Disneyland Resort Update for September 3 – 8, 2019

Disneyland Resort Update for September 3 – 8, 2019

Writer's note: I want to thank Todd Pickering and Alan Dalinka for covering the Disneyland Resort Update in addition to reporting from the D23 Expo while I was vacation. I'm happy to be back home, and ready to dive into the Halloween Time preparations. My thoughts are with my MousePlanet colleagues and readers and with friends and family coping with Hurricane Dorian.

News and Views

A pumpkin-spiced Main Street

This is a week of transition for the Disneyland Resort, as the trappings of summer make way for pumpkins up and down Main Street, U.S.A., Oogie Boogie and his bats take over Disney California Adventure, and even the resort hotels get into the spirit with their own unique offerings. Halloween Time officially begins this Friday, September 6, although the smiling Mickey pumpkin is already in place in Town Square.

The Mickey Mouse pumpkin is already in place in Town Square, as Disneyland prepares for the start of Halloween Time. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

This is also the week that the last of the summer blockouts are lifted for annual passholders. Today, September 3, is the first day that SoCal Select passholders are able to visit Disneyland since last May, so it's reasonable to expect some added traffic from those curious to check out Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and beyond. This weekend brings Deluxe passholders back to Disneyland on Saturday, and SoCal passholders on Sunday.

The opening weekend of Halloween Time is always extremely popular with passholders, but this year marks the return of the popular Halloween Screams fireworks to the general entertainment schedule. Expect Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights to be very busy, and for the resort's newly expanded parking capacity to be well-utilized.

Halloween Screams for everyone, and other entertainment notes

With the after-hours Halloween party now hosted at Disney California Adventure, Disneyland will present a version of the popular Halloween Screams show most nights during Halloween Time. This is definite treat for Disneyland visitors, as the show is available once more to all park guests, and not just those who spring for the after-hours parties as has been the case since 2010.

Disney is preparing Main Street for Halloween Time, and the return of the Halloween Screams fireworks show. Photo by Todd Pickering.

Disney now describes the show as a “supernatural projection and special effects show,” and notes that the show will be enhanced with fireworks on select nights. Based on the current entertainment schedule, it looks like fireworks will be presented Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, with Monday through Thursday shows using projection and other special effects

Disney did the same with the Mickey's Mix Magic show, using projections and effects on some nights, and adding fireworks on the weekends. With or without fireworks, we hope to see Zero return for his flights around Sleeping Beauty Castle.

A new addition to the Disneyland line-up is the Disney Villains Dance Party in Tomorrowland, currently scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sundays from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. We don't know if this is a villain-themed DJ party, or if some of the Disney Villains will take to the dance floor.

A Musical Celebration of Coco kicks off this Friday in Disney California Adventure, with 10 performances daily. Annual passholders can meet Miguel in person for a special photo opportunity near Stage 17 in Hollywood Land September 3 to 5 between noon to 6 p.m.

Finally, it looks like the Laughing Stock company and the Pixharmonic Orchestra received their end-of-run notices, and have no shows scheduled after September 14, 2019. Disney has not posted the park atmosphere entertainment schedule beyond September 21, so we don't know what other changes may be on the horizon.

Happiest Haunts Tour returns

Starting Friday, September 6, the “Ghost Relations” tour guides are back again to lead you on the Happiest Haunts tour of the Disneyland Resort. From Disney:

“Brace yourself for gripping tales of spooks and spirits from the nether realms… and beyond! While leading ghoul-loving Guests from park to park, this 2.5-hour guided tour explores Halloween by conjuring ghost stories, tricks, treats and even an encounter with one of the Haunted Mansion’s most familiar faces.

You’ll learn about the legends of various film and park poltergeists, pranksters and other creepy characters—as well as their creators. It’s frightfully delightful fun you’ll never forget!”

The tour is $99 per person for guests age 3 and older, a jump of $14 from 2018. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members receive a 15 percent discount. Cast members save on select dates only—check with Cast Activities for details.

The tour is offered daily between September 6 and October 31. There are two departures on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, leaving at 4:45 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Only one tour is offered daily Mondays through Thursdays, starting at 5:30 p.m. Theme park admission is not included, and is required to participate.

You can make reservations for Disney's Happiest Haunts 30 days in advance by calling the Guided Tour office at (714) 781-8687, or in person at Disneyland. Tour size is capped at 15 people per tour. Foreign language or sign language interpretation is available with advance notice.

Oogie Boogie Bash ticket update

Oogie Boogie has appeared above the entrance to Disney California Adventure. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

During the past two weeks, all of the September dates for the new Oogie Boogie Bash event sold out, and half of the October dates are gone as well. When I started writing this Update, there were eight events still available; by publication time, one more event had sold out. Here's the current status as of publication:

• Sold out – September 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29; October 3, 8, 10, 13, 17, 24, 31
• Available – October 1, 6, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29.

