The MousePlanet Mailbag is a regular compilation of some of our reader feedback and writer responses that may be of interest to our readers. We encourage you to drop your questions, opinions, or comments to us in care of our mailbag.
This week marks the birthday of Disneyland as well as MousePlanet, so Disneyland letters get to go first this week, with answers provided by MousePlanet staff. Vicki W. writes:
We are planning a Disneyland holiday in November 2007 and I am concerned that the “it’s a small world” ride might be closed whilst they refurbish the ride for Christmas. Do you know from past years when they usually close this ride? I have contacted Disneyland.com with this question and they said their calendar is only available for 2 months ahead. I can’t wait that long to book our flights from Australia.
My 5-year-old daughter talks about “it’s a small world” every day (so do I) and so we would be distraught (to say the least) if it was closed. I’m going to try and book our 7 days from Wednesday to Wednesday but if you have any historical information that ‘may’ help I would be extremely grateful. I would not hold you to any ‘dates’ and would take it only as a guide. We are thinking of arriving 14 November 07 for 7 days. I doubt if we would be making another trip within 10+ years, so any information you could provide would be most appreciated.
Last year, “it’s a small world” closed on October 23 and re-opened November 9. If those dates hold for this year, the closure would likely be from October 22 through November 8. We won’t know for sure until Disney announces it, but this seems to be a good bet. If you can plan your trip for the second half of November I think you should be fine.
Vicki W. follows up with additional questions:
You were so helpful with my last query I was hoping you could answer another one.
We’ve narrowed our holiday dates down to two different weeks. I’ve read a few reviews and it seems like we would see a bit of Disney Christmas magic if we holidayed during either of the following weeks. However, if we choose the earlier week would we be missing anything exciting? When do the fireworks with snow start? I wouldn’t mind seeing that if they still do it.
Also, I’ve heard that crowd numbers are down after Thanksgiving weekend or do they mean the first weeks in December?
Arriving Anaheim 11 November, departing 19 November; or arriving Anaheim 26 November, departing 4 December, that is the question! Again any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
I’m happy to give whatever advice I can, but going on the theory that more information is always better, you might want to post your plans on the Disneyland Resort forum on MousePad (link) to get a wider scope of opinions. That said…
The Disneyland Christmastime magic builds as the end of the year approaches—the closer you are, the more you’ll see. “it’s a small world holiday” should be open by mid-November, and Haunted Mansion Holiday will have already been open since early October. My recollection from previous years is that the Christmas parade, holiday fireworks (if there are going to be holiday fireworks at all) and post-fireworks “snow” didn’t begin until after Thanksgiving. However, Thanksgiving weekend itself is going to be very busy; it’s a four-day weekend here in the States when many families visit the Resort together. That Friday may be marginally less busy than the Saturday and Sunday, but not by much.
Still, Disneyland at Christmastime is extra-special and I would like to think everyone should see it at least once. It may be worth braving the crowds and longer lines to experience this extra magical time. And, attendance should die down quickly after Thanksgiving weekend; though not as slow as in times of old, the first two weeks of December are still a less-busy time to visit.
Good luck, and once again I encourage you to join MousePad if you haven’t already, and post your questions on the board for our many experts to read. Thanks for writing.
Emilio C. writes:
I noticed that the Haunted Mansion wasn’t listed as being closed in September. Is it just too early to list or is Disneyland not having the Haunted Holidays this year? Thank you.
Disneyland hasn’t yet published its refurbishment calendar for September, when the Haunted Mansion is expected to close; that’s why there is no listing. We fully expect the Haunted Mansion to close for probably five or six weeks starting in early September.
Shannon writes:
I heard neither adults nor children could wear Disney themed costumes to Mickey’s Halloween Treat. We’re going for the first time this year on October 18 and wanted to go as a Peter Pan themed family and would be greatly disappointed if we couldn’t. Do you know the rules for costumes?
The only official information we have about themed costumes is on the AP Web page (link).
“All costumes must adhere to any guidelines as determined solely by Disney. Please choose costumes that are not obstructive, offensive or violent. Guests’ eyes must be visible at all times.”
Now that doesn’t say anything about Disney themed costumes, and in fact when my wife and I attended MHT last year there were many guests dressed as various Disney characters. The rules in place seemed to be along the lines of: dressing as Disney characters is ok; no posing for photos with other guests; no autographs. In other words don’t represent yourself as the character and you should be fine.
MousePad members are actively discussing the event, including what costumes they’re wearing. You can read and join the discussion here (link).
Robin writes:
What’s the story on what’s playing in the Hyperion Theater? Is it still Aladdin? Also, what about the theater that is near the Toontown entrance—what is showing there? It was Snow White for quite a while!
The Hyperion Theater is still showing “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” (link) and we haven’t heard any plans for that show to close.
“Snow White – An Enchanting Musical” closed in September 2006 (link). The Fantasyland Theater is currently set up as an expanded Princess meet-and-greet with other related activities.
Lloyd writes:
Your update suggested that one could not really save much by going with the premium passport, but I just couldn’t follow the math. If Disneyland is crediting $164 regardless of what type of passport you convert to, then doesn’t that mean the remaining $41 cost gets you into other venues? So whether you are converting to a deluxe passport for $75 or a premium passport for $195, you still pay only $41 more for the other parks. The savings should be exactly the same.
Arguably, it’s an even better deal with the premium passport since the discounts afforded the purchaser might even save a significant portion of that $120 difference between the two options. Depending on how much souvenir shopping goes on, they could come out to the same price!
There’s a thread on this topic in the Disneyland Resort forum on MousePad (link
Next, staff writer Lisa Perkis answers some letters in response to her recent photo tour highlighting the Summer plants and flowers at Disneyland (link). Kim R. writes: LOVED your article and photos on the gardens at Disneyland this week! The beautiful foliage is one of my favorite things about the park! The gardens, and all of the effort and detail put into them, really are one of Disneyland’s treasures. My hubby and I are annual passholders as well, and each time we go, the gardens are a “must see” for me! Thanks so much for highlighting one of the best things about Disneyland! Thanks for the nice email. Even waiting in the never-ending Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage queue was a fun opportunity to see all the summer plants and flowers. David U. writes: I enjoyed your article on Disneyland gardens. I’ve always felt that the landscaping adds so much to the Park! That one picture of the alcove between Matterhorn and “it’s a small world”—I just can’t seem to place it. Where exactly is that? Is it by the old Motorboat Lagoon? You nailed the spot exactly. The best place to see it is standing under the awnings at Fantasia Gardens facing “it’s a small world”. This area is now the Submarine queue on busy days, but it’s sure a pretty view while you’re waiting. Finally, staff writer Brian Bennett answers some readers’ questions about Walt Disney World. Lynne Anderson writes: October 1st is Epcot’s 25th anniversary. Do you know if they have any special events planned for the occasion? Maybe some special merchandise or ANYTHING? There have been rumors that Walt Disney World would be celebrating somehow, but to date nothing has been announced. At this late stage, though, it’s very unlikely that anything major will be happening. Kiara writes: I was looking on your Disney Quest site and I had a question about, if your going on a field trip to Disney Quest with your school, will other people be there or is it reserved just for our school? I’m not certain. If your school group is very, very large (many hundreds of people), then it wouldn’t surprise me if Disney was to rent out the whole place for your group. However, if you’re only talking about a class or two (30-90 people), then I’m certain that other groups and individuals will be there at the same time.
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