Disneyland Resort Update

Update for February 1 – 7, 2010

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

News and Views

Meet the boss | Valentine's Day dining at the DLR | Food & Wine Festival update | D23 Anniversary Party | This and That

Meet the boss

Tom Staggs paid his first official visit as the new Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman to the Disneyland Resort last week, and David Koenig shared some cast member observations in his MousePlanet blog last week (link):

“Calm has returned to the Disneyland Resort, following a tumultuous few days. No, the chaos wasn't related to extreme weather or enormous crowds or unforeseen problems. It stemmed from the first official visit to the resort by Tom Staggs, who a few weeks ago swapped titles with Jay Rasulo to become the new chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

“On Monday, the day before Staggs was to arrive, managers ordered stockrooms, workshops and offices to be cleaned, as they hurriedly tried to memorize all sorts of statistics about their departments.

“On Tuesday, to kick off his two-day visit, management gathered in a meeting at Lincoln Theater, followed by personal tours of Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, and a special hosted lunch in the Dream Suite [the luxury apartment in the space formerly occupied by the Disney Gallery above Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square].

“The dog-and-pony show, observed one cast member, “was a farce. Tom expressed interest in meeting 'ordinary' cast members, so the managers of each department handpicked those he would talk with. As you can guess, those handpicked cast members spoke only positive remarks about their departments. As Tom’s tour made its way through the parks, managers who were hardly ever seen before were onstage telling cast members how to do their jobs. It was hilarious, watching managers popping out of their offices and running around like a bunch of scared rabbits.”

“By Thursday, Staggs was back in Burbank, and park managers could safely return to the confines of the Team Disney Anaheim building, insulated once again from the nuisance of interacting with cast members, guests, and attractions.”

According to the Disney Park Blog (link), Staggs also toured the World of Color and Cars Land construction areas.

Valentine's Day dining at the DLR

If your Valentine's Day plans include a trip to the Disneyland Resort but you still haven't made reservations, your options are dwindling. The most popular restaurants are booked solid, including Napa Rose, Blue Bayou, Steakhouse 55, and even Storytellers Cafe. The only Disney-operated restaurant with space available for a party of two for Valentine's Day dinner is the Carnation Cafe on Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A. (menu details below). The Downtown Disney restaurants have more capacity, though you should still book early or risk having to settle for a less-than-optimal dining time. All details were accurate as of press time, but availability is not guaranteed.

Carnation Cafe is offering a special Valentine's Day entree and dessert, along with their normal dinner menu. Make your reservation at (714) 781-DINE (714-781-3463).

Special entree – angel hair pasta with pesto marinated shrimp and roasted red bell pepper cream sauce
Special dessert – strawberry and passion fruit shortcake with whipped heavy cream

Catal is serving a three-course prix fixe Valentine's Day meal for $55 per person. Full menu also available. Call (714) 774-4442 to make reservations, or book a table online through the Patina Group Web site (link).

First course (choice of one):

• Organic greens, Idiazàbal cheese, Medjool dates, almonds, citrus vinaigrette
• Grilled diver scallop, shaved artichoke salad, blood orange “caviar,” tarragon oil
• House made buttermilk cheese, wildflower honey, Harry’s berries, brioche croutons, Szechuan peppercorns
• Hand-rolled pasta, Carlsbad Farms zucchini blossoms, unfiltered olive oil, green garlic, sweet shrimp
• Jonah crab claws, Meyer lemon-tarragon aїoli
• Roasted pepper soup, mascarpone ravioli, petite spigariello, aleppo pepper

Main course (choice of one):

• Licorice-scented duck breast and confit, toasted cashew polenta, organic beets in different textures
• Jidori chicken breast, braised Napa cabbage, house cured pancetta, pearl onions
• Slow-roasted market cod, piquillo pepper romesco sauce, clams, baby leeks, crispy potatoes
• Braised short ribs with pearl barley risotto, farmers’ market vegetables, mustard pearls
• Bucatini pasta, Uva meat balls, crushed tomato, Calabrian chilies, pecorino cheese
• Wild mushroom risotto, house made truffle sausage, chive blossom, micro onions

Dessert (choice of one):

• Strawberry rhubarb tart, crème fraîche quenelle, hibiscus jus
• Milk chocolate mousse, passion fruit crémeux, coconut dacquoise, strawberry jus

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria serving a three-course prix fixe Valentine's Day meal for $60 per couple. Full menu also available. Call (714) 776-6200 to make reservations, or book a table online through the Patina Group Web site (link).

