Update for November 27-December 3, 2006
Go directly to: News & Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts and Promotions | Park Schedule/Blockout Dates
News and Views
To our readers in the United States, here’s hoping you had a great Thanksgiving. To our readers outside the United States, here’s hoping you had a great Thansgiving, though how good could it have been since you probably still had to go to work?
A new breakfast joint
In a move that will help improve the dire situation for anybody wanting to eat a full breakfast at Disneyland (as opposed to grabbing a pastry and a coffee), Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square is now serving breakfast.
The restaurant will now open with the park and continue serving breakfast through a final seating at 10:50 a.m. and lunch will then be served from 11:30 a.m. onward. The menu isn’t extensive but provides the standards (except pancakes) with a little Creole flair.
Here’s the menu as it exists for now:
- Cafe Scrambled Eggs – Scrambled eggs served with O’Brien potatoes, applewood-smoked bacon and seasonal fruit. $7.99
- Creole Eggs Benedict – Two delicately poached eggs served over grilled spicy andouille sausage atop toasted English muffins, then finished with a spicy Cajun hollandaise and seasonal fruit. $9.99
- Three-Cheese “Monte Cristo” French Toast – Hearty egg bread filled with brie, Swiss, and mozzarella cheeses, then grilled and finished with a berry compote and applewood-smoked bacon. $10.29
- Mardi Gras Vegetable Scramble – Egg whites, scrambled with a sauteed bell-pepper medley, asparagus tips, red onion, and fresh herbs. Served with seasonal fruit. $7.99
- “Mickey” Waffles – Crispy waffles served with applewood-smoked bacon and seasonal fruit. $7.99
- Seasonal Fruit with Yogurt and Granola – A healthful and delicious start to your day! Seasonal fruit, yogurt, granola, and a bran muffin. $8.29
- “Mickey” Shaped Beignets – A ‘Nawlins sweet treat, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with a raspberry coulis and creme anglaise. $6.99
Candlelight Processional narrators
I can’t believe that I failed to include this in last week’s park update when it was new news, but the celebrity narrators for this year’s Candlelight Processional have been announced. The two shows this Saturday, December 2, will be hosted by veteran character (and frequent Disney) actor Hector Elizondo. The Sunday performances will be read by actor Andy Garcia.
Hector Elizondo, with Mickey Mouse, at the 2005 premiere of The Princess Diaries 2 in Downtown Disney. Photo by Alex Stroup.
Andy Garcia and child at the premiere of Snow White – An Enchanting Musical in 2004. Photo by Alex Stroup.
A pardon
Disneyland was in the national news last Wednesday and Thursday for what is apparently to become a new annual tradition similar to “I’m going to Disneyland” at the end of the Super Bowl. Though the sign that has been posted outside their pen in Big Thunder Ranch implies a longer span, for the second Thanksgiving in a row, the two turkeys pardoned by the President have taken up residence at the park.
The names choses for these turkeys, in an online vote, are Fryer and Flyer. Fryer is the official pardonee, while Flyer was an alternate backup in case Fryer was unable to fulfill the responsibilities and duties of his title.
Flyer serves as grand marshall during the Thanksgiving parade. Photo by David Michael.
In a ceremony at the White House last Wednesday, President Bush continued a tradition begun in the 1950s by President Truman and pardoned the turkeys. In the new part of the tradition, they were then given a police escort to Dulles International Airport and flown first class from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles International airport by United Airlines. There was some benefit for other passengers who found their Thanksgiving travel made much better by the presence of two turkeys in the passenger cabin: a visit from Mickey and Minnie as they boarded and free tickets to Disneyland.
On Thanksgiving, the 36-pound Flyer served as grand marshal of the Thanksgiving Dreams Come True parade down Main Street and then both turkeys were installed in their pen at Big Thunder Ranch where they will live out the rest of their lives.
The natural lifespan of a wild turkey is about 10 years, but if this tradition continues into the future it is obvious that it assumes much shorter lives for the pardonees or else the pen would have to be drastically expanded to house upwards of twenty 30-pound turkeys.
Flyer and Fryer in their new home. Photo by David Michael.
Yam and Marshmallow in the same home last year. People who only visit once a year probably won’t even realize they are different birds. Photo by David Michael.
