The 12:30 p.m. performance of Aladdin – A Musical Spectular was stopped midshow yesterday, and both the audience and cast evacuated from the building. No details on what exactly happened are yet available. Presumably it was just a small fire or false alarm, since news of nothing larger has come out and the next show went on as scheduled. If anybody has additional details, we'd love to here them (link).
Kami McGriffin of Riverside, California, was the first winner of Honda's Coolest Ride in the Galaxy daily car giveaway. Four winning tickets were turned in, out of up to seven. There is no way to know whether all seven were distributed and only four claimed or qualified to play, or if some were never given out. On day two of the competition, only two of the seven winning tickets were turned in. With those results, it would appear that the winning tickets have been pre-mixed in an alotment of tickets for each day with no guarantee that each will be distributed.
The first four finalists of the daily car giveaway. There can be up to seven finalists with a chance to win the car each day. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Early reports are that gate cast members are doing a fair job of making sure they only give out a game piece on a person's first entry for the day, but several people have reported that they did get another card on a subsequent entry. People are also getting game cards by going to Guest Services and getting a “No Purchase Necessary” game piece. They will take your ID and fill out a form, but there does not appear to be any way for them to prevent someone from getting a card there as well as at the gate.
Saturday's winner, Kami McGiffin checks to see if her key wins. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
When the winning key is inserted, that day's new Civic rolls out from under the model Space Mountain. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
McGiffin poses with an old-fashioned Tomorrowland astronaut after winning her new car. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Two new small show elements have been added to Disneyland as of last week. Apparently they are both responses to Disneyland President Matt Ouimet's call for ideas on how to “make every day feel like a celebratoin.”
The first item is the addition of honorary marshalls to Parade of Dreams. This operates similar to what is done at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (unsurprising since the idea came from Disneyland's new Entertainment VP, Matt Conover, who came over from Walt Disney World).
Mickey and friends rededicate Disneyland every morning. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The way it works, a family visiting Disneyland is selected at some point during the day. About 5 minutes before the first performance of Parade of Dreams (3:10 p.m. when two parades on a given day or 6:55 p.m. when just one) the family will be the stars of a mini-parade. Aboard the Main Street Fire Engine, they'll follow the parade route waving to the crowd. In their company will be two banner carriers out front, six dancers, several costumed characters, and two rope carriers in the back. The music playing during this will be “At the Happiest Place on Earth,” a song first heard earlier this year as part of the “Mickey's Magic Kingdom Celebration.”
On most days it will be a random family selected for the Honorary Grand Marshall title, but on days when there is a Disney VIP or other special attendee in the park they may be selected. For example, a group of Make-a-Wish kids will get to be Grand Marshalls on Thursday.
The other little show added is a daily dedication reenactment. Held on the steps of the Main Street station of the Disneyland Railroad, the ceremony is hosted by the Mayor of Main Street. Also in attendance are Mickey Mouse and other characters as well as the Disneyland Band to provide music. The ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 11:00 a.m. depending on whether the park opens at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., or 10:00 a.m.
For the best view, either grab a seat on the curb directly across from the Main Street Train Station 15 minutes before the show (just before the general announcement draws crowds to the area), or follow the Disneyland Band as they march in and line up along the East side of the viewing area. The West side of the viewing area faces into the sun and isn't as good. Cast members may offer you the opportunity to "participate" in the rededication by sitting on the benches on the train station, but this area actually provides a poor view of the show.
The Goodale Family serve as Honorary Grand Marshalls for Sunday's Parade of Dreams. Not just any park guests, the Goodale's were visiting as part of tehir involvement in ABC's show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Neither of these things is a huge deal, and both will go unnoticed by most park guests, but it is great to see the park putting some emphasis on the little things that make for a great day at the park.
People have been excited for the last week or so to report that California Screamin' has been running trains at Disney's California Adventure since the ride was suspended after a non-fatal accident earlier this year. Does this mean the ride is about to reopen? Not necessarily. There still doesn't seem to be any general consensus on when it might reopen. The California Department of Ocuppational Safety and Health has completed its initial inspections and reviews and has turned the ride back over to Disney.
