Disneyland Park Update

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News and Views

What would an all-gold castle look like?
MousePlanet file photo, colorized by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Searching for the perfect shade of gold ? We hear that Imagineers are testing various gold paint samples in the Disney Studios backlot in Glendale. As has been widely rumored, plans for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary celebration include turning Sleeping Beauty Castle gold, either by painting it, using lights, or somehow covering it with gold material. (Remember the “Castle Cake” that the Magic Kingdom got for it's 25th birthday?) Fiber optics are pricey, and Disneyland regulars have been adamant that the castle not be turned into a giant pink confection, so it looks like Imagineers will be gilding the castle.

A gold castle for Disneyland's Golden Anniversary doesn't sound too bad. We just hope that, unlike the “temporary” wand over Epcot's Spaceship Earth, and the Sorcerer Hat at Disney-MGM Studios, the castle will return to it's normal appearance after the 18-month celebration has ended.

Speaking of paint – it seems that Disneyland's painting efforts will be focused on the west side for the next few months, to prepare the park for the Pirates of the Caribbean movie premier and merchandise special event. Painting projects elsewhere in the park have been suspended ? some in mid-project ? to get Frontierland and New Orlean's Square ready for the spotlight.

The Rivers of America will not be ready for water until mid-April.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Davy Crockett's Airborne Canoes – Disneyland's glitchy new Web site is providing some interesting completion dates for the ongoing Rivers of America rehab project. According to the online schedule, the Mark Twain and Columbia will resume operation on April 10, two weeks after initially planned. However, the schedule also shows that Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes will return on March 28, and Fantasmic's rehab ends on April 7 – a Monday.

Disneyland Guest Communications reports that the entire Rivers of America rehab will indeed last through April 9, and that Fantasmic is not scheduled to return until summer.

So, why all the miscommunication? It seems that the Disneyland.com Web site is actually published by a division in Florida. So when plans change in Anaheim, Orlando doesn't always get the memo.

The entrance to DCA's Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
MousePlanet file photo

Does DCA offer coat check? We received an unconfirmed report that a man was searched and removed from the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at Disney's California Adventure last week. Another visitor spotted what they thought was a gun sticking out from the man's coat, and alerted a cast member. Anaheim police quickly responded to the area and searched the man. Instead of a gun, officers found a knife. The man was escorted out of the park, but was apparently not charged.

Easing travel worries ? Three U.S. airlines; Continental, Delta, and US Airways; are hoping to encourage passengers to make travel plans by offering them the ability to change their plans without penalty. US Airways' new policy takes effect should the Department of Homeland Security raises the national alert level to “Code Red”, or if military action begins in Iraq. The Continental and Delta policies are already in effect, but apply only to select transatlantic flights. For complete details, see the airline's Web sites.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

The treehouse is done, but the Cider Mill still needs some time.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disneyland

• Splash Mountain – February 24 – March 13
• Critter Country – February 24 – March 13
• Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes – through April 9
• Rivers of America – through April 9
• Mark Twain Riverboat – through April 9
• Sailing Ship Columbia – through April 9
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough – indefinite

The freshly sand-blasted track has been painted.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo – indefinite

A “keep off” sign warns workers away from the freshly poured dock.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Future Attraction Closures:

• Mad Tea Party – April 28 – May 15
• Pirates of the Caribbean – April 28 – May 30
• Blue Bayou Restaurant – April 28 – May 30
• Indiana Jones Adventure – September 2 – October 24
• Space Mountain – September 2003 – August 2004

The Columbia sits in dry dock, while work continues.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

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

NFFC The Studio Chapter monthly meeting – March 16. Details available on MousePad.

MousePlanet presents MouseAdventure: Mad Scramble – Sunday, April 6, 2003, at Disneyland.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Case of the Black Pearl – Sunday, June 29, 2003 at Disneyland. This event will include a preview screening of the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Further details are not available – keep an eye on the Disney Gallery Web site for more details.

Haunted Mansion Holiday Exclusive Dinner – Wednesday, October 1, 2003.

Haunted Mansion Holiday Event – Thursday, October 2, 2003

Tickets for the Haunted Mansion Holiday events go on sale in late August or early September – check this page for updates.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Attention race fans – The Auto Club has teamed up with the Disneyland Resort and the NASCAR Winston Cup 500 to bring our members a special weekend getaway package for Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2003. Members recede:

• Event tickets to the NASCAR Winston Cup Auto Club 500 on Sunday, April 27
• Two or three nights' accommodations at a select Disneyland Resort hotel
• Welcome reception including hot/cold hors d'oeuvres and a two hour open bar at the ESPN Zone on Friday, April 25
• Transportation to the California Speedway on Sunday, April 27
• Brunch at the California Speedway in the Auto Club Hospitality Tent on Sunday April 27
• Disneyland/Disney's California Adventure 2-day/2-park pass
• Buffet breakfast each morning at selected Disneyland Resort restaurants.

Packages start at $687 a person. For more information, visit the AAA Web site, or call your local Auto Club of Southern California office.

City Pass now available with AAA packages – You can now purchase the Southern California CityPass with Walt Disney Travel Company packages.

