Update for August 30 – September 5, 2010
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News and Views
Disney’s Construction Adventure: Fall edition | Murphy’s Law, and an entertainment update | Runners, take your places | Muslim cast member rejects Disney-designed headcoverings as “offensive” | It’s beginning to look a lot like Halloween | More construction news | This and That…
Disney’s Construction Adventure: Fall edition
The Summer Nightastic promotion may have ended this weekend, but Labor Day weekend marks the traditional end of the summer season at the Disneyland Resort. The holiday tourists and half-marathon participants will probably still be pulling out of the parking structure next Monday as nearly a dozen locations close—many for the last time—and Disney California Adventure launches the next major phase of construction.
Paradise Pier
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta (formerly Pizza Oom Mow Mow) and Paradise Garden Grill (formerly Burger Invasion) are currently scheduled to open in Spring 2011. The two locations will share a 900-seat outdoor dining area that will be constructed in the space currently occupied by the S.S. Rustworthy and Reboundo Beach (the basketball-themed carnival game now in front of Pizaa Oom Mow Mow). Burger Invasion is already closed; Pizza Oom Mow Mow, S.S. Rustworthy, and Reboundo Beach all close the evening of September 6. The Maliboomer is also scheduled to close September 6, so you have about a week left if you want to ride it one last time.
Work continues on the Little Mermaid ride building. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Work continues on the Little Mermaid ride building. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Work continues on the Little Mermaid ride building. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Work continues on the Little Mermaid ride building. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Cars Land
First, here are the official names for the Cars Land stores and restaurants:
Attractions
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- Luigi’s Flying Tires
Stores
- Ramone’s House of Body Art
- Radiator Springs Curios
Food and Dining Locations:
- Fillmore’s Taste-In
- Flo’s V8 Café
- Cozy Cone Motel
To make room for all of this, Bountiful Valley Farmer’s Market, Farmer’s Market Fruit Cart, Sam Andreas Shakes and P.T. Flea Market are all closing the night of September 6, and will be demolished shortly thereafter. With the Farmer’s Market scheduled to meet with a wrecking ball and the Corn Dog Castle currently also closed for construction, it looks like those craving a corn dog may have to visit Disneyland’s Little Red Wagon.
Workers weld the metal frame for the rockwork of the berm wall around Cars Land. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
More vertical construction is visible in Cars Land. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The Radiator Springs Racers track is still visible from Mickey’s Fun Wheel. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Work continues on several structures in Cars Land. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Main Entrance / Hollywood Pictures Backlot
The Sun Icon that gives the Sunshine Plaza its name will be removed starting sometime in early September, along with the fountain. This area will be the location of the Carthay Circle Theatre.
Demolition of the tile/mosaic Main Entrance mural will begin on October 1, starting with the section outside the park gates. The palm trees outside DCA are also slated to be removed at this time.
The construction of the Red Car line has a portion of the Hollywood Pictures Backlot closed. Right now the only access to the Hyperion Theater or Tower of Terror is through the recently reopened walkway through A Bug’s Land. As that project continues, the Hyperion Theater will be completely inaccessible. Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular will be closed September 7 to October 7 due to this construction.
The end of Hollywood Blvd. is blocked due to construction of the Red Car line. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The facade of the Hyperion Theater is being repainted. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Walls surround the Red Car track construction site. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
During construction, access to the Tower of Terror is available through the newly-completed connector to A Bug’s Land. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
A crossing signal and gate mark the end of the Red Car line. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Murphy’s Law, and an entertainment update
Disney has posted the entertainment schedule through October 23, and we can update some of the information provided last week.
To start, there’s been another dragon-related problem with Disneyland’s Fantasmic show. Last year’s highly publicized reboot turned into a PR nightmare when the new mechanical Maleficent dragon that so promiently featured in Disneyland’s marketing campaign for Summer Nightastic failed to join the show until September. Just as it looked like the temperamental dragon, nicknamed “Murphy” by some fans due to recurring mechanical problems, might make it through the entire 2010 summer season, the figure broke down again midway through the show’s first performance Saturday night, forcing a mid-show cancelation. The second show was also canceled as show technicians worked to repair the figure. MousePlanet reader cstephens, keeping us updated via Twitter, said that the “dragon’s snout is resting on the stage, her mouth slightly open so you can see her teeth,” and observed that cast members were asking guests not to take pictures of the dragon.
Word spread Sunday morning that dragon was still visible to guests on stage, which meant the show techs had been unable to return the dragon to her undergrond lair. Sunday afternoon Disney issued a statement saying “The dragon in Fantasmic experienced a technical issue last night. We are working to fix the problem. At this time we are not able to determine when the dragon will reappear in the show, however, it will continue to run at its scheduled times.” Both Sunday shows were performed as scheduled, but with the human Maleficent character replaced the towering, fire-breathing dragon in the show’s climactic duel scene.
Fantasmic is now on a weekends-only schedule, and is scheduled to return Friday, September 3 when it will be presented through Labor Day Monday before resuming a Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule. The reduced schedule will hopefully give technicians time to make much-needed repairs to the show. In addition to the problems with the dragon, the Flotsam and Jetsam eel characters (also introduced in 2009) are missing from the show due to “refurbishment.” The elevator that carries Mickey Mouse to the main stage at the start and end of the show is also broken, forcing Mickey to run on stage to introduce the show, and leaving Sorcerer Mickey on top of the mill to deliver the parting “Some imagination, huh?” line.
The Magical fireworks show will be presented nightly through September 6, after which there will be no fireworks until the “Remember… Dreams Come True” show returns on September 17. The Disneyland.com Web site lists “Remember…” each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night for the remainder of September, and on Saturday and Sunday nights in October. Mickey’s Halloween Party begins October 1 at Disneyland, and the park closes early on Tuesday and Friday nights due to the event. Halloween Screams will be presented on Tuesday and Friday nights exclusively during the Halloween Party, but will not appear on the Disneyland.com schedule.
Celebrate… A Street Party is still on the schedule through October 23rd, the last day Disney has posted an entertainment schedule.
At Disney California Adventure, a scaled-down version of the Glow Fest dance party will be held in the Sunshine Plaza through next Monday.
World of Color continues nightly performances after Labor Day. Unlike Fantasmic, DCA’s nightime spectacular won’t get any downtime to address the problems that have meant no projection domes for several weeks, and fire effects that don’t always work. The Disneyland.com schedule shows just one performance each night on weekdays, and two shows on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, but we’ve been told that this is not really the case. Just as a third showing of World of Color was added each night after the show debuted, “due to popular demand,” a second showing of World of Color will almost certainly be added each night even after World of Color goes to the reduced off-season schedule. In fact, cast members are currently scheduled as if the park will close at 9pm, instead of the official 8pm closing time currently shown on the Disney Web site, with the “bonus” second showing expected at 9:15 each night. It’s also possible that a third showing of World of Color will be added on the scheduled two-show nights.
The Disney Dine Line is now accepting World of Color dining package reservations through October 23, though only one seating is offered on weeknights. Disney will also continue the popular World of Color picnic plan, but those who are used to purchasing a walk-up picnic will probably not have that option on one-show days. This makes it even more important to plan ahead and pre-order a picnic meal if that’s your plan for seeing the show.
The Pixar Play Parade is scheduled daily (except Thursdays) through October.
Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular begins a construction-related hiatus starting September 7, as work to connect the two sections of Red Car Line tracks already constructed in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot leaves the theater inaccessible. The show will return on October 8.
Finally, I mentioned last week that a cast member publication also shows the closure of what was listed only as “muppet” on September 15 & 16, and again September 20-24. A cast member reader says the closure is to install and test a new film for the upcoming (but not yet confirmed by Disney) ElecTRONica promotion. During ElecTRONica, Muppet*Vision 3D will be presented in the theater during the day, and an eight-minute 3D trailer for TRON: Legacy (the same one shown at the San Diego Comic-Con International convention) will be shown in the theater at night.
Runners, take your places
The 2010 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will take place over Labor Day weekend, with the Health and Fitness Expo starting on Friday and a Family Fun Run 5K and Kids Races on Saturday morning. The 5th annual Disneyland Half Marathon is Sunday, September 5.
The half-marathon race is scheduled to start at 6:00 a.m., and roads closures around the resort will begin at 5:00 a.m. Disney is strongly encouraging runners who are staying at select Good Neighbor Hotels to use the complementary event shuttles to reach the race check-in area. Runners who will be driving to the race will park in the Mickey and Friends parking structure, and Disney asks that you allow plenty of time to get there. Runners are asked to arrive by 4:30 a.m. and be in their corrals by 5:15 a.m.
The race will impact traffic on interstate 5 through the Anaheim area. The Katella exit from the northbound I-5, the Disney Way exit from the Southbound I-5 and both Harbor Boulevard exits from the I-5 will be closed between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. on September 5 due to the race. The course winds from the Disneyland Resort to the Honda Center, then to Anaheim Stadium and back, so expect road closures on sections of major roads including Ball Road, Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue. You can view the race course at the Disneyland Half Marathon Web site (link
Disney is not allowing spectators to view the race course from inside either Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure, but if you want to come cheer on the runners, Disney recommends four viewing areas on property. All of these viewing areas are accessible by foot only, so you will need to walk either from the Mickey and Friends parking structure (or from your hotel if staying nearby).
- Start line (Disneyland Drive to Katella Avenue) – 6:00 to 6:40
- Esplanade between Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure – 6:12 to 7:02
- Disneyland Drive to Ball Road – 6:20 to 7:26
- Final 3/4 mile (road from Paradise Pier Hotel to Disneyland Hotel and behind ESPN Zone) – 7:00 to 10:00
You can also come to Anaheim Stadium and cheer on the runners as the round the bases. Angel Stadium will be open from 6:45 to 9:20 for spectators; enter via the Orangewood Avenue entrance.
Guests staying at the Disneyland Resort Hotels will also have the opportunity to watch as the runners pass their hotels. Special viewing areas will be available as follows:
- Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel – 6:00 to 6:40
- Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel – 6:00am – 6:40 and 7:00 to 10:00
- Disneyland Hotel – 7:00 to 10:00
Disneyland will open at 9:00 a.m. and Disney’s California Adventure will open at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday due to the race.
Muslim cast member rejects Disney-designed headcoverings as “offensive”
Imane Boudlal, a hostess at Storytellers Cafe in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, was back in the news last week after refusing to don a Disney-designed substitute for her traditional hijab head scarf.
Last week Boudlal announced she has filed a discrimination complaint against Disney with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming that Disney sent her home from work for wearing the traditional head covering worn by some Muslim women. Boudlal, who has worked for the theme park for two and a half years, recently requested a “religious exemption” to Disney’s notoriously strict dress code so she could wear the hijab at work.
Imane Boudlal is shown on the left wearing her personal hijab. On the right is the first Disney-designed headcovering. Photo provided by Unite HERE Local 11.
Boudlal is a member of UNITE HERE Local 11, the hotel union that has been at the center of a long-standing contract dispute with the Disneyland Resort. The union issued a press release Monday morning with a photo of the Disney-designed headwear, and quote Boudlal as saying the accommodation offered is “offensive.” According to the statement, “Boudlal said she found the hat embarrassing, especially because she would be the only restaurant employee forced to wear it,” and claims that the headcovering does not meet her religious needs. The Disneyland Resort replied with a statement saying:
“We provided Ms. Boudlal with several options, including a modified costume that includes a blouse with a higher neckline and a newly designed head covering that meets our costuming guidelines and which we believe provides a reasonable accommodation of Ms. Boudlal’s religious beliefs. We also provided four different roles that she could transition to that would allow her to wear her own hijab. Despite the fact that she has rejected the multiple options we offered, we are continuing to try to meet her accommodation request.
Disney is an entertainment company—our theme parks and resorts are the stage and our costumed cast members are an important part of the show. When cast members are hired, regardless of their diverse beliefs, the expectation to comply with our appearance guidelines is made abundantly clear.”
When Boudlal reported for her shift on Tuesday, her eighth shift since the controversy began, Disney had another head covering for her to try on. According to a press release from Local 11, “Disney officials refused to let Boudlal photograph the latest option. Boudlal, however, described the additional substitute as an oversized chef’s hat. It is made out of the same fabric as her uniform vest.” After Boudlal refused to wear (or, according to a source, even try on) the new head covering and also refused a shift in an off-stage position, she went home. Disney has since removed her from the restaurant’s schedule until the conflict could be resolved, a move the union characterized as a “suspension without pay.”
Disney has provided MousePlanet with a rendering of the second option created for Boudlal. The rendering shows what Disney said was the inspiration for the costume piece, a sketch of a hat taken from a 1915 catalog. The proposed head covering is made from the same fabric as the costume vest. While many MousePlanet readers agreed that the first head covering looked a little silly, those who commented on the second option found no fault with the design.
Disney says this head covering is based on a 1915 era hat, and matches the restaurant theme as well as the hostess costume. Sketch provided by Disney.
Though a Local 11 spokesperson claims, “Disney does not want people looking Muslim in front of guests,” another female Muslim cast member was seen working “on stage” last week wearing a Disney-designed head covering. A Disney spokesperson confirms that the Resort has created a head covering for a College Program cast member who requested a religious accommodation / exception to the Disney Look, and said such requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. A MousePlanet reader who saw this second cast member on stage last week said that the head covering looked very much like the one shown in the sketch above, but was made from fabric matching that cast member’s costume.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Halloween
HalloweenTime officially starts on September 17th, but Disney’s merchandise department runs on its own schedule. Last week the Showcase shop in Disneyland and the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney received their Halloween makeovers, with large displays of costumes and Halloween decor prominently displayed.
The Halloween makeover of Disneyland’s Showcase store is one of the first annual signs of fall. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Last year’s purchase of Marvel entertainment by the Walt Disney Company has resulted in a small but noticeable display of costumes featuring Spider-Man, Iron Man and more for sale in Disney-owned stores. They are merchandised near the Star Wars costumes and Star Tours toys.
The Marvel Super heroes have joined Disney’s Halloween costume lineup. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Another costume trend is a collection of costume shirts, designed to be worn with a coordinating hat. Sorcerer Mickey and Buzz Lightyear styles are offered for children, and a Pluto shirt is available in adult sizes.
New costume shirts have been a big hit with customers. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Aside from the addition of the superhero, the Disney costume selection is much the same as in past years, though a stronger Toy Story 3 presence is obvious. There appear to be no costumes themed to the latest Alice in Wonderland film, so you’ll have to turn to the Disney Store for your Mad Hatter or Red Queen garb.
The traditional princess costumes are joined by this Pirate Princess outfit. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The home decor category has expanded a bit this year, with paper garlands and pumpkin Mickey spatulas joining the Mickey Mouse lanterns and trick-or-treat pails. A soft plush Mickey pumpkin trick-or-treat bag is back this year, but cast members say a recycled material shopping bag featuring the 2010 HalloweenTime logo, a relative steal at under $2, has been the best selling item with customers purchasing a stack at a time.
Cast members say that the trick-or-treat tote (lower right) is the best selling item of the new collection. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
More construction news
A few more tidbits from around the Disneyland Resort.
The former Burger Invasion seating area is now behind construction walls. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
California Screamin’s new paint job is almost complete . Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
A temporary restroom trailer has been installed near the Disneyland Hotel pool . Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
I posted a photo last week of what I thought was a construction office trailer outside the Dreams tower at the Disneyland Hotel. It turns out the trailer is a temporary portable restroom, and was installed because the existing restrooms adjacent to the Neverland Pool area are about to close due to the courtyard construction project. Workers were finishing up the project Friday, adding plants and pouring a new cement path to the access ramp.
Disney has done quite a good job of blocking the courtyard construction site from view of all but those with a view from their hotel rooms. If you’re just walking around the complex you really can’t see anything, but the noise of jackhammers echoes between the hotel’s three towers.
Disney Clothiers is closed for remodel. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The Disney Clothiers store in Disneyland is closed for a six-week renovation, during which a back section of the store and the fitting rooms will be closed off. The space used to expand the store’s small stockroom. This was one of the last stores in the park to still have a fitting room.
A repaving project is underway in Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Disney has begun another repaving project in Downtown Disney, and clusters of metal barriers were set up around sections of the walkway through the shopping district.
This and That…
…D23 Members and up to three guests can attend a preview screening of Secretariat in the Studio Theatre on the Walt Disney Studio lot on Monday, Monday, September 13. Tickets are free, and registration will open at Noon (PDT) on Tuesday, August 31 (link).
…If you’re a fan of the Wipeout TV game show, here’s your chance to audition for the opportunity to embarrass yourself on national television. The obstacle-course show will have an open casting call at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney Anaheim. The show also held auditions there in 2009. Details are available on our MousePad discussion board (link).
…Disneyland is suspending the “Cruizin’ Disney’s California Adventure” Segway tour starting September 9 due to all of the construction in DCA.
…The Orange County Register reported last week that representatives from Great Wolf Resorts, a developer and an architect all met with Garden Grove city officials at a public meeting last week to discuss a proposed new water park and hotel complex to be build about two miles south of the Disneyland Resort (link). Community members were invited to see plans for the new development and ask questions of the representatives and city leaders. In June, Great Wolf Resorts announced it had signed license and management agreements to develop the new resort property. A corporate press release says that Great Wolf Lodge will feature 600 suites, 30,000 square feet of meeting space and a 100,000 square feet indoor water park. The project is expected to begin in 2011.
…Team MousePlanet welcomed its 40th member of our 2010 CHOC Walk team last week, and our team has raised over $1800 so far for Children’s Hospital Orange County. The event is Sunday, October 17, and there’s still plenty of time to register (link). If you’d like more information, visit the Team MousePlanet discussion to chat with other participants.
…Registration is now open for MouseAdventure Holiday: Trick or Treat, to be held on Sunday, October 17 (link), and as of this past weekend, the event was more than 95 percent full. Scare up a few friends and join us for a swinging wake as you try to solve chilling challenges throughout Disneyland park. For the latest information about upcoming MouseAdventure events, be sure to register for our MouseAdventure Newsletter (link), follow @MouseAdventure on Twitter, or become a fan at Facebook (link).
…Visitors planning trips to the Disneyland Resort should make a point to check the Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures section each week for the most recent updates. The Disneyland Resort Web site currently only publishes refurbishment information about six weeks in advance. Be sure to check the most recent Park Update (link) for the latest changes, as MousePlanet does not edit past Park Updates to reflect changes.
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Come out and play with MousePlanet!Would you like to meet your fellow readers and MousePlanet staff? Come join us for one of our community events!Are You Game? Join us in Walt Disney World on Saturday, October 9 for our second edition of MouseAdventure: World Explorers. The event will be held in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. Registration is now open. For more information, visit our MouseAdventure page, or join the conversation on MousePad. Trick or Treat! MousePlanet is hosting an unofficial “MousePlanet Night at Mickey’s Halloween Party” on Friday, October 15. This casual meet is hosted by MousePlanet staff and MousePad Community Leaders. Join the discussion and get more information on MousePad. If you’re planning to attend, be sure to let us know so we can have enough treats for everyone! CHOCWalk with MousePlanet – Sunday, October 17. Mark your calendars and come join Team MousePlanet as we help raise funds for Children’s Hospital Orange County in their annual charity walk through the Disneyland Resort. Registration is now open. If you’d like more information, visit the Team MousePlanet discussion to chat with other participants. There are several ways you can help!
