Update for December 31, 2007 – January 6, 2008
Go directly to: News & Views | Current
Refurbishment/Attraction Closures
| Park Events
| Discounts and Promotions | Park
Schedule/Blockout Dates
News and Views
High winds scale back midnight New Year’s fireworks | Rose Bowl teams appear at Disneyland | NHL Stanley Cup and Ducks’ Brad May on Anaheim’s Rose Parade float | Christmas is over, time for Valentine’s | Walt Disney Home Entertainment partnering with Shutterfly | Side Street Strutters to perform in Scottsdale | 2008 Resort events announced
High winds scale back midnight New Year’s fireworks
As has been the case frequently over the past few weeks, high winds meant that Believe… In Holiday Magic and both performances of Fantasmic! were canceled altogether on New Year’s Eve, and the midnight fireworks were scaled back quite a bit—reportedly down to just a few low-level pyro shots in both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure (DCA) parks. One-day admissions for Disneyland were no longer available by 1:00 pm., but the park never reached capacity and was still allowing entry all day. This was also attributed to very high winds and chilly temperatures.
Rose Bowl teams appear at Disneyland
Prior to Tuesday’s Rose Bowl, representatives from both the University of Southern California Trojans and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini attended a traditional pre-game presentation in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, then rode Disneyland and DCA attractions and generally enjoyed a day off from pre-game training.
[Left to right] President of the 119th Tournament of Roses CL Keedy, Illinois Coach Ron Zook, USC Coach Pete Carroll, Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier, Mickey Mouse, and Disneyland Resort Ambassador Adonis Reeves gather at the Disneyland Resort to celebrate the University of Illinois and the University of Southern California’s Rose Bowl game meeting on January 1, 2008. Photo © Disney.
However, Dan Weber of the Riverside County Press-Enterprise reports that at least a few players shied away from the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (link).
This merchandise booth, set up in the Esplanade in the week before New Year’s Day, featured logo merchandise from both Rose Bowl teams. Photo by Andrew Rich.
NHL Stanley Cup and Ducks’ Brad May on Anaheim’s Rose Parade float
If you watched the annual Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day, you may have caught a brief glimpse of the City of Anaheim’s entry. Anaheim’s float, titled “Anaheim, the World’s Celebration Destination” and designed by Phoenix Decorating Company, featured Brad May of the Anaheim Ducks holding the National Hockey League Stanley Cup along with a miniature Sleeping Beauty Castle, and was the recipient of the Governor’s Award for “Best Depiction of Life in California” (link).
Christmas is over, time for Valentine’s
‘Twas the day after Christmas, and all ’round the Resort,
the lights were still lit though the season was short;
The clearance was on, the discounts a-plenty,
in hopes that the holiday shelves would be emptied.
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
…but a load of Valentine’s Day merchandise.
And I heard him exclaim, as he left on his sleigh,
“Easter is now less than three months away!”
Photo and doggerel (with apologies to Clement C. Moore) by Andrew Rich.
Walt Disney Home Entertainment partnering with Shutterfly
We received word about an interesting, though overly complicated cross-promotion between Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Shutterfly.com to give away $15 worth (roughly 50 photos) of online photo processing with post-holiday Disney DVD purchases. This means that when you are out doing your post-Christmas shopping for yourself (with gift cards, cash, or exchanging that sweater) you can save yourself a little extra cash on the inevitable developing of the 1000s of photos you took over the last month while picking up missing titles for your DVD collection. Promotional coupons are attached to many Disney DVDs currently in stores, including:
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (Widescreen)
- Herbie: Fully Loaded
- The Princess Diaries
- The Pacifier (Full-frame)
- The Parent Trap Special Double Trouble Edition (1998)
- Sky High (Full-frame)
- Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl
- National Treasure (Widescreen)
- Air Buddies
- Eight Below (Full-frame)
- Sweet Home Alabama
- Spy Kids / Spy Kids 2 (two movie collection)
- Various Baby Einsteins and Little Einsteins discs
Check inside the coupon insert for details and instructions to redeem your free online photo processing.
Side Street Strutters to perform in Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona residents missing the evening ambiance of New Orleans Square can catch the Side Street Strutters, Disneyland’s resident jazz combo, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm. (link).
