Disneyland Park Update

by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix, staff writer
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News and Views

Sub return greenlighted

by David Koenig

The submarines at Disneyland are an unannounced go. Executives at both Burbank and Anaheim were very happy with the test at the end of last year, and gave the subs a thumbs up.

Disney doesn't want to announce the project right now, however, because they're afraid the message will get lost in all the 50th anniversary hoopla. So the idea is to unveil the Finding Nemo redo plans several months down the line, when people come to the realization that after Buzz Lightyear opens and Space Mountain reopens later this year, Disneyland doesn't have anything else under construction. Then, just when people start grumbling that there'snothing new on the horizon, Disney can say, “But, wait! We're bringing back the subs in '07!”

Special MousePlanet offer of restaurant tour

As we previously reported, the Patina Group of restaurants is offering a tour of their Downtown Disney restaurants (Catal, Naples Ristorante, Tortilla Jo's) on February 28. The offer was limited to Disneyland Annual Pass holders and was supposed to be promoted in newsletter received by all pass holders. Unfortunately for them mailing of the newsletter has been delayed so they've put together a special offer for MousePlanet readers that allows each Annual Pass holder to bring three guests:

EXCLUSIVE ANNUAL PASSHOLDER EVENT
AT JOACHIM SPLICHALS DOWNTOWN DISNEY RESTAURANTS

Monday, February 28, 2005

Dining Around Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort

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.

Enter to win great prizes, including a one night stay at Disney’s Grand Californian with dinner for two at Catal, dinner for four at Tortilla Jo’s, dinner for three at Naples Ristorante, or dinner for two at Catal.

Special offer for MousePlanet readers: Each Annual Passholder may bring up to 3 non-AP guests.

Join us for this exclusive culinary adventure!
RSVP to 866 9 PATINA

Monday, February 28
4 – 9pm
$10 per person

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.

Astro Blasters soft opening

Disneyland cast members have been informed that they can pick up tickets to ride Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters March 7 through 10. In the wording of that announcement, they are told they can “join Disneyland Resort Guests” in experiencing the attraction, though no details are provided on whether all guests will be able to ride, or if it will be some more limited method. Speculation on our message board suggests that park guests might be used to test the standby queue while ticketed cast members use the Fastpass queue.


New blue paint showing up in Tomorrowland. The highlights show the old brown and the new blue. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Interactive trash

David Koenig also forwarded this e-mail from an unknown cast member:

Expect to see a talking trash can in Disneyland, but more likely in DCA very soon. Auditions and tests for “Push-the Talking Trash Can” were being done this past weekend. Push is a gold-colored trash can that can roll around and talk to guests. It is controlled by a CM dressed as a guest nearby.

A couple similar “robots” can be seen at Walt Disney World (for example, an interactive, roving palm tree at Animal Kingdom). Kids love them, and once you identify the cast member attendant it is interesting to watch them do their thing.

Disney Vacation Club

Disney has announced internally that the Disney Vacation Club is expanding its sales presence around the Disneyland Resort, including information booths inside the two parks and a presentation center somewhere on property.

The eventual locations aren't known, but presumably will be similar to the booths sprinkled throughout Walt Disney World parks. In the world of timeshare sales, Disney Vacation Club representatives are among the most restrained, but don't stop to look at the pictures without expecting someone to start the sales pitch.

Ice Skating at El Cap

Details of the enhanced screenings of Ice Princess have been released. Starting Wednesday, March 18, audience members can head next door after the movie for some ice skating on a specially constructed “Disney Princess Ice Rink,” get their hair done at the Princesses Make-Up Counter (including a free tube of Lip Smacker lip balm), and try on princess outfits in the dress-up area. For information or tickets call 800-DISNEY6 (800-347-6396) toll free, or 818-845-3110 for parties of 20 or more.

Apparently they're not expecting this one to be big with the young boys.

Additional discounts

We've added a couple of discounts the discounts chart below.

Southern California 2-Day Park Hopper at 1-Day Park Hopper Price through April 28, 2005 – Residents of Southern California and Baja California, Mexico, can purchase a standard 2-Day Park Hopper pass for the price of a 1-Day Park Hopper. It appears this offer is available only online at Disney's Web site (you'll need to enter an eligible zip code).

Tickets: $73 for ages 10 and older, $63 for ages 3 to 9. You must use the second day of 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 passes per day, but on only two days in any seven day period. Expect 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 when presenting the tickets at the main entrance.

Additionally we heard from reader Rick W. that our link for the Costco City Pass offer was no longer working and it appeared that it was no longer available. The offer is still available, though the URL has changed; the terms remain the same.

