Disneyland Park Update

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

News and Views

What Ducks? – Last October was a time of great fun
at Disneyland; for baseball fans, at least. The resort embraced
the Anaheim Angels as they battled to their World Series championship.
The parks were a sea of red. Jumbotrons were set up throughout
Downtown Disney to watch baseball games live, among crowds of
like-minded people. A temporary merchandise location was set up
at Y’Arriba Y’Arriba’s old mercato location and rally monkeys
were available for purchase on Main Street.

That’s certainly not the case now as Disney’s other sport team
struggles for a championship of its own (after Sunday’s overtime
victory, the Mighty Ducks trailed the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in
a best-of-seven series). No sea of whatever color it is that Mighty
Duck fans wear. No Jumbotrons, no banners on the Golden Gate Bridge
(though, to be fair, Disney had a soap opera event to sell this
weekend).

Photo by Alex Stroup.

And certainly no rampant merchandising. The above picture shows the single

sign we could find of the excitement going on over at the Pond. It was

kind of sad as this was in the sports-themed ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney.

No Nemo, Either – Continuing the theme of things not

going on at Disneyland, is the extreme absence of Finding Nemo

characters. The balloon below and some plush in the Emporium is the only

sign at Disneyland so far that another hit Disney/Pixar production has

hit theaters. For Main Street entertainment, though, their Treasure

Planet windows are still in place.

The new Finding Nemo balloon at Disneyland. Photo by Alex
Stroup.

Finding Nemo at the El Capitan – We had the
pleasure, on Sunday, of joining a group of MousePlanet readers
at the El Capitan theater in Hollywood to see Finding Nemo.
As always, it is a joy to see any movie in a classic movie house
like the El Cap. Somewhat disappointing, however, is the extra
show they are providing to justify the $10+ price tag. With Jimmy
Kimmel Live filming in the usual sideshow location, all that
guests get this time is a live-action song-and-dance show that
celebrates the previous four Pixar films.

A good tip, if you go, would be to use the live-show time

as an opportunity to go get some soda and popcorn. There will be almost

no lines and you will not be subjected to the thoroughly underwhelming

song-and-dance production numbers.

Photo by Alex Stroup.

Plumbing the depths of the picayune – Actually, we
don’t really care about this, but we do have a reputation to protect.
Above is the actual marquee currently on display at the El Capitan
theater. In a nice touch of synergy, Disney has updated the forced
perspective street-ending in DCA. One marquee is for Pirates
of the Caribbean (don’t know yet if we’ll like the movie,
but the trailer has restored hope) and the other for Finding
Nemo (shown below). See the problem? Whoever put up the DCA
marquee used the wrong billboard! Oh the humanity!

Photo by Alex Stroup.

Trading is back – Those disappeared pin trading carts
have returned in their new incarnation. May 25 through July 26
marks Mickey’s All-American Pin Festival. Throughout this period,
there will be a series of new releases and mini-events for pin
collectors and traders. One of the options available are official
Trading Boards that have been put in place of the previous pin
purchasing carts. They are located in Tomorrowland (Disneyland),
Sunshine Place (DCA), and near Y Arriba Y Arriba (Downtown Disney).

Photo by Alex Stroup.

Better late than never – This offer was announced on
Monday May 12, but slipped through the cracks here at MousePlanet.
But it is good through December 19, so it is doubtful that too
much time has been lost.

Graphic © Disney.

Through Friday, December 19, all active members of the United States
military (including Coast Guard and activated National Guard and
Reservists) qualify for Disney’s Armed Forces Salute and can claim
one free 3-day park-hopper tickets. Since the tickets expire
on December 19, you must claim them by December 17 to use all
three day’s worth. The passes can only be claimed at a park gate
ticket booth. To claim the passes, valid military ID must be shown;
activated National Guard and Reservists must also show their active
duty orders.

In addition to the one free pass, each qualifying person can also
purchase up to five 3-day companion passes for $39 each. If the
qualifying person cannot visit a park to purchase these companion
tickets, a spouse may do so instead.

Photo by Alex Stroup.

Super Soap Weekend – Soap opera stars again returned to DCA
this weekend. You could tell, because once again Disney made Woody
Harrelson jealous by using the Golden Gate Bridge as a big promotional
billboard.

Over the weekend, guests were able to meet their favorite ABC soap opera

stars for autographs, Q&A sessions, and photo opportunities. Each

day also included a parade of whatever stars were around that day.

From One Life to Live, Robert Woods and Shanelle Workman were on

hand for autographs. Photos by Alex Stroup.

Once again the event seemed to bring in decent crowds for the park,
but it didn’t appear overwhelmingly successful, either. Though
it could just be that all the guests were in line for autographs,
by midday on Sunday, the standby lines for most rides were still
pretty short and the crowds were not too overwhelming.

Show props from ABC Soap Operas. Photo by Alex Stroup.

In addition to meeting the stars, DCA went into the consignment
sales business, as many used wardrobe items were available for
purchase at the Greetings from California store. Based solely
on the evidence of dresses available for purchase, it does not
appear that soap operas employ adult-sized women for their shows.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through – indefinite
• Space Mountain – through 2005

It is just a big pile of dirt behind the construction wall in Frontierland.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo – indefinite

Future Attraction Closures

• Haunted Mansion – September 2 – October 4
• Indiana Jones Adventure – September 2 – October 24
• it’s a small world – October 6 – November 7

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.

Park Events

May 25 – July 26, 2003 – Mickey’s All American Pin Festival. A

series of new product releases and mini-events are scheduled during the

nine-week promotion. More details and a complete schedule of release dates

are available on our MousePad

message boards.

ABC Super Soap Weekends return to Disney’s California Adventure

this spring. Stars from All My Children and One Life To Live

will attend May 31 and June 1, while General Hospital and Port

Charles celebs will be featured on June 7 and 8. Hotel packages are

available for the event, and include an exclusive breakfast with the stars

and a commemorative gift. Further details are available on our MousePad

message boards. To book your package, call (714) 520-5050.

Thursday, June 26 – “A Taste of New England” culinary event

at the PCH Grill, featuring Chef Marcel St. Pierre (Club 33), with Wild

Horse Winery . Call 714-781-DINE for more information and reservations.

Wednesday, July 9 – Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse

of the Black Pearl – Merchandise Special Event.

Thursday, July 31 – “Grilling Under the Stars” culinary event

at the PCH Grill, featuring Chef Jason Martin (Hook’s Pointe), with Niebaum-Coppola

Winery.

Wednesday, October 1 – Haunted Mansion Holiday Exclusive Dinner

Thursday October 2 – Haunted Mansion Holiday Event

Tickets for the 2003 Haunted Mansion Holiday merchandise special

events go on sale Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. PDT. Disneyland is offering

four event packages, from $69 to $2250 per person. More details about

these events are available on our MousePad

message board, and at DisneyGallery.com.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Summer Annual Passholder special – The first

ticket promotion this summer is an Annual Passholder special. From May

21 to September 3, APs can purchase a 2-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper

for $69 (10+) and $49 (3-9). Just present your AP at any ticket booth.

Limit five tickets per Passholder, per day. Tickets are valid for 14 days

from date of first usage. First usage must be on date of purchase. Last

usage must be on or before Tuesday, September 16, 2003.

MouseSavers.com

reports hotel discounts through Expedia.com

for Disneyland Resort Hotels. Rates start at $136 per night.

New Annual Passholder discounts at Disneyland Resort

restaurants — or are there? A memo issued to hotel restaurants

last month detailed new

Annual Passholder discounts for many Disneyland Resort restaurants.

The discounts were to take effect on Monday, April 14. The biggest change

was that all passholders would receive at least a 10% discount at eight

locations, with premium passholders receiving a 15% discount at 12 locations.

Unfortunately, there is some confusion about these new discounts.

Some restaurants are already offering them, others claim that the discounts

take effect in May, while still others say that the discounts are not

changing at all. We’re trying to sort out the confusion for our readers.

Park hopping in Northern California – AAA members

in Northern California can now purchase 2-day Park Hopper tickets at their

local CSAA office. The tickets are available through Thursday, June 19.

The adult price is $99; children ages 3 to 9 pay $79.

This ticket is also available at Disneyland ticket booths,

or at Disneyland.com.

The second day of the ticket must be used within 13 days of the first

use.

Free coffee on Main Street, revisited – Receive a

free small coffee when you buy a mug at the Market House on Main Street,

USA. This offer is only valid at the Market House, and is for a limited

time only. The Market House has just begun serving the Mickey’s Really

Swell Coffees as part of this promotion. Now you can try the Disney Blend,

Disney Decaf, French Vanilla and Hazelnut flavors sold at the parks.

Annual passholder discounts at Alamo – California residents

get discounts of up to 20% off Alamo’s retail rates in the United States.

