Disneyland Resort Update for June 13 – 19, 2016

Disneyland Resort Update for June 13–19, 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 to build new hotel | Soarin' Around the World takes flight Friday | Registration opens Tuesday for 2017 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend events | Jammin' on the Backlot | Celebrating Shanghai | Taste of Downtown Disney | This and that… | Crowd Forecast

Disneyland Resort to build new hotel

According to documents filed last week with the City of Anaheim, the Disneyland Resort plans to build a new four-star hotel. The Orange County Register reports that the as-yet unnamed hotel will have 700 rooms, two pools, and a rooftop restaurant offering views of the Disneyland fireworks.

Disney announces new luxury hotel for Disneyland Resort. Video © Orange County Register.

Disney will build the new hotel—the first since the Grand Californian joined the Disneyland Hotel and the Paradise Pier Hotel in 2001—on a portion of the current Downtown Disney parking lot. The project also includes a new parking structure for Downtown Disney and the hotel, so it looks like the entire current Stitch parking lot will be absorbed by the expansion.

The Register says the new hotel could open by 2021.

Soarin' Around the World takes flight Friday

Soarin' Over California closes Wednesday at Disney California Adventure. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Soarin' Over California will have its final flight this Wednesday, June 15, and will be closed on Thursday, June 16. When the ride reopens on Friday, it will present the new Soarin' Around the World film. The new film debuts as part of the Shanghai Disney Resort grand opening Thursday, and then opens at both Walt Disney World and Disney California Adventure on Friday. Don't look for a soft-opening on Thursday—we've heard Disney is sticking firmly to the Friday opening date, giving Shanghai rights to an exclusive premiere.

Registration opens Tuesday for 2017 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend events

General registration opens at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific) on Tuesday, June 14 for the 2017 Star Wars Half Marathon weekend events. In anticipation of strong demand for this event, runDisney published a list of tips to help runners prepare to register as quickly as possible:

1. Create an active.com profile prior to registration opening.
2. Be ready to register at noon ET (9 a.m. Pacific time). Follow rundisney.com and the runDisney social media channels for the registration link.
3. Once you're in the queue, you have 15 minutes to complete the registration process. After 15 minutes, your spot is no longer guaranteed.
4. If you receive an “on hold” message this means the queue is currently full. Continue to check back.
5. Have everyone in your party register only themselves for a faster registration process.
6. Look to travel providers and charity groups for additional registration opportunities.

These tips are good advice, but #5 poses a challenge for parents who need to register themselves and their minor children for the events. Based entirely on the rate at which the events filled during advance registration last year, here is our suggestion as to how to prioritize your registrations if you are hoping to register more than one person or for more than one event:

1. Star Wars Rebel Challenge
2. runDisney Kids Races
3. Star Wars 10K (if you're not running or couldn't get into the Rebel Challenge)
4. Star Wars 5K
5. Star Wars Half Marathon (if you're not running or couldn't get into the Rebel Challenge)

We note that Disney has raised fees $5 and $10 for the 5K and 10K events respectively, but dropped the price of the half-marathon event by $14. The Challenge and Kids Races remain unchanged. As with recent races, the entry fee remains the same until the event sells out, with no scheduled fee increase. There is again no Pasta in the Park party for 2017.

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

Jammin' on the Backlot

We had an opportunity to check out the set for Jammin' on the Backlot, the latest nighttime dance party in Disney California Adventure's Hollywood Land. The event replaces the Mad T Party, and is staged in an area already plagued by confusing and conflicting art direction.

Jammin' on the Backlot uses the former Mad T Party stage, and all of the Food and Wine Festival foliage. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

To whatever degree the new nighttime event has a theme, it is best described as the loud party your obnoxious neighbor hosts during the summer. The “ultra-cool summertime shindig” uses the same stage as the Mad T Party, but features a DJ instead of a live band.