More parade information

Reader Jim says he saw some incorrect information in last week's e-mail about the Parade of Dreams floats. We've not yet been able to independently verify either e-mail, so we wanted to make sure both are shared.

The Toy Story float hasn't even arrived yet… They were looking at the Toy Factory Float from the Christmas Parade. Nothing in Block Party is “recycled.”

The Beauty and the Beast float has arrived, but I think this person was actually talking about the Christmas Ball Float (which is now being used for the Sleeping Beauty Celebration). Maybe they didn't recognize it being pink and covered with flowers?

And as to “all the gold,” I don't think they realized that the Parade of the Stars floats are all still around. The Parade of Dreams floats are beautifully designed, and the little bit of gold on those floats is tasteful and not at all gaudy like POTS.

Speaking of Parades

Speaking of parades, Sleeping Beauty's Royal Celebration has been going for a little while now, but we finally had our schedules align to see it and get some photos (so, of course, it rained).


Snow White and others on their way to the castle. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Sleeping Beauty’s Royal Celebration begins at the Main Street parade gate, and makes its way up Main Street. Belle and Beast, Snow White and her Prince, Cinderella and Prince Charming and Aladdin and Jasmine ride aboard the main float, while two units are pushed ahead and behind them. The procession stops in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, where Aurora and Prince Philip come out from their castle to greet the rest of the Disney princesses and their escorts.

Each couple then takes their turn atop the central float for a short dance to their theme music. As the couples rotate off the float, they join parade dancers and characters at street level. Some of the dancers wear costumes borrowed from "A Christmas Fantasy" parade. When not performing center stage, the choreography for the royal couples seems to be limited to swaying back and forth in time to music.


Jasmine and Aladdin dancing in the rain. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Near the end of the performance, the audience is invited to join the festivities. Weather permitting, the characters will invite children to join them in a simple ring dance set to "The Silly Song" from Snow White. After the children are returned to their parents, the procession continues around the hub and back down Main Street.

For the best view of the performance, stand in the Central Plaza facing the castle. For the best chance of being selected to participate in the dancing, take a seat on the curb on either side of the street in front of the castle. However, be sure to sit so that your feet are not in the street - cast members will come down the route slightly ahead of the floats, and ask you to put your feet up on the curb.

A soda after the movie

Disney has posted a job announcement (link) for an assistant manager of a new classic soda fountain and studio store that opens next to the El Capitan theater in Hollywood. MousePlanet has been unable to track down any additional infomation about this, so we'd love to hear from anybody in the know (e-mail us).

Who's the fairest of them all?

Over the weekend of March 18–20, World of Disney in Downtown Disney is hosting a Snow White-themed merchandise release. The main feature is a Magic Mirror porcelain sculpture as part of the Walt Disney Classics Collection. The 11.5-inch-tall mirror includes a holograph. If you make the purchase at World of Disney during the event, you also receive a glass apple from Arribas Bros. Also available is an Evil Queen sculpture from Disney artist Ken Melton. Both pieces are $150. For full information and contact information about a DelivEARS waiting list see the Disney Gallery page (link).


Don't forget to keep paying attention. Belle manages to get some shopping done without being noticed. Photo by Lisa Perkis.

Selling History

A couple of eBay auctions this last week have sparked some interest. Disney Auctions has posted a couple Skyway buckets (yellow and blue), a Space Mountain car (link), a PeopleMover vehicle (#39), and a Mr. Toad's Wild Ride car (Weasel). Suspicion is that at least some of these were in the Rocket Rods queue and became available when Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters began moving into that space.

Buying any of these won't be cheap, though. With a couple of days to go in all of these auctions have topped $2,000, with the blue Skyway bucket over $5,000.

Main Street Opera House in your living room

Though the Disney Gallery has not yet confirmed it on its Web site, Olszewski Studios is telling people that the next piece from Robert Olszewski is being released on March 26. The piece will be the Main Street Opera House and Cinema Building for the Main Street/Theme Park collection.

No information has been provided about signings or appearances by Robert Olszewski.

Still More Mickeys


Statue #46, "Mickey Reigns," designed by Anita Hurst. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #47, "Mickey Through the Years," designed by Tuck Morgan for Disney Consumer Products. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #49, "Mickey's Shadow," designed by Trey Hoyumpa for Parsons School of Design. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #50, "Monday Night Mickey," designed by Al Michaels and John Madden. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #54, "Music Royalty," designed by Sir Elton John. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #55, "National Pastime Mickey," designed by Major League Baseball. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #56, "Patchwork Pal," designed by Thomas Knechtel. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #59, "Reflections on Mickey," designed by Disneyland Resort Entertainment Department. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #60, "Rockin' Mickey," designed by Mario Vaiana. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #61, "Saxophonic Mickey," designed by Dave Koz. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #63, "Space Mouse," designed by Tom Hanks. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #64, "Super Fan Mickey," designed by Regin Philbin. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #66, "Tron Mickey," designed by Syd Mead. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #68, "Tune In," designed by Anthony Rietta for Radio Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #71, "Undersea Mickey," designed by Wyland. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #73, "Wild for Mickey," designed by Star Jones. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Statue #74, "Wonderful World of Mickey," designed by Kathryn E. Morgan. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Now that we've shown them all off, we wanted to show off the impressive effort of MousePlanet reader Wandee. She put her Flash production skills to use in creating a presentation of all 75 of the statues. You can view it here (warning, it is about 5MB, so you probably want a broadband connection), and you can convey any appreciation in this MousePad thread.

Ears to the ground

…Word is that the Calling All Space Scouts… A Buzz Lightyear Adventure stage show in Tomorrowland will close on April 2. Apparently exiting the new Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters ride into a Buzz Lightyear stage show is a bit redundant. This will not nearly be the most lamented show closure in the history of Disneyland.

…A bright and shiny new piano is in use at Refreshment Corner (more commonly known as Coke Corner).


Alan Thompson breaking in the new piano. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.


Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. E-mail us here.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

Note: Disneyland is progressively refurbishing more and more attractions as the park readies for its 50th anniversary celebration in 2005.


Construction is moving forward at the Tomorrowland station. Photo by Lisa Perkis.

  • Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln closed February 22 – April 15 to install the 50th Anniversary exhibit in the Main Street Opera House
  • Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed February 28 – March 17
  • Minnie's House opens March 5
  • Aladdin's Oasis opens March 12
  • Plaza Pavilion opens March 12
  • Enchanted Tiki Room opens March 12
  • Disneyland Railroad opens March 18
  • Mark Twain Riverboat opens March 18
  • Splash Mountain opens March 18
  • Disney Gallery closed March 28 – May 4
  • Honey I Shrunk the Audience closed April 4–8
  • Disneyland Railroad Tomorrowland station opens May 3
  • Jungle Cruise closed February 28 – May 3
  • Casey Jr. Circus Trains closed April 4 – May 3
  • Storybook Land Canal Boats closed April 4 – May 4
  • Haunted Mansion closed September 6–29 to install Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay; closed Jan. 9–25, 2006 to remove overlay
  • Space Mountain closed thru Nov. 4


A tarp and scaffolding is up around much of Innoventions. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney's California Adventure

  • Jumpin' Jellyfish reduced capacity Feb. 22 – March 4
  • Playhouse Disney closed Feb. 22 – March 10
  • Maliboomer reduced capacity (2 of 3 towers operating) thru Feb. 22
  • It's Tough to be a Bug! closed April 4 – May 4
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

February

  • 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).
  • Magic Mirror event – Merchandise event at Downtown Disney's World of Disney March 18-20 (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.

Current Discounts & Promotions

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 (or at the Disneyland Web site), 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.


Southern California 2-Day Park Hopper at 1-Day Park Hopper Price through April 28, 2005 – Residents of Southern California and Baja California, Mexico, can purchase a standard 2-Day Park Hopper pass for the price of a 1-Day Park Hopper. It appears this offer is available only online at Disney's Web site (you'll need to enter an eligible ZIP code.

Tickets: $73 for ages 10 and older, $63 for ages 3 to 9. You must use the second day of 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 passes per day, but on only two days in any seven day period. Expect 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 when presenting the tickets at the main entrance.


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 to 9. 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 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.


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
Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
2/202/212/222/232/242/252/26

DL: 8a–Mid
DCA: 10a–10p
SL/SC/DX

DL: 8a–11p
DCA: 10a–9p
SL/SC

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 9a–11p
DCA: 10a–8p

DL: 8a–Mid
DCA: 10a–9p
SL/SC

2/272/283/13/23/33/43/5

DL: 8a–11p
DCA: 10a–9p
SL

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 9a–11p
DCA: 10a–8p

DL: 8a–Mid
DCA: 10a–9p
SL/SC

3/63/73/83/93/103/113/12

DL: 8a–Mid
DCA: 10a–9p
SL

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 10a–8p
DCA: 10a–6p

DL: 9a–11p
DCA: 10a–9p

DL: 8a–Mid
DCA: 10a–10p
SL/SC

Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates 2005 page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland.com here.

Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.