Welcome back to part 2 of this week’s Disneyland update. In yesterday’s article, we looked at the security changes and updates from Downtown Disney and the New Parking Structure and Bridge-way. Let’s continue our tour of the Disneyland Resort and check in on the theme parks, which experienced jam packed conditions last week in advance of annual pass block-outs for the remainder of 2016. Now that almost all of the passes (except for Signature Plus) are blocked, the parks are blissfully uncrowded.  Monday was a dream at Disneyland. The Christmas crowd bubble has popped!

Click play on the video help get you into the holiday mood:

Disneyland

Main Street

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During the last week, the net lighting that adorns the trees around the Hub have been removed, they were honestly not the prettiest thing to look at during the day. Most average guest probably wont notice them missing. There are still twinkle lights in their branches.

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At the park turnstiles, signs have been installed warning of you of different chemicals used inside the park. These were located at the security tents previously, but with the removal of the tents on the Downtown Disney side of the esplanade, the signs needed to be relocated to the entrance of the parks.

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It would be great to know WHERE in the parks these toxic chemicals are so we could avoid them.

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New Resort Penny Press books have been released with cartoon representations of Disneyland Resort attractions.

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Did you? Cause I haven’t even started yet.

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Mickey’s ear has been bitten off!

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The Flag Retreat is a heartwarming tradition that most guests don’t even know about. Have you attended Flag Retreat?

Christmas Fantasy Parade

I just happened to run into the Christmas Fantasy parade during this update. It’s been running every Holiday year since 1994. Elements of the parade have been updated over the years with Pixar characters and Disney’s Frozen being added into the mix. Do you consider this parade a classic or would you like to see the resort offer something new in the future?

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 Adventureland

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Should I?

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All that’s missing is the AT&T logo (the original sponsor).

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 Frontierland

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Parking structure lights still dominate the river while Star Wars construction continues.

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Also, work continues on the Tom Sawyers Island to prep for Fantasmic!, which will be returning this Summer.

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 New Orleans Square

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Over at Pieces of Eights some interesting new clothing designs have popped up. Ranging from children to adults.

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Also over at Port Royal Curios and Curiosities some Haunted Mansion shirts have come in as well.

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Critter Country

With the crowds as they were during this past week, it made little attractions a welcome respite from long waits.

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Winnie the Pooh is one of those attractions you only get on because it has the only bearable wait time.

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And when you exit Winnie the Pooh, you need something sweet!

Star Wars Land and Main Street Electrical Parade

Work continues on Star Wars Land and during the last few weeks the basement of the building is beginning to be enclosed.

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The Main Street Electrical Parade returns to Disneyland on January 20th while Paint the Night undergoes major refurbishment. You’ll soon have your chance to see MSEP roll down Main Street USA, nearly 45 years after its debut.

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Elliot is hiding from the rain. He is being refurbished now for his big return to Disneyland.
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Tinker Bell Float poking out.
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Elliot will be back soon in his original home on Main Street!

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Last Week Disneyland entered the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade with a Main Street Electrical Parade Design Boat and Mickey even got to be the Grand Marshal.

Fantasyland

Mickey and the Magical Map is another of those escape from long queues opportunities.

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Off to Its a Small World Holiday

Once timeless classic that I hope Disneyland will continue to display!

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As we reported earlier, projections have been added to the Castle for the fireworks but we forgot to mention that they were updated at Small World as well.

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 Soon, “Lights Out” for Paint the Night

As of this writing, the Paint the Night Parade has only two and half weeks left in this run. The Main Street Electrical Parade will replace it on January 20th and Paint the Night will go under the knife for some major refurbishment. It is everyone’s hope that Paint the Night will return in the summer after the announced Electrical Parade run ends.

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Dusty went LIVE on Facebook last night to show off the parade. If you’ve got a bit of time and want to be transported to Disneyland, this is a great escape:

Paint The Night Parade – DisneylandKick your heels up because the night is young! Paint the Night at Disneyland Park.

Posted by MiceChat.com | The Happiest Place in Cyberspace… on Monday, December 19, 2016

Toontown

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Refurb has finished up on the Power House and it wonderful

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Tomorrowland

The land of Tomorrow is confused about what it should actually be, but that does not deter the crowds in the area. Hyperspace mountain still pulls long waits every single day.

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Let’s take a quick look inside Star Wars: Launch Bay. @Darth Daver did a much better job on reporting the Rogue One update last week: HERE.

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The video has been updated to have Rouge One.

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Upstairs is still in the dark. Rumor has it that Disney may try to install a new exhibit in the spring.

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Autopia Fastpass machines have been removed.
Disney California Adventure

Buena Vista Street

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Prop 65 warnings are also now at the DCA gates.

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Don’t forget he’s checking his list, TWICE!

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Hollywood Land

Frozen is now operating without Fastpass. That means that a line stretching down the street may occur, but you no longer need show up at the break of dawn just to get a Fastpass.

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Over at the Sunset Showcase Theater, the temporary signage that was covering the Muppets props with the Doctor Strange posters have been replaced by new temporary signage featuring just a generic “Hollywood” Theme. We wish they’d still show the old Muppet film when they don’t have other movies to preview. It looks bad having yet anther building in Moth Balls in the Backlot Area.

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Work continued on Tower of Terror this week. And we couldn’t help but wonder about something . . . the building is essentially shrouded by a giant screen. Wouldn’t this make a great nightly projection opportunity for Disney? They could project the old facade, or the new one, or anything at all on this giant surface.

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Bugs Land

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Over in Bugs Land, It’s Tough To Be a Bug has returned since the Moana Preview has vacated the Theater, we will see how long it takes untill the next preview moves in.

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The Festival of Holiday’s continues at DCA. Lots of little entertainment offerings throughout the parade route area.

 

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Grizzly Peak

The removal of Condor Flats and the extension of Grizzly Peak area has really came into its own, with the Grand Californian as the backdrop to most of this area. It really gives you a sense that you are in a wooded forest.

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Interesting new shirts over at Soarin’

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Paradise Pier

We are glad to see that Paradise Garden Grill still offers live bands to entertain the many patrons that eat here.

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California Screamin’ has been showing its age, more and more it has been reported being down due to technical issues. This ride is desperate for a complete refurbishment.

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“This and That”

Just a few things we forgot to mention in yesterday’s article:

New construction project happening behind the parking structure in front of the Central Communication Center (building to the right). We’ll keep an eye on it see if anything else is happening.

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Also, the tram procedures have changed to speed things up a bit. The new safety spiel plays after the tram dispatches. No more waiting!

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With the removal of the Security Tents came with the removal of the Wild About Safety signs. Hopefully they can be reinstalled once Disney finally figures out their mess at the parking structure.

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Get Disneyland Wait Times with Mouseaddict

 

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).

Thank you !
All of us on the Disneyland Photo Update crew would like to 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 thanks to Dusty Sage for comments and contributions.

 

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:

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That’s it for this week’s Update. We would like to wish you Happy Holidays and will be back next week with a light update from the parks. 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]

Brian Pinsky
Brian is an avid visitor of Disneyland and has been a Passholder for over 20 years. He is currently studying Civil Engineering and loves to map out the parks in his free time.