Wow! It’s been another busy week with the breaking news that the new Disney Genie Service is going to replace FastPass and MaxPass at Disneyland and FastPass+ at Walt Disney World. Disney also announced it would be making some minor changes to the Disability Access Service that includes some tech upgrades. Plus, we have some very important updates on how Magic Key will work and more info on the Princess and the Frog retheme of Splash Mountain!

Before we get to those major news stories, and everything else that’s new at the resort, I would like to take a minute to share a video of the Disneyland Band. Please take time to watch. You can even leave it playing in the background as you read today’s Disneyland Update. I think you will be very pleased with the quality of the recording. It’s a tribute to the amazing talent of the Disneyland Band members, and it’s sure to provide positive Disney vibes to get you into the mood for today’s update.

Disney Genie Service Coming Soon

On Wednesday, Disney revealed their new Genie service, which will be rolling out to the parks on both coasts. It will replace FastPass and MaxPass at Disneyland, and it will replace FastPass+ at Walt Disney World.

Unlike FastPass, which was free, Genie —or rather, Genie+— will come with a cost. And there will be extras that will cost even more if you want to add them. In some ways, it helps level the playing field for infrequent tourists, but it also increases the cost of a visit to the parks for anyone who wants the benefit of a FastPass-like service  (which Disney is now calling “Lightning Lane.”) 

Please check out the following article if you want to know all the details.

BREAKING DISNEY PARKS NEWS: New Disney Genie Service Replaces FastPass & More This Fall

Since the upcoming Disney Genie service will be entirely app-based, and it will eliminate FastPass and MaxPass, we thought that now would be a great time to take a look at the existing FastPass distribution kiosks and entries as they are expected to be the new Lightning Lanes as well.  

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

In the past, we’ve spoken about how the Haunted Mansion didn’t need FastPass, it was among the highest capacity rides Disney has ever created. So having FastPass here was just unnecessary and made the line longer. But since Genie+/Lightning Lane is really just about making Disney more money, whether an attraction needs an express line is probably far less important than how much money it can make. 

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Of course, if fewer people pay for Genie+ then used FastPass/MaxPass, lines could be better than in the past. It’s all about volume of use. We hope that the paid version of Genie which includes the Lightning Lanes, called Genie+, won’t be as commonly used as FastPass/MaxPass. But at $20 per person/per day, it’s a pretty good bet that there will be plenty of Genie+ users every day.  

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

It’s become quite common these days for theme parks and amusement parks to offer express line services. And at $20, Disney’s will be among the cheapest. But would it have been better for them to charge a much higher price to keep the number of users, and thus the length of the lines, down?  

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Speaking of Splash Mountain, we have some news on the upcoming Princess and the Frog retheme of the Mountain for you below.  

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
It wasn’t busy at all this past weekend, as you can see from this 5 minute wait for Splash Mountain.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

We think that if these signs and kiosks are removed it would free up a massive amount of space for stroller and wheelchair parking. But it’s likely they will at least be altered with new Genie+ or Lightning Lane signage.  

Disability Access Service Changes and Upgrades

Along with week’s announcement of the new Disney Genie app, Disney has also made changes to the way the Disability Access Service (DAS) will work for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The changes help make it easier for qualified applicants to use the program while still making it fair for other parkgoers. Please check the following article for everything you need to know about program:

Disney Parks News: Mobile DAS Scheduling and Virtual Pre-Qualification Coming this Fall

We find it interesting that Disney’s two big announcements this week are mirrored at Disneyland and Disney World. A sign that the way the two resorts are run is growing closer as Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products (DPEP) division prepares to consolidate and move from California to a single location in Orlando. That may be why some of these things feel like they will work better at Walt Disney World than here in Anaheim.  For more about Disney’s move to Florida, take a look at the article below.

2,000 Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Jobs Moving to Orlando

Disneyland’s Halloween Time is Making its Way into the Parks

The official start of Halloween at the Disneyland Resort is September 3rd. Even though that’s two weeks away, we spotted some decorations that arrived early. We also caught a glimpse of pumpkins in front of the Haunted Mansion while it’s closed for its seasonal overlay installation. 

