The 2nd annual Disneyland Half Marathon is next Monday, September 3, 2007. (Labor Day) Although the big event is on Monday, the Health and Fitness Expo starts on Saturday, with a Family Fun Run 5K and Kids Races on Sunday morning.
The race is scheduled to start at 6am, and roads closures around the resort will begin at 5:00 am. Disney is strongly encouraging runners who are staying at select Good Neighbor Hotels to use the complementary event shuttles to reach the race check in area. Runners who will be driving to the race will park in the Mickey and Friends parking structure, and Disney asks that you allow plenty of time to get there.
The race will impact traffic on interstate 5 through the Anaheim area. The Katella exit from the northbound I-5, the Disney Way exit from the southbound I-5 and both Harbor Blvd. exits from the I-5 will be closed between 6 and 8am on September 3 due to the race. The course winds from the Disneyland Resort to the Honda Center, then to Anaheim Stadium and back, so expect road closures on sections of major roads including Ball Road, Harbor Blvd and Katella Ave. You can view the race course at the Disneyland Half Marathon Web site. (Link) (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)
If you want to come cheer on the runners, Disney recommends four viewing areas. All of these viewing areas are accessible by foot only, so you will need to walk either from the Mickey and Friends parking structure (or from your hotel if staying nearby).
Guests staying at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and the Paradise Pier
Hotel will also have the opportunity to watch as the runners pass their hotels.
Disney is not allowing spectators to view the race course from inside either
Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure. 200 "Spectator VIP Packages"
are available at $99 per person, and include reserved parking at the Disneyland
Hotel, continental breakfast, reserved restrooms, reserved seating at the
finish line and a one-day, one-park admission ticket. (Link)
Disneyland will open at 10am and Disney's California Adventure will open at 11am on Monday due to the race.
The Disneyland Resort will offer a new Halloween-theme tour this year. Disney's Happiest Haunts Tour is described as "a unique nighttime tour hosted by a mysterious guide," and promises "tall tales and legends" about the Disneyland Resort. The tour includes rides on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Haunted Mansion Holiday, and participants will receive a keepsake of their experience. This new tour sounds eerily similar to the Myths, Mysteries and Legends tour that was offered in 2004, a tour that was not well reviewed by a group of MousePlanet readers who booked one of the first outings. (You can read reviews of the 2004 tour at this link) Tour guides assure us that the script has been completely reworked for the 2007 version.
The two-hour tour is $59 per person (all ages), and will be offered Monday through Thursday at 6:00 and 6:20 pm from September 25th - October 30. Tickets can be booked 30 days in advance by calling (714) 781-4400. According to the Disneyland Web site, valid admission to Disney's California Adventure is required, but there is no mention of Disneyland admission. Participants under 40" tall will not be able to ride the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
MousePlanet reader "FunMom" posted to our MousePad discussion boards to share the news that prices for the character meals at Disneyland will go up effective September 12th. The prices below do not include tax or gratuity (an automatic 15-18% charged added to your bill.) At locations that also offer a menu in addition to the buffet, children 2 and under eat free from the buffet when accompanied by an adult who purchases the buffet.
If you have already purchased vouchers for the character meals through your
travel agent, don't worry - Disney will continue to honor them, and will not
require you to pay the difference in price. Disneyland annual passholders
still receive a 10 or 15% discount on character meals.
Get your MousePlanet gear!The MousePlanet.com store is now open for business (link)! You can get shirts, mugs, hats and even a Teddy Bear! Check it out and show your MousePlanet pride! |
...Indiana Jones Adventure will be closed three days this week August 28 - 30 for refurbishment. This is a recent addition to the refurbishment schedule, and we don't know what has prompted the brief closure.
...Robert Olszewski will be at Disneyland on Saturday, September 22, 2007 from 9am - Noon for the release of the final pieces in his Disneyland® Main Street, U.S.A. Collection. Available for purchase will be the Carnation Plaza Gardens piece, the Adventureland/Frontierland Gateway, the Front Turnstiles and Side Gates accessory pack and the Newsstand / Stroller Rental / Will Call / Souvenir Stands accessory pack. Purchases made on the 22nd will include the first day of release plaque, while supplies last. Photos of the new releases are available on the Disney Gallery Web site. (Link) A display platform for the completed Disneyland® Main Street, U.S.A. Collection, as well as accessory tree packs, are available directly through the Olszewski Studios Web site. (Link)
...After talks between Disney and developer SunCal failed last week, the Anaheim City Council finally voted to put a Disney-backed zoning referendum before the city's residents. On June 3 2008, Anaheim voters will get to decide whether or not to overturn a zoning change made by the City Council to allow a residential development to be built within the Anaheim Resort area. Disney wants the land in question to be reserved for tourism uses, the land owner and developer want to build a 1500-unit condominium development which will include 225 low-cost housing units.
...Editor's note: next week's Disneyland Park Update will be published on Tuesday, September 4th due to the Labor Day holiday.
While the nearby River Belle Terrace restaurant is closed for renovation,
overflow crowds wait to dine at the French Market. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
If you know of any events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, let us know.
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!
This first section is a list of discounts on ticket only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts.
This information is pulled from many sources but much thanks must go to MouseSavers.com for providing the bulk of the information. If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line (link).
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One Day, One Park Regularly $63/$53 One Day Park Hopper |
Southern California 1–Day Park Hopper – Disney is not currently offering a discounted Southern California 1-Day Park Hopper at the Web site. Southern California AAA offices and Vons Supermarkets may be selling these tickets, but call ahead to confirm. Proof of residency will be required when redeeming them at Disneyland (Vons will happily sell you the ticket voucher regardless of where you are from but you still need to be an appropriate resident to use it. If you do see these available anywhere, e-mail us to let us know. |
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Two Day Park Hopper $132/$112 effective January 3, 2008 |
AOCVCB 2-Day Bonus Ticket ($119/$100) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $3 (adult) and $2 (child) and shipping on all orders is at least $10 (link). So if you are ordering more than 10 days in advance and your discount would be less than $10, you'll still come out ahead by ordering at the Disneyland Web site. | |
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Three Day Park Hopper $189/$159 effective January 3, 2008 |
Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($159/$129) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway grocery stores (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. "Bonus Tickets" include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (an $11/day value) Advance Purchase 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($169/$139) Effective January 3, 2008 2008 "2 Days Free" offer – Buy a 3-day Parkhopper ticket and receive a 5-day Parkhopper Bonus ticket which includes one Early Entry admission. The Spring promotion is available starting January 7, and tickets must be purchased in advance - this offer is not valid at the Disneyland Resort ticket booth. The ticket must be used for the first time on or before April 24 and expires 13 days after first use or on May 7, 2008, whichever occurs first. Southern California CityPass ($235/$189) – This pass includes a 3-Day Disneyland Resort park ticket (including one early-entry day). It also includes one day admissions to SeaWorld San Diego, Universal Studios Hollywood, and either the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park. The CityPass expires 14 days after first use at any location. Purchase CityPass through the Disneyland Web site (link) or onsite at the ticket booths of Disneyland Resort or the other theme parks included in the pass. You can also purchase directly from the CityPass Web site (link) though this has a minimum $7.50 shipping charge (no shipping charge from the Disney Web site if purchased more than 10 days in advance). You can also purchase the Southern California City Pass online from Costco at a cost of $209.99/$169.99 (adults/child), 5% surcharge if not a Costco member and shipping fees apply. Booklets may be available for sale in some stores but varies widely. If you want to buy in person it would be best to call ahead and confirm availability. If you do buy at a Costco, you will initially purchase a large plastic container which you must trade for ticket books prior to leaving Costco! AOCVCB 3-Day Bonus Ticket ($155/$126) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $4 (adult) and $3 (child) and shipping on all orders is at least $10. So if you are ordering more than 10 days in advance and your discount would be less than $10, you'll still come out ahead by ordering at the Disneyland Web site. Tickets include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). |
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Four Day Park Hopper $214/$184 effective January 3, 2008 |
Advance Purchase 4–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($179/$149) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway grocery stores (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. "Bonus Tickets" include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (an $11/day value). Advance Purchase 4-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($184/$154) Effective January 3, 2008 2008 "2 Days Free" offer – Buy a 4-day Parkhopper ticket and receive a 6-day Parkhopper Bonus ticket which includes one Early Entry admission. The Spring promotion is available starting January 7, and tickets must be purchased in advance - this offer is not valid at the Disneyland Resort ticket booth. The ticket must be used for the first time on or before April 24 and expires 13 days after first use or on May 7, 2008, whichever occurs first. AOCVCB 4-Day Bonus Ticket ($174/$145) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $5 (adult) and $4 (child) and shipping on all orders is at least $10 Tickets include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday) (link). |
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Five Day Park Hopper $234/$204 effective January 3, 2008 |
Advance Purchase 5–Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets ($189/$159) – A discounted price for advance purchase through the Internet or select dealers. Available at the Disneyland Web site (link) where shipping is included if you order more than 10 days prior to your travel date. Also available from AAA offices in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (not currently listed at the AAA Web site, you may need to call your local office). Disney Stores (California), Safeway grocery stores (California and Arizona), and certain travel agents may also sell these tickets. It is best to call and confirm before visiting a location, however. "Bonus Tickets" include one early admission day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). If purchased from AAA, the tickets come with free parking at the Mickey & Friends parking garage (an $11/day value). Advance Purchase 5-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket ($194/$164) Effective January 3, 2008 2008 "2 Days Free" offer – Buy a 5-day Parkhopper ticket and receive a 7-day Parkhopper Bonus ticket which includes one Early Entry admission. The Spring promotion is available starting January 7, and tickets must be purchased in advance - this offer is not valid at the Disneyland Resort ticket booth. The ticket must be used for the first time on or before April 24 and expires 13 days after first use or on May 7, 2008, whichever occurs first. AOCVCB 5-Day Bonus Ticket ($183/$154) – The discount (from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau) is $6 (adult) and $5 (child) and shipping on all orders is $10. |
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Costco Travel Packages – Many different travel packages including visits to Disneyland and Disneyland hotels are available through Costco.com. When purchasing a Costco Disneyland travel package, extras that will be included are: Mickey's Toontown Madness admission (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), a character breakfast per person, a $20 Disneyland Resort gift card, a collectible pin and lanyard, and a Costco luggage tag.
Disney's Good Neighbor Dream Vacation Packages – This package is valid for arrivals June 29 - August 30, 2007, and starts at $214 per person. Package includes two nights at a Good Neighbor hotel; Park Hopper ticket (with admission to one Early Entry and/or one Toontown Morning Madness depending on ticket purchased and days visited); preferred seating at a DCA show; souvenir coin, luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card; and a "Character Call" from Mickey, Minnie or Goofy. (Sample pricing is for two adults and two children under 9 years-old sharing one room at the Jolly Roger Hotel, and includes a 3-day park hopper ticket per person. Other hotels and ticket combinations are available at a higher price) Reservations must be made by August 27, 2007. Call (866) 279-7165 for more information.
4th Night Free at Good Neighbor Hotels – This package is valid for arrivals September 2 to December 16, 2007, and starts at $257 per person. Package includes hotel accomodations; Park Hopper ticket; admission to one Early Entry and one Toontown Morning Madness; preferred seating at a DCA show; souvenir coin, luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card; and a "Character Call" from Mickey, Minnie or Goofy. (Sample pricing is for two adults and two children under 9 years-old sharing one room at the Best Western Pavilions, and includes a 3-day park hopper ticket per person. Other hotels and ticket combinations are available at a higher price) Reservations must be made by December 13, 2007. Call (866) 279-7165 for more information.
4th Night Free at Disneyland Resort Hotels – This package is valid for arrivals August 19 to December 12, 2007, and starts at $345 per person. Package includes hotel accomodations; Park Hopper ticket; admission to one Early Entry and one Toontown Morning Madness; preferred seating at a DCA show; souvenir coin, luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card; and a "Character Call" from Mickey, Minnie or Goofy. (Sample pricing is for two adults and two children under 9 years-old sharing one room at the Disneyland Hotel, and includes a 3-day park hopper ticket per person. Other hotels and ticket combinations are available.) Reservations must be made by November 12, 2007. Call (866) 279-7165 for more information.
2008 "2 Days Free" offer – When you buy a 3-, 4- or 5-day Parkhopper ticket, Disney will add two free days. In other words, you'll pay the 3-day rate ($189) and receive a Parkhopper Bonus ticket good for five days. You can maximize your savings by taking advantage of the advance purchase discount, and pay just $169. The Parkhopper Bonus ticket includes one Early Entry admission. The Spring promotion is available starting January 7. The ticket must be used for the first time on or before April 24 and expires 13 days after first use or on May 7, 2008, whichever occurs first.
Disney Vacation Club members have a new discount at the Disneyland Resort. DVC members can now purchase discounted tickets to Mickey's Halloween Treat at Disney's California Adventure. Tickets are $27 if purchased anytime between August 1 and the day before the event. Members cannot buy these tickets online, and must show their DVC membership card at any Disneyland Resort ticket booth to receive the discounted rate.
50% off Disneyland souvenir books. Disneyland is offering a 50% discount on two souvenir books, "Remember the Moments" and "Disneyland Then, Now & Forever." The discount is valid while supplies last, or through September 4th, 2007. The books are available at most large shops at the Disneyland Resort, including the World of Disney and Emporium.
Disney Visa Free-Stroller Rental – If you have a Disney Visa card you can rent up to two strollers for free at either Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure.
2 for 1 Festival of Arts tickets for Disneyland Resort annual passholders. July 1 ? August 31. Disneyland Resort annual passholders can purchase 2 for 1 tickets to the Festival of Arts by presenting their current passport at the box office. This offer does not include tickets to the Pagent of the Masters. Tickets are regularly $7 for adults, $4 for students and seniors.
Rainforest Cafe Safari Club – Membership in the Rainforest Cafe gets you a 10% discount on entrees for up to four people. It also gets you priority seating if available, which can make a huge difference on busy days. Additionally, after signing up, your membership card will be mailed to you and be accompanied by a $10 award good for your next visit to a Rainforest Cafe. So if you know you will be eating there while at Disneyland and have a Rainforest Cafe local to you, it may make sense to prejoin the Safari Club so that you can use the award during your trip. See the Rainforest Cafe Web site for details (link).
ESPNZone MVP Club – Membership in the MVP Club does not offer any discounts on food. However, once a member you can make an online reservation for your party up to three days in advance and will get a 25% increase in points purchased when playing games in the Sports Arena (and 40 bonus points at activation). You must register online and your membership card will then be mailed to you within 2-weeks. The card must then be activated at any ESPNZone by the person who signed up for the card and ID will be required (link)
AAA Restaurant Discounts – AAA (American Automobile Association) members can receive a 10% discount (excluding alcohol) at Plaza Inn, Wine Country Trattoria Ariel's Grotto, PCH Grill, and Goofy's Kitchen.
Free Metrolink and ART weekends – Disneyland Resort annual passholders can participate in a joint promotion with Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN) and Metrolink. As part of Metrolink Weekends, Passholders can use Metrolink to travel for free to the Anaheim Metrolink station, then use a free ART pass to get to the Disneyland Resort. The offer is great for those who live in the Inland Empire or southern Orange County, but those who live north of Disneyland will have to get there the old fashioned way. The list of eligible origin stations is limited, and none of the southbound trains coming from LA are included in the promotion.
To take advantage of this promotion, you’ll first need to visit the promotional Web site at this link. (link) Use the username "train" and password "ap" to login. Once you register, you will receive by mail:
DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney's California Adventure
Annual Pass blockout dates:
| 8/27 | 8/28 | 8/29 | 8/30 | 8/31 | 9/1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DL: 9a–10p |
DL: 9a–10p |
DL: 9a–10p |
DL: 9a–10p |
DL: 8a–11p |
DL: 8a–11p |
|
| 9/2 | 9/3 | 9/4 | 9/5 | 9/6 | 9/7 | 9/8 |
| DL: 9a–12p DCA: 10a–9p SL/SC/DX |
DL: 10a–11p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 9a–10p |
DL: 8a–11p |
| 9/9 | 9/10 | 9/11 | 9/12 | 9/13 | 9/14 | 9/15 |
| DL: 9a–10p DCA: 10a–9p SL |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 9a–10p |
DL: 8a–11p |
| 9/16 | 9/17 | 9/18 | 9/19 | 9/20 | 9/21 | 9/22 |
| DL: 9a–10p DCA: 10a–9p SL |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 10a–8p |
DL: 9a–10p |
DL: 8a–11p |
Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland. As always, specifics are subject to change without notice (or occasionally, without us noticing) so when information conflicts between what is presented here and that presented by Disney, it is best to assume Disney's information is correct.
Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.
(Send an email to MousePlanet Staff)
