Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

It was a wet Thanksgiving here in Southern California. But, for traditionally dry SoCal, there’s nothing quite as magical as a cloudburst, especially rain at Disneyland. Even with the holiday, there are a lot of projects announced and upcoming for the foreseeable future. So, here’s a little Black Friday surprise Disneyland Update for you . . . 

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

Disneyland Holiday Crowds

When we visited the day before Thanksgiving, our weather apps told us to dress for rain. Although that ended up being mostly wrong, the showers hit with force for Thanksgiving day, washing out the expected holiday crowds. The parks were even closed an hour early: 

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

Although many kids are out of school for Thanksgiving, that didn’t result in big crowds for the Resort.

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

For intrepid fans, the rains bring the gift of a beautifully reflective park and short waits.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

One interesting side-effect of rain is that the folks who are in the parks gravitate to indoor attractions and restaurants. On rainy days, Plaza Inn will sometimes assign seats to patrons. 

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

But if you could stand a day of soggy shoes, you were rewarded with waits like this one at Pirates: 

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

Fantasyland

The big news out of Fantasyland is the upcoming update to Snow White’s “Scary” Adventures. At the first of the year, the attraction will close to update the attraction to give it a happy ending and also to generally brighten various scenes. 

Here’s our coverage of the news: 

NEWS – Snow White’s Adventures to Be Less Scary at Disneyland

Tomorrowland

All sorts of projects continue in Tomorrowland . . . 

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

The gardens have all been fenced in at the entry to the land of Tomorrow.

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

But bigger changes are on the way. A vintage version of the land will be crafted in this area around the first of the year.  
, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update , Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise UpdateNearby, the entry murals have been under wraps for months. They don’t seem to have progressed much in weeks. The weather required the scrims to be rolled down briefly, exposing the project in the same exact condition it was in a few weeks ago during the Santa Ana winds: 

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update , Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

A new emergency exit stairwell continues construction near Space Mountain, But it also appears to have stalled. We haven’t noticed any appreciable change in this project in weeks.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update , Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

Did you catch David Koenig’s article about pressures to replace Autopia? 

David Koenig: Proposals to Replace the Disneyland Autopia Are Misguided

Toontown

Something BIG is coming to ToonTown. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway construction continues to level backstage buildings in preparation for major vertical construction in 2020.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update
Some of the ToonTown hills were removed weeks ago to make way for construction equipment.
, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update
The iconic ToonTown sign behind Mickey’s house remains.

But just behind Mickey and Minnie’s houses, construction crews continue to remove backstage facilities and prep the area for a huge new show building.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

Star Wars Land

We couldn’t wait to get our first looks at Star Wars land in the rain. While there weren’t many crowds, folks still lined up for Oga’s Cantina. 

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update , Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update , Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update
The Kowakian Monkey Lizard stall has to close in the rain as it is completely uncovered.
, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update
Here’s a panorama of the pathway that runs parallel to the Marketplace. Just a handful of visitors in sight.

But Oga’s was still hopping . . .

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

I heard someone yell out “Oh look, Baby Yoda.” So I ran over to see.  Sadly, it’s just regular Yoda merchandise that looks like Baby Yoda (The Child) from a distance. Still cute, though these aren’t new.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update , Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

Mickey & Friends

It’s been a bit since we visited Mickey and Friends for a look at the construction and place-making there. The new Mickey icon ball has been installed to make it easier for guests to find the right escalators. There’s a Pixar ball near the escalator to the Pixar garage.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

New signs mark the levels and tell you which garage you are parked in.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update Giant mesh panels have been installed on the facade of Mickey and Friends near the escalators to bring it more in line with the look of the new Pixar Pals structure.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

And the new Elevator bank STILL isn’t complete.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

Thanksgiving Turkey

It was a messy Thanksgiving for those dining at Tortilla Jo’s in Downtown Disney as guests were evacuated from the restaurant into the rain for a fire alarm.  

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update


Gumball Rally 2020

Well, folks, it’s that time of year for you to schedule time off and make travel arrangements for the upcoming world-famous Gumball Rally! It’s a full day adventure at Disneyland to see who can ride the most attractions in a single day. It is set for February 8, 2020, and the ticket store is open! So grab a friend (or two, or three) and set up a team today.

If you attended D23 Expo this year, you may have seen our glorious first-place trophy featuring three attractions that turned 60 this year: the Matterhorn, the Subs, and the Monorail. Feast your eyes on the prize!

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update
The level of detail in this is insane! The trophy spins, plays music, lights up, and so much more!

Act fast, our early-bird ticket price must go up on Monday! 

You can find more info about Gumball Rally and purchase tickets HERE.


!!!Black Friday Disneyland Tickets and Travel Specials!!!

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

MiceChat and Get Away Today bring you the best theme park travel deals. Don’t miss our current Disney holiday travel deals from Get Away Today – HERE

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update
Black Friday Travel Deals NOW Available!

This year, give the gift of travel and save even more with MiceChat. Be sure to use our links (or mention MiceChat when you call) for the lowest prices.  AND – Here’s a special MiceChat extra. Use promo code MCD23 for an extra $10 off 2+ night rooms/tickets.  

Get The Deals:

Let’s hear from you!

Does a Thanksgiving in the rain at Disneyland sound like a blessing or a curse to you? Do you like the new look for Tomorrowland? Is a lighter tone for Snow White needed or unnecessary? 

, Disneyland News – Black Friday Surprise Update

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Dusty Sage
Dusty is the founder and CEO of MiceChat.com. When he's not visiting theme parks and writing, editing or speaking about Disney and theme parks worldwide, Dusty is involved in multiple Disney related projects and charities. He helped save and restore the charming Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, launched the Dick Van Dyke Foundation, and is the curator of Walt Disney's historic 1930's estate in Hollywood. If you've got news or photos to share with the MiceChat community, or would like to book Dusty for an upcoming event, please contact [email protected]