A cast member was seen riding California Screamin' with what appears to be a speed gun. Photo by David Michael
Disney now needs to make whatever corrections have been required by Cal-DOSH as well as anything else it feels needs to be done. What people have been seeing seem to be preliminary tests (the trains have run both empty and with water-filled dummies to simulate weight; some trips have even been made with Imagineers on board).
Not knowing what Cal-DOSH has required, it is difficult to guess how long the wait may be. Once Disney feels they are fully in compliance, Cal-DOSH will return, do final inspections, complete a report, and give Disney permission to reopen the ride.
If changes are purely procedural (which doesn't seem likely), then it could be a relatively quick turnaround of just a couple weeks. If re-engineering or construction is needed, it will take quite a bit longer.
Haunted Mansion is open again with the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. There is little to report on this since it is pretty much the same as in recent years with any differences being minor or cosmetic. For a discussion of what is and what might be different visit the discussion on MousePad, our message board (link).
While the overlay is in place, Fastpass will be available for the attraction.
Jack Skellington is back in residence at Haunted Mansion. Photo by David Michael
With the amount of internal changes that have come and gone in planning this year's Candlight Processoinal events at Disneyland, it is no wonder that nothing has yet been said officially. At various times management was looking at everything from a single-day to a multiple weekend event.
It seems confirmed now, though, that the Candlelight Processional will be held on Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4. The directors are meeting this weekend to set final details and pick the final choirs. Since there has been no official word on this, it goes without saying that no details on dinner packages or other details, such as the narrator, also aren't available. We haven't even heard rumors about who it might be.
Last week we were told that Animation Academy, the replacement for Drawn to Animation in the Disney Animation Building at DCA, would be opening this last weekend. Apparently that did not happen since on Saturday, they did only two shows in a soft opening. MousePlanet reader Khail was one of 19 people at one of Saturday's shows. Here is his runthrough:
To start you off, the entranceway isn't any different and you still wait for the doors to swing open and nearly miss you (no open sesame involved). So then you are greeted by one of the animators (not your host, he is "too busy" doing "work"). Guests are instructed to find one of the alloted seats that are adorned with a reasonably sized white drawing board, a piece of white paper, and a pencil with NO ERASER! After guests are all situated the host turns to them and does a little formal greeting explaing that guest are today going to be animators. "I can't draw" says a guest (I assume that will always be a response.) He explains anyone can draw if they just follow a few easy tricks (drawing around a circle and stuff). He then asks who you want to draw. Names fly about, I was able to dodge them all, but the one that stuck was (disappointingly) Minnie Mouse. He commented that all were good ideas and we set to drawing. The host teaches by going step by step, ear by ear.
The attmosphere is very light and free and there is alot of talking with the host and snappy responses back. All throughout, another animator walks around (if assistance is needed) giving compliments on drawings and saying how the host's job might be in jeopardy.
When it's all said and drawn, guests are asked to show their pictures to the host and he compliemnts them all, even me! Then he explains that it's very easy, it just takes practice. He then informs the guests that he has an important meeting with "the big cheese" and bids us all good-bye.
The side screen is not used and you see now Mushu. The middle screen shows what the host is drawing on his little desk.
After all is said and done you have your picture to keep and you have DRAWN the conclusion that you can do anything, it just takes practice.
A two-week pre-registration window has opened for the Disneyland Half-Marathon to be held on September 17, 2006. Participants in the Walt Disney World Marathon have received an email providing a link to use, until October 15, for registering. After that date, registration will be completely open at www.disneyhalfmarathon.com. There are not any limits on who can actually use the pre-registration page (link) nor how many people one person can register. There is no early discount offered on the $85 enrollment fee.
In a move sure to displease those who feel there are already too many Annual Passholders clogging up the parks a new campaign promoting annual passes has begun at the Disneyland ticket booths.
Mickey Mouse encourages guests to hang out more often and buy an annual pass. Photo by David Michael
The Main Street Photo Supply Co. store and New Century Jewelry have both reopened following their month-long refurbishments. For the most part things remain the same, though New Century Jewelry's counter has been moved, giving the store more space.
