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News and Views
Prices up
For the second time this year, Disneyland is raising the one-day ticket
price for admission to Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure. On
top of a $2 increase earlier this year, today sees the price going up
another $3 to $56 for adults and $46 for children 3-9. For now annual
passes remain unchanged.
This will likely have a cascading effect through the various discounted
ticket options mentioned in the Discounts and Promotions section of this
page, we’ll keep them current as price changes are announced. In the meantime,
if you’re planning to purchase tickets in the near future and you find
them available at the current prices you may want to buy in sooner rather
than waiting.
Food rage
In conversations with various cast members inside the Disneyland Foods
department, it seems clear that visitors to Disneyland are in for a summer
of long lines and slow service at park restaurants.
As we mentioned in an earlier Park Update (link),
there has been a steady stream of complaints about slow food service at
Disneyland and even odd closures on busy days. The rumors were that Foods
was experiencing a serious staffing shortage and that hundreds of cast
members had unexpectedly quit.
According to cast members, the department is in a vicious cycle that
keeps making the problem worse. Management put in place new work policies
that disenchanted many employees, leading them to quit, which required
extra work from the remaining cast members, which caused more to quit,
and so on.
Several cast members have indicated that while they understand the need
to work extra shifts until new people can be hired, the two big problems
are that extra shifts are just stacking up on each other, driving even
the most dedicated to exhaustion. They also complain that it has become
almost impossible to get a request for time off approved. Stories are
circulating of people required to work on the day of their high school
graduation. One person shared their personal experience of trying for
more than a month to get a day off so that a doctor could be seen at a
free clinic (being part-time he is uninsured). Eventually he had to call
in sick and the doctor says that several more visits will be required
because of the delay.
Disney does seem to be hiring people as quickly as possible, but with
starting wages below other food industry jobs in the area, the response
to recruitment efforts isn’t overwhelming and the quality of candidates
tends to be lower. It only worsens the situation that new hires have to
be promoted through the training process with some people getting trained
in just one or two sessions whereas one cast member noted that when he
started, he spent six hours just training on pouring sodas. In an attempt
to avoid ruining the “show” with understaffed locations, the
show is sometimes being ruined with undertrained staff.
Front-line foods cast members don’t see the situation improving quickly,
saying that Disney needs to improve wages (unlikely to happen quickly,
if at all) and find a way get people back onto reasonable schedules. Some
overtime is almost always welcome, but people just can’t take too many
12- or 14-hour shifts. Though none of our contacts think it will actually
happen, rumors have been swirling about a walkout, which even if it doesn’t
happen is a sign of just how frustrated people on the inside have become.
So, if you’re at the park and end up waiting 45 minutes to order lunch,
keep in mind that the person on the other side of the counter probably
isn’t much happier than you, and complaints are more effectively directed
to City Hall than the person doing their best to help you. On the other
hand, if you notice that a Foods cast member is being particularly attentive,
friendly, or helpful, given the circumstances we highly recommend you
consider going to City Hall to file a compliment.
A Nervous Event
Nerves continue to get rattled by information coming out about the Celebrating 50 Years of Magical Memories merchandise event in July. The original controversy erupted when Walt Disney Event Services changed the number of people allowed into each of the four packages available. The two most expensive categories saw their numbers swell significantly (as a percentage of the original 50 people) while the overall attendance was capped lower (because 500 possible sales were chopped off the cheapest package).
Less of a fuss resulted when the “additional experiences” packages
were changed. Some disgruntled attendee has even created a Web site, called
SaveOurEvent.com, requesting that other attendees sign an open letter
to Matt Ouimet and Robert Iger (link).
The latest mini-furor has been sparked by the release of details about
the Random Selection Process (RSP) for the 20 seminars and workshops sessions
that will be held over two days (there are eight unique sessions, each
is held at least twice and some are offered four times).
