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News and Views
Buzz Lightyear Soft Openings
Our rumor about a short soft opening (dress rehearsal) last week didn’t
pan out (combining some technical issues with a surprising line outside,
those in charge called it off) but there have been several opportunities
for cast members, resort hotel guests, and finally last Friday, just general
park guests to ride. Early reviews are starting to pop up on our MousePad
message board (link,
and another link)
and are mostly positive.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is getting long lines, even during unofficial “soft” openings. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The new color scheme introduced by Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters continues
to expand with the underside of the old People Mover/Rocket Rods track
getting a coat of the lighter blue. The new colors generally look good,
but they are also a bit busy. And since there are many elements with the
older brown-gold color that cannot easily be repainted, it is not so simple
as just shifting to a new color scheme. At this point, you can stand in
the middle of Tomorrowland and see a lot of different colors in use.
Blue continues to spread around Tomorrowland. Also visible is the new paint job at Star Tours. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The official opening of the attraction has been announced as March 17
with a press event on the morning of that day. Although nothing if official,
it is generally accepted among cast members that the Calling All Space
Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure stage show is being shuttered
to avoid a Buzz (over)kill. The official final performance has not been
announced, but the park calendar at Disneyland.com no longer listed after
Sunday, April 3.
Rumble in the Jungle
According to MousePlanet columnist David Koenig, guests should not be
alarmed about show elements disappearing from the Jungle Cruise in mid-February—two
weeks before the ride went down for refurbishment. One former skipper
wondered if the early removal of the “native uprising” was a
bow to political correctness.
A current Adventurelander puts him at ease: “Although I can see
how what the ex-skipper said about the native uprising scene could be
perceived as a [public relations] move in the same vein as the semi-recent
Pirates [of the Caribbean] updates, this is not the case. The native uprising,
along with the baboon family on the Veldt, and the alligator before Schweitzer
Falls were simply taken out about a week before the ride went down just
to get a head start on the refurbishment, and nothing more.
“That being said, we should be expecting a very different
Jungle when the ride comes back up May 5. On the Thursday before the ride
went down for rehab, skippers took some [Walt Disney Imagineering] people
around, and they were pointing out things that they want to change during
the rehab—and there were a lot of them. I’m sure some will be nixed
because of budget concerns, but some of the things they were saying were
very ambitious, and will add new technologies to the ride and a new level
of skipper interaction with the surrounding scenes.”
Construction update
A quick run-down of construction and refurbishments around the resort:
- The toy store section of the Emporium has reopened and looks very
good. Lighting has improved, cash registers moved about, and new flooring
and fixtures installed.
This is the area of Emporium that used to be a large island of plush merchandise. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
- Still no official word on what is being done to the Innoventions exterior.
It is obviously a paint job, but unclear whether it is just a touchup
or a more dramatic effort, perhaps influenced by the new colors being
used elsewhere in Tomorrowland. - The wall is down from around Star Tours as that paint job is complete.
- Work proceeds quickly on Mark Twain Riverboat as most of the work is just painting and general repairs. Though screens are up, the new gold-colored trim can easily be seen.
Various parts of the Mark Twain are behind screens, but the new gold is visible on the top level trim. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
A closer view of the new gold-colored trim at the top of Mark Twain Riverboat. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
- The Enchanted Tiki Room is also quickly getting the final touches in place for its return to action next weekend. This last week the new attraction sign went up and peaks over the construction wall.
The return of the attraction sign is getting a response from eager fans of the attraction. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
50th Feedback
Three items from David’s “More
on the 50th” column (March 1) also received tremendous reader
response. First, David says it turns out he and his sources were unaware
that the idea for a “powered launch” on Space Mountain had been
scrapped months ago.
As one insider explained:
“I’ve heard repeatedly from Tomorrowland folks who would know
that the three lift hills are staying the same technology-wise. There
won’t be LIMs [linear induction motors] going in. And when I saw the
lifts being built, I didn’t see anything that looked like LIMs or would
suggest anything other than chain lifts. I do know that the show effects
themselves are radically different in the lift sequences, and it’s the
one part that most guests will notice as being different. Space Mountain
Paris 2.0 that opens next month uses a lot of the same show effect technology
as ours. So when that opens in Paris and the first few ride reports
and possible videos or pics come in from France, that should offer a
good idea as to what is coming our way effects-wise.“Also the ‘re-entry tunnel’ was reworked heavily from a Show perspective.
