, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Welcome back to the Disneyland Resort. Today we’ll be looking at the big stories from Disneyland, where Pirates of the Caribbean just turned 50 years young. It was also the weekend that Beauty and the Beast was released in theaters and the start of Spring Break for many young folks. Of course, all of that means that Disneyland was very busy this weekend and Pirates managed lines which prove that it remains a favorite attraction to many guests. And don’t miss our coverage of California Adventure’s Food and Wine Festival, Guardians of the Galaxy Construction, exciting Fastpass news – HERE.



Yo Ho, Yo Ho, Pirates is 50

Pass the Rum…Cake

On Thursday the beloved 50-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean returned from its Winter refurbishment. Many are wondering what new magic may have made its way into the attraction. Right off the bat, let us set your expectations correctly. This was only a refurbishment. However, many things were updated and the ride looks like brand new.

The attraction now operates with the newer boats. Previously, there was a collection of older and newer boats, with the back row often set off limits to guests. Following the refurb, all rows are now being seated and the queue line moves at a more rapid pace as a result. Lighting and sound have also been upgraded throughout the attraction, and props have been restored and replaced as necessary. Although the attraction is now open, it appears that some work is still being conducted after the park closes each night as minor fixes to lighting and effects continue to be made.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Dead Men Tell No Tales.

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
That Fence rail looks new.

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

The attraction reopened on Thursday to massive demand, putting morning cast members and management through their paces. With a posted wait time of 50 minutes just an hour after park opening, lines quickly swelled to engulf a huge chunk of New Orleans Square.

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The line stretched all the way to the Fench Market

 

Dusty live at Pirates of the Caribbean to show you the crazy lines:

Later in the day, this was the line to receive a return time for guests needing special assistance. It stretched all the across the bridge into Adventureland.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

 

Merchandise

Disney has released a lot of Pirates theme merchandise and food offerings around New Orleans Square.

The Pirates Stein have sold out, but rumor has it that more will return when the new movie opens.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Over at the Mint Julep Bar there are two beverage offers and special Golden Beignets.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50  , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50  , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Over at the New Orleans Square Churro Cart, a Golden Churro has also appeared.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50 , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Over at the French Market, a delicious offering is available along with the Punch, which is also served out of the Mint Julep Window.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50 , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Disneyland Update

Early Morning Headaches

Disneyland has been offering local SoCal residents three days for $149, an amazing deal for those who love the park but cannot afford annual passes. With the Main Street Electrical parade and Remember Dreams Come True fireworks returning, the park is now packed on a nearly daily bases. The photos taken below are all from park opening on Thursday last week.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
This was taken on Thursday just an hour after park opening. It has been really busy all day, every day.

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Full line extensions being set up at forty-five minutes after opening. Later in the day, the entire parade viewing area was converted to queue lines for Small World. It needs it.

 

Matterhorn Refurbishment

The Matterhorn continues long refurbishment and Fastpass addition. At night you can see welding throughout the mountain. Hopefully, Disney can smooth out the curves of this historic coaster and figure out the logistics of Fastpass on this coaster.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The safety gates are being repainted as well

 

Small World Damage

After the recent set of winter storms, a tiny bit of damage can still be seen on the Small World facade. Some of the flower weather vanes are bent or just plain missing on top of the spires.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

The Mug of the Wait

On a daily basis, guests are lining up at rope drop to get the coveted Rose Mug that the Red Rose Taverne offers. Unfortunately, this is a gamble as the popular mug is either out of stock or the short supply runs out just after restaurant opening. A Castmember comes out after about 30 minutes to tell guests if they do or don’t have mugs that day.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The CM is there to make sure the guest there are waiting for the restaurant to open, not waiting for the mug.

 

Snow White Grotto Reconstruction

Work continues on the Snow White fountain as the rock work is completely replaced.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Star Wars Land Construction progress

Work continues on the most highly anticipated of all the Disney projects, Star Wars Land. If you haven’t taken a look through last week’s Star Wars Land News, please do.  works extremely hard to get you those amazing shots.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Just steps away from this classic Disneyland scene.,,

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The new Northern berm between the Rivers of America and Star Wars Land has risen to its full height and is being painted.
, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Nothing like that New-Old Rusty Bridge Look. This is the train trestle closest to Big Thunder Trail.

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Let’s head outside the park for a site overview.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Things are really reaching for the sky now.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

But what’s that in the Battle Escape attraction show building?

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

After Darth Daver’s reports that the AT-AT were being added, Disney immediately released a video confirming their installation.

The new Tree Berm is being installed now to allow Spring to work her magic on growth.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The Cabin (formerly the Burning Settler’s Cabin) is beginning to take shape. But will it be built with our without its signature flames?

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The secret Fantasmic Storage Dock

 

Along the Tram Route, the new Cast Entry Gate is being added for staff who work on West Side Attractions.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

StarWarsExpansion-After
MiceChat’s general estimate of Star Wars Land layout.

 

Fantasmic/Tom Sawyer’s Island Construction

Along the front of the River’s of America a few new props have been added to hide new equipment for the new Fantasmic.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
This new boat hides a large projector.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

The Mark Twain and Columbia River Boats are being repainted and the Columbia is having new rigging installed on the masts.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Repainting of hull in progress

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Smokers keeps getting less and less room across the parks

 

Four barges can now be seen along the Big Thunder bank of the Rivers of America.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Do Not Open Until X-Mas July!

 

Where’s Haunted Mansion Fastpass?

Last week we updated you that Haunted Mansion finally added its MaxPass touch-points. But because of the long lines which this attraction has been getting lately, the Fastpass Distribution kiosks are often blocked and can be difficult to find. As a result, new Fastpass directional signs point guests to go around the fountain in Magnolia Park to get to the distribution kiosks.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

 Train Refurbishment

This week the E.P. Ripply was switched out of the trains exhibit at the New Orleans Square Station for the Ernest S Marsh.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Star Tours: Fastpass Portal

On Friday the new Fastpass portal finally opened for Star Tours.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Touch-points and time clock have been also added

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Oh to be on the Inside

 

On the Standby Entrance side, the former Fastpass time clock has been removed and replaced with a decorative sign.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The upper sign says in Aurebesh the first written warning on the sign below.

 

It appears that there is currently no door on the new Fastpass entry. The following pictures were taken just after park close and shows the Fastpass entry left open.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
A simple double rope is used to block entry.

 

The stand-by side uses locking glass doors. Perhaps something similar is in the works for the Fastpass side as well.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The Fastpass Gonk Droids look to have been reinstalled over the last couple days. Just look at their feet. See all that white stuff? residue from construction.

 

Other Tomorrowland Tidbits

First off, Buzz’s sign appears to be rusting and could use a good paint job or replacement.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Tomorrowland is enforcing a one-way walkway on either side of Astro Orbiter almost all day now. With Fastpass on one side of the walkway and the new Fastpass entrance for Star Tours on the other, guests can no longer simply walk across the way, but are routed around the Astro Orbiter to get back to Star Tours. It’s inconvenient but not too confusing. . . until evening when the parades and fireworks turn this area into a nightmare.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

At night, the side headed out of Tomorrowland backs up as the mass of people hoping to leave Tomorrowland hit the crowds packed in to see the nighttime spectaculars. For long stretches of time, Tomorrowland becomes a holding pen of guests who become trapped here. Meanwhile, cast members allow the other side of the land to remain uncrowded, but won’t let you cross over to get out. It’s incredibly frustrating. Disney really needs to address crowd control issues in Tomorrowland and Adventureland ASAP. Things are rapidly deteriorating and new crowd control procedures are only making it worse.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
If you are walking toward the Hub on this side of the Peoplemove tracks, you’ll be directed to head to the other side.

 

We have a suggestion for Operations Managers to figure this out. Take off your name tag. Go ride Space Mountain after dark. Then try to get to Town Square on Main Street without using your cast member super powers (no cutting through backstage). Follow the instructions of your own employees. When you are done feeling like you’ve been abused, come up with a plan which keeps guests moving (like perhaps reversing the crowd flow direction so folks exit the land closest to Star Tours and can then get to Main Street in order  to exit the park.

Also, to avoid the impossibility of crossing Main Street during the parades, consider making the overflow corridors behind Main Street two way traffic instead of one way. Having the outbound overflow on the Adventureland side of the park may make sense for exiting Fantasmic traffic, but it makes it impossible for folks on the Tomorrowland side of the park to escape!

Monorail down to Uno Rail.

Disneyland is currently down to only one operating monorail due to maintenance problems.This is causing lines to back up (especially in the Downtown Disney station). Guests are warned that they may wait 30 to 45 minutes to catch the train.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Adventureland Restroom Wrap Up

This week the female half of the restroom complex at the entrance of Adventureland has reopened. The neighboring Pioneer Merchantile has also reopened with the shared wall and cash registers moved.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
I hope they have expanded the Women’s restroom, but it would be awkward for me to confirm the theory. Can any of you ladies comment on how your restroom may have changed? We appreciate it.

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The Men’s Half is still behind walls

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50 +

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
The walls have moved in a bit, which is why I assume that the Women’s restroom has expanded.
, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
This corner has also been pushed out

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Don’t Worry they did not touch the Sing-Along projector

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

 

New Merchandising

Disney released a lot of new merchandise throughout the resort in the last couple of weeks. I’d like to feature some of them for you.

The plethora of shirts now available along the shops of Main Street, Buena Vista Street, and World of Disney may have some of you reaching for your wallets. (some of this may not be new, but it’s new to me).

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, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50 , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Monorail Highlighters Anyone?

 

And for the Youngins…

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Anyone for a future embarrassing photo?

 

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50  , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50  , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50  , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Over at Atwater in California Adventure new merchandise has popped up.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Some California Adventure Theme Merch but…

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50 , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

Just across the shelf some Disney World merchandise just sitting there.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50 , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50 , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50

At the Adventureland Bazaar, these little VHS tape looking notebooks seem popular.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50 , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50+

Over at Port Royal Curios and Curiosities this Haunted Mansion shirt with Master Gracey linticular on it.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50 , Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50


Our coverage continues with Disney California Adventure Tower construction, Food and Wine Festival, Security issues and more HERE

, Disneyland Photo Update – Pirates Fabulous at 50
Continuing coverage of DCA HERE
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. Return tomorrow as we continue to coverage from California Adventure and the rest of the Resort. 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 help from Dusty Sage, additional photo contributions from Darth Daver. Thanks Dave!

 

Are you a member of the MiceChat’s Facebook groups? We meet every Sunday in the parks! If you are interested in meeting up with fellow theme park lovers in the parks, please be sure to follow our Facebook social group: MiceChat Sundays in the Park. And please follow the MiceChat Facebook Page for news and updates from the Disneyland Resort and beyond. Here are our groups:

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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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.