Disneyland Park Update

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News and Views

A Message from Matt

The new Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet included an introductory letter to cast members in the most recent edition of The Disneyland Resort Line, a weekly cast member newsletter. In the short piece, he outlined his history with the Disney company, and shared his enthusiasm for his new position.

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Ouimet wrote, “We have a responsibility to our Cast and our Guests to do the best we can. We have a responsibility to ourselves to do it better than anyone else. And we have a responsibility to our loved ones to do it in a way that would make them most proud.”

Ashes Over Anaheim

While none of the major wildfires currently burning in Southern California are near Disneyland, the Santa Ana winds that have worsened that situation have also made for some pretty bad conditions at the park.

The smell of smoke is pervasive, and at times some have described a “rain of ash” falling on the park. As the wind and fire conditions change, so will conditions at Disneyland. For those travelling a distance to the park this week, you can be confident that the fires are not likely to impact operations at the park, though the conditions may not always be the most pleasant.

Mo-NO-rail

Cast members stand on the unusued monorail platform on Friday. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The worst fears of monorail fans came true last week, when the Disneyland Monorail system failed to open with the park on Wednesday. Cast members reported that Monorail Orange had a broken axle. Monorails Blue and Purple are said to be undergoing scheduled maintenence, and there is no word why Monorail Red could not be called into service.

On Saturday, a single monorail returned to service, but after a short period it was again taken offline and the monorails did not return on Saturday. As of filing, there has been no word whether any monorails were running on Sunday.

Annual Passholder Preview

Annual Passholders will get a sneak peek at Tower of Terror in November. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

An annual passholder event will be held at Disney's California Adventure park on November 18 and 19. Passholders will have access to a special “hospitality center” at Hollywood and Dine, where they will get a free button and refreshments. They can see previews of Tower of Terror and Disney's Snow White – An Enchanting Musical (Disneyland Park's new production, scheduled to open in March). Additionally, expanded AP discounts will be offered throughout the resort for those two days.

Ears to the ground…

Winnie the Pooh joins the birthday bucket line-up at Plaza Inn. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…Birthday guests can purchase a new Winnie the Pooh Birthday Bucket at the Plaza Inn restaurant at Disneyland for $20. The bucket includes a small cake, plush toy, pin and stickers.

…Disney Visa cardholders will be receiving a certificate in their next statement for a free try at the “Angels in the Outfield” midway game at Disney's California Adventure.

Splash Mountain is open, much to the delight of overheated tourists. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…Splash Mountain has reopened, just in time for the unseasonably warm weather.

…Ornament personalization returns to Disneyland starting Friday, October 31. Customers can personalize most ornaments with their name and/or date. Prices start at $3 for ornaments, and $7 for embroidered items.

…Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney is hosting a series of make-your-own gingerbread house events. For $35, you get everything you need to make a gingerhead house, refreshments, a jingle bell, and a T-shirt. Santa will be there for photos. General dates are the weekends of December 13, 14, 20, and 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. An additional annual passholder-exclusive event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17. Call (714) 776-5200 for reservations.

…The Holiday Time at Disneyland tour runs from Friday, November 21 through Sunday, January 4.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

Another few inches of white paint are visible around Space Mountain. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

• “it's a small world” closed through November 7 to install the “it's a small world” Holiday overlay
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely
• Space Mountain closed through 2005
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed indefinitely

Disney’s California Adventure

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail closed through October 31 for an update with a new Brother Bear theme.
• Hyperion/Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular closed November 3 to 14
• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely

Future Attraction Closures

• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed November 3 to 26
• Mark Twain Riverboat closes November 3 indefinitely

Note: Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, call Disneyland at (714) 781-7290.

Park Events

October

• Nightmare Before Christmas film screening at the Disneyland Resort. Thursday, October 30.

November

• Ambassador Pin Event date not announced.
• Cast Member Create-A-Pin Contest pin release, date not announced.

December

• Marie Osmond “Enchanted Tiki Room Hostess” doll release and meet-and-greet at Disneyland. Saturday, December 6.
• Candlelight Processional at Disneyland. December 6 and 7.
• Robert Olszewski “Central Plaza” sculpture release at Disneyland. Saturday, December 13.

February

• Sleeping Beauty's Royal Ball, details to be announced at a later date. February 14.

May

• A Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics – “A Disney Blast to the Past” May 14 to 16. Registration open to returning participants through October 15, open registration begins October 16.
• Tower of Terror event, date and details to be announced at a later date.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Fall “Resident Salute” – Two parks, two days for the price of one.

Southern California residents can purchase a one-day ticket to Disneyland and a one-day ticket to Disney's California Adventure for the price of a regular one-day admission.*

The resort hotels are offering a "Stay and Play" package in conjunction with this discount. It includes the resident salute 2-for-1 theme park ticket plus a one-night stay at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels. The package starts at $89 per person. ** To book this package, call (714) 956-MICKEY and ask for the package code SAP.

*Offer valid through 11/24/03 for Southern California residents ZIP codes 90000-93599. Admission valid one day at Disneyland Park, and one day at Disney's California Adventure Park. May purchase up to 5 tickets per person, per day, with valid ID. First day of use must be on purchase day. Ticket valid 30 days from first use, or through 11/25/03, whichever occurs first. Restrictions apply. Tickets are non-transferable. Offer may not be combined with other discounts or promotions.

