Disneyland Park Update

Go directly to: News & Views | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Park Events | Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours/Blockout Dates | Events/Entertainment Schedule

News and Views

Thar she blows

Christmas Day brought more to Disneyland than it would have preferred—an unusual storm lashed across Anaheim, dumping torrential rains and severe winds. While Disneyland avoided the 72 mile-per-hour winds that hit the Anaheim Hills, the strong 30mph gusts whipped through Disneyland and caused an eight-foot-tall, 120-foot-long construction fence around the Circlevision Theatre to topple over and cause minor injuries to three park guests around 4:00 p.m. According to the Orange County Register, the visitors were released from the University of California–Irvine Medical Center after being treated for minor cuts and scrapes.

The construction wall surrounding the former Circlevision Theater—scheduled to become the new Buzz Lightyear ride—earlier last week before it toppled over from a freak storm. Photo by David Michael.

Code Orange

advertisement

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced on Sunday, December 21, that it raised its terror alert to orange—its second-highest level—after intelligence reports indicated that terrorists might attempt to hijack a foreign airliner for an attack on domestic soil.

A safety-vested Disney security guard stands watch at Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix/file photo.

With Disneyland trailing only four other potential terrorism targets in California in a list released by the state attorney general's office earlier this year (Los Angeles International Airport, Oakland and Long Beach ports, and Golden Gate Bridge topping the list), Disneyland immediately kicked back into high-security mode.

If you plan to visit the resort during holiday season, expect heigtened car screenings at the hotels, more thorough bag checks at the park entrance, and an increased security presence in the parking structure.

Last chance to see…

This is the final week of the Disneyland Resort's holiday season, so this is your last chance to see and do all of the things that make the parks so magical this time of year.

• Cookie decorating on Main Street, U.S.A.
• Believe… In Holiday Magic fireworks – Disneyland's fireworks are amazing year-round, but the holiday version is especially magical, especially followed by…
• Snow on Main Street, U.S.A.
• “it's a small world” Holiday
• Christmas Fantasy Parade
• Santa!
• Haunted Mansion Holiday – Jack Skellington's vision of Christmas.
• Holiday Time at Disneyland tour.

Downtown Disney's juices flowing

Jamba Juice is the newest occupant at Downtown Disney to open its doors, just in time for thirsty Christmas shoppers. Photo by David Michael.

We reported in our September 15 Disneyland park update that Jamba Juice would take over the space vacated by Soliton. The popular juice spot finally opened its doors a week before Christmas, and now provides boosts of fruity energy for Downtown Disney visitors.

Scheduled to open in March 2004, Tortilla Jo's is a casual family dining restaurant that will serve Mexican food. Photo by David Michael.

Meanwhile, construction continues in Downtown Disney for Tortilla Jo's at the former site of Y Arriba Y Arriba. When complete, Tortilla Jo's will feature a main dining room, and dining area and patio on the second floor, as well as an over-the-counter taqueria stand.

Cost-cutting at DCA entrance

This section as orginally published is below, but it was completely incorrect. This gate at the entrance to DCA has always been closed with plants in front of it; it is there for future expansion if necessary.

The plants were recently changed which made it catch the eye. We apologize for the error and thank the several people who brought this to our attention.

In what could be perceived as a double-benefit at Disney's California Adventure park, one of its entrance gates now appears to be permanently shuttered. As shown in this photo, park officials have closed the entrance gate closest to Downtown Disney.

Planters have replaced turnstiles at one of the gates at DCA. Photo by David Michael.

By removing two sets of—or four individual—turnstiles, the park saves money on staffing them. And by creating a larger crowd waiting to enter DCA through fewer turnstiles, park officials may be hoping for an appearance that more patrons are entering the second park than was perceived in the past.

75 Years with Mickey Mouse auction

75 Mickey sculptures will be auctioned on January 31 2004. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Would you like to buy one of the 75 Mickey Mouse “big figs” created for Mickey's 75th birthday party? How about one of the original works of art created at Disneyland during the celebration? If so, bring lots of Disney Dollars: the Disneyland Resort is hosting the Celebrating 75 Years of Fun with Mickey Mouse Auction on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel.

Original artwork by Dave Avanzino goes on the auction block in January. Photo courtesy of Dave Avanzino.

Three different packages are available for prospective bidders, ranging from a basic $25 entrance ticket to a $349 experience that includes a hotel stay, cocktail reception and an artist meet-and-greet.

Who ruined the ball?

When Disneyland announced the Sleeping Beauty Royal ball, prospective attendees were put off by the sticker price: $285 per person for a night of dinner and dancing at the Disneyland Hotel. In the weeks after registration began, event organizers added a few extra elements to the package, including a screening of Sleeping Beauty at the Downtown Disney AMC theater and reserved seating at the new Snow White production in the Fantasyland Theater.

It seems that these added elements were not enough to convince couples to shell out nearly $600 for the Valentine's Day ball. Disney suspended registration for the event, and last week announced a complete makeover of the itineary. Instead of a semi-formal evening ball, the event—strangely still billed as a “ball”—now takes place during the morning and afternoon of Saturday, February 14, 2004.

A “themed lunch with enchanting entertainment” replaces the sit-down dinner. Attendees will still receive tickets to a showing of the Sleeping Beauty at the AMC 12 Theater and reserved seating for a performance of Disney's Snow White – An Enchanting Musical. In addition, however, they have now added a “Princess Academy Class,” and a Princess storytelling session, As always, there will be a lovely commemorative gift—but any mention of event merchandise has been removed from the Disney Web site.

Although Disney has dropped the price of the event to $89 per adult, what remains is a ball without a ball, and a merchandise event without merchandise. From the daytime itinerary, the heavy emphasis on Princesses and the $49 child's ticket, it looks like Disney has transformed this Valentine's Day event into a Princess tea party for little girls.

Tower of Terror gets more sprucing

A cherry picker hoists a worker up to the top of a palm tree in the construction area for the Tower of Terror, the new attraction scheduled to open at Disney's California Adventure park in Spring 2004. Photo by David Michael.

The Tower of Terror attraction, under construction and scheduled to open in Spring 2004 at DCA, is starting to see many finer touches to its exterior. Earlier last week, landscapers were working on the fronds on the large palm trees, while the entrance area was also getting some attention.

A worker takes some measurements in what may eventually turn out to be a water fountain near the entranceway to the newest attraction to open in Disney's California Adventure park, the Tower of Terror. Photo by David Michael.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

Main Street provides a plain view of Space Mountain and its ongoing white paint job. Photo by David Michael.

• Mark Twain Riverboat closed through January 10, 2004
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely
• Space Mountain closed through 2005
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed indefinitely

Construction continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which closed on September 5 after a fatal accident. Photo by David Michael.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely
• Francis' Lady Bug Boogie closed through December 23

Future Attraction Closures

• Haunted Mansion closed January 5 - 16
• "it's a small world" closed January 12 - 25
• Indiana Jones Adventure closed January 20 to April 2, 2004
• Pinocchio's Daring Journey January 26 - February 19

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

January

• Disneyland Resort float in 2004 Tournament of Roses Parade, January 1
• 75 Years with Mickey auction, January 31
• Cast Member Create-A-Pin Contest pin release, date not announced. (Moved from November)

February

• Sleeping Beauty's Royal Ball, details available at the Disney Gallery Web site (link). February 14.
• Snow White - An Enchanting Musical premieres February 22.

April

• Tower of Terror event, details to be announced at a later date. April 22 & 23

May

• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Opening at DCA. May 4
• A Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics – “A Disney Blast to the Past” Registration now open to all. May 14 to 16.

Current Discounts & Promotions

New AAA tickets

AAA has announced new ticket plans for the Disneyland Resort:

• 2-day adult Flex Passport $98 ($78 for children)
• 5-day adult Flex Passport $129 ($99 for children)

The new prices became effective on December 24, and in51ace free parking.

Live an Artful Life with an OC Arts Card

The Disneyland Resort partnering with Arts Orange County sponsor the OC Arts Card, which provides cardholders with benefits such as savings on tickets, classes, merchandise and memberships at more than 40 nonprofit arts venues in the local Orange County community.

Annual passholders can purchase the 2004 card for $37.50, 25 percent off the regular price. In addition, the first 500 passholders to purchase a card receive a second card for free.

For more information or to order a card, visit the OCArts card Web site (link) or call (888) 556-5160. To receive the annual passholder discount, use offer code C04DIAP. The first card is mailed immediately; those who are among the first 500 will have the second card mailed at a later time.

Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute

“Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute” entitles active California firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel, with proper organization and photo ID, to one free three-day park hopper ticket. They can also make a one-time purchase of up to five three-day park hopper companion tickets for $39 each. Discounted hotel rates are also available at the three Disneyland Resort hotels.

The promotion is valid through March 31, except for blackout dates of December 20 to January 3, and February 14 to 16. For more details, visit Disneyland's Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute Web page (link) or call (714) 520-5069.

Have a Coke and a pass

Specially marked 12-packs and two-liter bottles of Coca-Cola in Southern California are currently offering a $20-off coupon towards the purchase of a new Deluxe or Premium Disneyland Resort Annual Pass. The coupon is valid through January 31, 2004.

A Nightmare deal at Costco

In September, 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 four pre–issued Fastpass tickets for the Haunted Mansion, and a voucher for one free cloisonné 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 is nothing to mail in, and no four-to-six-week wait for the passes and pin to arrive.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Annual passholders can also book a room at the Paradise Pier hotel for $59. This offer is valid only on Sunday nights, through March 2004.

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 the package price includes 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.

City Pass now available with AAA packages

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

A Southern California City Pass booklet includes admission to five separate entertainment options:

• 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 from the Disneyland Web site (link). 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