Disneyland Park Update

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News and Views

MousePlanet MouseAdventure event

A record-setting 99 teams totalling over 300 people participated in MousePlanet’s

Spring MouseAdventure

event in Disneyland Park on Sunday. Expect a full recap and team results

later this week.

Disneyland raises ticket prices

The Disneyland Resort has a long-standing practice of raising admission

prices once each year, usually in early January at the end of the holiday

season. In some years, ticket prices go up again at the end of the summer

season. Based on this trend, we expected to see a price increase in January.

The resort surprised us by raising the cost of multi-day “park hopper”

tickets, but not one-day admissions.

Some speculated that new resort president Matt Oiumet decided to postpone

an increase in one-day tickets because Disneyland is headed into a season

of park-wide refurbishments and extended ride closures. Chatter from the

park’s Team Disney Anaheim corporate office insiders suggested that the

inevitable price increase would be delayed until May 1, after the Resident

Salute “2fer” promotion ended, and right before the Tower of

Terror opened at Disney’s California Adventure park. There were rumors

that annual passport prices would be increased at the same time.

Last week, we got word that the Disney Stores had received new price

signs for Disneyland annual passports, but no details about when the price

changes were to take effect. We took this to be confirmation of the rumors

we had heard, and expected to see the new prices take effect on May 1.

The three days later, a local news station reported that Disneyland was

going to raise one-day ticket prices, effective over a month earlier,

on March 28. When MousePlanet contacted the Disneyland Resort,

cast members confirmed the reports: prices for both one-day tickets and

annual passports would be raised. Walt Disney World announced that its

one-day ticket prices would also increase the same day, making WDW the

most expensive single-day theme park ticket in the Orlando area.

A long line of parkgoers wait to buy tickets one day before the price

increase took effect. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Sources speculate that the price change was pushed up a month to capitalize

on the unusually heavy Spring Break crowds flocking to the Disneyland

Resort. Park attendance projections and operating hours were revised several

times in the past two weeks, as weekday crowds packed Disneyland and spilled

over to DCA. “They aren’t going to leave that on the table,”

said one cast member. “It seems obvious that the rehabs aren’t keeping

people away.”

The new one-day prices are:

• One-day, one-park tickets are now $49.75, $39.75 for ages 3-8, an

  increase of $2.75 each

• A one-day “Senior” ticket is available for $47.75
• For the remainder of the promotion, SoCal Resident “2fer”

  tickets are $49.75, $39.75 for ages 3 to 8.

One-day, one-park tickets for cast members, travel industry partners,

and nonprofit groups were adjusted accordingly. The price for the Fantasmic

dessert buffet is now $49.75 per person.

In conjunction with Disneyland’s price increase, CityPass prices go up

on April 1 to $172 for adults, $129 for children. There are additional

benefits and options now available with the CityPass, detailed in the

Discounts/Promotions section below.

The new annual passport offerings are:

• “So CA” passport (for Southern California residents) is

  now $129, up from $99

• The Deluxe passport is now $179
• The Premium passport is now $279
• The annual parking passport remains $40, although signs at the Disney

  Stores reportedly read that the pass is now $49.

• AP Blockout Day tickets, and current benefits and discounts for each

  pass type remain the same.

• In addition to the three available Annual Passports, a new “Southern

  California Select” passport is available for $99 for all ages.

  This pass is good for admission to Disneyland and DCA only on 170 select

  weekdays.

Passports with April and May expiration dates can be renewed in person

and by mail at the old renewal prices listed on the renewal forms mailed

to passholders. Passes must be renewed by their expiration dates to receive

renewal discount and old price. Passports that expire or are renewed on

or after June 1 are renewed at the new rates.

A Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Commemorative Ticket will be offered

for sale starting on April 9 for annual passholders, and May 5 to the

general public. Sales of this commemorative ticket end on September 30,

2004. These tickets are $59 per person for all ages, and can be used for

one-day, one-park admission. Passholders can purchase them at the Bank

of Main Street, the Passport Processing Center, or the Guest Services

Building. Beginning May 5, they will also be available at the Disneyland

Web site (link).

The last of the scaffolds have come down, revealing the new City Hall

exterior. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Toes in the nose

After we went to press last week, a reader alerted to a change in the

Monorail operation. Citing security concerns after September 11, Disneyland

had barred passengers from riding in the nose cone of the Monorails. That

policy was reversed last weekend, and visitors are once again allowed

into the nose cone with the Monorail’s driver.

The Central Plaza reopens

This photo from March 2003 shows the Central Plaza with the olive trees.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disneyland’s Central Plaza (“the hub”) has reopened after a

two-week rehab during which the large olive trees were replaced with smaller

trees to allow a better view of the light effects planned for Sleeping

Beauty Castle during the 50th anniversary celebration.

One year later, the olive trees have been replaced, providing a less obstructed

view of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The change can be seen in these photos, taken nearly one year apart.

While some mourn the loss of the original olive trees, estimated to be

75 years old when they were relocated to Disneyland in 1955, park regulars

seem pleased with new landscaping.

Petals may make way for a new Disney home store. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Ears to the ground

…We hear that Petals in Downtown Disney may be closing once their

lease expires. The space would be taken over by Disney, and combined with

next-door Marcelline’s Confectionery to create a Disney Home and Marketplace

store.

…The Häagen-Dazs store in Downtown Disney will soon be getting

a facelift, which may include adding a quick-serve window to their exterior.

Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us here.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Dumbo closed through April 1.
• Indiana Jones Adventure closed through April 2.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely.
• Space Mountain closed through 2005.

Work continues on the upcoming Tortilla Joe’s restaurant. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely (rumored to reopen May 19).
• Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie closed indefinitely.

Future Closures

• Adventureland restrooms closed April 19 – May 1.
• Peter Pan’s Flight closed April 19 to May 28.
• Pirates of the Caribbean closed May 3 – 7.
• Alice in Wonderland closed June 1 – July 3.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle closed June 21 – October 2.
• Snow White’s Scary Adventures closed August 23 – September

  11.

• Enchanted Tiki Room closes September 8 – October 30.
• Haunted Mansion closed September 13 – October 1 for installation

  of Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.

• Matterhorn Bobsleds closed September 13 – November 5.

Disneyland Resort Hotels

• Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel Pool closed May 3 – 8.
• Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom closed July 2 – 16.
• Disneyland Hotel Convention Center lobby, upper level &

  lower level closed July 16 – September 1.

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.

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 5.
• A Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics – “A Disney

  Blast to the Past” May 14 – 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.

SoCal Salute: 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—$49.75

for ages 10 and up, $39.75 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.

CityPass

The Southern California CityPass 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 -or- the San Diego

  Wild Animal Park

• 1-day ticket to Knott’s Theme Park. (includes a free Knott’s Berry

  Farm T-Shirt with each Child’s City Pass)

CityPass prices will increase to $172, $129 for children, effective April

1st.

You can purchase the Southern California CityPass with Walt Disney Travel

Company packages. 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 CityPass 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