Disneyland Resort Update

Update for February 22 – 28, 2010

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

News and Views

Captain EO: finally Back to Save the World | Celebrate Gospel event | Construction updates | This and That

Captain EO: finally Back to Save the World

The wait is almost over—Disney Parks Blog (link) announced last Friday that Michael Jackson’s Captain EO  returns to Disneyland tomorrow, February 23. Imagineering held test showings of Captain EO with cast member audiences several times last week, adding tests on Thursday and Friday to fine-tune the effects. Fans of the show waited eagerly all last week for signs of a public “soft opening,” and hopes were raised when cast members set up an extended rope queue outside the attraction Friday morning. It turns out the ropes had been set up to test the impact of the extended queue on the nearby Space Mountain entrance and Fastpass distribution area, and testing continued through the weekend.

The official announcement included the warning: “While it’s not possible to replicate some special effects elements from the original presentation, it will boast a new 70mm print of the film, and it will sound better than ever thanks to acoustic enhancements made to the theater since the film last played there in 1997.” Disney has not said which of the effects are missing from the restored version, and cast members were warned not to share their experiences online, but we expect there will be fewer of the “pyrotechnic lighting effects” touted in the original version.

Captain EO returns to Disneyland this week – the walk around characters, unfortunately, will not. Publicity photo © Disney.

If you want to be among the first to see the restored show, check back later today as Disneyland finalizes crowd control plans. A Disneyland Resort spokesperson told the Orange County Register that a special line will be set up outside Disneyland’s gates Tuesday morning to accommodate fans, but we’re expecting additional details later today. Tuesday is an Early Entry morning for Disneyland Resort Hotel guests and those with qualifying multi-day admission tickets, but early entry might not get you a better spot in the Captain EO line.

Update 3:00 – A Disneyland spokesperson tells MousePlanet that Captain EO will not be one of the attractions open for Magic Morning on Tuesday. The Resort will allow visitors who want to see the 10am “reopening show” to form a line on the West side of the Esplanade, outside park gates, prior to Disneyland park opening. From what we’ve learned, it sounds like even those visitors who have Magic Morning admission need to join the line outside Disneyland if they wish to see the first showing of EO, as there will not be a separate queue inside Tomorrowland before park opening.

A group of Disneyland managers meet outside the Magic Eye Theater on Friday. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

The posting on the Disney Parks Blog (link) also promised, “On Monday, we’ll be making a special Captain EO announcement on Twitter.” This set off a flurry of speculation that the film may also return to Epcot park in Walt Disney World, where it was shown from 1986 to 1994. Sources have told MousePlanet that there really are no plans to bring EO back to Epcot at this time, and that the announcement has nothing to do with Walt Disney World. We’ll update this article after the big announcement is made public.

Update 12:30 – The “special announcement” turned out to be that Captain EO merchandise will be available for sale at Disneyland starting tomorrow (link). The collection includes t-shirts, fleece jackets, hats, a poster and a button. A nylon jacket will be available in March. This merchandise will only be sold at Disneyland park, and will not be offered through Disneyland’s merchandise guest services department.

Celebrate Gospel event

To commemorate Black History Month, the Disneyland Resort hosted a “Celebrate Gospel” event in Disney’s California Adventure last Saturday. The event, billed as the “first annual” by event coordinators, featured performances by 14 gospel choirs from all around Southern California. Despite almost no advance publicity, crowds of curious park guests mixed with the friends and families of the choir members inside DCA’s Stage 17, at times filling the seating area to capacity.

The Center at Highland Mass Choir kicks off the First Annual Celebrate Gospel event. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Each choir presented a 20-minute performance, often encouraging the audience to join in by clapping, dancing or singing along. Disney performer Danielle Truitt, who currently appears in Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebration at Disneyland, introduced each choir, and delighted the audience with her rendition of “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog. Special between-choir presentations included an appearance by Princess and the Frog co-director John Musker, who shared how gospel music influenced not only that animated feature, but also Hercules.

The Voices of Friendship children’s choir from Friendship Baptist Church charmed the audience. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Event producers hope that Celebrate Gospel will become an annual event at the Disneyland Resort, similar to the Night of Joy event held each year in Walt Disney World. The event is part of an initiative by Disneyland’s entertainment department to use DCA as a venue to showcase local performing groups.

Co-director John Musker talks about the gospel music influence in The Princess and the Frog. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Construction updates

The big news this week at Disney’s California Adventure was the installation of the first visible sections of track, including a banked turn, in the Radiator Springs Racers ride in Cars Land. The Golden Zephyr is now closed through April 2 for its refurbishment. The walls in front of the Little Mermaid construction site shifted several feet, expanding the space. The World of Color viewing area is still under construction, and the show control trailers have moved to a new vantage point.

