Disneyland Park Update

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News and Views

Seeing (Monorail) Red: Day guests need not board

The good news? Although rumored to have been cannibalized to provide spare parts for the remaining three trains in the Disneyland fleet, Monorail Red is back in service. Monorail Blue has been pulled to the roundhouse for its annual refurbishment, leaving three working monorails available to carry passengers along the 2.5-mile route.

The monorail passes Matterhorn Mountain. MousePlanet file photo.

No matter the official reason, this all comes down to money. The Disneyland Monorail fleet is aging and is long overdue for a major overhaul; something that was rumored to be planned for the park’s 50th anniversary in 2005. Wrote one CM, “These trains are decades old and have millions of miles on them.” Cast members worry that the aging trains are not up to the daily wear and tear they are subjected to. “We need new trains, and we needed them 10 years ago.”

To be sure, maintenance is a huge concern. Monorail downtime-logs obtained by MousePlanet provide a glimpse into the problem. In just one two-week period, the list of “code 101s” (attraction breakdowns) was staggering, with each train in the system breaking down at least once a day. There were several days where the same monorail was towed off stage two or three times, just to be quickly patched up and sent limping back into service.

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There were several days where the same monorail was towed off stage two or three times, just to be quickly patched up and sent limping back into service.

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With new park head Jay Rasulo apparently unwilling to commit the budget required to purchase the badly needed trains, Disneyland’s maintenance department is under a mandate to keep the current trains running as long as possible. Under this new plan, the life of each train will be extended by running only one-third to half the mileage it used to travel each month. But cast members complain that this is just a bandage, and not a solution.

“We are literally keeping these trains together with duct tape now. All this will do is prolong the inevitable—these trains must be replaced,” one CM bemoaned.

The monorail glides through Fantasyland. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Each Disneyland monorail can hold about 100 passengers. When three trains are in service, the monorails leave the station every five minutes or so, giving the system a capacity of roughly 2,000 one-way passengers per hour.

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“We are literally keeping these trains together with duct tape now.”

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However, when only two trains are in service, the numbers drop dramatically. A train now leaves the station every 10 to 12 minutes, cutting capacity by more than half. One cast member explained that during a three-train operation, a train must pull out of the station every five minutes or so.

“When we’re only running two trains, we take the extra five minutes at the station to fill the trains to capacity,” the CM said. “We’re spot-loading every empty seat so we can fill every car.” While this approach means that more people are packed into each train, it also takes twice as long to dispatch one monorail.

Cast members estimate that the two-train policy has caused ridership to drop by nearly 35,000 passengers each week. During the past week, lines to board the monorail in Tomorrowland wrapped around the Submarine Lagoon, leaving hot and cranky visitors to sizzle in the unshaded queue for up to an hour.

With a round-trip loop taking 20 to 25 minutes, the maximum hourly capacity of the single monorail in operation is diminished to 600 one-way passengers. Even this capacity assumes that the monorail can make it through the day without breaking down. One CM worried, “What happens when the one train we are running breaks down?” It can take up to 45 minutes to tow a disabled train to the nearest station, unload the passengers, tow it back to the roundhouse, and get another train online, meaning another 400 people won’t be riding the monorail.

When the park is open 10 hours, one monorail can carry just 6,000 one-way passengers; a far cry from the 20,000 possible when all three trains are in service. This week’s 45-minute lines may well turn into 90-minute waits this September.

Even limiting access to hotel guests won’t eliminate the lines. The Disneyland Hotel has 990 rooms, and the Paradise Pier Hotel has 502. Just between the two, there can be well over 5,000 resort hotel guests, and that doesn’t count another 750 rooms from the Grand Californian Hotel. One monorail can carry about half of these visitors to and from the park each day, leaving the rest with a long walk to Disneyland.

The Disneyland Resort touts the convenience of monorail transportation as one of the perks of staying in a resort hotel (and paying that Disney premium for the room.) Yet those visitors who book rooms in the Paradise Pier Hotel quickly discover that their “walking distance” hotel room is really three-quarters of a mile from Disneyland’s main entrance. Disneyland Hotel guests only have to walk half a mile to get to Disneyland. Since tram service is no longer provided from the hotels to the main entrance plaza, and hotel staff advise visitors to use the monorail.

Visitors may have a shorter walk to their hotel room if they stay off-property. MousePlanet file image.

In the map above, the yellow route marks the path to the Disneyland Hotel and the Paradise Pier Hotel. The green route is the walkway to the hotel shuttle loading area, and the Harbor Boulevard gate. Once access to the monorail line is restricted by these planned cuts, visitors may discover that cheaper rooms—with much shorter walks—are available at one the many hotels that line Harbor Boulevard across the street from the resort’s pedestrian entrance.

Even hotels further away from the resort may prove to be more convenient, as the walk to the hotel shuttle loading area is still closer than any of the on-property Disney hotels. [See our list of walking-distance hotels at this link].

