Disneyland Resort Update

Update for March 29 – April 4, 2010

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

News and Views

Disneyland clarifies Summer Nightastic announcement | Premier Pass pain | DCA construction update | MouseAdventure registration open | This and That

Disneyland clarifies Summer Nightastic announcement

As we reported last week, the Disneyland Resort, in a press release issued March 16, announced its return of  Summer Nightastic with the addition of the World of Color (original press release here). As we also noted in last week’s Disneyland Resort Update, the press release lacked any explicit wording tying the World of Color to the actual Summer Nightastic debut date of June 11. In fact, we noted that Disney has been exceptionally careful not to give any concrete opening date for World of Color. Even so, the press release was so vaguely worded that some people read it to mean that World of Color would open on June 11, and readers trying to schedule summer vacation plans around the show’s debut are understandably confused.

The Orange County Register reported in its “Around Disney” blog last week that a Disneyland spokesman informed them that the date hasn’t been finalized and would be announced later this spring. The blog entry (link) wrote, “Disney blogs and fan Web sites” had “misinterpreted” the press release. Since then, Disney has revised the press release on its Web site. While the press release still states:

“Beginning June 11, “Summer Nightastic!” returns to the Disneyland Resort, featuring exciting evening events that will electrify the night. “Summer Nightastic!” runs through Aug. 29 at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure theme parks.”

The beginning of the next sentence has been reworded (bold text our emphasis). Where originally it read: “Headlining the entertainment is the new nighttime water spectacular—”World of Color”—at Disney’s California Adventure park.”

The release now reads: “Also coming this year is the new nighttime water spectacular—”World of Color”—at Disney’s California Adventure park.”

If you’re trying to plan a trip just to see World of Color, our best advice is to wait until Disney announces its grand opening date, or make your plans for the end of summer, when it’s more likely any kinks will have been worked out of the new show and associated guest control procedures.

Premier Pass pain

If you were one of the people who received the complimentary upgrade of your Disneyland and Walt Disney World annual passports to the new two-Resort Premier Pass, you may be surprised to learn that your new pass comes with an unexpected feature—the opportunity to educate Disney cast members about their company’s newest product. Lack of awareness among CMs and a few integration issues have resulted in a less-than-smooth rollout of the new Premier Pass, and passholders may need an extra dose of patience while CMs learn the new program.

Issues start as soon as you try to activate the pass. While most passholders who qualified for the upgrade were mailed a new Premier Passport card, the pass must still be activated in person at either Disneyland or Walt Disney World before it can be used for park admission. When activating your pass at Disneyland, be sure to show your old AP at the parking lot, as the new Premier Pass does not work at the toll booth until it is activated (one reader reported that their Premier Pass did not scan properly at Disneyland even after it was activated). Walt Disney World doesn’t scan passes at their toll booths so it shouldn’t be an issue there.

To activate your Premier Pass, take it, along with your existing Disneyland and Walt Disney World passes and a photo ID, to any Disneyland ticket booth, or to the Annual Passport processing center at the Plaza Pavilion inside Disneyland (if your current Disneyland AP is blocked out that day, you’ll have to activate the Premier Pass before you enter the park). With relatively few Premier Passes in circulation (estimated at just 700-800 issued, with far fewer yet activated), you should expect that the ticket booth CM will not have even seen one yet, much less know how to activate it. If the CM you encounter is confused about what to do, politely ask them to call for a lead. Each ticket booth has a binder with step-by-step instructions on how to activate the Premier Pass, but it may take a few moments to find a lead. Sorry scrapbookers—you must surrender your current Disneyland annual pass when you activate your new pass.

After you activate your new pass, keep your photo ID handy. The Premier Pass does not have your photo printed on it, but your file photo still appears on the screen when CM scans it at the turnstile. Even so, some CMs will ask you for a photo ID—they are not supposed to, but don’t be surprised if they do.

The Premier Pass should work just fine in the FastPass machines, but does not currently swipe properly at shops or restaurants. The Resort’s cash registers have not yet been programmed with a discount button for the Premier Pass, so the cast member should use the button for the corresponding Premium Pass discount. Since the pass will not swipe, most CMs will try to call for a lead to override the computer and grant the discount. We’ve been advised that the serial number on the pass does in fact work if the CM types in the number instead of trying to swipe the card, so suggest that to the CM and save them the hassle of tracking down a lead.

