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News and Views

Bear joins the balloons sold outside DCA’s

new Playhouse Disney show.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

It’s almost show time – Playhouse Disney
at Disney’s California Adventure opened last week for cast member
previews. Annual passholders will get to preview the show at a
series of events this week, before the public opening on Friday,
April 11. In addition to a private press showing in the morning,
there will be five public performances of Playhouse Disney on
Friday. On Saturday, the show begins its normal schedule, with
up to 10 shows per day. With the addition of the new attraction,
the Hollywood Backlot District now opens at the same time as the
rest of the park.

Construction continues on the Playhouse Disney queue area.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Private previews are a great way to work the kinks
out of a new show before a live—but forgiving—audience.
Unfortunately, these previews don’t make a lot of sense to the
regular day guests, who has to try to explain to their toddler
why they cannot get in line with the other people. Adults may
understand the concept of a private event, but 4-year-olds, drawn
to the big familiar Playhouse Disney sign, really don’t. Cast
members reported that many of the preview shows were only partially
full. It would have been great if the park had created a standby
line, and allowed the general public to have the open spots in
each show.

This is the new face of Gone Hollywood.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Gone Hollywood, gone – Across the street from

Playhouse Disney, the Gone Hollywood store has a new theme and new merchandise.

Cast members were told that the store is now “the children’s merchandise

destination for the Disneyland Resort.”

Now you can buy Rolie Polie Olie merchandise at Disney’s California
Adventure.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

DCA visitors have yet another source for princess costumes.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Gone Hollywood now has a section devoted to the Playhouse
Disney characters — Bear in the Big Blue House plush
and Rolie Polie Olie storybooks. Generic Disney plush fills
one wall section, with another completely covered in princess
dress-up costumes. As if the resort needed another plush shop
— or another place to buy a tiara.

More happenings in Critter Country – The
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh continues to operate during
its “soft opening” period, with standby lines averaging
one hour over the weekend. The newly renovated Pooh Corner and
the new candy store are expected to open today.

This new vehicle allows visitors to stay in their wheelchairs as they ride.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The photo above shows one of two wheelchair-accessible
vehicles designed for the attraction. The vehicle’s design allows
those in manual wheelchairs to roll right into the car. A turntable
rotates to the forward position, then reverses for unloading.
Visitors who use electric wheelchairs or scooters must transfer
to a manual wheelchair to navigate the attraction queue and board
the ride.

It’s been a long, dry spell, but the river has water again.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Water, water, everywhere… As much fun as the weekly
parade of pickup trucks has been, ducks around the Disneyland
Resort rejoiced as the Rivers of America refilled last week.

It looks like there is still a lot of work to be done on Tom Sawyer Island.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Unfortunately, it does not look like Tom Sawyer Island will
reopen with the rest of the river on April 11. Large stretches
of temporary wooden railing wrap around the island. The rocks
and caves are still marked with paint, indicating work yet to
be done.

… but not a drop to drink – The Disneyland hotel’s
Hook’s Pointe restaurant was closed during breakfast last Wednesday
and the entire crew sent home because of a problem with the hotel’s
water main. As crews rushed to repair the problem and restore
water to the hotel, the reservations staff began to look at the
very real possibility that some visitors would need to be moved
to other hotels for the evening. Fortunately, the problem was
repaired, and few guests even noticed the lack of water.

The Happy Haunts take home first place honors in the MouseAdventure
Mad Scramble.

Photo by Lani Teshima

“Best ever” – MousePlanet’s Spring edition
of MouseAdventure: Mad Scramble on Sunday drew the largest crowd
ever, and many participants felt it was the best event in the
history of the game. Although complete results should be available
on Wednesday, we wanted to recognize the first place teams. The
Happy Haunts, shown above, completed the Mad Scramble portion
of the game in an adjusted time of just 94 minutes, taking advantage
of many bonus opportunities to shave time from their final score.

