Happy Monday Morning folks! Andy Castro and Dateline Disneyland are on vacation today, but In The Parks is here to deliver the week in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure news. It’s a small world is getting its holiday overlay.  The park isn’t even done celebrating Halloween and already preparations for Christmas are underway.  Some of the shops on Main Street have already begun selling Christmas goodies. We look at the laundry list of refurbishments including Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, and the final touch put on the now-reopened Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. And we’ll take a final tour through the Boudin Bakery as it preps to undergo an extensive refurbishment in the coming week which will result in some major changes. We have all of this plus the latest news from the ongoing wood rot problems on Paradise Pier!

Esplanade

Remember how we bemoaned the fact that terrazzo compass in the center of the esplanade between the parks was in extreme disrepair? The resort finally addressed the situation, unfortunately the results aren’t good news.

The situation in the center of the esplanade has gone from bad to worse as they have completely ripped out the ornate surface treatment and laid flat green concrete.

The average park guest won’t notice this changes outright. This is the type of lazy reduction in quality that makes guests bristle at the huge annual increases in prices at the resort. We can only hope that this is a temporary repair as they plan a complete redesign of the Esplanade. Time for them to dust off the plans for that long delayed fountain.

Christmas Creep

Entering Disneyland we see that Halloween has yet to even happen and Christmas is already beginning its annual mirth making in the park. Are you suffering from holiday confusion (and which holiday is next – Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas)?

Christmas Shopping

Main Street U.S.A.’s China Closet is already stocked full of holiday items.

Main Street Refurbs

Here we follow up on the ongoing Main Street U.S.A. Alley project, Coke Corner and Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor.

Pumpkin Carving Time

It’s time to venture back to Big Thunder Ranch and enjoy this week’s harvest of pumpkin carving and painting artistry.

Refurb Roundup

A scattering of refurbishments are planned for Disneyland through November.  Some are to install overlays for the holidays, others are just maintenance.  All of this leads to the 60th, and we can expect a lot more on the way.

it’s a small world holiday

it’s a small world is now down through Thursday, November 7th to make way for it’s a small world Holiday.  The light strings are already in place on the façade and the surrounding topiary are covered in lights too. The attraction will reopen on Friday November 8th.

Jungle Cruise • Monday, Nov. 3rd – Thursday, Nov 13th

The world famous Jungle Cruise will be going down for a two week refurbishment, presumably to offer minor maintenance and install the Jingle Cruise Holiday overlay.

Snow White’s Scary Adventures Wednesday • Nov. 12th and Thursday, Nov. 13th
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey • Nov. 12th and Thursday, Nov. 13th

Mark Twain Riverboat

The Mark Twain Riverboat is getting the finishing touches and should be returning to service in mid-November.

 Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

While no longer under refurbishment, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage “Mine” Seagulls have finally returned to the lagoon.

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We now hop over to Disney California Adventure where the flowers are blooming, the sun is bright, and a story is rising in the Pacific Wharf.

Earlier this week we noticed an interesting thing happen as the Five and Dime band drove all the way to the front gates, around the front entrance circle, and back through Buena Vista Street.

While a little tight, it was actually pretty cool to see such kinetic action happening right at the front gates of the park. They didn’t stop to perform, they just made a loop through the entry area. Perhaps they’ve done this in the past, but this is the first we’ve noticed it. In either case, we love it.

Golden Vine Winery

The entry for the Golden Vine Winery has returned to service and we see newly planted rosemary in the place of the older, draping herbs.  On the other end of the terrace, however, minor work is being done on the stairs leading to the lower level.

Refurbishment Round Up

Much a-dough about muffin – The Bakery Tour, Presented by Boudin Bakery – October 28th-January 16th

One of the surviving opening day attractions at DCA is mercifully going down for an extensive three month refurbishment which will gut the current show and freshen up the experience. We’ll take you to the factory tour one last time in its current state, as we remember a simpler time of Rosie O’Donnell and Colin Mochrie’s talking about yeast and bread as an acceptable Eisner-era attraction. Will the new version of the bakery tour be a breadwinner or over-baked? Yeast we say too much, only time will tell.

 

 

 

A story like this calls for more bread jokes. Give us your best in the comments below.

Rot Gate

It appears that the baffling situation at the character meet and greet gazebos may be coming to a close.  Sanding is being done on the joints in preparation for a final coat of paint.  Have they finally closed up the portal to hell that they unearthed while doing a minor repair?  That, at least, would explain the delay.

And that brings us to the end of this update. Until next time, we’ll see you In The Parks.

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