The stage is decorated with what truly appear to be the plants added for the “lifestyle seminars” hosted during the Food and Wine Festival. Colored bistro lights are strung around the area, accented now with paper lanterns that may just have been added for this week's Shanghai celebration, but could have been intended to last the summer.

The entrance to Hollywood Land presents a confusing mashup of themes. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The former House of Cards truss structure is strung with bistro lights and paper lanterns. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The bars and A-frame truss structure from the Mad T Party are all still in place, just lightly redressed for the new event. Picnic tables scattered around the area add to the subtle backyard BBQ theme, and are covered with vinyl tablecloths printed with the event logo. It would not be a stretch to imagine these tables were recycled from the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ restaurant.

Food offerings include corn on the cob and a hot dog “snacker” on a stick.

Jammin' on the Backlot runs nightly from 6:00 p.m. to park closing, now through Monday, September 5. The good news is that this section of the park is easy to avoid, and there are much better bar options available at the nearby Carthay Circle Lounge, or Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel.

Picnic tables are scattered around Hollywood Land for your dining convenience during Jammin' on the Backlot. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Celebrating Shanghai

Disney California Adventure will commemorate the grand opening of the Shanghai Disney Resort in China this week with a special event on Thursday, June 16. The event will take place in Hollywood Land. From the description posted on the Disney Parks Blog, it looks like attendees can expect a pared-down version of the Lunar New Year celebration, with meet-and-greet with Mulan and Mushu, and some food offerings.

Hollywood Land is already decorated for the Shanghai Disney Resort celebration, with paper lanterns hanging from the entry arch. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Taste of Downtown Disney

The 2016 Taste of Downtown Disney, an annual fundraiser for Children's Hospital Orange County, will be held Thursday, August 11. There are two categories of tickets offered this year:

General Admission –  General Admission to the Taste of Downtown Disney includes admittance to the kick-off reception with tray passed appetizers and select wine, spirits and beer pairings. Taste of Downtown Disney Guests will enjoy an evening of grouped rotations with stops at Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar, ESPN Zone, Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, WonderGround Gallery, Tortilla Jo's and Earl of Sandwich. The evening ends in the Downtown Disney District Pavilion with savory treats from La Brea Bakery Café, Starbucks, Kettle Kingdom and smoothies from Jamba Juice. “General Admission” tickets cost $100.00, of which $70.00 is tax deductible.

Tortilla Jo's Tequila Lounge – We are thrilled to offer this amazing experience again at this year's Taste of Downtown Disney. This exclusive experience starts the evening off with attendance in the Taste of Downtown Disney, then from 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. the Tequila Lounge is open and guests can peel away from the Taste enjoy the Tortilla Jo's Tequila Lounge. Enjoy the private terrace overlooking the Downtown Disney District while tasting fine chilled tequilas, robust wines as well as fine cigars.

Tickets are now available through the event website.

This and that…

…The final two Grad Nites of the 2016 season are scheduled for Wednesday and Friday nights this week. 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.

Minnie Mouse greets visitors at the exclusive Disney Visa character location in Disney California Adventure. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…Disney Visa has made a change to their character meet-and-greet offer. Cardholders still access to a private character meet-and-greet photo opportunity at Disney California Adventure, but no longer receive a voucher for a free 5″ x 7″ print of their character photo. Instead, the photo is added to a PhotoPass card (or annual pass if applicable), and the cardmember can download that image for free.

This change applies to both the character meet-and-greet location inside Disney California Adventure, and the Star Wars Imperial meet-and-greet inside the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland.

Spider-Man and Captain American share this meet-and-greet location in Hollywood Land. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…Sometimes Disney files construction permits with vague descriptions that make it hard to guess what work is planned. Not so with a permit recently filed to build a new shed on the Disneyland Railroad route behind Frontierland. The permit reads, “purpose of this shed is for train vehicle to move through while blocking the guest view of the back of house while riding the train.” Disney has also filed permits for a new 1,200-foot-long, 20-foot-high wall of rock work as part of the project.

