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News and Views
Tower of Terror previews
[Correction April 19, 10:00 a.m. PST: Annual Passholder dates included.]
Cast previews of the new Tower of Terror began last Friday, with Disneyland
Resort cast members and their guests riding the California version of
the popular Walt Disney World attraction. Although 4,000 tickets were
distributed for Friday’s preview event, the lines were seldom longer than
10 minutes, with many riders bragging that they had looped the line as
many as 30 times.
Cast members flock to the Tower of Terror during cast previews. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
In fact, the crowds were so light that any cast member with a valid ID
was allowed to ride, regardless of whether they held a ticket for that
day’s preview or not. Upcoming schedules include: Cast previews April
19, 20, 24, and 25, the Tower of Terror merchandise event Friday April
23, the Annual Passholder preview events April 26 through 28, and the
press event May 2.
A special fiber-optic effect on the sign for the Hollywood Tower Hotel
tells visitors that something more is afoot. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
These were not the first riders on the new attraction. An Imagineering
preview event was held on April 10, and members of the Associated Press
were invited to experience the new ride during their convention on April
2. A MousePlanet reader was at the media preview, and will share her experiences
with us tomorrow.
The queue winds through the lobby of the ill-fated hotel. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
There are currently no known previews or events scheduled for April 21,
22, 29, 30 or May 1, and some cast members have told us that the ride
may be available for “soft opening” (dress rehearsals) to regular
park visitors on those days. However, since this information is very tentative
and may change at any time, please do not plan a trip based on this information.
Do, however, keep it in mind if you happen to be at the Disneyland Resort
on one of those dates.
Visitors who listen closely to this radio in the queue area may pick up
more than static. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Tortilla Jo’s comes to Downtown Disney
Nearly a year later than originally rumored, the Patina Group has opened
Tortilla Jo’s in the space formerly occupied by Y Arriba Y Arriba. The
new restaurant opened for “taste and adjust” previews early
last week, with the grand opening on Friday, April 16.
Tortilla Jo’s is finally open to the public. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Tortilla Jo’s offers three dining options—the main dining room,
the outdoor Cantina and the walk-up Taqueria—each with a unique menu
and service style.
The restaurant is not currently accepting reservations, and wait times
for the dining room over the weekend approached two hours. If you have
had the opportunity to eat at the new restaurant, please be sure to share
your thoughts with us on our Hotel and Restaurant Review System (link).
Break’s over
While children on year-round school tracks may still be on vacation,
the official spring break season has ended at the Disneyland Resort. The
extended park hours return to normal this week, and the extra entertainment
offerings added during busier periods go back on hiatus. The next round
of attraction refurbishments also starts this week, when Peter Pan’s Flight
closes for a six-week rehab.
If you missed your chance to see the Believe fireworks show during
its two-week spring run, the show returns for the summer on Friday, June
11. You can also catch soft opening performances on May 12, 14, 15, 21,
and 22.
Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us here.
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
- Peter Pan’s Flight closed through May 28.
- Adventureland restrooms closed through May 1.
- Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely.
- Space Mountain closed through 2005.
Disney’s California Adventure
- Superstar Limo closed indefinitely.
- Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie closed indefinitely.
Future Closures
- 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
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.
September
- 2004 Haunted Mansion Holiday Event Thursday, September 30.
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
The Disney Treasures offer for APs
Annual Passholders can receive a copy of The Disney Treasures book, worth $60, when they apply for a Disney Visa card. The book will be mailed after the cardholder uses the new account. Apply by phone at 1-800-640-5306, and mention card code 26FF.
Car rental discounts
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders save up to 20 percent on 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).
Anaheim Angels tickets
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders can save 50 percent off the regular price of tickets for the following home games of the Anaheim Angels baseball team, which plays at nearby Angel Stadium of Anaheim (formerly Edison Field):
- Baltimore Orioles: Saturday, May 22, 7:05 p.m.
- Cleveland Indians: Friday, June 4, 7:05 p.m.
- Oakland Athletics: Monday, June 21, 7:05 p.m.
- Boston Red Sox: Thursday, July 15, 7:05 p.m.
- Seattle Mariners: Sunday, August 1, 1:05 p.m.
Prices are: Terrace Box, $12.50 (reg. $25); Lower View Box, $7.50 (reg. $15); and Upper View, $6.00 (reg. $12).
Although there is no limit to how many tickets a passholder can purchase, you must use mail or fax in the order form provided at the Annual Passholder Web site, and you cannot purchase these tickets online or obtain them at the ticket window on the day of the game. See the passholder Web site for 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:
- 5-day: $129 (children: $99)
- 6-day: $159 (children: $129)
- 7-day: $184 (children: $149)
An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address.
SoCal Salute: Two parks, two days at one-day price
Through Friday, April 30, the Disneyland Resort is offering a new version of the Southern Californian resident 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 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 (the back of the passports note the free parking, so you will need the passport with you when you park your car).
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 either the world-famous San Diego Zoo or 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)
Effective April 1, CityPass prices increased to $172 ($129 for children).
