Disneyland Resort Update

Update for December 28, 2009 – January 3, 2010

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

News and Views

Holiday crowds and New Year celebrations at Disneyland | The Year to Volunteer begins | This and That

Holiday crowds and New Year celebrations at Disneyland

Disneyland’s busiest season is in full swing, with large crowds expected through the end of the holiday promotion. If you’re planning a trip to the Resort this week, be prepared for parking hassles and long lines. All levels of Annual Passholders except Premium are blocked out through January 2, so you should expect Sunday to be especially busy as the SoCal and Deluxe Passholders return to enjoy one last day of holiday decor and entertainment.

Although reader reaction to the Express Ticket gates we wrote about last week was generally negative (readers described the program as “horrible,” “terrible,” and “awful”), the program is seemingly working quite well. MousePlanet’s Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix went to check out the entrances last week, and reported the following:

Gates 1-4 are set aside for this, and are physically roped off. At least six signs indicate that these are “Express Purchase” gates, and there are [cast members] walking the line to make sure everyone in the line knows why they are there. I also observed other CMs talking to guests standing in the regular ticket lines, and, saw them direct guests to the turnstiles if the guests were:

1. Buying a 1- or 2-day ticket
2. Paying with credit card, and
3. Ready to enter the park immediately

I watched for probably 15 minutes, and timed the transactions to see how quickly they were processed. The longest transaction was about a minute, and that was because the guest hadn’t signed his card and had to find his ID. The shortest transaction was 25 seconds, for two 1-day, 1-park tickets. The average transaction was 45 seconds. Now, I will say that it helps a lot that there are CMs in the queue, making sure people are ready with their credit card in hand when they hit the turnstile.”

While it’s great that visitors now have another option for purchasing tickets, we still recommend that readers purchase their tickets well in advance of their visit to the park. If you wake up one morning and decide to spend that day at Disneyland, you now have the option of purchasing a one-day, one-park ticket ticket through the Disneyland Web site, and printing it right from home before you leave. This is the first time that the Disneyland Resort has offered this tickets as an instant-print eTicket. One-day Parkhopper tickets are also available online. If you don’t have access to a printer, it’s still faster to stop by your local grocery store to purchase ticket “gift cards” that can be used directly at the turnstiles than to wait in the holiday lines at the Main Entrance ticket booths.

If you plan to visit the Disneyland Resort on New Year’s Eve, be warned that the Disneyland.com Web site indicates that the Resort is not presenting the traditional New Year’s fireworks display. According to the schedule posted online, the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular is scheduled to show at 9:25 p.m. Thursday night, but there is no midnight pyrotechnic show listed. Disneyland Guest Relations office confirmed this information, but other cast members tell us that not only will there be a midnight snow at Disneyland, but also a low-level pyrotechnic show in Sunshine Plaza at midnight at Disney’s California Adventure park. A local radio station that is hosting a New Year’s event inside DCA has also been advertising that park will have fireworks. We’re trying to get official confirmation one way or the other, and will update this article as soon as we have final details.

Updated 12/28 at 1:25 pm:

Although the Disneyland.com Web site has not been corrected, we’ve received updated information about the Disneyland Resort’s New Year’s Eve plans. We’re pleased to report that there definitely WILL be midnight fireworks at both Disneyland and – for the first time in many years – Disney’s California Adventure. The following information should help you plan your evening.

Parking:

Expect the usual parking hassles in and around the Disneyland Resort, so plan to get there early. Downtown Disney will begin charging a $20 flat rate parking fee somewhere around 5:00 to discourage people from using that lot as a short-term lot just so they can pop in and see the fireworks. If you obtain validation from a sit-down restaurant or the AMC theater you can obtain a REFUND of that fee if you show your paid parking reciept and validation stamp to the Valet Booth, but you will still be subjected to the fee upon entry.

The trams to and from the Mickey & Friends parking structure will be extremely busy immediately after each fireworks show – plan to wait it out or walk back to M&F. To speed boarding of the trams, guests who use wheelchairs or need other assistance will be directed to a dedicated queue near the picnic area, and will use the accessible shuttle van back to the structure instead of boarding the trams.

Land / Area closures:

Mickey’s Toontown will close for the evening around 8:30pm, and will not reopen.

A Bugs Land will close for the evening around 9:30pm, and will not reopen.

Hat and Horn distribution locations:

Disneyland – Festival Arena in Frontierland, starting at 7pm.

DCA – Condor Flats and in front of the Paradise Pier gate, starting at 7pm.

Midnight countdown locations:

Updated 12/29 at 10am: 

The Disneyland Web site has now been updated with “New Year’s Eve Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks” in Disneyland and “Countdown to Midnight Fireworks”in DCA, both showing at 11:30pm. .

Disneyland

• Sleeping Beauty Castle
• Tomorrowland Terrace
• Rivers of America
• “it’s a small world” Mall

DCA

• Sunshine Plaza
• Hollywood Boulevard
• Pacific Wharf

Downtown Disney

• Midnight countdown from Disneyland will be played through area speakers.

Midnight fireworks locations:

Disneyland – usual location in the skies above Disneyland park
DCA – launching from the roof of “A Bug’s Life,” best viewed from the Sunshine Plaza

Live radio broadcasts from DCA:

104.3 MY FM – Sunshine Plaza, starting at 9:30pm

Power 106 FM – Hollywood Backlot Stage, starting at 9:30pm

KSSE FM – Pacific Wharf District, starting at 9:30pm

Disneyland will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Disney’s California Adventure will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. All Annual Passports (except Premium, of course) are blocked out for Thursday night; see the Park Schedule/Blockout Dates calendar below for details. Be prepared for the parks to reach capacity and close to new entry by mid-afternoon, so once you’re inside a park, it’s best to stay there. Fireworks-viewing areas will be completely packed by evening; if you want to see the holiday fireworks, find a spot and stay there when you see the areas filling up.

If you haven’t yet made your holiday trip to Disneyland, don’t forget that the long spring refurbishment season begins next Monday. This is your last week to see:

Disneyland:

• “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular
• A Christmas Fantasy Parade
• Haunted Mansion Holiday
• Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!
• Tom Sawyers Island and the Rivers of America attractions – closed through May 6th for refurbishment.
• 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.

Disney’s California Adventure:

• Disney’s Electrical Parade

The Year to Volunteer begins

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 later this week, several of our volunteers hosts have already begun 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 (link). So far, readers from the following cities and areas have volunteered to coordinate events in their areas:

• Los Angeles, California
• Ventura County, California
• San Francisco Bay Area
• Bay Area: Peninsula
• Southern Arizona
• Southern Utah
• Southern Nevada

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.

Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix talks with Disneyland’s Andrea Rivas about ‘The Year to Volunteer’.

This and That

…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

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 – work continues on the World of Color installation.
• 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

2010

• 5th Annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – September 3-5, 2010. Registration is now open (link).
• Grad Night events – Thursdays May 20, 27, June 3, and 10, Wednesday June 16, Thursdays June 17 and 24. Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure will close earlier on these nights to prepare for the after-hours graduation parties.

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 – 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.