The first visible section of track was installed for the Radiator Springs Racers attraction. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

A closer look at the ride track. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

The wooden boardwalk is nearly completed. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

A look behind the walls of the expanded Little Mermaid construction site. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

More closures for Paradise Pier, as the Golden Zephyr closes for refurbishment. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

The Golden Zephyr is closed through April 2. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

The Silly Symphony Swings are expected to reopen April 29. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Work continues on the World of Color viewing area. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

The World of Color show control trailers relocated to a higher vantage spot. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

This and That

…Disney’s California Adventure is the site of the USA Junior Nationals cheerleading competition this weekend, February 27 and 28. The competition will be held inside the Hyperion Theater, which means performances of Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular are cancelled both days. Expect to encounter cheer squads throughout both parks before/after their performances. The USA Nationals will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center March 26 to 28, 2010. This second weekend event, while a much larger competition, is held off Disney property and usually has a lesser impact on the parks.

Big Thunder Ranch BBQ unveils a new dessert menu. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

…Big Thunder Ranch BBQ has launched a new dessert menu featuring fruit cobbler, individual pies, chocolate ganache cake and strawberry shortcake along with the restaurant’s signature “cowboy cone cakes.” Chef de Cuisine Sean Layne says the cobbler and pie fillings will change seasonally. The restaurant also offer two “family style” desserts, a fruit cobbler with a drop-biscuit topping, and a chocolate chip “cookie bake” that should satisfy those missing the cookie boat formerly served at the Blue Bayou. Individual dessert are $5.99; family-style desserts are $8.99.

…After we wrote last week about a new “Disney Perfectly Princess Birthday party experience” scheduled to begin this Spring we learned that Disney has decided to put this new offering on hold for now.

…MousePlanet reader Kathryn wrote to tell us that the 21st Annual Deaf Awareness Day at Disneyland is scheduled for March 6, 2010 (link). The event is hosted by OC Deaf, and sign language interpreters provided by the organization will be available at selected attractions and shows throughout the day. Look for the information table outside the park entrance, and pick up a schedule of interpreted events. Volunteer interpreters are also usually posted near the Information stand in the hub.

…A weeklong hunger strike by Disneyland Resort Hotel workers ended Tuesday evening with a rally that closed Disneyland Drive—the street that runs between the Paradise Pier and Grand Californian Hotels—for over two hours. The eight remaining fasting protestors (two had to drop out early for medical reasons) broke their fast while Anaheim City Councilwoman Lori Galloway spoke to a crowd of about 500 people. The fast, and the week-long series of protests and demonstrations, were the latest in a series of protests that have marked the two-year-long labor dispute between the Disneyland Resort and Unite Here Local 11, which represents workers at the three Disneyland Resort Hotels. On Wednesday morning, five additional Local 11 members began a new fast outside the gates of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, setting up a temporary campsite on the sidewalk. That demonstration ended Thursday evening. Though Local 11 has agreed to Disney’s request to meet with a federal mediator, no dates have been set, and the impasse continues.

Don Hahn hosts the filmmaker’s panel discussion on the opening night of the Fantasia 2000 special engagement at the El Capitan Theatre. Left to right: Donald Ernst, David Bossert, Gaëtan Brizzi, Paul Brizzi, Eric Goldberg, and Don Hahn. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

…The El Capitan Theatre is hosting a special engagement of Fantasia 2000 through February 27. Each showing also includes a screening of “Destino,” the quirky animated collaboration between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali. View the schedule and purchase tickets on the theater Web site (link), or call 1-800-DISNEY6.  

Disney Legend Richard Sherman will perform at the El Capitan Theatre this weekend. Publicity photo © Disney.

… The El Capital Theater offers three performances this weekend of “A Supercalifragilistic Evening with Richard M. Sherman,” featuring special guest star JoAnne Worley. The opening night performance is Friday at 7:00 p.m., with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday and an evening performance at 8:00. Tickets are available at the El Capitan Theatre box office, or by calling (818) 845-3110. The El Capitan Theatre is offering $10 off select tickets to the 7:00 p.m. opening night performance. This special rate is available only by calling (818) 845-3110 and providing the code DCPUB. This discount is not available online.

…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

• Magic Eye Theater / Honey, I Shrunk the Audience – closed to make room for the return of Captain EO on February 23.
• 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. The attraction will close again April 12–16 and April 19–23 for additional work.
• Little Red Wagon (Corn Dog Wagon) – closed through May 4 for refurbishment.
• Disneyland Monorail – closed April 19 & 20 for refurbishment.
• Disney Showcase – closed April 20 & 21 for refurbishment.
• Disney Showcase Annex – closed April 26 & 27 for refurbishment.
• Newsstand – closed April 26 through May 20 for refurbishment.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed April 26 through May 16 for refurbishment.
• King Arthur Carrousel – closed May 8 through 10 for refurbishment.

