And just like that, it’s the week of Christmas! Although the resort has been in holiday mode essentially since Halloween ended, the reason for the season is finally here. Last week was blissful to visit with rare rain storms, which make for light crowd levels and gorgeous photos. But not everything is as happy as it seems. There’s plenty to report on from Disneyland this week, including a lawsuit over Magic Keys, construction from ToonTown, and much more.
And make sure to read all of today’s Disneyland Update. Maynard, one of Disneyland’s most well-known and beloved cast members, gives MiceChat readers a very exclusive tour of the Disneyland Opera House; you will NOT want to miss it. The sculpture of the US Capitol building has been hiding a secret for decades, and after today the secret will be revealed!
Magic Key Lawsuit
A Magic Keyholder became so frustrated with the lack of reservation availability that she filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court. The following Causes of Action (reasons to sue) were given:
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- Violations of the Consumers Legal Remedies Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1750 et seq.)
- Violations of the False Advertising Law (Cal. Bus. & Prof Code §§ 17500 et seq.)
- Violations of the Unfair Competition Law (Cal. Bus. & Prof Code §§ 17200 et seq.)
- Breach of Contract
- Negligent Misrepresentation
- Concealment/Non-Disclosure
The lawsuit seeks to bring the action individually and as a class action on behalf of “all other consumers who purchased Dream Key passes from Disney during the four years prior to the filing of this lawsuit up to the time class certification is granted.”
Disney has responded by filing a Notice of Removal in the United States District Court. The district is the Central District of California.
The Notice of Removal has been filed because the defendant (the Walt Disney Company) is allowed to do so when a federal court has original jurisdiction over an action. In the case at hand, the federal court does have original jurisdiction because this will likely become a class action where “any member of a class of plaintiffs is a citizen of a State different from any defendant”. In simplest terms, Disney wants this litigated in federal court because there are Magic Keyholders who live in multiple states, and federal courts are designed for cases like this.
While we’ve all been upset that Disney oversold the program, resulting in difficulty obtaining reservations, they also made it quite clear in the terms that reservations would be required. We’re curious to see which way the courts will tilt on this one. We will keep you updated as the case progresses.
What do you think? Did Disneyland engage in deceptive practices in marketing Magic Keys?
Disneyland Candy Canes
Each year the Disneyland Resort sells handmade candy canes on a limited number of dates in December. While the popular confection has a cult following, they aren’t easy to obtain. But it’s not too late to get one this year. They will be available at the Candy Palace in Disneyland on December 21st and 23rd, and Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure on December 22nd.
Unlike other products that you just find and buy, th process for getting a candy cane is a little more convoluted.
How to buy a Disneyland Candy Cane:
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- Head to the location (Candy Palace or Trolley Treats) on a designated day.
- Find the cast member who has the QR code that you need to scan.
- Once you scan that code you will be directed to a website where you can enter your name, email, phone number, and party size to enter a virtual queue.
- You will then be told how many people are in front of you.
- Enjoy your time in the park until you receive a text to return.
- Once you’re called back, you’ll be given a ticket for each member in your party that wants a candy cane (up to 4, and everyone needs to be present).
- Cross your fingers that they haven’t sold out
On the 15th at 7:40am, the line to scan the QR code went from the entrance of Candy Palace all the way to the hub. On this particular day, folks entering as late as 10:30 am were still able to get into the Virtual Queue, although it varies each day based on the number of candy canes that are available.
Our recommendation is to go to DCA when they are on sale there. There was practically no line at all on the 16th (compared to Disneyland).
Mission accomplished!
Disability Access Service (DAS) Available In-app
If you use the Disability Access Service (DAS for short) for your day in the parks, there’s been an update to how the system works. Once you have DAS attached to your ticket, you can reserve return times using the Disneyland app. This means you no longer have to talk to a Guest Relations CM to schedule a new ride. For those who don’t mind using mobile, the system seems to be working better than all the extra footwork previously required. For many disabled guests this should make their day easier.
Below are screenshots with the available DAS attractions and sample return times. Click on each image to expand.
Crowds and Reservation Availability
The park experience was very pleasant this past week. The rain did keep some people away, but the reservation system also help keep the parks from being overly crowded – for better or worse, depending on your ability to get the reservations you want.
And perhaps because of the lawsuit mentioned above, Disney has opened a lot of additional park availability. A mostly booked schedule now looks VERY different. Here is the reservation calendar as of Sunday afternoon: 
If you don’t have a Magic Key and want to visit Disneyland, you’re in luck. There’s a new ticket offer for SoCal residents on 3-day 1-park tickets, valid starting in January. For the details on the tickets (and there’s a surprising amount of limitations), take a look at the article below.
New Disneyland Offers: SoCal Resident Ticket, Hotel Discount, and ToonTown Photo Experience
Will it be lit or not?
The Disneyland Christmas tree has had some issues this holiday season. At random times the lights on the bottom of the tree will go out for no reason, and they will come on again randomly. We are pretty sure that the problem is caused by a loose wire that can’t easily be located. So if you are at the park and the tree is completely lit, get your pictures right away as there’s no guarantee it will stay lit for any length of time.
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Work is progressing nicely at the submarine lagoon. Although we don’t have an exact date, the attraction should re-open this winter. The subs have a fresh paint job as well as the coral and rocks.
The freshly-painted doors have been re-attached to the subs. This attraction is visually “sub”lime after it comes out of a refurb. It’s not to be missed.
The fresh paint on the coral is vibrant. Some of this brightness will get toned down a little when the water is back in the lagoon. We don’t know if they are using the same crushed glass “paint” they did when the attraction opened with the Nemo overlay.
Rain at Disneyland
Southern California received some much-needed rain on Tuesday, and again on Thursday night. Disneyland is magical during the holidays, but the rain takes it to another level. If you are fortunate enough to experience the park when it rains during the holidays it’s an otherworldly experience you won’t soon forget. The light reflection at night is simply stunning.
Matterhorn Single Rider Moved
The Matterhorn Single Rider line used to share its entrance with the old Fastpass entrance. It has now been moved to the side exit.
Where’s the water?
On Wednesday we noticed that many water features were turned off. We don’t know if it was due to the weather, but the water really makes a difference in the ambiance of an attraction – especially the Matterhorn.
Fortunately, on Thursday the water had returned to the Matterhorn. You can see how much of a difference it makes.
Fantasyland Theater Construction
The set for the old Mickey and the Magical Map show is being removed. This performance venue will be featuring different entertainment offerings in the coming months: “Celebrate Gospel!” will premiere in February, and then “Tale of the Lion King” will start performances sometime this Spring.
Both of these entertainment offerings were previously featured at DCA, but the relocation to Disneyland makes a lot of sense. “Celebrate Gospel!” will be featured for Black History Month over the course of several days in February. Additionally, “Tale of the Lion King,” was performed in front of Paradise Bay (the World of Color lagoon) in an unshaded area that made it too uncomfortable to stand and watch the entertaining show. I hope that these new entertainment offerings succeed at the Fantasyland Theater… but we would like to see a permanent offering take up residence here as well.
For more about entertainment returning to Disneyland in 2022, take a look below:
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Construction
Construction on the newest attraction going into Toontown has picked up the pace with this new steel structure being erected. That tower will be the theater marquee you’ll walk under to enter the attraction.
The World-Famous MiceChat Gumball Rally Returns February 12th, 2022!
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 (park reservations were available when we posted this) and then sign up for the Rally at the link below! 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 get those park tickets and reservations TODAY!
Gumball Rally Event information * HERE *
Merlin’s Marvelous Miscellany
The Christmas shop in Fantasyland is being re-themed. Although the holiday shop has found a new home at Plaza Point on Main Street (the old Nikon/Photopass shop), it wasn’t clear what would be happening with the Fantasyland shop. This week, a new sign was installed with the shop’s new name: Merlin’s Marvelous Miscellany.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
We can never get enough pictures of this parade, ESPECIALLY the week of Christmas! So please enjoy a plethora of positively pleasing photos from three of our photographers.
And a unique wide angle video of the parade for your holiday delight:
Around Disneyland
You didn’t think we’d forgotten all the other pretty holiday treasures did you? Enjoy this stroll through the holiday decor around Disneyland! Our talented photographers really enjoyed themselves this week and you can tell by their photos…
We noticed that there are several lights out on the back of the Mark Twain. These will most likely be replaced when the Mark Twain goes down for refurb right before Fantasmic! returns this Spring.
A Santa roastie!
Please enjoy some of Disneyland’s street entertainers. They are extremely talented, and fun to watch. We also think you will really enjoy the sound quality. These are the Bootstrappers:
An ultra-secret, ultra-exclusive, and ultra-wacky tour of Disneyland’s Opera House given by Maynard!
On Friday, I was fortunate enough to see Maynard greeting guests in front of the Opera House. I never pass up a chance to visit with him, and during our conversation he decided it was time to reveal some secrets that the Opera House has been hiding for decades.
We present to you some alternate facts about the exhibits in the Opera House.
(MiceChat has worked with Get Away Today to provide you with the best theme park travel deals and we may make a small commission on any sales made through our links)
Merry and Bright Theme Park Ticket and Travel Deals
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Struggling to round out your Christmas gift list? How about giving your family the gift of a family vacation? It’s a gift you give your kids… but let’s admit it, it’s a gift you are also giving to yourself.
Snap up those deals to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line and other family travel destinations while you still can, with your MiceChat partners at…
Let’s Hear From You
Well, you made it to the end of today’s Disneyland Update! And believe it or not, there’s even more ahead this week. But for now, just enjoy the pretty pictures and try not to stress out too much with the holidays literally nipping at your nose. What do you make of the Magic Key lawsuit? Are you excited to see some major changes happening with Runaway Railway? Are you sad to see Mickey and the Magical Map being disassembled? And what should replace it?! We always appreciate hearing your thoughts in the comments below. And if you enjoyed today’s Update, please be sure to share it on your social media (it’s the best way to thank us if you appreciate the coverage)!
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