A look at the Star Wars Land construction site. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Vertical construction should begin soon on the new berm to surround the Rivers of America. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…Die cast toy replicas of the Luigi's Rollickin' Roasters vehicles are now available at Disney California Adventure. The series includes six of the “cousins,” and joins figures from Radiator Springs Racers and Tow Mater Spin.

All of the Cars Land vehicles are available as die cast toys. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Six of the Luigi's “cousins” have been re-created as die cast toys. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…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

Join Our Networks

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.

The Fantasyland Skyway Chalet was still in place as of this weekend, but will likely be demolished in the next week. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disneyland

The following attractions are all closed for Star Wars Land-related construction around the Rivers of America, and are expected to reopen in spring 2017 or later:

• Disneyland Railroad
• Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes
• Fantasmic!
• Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
• Sailing Ship Columbia
• Mark Twain Riverboat

Disney California Adventure

• Muppet*Vision 3D – closed indefinitely. The theater has been renamed the Sunset Showcase Theater, and will likely be used for movie previews until a permanent replacement is found.
• Soarin' Over California – closes Wednesday, June 15. Reopens as Soarin' Around the World on Friday, June 17.

Disneyland Resort

• Starbucks #2 – A second Starbucks location in Downtown Disney is now under construction, and expected to open summer 2016.
• House of Blues Anaheim – closed as of May 31. Disney has not said what they will do with the 23,000-square-foot restaurant and concert venue.

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
• Grad Nite events – This party for high school seniors graduating in 2016 will be held on these dates: May 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 Taste of Downtown Disney – Thursday, August 11 at the Disneyland Resort. Tickets available via the event website.
• Back to Disneyland Saturday – Saturday, August 20 – This will be the first Saturday that Deluxe annual passholders can use their passes for admission since Saturday blackouts started in March, 2016. It is typically a very busy day at Disneyland.
• Back to Disneyland Monday – Monday, August 22. This will be the first day that Southern California and Southern California Select annual passholders can use their passes for admission following the summer blockout season. It is typically a very busy day at Disneyland.
• 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – September 1–4. Registration is still open for the Dumbo Double Dare and Disneyland Half Marathon races. Volunteer Registration opens May 24, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. PDT. Details on the runDisney website.
• Gay Days Anaheim (unofficial event) – September 30 – October 2. More information at the event website.
• 2016 CHOC Walk in the Park – Sunday, October 30 at the Disneyland Resort. MousePlanet readers, friends, and family are invited to register with Team MousePlanet and walk with our group. Registration opens on June 1, 2016 at www.chocwalk.org
• Dapper Day Fall Soiree (unofficial event) – Sunday, November 6. 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 Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend – November 10–13. Formerly called the Avengers Half Marathon. Registration is open for all events except the Captain Strange 10K and the runDisney Kids Races. Register via the runDisney website. 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.
• D23 Expo – July 14–16, 2017. Tickets go on sale July 14, 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.

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 (link).

Knott's Berry Farm

• Knott's Berry Farm Ghost Town 75th Anniversary – Through September 5

Legoland California

• Red, White and Boom! at Legoland California – July 4.
• Brick-Or-Treat at Legoland California – October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
• Kids' New Year's Eve at Legoland California – December 31.

Sea World San Diego

• Summer Nights at Sea World – May 28 to September 5.
• Sea World's Summer Vibes – June 17 to August 15.
• Halloween Spooktacular at Sea World – September 24–25; October 1–2; 8–9; 15–16; 22–23; 29–30.
• Wintery Wonderland at Sea World – November 18, 2016 to January 1, 2017

Universal Studios Hollywood

• Halloween Horror Nights – dates to be announced

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

• 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 February 28, 2016.

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:

• FW – Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
• GN – Grad Nite.
• 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.

The Seasons calendar is published on the Disneyland website for the next 8-11 months.