Update for September 13 – 19, 2004

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

News and Views

Disney Fall Pass

Disneyland has announced its most recent Resident Salute program in the form of the “Disney Fall Pass.” The promotion is available exclusively at Albertsons grocery stores - membership in their Preferred Savings program and proof of residency in zip codes 90000-93599 is required.

To take advantage of this offer, you must first purchase a “fridge pack” or a 24-pack of any Coca-Cola product, plus another $25 in merchandise. Once you meet these requirements, you receive a coupon to purchase a Disney Fall Pass for $89. The pass gives you unlimited admission to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure park through December 16, excluding November 26, 27 and 28. Check your local Albertsons store for more details, or visit the promotional Web site (link).

Some have noted that this ticket is just $10 less than the Southern California Select Annual Passport, which is good for 170 pre-selected days, and also offers a 10-percent discount at select Disneyland Resort restaurants. However, with the exception of Thanksgiving weekend, the Disney Fall Pass is not subject to blackout days as is the SoCal Select annual pass.

If I have to take my own order, do I qualify for a cast member discount?

MousePlanet reader David Michael alerted us to a new “innovation” at Disney's California Adventure. Starting this Tuesday, Disney begins testing self-service kiosks at Taste Pilot's Grill. Customers use a touch-screen menu to place their orders. Just like similar installations at your local Wal-Mart or Home Depot, these kiosks accept credit cards and cash, give change, and print receipts.

Two of the self-service machines now found at all but one of the Taste Pilot's Grill cashier stations. As of Sunday morning, they were turned on but not in use. Photo by Alex Stroup

What's on TV

The third ABC Primetime Preview Weekend at Disney's California Adventure brought something resembling a crowd on Saturday to that park. Stars and “stars” were seen wandering the park all weekend long and plenty of plaid was present to point out the celebrities to those guests who know that a plaid-wearing cast member generally means they're accompanying someone of note.

We'll have a longer photo piece from Frank Anzalone later in the week, but here are a few to tide everybody over.

George Lopez writes this message for guests, plus others that Disney isn't so approving of. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

Jim Belushi and band return again to perform. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

DCA visitors could walk down the red carpet, flanked by limousines. Photo by Frank Anzalone.

Let us entertain you

Disney's new guide map format makes it easier for visitors to learn about the variety of “Streetmosphere” atmosphere talent in the park. The entertainment schedule, which is now a separately printed handout, highlights previously unadvertised acts, including Disneyland's Dapper Dans, the Disneyland Marching Band, Laughing Stock Company (performing outside the Golden Horseshoe Theater) and the Side Street Strutters jazz ensemble.

The guide also details a host of character meet-and-greet opportunities at both parks, and lists the current Fastpass operating schedule.

The real mystery: When can we book the tour?

Sales of Disneyland's highly anticipated Mysteries, Myths, and Legends tour did not go on sale last week as expected. Guest Relations cast members, who are probably sick of fielding calls about this tour, have asked potential customers to call back this week. We'll update this section as soon as the tickets go on sale. The tour's price has not yet been established.

What to do during rehab season?

For as many people who have spent the past half-decade complaining about the declining state of Disneyland's maintanance, there seem to be an equal number now bothered by the amount of repair work being performed in preparation for the park's 50th anniversary.

Nobody disputes that the work needs to be done, and some argue that smaller crowds and shorter lines during the off season make up for the reduction in available attractions. Still, it is vexing to arrive on property to discover that many of the rides, shows and restaurants are either closed, dark, or undergoing refurbishment—some until spring 2005 and beyond. This is a serious consideration for the occasional visitor who may have spent considerable effort and money on planning a big trip to the park, especially those who planned their trip far in advance before they knew how many attractions would be unavailable.

With that in mind, here is a look at what you can expect from your off-season trip to the Disneyland Resort:

Main Street

Most guests would miss the construction wall now hiding the long-closed restrooms behind the AAA kiosk. Photo by Alex Stroup.

The Main Street side of Emporium and 20th Century Timepieces is getting touched up, though all the stores remain open. Photo by Alex Stroup.

