Update for August 30 – September 5, 2004

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

News and Views

Rolling Thunder

In a long-awaited report of its findings and recommendations regarding the July 8 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad accident that sent three passenger to the hospital for minor injuries and injured at least two more, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) cited two factors in the accident (read our MousePlanet coverage here).

According to the report released last Friday afternoon, a ride operator who had only been working in his position for three days failed to follow the proper procedure to remove a train from the rotation. This error sent a train full of passengers into the occupied side of the station.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad back in action. Photo by Karl Buiter.

DOSH also found that the ride control system failed to prevent the train from entering the station when another train was on the same spur, although the report noted that five “unique and rare conditions” occurred in specific order to cause the accident.

The report detailed corrective actions necessary—including retraining the cast member and enhancing the ride control system—to resume operation, and indicated that those actions had already been completed. A copy of the DOSH report is available online (link).

In a prepared statement, Greg Hale, chief safety officer of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said, “We agree with the report and have taken all the required corrective actions. We remain committed to driving continuous improvement and upholding the high standards that keep us at the forefront of ride safety.”

The ride reopened Friday night, less than three hours after the DOSH report was released.

Game On!

MousePlanet is pleased to announce the return of its popular MouseAdventure puzzle-and-hunt event. This time around, we're going to be in Disney's California Adventure on Sunday, October 10, 2004.

MouseAdventure is a popular and fun quest-based event produced by MousePlanet and held regularly at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

For more information, see our MouseAdventure information page (link). If you wish to register, go directly to or MouseAdventure registration page (link).

No dice for Garden Grove

On August 18, the Associated Press reported that Garden Grove city officials were in talks with developer Steve Wynn to build an Indian casino two miles south of Disneyland. The development would require the city to sell land to, or trade land with, the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, who could use the Garden Grove parcel to build a casino and entertainment center.

The plan drew heated debate from local residents, and was the main subject of discussion at the city's August 24 council meeting. Citing potential controversy, the council voted at that meeting to reject the proposal. In an interview with the Las Vegas Sun earlier that week, Winn said that reports of his involvement were exaggerated, and that he wanted no part of the project until the land use issues had been resolved.

Wake up like a princess

The Disneyland Hotel has transformed a bedroom in the Presidential Suite into a re-creation of Princess Mia's room from The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Located on the top floor of the Sierra Tower, the Princess Suite is decorated with furnishings from the original movie set, and pieces from a new Drexel-Heritage furniture collection.

Disney's new Princess Diaries Suite recreates a set from the sequel. Photo © Disney.

Scattered around the room are photos of the film's cast and crew, including candid shots of stars Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews and producer Garry Marshall. Of the items showcased in the suite, the bed, bench, slipper chairs, demilune chest and dresser can be ordered through Drexel-Heritage retailers (link).

Like the demilune chest? You can order one for your own castle. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

When you're done looking at the décor, the room also has a fantastic view of Downtown Disney and the Disneyland fireworks. Tea service is already laid out in the room, and a variety of princess-themed items or services can be booked for an additional fee.

When you're a princess, you can take some of the decorations—the CD, DVD and tiara are yours to keep. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Guests receive The Princess Diaries Special Edition DVD, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement motion picture soundtrack, and a rhinestone tiara in a presentation box. The suite is a concierge-level room, so guests have access to other concierge amenities, including the concierge lounge.

The bathroom features Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries and a photo of actor Chris Pine. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Princess Diaries Suite can be booked by itself, starting at $430 per night, or as part of the larger Presidential Suite, starting at $1,400 per night. Actress/model Anna Nicole Smith was the suite's first official guest.

Say cheese—please!

When “The Happiest Faces on Earth… A Disney Family Album” was first announced, prospective participants submitted photos and crossed their fingers, hoping that they would be lucky enough to have their photo chosen for the project. If this sounds like you, relax—your odds may be better than you think.

The Martinez family of Portland, Oregon, helps Mickey Mouse and Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet kickoff the “Happiest Faces on Earth—A Disney Family Album"” by submitting the first official photograph. Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer © Disney.

By some accounts, photo submissions are arriving slower than expected, and cast members are being encouraged to “chat up” the promotion at every opportunity. One cast member joked that as long as you aren't doing something vulgar in the photo, you have a good chance of being included. Don't worry if you think your photo is similar to every other Castle shot out there, or has the wrong background color—photos can be cropped and colorized before use. So dig out those photo albums, and find that adorable photo of your child meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time. You can get complete details and instructions for submitting your photos at the Disney Web site (link).

What do you do when you win Olympic gold?

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and his teammates Lenny Krayzelburg and Ian Crocker, in their first public appearances in the United States since winning in Greece, begin a 12-city “Disney's Swim with the Stars” tour. The tour begins August 31 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and ends at Disneyland Resort in California.

On August 31, the three swimming champions will serve as grand marshals in a celebratory parade in their honor at the Magic Kingdom and lead a special swimming clinic at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park.

Each city stop will also feature a two-hour swimming celebration show, presented by Disney, which showcases the accomplishments of each swimmer. Each show will include demonstrations, rematches from Athens and a relay with the stars and special guests. The tour itinerary is:

1. Orlando/Walt Disney World Resort (August 31 – September 2)
2. Atlanta (September 3–5)
3. New York City (September 6–9)
4. Baltimore (September 10–12)
5. Chicago (September 13–15)
6. Dallas (September 16–18)
7. Denver (September 19–20)
8. Las Vegas (September 21–23)
9. Salt Lake City (September 24–25)
10. Seattle (September 26–27)
11. 11. San Francisco (September 28–30)
12. 12. Anaheim / Disneyland Resort (October 4–5)

Ears to the ground

…Names Unraveled, a Disneyland tenant that sells personalized items from a cart in Fantasyland, is getting a new home. The company will soon offer its wares from the now-unused Geppetto's Toys and Gifts store location in Fantasyland. Geppetto's was once the park's destination doll and teddy bear shop, and closed when the Tinker Bell Toy Shop was transformed into a Disney Princess store.

…The long-awaited Tinker Bell Tiny Tot doll by Marie Osmond will be available for pre-order through Disney DelivEARS starting September 1. More details are available at the Disney Gallery Web site (link).

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Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us here.

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Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

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

The Emporium on Main Street gets spiffed up in preparation for the park's 50th anniversary next year. Photo by Karl Buiter.

• Pirates of the Caribbean closes September 2 for a one-day rehab.
• Snow White's Scary Adventures closed through September 10.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle closed through November 23.
• Sailing Ship Columbia closed for daily operation, but in operation for Fantasmic. Closes September 7 – November 30.
• Aladdin's Oasis closed through March 11, 2005.
• Plaza Pavilion closed through March 11, 2005.
• Enchanted Tiki Room closed through March 11, 2005.
• Space Mountain closed through November 2005.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through closed indefinitely; not listed on park maps or the Disneyland Web site.

The annual pass processing center is temporarily relocated to Tomorrowland. Photo by Karl Buiter.

Upcoming Disneyland closures

• Star Tours reduces capacity, as each of the four cabins rotate through refurbishment September 7–22.
• Haunted Mansion closes September 7 – October 1 for installation of Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay. Closed January 10–25, 2005 for removal of Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds closes September 7 – November 13.
• Mad Tea Party closes September 20 – October 21.

Disney's California Adventure

• Superstar Limo closed indefinitely; not listed on park maps or the Disneyland Web site.
• Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It! closed indefinitely.

  Upcoming DCA Closures

• King Triton's Carousel closed September 20–30.
• Maliboomer reduced capacity (2 of 3 towers operating) November 1–25, 2004, and January 3–22, 31 – March 12, 2005.
• Jumpin' Jellyfish reduces capacity January 21 – March 5, 2005.

Disneyland Resort Hotels

• Disneyland Hotel Convention Center lobby, upper level & lower level closed through 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

• ABC Primetime Weekend September 10, 11, 12.
• 2004 Haunted Mansion Holiday Event Thursday, September 30.

October

• Gay Days – Details at the organizer's Web site (link). October 2 at Disneyland, October 3 at DCA.
• Retro Slide Show Tour of Disneyland – at the Downtown Disney AMC Theaters. Performance artist Charles Phoenix presents his slide show retrospective of Disneyland. $20 amission is $20. Tickets available online (link) or at (866) 468-3399. Sunday, October 3.
• CHOC Walk – this fun-walk through Disneyland park is a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital of Orange County (link). Sunday, October 3.
• MousePlanet's MouseAdventure puzzle-and-quest event – Sunday, October 10 at Disney's California Adventure. Full details and online registration form available Wednesday, August 25. [Read more about MouseAdventure 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). You can purchase these tickets through Thursday, September 30, 2004.

Note: The tickets expire on October 13, 2004, or 13 days after first use, whichever comes first. The first use must occur on the date of purchase.

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 five of the discounted tickets without the passholder even being there.

50th Anniversary Package (Happiest Homecoming on Earth!)

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.

Thanks to reader Tina for providing us with an updated link for this package.

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).

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 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. Completely blocked this week.
• SC – Southern California Annual Pass. Completely blocked this week.
• 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 August 30 – September 5 at Disneyland.com here (printer-friendly version 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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