MouseAdventure Holiday: Trick or Treat Join us on Sunday, October 17 for our second edition of MouseAdventure: Holiday at Disneyland park. Registration opens Tuesday, September 27 at 9am (PDT). For the latest information about upcoming MouseAdventure events, be sure to register for our MouseAdventure Newsletter (link), follow @MouseAdventure on Twitter, or become a fan at Facebook (link). Come Sail Away! Join nearly 80 MousePlanet readers, community leaders and staff members on a 2-night West coast “Cruise to Nowhere” on board the Disney Wonder, January 21-23, 2011. For more information about this cruise, visit our MousePad discussion boards or contact your favorite travel agent. If you’ve already booked, please add your name to the roll call! |
Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Disneyland
- Star Tours – closed for refurbishment and addition of elements for Star Tours 2.0. Expected to open in May 20, 2011.
- Haunted Mansion – closed to September 16 to install the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
- Village Haus Restaurant – closed to December 19 for refurbishment.
- Minnie’s House – closed September 7–23 for refurbishment.
- Newsstand – closed September 7–30 for refurbishment.
- Space Mountain – closed September 12–16 to install the Ghost Galaxy overlay.
- French Market – closed September 13–17 for refurbishment.
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin – closed September 20 to December 16 for refurbishment.
- Indiana Jones Adventure – closed September 22 (one day)
- Mark Twain Riverboat – closed September 27–30 for deck oiling.
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – closed September 27–30.
- Mickey’s House – closed September 27 to October 14.
- it’s a small world – closed October 25 to November 11 to install the holiday overlay.
Disney California Adventure
Seasonal refurbishments:
- Toy Story Midway Mania! – closed to October 11 for refurbishment.
- Catch-a-Flave – closed September 7–16 for refurbishment.
- it’s Tough to be a Bug! – closed October 25-29 for refurbishment.
- Muppet*Vision 3D – closed September 15 & 16, and again September 20-24, reportedly to install and test a new film for the upcoming ElecTRONica promotion. Muppet*Vision 3D will be presented in the theater during the day, and an eight-minute 3D trailer for TRON: Legacy will be shown at night.
Construction-related closures:
- Golden Dreams – closed. Will be replaced with the new Little Mermaid ride.
- Burger Invasion – closed through May 24, 2011 for conversion into Paradise Garden Grill.
- Corn Dog Castle – closed due to construction in the area. An employee publication lists March 30, 2011 as its return date.
- Souvenir 66 – closed due to construction in the area. An employee publication lists March 30, 2011 as its return date, and “Seaside Souvenirs” as the new name of the store.
- Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular – closed September 7 to October 7 due to construction of the Red Car Line through the Hollywood Pictures Backlot.
- Pizza Oom Mow Mow – closed September 7, 2010 to May 24, 2011 for conversion to Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta.
- Mulholland Madness – closed October 11, 2010 to April 20, 2011 for conversion to Goofy’s Sky School.
Permanently closing:
- Maliboomer – closes permanently September 7. The ride will be removed as part of the overall DCA renovation project.
- Bountiful Valley Farmer’s Market – closes permanently September 7for construction of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
- Farmer’s Market Fruit Cart – closes permanently September 7 for construction of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
- Sam Andreas Shakes – closes permanently September 7 for construction of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
- P.T. Flea Market – closes permanently September 7 for construction of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
- S.S. Rustworthy – closes permanently September 7 for construction of the new shared seating area for Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta (formerly Pizza Oom Mow Mow) and Paradise Garden Grill (formerly Burger Invasion.)
- Reboundo Beach (carnival game) – closes permanently September 7 for construction of the new shared seating area for Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta (formerly Pizza Oom Mow Mow) and Paradise Garden Grill (formerly Burger Invasion.)
Downtown Disney & Disneyland Resort Hotels
- Disneyland Hotel Guest Laundry – closed through September 30 due to construction. Hotel guests can use the laundry facility at Disney’s Paradise Pier hotel during the refurbishment.
- Disneyland Hotel Fitness Center – closed due to construction. The fitness center equipment will be relocated to one of the hotel meeting rooms; the front desk will give you the most recent information as you check in.
- Lost Bar, Croc’s Bits ‘n’ Bites, Hook’s Pointe and the Wine Cellar – closed. These four locations will be replaced by a new bar and fast casual restaurant during the Disneyland Hotel courtyard renovation project set to begin August 14. During construction, the only remaining bar at the Disneyland Hotel is the Lounge at Steakhouse 55, which has extended its operating hours, and will be closing at 1:30 a.m. nightly.
