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News and Views

Thar she blows

Christmas Day brought more to Disneyland than it would have preferred—an

unusual storm lashed across Anaheim, dumping torrential rains and severe

winds. While Disneyland avoided the 72 mile-per-hour winds that hit the

Anaheim Hills, the strong 30mph gusts whipped through Disneyland and caused

an eight-foot-tall, 120-foot-long construction fence around the Circlevision

Theatre to topple over and cause minor injuries to three park guests around

4:00 p.m. According to the Orange County Register, the visitors were released

from the University of California–Irvine Medical Center after

being treated for minor cuts and scrapes.

The construction wall surrounding the former Circlevision Theater—scheduled

to become the new Buzz Lightyear ride—earlier last week before it

toppled over from a freak storm. Photo by David Michael.

Code Orange

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced on

Sunday, December 21, that it raised its terror alert to orange—its

second-highest level—after intelligence reports indicated that terrorists

might attempt to hijack a foreign airliner for an attack on domestic soil.

A safety-vested Disney security guard stands watch at Downtown Disney.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix/file photo.

With Disneyland trailing only four other potential terrorism targets

in California in a list released

by the state attorney general’s office earlier this year (Los

Angeles International Airport, Oakland and Long Beach ports, and Golden

Gate Bridge topping the list), Disneyland immediately kicked back into

high-security mode.

If you plan to visit the resort during holiday season, expect heigtened

car screenings at the hotels, more thorough bag checks at the park entrance,

and an increased security presence in the parking structure.

Last chance to see…

This is the final week of the Disneyland Resort’s holiday season, so

this is your last chance to see and do all of the things that make the

parks so magical this time of year.

• Cookie decorating on Main Street, U.S.A.
• Believe… In Holiday Magic fireworks – Disneyland’s

  fireworks are amazing year-round, but the holiday version is especially

  magical, especially followed by…

• Snow on Main Street, U.S.A.
• “it’s a small world” Holiday
• Christmas Fantasy Parade
• Santa!
• Haunted Mansion Holiday – Jack Skellington’s vision of Christmas.

• Holiday Time at Disneyland tour.

Downtown Disney’s juices flowing

Jamba Juice is the newest occupant at Downtown Disney to open its doors,

just in time for thirsty Christmas shoppers. Photo by David Michael.

We reported in our September 15 Disneyland park update that Jamba Juice

would take over the space vacated by Soliton. The popular juice spot finally

opened its doors a week before Christmas, and now provides boosts of fruity

energy for Downtown Disney visitors.

Scheduled to open in March 2004, Tortilla Jo’s is a casual family dining

restaurant that will serve Mexican food. Photo by David Michael.

Meanwhile, construction continues in Downtown Disney for Tortilla Jo’s

at the former site of Y Arriba Y Arriba. When complete, Tortilla Jo’s

will feature a main dining room, and dining area and patio on the second

floor, as well as an over-the-counter taqueria stand.

Cost-cutting at DCA entrance

This section as orginally published is below, but it was completely incorrect. This gate at the entrance to DCA has always been closed with plants in front of it; it is there for future expansion if necessary.

The plants were recently changed which made it catch the eye. We apologize for the error and thank the several people who brought this to our attention.

In what could be perceived as a double-benefit at Disney’s California

Adventure park, one of its entrance gates now appears to be permanently

shuttered. As shown in this photo, park officials have closed the entrance

gate closest to Downtown Disney.

Planters have replaced turnstiles at one of the gates at DCA. Photo by

David Michael.

By removing two sets of—or four individual—turnstiles, the

park saves money on staffing them. And by creating a larger crowd waiting

to enter DCA through fewer turnstiles, park officials may be hoping for

an appearance that more patrons are entering the second park than was

perceived in the past.

75 Years with Mickey Mouse auction

75 Mickey sculptures will be auctioned on January 31 2004. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Would you like to buy one of the 75 Mickey Mouse “big figs”

created for Mickey’s 75th birthday party? How about one of the original

works of art created at Disneyland during the celebration? If so, bring

lots of Disney Dollars: the Disneyland Resort is hosting the Celebrating

75 Years of Fun with Mickey Mouse Auction on Saturday, January 31,

2004 at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.

Original artwork by Dave Avanzino goes on the auction block in January.

Photo courtesy of Dave Avanzino.

Three different packages are available for prospective bidders, ranging

from a basic $25 entrance ticket to a $349 experience that includes a

hotel stay, cocktail reception and an artist meet-and-greet.

Who ruined the ball?

When Disneyland announced the Sleeping Beauty Royal ball, prospective

attendees were put off by the sticker price: $285 per person for a night

of dinner and dancing at the Disneyland Hotel. In the weeks after registration

began, event organizers added a few extra elements to the package, including

a screening of Sleeping Beauty at the Downtown Disney AMC theater

and reserved seating at the new Snow White production in the Fantasyland

Theater.

It seems that these added elements were not enough to convince couples

to shell out nearly $600 for the Valentine’s Day ball. Disney suspended

registration for the event, and last week announced a complete makeover

of the itineary. Instead of a semi-formal evening ball, the event—strangely

still billed as a “ball”—now takes place during the

morning and afternoon of Saturday, February 14, 2004.

