Welcome back to the Disneyland Resort folks!  Last weekend was fairly busy in the parks for the holiday weekend and Tinker Bell half marathon. However, if you were lucky enough to stop by the parks during the middle of the week, you enjoyed some amazingly uncrowded conditions with wait times topping out at 30 mins at most for the big E-Tickets (except Radiator Springs Racers of course).  This coming weekend should be busier than normal as well with the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention at the Anaheim Convention Center.  Today, we will review the latest happenings, update you on the construction projects, Big Thunder Mountain delay and more.

Amazing MiceChat Anniversary Weekend – February 7-9th, 2014 – Disneyland Resort

misc-anni

Don’t miss out on the big MiceChat anniversary weekend February 7th – 9th.  Every day is packed with fun and excitement.  Meet Disney Legends, take a trip back to Walt Disney’s birthplace and help us save it. Plus, meets, scavenger hunts, friends and loads of fun.  Click here to learn more about all of the activities we have planned for you!

Friday, February 7th

An Evening with Walt Disney 

misc-walt-disney-Bir

ALL Proceeds from your ticket will go toward
saving the home Walt Disney was born in!!!

Journey back with us to the year 1901. William McKinley was President of the United States, Major League Baseball had just been formed, and a man named Walt Disney was born in a small house in Chicago Illinois. The modest family home on the corner of Tripp Avenue and Palmer Street was designed and built by Flora and Elias Disney, Walt and Roy Disney’s mother and father. Both Walt and Roy were born in this home and lived there until Walt was four and Roy was twelve years old.

Join the folks at the Save Walt Disney’s Birthplace project as we explore Walt’s early history and discover how we can preserve the home where he was born! We guarantee you’ll be wowed and entertained and leave satisfied that you are doing something very important.

Space is strictly limited to 70 guests for this FABULOUS event.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS FOR AN
EVENING WITH WALT DISNEY HERE

Saturday, February 8th

Building The Dream – The Magic of
Disneyland Paris SPECIAL EVENT

Celebrated Imagineer, Tim Delaney, will lead a fascinating presentation about the building of the most beautiful Magic Kingdom of them all, Disneyland Paris. Learn about the challenges, creative opportunities, and wonderful stories that make this park so unique in the universe of Disney theme parks. This will be a breakfast event at the ESPN Zone (bacon, bacon, bacon) with a 90 minute audio/visual presentation and an opportunity to meet a true creative genius. Event is limited to 125 guests and will sell out quickly.

Tim Delaney’s 34 years at Walt Disney Imagineering included 19 years as a creative director and Vice President of Design. He has been instrumental in all phases of design from initial concept through design development, corporate sponsorship, project production and onsite construction supervision through completion. As a designer, illustrator, painter, creative director, producer and art director, Delaney has lead teams that have designed and constructed over $1.2 billion of Disney Parks and attractions worldwide, including Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Hong Kong.Tim has been awarded the 2002 Ray Bradbury Award for Lifetime of Creative Excellence. He was the subject of the popular BBC documentary ”Shoot the Moon.” And, in, 1995 he was awarded the Themed Entertainment Association award for best attraction for Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris.

Tim will sign copies of Disneyland Paris From Sketch To Reality (copies of this beautiful book are available at a VERY special price for this event only)

DCA MiceQuest – 3pm

misc-anniversary_DCA

Put your Disney skills to the test as Fishbulb presents one of his famous eye spy/scavenger hunt events. This two hour event will be free to enter (you’ll just need park admission). There will be fun prizes sponsored by Fairy Godmother Travel and this is always a great way to meet fellow MicePals and have a great time in the park.

 

Communicore Weekly Musical Meet-up – 6:30pm

misc-CWM

Meet Jeff Heimbuch and learn more about the epic Communicore Weekly Musical project. This event will be presented in the same location as the Game Show. Two great events, one great location.
SIGN UP FOR INFO HERE

Monorail Man’s EXTRA Limited Time Magic Game Show – 7pm

455misc-LimitedTimeMagi

The game show has become a MiceChat anniversary tradition. Why? Because Monorail Man isn’t just a Disney nerd but a game show nerd as well. And what excuse do we need to have a good time and win prizes? The show lasts for about an hour and prizes will be given throughout.  SIGN UP FOR INFO HERE

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9th

MiceChat/MiceAge Classic Sunday in Disneyland

misc-MEET

Breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace, a grand circle tour of Disneyland aboard the Disneyland RailroadMark Twain trip around the Rivers of America, MiceChat noon meet with prize giveaway, group photo, lunch with friends, D23 Fanniversary Scavenger Hunt, “Practically Perfect Tour,” farewell meetwithgrand prize giveaway.

It’s a MiceChat tradition that’s not to be missed. All are welcome to join us for as much or as little of this day of magic as they’d like. All events, except for the Evening with Walt Disney and the Breakfast with Tim Delaney, are free (you just need theme park admission). Add your email address below to be notified when the final event schedule with dates/times/locations of all of the above listed activities is available. SIGN UP FOR INFO HERE

If you plan in coming to the parks for the MiceChat Anniversary events, our Friends at Anabella Hotel are offering a spectacular rate just for you!

misc-rontEntrance.jp

  • $99 standard rate – Use rate code MCAnniversary when booking
  • $114 rate includes room upgrade and $25 food and beverage credit at Tangerine restaurant – Use rate code MCAnniversaryPlus when booking this offerCall to book your reservation now! 800.863.4888

big thunder mountain delay, Disneyland Update – Big Thunder Mountain Delay

Off-season during the week at Disneyland is a wonderful thing. Sadly, as Disney’s marketing department continues to get more savvy, thus increasing the crowds throughout the year, this is an increasingly rare occurrence.

IMG_5729

IMG_5731

Inside Town Square, spring is popping up all over. Just look at this riot of color!

IMG_5732

IMG_5733

IMG_5734
The usual hanging baskets of pansies are in place. So pretty.
IMG_5743
Earlier this week the castle still had remnants of snow on it left over from the Holidays. As if winter was slowly melting, giving way to spring flowers in the gardens below.

IMG_5746

By Thursday the “snow” on the castle had melted, just in time for a new commercial shoot at the drawbridge.

IMG_0879
IMG_0883

IMG_0884

Fortuosity

The unique shop on Main Street is still undergoing exterior refurbishment.  Despite the work, the shop is still fully open for business.  However, the construction makes it difficult to get to the Center Street restrooms as you can’t access them via the normal pathway next to Carnation Cafe.  It’s easy to get to though if you take a detour through the shops.

IMG_5749

IMG_5751

IMG_5752

IMG_5754

IMG_5755

IMG_5756

Space Cleaning

Well, they are being safe.  But honestly, how long does it really take to spray down and clean this dirty dome?

IMG_5721

IMG_5723

IMG_5725

The Submarine Lagoon

Nothing new to report at the old Sub Lagoon.

IMG_5783

IMG_5795

IMG_5796

IMG_5798

IMG_5799

IMG_5800

IMG_5801
The water level is a bit below normal. But that’s about it.

Captain America

The Disney Parks Blog announced, in a very ambiguous fashion, that Captain America would be coming to Disneyland in a meet and greet this spring.  This will be coinciding with the release of Captain America: Winter Soldier.  While no specific location was announced, it was hinted that Captain America would be, “where you can also experience continuing favorites Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries and Thor: Treasures of Asgard.”  Sounds like the Innoventions building to us.

IMG_5804

IMG_5790
Ironman Tech
IMG_5792
Thor still pulls in a 45 minute wait.

it’s a small world

The classic boat ride is currently down, but is scheduled to return on Saturday February 8th.

IMG_5807

IMG_5809

More Skyway Chalet Rumors

The rumor began to swirl again that Disney was prepping to remove the old Skyway chalet in Fantasyland. Some reports claimed that foliage had been removed as well in preparation for the dismantling of the shack.  Here are our photos from yesterday afternoon. As far as we can tell nothing has changed here. It’s likely that the old Skyway station will eventually be removed, it just didn’t happen this week.

IMG_0895

IMG_0896

IMG_0899

IMG_0901

IMG_0903

IMG_0908

IMG_0910

Big Thunder Delay

Disney has again delayed the official reopening date of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad even further down the road.  Currently their online refurbishment schedule only lists closures through March 6th 2014, with Big Thunder Mountain listed at least until then.  There is quite a bit of finger pointing going on at the moment depending on who you ask.  Some say it was a faulty job by a contractor that needs to be redone, some say the new digital effects are not working properly and need more time for test and adjust.  Whatever the case, the fact is that there is a delay.  To be honest, what’s another month after waiting a whole year?  Let them get it right.

IMG_5813

IMG_5814

IMG_5817

IMG_5818

IMG_5829

IMG_5831
This image confirms that the lap bars will be the same as before.

IMG_5835

IMG_5841

Speaking of Big Thunder, it seems that a replacement has already been put in place to fill the vacancy left by the Hillbillies. A new poster was installed on the construction wall of Big Thunder.

IMG_0918

IMG_0921

Club 33 Refurb

The Christmas decorations in New Orleans Square have morphed into Mardi Gras decorations.  Meanwhile, work continues on the Club 33 project.

IMG_5895

IMG_5897

IMG_5898

IMG_5902

IMG_5904

IMG_5905

IMG_5907

IMG_5908

IMG_5909

Haunted Mansion Returns

The Haunted Mansion has reopened its doors and is back to its familiar haunted self.  But, as Andy Castro brought up in last week’s Dateline, while it is wonderful to have the classic version of the ride back, quite a bit of damage has been done to the stretching room, that they haven’t yet fixed.

IMG_5910

IMG_5916

IMG_5917

IMG_5935-2
YIKES what happened here? Oh the irony of real dilapidation inside a “haunted mansion”.

 

But it certainly isn’t all bad news.

IMG_5968

IMG_5978

IMG_5980-2

IMG_5989_2
The belts at load and unload have been replaced.

While the standard maintenance package seems to have been given to the Mansion, it really would have benefited from a few more weeks of upkeep.

Special Offer From Our Sponsor

The Carousel Inn & Suites, one of our favorite hotels, is giving away a 2 night stay in one of their fancy Club Rooms to one of our readers. Just click the link below to enter. And even if you don’t win, you can still get a great rate of up to 20% off by requesting a “MiceChat Discount” when calling 1(800) 854-6767 to book your stay!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck folks and don’t forget to enter and share!

Fantasmic

The nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! is currently down for refurbishment until Friday, February 14th.  No major updates are expected for the show, but they are refreshing the fountain equipment.

IMG_5850

IMG_5852

IMG_5856

IMG_5859

IMG_5863

IMG_5866

IMG_5871

IMG_5873

Sailing Ship Columbia

The Sailing Ship Columbia is also down for refurbishment and will return to service on the 14th of February.

IMG_5854

IMG_5861

IMG_5862

Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

Since both Fantasmic and the Sailing Ship Columbia are down, it made perfect sense for the island to get some attention as well.

IMG_5874

IMG_5875

IMG_5878

Splash Down

A lengthy refurbishment also begins today on Splash Mountain.  According to the posted refurbishment schedule, this refurb will last all the way to March 1st.

customs

Dole Whip Stand at the Tiki Room Lanai

Be forewarned, the Dolewhip stand at the Tiki Room Lanai is currently down for refurbishment.  The rumor is that they will be improving the facility, allowing for faster service.

IMG_5992

IMG_5999-2

Visiting the resort during NAMM Convention

If you are planning on visiting the parks this coming weekend we have to give you a heads up.  The huge NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention returns to the Anaheim convention center through this weekend.  In contrast to the traffic patterns of last weekend’s Tinkerbelle Half Marathon, the traffic around the convention center will be, in a word, a nightmare.  We would advise visitors driving in to steer clear of the Toy Story Parking Lot on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  We suggest you try using the lesser known Pumba Lot on Disneyland Way (across from GardenWalk) or the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure first. Stay away from the South side of the resort and enter from the North if at all possible.

Downtown Disney

As we check on Downtown Disney, we see that the area is still recovering from the skating rink and other temporary structures erected over the holiday season.  They have planted sod, that should take root within a couple of weeks.

IMG_0840

IMG_0841

 

Starbucks is also coming along slowly.  We spied a decorative wooden map on the wall.

IMG_0848

IMG_0849

IMG_0851

IMG_0861

 

big thunder mountain delay, Disneyland Update – Big Thunder Mountain Delay

Things are looking great and there are no real major refurbishments until the middle of February.

IMG_0765

IMG_0766

IMG_0776

IMG_0780

IMG_0815

IMG_0822

 

Soarin’ Over California

We finally have a scheduled refurbishment date for Soarin’ Over California.  Disney has reported that the ride will officially close for refurb on Tuesday, February 18th.

IMG_0775

Rot Spot

it appears that one of the gazebos on Paradise Pier is already in need of refurb again.  Must be the salt air.  A very clever custodian did their best to keep show standards up here until it could be addressed.

IMG_0825
A cleverly placed trash can hides some wood rot.

IMG_0827

IMG_0826

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

The Redwood Creek Challenge trail is set to return from refurbishment on Friday, February 28th.  In the meantime, the characters from UP! have been displaced to wandering in front of Grizzly River Run.

IMG_0832

IMG_0834

Essential Listening – MiceChat Podcast #14

On this episode, we share our favorite and biggest theme park moments of 2013 and our predictions for 2014 and beyond. What will be our biggest story of 2013? Will it be the bust of Disney’s MyMagic+, SeaWorld’s Blackfish problem, Tony Baxter’s retirement from Disney . . .? Listen on to find out. Then we turn our attention to 2014 and what is already shaping up to be a magical year for Universal as Harry Potter 2.0 – Diagon Alley – prepares to open at the Orlando park. Plus, Disneyland sinking the Subs?, Tomorrowland Star Wars projects, major project delays and much, much more. We even have a cameo from Robert Coker about the project to save Walt Disney’s birthplace in Chicago. Don’t miss this one folks!


Direct Link | iTunes Link

That should do it for In the Parks this week folks.  There is quite a bit of little stuff happening around the resort, but plenty to talk about.  We’ll see you soon In The Parks!

Norman Gidney
Norman Gidney, also known as Fishbulb, has produced and edited many of the articles on MiceChat over the years.