Update for June 28 – July 4, 2004

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

News and Views

Monorail Orange derails to WDI in North Hollywood, not Glendale

Reports started circulating online last week that Monorail Orange was moved to WDI (Walt Disney Imagineering) facilities in Glendale for dissection and further study, speculating various theories. With this news, however, we began receiving comments and queries from monorail fans, who wondered whether the facility in Glendale could handle the monorail.

The front of Monorail Orange as it sits in the WDI shop in Tujunga Avenue in North Hollywood, California. Photo by Jeff Moxley.

MousePlanet has learned that Orange did not go to Glendale, but instead has been sent to the WDI facilities on Tujunga Avenue in North Hollywood. According to our sources in Disneyland management, the issue of monorail refurbishments was addressed by new Disneyland Resort president Matt Ouimet in a presentation late last year, when he said that the monorails were in very poor condition and should have been replaced 5 years ago. The problem was in the difficulty of proving the inherent value of the monorails to the accountants, who had to approve the $50-plus million price tag necessary for the project.

The disassembled Monorail Orange it sits in the WDI shop in North Hollywood. Photo by Jeff Moxley.

With enough arm-twisting, however, it appears that Ouimet has been given the go-ahead, with Monorail Orange being sacrificed for dissection and analysis so that new trains can make their debut sometime after 2005.

[The preceding item was revised 4:30 p.m. June 28, 2004 to clarify the location. We originally reported the WDI as being in Tujunga. The location is in North Hollywood, and should not be mistaken with Tujunga, California, located 10 miles north of Burbank about Freeway 210.]

Eisner unveils new Disney postage stamps at Disneyland

Disney postage stamps. Image courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service.

Actor George Wendt (Norm of Cheers) joined Disney CEO Michael Eisner and U.S. Postmaster General John E. (Jack) Potter as they dedicated four Disney 37-cent U.S. postage stamps at a ceremony in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle last Wednesday. [Oddly enough, John Ratzenberger, who voices characters in Pixar movies and is best recognized as U.S. postal carrier Cliff Clavin in Cheers, was not in attendance.]

Actor George Wendt and the Groove 66 singers describe the four new stamps. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The new stamps celebrate the theme “Art of Disney: Friendship” and feature four groups of Disney friends: Mickey Mouse and Friends (Donald and Goofy); Bambi and Thumper; Mufasa and Simba; and Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket.

Disney CEO Michael Eisner and U.S. Postmaster General John E. (Jack) Potter hand-cancel stamps for a group of young collectors. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The U.S. Postal Service set up two temporary sites for the day at Disneyland for visitors and stamp collectors to purchase the stamps and receive special first-day-of-issue Disney-themed cancellations. Eisner and Potter personally hand-cancelled stamps for a group of young collectors. Stamp collectors from around the country attended the dedication ceremony, and one remarked that this was the fanciest such ceremony he had ever attended.

Rafiki and Timon celebrate the new Lion King stamp at the dedication ceremony. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Disney stamps are now available at post offices around the country. A collection of U.S. Postal Service merchandise bearing the images of the new stamps, including tote bags and coffee mugs, is also available at larger post offices, and was sold at Disneyland on release day. Disneyland created three pieces of merchandise for the event, including a frame caché and a framed stamp sheet with matching pin.

These stamps represent the first of three Disney-themed stamp releases over the next three years. This is only the third time ever for Disney characters to be featured on U.S. stamps. In 1968, Walt Disney was featured with “it's a small world” characters and, in 1998, Snow White was honored with a stamp of her own.

Fourth of July at the Disneyland Resort

The Disneyland Resort has announced the entertaiment schedule for Sunday, July 4th.

Disneyland

• Park hours: 8:00 a.m. to midnight.
• Parade of the Stars: 4:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Imagine... fireworks: 8:45 p.m.
• Special Fourth of July fireworks show: 10:15 p.m.
• Fantasmic!: 9:50 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.

Disney's California Adventure

• Park hours: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Disney's Electrical Parade: 9 p.m.

Bring a Friend

In our June 14 Update (link), we shared details of a new Annual Passholder discount on 2-day park hopper tickets. According to information on the Disneyland Web site, this discounted ticket is available for purchase through Thursday, September 30.

A confused MousePlanet reader contacted us after they bought these discounted tickets, and noticed an expiration date of Monday, July 5. Reading the fine print on the offer, we see that the tickets expire on October 13, 2004, or 13 days after first use, whichever comes first. If you are planning to take advantage of this offer, make sure that you don't buy the tickets too far in advance.

Some Annual Passholders have received a postcard about this special offer in the mail. Passholders can give their postcard to friends and family, who can then use them to purchase up to five discounted tickets without the passholder even being there.

Next Olszewski releases announced

Artist Robert Olszewski released the latest piece in his “Disneyland in Miniature” series this past weekend, and gave collectors a sneak peek at the next pieces in the series. In September, Olszewski will offer the Town Square figure, which includes a Christmas tree accessory. The first accessory set includes a horse-drawn streetcar and the horseless carriage.

