Update for March 19-25, 2007
Go directly to: News & Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts and Promotions | Park Schedule/Blockout Dates
News and Views
Happy Anniversary, Pirates
Disneyland celebrates its 40th anniversary of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction with a special banner at the attraction’s entrance. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean attraction celebrated its 40th anniversary this past Sunday. With the attraction’s entrance festooned with a 40th Anniversary banner, cast members in the area handed out anniversary stickers to guests.
To commemorate the occasion, the park had a very low-key “product release and signing” in the Disney Gallery with such Disney Legends and Imagineers as X Atencio, Harriet Burns, Alice Davis, Blaine Gibson, and Bob Gurr. They were joined by many of the artists responsible for the commemorative merchandise.
The Disney Gallery’s Pirates anniversary souvenirs include mugs, pillows, mouse pads. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
After the initial crush of shoppers snapped up the most limited of the limited edition merchandise at the Disney Gallery, the crowd dwindled considerably. By mid-afternoon, park visitors could pop into the Gallery, purchase a souvenir, have it signed by the artist and be back in their car in under an hour.
Artist Christopher Radko (seated) greets a collector at Sunday’s signing event. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Very little of the event merchandise sold out, with the exception of the few one-of-a-kind pieces, so look for the remaining product to be offered at locations around the park this week. Silver Spur in Frontierland has already received the remaining event pins, and the Disneyana shop is likely to have the clothing and accessories by the end of the week.
Coming soon from the Olszewski Studios
Robert Olszewski’s “Disneyland in Miniature” display at the Disney Gallery was updated this week, and several new accessory pieces were added to the ever-expanding model. During Sunday’s Pirates event, artist Olszewski took the opportunity to showcase a new addition to the series as well as some new items in the works.
The Disneyland in Miniature display has been updated with new pieces and lots of new accessories. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Olszewski has just completed the Plaza Pavilion sculpture, though its release date has not been set. The sculpture will also include the Enchanted Tiki Room and Aladdin’s Oasis, and is designed to fit with the existing Jungle Cruise sculpture.
The Plaza Pavilion sculpture is expected to include the Tiki Room and Aladdin’s Oasis. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The Gallery of Light sculpture created for the Pirates anniversary was actually the first in a planned series. Also on display were samples of sculptures based on The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. Olszewski is working on two new sculpted boxes, including a Tiki Room box, and plans to expand that series as well.
The Gallery of Light collection will be expanded to include new sculptures like this Nightmare Before Christmas piece. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
This-and-That
…Arribas Brothers, which operates the crystal shop on Main Street as well as locations in New Orleans Square, Downtown Disney and at the Disneyland Hotel, no longer offers a 10 percent discount to Premium Annual Passholders.
Easter merchandise has arrived at the Disneyland Resort, much of it with Walt Disney World logos instead of Disneyland. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
…We’ve been remiss in not mentioning that the Lost Children center moved in to the Baby Care Center on Main Street last fall. The center’s former location next to the First Aid Center on Main Street is now home to the Wish Lounge, a place where families who are visiting Disneyland through such wish-granting programs as the Make-a-Wish Foundation can take a break from their day and relax in a quiet environment.
…The Virtual Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Quest was retired over the weekend, leaving only the in-park Animation and Pirates quests and the print-at-home High School Musical Quest available to Disneyland visitors. A series of new quests are expected to be released shortly.
Work continues to get the Finding Nemo attraction open in time for the grand opening in early June. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
… Registration opens on March 21st for the Camp Pin-E-Ha-Ha pin-trading event scheduled for June 16-17. (link).
…Our Spring 2007 MouseAdventure event sold out in a record six days. If your team missed the cutoff, we hope you can join us this fall. If you would like to receive an e-mail when registration opens for each event, please e-mail us to be added to the mailing list.
Tip of the Week: Don’t follow the crowd
Each side of the main entrance of the Disneyland Resort has a set of four ticket booths. If you park in the Lion King parking lots, the tram drops you off on the east side of the main entrance. If you park in the Mickey & Friends parking structure, the tram drops you off on the west side of the main entrance. Although there are usually more windows open at the ticket booths on the west side, the lines there are also usually much longer. When faced with a huge line, try sending a member of your group with a cell phone over to the booths on the east side, since they may have a much shorter line.
