Disneyland Update: The Party’s Over…

Happy Disney100!  …Or is it?   The party may have been forgotten here in Anaheim, but don’t worry, there’s always a Disney history party happening at Disneyland.  We dive into some of the park’s storied history today even though Disneyland started taking down the party decorations BEFORE THE BIG DAY. Meanwhile, ticket prices have gone up yet again, some droids stopped by Galaxy’s Edge, and the first signs of the holidays have appeared.  Of course, the parks are a hive of construction activity with finishing touches lighting up the Adventureland Treehouse, new details emerging in Downtown Disney, and Pixar Place Hotel continuing to take shape.

It’s actually a pretty busy update today!  But first, howdy — And welcome back to Dateline Disneyland!  It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to pop in and take over the Monday Disneyland update here on MiceChat and I’m excited to be back.  There’s plenty to get to this week, so let’s get started! 

Welcome to Disneyland!

Disneyland Resort theme parks were busy over the Friday the 13th weekend, with Genie+ selling out on Saturday and wait times for many E-Tickets hovering around hour-long standby waits on Friday and Saturday. Many school kids have Fall Break right about now, and since it’s also an opportunity for the whole family to break away to Disneyland to see the Halloween decorations, it was plenty busy… even though the park has raised ticket prices dramatically in the last week!

A look at wait times Friday afternoon.

California Adventure wait times late Friday afternoon. 

Igerflation: The Rising Price of Magic

The big news over the last week was the annual Disneyland ticket price increases.  While the yearly price hikes are not unexpected at this point, they still get plenty of attention, in part due to the fact that they tend to be larger than the rate of inflation.  With the Resort cutting entertainment offerings, attraction maintenance not at its best, dining spots still closing earlier and offering fewer options, and vastly lowered service levels than Walt demanded… well, the price increases don’t really feel great.  Prices have gone up again across the board from tickets to parking to Magic Keys.  Some single-day tickets rose nearly 9%. Meanwhile, some multi-day tickets saw 16% increases.  The biggest hit was felt for Magic Keys, with the two middle tier keys seeing big $150 price increases.  

One Day Ticket Prices

• Tier 0: $104 (this has been the low price since 2019)
• Tier 1: $119 ($5/4.4% increase)
• Tier 2:  $134 ($5/3.9% increase)
• Tier 3: $154 ($10/6.9% increase)
• Tier 4: $169 ($10/6.3% increase)
• Tier 5: $184 ($15/8.9% increase)
• Tier 6: $194 ($15/8.4% increase)

Multi-Day Tickets

• Two Day, One Park Per Day: $310 ($25/8.8% increase, $155 per day)
• Three Day, One Park Per Day: $390 ($30/8.3% increase, $130 per day)
• Four Day, One Park Per Day: $445 ($50/12.7% increase, $111.25 per day)
• Five Day,  One Park Per Day: $480 ($65/15.7% increase, $96 per day)

Make It A Park-Hopper?

While a one-day park-Hopper remains $65/day, the cost of adding a park-hopper has increased for 2, 3, 4, and 5-day tickets. It’s now 25% more expensive to park-hop on a 5-day ticket. 

• 1-day Park Hopper – $65 (0% increase)
• 2-day Park Hopper – $65 (8.3% increase, $32.5 per day)
• 3-day Park Hopper – $70 ($16.7% increase, $23.33 per day)
• 4-day Park Hopper – $70 ($16.7% increase, $17.5 per day)
• 5-Day Park Hopper – $75 (25% increase, $15 per day)

Magic Key Passes

All Magic Key passes saw increased in this latest round of price hikes.  Aside from the Park-Hopper jump, the biggest increase by percentage was the whopping $21.5% increase on the Enchant Key, up $150 to $849 for the year.  The Believe Key also jumped $150 but by percentage, it only rose 13.6%. 

• Imagine Key: $499 ($50/3.1% increase)
• Enchant Key: $849 ($150/21.5% increase)
• Believe Key: $1249 ($150/13.6% increase)
• Inspire Key: $1649 ($50/3.1% increase)

Below, this MiceChat chart tracks the price increases on Annual Passports and Magic Keys since 2018. 

Disneyland price increases are inevitable and every time we wonder, how high is too high?  Is there a price ceiling for the general public?  What about Disney’s diehard fans?  Will high ticket costs ever force attendance to drop off enough that Disney has to course correct?   More than ever, it seems Disney is ready and willing to push prices without worrying about it; banking on the presumption that Disney fans will continue to pay the price, no matter how high it is or how diminished the service offering.  