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 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. Sel – Southern California Select Annual Pass. DX – Deluxe Annual Pass.
Sun | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat |
| 4/19 | 4/20 | 4/21 | 4/22 | 4/23 | 4/24 | |
DL 10a–8p | DL 10a–8p | DL 10a–8p | DL 10a–8p | DL 9a–11p | DL 8a–Mid | |
| 4/25 | 4/26 | |||||
DL 8a–11p | DL 10a–8p |
Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates 2003-2004 page to see more dates.
Entertainment Schedule
Disneyland Park | Disney’s California Adventure | Downtown Disney |
| Monday 4/12 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p “Believe…There’s Magic in the Stars” Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a, 1:15p, Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Club Buzz Stage Presents The Antix 7p, 8p, Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a, 11:45a, Fantasmic! 9:00p, 10:30p Aladdin and Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures Once Upon a Time Storytelling 11a, noon, 1p | Disney’s Electrical Parade 8:45p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, Mulan’s Chinese New Year Greetings 10:30a, Pacific Wharf Stage Presents The Delta Boogie D.U.H. – Department of Untapped Hilarity | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Rob Kloptenstein |
| Tuesday 4/13 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p “Believe…There’s Magic in the Stars” Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a, 1:15p, Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Club Buzz Stage Presents Voyager 7p, 8p, 8:45p, Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a, 11:45a, Fantasmic! 9:00p, 10:30p Aladdin and Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures Once Upon a Time Storytelling 11a, noon, 1p | Disney’s Electrical Parade 8:45p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, Mulan’s Chinese New Year Greetings 10:30a, Pacific Wharf Stage Presents The Delta Boogie D.U.H. – Department of Untapped Hilarity | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen |
| Wednesday 4/14 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p “Believe…There’s Magic in the Stars” Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a, 1:15p, Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Club Buzz Stage Presents Voyager 7p, 8p, 8:45p, Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a, 11:45a, Fantasmic! 9:00p, 10:30p Aladdin and Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures Once Upon a Time Storytelling 11a, noon, 1p | Disney’s Electrical Parade 8:45p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, Mulan’s Chinese New Year Greetings 10:30a, Pacific Wharf Stage Presents Venson & Co. Chance to Shine 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, | House of Blues Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen |
| Thursday 4/15 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p “Believe…There’s Magic in the Stars” Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a, 1:15p, Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Club Buzz Stage Presents Voyager 7p, 8p, 8:45p, Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a, 11:45a, Fantasmic! 9:00p, 10:30p Aladdin and Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures Once Upon a Time Storytelling 11a, noon, 1p | Disney’s Electrical Parade 8:45p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, Mulan’s Chinese New Year Greetings 10:30a, Pacific Wharf Stage Presents Venson & Co. Chance to Shine 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, D.U.H. – Department of Untapped Hilarity | House of Blues Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen |
| Friday 4/16 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p “Believe…There’s Magic in the Stars” Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a, 1:15p, Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Club Buzz Stage Presents The 80’z All Stars Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a, 11:45a, Fantasmic! 9:00p, 10:30p Aladdin and Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures Once Upon a Time Storytelling 11a, noon, 1p | Disney’s Electrical Parade 8:45p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, Mulan’s Chinese New Year Greetings 10:30a, Pacific Wharf Stage Presents Porterhouse Bob Chance to Shine 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, D.U.H. – Department of Untapped Hilarity | House of Blues Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen |
| Saturday 4/17 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p “Believe…There’s Magic in the Stars” Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a, 1:15p, Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Club Buzz Stage Presents The 80’z All Stars Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a, 11:45a, Fantasmic! 9:00p, 10:30p Aladdin and Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures Once Upon a Time Storytelling 11a, noon, 1p Jump, Jive Boogie Swing Party Featuring Doc Anello | Disney’s Electrical Parade 8:45p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, Mulan’s Chinese New Year Greetings 10:30a, Pacific Wharf Stage Presents Porterhouse Bob Chance to Shine 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, D.U.H. – Department of Untapped Hilarity | House of Blues Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen |
| Sunday 4/18 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p “Believe…There’s Magic in the Stars” Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a, 1:15p, Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Club Buzz Stage Presents Sandbox 7p, 8p, 8:45p, Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical Sword in the Stone Ceremony 10:45a, 11:45a, Fantasmic! 9:00p, 10:30p Aladdin and Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures Once Upon a Time Storytelling 11a, noon, 1p | Disney’s Electrical Parade 8:45p Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, Mulan’s Chinese New Year Greetings 10:30a, Pacific Wharf Stage Presents Porterhouse Bob Chance to Shine 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, D.U.H. – Department of Untapped Hilarity | House of Blues Gospel Brunch 10a, 1p ($16.50 Club Detour 10:30p Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Jazz Chicory ESPN Zone Sports Zone 3p |
| Monday 4/19 | ||
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 7p Billy Hill & the Hillbillies 11:45a, 1:15p, Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical 12:15p, Aladdin and Jasmine’s StoryTale Adventures Once Upon a Time Storytelling 11a, noon, 1p | Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! 10:30a, The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, Mulan’s Chinese New Year Greetings 10:30a, | Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Rob Kloptenstein |
