Disneyland Resort Update

Update for October 8 – 14, 2012

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News and Views

Disney Announces Dates and Details for the 2012 Holiday Season | Disney California Adventure open late Fridays this Month | Thanksgiving at the Disneyland Resort | An Appeal from Team MousePlanet | Around the Resort | This and That… | Crowd Forecast

Disney Announces Dates and Details for the 2012 Holiday Season

Halloween Time is in full swing at the Disneyland Resort, but the Holidays are just around the corner. In fact, the Disneyland Resort transforms into the 'Merriest Place on Earth' in just over five weeks. From November 12, 2012 through January 6, 2013, you can experience one of the most magical times at the resort, and the newly relaunched Disney California Adventure park is part of this year's event as well.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. Photo by Bryan Pugh.

Favorite holiday classics such as the “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks, “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and “it's a small world” holiday are returning to Disneyland. Haunted Mansion Holiday, which is already open for guests of Halloween Time, also continues through the holiday season. You can also meet Santa Claus, see his reindeer, play games and create crafts at Santa's Holly Jolly Jamboree back at the Big Thunder Ranch. Disneyland is also holding a record 20 performances of the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional in Main Street's Town Square, between December 3 and 20. Disney has also announced that these performances are open to “registered” Annual Passholders and that there will be a limited number of dining packages available, but Disney has yet to announce details or what the process is for becoming registered.

Buena Vista Street, a re-creation of the 1930s Los Angeles that Walt Disney knew, will also be transformed for the holiday season. Similar to how the area was decorated in period-specific patriotic flags and bunting for the Independence Day holiday, Buena Vista Street will feature vintage-style ornaments and decor. It is also highly likely that Buena Vista Street will contain the Disney California Adventure Christmas tree.

Back in Radiator Springs, each building in Cars Land will feature holiday decorations which reflects the personality of the characters for which the buildings were inspired. Unique decorations will adorn Flo's V8 Cafe, Fillmore's Taste-in, the Cozy Cone Motel, and Luigi's Casa della Tires. A touch of the holidays will also return to “a bug's land,” and Disney will add what they are calling “wintertime fun” to the Mad T Party.

Disney California Adventure open late Fridays this Month

With the success of the Disney California Adventure relaunch and Mickey's Halloween Party forcing Disneyland to close at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays this month, Disney California Adventure park is remaining open until midnight on those nights. It was only a few years ago that these Halloween parties were held at Disney California Adventure in an effort to attract guests into the struggling park. What was once seen as a half day or overflow park, is now attracting half of the the resort traffic, up from only 25 percent.

Thanksgiving at the Disneyland Resort

Various locations are offering special menu items for those wishing to celebrate Thanksgiving while at the Disneyland Resort.

The massive all-you-can-eat Disneyland Family Thanksgiving Feast returns to the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom. This classic Thanksgiving feast includes roasted turkey, prime rib, homemade stuffing, sweet potato souffle, fresh cranberry-ornage relish, as well as mashed potatoes and gravy. The buffet will also include fresh salads, cheeses, smoke salmon, shrimp and king crab legs. Desserts include pumpkin and pecan pies, tarts, cookies, cakes, gourmet cupcakes, and much more.

The Disneyland Family Thanksgiving Feast also includes photo and meet-and-greet opportunities for various Disney characters, as well as complimentary four-hour self-parking at the Disneyland Hotel. The price for adults is $71.99; the price for children ages 3 to 9 is $20.99, and includes a special children's buffet. Annual Passholder discounts apply (15 percent for premium holders; 10 percent for all others). The Disneyland Family Thanksgiving Feast is very popular and tends to get completely booked early; you must make prior arangements by calling (714) 781-DINE (714-781-3463) or by sending a reservation request to dine@disneyland.com.

There are also many more choices for those desiring a more casual or in-park dining experience as well.

Disneyland

Slow-roasted turkey and various side dishes will be on the menus at the following locations:

• Cafe Orleans – Slow-roasted turkey breast served with turkey pan jus gravy, rosemary andouille sausage stuffing, sauteed green beans with bacon and homemade crandberry sauce ($17.49).
• French Market – Slow-roasted turkey breast with andouille sausage stuffing. Market smashed potatoes, homestyle gravy, seasonal vegetables, and your choice of artisan bread and cranberry relish ($14.49).
• Carnation Cafe – Slow-roasted turkey breast with bourbon gravy, apple-cranberry dressing, cream cheese yams, seasonal vegetables, cranberry sauce, and a roll ($15.99).
• Plaza Inn – Slow-roasted turkey with a traditional turkey gravy and sage dressing. White cheddar red-skinned mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a fresh dinner roll ($14.49).
• River Belle Terrace – Slow-roasted turkey breast with stuffing, roasted garlic thyme mash potatoes, homestyle gravy, seasonal vegetables, cornbread, and cranberry relish ($14.49).
• Blue Bayou – Brined slow-roasted turkey with smoked cippolini onion, served with pork belly stuffing and roasted shallot potato puree. Accompanied by cranberry gelle ($33.99).
• Jolly Holiday Bakery – Turkey sandwich with cranberry mayonnaise (pricing not yet available).

