One last Zip-a-dee-doo-dah… The final day of Splash Mountain is upon us. In today’s update, we delve into the latest happenings at Disneyland, from statements about resort expansion and upcoming projects to a sneak peek at the live-action Ariel in the park, and a last look at a SoCal classic. Plus, we have all the latest construction updates and some unfortunate notes as well. We’ll scratch that Disney itch with the latest news you don’t want to miss!
Doubling Down on Expansion
This week, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products (DPEP) Chairman, Josh D’Amaro, shared some key insights on the future of Disney Parks at the JP Morgan Global Technology, Media & Communications Conference.
The standout message is that Disney sees ample opportunities for growth, not just at Disneyland but also at Walt Disney World. D’Amaro highlighted the significant space beyond the theme parks available for development, with particular reference to the DisneylandForward project. This initiative could yield a multifunctional space encompassing theme parks, retail outlets, dining, and hotels. Disney has hinted at potential projects and preferred locations, but concrete plans or specific projects are yet to be unveiled. As we covered in last week’s Disneyland Update, DisneylandForward represents a substantial investment that could take 15 years or more to complete. Take a look at Dusty’s thoughts on DisneylandForward below…
Disneyland Update: Exciting Changes, Frustrating Delays & the Final Splash
In another noteworthy revelation from D’Amaro’s interview, Disney is streamlining guest information across all branches of the company to optimize sales strategies and increase guest spending. Given Disney’s extensive reach into modern life, this shared data could boost potential revenue, not just for Disney Parks, but also for other services like Disney+, despite its current financial challenges.
It also seems probable that Disney is building towards a unified loyalty program that would operate similarly to Amazon Prime. This membership could provide discounts on Disney+ subscriptions, theme park tickets, hotel rooms, shopDisney purchases, and more, while allowing Disney to monitor your purchases and spending habits more effectively.
As we wait to see how these plans develop, it will be interesting to see how existing loyalty & outreach programs like D23 and Disney Movie Rewards fit into this broader scheme.
Memorial Day Weekend Crowd(less)
Just when we’ve become accustomed to an increase in daily crowds, this week was a welcome surprise. You might have anticipated massive crowds due to the 3-day Memorial Day weekend… However, with peak pricing for day tickets and blockouts for many passes, the parks weren’t as busy as they would have been in the past.
DCA was even less crowded.
The whole day, the only area that consistently felt busy was Toontown. Because the land is so compact, the presence of people is immediately felt. But even still, there is enough room to have some space to yourself.
Even the attraction wait times were decent; unsurprisingly, E-tickets had the longest wait, though the smaller rides generally were a 30-minute wait or less.
For the Memorial Day weekend, Disneyland hosted some special guests from the US Navy and Marines during the Flag Retreat ceremony.
Additionally, fireworks have been confirmed for today (Memorial Day). So if you’re in Disneyland tonight, you can watch Wondrous Journeys with pyrotechnics (generally only offered with fireworks on the weekends).
Disneyland Walkthrough
Every Friday at 5pm PST, we have a live video walkthrough of the latest conditions at Disneyland. Even when Dusty is out of town on a super secret assignment as he was this week, we found a way to take care of you! This week, I was joined by our Star Wars expert, Scott Solo, for the Disneyland walkthrough! If you weren’t watching live, you can catch up in the video below (NOTE: We had an audio glitch at the beginning of the video, which gets taken care of quickly. So please hit play and hang in there for a few minutes):
Dusty will be back this week on Friday at 5pm on the MiceChat Facebook and YouTube pages with some interesting news, so be sure to set a reminder! Until then, let’s get caught up on the rest of the Disneyland news from this week!
Final Countdown for Splash Mountain
Reality is sinking in: Disneyland’s Splash Mountain is going away for good after tomorrow (the last day of operations is set as May 30th).
The final date to ride through the briar patch is May 30— tomorrow! We’re fully expecting Splash to be the busiest attraction in the park today and tomorrow as people come for the final splashdown.
Since the closing announcement was made, Splash Mountain went from short 5-10 minute waits to a constant 60+ minute wait (except when it gets very cold).
One of the MiceChat contributors took a ride on Splash Mountain this weekend to look at its current conditions… and it’s safe to say that its best days are behind it. This is what they had to say about their last visit to Splash Mountain.
The ride had such poor lighting that it was an all-around disappointing experience for a final ride. The photos below have been edited to bring out as much extra light as possible, which was tough considering there wasn’t much to work with. A lot of the lighting in the attraction is burned out or turned off.