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.
Resort Events
Check here to see if a large convention, competition or park event might fall during your next trip to the Disneyland Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).
Fall
- 5th Annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – September 3–5. Registration is now closed.
- 4th Annual Not Back to School Days Rally and Conference (unofficial event) – September 8–11. Event includes education and social opportunities for home educators (link).
- Vinylmation Signing at D Street – September 11 (link).
- HalloweenTime at the Disneyland Resort – September 17 to October 31
- Destination D – September 24 & 25 at the Disneyland Resort. Open only to D23 members, tickets are now available (link).
- 13th annual Gays Days at the Disneyland Resort (unofficial event) – October 1–3. Event attendance will be higher at Disneyland on Saturday, DCA on Sunday (link).
- Utah Education Association convention (UEA, a.k.a. “Utah Escapes to Anaheim”) – October 14–15. (Link). Expect unusually large attendance levels October 14-17 as Utah students and families take advantage of a 4-day weekend created by their school’s participation in a state education convention. Not all Utah schools or teachers close for or attend UEA, but the impact on the Resort is usually noticeable enough to mention.
- Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland – October 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, 31. Advance-purchase tickets are on sale now for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders via the AP section of Disneyland.com; Disney Visa Card holders and Disney Vacation Club members can also purchase tickets by phone by calling 714-781-4000. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 16 via Disneyland.com.
- MousePlanet Night at Mickey’s Halloween Party (unofficial event) – Friday, October 15. Come meet your fellow MousePlanet readers and start your trick-or-treating off right with some MousePlanet goodies. Be sure to stop by our MousePad discussion board to let us know if you plan to attend so we can have enough treats for everyone!
- 2010 CHOC/Disneyland Resort Walk in the Park – Sunday, October 17. Mark your calendars and come join Team MousePlanet as we help raise funds for Children’s Hospital Orange County in its annual charity walk through the Disneyland Resort. Registration is now open. If you’d like more information, visit the Team MousePlanet discussion to chat with other participants.
- MouseAdventure Holiday: Trick or Treat – Sunday, October 17. Registration opens Tuesday, July 27 at 9:00 a.m. PDT (link).
Winter
- Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort – November 12, 2010 to January 3, 2011.
2011
- West Coast 2-night “Cruise to Nowhere” on the Disney Wonder – January 21–23. Nearly 80 MousePlanet readers and staff members have booked this weekend getaway, the first West Coast Disney Cruise for 2011. For more information about this cruise, visit our MousePad discussion boards or contact your favorite travel agent. If you’ve already booked, please add your name to the roll call!
- Sixth annual Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival – April 29 to June 12. No additional details are available at this time.
- Spring 2011 MouseAdventure – no details yet. Visit MouseAdventure.com to sign up for our newsletter.
- D23 Expo – August 19-21, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets for the D23 Expo 2011 are now on sale (link).
We also recommend checking the convention calendar at the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau Web site (link). When looking at that site, remember to note both the number of people AND the number of rooms resulting from each convention. A gathering of 25,000 people booking few room nights (indicating most will be driving in to the area for their meeting) can impact traffic around the Resort much more than a crowd of 25,000 staying in area hotels. Of course, that second group is going to make finding a hotel room more difficult (and possibly more expensive), so it’s best to book your own room as early as possible if you see that a big convention is in town during your trip.
Current Discounts & Promotions
Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers!
This first section is a list of discounts on ticket-only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts.
If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line (link). Note, we are no longer listing offers from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, as their convenience fee negates any savings.