The Denton Affair was named the first-ever MouseAdventure Masters.

Photo by Lani Teshima

Returning champions The Denton Affair made MouseAdventure
history by capturing their third first-place victory (this time,
in the Trivia category). In recognition of their repeated success,
the team was recognized as “MouseAdventure Masters,”
and retired from competition. Don’t count The Denton Affair out
of the game just yet. As MouseAdventure Masters, the team is invited
to participate in future MouseAdventure events and set a benchmark
for other teams to aspire to.

If you have to ask, you might just save –
Sharp-eyed MousePad member Darkbeer noticed that all mention
of the Southern California Resident Annual Pass was removed from
the signs at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths last week. We
noticed the same thing at the Disneyland.com Web site. Has this
lower-price pass been discontinued? No — you can still buy
it, but you have to know to ask for it. Disneyland is only advertising
the $225 two-park Premium Annual Passport and the $165 two-park
Deluxe Annual Passport.

Stars from ABC soaps greet fans during
the 2002 Super Soap Weekends.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Sometimes, the jokes are just too obvious –
Ending months of speculation, Disney has confirmed that the
ABC Super Soap Weekends will return to Disney’s California Adventure
this spring. The events—sponsored by Purina, makers of such
well-known dog foods as Dog Chow and Alpo—will include a
“star-studded cavalcade,” and “special interactive
opportunities with the stars.” Stars from All My Children
and One Life To Live will attend May 31 and June 1, while
General Hospital and Port Charles celebs will be
featured on June 7 and 8.

Hotel packages are available for the event, and include
an exclusive breakfast with the stars and a commemorative gift.
Further details are available on our MousePad
message boards. To book your package, call 714-520-5050.

New annual passholder merchandise available –
The Disneyland Resort has created a new line of exclusive
merchandise for annual passholders. The collection includes a
pin, T-shirt, sweatshirt, baseball cap and lanyard. This merchandise
will be available for sale starting April 8, 2003 at the Showcase
in Disneyland, and at Greetings from California at Disney’s California
Adventure.

Jose Hess Jewelry Trunk Show – The Disneyland
Resort presents the Jose Hess Jewelry Trunk Show, featuring Jewelry
Designer, Artist & Craftsman Jose Hess. The event will be
held on Saturday April 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Century
Jewelry on Main Street, U.S.A.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction

Closures

A Tom Sawyer Island raft sits at the new raft dock.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disneyland

• Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes – through April 11
• Rivers of America – through April 11
• Mark Twain Riverboat – through April 11
• Sailing Ship Columbia – through April 11
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough – indefinite

A pair of canoes provides a bridge across the Rivers of America.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo – indefinite

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

Note: Refurbishment schedules are estimates

most recent updates, call Disneyland at (714) 781-7290.

Park Events

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse 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

Free coffee on Main Street, revisited – 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 Market House has just begun serving
the Mickey’s Really Swell Coffees as part of this promotion. Now
you can try the Disney Blend, Disney Decaf, French Vanilla and
Hazelnut flavors sold at the parks.

Annual passholder discounts at Alamo – California residents
get discounts of up to 20% off Alamo’s retail rates in the United
States. Disneyland annual passholders can get a free Disneyland
Resort Character Breakfast voucher when the rent their car for
3 days or more from March 24th through August 31, 2003 at the
Los Angeles Airport location. For more details and the discount
code you’ll need for this offer, visit the annual
passholder section of the Disneyland Web site.

ESPN Zone discounts for annual passholders – Disneyland annual

passholders can get an “Season Ticket Frequent Dining Card”

at the Downtown Disney ESPN Zone. The Season Ticket entitles you to a

free soda with your meal purchase of $6.99 or more. Once you have made

four meal purchases, you’ll receive the 5th meal and soda free, and receive

a chance to win a pair of tickets to the ESPY Awards in 2004! See location

for more information and details.

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.

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.

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