Disneyland Park Update

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News and Views

Princesses premier Friday – As David Koenig mentioned in his column last week, a new Princess Processional is coming to Disneyland. Scheduled to begin this Friday, the The Disney Princess Royal Fanfare will run weekends and holidays.

“Eureka” returns to Disney's California Adventure – Based on casting notices sent out this week, it looks like the quirky “Eureka” parade will return this summer. The previous cast had been informed that the parade was closing at the end of last season. Now it looks like remounting this production is a more economical choice than replacing it with something new.

The preliminary summer entertainment lineup looks like this:

Fantasmic: Mid June – September 1
Eureka: June 20 – September 1
Disney's Electrical Parade: June 20 – September 1

It is unclear at this point how many of the smaller DCA productions will be mounted this summer. According to our source, “Chance to Shine“, “Goofy's Beach Party Blast“, and the “Ugly Bug Ball” are all up in the air.

To hop, or not to hop? – The SoCal Salute ticket program began last week. For the price of a regular admission, $47 or $37, residents of Southern California receive a ticket good for admission to both Disneyland and DCA. We originally reported that the ticket could not be used as a “park-hopper”, but a Disneyland Guest Relations CM wrote to say,

“After reading your park update today I spotted some miscommunication with the resident salute. Guests may park hop on this ticket, as in the past both of the days will be used on your first visit. Any Vacation Planning CM should be able to confirm this. “

We have called Guest Relations several times to confirm this information, and the replies have been varied. Some CMs say that the tickets must be used on separate days, others admit that you could use both tickets on the same day. As always, should you encounter any difficulties in using your tickets, just ask nicely to speak with a manager.

Hopeful applicants register for the All American Girl auditions at DCA.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Who wants to be an All American Girl? – The creators of American Idol will now look for the All American Girl 2003 in a new reality TV series to be aired on ABC. The first of four live open auditions were held last week at Disney's California Adventure. Applicants, ages 18 – 25, had two minutes before a camera to show off their vocal, dance or acting talents. The producers are also accepting applications by mail – click here to download the application form.

The actual show is a cross of Star Search, Survivor and Big Brother. The 12 finalists will live together in a house while receiving professional training from a variety of acting, singing, modeling and dance coaches. Viewers will vote weekly to vote one woman from the house.

Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher watch as kids paint the fence around the Rivers of America
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

New Character Meet and Greet – Since Tom Sawyer's Island is closed for rehab, Tom and his friend Becky Thatcher have begun to hang out alongside the big picket fence erected around the river. It seems that Disneyland's maintenance department asked the pair to apply a “dragon-proof” coating to the fence, to protect it from the fire-breathing creature that lives in the river. If you happen by at the right time, Tom and Becky will even graciously allow to you help them paint the fence.

Grinning, Going, Gone – The “Grim Grinning Ghosts” exhibit at the Disney Gallery will close on January 26th, to make room for a new Pirates of the Caribbean exhibit. The new exhibit will reopen in March, and a possible preview party in in the works.

Tower of Terror construction continues in DCA.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

A whole new show – Disney's Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular will be presented to the media for the first time this Thursday. Preliminary plans for a splashy Broadway-style premier weekend were said to have included a “Camel-cade” down Harbor Blvd. The actual event will consist of a performance of the new musical, and a post-show party in DCA's Hollywood district.

More Snow for Disneyland? – The New York Times is reporting that Anne Hamburger has commissioned playwright Dara Cloud and artistic director Eric Schaeffer to create a “Snow White” musical for Disneyland. You can read the complete article at this link, free registration is required to access the site.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

The Columbia and Mark Twain sit in the slowly-draining Rivers of America.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Disneyland

• King Arthur Carrousel – through January 30
• Matterhorn Bobsleds – indefinite
• “it’s a small world” – through February 6
• Haunted Mansion – through January 23
• Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes – through late March
• Rivers of America – through late March
• Mark Twain Riverboat – through late March
• Sailing Ship Columbia – through late March
• Sleeping Beauty Castle – indefinite

  
  Workers paint the new canopy for King Arthur's Carrousel
  Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

  Disney’s California Adventure

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
• Superstar Limo – indefinite

  
  The mechanics of the Fantasmic! mist screens can be seen over the picket fence.
  Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

  Future Attraction Closures:

• Splash Mountain – February 18 – March 6
• Critter Country – February 18 – March 6
• Mad Tea Party – February 24 – March 15 (May be postponed)
• Space Mountain – Sept 2003 – August 2004
• Pirates of the Caribbean – April 28 – May 30
• Indiana Jones Adventure – September 2 – October 24

The boat track is visible near the Mark Twain Dock.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Please note that refurbishment schedules are estimates only, and that all information is subject to change without notice. You can get the most recent updates by calling Disneyland at (714) 781-7290 before you visit.

Park Events

New Annual Passholder Dining Pin Series starts January 26th – The series will focus on the Disney Chefs. The first pin will be released on Sunday, January 26, 2003 at Goofy's Kitchen, and will feature Chef Goofy. Annual Passholders will receive one pin with each single food purchase of $20.00 (after tax and any applicable discount), at participating locations:

Plaza Inn, Carnation Cafe, Rancho del Zocalo, French Market, Cafe Orleans, and Blue Bayou at Disneyland® Park; Ariel's Grotto (formerly Avalon Cove), Pacific Wharf Café, Taste Pilots' Grill, plus the Vineyard Room and Wine Country Trattoria at the Golden Vine Winery at Disney's California Adventure™ park; Disney's PCH Grill and Yamabuki restaurant at the Paradise PierSM Hotel; Goofy's Kitchen, Hook's Pointe and Granville's Steak House at the Disneyland® Hotel; Storytellers Café at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel™.

The Tokyo Disneyland Resort Pin Trading Experience has sold out – 39 guests will travel to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Seas, and experience a day trip to Kyoto.

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.

MousePad member Darkbeer alerted us to a new AAA promotion – 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

This package is available without an air or hotel purchase. See your local AAA office for more details.

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

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule