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News and Views

Now it’s time to say goodbye…

Citing personal reasons, Disneyland Resort President Cynthia Harriss announced her resignation

last week. In an open

letter to cast members, Harriss said, “I recognize that there

is a small window of time to put my family and loved ones first. For me,

that time is now.”

Harriss began her 11-year term with Disney as the senior vice president

of stores at the Disney Stores, coming to Disneyland in 1997 as vice president

of theme park operations and merchandise under her former Disney Store

boss Paul Pressler. She was tapped to replace Pressler as president when

he was promoted to chairman of the theme parks and resorts. When Pressler

left Disney last September to take the helm at The Gap, some speculated

that Harriss would soon follow.

Cynthia Harriss speaks at Disneyland’s 47th birthday celebration. Photo

by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

During her tenure, Harriss oversaw the expansion of the Disneyland Resort,

which included the addition of Disney’s California Adventure, Disney’s

Grand Californian Hotel, and Downtown Disney.

Looking forward to the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration for Disneyland,

Harriss said, “The next three years will be teeming with energy and

enthusiasm, requiring the undivided commitment and attention of our team.

With that in mind, it’s the right time for someone else to dedicate their

time and efforts to leading the Resort to this historic celebration.”

Disney announced

that Matt Ouimet, most recently the president of the Disney Cruise

Line, has been promoted to replace Harriss. Ouimet has been with Disney

14 years, and has held such positions as senior vice president of finance,

Walt Disney Imagineering; chief financial officer, Walt Disney Imagineering;

senior vice president of finance and business development, Walt Disney

World Resort; executive general manager, Disney Vacation Club; and executive

general manager, Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Ouimet’s biography

also notes that he is the chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce

and serves on the Board of Directors for the International Council of

Cruise Lines, the Floridian Caribbean Cruise Association and is a member

of The Florida’s Council of 100.

The statements from both Harriss and Ouimet include references to Disneyland’s

upcoming 50th anniversary celebration, and fans are hoping that means

the time has come to share some of the plans for the landmark event. With

a new captain taking the helm, Disney has tentatively planned a major

press event in early January 2004, during which the plans for the 50th

anniversary will be revealed.

I’m dreaming of a white mountain…

MousePlanet readers were overjoyed to see recent photos showing Space

Mountain getting a partial coat of white primer. Disney has not announced

plans to return the attraction to its original white color, as was recently

the case with “it’s a small world,” but fans are hoping for

the best.

Is it primer or paint? Either way, it’s white, and fans are happy. Photo

by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Some Tomorrowland cast members have been told that the building will

be painted white for the 50th, and then re-painted again when the rumored

Rocket Rods replacement opens. Others speculate that the building will

receive gold accents to match the gold castle rumored for the 50th anniversary.

Disneyland Forever, again

We reported

in August that Disneyland was working on a new version of the Disneyland

Forever music CD system. The new system is finally here, and has been

installed in 20th Century Music on Main Street, USA.

The return of the Disneyland music kiosks has made some fans very happy.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The new system does not offer “mix your own” CDs that the previous

version had. Instead, it offers pre-mixed CDs of Disneyland attractions,

movie soundtracks, park music CDs from Walt Disney World, and children’s

titles. Many of these titles are out-of-print LP records and soundtracks

from the Buena Vista library. More titles are expected to be added in

January.

Each CD is made to order, with customized color liner notes for each

title. The new system is faster, producing a CD in about two minutes.

Unfortunately, the new system has one thing in common with its predecessor:

it breaks down a lot.

CHOC Walk results

Disney announced that the 13th Annual CHOC/Disneyland Resort “Walk

in the Park” fundraiser event, held on October 5, raised $750,000

for the programs and services provided by Children’s Hospital Orange County

and CHOC at Mission.

An estimated 14,000 walkers, forming some 200 teams, participated in

the trek through Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, and made

this the largest event to date.

A Fantasmic Christmas

It looks like Fantasmic is going to remain open through New Year’s,

with a midnight showing on Wednesday, December 31. The Mark Twain

riverboat is still scheduled to go down for rehab on Monday, November

3, leaving the show without the set for its character-filled finale. When

the Mark Twain is missing from the show, characters parade around

the stage on Tom Sawyer Island.

Disney synergy, part I: Brother Bear arrives in DCA

Sketches and maquettes of Koda and Kenai (from Brother Bear) fill

one Emporium window. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The extensive rehab of DCA’s Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is the latest

example of Disney synergy. The play area reopens on Saturday, November

1 with a new entrance structure, a complete Brother Bear overlay

and a brand new “The Magic of Brother Bear” storytelling show.

