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News and Views
BTMRR record released
Last Thursday, Disneyland suffered another public relations blow when the state released documents detailing reported injuries on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad over the last two years. These documents show 24 injuries reported since 2001, ranging from the relatively minor (dizziness) to pretty major (a fatal heart attack).
The good news for Disney is that in most cases, investigation showed
that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was functioning properly and the ride
could not be labeled as the cause. The bad news is that when you have
tabloids like the New York Post referring to Disney’s “killer
train,” for most of the public all they’ll have seen is that 35 people
have been hurt or died on the ride in just a couple of years.
Gay Days getting some star power
Gay Days, an unofficial gathering of gays and lesbians at Disneyland the weekend of October 3, now has some star power. It has been announced that among attendees will be NYPD Blue‘s Bill Brochtrup; Wes Culwell, winner of Bravo’s Boy Meets BoyThe Real World.
On Saturday, October 4, at Downtown Disney’s Compass Books & Cafe,
Bill Brochtrup will host
a reading by Jeffrey Epstein and Eddie Shapiro, authors of Queens
in the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme
Parks.
Nightmare Before Christmas screening
Details on a special Nightmare Before Christmas event have been
released. The hard-ticket event will be on Thursday, October 30 and include
a screening of the film, a costume contest, trick or treating of some
sort, a ride on Haunted Mansion Holiday, and a pin.
Park admission is also included in the $35 cost, but you can only enter
after 8:45 p.m. the evening of the event (the park will close at 8 p.m.).
The costume contest is open to all attendees. Interestingly, according
to the official
contest rules (PDF) the first prize is two tickets to the Haunted
Mansion Holiday Event (Package C) — an event that takes place on
October 2, 28 days prior to the costume contest. The second place
prize is “one night’s hotel stay in a hotel determined solely by
the Sponsor.” Presumably they would select a Disney hotel, but maybe
it would be best to shoot for third place (a Haunted Mansion Holiday Print
On Demand print).
If you are going to participate in the costume contest, be sure to check
out the many costume guidelines at the Disney
Gallery page. You are simultaneously limited to custumes portraying
characters from Nightmare Before Christmas and yet not presenting
“frightening images.”
[Note: After posting the above information, it was pointed out to us
that the official costume contest rules quite clearly state that the prize
is for the 2004 Haunted Mansion Holiday Event. We read those rules several
times to ensure we were understanding them correctly and still made a
pretty stupid mistake. And then compounded it by using it as an excuse
to get snarky. That’ll teach us.
On the other hand, it does serve as confirmation that a Haunted Mansion
Holiday event is planned for 2004, and that the C Package is expected
to cost around $200.]
And important news impacting all of us!
Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It! has begun issuing
a new prize to $1,000,000-point winners: an individually numbered pin.
Two regular MousePlanet readers (BTT and tod on our message
board) have received theirs in the mail for past wins (#2 and
#26, respectively). So far, there have been 36 winners since the attraction
opened. The previous 1,000,000-point pin was not numbered.
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
- Splash Mountain: September 2 – November 6
- Haunted Mansion: September 8 – October 2, for the installation
of the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay - Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through – indefinite.
- Space Mountain – through 2005
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – indefinite.
Disney’s California Adventure
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – September 2 – 26
- Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie – September 8 – 26
- Superstar Limo – indefinite
Future Attraction Closures
- “it’s a small world” – October 20 – 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
- Fiesta Latina at Disney’s California Adventure. [September
13 – October 5]
October
- Fiesta Latina at Disney’s California Adventure. [September
13 – October 5]
- Gay Days at Disneyland Resort. [October 3-5]
- 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. [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
residents ZIP codes 90000-93599. Admission valid one day at Disneyland
Park, and one day at Disney’s California Adventure Park. May purchase
up to 5 tickets per person, per day, with valid ID. First day of use must
be on purchase day. Ticket valid 30 days from first use, or through 11/25/03,
whichever occurs first. Restrictions apply. Tickets are non-transferable.
