Another milestone for Disneyland has come and gone. After a missed 65th anniversary last year that left untold thousands of special merchandise items unsold, Disneyland celebrated a quiet 66th birthday on Saturday. For this year’s anniversary, there was a simple character cavalcade and some special treats for sale. While we were hoping to see something with a little more wow-factor, we were there anyway to celebrate the theme park that started it all and bring you the views and news from the Happiest Place on Earth.
Today’s Disneyland news update is a mixed bag of magical re-openings, the $#!& hitting the fan, and rapidly changing park conditions. This is one to read and share with your friends who may have a trip coming up soon.
Disneyland at 66
If you were at Disneyland on July 17th, you may have missed the fact that the park was celebrating a birthday. No buttons or cupcakes were handed out at the front gate as guests arrived, no special banners or bunting were strung on light posts, but there were a few small details to be found for those who looked.
The first guests to walk down Main Street were greeted by Cast Members who waved and clapped as the guests walked by. It was a nice gesture, but the number of Cast Members lining the street was just a small fraction of what was there for the 50th birthday and for Disneyland’s reopening on April 30th.
The characters did dress for the occasion, donning their recycled “Get Your Ears On” campaign outfits for the day.
An enhanced cavalcade with birthday show stops was performed twice.
Cupcakes and caramel apples were available for sale. 
But that was about it. They didn’t even do a special birthday tag at the end of fireworks as we had hoped might happen. But we did enjoy the fireworks view as we strolled through Frontierland…
But there was still some bigger news and additions to the parks this week…
Jungle Cruise OFFICIAL Reopening
The world famous Jungle Cruise soft opened last week, but it officially reopened on Friday, July 16th and held long lines all weekend.
Jungle Cruise attraction poster in Disneyland’s entry tunnel has been subtly altered to add the new lost party of adventurers.
In this blown up image, you can see the artist, bird watcher, bug collector, and photographer who have been run up a pole by a rhino.
There was also a popular new Jungle Cruise themed treats at Tropical Hideaway. The Jungle Cruise boat and pineapple split DOLE Whip sundae pulled in long lines to purchase the $25 treat.
Entertainment
We were able to catch the new cavalcades at DCA and Disneyland this past weekend. The performance times are not published anywhere, but we did notice that most Cast Members will give you the times if you ask.
Pixar Procession at Disney California Adventure:
And at Disneyland, singular parade floats have been navigating the parade route.
As well as character cavalcades…
Disney Jr. Live on Stage looks like it will be returning soon to Hollywood Land. A sign was recently placed in front of the theater…
Spooky and Festive Holidays Returning to the Disneyland Resort
Halloween is returning to Disneyland, DCA & Downtown Disney on September 3rd 2021. Haunted Mansion goes down on August 15th, and it returns with the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay on September 3rd.
The (Ticket Buying) Nightmare Before Oogie Boogie Bash
But the real scary thing about Halloween this year was a ticketing disaster for Disneyland. Once again, Disneyland’s online ticketing system performed poorly when tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash went on sale at 9am on July 13th. Most people had to wait multiple hours for the chance to purchase tickets, and once they did, they received a screen showing that there was an error in the purchase process, but the money had been charged to their credit cards. Some people reported multiple charges and then had to give up if they no longer had available credit left. By early the next morning, you could easily buy tickets, and most dates were still available, but it took days of trying to contact customer service for many people to resolve their credit card issues. Our recommendation, based on the fact that this happens every time a new event goes on sale, is that if your dates are flexible, wait until the next day to try to buy tickets. Buying tickets during the initial rush is typically beyond frustrating.
This is the current availability for Oogie Boogie tickets as of Sunday night.
It’s Never Too Soon For Christmas
And hot on the heels of the Halloween announcements, Disney announced Christmas celebrations would be returning to Disneyland & Walt Disney World as well, though we are still waiting on details.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic Enhanced
Mickey’s Philharmagic at Disney California Adventure got a brand new Coco segment over the weekend. It’s a nice addition, but it brings attention to the fact that the rest of the film is in desperate need of being re-rendered. The animation of Mickey’s PhilharMagic isn’t even up to the quality of TV cartoons these days. But at least it still sounds good. With all that talent in Walt Disney Animation and Pixar, you’d think they could easily tackle the task of reanimating this rapidly aging show.
We didn’t notice anything different about the preshow.
The transition from Peter Pan to the new Coco segment is abrupt. You’ll immediately notice the quality difference between the scenes.
Another Reopening – Beast’s Library
The Animation Building has been reopening in stages. Another section reopened this past week, the books in Beast’s library once again asks “Do you enjoy having lunch with nice people, or having nice people for lunch?” to help determine what character you are most like.
The Sorcerers Workshop is now fully open except for the final Ursula’s Grotto segment which is used as a dressing room for Anna and Elsa.
You first pass through the Magic Mirror Realm (where you can make your own animated strip of paper), and then head into the Beast’s Library.
The Character Close-Up with Anna and Elsa is the only major area in the Animation Building that remains closed.
Refurbishments and construction:
Mickey’s Runaway Railway
There’s not much progress visible on the outside since our last update, but here’s a few pictures taken on July 17th.
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Resurfacing This Winter
Main Street Emporium Windows
We have noticed that they are doing a rolling refurbishment of the Main Street shop windows that display scenes from Disney animated features.
Avengers Campus Arc Reactor Barricades
Barricades were recently placed around the reactor at Avengers Campus. Nothing appears to be broken, and all the lights work, but there must be some sort of issue that requires guests to stay away.
Flo’s V8 Cafe Refurb
One of the two shade structures in front of the restaurant is completely shrouded in construction scrims.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Mystery
Last week we showed you images of the freshly reopened Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. It’s strangely closed again for another extended refurbishment through at least August (as far out as its calendar currently shows). It’s highly unusual for an attraction to reopen from refurbishment only to close a few days later for another long term refurbishment, so something more must be going on. We’ll keep an eye on this.
No one goes to the resort anymore because it’s so crowded
OK, that’s just a joke, but crowds have definitely returned, and it feels very close to the typical Summer crowds you remember from the past.
Many areas of the resort felt quite congested at times.
Disneyland Dining Updates
Character Dining is back! Well, at least in two locations. This week, the characters return to Plaza Inn at Disneyland and Storytellers at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
There’s no word yet on the return of Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel.
Mobile Order Update
In our experience, mobile order has been hit-or-miss. In some situations it works great. In others, not so much.
This was the line for mobile order pickup for the Mint Julep Bar. There was no Cast Member helping, and this was the pickup line after you were told your order was ready. There were crowds of people hanging around waiting for the app to tell them their order was ready. It really clogs an already busy area due to traffic from the restrooms, restaurant, and train. Mobile Order should be removed from this location as it only makes conditions here worse and not better.
This past weekend mobile order was removed from Tropical Hideaway. We don’t know if that was because of the special Jungle Cruise boat sundae or simply as a test to see if things worked better without Mobile order. But we MUCH preferred being able to just walk up when we were hungry and get in line.
Restaurant Reopening Status
Blue Bayou
Although the Blue Bayou reopened last month, it is still operating at reduced capacity, and will likely do so indefinitely. We ate there on Friday and learned that about 16 to 18 tables had been permanently removed. The number of servers stations had also been decreased. We also saw the new bar up close. It’s integrated well into the design of the restaurant. However, this isn’t your typical bar. You can’t order any drink you’d like here, just the ones already on the menu.
While there are far more tables in use now than when the restaurant reopened with just 9 tables, there’s still quite a few tables missing. They are also operating with limited kitchen staff, which can result in longer than normal waits for food.
Golden Horseshoe
The Golden Horseshoe reopens this week, but without entertainment.
Troubadour Tavern
We don’t know when the Troubadour Tavern will reopen, but we did spot stage hands working on lighting in the Fantasyland Theatre, and the rope blocking the entrance is now a row of planters. It’s a good sign that work is happening on the theater again.
Carnation Cafe
Carnation Cafe is the only table service restaurant at Disneyland that hasn’t reopened. It is currently being used as extra seating for folks who buy ice creams or Starbucks.
Royal Street Veranda
We also don’t know when the Royal Street Veranda will reopen. but we suspect that they are waiting for bread bowls (which could become available again in August). 
Toontown Food and Beverage
No food and beverage locations are open in Toontown right now.
Kat Saka Kettle
Kat Saka Kettle has returned to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Are you a fan of this mix of quirky flavors?
Pacific Wharf Bakery
There’s activity at last for the bakery. It appears the establishment is shooting to open or soft open by the last week or July.
Schmoozies Reopened
Smoothies are flowing again and some specialty shakes.
Refreshment Station
At DCA The Coke Freestyle area reopened (Grizzly behind the station wagon).
Boardwalk Pizza
But there’s still no word on the pizza place in Paradise Gardens.
Paper Straws going to Yesterland?
We have seen several restaurants handing out plastic bendy straws. We confirmed with several Cast Members that the change will roll out to the entire resort once the current supply of paper straws runs out. So much for environmentality.
The Columbia Sets Sail
The lady of the lake is sailing with guests once again. And since the Columbia was generally reserved for use on busy days only, you know that park capacity has returned to something near normal.
More Benches Have Returned to Main Street
Some of the MiceChat staffers have been worried about the lack of benches to sit and rest in various places in the park. Fortunately, the benches are slowly returning.
Mademoiselle Antoinette’s Parfumerie Reopens
If New Orleans Square smells a little sweeter, it’s likely because the perfume shop has reopened.
Good Night Banners During Closing
After the fireworks, the park has been hanging banners that say “Good Night” in several different languages. There is also a different music track that plays that is not the traditional Main Street loop. We reported on this right after opening, but it soon went away. It now appears to be back, and the characters wave banners similar to the characters in the finale of Fantasmic!
I caught the last few seconds of the performance, which you can watch in this video.
It is more festive than them just standing there and fits the post-fireworks vibe.
Cast Members Finally Push Back
On Saturday, Disneyland’s 66th anniversary, one of the unions that represents several departments at the resort, SEIU-USWW, organized a protest on Harbor Blvd. “Shoulder to Shoulder Against Corporate Greed” protested in front of the Harbor entrance to the Disneyland Resort, chanting “we make the magic, they make the money.” Here are a few images of the protest posted by SEIU-USWW on their Facebook page.
Signs were hoisted in front of incoming Disneyland guests, reading “3rd Shift Custodians are not expendable,” “respect our seniority and recall rights,” and “Disney corporate greed pandemic profiteers.”
Contract negotiations are currently underway. Primarily, the union is fighting for a higher wage, but many cast members aren’t even back to work yet. Cast members are increasingly irritated being left on furlough and/or not being recalled to their jobs, while those departments remain understaffed.
We’ve previously reported on a labor shift where duties traditionally done by 3rd Shift Custodial were shifted to regular day custodians to do in less time and for less money. This protest has a lot to do with that, as much of 3rd Shift Custodial continues to be left on furlough.
Even as 3rd Shift Custodial languishes on furlough, the custodians you and I see out in the park are increasingly understaffed and overworked. We’ve been noticing a drop in the cleanliness of parts of the parks, overflowing trash cans, dirty restrooms, even dusty vents and things which always seemed to be clean in the past. This seems counterintuitive in a time where increased cleanliness should be a priority.
To help with the daytime workload deficit, 3rd Shift Custodial is being offered part-time day positions at DCA at the expense of whatever seniority or full-time status they may have had in 3rd Shift. Some have taken the position and they’ve been training this week, but they’ll be punished by being placed at the bottom of the seniority pile after all their years of service doing the thankless task of cleaning up the park after the guests have gone home for the day.
This isn’t a problem exclusive to one department either, cast members in many departments are feeling the squeeze and it’s beginning to hurt the guest experience as well. If you’ve seen restrooms closed before you’ve even exited the park for the day, experienced a lack of housekeeping in your $400+ a night Disney hotel room, had to wait an hour for a mobile order, seen multiple attractions all broken down at the same time, or had Disney Customer Service line hang up on your call because there were too many other guests in queue, you’ve already experienced the squeeze.
Around the Parks
When we’re in the parks, we like to shoot the things that bring us joy. Here’s some of the things that aren’t necessarily news that we enjoyed this 66th anniversary weekend at Disneyland.
Disneyland Tickets and Hotel Discounts!
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Special MiceChat Oogie Boogie Bash Promotion at The Anaheim Hotel
Stay two nights and save 13%, plus receive a $25 Disney Gift Card. (Special offer is non-refundable and requires at least a 2 night stay. Must be booked at least 14 days in advance. This promotion is subject to availability and cannot be combined with other offers.)
Claim Your Anaheim Hotel Special MiceChat Offer HERE
Improved MiceChat Anaheim Hotel Parking Offer
We’ve been able to negotiate a deeper discount on parking for MiceChat readers at The Anaheim Hotel through September 15th. It’s based upon availability and can be revoked at any time, but just show this offer at the front desk of the hotel for theme park parking if available. This is how we always park to avoid the Disney lot backup and lack of trams.
Let’s Hear From You
66 years ago, a man named Walt Disney created a magical place where kids of all ages could escape the challenges of the real world and enter a realm of fantasy. It was a unique enterprise because Disneyland would not have the feel of a carnival of the day. Here, everything would always be freshly painted, clean, safe and beautiful. And all these decades later, the park has only grown in popularity. To the staff of Disneyland and all who help make the magic… HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
More Reading
We’d like to leave you with some additional items of note and more to explore.
If you didn’t hear, almost all roles in Disney’s Parks, Experiences, and Products division (including Imagineering, accounting, HR, and the folks who design all the company’s products) are being forced to move to a new Disney campus in Orlando. While it will take a little over a year for that transition to take place, it will bring with it many changes in the way the parks run, and potentially the creativity and quality of the Disney product as well since Orlando is far from the world’s creative hubs.
2,000 Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Jobs Moving to Orlando
Knott’s Scary Farm Returns
Here’s what we know so far and links to be added to the list for more information on the MiceChat Haunt event!
Get Ready to Scream for the Return of Knott’s Scary Farm in 2021!
Walt Disney World News Update
50th anniversary plans, construction, the return of Epcot Food & Wine, and much more…
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