Finally, we’ve heard from a handful of readers who believed they should have qualified for the free upgrade, but had not yet received their Premier Pass in the mail. If you believe you should have qualified for the upgrade to a Premier Pass (which meant on March 1, 2010 you held both any valid Disneyland AP and any valid Walt Disney World AP except the Epcot After-4 pass) and you have not yet received yours, the chances are that something went wrong with the process used to match your APs and you were not issued one. If this is you, bring both of your APs to the Plaza Pavilion on your next trip to Disneyland, and they can sort it out for you. You can also call WDW at (407) 566-4985 and select option 2 for help. If you call, be prepared for what MousePlanet reader Corwin17 described as “an hour of phone trees” before you talk to a live person.

DCA construction update

David Koenig writes in his MousePlanet blog that testing of the Radiator Springs Racers attraction could begin in early April: 

Word on the street— or should I say track— is that it’s almost finished. The track for the new Radiator Springs Racers ride at DCA’s Carsland, that is. Construction crews are currently laying the final components of the track, so that the course reportedly will be ready to accommodate its first test vehicle in less than two weeks.

Heavy machinery is already in place to begin forming the elaborate rockwork and show buildings that envelop the course, but—especially considering the problems with the twists, turns, high tech, and high speeds of its predecessor, Epcot’s Test Track, and its convoluted cousin, Disneyland’s Rocket Rods—you can’t blame the Imagineers for wanting to run tests as early in the process as possible.

Arguably the signature addition of DCA’s entire billion-dollar makeover, the highly anticipated attraction won’t be ready for guests for another two years, of course. Still, DCA is expected to get it first sustained busy season in its history this summer with the opening of the World of Color lagoon show. Privately, Disney is shooting for previews for the show during the first week of June.

To offset the expected crowds, the “Aladdin” musical will expand its schedule to seven days a week and add evening performances, before closing in mid-August after seven-plus years to make way for the “Toy Story” musical.

Responding to David’s report, MousePlanet reader “Mike B.” writes, “He got the idea right, but not the details. There is a short loop of track completed, but it’s just a test section. The whole track won’t be installed until much later.” You can see the completed loop in the photos below.

Click for a larger view of the east side of the track loop. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Click for a larger view of the west side of the track loop. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Meanwhile, the first vertical construction is visible inside Cars Land, with a large green frame erected behind the parade building. That will probably serve as the support for the backdrop that will hide Paradise Pier from Cars Land. Cast members tell us that a new employee cafeteria is also under construction.

An aerial overview of the Cars Land construction site. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

An aerial overview of the Cars Land construction site. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

An aerial overview of the Cars Land construction site. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Workers are staining and sealing the wooden boardwalk along the edge of the World of Color viewing area, and installing the surface of the stage. The central fountain is still under wraps, but otherwise the lights and speakers are in place, the planters are filled, and the area looks to be nearly complete. Behind the construction walls, more of the footprint of the Little Mermaid attraction is visible, and it looks like foundations will be poured soon.

The Golden Zephyr was unwrapped last week, revealing a bright new coat of paint. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The World of Color viewing area looks almost ready to open. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Workers are finishing the boardwalk and stage surface. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The central fountain is still under wraps. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

An aerial overview of the Little Mermaid construction site. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

An aerial overview of the Little Mermaid construction site. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

MouseAdventure registration open

Registration for the Day at the Park Division division of our Spring 2010 MouseAdventure event, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of MouseAdventure, opens at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30.

Day at the Park Division
MouseAdventure Anniversary
Sunday, June 6

Designed for new MouseAdventure teams as well as returning teams who play “just for fun,” teams in the Day in the Park event will solve slightly modified versions of the Basic division quests in a relaxed, non-competitive setting. Teams play only for bragging rights, and there is no post-event Award Ceremony: results will be posted on the Web site about a week after the event. If you’ve ever wondered what a MouseAdventure event is all about, this is the perfect opportunity to find out!

The MouseAdventure Day at the Park event features an extended sign-in period with a pre-game new player orientation session. Teams can also participate in T-shirt and mascot competitions before the main event begins.

Registration for the Day at the Park Division is $55 per team. Each player will need admission to Disneyland on Sunday.  MouseAdventure registration does not include theme park admission.

Registration for the Day at the Park Division will open at 9am on Tuesday, March 30th online at MouseAdventure.com. Registration will close on May 27, or whenever the division sells out. No waiting list will be formed once the division fills.