New Century Jewelry is now open and looking sharp. Photo by David Michael
The new pin trading store next to the Downtown Disney monorail station has opened. At some point in the next few weeks, the store will begin hosting daily pin trading "meet-and-greets" similar to those currently held outside Plaza Pavilion.
The new pin trading store is now open in Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
This group of park fans wish Michael Eisner a bon voyage on his last day as CEO of the Walt Disney Company.
Photo by David Michael
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. E–mail us here.
Dinosaur Jack's Sunglass Shack is open, though covered in scaffoolding. Photo by David Michael
Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For convenience sake, 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 which works best for you. And keep those tips coming – let us know if you find a better / different offer, so we can share it with other readers!
| One Day |
Southern California 1–Day Park Hopper ($61/$71) – Residents of Southern California (zip codes 90000–93599) and and northern Baja California, Mexico (zip codes 21000–22999), can buy discounted one–day park hoppers. You can purchase up to eight tickets at a time, one order per day, and two orders in any seven–day period. Valid ID showing zip code will be required with ticket for admission. |
| Two Days |
AAA Flex Passport ($98/$78)– Some AAA offices offer a 2–day Flex Passport at $98 for ages 10 and up, or $78 for ages 3–9. This ticket does not require a hotel or package purchase—check with your local office to see if the ticket is available in your area. A reader let us know that AAA offices in Oregon and Idaho do not offer the 2–day version of this ticket, but instead offer a 3–day pass. Advance Purchase 2–Day Park Hopper ($105/$85)– Available for online purchase directly from Disney (link) or Northern California, Nevada, and Utah AAA offices (link). |
| Three Days |
AAA Flex Passport ($129/$99)– Some AAA offices offer a 3–day Flex Passport at $129 for ages 10 and up, or $99 for ages 3–9. This ticket does not require a hotel or package purchase – check with your local office to see if the ticket is available in your area. |
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City Pass($185/$127)– The cost of a CityPass increases to $185 for ages 10 and up, but decrease to $127 for ages 3–9. The pass includes a 3–Day Disneyland Resort park hopper bonus ticket (includes a $10 ESPN Zone game card and one early admission), one day admission to Knott's Berry Farm, Sea World San Diego, and either the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park. The CityPass still expires 14 days after first use. Purchase CityPass through the Disneyland Web site, at the Disneyland Resort, at the other theme parks included in the pass, or directly from the CityPass Web site (link). The Southern California City Pass can also be purchased online from Costco at a cost of $164.99/$112.99 (link). | |
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3–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($109/$109)($139/$109)– The park hopper bonus tickets currently include one early entry admission to Fantasyland, and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. You can take advantage of the Advance Purchased discount as detailed above. These tickets expire 13 days after first use or January 15, 2006, whichever comes first. The first visit must occur before January 2, 2006. Both offers are available at the Disneyland Web site (link) and from AAA. You must buy these tickets in advance; they are not available at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Several readers wrote to tell us that the Safeway stores in Central and Northern California, and Vons stores in Las Vegas, are also offering the 3–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets. Check with your local Safeway store for details, as the dates and benefits may differ. | |
| Four Days |
4–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets($159/$129) – The park hopper bonus tickets currently include one early entry admission to Fantasyland, and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. You can take advantage of the Advance Purchased discount as detailed above. These tickets expire 13 days after first use or January 15, 2006, whichever comes first. The first visit must occur before January 2, 2006. These tickets are available through the Disneyland Web site (link) and from AAA. You must buy these tickets in advance; they are not available at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. |
| Five Days |
Disney's AAA Passport Plus Package 2005($169/$139)– The 5–day Passport Plus park hopper ticket is $169 for ages 10 and up, and $139 for ages 3–9. This package includes:
An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address. These tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through participating AAA offices. Several readers report that their local AAA offices do not offer this ticket, or that the benefits differ. You may remember that this also happened with the 2004 version of this package. MousePlanet has contacted AAA offices around the country and encountered the same problem. If your local AAA office does not offer the ticket, check with another AAA office in your area. The decision to offer this ticket seems to depend on which regional AAA “club” you belong to, and in some cases rest with the office manager at each location. The Auto Club of Southern California (ACSC) is not participating in this offer, and AAA Oregon/Idaho offers the 5–day tickets. Some readers have also been told that the California Diamond Fun Book is no longer available. |