The Disneyana shop has a display of current and upcoming sculptures in the Disneyland in Miniature series by artist Robert Olzsewski. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

If completed in time, the Emporium building will also be offered in September. An Olzsewski representative said that the release schedule is being sped up so that the entire Main Street collection will be available by Disneyland's 50th Anniversary in July 2005.

Yesterland gets two new tenants

Reader Colin Haugh noticed that DCA's Superstar Limo ride had been removed from the Disneyland Resort refurbishment schedule, and asked if this meant the ride had been reopened. Rather than reopening, it seems that Superstar Limo has gone the way of the Rocket Rods—Disney has now removed all reference of the ride from the Disneyland Resort Web site and park maps.

Reader Brian Lane also noticed that Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough has received the same treatment, and all mention of the attraction has been removed from the Disneyland Resort Web site.

Ears to the ground

…This is the last week that Disneyland Annual Passholders can get $10 off the new Discover the Magic tour. This discount ends on July 2. Reservations can be made at any Guest Services location or in advance by calling (714) 781-4400.

The Disneyland Resort is now offering the 1-day park hopper ticket to all visitors. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…The one-day Park Hopper ticket is now a permanent offering at the Disneyland Resort. New price signs hang above the the resort ticket booths, offering 1-, 2-, and 3-day park hopper tickets. The 1-day, 1-park ticket is still available, listed at the bottom of the sign.

…Reader JMB tells us that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be visiting Disneyland on its 49th birthday, and that the planned refurbishment of Sleeping Beauty Castle will not begin until after the Governor's visit.

…Reader Darkbeer alerted us to a story in Amusement Business, reporting that the ABC Primetime Preview weekend return to Disney's California Adventure the weekend of September 10 to 12, 2004.

… Anaheim fire department responded to a small but visible fire at Award Weiners just before DCA opened Saturday morning. Some visitors were already in the Hollywood Backlot area as part of the McDonalds early entry promotion. Disneyland personnel quickly handled the fire, and the restaurant opened as normal.

Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us here.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

Note: Disneyland will progressively begin closing more and more attractions as the park readies for its 50th anniversary celebration in 2005.

• Alice in Wonderland closed through July 2.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely. (No longer listed on park maps or the Disneyland Web site)
• Space Mountain closed through 2005.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely. (No longer listed on park maps or the Disneyland Web site)
• Francis' Lady Bug Boogie closed indefinitely.

Future Closures

• Sleeping Beauty Castle closed mid-July – September 18.
• Aladdin's Oasis closed July 30 – March 12, 2005.
• Plaza Pavilion closed July 30 – March 12, 2005.
• Enchanted Tiki Room closed July 30 – March 12, 2005.
• Snow White's Scary Adventures closed August 23 – September 11.
• Star Tours reduced capacity, as each of the four cabins rotate through refurbishment September 7–22.
• Haunted Mansion closed September 7 – October 1 for installation of Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay. Closed January 10–25, 2005 for removal of Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
• Maliboomer reduced capacity (2 of 3 towers operating) November 1–25, January 3–22, 31, 2005 – March 12, 2005.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds closed September 13 – November 24.
• Jumpin' Jellyfish reduced capacity January 21, 2005 – March 5, 2005.

Disneyland Resort Hotels

• Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom closed July 2–16.
• Disneyland Hotel Convention Center lobby, upper level & lower level closed July 16 – September 1.

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

• 2004 Haunted Mansion Holiday Event Thursday, September 30.

October

• CHOC Walk – this fun-walk through Disneyland park is a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital of Orange County (link). Sunday, October 3. [Note: MousePlanet staff will be organizing a group of readers to join “Team MousePlanet” for this event. Keep your eye here for details.]
• MousePlanet's MouseAdventure quest-and-adventure event – a Sunday in October. [Read more about MouseAdventure here, and be reminded of it by sending e-mail here.]

May 2005

• Disneyland closed on May 4, 2005 to “put the finishing touches” on the 50th Anniversary celebration. DCA open on May 4.
• Disneyland's 50th Anniversary celebration begins May 5.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Discounted park hopper tickets for Annual Passholders

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders can purchase 2-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper tickets for a reduced rate of $79 ($59 for ages 3 to 9). The tickets are available for purchase through Thursday, September 30, 2004.

Please note that the tickets expire on October 13, 2004, or 13 days after first use, whichever comes first. If you are planning to take advantage of this offer, make sure that you don't buy the tickets too far in advance.

Some Annual Passholders have received a postcard about this special offer in the mail. Passholders can hand the postcard to friends and family, who can then use it to purchase up to 5 of the discounted tickets without the Passholder even being there.

McDonald's Tower of Terror early admission voucher

On Friday, June 18, the Disneyland Resort and McDonald's launch a cross-promotion based on the new Tower of Terror ride. McDonald's customers who order a Big Mac Extra Value Meal receive a voucher for early admission to Disney's California Adventure (DCA) to ride the Tower of Terror one hour before the park opens.

Each voucher is good for one person, and valid DCA admission is required: you can't just pop in for the extra hour without buying a DCA ticket.

Vouchers are designated for June, July, or August, and distributed chronologically at participating McDonald's while supplies last. Each voucher may be redeemed only during the month appearing on the voucher.