Registration is now open for the Basic and Advanced divisions, giving teams a choice of three different MouseAdventure events. For more information about MouseAdventure and to register, visit MouseAdventure.com. Be sure to register for the MouseAdventure Newsletter and follow our MouseAdventure Twitter account for updates and news about future events.

Last week we offered teams the opportunity to win free registration for the Day at the Park event, via our MouseAdventure Twitter account. Players simply had to send a “Tweet” that said “My team wants to win FREE registration for the Spring 2010 MouseAdventure event!,” and we randomly selected one winner from all eligible entries. Congratulations to the winner, John Garcia!

This and That

…Variety reported last week that The Anaheim and Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau have increased their efforts to lure Comic-Con to Anaheim, asking the organizers of the pop culture convention to leave San Diego after 43 years and bring the show to the Anaheim Convention center. The organization sent an open letter to the Comic-Con organizers, and started a Facebook page to build fan support.

…We’re expecting a small revision to the Blue Sky Cellar in the next couple of weeks, likely to replace the concept art from location swap of Lucky Fortune Cookery and Cocina Cucamonga, which was completed last September with new renderings of upcoming attractions or renovations. This will probably be a quick, overnight refresh; the next major reset won’t happen until after World of Color opens.

…Cast members also tell us that the Disney Gallery will receive a new exhibit in coming weeks, though the exact date is unknown. The Gallery relocated to the former Bank of Main Street last October, and has featured the same exhibit since reopening.

…If you’d like to see Disney’s Electrical Parade before it “glows away” to Florida, the parade is performed nightly at 9 p.m. through Friday through April 11, and will return April 16 to 18 for a final farewell weekend.

…April 1 is the last date to book the current Disneyland Resort Buy 3, Get 2 Free and Alaska Airlines Kids Fly Free offers. Details in our Discounts and Promotions section below.

…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

• 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).
• Little Red Wagon (Corn Dog Wagon) – closed through May 4 for refurbishment.
• Tomorrowland Terrace – closed through July 2 for refurbishment. The Jedi Training Academy show is still offered while the restaurant is closed.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds – closed April 12–16 and April 19–23 for additional work following a recent 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.

Disney’s California Adventure

Seasonal refurbishments:

• Golden Zephyr – closed through April 2 for refurbishment.
• Award Weiners – closed through April 14.
• 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.

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 May 28 for refurbishment and renovation into the Silly Symphonies Swings.
• Golden Vine Trattoria – closed through April 26.
• Tower of Terror Fastpass – not offered April 15 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.

Resort Events

Check here to see if a large convention, competition or park event might fall during your next trip to the Disneyland Resort. If you know of any events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).

Spring/Summer

• 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 close 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. Registration is now open for the Advanced and Basic divisions (link). Registration for the Day at the Park division opens Tuesday, March 30 (link).
• 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game – Tuesday, July 13. Angel Stadium plays host to the 2010 All-Star Game. The Anaheim Convention Center also hosts the Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest July 9-13. Both events should bring added crowds to the Disneyland Resort during what might already be a busy week as Disneyland marks its 55th Anniversary.
• 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

• Destination D – September 24 and 25 at the Disneyland Resort (link). Open only to D23 members, tickets will be available this summer.
• 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.

2011

• D23 Expo – August 19-21, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center (link). Tickets for the D23 Expo 2011 will go on sale August 19, 2010.

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.

Disneyland Resort Two More Days & Nights Free offer –This latest deal offers a five-night, five-day Disneyland Resort vacation package for the price of a three-night, three-day package, giving you two “free” hotel nights and two additional days of theme park admission. The offer is valid for arrivals May 1 and Sept. 26, 2010, and you must book by September 1, 2010 to receive this discount. You can choose to stay either at a Disneyland Resort Hotel or at one of the Good Neighbor Hotels. To book, call your favorite travel agent, book online at www.disneyland.com, or call the Walt Disney Travel Company at 800-854-3104.

Disneyland Resort Summer hotel discounts–If you are a Disneyland Resort annual passholder or already have valid admission for your next visit, you can take advantage of a second promotion that offers discounts at the three Disneyland Resort hotels with a minimum 2-night stay. The discounts are 40% at the Grand Californian Hotel, 35% at the Disneyland Hotel and 30% at the Paradise Pier Hotel. The offer is valid for arrivals May 1 and Sept. 26, 2010, and you must book by September 1, 2010 to receive this discount. To book, call your favorite travel agent, book online at www.disneyland.com, or call the Walt Disney Travel Company at 800-854-3104.

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).

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.