Keep in mind that each ticket booth has eight windows, though they may not always be open. In the following photo, there is a nice long line for the ticket booth on the right, but almost no line on the left. In fact, there is an open window with absolutely no line at all. The moral of the story: don’t just join a line because everyone else did.
There line for the ticket booth on the right is long, and almost nonexistent on the left, while one open window has absolutely no line at all. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The same advice applies to lines throughout the park. It is not at all unusual to see 50 people waiting in a long line at one entrance turnstile, when there are open gates just a few feet away with no line at all. Restaurants like the Village Haus and Hungry Bear have two lines for each cashier, but some guests will only line up on the side where they see someone else in line. Some rides have queues that split at some point, and you have to decide which side to choose. Believe it or not, many people will just continue to follow the group in front of them, without even noticing that there is a split in the line. A Jungle Cruise skipper was heard making the following announcement this weekend: “There are two lines. One is completely full. The other is completely empty. Choose wisely.” Amazingly, he had to repeat the announcement several times before the people in line got the hint and filled in the empty side.
Don’t keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. E-mail us here.
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
- Splash Mountain closed January 22 – May 18 for major refurbishment. No major changes are expected but lift mechanics are being replaced.
- Professor Barnaby Owl’s Photographic Art Studio closed January 23 – May 18 due to closure of Splash Mountain (store is primarily for sale of Splash Mountain ride photos).
- Mark Twain Riverboat closed through May 22.
- Disneyland Railroad closed February 5 – March 29 for track work and to allow heavy equipment access to Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
- Tom Sawyer Island dark February 5 – May 24 due to add new pirate themed elements to the island.
- Fantasmic! dark February 12 – June 14 due to work on Tom Sawyer Island.
- Aladdin’s Oasis dark April 30 – May 4.
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride closed May 29 – June 1.
- Disneyland Railroad closed May 7 – June 8, likely to allow heavy equipment access to Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is currently under construction and will open sometime in June or July, 2007.
Disney’s California Adventure
- Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! closed May 29 – June 7.
- Toy Story 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.
March
- Bridge to Terabithia at El Capitan Theater. February 16-March 22. (link).
- Meet the Robinsons at El Capitan Theater. March 30-May 20. (link).
- “Disneyland in Miniature” Product Release & Signing. Saturday, March 31 at Disneyland. See the Disney Gallery Web site for the release schedule.
April
- Mini Gay Day (unofficial event) April 7 at the Disneyland Resort.
- Disneyland closes early at 4:00 p.m.. April 22 for a private party. The park will open early at 6:30 and DCA will have extended hours.
- 2nd Annual Food and Wine Weekends April 27 – May 20. Special dining and food events on each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (link)
- MouseAdventure April 29 at the Disneyland Resort. Registration full.
May
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End premiere, May 19. Not yet officially announced but park is scheduled to close at 5:00 p.m. No details available but likely similar to last two events.
- Grad Night events: Thursday, May 17; Thursday, May 24; Thursday, May 31
June
- Grad Night events: Thursday, June 7; Wednesday, June 13; Thursday, June 14 and Thursday, June 21
- Camp Pin-E-Ha-Ha. June 16-17. A pin collecting event. Registration opens March 21, 2007 (link).
September
- Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. September 2 and 3. Family Fun Run 5K on Saturday, September 2, Half Marathon on Sunday, September 3 (link).
October
- Gay Days at Disneyland (unofficial event) Friday, October 5 through Sunday, October 7. Event attendance will be higher at Disneyland on Saturday, DCA on Sunday (link).
Summer 2008
- Disney Magic returns to Pacific Ocean itineraries. May 25-August 17, 2008.
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. This first section is a list of discounts on ticket only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at 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.
