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News and Views

Tour guides needed just to find City Hall

Refurbishment of the City Hall complex entered a new phase this week,
when the building was closed entirely to allow work to proceed on the
interior. Cast members tell us that one part of the wall between the main
City Hall reception area and the “annex” next door will be removed,
making way for a longer countertop with enhanced work stations and room
for more cast members to assist more visitors at the same time.

City Hall is closed to the public while the renovation moves to the interior
of the building. Photo by David Michael.

For now, the functions of City Hall are being handled in two different
locations. All financial transactions—guided tour reservations, ticket
upgrades, City Pass purchases and the like—are handled at the Bank
of Main Street. All other guest assistance functions, including dining
reservations and Special Assistance card issuance, are handled at the
Main Street Opera House, inside the exit from Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

A cast member stands by to direct visitors to the entrance of the Plaza
Pavilion. Photo by David Michael.

Annual Passes continue to be processed at the Plaza Pavilion on Main
Street, even while the exterior of the building undergoes a complete refurbishment.

It’s a gold castle, after all

As reported in our January
12 and February
16 updates, the theme for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
is “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth.” Disney shareholders who
attended last week’s meeting in Philadelphia got a sneak peek at a logo
created for the promotion that will begin in May 2005.

Shareholders got a sneak peek at this logo for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary
celebration. Photo © Disney.

A source at Disneyland says that this logo looks nothing like the one
that made the rounds earlier this year. Another reader noted that Sleeping
Beauty Castle is definitely gold in this version, and added, “They
may not paint the castle after all, but they are sure going to make you
think they did.”

Big Thunder’s big test

Officials from the State of California Division of Occupational Safety
and Health (DOSH) are scheduled to inspect the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
this week, and determine if Disney has made the changes to maintenance,
training and operations mandated in the wake of the accident last September
that killed one rider and injured 10 others.

A Big Thunder Mountain Railroad train waits in the station. Photo by David
Michael.

In a report released in November, DOSH found that employees and managers
signed off on work they did not personally perform or inspect. In addition
to retraining mechanics, managers and ride operators on the Big Thunder
attraction, the state instructed Disney to address park-wide safety and
training issues. If DOSH certifies the attraction after its inspection,
the ride could be open as early as Thursday, March 11.

Cast members send a Big Thunder Mountain vehicle around the track during
retraining last week. Photo by David Michael.

Cast members have been training on the new ride system for the past month,
and trains are frequently seen making their way around the track behind
the construction walls. MousePlanet reader David Michael, who contributed
many of the photos for this update, says that the trains do not look to
have changed at all since the accident.

Security matters

Disneyland has made another change to the centralized package check system
implemented last month. The inspection stations have been moved to locations
closer to the tram drop-off points in the east and west esplanade areas.
Visitors must now pass through the checkpoints before reaching even the
ticket booths.

Visitors walk from the tram stop to the west package checkpoint. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

This change also means that the picnic area is within the secure zone,
which poses a challenge for visitors packing a picnic lunch. In the past,
visitors were allowed to bring items such as knifes and glass containers
into the picnic area, as long as they did not bring them into the park.
Cast members would often suggest that parkgoers leave such items in a
rented locker, rather than having them confiscated at the front gate.

Cast members will search all packages brought into the secure zone,
including ice chests and coolers. Items such as metal butter knifes, paring
knives, glass bottles, and drinking glasses are prohibited from passing
the security check, so they may not longer be carried into the picnic
area, or even stored in the lockers.

Falling into The Gap

It seems that The Gap’s recruiting effort has spread from Disneyland’s
corporate Team Disney Anaheim building and into the parks. Two assistant
merchandise managers from Disneyland have left to take jobs at the retailer
now run by former Chairman of Disney Theme Parks and Resorts Paul Pressler
and former Disneyland Resort President Cynthia Harriss. The departed managers
were reportedly offered store manager positions at Gap-owned Old Navy
locations, at raises of $15,000 over their Disney salaries.

Under Pressler and Harriss, Disneyland had aggressively recruited retail
managers from malls and non-Disney retailers, instead of promoting from
within. That pattern appears to be reversing, as outside retailers lure
Disney talent away from the parks with higher pay and better work conditions.

Don’t Snow on my Parade

What happens when 1,300 people try to exit a theater through an active
parade route? No, it’s not a joke. It’s a nightly occurrence at Disneyland.
Last week, Disneyland delayed the start time of the Parade of the Stars
by 30 minutes to allow more time for guests to exit the Fantasyland Theater
and surrounding areas after the finish of the 6:00 show.

Large crowds for Snow White mean gridlock on the parade route.
Photo by David Michael.

Although this week’s entertainment schedule again puts the weekday parade
at 7:00 p.m., expect the schedule change to continue as long as the crowds
turn out to enjoy the new show and the spring weather.

Maybe you need another lifeline

Capitalizing on the success of Super Millionaire, which brought
more than 13 million viewers to Disney-owned ABC each night during the
five-day February sweeps special edition, Disney’s California Adventure
park has decided to make a change to the Who Wants to be a Millionaire
– Play It! schedule. Starting today, the game show attraction
will be closed four days a week.

Confused? So are fans of the theme park game, who question the decision
to make these cutbacks after the network announced that Super Millionaire
would return for another run during the May sweeps. According to a member
of our MousePad discussion boards, “The cast and crew were told that
it is due to a ‘sweeping new atmosphere program’ at DCA.”

If you still want to win the grand prize cruise, there are five daily
performances of Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It! scheduled
on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Last Chance to Shine

Two weeks ago, members of DCA’s a capella group Groove 66 were informed
that their two-year run would end on Sunday, April 18. The cast of Chance
to Shine, the musical “streetmosphere” skit performed in
the Hollywood Backlot District, were notified that their show would be
canceled at the same time. It appears that both groups have fallen victim
to the same “sweeping new atmosphere program” that is affecting
Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It!

Groove 66 performs at the Sun Plaza. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Fans of Groove 66 started an online petition drive to collect signatures
asking Disney to reconsider its decision (link).
So far, over 400 people had signed. Julie Hahn from Yorba Linda added
her name and wrote, “If Disney is supposed to be the epitome of American
entertainment, why would you even consider terminating such a quality
show. Groove 66 is nothing short of spectacular. Let them be an inspiration
to the thousands of young people singing in their school choirs.
They are terrific role models. Please reconsider!”

Groove 66 supporters are also taking their case to the various Disney
message boards, including our own MousePad, but are being met with a cooler
reception. One MousePad member wrote, “Put them on the next Superstar
Limo out of Anaheim,” while another said, “I am so glad I will
never have to hear another butchered cover of ‘God Bless the U.S.A.,’
or any other song by this group.”

Planes, trains and theme parks

Entertainment Law Digest reports that a California Court of Appeal
upheld a lower court ruling, and struck down a class action lawsuit filed
against the Walt Disney World Company regarding pricing practices at Disneyland.

Burnis Simon and Aurelio Marquez filed a class action lawsuit against
Disney in 1997, claiming that Disneyland is a “common carrier”
under the law, based on the fact that the theme park offers rides. As
a common carrier, Simon and Marquez claimed that Disneyland violated Civil
Code §2168 by offering reduced admission prices to Southern California
residents during its Resident Salute promotions.

Had the proposed class been certified, it would have included an estimated
five million people who lived outside the eligible area and purchased
full-price admission during the promotion. The full text of the article
can be found on the Entertainment Law Digest Web site (link).

New SAC

As Disneyland hosted the Community Involvement Program this week (a new
name for the “Happy Hearts” program, which offers discounted
admission and special accommodations to groups of guests with disabilities),
they also quietly unveiled the latest incarnation of the Guest Assistance
Program. Complete details of the new program, which is presumed to closely
resemble the policy already in place at Walt Disney World, should be available
in next week’s park update.

Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us here.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

Work continues on the Indiana Jones attraction, evidenced by the construction
debris outside the ride’s show building. Photo by David Michael.

• Dumbo closed through April 1.


• 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

The Orange Stinger and one Tower of Jumpin’ Jellyfish are closed for refurbishment.
Photo by David Michael.

• Orange Stinger closed through March 12.


• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely (rumored to reopen May 4).

Future Attraction Closures

A new phase of the Tomorrowland repaving project has started, leaving
a narrow path through the area. Photo by David Michael.

• 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.

March

• MousePlanet’s MouseAdventure puzzle-and-scavenger-hunt event.
  Space still available, pre-event registration required (read
  details here).


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

April

Testing of Tower of Terror’s on-ride “image capture” system
continued last week. Photo by David Michael.

• 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.
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