For a more comprehensive look at the latest round of price increases, please check out MiceChat’s full coverage:

Disneyland Ticket Prices Up Again on Magic Keys, Day Tickets & Lightning Lane!

 

Disney100: What Party?

Today, October 16, 2023, marks the official 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.  Over the last nine months, Disney promoted Disneyland as being the “heart of the celebration,” offering new entertainment, attractions, special food items, and decorations across the Resort.  Well, it’s the big day, but where’s the party?   

It’s true that Disneyland did spend the better part of 2023 decked out in platinum decorations for the special occasion.  Sleeping Beauty Castle has been adorned with special banners, a wishing star, and a shimmering Disney100 cabochon with the Three Good Fairies.  The park also debuted the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction, brought back the Magic Happens parade, and both theme parks got new nighttime spectaculars.  Characters greeted guests in special platinum costumes and restaurants served up special Disney100-themed dishes and treats.  

Unfortunately, much of the celebration wrapped up weeks ago, just shy of the actual anniversary.  Some of the Disney100 decorations disappeared in August as the parks got ready for Halloween Time.  August also brought the final performance of the fantastic new “Wondrous Journey” fireworks show and most (if not all) of the special Disney100 food items disappeared at the same time.  Halloween Time severely shrunk the Disney100 celebration, and now Christmas is finishing the job.

Over the weekend, the Magic Happens parade, which returned with much fanfare as part of the Disney100 celebration, held its final performance.  The cut appears to ben an attempt to save a few bucks before the A Christmas Fantasy parade returns for the holidays.  The holidays returning also means the annual snow overlay for Sleeping Beauty Castle.  That overlay is so extensive that it typically begins installation in the last week or two of October, so you guessed it — the Disney100 overlay got the axe this weekend.  Disneyland guests were greeted by a mostly un-decorated Sleeping Beauty Castle on Saturday morning.  

So, really, where’s the party?  It’s pretty hard to buy the excuse that Disney couldn’t wait just a couple more days before getting the Castle ready for the Holidays.  Really, just two more days was too much to ask?  And what about the rest of the celebration?  Entertainment and food items have been cut for weeks while Halloween Time offerings took their place.   Meanwhile, Disneyland never announced if they were going to do anything at all in the park today to mark the occasion.  Perhaps Disneyland will offer a small cavalcade.  Not what you’d expect for a big 100th Anniversary party, huh?

Disney made a big deal out of Disneyland being the heart of the global Disney100 celebration and here we are, on Disney’s big day, and nothing’s happening in Anaheim.   To be fair, Disney isn’t dropping the ball entirely.  It seems they’ve sort of shifted the home base for Disney100 to (inexplicably) Epcot at Walt Disney World for the rest of the year at least… and Disneyland Paris is having a neat little one-day celebration today (that really should have been in Anaheim).  

But it’s really a bummer that the entire party has pretty much wiped from the only Disney theme park Walt Disney personally planned, oversaw, walked in, and experienced.  The park is truly packed full of unique Disney history, much of which Walt Disney touched himself.  Just in Town Square, you can see Walt Disney’s personal apartment above the firehouse on Main Street, and watch a version of “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” which was the first show to feature a fully-functional human Audio-Animatronics figure. 

The Disneyland Railroad, which was the culmination of Walt Disney’s life-long love of trains, departs from Town Square, and just below the station is the Disneyland dedication plaque that Walt read on July 17, 1955.

In Frontierland, you can find a large petrified tree that Walt Disney bought in Colorado as an anniversary present for his wife Lillian in 1956.  Lilly gifted the petrified tree to the park in 1957, noting that it was “too big for the mantle.” 

Steps away from the petrified tree, the historic Golden Horseshoe Saloon was home to the Golden Horseshoe Revue that ran from park opening on July 17, 1955 to October 12, 1986.  The show was enjoyed often by Walt Disney, who sat in his favorite box next to the stage.  When the show closed in 1986, it was the longest running show in history. Of course, the Golden Horseshoe is home to even more Disney history: Walt and Lillian Disney celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary here in the Golden Horseshoe with about 300 guests… just days before Disneyland officially opened to the public in July 1955. 

Disneyland is rich in Walt-era history like this.  The park was Walt Disney’s passion and baby.  Disneyland was the zenith of his dream to create a place whole families could enjoy, not just the kiddies. Just a bit up the river from Frontierland, that special Walt-era Disney history continues in New Orleans Square.  The land is the final theme park area that Walt Disney was involved with and he opened in 1966.  It is, to this day, one of the most celebrated lands in any Disney theme park.  

