Update for November 17 – 23, 2003

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

News and Views

Annual Passholder Holiday Kickoff

More details are available about this week's Annual Passholder event. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 18 and 19, Disney's California Adventure park's Hollywood and Dine restaurant will be transformed into an Annual Passholder lounge of sorts. Passholders can relax with a free beverage, take photos with Disney characters in their holiday costumes, and receive a free button. The preview includes sneak peeks at the Tower of Terror and Disney's Snow White – An Enchanting Musical. Cast members warn visitors not to get their hopes up, however—the “preview” of Tower of Terror will consist mostly of photos and a video, and Passholders will not be allowed near the ride building.

Passholders will also get an extra discount on their merchandise purchases during those two days. Southern California and Deluxe Passholders will get a voucher for a 10 percent discount, and Premium Passholders will receive a 20 percent discount. Specific details and participting locations will be listed on the voucher. An annual passholder pin will be available for sale during the event.

The Disneyland Band performs in front of the 2003 Christmas tree. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Christmas, round 2

Although the Disneyland Resort “holiday season” officially started on November 7, more offerings will be added this weekend. A Christmas Fantasy parade begins Friday, November 21. That is also the day that Santa Claus makes his debut on Main Street, U.S.A.

Round three begins on Thanksgiving, when strolling carolers and Santa make daily appearances at the Disneyland Resort hotels. The Holiday Fantasy Waters show also begins on November 27. The Candy Palace on Main Street begins making fresh candy canes the day after Thanksgiving.

Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute

Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute gives firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel a chance to enjoy complimentary, three-day admission into DCA, plus special admission discounts for their families and friends.

Since this offer began last week, several groups of children proudly wearing their parents' department T-shirts have been spotted in the park.

Announcing this offer, Disneyland Resort president Matt Ouimet said, “All of us at the Disneyland Resort express our heartfelt appreciation for the tireless dedication and sacrifices our emergency personnel made during the recent fires, and we invite these hard-working men and women to enjoy some well-deserved fun with their families and friends.”

The promotion entitles qualifying emergency personnel 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.

“Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute” is offered November 11 through March 31, except for blackout dates of November 27 through 29, December 20 through January 3, and February 14 through 16. Active California firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel are eligible with proper organization identification and photo identification. Details and additional information are available by calling (714) 520-5069, or at the salute's Web page (link).

More “Candlelight” news

Just weeks before the actual event, Disneyland has finally released the official announcement about the “Candlelight” Procession and Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7.

As previously reported here, “Candlelight” will return to Main Street, U.S.A., this year. The Fantasyland Theater, where the performance has been held since 1998, is being refurbished for the new Snow White musical production. Some members of the Disney Employee Choir have been told that “Candlelight” will stay on Main Street for at least five years, or until Snow White closes.

Performances will be 5:30 and 8 p.m. each day. Disney has confirmed that Oscar- and Emmy-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. will narrate all four performances.

Disneyland is offering a limited number of dining packages for each performance. Visitors can get tickets to the reserved seating area with a minumum purchase at one of these six Disneyland Resort restaurants:

Minimum spending of $40 per adult, $15 per child age 3-9:

• Hook's Pointe at the Disneyland Hotel
• Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel

Minimum spending of $50 per adult, $15 per child:

• Granville's Steak House at the Disneyland Hotel
• Yamabuki at the Paradise Pier Hotel

Minimum spending of $75 per adult, $20 per child:

• Napa Rose at the Grand Californian Hotel
• The Vineyard Room in the Golden Vine Winery in DCA

Note: Park admission is not included with these packages.

As was the case when Disneyland offered a “Candlelight” dining package last year, customers must figure out how to meet the minumum purchase requirements at the participating restaurants. For example, the dinner buffet at Storytellers Cafe—the most expensive menu offering—is $27.99. Diners will likely need to order an appetizer, entree, dessert and drinks to meet the minimum at each location—or take home a cheesecake, as one MousePlanet staff person almost did last year.

It's a Jungle in there

Disneyland's Jungle Cruise has been opening at noon on recent weekdays to give the Horticulture Department added daylight hours to repair damage caused by the high winds in late October.

Another honor for Napa Rose

Napa Rose restaurant at the Grand Californian Hotel has achieved the top Orange County overall ranking in the 2004 edition of the Zagat Survey, the first time the restaurant has earned the county’s top overall spot. The restaurant received scores of 28 for Food, 25 for Décor and 26 for Service, giving it the top Food rating among all restaurants throughout the Los Angeles/Southern California region.

The Zagat 2002 Restaurant Survey placed Napa Rose at the top of new offerings for the year. Earlier this year, manager Michael A. Jordan was named the 2002 Sommelier of the Year, and the Napa Rose itself achieved the Golden Scepter Award, the highest honor for overall excellence, and the Golden Bacchus Award, the top laurel for wine lists from the Southern California Restaurant Writers.

“Absolutely outrageous!!!”

That was the reaction from one MousePlanet reader after she saw the prices for the upcoming Sleeping Beauty's Royal Ball, scheduled for Valentine's Day, 2004. Reader Oleg C. agreed, saying, “$285 for dinner and dancing, and a commemorative gift? I'm flabbergasted that the right to buy merchandise would carry such a premium.”

Three ticket options are available for this event:

Flora: $535 per person

• One (1) night's accommodation at the Disneyland Hotel on Feburary 14, 2004
• Breakfast at a Disneyland Resort hotel restaurant
• Elegantly themed dinner (semi-formal/black tie optional)
• Enchanting entertainment and dancing
• Opportunity to pre-purchase limited-edition Sleeping Beauty merchandise
• Commemorative gift

Fauna: $285 per person

• Elegantly themed dinner (semi-formal/black tie optional)
• Enchanting entertainment and dancing
• Opportunity to pre-purchaselimited-edition Sleeping Beauty merchandise
• Commemorative gift

Merriweather: $95 per child (ages 3 to 9 only)

• Special menu fit for our Little Princes and Princesses (semi-formal/black tie optional)
• Enchanting entertainment and dancing
• Commemorative dhild's gift

  Each child must be accompanied by a paying adult, and a child's ticket does not include the opportunity to pre-purchase limited edition Sleeping Beauty merchandise.

Tickets are limited in availabity, and no discounts are offered in conjunction with any of these packages.

In comparison, Walt Disney World is hosting a “This is Love” ball on February 4, 2004. This event will be held inside the Magic Kingdom park, and tickets are only $125 for adults, and $95 for children 3 to 9 years old. WDW has already released a sneak peek at the merchandise available for the event.

Few details about the Disneyland event have been announced, including the exact venue. Before prospective attendees plunk down almost $300 for dinner and dancing, they want to know if the event will be held inside Disneyland Park, or in one of the hotel ballrooms.

Tickets go on sale at the Disney Gallery Web site (link) on Tuesday, November 25 at 9:00 a.m. With luck, we'll have more details before then.

A new sign decorates the construction wall around the coming Buzz Lightyear attraction. Photo by Isaac.

2004 ticket prices announced

Our sharp-eyed MousePad News Analyst Darkbeer has discovered details of Disneyland's 2004 ticket offerings. The new prices are valid from January 6, 2004 through January 3, 2005. The only ticket not yet confirmed is the single-day admission. If recent trends hold true, expect to see this ticket climb to $48 or $49, although the $1 decrease in the 2-day park hopper ticket may indicate that 1-day admissions will remain $47.

New 6-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket

• Adults: $204.
• Children ages 3 to 9: $169.
• Each ticket comes with a $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card. This ticket is not available at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. A $45 discount, ($40 for ages 3-9), applies to this ticket when you purchase it in advance through the Disneyland Web site (link).

New 5-Day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket

• Adults: $184.
• Children ages 3 to 9: $149.
• Each ticket comes with a $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card. This ticket is not available at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. A $55 discount, ($50 for ages 3-9), applies to this ticket when you purchase it in advance through the Disneyland Web site (link).

3-day Park Hopper

• Adults: $129 ($10 increase).
• Children ages 3 to 9: $99 ($4 increase).
• A $5 discount applies to this ticket when you purchase it in advance through the Disneyland Web site (link).

2-day Park Hopper

• Adults: $98 ($1 decrease).
• Children ages 3 to 9: $78 ($1 decrease).

Darkbeer also reports that the 2004 AAA Passport Plus tickets no longer offer the enhanced Fastpass option, but come with a coupon book and some priority seating passes for DCA shows, for the same price as the three-day Park Hopper. MousePad reader Brian Noble notes that his AAA travel agent said that the AAA tickets may also come with vouchers for free parking in the Mickey and Friends structure.

Eureka! we've destroyed it!

Several MousePlanet readers have reported that the floats from DCA's Eureka parade are being destroyed in a backstage area behind California Screamin'. The work is visible from the roller coaster, and from the Sun Wheel.

One cast member said he was surprised that the floats were being destroyed rather than salvaged. A reader confirmed that observation, saying, “What I saw was not a dismantled float; it was a devastation. I mean, it literally looked like the thing had been torn to bits recklessly.”

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

Mr. Toad's contruction wall has become the new Fantasyland stroller parking lot. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed November 10 to December 11
• Mark Twain Riverboat closed indefinitely as of November 3
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely
• Space Mountain closed through 2005
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed indefinitely

The Mark Twain Riverboat sits in dry dock, while the Sailing Ship Columbia takes passengers on a rare trip around the Rivers of America. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely

Future Attraction Closures

• Indiana Jones Adventure closed January 20 to April 3, 2004

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

November

• Passholder Holiday Kickoff at DCA. Tuesday and Wednesday, November 18 & 19.
• Mickey's 75th Anniversary merchandise debut - Tuesday, November 18, 2003.
• Disneyland Resort Pin Trading Night at the Paradise Pier hotel - Sunday, November 23, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

December

• Marie Osmond “Enchanted Tiki Room Hostess” doll release and meet-and-greet at Disneyland. Saturday, December 6.
• Candlelight Processional at Disneyland. December 6 and 7.
• Robert Olszewski “Central Plaza” sculpture release at Disneyland. Saturday, December 13.
• Disneyland Resort Pin Trading Night at the Paradise Pier hotel. Sunday, December 14, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

January

• Disneyland Resort float in 2004 Tournament of Roses Parade, January 1, 2004
• 75 Years with Mickey auction, January 31, 2004.
• 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.

April

• Tower of Terror event, details to be announced at a later date. April 22 and 23, 2004

May

• A Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics – “A Disney Blast to the Past” Registration open to returning participants through October 15, open registration begins October 16. May 14 to 16.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute

The promotion entitles qualifying firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel to one free three-day park hopper ticket. They may 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.

“Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute” is offered November 11 through March 31, except for blackout dates of November 27 through 29, December 20 through January 3, and February 14 through 16. Active California firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel are eligible with proper organization identification and photo identification. Details and additional information are available by calling (714) 520-5069, or at the salute's Web page (link).

Disneyland Resort Holiday Getaway offer

Disneyland is offering a holiday-themed variation on its recurring “get 5 days and 4 nights for the price of 3” offer. The promotion is available through January 2, 2004, and includes:

• A 5-day Park Hopper ticket for the price of a 3-day ticket.
• A 4th night free at participating hotels, including the Disneyland Resort hotels and selected “Good Neighbor” hotels.
• A collectible pin and lanyard
• Disneyland Resort Magical Pocket Guide
• A Disney holiday ornament (with arrivals between November 10 and December 31, 2003)

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 Jan 31, 2004.

Angels in the Outfield

Disney Visa cardholders will be receiving a certificate in their next statement for a free try at the “Angels in the Outfield” midway game at DCA.

Fall “Resident Salute” – Two parks, two days for the price of one.

Southern California residents can purchase a one-day ticket to Disneyland and a one-day ticket to Disney's California Adventure for the price of a regular one-day admission.*

The resort hotels are offering a “Stay and Play” package in conjunction with this discount. It includes the resident salute 2-for-1 theme park ticket plus a one-night stay at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels. The package starts at $89 per person. ** To book this package, call (714) 956-MICKEY and ask for the package code SAP.

*Offer valid through 11/24/03 for Southern California residents ZIP codes 90000-93599. Admission valid one day at Disneyland Park, and one day at Disney's California Adventure Park. May purchase up to 5 tickets per person, per day, with valid ID. First day of use must be on purchase day. Ticket valid 30 days from first use, or through 11/25/03, whichever occurs first. Restrictions apply. Tickets are non-transferable. Offer may not be combined with other discounts or promotions.

**Valid for arrivals through 11/24/03 for Southern California residents within ZIP codes 90000-93599. $89 price is per person, double occupancy, Sunday through Thursday standard room rate at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, and includes 2 days admission, valid one day at Disneyland Park, and one day at Disney's California Adventure Park. Weekend rates and other room rates may vary. Ticket valid 30 days from first use, or through 11/25/03, whichever occurs first. Price excludes resort fees and taxes. Limit 5 people per room, at an additional cost per person. Promotional rate is subject to availability and advance reservations required. Not available for groups.

All offers, events, tickets, age ranges, services, attractions, and entertainment, may be seasonal, and are subject to change without notice.

A Nightmare deal at Costco

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 nothing to mail in, and you won't wait four to six weeks for the passes and pin to arrive.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Annual passholder discounts are available at the Paradise Pier hotel through 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.

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.

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.

Annual passholder discounts at Alamo

California residents get discounts of up to 20 percent 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.

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.

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 you order online 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

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.

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