Go directly to: News &
Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures
| Park Events | Discounts/Promotions
| Park Hours/Blockout Dates |
Events/Entertainment Schedule
News and Views
Update May 4, 2004
Ships ahoy – In celebration of Disneyland’s upcoming 50th
Anniversary, Disney is introducing the world of its Disney Cruise Line
to the West Coast. Instead of a adding a third ship to its fleet, however,
Disney is moving its Disney Magic from Florida’s Port Canaveral
to Los Angeles from May to August to add to the celebration of the original
theme park in Anaheim. This will also allow Disney officials to determine
how well a cruise ship berthed on the West Coast will fare, for potential
future consideration.Ya gotta be both older and tall enough – Disneyland
has a new policy in place for children. In order for children to ride
any attraction alone, they must be 7 years old or 54 inches
tall. This replaces the ambiguous former policy, which stated that younger
children should be accompanied by an adult. If the child is not old or
tall enough to ride alone, they must be accompanied by a “responsible
party” who is at least 16 years old OR 54 inches tall. Some rides have
specific requirements that the responsible party sit in the same row
as the child, or be in the same vehicle. If there are not responsible
parties to share a row/vehicle with each child, the group can use the
“child swap” system as necessary. Disney cast members can not watch
your children while you are on the ride, and can not ride with your
child if there are not enough responsible parties in your group.
It’s Tower time
Lucky park visitors head to the first soft-opening preview of Tower of
Terror. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
All of the rumors, anticipation, previews and reviews have led up to
this week in DCA history, as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror finally
opens to the public on Wednesday, May 5.
KLOS listeners line up to claim their tickets to the radio station’s private
preview of Tower of Terror. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
After weeks of cast member previews, a merchandise special event and
annual passholder previews, the general public experienced the new ride
when soft opening previews finally began last Thursday.
Between Takes is open for business after a long hiatus. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
The new ride has resulted in some visible changes around the Hollywood
Backlot District. While Hollywood and Dine remains shuttered, Between
Takes, a concession stand that has been vacant since just after DCA opened
three years ago, is finally back in business.
Queue stanchions have been placed in front of the Award Wieners to to
handle the overflow crowds at Award Wieners. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The same holds true for the Fairfax Market, which usually opens only
on the busiest attendance days. Belt stanchions outside Award Wieners
now attempts to control that location’s sprawling lines.
The Bellhop Band entertains visitors as they wait to ride Tower of Terror.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The first of two new “streetmosphere” shows debuted this week.
The Bellhop Band features an on-loan member of Disneyland’s Dapper Dans
and three other musicians in a 30-minute performance outside the Tower
of Terror. The group performs arrangements of classic Disney tunes and
popular songs, and encourages audience interaction. Their equipment is
on two rolling luggage racks, cleverly disguised as the luggage of Disney
characters. Look closely to see Belle’s valise, Herbie’s trunk, and Minnie’s
hat box.
The themed luggage includes “Aladdin’s Magic Amp.” Photo by
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Click before you go
Before you head to DCA to ride the new attraction, stop by Disneyland.com
Web site to pick up your Fastpass ticket for Tower of Terror. For the
first time ever, the Disneyland Resort is allowing visitors to get Fastpass
tickets online. There is a catch, of course—you must download, play,
and complete the Tower of Terror game (link).
The game has five “episodes,” with a “reward” after
you complete episodes 2-5. The first three prizes are coupons, good for
10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent, off qualifying merchandise purchases.
The prize for completing episode five is a voucher redeemable at DCA for
up to six Fastpass tickets to Tower of Terror.
You must redeem the vouchers in person at a specified location outside
of the attraction, and a limited number of tickets are available each
day. If you arrive after all of the special Tower Fastpass tickets have
been distributed, you will be offered Fastpass tickets for
California Screamin’ or Grizzly River Run.
An overdue compliment
Last week’s Park Update: Disneyland was already filed for publication
before the Tower of Terror Merchandise Special Event, so we were unable
to pay a much-deserved compliment to the merchandise team for a fantastic
event. MousePlanet staff and readers agree that this event restored their
faith in merchandise events.
Tower event-goers got to enjoy the ride lit in all its nighttime splendor.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
There were four packages available for Friday’s event. Three allowed
entry when the event started, the fourth was valid for admission after
9 p.m. The early-entry guests were greeted by a live band playing 1930s
music, tables of hot and cold appetizers, an open bar, self-serve soft
drinks, and a large area with ample seating for everyone. Hosts and hostesses
circulated with trays of beverages and desserts.
Artist Eric Robison tries his luck at a ball-toss game. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
A game area near the Hyperion Theater featured five different skill games.
At registration, all attendees were given a Minnie Mouse pin and a coupon
book for the five games. The matching Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Donald and
Daisy pins were awarded as the “prizes” for each game. Of course,
everyone was a winner. The games were a lot of fun, and entertainment
department cast members were heard plotting how the games could be incorporated
into future events.
A game pits guests against the bellhop to deliver mail to the right boxes.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
For most attendees, this was their first opportunity to ride the Tower
of Terror, so a line quickly formed once the ride opened. Riders moved
swiftly through the queue, and many were able to ride four or five times
before the last group of guests were allowed into the event. Even after
those guests joined the event, the lines moved quickly, and riders could
experience the attraction as often as they wanted until midnight.