It features the revolutionary Audio-Animatronics spectacle that is Pirates of the Caribbean, which opened in 1967.  The attraction continues to be regarded as a gold standard of theme park design, spawned a series of massive hit films, and versions of the attraction reside in five of the six Disney resorts around the world. 

The land was planned to be home to a full-size apartment that could host Walt Disney’s entire family.  He and His brother’s initials are permanently emblazoned in wrought iron on that private apartment’s balcony.  Elsewhere in New Orleans Square, Walt Disney planned a private club where he could host business partners and visiting dignitaries. 

And that’s only half of the park — the rest is steeped in plenty of history and lore as well.   In 1963, Adventureland became home to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, the first Audio-Animatronics musical revue.  Fantasyland’s “it’s a small world,” is the same ride that guests of the historic 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair enjoyed.

Wedged between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland is Walt Disney’s recreation of the iconic Matterhorn mountain, home of the world’s first tubular steel rollercoaster, and something Walt dreamed of recreating while on a trip to Switzerland.  Tomorrowland is home to Walt Disney’s submarine fleet and the first daily operating Monorail in the western hemisphere. 

And if all of that real history isn’t enough, then hop over to Disney California Adventure.  That’s right, while DCA might not have opened until 2001, the addition of Buena Vista Street in 2012 brought a ton of nods and references to even more Disney history.  

Windows, shops, signage, and doorways reference Disney Studios and animation history.   Legends of Disney animation including Ub Iwerks and the Nine Old Men are mentioned on signage in the land.  And big stores like Elias & Co. feature Walt Disney’s middle name (and his father’s first name).

And Buena Vista Street is capped off by a recreation of the Carthay Circle Theatre, a spectacular Los Angeles theater which no longer exists.   The theatre was home to the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney and the world’s first feature-length animated film.

So, the party at Disneyland may be over before the 100th Anniversary even happened but it’s really always there for those who want to find it.  Disneyland is a real, living treasure trove of Walt Disney Company history, and we barely scratched the surface of it here.  

This company, and this place, are incredibly special.  We hope those in charge remember that, embrace it, and celebrate it always, even if they did completely drop the ball on their actual 100th Anniversary. 

We aren’t the only ones disappointed in the priorities of the Disney Company, today, on the 100th anniversary of the company, DIS stock was trading around $85 per share. That’s more than $100 off its high in February of 2021 and a low not seen since spring of 2014. Abysmal.  

Happy 100th, Disney!  Here’s to the next 100. 

First Signs of the Season

The tree branch-disguised electrical cords are up along Main Street, USA!  These power cords go up every year to run power to the Christmas lights in the treetops that line the street.  

 

Only the power cords are up for now… the Christmas lights themselves aren’t installed in the trees quite yet… but keep your eyes peeled – they’ll be here soon enough! 

Meanwhile, Christmas lights are now up in the trees surrounding Sleeping Beauty Castle. 

And of course, we mentioned earlier that much of the Disney100 overlay for Sleeping Beauty Castle quietly disappeared over the weekend as Disneyland prepares for the Castle’s snowy holiday overlay.  The holidays at the Disneyland Resort begin November 10. 

Droids make a pit stop in Batuu

Last week some very cute little droids made a pitstop on Batuu. The trio of new droids made an appearance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for a surprise one-day play test.  

Guests were treated to Imagineers guiding the adorable droids through Galaxy’s Edge, each with their own unique personalities and charm.  Below, Disney released a video on the play test. 

There’s no word yet on if these droids will ever return to Black Spire Outpost, but we’re hoping they will.  Disney originally made big promises of roaming droids being part of the atmosphere entertainment for Galaxy’s Edge, but the land has been open since 2019 and aside from appearances from R2-D2, roaming droids have yet to materialize.  The best you can see are some static droids parked around the land, in different areas.  

Much like the various Avengers and villains from the Marvel Cinematic Universe help bring Avengers Campus to life across at Disney California Adventure, more characters are needed to help breathe some life into Galaxy’s Edge.  We’ve got our fingers crossed that Disney will finally deliver on their promises and the droids from the play test (and others!) will be added to Batuu soon! 

Construction Kingdom

Let’s take a look at some of the ongoing construction projects across the Resort.

Adventureland Treehouse lights up

In Adventureland, work continued feverishly over the weekend on the re-imagined Adventureland Treehouse.  The latest iteration of the treehouse will feature new residents while paying homage to Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson.

 

Lots of Imagineers and construction workers were on site on Friday, working to get the Treehouse ready for its upcoming re-opening. 

Imagineers applying finishing touches…

The new water system is in place, ready to get turned on and put to use.

 

New lighting strung up…

At night, the Treehouse’s new lighting package appears to be turned on and ready to go. 

Interesting use of blue and other colors of lighting are in use along the treehouse…

We’re not sure how a shipwrecked family has fancy blue string lights but we like the way it looks. 

 

The bright blue LEDs are hard to miss.

There’s additional pink and purple lights up on an upper level of the treehouse…  

Overall, the lighting package does look pretty neat, even if it raises some thematic questions.  We’re excited to explore this classic Disneyland treehouse once again soon!

Building the Bayou

Construction continues on transforming the former Splash Mountain attraction into the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.   

Scaffolding covers the mountain as it gets reworked and reinvented for the Princess and the Frog-themed attraction moving in.

The Briar Patch gift shop remains in the shadow of the mountain but the name and theming here is certainly on borrowed time.

Some views from a higher vantage…

The attraction entrance 

Last week, Disney Imagineers previewed a new mural coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Walt Disney World.  A version of the same mural is expected to come to Disneyland’s version of the attraction as well.  Disney commissioned contemporary artist artist Malaika Favorite to create a mural that would embody Louisiana’s lively spirit and continue the story of “The Princess and the Frog” in the queue for the new attraction.  The mural takes inspiration from other works of art that decorate buildings throughout New Orleans.

 

Meanwhile, work continues at Disneyland…

You can spot some significant construction in the rock work facade above the attraction’s exit.

Holes in the side of the mountain…

San Fransokyglow

In Disney California Adventure, Disney announced that the new San Fransokyo Square area  is just about finished. Some additional neon was recently added on the facades in the photo below.  Missing, however, is a neon “Port of San Fransokyo” marquee that had been shown in concept art for the project.

Disney announced the Port of San Fransokyo marquee is still on its way and will be added soon.  It looks like a couple of other small neon additions shown in that concept art are still missing but we’ll have to wait and see if they materialize.

The red neon on the facades on the right hand of the photo below were recently added.  

It looks good but even more neon for this area, please! Neon and additional nighttime lighting really helps sell this area.

All of the lanterns along the the wharf buildings here look great at night.

Downtown Disney expansion 

Work continues on the west side expansion of Downtown Disney.   The new Downtown Disney stage takes shape, with the installation of a new sculptural tower that Disney announced last week. 

The new tower by contemporary artist Nikkolas Smith fits the mid century modern aesthetic of the new west end expansion of Downtown Disney.  The new stage and lawn is set to open later this year.

Below, concept art of the new stage with its sculptural tower. 

Work continues on the new Din Tai Fung dumpling and noodle restaurant 

Views of the area from the Monorail:

We are expecting this big building below to be home of the new Parkside Market that Disney announced last week.  The Parkside Market will be home to four curated quick service dining locations:  

• Sip and Sonder: Signature lattes, as well as fresh treats, frozen drinks and Caribbean-inspired bites.
• Seoul Sister: Koran bibimbap bowls with a California twist
• GG’s Chicken Shop: Chicken sandwiches by James Beard Award and Michelin starred chefs.
• Second story bar: Craft cocktails and mocktails.

   

A look at the big lawn and stage.  Hopefully this new fake grass lawn fares better than the one Imagineering keeps having to fix in Mickey’s Toontown. 

 

Repaving continues throughout the west side of Downtown Disney to match the new mid century modern vibe of the area. 

Construction continues on the new Paseo and Centrico dining locations in the former Catal and UVA Bar locations.  The Michelin-star chef-run Mexican restaurant and bar is expanding on the footprint of the former locations. 

Disneyland Hotel construction 

The Disney Vacation Club Tower at the Disneyland Hotel is quickly approaching a month of being open but it still does not yet have its pool bar ready for guests.  

 

Still behind walls.

Nearby, work continues on replacing the metal fencing around the Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam’s patios with new glass fences.  

Rendering the Pixar Place Hotel

Progress continues on the Pixar Place re-theming of the former Paradise Pier Hotel. 

Great Maple’s outdoor facade and patio are up, along with new signage. 

Great Maple is a southern California chain of restaurants and is taking over all food service operations in the hotel as part of the Pixar Place re-theming.

It doesn’t appear that Great Maple will make any effort to adhere to the Pixar theme of the hotel.

