Disneyland will celebrate the Fourth of July holiday with a special fireworks finale to the park’s 60th anniversary show and special musical performances during the week. Guests enjoying Independence Day holiday at Disneyland won’t be able to take a celebratory selfie in the park, however, as Disney implements a ban on selfie sticks company-wide this week. Meanwhile, Annual Passholders will get an early chance to ride the newly enhanced Peter Pan’s Flight early this week before the ride officially reopens Wednesday. We also catch today up on some recent enhancements at Indiana Jones Adventure.

Don’t miss your weekly Disneyland Resort crowd forecast — provided by our friends at Mouseaddict — in the Weekly News and Information Roundup at the end of today’s update!

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selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

We’ve got a big update for you today, so let’s get started!

Welcome to Disneyland!

The summer continues to heat up with hot temperatures as crowds come to the parks to celebrate Disneyland’s 60th anniversary.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Disney California Adventure is gorgeous and always feels just a bit more manageable than Disneyland, crowd-wise.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration



Selfie Stuck

Last Thursday, Disneyland notified Cast Members that it would implement a ban on selfie-sticks starting Tuesday, June 30. Disney publicly confirmed the ban on Friday, just two days after a guest attempted to use a selfie stick on the California Screamin’ rollercoaster, forcing Cast Members to stop the ride due to safety concerns.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

The selfie-stick ban is a company-wide move, effective June 30 at Disneyland and Walt Disney World and July 1 at Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. According to Disney’s official notice to Cast Members, selfie sticks “compromise” Disney’s ability to provide a “great experience” for all guests:

We strive to provide a great experience for the entire family, and unfortunately selfie sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our Guests and Cast.

  • The use of selfie sticks also compromises our ability to deliver on the Four Keys: Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency.
  • Therefore, like many other venues, Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks and DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park will no longer permit selfie sticks* effective June 30.
  • Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland theme parks also will be included in this policy change, effective July 1.

These “No Selfie Stick” signs were quickly added at most thrill rides in the parks back in May. At the time, selfie stick usage was permitted in the parks, just not on attractions. We’ll see if the signs stay in place now that selfie sticks are completely banned from the parks and should be blocked at bag check.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Independence Day 2015

Disneyland will celebrate the Fourth of July this year with special holiday fireworks for one night only. This breaks from recent tradition of presenting Disneyland’s “Celebrate America!” Independence Day fireworks show over multiple nights leading up to the Fourth. In the past, Disneyland’s nightly fireworks show would be replaced by “Celebrate America!” on nights the Fourth of July show was presented. This year, Disneyland is opting to run its big new 60th Anniversary show with a “patriotic grand finale” to celebrate the holiday. In Disney California Adventure, the Fourth of July pre-show will be presented before nightly performances of “World of Color Celebrate!”

“Disneyland Forever” Fireworks Spectacular with Patriotic Finale
July 4, 2015 — 9:30 p.m.

World of Color Celebrate! with Fourth of July pre-show
July 4, 2015 — 9:00 p.m., 10:15 p.m., 11:15 p.m.

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

(2014 file photo)

Disneyland will also offer special live music performances from U.S. military groups this week:

    3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band — July 4, 2015
  • 11:30 a.m. – Downtown Disney Stage
  • 4:10 p.m. – Disneyland parade route, preceding Mickey’s Soundsational Parade
  • 5:15 p.m. — Disneyland flag retreat ceremony
  • 7:00 p.m. – Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree, Disneyland
    The United States Air Force Honor Guard — July 2 through July 5.
  • 11:30 a.m. – Paradise Park, Disney California Adventure
  • 12:30 p.m. – Paradise Park, Disney California Adventure
  • 1:30 p.m. – Paradise Park, Disney California Adventure
  • 3:15 p.m. – Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland
  • 4:05 p.m. – Disneyland parade route, preceding Mickey’s Soundsational Parade
  • 6:45 p.m. – Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree, Disneyland (July 4th only)
    The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West — July 5 and 6
  • 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. — Downtown Disney Stage

Below, video of the 2014 “Celebrate America!” fireworks show.

