It’s the off-season at Disneyland, the park has removed (most) of the holiday decor, and crowds are less than insane. We’d normally expect not much more going on than refurbishments and construction, but this was a busy week. Let’s take our purple potion pills and prepare to mix it up with Mickey . . .
Refurbishment-land
Disney has a lot of work to complete between now and Spring Break . . . followed shortly thereafter by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
So let’s kick this update off with walls, walls, walls . . .
Town Square
As you enter the park, you can’t miss 2 sets of construction walls. One set of walls is in front of the Emporium, and the other surrounds the garden space that holds the water fountain in front of City Hall.
While some brickwork & repair is going on, we hope that it’s not also for a reduction of garden space as has happened throughout the rest of the park.
And for the keen eye, the Indian Chief statue in front of the 20th Century Music Shop, has been moved over a couple feet to allow for some brick repair.
Castle
This is the one that hurts. The castle is behind construction walls for a repaint and roof repair until “Spring”. You can’t spend a minute in this area without hearing guests express their disappointment. Since this is Disneyland’s most photographed spot, it’s too bad that they didn’t create some temporary photo opportunities in this area to make up for the lost Castle shots. But we are thrilled that the castle is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Disney will be doing an estimated $300K of repair. You could build a new house for that in most of the country.
And let’s do the spy thing . . . don’t get too excited . . . yet . . .
Through the fence we can see construction equipment being installed around the base of the castle in the now dammed and drained moat.
Signs around the castle read that the only way to Fantasyland is either around Big Thunder or the Parade Route along the Matterhorn.
As we can see the direct walkway to Snow White’s Grotto is blocked…
…but around to the side, there is access just to the Grotto but a construction wall stops you from entering the castle.
And around the entire castle, we can see a ton of the actual problems that break the fantasy like…
Coming around the back of the castle we can see the blocked passageways…
…but the passageway to both Fantasy Faire and over to Frontierland, as of the time of this writing, is still open. As well as the Castle Walkthrough and the Castle Gift Shop are both open as well. Disney has announced both the Walkthrough and Gift Shop will close for refurbishment as well on Thursday, January 17th, and I would bet that the passageway that is still open around the castle will then close as well.
Hopefully, during the refurbishment, they can take some time to freshen up the dioramas in the walkway as they are starting to show their age.
Astro Orbitor
The Astro Orbitor is also closed until “Spring”. The construction wall takes up a lot of space and is decorated with signs showing the history of the attraction here at Disneyland and around the world.
The attraction should return around Spring Break.
And for historical picture posts of our attraction…
Haunted Mansion
Back in New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion is closed to remove its Holiday Overlay. Our Ghost Host will return to his regular duties on January 18th.
Dusty made an interesting observation that benches around Magnolia Park have not been brought back. Perhaps the park is no longer considered anything other than overflow for the Mansion.
And for quick reference here are a few of the upcoming refurbishments…
Fireworks???
Over this last weekend, Disney filled the entertainment hole left in-between Christmas fireworks and the upcoming Mickey’s Mix Magic, with Fantasy In the Sky.
But on Thursday night we caught Disney testing the upcoming Mickey “firework” show. The street had suits with cameras and video equipment ready to record the show. Meanwhile, Main Street closed early with the park (instead of staying open for an additional hour for your shopping convenience) so the suits could test that show at a reasonable hour and not upset the neighbors.
Unfortunately, we had to preview the show from outside the park as all the paying guests were ushered out. From what we could make out, Mickey’s Mix Magic will be a short 10-minute projection show, and on select nights will have fireworks in addition to projections.
Disney has also released the music from the show on iTunes and Spotify. What do you think?
Show Playlist:
- It’s a Good Time
- I Wanna Be Like You
- Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat
- Friend Like Me
- Grim Grinning Ghosts
- Un Poco Loco
- Let It Go
- It’s a Good Time (Finale)
Ballast Point Soft Opens
Outside the park, in Downtown Disney, Ballast Point soft-opened over the weekend, and will officially open on Wednesday this week. We will have a full review later this week but we were able to try the place out…
Our initial impression was positive. The prices aren’t insane, there’s a little something for everyone, and the views are great. Check back with us on this one folks, we have a lot more to share.
Monorail: Under Wraps
Disney has pulled Monorail Red and Orange off the line and put the newly rewrapped Monorail Blue back into service with images of classic Mickey adorning both sides of the train.
Purple Is The New Gold
On Friday this week, Disney launched their new hot color . . . Purple . . .
And now for the food…
And even more treats will be available by this weekend…
So, is Rose Gold dead? Is purple the new pink? So many important questions.
Star Wars Land Construction
Progress continues on the massive new land coming this summer. We can see just a few peaks left with scaffolding on them.
Outside the land, we can see the scaffolding a little more clearly.
The large service entrance on the side of the building has now been fully sealed up.
On the side of the land, we can see more landscaping taking place.
The view of Star Wars from Toontown is prominent but unfortunately does break the fantasy of the toon world. I’m pretty sure that if the situation was reversed, and you could see ToonTown from Star Wars land, folks wouldn’t be as accepting of this situation. Also is there is the fact you can see those ugly supports holding up the spires, it reminds of the terrible job of hiding Radiator Springs Mountain Range Backside from roadways around the resort, it’s a real shame too.
This and That
This week Party Print Balloons have been popping around the park.
Although the Holidays are over, decorations were still up in Frontierland, Critter Country, Tomorrowland, and over in Grizzly Peak in California Adventure when I shot these photos. They should be mostly gone now.
Back in Disneyland, in New Orleans Square, the Christmas decorations have been put away and the remaining decorations will be transformed into Mardi Gras.
it’s a small world Holiday won’t close for removal until next Tuesday, the 22nd.