Indeed, as with last year’s pardonees, Yam and Marshmallow, it is unlikely that either Flyer or Fryer will have to worry about making friends with new roommates next year. Modern domestic turkeys have been bred to grow large and grow fast, and since they are to be processed for consumption well before their first birthdays it doesn’t really matter if there are health affects. Neither Yam nor Marshmallow made it even nine months after their pardons last year.
So Flyer and Fryer are already on borrowed time and here’s hoping that they defy the odds and in a few years crowding becomes a problem at Big Thunder Ranch.
A couple construction update photos
Over in Hollywood Pictures Backlot the new look of that small gap between the Studio Catering Company seating area and the Monsters, Inc., facade has been revealed. There has been a construction wall there for a while since the gap had allowed certain hijinks in cutting in line and damage was being done to the decorations. To fill the hole, a new photo spot has been installed. You can now take a group photo in a Monsters, Inc., ride vehicle (not actually one of the real ride vehicles as there are subtle differences).
A new photospot has been installed outside of Monsters, Inc., at DCA. Photo by David Michael.
Last week we showed you that the front facade of Strips, Dips, ‘n’ Chips had been mostly removed.
Last week’s photo showed building demolition having started. Photo by David Michael.
And this week pretty much that entire section of building is gone, to make room for what will eventually be Toy Story Midway Mania’s entrance.
Mostly gone. Photo by David Michael.
This week, it is pretty much completely gone.
In another week-to-week comparison, the construction forms we showed last week have now been given their first coat of covering on the way to becoming a reef as part of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage facade.
The understructure was the only thing in place last week. Photo by David Michael.
The first layer of fill is now in place. Photo by David Michael.
Rockin’ comin’
Whether you’re ready for it or not, come January Rockin’ Space Mountain will finally make its big appearance at Disneyland. A version of the Space Mountain makeover was presented to Grad Night attendees last May and June, to generally indifferent reviews and the concept was shelved until January. Hopefully in the intervening time some more work has been snuck in to bring it up to snuff. And don’t forget that it won’t just be Rockin’ Space Mountain but Rockin’ California Screamin’ as well. Though there really isn’t much that can be done to the Paradise Pier roller coaster to make it a new experience, a new soundtrack will played for riders.
Quite a few people would simply prefer to see this idea fade away into the vast category of things that almost were but never came to be. Signs have begun to appear, though, promoting the upcoming changes, so for better or worse it seems to be locked in.
Disneyland has begun advertising the changes to the roller coasters, hoping it will bring in some extra post-holiday crowds. Photo by David Michael.
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 Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Will likely close again in January.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds closed September 5 – December 15 for complete refurbishment of track and ride systems.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant closed January 8 – January 17 for refurbishment.
- Haunted Mansion closed January 8 – January 18 for removal of Christmas Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
- it’s a small world closed January 22 – February 1 for removal of Christmas overlay.
- Gadget’s Go Coaster closed January 22 – February 2 for refurbishment.
- Splash Mountain closed January 23 – early May for major refurbishment. No major changes are expected but lift mechanics are being replaced.
- Professor Barnaby Owl’s Photographic Art Studio closed January 23 – early May due to closure of Splash Mountain (store is primarily for sale of Splash Mountain ride photos).
- Disneyland Railroad closed February 5 – late March for track work and to allow heavy equipment access to Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is currently under construction and will open sometime around summer 2007.
Disney’s California Adventure
- Orange Stinger closed January 16 – March 23 for full refurbishment.
- Midway Mania under construction. Opens 2008.
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.
November
- Nightmare Before Christmas at El Capitan Theater. October 19-January 4. (link). After November 3, it is only two late shows per day.
- The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause at El Capitan Theater. November 3-January 4 (link). Screening includes a stage musical show before each show.
- 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. Saturday’s performances narrated by Hector Elizondo and Sunday’s by Andy Garcia.
- SL – Southern California Select Annual Pass
- SC – Southern California Annual Pass
- DX – Deluxe Annual Pass
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Current Discounts & Promotions
This section is taking a week off (just one this time, we promise!) while we get it current again.
Park Schedule/Blockout Dates
DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney’s California Adventure
Annual Pass blockout dates:
| 11/12 | 11/13 | 11/14 | 11/15 | 11/16 | 11/17 | 11/18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
| 11/19 | 11/20 | 11/21 | 11/22 | 11/23 | 11/24 | 11/25 |
| DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
| 11/26 | 11/27 | 11/28 | 11/29 | 11/30 | 12/1 | 12/2 |
| DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–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.
