Disneyland Resort Update

Update for November 9 – 15, 2009

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

News and Views

Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee debuts at Disneyland | Jon Voight to narrate Candlelight; D23 packages still available| Final call for Reindeer Games | Disneyland introduces new Audio Description service| Tortilla Jo’s Taqueria reopens with new menu | Construction update | This and That

Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee debuts at Disneyland

Timed to coincide with the upcoming theatrical release of The Princess and the Frog, Disney debuted its first public performance of Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee at Disneyland Friday morning, with a large crowd of park guests and cast members filling the seating area around the Rivers of America. The show is very similar to the Walt Disney World version that opened last month at the Magic Kingdom, and according to Show Director Carla Carlile, is not meant to tell the story of the film, but instead takes place after the movie ends—Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen are enjoying their Happily Ever After, and have come to the waterfront for a celebration that will include up to 20 park guests per performance.

Costumed performers scout the crowd around the Rivers of America to find 20 guest performers for each showing of Princess Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A procession of dancers and musicians parades through New Orleans Square to kick off Princess Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Disneyland presentation begins with a processional from the New Orleans Square train station down to the Mark Twain loading dock. A cast of 22 dancers and the seven-piece Jambalaya Jazz Band join Tiana and Naveen in this procession. Waiting on board the Mark Twain is Louis, the trumpet-playing alligator from the film. Once the performers and preselected park guests are on board the Mark Twain, the ship moves into position for the show.

During the actual show stop, the Mark Twain is positioned in front of the Old Mill on Tom Sawyer Island (if you’re looking for a front-and-center spot from which to watch the show, look for the two speaker towers on the water’s edge—the Mark Twain will stop directly between those). Although a Disneyland spokesperson said that Fantasmic-style viewing areas would be set up along the Rivers of America with a walkway kept open to facilitate traffic flow through the area, these crowd control measures were not in use at the debut show, leading traffic along the water’s edge to become very congested. A better vantage point is from the tiered walkway that is usually VIP seating for Fantasmic, which sets you far enough back from the Mark Twain that you can take in the entire “stage” for the show, and lets you see above the crowd gathered at the water’s edge.

Louis the Alligator waits for the rest of the cast and invited guests to board the Mark Twain. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Guest performers wave streamers as the Mark Twain gets in position for the show stop. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Princess Tiana, Louis and Prince Naveen perform “When I’m Human.” Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The show stop includes five songs from the film, with Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, and Doctor Facilier (who makes an dramatic entrance in the middle of the show) all performing live. The character of Louis is voiced by Michael-Leon Wooley, who also voiced the character in the movie. A sixth song from the show is performed during the procession to and from the waterfront. At the end of the 9-minute show stop, the Mark Twain continues around the Rivers of America. During this “day cruise,” the park guests selected to participate in the show enjoy a private meet-and-greet with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, and a Disney PhotoPass photographer is on board to take pictures. Once the Twain returns to dock, the performers reverse their procession and march through to New Orleans Square.

Show Director Carla Carlile describes Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee as “a very large prop show.” Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Dr. Facilier, Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana don’t give “canned” performances – all three singers perform each song live. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Dr. Facilier’s “Friends on the Other Side” take over the Mark Twain for a brief number. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The entire show, from the moment the dancers first enter New Orleans Square to the moment they step backstage, runs approximately 35 minutes. River traffic along the Rivers of America, including the canoes, the Sailing Ship Columbia, and the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island, will be impacted to varying degrees by the show. While Carlile was a little vague on the specifics, and the canoes were not operating the morning of the public debut, you can expect the canoes to be closed for about 30 minutes for each performance. The rafts to Tom Sawyer Island to be closed from the time the Mark Twain leaves its loading dock to the time it passes the raft docks, about 15 minutes per show. Visitors who are on Tom Sawyer Island during the show have a good view while the Mark Twain moves into position, but the show stop performance faces the shore instead of the island, leaving those on the island with a “backstage” view of sorts of the show’s technical crew and extra performers. The Sailing Ship Columbia will continue to offer day cruises, but will wait at the loading dock while the Mark Twain is stopped for the show.

