We’ve been burning the midnight oil lately to bring you all sorts of Halloween coverage. Today we’ll take a side trip to current projects around the Disneyland Resort, including the reopening of Naples, Main Street refurbishment, walls, walls, walls, and construction projects all over.
As background noise for today’s update, please press play on the latest MiceChat Podcast, which features theme park composer Andy Garfield (of Pachinko Media) and Marla Jo Fisher (Disneyland beat reporter for the OC Register). Lots of recent news, rumors and . . .
Main Street
While Halloween continues at Disneyland, some of the refurbishment projects are wrapping up.
The Main Street Cinema has come out from behind wraps with a darker color scheme and vibrant bricks. We’ve included an archive shot so you can see the difference.
This is what the building looked like previously:
I don’t know why they haven’t built a bench around the platform in the center of the room. On a hot day, this would be such a great place to relax. . . but I’m not going to sit on the floor like everyone else in this room.
The screens on either side of the theater are up and running, but the center screen is currently behind a red velvet curtain.
While most of the refurb scrims are now removed on Main Street, Center Street still has a scrim in place, and bits and pieces of work still remain to be done.
Some signage and painting remains to be completed.
We also noticed that some of the bricks on Main Street have been replaced and/or re-grouted.
If the park map displays look a bit different lately, it’s because the times guides have been removed. The park would like for you to use the Disneyland App on your phone instead. But if you’d still like a printed copy, you can ask Guest Services for one (at least for now).
Garden removal Adventureland & Frontierland
This project has really struck a nerve. While most fans recognize that something must be done to address pathway overcrowding, it’s still difficult to watch gardens, planters, waterways and built-in seating removed to make way for stroller parking and pathway expansion.
The west side of the hub is currently behind scrims. The stream has been drained and heavy equipment is moving earth.
In Frontierland, gardens around the trees are being reduced as well. This area is most impacted before and after Fantasmic.
There are two sets of walls across from the exit to Big Thunder Mountain.
One of them is simply storage for Mickey’s Halloween Party.
But the other is another pathway enhancement.
Adventureland Construction
Another enhancement project is the Tropical Hideaway. As facilities and seating are removed elsewhere in the park, it needs to be replaced. The Tropical Hideaway will offer seating and refreshments, as well as a less crowded space to purchase Dole Whip.
Tiki Room will be returning soon. The show itself has not been altered, but the veranda is being reworked to address ADA access issues as well as install a new ADA-accessible restroom.
Guests are still queuing up around the Dole Whip stand. Mobile Order recently came to this location. You’ll line up on the Tiki Room side of the path to pick up your Mobile Order. As you can see, many guests seem to be using the service.
Matterhorn refurbishment
Yet another major project . . . Standby, Fastpass and Single Rider lines are being rethought at the Matterhorn. Gardens in the area have been partially dug up, as well as many railings.
I hopped a Monorail to snap some construction shots for you. You’ll note that the main queue building is behind construction scrims.
Some of the large trees have been removed.
Unfortunately, the Monorail broke down during my ride. We were stuck in the sun for quite some time. The nice lady sitting next to me wanted to make sure folks on the ground knew we were stuck. The speaker in our car was so soft that we couldn’t hear the announcements from our pilot.
Fantasia Gardens
The former Motorboat Cruise dock is getting a touchup. This is another of those areas where Disney can provide shaded seating for guests.
Golden Horseshoe Food Update
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the sundae at the Golden Horseshoe has recently been upgraded with two big cookies (They appear to be cookie num nums).
popcorn bucket update
The hot new cauldron popcorn bucket appears to have sold out.
The new Oogie Boogie buckets are selling fast, but still available.
Downtown Disney & Hotels
Earl of Sandwich
Work is underway to try to get Earl of Sandwich reopened by October 1st.
Food Trucks
Just outside of Earl, surrounding the entry to the defunct AMC Theater, three food trucks drive in every day after 3pm. The ice cream truck was recently asked to leave. They’ve been replaced by a crepe truck.
The Cotton Candy spirit jersey can now be found throughout the resort.
Naples Dining Update
The former outdoor dining patio upstairs at Naples in Downtown Disney has reopened as a mostly indoor space.
The new entryway has trees in the lobby.
The new chandeliers look like a swarm of fireflies. Very pretty.
The downstairs patio has been open for a while. However, the downstairs interior dining room is still under construction as well as the quick-service room next door.
Scareolers
The hotels and Downtown Disney have been enjoying some unique entertainment.
And for Talk Like A Pirate Day last week, this group sang at the Disneyland Hotel:
Tangaroa Terrace
The Polynesian dining facility at the Disneyland Hotel is closed for a bit of transformation. A bar and Dole Whip are being added. This will allow the entire outdoor patio to serve alcohol. Dole Whip Mai Tai for me please!
The fireplace is also behind a large stretch of walls.
DCA
A few quick DCA updates. We’ll be back with more from DCA and other Disneyland Resort projects later this week.
Animation Building
The wraps are down from the Animation building. Aside from fresh paint, I couldn’t see any changes.
The big bear in front of Grizzly River Rapids is ready for Halloween with his trick or treat bucket.
They are finally prepping the pad for the Inside Out attraction, the former Flik’s Flyers.
Reality break . . .
This and That
Chip and Dale’s Treehouse is behind construction walls. All interesting elements were long ago removed. It’s scheduled to return this Friday.
A Wreck it Ralph experience is on the way to the VOID in Downtown Disney. They haven’t given a firm date. The new Ralph Breaks the Internet film comes out November 21st.
We pointed out a few weeks ago that the banners in the Esplanade still showed “Paradise Pier” on them. They have since been updated and now sport the Pixar Pier logo.
Looks like Pizza Planet will remain around for a while.
Pixar Shorts Film Festival is also lingering.
Nothing new here, but I love the Halloween Tree . . .
Speaking of Halloween, we had some fun in the park on Sunday with the MiceChat Sunday Fun Day folks:
Disneyland’s Subs will be 60 years old next year. They could really use a refurbishment.
My deepest thanks to Brian Pinsky, Suzanne Lee, and Bev for additional photos today. And also to all of you who made it to the end of another lengthy update.
Be sure to follow along on social so you don’t miss out on any of the fun as it happens.
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We’ll have a lot more for you this week, so please keep checking back.
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