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
Before the Haunted Mansion closed, we held a seance at which several ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and other playful spooks told us that this is their favorite time to take a vacation. They told us that they trust Get Away Today to make all their travel arrangements because they always get the lowest scarefares, most convenient frights, and tombs with a view at their final destination. This year’s most popular vacation destination is the island of Boora Boora. 🙂

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Oogie Boogie has returned to his menacing perch above the Disney California Adventure sign.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Oogie Boogie Bash Sold Out!

Earlier this weekend the last remaining dates for this year’s Oogie Boogie Bash sold out. Hopefully, when it returns next year, World of Color Villanous! will be ready again.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

The Disneyland App has a small video about Halloween Time. Below are a few screenshots. 

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

The Return of The Bootstrappers

New Orleans Square recently welcomed the return of The Bootstrappers. It’s great to see entertainment slowly returning to the parks. And with all the new Magic Keyholders set to return to the park this week, we hope the process of bringing entertainment back will be sped up.  

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Here’s a short video of The Bootstrappers performing the sea shanty, The Wellerman. It’s really good.

Low Crowds

Shortly after the new Magic Key program was announced, park attendance plummeted. We do realize that the combination of the current public health situation and the traditional start of school played a factor, but even we were surprised at just how empty the parks have been compared to 2019 and before. 

Wait times have been extremely low, and boarding groups have been available for Rise of the Resistance and Web Slingers long after the noon boarding groups become available. These pictures show that boarding groups were available for both rides after 5pm on Saturday.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
A view of the hub around 5pm on Friday afternoon. Saturday wasn’t much busier.

We regularly checked the park map in the Disneyland app, and it was rare for any ride to have more than a 50 minute wait. There were times during late morning and early afternoon that many E-ticket rides had 5 or 10 minute waits. It was bliss. If you were lucky enough to be there it’s a visit you will remember forever.

Openings, Refurbs, Construction, and What’s Still Closed

Now Open

City Hall has reopened, Guest Relations had been moved to the Tour Garden since the parks opened in April.  

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Market Street fruit cart as well (at least since my last visit). 

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Refurbs

New Orleans Square continues a hard-to-miss refurbishment. 

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
Giant pajamas have been placed over some of the shops in New Orleans Square. OK, they aren’t pajamas, but I know I have seen those prints before on clothing. The shops are still open during the exterior refurbishments.

The Subs are being cleaned up for a winter return…

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is allegedly returning this winter. No specific return date yet . 

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

And the Monorail platform is under tarps as well. A good sign for a return this fall/winter.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
We hope that the Monorail might return relatively soon. They are currently working on the Tomorrowland station.
, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
We think this is the part where they will add a loop. Just kidding. It’s a long-running MiceChat joke, for those that don’t know.
, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
I enjoyed the Finding Nemo movie, but you have to admit that the story is totally not plausible. No, no, it’s not because fish can’t talk. We know they can talk because we heard them on the original Submarine Voyage. The story is totally implausible because no one would ever eat a clownfish. They taste funny.
, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
I can never go by this sign without thinking of Lyle Lanley… who Disney now owns as well. 

Still Closed

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
The Carnation Cafe is still closed, but it should return on September 16th. We do not see it listed in the Disneyland Dining section of their website, so reservations are not yet available if they are going to be required.
, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
Star Wars Launch Bay is currently closed to guests, but it’s being used as a vaccination site for cast members. 

There are a number of things that just aren’t open yet… This includes several food/beverage stalls, gift shops, and the Fantasyland Theatre among other things.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

On the way to ToonTown you’ll find a massive repaving project that makes it look like ToonTown is closed. Fear not, you just need to walk down a narrow path to find your favorite toons.  

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

You can still get to the train station. 

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Just look for the narrow, worn path….
, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Soon, it should all look pretty like this…

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Limited-Time Food and Merchandise

You can still buy the Pineapple Split Dole Whip Sundae with a Jungle Cruise boat at the Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
They now have all bowls and spoons back in stock. There are 4 bowls, and each has a different design to match one of the tikis in the Tiki Room. Tiki sporks too! 
, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
The Disneyland 66th birthday cupcakes are still available at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe at the end of Main Street. If you have not yet tried one, you should. The cream cheese frosting is amazing. It’s totally worth it, just for the cream cheese. Be warned though, as Mufasa would tell Simba, everything the cupcake touches turns blue… and stays blue.
, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
I am not responsible for damage to your monitor because you tried to lick it.

A register has been added at the Mint Julep Bar just outside the pickup windows. This allows people to get their Mint Julep fix even if they can’t use Mobile Order.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
The strawberry mint julep. It’s similar to the original, but with a soupçon of strawberry. Hey, it’s New Orleans Square. French is acceptable. 🙂

Blue boo for you…

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
You can find these cool Haunted Mansion shirts at the Disneyana shop on Main Street. They are really bright, but not so bright you could wake the dead.

Construction

There are no visible changes this week to Mickey’s Runaway Railway.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

But it’s always interesting to look at construction photos…

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

Around the Parks

My favorite time of day is either right after opening, or at night right before security starts sweeping guests out of the park. The first part of this section is just pictures of a mostly empty park. Enjoy!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

 , Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

 , Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing! 

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
Chocolate popcorn, soda bombs, and droid popcorn holders… must be Star Wars land.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
Why would they make this shirt today? To me, it screams, “Hey! Remember when Tomorrowland didn’t suck?”
, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!
Yes. We remember.

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!        

Some art in the gallery caught my eye…

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!For amazing coverage of all the Halloween merchandise that you can find in the parks and Downtown Disney please be sure to check out Natalie’s amazing articles: 

FIRST LOOK! Disney Parks Halloween Merchandise for 2021

Disneyland Merchandise Update: Fall Down the Rabbit Hole

Your Wait is Over – Magic Keys on Sale Wednesday, August 25th

Disneyland’s passport replacement program, Magic Keys, will go on sale starting Wednesday, August 25th, sometime after 10am. If recent history is any indication, the purchase process could be an absolute nightmare, just like with Touch of Disney, the very first dining reservations, park tickets when they first went on sale, and Oogie Boogie Bash tickets… all of which had disastrous launches. It’s important to remember that Magic Keys are not going to run out immediately, so you don’t have to waste your time on first day drama. 

But it’s very likely that the dream conditions we’ve experienced for the last few weeks are about to come to an end. We’ll know for sure very soon. 

In preparation for Magic Keys going on sale on Wednesday, we have all your questions answered. The new program is quite different than the previous Annual Passports, so many things are going to be different than the last time you had a pass. For more information about Disneyland Magic Keys, how to purchase and upgrade, etc. you can find everything you need to know in the article below: 

BREAKING NEWS: Disneyland Delivers a New “Magic Key” Pass Program Replacement

New Info from Princess & The Frog Splash Mountain Redo

One of the biggest stories from last year was the announcement that Splash Mountain would be getting a complete overhaul to be themed to The Princess & The Frog. We have new concept images and story details for the reimagined attraction to share with you. Spoiler alert: it looks like many of the classic animatronics originally from America Sings and moved to Splash Mountain aren’t going to be tossed out in the redo. Take a look at everything we know about the upcoming overlay in the article below.

UPDATED: New Details on Splash Mountain’s Upcoming Princess and the Frog Theme!

Mickey’s Mix Magic

If you’ve come this far, maybe you’re willing to go a little further. 

OK. Enough with the movie references… 🙂

It has been my mission to get a good recording of Mickey’s Mix Magic.

This was just an initial test. I plan to go back and do this again before it glows away, but this recording is very watchable. 

If you enjoyed the Disneyland Band video, you will enjoy this one as well. 

 


 

Disneyland Tickets and Hotel Discounts!

Our partners at Get Away Today have worked tirelessly to create the BEST theme park and hotel deals for our readers. You can purchase theme park tickets (that are good through 2022!) HERE and book a hotel/ticket package for your family vacation HERE!

, Disneyland Update – The Winds of Change Are Blowing!

There are all sorts of new theme park tickets and travel deals, including up to 25% off at the Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotels, a 2 free days offer at Walt Disney World, ticket deals to various theme parks, and DISCOUNT TICKETS TO DISNEYLAND: More details and to get a quote (HERE)

 


Let’s Hear From You! 

Well folks, that’s the first screams of Halloween, Genie, DAS 2.0, Magic Keys, Princess and the Frog, construction, refurbishments, and views of the Happiest Place on Earth. It’s only been a few weeks since my last visit and it’s really incredible how quickly things change. We’d love to hear your thoughts on what’s important to you, what you like and what you don’t about the recent changes and those coming soon.   

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PhotoMatt
Matt frequents Disney's parks on both coasts and enjoys sharing his images with all of you.