Disneyland Resort Update

Update for November 3 – 9, 2008

Go directly to: News & Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts and Promotions | Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

News and Views

The Merriest makeover begins | Disneyland introduces personalized T-shirts | Disney’s new toys have a virtual second life | Holiday dining at the Disneyland Resort | This and That

The Merriest makeover begins

Even before Disneyland Resort’s HalloweenTime promotion ended, workers began installing decorations for the annual “Merriest Place on Earth” holiday celebration. Disneyland’s new artificial Christmas tree is being decorated in a backstage area visible from parts of the tram route from the Mickey and Friends parking structure, and holiday lights are already hanging from trees in Downtown Disney. Christmas lights also appeared on trees inside Disneyland in early October, and Halloween visitors to Disneyland spotted the first “blanket” of faux snow on Sleeping Beauty Castle.

[Update: Several readers have writen to say that the taping will be Saturday, November 8 starting about the time the park opens at 8:00 a.m. Filming should be wrapped up in the early afternoon, and Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams is still scheduled for a 3:30pm performance]

Garland and strands of lights hang over a New Orleans Square walkway. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Disneyland introduces personalized T-shirts

When Disneyland opens on Friday, November 14, the Showcase Annex on Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. debuts as the new “Celebration Custom Printers – Specializing in Wearable Memories” store, offering a collection of personalized T-shirts Customers can choose a design (and in some cases, shirt color), then personalize the shirt with a first name, family name, date, or approved message.

Disneyland’s new offering lets you personalize a souvenir T-shirt. Photo © Disney.

Shirts start at $17.95, and personalization is an additional $4 per line. Designs include Happy Birthday, Feliz Cumpleaños, and Family Reunion styles for the family, Disney Princess and Jedi Training Academy logos for children and a Just Married tee for women.  This new offering is being launched in advance of the What Will You Celebrate? promotion that begins January 1, 2009, and joins the Create-Your-Own Ear Hat and Personalized Pin programs introduced this year.

Disney’s new toys have a virtual second life

Disney is following in the footsteps of Webkinz and Beanie Babies 2.0 with two new collections of toys that do double-duty as portals into a virtual world. New toys available at Disney’s California Adventure, as well as Disney Stores and Toys R Us, promote Club Penguin, the “snow-covered virtual world where children aged 6 – 14 use their imaginations and creativity to play, explore, and make penguin friends,” which Disney purchased from software company New Horizon Interacive in 2007 for $350 million. Each game, play set, figurine and plush “Puffle” come with codes that can be used to obtain virtual items on Club Penguin. Another collection of items is tied to Pixie Hollow, the new virtual world based on Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies. Selected items are packaged with a Pixie Pass, which offers a special virtual gift inside the Pixie Hollow world.

Club Penguin merchandise offers virtual rewards. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

New Year’s Eve dining at the Disneyland Resort

The Disneyland Resort is now accepting reservations for New Year’s Eve meals. The four Disney-operated restaurants that have currently released some information are:

• The Blue Bayou – A prix-fixe menu at $42 per person, plus tax and tip.
• Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel – A 3-course, prix-fixe menu at $65 per person, plus tax and tip.
• Storyteller’s Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel – A New Year’s Eve buffet dinner.
• PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel – A New Year’s Eve dinner and party. The event is $68.15 per adult, $19.88 per child, and includes a buffet meal and admission to a dance party in the Crystal Ballroom. Dinner seatings begin at 5:00 p.m., and the party runs from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 in the morning. The party will include a live DJ, character appearances and a cash bar.

Detailed event and menu information are not yet available for all venues. You can make Priority Seating reservations for any of these locations by calling the Disney Dine Line at 714-781-3463. For holiday meal reservations at Napa Rose, you must contact them directly at 714-300-7170.

This and That

…The Toy Story zoetrope room has reopened inside the Animation Building at Disney’s California Adventure. A new display explains how the zoetrope was designed and built, and the room’s lights now dim to provide better viewing of the zoetrope in motion.

