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Disneyland Park Update

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Update for November 12-18, 2007

Go directly to: News & Views | Current

Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events

| Discounts and Promotions | Park

Schedule/Blockout Dates

News and Views

Disney’s Wildfire Heroes Salute

| Remembering Bruce Gordon | Christmas

comes to Disney’s California Adventure… | … and to Disneyland | Holiday nights

at Disneyland | This and That

Disney’s Wildfire Heroes Salute

The Disneyland Resort is offering Southern California firefighters, law

enforcement and rescue workers a complimentary three-day Park Hopper ticket

valid as part of the Disney’s Wildfire Heroes Salute. The tickets are valid

starting tomorrow, Tuesday, November 13, and are good through February 28,

2008, with the exception of block-out dates of November 22-25; December

8-9; December. 25 to January 6, 2008; and February 15-17, 2008. Eligible

emergency personnel may also purchase of up to five additional three-day

Park Hopper tickets for $56 each, a substantial discount from the regular

$189 cost.

Complete program details, including residency requirements and purchasing

limits, are available at the Disneyland Web site (link).

Remembering Bruce Gordon

After we published last week’s Disneyland Park Update we received news

that former Disney Imagineer Bruce Gordon passed away last weekend. He was

56. Bruce was most recently working as show producer and creative consultant

for The Walt Disney Family Museum. MousePlanet will have more about Bruce

Gordon’s extensive contribution to the Disney theme parks soon.

Bruce Gordon, shown here with a model of Splash Mountain, died last week

at age 56. Photo © Disney.

A memorial service is scheduled this afternoon, Monday November 12th at

2:00 pm at Forest Lawn – Glendale in the Church of the Recessional (1712

S. Glendale Ave. Glendale, 91205).

Christmas comes to Disney’s California Adventure

We continue our series on the transformation from HalloweenTime to Christmas

time with photos from Disney’s California Adventure. Click on any photo

below to view a larger version. Many of the large decor elements have been

installed in A Bug’s Land, the Hollywood Backlot District and the Golden

State area. Still to come: the sets for Santa’s Beach Blast inside

the entrance to Disney’s California Adventure.

The Golden Gate Bridge is the highlight of the DCA entrance. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Garlands festoon the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Hollywood entrance glitters with golden decorations. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Hollywood Boulevard is decorated in classic Southern California style. Photo

by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Tinsel and banners festoon the light poles along Hollywood Boulevard. Photo

by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Colorful decorations on the colorful buildings of the Golden State district.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Flik puts the finishing touch on the bug’s land decorations. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

A pile of ornaments looms over the bug’s land visitors.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Meanwhile, back at Disneyland…

More of the Main

Street decorations were in place, and work has begun on Santa’s Reindeer

Round-up. The Christmas tree and garlands across Main Street will be installed

this week. Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams is now on hiatus, and the first

performance of the Christmas Fantasy Parade is next Friday at 3:30 p.m.

The first showing of the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks

Spectacular is scheduled for Friday at 9:25 p.m., weather permitting.

Main Street was bustling last Friday with preparations for the taping of

the Disneyland portions of the Walt Disney World Christmas Special. A small

stage was erected in Town Square, with a much larger set in front of Sleeping

Beauty Castle. Ryan Seacrest hosts this year’s special, which includes performances

by Josh Groban and appearances by the cast of High School Musical 2.

Most of the HSM:2 cast, with the exception of Zac Efron, were on hand for

Saturday’s taping. (The Web site celebrity-gossip.net reports that Zac was

meeting in Los Angeles with High School Musical directos Kenny Ortega on

Saturday, and has photos of the duo that show Ortega carrying a script labeled

“HSM3.”)

The Walt Disney World Christmas Special will air on ABC stations on Christmas

Day.

Workers construct a small stage on Main Street for the Walt Disney World

Christmas Special. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The stage is set for the Disneyland portions of the Walt Disney World Christmas

Special. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Garlands of green were added to Sleeping Beauty Castle, but the icicles

are missing. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Holiday nights at the Disneyland Resort

MousePlanet staff member Karl Buiter submitted these evening photos of

the Disneyland Resort holiday decorations. We’ll have more photos in an

upcoming Park Update once the final decorations are in place.

Sleeping Beauty Castle glows at night. Photo by Karl Buiter.

The Downtown Disney trees glow with lights and twinkling ornaments. Photo

by Karl Buiter.

The Golden Gate Bridge twinkles above the DCA entrance. Photo by Karl Buiter.

The entrance to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot is somewhat more impressive

at night. Photo by Karl Buiter.

it’s a small world holiday reopened Friday, to the delight of large crowds.

Photo by Karl Buiter.

Twinkle lights and garlands cover the streets of New Orleans Square. Photo

by Karl Buiter.

A pretty tree twinkles in front of Mickey’s Toontown house. Photo by Karl

Buiter.

This and That

…We’ve heard that Disneyland may be testing the “Believe… in Holiday

Magic” fireworks right after park closing this coming Wednesday, November

14. Disneyland closes at 8pm and the test is scheduled for 9:15pm, but the

fireworks will be visible from the Esplanade and Downtown Disney.

…The Disneyland Resort reburbishment scheduled has itself undergone some

major changes in recent weeks. The 2-day Space Mountain closure in January

is off the schedule, and dates for the Gibson Girl and Mark Twain refurbishments

have shifted. The Jungle Cruise will be closed for at least one month, and

“it’s a small world” begins a nine-month renovation on January 25.

…Tickets for the 2007 Candlelight Ceremony and Procession go on sale

next Monday, November 19 at 10am. Details are available in the Annual Passholder

section of the Disneyland.com Web site. (link)

Tickets will be sold through www.disneyland.com/candlelight. Candlelight

will be presented December 1 and 2, 2007 inside Disneyland.

To recap, 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)

All prices include nonalcoholic beverage, tax and gratuity. Diners must

purchase their tickets in the same transaction in order to be seated together,

and there is a limit of 6 tickets per transaction.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

The Annual Pass redemption center at DCA usually offers a much shorter line.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney’s California Adventure

  • Disney Animation (the

    Snow White exhibit) closed November 10 – 15.

  • Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to

    the Rescue closed November 26, 2007 – February 14, 2008

  • Corn Dog Castle closed January 28 – February 1.
  • 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.

Disney

Visa cardmembers can participate in a special character meet opportunity.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Chip and Dale wait patiently to greet Disney Visa cardmembers in a quiet corner

of DCA. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

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.

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. 9 AM to 11 AM at the Disneyana Shop inside Disneyland park and 1:30 PM

    to 3:30 PM at the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney. Note: admission

    is required to attend the Disneyland signing, but is not required for the

    Downtown Disney signing.

  • Jane Seymour product release and signing. Sunday, December 2, 10

    AM – Noon. Artwork released at this summer’s canceled Jane Seymour breakfast

    event will again be available for purchase. (link)

  • Precious Moments Disney Theme Park Exclusive Product Release. Friday,

    December 14. These park-exclusive sculptures will also be offered at Walt

    Disney World, and can be pre-ordered November 6 – December 6 through the

    Disney Gallery Web site. (link)

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.

  • 2008 Disneyland Half Marathon. Sunday, August 31, 2008 (link)

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).

One Day, One Park Regularly $66/$56

One Day Park Hopper

Regularly $91/$81

Southern California 1–Day Park Hopper – Disney is not currently offering a discounted 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, e-mail us to let us know.

Two Day Park Hopper

Regularly $132/$112

 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 Hopper

Regularly $189/$159

Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($169/$139) – 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)

Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($169/$139) Effective January 3, 2008

2008 “2 Days Free” offer – Buy a 3-day Parkhopper ticket and receive a 5-day Parkhopper Bonus ticket which includes one Early Entry admission. The Spring promotion is available starting January 7, and tickets must be purchased in advance – this offer is not valid at the Disneyland Resort ticket booth. 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.

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).

You can also purchase the Southern California City Pass 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).

Four Day Park Hopper

Regularly $214/$184

Advance Purchase 4–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($184/$154) – 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).

Advance Purchase 4-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($184/$154) Effective January 3, 2008

2008 “2 Days Free” offer – Buy a 4-day Parkhopper ticket and receive a 6-day Parkhopper Bonus ticket which includes one Early Entry admission. The Spring promotion is available starting January 7, and tickets must be purchased in advance – this offer is not valid at the Disneyland Resort ticket booth. 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.

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).

Five Day Park Hopper

Regularly $234/$204

Advance Purchase 5–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($194/$164) – 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).

Advance Purchase 5-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($194/$164) Effective January 3, 2008

2008 “2 Days Free” offer – Buy a 5-day Parkhopper ticket and receive a 7-day Parkhopper Bonus ticket which includes one Early Entry admission. The Spring promotion is available starting January 7, and tickets must be purchased in advance – this offer is not valid at the Disneyland Resort ticket booth. 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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

  11/12 11/13 11/14 11/15 11/16 11/17
 

DL: 8a–10p

DCA: 10a–7p

SL/SC

DL: 10a–8p

DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p

DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p

DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

SL/SC
11/18 11/19 11/20 11/21 11/22 11/23 11/24
DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

SL/SC

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

SL/SC/DX

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

SL/SC/DX

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

SL/SC/DX
11/25 11/26 11/27 11/28 11/29 11/30 12/1
DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

SL/SC

DL: 8a–8p

DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 8a–8p

DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 8a–8p

DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

SL/SC
12/2 12/3 12/4 12/5 12/6 12/7 12/8
DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

SL

DL: 9a–6p

DCA: 10a–9p

DL: 9a–6p

DCA: 10a–9p

DL: 10a–8a

DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8a

DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

DL: 8a–12a

DCA: 10a–9p

SL/SC

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.

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