The Hatbox Ghost has returned to the Haunted Mansion! It’s true!  We have that story and more in today’s Disneyland Resort edition of In The Parks.  While we aren’t getting a new attraction to celebrate 60 years of Walt’s original park, there are still some wonderfully enjoyable things on their way.  With The Hatbox Ghost already mentioned we have the upcoming Peter Pan’s Flight update, a new 60th anniversary exhibit inside Innoventions, an updated Matterhorn Bobsleds with a brand new Abominable Snowman, the new Disneyland Forever fireworks show, the Paint the Night Parade and that’s just Disneyland.  In Disney Caifornia Adventure we have the new Grizzly Peak Airfield about to open with a newly refurbished Soarin Over California along with a new World of Color show Celebrate!  The Wonderful World of Walt Disney.  Let’s get into today’s update and look at the progress around the park.

Programming note: Andy Castro is taking some personal time off. Never fear though, Dateline Disneyland will return in time to cover the 60th Anniversary celebration for you.

Diamonds Diamonds Everywhere

As the beginning of Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary celebration approaches, we are seeing the trademark blue, silver and white bunting now nearly everywhere.

 

 

Mother’s Day

Yesterday was, of course, Mother’s Day.  In the classic park tradition, both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure offered all moms a carnation to wear.  Such a cute thing to do.

 

Hatbox Ghost returns to the Haunted Mansion

Now on to the big big news. We have been telling you about plans for the Hatbox Ghost for quite some time. And while it took a little longer than expected, the day has finally come.  The Hatbox Ghost made his return to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland 45 years after his disappearance.  Let’s just say, it was totally worth the wait.

Pro tip: Speaking of waits, management decided it would be a wise idea to open the FastPass machines to manage the influx of pass holders that may be descending upon the ride to welcome the Hatbox Ghost.  The wait times have actually been pretty reasonable so far. Make sure to grab your FastPass before getting in line.

Seeing the attic we notice that in each grouping of wedding presents now features a different hatbox.

Then, after passing the killer bride on the left, we exit the attic and suddenly to our right is ol’ hatty.

The figure is a tasteful mix of traditional animatronic and digital projection.  The figure does little more than it was originally intended to do the first week the Mansion opened back in August of 1969. The difference is that now, with today’s technology, the effect actually works and works well.  Perched just outside the attic just a few feet from its original location, it stands, leering at the passing doom buggies from a dilapidated southern balcony. Could the Hatbox Ghost be the one hiding all of the heads from Constance’s murdered husbands?  It’s all part of the wonderful wellspring of mythos that is the Haunted Mansion.  Kudos to the team behind the return of The Hatbox Ghost.  It is, in a word, perfect.

Below is a video featuring three passes by the figure inside the mansion.

 

Fantasyland

In Fantasyland things are pretty much the same as they were. Lots of construction scrims.

Village Haus and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

Peter Pan’s Flight

Peter Pan’s Flight is now set to return July 4th, the same day that Alice in Wonderland returned the year before.

Matterhorn Bobsleds

The waterfalls have returned to the Matterhorn Bobsleds and testing has begun.  The attraction is set to return May 22nd.

Tomorrowland

Over in Tomorrowland we see that the Monorails have all been wrapped with new Tomorrowland movie advertisements. Does the film advertising make you wish the actual Tomorrowland was as exciting as the film visuals?

Jungle Cruise Queue
We also see that the exterior queue work on the Jungle Cruise is progressing.

 

Diamonds in DCA

The 60th anniversary decorations have been making their way into Disney California Adventure, or rather, Buena Vista Street.  Most of it is unnoticeable thus far.

 

The Carthay Circle Theater Restaurant is all kinds of bedazzled

Grizzly Peak Airfield

The Grizzly Peak Airfield is getting its finishing touches now and should be ready to open May 15th.

 

Here is some more Grizzly Peak goodness.

Mad T Party

As Mad T Party is re-installed we are finding out that the Frozen Sing Along may be staying far longer than anyone anticipated.  Yes, with the long lines that the show is still commanding, the attraction will likely be here at least until September, maybe even longer.  Meanwhile the rest of the ice continues to melt as Frozen Fun makes a painfully slow departure.

 Embarcadero

The detailed façades are still getting attention at the Embarcadero.

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Weekly News & Information Round-Up
[center]Closure and Refurbishment Schedule[/center]
[b][center]Disneyland Park[/center][/b]
Matterhorn Bobsleds: Closed for refurbishment, reopens May 22. Peter Pan’s Flight: Closed through July 1 for refurbishment and enhancements. Innoventions: Closed. Rumored to reopen in May with new exhibit for Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary.
[b][center]Disney California Adventure[/center][/b]
Soarin’ Over California: Closed for refurbishment and enhancements. Reopens May 15. Luigi’s Flying Tires: Closed for re-Imagineering into new attraction. Reopening not yet announced. Muppet*Vision 3D: Dark indefinitely while theater is used for Frozen-themed show. [B]Blue Sky Cellar:[/B] Closed indefinitely.

There you have it, the latest news from the Disneyland Resort.  Andy will be back to covering things on a regular basis on May 25th and I will be chilling my fingers in an ice bowl.  These updates are a lot of work, but we are happy to bring them to you.  If you see fit to supporting Andy he would greatly appreciate all the help.  If you get a chance, get to the parks and see the Hatbox Ghost now.  It’s awesome. See you In The Parks!

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Promotional consideration for this edition of Dateline Disneyland was provided by the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel & Water Playground.

 

 

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