A new display at the Animation Building shows the creation of the Toy Story zoetrope. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…The Disneyland Resort is offering a woven holiday throw promotion this holiday season. The throw is available for $15 with a merchandise purchase of $50 or more at participating locations (link).

This holiday throw is available for $15 with a $50 merchandise purchase, while supplies last. Photo © Disney.

… The Disneyland Resort’s Vacation Planning department is now accepting orders for its annual in-room Christmas tree offering. This year’s theme is “Animation Takes Over,” and the three-foot tree is decorated with plush figures and toys from Disney-Pixar films, as well as with edible and keepsake ornaments. The tree is $189 plus tax, and includes a storage box to transport or ship the tree to your home after your trip. Adult and child Christmas stockings are also available for $89 plus tax. Trees and stockings can be delivered to any Disneyland Resort hotel, but must be ordered in advance of your stay. Call 714-300-7526 (option 2) to order.

Vacation Planning offers a decorated Christmas tree and Christmas stockings for hotel guests. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…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. This week’s changes include confirmed end dates of February 14, 2009 for both the “it’s a small world” and Haunted Mansion post-holiday refurbishments. Be sure to check the most recent Park Update for the latest changes, as MousePlanet does not edit past Park Updates to reflect changes.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• “it’s a small world” – closed for a nine-month refurbishment, and is currently scheduled to reopen on Friday, November 21, 2008. The nearby Toy Shop is also closed during the renovation.
• Fantasmic! – closed through November 6.
• Sailing Ship Columbia – closed for refurbishment. Though the refurbishment was only scheduled on the current refurbishment schedule through October 25, the Sailing Ship Columbia is still closed.
• Harbour Galley – closed through December 15 for conversion from a McDonald’s french fry outlet into an unspecified food service location.
• Big Thunder Ranch – closed November 3-20 install the Holiday overlay.
• Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams – closed November 12 to February 13, 2009. A Christmas Fantasy parade will be performed November 21 to January 4, 2009.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed December 1-5 for refurbishment.
• Hungry Bear restaurant – closed January 5-23, 2009 for refurbishment.
• Mark Twain Riverboat – closed January 26-28, 2009 for refurbishment.
• “it’s a small world” – closed January 5 to February 14, 2009 to remove the holiday overlay.
• Haunted Mansion – closed January 5 to February 14, 2009 to remove the holiday overlay.

Disney’s California Adventure

DCA’s Games of the Boardwalk are closed for refurbishment. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

• Hyperion Theater – closed through December 11 for refurbishment.
• Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular – closed through December 11.
• Orange Stinger – closed November 4.
• Sun Wheel – closed for refurbishment and to install the new Mickey face. No reopening date has been announced.
• The Vineyard Room – now closed. No announcement has been made about a potential replacement for this restaurant.
• Golden Dreams – now closed. This attraction will eventually be replaced with the new Little Mermaid ride.
• Burger Invasion – now closed. No announcement has been made about a potential replacement for this former McDonald’s location.
• Games of the Boardwalk – now closed install a new facade and new Disney-themed games.

The lower portion of the Sun Wheel is surrounded by scaffolding. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

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

If you know of any events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, let us know.

November 2008

• Book Signings with Don Hahn and Jeff Kurtti – Saturday November 8, 2008 (link).
• Bats Day in the Fun Park (unofficial event) – November 8 & 9. Join 5,000 goths for the annual celebration (link)
• Level 27 Product Launch & Signing with Billy Martin – Saturday November 15 at the Vault 28 store in Downtown Disney (link).
• MouseAdventure – Sunday November 16 at the Disneyland Resort. Registration is sold out (link).
• Holiday season at the Disneyland Resort – Friday, November 21 to Sunday, January 4, 2009. “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade and the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular will be performed daily.

December 2008

• December Watch of the Month release – Monday December 1 at the Fortuosity Shop on Main Street (link).
• Candlelight Processional – Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. The narrator has not yet been announced, and details of the dining package offering has not been released.
• Mickey’s Christmas Carol 25th Anniversary watch release – Friday, December 19 at the Fortuosity Shop on Main Street (link).
• Holiday season at the Disneyland Resort – Friday, November 21to Sunday January 4, 2009. “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade and the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular will be performed daily.

