Disneyland Park Update

Update for August 7-13, 2006

Go directly to: News & Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts and Promotions | Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

News and Views

Not much to talk about this week as things begin the inevitable slide from high summer season to the post-summer off-season. The big question this year is whether Disneyland will actually get a true off-season this year.

You might want to buy it now…

If there is a piece of 50th Anniversary merchandise that you been on the fence about buying, it is time to make up your mind. In fact, it may already be too late.

Much of the 50th Anniversary merchandise lines has been shut down and as stores begin to run out, that will be the end of that product. A few items are already completely gone and the merchandise is beginning to consolidate into fewer stores and is being displayed less prominently. For example, last week the Disney Showcase store on Main Street was converted overnight from the one-stop shop for 50th Merchandise into the one-stop shop for Halloween merchandise. Certain well-stocked items have already seen shipments to Disney liquidation stores in Las Vegas and Fullerton. While the selection at the Fullerton stores is still light (two displays), the Las Vegas store already looks like a 50th clearance center.

The Disney Showcase Store is no longer the place to go for 50th Anniversary merchandise. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

All remaining merchandise is to be pulled when the celebration officially wraps up at the end of September, and most of that will find its way to the outlet stores. Its takes about a month to make that migration, however, so around Halloween it is safe to assume that liquidation stores will be overflowing with 50th merchandise.

Halloween merchandise and decorations now fill the store. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

If you have a gambler’s soul you may want to wait and see if there are great deals then, but otherwise now is the time to commit to anything you’ve been putting off with reluctant sighs of, “I’ll get it on our next visit.”

Season ending

While we still officially have almost two months of the 50th Anniversary, we are now down to just the last month of the summer season which ends with Labor Day weekend. The end of summer means an adjusting of schedules. It is also the time to take advantage of (hopefully) slower days to put in some maintenance time on attractions. Schedule changes and closures to be seen shortly after the end of summer include:

Snow White – An Enchanting Musical – The end of summer will mark the end of the road for this musical stage production. While it has performed well since its premiere in February 2004 it has not been the kind of crowd favorite that keeps a show running long past its original lifespan. Combine that with a new Princess encounter idea for the space that will directly generate revenue and the show’s fate was sealed. The final performance of the show is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 4. After that the theater will remain closed for a quick but thorough teardown to turn the space into a combination store and meet-and-greet where young girls can be dressed like a princess, taught how to behave and also meet their favorite princesses.

Matterhorn Bobsleds – This one can’t even wait for the end of summer and guests visiting over Labor Day weekend are going to be disappointed to find that the ride closed for a lengthy refurbishment the previous Monday on August 28. The reason for this is that a tight work schedule and the amount of work to be done means that the ride can’t be open for both Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Currently the ride is scheduled to reopen the day before Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 22. Although the closure is long at almost three months, we haven’t heard any indication of significant changes to the track or mountain itself though reportedly new restraint systems will be installed in the bobsleds.

Mark Twain Riverboat – We haven’t seen this on any of the official notices yet, but we’ve been told by a normally reliable person that the Mark Twain Riverboat will be taken out of commission for almost a month shortly after Labor Day weekend for general maintenance and removal of the 50th Anniversary decorations and gold trimmings.

Fantasmic – Another change that isn’t quite waiting for the final day of summer is the reduced Fantasmic schedule. Starting Monday, August 28, Fantasmic will be dark Mondays through Thursdays. There will then be two performances on the next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and an additional show on Labor Day, September 4. After that the regular schedule is dark on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; a single 9:00 p.m. show on Friday, two shows on Saturday, and then a single show on Sunday. This is pretty much the normal off-season schedule for Fantasmic We don’t know whether the Mark Twain Riverboat would be available for performances during its downtime or if the final scene of the show will be done from Tom Sawyer Island.

Remember…Dreams Come True – Monday, September 4, is the last of the daily shows for the fireworks. After this date, the show will only be performed on Fridays and Saturdays. At this point, it appears that the fireworks will continue in their current form until at least the Christmas holiday season, which begins after Halloween.

Disney’s Parade of Dreams – The parade will remain a daily event but after Labor Day it will only be performed once each day at 7:00 p.m., except for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Haunted Mansion – The end of summer means it is time for Haunted Mansion to get dressed up for the holidays. The closure to install the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay had originally been announced as starting immediately after Labor Day, but it looks like guests have a one-week reprieve, as the schedule has been pushed back to September 11. The ride is still scheduled to reopen on September 28 so instead of a three-week closure it is down to just two. If you’re curious, “it’s a small world” will close for its holiday overlay October 23 through November 9.

