Dateline Disneyland

It may be a construction-filled off-season at the Disneyland Resort, but that isn't stopping some festive seasonal offerings from popping up around the park. Small World Mall is decked out for a great little Lunar New Year celebration that runs through this weekend and New Orleans Square is busy stringing up colorful beads and masks for its upcoming Mardi Gras festivities. Meanwhile, construction continues on Main Street and scaffolding continues to climb up the Matterhorn as work continues on those two major projects. Across the esplanade, Disney California Adventure's new Buena Vista Street main entrance plaza continues to take shape, with more finishing touches going up on the Carthay Circle Theater and the first glimpse at a finished Buena Vista Street facade. Back in Cars Land, Disney Imagineers are testing nighttime lighting on the new Radiator Springs mountain range and the new facades Paradise Pier's Midway Shops continue to take shape.

We're happy to announce that you can now click on photos in Dateline Disneyland to view a higher-resoultion version of the image. Because of this new feature, you will no longer be able to click on photos featuring Project Tracker watermarks to be redirected to those threads on our MiceChat discussion boards. For your convenience, we've added handy Project Tracker banners at each relevant section of the update, so if you'd like to learn more about any project in today's update or join the on-going discussion on the MiceChat forums, all you need to do is click on through!

Many thanks to our contributors this week that helped with some additional photos in today's column: Loren Javier, Fishbulb and Monorail Man.

It's another busy week at Disneyland, so let's get started!

Inside Dateline Disneyland

Welcome to Disneyland! Bye-bye holidays, Touring Plans crowd forecast Celebrate MiceChat's 7th Anniversary! Celebrate seven years of MiceChat this weekend with spectacular events! Magic Kingdom Makeovers Main Street remodel, Matterhorn refurbishment, refrubishments and more Celebrating Lunar New Year Small World Mall celebrates the Year of the Dragon Getting ready for Mardi Gras New Orleans Square strings up the Mardi Gras beads... California Construction A look at the on-going construction at Disney California Adventure... Buena Vista Street Condor Flats Paradise Pier Cars Land This & That Challenge Trail refurb, La Brea Bakery construction Weekly News and Information Round-Up Weekly theme park hours, closures and refurbishments

Sponsored by TouringPlans.com | Do More. Wait Less.

WELCOME TO DISNEYLAND!

Disneyland's brief off-season continues...

Our friends at Touring Plans are here with their weekly crowd forecast:

It should be another slow week at Disneyland. TouringPlans.com can help you navigate the parks with our per-park Crowd Calendar, Lines - Mobile Wait Times App that gives access to current and estimated wait times for attractions, and Touring Plans detailing the best plan of attack for hitting the attractions. With holiday crowds on the horizon, it's a good time to subscribe to TouringPlans.com to plan your strategy to avoid the crowds!

Below are the predicted resort-wide crowd numbers for select days generated by the TouringPlans professional statisticians as measured for the upcoming week. For the access to the full year and per-park crowd level predictions, visit our Crowd Calendar.

— Fred Hazelton Statistician, TouringPlans.com

	RESORT-WIDE Crowd Calendar Prediction	Crowd Tips
Tues., Jan. 24	3/10	Here are some quick-hit notes that we hope you'll find helpful as you prepare your visits for the week: Partial block outs this weekend. Tuesday, Disneyland will be a 1.6. The busiest day of the week will be Saturday, when Disneyland is a 7.1.
Wed., Jan. 25	3/10
Thu., Jan. 26	3/10
Fri., Jan. 27	5/10
Crowd levels are based on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least crowded conditions and 10 being most crowded.
See Disneyland crowds for the next 365 days. Get Disneyland wait times on your iPhone, Android, or Smartphone. Do more. Wait less.

The Central Plaza is back to normal now with spring flowers and a snow-free Sleeping Beauty Castle.

CELEBRATE 7 YEARS OF MICECHAT THIS WEEKEND!

MiceChat's 7th anniversary weekend is this weekend and you won't want to miss our spectacular line-up of celebratory events including meet-ups, Hollywood tours, and our special Disney celebrity breakfast at ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney featuring Disney Imagineer and Legend Bob Gurr! We've got all the details below including a link to our ticket sales page where you can reserve your place in this excellent anniversary weekend now.

It all begins on Friday, January 27, 2012. We invite you to join us on a one day Adventure's By Disney "Hollywood Magic" trip that starts at the Walt Disney Studios and then takes you to other famous Hollywood locations. We'll tour the Walt Disney Studios, see the famous Disney Archives, dine in the commissary and shop in the studio store. Then it's off to Hollywood where you'll tour the El Capitan and the Kodak Theaters (the latter the home of the Academy Awards) as well as other famous tinseltown and Sunset Strip sights and landmarks. The day wraps up with a sunset cocktail reception on Malibu Beach. What better way to kick off the MiceChat anniversary weekend?! There are just 4 spots left, so please contact Teresa Cory of Fairy Godmother Travel to reserve yours today: [email protected]

The fun continues on Saturday, January 28th, with the MiceChat Celebrity Breakfast at ESPN Zone. A wonderful buffet breakfast/meet and greet with Disney celebrities including Susan Egan (Broadway's Belle and the voice of Meg from Hercules), Disney author Sam Gennawey, Margaret Kerry (the original reference model and actress for Tinker bell), and other invited guests. The event will take place from 9am-11am, Saturday, January 28th at the fabulous ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney. And YES, the world famous, ESPN Zone Maple Bacon will be served! Following the breakfast we will spend the day in Disney California Adventure. CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS

Following the breakfast, we host an entire day of fun and games in Disney California Adventure, and wrap the evening up with a game show and special rooftop viewing of Disneyland's fireworks. The grand finale of our anniversary weekend is on Sunday, January 29th, which is our traditional Disneyland day. The day will start with breakfast along the Rivers of America, a grand circle tour of the happiest place on earth and the classic noon meet at the right hand of Walt Disney himself. Plus, Fairy Godmother Travel will be giving away a 2 night stay at the Grand Californian Hotel to one lucky attendee (it could be you!). We hope you'll be able to join us for some or all of this fabulous weekend.

MAGIC KINGDOM MAKEOVERS

Work continues on the Main Street remodeling project that is bringing big change to several restaurants and retail locations.









The Matterhorn continues to disappear behind scaffolding as its six-month refurbishment gets underway









In Frontierland, work is underway in Fantasmic's dragon pit on Tom Sawyer Island and on the Sailing Ship Columbia's refurbishment.







Nearby, the Haunted Mansion is set to reopen this week following the removal of the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay





Over in Fantasyland, "it's a small world" is now closed to remove its holiday overlay


Across the way, the Toon Town Train Depot has reopened following a brief refurbishment

CELEBRATING LUNAR NEW YEAR

Neaby in Small World Mall, Disneyland is hosting its Lunar New Year Celebration. The new location in Small World Mall moves the festivities from the Festival Arena behind Big Thunder Ranch to a much more visible area in Fantasyland. Along with special performers and character meet-and-greets, the offerings this year include plenty of decorations and a couple of food items sold at nearby outdoor vending carts.


Much like the recent Three Kings Day celebration in Frontierland, the Lunar New Year offerings are a nice little seasonal offering that we'd be happy to see grow in the future.


Disney's "fact sheet" on the Lunar New Year celebration details the festive offerings:

Happy Lunar New Year! Celebration at Disneyland Park
With good wishes for 2012, the Disneyland Resort invites guests to celebrate the Lunar New Year season at Disneyland park from Jan. 20-29. The Happy Lunar New Year Celebration! at Disneyland is a joyous tribute to coincide with the traditional Lunar New Year, and it recognizes time-honored traditions of the season with exciting, live performances, fun activities and special food offerings.

• Guests will enjoy the Happy Lunar New Year Celebration! from 10 am to 5 pm Jan, 20-29 at Small World Mall with special character appearances and family entertainment. Exhilarating live performances will be held Jan. 20-23, Jan. 25 and Jan. 27-29 (weather permitting).
• Lunar New Year is a time when families and friends gather to wish each other good fortune and good health for the coming year. The Happy Lunar New Year Celebration! at Disneyland Resort pays tribute to the time-honored traditions and family celebrations that are observed within the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures.
• Throughout the day, cultural groups perform in colorful attire along Small World Mall. These may include a Chinese Dragon dance troupe, lion dancers, ribbon wand dancers, Korean drummers, Vietnamese musicians and dancers, and martial artists.
• In Mulan’s Chinese New Year Procession, seen at selected times throughout the day, Mulan and Mushu proceed in colorful costumes to the photo location area. There, guests will greet Mulan and Mushu, along with Chip ‘n’ Dale dressed in festive, Asian-inspired attire.
• Small World Mall is decorated for the celebration with Chinese Zodiac symbols, ornamental lanterns, “Happy Lunar New Year” banners and more.
• Signs explaining the meaning and traditions of various Lunar New Year celebrations are presented in English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
• The Lunar New Year begins at a different time each year according to the movements of the sun and moon, usually beginning in late January. It’s fitting to have the Disneyland celebration at Small World Mall, where “just one moon and one golden sun” are shared by children from around the globe in the “it’s a small world” attraction.
• A colorful, photo location invites families to pose in front of themed backdrops, which include a variety of Disney characters and family photos. Disney’s PhotoPass Service will be on hand to help guests capture their magical experiences and share their memories.
• Food carts at Small World Mall will serve special treats, including chocolate churros, eggrolls, edamame and almond cookies. [ LINK ]

You can see even more of Loren Javier's excellent photos from Disneyland's Lunar New Year Celebration at his Flickr Photostream.

GETTING READY FOR MARDI GRAS

Back in New Orleans Square, some of the holiday decor has been held back and repurposed as Mardi Gras decorations in addition to new Mardi Gras mask decorations, beads and lamppost decorations.


Some Christmas leftovers...


...but some great Mardi Gras-specific decorations.


With the Mardi Gras decorations going back up, hopefully the full Mardis Gras celebration from last year's Family Fun Weekends will return with Princess Tiana and friends from The Princess and the Frog as well as the special menu items in New Orleans Square restaurants.

CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION A look at the on-going $1 billion remodel and expansion efforts at Disney California Adventure BUENA VISTA STREET

Buena Vista Street construction progresses...







The side of Oswald's Filling Station


New Buena Vista Street shop facades








The backside of the new facades











The back of the theater continues to get finishing touches...


















The first glimpse at a finished Buena Vista Street shop facade










Views from the Monorail

CONDOR FLATS

A piece of the Soarin' Over California marquee is missing.

PARADISE PIER

Work on the retheming of the Midway Shops on Paradise Pier continues. A new gable has been framed on the former Man Hat 'n' Beach facade.









The temporary roofline alteration we showed you last week on the Sideshow Shirts facade looked a little ragged over the weekend







Work continues on the side of the Sideshow Shirts shop that's currently behind walls





Across the bay, work continues on the parade route repaving project in front of the Little Mermaid attraction.

CARS LAND

Cars Land work continues, including more evening light testing on the Radiator Springs mountain range.








Sarge's Surplus Hut






















In addition to the purple and blue lights on the Cadillac Range, you can also spot the neon lighting up Route 66.

THIS AND THAT

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail continues its refurbishment that will stretch into March




In Downtown Disney, work continues at the La Brea Bakery...

Dateline Disneyland is sponsored by our good friends at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel - Anaheim Resort. A short walk from the park, HoJo Anaheim is conveniently located next to Matterhorn Mountain at Disneyland with nearby dining, freeway access, FREE parking and FREE Wi-Fi. For more information on HoJo Anaheim, room rates, or to book your stay today, visit HoJoAnaheim.com/MiceChat. MiceChat.com and Annual Passholder Discounts Available Every Day! 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. See Disneyland from the comfort of 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!

WEEKLY NEWS AND INFORMATION ROUND-UP
Weekly Theme Park Hours January 23—29, 2012
Disneyland Park	Disney California Adventure
Monday-Thursday 10 am - 8 pm Friday: 8 am - 8 pm Saturday: 8 am - 12 midnight Sunday: 9 am - 11 pm	Monday-Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm Friday-Saturday: 10 am - 9 pm Sunday: 9 am - 11 pm
For a complete listing of theme park hours, visit the Disneyland.com Theme Park Calendar
Expected Crowd Levels presented by TouringPlans.com
Disneyland Park	Disney California Adventure
LOW-MEDIUM 1.6—7.1 out of 10	MEDIUM 3.1—6.1 out of 10
Crowd levels are based on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least crowded conditions and 10 being most crowded. For daily crowd predictions for the next 365 days, visit
Closures and Refurbishment Schedule
Disneyland Park
Big Thunder Ranch: Closed to remove holiday overlay through January 18. Haunted Mansion: Closed to remove holiday overlay through January 23. Matterhorn Bobsleds: Closed for major refurbishment including the addition of new ride vehicles through June 14. "it's a small world": Closed to remove holiday overlay January 23 - February 2. Sailing Ship Columbia: Closed for refurbishment January 23 - February 17. Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes: Closed for one day, January 24. Carnation Cafe, Blue Ribbon Bakery, Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Candy Palace, Penny Arcade and Refreshment Corner: Food service locations and shops close January 2012 for major restaurant and shopping expansion projects affecting current spaces.
Disney California Adventure
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Closed for refurbishment through January 27. Grizzly River Run: Closed for refurbishment January 23 - March 2. Soarin' Over California: Closed for refurbishment January 30 - February 3. Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and Soda Fountain: New Ghirardelli chocolate shop and soda fountain will open in the space formerly occupied by the Mission Tortilla Factory. New dining location opens late-spring 2012. Buena Vista Street: Re-themed main entrance including new Red Car Trolley attraction are under construction through summer 2012. Cars Land: New 12-acre land opens summer 2012.
Downtown Disney & Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Island Charters: Downtown Disney retail location closed permanently. A replacement has yet to be announced.

President Obama speaks at Walt Disney World on US Tourism President Obama shut down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom last week when he delivered a speech on U.S. travel and tourism from in front of Cinderella Castle.

From Pennsylvania Avenue to Main Street, U.S.A., President Obama at Magic Kingdom “I am glad to be at Disney World, the Magic Kingdom!” This was the spirited welcome President Barack Obama delivered earlier today as he stood on Main Street, U.S.A., with the iconic Cinderella Castle glittering behind him. Tourism was the topic of this official visit, and the President said the natural place to discuss efforts to make it easier for more international guests to visit the United States was Walt Disney World Resort. “It’s rare that I get to do something that Sasha and Malia envy me for,” the President joked, referring to his young daughters. “Maybe they’ll actually ask me at dinner how my day went.” While the President’s remarks were for an invited audience and necessitated closing a portion of Main Street, U.S.A., for a few hours, guests at Magic Kingdom Park enjoyed a unique day of their own, with special entertainment throughout the park to keep things magical. Instead of venturing down Main Street, U.S.A., to access the park, guests were ushered from the main entrance through a special backstage area that was lined with scores of colorful banners and parade floats and live musical entertainment. Once inside the park, guests could enjoy additional entertainment, character meet-and-greets, supplemental showings of the Frontierland Hoedown and character dance parties at the Diamond Horseshoe Review and the Rockettower Plaza Stage. A capacity crowd of guests who wanted to hear the President’s speech even watched a live broadcast of his remarks in the most appropriate of settings – The Hall of Presidents attraction in Liberty Square. Back on Main Street, U.S.A., President Obama finished his remarks, then turned to look at the “Partners” statue in distance. The President gave a friendly wave to Walt and Mickey, then exited the stage to end this historic day at the Magic Kingdom.

Full Story: Disney Parks Blog: From Pennsylvania Avenue to Main Street, U.S.A., President Obama at Magic Kingdom

Okay, that wraps up our column for this week. Thank you for reading, and please be sure to visit our great sponsors over at TouringPlans! And don't forget to buy your tickets for MiceChat's fantastic 7-year anniversary events! Thanks again to our guest photographers this week: Fishbulb, Monorail Man and Loren Javier. As you may have noticed, we've reinstated our Amazon Associates links. Please consider making your Amazon purchases using our referral code. All you need to do is click on any Amazon link you see in today's column. It doesn't cost you anything, but your purchases will help support Dateline Disneyland so we can keep the updates coming to you every week! To start shopping on Amazon using our referral code, click any Amazon item in today's update or click here. We're only here because of your continued support. If you've enjoy Dateline Disneyland over the last four years, please consider helping us out by donating a buck or two so we can pay the bills and keep the updates coming! You can donate with a click of a button via PayPal — click here! Don't forget that MiceChat has lots of new content throughout the week! 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! See you at Disneyland! - Andy Interested in sponsorship or advertising opportunities with Dateline Disneyland? Contact us!

Please support our sponsors Keep the updates coming! Please support us FTC-Mandated Disclosure: Promotional consideration for the January 23, 2012 edition of Dateline Disneyland was provided by TouringPlans.com | Do More. Wait Less.