Disneyland Park Update

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News and Views

Security
Matters

Last fall, the Disneyland Resort tested a system of centralized
package checks, similar to those already in place at Walt Disney World. Instead
of placing package check tables in front of every entrance gate, a single checkpoint
was erected in front of Disneyland, and another in front of Disney’s California
Adventure. After visitors passed through the checkpoint, they could proceed to
any of the open turnstiles to enter the park.

Visitors pass through the new security checkpoints at the Disneyland Resort. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

This system allowed people to walk though the
esplanade between parks without passing through a checkpoint, but required visitors
who were “park hopping” to go through another check before entering
the second park. After testing the new system for a few days, the resort went
back to the one-table-per-gate method.

The potted trees do little to hide the rows of metal fences. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.

Two weeks ago, the resort began a longer test of a different
package check process. In this version, the esplanade between the parks is surrounded
by low metal fences. Visitors’ bags are inspected at white tents stationed along
each side of the esplanade. Once someone passes through the checkpoint, they can
proceed to either theme park, or across the esplanade to Downtown Disney or the
Harbor Boulevard entrance. Park hoppers do not need to have their packages inspected
when they transition between parks.

You won’t have to go through security to hop between parks, but you may if you
want to eat in Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

While
park hoppers will be happy with this change, the new system has one decided down
side: tourists who are simply trying to get to Downtown Disney from the Harbor
entrance—where the hotel shuttle stops are located—will have to pass
through a checkpoint just to cross the esplanade. This may serve as a deterrent
to visitors who just want to pop into Downtown Disney for a quick dinner or shopping
trip. It will be interesting to see how Disney accommodates the needs of paying
customers and paying tenants.

Treats from the Enchanted Cottage

To
complement Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical, Disneyland’s much-hyped
new musical (see our review,
and our photo essay),
the snack bar most recently known as Troubadour Treats has received a Snow White
makeover. Now called “The Enchanted Cottage,” the location sports a
new carved-wood facade created by Imagineer Kim Irvine. The sign (see the following
photo) is just temporary—a new painted glass sign is being created to give
the location a more authentic Bavarian feel.

The staff of The Enchanted Cottage prepares for the next onslaught of customers.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

As with the French Market when it offered
its themed Haunted Mansion menu, cast members here have themed greetings, and
address every guest as “milady” or “milord.” “Everyone
is royalty here,” explained a manager.

MousePlanet was invited to
sample items from the new menu, created especially to complement the new stage
production. The menu includes bratwurst and knockwurst sausages, offered with
a choice of sauerkraut or grilled peppers and onions. Both sausages are $6.59,
and come with a spicy honey mustard and chips. When we asked random diners about
their meals, they said the sauerkraut was excellent. One benefit for those on
controlled-carbohydrate eating plans: Cast members have been briefed to expect
requests to hold the bun.

Tasters called the Warmed Caramel Apple Fantasy Cinnamon Crisps “addictive.”
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The featured dessert is the Warmed Caramel
Apple Fantasy Cinnamon Crisps. Just ask for the “apple nachos”—they’ll
know what you mean. At $5.69, this dish is designed to be easily shared during
the show. Visitors who sampled the dessert called it “addictive.” The
$2.99 German Chocolate Cake Brownie got a cooler reception—one taster said
it wasn’t anything special.

The Magic Wishing Apple is a treat to some, a trick to others. Photo by Alex Stroup.

Other
snacks include a giant Bavarian pretzel—served with warm cheese or honey-mustard
dipping sauce for $2.99—popcorn, frozen ice cream novelties and a $1.79 “Magic
Wishing Apple.” This red apple comes decorated with either a portrait of
Snow White or a group sketch of the Dwarfs. A Disney representative said that
younger children are enchanted by the “magical” design on the apple,
while older kids think it’s cool to tempt fate by biting into the “poisoned”
apple that plays a large role in the show. Either way, parents will probably appreciate
that their children are asking for a healthy snack. Children can also order a
peanut butter and jelly sandwich, served, with a drink and either chips or baby
carrots, in the “Cooked Up Comics” lunch box for $5.99.

Park guests can take Snow White home with specially themed popcorn bucket and
insulated plastic coffee mug. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Two souvenir
containers are available at the show: a popcorn bucket ($4.69, including popcorn),
and a hot drink “stein.” ($4.69 with coffee or hot cocoa) The popcorn
bucket designs will change periodically to enhance their collectibility.

The
location is also distributing trading cards with each purchase. The series of
eight cards feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The character can be punched
from the card and used as a finger puppet, and a different card will be distributed
each day.

The Enchanted Cottage is open daily 30 minutes prior to the first
Snow White performance. Before and between shows, you can access the stand via
the walkway near the restrooms. Limited table seating is available adjacent to
the location.

