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News and Views
Countdown to May 5
As fans prepare for the start of the Disneyland’s 50th anniversary, we
present another sneak peek into the shows and attractions intended for
the 18–month celebration.
Spoiler alert: Skip this section if you want to be surprised
when you see the new fireworks show for the first time by clicking here.
Remember… Dreams Come True
Creative Director Steven Davison, responsible for the Believe,
Believe… in Holiday Magic and Wishes fireworks shows
has created what he calls “the ultimate Disney E-ticket in the sky.”
Remember… Dreams Come True begins with an introductory voice–over
by Julie Andrews, Disneyland’s honorary ambassador during the anniversary.
Those who have seen Walt Disney World’s Wishes will recognize the
sequence that follows—the music and accompanying narration are borrowed
from the Florida show. Next, Tinker Bell makes her first appearance, launching
from the Matterhorn. In press releases about the show, Disney says that
Tinker Bell’s “awe-inspiring flight will amaze audiences and defy
explanation.” Without providing more details, Disney only says that
the technology has been successfully tested in Las Vegas. Based on the
configuration of new wires leading from the Matterhorn, some have speculated
that the technology used in Tinker Bell’s new flight is similar to that
of the aerial cameras used at sporting events.
Regardless of how she flies, Tink will start at the Matterhorn, where
she will drop at a rate of 50 feet per second and level off into a glide
to the Castle. Tink will “enchant” the Castle with her wand
as Walt’s opening–day narration rings out across the park. Davison
says that Walt and Tinker Bell will be reunited during this sequence,
and multicolored shells re–create the Wonderful World of Disney
introduction. Tink will then disappear in a flash of bright light, to
reappear later in the show.
The second act is “E-Tickets in the Sky,” and begins with ragtime
music evoking Main Street. The familiar tunes of “electrosynthomagnetic
musical sounds” of the Main Street Electrical Parade closing
fanfare returns to Disneyland park, then moves into Adventureland, honoring
the Enchanted Tiki Room with flower–shaped shells. The Indiana Jones
Adventure segment warns you not to look into the eye of Mara—and
a specialty shell makes that nearly impossible.
The Haunted Mansion section takes advantage of new launch positions around
the Central Plaza hub to shoot 13, comets straight up 300 feet all around
viewers to evoke the attraction’s stretching room. Heart-shaped shells
accompany little Leota’s “hurry back” narration. A skull–and–crossbones
projection onto the Matterhorn leads into the next segment, a Pirates
of the Caribbean-theme battle featuring cannon shots between Sleeping
Beauty Castle and the Matterhorn.
The show segues to waterfall shells fired to accompany the song “Shenandoah.”
Music and narration paying homage to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and
Davy Crockett lead into the final segment, featuring duck-shaped and bull’s–eye
shells from the Frontierland Shooting Gallery.
The show next moves into what Davison called the “Laughing Place”
segment, featuring bright, primary–colored shells and an orange “Tigger”
comet. Laser beams draw attention back to the Castle for the Tomorrowland
sequence that closes this act. Memories of Tomorrowland rides past and
present, including Space Mountain, Adventures through Inner Space and
Star Tours, are conjured through music and narration, Saturn-shaped shells,
lasers and comet fans.
The final act opens with another flight by Tinker Bell, who again enchants
the Castle to the accompanying music from Wishes before the 17–minute
show ends with an 80–shells–in–three–seconds finale.
Some have expressed concern that large portions of Disneyland will need
to be closed or restricted during the new fireworks show as a result of
the new effects and launch positions. We have confirmed that in addition
to Toon Town, Snow White’s Scary Adventures and Peter Pan’s Flight—which
have all closed during past shows—Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, King
Arthur Carrousel and the Matterhorn will close during Remember…
It has still not been determined if the Astro Orbitor, Jungle Cruise or
other Fantasyland rides will close during the show.
