Disneyland Park Update

Update for August 28-September 3, 2006

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

News and Views

This was a pretty boring week in the world of the Disneyland Resort. You know things are slow when the most interesting news of the week was an attempt by the Disney publicists at humor writing with the issuing of this press release:

Despite Planetary Downgrade, Pluto Is Still Disney’s “Dog Star”

BURBANK, CALIF (Thursday, August 24, 2006) ? In reaction to news today that Pluto was demoted to the status of “dwarf planet,” the Seven Dwarfs issued their own short statement:

“Although we think it’s DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney’s Pluto would join us as an 8th dwarf. We think this is just what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at.”

As Mickey Mouse’s faithful companion, Pluto made his debut in 1930?the same year that scientists discovered what they believed was a ninth planet.

Said a white-gloved, yellow-shoed source close to Disney’s top dog, “I think the whole thing is goofy. Pluto has never been interested in astronomy before, other than maybe an occasional howl at the moon.”

So, in such a slow week, all of our tidbits this will will be more like minor updates and housekeeping in the category of…

This and that…

…November 9 will be the unpublicized soft open date for the Believe Holiday fireworks show. The official opening night will be Friday, November 10, and then it will be seen nightly through the holiday season. Remember…Dreams Come True is expected to return in some form or another following the Christmas season but it has not been officially confirmed. The Christmas parade will start off a week later on November 17. Disney’s Parade of Dreams is expected to continue showing with single daytime performances.

…How’s this for a sign that the 50th Anniversary celebration is coming to an end? Between now and the official end of the celebration on September 30 you can purchase a pair of gold Mickey Ears for only $5 with a single pre-tax, post-discounts purchase of $50 at any participating stores around the resort. Even at over half off regular price, hats purchase this way are still eligible for free custom embroidery (receipt is required).

…If you are on the fence about attending the Precious Moments merchandise event on October 7 (link) you need to make up your mind soon. Two of the three package deals (those including hotel accommodations) have both sold out. Only the basic package (Meriweather Package, $165) is still available and as of last Friday we hear that only 20 tickets or so were left.

…We’re hearing rumors that a hurried call has gone out from Disney to various collectibles artists for Haunted Mansion and Nightmare Before Christmas submissions. This has caused some speculation that despite previous statements that there would be no Haunted Mansion Holiday merchandise event this year that Disney may be testing the waters to see if it would be possible to pull one together quickly. Pure speculation at this point, though.

…Readers who were disappointed by our piece a couple weeks ago on the increasingly unlikely return of Mr. Lincoln to the Main Street Opera House had a moment of hope when word came out that the Opera House would close for four days in September (18th through 21st). Even if it were possible to restore the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show in just four days, that isn’t what is happening. The 50 Magical Years exhibit and movie are closing so that the carpets can be replaced in the lobby and theater. We haven’t found many people in positions to know who think that Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln will return at all, but if it does it won’t be before summer 2007 and that decision wouldn’t be made for quite a while yet.

…A quick expansion on the information we had in last week’s update about a new character show in the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The show is a replacement for the daily rededication ceremony which began last summer and has been held in Town Square at the other end of Main Street. For now, this performance will be done three times a day at 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., and 11:45 a.m.

…If you need to know what the weather is like at the Matterhorn or Tower of Terror at this very moment, you might want to check out the Howard Johnson’s Anaheim’s new “Mattercam” (link). Their streaming Web cam offers images of the taller landmarks around the resort and even allows you to control the aim and zoom, though this is somewhat frustrating when other people are trying to do so as well.

…In our information last week about how AAA would no longer be offering Enhanced Fastpass with their 2007 travel packages we speculated that Disney might be bringing the feature in house for the Walt Disney Travel Company. Several people familiar with things over there responded to say that so far as they know this is not in the works. That Disney will be offering them as prizes during the Year of a Million Dreams marketing campaign, following which the enhanced Fastpass will become a memory.

…Disney Featured Artist Tom Wilson will be appearing at Disneyland on November 4 to sign and greet guests. Wilson is much better known as an actor and perhaps most famously as Biff Tannen (and Biff-based characters) from the Back to the Future movies.

…A member of MousePad (link, our message board, posted last week about eating at a Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company restaurant and getting an interesting piece of information. It seems that her waitress that night mentioned that Bubba Gump had recently signed on to put a new restaurant in Downtown Disney next to House of Blues. Now, there is an empty spot in Downtown Disney between House of Blues and Tortilla Jo’s intended for future expansion. However, all reports indicate that Bubba Gump’s is still a confirmed tenant of the new GardenWalk shopping center being built nearby. It is unlikely that they’d put a restaurant inside both GardenWalk and Downtown Disney.

…Autopia is experiencing some changes due to the Disneyland Monorail and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage construction going on next door. As part of the area remodel the exit for Autopia will be realigned (to come out near Hatmosphere) and it is now behind a construction wall. Therefore the entrance to Autopia has been converted into a two-way path and can get crowded and confusing with people going both ways. Fastpass for Autopia has also been turned off until after all of this construction is complete.

…As of today (August 28) new regulations regulating kennels in Orange County go into effect. The big change that may affect users of the Disneyland Kennel is that now dogs older than 4 months cannot be housed at the kennel unless the owner provides rabies and distemper certificates. This rule is already pretty widespread throughout the country and most people who travel with a dog probably already carry this paperwork. But just in case it is good to get the word out.

…Finally, some bad news for Billy Hill fans. When the refurbishment closure of the Golden Horseshoe finally went back on the schedule after being delayed from earlier this year we wondered what would be done with the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show during the closure. During past closures they performed at another stage in the park. Going dark was a possibility but they were still showing up on various schedules. Well, the shoe has dropped and it does look like the show will simply go dark for the month of the venue’s closure rather than finding a temporary home for the act. But don’t worry, despite the disappearance of other live acts in recent months, there is currently no reason to fear their permanent departure.

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

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Disneyland Monorail closed August 21 – December 22 for station remodel and queue construction for Submarine Voyage.
• Snow White – An Enchanted Musical ends September 4. Last performances ever will be on this date. No replacement show has yet been announced.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds closed September 5 – November 22 for complete refurbishment.
• Golden Horseshoe closed September 5 – October 6 for refurbishment, kitchen update, and menu change.
• Billy Hill and the Hillbillies dark September 5 – October 6 while Golden Horseshoe is closed for refurbishment.
• Haunted Mansion closed September 11 – 28 for installation of Haunted Mansion Overlay.
• The First 50 Magical Years closed September 18 – 21. Carpet replacement.
• Disneyland Railroad closed September 18 – 22. There appears to be no scheduled refurbishment work scheduled and the closure may be to allow for unimpeded work in the submarine lagoon.
• 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.

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).

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.