Disneyland Park Update

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News and Views

Safety canopies help prevent visitors from contacting the Monorail beam.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Making the Monorail safer – Just after Downtown Disney opened two years ago, MousePlanet pointed out a safety concern at the Downtown Disney Monorail station. The monorail beam was so close to the ground that a tall guest could easily touch the beam as a Monorail passed overhead. Disney quickly addressed the problem, adding a canopy underneath the beam. These canopies are similar to those Disney uses along the Monorail track in Tomorrowland.

Canopies are stacked next to the Superstar Limo show building.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Now Disney has ordered these same canopies to be installed along the section of the Monorail track directly above the Superstar Limo queue in Disney's California Adventure. The panels are currently stacked in the backstage area behind Limo, and are expected to be installed before the ride reopens in May.

Given the recurring mechanical problems plaguing the Monorail fleet, with pieces of the brake shoes falling onto Harbor Boulevard, and recently into the Autopia attraction, we hope that Disney installs these safety measures anywhere that guests could pass underneath the Monorail beam.

DCA birthday celebration MIA: visitors looking for a birthday cake should head to Disneyland.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

No party for Disney's California Adventure – The second anniversary of Disney's California Adventure park is this Saturday, February 8, and members of our MousePad message boards want to know what Disney has planned to commemorate the day. Will there be another speech by Disneyland Resort President Cynthia Harriss? Will Imagineers announce new rides for the future? Will visitors get a sneak peek at the upcoming Playhouse Disney attraction?

Disney's answer: None of the above. In fact, DCA's second birthday is going to pass with as little notice as possible. The merchants may release a pin to mark the day, and cast members will probably receive the usual commemorative button, but there will be no public mention of the occasion. No “noon moment” with confetti cannons, no speeches or celebrities — just a normal Saturday in California.

With all the current buzz surrounding DCA—the recent opening of an entire new land and a new stage production, the coming Playhouse Disney show and the rumored reopening of Superstar Limo—it would seem that the park would welcome the opportunity to gain some airtime for the beleaguered park on local news broadcasts.

One Disney representative tried to explain the decision against a public celebration, saying “It's on a Saturday – it's easier to plan these things on a workday.” We can hope that this mindset does not prevail through Disneyland's upcoming 50th anniversary in 2005, which falls on a Sunday.

Paint is peeling off of the frogs in Snow White's Grotto.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Time to Wash? We have noticed that Snow White and friends at the Snow White Grotto near the Sleeping Beauty Castle are desperately in need of a good scrubbing. The statues have acquired a muddy, moldy coat – especially noticeable on the figures closest to the waterfall. Paint is peeling off of the frogs in thick sheets. The good news is that the circling fountain fish are still working like a charm. The little fish had been known to break down for months on end, until Disney finally replaced the mechanism. Now if someone would only clean behind Sneezy's ears…

The dwarfs need a bath, but at least the fish still work.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

What difference does a day make? A reader noticed that the Fantasyland “dark rides” are each scheduled for one-day refurbishments in February. We suspect that these closures will allow Imagineers to install new ride operator control panels: one of the safety enhancements tested on Superstar Limo during its long “refurbishment.”

The new system requires two operators to press dispatch buttons on separate consoles to release each ride vehicle, rather than allowing a single-operator to dispatch the vehicles. Many attractions already rely on a dual-operator dispatch system, which Disney is now implementing at smaller rides – many of which can be operated now with just one cast member.

Princess merchandise invades every corner of Fantasyland.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Merchandise Notes – As David Koenig reported in a recent column, La Petite Chalet has been converted into a Princess-theme shop. The store is near the Fantasyland end of the parade route, and right next to the character meet-and-greet area where the Princesses end their new processional.

Borrowing another idea from Walt Disney World, Disneyland hosts a pin trading night on Friday, February 21, 2003, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the Garden Room of the Disneyland Hotel's Bonita Tower, with a special Kids Zone for children ages 5 through 9. Future dates have not yet been announced, and it is unclear whether this will become a regularly scheduled event.

