Despite heavy on-going construction, Disney California Adventure park managed to steal the show this New Year's Eve with an incredible "fountains and fireworks" countdown-to-midnight utilizing the impressive World of Color technology. The weekend also marked the final days of the annual holiday festivities around the Resort, including the final performances of the "Believe... In Holiday Magic" fireworks and "A Christmas Fantasy" parade and the last chance to enjoy the Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction overlay. Meanwhile, the Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland is open again after a lengthy refurbishment and the Disneyland Hotel remodel makes some progress as the new year begins.
As always, more information on the construction projects featured in today's update can be found in the MiceChat Project Tracker threads — just look for a Project Tracker watermark and click that photo for more information and to join the on-going discussion.
Let's jump into 2011 and get started with this week's article, shall we?
Inside Dateline Disneyland
Welcome 2011! California Adventure steals the New Year's Eve show with fountains and fireworks
This & That Village Haus reopens, 2011 merchandise hits the shelves
Weekly News and Information Round-Up Weekly theme park hours, closures and refurbishments, HoJo MatterCam gets an upgrade, So Cal ticket deal details, Bye-bye Pixar Play Parade
WELCOME 2011!
Park maps greeted park guests with festive covers for the New Year's Eve festivities on Friday.
New Year's Eve lighting and party-setup were seen around the park, including in front of Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle.
Digital countdown clocks flanked the sides of the castle.
The hub was full of people camped out for midnight festivities throughout the day.
Disneyland kicked off the New Year with its traditional "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks show at midnight. MiceChat member James Uvence posted this video of the festivities
Searchlights lit up the skies above California Adventure all night long
The crowds in Paradise Park were treated to a special treat - the first countdown-to-midnight utilizing the impressive World of Color infrastructure. The show included fireworks, mixing the amazing World of Color fountains with awesome pyro. MiceChat's Dustysage had this video to offer:
An emcee warmed up the crowd from the patio of Ariel's Grotto:
Fireworks and fountains launched launched the new year
ROSE BOWL VISITORS
The day after Christmas, the Rose Bowl teams made their annual visit to Disneyland, continuing a tradition of 51-years.
Disney posted this video of the visiting Rose Bowl teams on YouTube and talked about the event on the DisneyParks Blog:
51 Year Rose Bowl Tradition Continues
It’s a longstanding tradition at the Disneyland Resort to host the Rose Bowl teams before the big game. The Disneyland Resort has been associated with the Tournament of Roses since 1959 and has had the honor of playing host to many teams during that time.
Earlier today, the Wisconsin Badgers and the TCU Horned Frogs visited the Happiest Place on Earth in advance of the 2011 Rose Bowl game. The teams met in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and were honored in a brief ceremony. Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema and TCU Coach Gary Patterson were awarded crystal replicas of Sleeping Beauty Castle in recognition of their achievement. Following the ceremony, players from both teams enjoyed attractions at the Parks, including the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Mad Tea Party.
HOLIDAZED
Today marks the final day of the annual holiday season at the Disneyland Resort.
The final weekend of the holidays saw big crowds at the park, thanks in large part to New Year's Eve falling on Friday.
Haunted Mansion Holiday's run ends today and the regular version of the attraction will reopen by Friday, January 14.
"it's a small world" will remain open until January 17, when it closes to remove its holiday overlay. The staggered closures of these two attractions ensures as few major E-Ticket rides are closed at the same time. "it's a small world" will reopen by January 28.
Select holiday merchandise is now 50% off throughout the Resort
CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION
A look at the on-going $1 billion remodel and expansion of Disney California Adventure park...
BUENA VISTA STREET
Is this where guests will temporarily enter the park once heavy Buena Vista Street construction gets underway?
Lots of dirt being pushed around in the former Sunshine Plaza
CARS LAND
Work in the former Timon Parking Lot continues to move along on the upcoming 12-acre Cars Land.
More Cozy Cones have arrived...
THE LITTLE MERMAID: ARIEL'S UNDERSEA ADVENTURE
More Little Mermaid progress this week...
The covered walkway is getting nice new wrought iron accents
The first piece of glass for the Little Mermaid's glass facade has been installed. Looks like the Little Mermaid building could really be impressive when finished.
Shiny new blue glass behind scaffolding:
In this photo from our 6/14/10 column, concept art from the Blue Sky Cellar shows what the facade for the new attraction will look like, including the glass arch.
GOOFY'S SKY SCHOOL & PARADISE GARDEN DINING AREA
Work continues at the former Mullholland Madness roller coaster and in the old Route 66 dining area as Imagineers work to transform the area by this summer.
New facade framework being added to the upcoming Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta restaurant.
DISNEYLAND HOTEL REMODEL
Work continues on the major Disneyland Hotel remodel with new construction where new dining facilities will open by 2012.
THIS & THAT
Back in Disneyland, Fantasyland's Village Haus Restaurant has reopened after a lengthy refurbishment. Unfortunately, the menu leaves a lot to be desired.
The new line of 2011 year merchandise has hit gift shop shelves.
A short walk from the park, HoJo Anaheim is conveniently located next to Disneyland with nearby dining and freeway access. For more information on HoJo Anaheim, room rates, or to book your stay today, visit HoJoAnaheim.com/MiceChat.
Rooms now available for as low as $59 per night!
The HoJo Anaheim is now offering deeper discounts for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders! On select nights, Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders can get rooms for as low as $59 per night, plus tax. For more information visit the HoJo Anaheim Innsider Boards which features an up-to-date listing of available nights, or call (714) 776-6120 and ask for In-House Reservations to book. If your date isn't listed, the HoJo Anaheim still offers rooms for 20% off their best available rate if you call (714) 776-6120.
Experience Disneyland at home with the HoJo Mattercam!
See Disneyland from home via a live rotating video feed of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park from the rooftop of Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel - Anaheim Resort! The HoJo Anaheim's newly upgraded Disneyland webcam now features new views including video feeds of Disneyland's nightly fireworks! Check it out now!
Haunted Mansion: Closed to remove holiday overlay January 3 - 13.
"it's a small world": Closed to remove holiday overlay January 18 - 27.
Horse Drawn Streetcars: Closed January 18 - February 15 during Main Street repaving.
Main Street Vehicles: Closed January 18 - March 4, 2011 during Main Street repaving.
Splash Mountain: Closed January 18 - May 26 for refurbishment.
King Arthur Carrousel: Closed January 31 - February 2 for refurbishment.
Mark Twain Riverboat: Closed February 3 - 17 for refurbishment.
Star Tours: Closed for Star Tours 2 overhaul. Reopens May 2011.
Disney California Adventure
Grizzly River Run: Closed January 4 - 21.
Animation Building: Closed January 18 - 21.
Playhouse Disney — Live on Stage!: Closed January 24 - March 24 for retheme.
It's Tough to be a Bug!: Closed January 28 - March 3
Maliboomer: Removed. Space will become new park-like area.
Mullholland Madness: Closed to be rethemed. Reopens May 2011 as Goofy's Sky School.
Pizza Oom Mow Mow: Closed for retheme to Boardwalk Pasta and Pizza
Burger Invasion: Closed for retheme to Paradise Garden Grill. Reopens May 2011.
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure: Under construction. Opens Spring 2011.
Souvenir 66 and Corn Dog Castle: Store and dining location closed for remodeling through May 2011.
Red Car Trolley: Track under construction in Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Attraction set to open spring 2012.
Downtown Disney & Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Arcade, Jungle Cruise Remote Control Boats, Hook's Pointe, The Wine Cellar, The Lost Bar, and Croc's Bits & Bites (Disneyland Hotel): Closed permanently for removal as part of Disneyland Hotel remodel.
HOJO ANAHEIM LETS YOU EXPERIENCE DISNEYLAND FROM HOME
Check out the HoJo Mattercam!
Our great friends at the Howard Johnson Anaheim recently upgraded their fan-favorite "Mattercam," a live webcam that gives viewers excellent views of the Disneyland Resort. New to the cam are direct views of Disneyland's nightly fireworks show! If you haven't tried it out yet, give the HoJo MatterCam a spin! It's a lot of fun!
SO CAL TICKET DEAL RETURNS TO DISNEYLAND WIT HIGHER PRICES The 2fer is gone, but a So Cal ticket deal has returned to Disneyland
Disney hikes price of SoCal ticket deal
Disney hiked the price of its annual two-day ticket deal for Southern California residents — a promotion that begins Sunday (today).
Southern California residents can pay $99 for two days at Disneyland Resort parks — Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (The usual cost for a single-day, one-park pass is $76).
In recent years, Disney sold two-for-one park tickets to Southern California residents at the start of the year, roughly January to May, when attendance is down. Last year’s deal cost $72.
The new Southern California tickets do give more flexibility than the previous ones.
The old two-for-one deal required guests to go to one park on one day and the second park on another day. Both trips had to occur within 30 days of each other.
This year’s ticket can be used at either park — two visits at one park or one visit at each park. The two trips can happen any time between now and May 14.
“Our new offer gives local residents flexibility to choose which park, and a longer time period in which to visit,” said Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.
Buyers can upgrade their tickets to “park hoppers” — meaning they can go to both parks on the same day — for $10 more.
Visitors may want to get in on the deal now to take advantage of holiday features: Monday marks the final day of Disneyland’s holiday entertainment, including a seasonal parade and fireworks show.
Disney began offering the Southern California deal when attendance was lagging at Disney California Adventure. While traffic remains slower at that park, visits have picked up recently with the addition of the “World of Color” water-and-light show in June. California Adventure is undergoing a massive construction project that will include the entrance.
Monday is the last scheduled performance of the Pixar Play Parade, which will go on a break during a massive construction phase at the park. The parade is set to return in November.
During the hiatus, Disney will put on mini, roaming shows, called Pixar Pop-Ups. The shows will use floats, props and costumes from the parade.
A show based on “The Incredibles” is set to start Jan. 14 — a week later than originally expected.
Other Pixar Pop-Ups, based on “Monsters Inc.” and the “Toy Story” movies, will begin later. See a previous story about Disney California Adventure entertainment changes.
Monday also is the final day that the “California” letters statues will be up outside California Adventure’s entrance.
Okay, that wraps up the first edition of Dateline Disneyland! What a great start to 2011! Thanks for reading and please join the discussion in the comments section below!
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Also, remember that MiceChat has tons of new content all week long! For even more Disneyland news, photos and information check out the In the Parks column on Fridays. And MiceChat's Weekend Update, tours the world of Disney theme parks and other worldly sights and landmarks!
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FTC-Mandated Disclosure:
Promotional consideration for the January 3, 2011 edition of Dateline Disneyland was provided by Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
Anaheim Resort.
Updated 01-03-2011 at 02:43 PM byDateline Disneyland(Typo fix, Haunted Mansion Holiday info fix)
Despite heavy on-going construction, Disney California Adventure park managed to steal the show this New Year's Eve with an incredible "fountains and fireworks" countdown-to-midnight utilizing the impressive World of Color technology. The weekend also marked the final days of the annual holiday festivities around the Resort, including the final performances of the "Believe... In Holiday Magic" fireworks and "A Christmas Fantasy" parade and the last chance to enjoy the Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction overlay. Meanwhile, the Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland is open again after a lengthy refurbishment and the Disneyland Hotel remodel makes some progress as the new year begins.
Okay, that wraps up the first edition of Dateline Disneyland! What a great start to 2011! Thanks for reading and please join the discussion in the comments section below!
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