Call (714) 781-7290 or Disneyland's promotion Web page (link) for more information. [Note: As of June 13, the Web site was not yet active, and redirected to the Disneyland Web site.]

Thanks to MousePlanet reader Forbin for alerting us to the promotion, and to reader Opus1guy for obtaining the information on this promotion from McDonalds.

Costco offers “Play 4 Days” tickets

MousePlanet reader DJ_MENTOS let us know that Costco is again offering “Play 4 Days” tickets to the Disneyland Resort. The $79 ticket (for ages 3 through adult) is good for four one-day admissions to Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure. The tickets are non-transferable—the same person must use all four admissions.

The ticket expires once the four admissions are used, or on June 30, 2004, whichever comes first. This is not a park-hopper pass, although you could probably use one admission per day at each park, in effect using the four admissions as a two-day park-hopper.

The tickets are available only to Costco members who are residents of Southern California. Costco membership and proof of residency is zip codes 90000 through 93599 is required. Tickets must be purchased at Costco, with a limit of five tickets per member per day.

50th Anniversary Package

If you book a three-night resort stay at any of the Disneyland Resort hotels during the 50th anniversary promotion, your package includes a four-day Park Hopper ticket, a special 50th anniversary commemorative clock and a Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour.

The “50th Celebration Package” is available only for three-night stays, with arrival dates through December 31, 2005. The package can be booked through the Disneyland Web site (link), or by calling (714) 520-5060.

The Disney Treasures offer for APs

Annual Passholders can receive a copy of The Disney Treasures book, worth $60, when they apply for a Disney Visa card. The book will be mailed after the cardholder uses the new account. Apply by phone at 1-800-640-5306, and mention card code 26FF.

Car rental discounts

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders save up to 20 percent on car rentals from Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental. Restrictions apply—get full details and the necessary discount codes on the Annual Passholder Web site (link).

Anaheim Angels tickets

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders can save 50 percent off the regular price of tickets for the following home games of the Anaheim Angels baseball team, which plays at nearby Angel Stadium of Anaheim (formerly Edison Field):

• Boston Red Sox: Thursday, July 15, 7:05 p.m.
• Seattle Mariners: Sunday, August 1, 1:05 p.m.

Prices are: Terrace Box, $12.50 (reg. $25); Lower View Box, $7.50 (reg. $15); and Upper View, $6 (reg. $12).

Although there is no limit to how many tickets a passholder can purchase, you must use mail or fax in the order form provided at the Annual Passholder Web site, and you cannot purchase these tickets online or obtain them at the ticket window on the day of the game. See the passholder Web site for details (link).

AAA-Disney's Resort Magic Packages

If you are a AAA member, you can take advantage of these packages that include hotel nights and theme park tickets, along with extra ammenities:

• 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)
• Collect Fastpass tickets for multiple attractions at one time.
• Preferred seating at a choice of select shows in DCA
• An exclusive Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard (one per person)
• An exclusive Walt Disney Travel Company California Fun Book (one per package)
• An exclusive Disneyland Resort Magical Pocket Guide (one per package)

Sample prices include:

AAA Disney's Resort Magic: Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel for two nights from $269/adult, $127/ages 10-17, $97/ages 3-9

AAA Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Magic: Jolly Roger Hotel for two nights from $193/adult, $127/ages 10-17, $97/ages 3-9

These packages require a minimum two-night hotel stay, and are good for travel now through July 1, August 29 to November 21 and November 28 to December 23, 2004. You can book this package through your local AAA affiliate travel agent.

Disney's AAA Passport Plus Package 2004

If you don't need a hotel room, the Passport Plus Package offers AAA members a discount on Park Hopper tickets, and comes with extra benefits:

• Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket
• $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card
• Preferred Seating at select shows in Disney's California Adventure Park
• California Diamond Fun Book (one per package)
• Free parking at Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

Prices:

• 5-day: $129 (children: $99)
• 6-day: $159 (children: $129)
• 7-day: $184 (children: $149)

An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address. These tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through AAA offices.

AAA ticket offers

For shorter stays, AAA offers 2- and 5-day tickets for the Disneyland Resort:

• 2-day adult Flex Passport $98 (children: $78)
• 5-day adult Flex Passport $129 (children: $99)

These tickets include free parking (the back of the passports note the free parking, so you will need the passport with you when you park your car).

CityPass

The Southern California CityPass 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 either the world-famous San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park
• 1-day ticket to Knott's Theme Park (includes a free Knott's Berry Farm T-shirt with each child's City Pass)

The CityPass is $172 ($129 for children).

You can purchase the Southern California CityPass with Walt Disney Travel Company packages. 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 for an additional charge of $47 per pass ($32 per pass for children 3 through 9).

Note: The Southern California CityPass 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.

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney’s California Adventure
Annual Pass blockout dates:

• SL – Southern California Select Annual Pass.
• SC – Southern California Annual Pass.
• DX – Deluxe Annual Pass.

Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates 2004 page to see more dates.

Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for June 7 to 16 at Disneyland.com here.

Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us here.

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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