The Sword in the Stone – This show seen six times a day in the courtyard between King Arthur Carrousel and Sleeping Beauty Castle goes from daily status to Friday-Saturday-Sunday as of September 3. That is, it appears to not even be on the calendar for Labor Day itself, Monday, September 4.

The Golden Horseshoe – The Golden Horseshoe will close for a lengthy refurbishment and new menu on Tuesday, September 5. When it reopens on September 29, you’ll have to go outside to Stagedoor Cafe for your fried foodstuffs because the bar inside the Golden Horseshoe will reportedly be focused on ice cream treats. Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are currently on the entertainment schedule during this entire closure but we haven’t heard yet where they’ll be performing. The best place is the stage at the old Big Thunder Ranch BBQ but it is unclear if that is available.

Block Party Bash – Beginning Wednesday, September 6, the daytime parade at Disney’s California Adventure park will be dark on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The parade continue its regular schedule during the rest of the week of one performance daily at 5:15 p.m.

McQueen and Mater’s Road Trip – The Cars-themed pre-parade looks like it may be sticking around longer than originally thought but it will remain a pre-parade, which means that it is dark on days when Block Party Bash is dark. It remains to be seen whether the earlier meet-and-greets the McQueen and Mater do near the Paradise Pier amphitheater will continue on those dark days but it is unlikely.

Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular – The show goes dark after one final weekend of performance on September 11 and reopens the first weekend of October. The stage and sets will get some much needed work while a new cast rehearses and trains. When it does return, it is unknown whether it will be on a weekend-only schedule or the normal Wednesday-to-Monday schedule.

Disney’s Electrical Parade – DCA’s nighttime parade continues daily performances through Sunday, August 27, then goes dark for the following four days before doing one final weekend of performances for Labor Day Weekend. Following September 4, however, it goes dark for the season. We’ll have to wait a while before it is known for sure whether it makes another holiday year-end appearance as it did last year or if it is in the warehouse until the ramp-up for next summer. We’ve seen the rumor crop up a few times that it is being sent to the new Hong Kong Disneyland park, but it is actually Disneyland Paris’s version of the parade that is being transplanted to Asia.

California Screamin’ – Who knows what to believe at this point, as we’ve received different dates from different people. The official Disneyland Web site still shows only a four-day closure in early October. Everything we hear about significant work maintenance being needed as well as prep work for the new Midway Madness ride (not yet officially announced) indicates a long closure, and some insiders have said it’ll go down as early as September 11 while others tell us the early October date is more accurate.

Food Network Event

This was a bit late notice but yesterday (August 6), a Food Network food challenge was held at Disney’s California Adventure. If you watch a lot of Food Network you have probably seen one of their food challenge competitions, such as building a giant cake to celebrate Elvis’s birthday. This challenge was to set a new world record for the tallest structure made out of popcorn with a prize of 10,000 if the challenged team was successful.

The artwork attempted in DCA’s amphitheater was a large Sorcerer Mickey to be more than 16 feet tall. Completion of the challenge was too late for this writing so we do not know if they succeeded nor what the finished product looked like.

The posted information about the event did not mention when the challenge would air so you’ll just have to keep an eye out for it.

This not-yet Mickey-like structure is made entirely out of some kind of pressed popcorn bricks that are then being sculpted to appropriate shapes. Photo by David Michael.

Merchandise release information

Just a rundown of some of the upcoming special merchandise event that we haven’t yet mentioned.

The next Robert Olszewski sculpture release will be on Saturday, September 23. The two pieces being released are in the Main Street line and together re-create the second half of the right side of Main Street (as you walk towards the castle). Olszewski will be on site for greetings and signings from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Disneyana Shop. His next piece, Pirates of the Caribbean, will be released on November 18.

© Disney.

© Disney.

If you like the Precious Moments line of collectibles you may want to have your credit card ready on August 14 to register for a mini-merchandise event on October 7 surrounding the release of “A World of My Own” (link). This is a Precious Moments piece featuring Aurora and Sleeping Beauty Castle. This release is actually a hard-ticketed event, so if you want to guarantee your ability to purchase it you will need to register for one of the following packages:

The Meriweather Package – $165

• Aurora’s Breakfast at Dawn at the Paradise Pier Hotel on October 7, 2006.
• One “A World of My Own” sculpture pre-signed by Precious Moments creator and artist Sam Butcher.
• Opportunity to purchase open edition and theme park Precious Moments pre-signed sculptures.
• Meet and greet with Sam Butcher.
• Commemorative photo.
• Commemorative keepsake.

The Fauna Package – $395

• Everything in the Meriweather Package on October 6, 2006.
• One night at the Paradise Pier Hotel (couples will receive two consecutive nights)
• Evening welcome reception with Sam Butcher.

The Flora Package – $560

• Identical to the Fauna Package except that your room is at the Grand Californian Hotel rather than the Paradise Pier Hotel.

© Disney.

Registration for the event begins at 11:00 a.m. Pacific on Monday, August 14. The number of packages available has not been released.

Following the official events on October 7, the sculpture goes on open sale at the China Closet store on Main Street beginning at 1:00 p.m. and Sam Butcher will also be on hand until 4:00 p.m. The other Precious Moments pieces that will also be available can be seen here.

This and that…

…The new Fossil store in Downtown Disney is now open and selling mid-level watches and personal accessories.

Downtown Disney’s newest store, Fossil, is now open. Photo by David Michael.

Inside Fossil you will find watches and all kinds of leathery accessories. Photo by David Michael.

…Last week saw the installation of computerized embroidery machines at Westward Ho in Frontierland, joining The Briar Patch and Main Street Mad Hatter as the front wedge of that new technology. The other embroidery locations in Disneyland (Fantasyland Mat Hatter and Hatmosphere) are still doing it the old-fashioned way but those days are numbered as are all locations in Disney’s California Adventure.

…We’ve been remiss in not reminding people that ticket’s for Mickey’s Halloween Treat events at DCA this October are now generally available. They had been available for early purchase by Annual Passholders but this is no longer the case. Tickets remain available for all but one of the dates (Friday, October 27). The general price is $24.00 per ticket, $5 off from the Main Entrance price of $29.00 (link).

…And finally, a quick tip and reminder. A lot of people are now pre-buying their Disneyland tickets at various alternate venues such as grocery stores, Costco, or as part of the CityPass. It is important to keep in mind that what you get when you buy these items is not an actual Disneyland admission ticket but rather a voucher for a Disneyland ticket. You cannot walk right up to the gates of Disneyland or DCA with one of these vouchers and be allowed in—you must first trade them in for an actual ticket. This has led to many grumpy people who wait in a long line at the gate only to be told they first needed to wait in a long line at the ticket windows. Just a small tip: You can also make the exchange at the Guest Services/Will Call window next to the lockers outside Disneyland. If this line looks shorter than at the regular ticket booths, head over there to save a few minutes.

Don’t keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. E-mail us here.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Matterhorn Bobsleds closed August 28 – November 22 for complete refurbishment.


• Haunted Mansion closed September 11 – 28 for installation of Haunted Mansion Overlay.


• Golden Horseshoe closed September 5 – October 6 for refurbishment, kitchen update, and menu change. No word yet on what will be done with Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show during closure.


• Snow White – An Enchanted Musical ends September 4. Last performances ever will be on this date. No replacement show has yet been announced.


• Disneyland Railroad closed September 18 – 22 for unknown reasons, probably general maintenance.
• it’s a small world closed October 23 – November 9 for installation of Christmas overlay.
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is currently under construction and will open sometime in 2007.


• Gadget’s Go Coaster closed beginning October 2 for approximately six weeks. General maintenance with no ride changes expected.

The “rockwork” connecting the new show building to the old cave is proceeding quickly. Photo by David Michael.

Some of the submarines docked under cover have received their new paint jobs. Photo by David Michael.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie closed until at least January 2007. One-month refurbishment in June/July 2006 was unexpectedly extended indicating major repair work is needed.
• Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular dark September 11 – October 1. Rumors of permanent closure appear unfounded as new cast members have signed contracts through April 2007.
• California Screamin’ closed October 2 – 5. Everybody was expecting a long maintenance closure so this information is suspect at this time and will most likely eventually be changed to show a multi-month closure.

Downtown Disney

• Disney’s Vault 28 under construction and expected to open Fall 2006.

Paradise Pier Hotel

• Yamabuki closed July 31 – September 8 for complete refurbishment.

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

If you know of any events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, let us know.

August

• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest at El Capitan Theater. July 7 – September 4. Accompanying the run of the movie will be props and costumes from the movie.
  
• Registration for October 7 Precious Moments event. August 14 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (link).