**Valid for arrivals through 11/24/03 for Southern California residents within ZIP codes 90000-93599. $89 price is per person, double occupancy, Sunday through Thursday standard room rate at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, and includes 2 days admission, valid one day at Disneyland Park, and one day at Disney's California Adventure Park. Weekend rates and other room rates may vary. Ticket valid 30 days from first use, or through 11/25/03, whichever occurs first. Price excludes resort fees and taxes. Limit 5 people per room, at an additional cost per person. Promotional rate is subject to availability and advance reservations required. Not available for groups.

All offers, events, tickets, age ranges, services, attractions, and entertainment, may be seasonal, and are subject to change without notice.

A Nightmare deal at Costco

MousePad member Tiki Junki purchased a copy of The Nightmare Before Christmas at a local Costco store, and discovered a Disneyland Resort offer inside. The $13 Special Edition DVD comes with a voucher for up to 4 pre–issued Fastpass tickets for the Haunted Mansion, and a voucher for one free cloisonne pin from the Le Bat en Rouge Shop in New Orleans Square. The vouchers are good until March 31, 2004, and are redeemable at Disneyland—there nothing to mail in, and you won't wait four to six weeks for the passes and pin to arrive.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Annual passholder discounts are available at the Paradise Pier hotel through December 12. Rates are $79 per night weekdays, and $119 per night weekends. AP rooms are also available at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel at higher rates.

Get 5 days and 4 nights for the price of 3

Book a package at the Disneyland Resort for a minimum four-nights through the Walt Disney Travel Company, and your package price will include one night's free accommodations at participating hotels. Your package will also include a five-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket for the price of a three-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket. Click here for a list of participating hotels and dates.

Disney's Armed Forces Salute

Through Friday, December 19, all active members of the United States military (including Coast Guard and activated National Guard and Reservists) qualify for Disney's Armed Forces Salute and can claim one free 3-day park-hopper tickets. Since the tickets expire on December 19, you must claim them by December 17 to use all three day's worth. The passes can only be claimed at a park gate ticket booth. To claim the passes, valid military ID must be shown; activated National Guard and Reservists must also show their active duty orders.

In addition to the one free pass, each qualifying person can also purchase up to five 3-day companion passes for $39 each. If the qualifying person cannot visit a park to purchase these companion tickets, a spouse may do so instead.

Annual passholder discounts at Alamo

California residents get discounts of up to 20 percent off Alamo's retail rates in the United States. For more details and the discount code you'll need for this offer, visit the annual passholder section of the Disneyland Web site.

ESPN Zone discounts for annual passholders

Disneyland annual passholders can get an Season Ticket Frequent Dining Card at the Downtown Disney ESPN Zone. The Season Ticket entitles you to a free soda with your meal purchase of $6.99 or more. Once you have made four meal purchases, you receive the fifth meal and soda free, and get a chance to win a pair of tickets to the ESPY Awards in 2004. See location for more information and details.

City Pass now available with AAA packages

You can now purchase the Southern California City Pass with Walt Disney Travel Company packages.

With a Southern California City Pass booklet, you will receive admission to five separate entertainment options. Admission includes:

• 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket
• 1-day ticket to Sea World Adventure park
• 1-day ticket to the World-famous San Diego Zoo
• 1-day ticket to Knott's Theme Park.

Instead of the Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket currently included in California packages from the Walt Disney Travel Company, guests can select a Southern California city's for an additional charge of $47 per pass ($32 per pass for guests ages 3 through 9).

Note: The Southern California City's does not include the $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card, or the California package's feature that allows guests to collect multiple Fastpass tickets at once for free in advance.

5-Day Park Hopper promotion extended

The “Get a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket for the price of a 3-Day ticket” promotion has been extended through January 5, 2004. These tickets are available when you order online from Disneyland.com. Restrictions apply – see site for details.

AAA Passport Plus Package

For $122.75, you can get a 5-day park hopper and the following extras:

• Multiple attraction Fastpass (The “Unlimited” option)
• Breakfast in the park (one per person)
• Free ESPN Zone arena game card ($10 value)
• AAA Free parking at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

A $13.75 FedEx fee applies to each reservation, (not per person). This package is available without an air or hotel purchase, and must be purchased at your local AAA affiliate office at least 5 days before you plan to use the tickets.

Many readers have experienced difficulties when trying to purchase this package from their local AAA affiliate. Be sure to read this thread on our MousePad discussion boards, for more information about the package and tips on how to help your AAA travel agent book your package.

AAA-Disney's Resort Magic Package

This package requires a minimum 2-night hotel stay, and includes:

• Accommodations at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel, or Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
• Disneyland Resort Hotel self-parking and Fitness Center access
• Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket – valid for entry into Disneyland park and Disney's California Adventure park with full park-hopping privileges
• Free ESPN Zone Arena Game Card – $10 value (one per person)
• New. Collect Fastpass tickets for multiple attractions at one time. Preferred Seating at a choice of select shows in Disney's California Adventure
• Exclusive – Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard (one per person)
• Exclusive – Walt Disney Travel Company California Fun Book (one per package)
• Exclusive – Disneyland Resort Magical Pocket Guide (one per package)

You can book this package through your local AAA affiliate travel agent.

Park Hours/Blockout Dates

DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney’s California Adventure
Annual Pass blockout dates: SoCal - Southern California Annual Pass. DX - Deluxe Annual Pass

Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates 2003-2004 page to see more dates.

Entertainment Schedule