Disneyland Resort Update for December 29, 2021 – January 2, 2022

Disneyland Resort Update for December 29, 2021 – January 2, 2022

News and Views

Disneyland's New Normal New Year

The two weeks around Christmas and New Year's often boast the largest crowds you'll find at the Disneyland Resort, but it seems that a combination of factors are working to keep the crowds below pre-pandemic levels. Disneyland is of course limiting capacity through its reservation system, but at the time of publication reservations were still available for December 29 and 30 for both day guests and Dream Magic Key holders. That is likely a function of the weather, with heavy rain forecast for both days before drying out for New Year' s Eve. As expected, December 31 and January 1 are sold out, and the first week of January shows very few days with open reservations.

Mickey Mouse joins the band for a Main Street performance. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

One very nice component of the reservation system is that you don't need to worry about getting to the park super early in order to ensure admission. This will likely alter the traffic patterns on New Year's Eve, and make for a very nice morning for those who arrive at park opening. Those intent on ringing in the new year on Main Street can sleep in a bit and arrive later in the day without fear of being locked out. The only caveat is that Disneyland park may still reach capacity, pushing late arrivals to Disney California Adventure. If you hold a Disneyland park reservation for New Year's Eve, you might want to plan to enter the park before 1:00 p.m., when park hopping begins and the DCA crowd floods across the Esplanade.

Disneyland is open until 2:00 a.m. on New Year's Eve, so you can start off 2022 with a couple of hours at the Happiest Place on Earth.

2022 is just around the corner. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

New Year's Eve entertainment

Disneyland will present the New Year's Eve Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular twice Thursday night, at 9:00 p.m. and midnight. There will also be Countdown Celebrations at the three projection viewing areas at Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it's a small world,” and the Rivers of America. Tomorrowland Terrace hosts a New Year's Eve dance party from 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade will run at 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., and the “it's a small world” Holiday light show is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The Wintertime Enchantment projection show of Sleeping Beauty Castle is scheduled for 6:15 and 7:00 p.m.

With World of Color still closed, the New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure will center around the New Year's Eve Countdown Celebrations at Paradise Gardens Park and in Hollywood Land. Phat Cat Swinger is scheduled to perform at Paradise Gardens Park at 7:45 and 9:00 p.m.

Downtown Disney is also planning some New Year's Eve magic, with live entertainment from 7:00 p.m. to after midnight.

Magic Key lawsuit claims deceptive marketing practices, seeks class action status

It's the lawsuit we've been expecting ever since Disneyland launched the Magic Key program back in August. A Bay Area woman has filed suit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, alleging that the company used deceptive marketing practices when it began selling the new passes, which replaced the former Annual Passport program.

Jenale Nielsen claims that she was unable to use her $1,400 Dream Key to visit Disneyland in November, despite the top-tier pass being advertised as having no blockout dates. While there were no available reservations for the date(s) she wanted to visit using her Dream Key, Nielsen was able to purchase single-day tickets for the same date(s). Her lawsuit alleges that Disney artificially limits the number of reservations available to Dream Key holders, creating “a 'second class' ticket with limited availability.”

The case was originally filed in California with the Orange County Superior Court, and Disney has asked it be moved to U.S. District Court. Disney's motion notes that the case has the potential to be certified as a class action, and discloses that there are more than 3,600 Dream Key holders.

The core issue is whether Disney's reservation system, which limits how many and which types of ticket holders can enter the parks on any given day, functions as a blockout date, and whether Disney deceptively marketed the top-tier pass by withholding the way in which reservations are allocated to each pass type.

Magic Key holders have complained for months about being unable to make reservations to visit the parks, especially on weekends and around holidays. On November 8, I noted that there were no Dream Key reservations available for the rest of 2021. In a subsequent tweet, I showed that December was wide open for guests who wanted to purchase a one- or multi-day ticket.

Just looked and there are no @DisneylandAP Dream Key reservations available for the rest of 2021.

— A Vincent-Phoenix (@MousePlanetAVP) November 9, 2021

But, December is wide open if you have a one- or multi-day ticket. pic.twitter.com/5B1hmLZkwZ

— A Vincent-Phoenix (@MousePlanetAVP) November 9, 2021

Disney has added to the confusion of the reservation system by periodically, and without notice, opening additional reservations for previously sold-out dates. The day after the exchange above, Disney released additional reservations for November and December, with the entire week of Thanksgiving suddenly available.

