Pack up the tree and jingle that last bell because the holidays are officially over at the Disneyland Resort… with just one last holdout. You might need a snack (or two) to get through today’s epic Disneyland Update because we’re about to embark on a whirlwind tour of all the latest news, construction, and controversies. From Mickey’s Mix Magic to a lame Lightning Lane decision and the anticipation of Magic Keys returning at last – we’ll guide you through all the twists and turns. Buckle up, because this Disneyland Update is about to take you on a wild ride…
UPDATED January 9th:
We have a little update on two projects you’ll see below. These items showed up on Tuesday morning, so photos weren’t included below, though they are mentioned.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure water tower has landed. Late Monday night, the tower was dropped into place aside the big drop on the attraction. As you walk toward Bayou Adventure from Haunted Mansion, you can’t miss it. It doesn’t bear the name of the attraction, but rather the fictional company Tiana is running “Tiana’s Foods.”
Meanwhile, next door at Haunted Mansion, Magnolia Gardens has begun its transformation into a larger queue for the attraction. The other half of the Garden will later become an extended seating area for Tiana’s Palace restaurant (It seems that Tiana has a hand in almost everything these days).
We’ll be sad to see these big old trees go. Some new trees will be planted when the area is reconfigured. Perhaps some of the old shade trees can be saved and moved elsewhere. The Esplanade would be a good spot (it’s so hot and inhospitable out there).
For more information on the Haunted Mansion expansion, please visit our full coverage:
UPDATED! Haunted Mansion Reopens With Surprises & Virtual Queue
More on both of these projects below…
IT’S A WRAP
The Holidays officially ended yesterday (Sunday, January 7th, at the Disneyland Resort). Saturday was 3 Kings Day, and the Resort marked the occasion with some small displays in Disney California Adventure’s Paradise Gardens.
Three Kings’ Day, also known as the Epiphany or Dia de Los Reyes, honors the Magi who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. In some cultures, children leave hay and treats for the animals in their shoes in hopes that gifts will be left for them (which is why some call this celebration “Little Christmas”). It also marks the end of the Christmas season and is a big reason why Disneyland keeps the holidays going until at least Epiphany.
Overall, this was a familiar holiday season at the Disneyland Resort. Beautiful, but not much new from previous years, and some cutbacks in decor.
The big disappointment for me this year was the lackluster offerings for the Festival of Holidays. There were fewer offerings at each booth and not enough to draw me back as in previous years. I hope that Disney can revitalize the Festival for next year with more and better offerings.
I’m not the only one who must have felt the Festival was lacking; we didn’t see the long lines at the booths and there was a general lack of buzz. On the final weekend of the festival, there weren’t many people partaking in the booth offerings, although the parks were very busy otherwise.
Along those lines, it’s time for some freshening up of the holiday offerings overall. Yes, part of the magic of Christmas is nostalgia… but some new things and additional offerings would go a long way toward making the holidays sparkle just a bit more.
Disneyland has redone some areas of the resort in the last year. Unfortunately, these areas simply recycled old holiday decor from before their transformations or put nothing up at all. San Fransokyo, for example, didn’t add any new Big Hero Six holiday decorations. Instead, they just put the old Pacific Wharf decorations back up. While they work, they weren’t refreshed in any way to feel more like the new theme.
The same is true in Toontown, which has the same decorations they’ve been using for years. But the new areas of the land simply didn’t add any holiday decor at all. So, Roger Rabbit looks identical to previous years…
But the new Cafe Daisy is left mostly undecorated.
And the bulk of the new items for Christmas this year were just new costume designs for the characters, and new merchandise and food items.
How would you like to see the holidays evolve at the Disneyland Resort? Should it remain the same every year? Or should new offerings, shows, and overlays be added?
With the end of the holidays comes a slate of refurbishments and changes in resort operations.
FAREWELL TO THE KING
Sadly, the Tale of the Lion King’s run has come to an end. We loved this high-energy show… but it was on a much smaller scale than the big productions this stage was previously known for. Unfortunately, that means that, as of today, there are no major theatrical productions at Disneyland. With Hyperion and the Fantasyland Theater now abandoned and Fantasmic still awaiting a May 24th return, there are only small-scale productions, such as Storytelling at the Fairytale Theatre in Princess Fantasy Faire (which is wonderful, by the way).
Disneyland ran a limited-time show in the Hyperion last summer. But nothing has been announced for the theater in 2024.
We’d like to see big productions return to the Disneyland theaters instead of the small-scale productions offered in 2023. At the high prices Disneyland is charging for everything, guests deserve better than shuttered theaters!
FIREWORKS FLIP
Believe in Holiday Magic ended its run yesterday (Sunday the 7th).
Unfortunately, it is being replaced today by…. Mickey’s Mix Magic (projections on weekdays and fireworks on weekends). While the show isn’t a fan favorite, it is a very affordable production for the resort and offers an alternative fireworks display during the off-season when Disneyland once didn’t have any nighttime show at all.
Are you ready to daaaaaaaaaaance? Here’s a short clip of the show to jog your memory:
But we can look forward to two other fireworks/projection shows in the coming months. On March 22nd, the fabulous Wondrous Journeys returns for a short run (we really feel this should become the default fireworks for the resort instead of Mix Magic).
Then on April 26th, Pixar Fest launches at the Disneyland Resort and brings Together Forever fireworks back (more on that below).
And a short reminder:
HOLIDAY OVERLAYS END
“It’s a small world” is closed as of today to remove its holiday overlay, but it will take them just 11 days to remove all the festive details. They’ve gotten really good at installing and removing holiday overlays at Disneyland. It’s just a shame they didn’t do Jingle Cruise this year, it was such a simple but charming offering.
Haunted Mansion will remain open with its Nightmare Before Christmas overlay until January 22nd.
But hang onto your hats and bats… The mansion is set for a major refurbishment, which will bring a newly expanded and upgraded queue, exit gift shop, and additional disability access and elevator. So don’t expect to see the regular version of Haunted Mansion again this year. It will likely be holiday time again before it’s ready to reopen. Read more HERE:
UPDATED! Haunted Mansion Reopens With Surprises & Virtual Queue
MAGIC KEYS RETURN
Now that the holidays are over, and Disneyland has leveraged as many full-paying admissions as possible, it’s time for the pass holders to sweep in and help fill up the parks in the off-season. And that means new Magic Key sales are returning! All 4 levels of the program are available once again later this week on January 10th. Note that sales will begin no earlier than 9 a.m. (Pacific Time). For full details about the Magic Key program, please check out our guide HERE:
LOCKED! Disneyland Magic Key Sales Paused: Everything You Need To Know
But we’re curious to hear how you Magic Key holders out there spent the last two weeks of the year while you were blocked out of Disneyland. Did you visit other theme parks? Take the time off from the parks? Let us know.
WHAT’S NEXT
There are a few things coming up soon at Disneyland. Yes, both Haunted Mansion and Splash/Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be down for much of the year… but Disney is trying to fill the calendar with festivals, parades, and fireworks to keep you coming back.
First up…
Lunar New Year
It’s the Year of the Dragon, and Disneyland’s Lunar New Year festivities will run from January 23rd through February 18th at Disney California Adventure. Lunar New Year is one of our favorite Disney celebrations of the year. We always look forward to the food, characters, and procession.
Speaking of events. We have a tiny bit of new information on another upcoming event.
PIXAR FEST
The celebration of all things Pixar was created in 2018 to help promote the then-new Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure. The event is set to return to the Disneyland Resort on April 26 through August 4th.
Last time around, the event included fireworks at Disneyland and the return of Paint the Night at California Adventure (with a new Incredibles float). This time around, there’s a new daytime parade and an enhanced version of the fireworks for Disneyland, but no Paint the Night. We’re excited to see something new, but the concept art makes it feel minimal compared to the more extravagant Paint the Night.
Over at Disneyland, there will be a new Pixar Fest sculpture in Town Square (Christmas Tree Point).
