Update for September 25-October 1, 2006
Go directly to: News & Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts and Promotions | Park Schedule/Blockout Dates
News and Views
Billy Hill, each a street performer
Though they aren’t officially on the schedule, Billy Hill and the Hillbillies have been doing unannounced performances on the sidewalk in Frontierland near the Pioneer Mercantile store. While the Golden Horseshoe is being renovated through the end of the month, the scheduled stage shows by the group have been off the calendar and reports were that the performers would take vacation and spend some time rehearsing.
There’s no guarantee that these short sets will continue regularly but if you’re in the area you might want to keep an eye out. If they keep to the recent schedule they’ll be out at 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.
Though there are no guarantees that the sets will continue, during the closure of Golden Horsehoe, the Billy Hills have been found wandering the street.. Photo by David Michael.
Stroller Pass
The “stroller rental endorsement” for annual passes that we mentioned several weeks ago has been officially announced. For $49, all annual pass holders (unlike parking it will not be automatically included with the premium annual pass) can add an endorsement to their annual pass getting them one stroller rental per day, subject to availability of course. It appears that the number of stroller endorsements sold will be limited, though how limited is not known.
The endorsement will not be pro-rated to the remaining time on the annual pass so if your pass is expiring soon you will probably want to wait until you renew to purchase this option. This option will become available for purchase on October 20.
Year of a Million Dreams prizes
Chalk it up to an endorphin haze following last weeks Disneyland Half-marathon for not including this bit from last week’s Walt Disney World Park Update (link) in the Disneyland Park Update as well. So if you don’t read both updates you may be a week behind in getting every single possible entry mailed but you may still find the following of interest, particularly the link to detailed “mail-from-home” instructions from David Michael for entering the contest.
Last week, Disney finally announced the rules and list of prizes for the “Year of a Million Dreams” promotion (link), and there will actually be 1,250,001 prizes given away over the 15 months of the event. While, as we would expect, almost all prizes have a very small actual value (1,248,754 of the prizes have a value of $25 or less), there are also 60 prizes with a value of $5,000 or more.
The 367 nights in the “Mickey Mouse Penthouse” at the Disneyland Resort and the 307 nights in the new Cinderella Castle Suite inside Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom are valued at $572 and $587, respectively. The top-value prizes are three fully paid 220-point memberships in the Disney Vacation Club at the Saratoga Springs Resort, including ownership purchase, taxes and maintenance fees and exchange fees, plus $25,110 to defray the income taxes on the prize, valued at an estimated total of $83,701 per prize.
Three Grand Marshal World Tour prizes, 15-day, 14-night round-the-world trips for four to visit all 11 Disney theme parks and serve as grand marshals in all five Magic Kingdom-style parks, including airfare, local transportation, park admission and $75 per person per day toward meals, plus $10,470 toward taxes, are valued at $45,370 apiece.
Other big prizes include six Adventures By Disney trips to various locations with values from $15,500 to $25,600, eighteen Disney cruises with values from $9,880 to $16,900 and 15 trips each to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, valued at $5,200 each. Each of the big prizes includes cash toward income taxes.
MousePad discussion forum member David Michael (“Darkbeer”), a frequent photographic contributor to the Disneyland Park Update, has put together a great summary of all of the prizes and the chances to win (about one in 60, based on historic attendance at the parks) over a series of posts on our discussion forums (link).
The entire process is being overseen by Creata (USA) Inc., an outside company specializing in administering large sweepstakes.
Lion King closure
Now that we’re in the off season it appears that one cost trim that management has settled on is to keep the Lion King parking lot (the one behind Disney’s California Adventure park and accessed from Harbor Boulevard.) closed Mondays through Thursdays (except for holidays) and put everybody into the Mickey and Friends parking garage. The entrance from Harbor is also currently under scaffolding to repaint and decorate for the Year of a Million Dreams promotion that begins in October.
The entrance to the Lion King parking lot is being touched up for the new marketing campaign and word is that policies for parking on that side of the resort are changing. Photo by David Michael.
If you go to the resort and find that the Lion King parking lot is closed, you will need to continue along Harbor and essentially drive around the very large block that is Disneyland until you get to the entrance for Mickey and Friends. Do not allow yourself to be directed to the Pumbaa parking lot on Disney Way (which probably wouldn’t be open anyway). Parking in this lot requires walking to and from the resort as there is no tram service at all.
…Unless, that is, something seen on Friday turns out to be a regular new program. We haven’t been able to confirm whether it is new standard operating procedure, but last Friday parking was free at the Pumbaa lot. So if you don’t have an annual pass with parking included this offers a potential saving of $11 in exchange for not getting tram service to the park.
While this is a nice option if it wasn’t a short-term thing, it could create traffic problem. One of the great things about the Mickey and Friends lot is that due to its own entrance ramp almost directly from the Interstate 5 freeway it keeps thousands of cars a day from clogging up the resort-area surface roads.
Top Brass now Granville’s Lounge
The Top Brass bar at the Disneyland Hotel has reopened with a new name. It is now The Lounge at Granville’s, which should make the Granville’s managers happy to have a bit of promotion since many guests overlook the restaurant completely with it tucked in a back corner and Goofy’s Kitchen distracting people nearby. If nothing else they will be happy that the construction walls are gone since they were completely hidden by them and walk-up traffic, particularly, for breakfast took quite a tumble.
In addition to offering a full bar, The Lounge at Granville’s also has a full menu for lunch (appetizer menu only during dinner hours), though many will be shocked at the prices, even for a hotel restaurant (a $14 hamburger, for example). It is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
This and that…
…A small note, but the current annual pass newsletter informs that when it opens in Downtown Disney, Disney’s Vault 28 will not offer any annual pass discount.
…The entrance to Frontierland from Main Street was closed for about a week to be rebuilt. This entrance is actually a small bridge over the water that flows into the castle moat and the bridge needs to be redone every once in a while. The surface of the Adventureland entrance was redone last month but in such a way as to not require a closure.
The stream at the entrance to Frontierland was exposed during work on the bridge last week. Photo by David Michael.
…An interesting rumor that we are trying to get more information on. Despite very positive guest reaction to the new Dapper Dans show (the common comment from long-time watchers is that it is sad that the old performers were forced out but that the new shows are pretty good) the show is having some problems. It seems that the new young performers aren’t pleased with the amount of work they’re getting and the cast is seeing some attrition as performers quit to find better work. We haven’t confirmed this yet; just interesting rumor at this point.
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 14 for station remodel and queue construction for Submarine Voyage. Will likely close again in January.
- Snow White – An Enchanted Musical ended September 4. Show will not return.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds closed September 5 – December 14 for complete refurbishment.
- Golden Horseshoe closed September 5 – September 28 for refurbishment, kitchen update, and menu change.
- Billy Hill and the Hillbillies dark September 5 – September 28 while Golden Horseshoe is closed for refurbishment.
- Fantasyland Theater closed September 5 – September 30 for removal of Snow White – An Enchanted Musical stage and remodel to accommodate princess interactive experience.
- 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.
The new Port Royal store in New Orleans Square is open for business but work is continues to properly decorate the exterior of what was Le Bat en Rouge (now moved a few doors down the street). 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 – September 28. Rehearsal of new cast and general rehab of stage and sets.
- Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular closed September 18 – October 5. Closed for general maintenance.
- Golden Dreams Theater dark September 24 – September 28. Installation of Golden Screams Halloween overlay.
- Golden Dreams closed September 24 – October 31? For the Halloween season the film show is being replaced by a Halloween themed-production. Exact return date is not yet known.
- 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 October 3.
Paradise Pier Hotel
- Yamabuki closed July 31 – September 28 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.
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).
- The Guardian at El Capitan Theater. September 19-October 5 (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).
- Nightmare Before Christmas at El Capitan Theater. October 19-31 (link).
November
- The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause at El Capitan Theater. November 3-January 4 (link).
- MouseAdventure. November 5. The next edition of MousePlanet’s popular in-park game. Registration to open shortly.
- Believe Holiday Fireworks show. Beginning November 9 for daily holiday fireworks show that will run through the end of the year.
- 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.
- A Christmas Fantasy parade. Beginning November 17 for daily parade that will run through the end of the year.
December
- Candlelight Processional. December 2 and 3. Two performances each day. No other details are known at this time.
- SL ? Southern California Select Annual Pass
- SC ? Southern California Annual Pass
- DX ? Deluxe Annual Pass
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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).
