When Walt Disney World celebrated its 25th birthday, it asked guests
to “Remember the Magic.” Now Disneyland wants its guests to
remember again when the Happiest Place on Earth celebrates it golden anniversary.
“Remember When” is the official anthem for the park's 50th
birthday, which kicks off May 5. The song, written and produced by Grammy-winner
Richard Marx and sung by country star LeAnn Rimes, will be heard in TV
and radio commercials, at Disneyland in the “Remember, Dreams Come
True” fireworks show and possibly even at the global celebration
at resorts around the world, including the September 12 opening of Hong
Kong Disneyland.
LeAnn Rimes wearing golden ears provided by Mickey Mouse. Photo by Shoshana Lewin.
Rimes and Marx join other famous faces—and voices—representing
Disneyland's 50th, including Kelsey Grammer (of TV show Frasier),
whose voice can be heard in the CGI-created “Come Home” commercials,
and Julie Andrews, the celebration's honorary ambassador.
"[We wanted someone] who would cross genders and generations and
really represent this moment in time,” said Michael Mendenhall, executive
vice president of global marketing for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts,
in his introduction of Disneyland fan Rimes. “[LeAnn] embodies the
spirit of Disneyland.”
The announcement's location at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank came
as a surprise to many Disney fans, who wondered why an event about Disneyland
was made 30 miles from the resort. The answer was probably convenience.
Rimes taped an episode of The Tonight Show on Thursday afternoon
in Burbank and performed Thursday night at the Roxy in Los Angeles.
“He wrote the most perfect song,” Rimes said of Marx. “It
goes from the lowest lows to the highest highs. It is one of the hardest
songs I ever had to sing.
At the end of the press conference, Mickey Mouse came out to present
Rimes, who said her favorite attraction at Disneyland is the Matterhorn
Bobsled, with a pair of coveted “golden mouse ears,” which will
be sold at the park starting in May.
Mendenhall said there are no plans at the moment to release the song
as a single, but guests can add one more Disney-themed album to their
collection when the new CD, The Official Album of Disneyland's Anniversary,
debuts on May 3.
Although Rimes said the song “came out beautifully,” we'll
have to take her word for it. No one at Thursday's event had the chance
to hear it.
The game's afoot
MousePlanet is pleased to announce the return of our popular MouseAdventure
event. This time around, we're going to be in Disneyland Park on Sunday,
March 13, 2005.
In an effort to present a challenging event for our returning teams while
making the game accessible to new players, we are hosting two different
MouseAdventure games on the same day: MouseAdventure Open and MouseAdventure
Invitational: The Enchanted Race. If you are a returning MouseAdventure
participant, this event is unlike any you've ever attended. If you're
new to MouseAdventure, this event is the perfect chance to “get your
feet wet.”
For the first time, we are hosting a post-game dinner and the award ceremony
inside Disneyland. You can read all the general details on the
registration page (link).
Registration closes on March 4 or when the event sells out, whichever
comes first.
The paint bucket brigade carries forth
MousePlanet reader Steve mentioned last week that the paint on the new
Buzz Lightyear building was starting to peel.
The Buzz Lightyear attraction is being repainted before it even opens,
possibly to repair peeling paint spotted on the building. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
It looks like the problem was serious enough that scaffolding has been
raised and the building receiving another coat. Rumblings from the Completely
Unsubstantiated Rumor Mill say that the ride may soft open for dress rehearsals
by mid-March.
In December, a member of our MousePad discussion boards spotted a gold
lamppost inside Disneyland, next to the Main Street lockers. We're not
sure if this was a paint test with all of the poles to be repainted, or
if, like the ride vehicles from the opening-day attractions, only one
will be painted gold. Either way, it's quite pretty, and worth the side
trip down Center Street to see.
Disneyland's golden lamppost. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Workers are laying new ties and track for the Disneyland Railroad, which
is expected to reopen in just over a month.
Workers lay the new railroad track leading to the roundhouse. Photo by
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Workers place the railroad ties as the new track installation continues.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The New Orleans Square station is pretty torn up, but reopens well before
the Tomorrowland station, which at the moment has nothing more than a
shade structure.
Construction continues in and around the New Orleans station. Photo by
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Workers install the new roof above the Enchanted Tiki Room juice bar.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
As promised, we checked out the Haunted Mansion to get photos of the
changes to the ride. In the queue area, the mausoleum is under refurbishment.