At the ride exit, a pair of Imagineers watched the reactions of riders
are they exited, and chatted with those who noticed some of the many Twilight
Zone references hidden in the photo room. According to the ride’s art
director, there are 93 references to the Twilight Zone television
show scattered throughout the building. Disney has not released a master
listing. [Help us document all 93 references on our MousePad
discussion boards.]
Swing dancers enjoy the live band at the Tower event. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
Unlike the overscheduled events that Disneyland had become known for,
this event had no real itinerary. Attendees were able to stroll from area
to area, playing games and enjoying the entertainment, sipping and nibbling
as they went in what turned out to be a pleasant and relaxing experience.
While there were no goosebump moments, the event also lacked catastrophes,
mile-long lines, and major misses. As guests began to leave the park at
the end of the evening, they were presented with a beautiful parting gift
of a working pocket watch, decorated with Tower of Terror artwork and
presented in a clear display dome.
One attendee said, “Overall, I was very pleased with this event,
particularly in the value-to-cost ratio. I would do it again. I just wish
Orlando would learn from Anaheim how to really pull off a first-class
event.” One MousePlanet reader who had decided not to go to this
event said, “Now I am kicking myself. The pocket watch sounded so
cool.”
Tickets for the next merchandise special event, the 2004 Haunted Mansion
Holiday event scheduled for Thursday, September 30, goes on sale May 24,
2004. You can register at the Disney Gallery Web site starting at 9:00
a.m. PDT (link).
50 reasons to ignore the Tower
While the first day guests will be busy riding DCA’s new attraction,
the eyes and lenses of local and international media will be focused on
Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. The much-delayed formal announcement
of the plans for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary celebration will take place
at a press conference Wednesday morning.
This event is being heralded as a “Magical Worldwide Announcement,”
and a similar event is taking place at Walt Disney World the same day.
The Disneyland announcement will take place in the Castle courtyard as
the park opens at 10:00. Although the announcement is designed as a media
event, park visitors should be able to get a glimpse of—and certainly
hear—the announcement.
The presentation is expected to last about 30 minutes, and will include
the Disney cast member choir performing a new song composed for this event.
We hear that several big-name Disney celebrities are expected to be in
attendance.
Ears to the ground
…There will be a test of the Believeƒ There’s Magic in the
Stars fireworks on Wednesday, May 19 at 9:15 p.m. The park is scheduled
to close at 10 that evening.
Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us
here.
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
The sun sets on the construction tarps surrounding Peter Pan’s Flight. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
- Pirates of the Caribbean closed May 3 – 7.
- Peter Pan’s Flight closed through May 28.
- 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
- 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
May
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Opening at DCA. May 5.
- 50th Anniversary Announcement at Disneyland. May 5.
- A Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics – “A Disney
Blast to the Past” May 14 – 16. - Grad Nights: May 13, 20, 27
June
- Grad Nights: June 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17
September
- 2004 Haunted Mansion Holiday Event Thursday, September 30.
Reservations will be accepted via www.DisneyGallery.com beginning May
24, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. PDT.
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).
AAA-Disney’s Resort Magic Packages
If you are a AAA member, you can take advantage of these packages that
include hotel nights and theme park tickets, along with extra ammenities:
- 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. - New – Preferred seating at a choice of select shows in DCA
- 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)
Sample prices include:
AAA Disney’s Resort Magic: Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel for
two nights from $269/adult, $127/ages 10-17, $97/ages 3-9AAA Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Magic: Jolly Roger Hotel
for two nights from $193/adult, $127/ages 10-17, $97/ages 3-9
These packages require a minimum two-night hotel stay, and are good for
travel between April 18 to July 1, August 29 to November 21 and November
28 to December 23, 2004. You can book this package through your local
AAA affiliate travel agent.
Disney’s AAA Passport Plus Package 2004:
If you don’t need a hotel room, the Passport Plus Package offers AAA members
a discount on Park Hopper tickets, and comes with extra benefits:
- 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. These
tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through AAA offices.
AAA ticket offers
For shorter stays, AAA offers 2- and 5-day tickets for the Disneyland
Resort:
- 2-day adult Flex Passport $98 (children: $78)
- 5-day adult Flex Passport $129 (children: $99)
These 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)
The CityPass is $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.
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 |
| 5/3 | 5/4 | 5/5 | 5/6 | 5/7 | 5/8 | |
|
DL 10a–8p |
DL 10a–8p |
DL 10a–8p |
DL 10a–8p |
DL 9a–11p |
DL 8a–Mid |
|
| 5/9 | 5/10 | |||||
|
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 5/3 | ||
|
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, |
House of Blues Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Rob Kloptenstein |
| Tuesday 5/4 | ||
|
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! 10:30p, The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, |
House of Blues Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen |
| Wednesday 5/5 | ||
|
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! 10:30p, The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, |
House of Blues Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen |
| Thursday 5/6 | ||
|
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! 10:30p, The Ugly Bug Ball 11a, noon, 1p, 2:30p, 3:30p, The Magic of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, |
House of Blues |
| Friday 5/7 | ||
|
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p 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 Crawdaddio 4:45p, |
|
| Saturday 5/8 | ||
|
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p 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 Jump, Jive Boogie Swing Party Featuring Pete Jacobs |
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 Crawdaddio 4:45p, |
|
| Sunday 5/9 | ||
|
Disneyland Parade of the Stars 4:15p, 8p 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 Crawdaddio 4:45p, |
House of Blues Gospel Brunch 10a, 1p ($16.50 House of Blues Blues: Taj Mahal & the ESPN Zone Sports Zone 3p |
| Monday 5/10 | ||
|
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, |
House of Blues |
