In The Parks is filling in for Dateline Disneyland today to bring you your Disneyland and Disney California Adventure fix. To begin with we share the latest progress made over at Alice in Wonderland and the Subs.   Next up we share a trip through the Storybook Land Canal Boats ride.  We then bring you news about Mickey and the Magical Map, where several shows a week are now being cancelled.  Jumping over to Disney California Adventure, we deliver news of a new movie preview coming to the Bug’s Life Theater, the revealing of the Boudin Bakery facade, and a listing of planned and ongoing refurbishments.

The MiceChat Gumball Rally is coming up fast! Get your team together and let’s get ready to roll in the event that has you competing with other Disney fans to see who can ride the most attractions at Disneyland in a single day!  Yes, it’s a lot of fun.  If you’ve competed in the event in the past, we have added a few exciting twists to keep you on your toes.  READ MORE HERE

Ah Disneyland. One of the most perfect theme parks on earth.  Here we check up on the work being done on a variety of attractions and enjoy some beautiful imagery. Fortunately, the crowds have somewhat dipped from the normal Spring Break hysteria.

Alice In Wonderland

The refurbishment of this attraction continues through July 3rd, 2014.  Currently, the exterior ride track remains in place, leading many to speculate about whether it is going to be replaced or simply reworked.

The big leaves under the track have been removed.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Not much is going on at the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage lagoon. Let’s hope that when the attraction returns, they’re able to restore it to opening day condition.

Mickey and the Magical Map

If you are interested in catching a showing of Mickey and the Magical Map, be aware that several shows a week have been cancelled recently. We aren’t sure what is causing the cancelations, but one cast member suggested it might be related to union contract negotiations (sick-outs perhaps?). While Disney has been able to scramble and get the show staffed up later in the day, it might be safest not to plan on the first showings of the day for now.

This is a show we have become quite fond of. Hopefully whatever the issue is that’s causing the cancelations can be resolved soon.

Storybook Land Canal Boats

It was recently brought to our attention that there were some show problems with Storybook Land Canal Boats.  We were given a list of portions of the scenery that were decaying, falling apart, or simply rotting away.  Of course we wanted to check up on the situation and see for ourselves.

While not in perfect condition, the attraction, that prides itself on tiny details, wasn’t really in that bad of shape. At least not what we could see from the boats.

As we pulled out of Monstro, the first scene to the right is Pinocchio’s village.  No, the school bell sound effect was not working, and the town could use a spot of paint here or there.  But overall nothing horrible.

On a previous ride through, we noticed many of the benches in Neverland Park were in disrepair.  But look at the island now…

We approach Agrabah and, yes, it could use some paint. The golden domes on the palace have become faded in the hot California sun.  There were also a few chips on the fountain basin out front.  You just can’t trust those ducks at night.

Inside the Cave of Wonders, the soundtrack was working perfectly and the jasmine arches that preceded it filled the air with an intoxicating fragrance.

As we passed the Seven Dwarfs cottage and Mine, along with Lady Tremaine’s home, all looks fine and well kept from the vantage of our boat.

Going back, past the Neverland Park and to the left, the patchwork quilt, everything seems normal.

Crossing under another bridge, we come upon the three wind mills and Toad Hall to the left.  Again, all looks just fine. The ride came to a close and we were hard pressed to see any of the issues that we were told about.  While the attraction could use a bit of refreshing, it really isn’t in bad shape from what we could tell. In fact, it’s an attraction we absolutely love.

Club 33 Progress

We look again at the progress being made at the site of the Club 33 expansion.  While very little can actually be seen, we did notice a little destruction happening near the former Court of Angels area.

 

Refurbishment Rundown

There are a number of attractions that are closed, or that will be closed, for refurbishment at DIsneyland park.

Space Mountain

While Space Mountain is getting an exterior cleansing, the attraction is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment May 12, 2014 to June 26, 2014.

it’s a small world

It’s a small world opened at the ’64 World’s fair on April 22nd, 1964.  The Disney company is marking this milestone anniversary by offering everyone around the globe an opportunity to join in a virtual choir to sing the famous Sherman Brothers song. To submit a video, aspiring singers can go here to record their entry. On April 10, a live sing-along will be held at Disneyland and Disney World, and will be paired with sing-alongs recorded earlier in the day from other Disney parks, to air on “Good Morning America” along with others singing snippets of the song.  Closed for refurbishment January 21, 2014 to April 9, 2014, April 23, 2014 to May 22, 2014.

Gadget’s Go Coaster

Gadget’s Go Coaster will be down for refurbishment April 21, 2014 to May 15, 2014, excluding it from the Gumball Rally.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye

Indy will be excavating deep inside the Temple of the forbidden eye until May 8, 2014

Tarzan’s Treehouse

Tarzan will take a break from vine swinging for a week soon.  The treehouse will be closed for refurbishment April 21, 2014 to April 22, 2014

Pirates of the Caribbean

Avast me hearties!  The pirates will be setting’ sail soon for other ports.  The attraction will be down from April 28, 2014 to May 22, 2014.

Disney California Adventure is becoming an old pro at putting on a world-class show without breaking a sweat.  The park is surviving just fine over the busy Spring Break period.  While maintenance continues in many parts of the park, other areas shine.

Boudin Bakery

The scaffolds and tarps have been receding from the exterior of the Boudin Bakery Tour. The freshly aged structure looks as good as it did opening day.  Now, if they could only update the stale video inside the attraction.

Ongoing and Upcoming Scheduled Refurbishments

Grizzly River Run

Strangely, this water ride is scheduled to be Closed for refurbishment April 21, 2014 to June 19, 2014. Many online have questioned why this wasn’t handled during the winter months.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

The interactive play area, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail went down for refurbishment on January 6, 2014 and is scheduled to reopen April 20, 2014

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

This Paradise Pier dark ride is now closed for refurbishment and is scheduled to resurface on May 9, 2014.

It’s Tough to be a Bug

The “naturalistic underground setting” of the Bug’s Life Theater is currently Closed for refurbishment March 31, 2014 to April 18, 2014.  But when it reopens, it will feature an extended preview of the upcoming Maleficent film from Disney pictures. We aren’t sure how this film fits in with the Bug’s Land story, but corporate synergy has trumped theme in this case.

That closes another In the Parks, Monday edition.  We do hope that you enjoyed what we had to share.  We will be here for the next two weeks, delivering Monday updates from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure while Andy Castro takes some time off for school.  Don’t forget to check us out on Friday, when we bring you more news from the parks in Southern California!

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