Time never stands still at the Disneyland Resort and this week was no exception. Since our last update a brand new pedestrian bridge has opened, linking the new parking structure to Downtown Disney. Tomorrowland’s entry continues to transform. Halloween time has helped with the attendance problem at Disneyland. And Marvel land continues to race toward a summer 2020 opening.
Parking Structure Pedestrian Bridge Finally Open!
It’s now a whole lot easier to get to and from Downtown Disney if you’re parking in the Mickey and Friends or Pixar Pals parking structures, the pedestrian bridge that crosses Magic Way is now open. It’s located near the escalators on the second floor of the Pixar Pals structure.
If you’re coming to or from Magic Way, there’s a convenient stairwell to access the bridge as well.
There’s a lot of signage to point you in the right direction.
There are also pathways to Downtown Disney on the ground level.
More new signage may be on the way, there are supports installed for it.
Even with the bridge, it’s still a pretty long walk. There’s a lot of greenery here, but not all of it is tall enough to create shade, so expect a hot walk during some of these warm Anaheim Fall days.
Eventually, you end up at the normal Downtown Disney security gate near the old ESPN Zone.
Trevor takes us on a walk across the new bridge and shows us what’s going on in Downtown Disney, including the delicious new Funnel Cakery!
Taking the Final Bow
Two popular live shows ended operation this week, Laughing Stock at the Golden Horseshoe and the Pixarmonic Orchestra at Pixar Pier.
Laughing Stock played to a standing room only crowd at GHS on Saturday. They had been performing at the Golden Horseshoe for 10 years, and now the stage is unfortunately dark.
During the final performance, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
According to entertainment cast members, a new show of dueling pianos may make its way to the saloon in the coming months. One can only hope.
The Pixarmonic Orchestra started playing during Pixar Fest in the well-shaded Paradise Gardens stage just last year. Their show became popular during that promotion and when Pixar Pier officially opened, they were moved to the unshaded performance shell across from the Pixar Pal-A-Round.
While their location in the Pixar Promenade was plagued with a lack of shelter and oppressive heat, guests still would stop to enjoy this charming show.
Both shows were the type of unique appeal that fans have come to expect of Disneyland entertainment and are an unfortunate loss. We hope that new shows are in development, too much live entertainment has ended recently at the resort.
More Halloween Goodies
Monsters After Dark
The popular Monsters After Dark overlay for Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout returned this year and unsurprisingly, it’s commanding big wait times. During the day, the ride plays the normal Guardians show, but at around 3pm the attraction goes down for a quick change over to Monsters After Dark.
We’re still pretty impressed that the attraction can feel as different as it does with just a few tweaks to lighting and effects.
The original song for Monsters After Dark is definitely a unique sound for a Disney park. It’s not often that you hear heavy metal at Disney.
Note that on October 31st, Monsters After Dark will play all day, not just after 3pm.
Hotels Decorations
All three hotels at the Disneyland Resort are dressed for the season with some new surprises, a few tentacles hanging around, and an unexpected “guest” who might follow you around.
Oogie Boogie is spending this season camped out in the lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel. He’s mean, green, and edible!
Ursula has stolen the poor unfortunate main floors of the Paradise Pier Hotel. Her tentacles are inflatable and the sea witch inspired ambiance is a nice change.
Meanwhile, the Happiest Haunts have taken over the Disneyland Hotel and will follow you back to your room. We were surprised to find them awaiting us in the elevator as well as by the pool. Disney has pulled a few surprises out of the Halloween hat this year.
AP Corner
Annual Passholders have something new to look forward to. AP Corner, which is located on the 2nd Floor of the Star Wars Launch Bay (former Inventions and Carousel of Progress), is open until September 30. Visit and get an exclusive AP Halloween magnet (one per passholder) and don’t miss the Oogie Boogie photo op while you are there. Also, two collectible buttons will be available on Sept 15 and Sept 22 (one button per week per passholder). AP corner is open daily 11:00 am to 5:00 pm (you’ll need a valid annual pass is to enter).
Halloween Time Food
Did someone say food? Halloween inspired treats have popped up throughout the Disneyland Resort. Check out our video below and then head over to our MiceChat Guide here for more eats and treats!
Savory and sweet treats have landed at Disneyland:
And our holiday treat guide:
The MiceChat Guide to Disneyland’s Best Halloween Eats and Treats
Halloween Merchandise
A selection of apparel, accessories, decor and more is available throughout the Resort so you can take Disney’s version of the holiday home with you.
Popcorn buckets, sippers and bobbles galore . . .
Jack Sipper Cup
This is the hot ticket for the season. A Jack Skellington sipper.
Construction Kingdom
There are some interesting projects for us to explore.
Tomorrowland Construction
The Tomorrowland entrance project has expanded throughout the week. During several days this week, the Buzz Lightyear side of the Astro Orbitor was completely full of walls and became a dead end. By this weekend, new walkways were laid in that space and re-opened. Now the Plaza Inn side of the entrance is behind walls, leading to a tight walkway in the middle.
The lowered curb on the Buzz Lightyear side is open now, with the rest of the (french-fry rock-less) planter and infrastructure building still behind walls. The walkway will help tremendously with the increased crowds during nighttime entertainment.
There’s a new pattern to the concrete, brick and pavers in the area.
The Plaza Inn side of the Tomorrowland entrance should be completed much more quickly than the Buzz Lightyear side because there isn’t equipment to remove or hide as there was on the opposite side.
And while the walls have squished in a bit, the construction around the Buzz side of the entrance is still very much ongoing. We’re wondering what exactly will be done with the small equipment structure that was previously hidden by the rock work.
Star Tours Façade
Work is still ongoing on the Star Tours facade. There is some new color in the wrap, so we’re wondering if the color scheme of the building will be altered.
Adventureland Construction
Enhancements to the Adventureland sign are still ongoing. The right side of the sign is receiving a thatched hut similar to the original version.
Looks like they’ve finished the water re-route and can begin construction on the building itself.
Matterhorn Construction
following the collapse of a piece of the Matterhorn facade, half of the mountain was shut down for repairs. Progress has been made on the fix and construction scrims shifted this week.
Avengers Campus (Marvel Land)
Construction is fast and furious in the future Marvel land in Disney California Adventure.
Time is ticking away. By late spring, they’ll need to have this area complete. And while that might have seemed like a tall order a month ago, things are looking quite promising now.
Mickey and Friends Parking Structures
Even with the Bridgeway now open, there is even more work going on at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure.
Tram Plaza
The majority of the new tram plaza is now open to the public. This includes Tram Zone 1, which handles the transfer of guests who need the use of a wheelchair.
Construction fences still surround two areas closer to Mickey And Friends escalators.
Looking through the fence near the Daisy escalator, we can see a spot for a new statue. This new icon will help guests distinguish Mickey and Friends from Pixar Pals. The Pixar lot has a large Luxo Ball statue, we assume something Mickey related will go here.
At the time we shot this update, the Daisy level was closed off to regular guests as Disney allows Cast Members to park on that level.
With the pedestrian bridge now open, guests from street level can now access the structure by crossing the Parking Structure Bridge.
Parking Structure Elevator Project
The other major thing happening at Mickey and Friends is the construction of two more elevator shafts. This long-overdue enhancement will be much appreciated by parents with strollers and those who have difficulty with stairs and escalators.
Refurb Calendar
Today marks the first day of Winnie the Pooh’s Refurbishment.
Here’s the full refurbishment calendar:
Currently Under Refurbishment:
- Red Car Trolley: April 1st, 2019-2020
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: September 3rd-16th (for Villains Lair installation)
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: September 16th-26th
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island: September 16th-19th
- Hyperspace Mountain: September 19th
- Mark Twain River Boat: September 23rd-26th and starting October 28th
- it’s a small world Holiday Install: October 21st-November 8th
- Matterhorn Bobsleds: October 21st-25th and starting October 28th
This and That
Halloween Screams Projections
Last week we shared images of the wonderful Halloween Screams fireworks. But the show only offers pyrotechnics on weekends. During the week, the show is presented with projections only. Unfortunately, subpar animation and a lack of fireworks leave many guests unsatisfied. “When are the fireworks?” is a common question asked of the cast members immediately following the show, guests don’t seem to realize that fireworks are weekend only.
On the positive side, as a result of no fireworks on weekdays, Toontown is open until park closing on those days. It’s always nice to be able to walk on to Roger Rabbit and see Mickey with no wait.
What do you folks think? Should they even do a show when there are no fireworks?
Arendelle Aqua
Although Frozen 2 isn’t slated to hit theaters until late November, its icy color scheme has invaded the Halloween season as of Friday the 13th (with AP previous on the 10th). This shade of Aqua is the newest addition to Disney’s color theme craze. Along with spirit jerseys, backpacks, tee shirts, and accessories, this collection brought forth the debut of itty bitty belt bags that match the ‘full-sized’ Loungefly bags.
Main Street Electrical Parade Closing in 2 Weeks
Although it has been packing in the evening crowds, The Main Street Electrical Parade will be glowing away again on September 30th. Will you miss it?
And . . . don’t forget your travel deals
Halloween Ticket and Travel offer to Disneyland, and Kids Free in San Diego!
Here are some links that you can use to promote our current Halloween Time specials and Kids Free Month for San Diego:
And that’s our look at the Disneyland Resort for this week. Will you be taking the tram or using the new pedestrian bridge to walk to the parks? Will you miss The Main Street Electrical Parade when it is unplugged? What do you make of the cutbacks to Entertainment in the parks?
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