Everything old is new again at Disneyland as a historic sign is temporarily replaced by an even more historic one. Plus, Halloween Time announcements, Emotional Whirlwinds, and lots of little updates and projects all over the resort just in time for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge next month!
Galaxy’s Edge Reservations
Disneyland Resort hotel guests began receiving confirmations today that they would receive admission to Galaxy’s Edge on the opening weekend. Unfortunately, some of those messages included incorrect days and information. As a result, the resort customer service lines are swamped with clarification requests.
For the rest of us, reservations will begin on May 2 at 10 a.m. PT (additional information will be posted about the process at 8am). You must have a Disneyland website account to register for a reservation, so be sure to create one before registration opens. You may also need valid admission media. And in case you need the passes for those in your traveling party, we recommend recording all the pass numbers of your immediate party before attempting to make your reservation.
Runaway Mickey
In Marketing 101 you learn to bury bad news on a Friday and save the good news for high traffic days. Strangely, Disneyland has lately been releasing big news on Fridays. This past Friday they announced the long-rumored Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway for ToonToon. The attraction is set for a 2022 opening.
Here’s the story we ran on Friday:
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Announced for ToonTown at Disneyland
Adventureland Sign
We’ve been telling you since January that the Adventureland sign would be removed and reworked to eliminate the major traffic obstruction across from the Tiki Room. That finally happened last week. . . But something really cool has shown up in its place until the main sign can be returned.
The little sign was once perched atop the Tahitian Terrace to greet Jungle Cruise riders as they returned to civilization. It’s a neat nod to history while the Frontierland sign is slightly reworked and reinstalled.
At first, the sign was removed, but the obstruction remained. Then, a day later, it was removed as well.
Earlier in the week, only a small wall and a few supports were still up, but by the end of the week, the entire sign and infrastructure were pulled down.
The little alcove which caused most of the traffic obstruction is gone. All the work is being done at night when the park is closed. Hopefully, the old sign will return soon, but we’re very happy to have a little bit more traffic flow on the bridge.
Halloween Flip-Flop
Here’s a story we’ve been following for two years. Disneyland has long been working on moving the bulk of the Halloween activities and parties from Disneyland to California Adventure. But, due to World of Color going down for an unexpectedly long refurbishment, the party couldn’t be moved. But, now it’s official, Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland has been replaced by Oogie Boogie Bash at DCA.
Oogie’s party will host a new Mickey stage show, World of Color Villainous, a Descendants themed dance party, a parade, and a villains walk-through experience at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. As for Halloween at Disneyland, Haunted Mansion Holiday will be returning, but there hasn’t been a confirmation of Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy or Halloween Screams fireworks yet.
MiceChat will be having a meetup for Halloween this year to check out the new offerings. If you’d like to join us, buy a ticket for opening night, Tuesday September 17th. We’ll be posting more information about the meet on MiceChat Facebook Event Page.
Tickets go on sale April 23rd for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Visa card holders. The general public has to wait until April 30th for tickets. Set your alarm and buy your tickets for opening night with MiceChat!
Aladdin Preview
The Opera House swapped a flying elephant for a flying carpet this week and is now showing a sneak peek of the upcoming live-action Aladdin film.
Inside, you’ll find a few props from the film.
DISNEYLAND
Project Stardust
A lot of stardusting is happening around Disneyland in preparation for next month’s debut of Galaxy’s Edge. Upon entering the park, you might notice the Mad Hatter facade getting a quick refurb.
Heading down the street, the Hub is still full of walls as work continues on the ongoing curb lowering and planters.
If you need Guest Relations, they’ve moved to a spot between the entrances to Frontierland and Adventureland while their time board is behind walls.
As for the castle, it will be returning May 27th, just in time for Galaxy’s Edge crowds.
Fantasyland
Walls are still up on the Fantasyland side of the castle.
Peter Pan’s queue space received a nice bump in space with the removal of a planter. The area may flow a little better once the rest of the walls are removed.
Tomorrowland
All the area around Pizza Planet, Space Mountain, and Path of the Jedi is walled up as facade and potentially planter work is completed.
The attractions and Pizza Planet are still operating, but you’ll have to find your way around the walls.
A look through the fence shows some resurfacing in the queue area of the theater.
Pizza Planet will be going down for a quick refurbishment next month.
Hungry Bear and Pathway to Galaxy’s Edge
Work continues on the far side of Hungry Bear and the future entrance to Galaxy’s Edge.