Hey Magic Key holders, @Disneyland just refilled the reservation buckets for November and December. This is the current Dream Key availability. Snag your reservations NOW! pic.twitter.com/12lO9tapTQ

— A Vincent-Phoenix (@MousePlanetAVP) November 9, 2021

Disney allocates a certain number of reservations to each ticket type based on a variety of factors, with “buckets” for one-park tickets and park-hopper tickets; for guests with hotel reservations; for each tier of Magic Key; for cast members and other types of admission. Additional reservations come about when Disney moves inventory from one “bucket” to another, as well as from other operational changes, and there seems to be no pattern to the updates.

While these additional reservations are great for those who can use them, it makes it extremely difficult for Magic Key holders hoping for a specific date, much less trying to schedule an entire vacation. It's even worse for mixed-media families—those who have a variety of Magic Key types, or are using a combination of Magic Keys and daily tickets. My husband and I were unable to schedule a two-day trip to Disneyland over the holiday season, because we could never find a pair of dates that had availability for both my Dream Key and his park-hopper ticket. Whenever something would pop up for my Dream Key, there was no availability for his park-hopper ticket, and vice versa. We're told that Disney cast members have a similar reservation system, and even they don't know when additional reservations will open up.

Exhibit A in the legal filing is a screen shot from the Disneyland website, which lists the Dream Key Pass and in two places stateing that the pass has no blockout dates. To be fair, the same advertisement also states the pass is good for reservation-based admission to the theme parks, subject to availability, and twice notes that admission is not guaranteed.

On one hand, it's easy to point to the terms and conditions in the advertisement and declare that the case should be tossed out because Disney never promised unlimited access. However, you can also see how someone who isn't intimately familiar with Disneyland's new reservation system could read the same advertisement and form a different expectation. From the case filing, “Ms. Nielsen reasonably understood the Advertisement mean that she could use her Dream Key to reserve a ticket so long as the park was not at capacity.”

Ultimately it will be for the court or jury to decide if Disney used deceptive marketing practices when initially selling the Dream Key, or if Ms. Neilsen should have read the fine print. It is interesting to note that Disney has removed the “No Blockout Dates” verbiage from the Magic Key website, even though the Dream Key is no longer available for sale.

4th Night Free at the Castle Inn & Suites

Stay at a classic themed hotel and Get a 4th Night Free when you book through MousePlanet's travel partner Get Away Today. Located across the street and within walking distance of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, the Castle Inn & Suites is an Anaheim area hotel that families have enjoyed for years. Kids love the castle theme at this value hotel! Only a 10-minute walk the Disneyland Resort main entrance, plus an in-room mini-refrigerator and microwave offer you incredible value on your next vacation.

Our Todd Pickering had the opportunity to experience this family-owned hotel when it reopened in April, and wrote about his stay for MousePlanet. If you'd like to experience the charms of this themed property for yourself and take advantage of the 4th Night Free offer, contact Get Away Today for a quote.

Grad Nite 2022

Grad Nite officially returns to the Disneyland Resort this spring after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

There are 16 Grad Nite events scheduled for 2022 in May and June:

• May 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, and 31
• June 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 17

Vacation planners should note that the Grad Nite private party runs from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. DCA will close to “day guests” by 9:00 p.m. on event nights.

For 2022, Disney will again offer three ticket packages, from $89 to $179 per student:

• “Option 1” ($89 per student) – provides admission to the after-hours Grad Nite private party in Disney California Adventure from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. after that park closes to “day guests.” This option is likely to be popular with local schools who want to attend Disney's Grad Nite on the actual evening of their graduation, after the ceremony.
• “Option 2” ($119 per student) – includes access to Disney California Adventure during regular operating hours on the event day, plus access to the after-hours party. This ticket does not include park-hopper benefits.
• “Option 3” ($179 per student) – provides park-hopper access to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks during regular operating hours, and a private Grad Nite party in Disney California Adventure starting at 9:00 p.m.

Schools that book options 2 or 3 can still choose to arrive whenever they wish during their Grad Nite event. Some arrive right at park opening to maximize their time, while others arrive later due to travel time or other activities. As a result, the parks grow increasingly crowded as the day goes on and more students arrive.

