The Disneyland Resort celebrated Lunar New Year in Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney over the weekend, as part of the on-going Limited Time Magic promotion. The Lunar New Year festivities brought a vibrant street festival atmosphere to California Adventure with fantastic live entertainment, arts and crafts, character meet-and-greets and a variety of special food offerings. Meanwhile, Disneyland will kick off its latest Limited Time Magic offering with this week’s True Love Week, celebrating Valentine’s Day. Elsewhere in the park, various refurbishments continue as construction continues on the new Fantasy Faire princess meet-and-greet area. And in both parks, preparations are underway to begin enforcing FASTPASS return times, bringing a big change to how the park handles its popular ride reservation system.
Thanks to MiceChat’s Fishbulb for some additional help with some photos this week.
Get a closer look at today’s update! Click on any photo in today’s column for a large, high-resolution version of the image.
| Welcome to Disneyland! |
Main Street Station’s refurbishment continues at Disneyland.
Our friends from Touring Plans have their weekly crowd forecast below:
One last week of nice crowds before the busy President’s Day holiday. TouringPlans.com can help you navigate the parks with our per-park Crowd Calendar, Lines – Mobile Wait Times App that gives access to current and estimated wait times for attractions, and Touring Plans detailing the best plan of attack for hitting the attractions. Now more than ever, it’s a good time to subscribe to TouringPlans.com to plan your strategy to avoid the crowds!
Below are the predicted resort-wide crowd numbers for select days generated by the TouringPlans professional statisticians as measured for the upcoming week. For the access to the full year and per-park crowd level predictions, visit our Crowd Calendar.
— Fred Hazelton, Statistician, TouringPlans.com
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Crowd Prediction |
Crowd Tips |
| Tues., Feb. 12 | Here are some quick-hit notes that we hope you’ll find helpful as you prepare your visits for the week:
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| Wed., Feb. 13 | 2 /10 | |
| Thu., Feb. 14 | 6 /10 | |
| Fri., Feb. 15 | 8/10 | |
| Crowd levels are based on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least crowded conditions and 10 being most crowded.See Disneyland crowds for the next 365 days. Get Disneyland wait times on your iPhone, Android, or Smartphone.Do more. Wait less.  Dateline Disneyland is sponsored by TouringPlans.com. |
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Valentine’s Day decorations and more spring color continue to pop up throughout Main Street and the Central Plaza.
Construction Kingdom |
Work continues on the upcoming Fantasy Faire princess meet-and-greet village next to Sleeping Beauty Castle as it approaches its March 12 grand opening.
Lots of detail continues to emerge throughout the area…
New lighting fixtures going in…
New window
The new Maurice’s Treats outdoor vending cart will open with Fantasy Faire this March. Last week, Disney previewed what the new cart will serve:
The cart will serve up “sweet twists” for $3.49, as well as a savory cheddar garlic bagel twist for $4.19.
The cart will feature a new “signature beverage” from Disney, this time a frozen boysenberry-apple concoction. The Boysen Apple Freeze is made with frozen apple juice, a hint of wild berry and topped with passion fruit foam. A 16-ounce cup will sell for $4.69 or you can get it in a souvenir cup (pictured below) for $9.99.
The new CPG medallion, referencing the former Carnation Plaza Gardens, has been installed on this facade.
Lookin’ good
Back in Fantasyland, work continues on installing the new “Mickey and the Magical Map” show, opening this summer.
| Refurbishment Round-Up |
Meanwhile, various refurbishment projects continue throughout Disneyland. Lighting towers along Small World Mall are getting some work done.
“it’s a small world” is still closed through the end of the month to remove the holiday overlay and refurbishment.
The Mad T Party is closed through Valentine’s Day for refurbishment.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s 10-month refurbishment continues…
A time-lapse camera tracks the project…
Beyond the load station, one of the old Rainbow Ridge facades has been stripped down. The mining town of Rainbow Ridge will be rebuilt with new materials during Big Thunder’s closure.
Fantasmic’s refurbishment continues
The Fantasmic pit near the Tom Sawyer Island rafts dock has been filled back in, but Tom Sawyer Island remains closed until later this week.
Mark Twain’s refurbishment project continues as well:
Nearby, Splash Mountain should reopen by Friday.
| Limited Time Magic |
at Disney California Adventure
10 am — 5 pm, February 11
Disneyland’s Lunar New Year celebration returned and move to Pacific Wharf at Disney California Adventure over the weekend and will continue for one final day today, Monday, February 11.
Disney’s Lunar New Year celebration was notably larger this year, bringing together several local Asian-American performing arts groups, schools and artists, while offering a variety of special menu items at restaurants and outdoor vending carts.
San Francisco Street at California Adventure hosted a bulk of the Lunar New Year Celebration festivities, with character meet-and-greets, face painting, arts and crafts booths hosted by local schools as well as a booth by local artist Agnes Eng.
With the various arts and crafts offerings, character greetings, and various live entertainment, the celebration gave off a really fun street festival atmosphere, breathing some life into the typically lifeless San Francisco Street area.
Mickey and Minnie met with guests in their Lunar New Year attire
Informational signage gave some background on how Lunar New Year is celebrated by various Asian cultures:
What year are you?
Mulan, Mushu and various local performing arts groups entertained guests throughout the day at the Paradise Pier hub area, in front of the Little Mermaid attraction.
A video clip sampling some of the entertainment offerings
Outdoor vending carts in the area served up ginger milk tea, almond cookies and pork bao.
Pacific Wharf restaurants offered a variety of special menu items as well
Pacific Wharf:
Lucky Fortune Cookery:
Rita’s Margaritas:
at Disneyland Park
10 am — 5 pm through February 12
Disneyland’s New Orleans Bayou Bash located in New Orleans Square will end tomorrow, February 12, on the day of Mardi Gras.
at Disneyland Park
February 11-17, 2013
This week, Disney’s Limited Time Magic promotion continues with True Love week, celebrating Valentine’s Day. Disneyland released information on the week and also announced special fixed-price dinners as part of the celebration.
This is the first year that Disney’s offered significant in-park Valentine’s Day entertainment and dining options.
True Love Week
- Romantic Setting:
Guests will feel the romance at every turn, as heart-shaped signage and sweetheart-themed décor adorn Disneyland Park, making it an ideal place to celebrate Valentine’s week.- Blushing Castle:
At dusk, hues of red and pink will bathe Sleeping Beauty Castle, with projections of flowers and hearts.- Floral Heart:
A giant floral heart makes a sweet setting for a Valentine photo, in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland.- Valentine Wishes:
Flowers, garlands and decorative doves will create a second ideal location around Snow White Wishing Well near Sleeping Beauty Castle. At night, magical lighting adds a romantic touch to the wishing well and Snow White Grotto.- Disneyland Sweethearts:
Also near Town Square, guests will find a photo location with resident Disneyland sweethearts – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck.- Dinners for Two:
Romantic dinners for two with prix fixe menus will be offered at select restaurants during the most romantic week of the year. Specially-created menus at Blue Bayou and Café Orleans in Disneyland, Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure Park, Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel or Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel make them ideal choices for a romantic evening. To book call 714-781-DINE (714-781-3463).- Cupcake Lovers:
Chefs have prepared a specially themed Valentine’s dessert: a chocolate cupcake with raspberry mousse filling and dark chocolate mousse frosting. It will be available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café in Disneyland, Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café and Pacific Wharf Café in Disney California Adventure, and Disneyland Hotel Coffee House.- Valentine’s-themed Takeaways:
Limited-edition pins, plush, newly-designed apparel and Vinylmations will be available at select merchandise locations.- Ears for your Sweetheart:
The classic Disneyland ear hat gets a total glitz makeover just in time for the most romantic time of the year. It will dazzle your Valentine and become the most sophisticated pair of ears in your collection.- Royal Romance:
Guests will enjoy a rare opportunity to get photos of Disney Princes as they escort their Princesses along The Royal Walk in Fantasyland. In New Orleans Square, guests will find another pair of sweethearts, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.- In Search of True Love:
Guests may also encounter the Wandering Wallflowers, in search of “true love.”
at Disneyland Park
February 11-17, 2013
Disney is tying in two Annual Passholder-exclusive movie screenings at the Main Street Opera House into this week’s Limited Time Magic offerings.
Today and tomorrow, Disneyland will screen “Mulan” at the Main Street Opera House to celebrate Lunar New Year as well as the film’s release on Blu-ray.
Mulan
Limited Time Annual Passholder Magic Event
February 11 and 12, 2013
5:00 pm, 7:00 pmEvent Registration Information:
- Annual Passholders may register for an event starting at 11:30 a.m. on the day of the event at the Main Street, U.S.A. Opera House in Disneyland Park.
- All participating Annual Passholders and their Guests (ages 3 and older) must be valid Annual Passholders on the day of the event. Photo ID may be required.
- Registration and check-in must be completed in person at the Main Street, U.S.A. Opera House on the day of the event only; no phone reservations or registration will be accepted.
- All participating Annual Passholders must present their active Annual Passport to the event Cast Member, who will check event availability.
If you can’t make it to the Annual Passholder screening, but still want to see Mulan in spectacular high definition, check out the all-new three-disc Blu-ray set, available starting tomorrow.
Starting Wednesday and running through Sunday, Passholders can catch “Lady and the Tramp,” which was also recently released for the first time on Blu-ray. The “Lady and the Tramp” screenings will tie in the with Limited Time Magic’s True Love Week offerings.
Lady and the Tramp
Limited Time Annual Passholder Magic Event
February 13 through 17, 2013
5:00 pm, 7:00 pmEvent Registration Information:
- Annual Passholders may register for an event starting at 11:30 a.m. on the day of the event at the Main Street, U.S.A. Opera House in Disneyland Park.
- All participating Annual Passholders and their Guests (ages 3 and older) must be valid Annual Passholders on the day of the event. Photo ID may be required.
- Registration and check-in must be completed in person at the Main Street, U.S.A. Opera House on the day of the event only; no phone reservations or registration will be accepted.
- All participating Annual Passholders must present their active Annual Passport to the event Cast Member, who will check event availability.
If you can’t make it to the Annual Passholder screening, but still want to see Mulan in spectacular high definition, check out the all-new three-disc Blu-ray set, available now.
| Welcome to California Adventure |
The antique Packard next to Oswald’s is still missing. The car had been having issues with its lights and was pulled offstage a couple weeks ago but has yet to return. Hopefully it’ll return soon.
A friendly reminder that Annual Passholders can enjoy California Adventure for up to two hours after regular park closing on Thursday nights in February. MiceAge’s Al Lutz recently discussed these after-hour events and how Disney is hoping it’ll keep Passholders from returning on the weekend. Did you attend the first AP Extended Hours event last week?
Below, some information on the special extended hours for Passholders. For complete information, click here.
Annual Passholder Extended Hours
Dates:
February 14, February 21 and February 28, 2013Time
For 2 hours after regular park closingCheck-In and Wristbands
Check-in begins at 12:00 noon on the day of the event only, and must be completed in person.
Wristbands are required for access to attractions during Annual Passholder Extended Hours.
Wristbands are valid only for that day’s event and are subject to availability.
Passholders with wristbands may enter the event until thirty (30) minutes prior to the end of the event.
Buena Vista Street’s Glendale-Hyperion Monorail bridge was recently repainted for no apparent reason. The new paint job wasn’t particularly nice, but it wasn’t exactly bad, either. What was strange about the change was that the bridge was designed to be a representation of the real Los Angeles-area landmark but the new paint made it decidedly unlike its real-world counterpart.
It appears that Disney may be having second-thoughts now and a part of the bridge is now sporting a paint test similar to its original appearance. It would be nice if Disney just returned the bridge back to its original paint scheme. Imagineering did its job just fine – why are the folks running the park making pointless changes to something that worked fine to begin with?
Meanwhile, Grizzly River Run’s refurbishment continues.
Over on Paradise Pier, the Silly Symphony Swings has been completely dismantled during its refurbishment closure.
| Time’s Up |
Signs have sprung up on FASTPASS machines at attractions in both theme parks encouraging guests to return during their FASTPASS’ designated return time.
Since the system’s introduction in 1999, Disneyland has allowed guests to return anytime after the printed return time on FASTPASS tickets. This is about to change and return times are expected to be enforced starting February 18. This change comes after Walt Disney World began enforcing return times in March of last year as the four Florida theme parks prepared for the installation and implementation of Fastpass+, a part of Disney’s $1 billion NextGen project.
The FASTPASS enforcement is expected to include a grace period for late arrivals and will accommodate guests if a ride breaks down during their return time.
| This and That |
Downtown Disney celebrated Lunar New Year this weekend with special menu items at select restaurants, some live entertainment and a pop-up dining location by a local Vietnamese restaurant near ESPN Zone.
Something Silver had a booth outside for Lunar New Year
Local Vietnamese restaurant Phans55 had a booth near ESPN Zone serving up a selection of menu items including crispy Imperial Rolls, pho and other items
Nearby, the Downtown Disney stage is behind walls for upgrades…
A temporary stage is set up nearby
The Fossil watch shop is still closed while it gets remodeled
Back in Disneyland, the Golden Horseshoe is now back to normal after its Limited Time Magic offering ended its run last week.
The menu has returned to normal
Next door, the Stage Door Cafe’s menu has also returned to normal.
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| Weekly News & Information Round-Up | ||
| Weekly Theme Park Hours February 11 — 17, 2013 |
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| Disneyland Park | Disney California Adventure | |
| Monday: 9 am – 8 pm Tuesday-Wednesday: 10 am – 8 pm Thursday: 9 am – 8 pm Friday: 9 am – 12 midnight Saturday-Sunday: 8 am – 11 pm |
Monday: 9 am – 8 pm Tuesday-Wednesday: 10 am – 8 pm Thursday: 9 am – 8 pm Friday: 8 am – 11 pm Saturday: 8 am – 10 pm Sunday: 8 am – 11 pm |
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visit the Disneyland.com Theme Park Calendar |
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1.7—9.7 out of 10 |
3.3—8.9 out of 10 |
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with 1 being the least crowded conditions and 10 being most crowded. For crowd predictions for the next 365 days, visit |
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A quick look at noteworthy Disney theme park headlines from around the web. |
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Alright, that wraps up today’s blog. Thank you for reading and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Did you attend the Lunar New Year Celebration? Will you be visiting during True Love Week? Let us know what you think of the FASTPASS changes in the comments section below!
We’re only here because of your continued support. If you’ve enjoy Dateline Disneyland over the last five years, please consider helping us out by donating a buck or two so we can pay the bills and keep the updates coming! You can donate with a click of a button via PayPal — click here! For more Disneyland news, be sure to read MiceChat’s weekly In the Parks blog. And be sure to check out our sister blog, Dateline Disney World – a fantastic weekly photo blog covering Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida! Thanks for reading. See you at Disneyland! |
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| FTC-Mandated Disclosure: Promotional consideration for this edition of Dateline Disneyland was provided by TouringPlans.com | Do More. Wait Less. and the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel & Water Playground. |
February 11, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Having been away from the resort for about 5 years, it was nice to be back in the parks again this past saturday. I was amazed at the quality of the upkeep at Disneyland, the park hasn’t looked that good in my lifetime. And having been an AP before and just after the opening of DCA version 1.0, I can say that that park is finally something to brag to eastcoast relatives about. Carsland is more stunning in person than any of the fantastic pictures on here can capture, and let me tell you, those pictures are really amazing on their own. I felt like I was actually in a different place than what used to feel like the old parking lot. The amount of immersion is simply over the top. Buena Vista Street deserves high marks as well by being “another place, another time”, just like Main Street. I found myself wanting to explore more of the street rather than run past the tacky street mall that used to be there. Its because of these wonderful changes that we avoided going into Hollywoodland as we knew that area is the black eye of the park. Lets hope that phase 2 includes some love for that area of the park as well as some real high class rides.
February 11, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Good post, except that I like much of the Hollywood area, especially the whole animation building and the Muppets & Hyperion theaters. And we like Monsters, Inc. & my daughter likes the afternoon dance party & Alice’s party at night. When she was 2-4 she loved Playhouse Disney. Tomorrowland is where Disney needs to work. Move out the rocks and move back the Astro-Orbiter. Re-open or remove the Peoplemover track.
February 11, 2013 at 4:17 pm
Love the new additions, glad that Disney didn’t choose to name the food cart in Fantasyland Faire, “Maurice’s Twisted Treats”, the new food looks good for not only “Maurice’s Treats”, but the temporary promotions too. Great Update!
Timekeeper
February 11, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Thank you for the great photos, as usual. I agree that the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge should have been left alone and would be glad if they return it to the original plain concrete-looking structure that it is in reality. Can you imagine if they’d tried to paint the Golden Gate Bridge blue while it was in residence for 11 years? What should be repainted and/or rethought all together are the big arches at the entrance to Hollywoodland. They used to have giant elephants on top, but those have been removed. There has got to be a much better color scheme that that garish rust and gold. It clashes badly with the tasteful Carthay Theater and Elias & Disney Co.
February 11, 2013 at 6:21 pm
What CCS said.
They should have resisted the urge to add that color to the bridge, but you win some, you lose some.
February 12, 2013 at 1:45 pm
If they’d painted the Golden Gate blue it would be the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge! Well, kinda:
February 12, 2013 at 8:06 am
I have no problem having to come back during the hour the fastpass is designated for, however I wish then, I was allowed to get more than the one fastpass I’m allowed to now in a particular time window. If I were able to have all the passes I want and then knowing what times I should be at whatever ride, I could plan out my day at the park knowing where I need to be and when I need to be there!
February 12, 2013 at 8:55 am
New FASTPASS rules start…. on my mom’s birthday! This is insane.
February 12, 2013 at 1:40 pm
I hope the Imagineers are planning to perform some kind of aging or muting on the roofs of the PFF; some of these are just a little too Kandy Kolored Twee in their color palates for the shingles:
I know these are taken at different times of day, the first earlier in the day and the second in late afternoon, but I think the second looks a little better with the Golden Hour light muting the colors.