To wrap up the show, the guest performers reappear dressed as a gospel choir. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The grand finale includes colorful streamers and confetti. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana greet fans during the procession back to New Orleans Square. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

If you want to be selected to perform in the show, you’ll want to head to New Orleans Square right after park opening, and hope to be selected by the costumed performers that will be scouting the area. There is no age limit to participate in the show, and 20 guests are selected for each performance. If you are selected, you will receive a “boarding pass” with the date and time you should return for the show. Participants get to perform in the show and have a private meet and greet with the lead characters.

Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee will be presented daily at Disneyland, with show times at 11:15, 12:45, 1:45 and 4:15. According to a Disney spokesperson, the listed show time is when the Mark Twain leaves the dock. The show is currently scheduled to run through January 3, 2010.

Court des Anges in New Orleans Square is the location for a new Princess and the Frog meet-and-greet with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Between Showboat performances, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen are available for a meet-and-greet inside the Court des Anges in New Orleans Square. The tiny adjacent shop that once sold Christopher Radko ornaments has reopened as Le Bayou Magique, and offers a selection of Princess and the Frog merchandise, including Princess Tiana costumes and stuffed “kissing” frogs with magnetic lips.

The former Radko ornament shop in New Orleans Square has reopened as Le Bayou Magique, and offers a selection of Princess and the Frog merchandise. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Jon Voight to narrate Candlelight; D23 packages still available

Actor Jon Voight will narrate the 2009 Candlelight Processional at Disneyland December 5 and 6, according to several sources. The actor has appeared in a number of Disney films (including the National Treasure franchise), and is often spotted walking the red carpet at Disney movie premieres.

Jon Voight (shown here at the Pirates of the Caribbean premier at Disneyland in 2007) will reportedly narrate the 2009 Candlelight Processional at Disneyland. Photo by Alex Stroup.

In last week’s Update we incorrectly reported that the D23 Candlelight Spectacular had sold out. Tickets are, in fact, still available—which prompted MousePlanet reader Athena to write, “They’ve been on sale for over three weeks, which is incredible when you think about how popular the Candlelight Procession is and how obsessive some fans get about it. I think it’s pretty indicative of D23 members’ attitude that they are unwilling to spend the $275 for a Candlelight Procession ticket that includes admission to the park—something most members do not need since most are annual passholders. Obviously, D23 members/passholders are finally saying ‘No’ to Disney’s latest attempts to gouge them for more money.”

Given that the much less expensive holiday event D23 is hosting at Walt Disney World sold out within minutes of tickets going on sale, Athena seems to have a point. D23 announced that the special stage show being presented as part of the Candlelight Spectacular is a reprise of “Minnie’s Christmas Party,” a holiday character show presented in the Fantasyland Theater until 2002 or 2003.

Final call for Reindeer Games

There are just a handful of spots for teams to register for MouseAdventure Holiday: Reindeer Games, and we expect the event to sell out early this week. Our first-ever holiday-themed event is Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Disneyland Resort (link). This family-friendly format is a great way to enjoy the holiday season at Disneyland, and is perfect for new teams who want to try their skills at MouseAdventure. For more information about the event, please visit the MouseAdventure section (link). If you want to chat with fellow players and MouseAdventure crew, please visit our MousePad discussion boards (link).

Disneyland introduces new Audio Description service

Originally published in Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix’s MousePlanet blog this weekend (link).

The Disneyland Resort has a new service for guests with visual impairments, the Audio Description device. The PDA-sized device is worn on a lanyard around the neck, and comes with a headphones. When the user enters the queue of a designated attraction, a transmitter activates the device, and a recorded voice describes the attraction or show in real time. The device works at 19 attractions and shows in Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure park, including most of the Fantasyland “dark rides” like Peter Pan’s Flight and Snow White’s Scary Adventures. I tested the device last week to see how it worked, and how well the spoken narration described the actual ride.

Disneyland’s new device describes rides and shows to visitors with visual impairments. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The device is fairly lightweight and was not uncomfortable to wear. The provided brochure recommended holding the device chest-high so the device could clearly receive the signal from the transmitters concealed at the attractions. I quickly spotted the transmitter inside the queue for Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, and it looks to be the same type of transmitter used to run the Pal Mickey device at Walt Disney World. If so, the transmitter does not actually “supply” the audio description as stated in the brochure, but simply notifies the device to begin playing a specific, pre-recorded description once it receives that signal.

Transmitters strategically placed throughout attractions activate the device and trigger the correct script. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Once the device recognized I was at Snow White’s Scary Adventures, the recording began by describing the outside of the building, including the fact that the Evil Queen peered out from a window above the entrance. The description was incredibly detailed, to the point of reading the text of the storybook at the entrance to the queue, and encouraging me to touch the apple to hear the Old Hag cackle. Unfortunately the recording began after I had already entered the queue and was well past the book. The line was quite short that day, and the description cut off mid-sentence when the device had received the signal from the next transmitter in the ride.

The narration was extremely detailed in some places, even describing the colors of Snow White’s dress and the musical instruments held by each Dwarf. The narration ended abruptly in the middle of the scary forest, and there was no further description of the end of the ride. Since some complain that the ride’s story also ends very abruptly, perhaps this was intentional and not a glitch. Just to make sure, I rode again, and the narration ended in exactly the same spot.

The description of Pinocchio’s Daring Journey includes a detailed description of the ride vehicles themselves – down to the carved figures on each one—and descriptions of the art seen in the queue. I noted that the male narrator was very emphatic in his descriptions, as if each sentence ended with an exclamation point. The female narrator who recorded the descriptions for other attractions was a little less intense.

I was curious how the device would describe Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, since this is not only a highly visual ride but includes a video game element that someone with total vision loss would be unable to experience. The audio description described the murals in the queue and the animatronic Buzz Lightyear figure, and provided instructions to “aim for the Z,” and volunteered that some targets are worth more when lit. The narration also explained that the ride uses a moving walkway to board the ride vehicle, but did not mention that the vehicle would be to the left of the walkway, something I thought might be helpful. Throughout the ride, the device described each scene, in many cases providing details I normally overlook in my quests for high score.

I wanted to see how the device worked when used on an attraction that already has live narration, but Storybook Land Canal Boats were closed for refurbishment. Instead, I visited Honey, I Shrunk the Audience to see how the device would enhance a film-based attraction. Audio Description is also offered on It’s Tough to be a Bug, Muppet*Vision 3D and Turtle Talk with Crush, as well as the Enchanted Tiki Room. My device did not activate until the show started, and I had feared it wasn’t going to work at all. The narrator described many of the 3D elements of the show, and the audio description was well coordinated with the film’s dialogue so the narrator rarely spoke over a character.

My final ride was the Disneyland Railroad. I boarded at the Tomorrowland station, and the device was quiet until we entered the first tunnel. However, once we reached the Main Street Station, the device launched into a lengthy recording, with narration that included everything from the architecture and decor of the Main Street Station (down to the wood trim and wall paper) to the costumes worn by the Cast Members, and even the difference between a Holiday and an Excursion-type train. If you use the Audio Description device, I highly recommend that you board at the Main Street Station to get the full benefit of the description.

The device is extremely easy to use (the only buttons you ever needs to press are the easy-to-identify volume up/down buttons) and fairly comfortable to wear. The headphones began to bother me after a while, and so I simply removed them between rides. Like Pal Mickey, the device vibrates for a moment before it begins playing the recorded dialogue, giving you enough time to put the headphones on. I found the descriptions quite detailed in most cases, and when I closed my eyes, definitely preferable to riding along with no idea what was going on around me.