Disney synergy, part II: Reduce, reuse, and recycle

Just two windows have been devoted to Brother Bear, with the rest

filled by recycled princess scenes. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Two of the windows around the Emporium on Disneyland’s Main Street have

been changed to feature the upcoming animated Brother Bear movie.

Instead the intriguing animated displays which usually showcase a new

film, these windows simply display sketches and maquettes of the characters

from the film, much like the displays over at DCA’s Animation Building.

Tutt and Tuke are the comical moose duo from the film. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Some of the store’s other windows have been turned into “The Romance

of Disney” displays, reusing the animated scenes previously installed

for The Little Mermaid, Hercules and Beauty and the Beast.

This recycled Beauty and the Beast window gives a look at the “good

ol’ days.” Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

We fondly remember when the new movie displays filled all six windows,

and when those new displays were detailed and inventive. Hopefully one

of the upcoming Disney films will be worthy of such treatment.

Disney synergy, part 3: For your shopping pleasure

The moose are loose, and hanging out at Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Giant moose inflatables have been installed above the World of Disney

Store in Downtown Disney, and the store’s middle display window now features

a Brother Bear poster, in addition to the banner hanging rom the

facade.

Madam Leota sees a trip to the movies in your future. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

In front of the AMC Theater, a giant Madam Leota inflatable hawks the

upcoming Haunted Mansion movie.

More dining cutbacks

As we previously reported, Hook’s Pointe restaurant in the Disneyland

Hotel will stop serving breakfast in early November. Breakfast service

will begin at Granville’s at the same time, featuring the same menu—and

staff—as Hook’s Pointe.

Now we have learned that Hook’s Pointe will open for dinner only on weekends,

holidays and when the Disneyland Hotel is at or above 70 percent capacity.

Restaurant managers say that these changes will help to create a “dining

hub” at the Disneyland Hotel.

Special AP rates for Mighty Ducks games

Disneyland annual passholders can save up to 50 percent off tickets to

selected Mighty Ducks hockey games. There are three seating areas to choose

from:

• Plaza Goal: $50 (regularly $75)
• Club Level (includes in seat service): $60 (regularly $90)
• Terrace Main: $16.25 (regularly $32.50)

Available games include:

• Friday, November 28 vs. Chicago Blackhawks at 1:00 p.m.
• Sunday, December 7 vs. Dallas Stars at 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 7 vs. Los Angeles Kings at 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 21 vs. Detroit Red Wings at 7:30 p.m.

You can order tickets online at the official Mighty Ducks Web site (link).

Direct your questions to ticketoffer@mightyducks.com,

or call (714) 940-2816.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Splash Mountain closed through October 23
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely
• Space Mountain closed through 2005
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed indefinitely

Disney’s California Adventure

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail closed through October 31
• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely

Future Attraction Closures

• “it’s a small world” closed through November 7 to

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

• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride closed November 3 to 26
• Mark Twain Riverboat closes November 3 indefinitely

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

October

Disneyland tests the waters with a small Halloween event on October 26.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

• Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland. Through Sunday, January

  4.

• Downtown Disney Trick-or-Treat Street, 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday,

  October 26.

• Nightmare Before Christmas film screening at the Disneyland

  Resort. Thursday, October 30.

November

• Ambassador Pin Event date not announced.
• Cast Member Create-A-Pin Contest pin release, date not announced.

December

• Marie Osmond “Enchanted Tiki Room Hostess” doll release

  and meet-and-greet at Disneyland. Saturday, December 6.

• Candlelight Processional at Disneyland. December 6 and 7.
• Robert Olszewski “Central Plaza” sculpture release

  at Disneyland. Saturday, December 13.

February

• Sleeping Beauty’s Royal Ball, details to be announced at a

  later date. February 14.

May

• A Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics – “A Disney

  Blast to the Past” May 14 to 16. Registration open to

  returning participants through October 15, open registration begins

  October 16.

• Tower of Terror event, date and details to be announced at

  a later date.

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

conjunction 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 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 4 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 nothing to mail in, and you won’t wait four to

six weeks for the passes and pin to arrive. Reader Ponine added that the

offer includes several other titles, including A Playhouse Disney Halloween

and Disney’s House of Villains.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Annual passholder discounts are available at the Paradise Pier hotel

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.

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.

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.

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