It’s so sad that an attraction that ran for nearly 34 years had such major maintenance issues toward the end. We can only hope that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be better maintained.
The mouths of many of these characters were never repaired.
Splash Mountain is closing to undergo a massive transformation into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The Disneyland version of this attraction isn’t expected to open until late 2024, so the park will be out of a major people eater this summer and next summer. Get to know Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the article below:
Disneyland Splash Mountain Closing Date Set for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Transformation
When Walt Disney World’s version of Splash Mountain closed in January this year, scaffolding and scrims were quickly installed. Disneyland is likely to waste little time getting to work once Splash has closed for good.
While some theme parks like to create commemorative merchandise celebrating a closing attraction’s legacy, that wasn’t the case for Splash Mountain. In the Briar Patch shop, it’s all just ear headbands, hats, and snacks.
The only Splash Mountain merchandise that exists at Disneyland right now is a trio of pressed pennies available at Pooh Corner.
We’re looking forward to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It will be the same thrill ride that we know now, but with a new theme and music. But that doesn’t mean that we’re also sad about losing an attraction that was such a big part of our Disneyland memories. In this week’s rendition of MiceShots, Mike Kindrich shared some of his favorite photos of the wettest mountain in Disneyland. If you’re a Splash Mountain fan, you’ll definitely want to see how beautiful the attraction was one last time:
Pixar Place Hotel Updates
Following months of extensive refurbishment behind the scenes, Disneyland Resort’s Paradise Pier Hotel is beginning to reveal its upgraded spaces as it transforms into the Pixar Place Hotel. Though guests have been checking in through a temporary ballroom, the main lobby and reception desk have now partially reopened, showcasing an updated design featuring splashes of Pixar art. The renovation remains in progress, with numerous pieces of artwork still awaiting installation. A standout addition will be a Luxo Lamp perched on a Pixar ball, expected to illuminate the lobby this winter.
However, visitors may find access to the hotel lobby from the parking structure somewhat challenging. Signage is sparse, and the back entrance is currently closed. On our visit, we had to navigate around to the front, but later discovered a temporary exit at the rear of the ballrooms.
But once inside, the change is unmistakable. The lobby has been reworked to fit the new design theme. Disney describes this style as “contemporary” but it also feels very clinical. Maybe when the finishing touches are done it will feel more welcoming.
Exciting future developments include the opening of a new restaurant, Great Maple, slated for this fall. Known for its scrumptious New American and brunch offerings, Great Maple is a dining spot we’re eagerly anticipating.
For summer fun, families can look forward to the new “Finding Nemo” water play area and splash pad. Featuring a 186-foot-long waterslide, the pool area will also house a Pixar-themed bar, the Blue Umbrella, managed by Great Maple. A family play court, inspired by Pixar’s short films, will be added to the pool deck later this year. It will host interactive games and free play activities drawing from “La Luna,” “Bao,” “For the Birds,” and “Burrow.” Guests can also enjoy food and drinks under the love-struck umbrellas from “The Blue Umbrella.”
The hotel gift shop has reopened as well. There’s a temporary sign up on the window.
Inside, the shop is filled with Pixar items and images.
Despite current inconveniences due to ongoing construction and limited food options, the Pixar Place Hotel is on track to complete its extensive renovation by this winter.
Disneyland Resort Construction
There are numerous projects happening around the Disneyland Resort. This week, we saw some new things pop up along with progress on existing projects. Let’s take a look at the construction updates!
Adventureland Treehouse
Although scrims have returned to covering the lower portion of the Adventureland Treehouse, there’s some active construction happening in the viewable area.
The final room of the upper level is currently being built. We can see plywood siding being installed along with the new thatched roof.
It’s the room in the upper right corner of the image below:
We’re still waiting for the big reveal of the waterwheel and updates on the lower section of the treehouse. There’s no announced opening date, but the Adventureland Treehouse could potentially open this spring or summer.
Tiana’s Palace + Mint Julep Bar
In New Orleans Square, work continues on the retheme of the French Market.
Tiana’s Palace is largely a cosmetic rework of the existing space. We can currently see work happening on the Mint Julep Bar and the stage on the paito.
It’s a shame that Disney isn’t utilizing the more visually appealing printed scrims that are currently installed on the scaffolding. Sure, a scrim will never look as nice as the finished product, but having a design on the scrim makes it a bit more bearable than a huge block of beige. Here’s a reminder of what the printed scrims looked like before they got rolled up weeks ago.
