Who knew that so much could happen in a single off-season week at Disneyland? To begin with, Earth Day took place Tuesday, April 22nd and was celebrated, to a degree, in Downtown Disney.  Moving into the parks we see that it’s a small world was open for its 50th anniversary as well.  We also check on the many, many refurbishment projects taking place inside the berm.  Alice in Wonderland, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye are all down, with Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and the King Arthur Carousel on the way. In Disney California Adventure, the Redwood Creek Challenge trail has reopened after a lengthy refurbishment and Grizzly River Run closed for some upkeep. C’mon folks, let’s get In The Parks.

Ride Closures at the Disneyland Resort, Earth Day and More Ride Closures at the Disneyland Resort

Disneyland is truly an American original. It has the best opening act in any theme park and perfectly sets up a comfortable world of fantasy and adventure.

IMG_5894

IMG_5896

IMG_5898

IMG_5899

IMG_5901

IMG_5904

One Adventureland

Despite the lovely set-up we see that the Disney Merchandise department is further pushing the One Disney initiative.  We chanced upon the Adventureland Bazaar and found a full display of merchandise that could be found, literally, in any Disney theme park.  What are they thinking?

IMG_5996

IMG_5997
WDW Adventureland’s logo is emblazoned on wine glasses.
IMG_5998
Animal Kingdom mugs are there to buy too.

IMG_5999

IMG_6000
DISNEY Adventureland

IMG_6001

IMG_6002
The Walt Disney World logo for the Jungle Cruise.
IMG_6006
Are these from the Polynesian?

 

Again, what is the point of visiting the different Disney Parks if the experience and keepsakes are the same wherever you go? At least they aren’t displaying Jack Skellington merchandise here.

Club 33

Here we see the Club 33 progress coming along nicely.  The rooftops are under tarps and things are well underway. They’ve been shooting for a late June reopening. Do you think they’ll make it?

IMG_5913

IMG_5914
That’s a lot of people!

IMG_5923

IMG_5925

IMG_5926

IMG_5927

IMG_5929

IMG_5930

IMG_5932

IMG_5935

Rivers of America

While taking a ride on the lovely Mark Twain we noticed a few things might need a little work.

IMG_5951

IMG_5956

IMG_5957

IMG_5958

IMG_5959

This little Indian boy lost his loyal dog a while ago. Let’s hope Rover returns soon.

IMG_5960

IMG_5962

IMG_5964

IMG_5965

Alice in Wonderland

The classic Alice in Wonderland continues with refurbishment through July 3rd, with a 4th of July reopening.  Reinforcements are being installed on the existing exterior structure.

IMG_6015

IMG_6054-2

IMG_6058-2

IMG_6060-2

IMG_6061

IMG_6065

IMG_6069-2

IMG_6070-2

IMG_6071-2

It sure doesn’t look like the old track is coming down. You can see that they are building cross supports now for what is likely some sort of exit platform.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Here is our weekly look at the Submarine Lagoon, where nothing much is going on.

IMG_6017

IMG_6019

IMG_6021

IMG_6024

IMG_6026

IMG_6039-2

IMG_6048

Refurbishment Round Up

Now, for the updated list of scheduled refurbishments.

Pirates of the Caribbean – This is your last weekend to get a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean as it will be going down for needed refurbishment from April 28, 2014 to May 22, 2014.

Space Mountain – Space Mountain is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment May 12, 2014 to June 26, 2014.

IMG_6076_2

it’s a small world – Closed for refurbishment April 23, 2014 to May 22, 2014.

IMG_6009

Mark Twain Riverboat – Closed for refurbishment April 28, 2014 to April 29, 2014

Gadget’s Go Coaster – Closed for refurbishment April 21, 2014 to May 15, 2014.

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.

IMG_5993

Tarzan’s Treehouse – Tarzan took a break from vine swinging. The treehouse was closed for refurbishment April 21, 2014 to April 22, 2014

IMG_5991

King Arthur Carousel – Closed for refurbishment April 28, 2014 to May 1, 2014

IMG_5031

 

ALL NEW MICECHAT PODCAST

Doug Barnes, David Yeh and Dusty Sage bring you a unique and refreshing MiceChat Podcast today. They leave the studio and head out on a field trip to Disneyland! Along the way we discuss what’s going on in the park, history, Imagineering and more. We also run into lots of MiceChat readers and get their thoughts on a day in the Happiest Place On Earth. We wrap things up with a discussion on which Disney resort has the most rides . . . Walt Disney World or Disneyland.  Join the conversation and enjoy the show:

Listen on iTunes  |   Direct Download

Ride Closures at the Disneyland Resort, Earth Day and More Ride Closures at the Disneyland Resort

On April 21st, Disney marked Earth Day by celebrating with a few exhibits and activities in front of the AMC theater and ESPN Zone.

IMG_5788

IMG_5790

IMG_5791
The trash art was rather interesting.

IMG_5792

IMG_5793
It seems that Disney Annual Passes CAN be put to use after they expire.

IMG_5796

IMG_5797

IMG_5798

IMG_5799

IMG_5801

IMG_5802

IMG_5803

IMG_5804

IMG_5805

IMG_5806

IMG_6033
The Wyland foundation had folks contributing to a mural with their own paintings.

IMG_6034

Ride Closures at the Disneyland Resort, Earth Day and More Ride Closures at the Disneyland Resort

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

The interactive play area, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail finally reopened after a nearly 5-month refurbishment.  We expected to see notable improvements, but we were a little let down.

IMG_5823

Of course, we didn’t think the area would change substantially in layout or features.  But after 5 months all that appears to have been done were some rebuilt stairs and replaced wooden railings.

IMG_5825

IMG_5826

IMG_5827

IMG_5829
Refreshed signs.

IMG_5830

IMG_5831

IMG_5833

IMG_5834

IMG_5835

IMG_5836

IMG_5837

IMG_5840

IMG_5841
new staked stone and french drain.

IMG_5842

IMG_5843

IMG_5844
These steps look great!

IMG_5845

IMG_5846

IMG_5847
Did these scuffs happen in the two days that the area had reopened?

IMG_5848

IMG_5849

IMG_5850

Four months of refurbishment and this is what the outcome is?  Hmmmm.

Boudin Bakery

The aging and refurbishment of the Boudin bakery facility continues.  While it is taking a while, the work is actually very nice.

IMG_5861

IMG_5862
New signs have been added as a bit of place-making.

IMG_5863

IMG_5864

IMG_5865

IMG_5866

IMG_5867

IMG_5869

IMG_5871

IMG_5874

DCA Refurbishment Round up

Here are the refurbishments happening in Disney California Adventure right now.

The Little Mermaid – The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure will be under refurbishment through May 9th.  It will reopen on May 10th.

IMG_5856

Grizzly River Run – The massive, Grizzly River Run attraction will be down through June 19th, reopening June 20th.

IMG_5807

IMG_5808

IMG_5809

IMG_5810

IMG_5811

IMG_5812

IMG_5813

IMG_5814

IMG_5815

IMG_5818

IMG_5820

IMG_5821

IMG_5822

That pretty much sums up what happened last week and what will be happening this week at the Disneyland Resort.  Andy Castro will return Monday Morning with a fresh Dateline Disneyland for you all to enjoy. He’s been off for a few weeks working on some major projects for school, so please check in and wish him a warm welcome home. And we’ll see you again real soon, In the Parks.

Sharing is caring!

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