Is it beginning to feel a lot MORE like Christmas! If the past few weeks haven’t offered enough, a beloved holiday favorite returns this week, and Main Street Train Station hosted one of Disneyland’s most celebrated seasonal traditions. We have a lot of news and ground to cover this week.
Tis the season to be merry, but Genie’s sounding scary, and since there’s no reservations to go… let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…
“it’s a small world” Sets Sail Again
The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed spent much of the last week testing before its long-overdue holiday return! After weeks of mechanics working around the clock to fix flood damage, “it’s a small world” is ready to welcome guests for a holiday cruise around the world.
Testing took place Friday and Saturday as Imagineering and park execs watched over the final steps of training. We learned back on November 11th that the attraction would not be operational for its holiday debut due to flooding, and while wild rumors of extensive downtime and months of repairs circled elsewhere on the internet, we continued to hope that the attraction would still return this season.
The damage to the electrical systems and pumps in the ride was serious, but Disney wasted no time putting repair crews on 24/7 duty in hopes of getting the attraction up before year’s end. The hard work has paid off, and guests can be floating down this festive overlay beginning today!
Lunar New Year/Food and Wine Festivals Return
Foodies rejoice because food festivals are back! Both the Lunar New Year and Food and Wine festivals are scheduled to return in early 2022.
The Lunar New Year Festival is scheduled to begin on January 21st and continue thru February 13th, offering plenty of delectable food choices themed around the celebration. Food and Wine will begin on March 4th thru April 26th, featuring many unique food items and crazy twists on American favorites.
While it is great to see these events returning, it is going to be hard for Magic Key holders to attend given the fact that nearly all weekend reservations in January are booked.
Thankfully Disney has given enough of a heads up for those wanting to attend the Food and Wine Festival, as those dates are just beginning to open up on the Magic Key reservation calendar. Given the current state of reservations and capped attendance, it would be great if Disney would give lead time when announcing similar offerings. If you are hoping to experience either of these events, plan accordingly! Reservations are sure to fill up quick.
For more information and what to expect at this year’s festivals, check out our article below:
https://www.micechat.com/309456-dates-set-for-disneyland-resorts-2022-lunar-new-year-and-food-wine-festivals/
Candlelight Ceremony
The world-famous “Candlelight Ceremony” made its triumphant return to Disneyland this past weekend, offering a beautiful display of lights, music, and moving narration from this year’s host, Sterling K. Brown. Guests waited hours (some all day) in hopes of partaking in the Christmas tradition that was interrupted last year due to park closures.
The ceremony took place on Saturday and Sunday night in front of a packed town square. This is one of the most popular (and crowded) events we have seen take place since the parks reopened.
The stage looked as beautiful as ever, with fresh poinsettias and shimmering garland taking center stage. It was truly a sight to behold. We didn’t realize how much we missed it last year until seeing it this year!
With the help of a live orchestra, choirs from local schools and the community, and well as a large Disney company choir, took to the stage to sing classic Christmas hymns in a powerful performance.
Sterling K. Brown was delightful as this year’s processional narrator, delivering a heart-warming message about hope, kindness, and the love we should show one another during the holiday season.
Viewing space may be hard to come by and take hours of dedication to secure, but the Candlelight Processional is an AMAZING event that really brings holiday spirit to the resort. If you are a fan of choirs, Christmas spirit, or are simply looking for a moving experience, this is one you don’t want to miss… but you’ll have to start making those plans for next year, because, unlike Epcot which offers nearly a full season of Candlelight, Disneyland offers just two days. But it’s events like this that help make the holidays at Disneyland special, and it was wonderful to see it return!
Christmas Up, Crowds Down?
You are probably wondering about crowd levels during this eventful weekend. Well, it is hard to say. At times the park felt quite congested, bottlenecking at troublesome locations such as Adventureland and Main street. This may not be the best indicator though, as ride times remained pleasant for a Saturday in December.
By Saturday afternoon most of the rides were sitting at around 30-minute wait, with E-ticket attractions at just under an hour. Even Rise of the Resistance hovered in the 90-minute range for much of the weekend! This was a shock to me as the resort is in the middle of their holiday season and hosting the Candlelight Processional. In the past, this was always an insane weekend. So, love it or hate it, reservations DO help keep the experience enjoyable on the busiest days.
