Disneyland Park Update

Cars Land

KA-CHOW!—As part of an all-new 12-acre area called Cars Land, Radiator Springs Racers will be a major new “E-ticket” attraction at Disney’s California Adventure. Guests will take a trip into the world of Mater, Lightning McQueen and the gang from the Disney·Pixar film Cars, and race around hairpin turns and steep banks. ©2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

• Twelve acres of the existing parking lot behind Disney’s California Adventure will be annexed to create Cars Land.
• Radiator Springs Racers will be the signature “E” Ticket ride in this new land. Concept art makes this ride look like a cross between Autopia and Test Track.
• Two additional family-friends Cars-themed rides will be built in the area.
• The Orange County Register reports that Cars Land will be one of the last projects completed, and likely will not open until 2012.

Paradise Pier

©2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

• The previously announced Toy Story Mania attraction is scheduled to open in 2008.
• A “major ride” based on The Little Mermaid will replace the Golden Dreams Theater.
• Disney’s World of Color, a nighttime water-and-light show, will be staged nightly in Paradise Bay.
• The viewing area around the Paradise Bay amphitheater will be developed to accommodate up to 9,000 spectators.

©2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Additional enhancements

• “Playhouse Disney” will be updated with a new show.
• New dining and shopping venues will open throughout the park.
• A preview center will open in late 2008 to show models and concept art from the expansion.

None of the official Disney press releases discuss the budget for this plan, but various reports put the number at $1.1 to $1.2 billion. The cost of the entire Disneyland Resort expansion project—including the construction of Disney’s California Adventure as well as the Grand Californian Hotel and Downtown Disney—is pegged at $1.4 billion, making this renovation almost twice as expensive as the park’s original construction budget. Disney did not provide a timeline for the project, but published reports say that work will begin in late 2008 and continue in phases through 2012.

The de-emphasis of Disney’s California Adventure in the headline of Disney’s press release speaks volumes about the spin the company is taking on this project—it is neither “rebuilding” nor “reworking” Disney’s California Adventure but instead, “expanding” the Disneyland Resort. In fact, Disney’s California Adventure isn’t even mentioned until the second paragraph. Taken at face value, this entire thing is all part of a master plan to build the Disneyland Resort as a multi-day vacation destination—not another effort to repair a park that company executives still won’t publicly admit is struggling.

One thing stands out from this announcement: Imagineers are trying very hard to expand the presence of Walt Disney—both the man and the myth—into this park. Where Disneyland is a stylized re-creation of Walt’s childhood home, the new Disney’s California Adventure will depict Walt’s professional roots. It’s as if all of the consumer research reports came back with a finding that people just don’t have and are not developing an affinity for Disney’s California Adventure, and so Imagineering decided to amp up the nostalgia level with a heavy dose of Walt lore. It’s hard to know how well this will play, but I suspect die-hard Disney fans will see right through it, while average day guests won’t care.

As announced, the plan is somewhat underwhelming. Sure, there’s an intriguing new main gate, but the challenge with Disney’s California Adventure’s has never been aesthetics, but turning the entrance into a copy of Disney-MGM Studios is not going to solve any of the park’s more serious problems. On the other hand, a front-entrance face lift will send the signal to returning visitors that things have changed.

Most visitors complain of a lack of new and innovative rides, but there are only four new attractions mentioned as part of this expansion. Critics snarked that shops and restaurants nearly outnumbered rides when the park first opened. True, the park has since swung to the other extreme by closing too many dining venues, but few people are going to plan a trip just to see what new counter-service restaurant has opened.

The most exciting thing to come from this announcement is confirmation of Disney’s World of Color. The first attempt to place a major show in Paradise Bay, the ill-fated Luminaria, amply demonstrated that the venue was not build for the purpose. Steven Davidson, Luminaria’s creator and the creative genius behind the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay and new generation of Disney pyrotechnic shows, probably knows the challenges better than anyone, and the concept art looks promising.

