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News and Views

The Happiest Construction Site on Earth

Disneyland visitors can be overheard remarking on the striking number
of construction projects visible around the park. If you thought the holiday
season was interesting, with the rolling repainting project working its
way down Main Street, just wait until you see what is in store for the
next few months.

Visitors to Disneyland are greeted by a massive construction wall in front
of the City Hall complex. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

The first thing you may notice when you enter Disneyland is that the
City Hall complex, including the AAA Tour Guide Gardens, the Main Street
Fire Station and the City Hall rest rooms, are surrounded by a giant construction
wall. Scaffolding and tarps hide the work from view, but the entire building
is receiving a fresh coat of paint and some much-needed repairs to the
wood trim.

The path to the Fantasyland theater looks ready for some pavement repair,
but at least the fences were painted. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

The scaffolding in Toon Town may finally be put to work, as painting resumes
after a several-month delay. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Back in Fantasyland, the walkway around the Fantasyland Theater and the
Toontown Station are marked for paving work, and the fences and railings
in the area have a new coat of paint.

Although the scaffolding in Toontown has been in place for months, workers
are finally repainting the neglected backdrops.

Peeking behind the wall, the construction area outside the upcoming Buzz
Lighyear ride turns out to be anything but exciting. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix

Tomorrowland is still a maze of construction walls. Folks who like to
peer behind the walls are in for a disappointment – there’s little to
see beside paving bricks, sheets of plywood and concrete mixers.

Paving continues outside the Monorail exit, and visitors still can’t find
the Winners Circle store. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Where some visitors are put off by the construction noise and mess –
not to mention the long list of attraction closures and reduced capacities
– longtime fans are thrilled to see the work continue. A member of our
MousePad discussion boards, posting as MrTomMorrow, wrote “Yay! The
park is getting the attention it deserves. I guess all those years of
neglect are finally catching up. I can’t wait to see everything spruced
up again.”

The Hatmosphere store serves as a staging area for construction equipment.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Annual Passholders second-rate citizens?

[In the following incident, the victim and one of the witnesses are
MousePlanet staff members.]

Lines seem to bring out the worst in some people, even when visiting
the “happiest place on Earth.” As visitors waited to enter Disneyland
this past Saturday, one man decided that he did not want to wait in line
for a bag check, and roughly shoved his way past a disabled visitor. When
others waiting in line objected, the man halted, but then pushed forward
again, slamming the same visitor into the metal gates around the entrance.
As the astonished onlookers shouted for the main gate cast member to call
security, the man ran off, followed by a witness and a Disneyland management
cast member. The subject’s bewildered wife and son were left behind.

The pursuit lasted nearly twenty minutes, and wound through the esplanade
and Downtown Disney. Each time the man saw a security guard, he ran the
other way. By the time Disneyland security finally caught up to him, the
man had ducked into Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen restaurant. Officers
from the on-site Anaheim police department substation arrived, and interviewed
both the subject and his victim.

If the assault and chase were not bizarre enough, the response by the
Disneyland resort management was surreal. Rather than taking action against
the subject for an assault that was witnessed by at least six people,
including two Disneyland cast members and the subject’s own son, Resort
Stage Manager Lori Grimsley and Security Manager Martha Smith threatened
to remove the victim and a witness from Disney property and revoke their
annual passports for “causing a disturbance.”

At no time did anyone from the Disneyland Resort even ask for the full
name, address or phone number of the victim. Representatives from the
resort declined to take statements or even names from any of the witnesses,
including the two cast members.

An assistant security manager, introduced only as “Tabi,” further refused
to even take a written statement from the victim about the incident. Tabi
went so far as to threaten to revoke the victim’s annual passport if they
insisted on filing a written complaint, saying “It takes two to start
a fight.”

The Anaheim police department took the names and addresses of both subject
and victim, but again declined to interview any of the witnesses at the
scene, or to even file a police report. Again, representatives of the
Disneyland resort told the victim that their annual passport would be
revoked if they “formalized the matter.”