 

Inside, the lobby continues to progress.  The large entry sculpture has yet to materialize…

…however, nearby the hotel gift shop now has an official name.  Referencing WALL-E, the shop is now named “STOR-E.”  Honestly, it’s kind of giving knock off store in a dead mall vibes. What do you think of the name and dimly lit sign? 

Near the shop, the Great Maple lobby entrance is still behind curtains while work continues on finishing the new restaurant.  

Across from the shop and near Great Maple, the lobby Cafe counter is behind curtains.  Hopefully something will soon be offered here — it’s wild that there is STILL no food service in this hotel. 

Work continues in the common areas across from the check in desks.  

“Finding Nemo” concept art wall and seating area.

On the other side of the Nemo art wall, “Luca” art covers the wall across from the main bank of elevators.

Next to the elevators, the new Bell Desk is open.  Something about this hotel so far feels flat.  Is this a Disney hotel or a layaway counter at a JC Penney? 

The main corridor leading to the parking garage is now open.  Each wall is a different block of color with sketches of characters from popular Pixar movies.  The stairwell is decorated with characters from “Soul.” 

A seating area with Mei in panda form from “Seeing Red”

A couple of simple character sketches on huge walls seems pretty minimal. Lacking for a themed Disney hotel.  

Overall, it just feels cold and corporate, lacking the warmth and charm you’d expect from Disney — especially one of its expensive hotels.

It’s fine… but for the price, would you want to stay here?

Refurbishment Roundup

A look at some refurbishments in the parks…

Adventureland restrooms

Walls are still up on the exterior repairs at the Adventureland restrooms, where a fountain and small planter were recently removed due to some plumbing issues. 

Mark Twain Riverboat 

The Mark Twain Riverboat is behind scaffolding for refurbishment. 

 

Space Mountain

Space Mountain is getting some much needed TLC as well.  Scaffolding surround the upper levels of the mountain…  And work is underway on queue shade structures and surrounding buildings. 

 

 

 

Nearby, the flying saucer-themed Disney Vacation Club sales kiosk remains under refurbishment. 

 

Mickey’s Toontown 

In Toontown, the problematic fountain and faux grass areas of CenTOONial Park continue to get reworked and replaced… for the second time!

New pavers, reworked fake grass, lots of hope that this time it’ll work.

Hopefully they’re finally able to get the sensory fountain working correctly as well.  

Elsewhere in Toontown, Donald’s Duck Pond and its splash zone areas that never opened over the summer are STILL behind walls. You could practically build a whole theme park in the length of time it has taken them to build this simple splash pad. 

Meanwhile, playground toys in Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard are missing. Once CenTOONial Park wraps up, Goofy’s yard will close for much-needed repairs.

Schmoozies!

 In Disney California Adventure, Schmoozies! in Hollywood Land remains closed for refurbishment.

Around the Parks

Let’s wrap up this week’s update with some views from around the parks…

 

It Doesn’t Have to Stop

You’ve just about reached the end of our Monday Update, but there’s another hour of news and views for you if you join Dusty on his weekly walk through Disneyland. He was extra bitchy this week, which makes it extra fun. 

If you’d like to see more of Dusty and hear a lot more about Disney history, Dusty has three event opportunities for you: 

Tours of Walt Disney’s historic 1930s/40s estate in the Hollywood Hills (history tours by day and ghost tours by night): 

The Thrilling & Chilling Tales of Walt Disney’s Real-Life (Haunted?) Mansion

 

And, Dusty will be your Ghost Host for the Garner Holt Foundation Halloween gala. Theme park designers and creatives will discuss the history of Disney’s Haunted Mansion and Haunted Mansion stage inside the incredible Garner Holt animatronics factory: 

Come Out To Socialize at a Grim Grinning Gala by an Animatronics Legend

 

And finally, we have a whimsical event at Bowers Museum in November celebrating the Weird World of Rolly Crump, hosted by his son, Imagineer Chris Crump and a panel of amazing guests: 

LAST CHANCE: Step Into The Weird World of Disney Legend Rolly Crump

 

Alright, that wraps up this week’s Disneyland update.   What do you think of the underwhelming thud of the Disney100 celebration finale?  Are you ready for the holidays at Disneyland or did they just price you out of your annual Christmas vacation?  Did you get a chance to see the droids in Galaxy’s Edge?  There’s a lot to discuss this week, so let us know your thoughts in the comments section below! 

Special thanks to Mike Kendrich for some additional help with photos in today’s update.