Waits were enjoyable, but that hasn’t coaxed Disney into opening more reservation dates. Openings are scarce and require much time and patience to secure a reservation. While dates may open up randomly throughout the day, they are usually gone in minutes, if not seconds.
It is worth noting that Disney has now stopped selling both the Believe and Dream keys, but it is hard to see the impact of this change on reservation days yet as there are way too many Keyholders for the available amount of reservations.
When will Genie+ Be Let Out of The Bottle?
Update 12/6/2021:
It’s official! Disney Genie is set to launch at Disneyland on December 8, this Wednesday. Read our essential guide to the Disney Genie and Genie+ before it’s implemented in the parks this week:
Your Essential Guide to Genie in the Disney Parks (Disneyland & WDW)
For our original coverage, read below:
It’s looking like the biggest change to Disneyland since park reservations will uncork VERY soon. Cast members are already training on Genie+, a system that is supposed to help you book rides, restaurants, and make suggestions on your Disney day.
Nearly every attraction that will support Lightning Lane now has signage posted, with more ready to be added in the coming days.
Indiana Jones and The Haunted Mansion are waiting their turn, but adjustments have been made to support the upcoming changes.
We’re curious why Disney would risk launching a brand-new service during one of the busiest times of the year… but with park reservations, almost any day can be the busiest day of the year. And while most fans aren’t excited about the launch of Genie, there seems to be no stopping the train at this point.
Entertainment Returns to the Golden Horseshoe
The phased-reopening continues with the return of live entertainment to The Golden Horseshoe! Stop by, kick off your boots, and stay for a live performance of famous Christmas tunes performed with a western twist.
Crowd participation is encouraged and you may get an opportunity to put in a request to hear your favorite seasonal song!
The show is roughly 20-minutes long and features a touch of humor and plenty of holiday melodies to hum along to. This is a wonderful offering that adds a breath of fresh air. If you are looking for a spot to beat the crowds, have a snack, or rest your feet, sit a spell at The Golden Horseshoe.
Disney Honors Longtime Cast Members
This past week Disney honored 6 long-time case members for their outstanding contributions to the Disneyland Resort. Friends and family were invited to attend the ceremony that took place on the iconic Mark Twain Riverboat.
5 of the cast members have reached 50 years of service, and the 6th an amazing 55 years. Our congratulations to all!
Martha Blanding, one of the cast members honored, began her career with Disney as one of the first full-time African American VIP tour guides. Throughout her time at the company, she has held several positions and now serves as the Sr. manager of Merchandise.
It is great to see Disney honoring the cast members in public. This wasn’t an event tucked away in a ballroom, but celebrated out in the park!
Strike Update
Crisis was averted on Friday as Disneyland cast APPROVED their new contract on the 2nd vote. Previously, Disneyland cast had rejected the same contract, leading to the possibility of a strike. DCA staff had approved the contract on the first vote. More from Dusty Sage on what cast actually get below:
Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get
Disneyland After-Hours Parties Announced for 2022
If you enjoy a themed night out at Disneyland, then you’ve got some good news ahead. There are three after-hours parties that have been announced for 2022: Disneyland After Dark Sweethearts Nite, Villians Nite, and Star Wars Nite.
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite
Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10 and 14, 2022, at Disneyland Park
Tickets will go on sale starting December 9, 2021. This event is a celebration of romance and Valentine’s Day. Here’s what you’ll be getting during the party:
- A special themed fireworks show
- Projection effects on Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street, U.S.A.
- A jazz ensemble aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, plus other live entertainment, including a Royal Ball and a dance party with a DJ
- Spot the most darling Disney couples, and take selfies with your favorites
- Fun photo opportunities featuring romantic scenes from iconic Disney films
- Lovely décor, along with food and beverage offerings around the park
- Early admission to Disneyland park starting at 5 p.m., no theme park reservation required
Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite
March 8 and 10, 2022, at Disney California Adventure Park
Tickets will launch January 11, 2022. This is a night to celebrate all things wicked. Although the title is Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite, it actually takes place at DCA. Here’s a look at what happens during this party:
- The Cauldron, a cunningly-crafted cabaret featuring a cast of villainous virtuosos showing off their talents through song and dance
- Ursula’s Seaside Sing-a-long, where you can find your voice and sing along
- The Underworld Dance Party, which allows you to bust a move at a dastardly DJ dance party in the Hollywood Backlot
- Special photo backdrops, featuring scenes inspired by some favorite villains
- Some of Disney’s famously nefarious fiends – or their henchmen – at special locations around the park
- Delightfully decadent food and beverage offerings
- Early admission to Disney California Adventure park beginning at 5 p.m., no theme park reservation required
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite
May 3, 4 and 27, 2022, at Disneyland Park
Star Wars Nite tickets will go on sale starting January 11, 2022. This fan-favorite event will feature
- A pyrotechnical spectacle with a Star Wars-themed fireworks show
- March of the First Order, featuring Captain Phasma and her elite unit of Stormtroopers
- A Galactic dance party
- Sightings of various Star Wars characters throughout the evening
- Star Wars-themed attractions, usually with shorter wait times
- Star Wars-themed eats and treats, merchandise, photo opportunities, and more
- Early admission to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m., no theme park reservation required
If you previously purchased a ticket for the 2020 Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite or Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite events, you can exchange your 2020 event ticket(s) to one of the nights of the new event of the same theme (e.g., exchange 2020 Villains Nite ticket for ticket to Villains Nite on March 8 or 10, 2022, or exchange 2020 Star Wars Nite ticket for ticket to Star Wars Nite on May 3 or 4, 2022, respectively) anytime from today through Jan. 8, 2022. An exchange for a 2020 Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite ticket for a ticket to the May 27, 2022, Star Wars Nite can be made, but with an additional fee equal to the difference in price of the 2020 and 2022 tickets.
Make-A-Wish “Galaxy of Wishes” Event December 7th
Disneyland will have double the events tomorrow as they host both the Merriest Nights AND a party for Make-A-Wish at the same time. Merriest Nights takes up most of the park, but doesn’t use ToonTown or Galaxy’s Edge… so, Disney has given Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge for the Make-A-Wish fundraiser. And what an incredible event it is likely to be with Star Wars legend Mark Hamill as the special guest!
Splash Mountain
It was announced last week that Splash Mountain would be going under refurbishment on January 10th and we speculated that this could be the start of the previously announced “Princess and the Frog” overlay since there was no end date and many major Disneyland projects start just after the holiday season. But this will just be a routine 6-week refurbishment. Though, we did learn that the retheme will be delayed a while longer at Disneyland and will actually start first at Walt Disney World.
World of Color
Pixar Pier lagoon remains drained as work continues on the World of Color fountains. No timetable has been given for World of Color’s return. But there’s still a lot of construction left to be completed. We’ll know they are getting close when the lagoon is filled.
Earl of Sandwich
The west-end of Downtown Disney is preparing for an extensive remodel beginning in early 2022. As a result, Starbucks, Sugarboo, and Earl of Sandwich will all be kicked out of their locations to accommodate the complete gutting and remodel of the old AMC Theater building.
It appears that Disney knows the popularity of Earl of Sandwich, because they’ve been talking to the owners about bringing the restaurant back to the resort in some form (though we aren’t sure if it’s intended for the same space or elsewhere in the resort).
Merry and Bright Theme Park Ticket and Travel Deals
Our travel partners at Get Away have discounted theme park tickets and hotel deals just for you. Extra days, big savings, travel packages and more. Snap up those deals to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line and other family travel destinations and give the perfect gift to your whole family this holiday season. More info and options at Get Away Today- HERE
The World-Famous MiceChat Gumball Rally Returns!
After a long hiatus, it’s time for the big return of the MiceChat Gumball Rally at Disneyland. The event is a competition to see who can ride the most attractions at Disneyland in a single day. Guests compete in small groups of 2 to 4 members and spend the day doing what Disney fans love most… riding the attractions!
So, say goodby to those nice people on the dock… because the Gumball Rally is rolling your way on February 12th.
Book your theme park reservations NOW and then sign up for the Rally! We are also offering discounted theme park admission and discounted hotel rooms this year via our partners at Get Away Today. Don’t miss out!
Let’s Hear From You!
Ok folks, that does it for today. Are you ready for Genie? Have reservations helped make this holiday season more enjoyable by limiting the normal holiday crowd crush or is the lack of reservations just too restrictive for you? Are you a Candlelight fan? Ready to hop on the holiday version of Small World at long last? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