2009

• 4th Annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – September 4-6, 2009. Registration is now open (link).

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.

This information is pulled from many sources but much thanks go to MouseSavers.com for providing the bulk of the information. If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line (link).

One Day, One Park Regularly $69/$59 One Day Park Hopper Regularly $94/$84	Southern California 1-Day Park Hopper – Disney is not currently offering a discounted Southern California 1-Day Park Hopper at the Web site. Vons Supermarkets may be selling these tickets, but call ahead to confirm. Proof of residency will be required when redeeming them at Disneyland (Vons will happily sell you the ticket voucher regardless of where you are from but you still need to be an appropriate resident to use it. If you do see these available anywhere, e-mail us to let us know.)
Two Day Park Hopper Regularly $143/$123	AOCVCB 2-Day Park Hopper Ticket ($141/$121) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $2 off the box-office price for both adults and children. You can now print these tickets at home, though a $1 per-ticket convenience fee applies. If the $1 per ticket net savings isn’t enough of an incentive to pre-purchase your tickets, think of all the time you’ll save by not having to stand in line at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths (link).
Three Day Park Hopper Regularly $199/$169	Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($179/$149) – 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 (an $11/day value) Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($179/$149) – available through the Disneyland Web site (link). You can print these tickets at home, though the tickets from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau Web site (see below) are slightly less expensive. AOCVCB 3-Day Bonus Ticket ($174/$144) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $5 off the advance purchase price for both adults and children. You can now print these tickets at home, though a $1 per-ticket convenience fee applies. If the $4 per ticket net savings isn’t enough of an incentive to pre-purchase your tickets, think of all the time you’ll save by not having to stand in line at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Tickets include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). Advance Purchase 2009 Everyone Plays for the Kids’ Price! 3-Day Park Hopper Ticket ($149) – This promotion is valid January 6 through April 30, 2009, and includes one one Magic Morning admission. Currently available for purchase through the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau Web site (link).
Four Day Park Hopper Regularly $224/$194	Advance Purchase 4-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($194/$164) – 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 $11/day value). Advance Purchase 4-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($194/$164) – available through the Disneyland Web site (link). You can print these tickets at home, though the tickets from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau Web site (see below) are slightly less expensive. AOCVCB 4-Day Bonus Ticket ($189/$159) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $5 off the advance purchase price for both adults and children. You can now print these tickets at home, though a $1 per-ticket convenience fee applies. If the $4 per ticket net savings isn’t enough of an incentive to pre-purchase your tickets, think of all the time you’ll save by not having to stand in line at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Tickets include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). Advance Purchase 2009 Everyone Plays for the Kids’ Price! 4-Day Park Hopper Ticket ($154) – This promotion is valid January 6 through April 30, 2009, and includes one one Magic Morning admission. Currently available for purchase through the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau Web site (link).
Five Day Park Hopper Regularly $244/$214	Advance Purchase 5-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($204/$174) – 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 $11/day value). Advance Purchase 5-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($204/$174) – available through the Disneyland Web site (link). You can print these tickets at home, though the tickets from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau Web site (see below) are slightly less expensive. AOCVCB 5-Day Bonus Ticket ($199/$169) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $5 off the advance purchase price for both adults and children. You can now print these tickets at home, though a $1 per-ticket convenience fee applies. If the $4 per ticket net savings isn’t enough of an incentive to pre-purchase your tickets, think of all the time you’ll save by not having to stand in line at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Tickets include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). Advance Purchase 2009 Everyone Plays for the Kids’ Price! 5-Day Park Hopper Ticket ($164) – This promotion is valid January 6 through April 30, 2009, and includes one one Magic Morning admission. Currently available for purchase through the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau Web site (link).
