Refurbishments, ride closures, and upkeep are all part of the life of any well-maintained theme park. Disneyland has been maintaining things nicely ever since the 50th anniversary and it is to be commended. It’s all that upkeep that keeps a nearly 60 year old park looking like new. Today, we anticipate the return of Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye after a major six month refurbishment. Are there any major changes that can be seen or was all the work under the hood? Meanwhile, other parts of the park have come out from behind the refurb screens as Minnie’s house looks fresh and pretty and Big Thunder Trail has reopened for passage as well. Through all of this, Candlelight continues at the front and only entrance into the 57 year old theme park.
INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF
THE FORBIDDEN EYE SOFT OPENS
Indiana Jones is scheduled to officially reopen to guests tomorrow morning. However, construction walls are now down and the ride soft opened around 9:30am. Since opening, the ride has been up and down, so if you intend to ride today, you should be aware that the soft opening could be concluded at any time. The attraction has been down for an extensive, and much needed, refurbishment. As was expected, the major work on the attraction is not readily apparent to park guests.
The attraction has been cleaned up, retouched and repainted. Most notable are the lightning strikes in the first scene where Indy is holding back the two large doors, clearer bug room projections relit snake room, and a restored hallway mural in the dart room.
We apologize ahead of time for the poor quality of the photos. This is a particularly difficult ride to capture as it is dark and turbulent.
But the ride vehicles themselves benefited from the most substantial refurbishments. The attraction, the most expensive one to maintain in Disneyland, had literally been shaking itself apart with its rough, daily routine. A more thorough repair of the entire fleet of jeeps was what the bulk of this refurbishment was about.
No, the ride’s rougher edge has not been restored. The movement is still considerably muted compared to what it was when it opened in 1995. You can’t feel the heat from the flames in the Mara statue. Don’t even think about looking for the restored falling ceiling effect that broke just months after the attraction debuted. While major in scope, that wasn’t the point of this refurb. They addressed the issues with the vehicles and all are just like new again. But in the process they also updated key scenes to enhance the attraction. Nice work Disney!
BIG THUNDER TRAIL
After a very efficient refurbishment, Big Thunder Trail has reopened. The area was closed to allow for a replanking of the bridge connecting the trail to the rest of Frontierland. The smell of fresh polyurethane still lingers and the boards are tightly placed. Everything is aged and you’d never guess that major work was just completed here.
More of Big Thunder Trail, including the rock work near the exit of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, are emerging as well.
ZOCALO PARK
Disney has announced that Three-Kings-Day will return to Disneyland Park on January 4th, 5th and 6th. But, as of now, nothing is happening in the area. Although, there are some lovely terra cotta pots to enjoy.
MICKEY’S TOONTOWN
Back in ToonTown, Minnie Mouse’s home and wishing well have been revealed. But that isn’t even the big news. Sure the filling station is looking better than ever. But Bennie, we repeat, Bennie the Cab is back above the entrance to Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. What took you so long pal, we missed you?!
Minnie’s home is back and just as beautiful as ever. The wishing well near the house sparkles and the paint and plantings nearby are beautiful.
It went unnoticed before, but we also have to commend the work done on the filling station restroom buildings. The colors seem to really pop with the radiant ink and paint feel that the area aims to achieve. very nice work.
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin finally has its resident cab back in his rightful place above the entrance. The bright, yellow, and animated figure teeters back and forth precariously over guests as they enter.
FANTASYLAND THEATRE
The archway above leading to the Fantasyland Theatre is behind scaffolds. The last vestiges of the Princess Fantasy Faire are finally being removed.
SPACE ODDITY
While visiting the park for the MiceChat noon meet last weekend, a fellow MiceChatter brought a very strange thing to our attention. Near the entrance to Tomorrowland there is an odd walkway cover.
FILMING ON MAIN STREET
On Wednesday, filming took place for an upcoming Christmas special. Patrick Warburton sat atop the final parade float used in the Christmas Fantasy Parade. He portrayed a silly, Warburtonesque, Santa while waving to the crowd.
CANDLELIGHT AND MAIN STREET
Six nights in and Disneyland has yet to experience any of the gridlock conditions we were worried about with 20 nights of Candlelight. Despite a few cancellations, the actual performances have been going wonderfully. Operationally speaking, there isn’t much to report on at the moment either. From the several cast members we spoke with, things are going smoothly so far, in part due to a major crowd control effort. The only notable change behind the scenes is that the Pumba Cast member parking area has been handed over to the volunteers for the performances.
Surprisingly, the guests seem to be taking the traffic pinch in stride. During last nights performance featuring Edward James Olmos, a respectable sized crowd watched as the traffic in and out of the park flowed around them.
In the end, the weekday performances seem to be smooth sailing thanks to the crowd control Cast Members who work to keep things moving. The real test will be what may happen over the coming weekends or during the shows featuring more popular celebrities.
Disney California Adventure continues its record breaking holiday season with unprecedented attendance and an impressive amount of polish. While there aren’t any major refurbishments going on in this park, there are a few tid bits of note.
MORE INTERESTING MERCHANDISE
Oswald the Luck Rabbit isn’t new, but he is very popular. We found his vintage looking plush back in stock this week along with a few new, tasteful t-shirts.
GARLAND REMOVED FROM THE FF&P
In a strange change, the garland above the counters at the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe have been removed. They once represented the Three Little Pigs with a garland of straw, a garland of twigs and a garland of brick.
What a week. Indiana Jones has returned, Candlelight moves forward, and the park gamely entertains thousands a day. Just another average walk in the park at the Disneyland Resort.
Have you been enjoying the holiday season in the parks?
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