If the three words above have you picturing buckets of tacky metallic
gold paint, relax—it is not that bad. In fact, if the golden King
Arthur Carroussel horse displayed during the press preview is an indication,
the “goldenized” (Disney’s word) ride vehicles will be lovely
and tasteful. Far from being dipped in gold paint or coated in shiny gold
leaf, the vehicles receiving the “Midas touch” are being repainted
with blended, shaded coats of deep gold and bronze, with dark raspberry
accents.
Rides getting one of the decorated vehicles include Autopia, Horse-Drawn
Streetcar, Jungle Cruise, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and Mad Tea Party.
Disney says that the Disneyland Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat, Main Street
Horseless Carriage, Main Street Cinema, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Storybook
Land Canal Boats are all “under consideration” to receive a
golden touch.
If you cannot leave Disneyland without getting your photo taken in a
golden ride vehicle, you are in luck—certain locations will actually
receive two of the vehicles. One will be used as an off–ride photo
location, saving you a long wait for the golden vehicle at the particular
attractions.
Block Party Bash
While most of the focus of the celebration is correctly centered at Disneyland,
Disney’s California Adventure plays host to the Block Party Blast,
based on the Disney/Pixar characters. Part–parade, part–street
show, Block Party Blast features three large floats, each themed
to a Pixar film—Toy Story, Monster’s Inc., and A
Bug’s Life. Four smaller units serve as dance platforms for the “Pixar
Pals,” parade performers dressed in costumes themed to one of the
three films.
As soon as the floats come on stage, they tear down the performance corridor
to the first of three 400–foot “party zones,” where the
floats pause for 11–minute show stops. A troop of Green Army Men
lead the procession, barking orders and getting the crowd ready for the
show.
This is not a show for people who prefer to sit on a curb and watch a
parade pass by. Crowd interaction is not optional—even those who
do not get pulled into the street to dance with the Pixar Pals are likely
to be bopped on the head with a beach ball or pelted with puffs shot from
confetti cannons. Trampolines, jumping stilts and 30 electric scooters
add to the melee. The music is a mix of popular dance tunes, from “Shout”
to “YMCA” to the “Macarena.”
The roster of performers is impressive. Sixty dancers and 16 acrobats
join 26 characters, including Buzz Lightyear, Woody. Mike, Sully, Flik,
and Atta. At the end of each performance, hidden telescoping towers ride
from the three main floats to reveal Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone.
Mickey and friends on the Matterhorn
The expected Matterhorn mountain climbers have made their official return.
In a show similar to previous Matterhorn climbing productions, Mickey
and a couple of regular climbers ascend the mountain while Minnie and
Goofy cheer (and heckle) him on. Once reaching the top, Mickey hoists
a 50th Anniversary flag.
This little show is geared towards viewing from the Central Plaza hub,
with audio played (a bit loudly) in that area.
Obliterating Limo
Little sighs of relief could be heard around the Internet as definite
signs of the removal of Superstar Limo at Disney’s California Adventure
are showing. While the ride’s replacement is still unannounced (Monster,
Inc.) the outside facade is getting painted over.
Much of the Superstar Limo facade is now covered in white. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent–Phoenix.
The growing Olszewski collection
Miniaturist Robert Olszewski released the latest figures in his “Disneyland
in Miniature” collection this weekend, and gave collectors a sneak
peek at future releases. The new releases were the complex of Hat Shop,
Opera House, and Main Street Bank, as well as the complex of Market House,
Disneyana, and Main Street Cinema. The first Princess Accessory Pack,
including Belle, Cinderella, Show White, and Sleeping Beauty & Prince
was also introduced. If you could not attend the release, you can order
the new sculptures via the Disney Gallery Web site (link).
The Main Street Station piece is shown with a prototype of Haunted Mansion.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent–Phoenix.
A table in front of the Disneyana shop held the growing Disneyland in
Miniature display, along with prototypes of upcoming releases. The first
off-Main Street figure, the Mad Tea Party, will be offered on July 16th.