Six Day Park Hopper Regularly $249/$219	Advance Purchase 6-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($209/$179) – 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 $11/day value). Advance Purchase 5-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($209/$179) – available through the Disneyland Web site (link). You can print these tickets at home, though the tickets from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau Web site (see below) are slightly less expensive. AOCVCB 5-Day Bonus Ticket ($189/$159) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $5 off the advance purchase price for both adults and children. You can now print these tickets at home, though a $1 per-ticket convenience fee applies. If the $4 per ticket net savings isn’t enough of an incentive to pre-purchase your tickets, think of all the time you’ll save by not having to stand in line at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Tickets include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link).
Deluxe Annual Passport Regulary $269	Costco $50 bonus gift card offer – Costco members can receive a $50 Disneyland gift card when they purchase a Deluxe Disneyland Resort annual passport for $269 at a participating Costco location. The offer should be available at all Southern California Costco stores that currently sell Disneyland admission, but the vouchers may not have arrived in all locations yet. [A list of the 37 Costco locations within 50 miles of the Disneyland Resort is available on our MousePad discussion board (link), and we have noted which locations are confirmed to have these tickets available. If you are a Costco member and live near one of the stores that is not confirmed, please check the next time you’re there and then let us know so we can update the list.] There are no residency restrictions on this ticket, and it can be upgraded to a Deluxe with parking or Premium passport. Better still, the $50 gift card can be applied towards the cost of the upgrades, which nearly pays for the $59 parking option or drops the net cost of a Premium Annual Passport to just $339. Save $30 on a Deluxe Disneyland Resort Annual Passport – If you can’t take advantage of the Costco offer listed above, you can still receive a $30 discount on a Deluxe Disneyland Annual Passport by purchasing your pass online. The offer is valid only on new purchases, and does not apply to renewals. The offer expires 12/31/08. These tickets must be purchased using a special Web site: disneyland.com/deluxeoffer.
2008 Southern California CityPass $247/$199	2008 Southern California CityPass ($247/$199) – This pass includes a 3-Day Disneyland Resort park ticket (including one early-entry day), and single-day admission to either San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park, as well as SeaWorld San Diego and Universal Studios Hollywood. The CityPass expires 14 days after first use at any location. Purchase CityPass through the Disneyland Web site (link) or onsite 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 $217/$174 (link), 5% surcharge if not a Costco member, and shipping fees apply. 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 a Costco, you will initially purchase a large plastic container that you must trade for ticket books prior to leaving Costco! Note: The 2008 Southern California CityPass is valid for use if the first day of your visit is January 5, 2009 or earlier. If you are planning to start your visit on January 6th or later you will need to purchase the 2009 City Pass.
2009 Southern California CityPass $259/$219	2009 Southern California CityPass ($259/$219) – The 2009 CityPass offers the same admission tickets and benefits as listed above, at a slightly higher price. The 2009 CityPass is currently available through the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau Web site (link). The 2009 CityPass will be available through the CityPass Web site starting November 1, 2008 and from theme park box offices starting January 6, 2009.

Hotel / Travel Packages

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 per person, a $20 Disneyland Resort gift card, a collectible pin and lanyard, and a Costco luggage tag.

Disney’s Resort Magic and Good Neighbor Magic Packages – Package includes accomodations 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.

Other Discounts

Disney Visa Free-Stroller Rental – If you have a Disney Visa card you can rent up to two strollers for free at either Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure. This offer is valid only at the Main Gate rental locations at each park.

Rainforest Cafe Safari Club – Membership in the Rainforest Cafe gets you a 10% discount on entrees for up to four people. It also gets you priority seating if available, which can make a huge difference on busy days. 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)

AAA Restaurant Discounts – AAA (American Automobile Association) members can receive a 10% discount (excluding alcohol) at Plaza Inn, Wine Country Trattoria Ariel’s Grotto, PCH Grill, and Goofy’s Kitchen.

Downtown Disney Patina Restuarant Discounts – Three Downtown Disney restaurants operated by the Patina Group are currently offering lunch and/or dinner specials. Check at the restaurant for menu and price details.

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

DL: Disneyland

DCA: Disney’s 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
• MTT – Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party at DCA

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.