 to January 2, 2012; February 17 to 19, 2012; April 2 to 14, 2012; July 4, 2012. As far as we can tell, there is no “fuse” on this ticket, so you may have more than the standard 13 days from first use to use the remaining two admissions, but we highly recommend you contact your base MWR/ITT office for more details before making travel plans. Please note that this ticket is not a “bonus” ticket, and so does not include an early admission day. |
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Four Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $234/$216 Four Day Park Hopper – Regularly $249/$231 |
Costco 4-Day Park Hopper Ticket plus $50 Disney gift card ($239.99) – A special offer for Costco members who are also residents of Southern California. Note: this ticket is no longer listed on the Costco website, but you may find it at Southern California Costco stores. Unlike most other park hopper tickets, this ticket has no “fuse” – you can use the first admission today, and have until October 19, 2011 to use the remaining admission days before the ticket expires. The ticket is blocked out August 21-22, 2011. The ticket states that visitors “Must reside within ZIP codes 90000-93599” and that “Proof of residency required upon redemption.” The ticket you purchase at Costco is a valid admission ticket, and you can take it directly to a main entrance gate to use it. We've been told that, to prevent the unauthorized “transfer” of tickets between visitors (i.e., you use the first two days of the ticket and give it to a friend to use the second two days), visitors will be required to write their name on the ticket when it is first used for admission, and to show ID with that same name upon subsequent admissions. Obviously minor children will be exempt from the ID requirement, but will also be required to write their name on the ticket when it is first used. Adults should plan to have ID with them to use the ticket. Advance Purchase 4-day, One Park Per Day Bonus Ticket ($219/$201) or 4-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($234/$216) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. First use must be on or before December 31, 2012. These tickets have a 13-day “fuse,” which means you must use all four admissions within 13 days of the first use, or forfeit the unused days. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from the Disneyland website, this ticket can be purchased and printed at home the same day you plan to use it (eTicket service). You can also ask to pick up the ticket at Will Call ($5 fee) or have it mailed to your home ( $5-$25 delivery fee, depending on service.) Ticket may also be available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway supermarkets (California and Arizona), and participating travel agents. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (a $15/day value). |
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Five Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $251/$231 Five Day Park Hopper – Regularly $266/$246 |
Advance Purchase 5-day, One Park Per Day Bonus Ticket ($231/$211) or 5-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($246/$226) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. First use must be on or before December 31, 2012. These tickets have a 13-day “fuse,” which means you must use all five admissions within 13 days of the first use, or forfeit the unused days. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from the Disneyland website, this ticket can be purchased and printed at home the same day you plan to use it (eTicket service). You can also ask to pick up the ticket at Will Call ($5 fee) or have it mailed to your home ($5 to $25 delivery fee, depending on service.) Ticket may also be available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway supermarkets (California and Arizona), and participating travel agents. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (a $15/day value). |
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Six Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $256/$239 Six Day Park Hopper – Regularly $271/$251 |
Advance Purchase 6-day, One Park Per Day Bonus Ticket ($236/$216) or 6-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($251/$231) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. First use must be on or before December 31, 2012. These tickets have a 13-day “fuse,” which means you must use all six admissions within 13 days of the first use, or forfeit the unused days. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from the Disneyland website, this ticket can be purchased and printed at home the same day you plan to use it (eTicket service). You can also ask to pick up the ticket at Will Call ($5 fee) or have it mailed to your home ( $5-$25 delivery fee, depending on service.) Ticket may also be available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway supermarkets (California and Arizona), and participating travel agents. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (a $15/day value). |
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| Disneyland Resort Annual Passports |
No discounts currently available for new purchases. Southern California residents can take advantage of the monthly-payment plan when purchasing any but the Premier Annual Passport.
Premier Annual Passport: $749 [Valid at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort; includes parking] |
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2011 Southern California CityPass $276/$229 |
2011 Southern California CityPass ($276/$229) – This pass includes a 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket (including one early-entry day), a one-day admission to either San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park, as well as one-day admission to Sea World San Diego and Universal Studios Hollywood. The CityPass expires 14 days after first use at any location, and is valid through December 31, 2011. Purchase CityPass through the Disneyland website or on-site at the ticket booths of Disneyland Resort or the other theme parks included in the pass. You can also purchase directly from the CityPass website though this has a minimum $7.50 shipping charge. |
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Hotel/Travel Packages
Costco Travel Packages – Many different travel packages including visits to Disneyland and Disneyland hotels are available through Costco. When purchasing a Costco Disneyland travel package, extras that will be included are: Mickey's Toontown Madness admission (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), a character breakfast collectible pin and lanyard, and a Costco luggage tag per person, plus a $20 Disneyland Resort gift card per package.
Disney's Resort Magic and Good Neighbor Magic Packages – Package includes accommodations one of the three resort hotels or at one of 40 Good Neighbor hotels; Souvenir Park Hopper ticket with voucher for admission to Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness, plus one Magic Morning (early entry) for three-day or longer Park Hoppers; preferred seating at four DCA attractions (Disney's Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, Muppet*Vision 3D, It's Tough to be a Bug!, Golden Dreams); Preferred Showing of Turtle Talk with Crush (Priority Viewing at the first Turtle Talk with Crush show of the day, on any one day – one voucher per Guest); Disney Dream coin keepsake (one per package), luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card; and a “Character Call” from Mickey, Minnie, Goofy or Crush. Contact Disney Travel or your favorite travel agent.
