Disneyland Resort Update for September 2 – 7, 2003

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

News and Views

Lucky returns to DCA

Lucky the Dinosaur made its official debut at a press event at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County on Thursday, August 28. During the event, Disney officials announced that Lucky will be returning to Disney's California Adventure (DCA) park for three days this week, Tuesday through Thursday. While there are no announced show times and performances may be cancelled for a myriad of reasons, hopeful park-goers may still have a chance to see the creation before it returns “home.”

Dr. John Harris, Chief Curator of Paleontology for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, greets the crowd. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The big question right now is, where is home? According to Bruce Vaughn, Vice President of Research and Development for Walt Disney Imaginnering, Lucky's home is currently still in Glendale. He said that Lucky may work well in a number of locations, but that there are no plans to send the dinosaur anywhere quite yet. When asked, “So he isn't heading to Animal Kingdom?” Vaughn replied, “No.”

Bruce Vaughn, Vice President of Research and Development for Walt Disney Imagineering, talks about Lucky's development. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Although members of the media attended Lucky's debut, Imagineers refused to share even the most basic details about its mechanical and electronic operation, relying instead on the canned phrase, “It's Disney Magic!” to answer reporters' many questions. Even at DCA, the cast member question-and-answer sheet—which provides the official responses that cast members should give to likely questions from park visitors—was revised:

Question: Is there someone inside Lucky?

Old official answer: Lucky has a driver.

New official answer: No, Lucky walks on his own!

Lucky and his bronze ancestors share a laugh. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Chandler shows Lucky the plush dinosaur given to him by the Natural History Museum. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Imagineers also distributed a Lucky Fact Sheet:

ABC Prime Time Weekend

It's that time of the year, when Disney and ABC pull out all of the “synergy” marketing skills and present ABC Prime Time Weekend at Disney's California Adventure.

Although a final schedule has yet to be posted for this two-day promotion, Disney has posted a rundown of the stars and events on the Disneyland.com Web site.

Primetime Preview Weekend events will take place all around DCA. Disney publicity photo.

Scheduled to appear:

8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter – John Ritter, Katey Sagal, Kaley Cuoco, Amy Davidson, Martin Spanjers

10-8 – Ernie Hudson, Danny Nucci

According to Jim – Jim Belushi, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Larry Joe Campbell, Kimberly Williams-Paisley

Alias – Jennifer Garner, Victor Garber, Michael Vartan, Ron Rifkin, Kevin Weisman, Carl Lumbly, David Anders, Greg Grunberg

The Bachelor – Chris Harrison, Andrew Firestone, Jennifer Schefft

George Lopez – George Lopez, Constance Marie, Valente Rodriguez

Hope & Faith – Faith Ford, Ted McGinley

I'm With Her – Teri Polo, David Sutcliffe, Danny Comden, Rhea Seehorn

It's All Relative – Lenny Clarke, Reid Scott, John Benjamin Hickey, Harriet Sansom Harris, Maggie Lawson, Chris Sieber

Karen Sisco – Carla Gugino, Robert Forster, Bill Duke

L.A. Dragnet – Ed O'Neill

Less Than Perfect – Sara Rue, Zachary Levi, Sherri Shepherd, Andrea Parker, Andy Dick, Eric Roberts, Will Sasso

Life With Bonnie – Bonnie Hunt, Anthony Russell, Mark Derwin, Holly Wortell, Chris Barnes, Marianne Muellerleile

Married to the Kellys – Breckin Meyer, Kiele Sanchez

My Wife and Kids – Tisha Campbell-Martin

NYPD Blue – Dennis Franz, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gordon Clapp, Bill Brochtrup, Henry Simmons, Jacqueline Obradors, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Esai Morales

The Practice – Michael Badalucco

Threat Matrix – James Denton, Kelly Rutherford

Events:

ABC Star Q & A Showcase – Hosted by a Chris Harrison of The Bachelor. The stars of ABC primetime programs appear in the Golden State Amphitheater for live question-and-answer sessions with park visitors.

ABC Preview Screening Room – See trailers from upcoming ABC fall shows, and participate in a short Q&A session with the stars.

ABC Primetime Parade of Stars – The ABC stars parade down Disney's California Adventure performance corridor.

Reality Show Auditions – An interactive game show, inspired by The Bachelor.

Primetime Photo Gallery of Stars – Take photos with your favorite star at various locations around the park.

Live Music Performances – Jim Belushi and The Sacred Hearts perform at the Golden State Amphitheater on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Casting Call – Visitors audition to perform a scene live with an ABC star. The winner receives a videotape of the performance.

Last chance to see...

The Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl exhibit at the Disney Gallery closes on Sunday, September 7. The Gallery reopens on Thursday, October 2 with a new Haunted Mansion Holiday exhibit.

Rehabland, Fall 2003 version

Splash Mountain closes this week for a two-month rehab, followed next week by the Haunted Mansion. Several other attractions will be closed over the next several weeks, so be sure to check the Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures schedule before you head for the parks.

Fantasmic for Fall

Last fall, Disneyland visitors were able catch the Believe… fireworks show on Friday and Saturday nights while Fantasmic was on an extended hiatus. This year, Believe… is taking the season off, and Fantasmic will be presented on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through November 2.

Fantasmic is still currently scheduled to be performed on Friday, September 12, while the Sailing Ship Columbia is still listed on rehab. Since the show is usually cancelled when the Columbia is not operating, it might be interesting to see how the show is staged without such a crucial element.

Fireworks return to Disneyland in November, when the holiday version of Believe… joins the Christmas Fantasy Parade.

It's discount season

The Disneyland Resort—and neighboring hotels—are offering various discount packages and specials for travel during this slower time of year. We have detailed some of the newest offers in our Current Discounts and Promotions section below. Here are some of the highlights:

• Purchase a 5-for-3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket online before Thursday, September 25, and receive free shipping on your order. This ticket is not available at the Disneyland ticket booths, and can be purchased without a hotel stay.
  
  

• Disney is offering discounted rates at the three Disneyland Resort Hotels. Weeknight rates start at:

  • Paradise Pier Hotel - $139
  • Disneyland Hotel - $149
  • Grand Californian Hotel - $239
    
    
  Weekend and other rates are higher. Book by calling 1 (714) 956-6425 and ask for plan “SLA.”
  
  
• Good Neighbor Magic packages include two hotel nights and a three-day park hopper ticket, starting at $188 per person.

Fiesta Latina discounts

Disney is offering a discounted “Family Ticket” to Disney's California Adventure during the upcoming Fiesta Latina event. The $141 family ticket is good for five admissions to DCA, a savings of up to $94 off five regular adult admissions. A family with two adults and three children will save $64.

The tickets must be purchased at Southern California Food4Less locations from Wednesday, September 3 to Sunday, October 5, and are valid September 3 through Thursday, December 18. This ticket is not available at the Disneyland ticket booths.

Local Chevron gas stations are offering a parking voucher with any $10 qualifying purchase at participating Southern California Chevron locations. The free parking voucher is good only during Disney's Fiesta Latina weekends at the Disneyland Resort Mickey & Friends parking structure.

Napolini now open

The Patina Group's latest addition to Downtown Disney has opened. Napolini is a counter-service restaurant, with limited seating inside at tables and a curvy bar.

Napolini now offers a fast alternative to Downtown Disney dining. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A chilled deli case offers bottled beverages and grab-and-go food items. The restaurant also has a hot menu, with dishes cooked in the kitchen shared with the neighboring Naples restaurant.

Napolini has limited indoor seating, but customers can also take the food back to their hotel room or office. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The menu includes:

Breakfast – selections change daily, and ranges from $2 to $7

Pastries – Traditional and contemporary European pastries ranging from $2.75 to $3.50

Cucina soups – selections change daily

• 12-ounce soup ($3.50)
• 8-ounce soup and 8-ounce tossed salad special ($6.50)

Counter-tossed salads – selections change daily, with up to three selections at $8.50 each

Panini – Hot pressed sandwiches

• Oven-roaster vegetables with pesto and marinated tomatoes ($5.95)
• Slivered potato with fontina cheese and pickled onions ($6.75)
• Smoked ham, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese and mustard ($7.25)

Pagnottella – “A great sandwich” from Napolini pizza dough

• Roasted portobello mushrooms, smashed white beans and marinated peppers ($5.95)
• Gorgonzola, radicchio, walnuts and peppered honey ($6.75)
• Oven-roaster turkey breast, ricotta cheese and arugula ($7.25)

Cold sandwiches – Variety changes daily

• Classic cobb with chicken, avocado and bleu cheese ($6.75)
• Caprese with mozzarella, roma tomatoes, basil and olive paste ($6.75)
• Sorrento tuna with romaine lettuce, hard-boiled egg and anchovy ($7.25)

Baked pastas – Wood-burning, oven-baked pasta dishes

• Baked macaroni and cheese ($7.75)
• Naples lasagna and sauce a la marinara ($9.25)

Pizza by the slice

• Margherita – pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil ($4)
• Quattro fromaggi – mozzarella, fontina, pecorino, goat cheese ($4)
• Pepperoni – pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese ($4)

Calzoni

• Vegetariano – tomatoes, artichoke, peppers, mushrooms, onions, olives and mozzarella ($6.50)
• Vesuviano – sausage, ricotta, musrooms, eggplant, mozzarella ($7.25)
• Ham – mozzarella, provolone, goat cheese and artichokes ($7.25)

Frittata – baked quiche in a cast iron pan. Zucchini, goat cheese and pancetta bacon ($5.95)

Tell us what you think about this restaurant. If you have a chance to eat at Napolini, be sure to share your experience with other readers by leaving a review in our Hotel and Restaurant Review System (link).

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Exterior work continues of the Tower of Terror. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disneyland

• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through – indefinite. (The Disneyland.com Web site shows this reopening on September 27)
• Space Mountain – through 2005
• Splash Mountain: September 2 - November 6
• Tarzan's Treehouse: September 8 - 10
• Sailing Ship Columbia: September 8 - 12
• Haunted Mansion: September 8 - October 2, for the installation of the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay

Workers add to the blast effect around the “missing” wings. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo – indefinite
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: September 8 - 26
• Francis' Lady Bug Boogie: September 8 - 26

Workers build false balconies outside the Tower of Terror's “hotel suites.” Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Future Attraction Closures

• “it's a small world” – October 6 - November 7, for the installation of the “it's a small world” Holiday overlay
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride – November 3 - 26
• Mark Twain Riverboat – November 3 - indefinite
• Fantasmic – November 3 - indefinite

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

September

• “Tinker Bell on Toy Block” sculpture and “Peter Pan on Board” giclée product release and artist appearances [Saturday, September 6] – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Off the Page in DCA. Get more details about the artists and merchandise on our MousePad message boards (link).
• ABC Preview Weekend at DCA [September 6 - 7]
• Spode “Disney Christmas Tree Celebration” pattern debuts at Disneyland [Saturday, September 13]
• Shag “One Enchanted Evening” merchandise release at Disneyland [Saturday, September 20]
• Fiesta Latina at Disney's California Adventure. [September 13 - October 5]

October

• Fiesta Latina at Disney's California Adventure. [September 13 - October 5]
• Haunted Mansion Holiday Exclusive Dinner [Wednesday, October 1]
• Haunted Mansion Holiday Event [Thursday, October 2]
• MouseAdventure at DCA. [October 12]
• Nightmare Before Christmas film screening at the Disneyland Resort. [October 30] Details to follow.

December

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

Current Discounts & Promotions

5-for-3 Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket

Purchase a 5-for-3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket online before September 25, 2003, and receive free shipping on your order. This ticket is not available at the Disneyland ticket booths, and can be purchased without a hotel stay.

Good Neighbor Magic Package

Packages include 2 nights accommodations and a 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket starting at $188* per person, double occupancy. This rate is available August 24-November 25, 2003, and November 30-December 18, 2003.

You can book the same package at a Disneyland Resort hotel starting at $289.**

Call 866-279-7165 for reservations.

* Price is per adult, double occupancy for two nights at the Jolly Roger Hotel during 2003 Value Season.

** Price is per adult, double occupancy for two nights at Disney's Paradise Pier hotel during 2003 Value Season.

Discount rates at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Disney is offering discounted rates at the three Disneyland Resort Hotels. Weeknight rates start at:

• Paradise Pier Hotel – $139
• Disneyland Hotel – $149
• Grand Californian Hotel – $239

Weekend and other rates will be higher. Book by calling (714) 956-6425 and ask for plan SLA.

Special offers for Marriott Rewards members

The Marriott Disney package available at the Anaheim Marriott is $399 per person, (double occupancy), and includes:

• Two nights in a luxury guest room
• Three-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper tickets for two adults
• Free breakfast for two adults
• Kids eat for $1

The Fairfield Inn Anaheim Disneyland Resort is offering a member-exclusive rate of $74 per room.

Both offers valid now through September 30, 2003. Book online through the Marriott Rewards Web site (link).

Special Lion King offer for Disneyland Annual Passholders

Pre-order The Lion King Platinum Edition DVD or VHS at the Disneyland Resort between August 3 and September 20, and receive free shipping and two free gifts: a limited edition plush Simba, and a limited edition pin. The Lion King Platinum Edition DVD will include new scenes and a new song by Elton John.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Annual passholder discounts are available at the Paradise Pier hotel from Sunday, August 31 through Friday, 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.

Half-priced Angels tickets for Disneyland Annual Passholders

Disneyland APs can purchase tickets to select baseball games for the 2003 World Series winners Anaheim Angels at a 50 percent discount. Current games included:

• 9/7, Sunday, 1:05pm vs. Kansas City
• 9/27, Saturday, 1:05pm vs. Texas

Additional dates and prices can be found at the Annual Passholder Web site (link).

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.

The package includes a Disney pin lanyard and trading pins, and a pocket resort guide. If you arrive between November 10 through December 31, you also receive a Disney holiday ornament.

Play 4 Days pass

Southern California residents, (zip codes 90000-93599) can purchase a new four-day ticket for just $79. The ticket is valid for four admissions to either Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure park through Tuesday, September 30. Residents can purchase just one ticket per person, per day, so your out-of-town relatives will need to buy their own, regular-priced admission.

The tickets can only be used at one park each day—no park hopping. We understand that you can use two admissions—one to each park—on the same day, effectively making this a $79 two-day park-hopper ticket, a $20 discount from the regular adult price.

Tickets are nontransferable, and you must show a valid ID each time. These tickets can be applied towards the cost of a Deluxe or Premium Annual Passport, (but not a Southern California Annual Passport), so long as you upgrade when or before you use the fourth admission.

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.

Summer Annual Passholder special

Through Wednesday, September 3, APs can purchase a 2-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper for $69 (10+) and $49 (3-9). Just present your AP at any ticket booth. Limit five tickets per Passholder, per day. Tickets are valid for 14 days from date of first usage. First usage must be on date of purchase. Last usage must be on or before Tuesday, September 16.

Annual passholder discounts at Alamo

California residents get discounts of up to 20% 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 (link).

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.

AAA Passport Plus Package

For $122.75, you can get a 5-day park hopper plus 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 five 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

Did you recently notice something new or different in the park? Are you a CM with something intriguing to share? Heard any good rumors lately, or know of something our readers will wanna know? Send them in so we can follow up on them!

PREVIOUS UPDATES

2005

• January: 3, 10, 17, 24
• February: 1, 7, 14, 21, 28
• March: 7, 14, 21, 28
• April: 4, 11, 18, 25
• May: 2, 9, 16, 23
• June: 1, 6, 13, 20, 27
• July: 5, 11, 19, 25
• August: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• September: 6, 12, 19, 26
• October: 3, 10, 24, 31
• November: 7

2004

• January: 5, 12, 19, 26
• Febuary: 2, 9, 16, 24
• March: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• April: 5, 12, 19, 26
• May: 3, 10, 18, 24
• June: 1, 7, 14, 21, 28
• July: 6, 12, 19, 26
• August: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• September: 7, 13, 20, 27
• October: 4, 11, 18, 25
• November: 1, 9, 15, 23, 29
• December: 7, 13, 20, 27

2003

• Jan: 6, 13, 20, 27
• Feb: 3, 10, 17, 24
• March: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• April: 7, 14, 21, 28
• May: 5, 12, 19, 27
• June: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• July: 7, 14, 21, 28
• August: 4, 11, 18, 25
• September: 2, 8, 15, 22, 29
• October: 6, 14, 20, 27
• November: 3, 11, 17, 24
• December: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

2002

• Dec: 16, 23, 27

Don't forget our Park Updates: Walt Disney World, published on Mondays.

Go to: Top | Section Contents | MousePlanet Main Page

Copyright © MousePlanet® Inc. | Legal Information & Privacy Policy | About/Contact MousePlanet | Link to us

MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.