Disneyland Park Update

Update for July 16 – July 22, 2007

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

Disneyland Anniversary & MousePlanet meet | Halloween Time, September 21 – October 31 | Annual Passholder rates at the Disneyland Resort hotels | Fourth night free, but not easy | Disney and opponents trade fresh salvos in zoning battle | Orange County bus strike may be over by the time you read this article… | This-and-That

Come celebrate Disneyland’s 52nd anniversary, as well as the seventh anniversary

of MousePlanet, on Tuesday, July 17 at Disneyland. Please join us at 1:00 p.m.

at the Carnation Plaza Gardens to meet MousePlanet staff and fellow readers.

For more information visit our message boards (link).

The Disneyland Resort issued a press release last week detailing all of the new and returning elements for this year’s Halloween Time promotion. It would appear that guest reaction to the resort’s first forays into the Halloween market in 2005 and 2006 were enough to prompt a bigger effort for this coming year. Here are the highlights:

Disney’s California Adventure:

• As previously reported here, Mickey’s Halloween Treat returns Thursdays

  and Fridays beginning October 4 and Monday through Wednesday, October 29 to

  31. Tickets go on sale to the general public on August 1; Annual Passholders

  can order tickets now during the pre-sale.

• A new “cavalcade” has been added to Halloween Treat; hopefully a full-blown parade will be added in coming years.
• The Sunshine Plaza in California Adventure will receive a “Candy Corn Acres” overlay, with Goofy harvesting giant candy corn produce.
• The “California” letters will once again be decorated as candy corn.
• “Golden Screams” returns to the Golden Dreams theater, with a Villain character meet-and-greet.

Disneyland:

• Haunted Mansion Holiday returns to Disneyland.
• The character jack-o-lanterns introduced last year will again decorate the main entrance gates.
• The Main Street Pumpkin Festival will return, as will the giant Mickey pumpkin in Town Square.
• Central Plaza will feature Halloween-inspired decorations.
• Woody’s Halloween Roundup returns to Big Thunder Ranch, and will feature a cookie-decorating station.
• The French Market in New Orleans will offer a Nightmare Before Christmas-inspired menu.

A sharp-eyed MousePlanet reader alerted us to Disneyland’s announced discounted rates for annual passholders at the Disneyland Resort hotels this fall. Rates start at $149 per night for stays at the Paradise Pier Hotel from August 19 to September 1, or $129 per night at the Paradise Pier Hotel from September 2 to November 19, and November 25 to December 15. Rates are higher at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, and for park-view or concierge-level rooms. One reader booked a concierge-level room at the Grand Californian Hotel for $279 per night.

Disney allocates a limited number of rooms for this offer, and some readers

have already reported that the dates they wanted were already sold out. Call

(714) 956-MICKEY to see if rooms are available for your next trip, and ask for

rate plan “AP4.” There is a limit of two rooms per passholder, and only one

member of your party needs be a passholder to receive this rate.

Several readers also have asked if you need to be a passholder at the time you make the reservation, and the answer is no—you only need to be a passholder at the time you check in. This means you can book now, but hold off on buying or renewing your pass until you arrive (but make sure you have a valid pass before you try to check in, or your rate will skyrocket).

Readers also alerted us that Disneyland is once again offering a “4th Night

Free” promotion, but details about the popular package are elusive and sometimes

conflicting. MouseSavers.com reports that the offer is valid at the three Disneyland

Resort Hotels for arrivals September 3 through December 12, subject to blackout

dates and availability. A number of Good Neighbor hotels are also participating

in the promotion, and seem to have their own individual participation dates.

Our best advice is to call a travel agent that specializes in Disney travel (such as MousePlanet sponsor Small World Vacations), or the Walt Disney Travel company directly to see if the offer is available for the dates and hotel you are interested in. While the standard package appears to include theme park tickets, at least one MousePlanet reader (and annual passholder) received a room-only quote, so be sure to ask if you don’t need admission tickets during your trip.

If you’ve already booked a trip that is four nights or longer during these promotion dates, it may be worth asking if your stay qualifies for the offer. You may be required to pay a nominal “change fee,” but that will be more than offset by the savings.

As the Anaheim City Council prepares to meet this week to schedule a pair of

Disney-backed ballot measures for vote, both sides in the battle are making

news with their latest maneuvers, and a last-minute compromise may be in the

works.

A Disney-sponsored group, Save Our Anaheim Resort, helped collect signatures

to qualify two measures for the ballot—a referendum that would overturn

a council decision that could allow developer SunCal to build residential units

on a plot of land in the Anaheim Resort District; and a ballot initiative would

require voter approval for any future housing proposals in the area.

According to the Orange County Register, a SunCal-backed group known

as the Coalition to Protect and Defend Anaheim plans to ask the city council

to place a counter proposal on the ballot. This new ballot proposal would require

voters to approve any new development on a Disney-owned 52.9 acre plot in Anaheim,

including new hotels or theme parks. The Register quoted CPDA chairwoman

Diana Singer as saying “It’s just about making it even, leveling it all out.

Everybody plays by the same rules.” If the council declines to place the SunCal

measure on the ballot, the group could collect signatures to qualify the initiative

for a future election.

Meanwhile, a Disney-sponsored economic study predicts that the city would only

realize tax revenue of $1.5 million per year from SunCal’s proposed residential

development, compared to potential tax revenue of $12.7 million per year if

the 26-acre parcel is developed into a hotel and commercial project. The Orange

County Register reports that SunCal will ask the Anaheim City Council to

commission an independent study, and quotes SunCal consultant Frank Elfend as

saying, “This is as phony as asking a tobacco company to determine the smoking

effects on cancer.”