2008 Resort events announced
Several Disneyland Resort events were announced this week, including the half-marathon weekend and a martial arts festival. Check the links below for more information, and we’ve also added these events to the Events listing of our weekly Park Update.
- WDCC “Jailhouse Scene with Dog” Product Release & Signing – Saturday, February 2, 2008 (link)
- Disneyland Martial Arts Festival – Saturday, February 16, 2008 (link)
- Robert Olszewski Product Release & Signing – Saturday, March 29, 2008 (link)
- Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – Friday, August 29 to Sunday Aug 31, 2008 (link)
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
- Haunted Mansion – closed January 7 to 24 to remove the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
- Mark Twain Riverboat – closed January 14 to 17 for refurbishment
- Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor – closed January 14 to 18 for refurbishment
- “it’s a small world” – closes January 22 for a nine-month refurbishment, and should re-open in late October 2008.
- Jungle Cruise – closed January 28 to March 7 for refurbishment.
Disney’s California Adventure
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue closed through February 14, 2008
- Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! – closed February 12 to March 13 for refurbishment.
- Corn Dog Castle – closed February 26 to 29.
- Four of the Midway Games on Paradise Pier are open but the rest are closed, with the new Toy Story Mania attraction still under construction and expected to open next summer.
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.
February
- Unofficial Homeschool Day at Disneyland – Friday February 1st, 2008. This event is open to all homeschool and alternative schooling families (link).
- WDCC “Jailhouse Scene with Dog” Product Release & Signing – Saturday, February 2, 2008 (link)
- Disneyland Martial Arts Festival – Saturday, February 16, 2008 (link)
- Peter Pan 55th Anniversary product release and signing – Saturday, February 23, 2008 (link)
March
- Robert Olszewski Product Release & Signing – Saturday, March 29, 2008 (link)
April
- Julie Andrews appearance and book signing – Tuesday, April 8, 2008 (link)
- MouseAdventure – Sunday, April 13, 2008 (link)
Spring / Summer 2008
- Disney’s California Food & Wine Weekends – Spring 2008 (dates not yet announced) (link)
- Disney Magic returns to Pacific Ocean itineraries – May 25 to August 17, 2008.
August
- Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – Friday, August 29 to Sunday, August 31, 2008 (link)
- 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 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).
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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. |
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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. | |
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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). |
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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). |
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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. |
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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 Resort Magic and Good Neighbor Magic Packages – Package includes accomodations one of the three resort hotels or at one of 40 Good Neighbor hotels; Souvenir Park Hopper ticket with voucher for admission to Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness, plus one Magic Morning (early entry) for three-day or longer Park Hoppers; preferred seating at four DCA attractions (Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, Muppet*Vision 3D, It’s Tough to be a Bug!, Golden Dreams); Preferred Showing of Turtle Talk with Crush (Priority Viewing at the first Turtle Talk with Crush show of the day, on any one day – one voucher per Guest); Disney Dream coin keepsake (one per package), luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card; and a “Character Call” from Mickey, Minnie, Goofy or Crush. Contact Disney Travel or your favorite travel agent.
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
| 12/30 | 12/31 | 1/1 | 1/2 | 1/3 | 1/4 | 1/5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL: 8a–12a
DCA: 10a–10p SL/SC/DX |
DL: 8a-2a DCA: 10a–1a SL/SC/DX |
DL: 8a–12a DCA: 10a–9p SL/SC
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DL: 8a–12a DCA: 10a–9p SL/SC
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DL: 8a–12a DCA: 10a–9p SL/SC
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DL: 8a–12a DCA: 10a–9p SL/SC |
DL: 8a–12a DCA: 10a–9p SL/SC |
| 1/6 | 1/7 | 1/8 | 1/9 | 1/10 | 1/11 | 1/12 |
|
DL: 8a–11p DCA: 10a–8p SL |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p
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DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–8p
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DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–8p SL/SC |
| 1/13 | 1/14 | 1/15 | 1/16 | 1/17 | 1/18 | 1/19 |
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DL: 8a–11p DCA: 10a–8p SL |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p
|
DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–8p
|
DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–8p SL/SC |
| 1/20 | 1/21 | 1/22 | 1/23 | 1/24 | 1/25 | 1/26 |
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DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–8p SL/SC |
DL: 9a–10p DCA: 10a–8p SL |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p
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DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–8p
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DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–8p 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.