Offer may not be combined with other discounts or promotions.
**Valid for arrivals through 11/24/03 for Southern California
residents within ZIP codes 90000-93599. $89 price is per person, double
occupancy, Sunday through Thursday standard room rate at Disney’s Paradise
Pier Hotel, and includes 2 days admission, valid one day at Disneyland
Park, and one day at Disney’s California Adventure Park. Weekend rates
and other room rates may vary. Ticket valid 30 days from first use, or
through 11/25/03, whichever occurs first. Price excludes resort fees and
taxes. Limit 5 people per room, at an additional cost per person. Promotional
rate is subject to availability and advance reservations required. Not
available for groups.
All offers, events, tickets, age ranges, services, attractions,
and entertainment, may be seasonal, and are subject to change without
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 4 pre-issued
Fast Passes 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
nothing to mail in, and you won’t wait four to six weeks for the passes
and pin to arrive.
Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels
Annual passholder discounts are available at the Paradise Pier hotel
from through 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
Disneyland APs can purchase tickets to select baseball games for the
2003 World Series winners Anaheim Angels at a 50 percent discount. Current
games included:
- 9/22, Monday, 7:05 pm vs. Seattle
- 9/24, Wednesday, 1:05 pm vs. Seattle
- 9/27, Saturday, 1:05pm vs. Texas
Additional information 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 Tuesday,
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.
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 and National car rentals
Through December 31, 2003, Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders get discounts
of up to 20 percent off car rental retail rates in the United States for
both Alamo and National. For more details and the discount code you’ll
need for this offer, visit the annual passholder section of the Disneyland
Web site (link).
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 (link).
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 the
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
Sun | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat |
| 9/22 | 9/23 | 9/24 | 9/25 | 9/26 | 9/27 | |
DL 10a–8p | DL 10a–8p | DL 10a–8p | DL 10a–8p | DL 9a-10p | DL 8a–11p | |
| 9/28 | 9/29 | |||||
DL 9a–11p | DL 10a–8p |
Visit our Annual
Passholders Blockout Dates 2003-2004 page to see more dates.
Entertainment Schedule
Disneyland Park | Disney’s California Adventure | Downtown Disney |
| Monday 9/22 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 7p Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a 1:15p Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure | Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 10:30a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Jazz Pianist: |
| Tuesday 9/23 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 7p The Golden Horseshoe Variety Show 11:45a Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure | Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 10:30a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Jazz Pianist: |
| Wednesday 9/24 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 7p The Golden Horseshoe Variety Show 11:45a Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure | Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 10:30a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Jazz Pianist: |
| Thursday 9/25 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 7p Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a 1:15p Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure | Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 10:30a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Jazz Pianist: |
| Friday 9/26 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:45p 8p Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a 1:15p Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure Club Buzz Stage Presents Scot Bruce – A Tribute Fantasmic 9p 10p Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a 11:45a Aladdin & Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures | Disney’s Electrical Parade 8p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular 12:45p Pacific Wharf Stage Presents El Soul 2:45p Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Kenny Sara & |
| Saturday 9/27 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:45p 8p Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a 1:15p Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure Club Buzz Stage Presents Scot Bruce – A Tribute Fantasmic 9p 10:30p Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a 11:45a Jump, Jive Boogie Swing Party Featuring Swingtown Aladdin & Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures | Fiesta Latina all day Disney’s Electrical Parade 8p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Kenny Sara & |
| Sunday 9/28 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:45p 8p Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a 1:15p Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure Fantasmic 9p Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a 11:45a Aladdin & Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures | Fiesta Latina all day Disney’s Electrical Parade –8:45p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p | House of Blues Gospel Brunch 10a, 1p ($16.50-$33) |
| Monday 9/29 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 7p Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a 1:15p Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure | Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 10:30a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Jazz Pianist:
|
| Tuesday 9/30 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 7p The Golden Horseshoe Variety Show 11:45a Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure | Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 10:30a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Jazz Pianist: |