One Day, One Park Ticket – Regularly $76/$68 One Day Park Hopper – Regularly $101/$91 |
No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them. |
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Two Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $151/$136 Two Day Park Hopper – Regularly $161/$146 |
No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them. |
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Three Day Park Hopper – Regularly $206/$185 |
Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($186/$165) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway supermarkets (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (a $15/day value). |
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Four Day Park Hopper – Regularly $231/$199 |
Costco 4-Day Park Hopper Ticket ($199) – A special offer for Costco members who are also residents of Southern California, this ticket is currently not sold online but must be purchased in Costco stores. Unlike most other park hopper tickets, this ticket has no “fuse” – you can use the first admission today, and have until May 31, 2011 to use the remaining admission days before the ticket expires. The ticket is blocked out August 22-23 and the entire period between Dec 15, 2010 – Jan 1, 2011, and has an “upgrade value” of $151. The ticket states that visitors “Must reside within ZIP codes 90000-93599” and that “Proof of residency required upon redemption.” The ticket you purchase at Costco is a valid admission ticket, and you can take it directly to a main entrance gate to use it. We’ve been told that, to prevent the unauthorized “transfer” of tickets between visitors (i.e., you use the first two days of the ticket and give it to a friend to use the second two days), visitors will be required to write their name on the ticket when it is first used for admission, and to show ID with that same name upon subsequent admissions. Obviously minor children will be exempt from the ID requirement, but will also be required to write their name on the ticket when it is first used. Adults should plan to have ID with them to use the ticket. Advance Purchase 4-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($201/$178) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway supermarkets (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (an $15/day value). These tickets are now valid through January 3, 2011. |
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Five Day Park Hopper – Regularly $251/$219 |
5-Day Park Hopper® Bonus Ticket for the Price of 3 Days ($184/$154) Disneyland’s Summer Park Hopper Bonus ticket offer includes two days free and one Magic Morning admission. These tickets are valid for use through September 30, 2010. The tickets are NOT available at the Resort ticket booths, you must pre-purchase from the Disneyland Web site (link). Advance Purchase 5-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($211/$186) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway supermarkets (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (a $15-per-day value). |
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Six Day Park Hopper – Regularly $256/$230 |
6-Day Park Hopper® Bonus Ticket for the Price of 3 Days ( $199/$169) Disneyland’s Summer Park Hopper Bonus ticket offer includes two days free and one Magic Morning admission. These tickets are valid for use through September 30, 2010. The tickets are not available at the Resort ticket booths; you must pre-purchase from the Disneyland Web site (link). .Advance Purchase 6-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($216/$190) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway supermarkets (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (a $15/day value). |
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Disneyland Resort Annual Passports |
No discounts currently available for new purchases. Southern California residents can take advantage of the monthly-payment plan when purchasing any but the Premier Annual Passport. Premier Annual Passport: $700 [Valid at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort] |
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2010 Southern California CityPass $269/$229 |
2010 Southern California CityPass ($269/$229) – This pass includes a 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket (including one early-entry day), a one-day admission to either San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park, as well as one-day admission to Sea World San Diego and Universal Studios Hollywood. The CityPass expires 14 days after first use at any location, and the first use must occur by January 3, 2011. Purchase CityPass through the Disneyland Web site (link) or on-site at the ticket booths of Disneyland Resort or the other theme parks included in the pass. You can also purchase directly from the CityPass Web site (link) though this has a minimum $7.50 shipping charge (no shipping charge from the Disney Web site if purchased more than 10 days in advance). You can also purchase the Southern California City Pass online from Costco at a cost of $239.99/$204.99 (link), which includes free UPS shipping. A 5% surcharge for non-members, and shipping fees to members in Alaska and Hawaii may also apply to your purchase. Booklets may be available for sale in some stores but varies widely. If you want to buy in person it would be best to call ahead and confirm availability. If you do buy at Costco, you will initially purchase a large plastic container or a cardboard placard that you must trade for ticket books prior to leaving Costco! |
Hotel/Travel Packages
Fall discount offers – Disneyland has extended two discount offers for the three Disneyland Resort Hotels, with extra room-only discounts for travelers who book their trips before the end of September.
If you need a room and theme park tickets, Disneyland is offering a discount of up to $300 on a four-day, four-night vacation package, which includes 4-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper bonus tickets and four nights at a Disneyland Resort hotel. This package also includes admission to one Magic Morning at Disneyland (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday), admission to Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness at Disneyland (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday), one Walt Disney Travel Company pin and lanyard per person, preferred seating to select shows in Disney’s California Adventure Park (where available; note that Aladdin will be on hiatus for much of the fall), and a Disney Character Call from Mickey, Minnie, or Goofy (offered to guests who book online).The offer is valid for arrivals from October 1 through December 16. Packages can be booked through December 1, and travel must be completed by December 20.
If you don’t need theme park tickets, you can save as much as 40 percent on a room-only reservation with a minimum two-night stay for both standard and concierge-level room rates:
Book By September 30, and save:
- 30 percent off at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
- 35 percent off at The Disneyland Hotel
- 40 percent off at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Book October 1 and December 1, and save:
- 20 percent off at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
- 25 percent off at The Disneyland Hotel
- 30 percent off at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Room-only packages include admission to one Magic Morning at Disneyland (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday).
Book online at the Disneyland.com Web site (link), call Walt Disney Travel Company at (714) 520-6425, or contact your favorite travel agent and ask them to look for the “Fall Package Offer.”
Costco Travel Packages – Many different travel packages including visits to Disneyland and Disneyland hotels are available through Costco.com. When purchasing a Costco Disneyland travel package, extras that will be included are: Mickey’s Toontown Madness admission (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), a character breakfast collectible pin and lanyard, and a Costco luggage tag per person, plus a $20 Disneyland Resort gift card per package.