Olszewski is also working on a Haunted Mansion building that will come
with three interchangable scenes. By removing the wall at the back of
the sculpture, collectors will be able to install three show scenes –
the elevator and portait hall, the ballroom scene and the graveyard.
Olszewski also debuted a prototype of the new technology which will allow
Main Street vehicles and even miniature parade floats to travel up and
down the miniature street.
To be released on June 18, 2005
Main Street Train Station: $245
Main Street Train: $135
Fab Five Character Pack: $38
Dapper Dan Character Pack: $20To be released on July 16, 2005
Mad Tea Party: $175To be released on September 10, 2005
Disney Showcase / Magic Shop / 20th Century Music: $170
Jungle Cruise: TBD
Pin Trading Cart with Vendor and Umbrella: $25
Main Street Marching Band Character Pack: $50
A future release will allow Main Street vehicles to move along the street.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent–Phoenix.
The upcoming Mad Tea Party piece, due in July. Photo by Adrienne Vincent–Phoenix.
The Haunted Mansion piece will have three changeable scenes. This prototype
shows the portrait hall. Photo by Adrienne Vincent–Phoenix.
This insert shows the ballroom. Photo by Adrienne Vincent–Phoenix.
The graveyard is the third insert. Photo by Adrienne Vincent–Phoenix.
Disneyland Railroad Info
MousePlanet reader smd4, who knows of what he speaks when it comes to
the Disneyland Railroad, recently posted the following interesting information
to our MousePad message board (link):
“Today [March 26], the tender tank was lifted and set onto the
frame. The cab was placed there some weeks ago, so the engine is really
beginning to take shape, and one can really see what the engine will
look like. Both the cab and the tender have been painted, lettered and
striped (so have the sand dome, bell, and other components). The lettering
is stunning, done in the best Disney tradition. She will differ from
her siblings, in that all the lettering is hand-applied gold leaf. The
drop-shadowing and striping are true examples of the striper’s art.“The cab of the engine is huge! It doesn’t have a roof hatch,
but there will be plenty of ventilation through its large doors and
windows. Most of the cab fittings have been installed, including the
throttle and Johnson Bar. Of particular interest is the gauge stand—the
cast iron bracket that holds the steam gauge, and, above it, the brake
gauge. This piece is a Baldwin original, and it is rare because through
the years, shop crews would often cut off the top gauge mount. This
one is as original as the day it left the Baldwin erecting floor in
1902.“The process has begun to re-install the Stephenson valve gear
components. Much of the valve gear is original Baldwin as well, recognizable
because of the stampings “8 11 1/3 C” which indicate the locomotive
style in Baldwin “code.”“The smokebox front and door have been installed, with the door
cast from the original pattern used to make the doors for the four other
Disneyland engines. A new headlight bracket, fabricated along the lines
of the one on the Marsh, has been bolted to the smokebox. The boiler
braces have also been attached between smokebox and pilot deck.“New driver centers are being cast as I write this (rectifying
a repair made to one of the wheels during Cedar Fair days). The tender
and pony trucks have already been painted, with the tender truck having
been attached. The cylinders themselves have been encased in polished
brass.“Anyway, hope you enjoyed this report. This engine is just beautiful.
It will be even more so when steam fills her cylinders, her whistle
screams, and she pulls out of Main Street Station for the first time–a
fitting tribute to the man who played such an influential role in the
history of Disney steam railroading.”
Discount updates
April 1 is the date of expiration for current CityPass booklets. Booklets
for travel beginning April 1 or later are now available through various
outlets (including, at a discount, Costco) with the price for an adult
booklet increasing $13 to $185, while a child’s booklet drops $2 to $127.
These booklets offer three days’ park hopper admission to Disneyland,
and one day each at Knott’s Berry Farm, Sea World San Diego, and the San
Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park.
Alaska Airlines has extended its “Kids Fly Free” promotion.
Travelers now have until June 1 to book qualifying travel, and until June
29 to complete the trip.
