Update for January 14 – 20, 2008
Go directly to: News & Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts and Promotions | Park Schedule/Blockout Dates
News and Views
Are you game? MouseAdventure registration opens January 29 | New Magic Morning schedule at Disneyland | Google comes to Disneyland | Dream Time event at Disney’s California Adventure | Floral Mickey gets an extreme makeover | This and That
Are you game? MouseAdventure registration opens January
29
Mark your calendars: registration for the Spring 2008 MouseAdventure will
begin on Tuesday, January 29. Our Fall 2007 event sold out in just 44 hours,
so don’t miss out. The Spring event will be held on Sunday, April 13 at the
Disneyland Resort. To keep the game fresh, interesting and accessible for
veteran players and newcomers alike, we’re offering three divisions for this
event:
MouseAdventure Basic – Designed for returning teams, MouseAdventure Basic includes the core quests, along with trivia and other activities. This event will be based on our Classic MouseAdventure format, and will take teams throughout Disneyland Park and the Downtown Disney district. (If you are buying single-day admission to play, you do not need a parkhopper ticket.)
MouseAdventure Advanced – Includes all of the elements of the Basic category, plus an extra helping of Advanced quests. We recommend this category if you are in a veteran team, or crave an even greater challenge.
New! MouseAdventure 101 – A new division designed specifically for new MouseAdventure teams, MouseAdventure 101 provides a “taste” of MouseAdventure in a shorter event held completely inside Disney’s California Adventure. (If you are buying single-day admission to play, you do not need a parkhopper ticket.) This event will include game elements used in past MouseAdventures, and is not recommended for returning teams.
Teams that include children under 13 can register for either the Basic, Advanced or 101 divisions, and will be ranked against the other Family teams in their division. Additional details about this event are available on the MouseAdventure information page. If you hope to join us for this event, we recommend that you read through this information before registration begins so you can be prepared to register your team on the 29th.
New Magic Morning schedule at Disneyland
Disneyland has changed the days on which Magic Mornings (previously Early Entry)
is offered. Magic Mornings are now available on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday of each week. Toontown Morning Madness is still offered on Monday,
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Out with the old, in with the new – the new Year of a Million Dreams decorations
and the remnants of the holiday decorations are visible on Main Street. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix
Google comes to Disneyland
A few readers have noted that Disneyland opens and closes an hour early on
Tuesday, Febuary 5. The change to the park schedule is as a result of a private
party for the employees of search engine Google, out of Mountain View, California.
According to other readers who have friends and family who work for Google,
the company has reserved large blocks of rooms at the Disneyland Resort hotels
for employees. In addition to the private party on Tuesday, Google employees
will likely be at the resort February 4, 5 and 6. This all has some concerned
that the crush of Google employees and families will create huge crowds during
what is normally a very quiet week at the resort, but one source at Disneyland
says that the resort is not expecting a major impact.
Disney Clothiers receives a facelift. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix
Dream Time at Disney’s California Adventure
One of the prizes in the new Year of a Million Dreams promotion, Dream Time is an after-hours event where winners can spend an extra hour inside Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure after the park closes. MousePlanet reader “cja1899” was one of the 2,000 visitors who won tickets to the first Dream Time event at Disney’s California Adventure, and posted this report on our MousePad discussion boards:
I’m a pin collector and decided that I was going to go on one of my usual pin walks yesterday. I always hope that around the corner the dream squad would be there to hand me a random prize. In the past I’ve won ears and the pin lanyard but yesterday I got something I had never seen before. I walked around the corner from McDonald’s to Pizza Om Mow Mow in DCA. Standing there were two dream squad members handing out lanyards, I thought oh awesome, Fastpasses, but it was different, a larger single rectangle pass.
The front said Disney’s Califorina Adventures Dream Time event with the year of a Million Dreams Logo, on the back had this information:
Congratulations!
Have you ever dreamed of staying in a Disney Park after closing time to experience the magic just a little bit longer?
Well, that dream is about to come true during tonight’s Special Park Dream Time Event – created just for you as part of the 2008 Year of a Million Dreams Giveaway.
Join us at Hollywood Picture backlot Stage at Disney’s California Adventure Park just after the park closes for the Special Park Dream Time Event kick-off.
So instead of going home I hung out and waited till the park closed. Back at the backlot stage there was a very cool banner that said, WELCOME DREAMERS, with the castle and dream’s logo on it. Two very energetic guys were on stage playing games and trivia with the other dream winners. At 6 o’clock they said the park was officially closed and we were waiting for the last regular guests to be escorted out. At about 6:25 Mickey and Minne came out on stage to officially start our hour. At that moment the crowd shot in many directions, most towards either Tower of Terror, California Screamin, or Soarin over California.
I personally have been on all these many times and just wanted to walk the parks and “experience” what was actually happening. I know most people don’t like DCA, I’m not the biggest fan of the park. But there is something to being able to walk around almost all by yourself. I walked from the front gates of the park all the way around grizzly river to mullholland madness before I saw another person. Most people were on rides, or maybe there really weren’t that many people there. For me it was one of the coolest Disney moment to be able to walk around like that. There were most cast members around then guests, I really felt like it was my park.
I guess my fun was watching all the people running from attraction to attraction trying to get all they could in. It was very fun to see in the last 10 minutes people running from Tower of Terror to Screaming to see if they could get one last ride in.
Once the hour was over Mickey came back on the PA and announced that our hour was over. I walked towards the park exit and there was a long row of cast members there to greet us on our way out. Most were asking what the experience was like, others congratulating us on our prize, most just there to end their nights as well.
Overall it was really a great experience, one I hope I can also get inside Disneyland if it happens. But for me it was a really cool dream prize.
Five more Dream Time events are planned for DCA, and six are planned for Disneyland.
Floral Mickey gets an extreme makeover
Disneyland’s iconic floral Mickey Mouse planter inside the park entrance is
continually updated throughout the year to reflect seasonal themes, such as
being accented with pumpkins for Halloween, garnished with poinsettias at Christmas
and enhanced with metal “ribbons” for the first Year of a Million
Dreams promotion, but Disneyland unveiled the most dramatic renovation last
week. In the new design, a sculpted Tinker Bell figurine seems to have flown
around Mickey’s smiling mug, leaving a trail of pixie dust in her wake. At intervals
during the evening, the whole design begins to sparkle, and Mickey’s face glows
with twinkling lights. MousePlanet staffer David Perry took this series of photos
to capture the new effect.
Lights trace the path of “pixie dust” around the Mickey planter. Photo
by David Perry
The light reach and illuminate a Tinker Bell sculpture. Photo by David Perry
The light reach and illuminate a Tinker Bell sculpture. Photo by David Perry
The Tinker Bell sculpture is poised as if to enchant the floral Mickey. Photo
by David Perry
The light effect spreads across the Mickey face. Photo by David Perry
The light effect spreads across the Mickey face. Photo by David Perry
This and That
… If you’re planning a spring trip to the Disneyland Resort, be sure to check out the revised refurbishment and attraction closure calendar in this park update. Several new short refurbishments recently been added to the schedule.
… MousePlanet reader Rosemary wrote to tell us that she purchased a 2008
Southern California CityPass after reading about it on MousePlanet, but did
not receive a voucher or information about the Magic Morning early entry that
is supposed to come with the 3-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket included with the
CityPass. We did a little research and learned that, instead of a valid park
ticket, the CityPass booklet actually includes a voucher that must be redeemed
at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths for the 3-Day Park Hopper Bonus ticket.
The 3-Day Park Hopper Bonus ticket includes one Magic Morning admission.
The former Sierra Tower of the Disneyland Hotel sports a new name. Photo by
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix
… The 2008 Annual Passholder Dining Pin series begins with the release of a Lady and the Tramp pin on January 27. Pins are available with a $30 food and beverage purchase at participating Disneyland Resort dining locations, while supplies last. Full details available on the Disney pin trading Web site. (link)
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
- Haunted Mansion – closed
January 7 to 24 to remove the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay. - “it’s a small world” – closes
January 22 for a nine-month refurbishment, and should re-open in late October
2008. - Mark
Twain Riverboat – closed January 28 to 31 for refurbishment. - Gibson
Girl Ice Cream Parlor – closed January 28 to February 6 for refurbishment - Jungle Cruise – closed January
28 to March 7 for refurbishment. - Carnation
Cafe – closed February 25 to 29 for refurbishment - Mr.
