Halloween Time is still in full swing at Disneyland but that isn’t stopping the holidays from moving in early. The first signs of the holidays are now popping up around both theme parks, with thousands of lights going up at “it’s a small world,” giant Christmas decorations being strung up in A Bug’s Land and stores now fully stocked with holiday merchandise. Meanwhile, off-season refurbishments continue on Main Street, U.S.A. as fall-protection additions go up in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. In Disney California Adventure, a new photo-op for Toy Story characters has opened up on Paradise Pier.
Don’t miss your weekly Disneyland Resort crowd forecast — provided by our friends at MouseAddict — in the Weekly News and Information Roundup at the end of today’s update!
Get a closer look at today’s update!
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There’s a lot to get to, so let’s get started.
Welcome to Disneyland! |
Disneyland’s Guest Services building is open but behind walls for a facade refurbishment.
Inside Disneyland, the new Disability Access Service is now in full effect. The extended queue outside of Disneyland’s City Hall has been removed and it seems much of the long lines that Disneyland saw in its first few days of DAS’ operation are now gone as park regulars have now converted their GAC cards into DAS cards.
Last week we shared the locations of the various DAS kiosk locations in Disneyland but we showed the wrong kiosk for the New Orleans Square location. Last week we showed you the kiosk for Haunted Mansion Holiday, but don’t make the same mistake we did – below is the actual DAS kiosk for this area of the park, located between the Haunted Mansion exit and the Harbour Galley food location.
Refurbishment Round-Up |
On Main Street, refurbishments continue as the busy Halloween Time season enters its final stretch before the insanely popular holiday season gets ready to kick off. The Main Street Magic marquee is still gone while it gets some work.
Lots of touch-up painting along Main Street has recently been taking place in the early morning.
Meanwhile, the scrims up at the Penny Arcade and Candy Palace have been replaced with printed scrims while the refurbishment continues…
In Fantasyland, the King Arthur Carrousel is still closed for refurbishment
Nearby, the Mad Tea Party is now closed for refurbishment as well.
Over in the old Motorboat Cruise area, new safety awning is going up along a portion of Monorail track that crosses over the water here. This sort of awning is usually only installed along Monorail track that goes over guest walkways.
In Tomorrowland, construction on the new Thor meet-and-greet in Innoventions continues to come along, with the new offering set to open November 1.
The new meet-and-greet will include a display of movie props in addition to the opportunity to pose for a photo with Thor.
Over in Frontierland, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment is ongoing…
And back in New Orleans Square, now outward changes at the L’Ornament Magique and Court of Angels area.
Facade work continues on the backside of the French Market.
Safe-D Land |
The fall safety additions continue to go up around the park. At the end of Main Street, new safety railing has gone up along the walkway between the Royal Theater and Frontierland.
Unfortunately, this low stone wall which was previously often used by guests for seating can no longer be used with the addition of the new handrail.
In Fantasyland, more of the new castle wall and turret additions have been completed…
..but some on the backside of the Castle are still unthemed.
At Snow White’s Scary Adventures:
The new turret above Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is finished and looks good.
Over above Alice in Wonderland…
The string of recent fall-safety additions have been in response to a series of fines from Cal/OSHA in April 2013. The fines, which were the result of a November 2012 incident in which a contract worker fell while cleaning the exterior of Space Mountain, could have cost Disney over $200,000 if they weren’t addressed properly. Disney briefly closed Space Mountain and two other rides voluntarily in “an abundance of caution” in April and has since been making significant fall safety changes around the park.
The fall safety additions have now come full circle back to Tomorrowland, with railings now up around Space Mountain and atop nearby buildings.
Ropes with flags up around the base of the mountain. Will we see permanent fall safety railing go up along here soon?
Space Mountain hasn’t been cleaned since the November 2012 incident and the once-gleaming white structure is now covered in dirt.
Lots of dirt on surrounding buildings as well
Flags and safety railings up on top of the Starcade and Star Trader.
Christmas Countdown |
Meanwhile, the holidays continue to move in at both theme parks.
In Fantasyland, “it’s a small world” is now closed to install the popular holiday overlay.
Outside, the topiaries are now being wrapped in Christmas lights
All of the light strings are now up along the facade.
And some lights have started to go in to the empty light strings on the facade.
Over in Disney California Adventure, the eye bolts for the holiday decorations have gone in along the Buena Vista Street facades.
Down the parade route in A Bug’s Land, the oversized Christmas lights have been strung up at Flik’s Fun Fair.
Flik’s Flyers are still closed for refurbishment.
In Cars Land, the telephone posts on the south side of Route 66 have gone up. These temporary posts blend as extra telephone posts but work functionally as support posts for the garland that is strung up down Route 66.
At Radiator Springs Curios, Cars Land holiday merchandise is now fully stocked.
Cars Land isn’t the only place you can find holiday merchandise. World of Disney and shops in the parks and hotels are now stocked with the full selection of holiday items. Below is just a sampling of the selection.
A couple stray Walt Disney World-branded items at Disneyland.
Toys in Paradise |
Back in California Adventure, the new Toy Story meet-and-greet on Paradise Pier is now open.
It’s a nice addition to this part of Paradise Pier that has otherwise been kind of ugly and strangely dead space since the Maliboomer was removed.
Over by the Cove Bar, the meet-and-greet gazebo is behind walls for refurbishment.
Fresh paint can be seen over the construction wall
Limited Time Magic |
[center]Celebrate Oktoberfest at Bayside Brews
in Disney California Adventure
Through October 31, 2013[/center]
For the next two weeks you can celebrate Oktoberfest in California Adventure with Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer or Hofbrau Munchen Beer and special food offerings.
Celebrate Oktoberfest in style at the Disneyland Resort, courtesy of a little Limited Time Magic! For 2 weeks, you’re invited to don your finest lederhosen and join the fun at Disney California Adventure Park where Bayside Brews is kicking off the festivities with a special menu. From best to ‘wurst, savor the flavors from a host of special offerings, including bratwurst sausage, served in a Boursin-garlic brioche with hickory-smoked bacon and sauerkraut, and accompanied by potato chips or apple slices; a Bavarian Pretzel with your choice of mustard; and gingerbread bundt cake. Plus, be sure to top off your stein with a tasty Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer or Hofbrau Munchen Beer.
[center]Begin the New Year Glowing with the Show
at Disneyland Resort
Starting October 21, 2013 while supplies last[/center]
Starting this week you can get a free set of stickers to celebrate the new year when you buy a pair of Glow with the Show ears.
Celebrate a magical transition from this year to next with a vibrant set of vinyl ear clings for your Glow with the Show Ears! As part of Limited Time Magic, head to the Disneyland Resort where you can find all-new Ear Hat accoutrements‚Äîa special gift with the purchase of a pair of Glow with the Show Ears. Each comes complete with 2 sets of stickers, one giving a “bon voyage” to 2013, while the other welcomes 2014 with open arms. You won’t want to miss this magical chance to enhance your light-up experience like never before‚Äîwhether you’re watching along as part of the show or ringing in the New Year elsewhere in the Disney Parks!
[center]Disney Animation Presentation
A Limited Time Annual Passholder Magic Event
at Disney California Adventure
Thursday, October 24, 2013[/center]
Passholders can attend a presentation with Walt Disney Animation Studios Producer, Creative Director and Head of Special Projects Dave Bossert.
- Disney Animation Presentation
- Passholders may register inside the Disney Animation building in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure Park on the day of the event upon Park opening (currently scheduled for 10:00 AM).
- Registration and distribution of event wristbands will continue while event wristband supplies last.
- All participating Guests (ages 3 and older) must be valid Annual Passholders on the day of the event.
- Children under 3 years of age may attend the event as long as space is available and they receive an event wristband during the registration process.
- Registration must be completed in person at the Disney Animation building on the day of the event only; no phone reservations or other registration will be accepted.
- It is recommended that all members of your party register together to help ensure that everyone receives an event wristband.
- All participating Annual Passholders must present their valid Annual Passport to the event Cast Member, who will check event availability. Photo ID may be required.
Get ready for some animated storytelling as Walt Disney Animation Studios Producer, Creative Director and Head of Special Projects Dave Bossert shares behind-the-scenes stories about Disney animation—with a close-up look at the new Disney Animated App—at this special event.
Dates & Time
Thursday, October 24, 2013
3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – Each event presentation will last approximately 45 minutes.
Location
Animation Academy in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure Park
Event Details
This and That |
In Downtown Disney, construction continues at the new Starbucks store.
Besides holiday merchandise, a few new notable merchandise offerings have hit store shelves this last week, including a few new trendy t-shirts.
Disney’s trying hard to stay relevant with these designs but is it working?
This design seems to play on the popular notion that the classic “it’s a small world” is annoying, tedious or difficult to get through, which is a shame. Disney should be celebrating their iconic attractions, not making jokes at their expense. The great PsychoSocial Disney Culture blog discussed the issue in a recent post.
Back in Disneyland, the pumpkin carvers in Big Thunder Ranch’s Halloween Carnival continue to carve up some fun creations.
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Weekly News & Information Round-Up | ||
Weekly Theme Park Hours October 21 – 27, 2013 |
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[B]Disneyland Park[/B] | [B]California Adventure[/B] | |
Monday: 8 am – 6 pm Tuesday: 10 am – 8 pm Wednesday: 8 am – 6 pm Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm Friday: 8 am – 7 pm Sat.-Sun.: 9 am – 12 am |
Monday: 8 am – 8 pm Tuesday: 10 am – 8 pm Wednesday: 8 am – 8 pm Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm Friday: 8 am – 12 am Sat.-Sun.: 9 am – 10 pm |
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[CENTER]For a complete listing of theme park hours, visit the Disneyland.com Theme Park Calendar[/CENTER] |
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[center]Closure and Refurbishment Schedule[/center] | ||
[b][center]Disneyland Park[/center][/b] | ||
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[b][center]Disney California Adventure[/center][/b] | ||
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[b][center]Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels[/center][/b] | ||
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[center] A weekly look at projected crowd levels at the Disneyland Resort.[/center] |
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[center]Headline Roundup A quick look at noteworthy Disney theme park headlines from around the web.[/center] |
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Alright, that wraps up this week’s edition of Dateline Disneyland. Are you ready for the holidays or is it still way too early for you? Let us know in the comments section below!
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FTC-Mandated Disclosure: Promotional consideration for this edition of Dateline Disneyland was provided by the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel & Water Playground. |