MousePlanet reader Pat happened to be wandering around Fantasyland during early entry and came across a photo shoot. Pat was informed by a cast member that the stars of the photo shoot had all appeared in the original opening day television commercial for Disneyland, as children of course. Disney has maintained contact with those children over the years, and Disney is using these new photos in promotion of the upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration. Pat was kind enough to send along a photo of the shoot.
A photo shoot in Fantasyland, apparently involving the return of stars from an early Disneyland commercial. Photo by Pat Fadden.
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.
Climbers return
Matterhorn mountain climbers have returned to Disneyland. At least on Sunday, park visitors could watch for quite a while as two climbers appeared to be familiarizing themselves with the exterior of the Matterhorn.
Two climbers get familiar with the Matterhorn climb.
Photo by Alex Stroup.
The first climber to the top sits back for a bit and occassionally waves to park guests. Photo by
Alex Stroup.
We wouldn't want Mickey to fall
At some point recently, a gold-colored decorative railing was added to the second floor of Sleeping Beauty Castle, on just the three sections at the front of the castle. While it looks fine with a quick glance, a closer look shows that it hasn't been well integrated with the castle's architecture. The rails have just been installed over the crenelations and have a very temporary look.
Presumably the upcoming celebrations will have people up there more often than usual and someone (or some government agency) thought that having the barrier top at knee level was a recipe for injury.
New railings have been added to the second floor of the castle.
Photo by Alex Stroup.
The same area, in this photo from last New Year's Eve, shows how the crenelations only come up to a person's knees. Photo by
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Parade Information
MousePlanet received the following e-mail, which contains information about the 50th Anniversary parade floats.
I recently performed twice in the past month at Disneyland through the Community Arts Showcase program. While rehearsing backstage, we were able to see the floats for the 50th Anniversary parade. I had a very up-close look at a Lion King float with a lot to look at. At the front of the float, are rather large audio-animatronic Simba and Nala standing proud on Pride Rock.
[There were] two large ribbons of plastic coming from either side of the rock. After questioning a few of the people working on the float, they said they would in fact be running waterfalls. In the middle, we see Pumba lounging in a hammock, and bringing up the rear is a collapsing tree of some sort. It had a railing for the actors to ascend (two storys high).
The last notable thing was a singluar white rope handing from an on-float canopy: Some kind of circus rope acrobatics. Of course there was the Main Street Station float which has already debuted. There was a Toy Story float (recycled from previous parades), as well as a large ballroom on wheels, four marble style pillars holding up a ceiling over a marble dance floor. The last one I got a good look at was a large float with a trampoline on it. A cast member stated there would be a good amount of acrobatics incorporated into the parade, referencing the rope on the Lion King float, the trampoline, and she also mentioned a few people in harnesses with bungies on each side, jumping up and down and doing flips. The one thing that is most noticable is the amount of gold used on the floats. Every float looked as if it went through a See's candy machine, only it wasn't chocolate they were drenched in.
Interim Entertainment
The following memo was sent by Disney Travel to travel agents about the two new mini-parade shows that will be playing in Disneyland Park until May. Mickey's Magic Kingdom debuted last Friday and some photos are included. For the scope of the effort, this show is a pleasant diversion.
One issue that has to be worked out is that while the floats moved from Fantasyland to the official show location at the top of Main Street, they tended to draw a crowd as if it were a simple parade. Many people took positions on the curb, watched and photographed, and then moved on with their day unaware that a show of sorts was to be held just a hundred feet down the road.
Disneyland Park Introduces New Character Celebrations
Guests will be dancing in the street with two new interactive character celebrations at Disneyland Park. Sleeping Beautys Royal Celebration, and Mickeys Magic Kingdom Celebration.
The celebrations each include up to 45 performers, characters and dancers who will join with Guests in an interactive street show. After traveling along a portion of the parade route, the celebrations become a stage show at their designated performance location.
The lead unit in this mini-parade. Photo by
Alex Stroup.
Sleeping Beautys Royal Celebration is a princess-themed show and takes place in the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle. This is a chance for your clients to dance and play along with Belle, Princess Aurora, Jasmine, Snow White and Cinderella in addition to their princes and other key characters from the animated features.
Making its first appearance Feb. 11 at the north end of Main Street, U.S.A., Mickeys Magic Kingdom highlights the lands at Disneyland Park in a celebration that features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Stitch.
While Mickey and some friends ride in style, there are plentiy of other characters hoofing it and entertaining the crowd. Photo by
Alex Stroup.
You will have lots of fun as the characters lead them on a celebration of each land, especially when Stitch performs his rendition of Elvis! Donald will lead Guests in a square dance while Goofy will have Guests playing instruments. The celebrations will be featured through May 3 with several performances offered daily.
These whole new street celebrations are designed with Guest interaction in mind, with great opportunities for you to take home memories of singing and dancing with the characters.
Flora, Fauna, and Meriweather give a preview of the dancing that will be displayed when the floats hit their mark at the top of Main Street. Photo by
Alex Stroup.
Two Weeks for Lincoln
A sign has gone up in front of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln to let guests know that they have just two weeks left until the attraction is closed to be replaced with a 50th Anniversary-related show. While the sign may cause palpitations among Lincoln fans, smaller text at the bottom does reassure that Great Moments returns after the 50th Anniversary.
A sign that will very quickly be out of date. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln closes for almost two years (at least) on February 22. Photo by
Alex Stroup.
Another Mansion Change
Chris sent us e-mail regarding change in Haunted Mansion that we missed in last week's Update. Another of the portraits in the hallway has been changed. The lounging woman no longer turns into a black panther, but rather into a white tiger.
The first portrait is now a tiger-woman rather than a panther-woman. Photo by
Alex Stroup.
Still More Mickeys
Statue #14, El Mickey, designed by Lamberto Alvarez. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #16, ESPN 25th Anniversary Mickey, designed by Chris
Berman and Dick Vitale. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #21, Filmic Mickey, designed by Kataneh Vahdani for
California Institute of the Arts. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #23, Fountain of Fun, designed by Christina Grantham.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #24, FrontEAR Tales, designed by Fess Parker. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #28, Good Catch, designed by Bob Guiney. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #29, Home Run Hero, designed by Ben Affleck. Photo
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #31, IceskatEAR, designed by Paul Wylie. Photo by Adrienne
Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #32, I'm Going to Disney World, designed by Cody Reynolds
for Walt Disney World Resort. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #33, It Was All Started By a Mouse, designed by Vanessa
Hunt for the Disney Store. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
The scroll held by Mickey #33 is covered with faint images of Disney film
characters. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #34, Jet Setter, designed by John Travolta. Photo by
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #35, Let's Party, designed by Chris Fedun for Jump5. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #36, Lobsta Mickey, designed by Breanna Rowlette. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #39, Mambo Mickey, designed by Andy Garcia. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #43, Mickey: In Yellow, designed by Rosie O'Donnell. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #44, Mickey in the Park, designed by Black Entertainment Television. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Statue #45, Mickey on the Move, designed by Malcome Stone for Suddath Transportation. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Ears to the ground
Another reader, Mark, wrote to tell us that the work being done around Haunted Mansion's mausoleum is not for the mausoleum itself but rather to bring the brick wall around the exterior queue up to code.
The Mad Tea Party has reopened and early riders were disapopinted to find that it continues to be difficult, if not impossible, to spin the teacups very fast.
We're receiving conflicting reports on the Fantasy Waters show at the Disneyland Hotel. A couple of cast members report that they were told in a meeting that the show would return, while others report that critical elements have already been removed and removal continues.
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 913. 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 purchasecheck
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 through June 29, 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 through 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.
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. E-mail 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!
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at www.disney.com.
This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary,
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of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change.
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