Update for December 15 – 21, 2003

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

News and Views

Has it been a year already?

Exactly one year ago this week, MousePlanet launched the Park Update: Disneyland and Park Update: Walt Disney World columns. Their purpose was to provide the newest information about what was happening at the resorts, without trying to tease a full article out of, “Did you notice that they are finally painting Main Street?” or “Check out this new discount!”

From the begining, reaction has been positive. Reader Mike P. gave us a big thumbs-up last December, saying:

“Thanks MousePlanet! You are the first Web site to do good park updates! Granted it's only been two weeks of this style, but I love it. It's what I've always wanted to see: concise news, illustrative photos, and schedules! Keep up the good work!”

As we compiled our 52nd edition of the Disneyland Update this weekend, reader Rick M. sent in this e-mail:

“I just wanted to thank you for your great updates on Disneyland. I was recently at the park from December 3 to 8, and I read your update for that time period. You covered… everything that I saw was new, as well.

“I live in Victoria, B.C., and can't get to Disneyland as often as I'd like to (since 1976, I've travelled to the park 15 times, with most of those trips over the past several years). What I've discovered is that your updates are comprehensive and detailed enough, particularly through the use of photographs and very clear writing, that, when I read them, it's like I was really there. For many of us who love the park as much as I do, you are our lifeblood to it, to keep us informed and connected to a place very important in our lives.

“You, and the rest of the people at MousePlanet, provide a very important service, particularly to those of us who don't live in the Southern California area, and who want to go to Disneyland far more often than we can. I hope all of you will keep up the great work.”

To Mike and Rick, and all of our readers, thank you for your continuing support. Some weeks we have lots of news to share, other weeks—this one included—there is less to talk about. But we remain committed to our core role: providing consumers with information they need to make the most of their Disney dollars. Here's to another year at the parks.

OK, so what is new this week?

Rumor and speculation aside, most of the activity at the Disneyland Resort has to do with old news. Workers continue to paint the buildings up and down Main Street, despite holiday crowds and inclement weather.

A white Space Mountain peeks out behind the freshly painted Showcase store. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Space Mountain gets brighter every day, as work progresses down the front of the building.

Space Mountain's paint job nears completion. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Over at the Fantasyland Theater, work continues on the stage facade for the upcoming Snow White production. Sheer leaf screens hide some of the lighting rigs.

Some of the new Snow White stage is visible above the construction wall. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Across the esplanade, more landscaping is visible around the Tower of Terror, and testing continues on the ride mechanism.

New palm trees grace the entrance to Tower of Terror. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

In short, the resort seems to be looking ahead to a new ride and a new show to take attention in the new year away from the accidents and the ride closures that have made headlines in the past year.

Collector's Corner

Artist Dave Avanzino will be creating this work in person in Downtown Disney next week. Photo courtesy of Dave Avanzino.

Artist Dave Avanzino sent this preview of an original Mickey picture he will be creating this coming week in Downtown Disney, as part of Mickey's 75th birthday celebration. His creation will be a mixed media dimensional piece utilizing cork, metal, wood, and paper, and will measure 36 inches by 48 inches. If you would like to watch Dave work, he will be in front of the former Y Arriba! Y Arriba! restaurant location. He is currently scheduled for December 16 to 22, from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., except Friday, December 19. The piece might be completed by Sunday, December 21, and the completed work will be on display for a week.

The Castle and Hub were the first releases in the Disneyland in Miniature series. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Sculptor Robert Olszewski released the second piece in his Disneyland in Miniature series this weekend. Though collectors were eager to purchase the latest addition to the line, they were even more excited to see what the completed collection will look like.

Olszewski brought his plans for the complete Main Street layout. The next piece will be the Main Street Fire Station/City Hall/Tour Guide Garden complex, which is scheduled to be released in May. Next will be the Emporium building, scheduled for sometime in 2004. Olszewski is also working on the Main Street Train Station, but may hold that release until Disney can coordinate with a model train manufacturer to design a model Disneyland Railroad set.

Plans for the completed series include a motorized street and a miniature train set. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The current plan is to release three to four pieces per year, and complete the series sometime in 2006. When completed, the finished set will form a complete Main Street. Olszewski is said to be working on a motorized “street” for the collection, which would tie the whole series together and allow miniature Main Street vehicles and even parade floats to travel up and down Main Street.

Gearing up for New Year's

The Disneyland Resort will be keeping the same hours as last year for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day:

New Year's Eve:

• Disneyland hours: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Disneyland's Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks are scheduled at 8:35 p.m. with a special New Year's Eve pyrotechnic show at midnight.
• Fantasmic: Three performances, including a 12:05 am show to kick off the new year.
  
  
• Disney's California Adventure park hours: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

New Year's Day:

• Disneyland hours: 8 a.m. to midnight.
• Disney's California Advenmture park hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

No details have been announced regarding entertainment plans for DCA. Will the resort try yet another gimmick to get visitors to spend New Year's Eve at DCA—who can forget the go-go dancers from 2002, or last year's “Noon Year's Eve” promotion?—or have resort managers accept that Disneyland is the destination of choice for most die-hard fans?

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

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

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

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 2003 Wildfire Heroes Salute

“Disney's 2003 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, 2004 except for blackout dates of November 27 to 29, 2003, December 20, 2003 to January 3, 2004, and February 14 to 16, 2004. For more details, visit Disneyland's Disney's 2003 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 2003 Armed Forces Salute

Through Friday, December 19, 2003, all active members of the United States military (including Coast Guard and activated National Guard and Reservists) qualify for Disney's 2003 Armed Forces Salute and can claim one free 3-day park-hopper tickets. Since the tickets expire on December 19, 2003, you must claim them by December 17, 2003 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 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.

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 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 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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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.