Disneyland Park Update

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Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park
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Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

News and Views

Wind, rain and Candlelight

The California version of a winter storm hit the Disneyland Resort this
weekend, causing a cancellation of the Sunday evening performances of
the Candlelight Processional. The wet weather also caused sporadic closures
of Tom Sawyer Island and Tarzan’s Treehouse due to flooding and slick
surfaces. Honey I Shrunk the Audience was closed Sunday night due
to a leak in the theater’s ceiling.

Pedestrians carry umbrellas and don rain coats earlier in the day before
the Candlelight Procession is cancelled because of poor weather. Photo
by Frank Anzalone.

Those who attended the performances on Saturday noted a few changes to
the production. For the first time, the first verses of “Candlelight Chorale”
were sung as a duet between a male and female singer, later joined by the massed
choir. The male singer also performed
a verse of “Silent Night” in Spanish, another change from previous
Candlelight productions.

Even with the cancellation of the Candlelight Procession, park guests
mingle around the Town Square area near the Main Street Disneyland Railroad
station, enjoying the sparkle and glitter of Christmas lights. Photo by
Frank Anzalone.

Those who took advantage of the Candlelight dining packages on Saturday
reported few problems with the process, especially compared to the previous
two years. Those who booked dining packages for Sunday’s performances
were allowed to cancel their reservations without penalty.

Come Out and Trade

The “Come Out and Trade” program, first launched at Disneyland
in November, has been extended. “Come Out and Trade” is held
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays and rainy days) from approximately
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Plaza Pavilion on Main Street, U.S.A. A team
of Disneyland Resort cast members, including some of the merchandise events
staff, trade pins with visitors and help new collectors learn about pins.

David Koenig reports:

Odds of ever reopening the walk-though in Sleeping Beauty Castle (closed
on October 7, 2001 after the September 11 terror attacks) are slim following
the recent removal of the dioramas. One cast member reported, “In
an issue of the Disneyland Line, there was a story about the scenes
being taken out of the castle to be put in storage for ‘future use.’ But
the cast member newsletter does not tell about the damage that was done
to take the scenes out. They made big holes to rip out where the window
scenes once were. The interior of the castle is now one giant storage
area for all sorts of stuff.” One scene—of Prince Philip kissing
Sleeping Beauty—was restored and placed in one of the windows of
the Emporium.

The exterior of Sleeping Beauty Castle, recently repainted to a festive
sparkle, is all that park visitors can enjoy, now that a permanent closure
of its interior walk-through seems certain. A “snow”-capped
Matterhorn is visible on the right. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

A window for Fess

Fess Parker is being honored next Wednesday (December 15) with a personalized
window in Frontierland, with a ceremony held at park opening. The window
will be located above the newly renamed “Crockett & Russell Hat
Co.” store next to the Pioneer Mercantille. Parker portrayed Davy
Crockett in the Disney television series, starred in Disney’s Old
Yeller, and appeared in several more Disney productions before going
on to co-produce and take the title role in the Daniel Boone television
series.

Fess Parker talks about his role as Davy Crockett at the 2004 “A
Celebraton of Walt Disney Art Classics” convention. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.

Parker is now the chief executive officer of Fess Parker’s Winery &
Vineyard, and operates Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn & Spa in Los
Olivos, California, which is appears prominently in the current movie
Sideways, starring Paul Giamatti.

Disney Gallery 2005

The Disney Gallery has some big plans for 2005. All of these details
and dates are subject to change, but here is a preliminary exhibit schedule
MousePlanet was able to obtain:

• The Gallery closes on January 2 to remove the Haunted Mansion exhibit.
  This coincides with the date the Haunted Mansion Holiday closes.
• The Gallery closes for the entire month of January, and reopens in
  early February with the first of a three-part exhibit series honoring
  Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary.
• The first exhibit features Fantasyland and the Disney princesses.
  
• The second exhibit, scheduled to premiere in May, focuses on the remaining
  three original lands of Disneyland. This exhibit features a lot of Shag’s
  retro artwork
• A third exhibit featuring artwork by Thomas Kinkade debuts tt the
  end of summer 2005.
• Most of the exhibit artwork, including concept art from four original
  lands, become available on the Print on Demand system.

Costco City Pass promotion

Costco is offering a Southern California CityPass for $149.99 for adults
and $114.99 for children ages 3 to 9. The CityPass includes a three-day
Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket, one-day admission to Knott’s Berry
Farm, one-day admission to SeaWorld in San Diego, and one-day admission
to either the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

The discounted Costco CityPass is $10.99 more than the advance-purchase
price of a Disneyland Resort three-day park hopper ticket, ($5.99 more
for children), and $9.01 less than the regular price of the three-day
park hopper (children save $14.01). Either way, the ticket represents
a great value for families planning longer vacations in Southern California.

