Disneyland Park Update

Guests staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and the Paradise Pier
Hotel will also have the opportunity to watch as the runners pass their hotels.
Disney is not allowing spectators to view the race course from inside either
Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure. 200 “Spectator VIP Packages”
are available at $99 per person, and include reserved parking at the Disneyland
Hotel, continental breakfast, reserved restrooms, reserved seating at the
finish line and a one-day, one-park admission ticket. (Link)

Disneyland will open at 10am and Disney’s California Adventure will open
at 11am on Monday due to the race.

The Disneyland Resort will offer a new Halloween-theme tour this year. Disney’s
Happiest Haunts Tour is described as “a unique nighttime tour hosted
by a mysterious guide,” and promises “tall tales and legends”
about the Disneyland Resort. The tour includes rides on the Twilight Zone
Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Haunted Mansion Holiday,
and participants will receive a keepsake of their experience. This new tour
sounds eerily similar to the Myths, Mysteries and Legends tour that was offered
in 2004, a tour that was not well reviewed by a group of MousePlanet readers
who booked one of the first outings. (You can read reviews of the 2004 tour
at this
link) Tour guides assure us that the script has been completely reworked
for the 2007 version.

The two-hour tour is $59 per person (all ages), and will be offered Monday through Thursday
at 6:00 and 6:20 pm from September 25th – October 30. Tickets can be booked
30 days in advance by calling (714) 781-4400. According to the Disneyland
Web site, valid admission to Disney’s California Adventure is required, but
there is no mention of Disneyland admission. Participants under 40″ tall
will not be able to ride the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or Big Thunder
Mountain Railroad.

MousePlanet reader “FunMom” posted to our MousePad discussion boards
to share the news that prices for the character meals at Disneyland will go
up effective September 12th. The prices below do not include tax or gratuity
(an automatic 15-18% charged added to your bill.) At locations that also offer
a menu in addition to the buffet, children 2 and under eat free from the buffet
when accompanied by an adult who purchases the buffet.

If you have already purchased vouchers for the character meals through your
travel agent, don’t worry – Disney will continue to honor them, and will not
require you to pay the difference in price. Disneyland annual passholders
still receive a 10 or 15% discount on character meals.

This and that

…Indiana Jones Adventure will be closed three days this week August 28
– 30 for refurbishment. This is a recent addition to the refurbishment schedule,
and we don’t know what has prompted the brief closure.

…Robert Olszewski will be at Disneyland on Saturday, September 22, 2007
from 9am – Noon for the release of the final pieces in his Disneyland®
Main Street, U.S.A. Collection. Available for purchase will be the Carnation
Plaza Gardens piece, the Adventureland/Frontierland Gateway, the Front Turnstiles
and Side Gates accessory pack and the Newsstand / Stroller Rental / Will Call
/ Souvenir Stands accessory pack. Purchases made on the 22nd will include
the first day of release plaque, while supplies last. Photos of the new releases
are available on the Disney Gallery Web site. (Link)
A display platform for the completed Disneyland® Main Street, U.S.A. Collection,
as well as accessory tree packs, are available directly through the Olszewski
Studios Web site. (Link)

…After talks between Disney and developer SunCal failed last week, the
Anaheim City Council finally voted to put a Disney-backed zoning referendum
before the city’s residents. On June 3 2008, Anaheim voters will get to decide
whether or not to overturn a zoning change made by the City Council to allow
a residential development to be built within the Anaheim Resort area. Disney
wants the land in question to be reserved for tourism uses, the land owner
and developer want to build a 1500-unit condominium development which will
include 225 low-cost housing units.

…Editor’s note: next week’s Disneyland Park Update will be published on
Tuesday, September 4th due to the Labor Day holiday.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• River Belle Terrace closed August 19 until December for remodel.
• Indiana Jones Adventure closed August 28 – 30 for refurbishment.
• Casey Jr. Circus Train closed September 4 – October 5 for refurbishment.
• Haunted Mansion closed September 4 – 20 to install the holiday
  overlay.
• Alice in Wonderland closed October 8 – November 20.
• it’s a small world closed October 22 – November 8 to install the
  holiday overlay.

While the nearby River Belle Terrace restaurant is closed for renovation,
overflow crowds wait to dine at the French Market. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

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,
  but some of the games remain open for now.
• Toy Story Mania under construction. Opens 2008.
• Golden Dreams closes September 11 – 20 to install the Halloween
  “Golden Screams” show.
• Golden Dreams closed November 1 & 2 to remove the Halloween
  show.