Refurbishment work in Downtown Disney means more construction barriers for visitors. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Disney’s California Adventure

Seasonal refurbishments:

• Golden Zephyr – closed February 16 through April 2 for refurbishment.
• S. S. Rustworthy – closed February 23 & 24 for refurbishment.
• Award Weiners – closed through April 18.
• It’s Tough to be a Bug – closed March 8, for one day only.
• Princess Dot Puddle Park – closed April 12–16 and April 19–23 for refurbishment.
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – closed April 12 through May 20 for refurbishment.

The former stroller rental location is now a stroller storage area. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

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 26.
• 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.
• Tower of Terror Fastpass – not offered April 10 through August 15 due to construction of the connector between Bug’s Land and Tower of Terror.
• Bug’s Land / Tower of Terror connector – the temporary connector path will be closed April 19 through August 15 to allow construction of a more permanent route between the two lands.

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

• Orange County Restaurant Week 2010 – February 28 through March 6. 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).
• 21st Annual Deaf Awareness Day (unofficial event) – Saturday, March 6. Sign language interpreters provided by OC Deaf will be available at selected shows and attractions (link).
• Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival – Daily, April 16 through May 31. A limited schedule of the signature and complimentary events is now available on the event Web site (link).
• Bats Day in the Fun Park (unofficial event) – April 30 through May 1. Billed as a “dark alternative subculture gathering” (but more commonly known as Goth Day), this weekend event includes several on- and off-property gatherings (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 closes earlier on these nights to prepare for the after-hours graduation parties.
• MouseAdventure 10th Anniversary Events – Advanced Division May 22 & 23; Basic Division May 23; Day at the Park (non competitive) June 6. Additional details will be announced shortly (link).
• 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. Registration is now open (link).
• 4th Annual Not Back to School Days Rally and Conference (unofficial event) – September 8–11. Event includes education and social opportunities for home educators (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).

One Day, One Park Ticket – Regularly $72/$62 One Day Park Hopper – Regularly $97/$87	Southern California “2Fer” ($72/$62) – The Spring 2010 2Fer ticket offers residents of Southern California (ZIP Codes 90000–93599) and Northern Baja California (ZIP Codes 21000–22999) admission to either Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure on one day, and then a second visit to the other park on another day within 30 days of the first visit. Ticket ticket is $72.00 for adults (ages 10 and older) and $62.00 for children (ages 3-9) The first use must occur by April 12, 2010.The 2fer ticket can be purchased online at Disneyland.com/2fer, and printed from home for immediate use. You can also purchase the ticket at participating Disney Stores; Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons, Ralphs, Stater Bros, Gelson’s or Food 4 Less grocery stores; Toys R Us; Dearden’s; Korea Daily; the Disney Desk at the Irvine Spectrum and other participating locations.
Two Day Park Hopper – Regularly $151/$131	Southern California Two Day Park Hopper ($97/$87) – Offered to residents of Southern California (ZIP Codes 90000–93599) and Northern Baja California (ZIP Codes 21000–22999) Ticket must be purchased by, and first use must occur by, April 12, 2010. 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	Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($149) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Disneyland Web site (link). The promotional Park Hopper ticket is valid January 5, 2010 thru April 29, 2010, and must be purchased in advance of your trip – you can’t get this discount at the ticket booths. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). 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	Promotional 4-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($161) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Disneyland Web site (link). The promotional Park Hopper ticket is valid January 5, 2010 thru April 29, 2010, and must be purchased in advance of your trip – you can’t get this discount at the ticket booths. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). 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	Promotional 5-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($169) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Disneyland Web site (link). The promotional Park Hopper ticket is valid January 5, 2010 thru April 29, 2010, and must be purchased in advance of your trip – you can’t get this discount at the ticket booths. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). 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	Promotional 6-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($173) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Disneyland Web site (link). The promotional Park Hopper ticket is valid January 5, 2010 thru April 29, 2010, and must be purchased in advance of your trip – you can’t get this discount at the ticket booths. “Bonus Tickets” include one early admission day (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). 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. Premium Annual Passport: $439 Deluxe Annual Passport: $299 Southern California Annual Passport: $219 SoCal Select Annual Passport: $169
2010 Southern California CityPass $269/$229	2010 Southern California CityPass ($269/$229)– This pass includes a 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket (including one early-entry day), a one-day admission to either San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park, as well as one-day admission to Sea World San Diego and Universal Studios Hollywood. The CityPass expires 14 days after first use at any location, and the first use must occur by January 3, 2011. 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 $239.99/$204.99 (link), which includes free UPS shipping. A 5% surcharge for non-members, and shipping fees to members in Alaska and Hawaii may also apply to your purchase. 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

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

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.