It was a lovely, albeit erratically weathered, week at the Disneyland Resort.  Despite the on again, off again sunny weather, the Spring Break crowds remained heavy. We’ll catch you up with what’s happening at Disneyland, including the extensive refurbishment of Alice in Wonderland that will last until July 4th.  There are also updates regarding refurbishments of more major attractions including the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage,  Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye and Space Mountain.  It’s a small world is also down for refurbishment, but Disney is inviting fans the world over to join in a sing-along.  We then check in on Downtown Disney including the eminent return of the flower fountain and some new Marvel Merchandise in D Street.  Lastly we race through Disney California Adventure for more merch madness and give you the low-down on what is happening inside The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.  Here we go!

it’s a small world

The classic boat ride, it’s a small world debuted at the ’64 World’s fair on April 22nd, 1964.  Not one to miss a chance at synergy, the Disney company is capitalizing on this anniversary with a chance for everyone around the globe to join in a virtual choir to sing the song. To submit a video, aspiring singers can go here to record their submission.

After a successful run at the 1964 world’s fair, it’s a small world was move to Disneyland where it was expanded and opened on May 28th of 1966.

Keep in mind too that the ride will remain closed for refurbishment through April 9, 2014.  It will then reopen for the worldwide celebrations and ceremonies, including a special Good Morning America taping.  It will then close again April 21, 2014 to May 29, 2014 to finish up the Cal/OSHA access fixes in the ride.

Alice in Wonderland

We see here the recent progress made outside of the classic Alice in Wonderland Darkride.  The exterior portion of the track has its actual track shielded, while the structure itself is being chipped away at.

Rumor also has it that they will be adding a brand new fully animatronic Queen of Hearts figure to the ride along with other enhancements.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

We glide over the empty lagoon for a look at the Finding memo Submarine Voyage. Disney is going out of their way to make it clear that the Subs are returning. While that may sound like good news to some, it may mean bad news for other projects. Our MiceAge team will have an update for you on what this all means soon.

So far, very little progress has been made in the Sub Lagoon aside from scaffolds and supports to dry dock the ride vehicles.  Remember when this attraction first opened? It was a dazzling display of vivid colors. They even painted the lagoon with colored glass so it wouldn’t need to be repainted. Yet years of soaking in chlorine and sunlight have left the lagoon faded and drab. Let’s hope that Disneyland turns back on the money spigot and that the attraction can be properly revitalized in time for the 60th anniversary of the park.

King Arthur Carousel

Speaking of closures, the King Arthur Carousel will be closed for refurbishment April 28, 2014 through May 8, 2014.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye

This attraction is closed for refurbishment March 17, 2014 to May 8, 2014

Space Mountain

After a rather interesting addition to the exterior of the show building comes to a end, the attraction itself is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment May 12, 2014 to June 26, 2014.

Club 33

Strolling along with the average Joe through the streets of New Orleans Square it is evident that every effort has been made to obscure the work being done above.  Walt’s original private club is getting a total refurbishment and expansion.

MiceChat Mailbag:

A reader sent us the following very interesting account of Bob Iger’s magical day in the parks. It must be nice to have super powers like this:

Bob Iger was just at the Disneyland Resort with his grandkids. The family was set up with a private meet n’ greet with Frozen’s Elsa & Anna, bypassing the 3 hour wait at that popular Fantasyland location. Then they buzzed to the front of the line at all three Marvel meet n’ greets in Innoventions, before zipping to the front of the two hour Standby line at Radiator Springs Racers. 

 

If you’ve got photos, video, news or views you’d like to share with us, please be sure to drop us a line!

Fountain Renovation

The full renovation and retiling of the Flower fountain in Downtown Disney is nearing completion and the walls should be down any day now.

Build a Bear and RideMakerz

Refurbishment also continues on exterior of Build a Bear and Ridemakerz.

Bright and colorful once more

D Street

Over as D Street, some interesting bits of Marvel Merchandise have popped up on the shelves.

 

Refurbs

Disneyland isn’t the only park with refurb madness.  Disney California Adventure is knee deep in upkeep.  As it stands right now, the refurbs are as follows.

Grizzly RIver Run – Closed for refurbishment April 21, 2014 to June 19, 2014 Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Closed for refurbishment January 6, 2014 to April 20, 2014

It’s Tough to be a Bug – Closed  March 31, 2014 to April 18, 2014

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure – Closed for refurbishment March 20, 2014 to May 9, 2014

Merch on the March

Inside Disney California Adventure there is a bevy of new merchandise just dying to be purchased.

Muppet Vision 3D

In another interesting development, a sign has been placed along the main drag of Hollywood Land advertising Muppet Vision 3D.  This is, we are assuming, to drive more audience members through and make the most of the Muppets Most Wanted tie-in happening in the pre-show.

Crowds

As with Disneyland, the crowds at Disney California Adventure are not letting up either.

 

Boudin Refurb

The refurb of the exterior of the Boudin Bakery tour continues…

Something Rotten in Paradise

The wood rot issue on the gazebos in Paradise Pier continues to get worse.

That wraps up this week’s In the Parks. Prepare yourself for another CRAZY busy weekend in the parks folks. It only gets worse as we draw closer to Easter.  Andy Castro has a couple of big projects coming up which will likely distract him from his MiceChat column for the next couple weeks, so we’ll likely be back again early with a special Monday edition of In the Parks.

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