I would have liked to be able to replay dialogue I missed or was cut short (in several cases, the device interrupted itself when it sensed the next transmitter). In the example of Snow White’s Scary Adventures, it would have been wonderful if the narration had begun while I was still outside the attraction, and could fully experience what was being described to me. Of course, this is a necessary limitation of the system—if the transmitter activated the device when you simply walked by it, taking a shortcut through Fantasyland would trigger a half-dozen recordings. Perhaps one of the buttons on the device could be programmed as a “skip” button, so you could terminate a recording you didn’t want to hear. Minor quibbles aside, this is an impressive new option for Disneyland visitors, and hopefully descriptions of even more attractions will be added to the service in the near future.

The Audio Description device is one of three services available to visitors with visual impairments, and can be checked out from either Disneyland’s City Hall or the Guest Relations Lobby inside Disney’s California Adventure. A refundable deposit of $100 is required to check out the device. You can use the device at both theme parks, but must return it to the park where it was checked out. Since Disneyland usually has longer operating hours, it’s probably best to check out the device from Disneyland if you plan to do any park-hopping.

Braille guidebooks are available for both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, and include brief descriptions of each ride, show, restaurant, and shop. Guidebooks are available at Disneyland’s City Hall or the Guest Relations Lobby at DCA, and may be checked out with a $20 refundable deposit. Digital Audio Tours of Disneyland and DCA are available using the same handheld device, and offer an general overview of each park, designed to provide a sense of direction and a brief description of attractions and services. Digital audio devices can be checked out from Disneyland’s City Hall or the Guest Relations Lobby at DCA, and a refundable deposit of $100 is required.

Tortilla Jo’s Taqueria reopens with new menu

The Taqueria outside Tortilla Jo’s closed earlier this year for a remodel, during which the walk up ordering windows were replaced with an indoor service counter, and an expanded, enclosed seating area was built. The new seating area allows the quick service venue to serve beer and margaritas, and the shaded patio can accommodate more diners than the original handful of tables. The new menu has some familiar items (though the popular Tacone did not return), and capitalizes on the “design your own meal” trend.

The Taqueria at Tortilla Jo’s has reopened, and now offers beer and margaritas. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

1. Select Your Meal

• Tacos – two soft corn or flour tortillas built with choice of meat, salsa, cheese, onions, cilantro and lettuce ($5.95).
• Burritos – large flour tortilla filled with choice of pinto or vegetarian black beans, meat, rice, salsa, cheese and sour cream ($8.85).
• Vegetarian Burrito – large flour tortilla filled with cilantro-lime rice, vegetarian black beans, pico de gallo, sautéed vegetables, jack cheese and guacamole ($6.95).
• Nachos – tortilla chips, JO’s cheese sauce, choice of pinto or black beans topped with pico de gallo ($6.95). Add a choice of meat for $2.00.

2. Select Your Filling

• Shredded adobo chicken – tender citrus-marinated chicken cooked with achiote spice.
• Pork carnitas – pork shoulder, braised slowly with fresh citrus and Mexican spices.
• Grilled steak – lean beef marinated with fresh cilantro, lime and Mexican spices.

3. Select Your Salsa

• Salsa Roja – mild
• Salsa Verde – medium
• Salsa Quemada – spicy hot

Sides

• Chips & Salsa – $2.95
• Chips & Guacamole – $4.95
• Beans or Rice – $2.50
• Pico de Gallo – $1.50
• Guacamole – $2.00

Drinks

• Aguas Frescas – traditional fresh fruit juice served ice cold ($2.95).
• Bottled beverages – bottled water, fruit juice, Jarritos Mexican sodas ($2.95).
• Soda fountain – Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Root Beer, Lemonade ($3.50).

