Disneyland Resort Update

Update for December 7 – 13, 2009

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

News and Views

Toy Story – The Musical coming to DCA | Hotel workers stage walkout | Cold but clear Candlelight| Even more Passholder appreciation; D Street event schedule| Kids Fly Free returns| DCA construction update| This and That

Toy Story – The Musical coming to DCA

The Disney Parks Blog announced last week that Toy Story – The Musical will be coming to Disney’s California Adventure theme park next year, replacing Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular at the Hyperion Theater (link). According to Disney, Aladdin closes on August 10, 2010, so you have some time to catch a few more performances.

Toy Story – The Musical debuted on the Disney Wonder cruise ship in April 2008, replacing Hercules the Muse-ical. As presented on the ship, “Toy Story” features an almost entirely-new score with 6 original songs – the only familiar song in the show is Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.” The show is praised for clever costumes, including some inflatable pieces designed by Michael Curry. The DCA production will reportedly be about 10 minutes shorter than the DCL version, and will have other, unspecified changes. Due to the limited space in the ship’s Walt Disney Theater, the cruise line production makes extensive use of projected backdrops instead of flat sets, so there’s definitely an opportunity to enhance the staging when the show comes to the well-equipped Hyperion Theater.

This Disney-provided video below shows some “behind the scenes” footage from dress rehearsals of the Disney Cruise Line production.

Hotel workers stage walkout

About 70 cast members from the three Disneyland Resort Hotels participated in a protest outside the Paradise Pier Hotel Sunday morning. This was just the latest action in a series of demonstrations that have punctuated a two-year-long dispute between Unite Here Local 11 and the Disneyland Resort. According to union representative, the protest was staged in response to two recent workplace incidents involving union members, and to demand that Disney rehire a recently fired cast member.

Disneyland Resort spokesperson Suzi Brown said in a prepared statement, “We are well prepared in the event of a work stoppage and we will continue to provide our hotel Guests with the outstanding service they expect. This is just another stunt over the past two years that doesn’t bring us any closer to resolution. If Local 11 was serious about coming to an agreement they would have accepted our repeated offers for an independent federal mediator. We have offered a fair and comprehensive contract, which includes annual wage increases, paid sick leave and reliable and affordable health care coverage—the same heath care plans in which members of the other 30 of 31 union locals at Disneyland Resort participate.”

Disneyland Hotel housekeepers march outside the Paradise Pier Hotel. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

According to the union, the protest was led by more than two dozen Disneyland Hotel housekeepers who clocked out early Sunday morning. The housekeepers, most still wearing their Disney work costumes, were joined throughout the protest by workers from other departments of the three Disney hotels, many of whom spent their break or meal periods marching in front of the Paradise Pier Hotel waving picket signs. Disney quickly brought managers from other areas of the Resort to cover the staffing situation created by the walkout, and the whole event was over by around noon.

Cold but clear Candlelight

Despite forecasts warning of possible rain this weekend, all four performances of Disneyland’s Candlelight Processional were spared from any measurable precipitation, though a slight sprinkle at the start of Saturday’s first performance had more than a few performers worried that the storm was on its way. The weekend was clear but cold as hundreds of visitors filled Town Square to enjoy the annual tradition. Some visitors arrived right at park opening to claim a spot on one of about 20 benches placed at the rear of the reserved seating area; others just made due with whatever spot they could find as the performance began.

Candlelight narrator Jon Voight points to heaven at the conclusion of the performance, saying to his (late) mother, “Say ‘Hi’ to Walt for me. Tell him ‘Thank You’ for all of this.” Photo by Michael Flowers.

MousePlanet reader Michael Flowers attended Saturday’s performance, and was gracious enough to share his stunning photos with us. We’ve included a few images below, but the entire gallery is available on his Web site (link).

Hundreds of singers from local churches and the Disneyland Cast Choir fill the Candlelight stage. Photo by Michael Flowers.

Even more Passholder appreciation; D Street event schedule

Over 2,000 Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders turned out for the Passholder appreciation event at the World of Disney Store last Saturday, with over 800 in line when the store opened at 6:30 a.m. The response was so overwhelming that the World of Disney store had to delay its opening to the general public by about an hour later than originally planned so that cashiers could ring up the hundreds of people still in line at 9:30, and so store employees could restock shelves and racks that had been picked clean during the morning sale.

If you missed out on this weekend’s festivities, you have two more opportunities to save. Disney has announced additional AP events on Saturday, December 12 and Saturday, December 19. Even more Downtown Disney merchants will participate in these events, including Disney Pin Traders, Disney Vault 28, Marceline’s Confectionery, Studio Disney 365, World of Disney Store, and the soon-to-open D-Street. Once again, the first 1,000 customers at the World of Disney store on each of these Saturdays will receive a free gift. The promotion runs from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each day. We do not have details about specific offers or discounts, but keep an eye on our MousePad discussion board (link) for additional information as it becomes available. Disney is also expected to post more details on the ArtofDisneyParks.com and .Disneyland.com/AP Web sites. One more note: Jamba Juice and La Brea Bakery will open at 7 a.m. on both December 12th and 19th, so shoppers can fuel up before the stores open.

D Street is expected to open in Downtown Disney on December 15th, and a series of special events are planned to commemorate the store’s opening week:

Goorin Bros. Hats Trunk Show
December 16, 2009 – 4 to 7 p.m.

Junk Food Trunk Show
December 17, 2009 – 4 to 7 p.m.

Ed Hardy Trunk Show
December 18, 2009 – 4 to 7 p.m.

Create Your Own Vinyl Experience with Noah
December 19, 2009 – 10 a.m. to noon

Art Demonstration & Signing with Noah
December 19, 2009 – 2 to 5 p.m.

Additional details will be posted to the Art of Disney Parks Web site closer to the event dates (link).

Kids Fly Free returns

Alaska Airlines is repeating its popular “Kids Fly Free” promotion for travel to the Disneyland Resort. If you book an Alaska Airlines Southern California Vacations package for travel between January 5 and April 30, 2010, one child (age 2–11) can fly free with each paid adult (18 and older) ticket. Passengers who book three nights at a Disneyland Resort Hotel are eligible for the Buy-3,Get-2-Free promotion, and can also purchase discounted Park Hopper Bonus Tickets as part of their vacation package. If you book the package through alaskaair.com, you get 1500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Bonus Miles per passenger. For more information, visit the Alaska Airlines Web site (link). You must book packages by April 1, 2010. Blackout dates of Jan. 15–17, Feb. 12–14, and Mar. 28 through Apr. 10, 2010 apply.

While Kids Fly Free is always a popular offer, it pays to do a little research before you book. The Alaska Airlines Web site doesn’t break out hotel and airfare costs, so you don’t necessarily know what you’re paying for each portion of your journey. We decided to compare total fees for a family of four—two adults and two children—flying from Portland, OR to Santa Ana, CA February 17 to 22, 2010. These dates avoid holidays, and allow for travel on “off peak” days. To qualify for the 2-free-nights offer, we opted for the Paradise Pier Hotel. We used the Alaska Airlines Web site and the Disneyland Web site to compare rates. We also decided to book a second a la carte trip for the same dates, but this time flying Southwest Airlines.

• Alaska Airlines Southern California Vacations package – $2301.60 with 3-day park hopper tickets
• A la carte, with airfare on Alaska Airlines – $2247.42 with 5-day park hopper tickets.
• A la carte, with airfare on Southwest Airlines – $2332.62 with 5-day park hopper tickets.

Not only was our our a la carte trip using Alaska Airlines less expensive, but included 5-day park hoppers instead of the 3-day ticket included in the Alaska vacation package. Upgrading the Alaska tickets to 5-day park hoppers added another $100 to the Alaska package. While Southwest had a lower base fare, the added taxes and fees were almost double the fees charged by Alaska. On the other hand, Alaska charges fees for checked luggage ($15 for one bag; $40 for two bags) where Southwest lets you check two bags for free.

Some people prefer the convenience of one-stop vacation planning, but you can often beat even the “free” offers by doing your a little research and booking a la carte.

DCA construction update

Yes Virginia, there is water in Paradise Bay. The lagoon has been completely refilled, and the World of Color show platform is now visible only because it is resting at the “maintenance” level, entirely above water. When the platform is lowered to “show” level, the fountains will be visible about 12″ above the water. When the platform is dropped to the lowest, or “hidden” level, the entire structure is supposed to be entirely under water. Disney has been doing some late-night testing of the lights and fountains, and a few guests at the newly opened Grand Californian Villas have posted videos online. We’ve included one such video below, but you can find more by searching YouTube for the phrase “World of Color testing.”

Paradise Bay is now completely refilled. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The terraced seating area is still under construction, and is expected to reopen next spring. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Guests staying at the Villas at the Grand Californian report seeing and hearing after-hours testing of the fountains and lights. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The cable runs are still visible beneath the clear water. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

World of Color night test. YouTube video by MagicCityMayhem.

This and That

…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 revised candy cane schedule we published in last week’s Update has changed once again. The new (and still subject-to-change) candy cane dates are Saturday, December 12th and Friday, December 18th. Since Disneyland’s candy canes were just featured this weekend in the Food Network show “Guy’s Disney Holiday,” expect even more interest in the fresh-made treats.

The wall between the entrance and exit lobbies of the Main Street Opera House has been removed, allowing for an easier flow of visitors through the building. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…The lobby of the Main Street Opera House is now closed through December 16, when Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln returns. The Disney Gallery is still open during this final phase of construction.