Fantasmic Updates
Disney informed cast members last week that Fantasmic would be on hiatus through Labor Day. In the meantime, there is still work happening on the site where the Maleficent dragon was completely consumed in flames. Last week, we noticed that the newly-built stairs had been covered up with a scrim. This week, the stairs are uncovered again with a slightly deeper coat of paint, but still a completely different shade than the stairs on the left.
Red Rose Tavern
The Red Rose Tavern is wrapped in a printed scrim. The quick-serve restaurant is still open during the exterior refurbishment. The extensive project spans from the restaurant’s main entrance all the way to the restrooms. Crews are touching up some roofing and exterior elements.
We noticed this week that the open-again-closed-again Royal Reception room was available for seating.
Toontown Touchups
The newly opened Toontown is already requiring a slew of adjustments.
We reported on the wall around the Wishing Tree at the entrance of the land last week. We assumed that this would be a quick project, replacing the spongy material around the base of the tree to make for an even walking surface. This week, the whole area is still blocked off.
This week, the see-saws in Goofy’s Play Yard were removed. What’s in their place? Super fun trash cans! Kids LOVE trash cans!
The birdhouse in the side yard is also still missing. It has been replaced with a rock.
The crown jewel of Toontown, the fountain, is suffering from rust issues that are getting worse week to week. And many of the water effects are still nonfunctional.
Water elements seem to be an issue in ToonTown. Donald’s Duck Pond and the Chip and Dale water feature are both still nonfunctional.
Overall, it seems like Toontown is having a rough go at things and it’s not even 4 months old yet! I wonder if Disneyland should temporarily close the land to get things back in working order again…
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Since the Disney100 Celebration kicked off in January, Sleeping Beauty Castle has slowly been adding finials and flags. This week, the project is finally done. All of the rooftops have been completed.
San Fransokyo
Work continues on the transformation from Pacific Wharf to San Fransokyo. While much of the outermost buildings have been painted with new signs advertising local businesses in the city, there’s still a lot of work taking place inside the area.
We saw that construction is taking place on the new beer window of Cucina Cucamonga. Some framing and insulation was going in.
Also at Cucina Cucamonga, there’s another set of construction walls.
The Baymax meet & greet area that’s replacing the beer truck also has a construction wall. The truck will be closed starting tomorrow, May 30. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of places to find a beer around the park.
The mural above the restrooms is now complete. The art shows off a stylized SFS (San Fransokyo) along with a bit of flora and fauna. Work is still taking place on the exterior of the restrooms behind construction walls.
The sign for Pacific Wharf Cafe has been replaced with a temporary sign. The eatery will be getting a new name in line with the Japanese culture-inspired San Fransokyo, Lucky Cat Cafe.
The bakery tour is open amid exterior construction.
We saw the Lucky Cat mural on the exterior a few weeks ago, but it’s been covered up again. Here’s what it looked like before being hidden.
Our resident Japanese expert (and MiceMerch editor!) Natalie had some fun translating some of the signs around San Fransokyo. Here’s what she had to say:
A Sampling of San Fransokyo Square Signage
San Fransokyo, the setting for Big Hero 6 and inspiration for the upcoming San Fransokyo Square, is a mash-up of San Francisco and Tokyo. And while the transformation from Pacific Wharf to San Fransokyo Square is not completed yet, guests can get a taste of the new area with the many signs and murals already visible. Much like the concept of San Fransokyo itself, the languages used are a blend of English with the Roman alphabet and Japanese using katakana and kanji. Here’s a quick look at a few of them.
On the first line of this mural, it says “San Fransokyo Square” in katakana, followed by the English underneath.
On the green building on the left side, the words say “Salt & Sea Packing Company,” using a blend of katakana and kanji. And the lower-right sign reads “Service Entrance” or “Delivery Entrance” on the top line and “Attention” or “Caution” on the bottom one, both in kanji.
And this one is probably easy to guess. Using kanji, the Japanese says “No Entry” or “Off Limits.” It is at an entrance for Cast Members.
The signs and murals do a good job of fitting the new setting while harkening back to the original Pacific Wharf’s oceanside theme. It will be interesting to see what other messages are revealed as the re-theme approaches completion.
Hyperion Theater
With the debut of Rogers: The Musical just a month away (June 30), there’s a lot of prep work taking place to get the Hyperion ready for its first production since March of 2020.
The outdoor queue for the Hyperion is open again after being closed off with hedges last week. It’s neat to walk under the jacaranda trees with their purple blooms.
In prep for the show, the decals promoting Pym Test Kitchen have been stripped off the stairs, revealing a monstrous amount of damage, rust, and corrosion!
The damage is so extensive on certain parts that there are literal holes in the metal.
Learn more about the all-new musical coming to the Hyperion in the link below:
Rogers: The Musical Coming to Disney California Adventure June 30
Downtown Disney West End
Last week we wrote that foundations had been poured for two of the buildings in the upcoming revitalization of the west end of Downtown Disney. This week, we can report that vertical building has begun!
The recent expansion of the construction zone pushed the walkway through Downtown Disney into an even narrower space. This was necessary to demolish the tree’s planter without disrupting the tree.
Refurbishments
It’s always handy to know what attractions and offerings are going down for refurbishment. This week, there are several new additions to the calendar that you should be aware of.
Disneyland Refurb Calendar (updated 5/27/23):
Currently Under Refurbishment:
- Tarzan’s Treehouse Transformation: (September 1st, 2021-2023)
- French Market remodel to Tiana’s Palace: (February 17th-TBA)
- Mint Julep Bar: (February 17th-TBA)
- Matterhorn Bobsleds: (April 17th-June 1st)
- Boudin Bread Cart: (May 28th-July 1st)
- Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.: (May 30th-July 1st)
- Splash Mountain Conversion to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: (May 31st, 2023-Late 2024)
Upcoming Refurbishments:
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure: (June 5th-7th)
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: (June 5th-15th)
- Alice in Wonderland: (June 5th-15th; July 5th-TBA)
- Peter Pan’s Flight: (June 5th-29th)
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant: (July 3rd)
- Disneyland Monorail: (July 5th-TBA)
- Soarin’ Around the World: (July 5th-TBA)
This & That
And now we’ve come to my favorite part of the Disneyland Update, the random grab bag of stories around the resort. Here’s what’s new this week!
Live-Action Ariel Meet & Greet
This past Friday, The Little Mermaid, the newest Disney live-action remake, hit theaters and swept the box office. As of this writing, the film was expected to earn $164 million globally for the holiday weekend. While critics didn’t give the film high marks, audiences did:
Disneyland delivered with a little in-park synergy, promoting the new movie with a character meet & greet. Over at Small World Mall, you can find a neat little themed backdrop where you can meet Ariel in her live-action form as a human.
When we visited on Friday, Ariel was meeting guests 5 times during the day. The line to meet her was long and was cut off fairly early. If Ariel from the live-action story is a must-see, be sure to plan accordingly.
In a cross-promotion of the movie and the upcoming Black Music Month (June), there’s a Little Mermaid-inspired macaron available at Edelweiss Snacks. If you like pineapple, then you’ve gotta give this a try (just be prepared for your tongue to be blue for a little while).
Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Blast
If you’re a fan of characters and dancing, the summer dance party has kicked off at Tomorrowland Terrace. The dance party this time around is a repeat from last year, with all of the goofy space-themed costumes we came to love. You can find Stitch, Goofy, Horace, Clarabelle, Chip, Dale, and Suzette (in rotation) during the party.
June Celebrations
As May is just about to end, there’s some new month-long celebrations around Disneyland to get ready for. June is both Pride Month as well a Black Music Month. Disneyland is celebrating both with a collection of specialty foods, merchandise, and entertainment offerings.
Here’s a sneak peek of the Pride Month foods:
You can be the flashiest person on Main Street with this year’s Pride collection.
As for Black Music Month, you can find nightly live music at Downtown Disney and at the Grand Californian Hotel. Additionally, there are some Black Music groups that will be performing daily in DCA.
There are also a handful of specialty foods for the month at Award Weiners and Studio Catering Co. at DCA, plus a couple options in Downtown Disney including a Black-owned Italian ice food truck.
Knott’s Summer Season Kicks Off
Now I know this isn’t a Disneyland story, but we’d be remiss not to mention what’s happening at another theme park just down the road. This past Friday, Knott’s debuted their summer entertainment lineup. Guests can experience Ghost Town Alive during the day and Summer Nights when the sun goes down. This is the best year yet for both activities with Knott’s emphasis on immersion and omnipresent entertainment. Take a look at the article below for details about the summer events at Knott’s:
Additionally, Knott’s unveiled their completely revitalized Fiesta Village area of the park. It’s been transformed from a hokey caricature of a Mexican street fair into an homage to Mexican culture clearly inspired by Olvera Street in Los Angeles. Take a look at what Knott’s has done to breathe new life into the space:
FIRST LOOK! Newly Reimagined Fiesta Village Now Open at Knott’s Berry Farm!
