Strike up the band, it’s time for a quick tour of Disneyland to see what’s new and what’s news. A classic is set to return as Space Mountain gives up on the popular Hyperspace overlay and Star Tours prepares to add new destinations. A new shop has opened in Fantasyland and crowd patterns continue to perplex the Disneyland faithful.




, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Space Mountain Returns June 1st, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

At long last, plain old wonderful Space Mountain will be returning June 1st. Hyperspace will close on May 29th (for now). While Hyperspace Mountain was VERY popular with guests, it will be a breath of fresh space-dust to have regular Space Mountain return. Though, we’d still love to see Hyperspace return for a reboot of Season of the Force next year. Take our poll and let us know your thoughts on how you like to experience the mountain:

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

[clickToTweet tweet=”With Hyperspace Mountain departing, will the rest of Season of the Force also soon make the leap at #Disneyland?” quote=”With Hyperspace Mountain departing, will the rest of Season of the Force also soon make the leap at #Disneyland?” theme=”style3″] , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

New Star Tours Adventures

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

One new Star Wars thing that we can expect to see later this year is a new “Last Jedi” themed adventure on Star Tours. Disney mentioned the new random sequences during Star Wars Celebration last week.

This new Star Tours adventure will take guests to the planet of Crait in the middle of an epic battle … and it’s like nothing that frequent Starspeeder travelers have ever seen!

The new Last Jedi official teaser trailer might give us some clues.

The Castle Holiday Shoppe

When the Heraldry shop lost their lease, we assumed that something important would be going into this spot. It sits next to the uber-popular Peter Pan ride, which struggles to maintain an adequate queue line in the ever-crowded Fantasyland courtyard. We had expected this space to either be used as themed queue expansion for the ride or perhaps as a FASTPASS location. However, the location has reopened as a quickly assembled Christmas shop which maintains much of the previous shop theme and props. The simple slat-wall shelves and bracket hooks lead us to believe that all of this may just be temporary.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch
The old King Arthur window props remain with minimal Christmas adornments.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

The same Christmas ornaments found throughout the resort are assembled here. , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

The one neat thing is a resident artist who will customize just about anything in the shop for you. Though, you can tell from the temporary table and ill-fitting tablecloth that this was either an afterthought or all of this is just temporary.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Discounts, discounts, discounts . . . throughout the resort, signs have popped up offering special deals when you buy multiples of various items.  , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Disney hasn’t created any custom displays or props for this store. Just the most basic of tiny trees to display ornaments and hooks to hang things on. The props in the store are simple and mostly from the previous Heraldry Shoppe. , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

The Christmas store looks just fine, but it’s a bit of an odd fit for this land which Disney doesn’t even decorate for Christmas.
, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Gumball Rally

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

MiceChat’s Gumball Rally returns to the Disneyland Resort on May 6th this year. Compete in teams of 2 to 4 players to see who can ride the most attractions at the resort in a single day. But be warned, pirates have invaded this year’s Rally in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean.  MORE INFORMATION HERE

 

New Crowd Patterns

We had another strange week of the new normal at Disneyland.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

This update was shot mostly on Friday and Saturday. The park was blissful with low crowd levels both days. Why would the tail end of Spring Break bring lower than normal crowd levels? It’s becoming obvious that the park is only busy when annual passes are unblocked and the 3 day resident salute tickets are also blocked. When relying on full paying guests, Disneyland just can’t seem to fill up the park. High ticket prices are a likely culprit. When those discounted tickets are unblocked, the crowds return in droves (as they did on Sunday, which was also Dapper Day). Has Disneyland boxed itself into a difficult pricing and passholder predicament?

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Many attractions in the park were near walk-on conditions at mid-day on Friday. And at minimal waits at the same time on Saturday.
, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Not only was there no extended queue needed for Pirates . . . but the inner courtyard wasn’t even fully utilized.  , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

When was the last time you saw Big Thunder without a filled overflow queue?

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Even Peter Pan was running just a 30 minute wait.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE these conditions. But it points to price fatigue for full paying guests. We’d expect the parks to be packed for Spring Break and they simply weren’t this year. Yet, by the time you read this, most passes will be unblocked and the crowds are expected to return as well.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Even Red Rose Taverne was operating with no wait on Friday around lunch time.

Also, it’s interesting to note that they’ve put signs up explaining the menu in simple non-French sounding ways. Perhaps guests are too confused by descriptive and inventive menus and need to be enticed with the most basic and boring menu description ever.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

We LOVE the menu here and hope that Disney sticks to their guns and doesn’t decide to dumb it down and make it boring. If we want a “Grilled burger” we’ll go to McDonald’s. This was once one of the WORST restaurants in the park. At the moment it’s one of the best. Don’t even think about screwing this up Disney, you’ve got a good thing going here.

This and That

As the park prepares to return the River and Train to operation this summer, work continues at an ever more rapid pace. The trains will soon come off display to allow for testing of the new route. There’s a lot of work to be done and the route may prove to be a bit of a challenge for the old engines as the new track has a steeper grade and tighter turning radius than the previous route.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Work continues on the Sailing Ship Columbia to make it possible for Pirates to overtake it nightly for Fantasmic.  And barges remain covered at island’s edge to prevent us from catching any early clues.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch 

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Meanwhile, at the back of the river, the new rocks are highly visible from New Orleans Square and Hungry Bear. The landscape sure has changed. It’s all going to look great when complete, but gone is the appearance of the river boats sailing away into a forest of trees. The river now makes a hard right turn just past the Hungry Bear (as you can see in the photos below). We’ve been told that the ride time will remain the same by slowing the boats down a bit. That will allow for two boat operation on busy days.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

The new waterfalls, rocks and train trestle are being painted and prepared for upcoming testing. The riverbed has had concrete poured and the tracks for the sailing ships is installed.

Look at that sharp turn . . .

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

A new walking bridge has been constructed between the Hungry Bear and the river. You’ll soon be able to take this path all the way to Star Wars Land.  , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

You can see the waterfalls, train trestle and river boat tracks in the shot below

Nearby, at the Hungry Bear, guests can once again easily access the restrooms located downstairs. The area is still awaiting landscaping. , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

The smaller rivers of Critter Country are off until the Rivers of America reopens, as that’s where their waters flow. , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

The project continues behind Big Thunder to reconnect the trail from Frontierland to Fantasyland.  Work seems very far along here and we hope they can reopen this trail sooner rather than later as it really helps with crowd flow. , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

The central hub of Disneyland is bursting with color right now.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

It’s quite the refurbishment of Snow White’s Grotto.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

In the distance, we see the Matterhorn, which is scheduled to return this Friday! , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

I must apologize for these next shots. I’m a sucker for a good doughnut. They were JUST putting out these amazing new vanilla glazed treats with fresh strawberry filling. A doughnut, sliced like a bagel and stuffed with goodness. OMG. 

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

And how do you follow up something like that? With maple glazed BACON doughnuts of course. I just gained 10 pounds posting these photos. , Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Like any good Disney nerd, I try to make a point of visiting Disneyana as often as I can.  When I popped in on Friday, I noticed Shrunken Head Ned in the vault.   

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Both the figure and the painting on wood were done by the super talented Javier Soto.

, Disneyland Photo Update – You Are Clear For Launch

Here’s the strange part. . . I stood there admiring these pieces for quite some time. The next night was the Themed Entertainment Association’s annual gala and award show at the Disneyland Hotel. It’s an elegant black tie affair with major production values. I’m honored to have been in attendance. But what really made my night was spending a few moments speaking with Javier Soto. Couldn’t wait to tell him that I had just seen his work in the vault, which is the most highly coveted spot for a Disney artist to have their work displayed.

Here we are looking our goofy finest in our money suits, with all the fancy lighting in the background (that’s Javier on the left).

Well folks, are you happy about the return of classic Space Mountain? Are new Star Tours adventures something you are looking forward to? Do you think Disney has priced their regular tickets so high that it’s hurting attendance when passes and discount tickets are blocked? We want to hear from you below!

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THE 2017 GUMBALL RALLY

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Sign Up Today!

The World Famous Gumball Rally is a contest to see who can ride the most attractions at Disneyland and California Adventure in a single day. Are you the biggest Disney fan? Let’s find out. This year’s event pays tribute to the Pirates of the Caribbean, which turned 50 years old this year and remains beloved by generations of Disney fans. If you be brave enough to face a pirate’s curse, proceed!!! GUMBALL RALLY INFO AND TICKETS HERE


 

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Dusty Sage
Dusty is the founder and CEO of MiceChat.com. When he's not visiting theme parks and writing, editing or speaking about Disney and theme parks worldwide, Dusty is involved in multiple Disney related projects and charities. He helped save and restore the charming Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, launched the Dick Van Dyke Foundation, and is the curator of Walt Disney's historic 1930's estate in Hollywood. If you've got news or photos to share with the MiceChat community, or would like to book Dusty for an upcoming event, please contact [email protected]