The scaffolding around Sleeping Beauty's Castle hasn't changed recently, but progress on the painting of the drawbridge is visible. Photo by Alex Stroup.

Adventureland

The Enchanted Tiki Room is completely obscured by a wall and scaffolding. It appears that the thatching has been removed completely from the roof, so at least that will be all new when the attraction reopens. Photo by Alex Stroup.

Aladdin's Oasis is also closed, though peeks through cracks in the fences show nothing other than lifting equipment inside. Photo by Alex Stroup.

Guests get one final wall in a seemingly continuous Adventureland construction zone, as Bengal BBQ is also geting a touch up. Photo by Alex Stroup.

New Orleans Square

Though the New Orleans Square train station is open, its theming is not. Along with the construction wall the telegraph office is apparently also closed, as the click and clack of the landline telegraph message of Walt Disney's dedication speech (in the now-extinct American Morse code) was not heard on Sunday morning. Photo by Alex Stroup.

Haunted Mansion is closed for its Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. Photo by Alex Stroup.

While no exterior work seems to have been done, guests peeking over the fence can find pumpkins already under the hearse. Photo by Alex Stroup.

The work on Sailing Ship Columbia is readily visible through its scrim, showing many planks removed from its left side. Photo by Alex Stroup.

Fantasyland

The Matterhorn is getting another rehabilitation, and the construction wall goes almost all the way around the mountain. Photo by Alex Stroup.

The route between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland along the lagoon is closed from both directions. The pavement in this area has been completely torn out and is being replaced. Photo by Alex Stroup.

This construction wall would seem somewhat random to most park visitors, but this is the back of what will be the Buzz Lightyear show building. Presumably it has something to do with that construction. Photo by Alex Stroup.

Tomorrowland

The construction scene for what will be Buzz Lightyear; apparently it requires a lot of folding chairs. This wall wraps all the way from the entrance of Tomorrowland to the edge of Club Buzz. It even encroaches into the space of Astro Orbiter, where they had to install the emergency stop button into the temporary wall. Photo by Alex Stroup.

Mark your calendars

The Disney Gallery Web site has been updated with a schedule of special events planned for this fall, and into 2005:

…Christopher Radko introduces a Haunted Mansion Holiday ornament on Friday, October 1, 2004, at La Boutique de Noel in New Orleans Square. The ornament is tagged at $44, and Radko will be on hand from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to meet collectors and sign their purchases. (link)

...The 2004 Nightmare Before Christmas limited-edition pin-promotion theme is “Doom Buddies.” The schedule of the past two years of 13 weekends in a row has been replaced with three consecutive Fridays of three-pin releases on October 1, 8 and 15. Those who buy all nine pins are eligible to receive a tenth pin for free. Those buying the whole framed set on October 1 receive another bonus pin (link).

…Marie Osmond offers her Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Adora Belle Bellhop Pin Trader doll at DCA on December 4, 2004 (link). This doll is said to be the first in a planned series of dolls featuring DCA cast member costumes. Osmond narrates Disneyland's Candlelight Procession and Ceremony that weekend, and there is a strong rumor that she may also introduce a Candlelight Adora Belle at that time.

…Disneyland celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Indiana Jones Adventure with a merchandise special event on March 3, 2005 (link).

…Disneyland's 2005 Summer Pin Festival run from June 24 to August 15, 2005. No further details were announced, but you can keep checking the Disneyland Web site for more information (link).

...Finally, Disneyland has announced that a special hard-ticket event is planned for some time in July 2005 for the park's 50th Anniversary, but no details are yet available. Again, there is a dedicated Web page to keep watching for updates (link).

Ears to the ground

...The Premiere Shop in Tomorrowland is now closed to facilitate construction of the exit and gift shop for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Disneyland has expanded the pin selection at its Emporium on Main Street, USA, and has placed pin trading carts around the park.

...Word is that cast members have once again begun enforcing a long-ignored rule for the entrance from the Grand Californian Hotel to DCA. For now, only hotel guests can to use the entrance for their first entry into DCA. Other guests who have not yet been into the park must walk around to the main gate. As of Sunday morning, all guests could use the gate for re-entry (saving those early morning trips to Whitewater Cafe for breakfast).