In fact, the only resolution offered to the victim was to file formal
charges against the subject for assault and battery. When the victim declined
to do so, on the advice of the police officers who responded to the scene,
Ms. Grimsley and Ms. Smith simply allowed the subject to walk away.

You read that correctly – no action whatsoever was taken against the
man.

The moral of this story: If you’re going to commit random acts of violence
against complete strangers at Disneyland, make sure that your victims
are Annual Passholders. The moment it was disclosed that both subject
and victim were APs, the matter was seemingly downgraded by management
to little more than a playground scuffle. Ms. Grimsley actually called
the assault an “accident,” and lamented that “two grown adults” could
not “make up” and enjoy the rest of their day at Disneyland.

Apparently the word “passholder” is enough to prevent Disneyland management
and security from taking reports of violence seriously, even when the
assault is witnessed by cast members, non-passholders, and the subject’s
own family. (The subject’s son actually apologized to friends of the victim
for his father’s actions.)

Of Disney’s “Four Keys,” Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency, it would
seem that the first two do not apply when dealing with APs. You can be
certain that this situation would have been handled much differently had
the victims been $50-a-day ticket holders, or a family shelling out $300
for a Disneyland Resort hotel room.

We’re disapointed by the manner in which Ms. Grimsley and Ms. Smith
handled the situation and treated the victim and witnesses. It seems incredible
that Disney is willing to let visitors assault other guests with relative
impunity, actually threatening to take action against the victim for “causing
a disturbance” by reporting a crime.

With the resort so intent on presenting an image of a safe, family-friendly
place to visit, it seems absurd that you will be denied entry to Disneyland
for having a knitting needle and some yarn, but not for assaulting another
guest.

Streaks of dirt from the recent windstorm may serve as a reminder of why
Space Mountain was painted brown in the first place. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix

Speaking of Passholders

The latest Annual Passholder newsletter began arriving in homes this
weekend. The highlights:

• “Reserved” Annual Passholder showtimes for Snow White
  – An Enchanting Musical are scheduled for February 23-27
  & 29 at 6:00pm. Passholders will receive a “commemorative gift”
  when they attend. Reservations are required for the free events. Registration
  begins Friday, February 13, via the Disneyland.com Web site.
• Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen will be hosting a Mardi Gras celebration
  February 21 and 22. Call 714-776-5200 for details.
• Now through March 28, Annual Passholders can book rooms at the Paradise
  Pier hotel for $79 a night, Sunday through Thursday. Weekend rates and
  discounts for the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian are
  higher. Make reservations at 714-956-MICKEY, and ask for rate plan APN.
  (Note: this offer runs concurrently with the “AP Nights” rate
  of $59, good only on Sunday nights at the Paradise Pier hotel. If your
  trip includes a Sunday night stay, be sure to ask for the lower rate
  for that night)
• Jackson and Perkins nursery is now offering the Disneyland Rose. The
  rose is described as a “New Generation” floribunda, and is
  prominently planted around Disneyland and DCA. Order by phone at 800-769-9469
  or on their Web site (link),
  and ask for item #29085A. Annual Passholders receive a 10% discount
  off the retail price of $16.95 per plant.

Somewhere beneath the tarps, the new Tortilla Joes takes shape. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

• Tortilla Joes, still under construction in Downtown Disney, will offer
  Annual Passholders a free appetizer when two APs order two lunch or
  dinner entrees. This offer is currently in effect at the other two Patina
  Group restaurants in Downtown Disney, Catal and Naples.
• Passholders can purchase Terrace Level tickets for 50% off, or Plaza
  and Club Level tickets for 33% off for selected Mighty Ducks games.
  This offer is only available for specific dates and opponents – visit
  the Passholder Web site (link)
  for details.
• Department 56 in Downtown Disney will discontinue their 10% Annual
  Passholder discount on February 1, 2004. (The discount listing in the
  most recent newsletter is incorrect)
• ESPN Zone offers Annual Passholders a discount of 10% off food and
  beverage every day (Monday-Sunday) excluding alcohol and holidays or
  special events. ESPN Zone will also match every dollar spent on game
  points in the Sports Arena every day (Monday-Sunday). Must present AP
  ID to receive discount. AP must be in attendance and must present payment
  to receive the discount. 8 person party maximum.