As a reminder, all nights for last year's Halloween Party event nights sold out by September 25. If you're on the fence about buying tickets, I believe this is the week to make your decision.

The after-hours event debuts at Disney California Adventure this year, replacing the popular Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland. The party takes place on 20 nights in September and October, and requires a separate event ticket to attend. Oogie Boogie Bash includes trick-or-treat stations, themed entertainment, the debut of the Frightfully Fun Parade and Ride of the Headless Horseman at Disney California Adventure, plus an all-new Halloween edition of the World of Color show.

Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash start at $110. You can buy tickets from the Disneyland website, by calling (714) 781-4636, or in person at a Disneyland Resort ticket booth.

But what happens if you had your heart (and vacation plans) set on attending a specific, sold-out night? Before you turn to Craigslist, StubHub, or eBay (all of which bring with them the very high risk of being defrauded), here are official ways you may still be able to buy legitimate party tickets directly from Disney:

• Call the Disneyland Resort and order tickets by phone – a limited number of tickets may be available by phone for events that are sold out on line. Call (714) 781-4636 to purchase by phone. Expect to wait on hold for at least 10 minutes.
• Visit Disneyland and purchase tickets in person – a limited number of tickets may be available at the Disneyland ticket booths for events that are sold out on line. However, if you tried to purchase tickets by phone and the night you wanted was sold out, they will not be available at the ticket booths.
• Disneyland Resort Hotels – if you are a guest staying at one of the three Disney-owned hotels (Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier Hotel, or Grand Californian Hotel), check with your hotel desk the morning of the event to see if they have tickets available for purchase. In past years, a small number of tickets were reserved for Disneyland Resort Hotel guests, and were released for sale at 5:30 a.m. the morning of each party. Officially, these tickets are intended only for concierge-level guests, but we've heard conflicting stories about that, and it seems some guests in standard rooms have been allowed to buy the tickets as well. If you're already staying on property, it doesn't hurt to ask. These tickets sell out very quickly, so don't wait until the party starts to try to make your purchase.
• Friends or family – if friends/family already have tickets, they may be able to purchase additional tickets the day of the party. Again, a small number of tickets are reserved for same-day sales to help accommodate ticket holders who may have miscounted how many they need, or who had friends/family unexpectedly join them. As with the tickets reserved for hotel guests, these are very limited, and go on sale as soon as the ticket booths open in the morning. If at all possible, get there first thing in the morning to increase your chance of getting tickets. You must have the other event tickets with you the cast member needs to see them, and cannot just trust your word that “so-and-so already has tickets.”

Oogie Boogie Bash Dining Package

Disney has created a dining package during the Oogie Boogie Bash, which includes access to a reserved viewing area for the Frightfully Fun Parade during the after-hours party.

The three-course, prix-fixe meal is served at Wine Country Trattoria, and includes an appetizer, entree and dessert. Per Disney:

This scream-cious 3-corpse Italian feast features hearty house specialties every body will love. Enjoy a choice of starters, entrée selections that include several pasta dishes, rib-eye steak, chicken parmesan, seafood and vegetarian options and desserts to-die-for like tiramisu and chocolate panna cotta.

Dinner is $50 for adults, and $40 for children age 3-9. Tax and tip are not included, and no discounts apply to this package. Children receive a filled Oogie Boogie popcorn bucket with their meal; adults can purchase the bucket for an additional $15 each.

The reservation process for this meal is somewhat confusing, as Disney is not treating it like other dining packages. You first make a reservation online via the Disneyland website, or by phone by calling (714) 781-3463, as you would for any meal. When you arrive and check in at the restaurant, you must ask to “upgrade” to the Oogie Boogie Bash dining package, “subject to availability.” After you complete and pay for your meal, you receive a voucher for the reserved viewing area, which Disney says is a standing-only area.

Note that tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash include admission to Disney California Adventure at least three hours before the event starts, or 3:00 p.m. (On Sundays, October 29 and October 31, event guests can enter DCA starting at 2:00 p.m.) The last reservation available is 4:30 p.m. on event days, though Disney says tables may be available on a walk-in basis through 6:00 p.m. If you're interested in this offering, we definitely recommend making the earliest reservation possible, so you don't waste any precious party time in a restaurant.

The convenience of having a reserved viewing area may be worth the splurge for some party-goers, but it's hard to imagine DCA's long parade route will get so crowded that you can't get a decent viewing spot without the ticket. If this dining package came with reserved viewing for the new World of Color show it might be more attractive, but we think there are better ways to spend $40 or $50 during this event.

Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary Tea at the Disneyland Hotel

Disneyland Hotel's Steakhouse 55 will offer a Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary tea September 6 through November 3, 2019. The party is available Friday through Sundays, as well as Thursdays in October, from noon to 3:00 p.m.

Here's the information from the Disneyland website, which is also where you can make reservations for the tea:

Beginning September 6, Doom Buggy fans and Guests of all ages are invited to descend upon the Disneyland Hotel for a special tea service honoring the golden anniversary of the dearly beloved Haunted Mansion.

For a limited time, indulge in a sinfully delicious spread… if you dare. The menu includes scones, tea sandwiches, desserts and more. Enhance these boo-tiful bites by sipping on assorted teas―including a seasonal gingerbread flavor infused with dashes of cinnamon and allspice. Aperitifs, wines by the glass, ports and cordials are also available for an additional charge.

Menus and pricing: (tax and gratuity not included)

Classic Tea Party – $52

• Traditional Scones 
• Tea Sandwiches
• Desserts
• Teas and Herbal Infusions

Premium Tea Party – $65

• Sparkling Wine
• Traditional Scones
• Salad
• Tea Sandwiches
• Desserts
• Farewell Truffle
• Teas and Herbal Infusions

Kids Tea Party – $39 (3–9 years old)

• Traditional Scones
• Tea Sandwiches
• Desserts
• Herbal Infusions, Juices, Milk or Hot Chocolate

Note: Gluten-free and vegan options are available upon request. Alcohol will only be served to Guests 21 and older. Complimentary 3-hour parking—your choice of either valet or self-parking—is included and available at the Disneyland Hotel.

Magic Happens – a character preview

As Todd shared last week, Disneyland's new daytime parade, “Magic Happens,” will debut in spring 2020. Last week Disney posted a casting notice for character “look-alikes,” giving us a preview of some of the characters we will see in the new parade.

Concept art released at the D23 Expo included floats featuring Moana and Sleeping Beauty, so it's not surprising to see Moana, Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip, Flora, Faun,a and Merryweather on the casting sheet. With a new Frozen movie about to debut, Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff are also obvious choices.

Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother are on the list, as are Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog. With a title like “Magic Happens,” Tinker Bell is a must, and she will be joined by Peter Pan. The Blue Fairy is on the list, as is Aladdin—but not Jasmine. There is a separate casting call for character performers, and it's likely Aladdin will be joined by the Genie on that float.

For me, the most surprising names on the list were Arthur and Merlin from The Sword in the Stone. I can't think of the last time those two characters were included in a Disney parade, but it fits the theme.

Auditions are scheduled September 21 & 22, and the parade is set to debut in early 2020. Visit the Disney Auditions website for more information.

This and That…

…King T'Challa and the Dora Milaje have a new photo backdrop in Disney California Adventure. The set is tucked nearly behind Stage 12, and is easy to confuse for the Disney Visa meet-and-greet.

A new Black Panther meet-and-greet lets you step inside a vibranium battery to meet the king of Wakanda. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…Work continues on and around the two parking structures, with a much-needed, long-overdue second pair of elevators under construction for the Mickey and Friends structure.

The new unload area is taking shape outside the parking structures. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

It's only taken 19 years, but Disney is finally adding a second pair of passenger elevators to the Mickey and Friends parking structure. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…A kiosk near Downtown Disney has served as an information booth, a cast member break area, a Food and Wine Festival welcome center, and most recently an ice cream stand. It recently reopened as a Disney Vacation Club booth.

The Disney Vacation Club has a new kiosk near Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…Work continues on the demolition of the rock formations outside Tomorrowland. The work is expected to continue through November.

The Rocket Jets provide a good view of the demolition area outside Tomorrowland. Photo by Todd Pickering.

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 bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your email in the box below.

Join the MousePlanet Newsletter Email:

Join Our Networks

@MousePlanet on…

On Facebook:

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Note: Not all attraction closures have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. All 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 or use the MyDisneyExperience 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.

Please let us know if the menu bar doesn't work on your screen.

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).

2019

2020

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 January 6, 2019.

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

Annual Passholders

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

Annual Pass blockouts:

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

Flex Pass blockouts:

• Good to Go – may enter park without prior reservation
• Reservation only – must make advance reservation to enter park
• Blocked out – may not use pass to enter park

Early Admission – full description available on the Disneyland website:

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

Disneyland Resort Special Events:

• F&W – Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
• GN – Grad Nite. 2019 dates: May 10, 11, 17, 18, 21, 22, 28, 29, and 31; June 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 14
• OBB – Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure

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 eight to 11 months.

Share, Links, Comments & More