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 Hopper Regularly $63/$53 |
Southern California 2Fer Ticket – This ticket offers residents of zip codes 90000-93599 (and 21000-22999 in Baja California, Mexico) the opportunity to buy entry to one park on one day and to return within 30 days to visit the other park. Tickets expire after 5/26/07 and first use must be made by 4/26/07. |
| One Day One Park Regularly $83/$73 |
Southern California 1–Day Park Hopper – Disney is not currently offering a Southern California 1-Day Park Hopper at the Web site. Southern California AAA offices and Vons Supermarkets may be selling 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. If you do see these available anywhere, email us to let us know. |
| Two Day Park Hopper Regularly $122/$102 |
Southern California 2-Day Park Hopper ($83/$73) – This ticket offers residents of zip codes 90000-93599 (and 21000-22999 in Baja California, Mexico) the two days of visits to the Disneyland Resort and on both days the ticket-holder can visit both parks. Tickets expire after 5/26/07 and first use must be made by 4/26/07. AOCVCB 2-Day Bonus Ticket ($119/$100) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $3 (adult) and $2 (child) and shipping on all orders is at least $10 (link). So if you are ordering more than 10 days in advance and your discount would be less than $10, you’ll still come out ahead by ordering at the Disneyland Web site. |
| Three Day Park Hooper Regularly $179/$149 |
Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($159/$129) – 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 (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). 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). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey ∧ Friends parking garage (an $11/day value) Southern California CityPass($235/$189) – 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 $209.99/$169.99 (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 ($155/$126) – 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. So if you are ordering more than 10 days in advance and your discount would be less than $10, you’ll still come out ahead by ordering at the Disneyland Web site. Tickets include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). Everybody Plays for the Kid’s Price ($129/$129) – A special off season promotional ticket direct from Disney. First day of use must be on or before April 26, 2007. If you have the tickets shipped to you (as opposed to Will Call), you’ll also receive a coupon for discounts on Disneyland merchandise. “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 ($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 (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). 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). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey ∧ Friends parking garage (an $11/day value). AOCVCB 4-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 at least $10 Tickets include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). Everybody Plays for the Kid’s Price ($149/$149) – A special off season promotional ticket direct from Disney. First day of use must be on or before April 26, 2007. If you have the tickets shipped to you (as opposed to Will Call), you’ll also receive a coupon for discounts on Disneyland merchandise. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). |
Five Day Park Hopper |
Advance Purchase 5–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($189/$159) – 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 (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). 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). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey ∧ Friends parking garage (an $11/day value). AOCVCB 5-Day Bonus Ticket ($183/$154) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $6 (adult) and $5 (child) and shipping on all orders is $10. Everybody Plays for the Kid’s Price ($159/$159) – A special off season promotional ticket direct from Disney. First day of use must be on or before April 26, 2007. If you have the tickets shipped to you (as opposed to Will Call), you’ll also receive a coupon for discounts on Disneyland merchandise. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). |
Travel Packages
2007 Resort Dream Vacation Package – This official Disney travel package (link) starts at $389/per person for two adults per two-nights. The $389 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), a collectible Dream Coin, and Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard, luggage tag, and California Fun Book. Travel using this package must be booked by March 10, 2007, and completed by March 15, 2007.
2007 Good Neighbor Dream Vacation Package – This official Disney travel package (link) starts at $259/per person for two adults per two-nights. The $227 price is for the Red Roof Inn Anaheim Maingate 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), collectible Dream Coin, and Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard, luggage tag, and California Fun Book. Travel using this package must be booked by March 10, 2007, and completed by March 15, 2007.
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.
Annual Passholder Discounts at the Disneyland Resort Hotels – The Annual Passholder section of the Disneyland.com Web site (click here, registration required) has details about the current AP rates for the three Disneyland Resort hotels. The offer advertises rates as low as $129 per night (plus resort fees and taxes) at the Paradise Pier hotel, and MousePlanet readers have reported rates as low as $189 per night at the Grand Californian Hotel.
The discounts are available for stays between January 28th and February 14th, and there is a limit of two rooms per Passholder. For reservations, call (714) 956-MICKEY and ask for rate plan “APD.” It may pay to have a flexible schedule and a little patience – readers have reported that it may take a little time for the phone agent to locate the best discount for your stay.
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
| 3/18 | 3/19 | 3/20 | 3/21 | 3/22 | 3/23 | 3/24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 9a–11p |
DL: 9a–11p |
DL: 9a–11p |
DL: 9a–11p |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
| 3/25 | 3/26 | 3/27 | 3/28 | 3/29 | 3/30 | 3/31 |
| DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 9a–11p |
DL: 9a–11p |
DL: 9a–11p |
DL: 9a–11p |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
| 4/1 | 4/2 | 4/3 | 4/4 | 4/5 | 4/6 | 4/7 |
| DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 98a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
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.