With Walt Disney World considering a possible expansion of its monorail system in 2007, Disneyland cast members are wondering what the future holds for their trains. In the interim, they are trying to prevent these planned cuts from being implemented.

“They are not listening to us. We’ve complained to our managers, sent letters, given them statistics, and they just don’t listen,” one CM said. “But if the guests complain enough, they will listen. Every time a guest complains to me, I ask them to please talk to City Hall, so the managers get the idea. I don’t know if it’s working, but it’s all we can do.”

Another CM urged MousePlanet readers to help, and said, “Maybe if you run this story, enough of your readers will complain to make a difference. Or maybe the managers will change their minds to prove you wrong.”

Please, Disneyland—prove us wrong.

Sneezy hears the call of soap and water. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Time to wash, take two.

In a February update (link), we noted that the dwarfs around Snow White’s Grotto were looking a little scuzzy. Someone apparently agreed, and the statues were given a quick bath.

A reader let us know that it may be time for another scrubbing. “I don’t know how often you walk by the Grotto, but the dwarfs are looking shabby again, and the critters are positively covered in mold.” Maybe they are going for an antiqued look?

Ears to the ground

Disneyland Forever, again? We’re almost afraid to get our hopes up, but it looks like a new version of the popular Disneyland Forever custom-music CD kiosks may be installed at Disneyland in October. Merchandise cast members recently attended a presentation on the new system, which is being co-developed by Walt Disney Records, Buena Vista Music, and a third party. It is not clear whether the new kiosks will offer new selections and movie scores, or the same attraction tracks available from the older system, which closed last April.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through – indefinite. (The Disneyland.com Web site shows this reopening on September 27)
• Space Mountain – through 2005

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo – indefinite

Future Attraction Closures

• Splash Mountain: September 2 – November 6
• Tarzan’s Treehouse: September 8 – 10
• Sailing Ship Columbia: September 8 – 19
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: September 8 – 26
• Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie: September 8 – 26
• Haunted Mansion: September 8 – October 2, for the installation of the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay
• “it’s a small world”:– October 6 – November 7, for the installation of the “it’s a small world” Holiday overlay
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: November 3 – 26
• Mark Twain Riverboat: November 3 – indefinite

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.

Park Events

September

• “Tinker Bell on Toy Block” sculpture and “Peter Pan on Board” giclée product release and artist appearances [Saturday, Sept 6] – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Off the Page in DCA. Get more details about the artists and merchandise on our MousePad message boards (link).
• ABC Preview Weekend at DCA [Sept 6 – 7]
• Spode “Disney Christmas Tree Celebration” pattern debuts at Disneyland [Saturday, Sept 13]
• Shag “One Enchanted Evening” merchandise release at Disneyland [Saturday, Sept 20]

October

• Haunted Mansion Holiday Exclusive Dinner [Wed, October 1]
• Haunted Mansion Holiday Event [Thur, October 2]

December

• Marie Osmond “Enchanted Tiki Room Hostess” doll release and meet-and-greet at Disneyland [Saturday, Dec 6]
• Robert Olszewski “Central Plaza” sculpture release at Disneyland [Saturday, Dec 13]

Current Discounts & Promotions

Special Lion King offer for Disneyland Annual Passholders

Pre-order The Lion King Platinum Edition DVD or VHS at the Disneyland Resort between August 3 and September 20, and receive free shipping and two free gifts: a limited edition plush Simba, and a limited edition pin. The Lion King Platinum Edition DVD will include new scenes and a new song by Elton John.

Half-priced Angels tickets for Disneyland Annual Passholders

Disneyland APs can purchase tickets to select baseball games for the 2003 World Series winners Anaheim Angels at a 50 percent discount. Specific dates and prices can be found at the Annual Passholder Web site (link).

Get $150 in Disney Dollars

Book a Walt Disney Travel Company Vacation package that includes a stay of 4 nights or longer at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels, and receive 150 Disney Dollars! Get more details from Disney Travel, or on the Disneyland Web site. (Thanks to MousePlanet reader Hastin for the information.)

Get 5 days and 4 nights for the price of 3

Book a package at the Disneyland Resort for a minimum four-nights through the Walt Disney Travel Company, and your package price will include one night’s free accommodations at participating hotels. Your package will also include a five-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket for the price of a three-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket. Click here for a list of participating hotels and dates.

Play 4 Days pass

Southern California residents, (zip codes 90000-93599), can purchase a new four-day ticket for just $79. The ticket is valid for four admissions to either Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure park, between June 1 and September 30, 2003. Residents can purchase just one ticket per person, per day, so your out-of-town relatives will need to buy their own, regular-priced admission.

The tickets can only be used at one park each day—no park hopping. We understand that you can use two admissions—one to each park—on the same day, effectively making this a $79 two-day park-hopper ticket, a $20 discount from the regular adult price.