The Together Forever fireworks we mentioned above will add a new “Turning Red” scene featuring Mei Lee and her friends.
And there’s one more bit of Pixar news hitting the Disneyland Resort later this month…
PIXAR PLACE HOTEL
On January 30th, the Paradise Pier Hotel will officially become the Pixar Place Hotel. While most of the major elements are now in place, there are some final details that will be revealed over the next few weeks. Chief among them is the Luxo sculpture to be placed in the lobby.
The new 3rd party restaurant, Great Maple, is already open (we enjoyed it).
The pool area is whimsical, and an upgrade from the previous drab pool deck.
The rooms are on the basic side but provide colorful Pixar details. We’re not sure this room is worth the $500+/night price, but it will be very appealing for many families looking for a room at the resort.
Stay tuned on this one. We’ll have lots more for you once the hotel is officially open.
THIS AND THAT
And now… a few more things to fill up your Disney plate…
runDisney Returns
It’s runDisney week. The sold-out Disneyland Half Marathon returns Jan. 11-14th. Then, the races return September 5th through 8th with a Halloween theme.
The Slippery Slope – Lightning Lane for Pirates
With the Haunted Mansion preparing to close for an extended period and the mountain formerly known as Splash not coming out of its cocoon until late this year, Disneyland is short two attractions guests purchase Genie+ for… So, in a scheme to keep that all-important Lightning Lane money pouring in, the resort plans to add Lightning Lane to Pirates of the Caribbean… at least while Haunted Mansion is closed.
Unfortunately, like the Little Mermaid, which also recently added Lightning Lane, these attractions DO NOT NEED a skip-the-line option. Lightning Lane ALWAYS results in longer standby lines (Mermaid has gone from a usual walk-on to a frequent 20+ minute wait due to Lightning Lane). But who needs to skip a line that is already the fastest-moving line in the park (when operations are running smoothly)? It just doesn’t make sense to add Lightning Lane to high-capacity attractions for any reason other than greed!
In the case of Pirates, we’ve been down this road before. Every time Disney has attempted to add FastPass or any other line-cutting scheme to this attraction, it has resulted in overflowing queues that snake through New Orleans Square and cause the normally quick-moving line to slow to a crawl.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. – Albert Einstein.
It doesn’t take an Einstein to see that this is a STUPID idea. The park should NOT be in the business of tricking you into paying for skip-the-line services on rides that don’t need it!!! Say it with me…. STOP THE INSANITY!!!!!
Murder Mouse
As I’m sure you know by now, the first of the Mickey Mouse shorts, Steamboat Willie, is now in the public domain. That means others can use the character (including an early version of Minnie Mouse and other characters) in derivative works. In fact, there are at least TWO horror films starring Steamboat Willie now in the works by companies other than Disney.
For more about Steamboat Willie entering the public domain, what it means, and other characters soon to follow, please read our coverage written by an actual entertainment industry executive and not just the ramblings of a blogger (like me).
Full Steam(Boat) Ahead: Mickey Mouse Enters The Public Domain & What That Means!
DISNEYLAND CONSTRUCTION
Now, a quick look at the current construction projects around the resort.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The exterior progress on the new Princess and the Frog ride has been slow in Anaheim, but is really speeding up in Orlando. But don’t worry; everything we see being added in Florida will eventually show up here as well.
Notably, a beautiful new weather vane was added to the Florida version of the attraction.
Imagineering has been working with many Louisiana artisans to produce all sorts of things for (and inspired by) the upcoming attraction. Louisiana blacksmith Darryl Reeves handcrafted the new custom weather vane installed on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the Magic Kingdom.
Since almost everything is being produced in duplicate, we can expect to see one in Anaheim later this year.
Meanwhile, we seem to be in the punch-a-hole-in-it phase here in Anaheim. There are open sections all over the attraction.
Downtown Disney West Side
There’s a massive amount of work going on in Downtown Disney’s west side. Those colorful walls are hiding a number of upcoming eateries… including Din Tai Fung.
From the new Downtown Disney stage, you see construction on both sides of the lawn. The new dim sum place on one side, and a long building which will house a number of establishments on the other.
And directly across the way, construction walls make it look like the Star Wars Trading Post is closed… but this is just pavement work… you can enter the shop from the side.
And just a few steps away is a huge mobile food truck which will become a temporary location for Earl of Sandwich.
‘Behind that new Parkside Market building, a new permanent Earl of Sandwich will eventually be built.
Downtown Disney Center
We are beyond ready for the walls to come down around the Centrico bar in the middle of Downtown Disney. Thankfully, it’s really coming along now.
California Adventure DVC Project
The Blue Sky Cellar is becoming a new DVC lounge. The entire building is behind construction walls.
DISNEYLAND REFURBISHMENTS
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- Splash Mountain – Conversion to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: (May 31st, 2023-Late 2024)
- Mark Twain Riverboat: (September 17th, 2023-February 2nd, 2024)d
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- Astro Orbitor: (November 27th, 2023-TBA)
- Blue Bayou Restaurant: (January 7th-19th)
- “it’s a small world” – Holiday Takedown: (January 8th-19th)
- Grizzly River Run: (January 8th-TBA)
- World of Color: (January 8th-January 19th)
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The “World of Color – ONE” returns soon - Paradise Gardens Park: (January 8th-January 19th)
- Paradise Garden Grill: (January 8th-21st)
Upcoming Refurbishments:
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- Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind: (January 22nd-February 8th)
- The Haunted Mansion: (January 22nd-TBA)
- Sailing Ship Columbia: (February 5th-8th)
- Disney Junior Dance Party: (February 12th-15th)
2024 MiceChat Gumball Rally
The annual MiceChat returns on Feb. 3, 2024, and the theme for this year’s event – “Gumball Rally: Come to the Fair” – honors the 60th anniversary of the 1964 New York World’s Fair!
What is the Gumball Rally? Basically, it’s a fun-filled race to see who can ride the most Disneyland attractions in a single day. You can find all the tips and tricks (plus register your team of 2, 3, or 4 people) HERE.
But wait, there’s more!
Relive The New York Worlds Fair – February 2nd
On Feb. 2, 2024, MiceChat will present a very special event. Disney history experts and Imagineers will share photos, videos, and stories about the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair and its continuing impact on Disneyland.
Disney historian and author David Koenig will moderate the discussion, and the guests are epic. Hear legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr talk about creating the Ford Magic Skyway and the first Lincoln animatronic; Imagineer and theme park author Chris Merritt will discuss the incredible contributions to the fair by the original Imagineers. The foremost author and expert on the fair, Bill Cotter, will transport us back to 1964 through exclusive photos and videos that few have ever seen before. You can find details and ticket information – HERE. But act fast. This event will sell out!
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MiceShots
Before we wrap up, let’s have a little photo fun. There are some absolutely stunning images below from Sarah and Mike…
Due to uncooperative weather, Believe in Holiday Magic was frequently canceled this holiday season. But Sarah got lucky with some AMAZING shots…
We’ve also had a string of bad luck lately with Indy. Waiting in line just for the ride to break down before riding. Our new policy is we won’t wait longer than 30 minutes for Indy because it’s not worth losing 90 minutes of your day waiting in line for a ride that you can’t ride (we would say the same for Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway which are also frequently broken).
While it’s a small world is now closed to de-holiday itself, Haunted Mansion is sticking around a bit longer.
You won’t often find Pirates looking like this. Sarah had to lurk around in the cold moments just before being swept out of the park at the end of the night to capture this for you.
Let’s Hear From You!
Enough from me… what are your thoughts? Were you happy with the holidays at Disneyland? Do you think it’s a good idea to add Lightning Lane to attractions that don’t need it? Ready to buy a Magic Key… or are you taking a break? Let us know what the big story of the day was for you and what you are most looking forward to in 2024!
Happy New Year Everyone!
Huge thanks to Sarah Scheuring & Mike Kindrich for their amazing photos today!
