Disneyland Resort has fallen into the leaf pile of Autumn as Mickey’s Halloween Party launches and Tower of Terror drops a few key details. There’s quite a bit to show you this week. Be sure to read all the way through to the end for photos of Mickey’s Halloween Party.
The Tower Named What? |
The Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure started its exterior changeover to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout this week. Late Monday night the large sign on the building was removed and by Thursday the upper dome was gone too.
New last week, as part of the “Late Check Out” marketing campaign, the Silver Lake Sisters began making appearances in the Lobby of Hollywood Tower Hotel. They will continue to perform daily through the end of Halloween.
There are a few issues I personally have with the show: First off is the location and how hard it is to see the ladies for more than a few moments. To get to see the sisters sing, you must be in the Standby Line of Tower of Terror and you’ll pass right by them as you are loaded into the Library. Fastpass guests will hear the group in the lobby of the hotel, but will have a hard time seeing them. No guest will see the act for more than a few minutes as the length of time you are in the Lobby until you are loaded into the Library is very short. Show times are listed, but location and viewing instructions are not listed in the Entertainment Schedule. I love the idea of adding a great experience to an already iconic attraction, but this may not be the best location for the show.
My other problem is sound and lighting. The entire show is supported by existing infrastructure inside the lobby (with the addition of a small riser that the ladies stand on). Overhead lights, meant to illuminate props, are turned all the way up to light the stage. Speakers intended for background music are now being used to deliver live sound to a room that probably has fifty people in its queue at any given time. As a result, the show can be hard to hear, minimizing the tremendous effort of these great performers.
Finally, the show represents three “live” performers, which doesn’t fit the theme of the hotel. It seems oddly out of time and place that the performers are dressed so nicely to perform in a hotel that has been abandoned. Perhaps they should be dressed as ghostly versions of themselves so it all makes sense, and would fit better with not only the Twilight Zone theme but the Halloween promotion as well.
I would much rather see the Silver Lake Sisters perform in front of the attraction along Sunset Blvd. That would solve a lot of problems and still promote the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in its final months of operation.
Let’s move on to less constructive news…
Disneyland |
Welcome to the Not So Scariest Place on Earth
The pumpkins have returned atop of the turnstiles once again this year, although both sets had electrical problems when this update was shot.
Main Street
The two cannons in Town Square have been removed. It looks like they will be relocated from the walkways into the gardens.
Over at Market House, work on the building facade has completed and lights over Center Street have also returned.
Further Down the street, over at the Crystal Arts, refurb continues on the exterior facade. All the shops remain open.
….but which door do I choose….
As we keep walking right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A., refurb walls appear on both sides as sidewalk work occurs at the parade crossing. Curbs are being lowered to facilitate crowd flow. At this time, Disneyland has only two daytime Soundstational performances. Looking to this holiday season, and for the soon to return Main Street Electrical Parade this January, there will not be much downtime along the parade route.
Tomorrowland
Ground repaving finished this week under the marque of Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Refurb work occurring at the base of the Moonliner.
New banners have replaced the Star Wars: Seasons of the Force banners. Nothing says “future” like generic Tomorrowland banners. Sorry for the sarcasm, but I just don’t feel these.
With the Season of the Force ending for now, the marque sign at the back of Tomorrowland has been removed completely, with only a paint scuff on the monorail beam where it was located.
And now onto the main attraction….
I love the projections on the dome of Space Mountain during Ghost Galaxy’s run.
I really enjoy Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy, I really do, but I wish that they would find new ways to enhance this experience which originally came over from Hong Kong Disneyland. New images, better projection and queue enhancements would all be appreciated. Perhaps even random chase sequences. Soon enough, Hyperspace Mountain will be returning.
Fantasyland
In the happiest land of them all, refurb work continues on Peter Pan’s Flight facade.
Frontierland
Heading into Frontierland, Cast Members inside the retail shops have recently switched to new costumes. They look nice.
New Orleans Square
The Dock for the Rafts to Tom Sawyer’s Island is being torn up for wood replacement.
At the New Orleans Square Train Station, the refurbishment work is now completed on the Water Tower but not on the building facade on the far side of the station.
Over at the Mint Julep Bar, they have changed the line configuration and have the line now feeding through the area just at the edge of the French Market dinning patio.
I’m sure diners in the area aren’t thrilled with having a long line of guests hovering over them while they eat.
They have moved some of the displaced tables along the pathway on Front Street.
Onto the Haunted Mansion Holiday
Ok. Ok, you have all waited long enough for your photos from the construction site for Star Wars Land,
Star Wars Land
Nighttime Craptacular?
Disneyland is known for its nightly fireworks, but calling it “Fantasy In The Sky, Firework Spectacular” might be a little much of a stretch. The show is only a four and a half minutes long and often results in guests actually booing at its conclusion.
Have you watched Fantasy In The Sky? Are you in the camp who love it, tolerate it, or hate it?
Time to jump parks… see you the other side of the banner…
Disney California Adventure |
It was an easy walk. For you Disney World folks, that’s about one whole Sapceship Earth distance from gate to gate, no buses required.
Buena Vista Street
Signage problems this week on Carthay Circle Restaurant. The two side marque signs have their proper lettering up, but there is just a poorly hung banner that hides the main marque.
Hollywood Land
Moving to the Backlot, where nothing makes sense anymore…
Arches and stopwatch at the front (on Thursday)…
By the weekend, the round screen had been removed:
We still have a stage with nothing on it…
A beverage stand that is now mixing four different overlays on it… including, the FINALLY departed Jammin’ on the Backlot signage.
Time to take a break and walk into Frozen, which now no longer needs a Fastpass to see during most shows…
Frozen: Live at the Hyperion is a much better show now that the cast are more comfortable with their roles. The script is also becoming more flexible. Anna changes up various lines from show to show and technical issues that plagued the show when it opened have almost all been resolved.
Moving across the park…
Cars Land
Paradise Pier
Trees have been removed from around the light tower at the front of Paradise Park.
Heading down the Boardwalk, refurb work is being conducted in the garden section just to the right of Mr. Potato Head. A bit of the main walkway is blocked as a result, but it does not impact the main queue for Toy Story: Midway Mania.
Just past the launch of Screamin’, Hot Dog Hut is closed for refurbishment.
Paper product containers have been switched over to Halloween logos. A few 60th cups and plates are still around, but across the resort the change has been made to Orange and Black.
Heading over to Paradise Gardens dining area . . . with the park closing around 8 on the weekdays, they seem to be closing off sections of the dinning area to prevent guests from sitting at clean tables.
The Original World of Color has returned (void of most movie add-ons they have inserted over the years. Except the part with Pirates of the Caribbean 4, that section plays a lot better than the original).
Downtown Disney and Resort |
Mickey and Friends Parking Structure
Additional spots in the Pinocchio Parking lot (the surface lot next to the structure) as the area nearest to the tram route are being removed. The fence for the tram route is being pushed out (probably for more tram parking or other tram services)
The walkway from the crosswalk to the street has now been closed and guests walking to park have to walk all the way around the Tram Maintenance building to head to the parks.
Along the Tram route, plant removal has commenced as a more water-wise plan is implemented.
The entrance of the World of Disney store on the east-facing doors is under refurbishment.
Just one last look at the Halloween figures along the Tram route before the sun sets on me.
Downtown Disney
Welcome to Downtown Disney after dark! The place to shop and eat, and eat, and eat….
As we’ve shown you before, Naples has now taken over the walkway next to their front door. This allows them to seat many more guests.
Looking at the pedestrian bridge across Downtown Disney the garden and utilities refresh has finished on the left side, but work continues on the right.
The Disney Vacation Club Showcase Rooms are continuing their refurb work.
The new Disneyland Main Transportation Center
No visible work is being done on the new Main Transportation Center construction site. Disney must be waiting until the closing of the Carousel Inn next month before continuing with the ground work.
Mickey’s Halloween Party |
This weekend the ever popular Mickey’s Halloween Party started with all the tricks and treats you’ve come to expect. Our thanks to MiceChat columnist, Beth Castles, for these photos.
Here is Disney Parks guidelines for costumes:
https://youtu.be/UJDVFaQfKv8
There’s a new Halloween parade this year called the Frightfully Fun Parade. Its has three sections: Halloween Town, Haunted Mansion, and Villains, with the Headless Horseman running down the parade route before the parade.
In addition to what we’ve shown you above, there is a great fireworks show, trick or treating and all sorts of entertainment and creepy atmosphere. Plus, the attractions remain open, and with so many people out enjoying the Halloween festivities, lines are typically very short for the rides.
Upcoming MiceChat Events |
October 1st – MiceChat Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt Event (close to sold out, get your tickets now)
Join us in the fog for a night of spooky treats and VIP experiences. For one low price, you’ll get an all you can eat BOO-ffet dinner, early entry into the event, tours, meet and greets with Knott’s creatives, front of line for the mazes, VIP seating for shows, Skeleton Key access and a night of fun with your mice pals at the haunt which started it all. We have a VERY limited number of tickets available this year, SIGN UP NOW – HERE
October 10th – Mickey’s Halloween Party @ Disneyland
Join the MiceChatters for a not so scary Halloween event on Monday October 10th. Please buy your own tickets directly from Disney for the October 10th Halloween Party. Then sign up for MiceChat’s event list HERE to be notified about event meeting times and locations. It promises to be a night filled with candy, friendship, headless horsemen, scary parades and fireworks!
November 3rd and 4th – New York Meet-ups and events
The MiceChatters invade NYC in November before their New York to Puerto Rico cruise. We’ll be seeing Aladdin and Cirque Du Soleil Paramour as well as taking a city tour. If you are interested in any or all of these activities, please contact [email protected] for more information.
Get Mouseaddict Here You can keep track of the wait times and even where in the park people are congregating by downloading the app (iPhone only at this time).
See Ya Real Soon |
Thank you for joining us today. Each week we’ll feature different photographers and commentators (often more than one). Today’s MiceChat Disneyland Update was shot and assembled by Brian Pinsky, with additional photos from Beth Castles (Halloween) and Dusty Sage.
Are you a member of the MiceChat Sunday Meet-up Facebook group? If you are interested in meeting up with fellow theme park lovers in the parks, please be sure to follow this group: MiceChat Sundays in the Park. And please follow the MiceChat Facebook Page for news and updates from the Disneyland Resort and beyond:
That’s it for this week’s Update. Are you a photographer? Do you love the parks? Would you like to contribute to the Disneyland Update or other MiceChat columns? Contact Dusty Sage: [email protected]
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