The first admission must be used by March 31, 2005, and the pass expires
13 days after the first admission is used. The tickets are available at
Southern California Costco stores, or at the Costco Web site (link).
You must be a Costco member to purchase the tickets, and a shipping fee
applies to Internet orders.

Ears to the ground

…The Rose Bowl-bound football teams from University of Michigan
and University of Texas make their first official Rose Bowl appearance
at Disneyland on Monday, December 27. An afternoon ceremony in front of
the legendary Sleeping Beauty Castle honors the teams and their coaches.
Rose Queen Ashley Moreno, her Royal Court, and Rose Parade Grand Marshall
Mickey Mouse are also expected to participate.

According to a Disneyland press release, “The players and coaches
will play a little football with Mickey and his pals,” after the
ceremony, and then spend the rest of the day at the Disneyland and Disney’s
California Adventure park. The Disney appearance is an annual tradition
for Rose Bowl teams. The event was moved to Disney’s California Adventure
after that park opened in 2001, but has now returned to Disneyland.

…Entertainment department cast members learned this weekend that
the Parade of the Stars is not returning in January. The parade was slated
for replacement in May 2005 with “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams,”
and there is no word on what, if anything, is taking its place for the
three months until the new parade debuts.

…The Sailing Ship Columbia returned to service late afternoon
on Sunday, after a lengthy refurbishment.

…The small-format Print on Demand poster printers are coming to the
World of Disney store. World of Disney cast members are training to operate
the printers, and the system is expected to be functioning as of this
Thursday, December 9.

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Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us
here.

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Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

Note: Disneyland is progressively refurbishing more and more attractions
as the park readies for its 50th anniversary celebration in 2005.

• Fantasmic expected to return on December 17.
  
• Aladdin’s Oasis closed through March 11, 2005.
  
• Plaza Pavilion closed through March 11, 2005.
  
• Enchanted Tiki Room closed through March 11, 2005.
  
• Space Mountain closed through November 2005.
  
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely; not
  listed on park maps or the Disneyland Web site.
  

Upcoming Disneyland closures

• Haunted Mansion closes January 3–23, 2005 to remove Haunted
  Mansion Holiday overlay.
  
• “it’s a small world” closes January 10–23, 2005
  to remove the holiday overlay.
  
• Mark Twain Riverboat closes January 17–28, 2005
  
• Mad Tea Partycloses January 24–February 10, 2005
  
• Splash Mountaincloses January 24–March 17, 2005
  
• Disneyland Railroadcloses January 31–March 11, 2005
  
• Great Moments with Mr. Lincolncloses February 22 to install
  the 50th Anniversary exhibit in the Main Street Opera House.
  

Disney’s California Adventure

Upcoming DCA closures

• Maliboomer reduced capacity (2 of 3 towers operating) January
  3–22, 31 – March 12, 2005.
  
• Jumpin’ Jellyfish reduced capacity January 21 – March
  5, 2005.
  

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.

Park Events

December

• Fess Parker window dedication ceremony. Dec. 15 at 10:00 am
  in Frontierland.


• “Merriest Place on Earth” Christmas decorations appear
  throughout the Disneyland resort. Through Jan. 2.

January 2005

• Disneyland Resort float appears in Pasadena Tournament of Roses
  parade. Jan. 1.
• 75 InspEARations exhibitarrives at Disneyland. Jan. 10 –
  Feb. 22.

February 2005

• Chip & Dale’s Wild Wild West Pin Adventure. Feb. 3 at Disneyland.
  Tickets on sale now (link).

March 2005

• Indiana Jones Adventure 10th Anniversary event. March 3 at
  Disneyland. Tickets on sale now (link).
  
• MousePlanet’s MouseAdventure event – Tentatively Sunday,
  March 13 at Disneyland. Details to be announced. Want us to contact
  you when we open registration for this MouseAdventure event? Sign up
  for MouseAdventure
  Reminderer.
  

May 2005

• Disneyland closed on May 4, 2005 to “put the finishing
  touches” on the 50th Anniversary celebration. DCA open on May 4.
  
• Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary celebration begins May 5.
  

June 2005

• 2005 Summer Pin Festival. June 24 – Aug. 15, 2005 at
  the Disneyland Resort. No details have been announced (link).
  

July 2005

• Disneyland 50th Anniversary special event. July 2005. No dates
  or details have been announced (link).
  

Current Discounts & Promotions

Costco City Pass promotion

Costco is offering a Southern California CityPass for $149.99 for adults,
and $114.99 for children ages 3 to 9. The CityPass includes a three-day
Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket, one-day admission to Knott’s Berry
Farm, one-day admission to SeaWorld in San Diego, and one-day admission
to either the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The first
admission must be used by March 31, 2005, and the pass expires 13 days
after the first admission is used.

The tickets are available at Southern California Costco stores, or at
the Costco Web site (link).
You must be a Costco member to purchase the tickets, and a shipping fee
applies to Internet orders.