…MousePlanet reader Smorri noticed that their receipt from a purchase at Rancho del Zocalo was printed with a coupon offering “20% off your total merchandise purchase” at selected stores. A few MousePlanet staff members received the same coupon with their meal receipts this weekend. The offer is only valid between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and only at four stores: the Emporium and Disney Clothiers inside Disneyland; Greetings from California inside DCA; and the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. The coupon is valid through December 15, 2009, and can not be combined with any other offer, including cast or AP discounts. The standard merchandise discount exclusions (original art, cameras, Disney Dollars) apply.

…MousePlanet photographer Frank Anzalone attended the San Jose Holiday parade this weekend, and sent in these images. The Disneyland Resort was major sponsor of the parade, which included an appearance by Disney Channel star Chelsea Staub. Santa Goofy, accompanied by Disneyland Resort Ambassador Danielle DuBois, was the Grand Marshall of the parade.

Disneyland Resort Ambassador Danielle DuBois accompanies Santa Goofy as Grand Marshall of the San Jose Holiday parade. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

The San Jose Holiday parade featured a performance by Radio Disney Road Crew. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

Singer and actress Chelsea Staub waves to fans at the San Jose Holiday parade. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

…Registration for MouseAdventure Holiday: Reindeer Games is now closed. Our first-ever, holiday-themed event is this coming weekend on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Disneyland Resort (link). If you are registered for the event and want to chat with fellow players and MouseAdventure crew, please visit our MousePad discussion boards (link). Don’t forget, submissions for the team T-shirt competition are due today, Monday, December 7.

…MousePlanet reader wwomant alerted us that, effective December 11, Lilo and Stitch have been booted from the character breakfast at the Paradise Pier Hotel. According to a Twitter posting from the Disneyland Resort, ” The character breakfast at Disney’s PCH Grill will change to “Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends.” New breakfast buffet will include flatbreads from a wood burning oven & signature chilaquiles with shredded beef, salsa verde & queso fresco.”

…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

2009

• King Arthur Carrousel – closed December 8–10 for refurbishment.
• Main Street Opera House theater – closed through December 16 to return Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln.

2010

• Haunted Mansion – closed January 4–14 for removal of the holiday overlay.
• Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm – closed January 4–12 for removal of the holiday overlay.
• Main Street Cinema – closed January 4 to February 1 for refurbishment.
• Starcade – closed January 4 to February 1 for refurbishment.
• Le Petit Chalet Gifts – closed January 4 to February 10 for refurbishment.
• Corn Dog Wagon – closed January 4 to May 4 for refurbishment.
• Tomorrowland Terrace – closed January 4 to May 4 for refurbishment.
• Rivers of America – closed January 4 to May 6 for major refurbishment. This also closes all attractions requiring use of the river: Sailing Ship Columbia, Mark Twain Riverboat, Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (closed until May 14), and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes.
• “it’s a small world“ – closed through January 18–28 for removal of the holiday overlay.

Disney’s California Adventure

Seasonal refurbishments:

• Grizzly River Run – closed January 4–8.
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – closed January 11 to February 19 for refurbishment.
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug! – closed January 20 & 21.
• Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie – closed January 25 to February 4.

Construction-related closures:

• The Vineyard Room – closed. No announcement has been made about a potential replacement for this restaurant, though work to expand the venue will reportedly begin shortly.
• 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 partially drained while workers complete several construction projects in the area.
• 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 its 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 its 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 – through January 3, 2010
• Annual Passholder and DVC Members Shopping Days – December 12 and 19. Participating stores open at 8 am for APs and DVC members only, and the first 1,000 customers at the World of Disney store will receive a free gift. Special offers include “doorbuster” discounts on selected items.
• Annual Passholder Appreciation Days and DVC Members Appreciation Days – December 5–12 in Downtown Disney. Disneyland Resort APs and DVC members can save at participating Downtown Disney retailers, and shop extended hours at some of the Disney-operated shops. A full list of participating merchants and discounts is available on the AP Web site (link), and the DVC Web site (link).
• 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
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) &endash; 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.

Alaska Airlines Kids Fly Free – Alaska Airlines is repeating the popular “Kids Fly Free” promotion for travel to the Disneyland Resort. If you book an Alaska Airlines Southern California Vacations package for travel between January 5 and April 30, 2010, one child (age 2-11) can fly free with each paid adult (18 and older) ticket. Passengers who book three nights at a Disneyland Resort Hotel are eligible for the Buy-3,Get-2-Free promotion, and can also purchase discounted Park Hopper Bonus Tickets as part of their vacation package. If you book the package through alaskaair.com, you get 1500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Bonus Miles per passenger. For more information, visit the Alaska Airlines Web site (link). You must book packages by April 1, 2010. Blackout dates of Jan. 15-17, Feb. 12-14, and Mar. 28 through Apr. 10, 2010 apply.

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 &endash; 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 – 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).

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.