A “themed lunch with enchanting entertainment” replaces the

sit-down dinner. Attendees will still receive tickets to a showing of

the Sleeping Beauty at the AMC 12 Theater and reserved seating

for a performance of Disney’s Snow White – An Enchanting Musical.

In addition, however, they have now added a “Princess Academy Class,”

and a Princess storytelling session, As always, there will be a lovely

commemorative gift—but any mention of event merchandise has been

removed from the Disney Web site.

Although Disney has dropped the price of the event to $89 per adult,

what remains is a ball without a ball, and a merchandise event without

merchandise. From the daytime itinerary, the heavy emphasis on Princesses

and the $49 child’s ticket, it looks like Disney has transformed this

Valentine’s Day event into a Princess tea party for little girls.

Tower of Terror gets more sprucing

A cherry picker hoists a worker up to the top of a palm tree in the construction

area for the Tower of Terror, the new attraction scheduled to open at

Disney’s California Adventure park in Spring 2004. Photo by David Michael.

The Tower of Terror attraction, under construction and scheduled to open

in Spring 2004 at DCA, is starting to see many finer touches to its exterior.

Earlier last week, landscapers were working on the fronds on the large

palm trees, while the entrance area was also getting some attention.

A worker takes some measurements in what may eventually turn out to be

a water fountain near the entranceway to the newest attraction to open

in Disney’s California Adventure park, the Tower of Terror. Photo by David

Michael.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

Main Street provides a plain view of Space Mountain and its ongoing white

paint job. Photo by David Michael.

• Mark Twain Riverboat closed through January 10, 2004
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely
• Space Mountain closed through 2005
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed indefinitely

Construction continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which closed

on September 5 after a

fatal accident. Photo by David Michael.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely
• Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie closed through December 23

Future Attraction Closures

• Haunted Mansion closed January 5 – 16
• “it’s a small world” closed January 12 – 25
• Indiana Jones Adventure closed January 20 to April 2, 2004
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey January 26 – February 19

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

January

• Disneyland Resort float in 2004 Tournament of Roses Parade,

  January 1

• 75 Years with Mickey auction, January 31
• Cast Member Create-A-Pin Contest pin release, date not announced.

  (Moved from November)

February

• Sleeping Beauty’s Royal Ball, details available at the Disney

  Gallery Web site (link).

  February 14.

• Snow White – An Enchanting Musical premieres February

  22.

April

• Tower of Terror event, details to be announced at a later date.

  April 22 & 23

May

• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Opening at DCA. May 4
• A Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics – “A Disney

  Blast to the Past” Registration now open to all. May 14

  to 16.

Current Discounts & Promotions

New AAA tickets

AAA has announced new ticket plans for the Disneyland Resort:

• 2-day adult Flex Passport $98 ($78 for children)
• 5-day adult Flex Passport $129 ($99 for children)

The new prices became effective on December 24, and in51ace free parking.

Live an Artful Life with an OC Arts Card

The Disneyland Resort partnering with Arts Orange County sponsor the

OC Arts Card, which provides cardholders with benefits such as savings

on tickets, classes, merchandise and memberships at more than 40 nonprofit

arts venues in the local Orange County community.

Annual passholders can purchase the 2004 card for $37.50, 25 percent

off the regular price. In addition, the first 500 passholders to purchase

a card receive a second card for free.

For more information or to order a card, visit the OCArts card Web site

(link)

or call (888) 556-5160. To receive the annual passholder discount, use

offer code C04DIAP. The first card is mailed immediately; those who are

among the first 500 will have the second card mailed at a later time.

Disney’s Wildfire Heroes Salute

“Disney’s Wildfire Heroes Salute” entitles active California

firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel, with proper organization

and photo ID, to one free three-day park hopper ticket. They can also

make a one-time purchase of up to five three-day park hopper companion

tickets for $39 each. Discounted hotel rates are also available at the

three Disneyland Resort hotels.

The promotion is valid through March 31, except for blackout dates of

December 20 to January 3, and February 14 to 16. For more details, visit

Disneyland’s Disney’s Wildfire Heroes Salute Web page (link)

or call (714) 520-5069.

Have a Coke and a pass

Specially marked 12-packs and two-liter bottles of Coca-Cola in Southern

California are currently offering a $20-off coupon towards the purchase

of a new Deluxe or Premium Disneyland Resort Annual Pass. The coupon is

valid through January 31, 2004.

A Nightmare deal at Costco

In September, 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 cloisonné 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 is nothing to mail in, and

no four-to-six-week wait for the passes and pin to arrive.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Annual passholders can also book a room at the Paradise Pier hotel for

$59. This offer is valid only on Sunday nights, through March 2004.

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 the package price includes 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.

City Pass now available with AAA packages

You can now purchase the Southern California City Pass with Walt Disney

Travel Company packages.

A Southern California City Pass booklet includes admission to five separate

entertainment options:

• 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 from the Disneyland Web site (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 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