Something spooky, something new, something borrowed, something . . . BOO!
Your weekly Disneyland Update brings you photos of the continued removal and reduction of planters, gardens, waterways, and anything else which might keep the biggest crowd you’ve ever seen from making their way to the edge of the galaxy. There’s also a bit of a boomerang effect going on at the west end of Downtown Disney as the powers that be try to bring back one of the tenants they kicked out at the beginning of summer. . . but just for a limited engagement. All of this amidst the backdrop of Halloween Time, one of the most entertaining times of the year to visit the resort.
| Earl of Second Chances |
It looks like Disney is bringing back some old ghosts of Downtown Disney, just in time for Halloween. The Earl of Sandwich has been asked to return (for an unspecified amount of time) to its old location that was shuttered back in June. Currently, they are in the hiring process for their staff, and while there isn’t an official date of the reopening, its popular sandwiches could be returning as soon as October 1st. Now I’m curious if there are plans in place to fill the void that Disney created for themselves in the other shops and restaurants that were closed in anticipation of the new hotel.
Until they can work out a permanent plan, what would you like to see them do with the ghost town that is currently the west end of Downtown Disney?
| Less Sitting More Spending |
If you take a quick stroll up to the Central Hub and take a look around, you’ll notice that there are a lot of construction scrims all over the place. They’re in front of Adventureland, Frontierland and skirt the western half of the central plaza. The planters and waterway are being reduced to increase the walkway space for better traffic flow.
However, the cost of this walkway expansion is the removal of some seating spaces. In Frontierland there are several planters that have been covered with construction material to make room for…smaller planters! It seems ridiculous that Disney would make busywork and disrupt the landscaping just to replace the planters with smaller versions of themselves. But more people means more traffic in this area, especially in the evenings before and after the nighttime spectaculars.
And just a few paces away, near the pin shop, is another planter reduction project. . .
And the planter on the side of the shop is being reworked as well.
Time is ticking away for the Tomorrowland rocks as well. Once the west side of the hub has been expanded, it will be time for the same to happen on the east side. But will the Astro Orbiter stay or go? While it certainly could be moved elsewhere, it’s such a low capacity ride that it could just as easily be removed until the long overdue reimagining of Tomorrowland is finalized. It already exists in another form in Fantasyland as flying Elephants, for those who simply can’t live without being spun around slowly.
But what’s next? What obstructions would you like to see removed and which should stay?
| Adventureland-ing |
Tiki Construction
The Tiki Room patio construction is well underway.
But the Dole Whip stand remains open. In fact, it now offers Mobile Order.
The mobile ordering system from the Disneyland app has increased its service to include ordering from the Tiki Juice Bar. From the sound of it, I could theoretically order my Dole Whip from the other side of the park and have it ready when I get there. However, the reality is that while I may not have to wait in the outrageous stand-by line for my much needed Dole Whip, but instead wait in a different line for mobile order pickup. It doesn’t look like the team working there can keep up with the demand between guests in line and the mobile order-ers. Given the demand for this increasingly popular treat, you’d think that Disney would want to improve the infrastructure to meet their guests’ appetites. While there have been some serious improvements for the mobile system (i.e. remember my gripe about mobile ordering when it rolled out?), it still has a ways to go before it is perfected.
Is Mobile Order just putting more guests into walkways who would otherwise have been in lines? Perhaps that one additional reason why we are losing so many planters.
Tropical Hideaway Construction
A couple of the thatched sections (the A-frame structures) on the roof have been removed.
With so much exposed, you can see old details revealed, such as the old lighting booth (which was directly opposite the stage). The site is a mess of PVC pipes and rebar at the moment.
| Star Wars Rising |
And THIS is the reason for all the change at the Disneyland Resort . . . Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
From Tarzan’s Treehouse, you can see just how massive this project is.
And from the Mark Twain, things are looming large as well.
| Halloween Time |
Mickey’s Halloween Party Update
Ticket sales for Mickey’s Halloween Party are booming, and the remaining tickets will soon be gone. All the Fridays of the season and Halloween itself have been sold out, but there are still 4 dates left to choose from in October and one in September. However, if any of you are wanting to get your party on with Mickey, you should probably act soon!
This will likely be your last opportunity to see the Halloween Screams Fireworks as Disney hopes to move the party to DCA next year. Had World of Color not broken down, it would have moved this year. The Frightfully Fun Parade will make the transition as well as some additional decor and a spooky new World of Color show – with the working title “Villainous!” While a change of pace might help keep the party fresh and will allow Disneyland to remain open late during the mad crush for Star Wars land, many of you will miss Halloween at Disneyland. But note that the parties have been held at DCA in the past. I still remember Candy Corn acres and trick or treating in Bugs Land, so it wasn’t that long ago.
Here some Halloween images from the park:
Our Top 10 Disneyland Halloween Time Treats for 2018:
| This and That |
Main Street facade refurbishments
The refurbishments on the east side of Main Street continue. However, only the Cinema is closed to guests.
Cotton Candy Spirit Jersey madness
Today was the debut of a brand new spirit jersey. Rainbow tie-dye in color and cotton candy in name, I saw plenty of people putting them on directly outside the Emporium to wear out on Main Street. While I’m not a huge fan of it personally, it may just be I’m not the targeted age group. Maybe the next launch of a new spirit jersey will be something a little more appealing to more than just the Millennial crowd.
Does this:
Make you want to buy this:
That’s the glitter lettered “Cotton Candy” spirit shirt. They expected it to sell out yesterday, but it looked like they still had plenty later in the day. Still, if this is an item you can imagine wearing, you’ll need to act fast. But sell a kidney first, it’s not cheap. At a price of just about $70, this candy-inspired shirt might sting a bit.
Matterhorn Refurb
The Matterhorn continues its refurbishment. It still has a vague “Fall 2018” return date.
Fantasia Polish
The old Motorboat Cruise Dock (also called Fantasia Gardens) is behind refurb scrims as it gets a repaint.
While the seating area is unavailable, chairs and tables have been moved to the upper platform of the parade viewing area on Small World Mall. Looks like a lovely cafe, doesn’t it. I hope this gives Disneyland an idea.
Tree Removal
Last week we showed you some construction walls on the west side of the castle lagoon.
The walls are now down and reveal that the twisted old trees have been removed.
Disneyland Hotel check-in issues
Check-in at all of the Disneyland Resort hotels has been outrageous lately. Apparently, the online check-in system has been down for about two weeks and the staff at the desk are struggling to keep up. Just another reminder that technology is great right up until it isn’t. We do hope that Disneyland management will send additional resources to the hotels at the highest volume check-in times. The Disneyland hotels sell at a premium price compared to comparable accommodations just a short walk off the property. This isn’t a great way to start a vacation.
Wreck-It Ralph
Ralph Wrecks VR is scheduled to debut in the fall. Wreck it Ralph breaks the internet will be released in November, and this new experience will likely be tied into that somehow. Both Wreck It Ralph and Star Wars will be available at the same time. Same price for each – $33 weekdays and $37 weekends and holidays.
The end is just the beginning . . . enjoy the latest MiceChat Podcast which features Andy Garfield of Pachinko Media (theme park music designer and industry insider) and Marla Jo Fischer, Disneyland reporter for the OC Register. News, rumors, gossip and a whole lot of fun:
Be sure to follow along on social so you don’t miss out on any of the fun as it happens.
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