With a Southern California CityPass booklet, you will receive admission to five separate entertainment options. Admission includes:

• Three-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket
• One-Day ticket to SeaWorld Adventure park
• One-Day ticket to the World-famous San Diego Zoo
• One-Day ticket to Knott's Theme Park.

Instead of a Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket currently included in Walt Disney Travel Company-California packages guests can be select a Southern California CityPass for an additional charge of $47 per CityPass for guests ages 10 and up, and $32 per CityPass for guests ages 3 through 9.

Please note: The Southern California Citypass does NOT include the $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card, the Walt Disney Travel Company-California feature to collect multiple Fastpass tickets at one time or two extra days of Disneyland Resort Theme Park admission for free.

Anaheim Marriott Disney Package available for Marriott Rewards members – Make your Disneyland vacation as easy as saying “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” with a Disneyland package at the Anaheim Marriott. For a low rate of $419, through May 31, 2003, you'll find dreams really do come true with this fabulously priced package.

Anaheim Disney Package includes:

• 2-nights in a luxury guest room
• 3-day Disneyland Resort® Park Hopper tickets for two adults
• Free breakfast for two adults
• Kids, ages 3-9, eat for $1

Some restrictions apply. Membership in the Marriott Rewards program is required. Click to learn more about this offer and for complete terms and conditions.

Kids Fly Free, again – United is now offering a Kids Fly Free promotion, similar to the popular Alaska Airlines offer. The United package includes:

• Round-trip Airfare on United Airlines
• 4-night hotel accommodations (fourth night is free at select hotels)
• 5-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Ticket (for the price of a three-day park-hopper ticket)
• $10 ESPN Zone® Game Card
• And now one child (ages 2-11) flies FREE per paying adult, from select origin cities!

Tickets must be purchased by by March 7, 2003 for travel by April 7, 2003. Get complete details at the United Vacations Web site.

50% off Character Nylon Jackets – Disneyland Annual Passholders can receive 50% off on the purchase of selected Adult (reg. $78/$95), Child (reg. $46) or Toddler (reg. $38) Character Nylon Jacket (excludes Tinker Bell), February 4th through March 15th.

Character Nylon Jackets can be found at the Emporium, Disney Clothiers or Star Trader in Disneyland park, at World of Disney, Downtown Disney District or at Greetings From California in Disney's California Adventure park.

To receive this discount, print the coupon found on the Disneyland Annual Passholder Web site, and present it to the Cast Member at time of purchase. Limit 5 jackets per annual passholder, annual passholder must present valid annual pass to receive discount, and discount does not apply to phone / mail orders.

SoCal Salute – The Southern California resident discount ticket program runs January 6 – May 16, 2003. Instead of a discounted ticket, residents of will get two one-day admissions for their $47/$37 – one for Disneyland, and one for Disney's California Adventure.

This ticket is good for only one admission to each park (meaning you cannot go to Disneyland twice on separate days). The two admissions do not have to be used on consecutive days, but the first admission must be on the same day as the ticket purchase, and the second must be used by May 16, 2003. And while the ticket is not intended to be a park-hopper, which would allow you to visit both Disneyland and DCA on the same day, some readers have reported that they were allowed to use the ticket as a one-day park hopper.

These tickets are nontransferable. You must provide proof of residency at the time of purchase, and you will be asked to print your full name on the tickets. When you return for your second admission, you need to show ID matching the ticket. This offer is limited to 5 tickets per qualifying person.

Alaska Airlines airfare and hotel specials – Alaska Airlines is offering two specials for travel to the Disneyland Resort. A MousePad member alerted us that the airline is again offering the popular Kids Fly Free special, which includes airfare, hotel, park-hopper tickets, and more. This special offer can only be booked by calling Alaska Airlines at 1-800-468-2248. Adults traveling without kids can take advantage of other special hotel and air packages by booking at the Alaska Airlines Web site.

Free coffee on Main Street – Receive a free small coffee when you buy a mug at the Market House on Main Street, USA. This offer is only valid at the Market House, and is for a limited time only.

The “Get a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket for the price of a 3-Day ticket” promotion has been extended through January 5, 2004 – These tickets are available when you order online from Disneyland.com. Restrictions apply – see site for details.

AAA Passport Plus Package – For $122.75, you can get a 5-day park hopper and the following extras:

• Multiple attraction FastPass (The “Unlimited” option)
• Breakfast in the park (one per person)
• Free ESPN Zone arena game card ($10 value)
• AAA Free parking at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

A $13.75 FedEx fee applies to each reservation, (not per person). This package is available without an air or hotel purchase, and must be purchased at your local AAA affiliate office at least 5 days before you plan to use the tickets.

Many readers have experienced difficulties when trying to purchase this package from their local AAA affiliate. Be sure to read this thread on our MousePad discussion boards, for more information about the package and tips on how to help your AAA travel agent book your package.

AAA / Disney's Resort Magic Package – This package requires a minimum 2-night hotel stay, and includes:

• 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)
• NEW! Collect FASTPASS tickets for multiple attractions at one time. Preferred Seating at a choice of select shows in Disney's California Adventure
• EXCLUSIVE! Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard (one per person)
• EXCLUSIVE! Walt Disney Travel Company California Fun Book (one per package)
• EXCLUSIVE! Disneyland Resort Magical Pocket Guide (one per package)

You can book this package through your local AAA affiliate travel agent.

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule