It was a busy weekend for the Disneyland Resort as tens of thousands of fans showed up for the biennial D23 Expo. And even as Bob Chapek revealed new project after new project from the Hall D23 stage in the Anaheim Convention Center, there was a bunch of significant work going on throughout the Disneyland Resort as well. So I packed my Expo badge in my back pocket and headed to Disneyland. So, let’s take a look at Tomorrowland rock removal, construction around the parks, the newly named Marvel land and much more, there’s a lot to cover. So buckle up, and let’s get started!
2019 D23 Expo Coverage
Every day of the D23 Expo was filled with news and exciting updates for all things Disney around the world. If you’re not up to speed on what was announced (and not announced that we all hoped would be) over the last few days (or just want to recap your experience if you were there) be sure to check out our D23 Round-up coverage to know what’s coming for all things Disney.
Disneyland Weekday Crowds
Although Disney’s Expo packed the parks and Downtown Disney for three days, the rest of the week was absolutely dead. And even yesterday, the Monday following the Expo, was not busy during the day. We really expected the conventioneers to take a day in the parks following the big show. But that does not appear to be what happened.
When heading into Disneyland this past week (Monday through Thursday), it was certainly still the slow season… with the slack in summer attendance, it feels like summer never really happened this year.
Taking a look at the Wait Times boards we can see just how empty the park is…
But one of the posted wait times caught my eye… In the image below you can see Millennium Falcon posted at 85 minutes…
…but heading straight over to the attraction we actually saw the time posted at 30 minutes at the attraction, and the actual wait was even less.
Over in DCA, the wait times tell a very similar story.
Crowds throughout the park are light during the day, HOWEVER . . .
The real crowds seem to show up starting around sunset, as the limited return of the Main Street Electrical Parade continues to pack them in for the first showing each evening.
Enough people show up that it occasionally shuts down the parking structures. So, we know that there are some things that will get people to show up in the parks . . . good entertainment! Which makes the current cutbacks in entertainment (and the lack of live entertainment in Star Wars land) all the more baffling.
Construction Projects
Tomorrowland Land
This week, Project Stardust’s curb lowering continues as the construction walls push further into the Hub and the french fry rocks.
Additionally, new signage has been placed on the construction walls.
Over the fence, it is quite a sight to see as not only is the curb being lowered and the pathway sloped, but Disney is finally pulling out the obstructive rocks at the front of Tomorrowland.
With the construction walls pushed beyond the curb, the Main Street Electrical Parade has to shift over a couple of feet to accommodate the work. As the Monorail recording says “some of the clearances ahead are a little tight.”
As floats make the very tight corner, they have to swing out further than usual.
But it all works out, with just a little less parade viewing room.
Adventureland
Work continues on what I presume are additional lighting elements to the Adventureland area.
On a positive note, additional tiki torches have been restored, adding much-needed light to the Adventureland Sign.
Avengers Campus
One of the many exciting announcements from D23 Expo this weekend was some of the details about Avengers Campus.
From the model, for Phase One, we can see the already existing buildings in the area plus a few new buildings that we have seen go vertical in recent weeks. Disney is set on opening this new land next year. For a quick round-up of the whole announcement, be sure to check out Andy’s article. Link below:
D23 Expo: Sneak peek at new Marvel-themed Avengers Campuses coming to California and Paris
Inside the park, more drywall continues to be installed on the Spider-Man show building.
According to Imagineering CM’s at the D23 Expo, the Red Car Trolley stop will be removed in front of the Guardians ride, and once Avengers Campus opens, DCA operations have been told to keep all Trolley activity to a minimum running through the campus. It should be interesting considering the model does not show the Trolley at all.
Sunset Showcase Theater
Over in Hollywood Land, Disney has finally installed the new marquee next to Award Wieners. The previous dining entrance for Award Wieners is being repurposed for a new entrance for Sunset Showcase. This should help increase traffic to the theater, at least in theory.
Note that the sign says “Sunset Showcase” and is not a permanent sign for PhilharMagic as was previously indicated by Disney. That likely means that Mickey’s PhilharMagic won’t be there forever.
Last night, the sign came alive with lights and animation. It adds a nice pop of color to the area and should grab people’s attention both night and day. What do you think the new sign?
Mickey and Friends Parking Structure
Over at the Mickey and Friends Tram plaza, brickwork is being laid as Disney is working at break-neck speed to get the fifth tram zone open. This week multicolored bricks were laid in the forested portion of the plaza.
While over at the fifth tram zone, the first of the new planters are being installed.
The new guest elevators for Mickey and Friends, the outer framework is currently being installed.
Other Projects:
New stuff announced for Disneyland at D23! A new parade arrives this spring. Plus the Rise of the Resistance attraction and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway are also in the works.
For additional coverage on the Mickey & Minnie’s: Runaway Railway, Rise of the Resistance, and Magic Happen Parade be sure to check out the link below.
Refurbishment Calendar
With the end of summer upon us, Disney has begun a slew of fall attraction refurbishments as it preps for the busiest time of the year. The first big casualty is the Haunted Mansion as it begins the annual “Hall Wrecking” that Jack Skellington reckons.