Of course, Grad Nites are not the only times that the Disneyland Resort is crowded with student groups.,but we don't know what post-pandemic travel patterns will look like. The last weeks of school are typically popular times for class trips, something that Disney has actively encouraged in past years through special pricing and activities for school groups. Those visits won't appear on any calendar, but are a fact of Disney life during this season.

We've generally considered the period between March and mid-June as one big, hazy spring-break-into-graduation season. The Grad Nite calendar can give you an idea of when the most high school seniors will be on property, there is no way to know when a school district from central California is sending its ninth graders for their own promotion celebration.

Interested school groups can visit the Grad Nite web site for more information.

D23 2022 Gold Member kit

D23, the official Disney Fan Club, has shared a preview of the 2022 Gold Member collection, which will be sent to new D23 Gold Members who join, and to current D23 Gold Members whose membership renews between January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

The kit is titled Around the World of Disney Parks, and with international travel slowly reopening may get some members dreaming of a Disney destination beyond their borders. The set includes a commemorative “Passport,” an etched metal luggage tag, a Mickey Mouse aviation pin, and a beautiful set of 7 pins representing each Disney resort and the Disney Cruise Line.

You can get more details and join D23 at the club website.

This and That…

…Nearly nine months after the hotel itself reopened, room service is once again available at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. The service resumed last week with a limited menu and reduced operating hours. Room service has not yet reopened at the Disneyland Hotel or Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.

…Disneyland After Dark: Sweetheart's Nite is now sold out on Valentine's Day, February 14, but tickets are still available for February 1, 3, 8, and 10. Tickets on sale now via the event website.

…The new LovePop store has opened in Downtown Disney, offering cards and gifts for Disney fans.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips for keeping the Disney magic going at home. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your email in the box below.

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Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Attraction, restaurants, and stores that are closed for refurbishment are noted below. All other closures should be presumed to be due to COVID protocols, and are subject to change at any time without notice as the state of California issues new guidance.

All information was current as of this article's publication date. MousePlanet does not edit past Updates; for the most up-to-date refurbishment calendar, check the most recent Disneyland Resort Update, visit Disneyland.com or use the Disneyland smartphone application on your iOS or Android device.

View the different areas of the Resort by scrolling horizontally and selecting the one you want to read about.

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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 in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail.

New! Just click the year you want to expand (or close).

2021-2022

We also recommend checking the convention calendar at the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau website. When looking at that site, remember to note both the number of people and the number of rooms resulting from each convention. A gathering of 25,000 people booking few room nights (indicating most will be driving in to the area for their meeting) can impact traffic around the resort much more than a crowd of 25,000 staying in area hotels. Of course, that second group is going to make finding a hotel room more difficult (and possibly more expensive), so it's best to book your own room as early as possible if you see that a big convention is in town during your trip.

Non-Disney Resort Events

Notable events at parks and attractions around Southern California. If you know of an event that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail.

Current Discounts and Promotions

Disneyland prices as of October 25, 2021.

Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Disneyland Resort Update. 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. Note, we are no longer listing offers from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, as their convenience fee negates any savings.

Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside the gates stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Disneyland admission, and may result in denial of entry. It is also common for criminals to shoplift inactivated Disney theme park tickets from supermarkets to resell them. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks. Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today.

Ticket Prices and Promotions

New! Just click the number of days or ticket type you want to view.

Additional Discounts

Did we miss an offer? If you know of an authorized discount on Disneyland Resort tickets, standing offers for Annual Passholders from non-Disney vendors, or other promotions which might interest our readers, please drop us a note!

New! Just click the category you want to expand (or close).

Everyone

Magic Key Holders

Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders

Southern California Residents

Disney Vacation Club Members

Service Members

Hotel & Travel Packages

If you can't see the categories, please let us know!

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

• DL – Disneyland
• DCA – Disney California Adventure

Early Admission – full description available on the Disneyland website:

• MM – Magic Mornings for 3-plus day ticket holders and promotional “bonus” tickets. (Not currently offered)
• EMH – Extra Magic Hour for Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests. (Not currently offered)

Disneyland Resort Special Events:

• F&W – Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
• GN – Grad Nite.
• OBB – Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure

The Ticket Tier calendar is published on the Disneyland website for the next eight to 11 months.

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