Disney California Adventure

• Ariel's Grotto – Traditional roasted turkey dinner ($40.99 adults, $22.99 children).
• Flo's V8 Cafe – Roasted turkey breast with cranberry marmalade and old-fashioned turkey gravy, red-skinned mashed potatoes, traditional sage stuffing, and peas & carrots. Served with garlic chive broiche roll (pricing not yet available).
• Wine Country Trattoria – Roasted turkey with garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed green beans, herb stuffing topped with orange cranberry relish ($27.99).
• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill – Traditional turkey dinner with slow-roasted turkey and gravy with sage dressing, whipped mashed potatoes, sauteed green beans, and cornbread ($14.49).
• Carthay Circle Restaurant – A three-course meal of autumn harvest salad of marinated persimmons, candied pecans, and smoked bacon, red-tipped endive, upland cress, and autumn greens. Orange-saged roasted free-range turkey on a posole, autumn squash chili, and turkey tamale. Harvest pumpkin streusel cheesecake, cranberry orange syrup ($50).

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

• Napa Rose – Four-course Wine Country Feast ($90; you can add a wine flight for an additional $45).
• Storytellers Cafe – you have two choices here:
  • Classic turkey dinner with brioche bread stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and turkey gravy and cranberry sauce ($22.99 adults, $11.99 children).
  • Buffet , including turkey, New York strip loin, pan-seared salmon, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, grilled chicken, pork loin, candied yams, stuffing with sweet Italian sausage, mashed potatoes, and beets ($30.99 adults, $14.99 kids).

Disneyland Hotel

• Steakhouse 55 – Three-course meal consisting of roasted butternut squash soup, slow-roasted turkey, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, dressing, and Grand Mariner cranberry sauce. Includes a pumpkin creme brulee for dessert ($46).
• Goofy's Kitchen – Turkey, roasted New York strip, salmon with caper-butter sauce, mashed potatoes, brown sugar yams with marshmallows, sourdough stuffing, butternut squash soup, and more ($38.99). A special children's buffet available for $31.99 as well a separate brunch for $33.99.

Paradise Pier Hotel

• Disney's PCH Grill – Oven-roasted turkey breast, cranberry-orange relish, New York strip steak with horseradish cream, grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, apple-walnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, and turkey giblet gravy, as well as various salads and desserts ($31.99 adults, $16.99 kids).

Note: Disney cautions that all prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.

An Appeal from Team MousePlanet

The 22nd Annual CHOC Walk in the Park takes place next Sunday, on October 14 at the Disneyland Resort. This 5K (3.1-mile) fun walk through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure is an annual fundraiser for Children's Hospital Orange County. Team MousePlanet is proud to return for our 5th year, and the 58 members of our 2012 CHOC Walk team together have raised more than $5,000 so far this year. We're hoping to raise much more for this great local organization, and there are several ways you can help:

• Walk with Team MousePlanet – register to walk with us at the October 14 event, and earn prizes as you meet your fundraising goals.
• Raise money with Team MousePlanet – register as a “Sleeping Bear,” (someone who is raising money, but cannot attend the Walk in person), and earn prizes as you meet your fundraising goals
• Sponsor Team MousePlanet – you can sponsor a Team MousePlanet walker, and help them earn prizes, or make a general donation to our team.

If you'd like more information, visit the Team MousePlanet discussion to chat with other participants. Be sure to read MousePlanet's interview with Nolan Torres, the 2011 CHOC Walk Ambassador, for more information about CHOC and the many reasons we walk.

Around the Resort

…Red Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland has emerged from its multi-week external makeover. The new facade has received a new progressive paint scheme, which replaced the previous all-red theme.

The new paint scheme for Red Rockett's Pizza Port. Photo by Bryan Pugh.

…The Fantasy Faire project is showing more progress this past week with more vertical construction visible and coverings for some of the taller elements. Disney has not yet released a completion date for the project.