David Koenig reports…

Seeing
Double

Entertainment continues to shuffle the locations of characters throughout
the park. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn are back on Tom Sawyer Island. And, due to
guests clamoring to get better access to the princesses, Disneyland has begun
featuring two of each heroine in the park at the same time. Starting President’s
Day weekend, visitors could find Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Belle
at the castle as well as their twin doubles 60 seconds away at the patio next
to Casey Jr.

Fortunately, the positioning was short-lived, and the following
week the clones at Casey Jr. were relocated to the Main Entrance/Town Square area.

Indy
Rides Again

The Indiana Jones Adventure’s long-awaited rehab appears to
be ahead of schedule. Adventureland management reportedly does not foresee anything
keeping the attraction from reopening, as planned, on Friday, April 2. Staffers
speculate the ride may be up and running even earlier.

“I think that
it will have some soft openings earlier, at least a week ahead of schedule,”
said one cast member. “Keep in mind that workers tore up the station, then
installed gates and laid new concrete so as it looks brand new. The area is still
a ‘hard hat area, so access is a bit restricted, but I can tell you that having
been there, I’m amazed that work has gone on so swiftly.”

As of last
week, the employee revealed, “The new station gates are in place, and all
we are waiting for is the electronic elements to be installed. Management has
put a rush on this ride opening up quicker, and Operations will begin testing
shifts as soon as (the end of February). The first week will entail getting feedback
about console design and the like, and later in the month, the ride will be powered
up and cycled again. Some show elements have already been replaced, such as the
bug room getting new projection equipment.”

Forget About A Third Gate

Disney
appears to have shelved plans for a third gate in Anaheim for the foreseeable
future. The initial hope was that, if Disney’s California Adventure proved a success,
a third theme park would be built by 2010 over the strawberry fields catercorner
across Harbor and Katella. When DCA didn’t catch on big right out of the gate,
plans were scaled back to adding a water park and other more modest amenities.
Now the thinking seems to be forgetting about the parcel entirely until the underdeveloped
DCA and the aging Disneyland are up to par. With the 50th anniversary fast approaching,
the last thing Disneyland Resort management needs is to become distracted with
another underfunded problem child.

As a result, Disney, in tandem with the
adjacent Radisson Hotel, has been soliciting bids from local construction firms
to demolish a portion of its own employee lot and pave over the remaining strawberry
fields. By leasing the land to Radisson, Disney can make a little money—while
buying itself some time for the long term.

Current
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Indiana
  Jones Adventure closed through April 2.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle
  walk-through closed indefinitely.
• Space Mountain closed through
  2005.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad currently scheduled to reopen
  March 11.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Orange
  Stinger closed through March 12.
• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely
  (rumored to reopen May 4).

Future Attraction Closures

• 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

Ongoing

• Frights, Camera, Action exhibit about the Haunted Mansion attraction
  and movie at the Disney Gallery, extended through April 18.

The Tower of Terror attraction is plainly visible to visitors who walk to the
end of the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

March

• Spring Premiere Sculpture Event debuts “I’m not Bad, I’m Just
  Drawn That Way,” a 5,000-unit limited edition porclain sculpture of Jessica
  Rabbit. Walt Disney Classics Collection event will be held both at Disneyland
  and Walt Disney World. March 26–28.

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.

October

• CHOC Walk – this fun-walk through Disneyland park is a fundraiser for
  the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (link).
  October 3.

Current Discounts
& Promotions

Car rental discounts

Disneyland Resort Annual
Passholders save up to 20 percent car rentals from Alamo Rent A Car and National
Car Rental. Restrictions apply—get full details and the necessary discount
codes on the Annual Passholder Web site (link).

Mighty Ducks tickets

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders save
up to 50 percent on Mighty Ducks tickets. Offer applies to selected dates only,
through April 4, 2004. There are three seating areas to choose from, at varying
prices and discount levels. Visit the Annual Passholder Web site for more details
(link).

Anaheim
Angels tickets

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders save on Anaheim Angels
tickets. Offer applies to selected dates only. There are three seating areas to
choose from. Visit the Annual Passholder Web site for more details (link).

Disney’s
Passport Plus Package for 2004 includes:

• Disneyland Resort Park
  Hopper Ticket
• $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card
• Preferred Seating
  at select shows in Disney’s California Adventure Park
• California Diamond
  Fun Book (one per package)
• Free parking at Disneyland Resort Theme Parks
  

Prices are as follows:

• 5-day: $129 (children: $99)
• 6-day:
  $159 (children: $129)
• 7-day: $184 (children: $149)

An additional
handling fee of $10 will be charged per mailing address.

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

The Disneyland Resort
is offering a new version of the Southern Californian resident salute through
Friday, April 30. 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
can 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 the Disneyland Web site (link).

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, 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.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort
hotels

Annual passholders can 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