The Haunted Mansion mausoleum is being refurbished. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
Inside the long hallway just after the elevators, the May / December
portrait was replaced with this painting. The image “flashes”
between regular and skeletal in time with the lightning outside the mansion.
This painting replaced the May / December portait in the Haunted Mansion.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Unfortunately, photos of Madame Leota's floating crystal ball proved
difficult to capture without using a flash, or causing the ride to stop
in the seance room. The ball does float high above the seance table, and
actually moves around quite a bit.
Splash Mountain is still closed, as a new “fleet” of logs are
prepared. An area cast member assures us that riders will indeed face
forward in the new logs, and that the rear seat is intended for two people. [Note: This item originally reported the rear seat was for just one person.]
Work continues on Splash Mountain. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The rolling repaving project is currently working around the Matterhorn
and Triton's Gardens area. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
More Mice
The wear and tear of thousands of park visitors have begun to take their
toll on the 75 Mickey sculptures scattered around Disney's California
Adventure, and several more are surrounded by the rope barriers designed
to keep little Timmy from using them as a piece of playground equipment.
Statue #2, “All the World's His Stage,” designed by Susan Lucci.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #5, “Base Mouse,” designed by Gary Baseman. Photo by
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #8, “Big City Mouse,” designed by Kelly Ripa. Photo by
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #11, “Crazy Style Mickey,” designed by MEAR ONE. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #12, “Delivery Man Mickey,” designed by Kelly Kozel and
Sharon Noh for the Coca-Cola Company. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #13, “Dunk Mouse,” designed by Shaquille O'Neal. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Two of the figures have elluded our photographer: “True Blue”
by Marlee Matlin, and “Viva Mickey” by Luis Armand Garcia. If
you've spotted either sculpture, be sure to drop a note here,
so we can add their photos to the collection.
…Disneyland has posted a little more information about the 50th
Anniversary special event, now scheduled for July 15–17, 2005:
It's not just another walk in the Park!
Journey back with us, to a time when this magical place was only
a reality in the mind of one man who had a vision of a place where
friends and family could join together to share magical moments
filled with fun and laughter. Stroll with us down a country lane
that leads to a fragrant orange groves, far from the glitter and
bustle of 50s Hollywood, that will soon undergo a remarkable transformation.
Do you too dream of going home to Main Street, discovering castles
and exploring jungles, soaring into space aboard rocket ships and
riding trains through cowboy towns? Then we entreat you to join
us for a fabulous, joyous celebration…a fun filled, enlightening,
nostalgic and magical trip back to when it was all just a dream
and then wondrously became a reality. Come take a memory filled
walk back through Walt's original Park… his first Magic Kingdom.
Please continue to watch www.DisneyGallery.com (link)
for additional details and ticket sale information on our “Celebrating
50 Years of Magical Memories” event, including additional magical
experiences held in conjunction with and/or prior to the event dates
listed above.
…The Napa Rose restaurant at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel features
live jazz in the Napa Rose Lounge, Wednesday through Friday, from 6:30–10:30
p.m.
…David Koenig shares this e-mail:
The Disneyland Resort Alumni has announced that their 50th Reunion/Dinner
will be held on Saturday July 30 at the Disneyland Hotel's Grand Ballroom.
1400 former cast members are expected. If you are an Ex-Disneylander
and would like to be a part of this once-every-five-years event, please
contact Yumiko Esail either by email: Yume@Pacbell.net or by mail at:
P.O. Box 2762, Toluca Lake, Ca. 91610-0762. The club will announce additional
details, including cost and entertainment, by the end of the month.
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips,
rumors, and comments. E-mail us here.
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.
Dining Around Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort - exclusive
annual passholder event at Joachim Splichal's Downtown Disney Restaurants.
Monday, February 28, 4 – 9 p.m. Taste the flavors of the world
at the Patina Group's Downtown Disney District restaurants. Visit Tortilla
Jo's for real Mexican food and a live mariachi band, Catal for Mediterranean
cuisine, and Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria for Italian favorites. RSVP
to events@patinagroup.com or (714) 776-4000. $10 per passholder, each
guest must show valid annual passport to participate.
March
Indiana Jones Adventure 10th Anniversary event. March 3 at
Disneyland. Tickets on sale now (link).
MousePlanet's MouseAdventure event – Sunday, March 13
at Disneyland. Registration now open (link).
May
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 Summer Pin Festival. June 24 – Aug. 15 at the Disneyland
Resort. No details have been announced (link).