...Lenox is said to be creating a gold-accented Sleeping Beauty Castle figure for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary, with a matching Treasure Box. The figures will be first offered exclusively at Disneyland during the anniversary, but will be available through your local Lenox Disney Classics retailer in 2006.

...Disneyland has released its newest attraction-based “Big Fig” (big figure) sculpture, and this Splash Mountain figure has a working waterfall effect.

This “Big Fig” sculpture of Splash Mountain has a working water wheel and waterfall. Photo by Alex Stroup

---

Got any interesting news or rumors? Contact us here.

---

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.

• Haunted Mansion closed through September 30 to install Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds closed through November 23.
• Star Tours – each of the four cabins rotating in reduced capacity for refurbishment through September 22.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle closed through November 23.
• Sailing Ship Columbia closed through November 30.
• Fantasmic on hiatus through November during the Sailing Ship Columbia refurbishment.
• 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.

  Upcoming Disneyland closures

• Mad Tea Party closes September 20 – October 21.
• Jungle Cruise closes October 11–15.
• “it's a small world” closes October 18 – November 4.
• Haunted Mansion closes January 10–25, 2005 to remove Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.

Snow White's Grotto is back in pristine condition. The close-up of Dopey shows just how good everything is looking. Photo by Alex Stroup

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 closes 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.

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

• Disney's Swim with the Stars – Tour concludes October 2–5 in Anaheim. Details at the organizer's Web site (link).
• 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 admission 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 here.
• Disneyland in Miniature by Robert Olszewski product release. October 30 at Disneyland. Town Square, the fourth piece in the Disneyland in Miniature series, will be offered for sale at the Disneyana shop on Main Street. The first accessory pieces will also be offered for sale.

December

• Christopher Radko Ornament Release & Signing. Friday, October 1, 2004. Complete details at the Disney Gallery Web site (link).
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Adora Belle Bellhop Pin Trader doll release at DCA. Saturday, December 4 (link). Osmond narrates Disneyland's Candlelight Procession and Ceremony that weekend, and the speculation is that she will also be introducing a Candlelight Adora Belle doll at that time.
• Disneyland's Candlelight Procession and Ceremony, with guest narrator Marie Osmond. Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5.

March 2005

• Indiana Jones Adventure 10th Anniversary event. March 3, 2005 at Disneyland. No details have been announced (link).

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.

June 2005

• 2005 Summer Pin Festival. June 24 - August 15, 2005 at the Disneyland Resort. No details have been announced. (link)

July 2005

• Disneyland 50th Anniversary special event. July, 2005. No dates or details have been announced. (link)

Current Discounts & Promotions

Disney Fall Pass

Disneyland has announced its most recent Resident Salute program in the form of the “Disney Fall Pass.” The promotion is available exclusively at Albertsons grocery stores - membership in their Preferred Savings program and proof of residency in zip codes 90000-93599 is required.

To take advantage of this offer, you must first purchase a “fridge pack” or a 24-pack of any Coca-Cola product, plus another $25 in merchandise. Once you meet these requirements, you receive a coupon to purchase a Disney Fall Pass for $89. The pass gives you unlimited admission to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure park through December 16, excluding November 26, 27 and 28. Check your local Albertsons store for more details, or visit the promotional Web site (link).

Free mini photo album for Annual Passholders

In an effort to continue promoting its 50th anniversary “Happiest Faces On Earth” Disney photo collage project, Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders can get a a free “Happiest Faces On Earth” mini photo album when they purchase $15 worth of merchandise at the following stores in the resort:

• Emporium in Disneyland
• Greetings from California in DCA
• World of Disney store in Downtown Disney

The offer is good through September 30. For more details, visit the Annual Passholder Web page at Disneyland.com (link).

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 September 13–22 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.

Go to: Top | Section Contents | MousePlanet Main Page

Copyright © MousePlanet® Inc. | Legal Information & Privacy Policy | About/Contact MousePlanet | Link to us

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.