Desserts

• Mexican brownie with chocolate sauce – $3.95
• Fresh fruit cup – $3.95
• Cookie – $1.95

Margaritas & Beer

• Frozen Margaritas – strawberry or lime ($8.00).
• Mexican Beer – Pacifico, Corona, Corona Light, Negra Modelo ($7.00).
• American Beer – Coor’s Light, Budweiser ($6.25).

Construction update

MousePlanet reader cstephens graciously submitted a batch of photos taken at DCA on Sunday. The water in Paradise Bay just laps at the World of Color show platform, and the walkway connecting the lighthouse-themed projector towers has been removed.

Paradise Bay has been refilled to a level just beneath the World of Color show platform. Photo by Cindy Stephens.

New white domes dot the World of Color show platform. Photo by Cindy Stephens.

The water isn’t deep enough to reach the base of the Silly Symphonies Swings. Photo by Cindy Stephens.

MousePlanet reader Sunnie said that she saw what looked like a test of the lights on the World of Color platform Saturday night. Photo by Cindy Stephens.

The grey circle in the middle of the construction is the new fountain that will be a focal point of the new terraced park. Photo by Cindy Stephens.

The second fountain has received a lighthouse-inspired topper. Photo by Cindy Stephens.

With so much construction in the area, DCA’s Christmas tree has been placed in a rather unlikely spot overlooking Paradise Bay. Photo by Cindy Stephens.

This and That

…Stevie Wonder and Anika Noni Rose performed at Disneyland on Sunday as part of the taping of the Disney Parks Christmas Special. Portions of the holiday parade were filmed on Saturday, and it’s possible that additional performances will be taped today (Monday), though a Disney spokesperson declined to provide any specifics.

Minnie Mouse, Stevie Wonder and his daughter Aisha Morris take a break during taping of the Disney Parks Christmas Special. Photo © Disney.

Cheryl Burke and Tony Dovolani from Dancing with the Stars pose with Anika Noni Rose (the voice of Princess Tiana) in New Orleans Square. Photo © Disney.

…In an effort to help control the spread of swine flu, the Disneyland Resort will place hand sanitizing devices at or near the main entrance turnstiles of Disneyland and DCA, inside the lobbies at the Disneyland Resort Hotels, and in selected character meet-and-greet locations. The automated dispensers contain alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizing gel. “The safety of our Guests and Cast Members continues to be our top priority,” said Greg Hale, chief safety officer, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “The addition of hand sanitizing dispensers is another example of how we are helping to prevent the spread of illness.” Readers who have sailed with the Disney Cruise Line will no doubt remember the dispensers, which are widely used onboard.

…Some MousePlanet readers have stumbled upon a “Spring Getaway” special for the Disneyland Resort Hotels, with discounts available January – April, 2010. The promotion is expected to be officially announced today, and we’ll post more details once we have them. One reader reported booking the Grand Californian Hotel for $272 per night, another said she was quoted $245 per night at the Grand Californian, around $179 for the Disneyland Hotel and and $166 for the Paradise Pier Hotel. Rates do not include tax or Resort fees.

…Disneyland Resort annual passholders can now book rooms at the Disneyland Resort Hotel for stays between January 5 and February 11 starting at $139 per night at the Paradise Pier Hotel. Book online at Disneyland.com/APhotel, or call 866-411-3890 and ask for rate code ““APH.” Rates do not include tax or Resort fees.

…The Disneyland Resort is now offering holiday gift cards with a special gift-with-purchase pin. The special cards are sold in the $75 denomination only, and include one of four specially designed, limited edition pins. The holiday gift cards are available at most major stores in the Disneyland Resort, including the World of Disney, Emporium and Greetings from California.

…Annual Passholder Appreciation Days are December 5-12 in Downtown Disney. Disneyland Resort APs can save at participating Downtown Disney retailers, and shop extended hours at some of the Disney-operated shops. The event kicks off with a special shopping morning on December 5th at the World of Disney store. The store opens at 6:30 am for APs only, and the first 1,000 customers will receive a free Vinylmation figure. Special offers include 50% select merchandise, 20% off all Vinylmation figures, and special “doorbuster” discounts on selected items. A full list of participating merchants and discounts is available on the Annual Passholder Appreciation Days Web site (link).