Marceline's Confectionery now offers new imported treats.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Sandblasting equipment is stacked in the drained Rivers of America.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Disneyland

• Matterhorn Bobsleds – through February 12
• King Arthur Carrousel – through February 13
• Disney Gallery – January 26 – March 1
• Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes – through March 27
• Rivers of America – through March 27
• Mark Twain Riverboat – through March 27
• Sailing Ship Columbia – through March 27
• Sleeping Beauty Castle – indefinite

• Superstar Limo – may return May 23

The horses have been installed on the rebuilt King Arthur Carrousel.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Future Attraction Closures:

• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride – February 18
• Peter Pan's Flight – February 19
• Alice in Wonderland – February 20
• Splash Mountain – February 24 – March 13
• Critter Country – February 24 – March 13
• Snow White's Scary Adventures – February 25
• Pinocchio's Daring Journey – February 26
• Mad Tea Party – March 10 – March 28
• Pirates of the Caribbean – April 28 – May 30
• Blue Bayou Restaurant – April 28 – May 30
• Indiana Jones Adventure – September 2 – October 24
• Space Mountain – September 2003 – August 2004

Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. All information is subject to change without notice. For the most recent updates, call Disneyland at (714) 781-7290.

Park Events

Haunted Mansion Holiday Exclusive Dinner – October 1, 2003

Haunted Mansion Holiday Event – October 2, 2003

Current Discounts & Promotions

SoCal Salute – The Southern California resident discount ticket program runs from January 6 throughMay 16, 2003. Instead of a discounted ticket, residents get two one-day admissions for their ticket prices ($47 for adults, $37 for children) – one for Disneyland, and one for Disney's California Adventure.

This ticket is good for only one admission to each park, so you cannot go to Disneyland twice on separate days. And while the ticket is not intended to be a park-hopper, which would allow you to visit both Disneyland and DCA on the same day, some readers have reported that they were allowed to use the ticket as a one-day park hopper. The two admissions do not have to be used on consecutive days, but the first admission must be on the same day as the ticket purchase, and the second must be used by May 16, 2003.

These tickets are nontransferable. You must provide proof of residency at the time of purchase, and you are asked to print your full name on the tickets. When you return for your second admission, you need to show an ID matching the ticket. This offer is limited to five tickets per qualifying person.

Alaska Airlines airfare and hotel specials – Alaska Airlines is offering two specials for travel to the Disneyland Resort. A MousePad member alerted us that the airline is again offering the popular Kids Fly Free special, which includes airfare, hotel, park-hopper tickets, and more. This special offer can only be booked by calling Alaska Airlines at 1-800-468-2248. Adults traveling without kids can take advantage of other special hotel and air packages by booking at the Alaska Airlines Web site.

Free coffee on Main Street – Receive a free small coffee when you buy a mug at the Market House on Main Street, USA. This offer is only valid at the Market House, and is for a limited time only.

The “Get a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket for the price of a 3-Day ticket” promotion has been extended through January 5, 2004 – These tickets are available when you order online from Disneyland.com. Restrictions apply – see site for details.

MousePad member Darkbeer alerted us to a new AAA promotion – For $122.75, you can get a 5-day park hopper and the following extras:

• Multiple attraction FastPass (The “Unlimited” option)
• Breakfast in the park (one per person)
• Free ESPN Zone arena game card ($10 value)
• AAA Free parking at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

This package is available without an air or hotel purchase. See your local AAA office for more details.

We have been contacted by a representative from the Automobile Club of Southern California (the AAA office for Southern California), who informs us that the above package is not available from the Automobile Club of Southern California, and that it does not sell passes without packages. Although we have chosen to post this information, we are receiving conflicting reports from AAA, and are trying to confirm the details.

The package currently offered is the Disney's Resort Magic Package 2003, which 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)
• Ability to collect Fastpass tickets for multiple attractions at one time.
• Preferred Seating at a choice of select shows in Disney's California Adventure
• Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard (one per person), a AAA exclusive
• Walt Disney Travel Company California Fun Book (one per package), a AAA exclusive
• Disneyland Resort Magical Pocket Guide (one per package), a AAA exclusive

You also get a 5-day park hopper for the price of a 3-day. These all require a minimum two-night hotel stay.

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen – Kids eat free, 4:30–6:00p. [See restaurant for details.]

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule