This has been a wild week at the Disneyland Resort with beautiful Fall decorations returning, low crowds that haven’t been seen in a long time, and the problematic first days of the new Annual Pass replacement program called “Magic Key.” There’s a lot to cover today, so let’s take a trip to the Disneyland Resort…
Magic Keys – The Verdict Is…
Disneyland’s new AP program, Magic Key, landed last week and the first new Keyholders arrived on August 25th. As expected, the first day of sales was messy with hours-long waits to purchase, inadequate customer service to take calls and answer chats, and inconsistent policies at ticket booths regarding what they were and weren’t willing to help guests with in person.
Cast were on hand to warn guests that sales and upgrades would not be available at the booths. But some guests waited anyway. Many were directed to scan a QR code for assistance. But some were indeed helped at the booths in spite of all the signage and warnings to the contrary.
Ticket Troubles
We had staff members wait up to 7 hours for the opportunity to give Disney $1,399. One had the purchase window suddenly become unresponsive after hours of waiting. Two weren’t able to take advantage of the monthly payment option because it didn’t show up (even though they were logged into their accounts and have California zip codes), and one was unable to figure out how to convert a multi-day ticket to a Magic Key. But one of our staff members got through within an hour with no issues at all, and I was able to get in twice (helping another family member), but only saw the payment plan option the second time around and never got it to actually work. Not many other companies can consistently get away with such awful sales practices and lack of customer service and still have folks lining up to spend massive sums of money. A testament to the power of the Disney brand?
While the die-hards will likely continue to be willing to pay top dollar for anything Disney does, how is the more casual visitor feeling? Does the almost complete abdication of customer service for a premium product play well with the folks who aren’t influencers or mouse-addicts?
The good news is that by the next day of sales, you could buy your Magic Key with little or no wait online, but there were still some technical glitches. However, those needing support were still stuck in long chat or phone queues (and god help all those poor souls waiting in 90+ degree heat in unshaded ticket booth lines only to find out that the CMs refuse to help)…
Ticket Booth Problems
With technical difficulties and conflicting policies, the ticket booths were inundated with guests on the first day, with waits of up to four hours, according to a MiceChat reader who had waited in line to upgrade their tickets. The booths were certainly not set up to handle these issues.
Magic Key Discounts
We received a flurry of questions from readers wanting to know how to find and use the promised D23 Magic Key discount. We couldn’t find any mention as it had been scrubbed from previously published D23 articles, so we reached out to Disney for additional information. We were told that details will be released soon. Unfortunately, not soon enough for all the folks who wanted to purchase in the first week.
Similarly, DVC members are entitled to Magic Key discounts. They can get them, but they have to do so in-person at a ticket booth. Yikes! Many DVC members live all over the country and it’s not worth a trip to Disneyland for a $20 discount.
Why is it that everything else is being pushed to the app, but the one thing which should be handled easily online can only be handled at a booth? Messy and frustrating.
But it does appear that the system is working much better now. How was your experience?
Filling Up!
By day 2 of Magic Key validity, the opening weekend of the Magic Key program had already been solidly booked! It appears that weekends and holidays may be difficult to obtain (and even more so as more and more folks sign up for Magic Key). Remember, you can book up to 90 days out! Don’t count on deciding the morning of your visit, we now live in an age of all-things-Disney needing to be planned weeks or months in advance. So, if you hope to visit for Thanksgiving, you’ll want to book that right now.
Exclusive Magic Key Opportunities
As with the previous Annual Pass program, the Magic Key comes with a few nice perks. On top of discounts on food and merchandise, there are two special lounges specifically for Magic Keyholders. There will be one lounge in each park.
Disneyland will have a lounge at the old Starcade in Tomorrowland, located at the exit of Space Mountain just behind the Star Trader. This location is still in the works, we’ll bring you more info later this week.
The other Magic Key lounge is located in Disney’s California Adventure and is already serving Keyholders. The previous AP Tasting Terrace above the Golden Vine Windery has been rebranded the Magic Key Terrace.
It still serves the same menu as before, just hosting a new name. This location is booked using the digital “walk-up” option in the Disneyland App. The location is a relaxing place for drinks and small plates. Prices range from $15.00 to $34.99 per adult. Magic Key Holder discounts obviously apply here. Be sure to check this dining option out on the Disneyland app. where you can join the walk-up waiting list. You must be in the park to use this option!
