Welcome back to the Disneyland Resort where it has been so hot you could cook an egg on Main Street. But all that heat also chased away the crowds. If you were able to brave the temperature, you likely had a great time in the park with unusually low waits. This week we bring views from Adventureland and its recent changes, take a look at the Fantasmic stage just one week before it is set to return, and show you what’s new in the park.
| Adventureland Flow |
It’s Flowing…Mostly
Major work to improve Adventureland crowd-flow is mostly complete. Stroller parking has moved inside the old fruit stand, and the fruit stand moved into the old South Traders Seas shop. The rest of the shop space between the South Seas Traders and Indy shops now contains tables for Bengal Barbecue dining.
Unfortunately, crowd clogging can still happen, especially in front of Indy. If a group of guests stop in this area, the pathway is still tight enough to slow things down.
The South Seas Traders sign still hangs over the dining section. 
There is also a new menu item at Bengal.
| MaxPass |
The new FastPass system is bringing all sorts of little changes to the resort. Unfortunately, many guests seem to be struggling to scan their tickets. In the past, you got a Fastpass ticket and simply handed it to a cast member at the attraction. Now, you get a Fastpass ticket, but it is just a reminder of your return time. Once you get to the attraction, you’ll need your admission ticket to scan at the new readers. Three things are slowing guests down: 1) Finding their ticket, 2) Not knowing which ticket to scan, and 3) Taking their time scanning their ticket. It doesn’t take but one or two confused guests to start a backup. Disney really needs to find a way to get these people through the entrances faster.
There has been another change to Fastpass which should work in your favor if you pay close attention. The minimum Fastpass wait time is now just 5 minutes (even less in one example we’ll show you later). Pay attention to the Fastpass return times as they are sometimes SHORTER than the posted standby wait time!! You’ll usually find this happening early in the morning, but it can happen at any time of the day.
| Trains, Rivers, & Projections; Oh My! |
Work continues on the Rivers of America as Disney approaches the July 17th reopening of Fantasmic, next week. I am so excited for the return of my favorite show . . . though I’ll admit I’m a little worried about some of the rumored changes.
Along the Rivers, work continues for the return of the Railroad and River Boats on July 29th.
On the Critter Country side of the river, deer are being added to the riverbank.
At the raft dock, the old damaged sign remains.
On the other side, they just placed a box over the hole where the post for the new sign will need to go.
Painting is not Disney’s strong suit on the raft dock.
Over on Tom Sawyer’s Island, I was finally able to visit the Dead Man’s Grotto Cave walk-through. Mostly looking good but not much work occurred in the cave during the refurbishment. Unfortunately, by Sunday it was closed to guests. Not sure why.
Over at Hungry Bear some of the scrims have been removed, now Disney just needs to remove the rest of the scrims.
Testing is continuing every night for Fantasmic!
| Disneyland |
Let’s take a quick stroll through the rest of the park.
Main Street
Disneyland’s run of the Main Street Electrical Parade will end in approximately 6 weeks, and hopefully, Paint the Night will return not too long beyond that.
Adventureland
On these hot days, the Tiki room has been my air conditioning refuge.
But who can resist the equally well air conditioned Indiana Jones?!
Frontierland
The new rocks along Big Thunder Trail are very photogenic.
New Orleans Square
The Haunted Mansion will soon close so it can receive the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. It generally closes in August, and the holidays collide starting in September.
I would like to put in my two cents on the upcoming Pirates changes. I feel that Disney is not taking the changes far enough. I would like Disney to completely remove Jack Sparrow from the attraction in favor of the redhead becoming the predominant character in the story. Jack is so much of an anti-hero at this point that he no longer belongs here (not that he ever did to begin with). In other words, “We want the Redhead!”
Who gets the gold in the end? Jack! Oh how I’d like to see Red finally trick them all out of the treasure in this scene. Is it too much to hope that they remove Jack once and for all?! After 50 years in a slave auction, Red has earned her right for a little revenge!
Star Wars Land Construction
This week some HVAC (ventilation and air conditioning) was installed onto the Battle Escape attraction.
Fantasyland
It is so hot lately they are running the daytime parade with the least amount of dancing possible. It’s still a fun parade to watch.
Toontown
On another note, Donald’s Boat is looking pretty sad lately.
The props are chipped, filthy, and gross.
Painting is still not on Disney’s priority list.
Tomorrowland
Over at Tomorrowland Terrace, all Star Wars mentions have been completely removed, even on the menus.
One of the things that drives me crazy about Summer Nights concerts is how they have the band warm up on stage in the middle of the day. Can’t they do this underground or back stage?
Rock It Mountain is still built into the Space Mountain Marquee sign even though it was a promotion which took place over 10 years ago. Would you like to see them bring Rock It Mountain back from time to time?
| Stop By the Micechat Booth at the D23 Expo |
Come see MiceChat at the D23 Expo July 14 through 16th at the Anaheim Convention Center. Stop by to meet Disney celebrities, animators, legends, authors, artists, and enter to win fun-tastic prizes including a trip to Disneyland, hotel and restaurant giveaways and much more. Stop by throughout the weekend for multiple chances to win!!!
| 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. |
| 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: |
Be back in few days for our continuing coverage! 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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