Disney’s Resort Magic and Good Neighbor Magic Packages – Package includes accommodations one of the three resort hotels or at one of 40 Good Neighbor hotels; Souvenir Park Hopper ticket with voucher for admission to Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness, plus one Magic Morning (early entry) for three-day or longer Park Hoppers; preferred seating at four DCA attractions (Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, Muppet*Vision 3D, It’s Tough to be a Bug!, Golden Dreams); Preferred Showing of Turtle Talk with Crush (Priority Viewing at the first Turtle Talk with Crush show of the day, on any one day – one voucher per Guest); Disney Dream coin keepsake (one per package), luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card; and a “Character Call” from Mickey, Minnie, Goofy or Crush. Contact Disney Travel or your favorite travel agent.
Contact a MousePlanet sponsor travel agency for assistance in booking your next trip
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Other Discounts
Character Dining Vouchers – Discounted character dining vouchers are available for purchase online, in advance of your trip, through MousePlanet sponsor Get Away Travel (link).
Disney Visa Discounted Stroller Rental – If you have a Disney Visa card you can rent up to two strollers at a discount of 50%. This offer is valid only at the Main Gate rental location between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
Rainforest Cafe Safari Club – Members of the Rainforest Cafe get priority seating when available (which makes a huge difference on busy days), and a 10% discount on entrees for up to four people. Additionally, after signing up, your membership card will be mailed to you and be accompanied by a $10 award good for your next visit to a Rainforest Cafe. So if you know you will be eating there while at Disneyland and have a Rainforest Cafe local to you, it may make sense to prejoin the Safari Club so that you can use the award during your trip. See the Rainforest Cafe Web site for details (link).
ESPNZone MVP Club – Membership in the MVP Club does not offer any discounts on food. However, once a member you can make an online reservation for your party up to three days in advance and will get a 25% increase in points purchased when playing games in the Sports Arena (and 40 bonus points at activation). You must register online and your membership card will then be mailed to you within two weeks. The card must then be activated at any ESPNZone by the person who signed up for the card and ID will be required (link).
Park Schedule/Blockout Dates
DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney California Adventure
Annual Pass blockout dates:
- SL – Southern California Select Annual Pass
- SC – Southern California Annual Pass
- DX – Deluxe Annual Pass
Disneyland Resort Special Events:
- MM – Magic Morning at Disneyland
- TT – Toontown Morning Madness at Disneyland
- Grad Nite
- MHP – Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland
MousePlanet Special Events:
- MA – MouseAdventure (www.mouseadventure.com)
8/29 | 8/30 | 8/31 | 9/1 |
9/2 |
9/3 | 9/4 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-11p SL MM |
DL: 9a-11p
DCA: 10a-11p
TT |
DL: 9a-11p DCA: 10a-11p MM |
DL: 9a-11p DCA: 10a-11p TT
|
DL: 9a-11p
DCA: 10a-11p
MM |
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-11p TT
|
DL: 9a-12a
DCA: 10a-11p SL/SC/DX MM / TT |
9/5 | 9/6 | 9/7 | 9/8 |
9/9 |
9/10 | 9/11 |
DL: 9a-12a
DCA: 10a-11p SL/SC/DX MM |
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-11p
TT |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p TT
|
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p
MM |
DL: 9a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p TT
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC MM / TT |
9/12 | 9/13 | 9/14 | 9/15 |
9/16 |
9/17 | 9/18 |
DL: 9a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL MM |
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p
TT |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p TT
|
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p
MM |
DL: 9a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p TT
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC MM / TT |
9/19 | 9/20 | 9/21 | 9/22 |
9/23 |
9/24 | 9/25 |
DL: 9a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL MM |
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p
TT |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p TT
|
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p
MM |
DL: 9a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p TT
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC MM / TT |
9/26 | 9/27 | 9/28 | 9/29 |
9/30 |
10/1 | 10/2 |
DL: 9a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL MM |
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p
TT |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p TT
|
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p
MM |
DL: 8a-7p
DCA: 10a-11p TT
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC MM / TT |
10/3 | 10/4 | 10/5 | 10/6 |
10/7 |
10/8 | 10/9 |
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL MM |
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p
TT |
DL: 10a-6p DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p TT
|
DL: 9a-10p
DCA: 10a-8p
MM |
DL: 8a-7p
DCA: 10a-11p TT
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC MM / TT |
10/10 | 10/11 | 10/12 | 10/13 |
10/14 |
10/15 | 10/16 |
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL MM |
DL: 10a-8p
DCA: 10a-8p
TT |
DL: 10a-6p DCA: 10a-8p MM |
DL: 10a-8p DCA: 10a-8p TT
|
DL: 9a-10p
DCA: 10a-8p
MM |
DL: 8a-7p
DCA: 10a-11p TT
|
DL: 8a-12a
DCA: 10a-10p SL/SC MM / TT |
Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland. As always, specifics are subject to change without notice (or occasionally, without us noticing) so when information conflicts between what is presented here and that presented by Disney, it is best to assume Disney’s information is correct.
Visit the Park Hours section of our Disneyland Park guide for additional details about Magic Morning and Toontown Morning Madness, including available attractions.
Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.