Disneyland annual passholders can get a free Disneyland Resort Character

Breakfast voucher when the rent their car for 3 days or more from March

24th through August 31, 2003 at the Los Angeles Airport location. For

more details and the discount code you’ll need for this offer, visit the

annual

passholder section of the Disneyland Web site.

ESPN Zone discounts for annual passholders – Disneyland annual

passholders can get an Season Ticket Frequent Dining Card at the Downtown

Disney ESPN Zone. The Season Ticket entitles you to a free soda with your

meal purchase of $6.99 or more. Once you have made four meal purchases,

you receive the fifth meal and soda free, and get a chance to win a pair

of tickets to the ESPY Awards in 2004. See location for more information

and details.

City Pass now available with AAA packages – You can now purchase

the Southern California CityPass with Walt Disney Travel Company packages.

With a Southern California CityPass booklet, you will receive admission

to five separate entertainment options. Admission includes:

• 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket
• 1-day ticket to Sea World Adventure park
• 1-day ticket to the World-famous San Diego Zoo
• 1-day ticket to Knott’s Theme Park.

Instead of the Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket currently included

in California packages from the Walt Disney Travel Company, guests can

select a Southern California CityPass for an additional charge of $47

per pass ($32 per pass for guests ages 3 through 9).

Note: The Southern California Citypass does not include the $10

ESPN Zone Arena Game Card, or the California package’s feature that allows

guests to collect multiple Fastpass tickets at once for free in advance.

Anaheim Marriott Disney Package available for Marriott Rewards members

– Make your Disneyland vacation as easy as saying “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”

with a Disneyland package at the Anaheim Marriott. For a low rate of $419,

through Saturday, May 31, you’ll find dreams really do come true with

this fabulously priced package.

Anaheim Disney Package includes:

• 2-nights in a luxury guest room
• 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper tickets for two adults
• Free breakfast for two adults
• Children aged 3 through 9 eat for $1

Some restrictions apply. Membership in the Marriott Rewards program

is required. Click to learn more about this offer and for complete terms

and conditions.

Alaska Airlines airfare and hotel specials – Alaska Airlines

is offering two specials for travel to the Disneyland Resort. A MousePad

member

alerted us that the airline is again offering the popular Kids

Fly Free special, which includes airfare, hotel, park-hopper tickets,

and more. This special offer can only be booked by calling Alaska Airlines

at 1-800-468-2248. Adults traveling without kids can take advantage of

other special hotel and air packages by booking at the Alaska

Airlines Web site.

The “Get a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket for the price of a 3-Day

ticket” promotion has been extended through January 5, 2004 –

These tickets are available when you order online from Disneyland.com.

Restrictions apply – see

site for details.

AAA Passport Plus Package – For $122.75, you can get a 5-day

park hopper and the following extras:

• Multiple attraction FastPass (The “Unlimited” option)
• Breakfast in the park (one per person)
• Free ESPN Zone arena game card ($10 value)
• AAA Free parking at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

A $13.75 FedEx fee applies to each reservation, (not per person). This

package is available without an air or hotel purchase, and must be purchased

at your local AAA affiliate office at least 5 days before you plan to

use the tickets.

Many readers have experienced difficulties when trying to purchase this

package from their local AAA affiliate. Be sure to read this

thread on our MousePad discussion boards, for more information

about the package and tips on how to help your AAA travel agent book your

package.

AAA / Disney’s Resort Magic Package – This package requires

a minimum 2-night hotel stay, and includes:

• Accommodations at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel,

  or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

• Disneyland Resort Hotel self-parking and Fitness Center access
• Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket – valid for entry into Disneyland

  park and Disney’s California Adventure park with full park-hopping privileges

• Free ESPN Zone Arena Game Card – $10 value (one per person)
• New. Collect FASTPASS tickets for multiple attractions at one time.

  Preferred Seating at a choice of select shows in Disney’s California

  Adventure

• Exclusive – Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard

  (one per person)

• Exclusive – Walt Disney Travel Company California Fun Book (one

  per package)

• Exclusive – Disneyland Resort Magical Pocket Guide (one per package)

You can book this package through your local AAA affiliate travel agent.

Park Hours/Blockout Dates

DL: Disneyland

DCA: Disney’s California Adventure

Annual pass blockout dates: SoCal
– Southern California Annual Pass. DX
– Deluxe Annual Pass

Visit our Annual
Passholders Blockout Dates 2003-2004 page to see more
dates.

Entertainment Schedule