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News and Views

Another Year, Another Dollar (Actually, Two) – One of the
less cherished traditions at Disneyland is the annual increase in ticket
prices. This year will be no different, it seems, as Disneyland rings
in the New Year not only with significant attraction closures (see below),
but also with a $2 increase for all single-day admissions.

The new pricing is as follows:

• Guests 10 and over: $47 (from $45)
• Guests 3 to 9: $37 (from $35)
• 3-Day Park Hopper: $119/$95
• 4-Day Park Hopper: $149/$119

What MousePlanet needs is a source in the sign-making department. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

As an interesting aside, note that the terminology is no longer “Adult” and “Child” but rather

“Guests 10 and Over” and “Guests 3 to 9.” This could just be a meaningless language change of the type

that corporate America produces all the time, but it is easy to speculate that Disney is intentionally

disassociating the word “child” from the lower ticket price. This would allow them to start lowering the age that

triggers the higher price while avoiding a common comment heard in 2000 (when the age for a “Child’s” ticket

was changed from 12 to 10) that only at Disneyland is an 11-year-old an “Adult.”

SoCal Salute – The SoCal Salute ticket program also returns
January 6, but rather than a price discount, residents of Southern California
will get more for their $47/$37. They will get a ticket good for admission
to both Disneyland and DCA. This ticket is not a park-hopper and
is good for only one admission to each park (meaning you cannot go to
Disneyland twice on separate days, nor to both Disneyland and DCA on the
same day). Though the two admissions do not have to be used on consecutive
days, the first admission must be on the same day as the ticket purchase,
and the second must be used by May 16, 2003.

These tickets are non-transferrable. You must provide proof of residency at the time of

purchase, and you will be asked to print your full name on the tickets. When you return for your second admission, you need

to show ID matching the ticket. This offer is limited to 5 tickets per qualifying person.

A Blustery Day at Disneyland – Along with the scheduled ride closures, several
Disneyland Resort attractions were affected by the Santana/Santa Ana wind conditions on Monday. The Jungle Cruise and
Golden Zephyr were closed all day due to the winds, and the Monorail, Horse-Drawn Streetcars
and Casey Jr. Circus Train all experienced short, wind-related closures. The National Weather Service’s
high wind warning continues in effect through Tuesday morning.

The Rehabbiest Place on Earth – The winter refurbishment
schedule starts today, and Disneyland visitors will face a sea of construction
walls on the park’s west side. Jack Skellington is moving out of
the Haunted Mansion, and the Rivers of America drained for
a major overhaul. This means that the Canoes, Mark Twain, Columbia
and Tom Sawyer’s Island will be closed as well.

Draining Rivers of America will provide an opportunity for safety-related changes to Tom Sawyer Island. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Across the esplanade, the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney’s

California Adventure will be closed while the rope bridges are replaced.

Superstar Limo is still on indefinite hiatus.

“it’s a small world” will close on January 13,

so the holiday overlay can be removed. Some suggest that Disney delayed

this refurbishment with the hope that the Matterhorn and King

Arthur Carrousel, both currently under extensive reconstruction, might

be operational before yet another ride closes for rehab.

There are still some big holes in the side of the Matterhorn. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Next on the rehab wish list – Though it seems that
half of Disneyland is already closed for rehab, several other attractions
may be added to the list if recurring maintenance issues are not resolved.
…Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train has replaced Soarin’
Over California as the DCA attraction with the most down time —
quite a feat for a ride that never leaves the ground. …Big Thunder
Mountain Railroad opened late this past Saturday as part of the attraction’s
track was replaced. …Monorail Purple threw a brake shoe Saturday
morning — Monorail Orange did the same a few hours later.
The monorails were then closed again—for over 6 hours—when the
track switch from the roundhouse failed Saturday afternoon.

The Monorails are experiencing increasing mechanical problems; two

had problems over the weekend. File photo.

A new attendance record – Disneyland Park set a new one-day
attendance record on Friday, December 27, 2002, beating the previous record
by about 200 visitors. Total attendance for the two parks was estimated
at 108,000.

Here we go again – What is the best way to thank the Disneyland
Resort cast members for their efforts during a truly busy holiday season?
Why, reward them with another round of layoffs, of course. After budget
meetings last week, managers are bracing for yet another wave of pink
slips.

Out with the old, in with the new –
Effective January 1, American Express is no longer the official credit
card of the Disneyland Resort. The Resort no longer honors American
Express discounts and benefits, and you cannot choose a Disney vacation
in the American Express Membership Rewards program. These changes pave
the way for the planned introduction of a Disney-branded Visa credit card
this spring. Details are sketchy about this new credit card, but you can
find answers to some basic questions about the program at Disney
Online Guest Services.

Change comes slowly to resort cash registers (photo taken January 6). Maybe they should get the sign-making department on it. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

If you would like to be notified the instant you can apply for this new
card, visit this “secret
link” on the Disneyland.com site. The entry page asks you
for a nonexistent 6-digit passcode – just choose any link from the
“Select Option” pull-down box, and you are taken to a screen
where you can provide your e-mail address. If you prefer to register by
phone, call 1-888-688-4868.

Those who apply for the card between March 4 and 24 receive a collectible

pin, and get “Cardmember since Day 1” embossed on their card.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• King Arthur Carrousel – may reopen any time January 13 – 30

  
  The King Arthur Carrousel is nearing completion. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

• Matterhorn Bobsleds – may reopen any time January 13 – 30
• “it’s a small world holiday” – begins January

  13

• Haunted Mansion – through January 23
• Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes – through late March
• Rivers of America – through late March

  
  Tide’s out at Rivers of America; the water level is dropping as the river is drained. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

• Mark Twain Riverboat – through late March
• Sailing Ship Columbia – through late March
• Tom Sawyer Island – through late March

  

  The Tom Sawyer Island pontoon bridge needs much work. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

• Sleeping Beauty Castle – indefinite

  Disney’s California Adventure

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
• Superstar Limo – indefinite


After less than two years, the rope bridges are being replaced at Redwood Creek. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Future Attraction Closures:

• Splash Mountain – February 3 – 21


• Mad Tea Party – February 24 – March 15


• Space Mountain – February 2003 – August 2004


• Pirates of the Caribbean – April 28 – May 30


• Indiana Jones Adventure – September 2 – October 24

Please note that refurbishment schedules

781-7290 before you visit.

Park Events

Disney’s Aladdin – a Musical Spectacular – Special
Annual Passholder Performances January 6 – 10, 12. Advance reservations
are required – get more information at the MousePad
discussion board.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Alaska Airlines airfare and hotel specials – Alaska Airlines
is offering two specials for travel to the Disneyland Resort. A MousePad
member alerted
us that the airline is again offering the popular Kids Fly Free
special, which includes airfare, hotel, park-hopper tickets, and more.
This special offer can only be booked by calling Alaska Airlines at 1-800-468-2248.
Adults traveling without kids can take advantage of other special hotel
and air packages by booking at the Alaska
Airlines Web site.

Free coffee on Main Street – Receive a free small coffee
when you buy a mug at the Market House on Main Street, USA. This offer
is only valid at the Market House, and is for a limited time only.

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.

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen – Kids eat free, 4:30–6:00p.
[See restaurant for details.]

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule