Disneyland Park Update

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News and Views

Projections for the 50th

In our February 2 Disneyland Park Update (link), we reported that Disney was working with Austrian special-effects firm Pani to decorate Sleeping Beauty Castle for the park's 50th Anniversary celebration coming up next year. A reader has submitted three photos taken at Disneyland during tests of this lighting system.

In this test shot, Sleeping Beauty castle is “painted” gold, with a burgundy ribbon. MousePlanet file photo.

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Another reader sent a brief description of a proposal making the rounds in Disneyland's corporate Team Disney Anaheim building of using a seven-minute “film loop” instead of projected still images.

The loop would begin by “painting” Sleeping Beauty Castle with an overlay of the original Herb Ryman concept art. Next, time-lapse photos from the Disney Archives would show the castle “under construction.” As the entire castle goes black, an animated Tinker Bell appears, flying around the castle. The various parts of the castle would then magically light up and change into their “modern” daytime look as she touched her wand on them.

The “ribbon” treatment, as seen from the side of the castle. MousePlanet file photo.

We are not sure if the Castle images here are being used instead of the film loop, or in addition to it. Our sources tell us that this is all a work in progress, and that other possibilities are being tossed about.

This patriotic motif may be used during or after the fireworks show. MousePlanet file photo.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad inspection

Six months after an accident that killed one and injured 10, Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is ready for inspection from the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). If DOSH recertifies the attraction after its March 8 and 9 inspections, the ride can open in time for the busy spring season.

The accident, which happened when a wheel fell from the train and which was blamed on a number of things—including poor training and lack of management oversight—has kept the popular attraction closed since September 5 of last year.

Since that time, Disney has been refurbishing the ride, as well as working on the state's requirements, which includes retraining of mechanics and managers, stopping of the ride when unusual noises are detected, and signing off on work completion forms only by the mechanics who actually did the work.

Disneyland neighborhood blight revealed

When Walt Disney complained about seedy tourist traps sprouting up around Disneyland, he probably meant tacky souvenir shops. A slightly different kind of seediness came to light recently, however, when a police sting operation netted a prostitution ring operating out of an Econo Lodge across the street from Disneyland. Police were tipped off to the brothel by three women, who came forward after being held against their will because they were fed up with being threatened by the head of the ring. The women were illegal immigrants from Mexico, lured to the U.S. with promises of housecleaning jobs, then coerced into the trade by the ringleader, who threatened to tell the women's families of what they were doing.

Maria de la Luz Menjivar has been charged with running “a house of ill fame,” a felony charge of pandering and a misdemeanor charge of running a prostitution ring, and may be prosecuted by the federal government for smuggling. The women who were held against their will and who came forward, are being treated as victims, and are expected to get visas so they may apply for legal residency. According to police, Menjivar was also running another brothel out of the Anaheim Maingate Inn a year ago. More information is available at the L.A. Times (link, subscription).

Johnny Depp's win yet another boost for Pirates

The popularity of Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean attraction has just grown some more legs after Johnny Depp received the Best Actor award at the Screen Actors' Guild ceremony Sunday night for his performance as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. The announcement came as a surprise, as Depp was not considered a leading contender. Other nominees for that category included Sean Penn for Mystic River, and Bill Murray for Lost in Translation. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, which enjoyed its world premiere in Disneyland (see our coverage of the premiere here, as well as our review of the movie here), was one of the most popular films of 2003, and is likely adding a big revival boost to the original attraction at Disneyland.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Indiana Jones Adventure closed through April 2.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely.
• Space Mountain closed through 2005.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed through March 9.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Grizzly River Run closed through February 26.
• Orange Stinger closed through March 12.
• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely (rumored to reopen May 4).

Future Attraction Closures

• Dumbo closed March 8 to April 1
• Peter Pan's Flight closed April 19 to May 22.
• Enchanted Tiki Room closes in September for a two-month rehab.

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

Ongoing

• Frights, Camera, Action exhibit about the Haunted Mansion attraction and movie at the Disney Gallery, extended through April 18.

February

• Snow White – An Enchanting Musical “Reserved” Annual Passholder showtimes February 23 to 27 & 29 at 6:00 p.m.

April

• Tower of Terror event, details available at the Disney Gallery Web site (link). 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” May 14 to 16.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Disney's Passport Plus Package for 2004 includes:

• Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket
• $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card
• Preferred Seating at select shows in Disney's California Adventure Park
• California Diamond Fun Book (one per package)
• Free parking at Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

Prices are as follows:

• 5-day: $129 (children: $99)
• 6-day: $159 (children: $129)
• 7-day: $184 (children: $149)

An additional handling fee of $10 will be charged per mailing address.

New 2004 SoCal Salute announced; two parks, two days at one-day price

The Disneyland Resort is offering a new version of the Southern Californian resident salute through Friday, April 30, 2004. Residents may spend a day at Disneyland and a day at Disney's California Adventure for the price of a one-day ticket.

Eligible residents can purchase up to five “2fer” tickets per day with proof of Southern California residency (zip codes 90000 through 93599, or Northern Baja California residents within zip codes 21000 through 22999; valid ID required). “2fer” tickets are priced at the regular one-day ticket prices for the Disneyland Resort theme parks—$47 for ages 10 and up, $37 for ages 3 through 9—and are available at Resort ticket booths as well as at the Disneyland Web site (link).

The first day of use must occur on the date of purchase; the second day of use must occur within 30 days of purchase or before April 30, 2004, whichever occurs first.

New AAA tickets

AAA announced new ticket plans for the Disneyland Resort:

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

The new prices took effect December 24, 2003, and all tickets include free parking.

Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute

“Disney's 2003 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, 2004, except for blackout dates of February 14 to 16, 2004. For more details, visit Disneyland's Disney's 2003 Wildfire Heroes Salute Web page (link) or call (714) 520-5069.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

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

Annual Passholders can also book rooms at the Paradise Pier hotel for $79 a night, Sunday through Thursday.

Weekend rates and discounts for the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Grand Californian are higher. Make reservations at 714-956-MICKEY, and ask for rate plan APN. Note: these offers run concurrently. If your trip includes a Sunday night stay, be sure to ask for the lower rate for that night.

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 available with AAA packages

You can 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 children 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.

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