Toad’s Wild ride – closed April 14 to 18 for refurbishment.
Workers repair and refinish railings in Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix
Disney’s California Adventure
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue
– closed through February 14, 2008 - Mission
Tortilla Factory – closed January 21 – 25 for refurbishment. - Pizza Oom Mow
Mow – closed February 7 to March 13 for refurbishment. - Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage!
– closed February 12 to March 13 for refurbishment. - 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.
Work continues on the Disney Vacation Club expansion of the Grand Californian
Hotel. 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.
January 2008
- Cast Member Create-A-Pin Contest Winners Pin Release & Signing – Saturday, January 26. (Link) Wristbands will be distributed outside the World of Disney store starting at 8 a.m., pin sales will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the cast members artists will be on hand to sign their creations until 11:30 a.m.
February 2008
- Unofficial Homeschool Day at Disneyland – Friday, February 1. This event is open to all homeschool and alternative schooling families (link).
- WDCC “Jailhouse Scene with Dog” Product Release & Signing – Saturday, February 2 (link)
- The Aristocats Special Edition DVD release – Tuesday, February 5. (link) The DVD will be offered at $19.99 through March 3, 2008.
- Disneyland Resort Pin Trading Night – Friday, February 8 at the Paradise Pier hotel ballroom. (Link)
- Disneyland Martial Arts Festival – Saturday, February 16 (link)
- Peter Pan 55th Anniversary product release and signing – Saturday, February 23 (link)
March 2008
- 101 Dalmatians 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD Release – Tuesday, March 4. (link) The DVD will be offered at $19.99.
- Disneyland Resort Pin Trading Night – Sunday, March 9 at the Paradise Pier hotel ballroom. (Link)
- Pixar Play Parade debut at Disney’s California Adventure – Friday, March 14 at 5:15 p.m.
- Robert Olszewski Product Release & Signing – Saturday, March 29 (link)
April 2008
- Julie Andrews appearance and book signing – Tuesday, April 8 (link)
- MouseAdventure – Sunday, April 13 (link)
Spring-Summer 2008
- Disney’s California Food & Wine Weekends – Spring (dates not yet announced) (link)
- The Disney Magic cruise ship returns to Pacific Ocean itineraries – May 25 to August 17.
August 2008
- Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – Friday, August 29 to Sunday, August 31 (link)
- 2008 Disneyland Half Marathon – Sunday, August 31 (link)
Current Discounts & Promotions
Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For your convenience, 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 that 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 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 Southern California 2Fer Ticket |
2008 “Southern California 2Fer Ticket” ($66 / $56) – Offers admission to Disneyland on one day and Disney’s California Adventure on a second day for the price of a one-day, one-park ticket. The tickets are available for sale at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths, as well as Disneyland Resort Hotels, Vons stores, The Disney Stores, South Coast Plaza Disney Desk and Disneyland.com, and the following restrictions apply:
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 supermarkets (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) 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 you must purchase tickets in advance, as this offer is not valid at the Disneyland Resort ticket booth. You must use your ticket for the first time on or before April 24 and its 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), and single-day admission to either San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park, as well as SeaWorld San Diego and Universal Studios Hollywood. 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 that 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 supermarkets (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) 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 supermarkets (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) 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 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 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. This offer is valid only at the Main Gate rental locations at each park.
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
| 1/22 | 1/23 | 1/24 | 1/25 | 1/26 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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 |
||
| 1/27 | 1/28 | 1/29 | 1/30 | 1/31 | 2/1 | 2/2 |
|
DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–9p 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 |
| 2/3 | 2/4 | 2/5 | 2/6 | 2/7 | 2/8 | 2/9 |
|
DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–10p SL |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 9a–7p 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–9p SL/SC |
| 2/10 | 2/11 | 2/12 | 2/13 | 2/14 | 2/15 | 2/16 |
|
DL: 9a–11p DCA: 10a–10p SL |
DL: 9a–10p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 10a–8p DCA: 10a–6p |
DL: 8a–12a DCA: 10a–8p |
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.