Have what it takes to be a princess?
An open audition is being held on April 2 for Disney character look-alikes
to work in the park for the 50th Anniversary celebration. Applicants must
be in one of these height ranges:
- 4–foot–9 to 5–foot–1
- 5–foot–6 to 5–foot–8
- 5–foot–11 to 6–foot–3
The roles being auditioned are all princesses and princes, Mary Poppins,
Alice, Merlin, and characters from Peter Pan and the Mad Tea Party. View
the full listing for more information (link).
Finally, giving up
Any chances of a resurrection of a water show at Paradise Pier at Disney’s
California Adventure appear to have lapsed, at least for one using the
“island” in the middle of the water that was installed for the
long gone—if not entirely forgotten—Luminaria show from
2001. That island has now been removed, making for a much cleaner view,
even if seagulls have lost a resting place.
The view across the water at Paradise Pier is now unobstructed. Photo
by David Michael.
Park hours
Long days at the parks continue for Spring Break through this week, but
starting next Monday both parks return to their short-hour schedule until
again ramping up as summer approaches.
Ears to the ground
…Although unconfirmed, we hear that newly refurbished Splash Mountain
may go down again following spring break to do some fine tuning on the
new ride unit logs.
Don’t keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips,
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.
- Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln opens April 16 with installation
the 50th Anniversary exhibit in the Main Street Opera House - Space Mountain opens July 16
- Disney Gallery opens May 5
- 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
- Haunted Mansion closed September 6–29 to install Haunted
Mansion Holiday overlay; closed Jan. 9–25, 2006 to remove overlay
Disney’s California Adventure
- It’s Tough to be a Bug! closed April 4 – May 4
- SuperStar Limo building has ongoing construction for an unannounced
(Monsters, Inc.) new attraction
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
April
- Swarovski Sunrise Breakfast merchandise event – Saturday,
April 9 at Grand California Hotel. Release of six new Disney crystal
figurines froms Swarovski. $95 per 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
- Robert Olszewski merchandise release. June 18 at Disneyland
Park. Two new Main Street pieces in his “Disneyland in Miniature”
collection: Main Street Train Station and Main Street Train. Also released
will be Dapper Dan and Fab Five character packs.
- 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.
- Robert Olszewski merchandise release. July 16 at Disneyland
Park. Several new pieces in his “Disneyland in Miniature”
collection: Disney Showcase/Magic Shop/20th Century Music and Jungle
Cruise as well as a pin trading cart and a marching band character pack.
September
- Robert Olszewski merchandise release. September 10 at Disneyland
Park. The first non-Main Street piece in his “Disneyland in Miniature”
collection: Mad Tea Party.
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 ($185/$127) effective April 1, 2005 | |
Costco City Pass promotion ($164.99/$112.99) 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 | |
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.
ESPN Zone MVP Club
If you sign up online for ESPN Zone’s MVP Club (link)
you can receive a $20 voucher (for food, merchandise, or game cards),
a 40-point game card (about $10 worth), and an ESPN Zone mini-cooler.
ESPN Club in Orlando is excluded from this offer. You must pick up these
items in person, although they do not have to be used as the same store
from which you get them. There are some fairly strick requirements for
registering and getting your rewards, so make sure you read the details
carefully (link).
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 |
| 3/28 | 3/29 | 3/30 | 3/31 | 4/1 | 4/2 | |
| DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid |
| 4/3 | 4/4 | 4/5 | 4/6 | 4/7 | 4/8 | 4/9 |
DL: 8a–11p | DL: 9a–8p | DL: 9a–8p | DL: 9a–8p | DL: 9a–8p | DL: 9a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid |
| 4/10 | 4/11 | 4/12 | 4/13 | 4/14 | 4/15 | 4/16 |
DL: 8a–11p | DL: 9a–8p | DL: 9a–8p | DL: 9a–8p | DL: 9a–8p | DL: 9a–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.