Holiday Bring-a-Friend ticket

Disneyland Resort passholders can purchase one-day park hopper tickets
for the same price as a one-day, one-park ticket. Limit five tickets per
person, per day, with valid passport. Admission must be used on day of
purchase. Effective through December 18.

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder offers and promotions

• Purchase a commemorative 50th anniversary brick through December 31
  to be placed in the esplanade between Disneyland and DCA, and receive
  a $50 discount off the regular price of $150. The special brick features
  a brass-toned medallion with the 50th anniversary logo.
  
• Get January AP rates at the Disneyland Resort, starting at $79 per
  night at Paradise Pier hotel. Promotion valid Sunday – Thursday
  for arrivals January 2 – 31, 2005. Additional restrictions apply.
  Call 714-956-MICKEY (714-956-6425) to book.
• Receive a copy of The Disney Treasures book, worth $60, when
  applying for a Disney Visa card. The book is shipped after you uses
  the new account. Apply by phone at 1-800-640-5306, and mention card
  code 26FF.
• Save up to 20 percent on car rentals from Alamo Rent A Car and National
  Car Rental. Restrictions apply—get full details and the necessary
  discount codes on the Annual Passholder Web site (link).
  

50th Anniversary Package (Happiest Homecoming on Earth!)

If you book a three-night resort stay at any of the Disneyland Resort
hotels during the 50th anniversary promotion, your package includes a
four-day Park Hopper ticket, a special 50th anniversary commemorative
clock and a Walk in Walt’s Footsteps tour.

The “50th Celebration Package” is available only for
three-night stays, with arrival dates through December 31, 2005. The package
can be booked through the Disneyland Web site (link),
or by calling (714) 520-5060.

AAA-Disney’s Resort Magic Packages

AAA member can take advantage of these packages that include hotel nights
and theme park tickets, along with extra amenities:

• Accommodations at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel,
  or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
  
• Disneyland Resort Hotel self-parking and Fitness Center access
  
• Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket – valid for entry into Disneyland
  park and Disney’s California Adventure park with full park-hopping privileges
  
• Free ESPN Zone Arena Game Card – $10 value (one per person)
  
• Collect Fastpass tickets for multiple attractions at one time.
  
• Preferred seating at a choice of select shows in DCA
  
• An exclusive Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard
  (one per person)
  
• An exclusive Walt Disney Travel Company California Fun Book (one per
  package)
  
• An exclusive Disneyland Resort Magical Pocket Guide (one per package)
  

Sample prices include:

AAA Disney’s Resort Magic: Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel for
two nights from $269/adult, $127/ages 10-17, $97/ages 3-9

AAA Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Magic: Jolly Roger Hotel
for two nights from $193/adult, $127/ages 10-17, $97/ages 3-9

These packages require a minimum two-night hotel stay, and are good for
travel through December 23, 2004. You can book this package through your
local AAA affiliate travel agent.

Disney’s AAA Passport Plus Package 2004

If you don’t need a hotel room, the Passport Plus Package offers AAA
members a discount on Park Hopper tickets, and comes with extra benefits:

• Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket
  
• $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card
  
• Preferred Seating at select shows in Disney’s California Adventure
  Park
  
• California Diamond Fun Book (one per package)
  
• Free parking at Disneyland Resort Theme Parks
  

Prices:

• 5-day: $129 (children: $99)
  
• 6-day: $159 (children: $129)
  
• 7-day: $184 (children: $149)
  

An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address. These
tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through AAA offices.

AAA ticket offers

For shorter stays, AAA offers 2- and 5-day tickets for the Disneyland
Resort:

• 2-day adult Flex Passport $98 (children: $78)
  
• 5-day adult Flex Passport $129 (children: $99)
  

These tickets include free parking (the back of the passports note the
free parking, so you will need the passport with you when you park your
car).

CityPass

The Southern California CityPass booklet includes admission to five separate
entertainment options:

• 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket
  
• 1-day ticket to Sea World Adventure park
  
• 1-day ticket to either the world-famous San Diego Zoo or San Diego
  Wild Animal Park
  
• 1-day ticket to Knott’s Theme Park (includes a free Knott’s Berry
  Farm T-shirt with each child’s City Pass)
  

The CityPass is $172 ($129 for children).

You can purchase the Southern California CityPass with Walt Disney Travel
Company packages. Instead of the Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket
currently included in California packages from the Walt Disney Travel
Company, guests can select a Southern California city for an additional
charge of $47 per pass ($32 per pass for children 3 through 9).

Note: The Southern California CityPass does not include the $10
ESPN Zone Arena Game Card, or the California package’s feature that allows
guests to collect multiple Fastpass tickets at once for free in advance.

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

DL: Disneyland

DCA: Disney’s California Adventure

Annual Pass blockout dates:

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

Visit our
Annual Passholders Blockout Dates 2004 page to see more dates.

Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule
for December 6at Disneyland.com here
(printer-friendly version here).