Summer of Heroes is in its final weeks as California Adventure prepares to scare up some new fall surprises. We’ll take you through the park to see what’s new, then we’ll head out to Downtown Disney where huge changes are soon to commence, but not as big as the construction for Star Wars land. We’ll have an interesting angle on that for you as well.

DCA’s front gate may be Hero’d Up now . . .

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

But soon it will look like this . . .

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

Buena Vista Street and Cars Land will be getting the Halloween treatment this year to get guests accustomed to the idea of Halloween in this park before the more dramatic shift from Disneyland to DCA next year.

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Hero Down

DCA’s big Summer of Heroes campaign failed to launch despite a major advertising blitz. While guests seemed to love meeting with the super heroes, the rest of the activities fell flat and never really gathered an audience. But none of that will matter much longer as this lackluster marketing campaign wraps up mid September. And while the Training Academy and hopefully the Summer of Heroes Showcase will fade away, we’d like to see the park create some permanent and better sheltered meet and greet locations for their popular Marvel characters.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms
mid day on a Friday and just a handful of guests were in this section of the park. But that very same day, Universal Studios was packed to the gills.
, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms
While the area may not have been busy, there always seemed to be people willing to wait in long lines to meet Black Widow, Captain America, Spider-Man and Thor.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms    , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

We’d love to tell you that the fun new Guardians of the Galaxy ride is resonating with guests, but waits prove otherwise.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms
35 minute wait at 1:30pm on a Friday for the park’s newest attraction. Radiator Springs Racers, Midway Mania, Sorin’ and Grizzly River Rapids all had much longer waits.

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And presto, the doors open for you. . . , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms
, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween LoomsHave you found the old bellhop cap?

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms



, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

This and That

The park does look really beautiful right now.
, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween LoomsCars Land has installed the extra set of telephone poles which are usually reserved for Christmas decor. This year they will also support Halloween decorations.
, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort will run from approximately September 15th through Halloween.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

Even on a relatively uncrowded day, it takes 30 to 45 minutes to get a table at the Cove Bar. We sure hope the retheme to Pixar Pier doesn’t kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

 

Talking Mickey Test

Talking Mickey isn’t a new thing. Guests have been meeting with talking Mickey at Walt Disney World for years, and tests have happened before at Disneyland as well. However, there’s really something magical about this technology. Take a look at this awesome video from our friend Disneyland Panda. Do you love it, or do you think it is creepy?

 

Downtown Disney Sweeping Changes

Times are a changin’ at Downtown Disney, where 6 shops are closing next month to make way for new experiences and dining.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

The changes are focused on the two buildings which straddle the Uva Bar. On one side, Build-a-Bear, the hat shop, and Ridemakerz will be closing to make way for what we believe is more dining.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

On the other side, Fossil and the Disney Vault will be closing. While most folks probably won’t lament Fossil, the loss of the Disney Vault is fairly shocking. It’s one of the best merchandised stores in Downtown Disney and offers one of the most interesting mixes of clothes and accessories.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

A new Star Wars virtual reality experience is coming to this location.  We know from the implementation at Knott’s Berry Farm that these sorts of experiences don’t require a huge amount of space, but can generate some hefty revenue. . . . at least at first.

Perhaps the Frozen craze is finally melting . . . Anna & Elsa’s Boutique is also slated for closure.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

That’s a lot of change all at once. Are any of these shops going to be missed by you? What sort of dining, entertainment and retail would YOU like to see at Downtown Disney?

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms
This art is currently hanging at Wonderground Gallery. Had to include it because it is over the top fabulous.

And things are really starting to come together for the new Splitzville location in Downtown Disney.  Walls will soon be going up and they still hope to open by the holidays.  Hmmm. We’ll see about that!

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

Halloween Featured at World of Disney

This year’s Halloween Mickey and Minnie decor is adorable. Can’t tell if Mickey is a vampire again or a voodoo daddy. But we like it either way.

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Star Wars Land Construction

And looming on the horizon is Star Wars land, which has finally been caped off with it’s tallest element, a steel beam signed by the resort’s castmembers!!!

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Just yesterday, construction teams installed the highest steel beam for Star Wars land. The piece you see below is for a 130-foot-tall rock spire, the highest point in the new land.

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms
(Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms
(Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms  , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms , Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

DON’T MISS OUT – MICECHAT SPECIAL EVENT ALERT

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween LoomsMiceChat Knott’s Scary Farm Spooktacular – September 30th

Tickets at: http://scaryfarm2017.eventzilla.net/

This is the 12th anniversary of our ultra-popular Halloween event and we are working with the great folks at Knott’s Berry Farm to make this our best haunt ever! Leave the real world behind and enter a dreamland of spooky fun with fellow Micechat readers.

This is a VIP experience. You’ll get exclusive access to the haunt designers, special tours, front of line access, and an amazing Mrs. Knott’s buffet dinner before the scares begin. This is the ultimate way to experience Knott’s Scary Farm and the best package for the event.

Event includes:

  • Admission into Knott’s Scary Farm
  • Meet and greet with maze designers
  • Backstage tour of a new maze before the event
  • All you can eat Private Pre-scare Boo-fet dinner
  • Early entry into Haunt
  • Unlimited front of the line access to all mazes!
  • Fastlane front of the line for rides!
  • Priority Seating for the final performance of ELVIRA at Knott’s Scary Farm!!!
  • For one simple price you’ll get an entire night of food, entertainment, friends, frights, fun and EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES!!!

Get your tickets while they are still available (only 10 spots left)! For questions, please contact [email protected]

Tickets at: http://scaryfarm2017.eventzilla.net/

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms


 

Well folks, that wraps up this update. We hope you enjoyed it. Today’s update was shot and assembled by Dusty Sage with additional photos from Brian Pinsky, Dsny Debbie.

Don’t Miss Out! Friend and Follow Us:

Are you a photographer? Do you love the parks? Would you like to contribute to this one or other MiceChat columns? Contact Dusty Sage: [email protected]

, Disney California Adventure Photo Update – Star Wars Tops Out, Mickey Talks, and Halloween Looms

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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]