Update for December 8 – 14, 2003

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

News and Views

A Candlelight surprise

Disneyland sets the stage for the return of Candlelight to Main Street. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disneyland's traditional Candlelight Processional and Ceremony made a welcome return from the Fantasyland Theater to Main Street, U.S.A. this past weekend. Workers spent a week transforming Town Square into an outdoor theater for the event, and by Friday morning, had set up and fully decorated the stage, although the stage was yet to be tested.

The new choir tree rises in front of the train station. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

When Disneyland moved the ceremony to the Fantasyland Theater several years ago, it destroyed the show's risers and choir tree used on Main Street. The construction schedule was tight, and although the show producers did not know how many people could fit on the risers and tree, they had the carpenters rebuild the set for this performance from scratch—and must have held their collective breaths as there was no time for a dress rehearsal.

“We may have too many people, we may not have enough—and we won't know until Saturday night,” said one performer.

Visitors who booked the Candlelight dining package got good seats right in front of the stage. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

However, these concerns took the back burner when celebrity narrator Louis Gossett, Jr. fell ill on Saturday, and Disneyland had to find another narrator quickly. Fortunately, entertainer Marie Osmond was at Disneyland for the release of her new Enchanted Tiki Room doll, and agreed to host the Saturday night ceremony. Gossett was able to host the Sunday night performances.

What's your priority?

When Disneyland regulars go to Walt Disney World for the first time, many are shocked to learn that the most popular restaurants are booked months in advance during peak season, leaving walk-up diners to settle for fast food dinners. After all, meal planning at Disneyland usually means picking a restaurant when you get hungry—who thinks about these things three months ahead of time?

Two Disneyland Resort restaurants are testing a new reservation policy, and locals need to learn the new ropes. In the past, the Blue Bayou in Disneyland's New Orleans Square and Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel accepted Priority Seating reservations for about half of their total capacity, leaving the remaining slots for stand-by visitors. Now these restaurants are opening 100 percent of their table inventoryto Priority Seating, and those without a reservation may be turned away. Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel is not currently participating in this test, as had been rumored elsewhere.

The move is good news for the restaurants, but it means visitors should plan ahead if they want to dine at these two locations. The days of popping into Disneyland for a spontaneous Saturday lunch at the Blue Bayou may be history. But don't panic. As Walt Disney World regulars know, it is often possible to make same-day reservations, and walk-ups will be accepted to fill any open slots or to cover cancellations. “We're not going to turn people away if there are open seats,” said a dining hostess. “That would be silly. We're just trying to allow more people to finalize their plans in advance of their trip.”

Priority Seating reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance by calling the Disney Dine Line at (714) 781-DINE (3463).

Santa's list

Harry, Hermione and Ron all made it on Santa's “Nice” list. Photo by Andrew Rich.

In the tradition of hidden tributes found on Disney rides and attractions, Santa's “Naughty and Nice” list on the Santa's Workshop float in Disneyland's Christmas Fantasy Parade includes the names Paul, Cynthia, Roy, Walt and Mickey. If you look carefully, you can also catch the names of Harry, Hermione and Ron—characters from the popular Harry Potter books.

This new ride, sponsored by the City of Anaheim?

A report published last week in the Los Angeles Times has Disneyland fans dreaming of ways to spend a few million dollars. According to the article, Orange County overestimated the value of the Disneyland Resort by $1.2 billion over a four-year period. The error was caused by assessors who did not understand the distinction between rides that were refurbished, and those that were torn down. The mistake, which was discovered by Disney's auditors, resulted in overpayments of several million dollars to the City of Anaheim.

Locals wonder how the cash-strapped city can afford to repay this amount to Disney, and fans wonder how the resort might spend the cash. MousePlanet reader Lost Boy asked, “Does it line Eisner's wallet, or go back (where it came from) to Disneyland to help fix the place up?”

What's that smell?

A Disneyland fire engine is spotted on Main Street Saturday night. Photo by Andrew Rich.

There was apparently a minor electrical fire in Main Street's Penny Arcade at park closing Saturday night. There were no obvious signs of injury or damage, but a Disneyland Fire Department truck was driven on-stage (that is, into the view of park visitors) and parked on Main Street, and fire personnel were seen carrying equipment in and out of the Penny Arcade. The arcade itself was not evacuated or even roped off. There was a smell of burnt electrical insulation in the air but it faded rapidly.

Disneyland fire personnel carry equipment into the Penny Arcade. Photo by Andrew Rich.

Ever pushed a petal?

If you want to help decorate the 2004 Disneyland Rose Parade float, start making friends with a cast member. The resort has passed along these details for those hoping to volunteer to help work on the Disneyland float:

• Cast members and employees of the Walt Disney Company can sign up to decorate the floats. There will be a check-in at the site to verify Cast member IDs.
• Cast members can sign up non-cast member friends and family to accompany them. All volunteers must be age 12 or older.
• Decorating shifts are:
  • Saturday and Sunday, December 27 and 28: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 5 p.m., and 6 to 11 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 30: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. until completion
• Decorators can sign up for more than one shift, but each shift is at least 4 hours.
• Decorators are not guaranteed to work on the Disneyland float. The decorating company is working on a total of four floats. While cast members may get priority to work on pieces of the Disneyland float, volunteers will also be assigned to other floats.
• While most envision decorating to mean putting lovely flowers onto a float's outer surface, the real work is a lot different. Volunteers may be asked to sit at a table away from the float and prepare plant materials or cut stems off of flowers. Some decorators may never touch the actual float. It's just the nature of the decorating process, and everything depends upon what stage of decorating the floats are in at different periods of time.
• Information on sign-ups are on the Disneyland Resort Cast Portal under the “Disney Difference” tab.

Rascal Flatts visits Disneyland

Rascal Flatts does a sound check before their performance at Disneyland. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Fans of the country band Rascal Flatts were thrilled to see the group perform Friday morning at Disneyland. Rascal Flatts and singer Jessica Simpson were at Disneyland to tape their segments for the Walt Disney World Christmas Special, scheduled to air on Christmas Day. Fans waited near Sleeping Beauty Castle for hours until Rascal Flatts took the stage, and many stayed between sets to see Simpson perform. As the band bid the fans farewell, singer Gary Levox said, “We're going on Space Mountain now.” Let's hope that slip doesn't make the final edit. [Space Mountain is currently not running due to an extended rehab.]

Radio Days at Disneyland

The following local radio disc jockeys and talk show personalities will be appearing in person throughout Disneyland on Saturday, December 13:

• Mark & Brian (95.5, KLOS) at Haunted Mansion Holiday, from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Bill Handel (640AM, KFI) on the Mark Twain Riverboat, from noon to 2 p.m.
• Frosty, Heidi and Frank (97.1, KLSX) at the Disney Gallery, from noon to 2 p.m.
• Larry Elder (790AM, KABC) on the Main Street Omnibus, from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Shawn Parr (93.9, KZLA) at the Jungle Cruise, from noon to 2 p.m.
• Carlos Alvarez (107.5 KLVE) at Mickey's House, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Workers continue to paint their way up and down Main Street. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

There's still room at the ball

A few more details have been made public about the the upcoming Sleeping Beauty's Royal Ball at Disneyland on February 14, 2004. The dinner and dance will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel. The only portion of the event to be held inside Disneyland Park will be the afternoon performance of Snow White – An Enchanting Musical, at which event guests will have reserved seats. The dinner will be a multi-course, sit-down meal—not a buffet. A “complete entertainment element” has been created for the evening, but the details will remain a surprise until the event. Planners hope to release a preview of the event merchandise before Christmas.

Ears to the ground

…Several MousePlanet readers reported seeing people riding and testing the yet-unopen Tower of Terror attraction at Disney's California Adventure park last week. The new ride is scheduled to open on May 4, 2004.

…Snow White – An Enchanting Musical is scheduled to premiere on February 22, 2004 at the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland.

A permanent sign has been installed above the new Jamba Juice location in Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed through 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

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely
• Francis' Lady Bug Boogie closed through December 19

Future Attraction Closures

• Haunted Mansion closed January 5 to 16, 2004
• “it's a small world” closed January 12 to 25, 2004
• Indiana Jones Adventure closed January 20 to April 2, 2004
• Pinocchio's Daring Journey January 26 to February 19, 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

December

• Robert Olszewski “Central Plaza” sculpture release at Disneyland. Saturday, December 13.
• Disneyland Resort Pin Trading Night at the Paradise Pier hotel - Sunday, December 14, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

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 & 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

Live an Artful Life with an OC Arts Card

The Disneyland Resort partnering with Arts Orange County sponsor the OC Arts Card, which provides cardholders with benefits such as savings on tickets, classes, merchandise and memberships at more than 40 nonprofit arts venues in the local Orange County community.

Annual passholders can purchase the 2004 card for $37.50, 25 percent off the regular price. In addition, the first 500 passholders to purchase a card receive a second card for free.

For more information or to order a card, visit the OCArts card Web site (link) or call (888) 556-5160. To receive the annual passholder discount, use offer code C04DIAP. The first card is mailed immediately; those who are among the first 500 will have the second card mailed at a later time.

Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute

“Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute” entitles active California firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel, with proper organization and photo ID, to one free three-day park hopper ticket. They can also make a one-time purchase of up to five three-day park hopper companion tickets for $39 each. Discounted hotel rates are also available at the three Disneyland Resort hotels.

The promotion is valid through March 31, except for blackout dates of December 20 to January 3, and February 14 to 16. For more details, visit Disneyland's Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute Web page (link) or call (714) 520-5069.

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 - 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 January 31, 2004.

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 is nothing to mail in, and no four-to-six-week wait for the passes and pin to arrive.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

• Annual passholders can also book a room at the Paradise Pier hotel for $59. This offer is valid only on Sunday nights, through March 2004.

Get 5 days and 4 nights for the price of 3

Book a package at the Disneyland Resort for a minimum four-nights through the Walt Disney Travel Company, and the package price includes one night's free accommodations at participating hotels. Your package will also include a five-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket for the price of a three-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket. Click here for a list of participating hotels and dates.

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.

ESPN Zone discounts for annual passholders

Disneyland annual passholders can get a 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.

A Southern California City Pass booklet includes admission to five separate entertainment options:

• 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket
• 1-day ticket to Sea World
• 1-day ticket to the San Diego Zoo
• 1-day ticket to Knott's Berry 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 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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