If you’ve managed to follow all this so far, here’s another twist—the

Orange County Register reported Sunday evening that Disney and SunCal

may have reached a compromise during a weekend meeting, and may ask the Anaheim

City Council to postpone Tuesday’s vote. Disney’s spokepeople told the Register

that they did not have any information about a compromise, and a SunCal representative

said details would be forthcoming shortly.

A strike by drivers for the Orange County Transportation Authority may end

today. OCTA reported Sunday that they have reached a tentative agreement with

the union, and drivers are scheduled to meet this morning to vote to ratify

the new contract. If the contract is approved, some drivers would return to

work by Monday afternoon.

OCTA had previously announced that two additional “lifeline” routes would begin

service today to help accommodate riders left stranded by the strike action.

A current schedule of routes is available at the OCTA Web site (link).

…MousePlanet contributor David Michael tells us that a new, interactive Mr.

Potato Head character was installed and tested at Disney’s California Adventure last week, and has since been removed. The area has been covered with a construction wall.

…MousePlanet Staff member Andrew Rich reports that some of the Midway games at DCA’s Paradise Pier are still open for business.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• None Scheduled.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Midway Games closed for an unknown duration. The future of the games has been somewhat questionable due to the Toy Story Mania project.
• 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.

July

• “Breakfast Tea in the Garden” with Jane Seymour. Saturday,

  July 28 at Disneyland. Tickets go on sale June 27, 2007 at 11 AM Pacific

  / 2 pm Eastern through the Disney Gallery Web site (link).

August

• Bats Day in the Fun Park (unofficial event) Friday-Sunday,

  August 17-19. (link)

• “Disneyland in Miniature” Product Release & Signing.

  Date TBA, at Disneyland. New releases include the Plaza Pavilion / Enchanted

  Tiki Room / Aladdin’s Oasis sculpture and additional Main Entrance accessories.

September

• Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. September 2 and 3. Family Fun

  Run 5K on Sunday, September 2, Half Marathon on Monday, September 3 (link).

Run 5K on Sunday, September 2, Half Marathon on Monday, September 3 (link).

• Los Angeles Unified School District schools closed. Thursday, September

  13th. This annual “no school” day usually results in huge crowds

  at the Disneyland Resort.

• The Art of Disney Parks ~ Where Dreams Come True event.

  September 13-14 at the Disneyland Resort. Will include an auction of artwork

  from the Festival of Arts exhibit and 50th Anniversary. Keep an eye on the

  event Web site for updates as they become available (link).

• Downtown Disney artist weekend. September 15-16. An exhibit

  ‘dedicated to the art of local artist participants.’ No additional details

  are available at this time.

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).

• Mickey’s Halloween Treat. October 5, 12, 19 and 26; 7:30

  pm. – 11:30 pm. and October 4, 11, 18, 25, 29, 30, and 31; 6:30 pm. – 10:30

  pm. Tickets currently available to Annual Passholders via the Disneyland

  Annual Passholder Web site.

• CHOC/Disneyland Resort Walk in the Park Sunday, October

  21 (link)

• 2007 UEA convention. October 29 to 30 (in Utah). Many Utah public

  schools close so teachers can attend the Utah Education Association convention,

  which creates a four-day weekend for the students. Expect the resort to

  be busy that weekend—some claim ‘UEA’ stands for ‘Utah Escapes to Anaheim.’

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).

Travel Packages

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

50% off Disneyland souvenir books. Disneyland is offering a 50% discount

on two souvenir books, “Remember the Moments” and “Disneyland

Then, Now & Forever.” The discount is valid while supplies last,

or through September 4th, 2007. The books are available at most large shops

at the Disneyland Resort, including the World of Disney and Emporium.

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.

Yamabuki and Steakhouse 55. Disneyland Resort annual passholders save 30% off the entire check (excluding alcohol) Mondays through Wednesdays through August 15th. The discount is valid for lunch and dinner at Yamabuki, and breakfast and dinner at Steakhouse 55.

Dream Ears offer. Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders can purchase two “Where Dreams Come True” light-up ear hats for only $20, plus tax, at the World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney District. A valid Disneyland Resort Annual Passport must be shown at time of purchase. Offer valid while supplies last. No discount will be offered in conjunction with this promotion. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Pirates watch and litho offer. May 20 through August 18. Customers can purchase a Pirates of the Caribbean watch and lithograph set for $10 with a qualifying $50 purchase at select store locations at the Disneyland Resort. Visit the promotion Web site for a complete list of stores and restrictions.

2 for 1 Festival of Arts tickets for Disneyland Resort annual passholders. July 1 – August 31. Disneyland Resort annual passholders can purchase 2 for 1 tickets to the Festival of Arts by presenting their current passport at the box office. This offer does not include tickets to the Pagent of the Masters. Tickets are regularly $7 for adults, $4 for students and seniors.

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, which can make a huge difference on busy

days. 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.

Free Metrolink and ART weekends – Disneyland Resort annual passholders can participate in a joint promotion with Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) and Metrolink. As part of Metrolink Weekends, Passholders can use Metrolink to travel for free to the Anaheim Metrolink station, then use a free ART pass to get to the Disneyland Resort. The offer is great for those who live in the Inland Empire or southern Orange County, but those who live north of Disneyland will have to get there the old fashioned way. The list of eligible origin stations is limited, and none of the southbound trains coming from LA are included in the promotion.

To take advantage of this promotion, you’ll first need to visit the promotional Web site at this link. (link) Use the username “train” and password “ap” to login. Once you register, you will receive by mail:

• One 4-trip ticket from Metrolink to be used on the Weekend Train
• One round-trip ticket for the ART system from Metrolink station to the Disneyland® Resort (a $5 value)
• A free 7-day pass on Metrolink (one 7-day pass per household).
• The Metrolink Weekends schedule is available at this link, and the ART operating schedule is available at this link.

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 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.