Welcome back to the Disneyland Resort as we start the summer here in Southern California. Let’s look at Walt’s park and all the little changes happening. Also, be sure to come back tomorrow as we continue the coverage over at California Adventure and Downtown Disney.
| Welcome To Summer |
Sun and Some Crowds
Over in Tomorrowland the weekend bands have returned to the Tomorrowland Terrace
The new $40 firework viewing and dessert on the second floor of the Innoventions Building has begun. I heard Mickey and Minnie come out before the fireworks.
And of course, we cannot forget to mention the Main Street Electrical Parade. The parade is scheduled to close August 20th. Hopefully, we can get Paint the Night back in time for the holidays, fingers crossed!
| Trains Back On Track |
It’s One Big Train Set
As the summer season begins, the next exciting thing coming to the resort is the return of the river, trains and Tom Sawyer’s Island. The Disneyland Railroad has been rerouted for Star Wars Land and is having new track installed between New Orleans and Toontown Stations.
Over in New Orleans Square, the temporary exhibit has almost been completely removed.
Over in Tomorrowland, the train station continues to be used as a smoking section.
The tri-panel rotating sign looks like it needs to be reskinned as the some of the panels appear to be peeling
At Toontown the rails now extend past the wheelchair platform. Lights on the wheelchair platform are now being rewired.
The train trestle over Critter Country is still being rebuilt.
| “Use Your Imagination…” |
Fantasmic! 2.0 Upgrades Continue
Along the Rivers of America work can be seen day and night. Many people are saying that the show will not be ready until mid-August or September at this point. We will have to continue to use our imaginations until they are ready to brighten the night.
Over at the Tom Sawyer’s raft dock, the previous signage has been removed. The way they removed the old sign makes it look like there will have to be a completely new sign, as the far right post looks to have visibly sawed off.
Here’s what it looked like before:
And here’s what it looks like now:
Along Big Thunder Trail, a crane continues to sit just behind a wall by the exit to Big Thunder Mountain. 
I believe that this crane is being used to install full sized trees and other features along the river just on the other side of Bear Creek.
Over in Critter Country trees are now being planted around Hungry Bear and the River.
| This and That from Disneyland |
Esplanade
In the Esplanade and Downtown Disney, two new music loops have been introduced. MrLiver over on our forums has the lowdown, HERE.
Also, the Guided Tours Garden inside the park has reopened. The temporary meeting spot (rarely used info booth) near the trams is once again closed.
Fantasyland
Inside the Castle’s gift shop, The Christmas merchandise at the Enchanted Chamber has been moved across the walkway to Castle Holiday Shoppe.
Moving down to the Red Rose Tavern, the Beauty and the Beast theme quick-service restaurant is still packing guests in and still keeping food quality high (by theme park standards).
Inside, the menu boards are no longer animated.
New Matterhorn Fastpass
The permanent FASTPASS distribution area has opened
At the not well-defined entrance to the Fastpass Area, you are encircled by six machines that have carved animals on them.
What do you think of the new Matterhorn FASTPASS area?
Tomorrowland
Inside Tomorrowland, the Season of the Force has ended, although they have not really removed anything except the red and blue churros from the churro cart and some signage.
Star Wars Launch Bay remains. But, like Innoventions before it, is rarely busy.
The Disneyland Monorail is currently closed for refurbishment. I hope they fix up the interiors of the trains as they need some TLC. The monorails are scheduled to return Saturday, June 17th.
Space Mountain Classic Returns!
The original, well the 2005 version, has returned and the beautiful Michael Giacchino music now plays as your rocket runs through the dark attraction.
Listen to the Space Mountain Soundtrack from the Disneyland Soundtrack:
The only issue I could spot with this attraction is that the blue warp tunnel still has burned out lights. The tunnel was dark for Hyperspace and Ghost Galaxy layovers for two years and yet there was no attention to fix the burned out bulbs in the tunnel prior to returning the classic version of the attraction. Also, the projection of the black hole as you go up the launch lift hill is very dim and hard to see and the projection tube is also very dim. I’m thrilled to ride Space Mountain again, it’s truly wonderful. But it would be nice if Disney could get some maintenance folks in there to fix all the effects.
Toontown
Westside
Inside Adventureland, this newly potted plant has been added just outside the men’s restroom.
Indy has returned from its quick three-week refurbishment with no noticeable differences.
In Frontierland, these three pillars with a horseshoe ring have been placed outside the Golden Horseshoe and another three are along the walkway to Big Thunder by Rancho del Zocalo. I wonder what they are for?
Heading over to Critter Country so we can start our…
Star Wars Land Update
Inside the berm, the river rock work is almost complete, but the ever growing Battle Escape attraction can now be seen inside the park.
From the parking structure, you can see that the Battle Escape attraction is still growing. If we did not see them being added, you would not know there are two AT-ATs inside, as you can’t see them anymore. This will be a MASSIVE building.
Back behind the Battle Escape building is the Millennium Falcon attraction. It’s similar in height to its neighbor building.
To close today’s article I would recommend getting great views of Disneyland at twilight by heading up to Tarzan’s Treehouse, it’s a great view!
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| Thank you for reading! |
All of us on the Disneyland Photo Update crew would like to thank you for joining us today. Each week we’ll feature different photographers and commentators (often more than one). Today’s MiceChat Disneyland Update was shot and assembled by Brian Pinsky.
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Continue read this weeks update from California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and more, HERE.
Are you a photographer? Do you love the parks? Would you like to contribute to the Disneyland Update or other MiceChat columns? Contact Dusty Sage: [email protected]
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