| One Day Park Hoper Regularly $79/$69 |
Southern California 1?Day Park Hopper ($64/$74) ? Residents of Southern California (zip codes 90000?93599) and and northern Baja California, Mexico (Zip codes 21000?22999), can buy discounted one-day park hoppers. You can purchase up to eight tickets at a time, one order per day, and two orders in any seven-day period. Valid ID showing Zip code will be required with ticket for admission. Southern California AAA offices and Vons Supermarkets may also sell these tickets, but call ahead to confirm. Proof of residency will be required when redeeming them at Disneyland (Vons will happily sell you the ticket voucher regardless of where you are from but you still need to be an appropriate resident to use it. |
| Two Day Park Hopper Regularly $116/$96 |
AOCVCB 2-Day Bonus Ticket ($115/$95) ? The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is only $1 and shipping on all orders is at least $10. Therefore you only come ahead on orders made more than 10 days in advance if you are buying more than 10 tickets (link). |
| Three Day Park Hooper Regularly $169/$139 |
Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($149/$119) ? A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (link). Disney Stores (California), Safeway grocery stores (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). Southern California CityPass($199/$159) ? This pass includes a 3-Day Disneyland Resort park ticket (including one early-entry day). It also includes one day admissions to SeaWorld San Diego, Universal Studios Hollywood, and either the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park. The CityPass expires 14 days after first use at any location. Purchase CityPass through the Disneyland Web site (link) or onsite at the ticket booths of Disneyland Resort or the other theme parks included in the pass. You can also purchase directly from the CityPass Web site (link) though this has a minimum $7.50 shipping charge (no shipping charge from the Disney Web site if purchased more than 10 days in advance). The Southern California City Pass can also be purchased online from Costco at a cost of $174.99/$139.99 (adults/child), 5% surcharge if not a Costco member and shipping fees apply. Booklets may be available for sale in some stores but varies widely. If you want to buy in person it would be best to call ahead and confirm availability. If you do buy at a Costco, you will initially purchase a large plastic container which you must trade for ticket books prior to leaving Costco! AOCVCB 3-Day Bonus Ticket ($146/$117) ? The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is only $3 (adult) and $2 (child) and shipping on all orders is at least $10. Therefore, compared to the Disneyland Web site price, you only come about ahead on orders made more than 10 days in advance if you are buying more than 3 tickets. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). |
Four Day Park Hopper |
Advance Purchase 4?Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($169/$139) ? A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (link). Disney Stores (California), Safeway grocery stores (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). AOCVCB 4-Day Bonus Ticket ($165/$136) ? The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $4 (adult) and $3 (child) and shipping on all orders is at least $10. Therefore, compared to the Disneyland Web site price, you only come about ahead on orders made more than 10 days in advance if you are buying more than 2 or 3 tickets. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). Play 4 Days Southern California Ticket ($119 all ages 3 and up) ? This ticket is only for Southern California residents residing in Zip Codes 90000-93599 and is not available to Northern Mexico residents. It is important to note that while Costco will sell the voucher to anybody who wants to buy one, proof of Southern California residency will be required when exchanging it for the actual ticket at Disneyland. The ticket allows admission to either Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure on four separate days. The dates need not be consecutive and admission is allowed to only one park on any given day. Tickets must be first used by November 15, 2006, and expire on November 18, 2006. Call ahead to your Southern California Costco to confirm availability or order online (link), shipping fees apply as well as a 5% surcharge for non-members. |
Five Day Park Hopper |
Advance Purchase 5?Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($179/$149) ? A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (link). Disney Stores (California), Safeway grocery stores (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). AOCVCB 5-Day Bonus Ticket ($174/$145) ? The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $5 (adult) and $4 (child) and shipping on all orders is $10. Therefore, compared to the Disneyland Web site price, you only come about ahead on orders made more than 10 days in advance if you are buying more than 2 tickets. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). |
| All Tickets | Disney Visa Application Credit $40 – &150; Currently, if you are not a Disney Visa credit card holder, you can receive an extra $40 discount when purchasing Disneyland tickets through the Disneyland Web site. When making your purchase an opportunity to apply for the credit card (and charge the purchase to the card) will be offered. If approved, the credit card will get a $40 credit when used for its first transaction. |
Annual Passes |
DVC Discount &150; Members of the Disney Vacation Club can get a $20 discount on a Deluxe or Premium Disneyland Annual pass. Good for first purchase only. Early Renewal Discount &150; If you renew your annual pass (either online or in person) before it expires, you will receive a 10% discount. |
Travel Packages
4th Night Free (link). For packages booked between now and December 14, 2006, for travel that begins by December 17, 2006 if you book three consecutive nights at a Disneyland on-property hotel or one of the Good Neighbor resort-area hotels you will get a fourth night free. Packages start at $307 per person for stays at the Red Roof Inn Anaheim Maingate. Packages include one 5-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket per person, one day of early entry, three Virtual Magic Kingdom computer game virtual rewards, one entry into Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness, preferred show seating at DCA, and Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard, luggage tag, and California fun book.
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:
| Sun | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/18 | 9/19 | 9/20 | 9/21 | 9/22 | 9/23 | |
| DL: 10a?8p | DL: 10a?8p | DL: 10a?8p | DL: 10a?8p | DL: 9a?10p | DL: 9a?Mid | |
| 9/24 | 9/25 | 9/26 | 9/27 | 9/28 | 9/29 | 9/30 |
| DL: 9a?10p | DL: 10a?8p | DL: 10a?8p | DL: 10a?8p | DL: 10a?8p | DL: 9a?10p | DL: 9a?Mid |
| 10/1 | 10/2 | 10/3 | 10/4 | 10/5 | 10/6 | 10/7 |
| DL: 10a?Mid | DL: 10a?8p | DL: 10a-8p | DL: 10a-8p | DL: 10a-8p | DL: 9a?10p | DL: 10a?Mid |
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.
