We are catching you on the flip side of the epic MiceChat Rallyversary. What’s that? We just celebrated our 15th anniversary with a full 3 day weekend of Meets, events, celebrities AND a massive Gumball Rally.  But we still kept you in mind and have a couple Disneyland Updates on your way this week. Today’s article is a little bit shorter than usual as we are all ready to drop dead from exhaustion, but that just means more photos and news for you later this week! We also have some of the results from the 2018 Gumball Rally!!!

So, let’s start with the elephant in the room.

So…Many…Walls…

If you are planning a trip to Disneyland in the next month or so, set your expectations correctly. There is a lot of construction and refurbishment going on right now. It’s jarring and jumps right out at you the moment you set foot in the park.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
Main Street is a maze of walls from Town Square all the way to the Central Plaza.

New wider rails are being installed on Main Street, replacing the original rails from 1955. A brick inset will also be laid between the rails supposedly to make for better condition for the happiest horses on earth (as Disney likes to call them).

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

Signs laden with Disneyland history adorn the walls.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
The walls block access to two of the most beautiful trees in Disneyland.

But it’s not just Main Street which is filled with walls, the Parade Route is being relocated near it’s a small world, resulting in even more construction. The move will allow for more queue and stroller parking space.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

Rope drop moved

As a result of all those walls on Main street, rope drop at park opening has been pushed further into each land because there is such limited space in the hub.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
The new rope in Adventureland goes right up to the shops.
, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
I have never seen these doors closed before.

Arriving before rope drop allows you to experience an empty park, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

Crowds

Crowds were moderate this past weekend. Conditions were just perfect on Friday and busy but comfortable on Saturday and Sunday. Which made for perfect Gumball Rally conditions!

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

Splash Mountain Refurb

More walls. Splash Mountain is closed for a long refurbishment. We still don’t know the expected reopening date yet. Let’s hope that this refurbishment address the persistent lighting and animation issues which plague the attraction.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
The last time I saw that horizontal steel beam at the top was in 1988.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

SPONSORED BY: The Anaheim Hotel

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

Your MiceChat visit was made possible in part by the support of the wonderful Anabella Hotel. This mid-century marvel of a hotel is located directly across the street from Disneyland and has recently been completely remodeled with your comfort and an eye toward the luxury of the past in mind. The Anaheim Hotel has the largest pool in the area, a comfortable jet-set lounge, and one of the most popular (and best) pizza restaurants in Southern California.

Call reservations at 714-772-5900 and ask for the “MiceChat Rate.”

Breakfast Moving from Rancho del Zocalo to Fantasyland

Rumors are that changes are afoot on the breakfast front. If everything holds up, on February 7th, breakfast will move to the Red Rose Taverne in Fantasyland. There will apparently be an all-new menu.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
On Saturday morning I tried the Chilaquiles for the first time. I thought they were really good. On Sunday morning I had the Steamboat Breakfast. The eggs and sausage were good, but the pancakes were bricks.
, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
This is the line for the traditional American breakfast items.
, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
This was the line for the Mexican-inspired dishes. I can see why Disney would want to try serving breakfast at another location.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

[clickToTweet tweet=”What’s your favorite breakfast item at #Disneyland?” quote=”What’s your favorite breakfast item at #Disneyland?” theme=”style3″]

Star Wars Land Construction

The mountains of Star Wars land are now quite prominent. But they also look like they are going to fit into the landscape just fine when viewed from Big Thunder Trail and Critter Country.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

From outside the berm looking in, the show buildings are now fully enclosed with constant work going on inside and out.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
The Battle Escape show building has a red border for some reason.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

New Parking Structure

Some preliminary work is being completed for the new parking structure which will be built on top of the surface lot next to Mickey and Friends parking structure.

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World

Congratulations Gumball Rally Stars!

Dusty will have the full results of our 2018 Gumball Rally later this week, but I wanted to share a few photos and the top 10 placing teams!!!

, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
From left: 3rd Place – From The Land Behind The Eyes, 1st Place – Red Rose Painters,  2nd Place: Tipsy Teacups!
, Disneyland Photo Update – Wally World
Top 10 teams

[social_warfare buttons=”Total”]

The top ten teams were:

  • 4th Place –  Team Blackjack
  • 5th Place – Axes of Power
  • 6th Place – Pink Striped And Full With Advice 
  • 7th Place – Coolant Runnings
  • 8th Place – Bibbidi Boppidi Booze
  • 9th Place – The FlamingOs 
  • 10th Place – Painting The Gumballs Red

The Rally was PACKED with teams this year. Here they are in front of the gates to Star Wars land:

Don’t miss the next fantastic Gumball Rally folks. Get your name on the info list.




That’s all for today’s update. I would like to thank the Howard Johnson’s Anaheim Resort and Water Playground for making this update possible. They provided me with a very comfortable room located just across the street from the Matterhorn! They’d like you to know that they are offering special low rates for MiceChat readers HERE.

And this isn’t all. I’ve got even more photos and news for you later this week!

Have a great week!
All of us on the Disneyland Photo Update crew would like to thank you for joining us today. Please share your thoughts below!

 

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PhotoMatt
Matt frequents Disney's parks on both coasts and enjoys sharing his images with all of you.