First course:

Caesar or mista salad

Main course (choice of one):

• Pear gorgonzola ravioli white wine cream, toasted walnuts, lemon
• Lobster ravioli roasted mushrooms, Champagne bubbles, tarragon pesto

Dessert (choice of one); includes two glasses of Brachetto Magicale dessert wine:

• Strawberry rhubarb tart, crème fraîche quenelle, hibiscus jus
• Milk chocolate mousse, passion fruit crèmeux, coconut dacquoise, strawberry jus

Tortilla Jo's serving a three-course prix fixe Valentine's Day meal for $40 per couple. Full menu also available. Call (714) 535-5000 to make reservations, or book a table online through the Patina Group Web site (link).

First course – lobster, poblano and buttery Yukon Gold potato chowder with charred corn salsa
Entrée – roasted muscovy duck breast with habenero maple glaze, warm roasted beets, pineapple salsa, and sweet bacon potato bacon gratin
Dessert – strawberry rhubarb tart with crème fraîche, quenelle and hibiscus jus

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen serving their normal dinner menu, along with a special four-course Valentine's Day Call prix fixe menu and a raspberry white chocolate cheesecake dessert. Details were not finalized as of press time, but the final menu should be posted to the restaurant's Web site later this week (link). Call (714) 776-5200 to make reservations.

Food & Wine Festival update

Disney has updated its Food & Wine Festival Web site with some details of the Signature events planned for its fifth annual event (link). The theme of the 2010 Festival is “The Art of Flavor,” and the event features a new Brewmaster Dinner, plus a scaled-back selection of some of the most popular offerings from past years. Online registration for all Signature Events starts February 16, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

• New for 2010, the Brewmaster Dinner features dinner at the Disneyland Hotel's Steakhouse 55, with beer pairings by Karl Strauss Brewing Company. Friday, May 7. Tickets are $110 per person, plus tax.
• The popular Napa Rose Cooking School will be offered on Saturdays, April 17, May 1, 8, 15, and 22. Napa Rose Executive Chef Andrew Sutton leads this three-hour class, which concludes with a four-course meal. Even at $475 per person plus tax, this priciest of Signature events is still one of the first to sell out, and class size is limited to just 14 participants per session. In past years, each student received a personalized chef's coat, but there is no mention of this gift in the 2010 class description.
• A series of four Winemakers Dinners will be offered in 2010 (down from the six offered last year). Each features dinner at the Disneyland Hotel's Steakhouse 55, with wine pairings by a featured winery. Tickets are $135 per person, plus tax. Dates and winemakers scheduled to attend are:

  April 23 – Jeff Stewart, Buena Vista Carneros
  April 30 – Diana Schweiger, Schweiger Vineyards
  May 14 – Don Hartford, Hartford Family Wines
  May 21 – Groth Vineyards & Winery

• Featuring a line-up of acclaimed bakers, Sweet Sundays debuted at the California event in 2009 and proved to be quite popular with Festival guests. Six events are planned for the 2010 Festival (April 18 and May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30), though the list of participating chefs has not yet been released. Tickets are $70 per person, plus tax (a $5 increase over 2009).
• The Taste Wine like an Expert class will be led by Joy Cushing, Advanced Sommelier from Napa Rose who replaced Master Sommelier Michael Jordan following his resignation last year. The two-hour classes will be held on Saturdays, May 1, 8, 15, and 22. Tickets are $55 per person, plus tax (a $5 increase over 2009). Only four sessions will be held this year, down from seven in 2009.
• The 2010 Festival concludes with the awkwardly named Taste: Food-Wine-Live event, a “grand tasting” experience that features Disneyland Resort chefs and various wineries. Tickets are $135 per person, plus tax, a $15 discount from 2009.

Currently missing from the list of Signature Events for this year's Festival are most of the events that were added in 2009, including the Behind the Scenes with… Q&A sessions; the World Celebration DinnersFestival Wine Walks, and the Advanced Wine Class (which likely fell victim to a poor decision to schedule a three-hour wine tasting class in the middle of the afternoon on two consecutive weekdays). Also missing are the Festival Wine Receptions.