Frontierland
While the work on the walkway between Adventureland and Frontierland has finished up, facade refurbishment is still ongoing on the shops in Frontierland.
Further down on Big Thunder Trail, there’s a small box around part of the smoking area.
Smoking will be banned throughtout the Disneyland Resort beginning May 1st.
More info about the smoking and stroller changes:
DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Emotional Whirlwind Construction Progress
This past week saw the installation of a facade for the Inside Out attraction coming to Pixar Pier.
It looks a bit like Splitsville is missing some bowling balls, but overall this attraction should be really cute when the whole thing comes together.
Pixar Pier Character Enhancements
The characters from the Pal-A-Round have found their way to the benches just across from the attraction.
These remain the oddest planters in the park as they are all open on one side.
Marvel Land Construction
In the Marvel Land construction area, vertical construction is happening near the upcoming Spider-Man attraction.
It seems to stretch pretty far back into the land, running the length of the Spider-Man ride building.
The one piece of wall that was sticking up near Guardians looks like it’s gone now.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic Construction
PhilharMagic is still being installed at the Muppet Theater Sunset Showcase. It’s meant to open in “April,” of which there are only a few days left of.
A Fond Farewell to Food and Wine
It was a very popular festival this year. Even on days when the parks weren’t as crowded, there were still lines for the booths.
Did you have a chance to check out the festival this year? What were the hits and misses for you?
REFURBISHMENTS
Astro Orbitor Has Finally Returned
When we visited earlier in the week, Astro Orbitor was still walled up.
By the weekend, Astro Orbitor had missed its opening date twice now but is now open.
Unfortunately, some sort of incident occurred on Sunday when a piece of the attraction seemed to fall off. We caught the incident being investigated. No word yet on if the attraction has reopened.
Silly Symphony Swings Progress
Silly Symphony Swings is still entirely in pieces atop its perch in Paradise Park.
From above, we can see that it is being reassembled currently with the main anchor back in place.
Here’s the full refurbishment list:
Disneyland
- Alien Pizza Planet: May 13th-May 23rd
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: May 16th-23rd
- Casey Jr. Circus Train: April 29th-May 23rd
- The Briar Patch Gift Shop: April 15th-May 4th
- Café Orleans: May 6th-16th
- The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln: May 28th
- The Disney Gallery: May 28th
- Minnie’s House: April 30th-May 2nd
- Storybook Land Canal Boats: April 29th-May 23rd
California Adventure
- Red Car Trolley: April 1st, 2019-2020
- Silly Symphony Swings: March 4th-May 23rd
- Rita’s Baja Blenders: April 7th-27th
This and That
Interestingly, the Golden Horseshoe is still serving a Valentine’s Day sundae as well as two mini ice cream sandwiches that look perfect for the warmer weather we’re having in SoCal lately.
Over at the Tropical Hideaway, I wonder what happened to Rosita? It looks like one of the Golden Girls sofa cushions was placed over her perch.
The camera shop at California Adventure has strange operating hours. Mid day on Saturday they were closed. They don’t open until 4pm. We’ve been hearing that Disney wants to automate PhotoPass, perhaps this is a sign of things to come.
We noticed a strange mound near Grizzly River Run’s drop. It looks like they yanked some landscaping out and haven’t replaced it yet.
Environmentality Art Challenge
Over at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, the Environmentality Art Challenge is on display. It’s a challenge in acknowledgment of Earth Day, April 22, where cast members are given recyclable materials and tasked with creating an art piece.
This year the display was moved to the trail due to the Opera House being full of Aladdin preview props, but it fits in well here. The art pieces themselves are just as creative as always, we love this display every year!
BEYOND THE BERM
Pop-Up Disney
The Mickey themed photo-op museum will open later this week in Downtown Disney. You can visit beginning April 26th, but you’ll need a reservation. Tickets are $30 weekdays and $38 weekends.
Black Tap
Construction is getting close to finishing at Black Tap.
Signs are up and they’re looking spiffy and modern.
All of our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge content can be found at the following link:
Looking to plan your Galaxy’s Edge getaway? MiceChat has you covered with special discounts:
Hotels:
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Want more Disneyland? Dusty, Doug, Scott and Andy are back with a new MiceChat Podcast that takes you to Galaxy’s Edge and beyond!
Well, that does it for today, but we have another breaking news article for you tomorrow, so please check back.
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