…Disney Vacation Club members can take advantage of similar offers during Members Appreciation Days, also scheduled for December 5-12. DVC members can also attend the special shopping day at the World of Disney store, and receive similar discounts from participating merchants. Details are available on the Members Appreciation Days Web site (link).

…Disneyland will close at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 7 and Tuesday, December 8 for the annual cast member holiday parties. The park opens at 8:00 a.m. both days.

The Main Street Magic Shop is reopened, and fully stocked once more. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…Disneyland’s Main Street Magic shop reopened last week, and is now operated and staffed by the company that operates the Houdini’s Magic Shop chain. A displaced Magic Shop cast member says that the new store stocks a similar selection of merchandise as Disney offered years ago, “before they let the store rot,” and complained that the new salespeople are “loud and sleezy.” The store, which was closed for several weeks for refurbishment, looks relatively unchanged, though the store’s display windows now feature a variety of props and memorabilia featuring The Great Houdini. In a change from Disney’s return and exchange policy, large signs scattered around the store state that Houdini’s does not accept returns of magic tricks.

…Splash! Animals, a “conservation-focused, live-art experience” will return to Downtown Disney November 13 & 14. Look for performances between 6 and 10 pm on the stage outside ESPN Zone.

…To assist MousePlanet readers who want to participate in The Year to Volunteer, we’re looking for readers to act as MousePlanet hosts at qualifying volunteer opportunities across the country. While details of specific opportunities won’t be available until after the promotion begins in January, several of our volunteers hosts said they want to start coordinating their local events. To help facilitate these activities, we’ve created a new MousePlanet Volunteers section of our MousePad discussion board devoted entirely to the Year to Volunteer events.

If you would like to coordinate and host a group volunteer event in your area, please visit our MousePad discussion board for more information on how to list your event (link). Hosts will be responsible for selecting a volunteer opportunity from the HandsOn Network site (which means you get to choose a program or organization that’s important to you!), and coordinating with local MousePlanet readers who want to volunteer for your activity. To give readers the most time to use their tickets, we encourage hosts to schedule their activities early in the year.

Hosts from Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay area, Southern Utah, Southern Nevada and Southern Arizona have already started discussions for their area, and are looking for local readers to join their activities. If you live in one of these areas and want more information about local events, please visit MousePad and join the discussion (link).

Sleeping Beauty Castle is almost ready for the holiday season to begin next weekend. 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. 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.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• The Enchanted Cottage – closed for refurbishment.
• “it’s a small world“ – closed through November 12 for installation of the holiday overlay.
• Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm – closed through November 12 for installation of the holiday overlay.
• Casey Jr. Circus Trains – closed through November 19 for refurbishment.
• Storybook Land Canal Boats – closed through November 19 for refurbishment.
• Jungle Cruise – closed November 16 through 19 for refurbishment.
• King Arthur Carrousel – closed December 8 through 10 for refurbishment.
• Main Street Opera House theater – closed through December 16 to return Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln . A portion of the lobby has reopened, and Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years is playing on a very small screen in the lobby.

Disney’s California Adventure

Construction-related closures: 

• The Vineyard Room – closed. No announcement has been made about a potential replacement for this restaurant.
• Golden Dreams – closed. The building that once house this film-based attraction has been demolished, and will eventually be replaced with the new Little Mermaid ride.
• Burger Invasion – closed. No announcement has been made about a potential replacement for this former McDonald’s location, but an employee publication lists May 24, 2011 as the return date.
• Paradise Pier Lagoon – currently drained while workers complete several construction projects in the area. The Lagoon is expected to be refilled any day now.
• Golden State Amphitheater – area closed for construction of new viewing area for Disney’s World of Color water show. The area is now scheduled to reopen in Spring, 2010.
• Corn Dog Castle – closed due to construction in the area. An employee publication lists March 24, 2011 as the return date. During the renovation, corn dogs are available at Bountiful Valley Farmer’s Market.
• Souvenir 66 – closed due to construction in the area. An employee publication lists March 24, 2011 as the return date.
• Orange Stinger – closed through April 28, 2010 for refurbishment and renovation into the Silly Symphonies Swings.