And the station, while similarly set-up with the queue location and
boarding area, is noticeably different and updated from the pictures
I’ve seen. They showed some of the station recently on Cast TV, and
the differences were very visible. The new station is much more modern
looking, more 21st century mod rather than Jimmy Carter mod.”
Second, participants in the Happiest Faces on Earth photo murals report
that Disney promised to e-mail them the approximate location of their
photos.
David was prescient, however, in his fears about the new fireworks show
being too popular. A cast member agreed:
“The new fireworks show in particular looks to be amazing. But
from an Operations standpoint, I’m very worried about summertime Guest
Control issues. This show is entirely focused on the Hub, and all of
the nifty sight gags and special effects are aimed at those standing
in the Hub or the top third of Main Street. When word gets out after
a few weeks that the only real way to see the amazing Tinker Bell effect,
or the Mansion stretching room effect, or the Castle images, etc., is
to be in the Hub, I fully expect people to start staking out their spots
for the fireworks in the afternoon. The Hub only holds a few thousand
people, and it could be like New Year’s every night this summer if 35,000
people all start trying to get into the Hub before the fireworks show.“I’m really surprised that they didn’t at least try to offer something
for the 12,000 people around the River who will have just seen the 9:00
p.m. Fantasmic, or any of the thousands of other people who watch
the fireworks from the Small World Mall, Fantasyland or Tomorrowland
area. It’s all about the Hub, and if you aren’t there, you’re only going
to get about 60 percentof the show. Once folks figure that out, it’s
going to get ugly I’m afraid.”
State of the Resort
Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet gave a “State of the Resort” presentation to Anaheim politcal and business leaders last week. Among the big three opints in that presenation, the lesser two were that Disney contributed more than $10 million to local causes in 2004 and that the resort generates $3.6 billion in third -party economic impact to the region and supoprts more than 65,000 jobs.
The big announcement (at least for those not in the room) made it official that Space Mountain is ahead of schedule and will be opening sonoer than the announced November date. Much sooner, on July 15 just in time for the 50th anniversary. Here is the full text of the press release following the announcement.
As the countdown begins to May 5, 2005, and the launch of the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, the “Happiest Homecoming on Earth,” another countdown is now underway in Tomorrowland for the re-launch of “Space Mountain.” The anticipation has begun as one of the most popular adventures at Disneyland gets ready to blast-off into a new era of thrills!
“We’re very happy to announce that ‘Space Mountain’ will re-open on July 15 as one of the many celebratory festivities leading to our actual 50th anniversary on July 17,” said Matt Ouimet, president of the Disneyland Resort, during a State of the Resort presentation today for local government and business leaders. “Guests will find the classic elements they love, combined with new technology and special effects that make the experience even more of a ‘wow!”
“Space Mountain,” the high-speed interstellar adventure that has captivated Disneyland guests since its debut in 1977, re-opens following nearly two years of enhancements and improvements. As the signature attraction of Tomorrowland, “Space Mountain” will once again beckon guests to its gleaming white spires and ominous slopes to experience anew the intergalactic adventure inside.
The attraction will return to its regular flight schedule with enhanced narrative elements and state-of-the-art special effects within the attraction and queue area, while retaining its essential theme and flight path through the dark reaches of outer space.
Ardent “Space Mountain” fans will find the attraction sporting a new generation of special effects, new rocket vehicles and a brand-new, custom soundtrack. Through an all-new queue and hi-tech launch port inspired by today’s era of space exploration (Mars Rover, Hubble telescope, etc.), guests will feel as if they have a first-hand look into the cosmos.
After boarding their rockets, guests will be wowed by a feeling of disorientation in the launch tunnel, hurling them towards a close encounter with a large meteorite. Following an exhilarating race through space, the experience will culminate with a new finale featuring a longer re-entry tunnel filled with spectacular lighting effects.
The initial concept for “Space Mountain” originated with Walt Disney himself back in the mid-1960s, when it was known simply as “Space Port” and destined to become an addition to Tomorrowland at Disneyland. The concept became a reality in 1975 when, after more than a decade of planning, the first incarnation of “Space Mountain” actually premiered in the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
“Space Mountain” had its southern California premiere at Disneyland two years later on May 27, 1977. The U.S. Mercury Astronauts, America’s first men in space, were on hand for the grand opening ceremonies and to christen the 118 foot tall “mountain.”
