Update for November 15 – 21, 2004

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

News and Views

Candlelight surprise

In our November 1 Park Update, we reported that the Disneyland Resort would not be offering dining packages for this year's Candlelight Processional with narrator Marie Osmond. Happily, the Powers That Be reversed that decision, and Disney Dining started accepting Candlight dining package reservations last Thursday.

The Disneyland Railroad's Main Street Station provides the backdrop for the stage, which is set for the performers to take their places. File photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Six Disneyland Resort restaurants are participating in the program, each with a minimum per-person purchase requirement. Each restaurant was issued an allocation of tickets - when a restaurant reaches capacity, callers will be invited to make reservations at a different restaurant.

Hooks Pointe: $40 minimum for adults, $15 for kids.

Storyteller's Cafe: $40 minimum for adults, $15 for kids.

Note: Since it is extremely difficult to meet the minimum purchase requirement at Storyteller's Cafe, restaurant management has been instructed that an order of one appetizer, one entree, one beverage and one dessert per person is sufficient to meet the spending requirement, regardless of the total.

Granville's: $50 minimum for adults, $15 for kids.

Yamabuki: $50 minimum for adults, $15 for kids.

Napa Rose: $75 for adults, $20 for kids.

Note: This location is only offering tickets for the 2nd showing each evening.

Vineyard Room: $75 for adults, $20 for kids.

Note: This location is only offering tickets for the 2nd showing each evening.

You will receive your tickets at the completion of your meal. Be sure to leave enough time to get to Main Street 30 minute prior to your performance. Call Disney Dining at 714-781-3463 to make your reservations.

Special thanks to MousePlanet reader jiminycesq for sharing this information with our MousePad discussion board readers last week.

From the completely unsubstantiated rumor file

Is the Fantasy Waters theater closed for refurbishment, or closed forever? Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

A reader tells us that big changes may be in store for the Disneyland Hotel. On the chopping block: the waterfall near the Bonita Tower, the koi ponds and the Fantasy Waters theater area. Blueprints being considered show that this space would be used for an expansion of the Cove pool area and the construction of a miniature golf course.

If this rumor is correct, the Fantasy Waters show, currently on hiatus, will never return, and its theater could be demolished as early as next month. We'll keep you posted.

Breakfast is served

As previously reported, the Disneyland Resort has made some changes to their character dining options. As the restaurants continue to roll out the new offerings, here are some additional details:

Lilo & Stitch Aloha Breakfast at PCH Grill

Kahuna Kali (surely an alter-ego of Pat E. Cake), plays host to this new breakast offering, introduced on October 27. In addition to eating all of their oatmeal, kids are encouraged to participate at new “show” locations surrounding the restaurant, as well as games and interactive elements.

Kids participate in a Rock-a-Hula recital at the new Lilo & Stitch breakfast. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

The character roster adds Lilo & Stitch to the existing lineup of Minnie, Daisy, Pluto and Max. The menu has been revamped, and includes a new french toast offering.

Goofy’s Kitchen

The food at the existing Goofy's Kitchen buffet location has been tweaked and upgraded, and now features a special egg white station and a new french toast dish. The location is experimenting with a new atmosphere of fun and games.

A Disney Princess Breakfast at the Plaza Inn

Cinderella, her Fairy Godmother and a host of Disney royals moved into the Plaza Inn on November 2 to introduce a new Princess Breakfast. Jasmine, Prince Ali and Beauty and the Beast fill out the royal lineup, while Mary Poppins and Mulan make guest appearances.

The menu has been altered to suit the new royal inhabitants. The buffet now includes a hash brown scramble station and “swan” cream puffs. Continuing the trend, yet another new French Toast dish is available.

Alamo extends, expands relationship with Disney

Alamo Car Rental has extended its marketing alliance with Disney Parks and Resorts, guaranteeing its position as official car rental company of Disneyland and Walt Disney World while extending discounts for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and Disney Visa cardmembers. In addition, Alamo is taking sponsorship of the Mulholland Madness attraction at Disney's California Adventure and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority attraction at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Ears to the ground

…The Disney Gallery is again open daily. The store's operating schedule was recently reduced to just three days a week, leading to complaints from park guests.

Snow White's Wishing Well has a beautiful new grate. It was put in during the most recent refurbishment. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

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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.

Workers continue the refurbishment of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

• Matterhorn Bobsleds closed through November 23.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle exterior 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

• Haunted Mansion closes January 10–25, 2005 to remove Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.

A tantalizing peek inside a Disneyland submarine. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

An open door in the mysterious blue box provides nothing more than a glimpse of tangled wires. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Disney's California Adventure

Upcoming DCA closures

• Maliboomer reduced capacity (2 of 3 towers operating) through November 25, 2004, and January 3–22, 31 – March 12, 2005.
• Jumpin' Jellyfish reduced 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

November

• “Merriest Place on Earth” Christmas decorations appear throughout the Disneyland resort.Through Jan. 2.
• A Christmas Fantasy parade begins another holiday run at Disneyland. Nov. 19.
• Construction walls come down around Sleeping Beauty Castle for the holiday season. Nov. 22. Work resumes in January to complete the 50th anniversary overlay.

December

• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Adora Belle Bellhop Pin Trader doll release at DCA. Dec. 4 (link). Marie 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. Dec. 4–5.

January 2005

• Disneyland Resort float appears in Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade. Jan. 1.
• 75 InspEARations exhibit arrives at Disneyland. Jan. 10 – Feb. 22.

February 2005

• Chip & Dale's Wild Wild West Pin Adventure. Febr. 3 at Disneyland. Tickets on sale now (link).

March 2005

• Indiana Jones Adventure 10th Anniversary event. March 3 at Disneyland. No details have been announced (link).
• MousePlanet's MouseAdventure event – Tentative date, Sunday, March 13 at Disneyland. Details to be announced. Want us to contact you when we open registration for the upcoming MouseAdventure event? Sign up for MouseAdventure Reminderer.

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 – Aug. 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

Holiday Bring-a-Friend ticket

Disneyland resort passholders can purchase 1-day park hopper tickets for the same price as a 1-day, 1-park ticket. Limit five tickets per person, per day, with valid passport. Admission must be used on day of purchase. Effective December 1–18.

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder offers and promotions

• Purchase tickets to the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour for a discounted rate of $39 per person. The offer is valid through November 18, and limited to five tickets per passholder.
• Purchase a commemorative 50th anniversary brick through December 31 to be placed in the esplanade between Disneyland and DCA, and receive a $50 discount off the regular price of $150. The special brick features a brass-toned medallion with the 50th anniversary logo.
• Get a 50 percent discount on the pictoral souvenir books while supplies last. A new souvenir guide book is scheduled to be released in 2005.
• Get January AP rates at the Disneyland Resort, starting at $79 per night at Paradise Pier hotel. Promotion valid Sunday – Thursday for arrivals January 2 – 31, 2005. Additional restrictions apply. Call 714-956-MICKEY (714-956-6425) to book.
• Receive a copy of The Disney Treasures book, worth $60, when applying for a Disney Visa card. The book will be mailed after you uses the new account. Apply by phone at 1-800-640-5306, and mention card code 26FF.
• 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).

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).

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.

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 amenities:

• 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.
• 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 November 8 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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