In addition to the details on the sessions, Walt Disney Event Services (WDES) also released the number of people allowed into each session. The math worked out such that every time slot had at least 480 available to the 311 people who had purchased packages that included access to the seminars.
To many of the attendees this at first implied that while their package had only guaranteed them one session (the Lillian’s Inspiration package didn’t even have that) that everybody eligible for the RSP would actually end up in four sessions, since there weren’t enough people to fill out the time slot.
Upon closer reading of the RSP procedures, though, it became apparent
this would not be the case. The RSP form only requested the first preference
for a time slot, so that if that choice was already taken, WDES had no
idea what your second, third, or fourth choices were. Making matters even
worse in their eyes was the fact that if the first choice wasn’t available,
the attendee might be placed into a later session of that seminar, bumping
whatever had been selected for that later time slot.
Theoretically, this could result in only 40 of the 311 premium-package
purchasers getting into a session in a particular time slot—if all
311 chose the lowest-capacity “Art by Design” session, which
allows only 40 people per session). It seems obvious that WDES would not
let things get so skewed, but if they have so many more seats than people
to put in them, why not, some people asked, take enough information to
assign everybody a session in each time slot.
Making all of this worse, in some eyes, was the information that purchasers of the Imagineers Quest package would be allowed to participate in the RSP, filling any seats remaining after the premium-package RSP forms had been processed.
To understand why this would bother some people it is necessary to understand
that there were only two differences between the $750 Lillian’s Inspiration
package and $495 Imagineer’s Quest package. Purchasers of the more expensive
package were granted access to the seminars RSP (not a guarantee of getting
any sessions, just entry into it) and a July 17 breakfast at River Belle
Terrace. If Imagineer’s Quest package-holders are now allowed into the
seminar RSP, then Lillian’s Inspiration people are essentially paying
$255 per person for breakfast and early admission to Disneyland on July
17.
Pile that on top of the idea that a premium-package purchaser could end
up with no seminar in a time slot while Imagineer’s Quest people are allowed
in, and frustrations are understandable.
Several attendees have spoken with event managers (and recounted the conversations on our message board) and received varying levels of assurances that they will be well taken care of. Some remain doubtful.
In brighter news for the attendees, Disney has moved two merchandise
events away from July 17 and added them to the merchandise event. Disney
artist Charles Boyer and ornament designer Christopher Radko were originally
scheduled to make appearances and sign merchandise on July 17. In response
to the anticipated crowds, these appearances have been moved to July 16.
It is unclear whether general park guests will still have access or if
it will be limited to event attendees.
Flag Day Tribute
In honor of Flag Day (last Tuesday, June 14), Disneyland and Alaska Airlines teamed up to reunite 50 servicemen and women returning from Iraq with their Southern California based families. All fifty were flown in one one of Alaska Airlines Disney-themed 737s, named “The Magic of Disneyland.”
After the troops were reunited with their families at the tarmac of Ontario International Airport, they were transported to Disneyland for a ticker tape parade down Main Street, along with various Disney characters.
© Disney.
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Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
- Space Mountain opens July 15.
- Haunted Mansion closed September 6–29 to install Haunted
Mansion Holiday overlay; closed Jan. 9–25, 2006 to remove overlay
- Pirates of the Caribbean closed October 3 through December
13 (this closure does not have an official announcement supporting it;
it should be taken as strong rumor and not certain fact).
- Submarine Lagoon is currently beginning work on a new Finding
Nemo attraction; still unofficial at this time with an opening date
unannounced.
Disney’s California Adventure
- The former SuperStar Limo building is now the future Monster,
Inc.: Mike and Sully to the Rescue which will open January 2006.
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.
Events
June
- Shag merchandise release and reception. June 24 at the Paradise
Pier Hotel. Five new Shag paintings and associated merchandise will
be sold and a reception and meet–and–greet with the artist
will be held. Reservations are open (link).
- Magical Milestone – A Pin Celebration. June 24 –
Aug. 15 at the Disneyland Resort (link).