Just across from the ride, will Disney ever remove this stupid fence? It looks ridiculous now that both sides are on stage!
Let’s head inside…
Even though the Holidays have ended, the crowds have not quite got the message yet.
Cups Galore
One of the interesting things this week is the mishmash of paper cups and plates around the resort. At some quick service restaurants, Pixar cups are being served… while at others they’re using brown (ugly) Disney Quote cups…
…and at others, red resort cups…
Hopefully, there will be some Mickey Celebration or Star Wars Land launch patterns coming soon.
Over in Tomorrowland, in the Magic Eye Theater, the Ralph Breaks the Internet preview is STILL playing even though the movie came out in November and this theater rarely has more than a small number of guests…
The most likely scenario is that they are still leaving this open to help promote the Disney Play App.
Star Tours has concluded their “test” for Single Rider line. It was not successful.
My main problem with the program was the waiting for Single Rider was positioned on the exit side which caused guest confusion and inefficiency in getting the single rider into the loading zone in time. Add wheelchairs waiting in narrow hallways, and it just didn’t gel.
MiceChat Anniversary weekend is next month! Join us for three days of events and activities. Don’t miss the Friday evening cocktail reception celebrating Disney super legend Buzz Price, our Sunday morning breakfast with David Koenig and the very first Disneyland tour guide, and our most affordable Gumball Rally ever, making this the PERFECT year for you to give it a roll. And please don’t miss the MiceChat Sunday meetup at Disneyland on February 10th . . . the event that started it all. All of the amazing events are listed below. Please help us spread the word. We can’t wait to see you!
TIP: Sign up for the Rally, then add the Combo Ticket Package for the best deal on Anniversary weekend. If you aren’t doing the Rally, the Combo Ticket Package (listed below) is your golden ticket to Anniversary Weekend magic!
The Buzz Way Cocktail Reception
Feb 8th, 7:30 – 9:30 PM – Wyndham Garden Hotel
A panel discussion and cocktail reception celebrating the great Buzz Price, the Disney super-legend who helped create the business model for Disneyland (and Walt Disney World) and discovered the land that the Happiest Place on Earth was built on. Joining us will be David Price, Buzz Price’s son and a themed entertainment star in his own right. David will have copies of his new book about his dad, which contains chapters written by theme park industry luminaries who worked with and were inspired by Buzz Price. The event will feature never-before-seen videos of Buzz and his thoughts on theme parks which will leave you wishing there were more men like him around today. We will also have a unique opportunity to pick up a copy of the book Buzz himself wrote which is now long out of print! Plus, Disney Imagineer Terri Hardin Jackson will be joining us!
The Hotel Indigo (the sister hotel to the Wyndham and immediately next door) is offering a special rate of $109 per night (for the nights of the 8th and 9th) with complimentary WiFi, Parking, and amenity gift. Contact [email protected] and request the MiceChat Anniversary rate.
Buzz event info and tickets HERE
Gumball Rally!
February 9th – 7am until 8pm
The world-famous Gumball Rally is rolling your way on Saturday, February 9th. Do you have what it takes to ride the most attractions at Disneyland in a single day?
Gather together a team of 2, 3, or 4 friends or family members and enjoy the most fun you’ve ever had at the Happiest Place on Earth.
This year’s Rally is inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion.
SPECIAL EARLYBIRD PRICING THROUGH JANUARY 15th ONLY – more than 50% off last year! We’ve been dying to have you.
Gumball Rally Links:
The First Tour Guide
Breakfast
Feb 10th, 8:30 AM – The Anaheim Hotel
Disneyland author, David Koenig, introduces us to the man who was Disneyland’s very first tour guide in the months before Disneyland even opened to guests. David will interview Bob D’Arcy and we’ll see images of Disneyland that no one has seen before. We’ll also have a chat with David about his own new book coming out and books will be available from Bob & David as well as some additional surprises!
Enjoy a traditional American breakfast of Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Seasoned Breakfast Potatoes, Assorted Pastries, Whole Fruit Display, Trinidad Regular & Decaf Coffee, Evolution Herbal Teas, and Water Station
This event will also serve as the Gumball Rally Award Party. The winning teams and special awards will be given out at this event. Gumball Rally event attendees will be given a special event discount so they can celebrate the winning teams (purchase the combo packages for deep discount).
Breakfast event info and tickets HERE SPECIAL
MICECHAT ANNIVERSARY TICKET COMBOS – (YOUR BEST VALUE)
Add both MiceChat Anniversary events and save $10 off our already low rates (buy the General Admission Combo Ticket). OR – Get VIP seating at both events and a special signed gift for just $20 more (buy the VIP Combo Ticket)
MiceChat Anniversary events Combo Tickets HERE
MiceChat Anniversary Noon Mega Meet
Sunday, February 10th
Disneyland
Don’t miss the event that started it all so many years ago. Join us for a classic noon meet up in the central hub of Disneyland. We’ll have lunch, then head off to experience what we call the “West Side Wonders”. This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion, so we’ll be sure to do that. And if time allows, we’ll also ride the Mark Twain, Pirates, see the Tiki Birds and much more. Disneyland is fun in a group (even if it’s a busy day). Chat, make friends, and have a wonderful time celebrating 16 years of MiceAge/MiceChat.
MiceChat has partnered with Get Away Today to provide you with discount tickets to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm and other southern California attractions. Click through and find yourself a deal – HERE.
That’s it for today but be sure to come back later this week as we have DCA, Downtown Disney, Mickey and Friends Structure update, as well as much more…
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