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News and Views

it’s a small world’s new facade sparkles

in the afternoon sun.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Old and improved – When “it’s a small world” returned

from rehab last week, the first MousePad members on the scene immediately

noticed a major change. Said member zapppop, “The EuroDisneyland

recordings we’ve been listening to since 1992 have all been removed and

the original 1964 recordings have all been restored; everything from the

yodel in the Swiss Alps, to the thunder of the rainforest. Even the trumpet

fanfare from the clock has returned.”

Station gates are among the new safety

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Other members were quick to express their delight in this restoration,

and “it’s a small world” has jumped to the top of the must-see

list for Disneyland regulars.

Where Walt Disney World based an entire marketing campaign on “nostalgia”

— while removing classic attractions right and left — it’s nice

to see Disneyland giving visitors something to be nostalgic about.

Trees are sprouting around the Matterhorn.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Matterhorn tree farm? The icy peaks of Matterhorn mountain have

gotten a whole lot greener this week. Pine trees have sprouted up around

the mountain, creating an artificial tree line below the snow. The ride

is expected to reopen this Thursday, after months of repair and reconstruction.

Photo by Alex Stroup.

The legend of page 18 – For the past several weeks, MousePlanet

has been telling readers about a great offer available to AAA members.

The “Passport Plus” package detailed in our Discounts

/ Promotions section below, offers similar admission savings and

benefits included in many travel packages, but does not require an airfare

purchase or hotel reservation.

Although page 18 of the national AAA/Disney brochure features this package,

several MousePad members reported

that they were unable to purchase the tickets from their local AAA affiliate

office. They were told that: the tickets were only available from selected

AAA affiliates, that a hotel reservation was required, or that the package

didn’t exist at all.

MousePlanet was even contacted by an agent from the Automobile Club of

Southern California, (ACSC), the local AAA affiliate, who told us that

we had our facts wrong.

After several days of research, and with the willing assistance of agents

from the Northern and Southern California AAA affiliates, we finally got

to the bottom of the issue.

The source of the confusion seems to lie in the difference between a

“ticket” and a “package.” Most AAA affiliates do not

sell Disney theme park tickets unless they are included in a package —

you cannot walk into your local AAA affiliate office and buy a one-day

pass to Walt Disney World. Since the “Passport Plus” only includes

theme park tickets, without an air or hotel requirement, most AAA affiliates

incorrectly considered the product to be a “ticket” instead

of a “package.” And since affiliates do not sell “tickets”…

well, you get the idea.

At our request, the ACSC agent called his Disney travel representative,

and verified that any travel agent at any AAA affiliate office across

the country can book this package for AAA members. The same agent is now

working with his local ACSC offices to make sure that they are aware of

the offer, and suggested these tips for members wishing to purchase the

Passport Plus package at their local affiliate office:

If you are at an affiliate and they refuse to offer this to you,

my advice is to ask to speak to the manager (not the head manager of

the whole office; they usually are not trained in travel, but the Travel

Agency manager) and again, tell them to contact their Disney representative.

MousePlanet would like to thank the ACSC agent for his help in sorting

out this mystery. He said, “Now that MousePlanet has started advertising

that we offer this service, we have been receiving more and more requests

regarding this offer.” We hope that all of those readers will have

an easier time in booking this package, thanks to his efforts in clarifying

the policy.

Construction walls surround the future

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Monsters in Hollywood? Superstar Limo at Disney’s California Adventure

(DCA) park is now scheduled to re-open on May 22, but the attraction is

only budgeted for operation through Labor Day. Its fate after that is

uncertain. There are rumors that the ride will be converted to a Monster’s

Inc. theme, utilizing the same building, track layout and vehicles.

Hollywood gets even – DCA’s Hollywood District will now open

with the rest of the park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The area will

still open at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday for now.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction

Closures

Workers trim the top of King Arthur Carrousel.

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 walkthrough – indefinite

King Arthur Carrousel is tested on Sunday

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo – through May 21

The newest attraction at Disneyland – peeking

Photo by Alex Stroup.

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 – April 28 – May 15
• 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

The treehouse on Tom Sawyer’s Island is

Photo by Alex Stroup.

Note: Refurbishment schedules are

visit.

The Tower of Terror looms behind Space

Mountain.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Future Attraction Closures:

Park Events

NFFC Studio Chapter Meeting at Knott’s Berry Farm – February

16, 2003. Check our MousePad message boards for more

details.

Elisabete Gomes Product Release at the Disneyland Resort –

February 22, 2003. Check our MousePad message boards for a full

announcement.

Pirates of the Caribbean exhibit opens – March 1, 2003 at

the Disney

Gallery in Disneyland’s New Orlean’s Square.

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 to May 16, 2003. Instead of a discounted

ticket, residents get two one-day admissions for their $47 ($37 for children)

– one for Disneyland, and one for Disney’s California Adventure.

This ticket is good for only one admission to each park (meaning you

cannot go to Disneyland twice on separate days). 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. 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.

These tickets are nontransferable. You must provide proof of residency

at the time of purchase, and you will be asked to print your full name

on the tickets. When you return for your second admission, you need to

show ID matching the ticket. This offer is limited to 5 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.

AAA Passport Plus Package – 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

A $13.75 FedEx fee applies to each reservation, (not per person). This

package is available without an air or hotel purchase, and must be purchased

at your local AAA affiliate office at least 5 days before you plan to

use the tickets.

Many readers have experienced difficulties when trying to purchase this

package from their local AAA affiliate. Be sure to read this

thread on our MousePad discussion boards, for more information about

the package and tips on how to help your AAA travel agent book your package.

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 affilitate travel agent.

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen –

Kids eat free, 4:30–6:00p. [See restaurant for details.]

Park Hours

Entertainment Schedule