The re-launch of “Space Mountain” joins an incredible array of new and exciting adventures, attractions and spectacular entertainment premiering at Disneyland during its “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” 50th anniversary celebration, launching May 5, 2005. Other highlights include the fun-filled and interactive “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters” in Tomorrowland, the spectacle of “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams,” “Remember . . . Dreams Come True,” (the biggest fireworks spectacular in Disneyland history), the engaging retrospective “Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years” and the energetic “Block Party Bash” at Disney’s California Adventure.
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rumors, and comments. E-mail us here.
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.
- Aladdin’s Oasis opens March 12
- Plaza Pavilion opens March 12
- Enchanted Tiki Room opens March 12
- Disneyland Railroad opens March 18
- Mark Twain Riverboat opens March 18
- Splash Mountain opens March 18
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride opens March 18
- Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln opens April 16 with installation
the 50th Anniversary exhibit in the Main Street Opera House - Disney Gallery closed March 28 – May 4
- Honey I Shrunk the Audience closed April 4–8
- Disneyland Railroad Tomorrowland station opens May 3
- Jungle Cruise opens May 4
- Casey Jr. Circus Trains closed April 4 – May 3
- Storybook Land Canal Boats closed April 4 – May 4
- Space Mountain closed thru July 15
- Haunted Mansion closed September 6–29 to install Haunted
Mansion Holiday overlay; closed Jan. 9–25, 2006 to remove overlay
Disney’s California Adventure
- Playhouse Disney opens March 11
- It’s Tough to be a Bug! closed April 4 – May 4
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
March
- MousePlanet’s MouseAdventure event – Sunday, March 13
at Disneyland. Registration and post-event BBQ dinner now closed (link).
- Magic Mirror event – Merchandise event at Downtown Disney’s
World of Disney March 18–20 (link).
- Olszewski event – Merchandise event Saturday, March 26
(link).
April
- Swarovski Sunrise Breakfast merchandise event – Saturday,
April 9 at Grand California Hotel. Release of six new Disney crystal
figurines froms Swarovski. $95/person or $430 with hotel stay. Registration
now open (link).
May
- 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 Summer Pin Festival. June 24 – Aug. 15 at the Disneyland
Resort. No details have been announced (link).
July
- Disneyland 50th Anniversary special event. July 15 – 17. No
details have been announced, but Disney is taking an interest list (link)
for those who want to receive e-mail updates about the event.
- July 2005 NFFC convention. July 9–13. The Show and Sale
is scheduled for July 10.
Current Discounts & Promotions
Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland
Resort. For convenience sake, 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 which works best for you. And keep those tips coming – let us
know if you find a better / different offer, so we can share it with other
readers!
| One Day | No discounts offered to the general public for single-day admission. |
| Two Days | Southern California 2Fer Ticket ($53/$43) through April 28, Tickets: $53 for ages 10 and older, $43 for ages 3 to 9. You must According to the official promotion details, Southern California Reader James tells us that he purchased these tickets at the |
Southern California 2-Day Park Hopper at 1-Day Park Hopper Price Tickets: $73 for ages 10 and older, $63 for ages 3 to 9. You must According to the official promotion details, Southern California | |
Good Neighbor Hotel Park Hopper Plus tickets ($105/$85) | |
AAA Flex Passport ($98/$78) – Some AAA offices offer A reader let us know that AAA offices in Oregon and Idaho do | |
| Three Days | AAA Flex Passport ($129/$99) – Some AAA offices offer |
Good Neighbor Hotel Park Hopper Plus tickets ($114/$114) | |
City Pass ($172/$129) through March 31, 2005 | |
City Pass ($185/$127) effective April 1, 2005 | |
Costco City Pass promotion ($149.99/$114.99) Available at Southern California Costco stores or at the Costco | |
3-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($109/$109) ($139/$109) If you plan to visit the Disneyland resort after April 28, take Both offers are available at the Disneyland Web site (link), Several readers wrote to tell us that the Safeway stores in | |
| Four Days | Costco Play 4 Days ticket ($89/$89) – Costco You get a voucher to exchange at a Disneyland Resort ticket booth The ticket is valid through June 23, 2005, or until the fourth |
Good Neighbor Hotel Park Hopper Plus tickets ($134/$134) | |
4-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($129/$129) ($159/$129) If you plan to visit the Disneyland Resort after April 28, you Both of these ticket offers are available through the Disneyland | |
| Five Days | Disney’s AAA Passport Plus Package 2005 ($169/$139)
An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address. Several readers report that their local AAA offices do not offer MousePlanet has contacted AAA offices around the country and The Auto Club of Southern California (ACSC) is not participating |
5-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($139/$139) ($169/$139) If you plan to visit the Disneyland Resort after April 28, take Both of these ticket offers are available through the Disneyland | |
Alaska Airlines “Kids Fly Free” promotion through | |
| Six or Seven Days | Disney’s AAA Passport Plus Package 2005 – The Parkhopper
An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address. Several readers report that their local AAA offices do not offer The Auto Club of Southern California (ACSC) is not participating |
Special thanks to MousePlanet reader David Michael for some of | |
Alaska Airlines “Kids Fly Free” promotion returns
Alaska Airlines is repeating the popular “Kids Fly Free” promotion
for travel to the Disneyland Resort, and is offering park ticket and hotel
discounts as well.
If you book an Alaska Airlines Southern California Vacations package
for travel through June 29, one child (age 2-11) can fly free with each
paid adult ticket. The package also includes four nights at the Holiday
Inn Buena Park and airport transfers via Karmel Shuttle (children 2-11
are free). The packages, including airfare and hotel, start at $429 per
person.
Even better, if you travel through April 28, you also receive a free
child’s 5-day Disneyland Resort park hopper for each paid adult. If you
are traveling without children, you can instead purchase the adult 5-day
park hopper ticket at the children’s price. Be aware, however, that Disneyland
considers 11-year-olds to be adults for the purpose of admission pricing.
If Buena Park is too far away from Disneyland for you, you can upgrade
to a Disneyland Resort hotel and receive up to $200 Disney Dollars with
a stay of four nights or more before April 24, 2005.
Finally, if you book the package through alaskaair.com, you get 1500
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Bonus Miles per passenger. For more information,
visit the Alaska Airlines Web site (link).
You must book packages by March 21, 2005.
50th Anniversary Package, revised
The Happiest Homecomings on Earth package has been revised for the new
year. The previous promotion was good only for three-night stays at the
Disneyland Resort hotels; the new offer is valid on longer stays and includes
Good Neighbor Hotels as well.
Instead of the 50th anniversary commemorative clock and Walk in Walt’s
Footsteps tour, the new packages include all the following:
- “Enchanting” commemorative certificate (one per package)
- Park Hopper bonus ticket, which includes one early entry into Fantasyland
and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. (Park hopper tickets can be upgraded
to an annual pass for an extra fee) - Preferred seating to select shows at Disney’s California Adventure
- Entry into Mickey’s Toontown Madness
- Walt Disney Travel Co. lanyard and pin (one per person)
- Walt Disney Travel Co. luggage tag
- Walt Disney Travel Co. fun book (one per package)
The “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” package is available for
arrival dates through December 31, 2005. The package can be booked through
the Disneyland Web site (link),
or by calling (714) 520-5060.
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
Sun | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat |
| 3/7 | 3/8 | 3/9 | 3/10 | 3/11 | 3/12 | |
| DL: 10a–8p | DL: 10a–8p | DL: 10a–8p | DL: 10a–8p | DL: 9a–11p | DL: 8a–Mid |
| 3/13 | 3/14 | 3/15 | 3/16 | 3/17 | 3/18 | 3/19 |
DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 9a–10p | DL: 9a–10p | DL: 9a–10p | DL: 9a–10p | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid |
| 3/20 | 3/21 | 3/22 | 3/23 | 3/24 | 3/25 | 3/26 |
DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 9a–10p | DL: 9a–10p | DL: 9a–10p | DL: 9a–10p | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid |
Visit our Annual
Passholders Blockout Dates 2005 page to see more dates. You can
see future calendar schedules at Disneyland.com here.
Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule
for this week at Disneyland.com here.