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 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. Registration now
  available at Disney Gallery Web site. (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.


• Unofficial Homeschool Day at Disneyland. Wednesday September 19th,
  2007. This event is open to all homeschool and alternative schooling families
  (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).


• 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 are $39 per person if purchased the day of the event. $29 advance-purchase
  tickets currently available through the Disneyland
  Web site (click on the “tickets” link). $27 discounted tickets
  are currently available to Annual Passholders via the Disneyland
  Annual Passholder Web site, and to Disney’s Vacation Club Members at
  the Disneyland Resort ticket booths.


• MousePlanet night at Mickey’s Halloween Treat (unofficial event)
  Friday, October 12. Join your fellow MousePlanet readers and MousePad members
  at Mickey’s Halloween Treat to kick off MouseAdventure weekend. More information
  is available on our MousePad discussion boards. (Link)
  


• MouseAdventure. Sunday, October 14. Registration is now
  closed.


• 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.’ One reader has told us that his Utah school
  district is closed for a “Fall Break” October 11 ? 15th, so crowds may be
  more dispersed throughout the month than in past years.

December

• Candlelight Processional Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2.

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. 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 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).

Hotel / 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.

Disney’s Good Neighbor Dream Vacation Packages – This package
is valid for arrivals June 29 – August 30, 2007, and starts at $214 per person.
Package includes two nights at a Good Neighbor hotel; Park Hopper ticket (with
admission to one Early Entry and/or one Toontown Morning Madness depending
on ticket purchased and days visited); preferred seating at a DCA show; souvenir
coin, luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card; and a
“Character Call” from Mickey, Minnie or Goofy. (Sample pricing is
for two adults and two children under 9 years-old sharing one room at the
Jolly Roger Hotel, and includes a 3-day park hopper ticket per person. Other
hotels and ticket combinations are available at a higher price) Reservations
must be made by August 27, 2007. Call (866) 279-7165 for more information.

4th Night Free at Good Neighbor Hotels – This package is valid
for arrivals September 2 to December 16, 2007, and starts at $257 per person.
Package includes hotel accomodations; Park Hopper ticket; admission to one
Early Entry and one Toontown Morning Madness; preferred seating at a DCA show;
souvenir coin, luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card;
and a “Character Call” from Mickey, Minnie or Goofy. (Sample pricing
is for two adults and two children under 9 years-old sharing one room at the
Best Western Pavilions, and includes a 3-day park hopper ticket per person.
Other hotels and ticket combinations are available at a higher price) Reservations
must be made by December 13, 2007. Call (866) 279-7165 for more information.

4th Night Free at Disneyland Resort Hotels – This package is
valid for arrivals August 19 to December 12, 2007, and starts at $345 per
person. Package includes hotel accomodations; Park Hopper ticket; admission
to one Early Entry and one Toontown Morning Madness; preferred seating at
a DCA show; souvenir coin, luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney
Fun Card; and a “Character Call” from Mickey, Minnie or Goofy. (Sample
pricing is for two adults and two children under 9 years-old sharing one room
at the Disneyland Hotel, and includes a 3-day park hopper ticket per person.
Other hotels and ticket combinations are available.) Reservations must be
made by November 12, 2007. Call (866) 279-7165 for more information.

2008 “2 Days Free” offer – When you buy a 3-, 4- or
5-day Parkhopper ticket, Disney will add two free days. In other words, you’ll
pay the 3-day rate ($189) and receive a Parkhopper Bonus ticket good for five
days. You can maximize your savings by taking advantage of the advance purchase
discount, and pay just $169. The Parkhopper Bonus ticket includes one Early
Entry admission. The Spring promotion is available starting January 7. The
ticket must be used for the first time on or before April 24 and expires 13
days after first use or on May 7, 2008, whichever occurs first.

Other Discounts

Disney Vacation Club members have a new discount at the
Disneyland Resort. DVC members can now purchase discounted tickets to Mickey’s
Halloween Treat at Disney’s California Adventure. Tickets are $27 if purchased
anytime between August 1 and the day before the event. Members cannot buy
these tickets online, and must show their DVC membership card at any Disneyland
Resort ticket booth to receive the discounted rate.

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.

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.