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.

Winter

• Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort – November 13, 2009 to January 3, 2010
• Candlelight Processional – Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6. The narrator is reportedly Jon Voight. No dining packages will be offered to the general public this year, beyond the D23 event listed below.
• D23 Candlelight Spectacular event at Disneyland – Sunday, December 6 (link). Private event open to members of the D23 club and their guests. $275 per person. Tickets are still available.
• D23 Disney and Dickens event – Thursday, December 10 (link). Private event open to members of the D23 club and their guests. $95 per person. Tickets are sold out.
• MouseAdventure Holiday: Reindeer Games – Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Disneyland Resort (link). There is still room for your team to join our first-ever holiday edition of our popular MouseAdventure event. This family-friendly format is a great way to enjoy the holiday season at Disneyland, and is perfect for new teams who want to try their skills at MouseAdventure.

2010

• 5th Annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – September 3-5, 2010. 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.

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 Ticket – Regularly $72/$62 One Day Park Hopper – Regularly $97/$87	Southern California 1-Day Park Hopper
Two Day Park Hopper – Regularly $151/$131	AOCVCB 2-Day Park Hopper Ticket ($149/$129) – 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). These tickets are now valid through January 3, 2011.
Three Day Park Hopper – Regularly $204/$174	Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($184/$154) – 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) AOCVCB 3-Day Bonus Ticket ($179/$149) – 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). These tickets are now valid through January 3, 2011.
Four Day Park Hopper – Regularly $229/$199	Costco 4-Day Park Hopper Ticket ($159.95) – A special offer for Costco members who are also residents of Southern California (link). Unlike some recent offers, this ticket has no “fuse” – you can use the first admission today, and have almost a full year to use the remaining admission days before the ticket expires on August 23, 2010. The ticket is blocked out the week between Christmas and New Years (inclusive of both holidays), and for the week of March 26 to  April 4, which gives you an idea of what Disneyland expects to be the peak Spring Break period. The ticket is not blocked out on any other holidays – including Labor Day, Thanksgiving or even the 4th of July – and can be upgraded to any Annual Passport except the SoCal Select pass. The Costco Web site states in three different places—including a bold, bright red headline—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 (ie, 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 ($199/$169) – 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). These tickets are now valid through January 3, 2011. AOCVCB 4-Day Bonus Ticket ($194/$164) – 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).
Five Day Park Hopper – Regularly $249/$219	Advance Purchase 5-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). AOCVCB 5-Day Bonus Ticket ($204/$174) – 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). These tickets are now valid through January 3, 2011.
Six Day Park Hopper – Regularly $254/$224	Advance Purchase 6-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($214/$184) – 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 $14/day value).
Disneyland Resort Annual Passports	No discounts currently available.
2009 Southern California CityPass $259/$219	2009 Southern California CityPass ($259/$219) – 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 Sea World 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 $227/$192 (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 Costco, you will initially purchase a large plastic container that you must trade for ticket books prior to leaving Costco!

Hotel/Travel Packages

Save $400 on a 4-Day/4-Night Disneyland Resort vacation package. The offer is valid for arrivals August 23 through December 20, 2009, and starts at $87 per person, per day with accommodations at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and a four-day park hopper ticket. The offer is not valid November 25–27, 2009. Annual passholders can book the same package—without the ticket requirement—through Costco travel or directly through the Walt Disney Travel Company, though the Costco version of the offer also includes the perks listed below.

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 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

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% 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.

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.