Disneyland Park Update

Update for December 10 – 16, 2007

Go directly to: News & Views | Current

Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events

| Discounts and Promotions | Park

Schedule/Blockout Dates

News and Views

Disneyland files for liquor license; no protests needed | River Belle Terrace refurbishment almost done | Two hotel plans submitted for Anaheim GardenWalk | SunCal asks for new vote on resort housing plan opposed by Disney | AMTRAK offers free companion fare to military | Carlsbad Planning Commission backs Legoland proposals | Disneyland’s Napa Rose Restaurant Manager Designated Master Sommelier | Breakfast with Santa promotion at Naples Ristorante in Downtown Disney

Disneyland files for liquor license; no protests needed

The Disneyland Resort has filed for a liquor license for Disneyland Park,

and the required public notice posting seems to be causing some raised eyebrows.

In fact, we’re told this license is intended only to cover special events

inside Disneyland, like movie premieres and private parties. Previously, they

have just pulled a special permit for each event; now they will have a standing

park-wide permit. Alcohol will not be sold during normal operating hours at

Disneyland, with the usual exception of Club 33, so you won’t be able to get

a mimosa at River Belle Terrace when it reopens.

Don’t be alarmed, this public notice posting is only a technicality. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

River Belle Terrace refurbishment almost done

Speaking of the River Belle Terrace—closed since August for a major

remodel and scheduled to open this Friday—we are trying to find out if

the reopening has been delayed but cannot get a straight answer. Based on

these photos taken last Thursday, it’s hard to see how the project can be

completed in time, but we’ve been surprised before by Disney’s round-the-clock

deadline pushes. We’ll know for sure next weekend.

The River Belle Terrace’s riverside patio is still under construction. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney contractors work on the new roof at River Belle Terrace. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Two hotel plans submitted for Anaheim GardenWalk

The Orange County Register reports (link)

that Prospera Hotels last week turned in proposals to the city to build two

hotels at GardenWalk. It’s rumored that these hotels will be operated by Disney,

but both Prospera and Disney declined to comment on this. The new hotels will

both be 12 stories; one with 400 rooms, the other with 466.

SunCal asks for new vote on resort housing plan opposed by Disney

Both the Los Angeles Times (link) and Orange County Register (link)

noted this week that despite SunCal’s letter to the Anaheim City Council dropping

its interest in residential zoning in the Disneyland Resort, the developer isn’t

giving up after all. The earlier action was a result of of a property dispute

between SunCal and the current owner of the property in question, and the City

Council also removed the referendum on the issue that had been scheduled for

the June 2008 ballot. The new request from SunCal claims the Council’s decision

violates federal and state housing laws by “denying affordable housing to low,

very-low and moderate-income families and individuals.”

Meanwhile, the citizen group started by SunCal announced their intention to gather signatures for a measure that would require voter approval of a Disney theme park in the current strawberry field on South Harbor Blvd.

AMTRAK offers free companion fare to military

Amtrak is offering a free companion fare coupon for rail travel on the Pacific Surfliner, the San Joaquin and the Capitol Corridor. Amtrak invites all active and retired military, military dependents and DOD employees to take a companion free on any of these three trains. Coupons are available at MWR Ticket Offices on San Diego naval bases. The Pacific Surfliner is the easiest way to go to Disneyland in Anaheim, or to Los Angeles or Santa Barbara for a getaway weekend. The free companion fare coupon is good for travel through June 2008. (link)

Carlsbad Planning Commission backs Legoland proposals

Legoland may offer pirate-themed camp-outs and also be able to get speedier

approval for new attractions under a proposal approved by Carlsbad’s city Planning

Commission. The proposal, which now heads to the Carlsbad City Council for a

vote, calls for a faster-track approval process for new rides within the park’s

core 35-acre interior; under current regulations adopted while the park was

under construction in the late 1990s, any new ride must go through the city

extensive public review process. Legoland is also now asking for permission

for a campground program that could accommodate up to 275 people a night in

80 to 85 tents; the park isn’t currently allowed to have overnight guests. Nightly

camp-out sessions would mostly take place during the summer and would only be

open to amusement park visitors, said park general manager John Jakobsen (link).

Disneyland’s Napa Rose Restaurant Manager Designated Master Sommelier

Michael Jordan, restaurant manager of Napa Rose at the Grand Californian Hotel,

was recently awarded the coveted Master Sommelier title from the Court of Master

Sommeliers. The distinction marks the highest recognition of wine, spirits,

beverage service abilities and professionalism in the hospitality trade. If

you’d like to see the examination Jordan had to ace for the Master Sommelier

award, check it out on the CMS Web site (link).

Breakfast with Santa promotion at Naples Ristorante in Downtown Disney

Naples Ristorante at Downtown Disney presents “Breakfast with Santa”

on Saturday, December 22, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The $34.95 price

includes a mimosa or glass of champagne ($15.95 for children 11 and under, but with no champagne). The

breakfast menu includes an arugula salad with red wine-poached Bosc pears, caramelized

pecans and Gorgonzola cheese, wood oven-roasted potatoes with bell peppers,

garlic and Parmesan cheese, and a frittata station along with several other

delectable-sounding choices (PDF

link).

Catal, also owned and operated by Patina Group, is offering special Christmas

Eve, Christmas Day (PDF

link) and New Year’s Eve (PDF

link) dinner menus. Naples and Tortilla Jo’s will also be open for Christmas

Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve for their regular hours (11:00 a.m. to

11:00 p.m.). Reservations for all of these events are available at the Patina

Group’s Web site (link)

or by calling 866-9-PATINA (866-972-8462).

One of the many cats that live at the Disneyland Resort waits for bits of chicken

outside White Water Snacks. Photo by Bill Allen.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• River Belle Terrace

  – closed through December 14 for remodel.

• Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor

  – closed January 14 to 18 for refurbishment

• Mark Twain Riverboat

  – closed January 14 to 17 for refurbishment

• Haunted Mansion –

  closed January 7 to 24 to remove the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.

• Jungle Cruise – closed January

  28 to March 7 for refurbishment.

• “it’s a small world”

  – closes January 22 for a nine-month refurbishment, and should re-open

  in late October 2008.

Before Monsters Inc: Mike & Sully to the Rescue closed for refurbishment, cranky office manager Roz got into the Christmas spirit. Photo by Bill Allen.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the

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

• Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage!

  – closed February 12 to March 13 for refurbishment.

• Corn Dog Castle – closed

  February 26 to 29.

• 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.

Events

If you know of any events, official or unofficial, that should be listed

here, let us know.

December

• 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 to 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)

• MouseAdventure – Sunday April 13, 2008. Additional details will

  be announced at a later date.

Summer 2008

• Disney Magic returns to Pacific Ocean itineraries –

  May 25 to August 17, 2008.

• 2008 Disneyland Half Marathon – Sunday, August 31,

  2008 (link)

While construction inside Fort Wilderness continues, a new companion restroom has opened outside the fort. Photo by Bill Allen.

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

Disney’s 2007-2008 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 Tuesday, November 13, 2007 and are good

through February 28, 2008, with the exception of block-out dates of November

22-25, 2007; December 8-9, 2007; December 25, 2007 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).

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 accommodations; 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 accommodating; 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 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.