Disneyland Resort Update for February 1-7, 2016

Disneyland Resort Update for February 1–7, 2016

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

News and Views

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder Days begin today | General registration opens Tuesday for the 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend | Constructionland Update | This and that… | Crowd Forecast

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder Days begin today

Today begins the month-long AP Days promotion at the Disneyland Resort. Starting today, and through February 28, passholders can enjoy a handful of new exclusives in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Special offerings include:

• A series of four commemorative buttons created by Disney artist Jeff Granito. Passholders can receive the free button (one per passholder, per week) at Main Street Opera House, Stage 17, and the Blue Sky Cellar
• Continuous screenings of Disney animated shorts at Main Street Opera House, Stage 17, and Blue Sky Cellar
• Recipe cards distributed at Blue Sky Cellar and select food and beverage locations
• Complimentary water and popcorn provided at the Main Street Opera House and Stage 17 during event times
• A daily Walk in Walt's Footsteps Disneyland tour at a time reserved only for Passholders. Amenities include a special dessert and artwork (Passholders may receive a 15% discount on the price of tour; subject to space availability)
• Unspecified special activities for Annual Passholders

The promotion has four theme weeks, and the button and artwork offered with the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour will reflect that weekly theme:

• Main Street to Mickey Mouse – February 1 to February 7
• Live the Adventure – February 8 to February 14
• Fantasy and Fun – February 15 to February 21
• A World of Tomorrows – February 21 to February 28

This may be a replacement for the quarterly passholder appreciation nights offered during 2014 and 2015, but Disney has not specifically confirmed that. However, there has also been no sign of a separate appreciation event, which would normally be scheduled for February or March.

General registration opens Tuesday for the 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

General registration opens tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2, for the 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon. The race goes on sale at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific). As we noted last week, the theme for the 2016 events is “Disney Duos,” with a different pair of race “hosts” for each event:

• Disneyland Half Marathon – Mickey and Pluto
• Disneyland 10K – Aladdin and Genie
• Dumbo Double Dare – Dumbo and Timothy
• Disneyland 5K – Big Al and Liver Lips
• runDisney Kids Races – Timon and Pumbaa

As always, interested runners are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure their spot. For those trying to register in multiple events or for more than one runner in their family, the sell-out order of the spots available during last week's early registration opportunity for passholders and DVC members may help you prioritize the order in which you should register for the races. Registration opened at 9:00 a.m., and each event sold out as follows:

9:44 a.m. – Disneyland 10K sold out

9:47 a.m. – Dumbo Double Dare sold out

10:11 a.m. – runDisney Kids Races sold out

10:30 a.m. – Disneyland 5 K sold out.

The Disneyland Half Marathon remained on sale for the duration of the early registration period. Since the introduction of the two-day challenge events like the Dumbo Double Dare, registration for the stand-alone half marathon races has lagged behind other events.

If the runDisney website crashes, as it often does on registration days, you can go to Active.com directly and search for the Disneyland Half Marathon events.

Disney has also changed the Proof of Time requirement for the 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon. Proof of time is now required only for finishers who plan to complete the race in under 2 hours, 45 minutes. You can enter your proof of time at the time or registration, or anytime before May 31, 2016. Runners who state during registration that they will finish under 2:45 but do not submit a proof of time will be placed in the last corral during the race.

We note that Disney has raised fees $5 – $20 for the 2016 events, and also removed the scheduled price increases. As currently published, the entry fee remains the same until the event sells out. This may be in response to the quick sell-out of most runDisney events, which are never on sale long enough for the rate increase to kick in. By not scheduling a future price hike, Disney is no longer signaling that it may be possible to register in a month or two. Disney has also discontinued the Pasta in the Park party for 2016.

After you register for your event, come add your name to the Team MousePlanet race roster to connect with other runners and share training tips.

Constructionland updates

A few photos from the construction sites around Disneyland:

A printed construction scrim surrounds the upper deck of the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Disneyland Railroad tracks have been removed from the bridge over Critter Country. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Jungle Cruise cast members star in an informal Skipper School show outside the closed attraction. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

When Skipper School is not in session, the construction wall in front of the attraction shows concept art of the Jungle Cruise. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A new closed-attraction poster for the Jungle Cruise decorates a construction wall outside the ride. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A coloring station has been added to the New Orleans Square train station, with a handful of train-related, but non-Disney, coloring sheets available for younger visitors. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

This and that…

…Now that Disneyland reserves viewing areas for those who purchase Paint the Night parade special dining packages, readers have asked for details of exactly where the viewing areas are. The Main Street viewing area is considered the “premium” viewing area, and is included with the higher-priced meal packages. This viewing area is on the west side of Main Street, and runs between the corner outside the Fortuosity Shop to the light pole outside the Crystal Arcade. The viewing area is cleared and roped off as soon as the final Soundsational parade of the day passes. Diners are given a voucher for the viewing area at their dinner, and told when to return for their designated parade.

The reserved Paint the Night viewing area on Main Street runs between the corner outside the Fortuosity Shop to the light pole outside the Crystal Arcade. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

This is a 3-deep viewing area, with the front row of viewers seated on the curb, and room for two more rows of viewers to stand behind them.

The viewing area across from “it's a small world” comes with the lower-cost grab-and-go option. That viewing area is both shorter and deeper, so you could still be standing behind several rows of people if you wait until the last minute to claim your spot.

…World of Color – Celebrate! returns this Tuesday, February 2 following refurbishment. The show performs once each evening this week.

…”it's a small world” reopens Thursday, February 4 following the annual refurbishment to remove the holiday overlay.

…For future reference and trip planning purposes, the last weekend of January shall henceforth be known as “Use It or Lose It” weekend. While our advertising partners at TouringPlans.com warned Saturday would be an “8/10” on their crowd index, Sunday's winter storm shifted more attendance onto Saturday, making it feel like a holiday weekend.

After talking with several friendly cast members, we learned that the last weekend of January represented the last opportunity for many groups to use their free admission and/or special perks for the 2015 year. A number of local youth organizations receive community outreach tickets for their clients each year, and the 2015 tickets expired on Sunday. Free tickets that cast members received for the 2015 holiday celebration expire in mid-February, but are blocked out next weekend, so this was the last weekend to use them. This was also the final weekend for Club 33 members to use their remaining complimentary tickets, and to use up any remaining VIP guided tours.

While it won't help anyone who already endured the crowding this past weekend, we'll be sure to note the event for those planning visits next year.

…Disneyland cast members showed me a new-to-me bubble wand last week, though they said they can't keep them in stock and are currently sold out. The new wand is a replacement for the now-banned bubble guns, which were a retail casualty of Disneyland's “no toys with triggers” policy. The wand has an on/off switch, and the bubbles blow out of the top of the globe. The wand can be refilled. Walt Disney World also has this toy, though it seems to have been on sale at that Resort for some time now.

Cast members tell me there is a Sorcerer Mickey version of the bubble wand on the way, with other trigger-free designs to follow.

The Little Mermaid bubble wand meets the new “no triggers” policy at the Disneyland Resort. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…In a somewhat related policy change, Disneyland cast members are now taping shut toy lightsabers at the time of purchase, and advising young customers that they need to wait until they get home to practice their Jedi powers.

…Howard Johnson Resort Anaheim has a limited time 25 percent discount on its rooms on select dates throughout the month of February. Check out more details on the MousePlanet Facebook page.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The 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 about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun MouseAdventure bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your e-mail in the box below.

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Crowd Forecast

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MousePlanet

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Note: Not all attraction closures have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, visit Disneyland.com—this information is no longer available from the automated phone service.

Disneyland

• Jungle Cruise – closed to remove the Jingle Cruise overlay, and for extensive refurbishment. Reopening date not official, but expected to be after April 3.
• Autopia – closed for extensive refurbishment. Reopening date not official, but expected to be after April 3.
• Disneyland Railroad – closed for Star Wars Land-related construction around the Rivers of America. Expected to reopen spring 2017.
• Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes – closed for Star Wars Land-related construction around the Rivers of America. Expected to reopen spring 2017.
• Fantasmic! – on hiatus for Star Wars Land-related construction around the Rivers of America. Expected to return summer 2017.
• Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island – closed for Star Wars Land-related construction around the Rivers of America. Expected to reopen spring 2017.
• Sailing Ship Columbia – closed for Star Wars Land-related construction around the Rivers of America. Expected to reopen spring 2017.
• Mark Twain Riverboat – closed for Star Wars Land-related construction around the Rivers of America. Expected to reopen spring 2017.
• “it's a small world” – closed through February 4 to remove the holiday overlay.
• Splash Mountain – closes February 8 – 18 for refurbishment.
• Indiana Jones Adventure – closed February 29 – March 3 for refurbishment.
• 20th Century Music Company – closed January 25 – February 11 for refurbishment.
• Starcade – closed indefinitely.

Disney California Adventure

• Luigi's Flying Tires – closed for conversion to Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. Reopening date unknown.
• Soarin' Over California – The ride will be closed Monday–Thursday each week through February 25 for programming of the new Soarin' film. The ride will be open with the current film Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week. Disney has not yet said when the new film will permanently replace the current movie.
• It's Tough to be a Bug! – closed. The theater will host a sneak peek of the upcoming movie Zootopia.
• Muppet*Vision 3D – closed indefinitely due to the Frozen Fun overlay.
• Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular – closed. Replaced in summer 2016 by a new Frozen musical.
• Grizzly River Run – closed at least through March 13 for refurbishment.

Disneyland Resort

• Goofy's Kitchen – closed for refurbishment through February 9. During this time, Disney's PCH Grill offers a Beach Side Bonfire Dinner Buffet with Mickey & Friends, in addition to the ongoing Surf's Up Breakfast… Starring Mickey & Friends. PCH Grill will remain closed for lunch.

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 (link).

2016

• Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration – through September 5, 2016
• MouseAdventure – Sunday, April 10. Sign up for the MouseAdventure Newsletter for more information as it is released.
• 2016 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend – May 5–8. The 5K, 10K, and Pixie Dust Challenge events are sold out, but the half-marathon event is still available. Details on the runDisney website. Volunteer Registration opens on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. (PST)
• Dapper Days at the Parks (unofficial event) – Sunday, May 1, 2016. More information at the event website. This popular event grows larger each year, so it's worth making note of the date if you plan to visit the park during this weekend.
• Grad Nite events – This party for high school seniors graduating in 2016 will be held on these dates: May 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 31; June 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17. The 2016 event includes admission to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park during regular operating hours, and a private party in Disney California Adventure park from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
• Season of the Force – no end date announced.
• 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – September 1–4. Registration opens February 2, 2016. Volunteer Registration opens May 24, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. PDT.
• Dapper Day Fall Soiree (unofficial event) – Sunday, November 6, 2016. More information at the event website. This popular event grows larger each year, so it's worth making note of the date if you plan to visit the park during this weekend.
• 2016 Avengers Half Marathon Weekend – November 10–13. Registration opens April 15, 2016. Volunteer Registration opens July 19, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. (PDT).

2017

• 2017 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend – January 12–15, 2017. Registration opens June 14, 2016.
• “Use It or Lose It” weekend – January 28–29, 2017. Our designation for the final weekend of January, which marks the deadline for cast members, community groups and Club 33 members to use their remaining complementary admission tickets from the 2016 allocation.
• 2017 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend – May 11–14, 2017. Registration opens September 20, 2016.

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.

School Holidays

Notable school holidays that may impact park attendance. If you know of any other holidays that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).

2016

• Spring Break(s) – March 14 – April 8. Most local schools are closed one week during this period. Expect the majority of school closures—and crowds—the weeks immediately before and after Easter Sunday, March 27.
• Local School Holiday – Monday, March 28. Most local schools not already on Spring Break will be closed for Cesar Chavez Day.
• Nevada Day (observed) – Friday, October 28. A school holiday for our neighbors to the northeast creates a 3-day weekend and usually adds to the Halloween weekend crowds. Some Nevada schools take the entire week off as a Fall Break.
• Utah Education Association convention (UEA, a.k.a. “Utah Escapes to Anaheim”) – October 20–21. Expect holiday-level crowds October 19–24 as Utah students and families take advantage of a Fall Break scheduled around an annual state education convention. Not all Utah schools close for UEA, but the impact on the resort is significant enough to mention.
• Thanksgiving Break – November 21–25. Many local schools close for the entire week of Thanksgiving.
• Winter Break – December 19, 2016 – January 6, 2017. Most schools close only two of these three weeks, but some districts close all three weeks due to the Saturday Christmas.

Merchandise Events

Current Discounts & Promotions

Disneyland prices as of October 4, 2015.

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.

Ticket Prices and Promotions

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!

Discounts for:

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

• DL – Disneyland
• DCA – Disney California Adventure

Annual Pass blockouts:

• SL – Southern California Select Annual Pass
• SC – Southern California Annual Pass
• DX – Deluxe Annual Pass
• SG – Signature Annual Pass

Early Admission – full description available on the Disneyland website):

• MM – Magic Mornings for 3-plus day ticket holders, promotional “bonus” tickets, and Southern California CityPASS
• EMH – Extra Magic Hour for Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests
• EA – Early Admission for Annual Passholders (not currently offered)

Disneyland Resort Special Events:

• GN – Grad Nite.
• MA – MouseAdventure (www.mouseadventure.com)
• MHP – Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland

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.