Santa’s on his way folks. But we’ve still got a little holiday-time update for you, thanks to a quick trip to the park and lots of wonderful elves who help keep us in the loop on the rapid pace of change at the Disneyland Resort.

Twas the day before Christmas, when all through the park. All the creatures were stirring, BUSY, with an exclamation mark. The queue lines extended by the rides with great care,
knowing that guests with MaxPass soon would be there.

Merry Blockouts Everyone

All passes, except Signature Plus, are now blocked out until January 6th. So, while Disneyland is still very busy, it isn’t nearly as crowded as it was in years past, when more passholders were able to access the park during these traditionally packed two weeks of the year.

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

The park was lovely this weekend. The weather has been beautiful and the crowds have been tolerable during the day . . . though it still gets insane in the evenings.

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

One of the main reasons for the evening crowding is the gravitational pull of Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks.

“Does your heart hold the magic of the holidays? Is it filled with warm memories just waiting to be discovered again? Now is the time to open your heart, believe in that magic, and remember those treasured moments…they’re still there, deep within you, waiting to touch you once more. So come along as the magic of the seasons leads the way.”

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

Combine the fireworks with Fantasmic and A Christmas Fantasy parade, plus the lack of a nighttime spectacular in Disney California Adventure, and you end up with an extra busy Disneyland.

Tropical hideaway

Disneyland’s newest eatery is still in its first week of serving guests. When we shared the new space last week, many of you asked what it looked like at night . . . so I put on a coat and took a look for you.  

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

After dark, the Hideaway is irresistibly shiny. Here’s some video:

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

 

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

Put a spork in it? Unfortunately, the specialty up-charge spork is pretty flimsy. So it’s more of a novelty item than a useful utensil.

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

 


NEW YEARS EVE

Let’s take a quick break in the update so we can invite you to New Year’s Eve at Universal Studios Hollywood. We’ve got a great offer for you, admission, front of line, a $15 meal voucher, and a full night of fun (6pm until 2am)!  Anyone is invited to take advantage of this ticket offer:


You Asked For It

Disneyland heard your plea and has returned the wait time board.

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

The Button Bin 

Castmembers are once again staffing the celebration button bin throughout the day as well.

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

Painting During Park Hours

There’s been a good deal of painting during park hours lately. This is the sort of work which was traditionally done during the graveyard shift. We hope this is due to a busy maintenance schedule and not a reduction in 3rd shift hours.

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Walkway Expansion Project

As Star Wars land gets closer, Disneyland is working on overdrive to free up walkways throughout the park to accommodate larger crowds. Two recent projects have just wrapped up:

Peter Pan Special Assistance Queue

The planter between the Peter Pan entry and exit has been removed to create a disabled access queue for the attraction. It will help keep guests from backing up into the tight walkway between the attraction and the carousel.

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

Tomorrowland Planter

The walls are also down at the front of Tomorrowland near Star Tours. The change is a few feet different, but you’d be hard pressed to know they’d reduced the planter at all . . . except for one thing . . .

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

The railing stops where the planter was reshaped.  We assume a new railing is on the way. For now, they have painted a wooden post to look like it’s chrome.

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

REFURBISHMENTS

You know the holiday season is nearing its end when the refurbishment schedule looks like this. That’s 10 attractions all under refurbishment in January . . .

  • Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough: starts January 17
  • Enchanted Chamber: starts January 17
  • Astro Orbitor: starts January 7th
  • Haunted Mansion: January 7-17
  • Sailing Ship Columbia: starts January 22
  • Fantasmic: starts January 22 through Spring
  • Rancho del Zocalo: January 14-17
  • “it’s a small world”: starts January 22nd
  • Golden Zephyr: starts January 27
  • Grizzly River Run: starts January 7th

THIS AND THAT

The Disney Christmas Day Parade TV special will feature a preview of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  Let us know if you spot anything interesting.  

Ballast Point Sign

We’ll have more construction photos from Downtown Disney later this week, but the sign has arrived for Ballast Point.  We just happend to be in the right place at the right time. 😉

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

Disney App fun – Esmeralda Cards

We recently told you about new interactive experiences using the Disneyland Play app.  If you haven’t visited with Esmeralda recently, now’s a good time to swing by and learn more of her story:

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

Purple ears

The latest ear headbands are purple.

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

They match the new Mary Poppins Dooney and Bourke bags:

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas , Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

Country Bear Socks

I find this next item un-bear-able . . . The Country Bears can’t “Jam On” because they were euthanized to make room for Winnie the Pooh.

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas


Give The Gift Of The Gumball Rally

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

The next MiceChat Gumball Rally is on February 9th, 2019 at the Disneyland Resort. The Rally is a competition to see who can ride the most attractions at Disneyland in a single day. You compete in teams of 2 to 4 individuals for the glory of finding out if you are the biggest Disneyland fan.

We’ve made some big changes this year which have resulted in our lowest price ever, making this the perfect gift to give to your friends and family. Just let them know you are giving them the gift of spending the entire day with them at Disneyland seeing how many rides you can complete in just one day.

It truly is the most fun you’ll ever have at Disneyland. And this year’s event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion!

For more information or to sign up, visit the Rally Info Page HERE

https://www.micechat.com/events/rally/


Join the chat:

 


Discount tickets! We have discount theme park tickets for you folks. Before you head to the parks, check here for the best deals!
Discount Disneyland and Attractions Tickets HERE


MiceTrip 2019

Walt Disney World and Caribbean Cruise

October 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Festival and Caribbean Cruise

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

We have back to back trips for you in October of 2019.  Our popular Food and Wine Festival event returns on October 18th, plus all sorts of WDW fun. Then we leave for a 7-night cruise on the 2nd largest passenger ship at sea, the beautiful and exciting Harmony of the Seas.  Come for the Disney World magic and stay for the Royal Caribbean adventure (or do one or the other).

For information on this magical MiceTrip, please contact:

[email protected]


, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before ChristmasThe Anaheim Hotel offers special MiceChat rates. Located just across the street from Disneyland, the Anaheim Hotel has the largest pool in the city and newly remodeled rooms, public spaces, restaurant, and lounge. To save 20% or more, visit The Anaheim Hotel Reservations HERE or Call reservations at 714-772-5900 and ask for the “MiceChat Rate.”


 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight–
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

, Disneyland Update – Twas the Night Before Christmas

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Dusty Sage
Dusty is the founder and CEO of MiceChat.com. When he's not visiting theme parks and writing, editing or speaking about Disney and theme parks worldwide, Dusty is involved in multiple Disney related projects and charities. He helped save and restore the charming Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, launched the Dick Van Dyke Foundation, and is the curator of Walt Disney's historic 1930's estate in Hollywood. If you've got news or photos to share with the MiceChat community, or would like to book Dusty for an upcoming event, please contact [email protected]