Ears to the Ground

David Koenig reports:

• The “Character Finder,” a position that for the last
several years has been stationed at the Information Board in front of
the Plaza Pavilion, evidently has been eliminated. The cast member would
answer questions about Entertainment in the Resort and help guests track
down their favorite characters. Now, a sole Guest Relations cast member
will staff the Info Board.

A lone Guest Relations cast member stands watch at the Information Board.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

• Some ride operators are grumbling after being instructed that
they are now responsible for cleaning up the entrance and queue of their
attractions themselves. Attractions managers want them to keep a dustpan
and broom nearby. A few ride operators have questioned whether this is
crossing union lines into Custodial’s territory. (Personally, I remember
the days when all employees, no matter the department or rank, reflexively
picked up any trash they came upon.)

• Changes may be on the way at the Mad Tea Party. A couple of weeks
ago, a young guest suffered minor injuries when he fell out of a Teacup.
“The cup was being spun so fast by family members, the child might
have fallen out, or tried to get out because of being frightened,”
said one cast member. “The guest was not seriously hurt; however,
management has reacted to this by making it harder for guests to spin
the teacups. The tables in the center of the cup are more difficult to
spin. And there is even talk of installing seat belts!”

• Some performers in the Parade of the Stars have been spotted in
new costumes. Sleeping Beauty now wears a purplish-pink ball gown instead
of a blue one.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Indiana Jones Adventure closed Jan. 26 to April 2


• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey closed Jan. 26 to Feb. 19


• Mark Twain Riverboat rehab extended until February 6.
  (May be extended even further)


• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely


• Space Mountain closed through 2005


• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed through March 4.


• Tomorrowland Railroad Station closed through February 22.


• Autopia – Fastpass will be unavailable January 26 through February
  22.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely

Future Attraction Closures

• Orange Stinger closed Feb. 2 to March 12


• Dumbo closed March 8 to April 1


• Peter Pan’s Flight closed April 19 to May 22.


• Enchanted Tiki Room closes in September for a two-month rehab

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

• 75 Years with Mickey auction, January 31.

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, “soft opening” previews begin February 9.


• Snow White – An Enchanting Musical “Reserved”
  Annual Passholder showtimes February 23-27 & 29 at 6:00pm

April

• Tower of Terror event, details available at the Disney Gallery
  Web site (link).
  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” May 14 to 16.

Current Discounts & Promotions

New SoCal Salute announced; two parks, two days at one-day price

Beginning January 6 through April 30, the Disneyland Resort will be offering
a new version of the SoCal salute. Residents may spend a day at Disneyland
and a day at Disney’s California Adventure for the price of a one-day
ticket. Eligible residents may purchase up to five “2fer” tickets per
day with proof of Southern California residency (zip codes 90000 through
93599, or Northern Baja California residents within zip codes 21000 through
22999; valid ID required). “2fer” tickets are priced at the regular one-day
ticket prices for the Disneyland Resort theme parks — $47 for ages 10
and up, $37 for ages 3 through 9 — and are available at Resort ticket
booths as well as at www.disneyland.com. The first day of use must occur
on the date of purchase; the second day of use must occur within 30 days
of purchase or before April 30, 2004, whichever occurs first.

New AAA tickets

AAA announced new ticket plans for the Disneyland Resort:

• 2-day adult Flex Passport $98 (children: $78)


• 5-day adult Flex Passport $129 (children: $99)

The new prices took effect December 24, 2003, and all tickets include
free parking.

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
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.

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.

Annual Passholders can also book rooms at the Paradise Pier hotel for
$79 a night, Sunday through Thursday.

Weekend rates and discounts for the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand
Californian are higher. Make reservations at 714-956-MICKEY, and ask for
rate plan APN. (Note: these offers run concurrently. If your trip includes
a Sunday night stay, be sure to ask for the lower rate for that night)

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 available with AAA packages

You can 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 children 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.

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