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News and Views

Moving on

Less than two weeks have passed since an accident at Disneyland’s Big

Thunder Mountain Railroad killed one rider and injured 10 more. As the

park goes on with business as usual, many references to Big Thunder Mountain

have been quietly removed.

This staged train accident, visible from Tom Sawyer Island and the Mark

Twain, is an eerie reminder of the real accident which happened a few

yards away. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Many readers have confirmed that the portion of the Mark Twain

spiel that referred to Big Thunder has been muted. On Tom Sawyer Island,

a metal telescope points to staged train accident on the opposite bank.

The sign below the telescope, which read “That old mine train jumped

its tracks a few years back. Most folks think it’s haunted by spirits

of Big Thunder Mountain. Take a look! Tom” has been removed.

The Haunted Mansion entrance has already been transformed by the Haunted

Mansion Holiday props, as Disney prepares to shoot promotional images

later that night. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Big Thunder Mountain merchandise, including a toy ride vehicle,

has been pulled from shelves. The Disneyland.com Web site says that Big

Thunder will re-open on Saturday, November 22, a date considered quite

optimistic by investigators looking into the accident.

Work continues on the Sailing Ship Columbia, but the rehab has

not affected the weekend perfomances of Fantasmic. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

In addition to the barrier around Big Thunder Mountain, a sea of construction

walls can be spotted around Disneyland as the resort heads into the fall

off season.

Splash Mountain is closed for rehab, leaving the west side of Disneyland

with few working E-ticket attractions. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Popular holiday event returns to Main Street

Disney choir members confirm that this year’s Candlelight

Processional will be held on December 6 and 7, as originally reported

here. The event, which had moved to the Fantasyland Theater in 1998 to

the disappointment of many, returns to Town Square at the entrance to

Disneyland while the Fantasyland Theater is remodeled to make room for

the new Snow White stage show.

The early remodel of the Fantasyland Theater is good news for Candlelight

Processional purists. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disneyland has not announced any details about the event,

ticket options, or packages. In previous years, a VIP seating area was

reserved for Club 33 members and Disney dignitaries. Cast members speculate

that a dining package will probably be offered again this year, with a

reserved seating area for those who spring for the package. The balance

of the seating—really just a spot on the curb around Town Square—will

probably be available on a first-come, first-served basis again. Many

Disneyland regulars have fond memories of all-day “stakeouts”

along Main Street to get prime positions for the Candlelight Processional,

and members of our MousePad discussion board have already started making

plans for this year.

Fiesta Mickey and Minnie dance their way towards Pacific Wharf to celebrate

Fiesta Latina. Photo by Lani Teshima.

Fiesta Latina

Disney’s California Adventure took on a south-of-the-border

flavor this past weekend as it kicked off Fiesta Latina, in honor of Hispanic

Heritage Month. The celebration, which runs on weekends through October

5, includes Latin performances, dances, music, as well as a presentation

of arts and crafts in the Pacific Wharf area.

Downtown Disney gets juiced up

The space vacated by Soliton will soon be the home of Anaheim’s

newest Jamba Juice. Workers have begun preparing the space for the new

tenant, and Downtown Disney should be ready to Jamba in about two months.

Downtown Disney prepares to Jamba. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Lace those sneakers

The 13th annual CHOC/Disneyland Resort Walk in the Park

will be held on Sunday, October 5. This charity event is one of the largest

fundraisers for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Participants

walk a five-kilometer (3.1 mile) route through Disneyland and Disney’s

California Adventure before the parks open to the public for the day.

Disney characters will be along the race course to provide encouragement.

This is a family-friendly event, and children are encouraged to participate

with their parents.

When the walk is done, participants can gather in Downtown

Disney to take advantage of special discounts and promotions from area

merchants and restaurants. The Disneyland Resort is offering a special

one-day park-hopper ticket to participants who want to spend the rest

of the day in the park. The ticket is $30 per person, valid October 5,

2003 only, and available only to registered walkers with wristbands. For

more information, call the CHOC Walk Hotline (714) 289-4000 or visit the

official Web site (link).

For those planning to visit the resort on October 5 should

note that this is the last day of the Fiesta Latina in DCA, as well as

the unofficial Gay Days at the Disneyland Resort.

In memorial: E Ticket Magazine founder Leon Janzen

While many mourn the death of actor John Ritter, star of

the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, fans

around the world are learning of the passing of another star in the Disney

universe:

Leon Janzen, co-founder and co-editor of The “E” Ticket Magazine,

died on September 9, 2003 of a heart attack. He was 57 years old and

is survived by his wife, Linda, daughter Jeanette and son Andy.

His brother Jack was his partner in starting and maintaining The “E”

Ticket Magazine. There have been 40 issues of the magazine since 1986,

mostly focusing on the Disneyland that Walt built. Leon was also an

avid collector of early 1950s toys and books. His enthusiasm for the

magic of Disneyland was a wonder to behold, especially when he would

get so enthusiastic about details of the Magic Kingdom like the caves

of Tom Sawyer Island or about the route of the Autotopia cars. He reveled

in the history of Disneyland and worked hard to bring the stories to

Readers of the Magazine.

He was a young boy when Disneyland first opened and he seemed ever

wanting to relive those magical days of youth at Disneyland. Walt Disney

was a great inspiration to Leon. The early Park was one of his favorite

subjects and he was an expert at finding a marvelous story in a fragment

of his own memory. He will be sorely missed not only by family and close

friends, but also by Disneyland history fans all over the world.

Leon’s big smile was also a regular sight in L.A.-area Disneyana conventions,

where he could be seen with Jack behind a table stacked high with current

and back issues of their magazine. He loved talking with fans, friends,

and Disney legends. He will be missed by many.

After dealing with immediate family issues, Jack intends to continue

the magazine, and will proceed with the current issue in production

and hopes to bring it to completion on schedule. Please know that he

is thinking to the future and how he can continue to provide magical

Theme Park Memories to the readers of The “E” Ticket Magazine.

There is discussion of a writing scholarship being established in Leon’s

name. The family has requested contributions to this in lieu of flowers

can be sent to the Leon Janzen CalArts Writing Scholarship at the post

office box below.

Send your condolences to:

The “E” Ticket

P.O. Box 800880

Santa Clarita, CA 91380-0880

Fax: (661) 296-9829

Email: etick@earthlink.net

[Obituary courtesy of The “E” Ticket Magazine.]

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

The Disneyland Railroad steam trains are closing Tuesday and Wednesday

this week for a quick check-up. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disneyland

• Splash Mountain – through November 6
• Haunted Mansion – through October 2 to install the Haunted

  Mansion Holiday overlay

• Sailing Ship Columbia – September 15 to 19
• Disneyland Steam Trains – September 16 to 17
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through – indefinite
• Space Mountain – through 2005
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – indefinite.

Scaffolding around Toontown promises a fresh new paint job. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Paving repair takes place in New Orleans Square. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – through September 26
• Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie – through September 26
• Superstar Limo – indefinite

Future Attraction Closures

• “it’s a small world” – October 20 – November

  7 to install the “it’s a small world” Holiday overlay

• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – November 3 to 26
• Mark Twain Riverboat – November 3 to 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

• Shag “One Enchanted Evening” merchandise release

  at Disneyland [Saturday, Sept 20]

• Fiesta Latina at Disney’s California Adventure [weekends September

  13 – October 5]

October

• Fiesta Latina at Disney’s California Adventure [weekends September

  13 – October 5]

• CHOC/Disneyland Resort Walk in the Park [October 5]

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

• Haunted Mansion Holiday Event [Thur, October 2]

• MouseAdventure at DCA [October 12]

• Nightmare Before Christmas film screening at the Disneyland

  Resort. Details to follow [October 30]

December

• Marie Osmond “Enchanted Tiki Room Hostess” doll release

  and meet-and-greet at Disneyland [Saturday, Dec 6]

• Candlelight Processional at Disneyland [Saturday, Dec 6 and

  Sunday, Dec 7]

• Robert Olszewski “Central Plaza” sculpture release

  at Disneyland [Saturday, Dec 13]

Current Discounts & Promotions

Fall “Resident Salute” – Two parks, two days for the

price of one.

Southern California residents can purchase a one-day ticket to Disneyland

and a one-day ticket to Disney’s California Adventure for the price of

a regular one-day admission.*

The resort hotels are offering a “Stay and Play” package in

conjuction with this discount. It includes the resident salute 2-for-1

theme park ticket PLUS a one-night stay at one of the Disneyland Resort

hotels. The package starts at $89 per person. ** To book this package,

call (714) 956-MICKEY (714-956-6425) and ask for the package code SAP.

*Offer valid through 11/24/03 for Southern California

Offer may not be combined with other discounts or promotions.

**Valid for arrivals through 11/24/03 for Southern California

available for groups.

All offers, events, tickets, age ranges, services, attractions,

notice.

A Nightmare deal at Costco

MousePad member Tiki Junki purchased a copy of The Nightmare Before

Christmas at a local Costco store, and discovered a Disneyland Resort

offer inside. The $13 Special Edition DVD comes with a voucher for up

to four pre-issued Fastpass tickets for the Haunted Mansion, and a voucher

for one free cloisonne pin from the Le Bat en Rouge Shop in New Orleans

Square. The vouchers are good until March 31, 2004, and are redeemable

at Disneyland. There’s nothing to mail in, and you won’t wait four to

six weeks for the passes and pin to arrive.

Special Lion King offer for Disneyland Annual Passholders

Pre-order The Lion King Platinum Edition DVD or VHS at the Disneyland

Resort through 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.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Annual passholder discounts are available at the Paradise Pier hotel

from August 31 to December 12. Rates are $79 per night weekdays, and $119

per night weekends. AP rooms are also available at the Disneyland Hotel

and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel at higher rates.

Half-priced Angels tickets for Disneyland Annual Passholders

The boys of summer are wrapping up their season, and Disneyland APs can

purchase tickets to select baseball games for the 2003 World Series winners

Anaheim Angels at a 50 percent discount. Current games include the September

27 game versus the Texas Rangers, scheduled to start at 1:05 p.m.

Additional dates and prices can be found at the Annual Passholder Web

site (link).

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 through September

30. 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.

All blockout dates for Disneyland have already passed, and there are

no blockout 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.

Annual passholder discounts at Alamo

California residents get discounts of up to 20 percent off Alamo’s retail

rates in the United States. 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 receive admission

to five separate entertainment options, including:

• 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