July
Disneyland 50th Anniversary special event. July 15 - 17. No
details have been announced, but Disney is taking an interest list (link)
for those who want to receive e-mail updates about the event.
July 2005 NFFC convention. July 9–13. The Show and Sale
is scheduled for July 10.
Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland
Resort. For convenience sake, we have grouped the discount offers based
on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that
best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick
the offer which works best for you. And keep those tips coming - let us
know if you find a better / different offer, so we can share it with other
readers!
One Day
No discounts offered to the general public for single-day admission.
You might find discounted tickets, starting at around $41 for ages
10 and up, through your employer, student organization or professional
association. Check with your group activity office or human resources
department.
Two Days
Southern California 2Fer Ticket ($53/$43) through April 28,
2005 – The spring “resident salute” discount
is a 2Fer ticket, with one admission to Disneyland and one admission
to Disney's California Adventure on two different days. Purchase
the “ticket card” in advance at Southern California-area
Vons and Pavillions grocery stores, scanned and activated at the
time of purchase. Walk up to the main entrance, present the ticket
card and proof of Southern California residency to gain admission.
Tickets: $53 for ages 10 and older, $43 for ages 3 to 9. You must
use the second admission within 30 days of the first admission,
or by April 28, 2005, whichever comes first.
According to the official promotion details, Southern California
residents can buy up to eight 2Fer tickets per day, but each member
of your party must be able to provide proof of Southern California
(zip codes 90000 through 93599) or Baja California (zip codes 21000
through 22999) residency to use the tickets.
Reader James tells us that he purchased these tickets at the
Disneyland Resort ticket booths, and was allowed to purchase the
tickets for his out-of-state relatives. He says his relatives were
never asked for proof of residency.
Good Neighbor Hotel Park Hopper Plus tickets($105/$85)
through April 28, 2005 – Disneyland resort Good Neighbor
hotels can offer a 2-Day Park Hopper Plus ticket at $105 for ages
10 and up, or $85 for ages 3 and up. (Adults and children pay the
same price) No advance purchase is required, and some hotels may
even sell them to visitors who are not staying at that property.
These tickets are valid through April 28. 2005.
AAA Flex Passport ($98/$78) – Some AAA offices offer
a 2-day Flex Passport at $98 for ages 10 and up, or $78 for ages
3-9. This ticket does not require a hotel or package purchase—check
with your local office to see if the ticket is available in your
area.
A reader let us know that AAA offices in Oregon / Idaho do not
offer the 2-day version of this ticket, but a 3-day pass is available.
Three Days
AAA Flex Passport ($129/$99) – Some AAA offices offer
a 3-day Flex Passport at $129 for ages 10 and up, or $99 for ages
3-9. This ticket does not require a hotel or package purchase -
check with your local office to see if the ticket is available in
your area.
Good Neighbor Hotel Park Hopper Plus tickets($114/$114)
through April 28, 2005 – Disneyland resort Good Neighbor
hotels can offer a 3-Day Park Hopper Plus ticket for $114, ages
3 and up. (Adults and children pay the same price) No advance purchase
is required, and some hotels may even sell them to visitors who
are not staying at that property. These tickets are valid through
April 28, 2005.
City Pass ($172/$129)through March 31, 2005
– The CityPass includes a three-day Disneyland Resort park
hopper ticket, one-day admission to Knott's Berry Farm, one-day
admission to SeaWorld in San Diego, and one-day admission to either
the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The CityPass
is $172 for ages 10 and up, and $129 for ages 3-9, and expires 14
days after first use, or April 1, whichever comes first. You can
buy CityPass at the Disneyland Web site, at the Disneyland Resort,
at the other theme parks included in the pass, or directly from
the CityPass Web site (link).
City Pass($185/$127) effective April 1, 2005
– Starting April 1, 2005, the cost of a CityPass increases
to $185 for ages 10 and up, but decrease to $127 for ages 3-9. The
pass also comes with one early admission into Disneyland. The CityPass
still expires 14 days after first use. Purchase CityPass through
the Disneyland Web site, at the Disneyland Resort, at the other
theme parks included in the pass, or directly from the CityPass
Web site (link).
Costco City Pass promotion ($149.99/$114.99)through March 31, 2005 – Costco is offering the
Southern California CityPass for $149.99 for adults, and $114.99
for children ages 3 to 9. You must use the first admission by March
31, 2005, and the pass expires 13 days after the first admission
is used.
Available at Southern California Costco stores or at the Costco
Web site (link).
Non-Costco members can buy the tickets via the Web site with a 5%
surcharge. A shipping fee applies to Internet orders.
3-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets($109/$109)($139/$109)
– The park hopper bonus tickets currently include one early
entry admission to Fantasyland and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. If
the Disneyland resort portion of your trip concludes by May 11,
2005, you can take advantage of the “Adults Play for the
Kids' Price” special. Through this advance purchase offer,
3-day park hopper tickets for ages 3 and up are $109, a savings
of $20-50 off the main gate price. Expires 13 days after first use
or May 11, 2005, whichever comes first.
If you plan to visit the Disneyland resort after April 28, take
advantage of the Advance Purchase discount to save $20 per
ticket, as detailed above. Expires 13 days after first use or January
15, 2006, whichever comes first.
Both offers are available at the Disneyland Web site (link),
some Southern California AAA offices, some Disney Stores, or your
travel agent. Must be purchased in advance, and are not available
at the Disneyland resort ticket booths.
Several readers wrote to tell us that the Safeway stores in
Central and Northern California, and Vons stores in Las Vegas, are
also offering the 3-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets. Check with your
local Safeway store for details, as the dates and benefits may be
different.
Four Days
Costco Play 4 Days ticket($89/$89) – Costco
offers a discounted 4-day Disneyland Resort ticket at $89 per person,
ages 3 and up for Southern California Costco members (zip codes
90000-93599). Not a park hopper; each day is valid for either Disneyland
or Disney's California Adventure admission. Unlike the CityPass,
you must buy these tickets in person at Costco.
You get a voucher to exchange at a Disneyland Resort ticket booth
for a valid pass. Proof of local residency is required to exchange
the tickets, with a limit of 5 tickets per day. Tickets are non-transferable.
The ticket is valid through June 23, 2005, or until the fourth
admission is used. The ticket is not valid March 19 – April
2, 2005.
Good Neighbor Hotel Park Hopper Plus tickets($134/$134)
through April 28, 2005 – Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor
hotels can offer a 4-Day Park Hopper Plus ticket for $134, ages
3 and up (Adults and children pay the same price). No advance purchase
is required, and some hotels may even sell them to visitors who
are not staying at that property. Valid through April 28, 2005.
4-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets($129/$129)($159/$129)
– The park hopper bonus tickets currently include one early
entry admission to Fantasyland, and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. If
the Disneyland resort portion of your trip concludes by May 11,
2005, take advantage of the “Adults Play for the Kids' Price”
special. Through this advance purchase offer, 4-day park hopper
tickets for ages 3 and up are $129, a savings of $30-60 off the
main gate price. These tickets expire 13 days after first use or
May 11, 2005, whichever comes first.
If you plan to visit the Disneyland Resort after April 28, you
can still take advantage of the Advance Purchase discount
and save $30 per ticket, as detailed above. These tickets expire
13 days after first use or January 15, 2006, whichever comes first.
Both of these ticket offers are available through the Disneyland
Web site (link),
through some Southern California AAA offices, through some Disney
Stores, or through your travel agent. You must buy these tickets
in advance; they are not available at the Disneyland Resort ticket
booths.
Five Days
Disney's AAA Passport Plus Package 2005($169/$139)
– The 5-day Passport Plus park hopper ticket is $169 for ages
10 and up, and $139 for ages 3-9. This package includes:
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 - may not be available
when you order)
Free parking at Disneyland Resort theme parks
Early entry into Fantasyland on select days
An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address.
These tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through
participating AAA offices.
Several readers report that their local AAA offices do not offer
this ticket, or that the benefits differ. You may remember that
this also happened with the 2004 version of this package.
MousePlanet has contacted AAA offices around the country and
encountered the same problem. If your local AAA office does not
offer the ticket, check with another AAA office in your area. The
decision to offer this ticket seems to depend on which regional
AAA “club” you belong to, and in some cases rest with
the office manager at each location.
The Auto Club of Southern California (ACSC) is not participating
in this offer, and AAA Oregon/Idaho offers the 5-day tickets. Some
readers have also been told that the California Diamond Fun Book
is no longer available.
5-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets($139/$139)($169/$139)
– The park hopper bonus tickets currently include one early
entry admission to Fantasyland, and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. If
the Disneyland Resort portion of your trip concludes by May 11,
2005, take advantage of the “Adults Play for the Kids' Price”
special. Through this advance purchase offer, 5-day park hopper
tickets for ages 3 and up are $139, a savings of $40-70 off the
main gate price. These tickets expire 13 days after first use or
May 11, 2005, whichever comes first.
If you plan to visit the Disneyland Resort after April 28, take
advantage of the Advance Purchase discount and save $40 per
ticket, as detailed in above. These tickets expire 13 days after
first use or January 15, 2006, whichever comes first.
Both of these ticket offers are available through the Disneyland
Web site (link),
through some Southern California AAA offices, through some Disney
Stores, or through your travel agent. These tickets must be purchased
in advance, and are not available at the Disneyland resort ticket
booths.
Alaska Airlines “Kids Fly Free” promotion through
April 28, 2005 – If you have to fly to Southern California,
Alaska Airlines has a package that includes either a free 5-day
park hopper with each paid adult ticket, or an adult 5-day park
hopper for the children's price. You must book packages by March
21, and like most current promotions, travel must be completed by
April 28. Visit the Alaska Airlines Web site (link)
for more details.
Six or Seven Days
Disney's AAA Passport Plus Package 2005 – The Parkhopper
Plus package may be available in 6- or 7- day increments at participating
AAA offices. Check with your local AAA office for availability and
pricing:
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 - may not be available
when you order)
Free parking at Disneyland Resort theme parks
An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address.
These tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through
AAA offices.
Several readers report that their local AAA offices do not offer
this ticket, or that the benefits differ. You may remember that
this also happened with the 2004 version of this package. MousePlanet
has contacted AAA offices around the country, and encountered the
same problem. If your local AAA office does not offer the ticket,
check with another AAA office in your area. The decision to offer
this ticket seems to depend on which regional AAA “club”
you belong to, and in some cases rests with the office manager at
each location.
The Auto Club of Southern California (ACSC) is not participating
in this offer, and AAA Oregon/Idaho offers the 5-day tickets. Some
readers have also been told that the California Diamond Fun Book
is no longer available.
Special thanks to MousePlanet reader David Michael for some of
this information.
Alaska Airlines “Kids Fly Free” promotion returns
Alaska Airlines is repeating the popular “Kids Fly Free” promotion
for travel to the Disneyland Resort, and is offering park ticket and hotel
discounts as well.
If you book an Alaska Airlines Southern California Vacations package
for travel between January 4 and June 29, 2005, one child (age 2-11) can
fly free with each paid adult ticket. The package also includes four nights
at the Holiday Inn Buena Park and airport transfers via Karmel Shuttle
(children 2-11 are free). The packages, including airfare and hotel, start
at $429 per person.
Even better, if you travel between January 4 and April 28, you also receive
a free child's 5-day Disneyland Resort park hopper for each paid adult.
If you are traveling without children, you can instead purchase the adult
5-day park hopper ticket at the children's price. Be aware, however, that
Disneyland considers 11-year-olds to be adults for the purpose of admission
pricing.
If Buena Park is too far away from Disneyland for you, you can upgrade
to a Disneyland Resort hotel and receive up to $200 Disney Dollars with
a stay of four nights or more before April 24, 2005.
Finally, if you book the package through alaskaair.com, you get 1500
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Bonus Miles per passenger. For more information,
visit the Alaska Airlines Web site (link).
You must book packages by March 21, 2005.
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder offers and promotions
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.
50th Anniversary Package, revised
The Happiest Homecomings on Earth package has been revised for the new
year. The previous promotion was good only for three-night stays at the
Disneyland Resort hotels; the new offer is valid on longer stays and includes
Good Neighbor Hotels as well.
Instead of the 50th anniversary commemorative clock and Walk in Walt's
Footsteps tour, the new packages include all the following:
“Enchanting” commemorative certificate (one per package)
Park Hopper bonus ticket, which includes one early entry into Fantasyland
and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. (Park hopper tickets can be upgraded
to an annual pass for an extra fee)
Preferred seating to select shows at Disney's California Adventure
Entry into Mickey's Toontown Madness
Walt Disney Travel Co. lanyard and pin (one per person)
Walt Disney Travel Co. luggage tag
Walt Disney Travel Co. fun book (one per package)
The “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” package is available for
arrival dates through December 31, 2005. The package can be booked through
the Disneyland Web site (link),
or by calling (714) 520-5060.
Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule
for this week at Disneyland.com here.
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips,
rumors, and comments. Email us here.
PSST!
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!
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.