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5–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets($139/$139) ($169/$139) – The park hopper bonus tickets currently include one early entry admission to Fantasyland, and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. You can take advantage of the Advance Purchased discount as detailed above. These tickets expire 13 days after first use or January 15, 2006, whichever comes first. The first visit must occur before January 2, 2006. Both of these ticket offers are available through the Disneyland Web site (link), and from AAA. You must buy these tickets in advance; they are not available at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. | |
| Six or Seven Days |
Disney's AAA Passport Plus Package 2005– The Parkhopper Plus package may be available in 6– or 7– day increments at participating AAA offices. Check with your local AAA office for availability and pricing:
An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address. These tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through AAA offices. Several readers report that their local AAA offices do not offer this ticket, or that the benefits differ. You may remember that this also happened with the 2004 version of this package. MousePlanet has contacted AAA offices around the country, and encountered the same problem. If your local AAA office does not offer the ticket, check with another AAA office in your area. The decision to offer this ticket seems to depend on which regional AAA “club” you belong to, and in some cases rests with the office manager at each location. The Auto Club of Southern California (ACSC) is not participating in this offer, and AAA Oregon/Idaho offers the 5–day tickets. Some readers have also been told that the California Diamond Fun Book is no longer available. |
Special thanks to MousePlanet reader David Michael for some of this information. | |
Get a fourth night free if you stay at any of the three Disneyland Resort hotels for three or more consecutive nights. Visits must happen through December 18, 2005 (link).
This package (link) for couples includes two nights' lodging and a park hopper tickets. Travel must occur during “value seasons” from August 28–November 21, 2005, and November 27–December 23, 2005.
Two versions of the package are available. For $349 per person (double occupancy) you can stay at one of the on–property Disney hotels. For $229 per person (double occupancy) you can get the same package while staying at the Jolly Roger Hotel or Red Roof Inn Maingate.
The Happiest Homecomings on Earth package has been revised for the new year. The previous promotion was good only for three–night stays at the Disneyland Resort hotels; the new offer is valid on longer stays and includes Good Neighbor Hotels as well.
Instead of the 50th anniversary commemorative clock and Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, the new packages include all the following:
The “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” package is available for arrival dates through December 31, 2005. The package must be booked online through the Disneyland Web site (link) by December 28, 2005.
While supplies last if you make a $75 purchase at Downtown Disney's LEGO Imagination Center you will get one free child's Membership Pass to Legoland in San Diego, CA. The pass is good for children ages 3-12 and comes with unlimited park admission, special discounts, and a subscription to the Legoland Newsletter.
Holders of a Disney Visa card can get up to two free stroller rentals per day at the Disneyland Resort. This offer is valid through September 30, 2006 and you must present a valid Disney Visa card at time of rental.
If you sign up online for ESPN Zone's MVP Club (link), you can receive a 40–point game card (about $10 worth), and an ESPN Zone mini–cooler. ESPN Club in Orlando is excluded from this offer. You must pick up these items in person, although they do not have to be used as the same store from which you get them. There are some fairly strict requirements for registering and getting your rewards, so make sure you read the details carefully (link).
DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney's California Adventure
Annual Pass blockout dates:
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| 10/3 | 10/4 | 10/5 | 10/6 | 10/7 | 10/8 | |
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DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 9a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
| 10/9 | 10/10 | 10/11 | 10/12 | 10/13 | 10/14 | 10/15 |
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DL: 8a–Mid |
DL: 9a-10p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 9a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
| 10/16 | 10/17 | 10/18 | 10/19 | 10/20 | 10/21 | 10/22 |
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DL: 9a–10p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 10a-8p |
DL: 9a–Mid |
DL: 8a–Mid |
Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates 2005 page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland.
Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.
(Send an email to MousePlanet Staff)
