Update for November 23 – 28, 2004

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

News and Views

Grand Marshall Mickey

Mickey Mouse has been chosen to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2005 Tournament of Roses parade. The 2005 parade theme is “Celebrate Family.” The announcement was made at a ceremony at Tournament House in Pasadena on November 16, where Julie Andrews congratulated Mickey on the honor. Andrews is the Honorary Disneyland Ambassador for the park's 50th anniversary celebration.

Mickey Mouse serves as the Grand Marshal for the 2005 Tournament of Roses parade. Photo © Disney.

Mickey starts off Disneyland's 50th anniversary year by riding in the 116th Tournament of Roses parade on New Year's Day. Later that day, he tosses the coin to start the 91st Rose Bowl game. The Disneyland Resort is also entering a float in the 2005 Tournament of Roses parade.

Tournament of Roses President Dave Davis, Mickey Mouse, and Julie Andrews at the announcement ceremony. Photo © Disney.

For additional information about the Tournament of Roses parade or the Rose Bowl, please call the Tournament of Roses Association at 626-449-ROSE (626-449-7673), or visit their official Web site at Tournamentofroses.com (link).

Holiday Happenings

The annual “Holiday Time at Disneyland” tour began spreading seasonal joy this past Friday night. Although the tour has followed a similar format the past few years, this time around tour-goers receive a special tour-exclusive “Holiday Time” trading pin. All three Saturday night tour groups were at full capacity, with shouts of “Happy Holidays” heard from New Orleans Square to Toontown.

Disneyland's Christmas tree sparkles after sunset. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

One major improvement this year is the addition of blue lights to the tops of the tour jockey riding crops, making it much easier to follow the guides through the crowds of people (and there is a chance that one or more of the children in your group might get to play “tour leader” for a bit.)

The Main Street Train Station sports festive holiday trim. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

During the Hanukkah portion of the trip, tour groups visited the Main Street door of Dr. Benjamin Silverstein. We are happy to report that the dark brown mezuzah that disappeared several weeks ago has been replaced by a shiny silver mezuzah.

As promised, a new mezuzah—posted in a slant as is Jewish custom—is up on Dr. Silverstein's door in time for Hanukkah. Photo by Shoshana Lewin.

The “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” is also back in its full holiday glory and can be seen twice nightly (unless otherwise noted in the daily schedule). No new floats (or characters) have been added this year, to the disappointment of several people who kept looking for characters from Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.

Sleeping Beauty Castle gets dressed for the holidays. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Stitch of Lilo and Stitch and Flounder from The Little Mermaid are both back in “it's a small world holiday.” Flounder is in a stocking near the “Jingle Shells” mermaid area, while a mini-Stitch rides surfboard in the Hawaii section.

Annual passholders receive a $10 discount for the Holiday Time at Disneyland tour. Call 714-781-4400 to make reservations. Before you go, be sure to read Shoshana Lewin's review of last year's tour (link).

Muppet Stamps Debut in 2005

Disney's recently acquired characters, Kermit the Frog and the Muppets gang, appear on a new series of 11 U.S. postage stamps in March 2005. The stamps honor the late Jim Henson, and feature Miss Piggy, Statler and Waldorf, the Swedish Chef, and Dr. Bunson Honeydew and Beaker. The U.S. Postal Service plans to sell the stamps at local post offices and through its Web site.

Ears to the ground

…The Briar Patch store in Critter Country has reopened as a hat shop. The store has the usual selection of hats, along with cameras and autograph books.

Critter Country has a new hat shop, as The Briar Patch reopens. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…The Fastpass machines for Pirates of the Caribbean have been removed.

The Pirates of the Caribbean Fastpass machines are history. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

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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 renovation of the front of Sleeping Beauty Castle is finished. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

• 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.

The signage for Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters was installed, along with the FastPass headers. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A peek behind the tarps surrounding the Sailing Ship Columbia. 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

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.
• “Merriest Place on Earth” Christmas decorations appear throughout the Disneyland resort.Through Jan. 2.

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. Details not yet announced (link).
• MousePlanet's MouseAdventure event – Tentatively Sunday, March 13 at Disneyland. Details to be announced. Want us to contact you when we open registration for this 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 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 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 is shipped 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.

AAA-Disney's Resort Magic Packages

AAA member 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 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

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