- USPS Disney Stamps. June 30 at Disneyana Shop in Disneyland
Park. Artist Peter Emmerich and other officials will be on hand. Guests
can purchase first day of issue cachets in various forms (link).
July
- Happiest Music on Earth. July 2–4. A concert at Hollywood
Bowl presenting music from 50 years of Disneyland (link).
- Disneyland star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. July 14. Disneyland
will get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, no details have yet been
released.
- Disneyland 50th Anniversary special event. July 15–17.
Three days of merchandising events with multiple purchase plans (link).
- July 2005 NFFC convention. July 9–13. The Show and Sale
is scheduled for July 10.
- Robert Olszewski merchandise release. July 16 at Grand Californian
Hotel. The first non–Main Street piece in his “Disneyland
in Miniature” collection: Mad Tea Party. Also Main Street Train.
September
- Robert Olszewski merchandise release. September 10 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.
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 | Southern California 1–Day Park Hopper ($68/$58) – |
| Two Days | AAA Flex Passport ($98/$78)– Some AAA offices A reader let us know that AAA offices in Oregon and Idaho do Advance Purchase 2–Day Park Hopper ($105/$85)– Annual Passholder 2–Day Park Hopper ($86/$66)– |
| Three Days | AAA Flex Passport ($129/$99)– Some AAA offices offer |
City Pass($185/$127)– The cost of a The Southern California City Pass can also be purchased online | |
3–Day Park Hopper You can take advantage of the Advance Purchased discount Both offers are available at the Disneyland Web site (link) Several readers wrote to tell us that the Safeway stores in | |
| Four Days | 4–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets($159/$129) You can take advantage of the Advance Purchased discount These tickets are available through the Disneyland Web site (link) |
| 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 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) You can take advantage of the Advance Purchased discount 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 The Auto Club of Southern California (ACSC) is not participating |
Special thanks to MousePlanet reader David Michael for some of | |
Fourth Night Free
Get a fourth night free if you stay at any of the three Disneyland Resort
hotels for three or more consecutive nights. Visits must happen August
28 through December 18, 2005 (link).
2005 Resort Magic Package
This package (link)
for couples includes two nights’ lodging and a park hopper tickets. Travel
must occur “value seasons” now through July 2, 2005; August
28–November 21, 2005; and November 27–December 23, 2005.
- 50th Anniversary 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)
Two versions of the package are available. For $349 per person (double
occupancy) you can stay at one of the on–property Disney hotels.
For $229 per person (double occupancy) you can get the same package while
staying at the Jolly Roger Hotel or Red Roof Inn Maingate.
50th Anniversary Package
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 must be booked online
through the Disneyland Web site (link)
by December 28, 2005.
Kids Fly Free
Alaska Airlines “Kids Fly Free” promotion through June 29,
2005 – Alaska Airlines has a package that includes either a free
5–day park hopper with each paid adult ticket, or an adult 5–day
park hopper for the children’s price. You must book packages by June 1,
and travel must be completed by June 29. Visit the Alaska Airlines Web
site (link)
for more details.
Free Stroller Rental
Holders of a Disney Visa card can get up to two free stroller rentals
per day at the Disneyland Resort. This offer is valid through September
30, 2006 and you must present a valid Disney Visa card at time of rental.
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 strict 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 |
| 6/20 | 6/21 | 6/22 | 6/23 | 6/24 | 6/25 | |
| DL: 8a–11p | DL: 8a–11p | DL: 8a–9p | DL: 8a–9p | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid |
| 6/26 | 6/27 | 6/28 | 6/29 | 6/30 | 7/1 | 7/2 |
DL: 8a–12p | DL: 8a–11p | DL: 8a–11p | DL: 8a–11p | DL: 8a–11p | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid |
| 7/3 | 7/4 | 7/5 | 7/6 | 7/7 | 7/8 | 7/9 |
DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid | DL: 8a–Mid | 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.
Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort
schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.