The same slate of complimentary events will be offered for 2010, though dates and details are not currently available, and include culinary demonstrations; wine, beer or spirits seminars and tastings; and the Junior Chef program.

Additional events may be added before registration opens in two weeks, but it definitely feels like a smaller event for 2010 due to some combination of the economy, the loss of Michael Jordan (who had been so involved in the creation and development of the festival), the ongoing construction projects throughout DCA, and the crowd control concerns relating to the debut of the World of Color show.

D23 Anniversary Party

D23 announced details of its first anniversary parties, to be held in Disneyland and Walt Disney World on separate evenings. The Disneyland party is a three-hour “Enchanted Evening” in Fantasyland after Disneyland closes to the public, and includes event admission, a dessert buffet, unlimited use of available Fantasyland attractions (except King Arthur Carrousel and the Matterhorn Bobsleds , whichwill be closed for refurbishment), photo opportunities, and a commemorative event pin. According to the event Web site, “guests will have the chance to get an up-close look at the Electric Runaround (designed by Disney Legend Bob Gurr after a turn-of-the-century Oldsmobile) Walt used to escort VIPs throughout Disneyland—and grab a bibbity bobbity beauty shot with Cinderella's Crystal Coach!”

The party begins at 9:00 p.m. and ends at midnight. Tickets to the Disneyland event are $65 per person, and each D23 member can purchase a ticket for themselves and up to three guests. Tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. PST this coming Thursday, February 4, 2010 (link).

For those willing to travel to Walt Disney World to attend its version of the event, you'll pay more, but enjoy a full-day event. The Walt Disney World event includes a one-day, one-park admission ticket per person, dinner buffet at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, private viewing of Mickey's PhilharMagic followed by a presentation by a Disney Imagineer on the Fantasyland expansion project, plus the dessert buffet, photo opportunities, and commemorative event pin offered at the Disneyland event.

While members and guests have access to the Magic Kingdom all day, the exclusive activities begin as early as 4:30 p.m. with the first dinner seating, and the party ends at 11:00 p.m. Tickets to the Walt Disney World event are $140 per person, and each D23 member can purchase a ticket for themselves and up to three guests. Tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. PST this coming Thursday, February 4, 2010 (link).

Note: If you are planning to attend either event and would like to write about your experience for MousePlanet, please contact Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix (link).

This and That

…After last week's Update was published, David Koenig received some information about a new role for Princess Tiana (link). The Princess and the Frog star has been absent from Disneyland since construction on the Rivers of America forced her “Showboat Jubilee” into hiatus. According to David's source, “On February 1, the Princess Tiana face character will be moved to the Princess Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland. Prince Naveen will join the other princes in no-mans land and only appear once in awhile. “At the Faire, there will be two casualties from the move. Mulan will now be at Hollywood Backlot at DCA, and Jasmine at Aladdin’s Oasis in Adventureland.” For fans of the riverboat show, the cast member says, “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee will return in May to publicize the film’s March release on DVD.”

…The three Patina Group restaurants in Downtown Disney (Catal, Naples and Tortilla Jo's) are participating in Orange County Restaurant Week 2010, February 28 through March 6. All three will offer multi-course prix fixe menus, starting at $20. Visit the Patina Group Web site for menu details (link).

…The Walt Disney Family Museum has released its calendar of events for March. Additional details and tickets to fee events are available online at the Museum Web site (link). The Look Closer and Disney Discoveries events are free with museum admission and to museum members.

• [Film of the Month] Darby O’Gill and the Little People – daily (except Tuesdays, March 13, 20, and 28 at 1:00 and 4:00 in the theater
• [Concert] String Circle Quartet – 4:00 on March 13  in the Special Exhibition Hall
• [Lecture] Disney Innovator Don Iwerks discusses the Nodal Point Camera invented by his legendary father, Ub – 3:00 on March 20 in the theater
• [Lecture] Disney’s first female Imagineer, Harriet Burns, visits during Women’s History Month – 3:00 on March 28 in the theater
• [Disney Discoveries] An Enchanted Tiki Bird – 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on March 13 in the Learning Center Art Studio
• [Look Closer] Inside Audio-Animatronics: The Making of Mr. Lincoln – March 26 & 27 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in Gallery 9, lower level

…The Disneyland Resort released a video of the London Symphony Orchestra recording part of the score for the upcoming World of Color show. The recording was made in London's famous Abbey Road studio, and the orchestra is seen performing “Night on Bald Mountain” from Fantasia.