• Fantasia at Hollywood Bowl. August 18 and 19. Live orchestral performances of songs from Fantasia with video clips from movie. Conducted by John Mauceri. August 18 (linklink)
  
• 64th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon). August 23-27 at the Anaheim Convention Center (link).
  

September

• Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. September 15-17. For more information and registration see the official Web site (link, warning: horribly annoying embedded music)
  
• Olszewski Main Street Pieces release. September 23 from 9:00 a.m. to noon (link).


• Little Mermaid at El Capitan Theater. September 7-17. Restored edition in conjunction with DVD re-release. First screening will be accompanied by panel discussion (link).

October

• Gay Days. October 6 – 8. Unofficial event (link).
  
• Precious Moments “A World of My Own event and product release. October 7. Hard ticketed merchandise event with open sale to follow (link).


• CHOC Walk. October 8. An annual charity walk at Disneyland to raise money for Children’s Hospital Orange County (link).


• Mickey’s Halloween Treat. October 13, 20, 22, 26, 27, 29, 30, and 31 at DCA. (See Disneyland AP page for details)

• Pirates of the Caribbean Sculpture Series. On sale October 14. Series by Walt Disney Classic Collection goes on sale at Disneyland Resort (link).

November

• Nightmare Before Christmas at El Capitan Theater. October 19-31 (link).


• Lion King returns to Pantages Theater. Beginning November 16 for eight week run. Call 323-463-4367 for details and tickets. Perusal tickets are available to Annual Passholders and Disney Visa members through June 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!

This first section is a list of discounts on ticket only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are still rarely see deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts.

Unless otherwise states, all tickets currently available for purchase must be first used by January 2, 2007. All multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use.

This information is pulled from many sources but much thanks must go to MousePlanet sponsor MouseSavers.com for providing the bulk of the information. If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line (link).

Travel Packages

2006 Resort Magic Package – This official Disney travel package (link) is $452/per person for two adults per two-nights. The $452 price is for the Paradise Pier Hotel and goes up for Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian Hotel. In addition to the hotel room, the package includes appropriate park hopper tickets, one early admission (early admission days are currently Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays), a virtual prize for the Virtual Magic Kingdom online game, admission to Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), and Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard, luggage tag, and California Fun Book. Travel using this package must be booked by August 28, 2006, and completed by September 2, 2006.

2006 Good Neighbor Magic Package – This official Disney travel package (link) starts at $277/per person for two adults per two-nights. The $227 price is for the Jolly Roger Hotel and goes up for other Good Neighbor hotels. In addition to the hotel room, the package includes appropriate park hopper tickets, one early admission (early admission days are currently Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays), a virtual prize for the Virtual Magic Kingdom online game, admission to Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), and Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard, luggage tag, and California Fun Book. Travel using this package must be booked by August 28, 2006, and completed by September 2, 2006.

Costco Travel Packages – Many different travel packages including visits to Disneyland and Disneyland hotels are available through Costco.com. When purchasing a Costco Disneyland travel package extras that will be included are: Mickey’s Toontown Madness admission (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), a character breakfast per person, a $20 Disneyland Resort gift card, a collectible pin and lanyard, and a Costco luggage tag.

Other Discounts

Disney Visa Free-Stroller Rental

– If you have a Disney Visa card you can rent up to two strollers for free at either Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure.

Rainforest Cafe Safari Club – Membership in the Rainforest Cafe gets you a 10% discount on entrees for up to four people. It also gets you priority seating if available. Additionally, after signing up, your membership card will be mailed to you and be accompanied by a $10 award good for your next visit to a Rainforest Cafe. So if you know you will be eating there while at Disneyland and have a Rainforest Cafe local to you, it may make sense to prejoin the Safari Club so that you can use the award during your trip. See the Rainforest Cafe Web site for details (link).

ESPNZone MVP Club – Membership in the MVP Club does not offer any discounts on food. However, once a member you can make an online reservation for your party up to three days in advance and will get a 25% increase in points purchased when playing games in the Sports Arena (and 40 bonus points at activation). You must register online and your membership card will then be mailed to you within 2-weeks. The card must then be activated at any ESPNZone by the person who signed up for the card and ID will be required (link)

AAA Restaurant Discounts – AAA (American Automobile Association) members can receive a 10% discount (excluding alcohol) at Plaza Inn, Wine Country Trattoria Ariel’s Grotto, PCH Grill, and Goofy’s Kitchen.

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

Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates 2006 page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland. As always, specifics are subject to change without notice (or occasionally, without us noticing) so when information conflicts between what is presented here and that presented by Disney, it is best to assume Disney’s information is correct.

Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.