Contact a MousePlanet sponsor travel agency for assistance in booking your next trip
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Other Discounts
Purchase with Purchase offers – Disneyland Resort shops frequently offer a reduced-price souvenir (often a tote bag, watch, or blanket) with a qualifying minimum purchase. The current offers are:
Disneyland shops:
- Mickey tote bag for $13.95 with a minimum purchase of $25
- Fleece throw blanket for $17.95 with a $40 purchase.
Disney California Adventure shops:
- Mickey tote bag for $13.95 with a minimum purchase of $25
- Mickey Mouse watch for $17.95 with a $40 purchase.
Downtown Disney / Disneyland Resort Hotel shops:
- Sports duffel bag for $16.95 with a minimum purchase of $25
- Fleece throw blanket for $17.95 with a $40 purchase.
Character Dining Vouchers – Discounted character dining vouchers are available for purchase online, in advance of your trip, through Get Away Travel.
Disney Visa – Cardholders have access to a private Character Meet 'N' Greet photo opportunity at Disney California Adventure, and receive one free 5×7 photograph per visit. Cardholders also receive 10% off qualifying merchandise purchases of $50 or more from Disney-operated retail stores, 10% off at selected Disneyland Resort restaurants, (Big Thunder Ranch, River Belle Terrace, French Market, Cocina Cucamonga, Steakhouse 55, PCH Grill and Storyteller's Café), and 20% off the “Welcome to Disneyland,” “A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps,” and “Discover the Magic” guided tours. See the Disney Visa website for terms and conditions.
Rainforest Cafe Safari Club–Members of the Rainforest Cafe get priority seating when available (which makes a huge difference on busy days), and a 10% discount on entrees for up to four people. Additionally, after signing up, your membership card will be mailed to you and be accompanied by a $10 award good for your next visit to a Rainforest Cafe. So if you know you will be eating there while at Disneyland and have a Rainforest Cafe local to you, it may make sense to prejoin the Safari Club so that you can use the award during your trip. See the Rainforest Cafe website for details.
ESPNZone MVP Club – Membership in the MVP Club does not offer any discounts on food. However, once a member you can make an online reservation for your party up to three days in advance and will get a 25% increase in points purchased when playing games in the Sports Arena (and 40 bonus points at activation). You must register online and your membership card will then be mailed to you within two weeks. The card must then be activated at any ESPNZone by the person who signed up for the card and ID will be required (link).
Park Schedule/Blockout Dates
DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney California Adventure
Annual Pass blockout dates:
- SL – Southern California Select Annual Pass
- SC – Southern California Annual Pass
- DX – Deluxe Annual Pass
Disneyland Resort Special Events:
- MM – Magic Morning at Disneyland
- TT – Toontown Morning Madness at Disneyland
- Grad Nite
- MHP – Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland
MousePlanet Special Events:
- MA – MouseAdventure (www.mouseadventure.com)
| 12/25 | 12/26 | 12/27 | 12/28 | 12/29 | 12/30 | 12/31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC/DX MM |
DL: 8a-12a DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC/DX MM / TT |
DL: 8a-12a DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC/DX MM
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC/DX MM / TT |
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC/DX MM |
DL: 8a-12a DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC/DX MM / TT
|
DL: 8a-2a
DCA: 10a-1a SL/SC/DX MM / TT |
| 1/1/2012 | 1/2 | 1/3 | 1/4 | 1/5 | 1/6 | 1/7 |
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC |
DL: 8a-12a DCA: 10a-10p SL MM / TT |
DL: 8a-12a DCA: 10a-9p MM
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-9p TT |
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p MM |
DL: 8a-12a DCA: 10a-10p TT
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC MM / TT |
| 1/8 | 1/9 | 1/10 | 1/11 | 1/12 | 1/13 | 1/14 |
|
DL: 8a-11p
DCA: 10a-10p SL |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p TT |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p MM
|
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p TT |
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 9a-12a DCA: 10a-9p TT
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-9p SL/SC MM / TT |
| 1/15 | 1/16 | 1/17 | 1/18 | 1/19 | 1/20 | 1/21 |
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-9p SL/SC MM |
DL: 8a-11p DCA: 10a-9p SL TT |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p MM
|
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p TT |
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 9a-10p DCA: 10a-9p TT
|
DL: 9a-12a
DCA: 10a-9p SL/SC MM / TT |
| 1/22 | 1/23 | 1/24 | 1/25 | 1/26 | 1/27 | 1/28 |
|
DL: 9a-10p
DCA: 10a-9p SL MM |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p TT |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p MM
|
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p TT |
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 8a-8p DCA: 10a-9p TT
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-9p SL/SC MM / TT |
| 1/29 | 1/30 | 1/31 | 2/1 | 2/2 | 2/3 | 2/4 |
|
DL: 9a-10p
DCA: 11a-9p SL |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p MM / TT |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p MM
|
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p TT |
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 9a-11p DCA: 10a-9p TT
|
DL: 8a-11p
DCA: 10a-9p SL/SC MM / TT |
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.