If you plan on visiting the parks for this weekend’s Independence Day holiday, be prepared for big crowds. The parks are historically busy on the Fourth of July but with the holiday falling on a Saturday this year in addition to the 60th anniversary celebration — this year’s holiday will likely be even crazier than usual. Be prepared for delays at parking lots and structures, big crowds in the parks, and long lines at attractions. Don’t be surprised if Disneyland is closed to new entries at any point during the day. If you do head to the parks, be sure to bring your patience and be kind to other guests and Cast Members.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

(2014 file photo)
Projecting a new Destiny

Indiana Jones Adventure recently debuted new projection effects in the “Chamber of Destiny” scene at the beginning of the ride. The scene features three doors, which used to rotate, creating the illusion that your ride vehicle entered a different “door” each time you rode.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

The new projection effects added to the Chamber of Destiny follow the addition of new projection mapping effects two years ago to the “Hall of Promise” scene where riders lock eyes with Mara, leading to their doom. The new projection mapping in the Chamber of Destiny room also “fixes” the rotating door effect, which has been broken for a while now.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Ride vehicles now always pass through the center door with projection mapping effectively “changing” the door so every ride is different again. Below, photos of the door’s projection effects for the Chamber of Earthly Riches doorway.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

The new projection effects look great and are a nice way to “fix” the original, broken effect. Still, with the rotating doors now locked in place and changing only through projection, it’s a bit less of a “how’d they do that?” moment than before.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Below, video of the new Observatory of the Future projection sequence.

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Birthdayland

To celebrate Disneyland’s 60th, a 3-foot tall Sleeping Beauty Castle cake has taken shape in the Grand Californian Hotel lobby.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

The cake, actually made mostly of rice krispy treats, is a lot of fun to check out. The pastry team was still putting finishing touches on it last week and chatting with guests about the cake’s creation.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Refurbishment Roundup

Refurbishment projects are still underway in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, along with the installation of an all-new ride at Luigi’s Flying Tires in Cars Land.

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Off to Never Land!

Peter Pan’s Flight is set to reopen on Wednesday, with Annual Passholder previews set to take place today and Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Last week, Disneyland gave a sneak preview of the newly-enhanced nursery scene riders will see at the beginning of the ride.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Meanwhile, no change at the store space next to Pinocchio’s Daring Journey…
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Changing the Future

Work continues on stripping the outer graphics and decorations from the lower level of Innoventions as major work is underway inside. Last week, Disney blogger and author Dave Koenig reported that the rumored Disneyland 60th anniversary history exhibit has been scrapped in favor of a new Star Wars universe experience.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

It looks like we’re still a ways away before Innoventions reopens to guests and Disney has yet to officially announce what’s going on inside the massive facility. We’ll keep you posted on what happens here as it develops.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

The marquee is still missing.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

The late-1990s graphic on the side of the building continue to be removed…
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Now a plain blue wall here…
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

The Tomorrowland Theater remains closed even though all of the signage for the “Tomorrowland” movie sneak preview is still up
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

The Starcade is still completely closed as well, with a curtain up blocking the entrance to the now-closed “Tomorrowland” movie exhibit.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Re-Tired

In Disney California Adventure, Luigi’s Flying Tires remains closed while a new ride is installed.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Views of Cars Land/Luigi’s from Mickey’s Fun Wheel:
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
This & That

In Downtown Disney, the Summer Celebration has returned, bringing special menu items to select Downtown Disney restaurants.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

Work on the Grand Californian Hotel facade above the World of Disney is getting some work done.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

At the far end of Downtown Disney, a new Disney Performing Arts stage is up for visiting school and performing arts groups.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
Enjoy retro fun just steps away from Disneyland at
Howard Johnson Hotel & Water Playground

A short walk from the park, HoJo Anaheim is conveniently located next to Matterhorn Mountain at Disneyland with nearby dining, freeway access, FREE parking and FREE Wi-Fi. For more information on HoJo Anaheim, room rates, or to book your stay today, visit HoJoAnaheim.com/MiceChat

Save with MiceChat & Passholder Discounts Every Day!
The HoJo Anaheim is now offering daily discounts for MiceChat members and even DEEPER discounts for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders! For more information visit the HoJo Anaheim Innsider Boards which features an up-to-date listing of available nights, or call (714) 776-6120 and ask for In-House Reservations to book. If your date isn’t listed, the HoJo Anaheim still offers rooms for 20% off their best available rate if you call (714) 776-6120.
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
Weekly News & Information Round-Up
Weekly Theme Park Hours
June 29—July 5, 2015
[B]Disneyland Park[/B] [B]California Adventure[/B]
Daily: 8 am – 12 am Daily: 8 am – 10 pm
[CENTER]For a complete listing of theme park hours,
visit the Disneyland.com Theme Park Calendar
[/CENTER]
[center]Closure and Refurbishment Schedule[/center]
[b][center]Disneyland Park[/center][/b]
  • Peter Pan’s Flight: Reopens July 1 with new enhancements.
  • Innoventions: Closed indefintely.
  • Starcade: Closed indefintely.
  • Tomorrowland Theatre: Closed indefintely.
[b][center]Disney California Adventure[/center][/b]
  • Bug’s Life Theatre: “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” is dark through August 2 while theater hosts “Ant-Man” preview.
  • 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.
[b][center]Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels[/center][/b]
    None.
Tomorrowplan Crowd Estimates for Disneyland Resort from Mouseaddict

June 29 — July 5

Mon
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
Tue
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
Wed
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
Thu
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
Fri
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
Sat
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
Sun
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

  • For those busy times, try our unique new Wait Watcher! Just tell us how long you’re willing to wait for an attraction, and we’ll notify you on your iPhone or Apple Watch when the wait time goes lower. Only in the Mouseaddict app.
  • We’re crunching numbers and doing the math to help you see into the future. Plan your upcoming Disneyland trip with Tomorrowplan crowd projections, only in the Mouseaddict app.

The free Mouseaddict app for iPhone and iPad features more than five dozen categories of searchable resort information, weather forecasts, park and show schedules, the latest news and articles from MiceChat, and more. Download free on the App Store or at mouseaddict.com.

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

[center]Headline Roundup
A quick look at noteworthy Disney theme park headlines from around the web.[/center]
  • Disneyland wants to invest $1 billion in theme park additions, parking expansion, and street improvements in an effort to keep Anaheim from charging gate tax which Disney fears could affect theme park attendance. (OC Disney)
  • Disneyland, Angels Baseball and Anaheim Ducks commit $3 million in 3 years for ACT Anaheim youth programs. (Disney Parks Blog)
  • Disney extends military ticket discounts through mid-December. (Disney Parks Blog)
Ok, that wraps up this week’s edition of Dateline Disneyland. What do you think of the selfie stick ban? Will you be visiting the parks for the Fourth of July holiday? Let us know in the comments below!

Thanks to MiceChat’s Norman Gidney and our friend @hintofspy on Twitter for help with selfie stick photos today!

Special thanks to our Dateline Disneylanders!
A very special thank you to all of our Patreon supporters for their monthly support keeping Dateline Disneyland alive, especially our special top-tier supporters:

    Kendra H., Brian A., Dusty Sage and
    Benjamin!

To help support Dateline Disneyland and get some fun swag in return, visit our Patreon page now!

For more Disneyland news, be sure to read MiceChat’s weekly In the Parks blog. And be sure to check out our sister blog, Dateline Disney World – a fantastic weekly photo blog covering Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida!

Thanks for reading. See you at Disneyland!
[B]- Andy[/B]

selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration
selfie sticks, Disneyland bans selfie sticks as summer heats up the Diamond Celebration

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Andy Castro
Andy is a Southern California native and a life-long fan of Disney theme parks and animation. From 2007-2016, Andy wrote the weekly Dateline Disneyland photo, news and opinion blog here on MiceChat. Today, Andy continues to produce occasional Dateline Disneyland articles and additional special guest content for MiceChat.