But the press release leaves a lot of questions unanswered. There is no definitive timeline for the work—some have said that the bulldozers will move in as soon as the holiday decorations are gone, some claim that no real work will begin until after the 2008 HalloweenTime promotion is complete. There are no plans to close Disney’s California Adventure during the renovation, and it seems likely that the work will have to progress in such a manner that the park can absorb seasonal and holiday crowds. Plus, nothing has been announced for Disneyland Park itself, leaving some to wonder if Walt’s original park will be neglected as it was when Disney’s California Adventure was under construction.

The announced projects cannot account for the entire expansion budget, and there are entire sections of the park that were seemingly ignored. Despite the “placemaking” initiatives of the past year, the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area still sports an empty show building, a deserted restaurant complex and a Broadway-quality theater that lacks both restrooms and a lobby. There have been hints that this is just the first in a series of announcements about new projects for Disney’s California Adventure, which has led many of our readers to ask why Disney felt the need to announce anything right now.

The answer is simple—marketing. Disneyland’s 50th anniversary is over, and the “Year of a Million Dreams” promotion is really a global marketing campaign. The Subs have been back for months, and there’s really nothing to say about the Disneyland Resort now. Far from being a premature announcement, last week’s press release was just another salvo in what is shaping up to be a five-year marketing blitz. The campaign really began last month when Disney announced the expansion of the Grand Californian Hotel and the new Disney Vacation Club property, and is likely to conclude with an announcement of a permanent Disney Cruise Line presence in California.

An over-the-fence view into the Disney Vacation Club construction at the Grand Californian Hotel. Photo by Bill Allen.

Sound a little too contrived? For a moment, put aside any knowledge you have of this project, and pretend that the extent of your Disney news comes from whatever you read or hear in your local media. Unless you live close to Southern California, your local media likely ran a paraphrase of the Disney press release. When and if Joe Consumer picks up on that report, his first thought isn’t likely, “isn’t that the park that isn’t doing so well? Well it’s about time they put some money into it.” No, Disney is banking that Joe Consumer will hear that report and think, “Wow, they’re expanding Disneyland? You know, we’ve been talking about taking the kids there.”

If Disney manages this carefully, they have a steady supply of talking points to last through Disneyland’s 55th anniversary. Anytime they want to create a little chatter about the Disneyland Resort, they can just reach into their bucket of “things we haven’t officially announced yet” and send another flurry of press releases on their way. The Disney’s California Adventure expansion project may take some hits in the local media, but the locals really aren’t the intended audience for this particular message. As it works to position itself as a multi-day vacation destination, and looks to take advantage of the foreign tourism potential created by the dollar’s current standing on the international market, the Disneyland Resort is casting a much, much wider net.

[Editor note: the Orange County Register has created an excellent map detailing the Disney’s California Adventure expansion project (link).]

Candlelight package rumors

Just after last week’s Disneyland Park Update was published, we learned that Candlelight choir cast members were told that actress Jane Seymour would narrate this year’s Candlelight Processional. Disney has not yet made a public announcement about this year’s event, but a reader alerted us that she had read a rumor regarding this year’s dining package offer. According to the rumor, Disney is ditching the registration program that caused so many problems last year, and will offer Candlelight packages on Tickets.com.

Three levels of tickets will be offered:

• $75 per person – includes dinner at Storytellers Cafe or Hook’s Point ($25 increase from 2006)
• $100 per person – includes dinner at Steakhouse 55, Vineyard Room or Yamabuki ($25 increase from 2006)
• $125 per person – includes dinner at Napa Rose, available to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders only (same price as 2006)

Tickets will be offered starting Monday, November 19 at 10 a.m. (PDT) through Tickets.com. The company requires customers to register for an account when purchasing tickets, so you might want to take a few moments to create an account before the date of sale. The demand for these tickets was enough to crush Disney’s server last year, and the event sold out in three days.

We do not know if there will be a child’s ticket available, or how the dinner seatings will be assigned. Last year, diners were assigned to one of two seatings, with those attending the earliest show eating at 3:30 in the afternoon. This caused a number of complaints from people who would have preferred to enjoy their meal in the evening after the event.

SunCal to collect signatures

SunCal-backed group known as the Committee to Protect and Defend Anaheim (CPDA) has withdrawn its request asking the Anaheim City Council to place their “Anaheim Voter Empowerment Initiative” directly on the ballot, circumventing the need to collect signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot. The AVE would require Anaheim voters to specifically approve any development on 53 acres of land (the former strawberry field, or what the initiative refers to as “Farm Property”) owned by Disney near the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue, and was drafted to counter a Disney measure that targets a SunCal project. The Orange County Register reported last week that CPDA will instead collect signatures in an effort to qualify the measure for the ballot.

Disneyland Holiday Time Tour details

This year’s version of the Disneyland Holiday Time Tour begins on November 17, which is the same day that Christmas festivities officially begin at the Resort. You won’t find the parade listed on Disneyland.com until after Halloween, but the tour can be booked as early as 30 days out. With that in mind, we’ve done a little digging and have the following details for you about the tour:

The Disneyland Holiday Time Tour is available twice daily from November 17 through January 7, and costs $55 per person; Annual Passholders can purchase discounted tickets for $47.20. The tour runs 2 1/2 hours and starts at 1:00 and 4:15 pm, timed to coincide with the daily Christmas Fantasy parade. While on the tour, you’ll view the parade from a special seating area, ride “it’s a small world” Holiday and the Haunted Mansion Holiday and receive a special pin along with a Christmassy dessert and beverage. The tour is limited to fifteen guests per session and is expected to sell out quickly. To book, call (714) 781-4400 and ask for the Disneyland Holiday Time tour.

This and That

…The Indiana Jones Adventure and the Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island both repoened last week.

…The Disneyland Resort’s new purchase-with-purchase offer is the opportunity to purchase a set of four holiday inspired retro tin plates (in a tin container) for $10 with each purchase of $50 in a single merchandise transaction, before tax and after discounts, at one of the qualifying locations. The promotion runs from November 4 through December 24, 2007, or until supplies last. Qualifying locations and pictures of the plates are available on the Disney Gallery Web page (link). Thanks to MousePlanet reader cstephens for the link.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• River Belle Terrace closed through December 14 for remodel.
• Alice in Wonderland closed through November 20.
• “it’s a small world” closed October 22 – November 8 to install the holiday overlay, then reportedly will close at the end of January 2008 for a nine-month refurbishment, and should re-open in late October.
• Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor closed January 7-24 for refurbishment
• Mark Twain Riverboat closed January 7-10 for refurbishment
• Haunted Mansion closed January 7-24 to remove the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
• Space Mountain closed January 15 & 16

Work continues on Riverbelle Terrace. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney’s California Adventure

• California Screamin’ may open at 1:00 PM Monday – Friday through Fall 2007 due to construction for Toy Story Mania!
• Golden Dreams closed November 1 & 2 to remove the Halloween show.
• Disney Animation (the Snow White exhibit) closed November 10-15.
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue will be closed from November 26 at least through the end of January, 2008.
• 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.

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.

Construction on Midway Madness continues in DCA’s Paradise Pier. Photo by Bill Allen.

Events

If you know of any events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, let us know.

October

• Mickey’s Halloween Treat. October 26; 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM and October 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.
• Nevada Day. Friday, October 26. All Nevada public schools closed to commemorate the admission of the state of Nevada into the union, possibly resulting in unusually high crowd levels at the Disneyland Resort (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 11-15, so crowds may be more dispersed throughout the month than in past years.

November

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 70th Anniversary Celebration. November 16, 2007. See MousePlanet’s October 2, 2007 Disneyland Resort update for details (link).

December

• Candlelight Processional Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2. Jane Seymour was announced to the choir as the narrator.
• Jim Shore product release and signing. Saturday, December 1.

February 2008

• Unofficial Homeschool Day at Disneyland. Friday February 1st, 2008. This event is open to all homeschool and alternative schooling families (link).

Spring 2008

• Disney’s California Food & Wine Weekends. Spring 2008 (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 or 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 Disney’s California Adventure 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.

Fourth 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 Disney’s California Adventure 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.

Fourth 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 Disney’s California Adventure 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 membershave 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.

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, 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 two 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

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.