The tickets can not be used at Disneyland on June 28, and July 4, 5, 26, and August 2, 9, 16, 23, 29, 30, and 31. There are no block-out days for DCA. Tickets are nontransferable, and you must show a valid ID each time. These tickets can be applied towards the cost of a Deluxe or Premium Annual Passport, (but not a Southern California Annual Passport), so long as you upgrade when or before you use the fourth admission.

Disney’s Armed Forces Salute

Through Friday, December 19, all active members of the United States military (including Coast Guard and activated National Guard and Reservists) qualify for Disney’s Armed Forces Salute and can claim one free 3-day park-hopper tickets. Since the tickets expire on December 19, you must claim them by December 17 to use all three day’s worth. The passes can only be claimed at a park gate ticket booth. To claim the passes, valid military ID must be shown; activated National Guard and Reservists must also show their active duty orders.

In addition to the one free pass, each qualifying person can also purchase up to five 3-day companion passes for $39 each. If the qualifying person cannot visit a park to purchase these companion tickets, a spouse may do so instead.

Summer Annual Passholder special

The first ticket promotion this summer is an Annual Passholder special. From May 21 to September 3, APs can purchase a 2-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper for $69 (10+) and $49 (3-9). Just present your AP at any ticket booth. Limit five tickets per Passholder, per day. Tickets are valid for 14 days from date of first usage. First usage must be on date of purchase. Last usage must be on or before Tuesday, September 16, 2003.

Annual passholder discounts at Alamo

California residents get discounts of up to 20% off Alamo’s retail rates in the United States. Disneyland annual passholders can get a free Disneyland Resort Character Breakfast voucher when the rent their car for 3 days or more from March 24th through August 31, 2003 at the Los Angeles Airport location. For more details and the discount code you’ll need for this offer, visit the annual passholder section of the Disneyland Web site.

ESPN Zone discounts for annual passholders

Disneyland annual passholders can get an Season Ticket Frequent Dining Card at the Downtown Disney ESPN Zone. The Season Ticket entitles you to a free soda with your meal purchase of $6.99 or more. Once you have made four meal purchases, you receive the fifth meal and soda free, and get a chance to win a pair of tickets to the ESPY Awards in 2004. See location for more information and details.

City Pass now available with AAA packages

You can now purchase the Southern California City Pass with Walt Disney Travel Company packages.

With a Southern California City Pass booklet, you will receive admission to five separate entertainment options. Admission includes:

• 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket
• 1-day ticket to Sea World Adventure park
• 1-day ticket to the World-famous San Diego Zoo
• 1-day ticket to Knott’s Theme Park.

Instead of the Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket currently included in California packages from the Walt Disney Travel Company, guests can select a Southern California city’s for an additional charge of $47 per pass ($32 per pass for guests ages 3 through 9).

Note: The Southern California City’s does not include the $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card, or the California package’s feature that allows guests to collect multiple Fastpass tickets at once for free in advance.

5-Day Park Hopper promotion extended

The “Get a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket for the price of a 3-Day ticket” promotion has been extended through January 5, 2004. These tickets are available when you order online from Disneyland.com. Restrictions apply – see site for details.

AAA Passport Plus Package

For $122.75, you can get a 5-day park hopper and the following extras:

• Multiple attraction Fastpass (The “Unlimited” option)
• Breakfast in the park (one per person)
• Free ESPN Zone arena game card ($10 value)
• AAA Free parking at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

A $13.75 FedEx fee applies to each reservation, (not per person). This package is available without an air or hotel purchase, and must be purchased at your local AAA affiliate office at least 5 days before you plan to use the tickets.

Many readers have experienced difficulties when trying to purchase this package from their local AAA affiliate. Be sure to read this thread on our MousePad discussion boards, for more information about the package and tips on how to help your AAA travel agent book your package.

AAA-Disney’s Resort Magic Package

This package requires a minimum 2-night hotel stay, and includes:

• Accommodations at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel, or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
• Disneyland Resort Hotel self-parking and Fitness Center access
• Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket – valid for entry into Disneyland park and Disney’s California Adventure park with full park-hopping privileges
• Free ESPN Zone Arena Game Card – $10 value (one per person)
• New. Collect Fastpass tickets for multiple attractions at one time. Preferred Seating at a choice of select shows in Disney’s California Adventure
• Exclusive – Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard (one per person)
• Exclusive – Walt Disney Travel Company California Fun Book (one per package)
• Exclusive – Disneyland Resort Magical Pocket Guide (one per package)

You can book this package through your local AAA affiliate travel agent.

Park Hours/Blockout Dates

DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney’s California Adventure
Annual Pass blockout dates: SoCal – Southern California Annual Pass. DX – Deluxe Annual Pass

Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates 2003-2004 page to see more dates.

Entertainment Schedule