…The Annual Passholder Appreciation Days discount (now dubbed the “AP Stimulus Plan” by some merchandise cast members) has been extended yet again. Now through May 3, all So Cal Select, Southern California and Deluxe Passport holders receive 10 percent off all merchandise purchases at participating Disney-operated stores in the Disneyland Disneyland. The normal 10-percent discount offered to Premium Passholders is doubled to 20 percent during the promotion.

…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. This week's changes include new refurbishment dates for Disneyland's Corn Dog Wagon, and brief closures of King Arthur Carrousel and It's Tough to be a Bug. 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

• Starcade – closed through February 1 for refurbishment.
• Le Petit Chalet Gifts – closed through February 10 for refurbishment.
• Magic Eye Theater / Honey, I Shrunk the Audience – closed to make room for the return of Captain EO sometime in February.
• Rivers of America – closed through May 6 for major refurbishment. This also closes all attractions requiring use of the river: Sailing Ship Columbia, Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, Mark Twain Riverboat (closed until May 14), as well as the Fantasmic! nighttime show (closed until May 27).
• Tomorrowland Terrace– closed through July 2 for refurbishment. The Jedi Training Academy show will be offered while the restaurant is closed.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds – closed through March 11 for refurbishment.
• Little Red Wagon (Corn Dog Wagon) – closed February 9 through May 4 for refurbishment.
• King Arthur Carrousel – closed May 8 through 10 for refurbishment.

Disney's California Adventure

Seasonal refurbishments:

• Francis' Lady Bug Boogie – closed through February 4 for refurbishment.
• Golden Zephyr – closed February 16 through April 2 for refurbishment.
• Award Weiners – closed through April 18.
• It's Tough to be a Bug – closed March 8.

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 is reportedly part of the refurbishment that has the Golden Vine Trattoria closed through April 26th.
• 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, and “Seaside Souvenirs” as the new name of the store.
• Orange Stinger – closed through April 28 for refurbishment and renovation into the Silly Symphonies Swings.
• Golden Vine Trattoria – closed through April 26.

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.

Spring/Summer

• DCA 9th Anniversary – February 8. If past years are an indication, the anniversary will go entirely unmarked by the Resort.
• Orange County Restaurant Week 2010 – February 28th through March 6th. The three Patina Group restaurants in Downtown Disney (Catal, Naples and Tortilla Jo's) will offer multi-course prix fixe menus, starting at $20 as part of this county-wide promotion. Visit the Patina Group Web site for menu details (link).
• Disney's California Food and Wine Festival – Daily, April 16 to May 31. A limited schedule of the signature and complimentary events is now available on the event Web site (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.
• Disneyland 55th Anniversary – July 17. No events have been announced to commemorate the anniversary.
• NFFC–Disneyana Fan Club 2010 Disneyana Convention – July 13–17 (link).
• NFFC–Disneyana Fan Club All Disneyana Show and Sale – Sunday July 18 (link).

Fall

• 5th Annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – September 3-5, 2010. Registration is now open (link).
• 13th annual Gays Days at the Disneyland Resort (unofficial event) – October 1–3, 2010. Event attendance will be higher at Disneyland on Saturday, DCA on Sunday (link).
• Utah Education Association convention (UEA, a.k.a. “Utah Escapes to Anaheim”) – October 14–15, 2009. (Link). Expect unusually large attendance levels October 14-17 as Utah students and families take advantage of a 4-day weekend created by their school's participation in a state education convention. Not all Utah schools or teachers close for or attend UEA, but the impact on the Resort is usually noticeable enough to mention.

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).

Hotel/Travel Packages

Disneyland Resort Buy 3, Get 2 Free offer –The Disneyland Resort's new Spring deal gives you 2 free nights at a Disneyland Resort Hotel when you book three nights AND purchase a 5-day “promotional” Park Hopper ticket. The offer is valid for arrivals through April 29, 2010 with travel completed by May 4, 2010, and you must book by April 1, 2010 to receive this discount. This offer isn't as good as past Buy 3, Get 2 offers, in which both the hotel stay and the park ticket were upgraded from three to five days, but it does cover the spring break period and the opening weekend of the World of Color show.

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 accommodations 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 location between Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.

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.