And just a tip, they have the best theme park beignets I’ve ever had. This time around they are dusted with a lemon flavored sugar. So good.
Get to Know Tania Norris
Last week we featured an early gem of Walt Disney Imagineering, Tania McKnight Norris. She was a key player in the creation of New Orleans Square, Club 33, and Haunted Mansion. MiceChat contributor Samantha Davis-Friedman got the chance to chat with Tania and shares the charming tale. If you’re a fan of Disney history, you don’t want to miss this interview:
Meet Tania McKnight Norris: Walt Disney’s Secret Imagineering Weapon
Join the MiceChat CHOC Walk 2023 Team!
MiceChat is more than just your go-to source for Disneyland news. This summer, we’re supporting the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) with the 2023 CHOC Walk. This early-morning walk through Disneyland and DCA helps raise money to support healthcare programs, education, and research at CHOC Children’s Hospitals.
We regularly participate in the CHOC Walk, and we’re looking forward to doing it again on August 20! You can help us reach that goal in two ways:
First, you can join our MiceChat CHOC Walk team— we’d love to walk with you! This is a great way to meet fellow MiceChatters while supporting a great cause. You can find the details for joining the MiceChat team HERE!
The other way that you can support MiceChat for this year’s CHOC Walk is by donating to our team. However you decide to support us, your help is deeply appreciated!
We’ve had a number of new team members join this week, and we can’t wait to add some more! We’re looking forward to seeing you all in August!
Mickey Maxx MiceChat Meet Up: A Tribute to Luis DeLucy
Join us as we go retro on Sunday, July 9, at noon for a Disneyland meetup in honor of everyone’s favorite MiceChat moderator Lu DeLucy (AKA Mickey Maxx). We’ll gather at the hub (next to the Walt and Mickey statue) to reminisce, share stories, and celebrate Lu’s vibrant spirit.
After a little chit-chat, we’ll head to lunch and enjoy some of his favorite attractions.
Whether you had the pleasure of knowing Lu personally or not, we are sure he would have been delighted to meet you and would have felt deeply honored knowing that the MiceChatters were reuniting in his memory.
GRAB YOUR DISNEYLAND RESERVATION FOR JULY 9TH NOW!
Around the Park
To cap off today’s Disneyland Update, here are a few more photos I took during my visit to the resort for this update.
The 1937 Packard Coupe near Oswald’s Garage is a clever homage to the debut of Disney’s first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was released at Christmastime in 1937.
DCA has lots of vibrant flowers right now. I’m a true California boy, so a good ol’ California Poppy will always catch my eye.
The “vineyard” at DCA is producing fruit. As a kid, I used to think that the grapes served at Wine Country Trattoria were the same ones growing out along the parade route. A kid can dream…
I got a chance to say hello to the resident feral cat of Grizzly River Rapids, Francisco!
Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is coming to an end. You can still meet with Raya in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Over at Disneyland, we only spotted one Pink Trumpet tree still sporting its namesake flowers. The Pink Lapacho season is about to end.
While stopping in Disneyana, there was a collection of Disney castle sculptures created for the Disney100 celebration. There are statuettes of the castles from Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland. I’d love a miniature version of every Disney Parks castle around the world.
For me, the best part of Oga’s Cantina is undoubtedly DJ R-3X.
Runaway Railway has quickly become a favorite Disneyland attraction for us. The wait times can fluctuate through the day; we saw it as low as 20 minutes at times!
The clockface at Small World has a strangely jerky new animation.
Hyperspace Mountain reverts to classic Space Mountain after this week. June 4 is the last day to see the Star Wars overlay for this coaster in the dark.
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Let’s Hear From You
This is going to be a big week for Disneyland, as a classic attraction closes to bring new ventures ahead. We’ll be in the park for a final sendoff of Splash Mountain, be sure to stay tuned to our social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & YouTube. Do you like the new lobby of the upcoming Pixar Place Hotel? Looking forward to any of the major construction projects going on at the resort right now (San Fransokyo, Adventureland Treehouse, Tiana’s Palace, Bayou Adventure, Downtown Disney Westside). Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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