Crowds Now that APs are Back?
Let me preface this by saying that it’s still too soon for us to know what the impact of Magic Keys is going to be on crowding. As we have observed since the announcement of the Magic Key program, the crowds at the resort have been the lowest we’ve seen in a very long time. Wait times of 5 minutes for major E-Tickets were observed this past Friday.
Many rides showed times of five to ten minutes but were actually walk-on with no wait time. If you see a wait time of 13 minutes, that’s a good indicator that it’s actually a complete walk-on.
As Friday moved toward a close, there was a noticeable increase in crowds. Folks eager to use their new Magic Keys after work showed up in time for Mickey’s Mix Magic fireworks.
It looks like Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear are looking for all of the guests, or maybe they’re looking for the pesky Br’er Rabbit who’s sitting on Br’er Bear’s club!
Pirates is a people-eater. When the crowd levels are right, Pirates can be a walk-on. Much better than long lines snaking through New Orleans Square.
Even though crowds increased in the later afternoon, the resort was still felt easy to navigate through.
While folks are eager to see the return of entertainment, character cavalcades have become very popular and are drawing fairly large crowds.
But elsewhere, it looked more like this:
Over at DCA, the parade route could be a little congested but it’s nothing compared to the crowds of a few years ago.
In the evening, lines began to back up from the entry gates of both parks at around 6:00pm.
Complicating the backed-up lines is the walled-off area around the compass in the center of the Esplanade. It appears that the compass is being resurfaced. However, it’s long been a troublesome area, and Disney fences off this area any time it rains to prevent people from falling.
So, since Saturday and Sunday were fully booked for Magic Keys, was it packed to the gills? Nope. Disney’s new caps prevented the worst kind of crowding. Waits on Saturday for most big attractions were in the 30 to 40 minute range and less for smaller rides (wait times continue to fluctuate wildly, so be sure to check the app for opportunities).
At just about noon on Saturday, the waits weren’t bad at all, even for a completely booked day for Magic Keys…
Halloween Time Starts September 3rd!
The spooky season is upon us. It was a furnace in the parks, but Disney wants you thinking fall colors and pumpkin spice. So, even though it’s still swimming suit weather, it does look like Halloween at the Disneyland Resort.
Pumpkins & Orange Bunting on Main Street
As the decorations have began to pop up around the resort, it’s most noticeable on Main Street. Disney will continue to add decorations between now and September 3rd, including the giant Mickey pumpkin in Town Square. This is clearly a favorite season at the Disneyland Resort. Lets take a look at what was already in place when I took photos on Friday.
As soon as you enter the main gates you are greeted with dressed-up street lights letting you know Halloween time at the resort is upon us!
When the sun goes down, the pumpkins light up. The ambiance with the fall décor is a welcome sight for many people who are dreaming of cooler days. To really get in the mood, I’d prefer it if the weather was cool enough for a light sweatshirt. Too soon for Halloween for you or are you ready for Fall?
Disneyland Halloween Offerings
Haunted Mansion Holiday and Halloween Screams Fireworks both return on the 3rd (though the Halloween Screams will be projections-only during the week; fireworks will only occur during weekends).
Folks eagerly await the return of the popular Haunted Mansion Holiday, although it seems like there’s a growing movement for a shorter duration of this holiday overlay. Where do you stand on the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay?
Jack Skellngton came here from Halloweentown, you might find his handwork scattered around…
They still had props and decor waiting on the front lawn of the mansion to be installed.
There’s been no hint or mention of Ghost Galaxy at Space Mountain, which is a real shame since it’s such an inexpensive overlay for the park to implement. We’d almost rather that they offer Ghost Galaxy for Halloween and delay Haunted Mansion Holiday for Christmas.
Disney California Adventure Halloween Headquarters
The big push for Halloween is really at DCA. With the complete overlay of Cars Land into Trunk-or-Treat, decorations in Buena Vista Street, Plaza de la Familia (a Coco-themed Dia De Los Muertos area), the Monsters After Dark overlay of Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party, DCA is wall to wall boo for you. We noticed more and more decor going up all week, but by Friday the 3rd it will all be done and ready to go (the first Oogie Boogie Bash is on the 9th). Yet to be seen is The Headless Horseman at the garden area adjacent to Elias and Co.
A new Oogie Boogie image decorates the park-side of the giant tortilla moon.
The bats have returned to the belfry atop Carthay Circle. In 2019 they were missing, but we are thrilled to see them return.
Trolley Treats is ramping up for Halloween time with a few seasonal offerings. I think the candy bucket is pretty cool and the Carmel Apple looks pretty good. I particularly like the design on the hand towel. But most of the Halloween goodies won’t arrive until the 3rd.
For more about Halloween merchandise this year around Disneyland, take a look at the article below.
Even the gigantic bear at Grizzly River is ready to trick-or-treat!
Cars Land Haul-O-Ween
It’s a honkin’ Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land again this year. Decorations are spooky but whimsical, which makes them appropriate for all ages. I think you’ll agree it’s a total gas…
There’s a bit more on the way to Cars Land, and the cars characters themselves will all be dressed for the occasion.
Plaza De La Familia
The Musical Celebration of Coco will be back this year. If you haven’t seen it before, carve out some time, it’s well worth it.
There’s also an Árbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) and you can leave personal messages for your ancestors. Plus, Mariachi concerts & Mexican food at Paradise Garden Grill.
Oogie Boogie Halloween Bash
The big celebration is the special-ticket Oogie Boogie after-hours Halloween party. They start on the 9th of September and run on select nights through Halloween. Unfortunately, all dates are completely sold out. It’s really too bad that Disney isn’t able to add extra nights as we know lots of folks are still scrambling to find tickets.
We’ll have complete coverage for you so you can experience it virtually if you missed out on tickets as well. In the meantime, check out our confirmations for everything coming to Oogie Boogie Bash this year and enjoy photos from the inaugural event in 2019 in the article below.
Halloween Time & Oogie Boogie Bash Return to the Disneyland Resort September 3rd
Disneyland Entertainment News
While we’ve been waiting for the big-ticket shows in the Fantasyland Theater, Hyperion, and Fantasmic to return, more and more little acts have been popping up. Fans will be very happy to see the Dapper Dans return on Sept 3rd.
And last week, Matt caught The Bootstrappers back in action over in New Orleans Square.
Disneyland Updates
Here’s what’s been going on at Disneyland this past week…
New Orleans Square refurbishments
Port Royal & Pieces of Eight continue their exterior refurbishment while Le Bat En Rouge is added to the list.
Le Bat en Rouge has a royal blue tarp. But nothing is going on inside. This is just an exterior refurbishment. At some point, they’ll remerchandise the store, but we don’t know with what mix of items.
Runaway Railway Construction
We are seeing the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway come together little by little.
Yes, it looks like a mess… but you’ve got to get your hands a little dirty when you build stuff. What I found interesting is that they let some of the trees in the construction zone die. I guess the gardeners aren’t allowed to enter the construction site to water them.
We noticed stand-offs in place on the exterior of the show building and are wondering if that is where the new hills will be mounted.
ToonTown Walkway Construction
The walkway into ToonTown has been partially bricked with new pavers. The edges just need to be filled in. Once this side is done, the little path will be completed as well. The old walkway was just regular blacktop pavement.
DCA Updates
There is a lot of work going on in DCA as they prep for the Oogie Boogie Bash. Some of the new treat trails are being set up now.
The Redwood Creek Trail is in the process of becoming Villains Grove. You can see some of the details have already been added.
There are some spooky-looking candelabras that add a creepy ambiance to the Grove at night.
You can expect to see Maleficent, Scar, and other villains as you make your way through the grove. One area is decorated with white roses where the Queen of Hearts will appear
Here’s what those roses will look like at night:
This & That
There’s so much happening in the parks, but that’s not the whole story…
Downtown Disney New Stores Announced
Two new stores are on the way to Downtown Disney in the space once occupied by The VOID. Love Pop card store & Péle Soccer will be coming soon. But it’s sort of hard to get excited by either of them. What do you think would fit better?
New Diverse Mannequins at World of Disney
World of Disney has begun replacing its mannequins with new models that better reflect the diversity of Disney’s guests. We applaud this, but do find it strange that the diversity is limited to color. All the mannequins are still slender and able-bodied. Some room for improvement, but perhaps that’s still in the works.
But most of the mannequins are still the older style.
Dusty shares a minute of Halloween Zen in the pumpkin room of World of Disney…
Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit
Like the Easter egg hunts, the Pumpkin Pursuit is a paid activity in Downtown Disney where you can seek hidden pumpkins and earn a prize. In this case, one of 4 Halloween-themed tumblers. The event cards will be available in various locations throughout Downtown Disney, but the Pin Trading post is probably your easiest spot to start. The event doesn’t start until September 9, but the pumpkins will most likely be installed in the next few days.
Starting 9/9, join us for Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit at #DowntownDisney, where you can hunt for Disney themed decorative pumpkins hidden throughout the district. Redeem your gameboard for one of these four spooky surprises, while supplies last. For more info: https://t.co/syLqomTzUY pic.twitter.com/kHGIqCuOTx
— Disneyland Resort (@Disneyland) August 26, 2021
Disneyland Resort Refurbishment
After an extended closure, Chip and Dale’s treehouse has reopened. But it’s really not much of an attraction, just a tight staircase inside a tree trunk.
You can still see the long-closed ball pit behind the treehouse, blocked off by potted trees. Hopefully ToonTown can get a little revitalization before Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway reopens.
Currently Under Refurbishment:
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: (July 12th-Winter 2021)
- Newstand: (August 6th-September 15th)
- Haunted Mansion Holiday Install: (August 16th-September 2nd)
Upcoming Refurbishments:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: (September 7th-Fall 2021)
Then there’s a trio of closures all in one spot that have us wondering if Disneyland is laying the groundwork for a Fantasmic return. Mark Twain, Tom Swayer Island, and the Columbia all close for varying lengths of time in September. The Columbia had already had a refurbishment since the park reopening. So this is all quite curious:
- Mark Twain Riverboat: (September 13-17th
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island: (September 20-23)
- Sailing Ship Columbia: (September 13th-TBD)
Attractions STILL Offline:
- Disneyland Monorail – But perhaps for not too much longer. The Monorails were testing on Sunday without guests. Nice to see the highway in the sky moving again! The scaffolding around the Tomorrowland Monorail Station has been removed revealing some new pretty colors.
Lots of royal purple and blue.
- Donald’s Boat – While Donald’s boat is still closed, you can see him greeting guests.
- Goofy’s Playhouse
- Mickey’s House
- Minnie’s House
- Star Wars Launch Bay
- Red Car Trolley
- Blue Sky Cellar – We only include this one because Disney still has it listed as an attraction. However, when the parks closed, they STILL had the Pixar Pier models on display and skipped right over Avengers Campus! We sure would love to see them use this space to explain the ever-evolving plans for Disneyland-Forward and the potential 3rd Park.
BREAKING NEWS – Disneyland Resort Future Expansion & Possible 3rd Park
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!
Worried that park reservations might book up for an important date? Just a tip: Before buying that Magic Key, get a multi-day ticket from Get Away Today, book your dates, and then upgrade to a Magic Key on the last day of your visit (be sure to redeem that Magic Key before your ticket expires). Your new Magic Key will be dated for the day you activate it. This tip allows you to schedule your park visit in advance and also get more usable days on your Magic Key for the coming year.
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
I hope you have enjoyed today’s Disneyland Update. There’s just so much going on right now as the resort transitions from Summer to Halloween. While the ticket sales for the new Magic Key program has been an expected bummer, the enjoyable crowd levels even on sold-out days gives us hope. And with Halloween arriving this week, there’s a lot to look forward to this Fall and beyond.
I’d like to leave you with some of my favorite photos from the week.
I was able to get a Rise of the Resistance boarding pass 2 and a half hours AFTER the noon availability window! That’s how uncrowded it was on Friday.
And caught Mickey’s Mix Magic from Galaxy’s Edge. It’s a wonderful and unique location.
EDITOR NOTE: While you’ve seen Mike Kindrich’s name on lots of our photos, this is his first full Disneyland Update. We hope you’ll join us in congratulating him on his big debut.
More Disney News and Views:
UPDATED: New Details on Splash Mountain’s Upcoming Princess and the Frog Theme!
BREAKING DISNEY PARKS NEWS: New Disney Genie Service Replaces FastPass & More This Fall
Disney Parks News: Mobile DAS Scheduling and Virtual Pre-Qualification Coming this Fall
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