Currently Under Refurbishment:
- Red Car Trolley: April 1st, 2019-2020
- Golden Zephyr: August 25th-31st
- Haunted Mansion Holiday Transformation: August 26th-September 5th
Upcoming Refurbishment:
- Hyperspace Mountain: August 28th & September 19th
- Sailing Ship Columbia: September 9th-12th
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh September 16th-26th
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island: September 16th-19th
- Mark Twain River Boat: September 23rd-26th
Halloween Decorations
Around the parks, Halloween decorations are starting to float in.
Frontierland
Over in Frontierland, Ray Bradbury’s Halloween Tree has started to take shape. Lights now adorn the tree. From a distance, the holiday lights almost look like chili peppers.
Cars Land
Jumping parks, over in Cars Land, the additional telephone poles have now been installed along the roadway so they can string up the lug wrench cobwebs.
Trees throughout the land start are getting holiday lights.
Galaxy’s Edge Music
Over the weekend Disney released DJ R3X’s Playlist #1. During the expo, Guests in the Music and Sounds of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge received a physical card with a QR code link to the music on Apple Music. You can also listen to it on Spotify:
Light Them Up
Around the Hub, the temporary construction boxes that we spotted a few weeks ago around the Hub gardens have been removed as 8 new lamps have been installed symmetrically around the hub making the lamp count now at 12.
The lights are spaced with two on each walkway corner with an additional one in the center of each garden space. You can easily tell the new lamps based on the fact they don’t have the metal braces for the hanging flowers yet.
Also over in Tomorrowland, three new lamp posts have been installed. These poles sit in the recently changed area due to Project Stardust last year.
At night they do a pretty good job covering the area without being overly bright.
They have also added tables to the area. This area was carved out of the old Honey I Shrunk the Audience queue to become stroller parking during pre-Galaxy’s Edge star-dusting. We like this a lot better.
Trash??
Over in DCA, the Sporky Photo Opp has been removed. Hopefully, he hasn’t found the trash can…
ODV At Night
Also in DCA, the Outdoor Vending department has unveiled new merchandise carts that hold the nighttime light-up toys. They look a bit strange but appear to be pretty functional.
Nighttime Dinner Run
On a different note, on a recent trip, one of our readers noted the confusing signs around the west side of the park if you are looking for late evening dining.
Starting at River Bell, we were greeted with a check over at Rancho del Zocalo.
Over at Zocalo, we caught at the sign saying please visit the Plaza Inn, so we headed over there.
Once we reached Plaza Inn, we were greeted by the sign: Plaza Inn is closed, with no further instruction of other food locations being open. The closest food locations we found to be still open was Refreshment Coner and Jolly Holiday Cafe.
Disney needs to update the signage at these food locations so they are not sending guests on a wild goose chase. I also find it odd that Disney is leaving money on the table as Jolly Holliday closes with the park, while Refreshment Corner (with their very limited menu) closes 30 minutes after the park closes.
MiceChat Disneyland Resort Halloween Party Meet-Up September 17th
The Halloween party at Disneyland is moving over to Disney California Adventure this year thanks to Oogie Boogie—and we’ll be making the opening night (Tuesday, September 17th) extra special with an official MiceChat Meetup. We’ll trick or treat, catch the new World of Color, see the parade, and live it up with the villains throughout the night. Sadly, tickets are sold out! But if you already picked your’s up, we’d love for you to join us.
You can find out more information about our upcoming meets and events and meet-up locations by adding your name to our event list here:
Send Me MiceChat Disneyland Halloween Meet-Up Info
Already have your ticket? Join our Facebook event here!
Micechat’s Gumball Rally-February 8th, 2020
Ladies and Gentelmen…its time once again to throw your team’s hat into the ring to become the next Gumball Rally Campion! And take a look at this year’s 1st place trophy which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Matterhorn, Monorail and Submarine Voyage:
What a beauty!
Who can ride the most Disneyland attractions in a single day? Could it be you? Let’s find out!
For tickets and more information be sure to check out the event page. Link Below
Disneyland Ticket Opportunity! 2020 at 2019 Prices!
MiceChat’s partners at Get Away Today offer you amazing savings on Disney tickets and travel from coast to coast! And they’ve JUST released their tickets and packages for 2020, so you can start booking now. But here’s the really great news, they’ve got Disneyland tickets for use throughout 2020 at the current price (no increase)! Lock in the discounted rates right now (before they go up) for travel through the end of next year!!!
There are a lot of great things coming up . . . Halloween, Christmas, opening of Rise of the Resistance, Lunar New Year celebration, Food & Wine Festival, Marvel Land opening, and more. Lock in the savings now!
MiceChat Knott’s Scary Farm VIP Event- September 28th, 2019
Join us in the fog-shrouded streets of Ghost Town for the lucky 13th annual MiceChat Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt. We are working with the great folks of Knott’s Berry Farm to make this the to-die-for event of the season! Leave the real world behind and enter a hazy dream-land of spooky fun with fellow MiceChat readers.
INCLUDES:
– Admission into Knott’s Scary Farm
– Meet and greet with maze designers
– Backstage tour of TWO mazes before the Haunt
– All you can eat private Pre-scare Boo-fet dinner
– Early entry into Haunt**
– Unlimited front of the line access to all mazes
– Front of line for Fastlane rides
– A bone-chilling night of MiceChat fun
** A select number of mazes will be available for early access
We have only a handful of tickets left. Be sure to grab yours today!
We have had a blast at D23 Expo 2019. And I really enjoyed meeting everyone and definitely cannot wait until 2021!
Be sure to return tomorrow as our Florida team will have the full coverage of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World!
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