Current construction progress on the Fantasy Faire. Photo by Bryan Pugh.

…Speaking of construction projects that do not yet have a completion date, this past week saw some significant progress on the Downtown Disney Earl of Sandwich location, with the installation of supports for the outdoor dining portion and the start of a new burgundy paint scheme for the front of the building.

Current construction progress on the Downtown Disney Earl of Sandwich. Photo by Bryan Pugh.

…Over on Buena Vista Street, guests can now pick up more Oswald merchandise. Added to the already available Oswald ear hats are T-shirts and metal signs at Oswald's Filling Station.

Oswald T-shirts now available on Buena Vista Street. Photo by Bryan Pugh.

This and That…

…Disney is recruiting cast members and their children to appear as extras for a feature film shoot scheduled to take place at Disneyland on November 6 and 7. While Disneyland won't comment on the filming, we've confirmed this is for Saving Mr. Banks starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. Cast members are asked to submit photos of themselves “dressed in clothes that may have been worn in the summer of 1961, and sporting period-appropriate hairstyles.”

…Volunteer registration is now open for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend. For more information, visit the RunDisney volunteer website. Volunteer opportunities fill quickly, and many shifts are already completely full, so don't wait to register. Volunteers who complete a minimum of two shifts receive a free Disneyland Resort one-day, one-park ticket.

…An NBC technology blogger came across an FCC filing detailing what could only be an NFC (near field communication) wristband for the upcoming “NextGen” project at Walt Disney World; the blogger mistakenly refers to Disneyland in the article. These “NextGen” wristbands will help Disney track guests through the park, tailoring their experience on attractions and streamlining services such as FASTPASS, dinning and ticket sales.

…The Matterhorn Bobsleds closed earlier this year for an extensive six-month refurbishment for a number of improvements and upgrades, including the installation of a completely redesigned bobsled ride vehicle. This week came news that Disney has donated one of the former, and very recognizable, bobsleds to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives in Arlington, Texas. The Matterhorn was the first tubular steel-tracked roller coaster in the world.

…The “Enchanted Books” in Beast's Library in the Animation Building at Disney California Adventure park have been updated to include new characters. The interactive books now ask a new series of questions to match each guest with the Disney personality they are most like. New personalities include, Lightning McQueen, Merida, and Mickey Mouse (yep, he wasn't there before).

…Annual passholders have the opportunity to purchase a commemorative double old-fashioned glass set starting tomorrow through February 2013 – or while supplies last. The glass set features classic Disney character silhouettes with the “Passholder” logo. The two glass sets will be released each month, and will be retired the following month. The currently release schedule is Minnie on October 9, followed by Pluto, Goofy, Donald, and Mickey on the first of the following months. The glasses will be available at various locations throughout the resort and you can see them and more information here.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun MouseAdventure bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, go to the MousePlanet main page and enter your e-mail address in the top right box labeled “Join the MousePlanet Newsletter.” Click Join, then fill out the fields in the registration page, including your first and last name. The Newsletter is free, but you must complete this registration to receive it, even if you may have signed up for one with us in the past.

…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.

Crowd Forecast

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Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Note: Not all of these have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit.

Disneyland

• Plaza Gardens – closed until Spring 2013 for the construction of the new Fantasy Faire.
• Princess Fantasy Faire/Fantasyland Theater – closed until Summer 2013 for refurbishment of the Fantasyland Theater. The Princess meet-and-greet is relocated to the terrace near “it's a small world” until the new Fantasy Faire opens.
• Troubadour Treats – closed until Summer 2013 for refurbishment of the Fantasyland Theater. An internal document lists May 23 as the reopening date, but this may just be a placeholder.
• Disneyland Railroad – reduced capacity (3 of 4 trains available) through November 6.
• Storybook Land – closed until November 16 for refurbishment.
• Casey Jr. – closed until November 16 for refurbishment.
• Indiana Jones Adventure – closed until December 8 for refurbishment.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds – closed through October 3 for refurbishment.
• Goofy's Playhouse – closed through October 11 for refurbishment.
• Starcade – closed October 8–18 for refurbishment.
• “it's a small world” – closed October 22 to November 8 to install the holiday overlay.
• Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm – closed November 1–8 to transition from Halloween Time to Holiday overlay.
• Space Mountain – closed November 5 to remove the Ghost Galaxy overlay.

Disney California Adventure

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – closed October 22 for refurbishment.

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

Current Discounts & Promotions

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates