DISNEYLAND UPDATE: Exciting Expansion, Pixar Surprise & Electric Tomorrow!

This past week marked a major milestone in Disneyland history — Anaheim approved(ish) a nearly $2 billion expansion of the Disneyland Resort. The future of the resort is filled with possibilities, and not just for the possible 3rd park, but for the rest of the resort as well. We’ll take a look at all that, plus Pixar Fest surprises, electrifying news for Tomorrowland, fan-favorite guided tours returning, and some major construction projects making huge progress, it’s a Disneyland Update not to miss!

To begin, let’s step forward… DisneylandForward…

DisneylandForward Moves Forward

After three years of public meetings and campaigning, the DisneylandForward project has received its initial approval from the Anaheim City Council. It’s worth noting that Anaheim requires a procedural second vote, which will be held on May 7th. Since the first vote was unanimous, we don’t expect any surprise reversals. Disney is already committing to building at least some of this project within four years. 

The city approvals will allow Disneyland Resort to be re-zoned so any land can be used for additions, including attractions, hotels, and retail. A new parking lot behind the Harbor Blvd. hotels will likely begin construction very soon. While Disney hasn’t announced many projects quite yet, one thing Disneyland President Ken Potrock did confirm is that approval of DisneylandForward would mean a larger Avatar land.

With the Toy Story lot set to be redeveloped (that’s zones 5 and 7 in the map above) as a Shopping/Hotel/Entertainment complex in the near future, parking will be built much closer to Disneyland (see zones 4 and 8 in the map above). And that means the huge transportation hub off the Esplanade can be used as expansion for California Adventure. We believe that Avatar Land will use this space plus the current Hollywood Studios areas (where Monster’s Inc and the abandoned soundstages are located).  

The approval comes after years of meetings with local residents to hear their concerns and collect feedback. One such concern was the closure of Magic Way between Disneyland Dr. and Walnut St. After determining that 99% of daily trips on Magic Way were Disney-related, the company will close the one-block street to through traffic (there is expected to be pedestrian access from Walnut and to the parking structure and hotels).

 

For the grand plans, we’ll have to wait until the D23 Expo. We expect to hear much more then. Though any projects which need to break ground sooner, may be revealed in the coming months.  

For more information about DisneylandForward and what’s coming next, check out our full article below:

IT’S APPROVED!!! DisneylandForward Moves Forward What You Need To Know

Neglected Tomorrowland – Autopia Electrified!

A few weeks ago, a story broke from the LA Times that Disneyland has officially decided to move forward with a plan to remove the smelly, gas-gussling, harmful fume-emitting internal combustion engines from the Tomorrowland Autopia. LA Times’ Sammy Roth confirmed this last week that Autopia will soon be electrified. Our own Dusty Sage helped with that story and took a spin with Sammy to talk about it on this week’s MiceChat Friday Live at 5.

Sammy also wrote about how Disneyland fans agree that Tomorrowland as a whole doesn’t feel very representative of “tomorrow” in the way Walt wanted. MiceChat has covered this topic to death, but with the approval of DisneylandForward, the potential for a great big beautiful Tomorrowland finally seems in reach.

Tomorrowland already has the bones of a forward-thinking land— many ideas even date back to Walt Disney himself. Walt’s Tomorrowland was a world on the move with three forms of transportation: the Autopia for individual cars, the WEDWay Peoplemover for efficient short-haul trips, and the Monorail for high-capacity long-haul trips. Coincidentally, those transportation options are important to Walt’s never-built concept for his Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow (E.P.C.O.T.) in the late 1960s (which, mind you, focused heavily on the two efficient public transportation elements while downplaying the use of motor vehicles). Regardless, the concepts are still very tomorrow-ish, but desperately in need of a technology refresh to bring them in line with the evolution of technology. 

Since none of us want to live in a “tomorrow” of toxic chemicals and cancer-causing fumes, the electrification of Autopia is a step in the right direction.This also means that Autopia (and likely the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage that it sits on top of) will be sticking around for the future of Tomorrowland. With public transportation being a huge part of a cleaner, less polluted future, we certainly hope that any plan for Tomorrowland includes an updated version of the efficient Peoplemover as well. Can I hear an AMEN?

For the time being, we’re left with a disjointed Tomorrowland that includes an unfinished entry garden, gas-gussling cars, empty and underutilized buildings, and various attractions that have no bearing on one another (or the world of the future). But there very well might be a great big beautiful tomorrow someday soon. Dusty tells us to stay tuned for some exciting announcements. 

Pixar Fest Moving In – Officially Opens April 26th

Pixar Fest officially begins this Friday, April 26th, but many of its elements have already begun to show up. The biggest was a surprise preview of Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular! Our team was at the park to check it out and grab some beautiful photos of the refreshed fireworks show.

The new version of Together Forever includes some changes to the original, like a new Turning Red segment.

…and some returning favorites like Carl Fredricksen’s house from Up.

We have a full video of the show for you thanks to contributor Suzane Lee: 

Work is wrapping up on the Pixar Pals Playtime Party that’s taking over the Fantasyland Theater. It’s a bit of a strange offering, this is how Disney describes it:

“Get into the groove with some favorite Pixar pals in a high-energy show. Stop by a reading and coloring area with a Luca-themed wall to unleash your creativity. Step into the worlds of Monsters Inc., Cars, Onward, Up and A Bug’s Life at backdrops offering picture-worthy moments to share on social media. Jump into interactive games and out-of-this-world activities based on Pixar films and watch a selection of Pixar shorts on a big screen.

The fun is endless at the Pixar Pals Playtime Party, where everyone can dance and play the Pixar way!”

It’s a shame that a large theatrical venue is being used in this way. Previous flex spaces like the Festival Arena are gone, leaving Disney to shoe-horn a craft festival into the Fantasyland Theater, which could have served larger crowds with a proper Pixar stage show.

Elsewhere, Pixar Fest decorations are beginning to pop up everywhere. A beautiful mid-century style sculpture has been erected at Christmas Tree Point in Town Square. While it doesn’t match the aesthetic of Main Street, it does look colorful and fun.

I also appreciate that the sculpture has an opening that’s just about right to keep Sleeping Beauty Castle in the frame. In contrast, the annual Christmas tree and Halloween Mickey pumpkin completely block the view.

The street is lined with colorful bunting with images of Pixar characters on top.

The bright colors are in Pixar red, yellow, and blue.

Downtown Disney has received a slew of mid-century styled sculptures with Pixar characters as well.

 

Even the gate between World of Disney and the former La Brea Bakery is getting in on the festivities.

While the Esplanade is installing the biggest sculpture of all atop of the central compass.

The spire hasn’t been installed yet. 

The whimsical nature reminds me a bit of Rolly Crump’s Tower of the Four Winds marquee for the 1964-65 World’s Fair version of it’s a small world.

I appreciate that the banners in the parks and sculptures in Downtown Disney and the Esplanade all evoke the same artistic styles, colors, and design sensibilities. It really does feel like a cohesive festival across the resort. 

At Disney California Adventure, the nighttime dance party, Club Pixar, is getting ready for its debut in the Hollywood area.  

It’s been a long time since we’ve had a proper dance party here. I’m looking forward to getting my groove on. 

More on Pixar Fest, including the food festival and merchandise! 

UPDATED: Cuisine with Character! Disneyland Resort Pixar Fest Food Guide

Pixar Fest Pre-Party: Unveiling New Pixar-Themed Merchandise at Disneyland

Returning Guided Tours

Two fan-favorite Guided Tours are returning on May 11th. Cultivating the Magic Tour focuses on how the Horticulture department keeps the resort vibrant and the Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour focuses on the heritage of Disney’s trains.

The Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour includes a chance to climb aboard the special Presidential Car, the Lilly Belle (named after Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian).

The Cultivating the Magic Tour includes a ride on the Jungle Cruise for an explanation of the exotic plants that make up the attraction.

Booking for these tours opens April 30, 2024, for tours that begin May 11, 2024.

Centrico Soft Opening

Walls have come down around one of the three new restaurants opening on May 1st. Centrico, the open-air Mexican Bar and Cantina that’s replacing the Uva Bar, is currently in soft opening (for invited guests only).

It’s a lovely upgrade from the previous Uva Bar. 

Nearby, the walls have come down around the quick-service addition, Tiendita. That means foot traffic is now allowed on this side of the central bar. We’re sure Pele and Lovepop are very happy no longer to be stuck in a corner.

Of interesting note is Tiendita’s outdoor self-service ordering screens. I would not be surprised if this creates a bit of a bottleneck outside during peak meal times, so I hope that the proprietors are ready for traffic control.

Paseo looked pretty busy as well with assumedly their own private soft opening.

I do find this floating Paseo sign on the opposite side of the restaurant (above the Home Store) to be a bit misleading and out of place. The entry is in the far tower you see in this image. There’s another sign on the opposite side, but we can already imagine guests unfamiliar with the resort being confused about where to go. 

Construction

There’s a lot to see this week, from big attraction progress to smaller safety and restoration issues. 

Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere!

Last week we covered an epidemic of boxes replacing lamp posts around Disneyland. The repairs are still ongoing, but at least in some cases, the boxes have been topped with planters to make them more visible and avoid tripping hazards. We assume that this is related to the two lighting stands that have fallen recently (one of them resulting in the injury of guests). 

Adding to the box-a-palooza, Grizzly Peak Airfield has received its own neutral-colored construction box just outside of Soarin’. There was never a light post here, so we aren’t quite sure what this is all about. 

Never-Ending Construction

There’s plenty of seemingly never-ending construction at Disneyland (looking at you Tomorrowland entrance and City Hall), but hopefully a few of these refurbishments will wrap up soon. Facade work finished on the Fire Station, but City Hall is STILL under tarps.

Disney hasn’t had a good time with restrooms lately. The New Orleans Men’s restroom has been closed for a few weeks now. The Adventureland Men’s restrooms (which had to be dug up due to a failed pipe last year) are also in a state of flux. The waterfall outside the Adventureland restrooms had to be removed, and a crude construction wall has remained ever since. Sadly, the first thing you see walking into Adventureland is a construction wall for toilets… charming. 

In addition to the restroom walls, a small portion of the just-refurbished Adventureland bridge has some new construction walls. The entry to Adventureland has been unsightly for a year now, more than long enough for Disneyland to build a more aesthetically pleasing way to hide the restrooms and fix the bridge issue. 

There was a time in Disney history when “Show” mattered. After a year of looking at this mess, we can safely say that those days are over. They don’t even bother to put potted palms and plants, murals, or anything else to hide that ugly wall. 

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The future home of Tiana’s employee-owned food co-op is really starting to take shape. The top portion of the salt dome is vibrant with greenery and flowers.

The mill that serves as the second lift hill is getting an exterior refresh.

The new Cypress Trees, common in the bayous of Louisiana, are looking great.

I especially love the Spanish Moss growing from the limbs. Great attention to detail.

The splash-down portion of the flume had been covered until this last week. It has now been un-capped and ready for the flume to be filled with water for testing when required. 

The transformation is really quite stunning. While we like to joke about Disneyland’s salt dome, we really ARE quite excited to visit the bayou full of critters. 

More about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: 

GUIDE: Everything You Need to Know About Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!

Haunted Mansion

Hard to see much going on at the Haunted Mansion beyond the giant construction wall, but we’re hoping they’re still on track for a late August reopening… just in time for the early start to the Halloween season. 

Matterhorn Bobsleds

The Matterhorn is receiving several rounds of refurbishments. The first round was 4/15-4/18, the second round begins today, 4/22-4/25, and a third will will go 4/29-5/2. It’s a strange way to handle a refurbishment, but allows the park to have the attraction open on the busiest days. 

Downtown Disney

The West side of Downtown Disney is full of construction walls. The walkway outside of Star Wars Trading Post should be receiving new concrete soon.

Din Tai Fung is racing toward a summer opening.

While an addition next to the Parkside Market is also taking shape.

The Disney Dress Shop took over the WonderGround Gallery last week, shuffling several stores around. Marceline’s is expanding into (some of) the Dress Shop’s original location, while the Dress Shop has moved here, and WonderGround has placed a few bits of merchandise in the Disney Home Store.

I can’t quite wrap my head around why they didn’t temporarily move the WonderGround Gallery back to the former ESPN Zone, since that shop remains empty. But we’d love for them to open those doors and add tables for guests of the Earl of Sandwich food truck across from it. 

Speaking of closed locations, the temporary Earl of Sandwich truck still hasn’t opened… but we heard an interesting little rumor that Porto’s may be trying to back out on their lease commitment. If that happens, Earl would likely want to stay where they are. But Disney’s musical chairs master plan of restaurants and shops in Downtown Disney may depend on Earl moving. 

The now-closed Tortilla Jo’s and Taqueria display a sign that something new is coming. A steakhouse and BBQ establishment will be taking over this location in the near future, but very little information has been announced otherwise.

Here’s all the machiavellian changes headed to Disneyland’s outdoor mall: 

Downtown Disney Transformed: Updates on New Restaurants & Shops!

Refurbishment Calendar

Let’s make the closures easier to track. 

Currently Under Refurbishment

• • Splash Mountain – Conversion to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: (May 31st, 2023-Late 2024)
  • The Haunted Mansion: (January 22nd-TBA)
  • Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: (March 4th-TBA)
  • The Bakery Tour: (March 22nd-TBA)
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds (April 22nd-25th)
  • The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (April 16th-TBA)
  • Paradise Beer Garden: (April 23rd-May 4th)

Upcoming Refurbishments

• • Matterhorn Bobsleds (April 29th-May 2nd)
  • Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill: (April 29th-May 24th)
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: (May 1st-TBA)
  • Disneyland Monorail: (May 8th)

DISNEYLAND LIVE! 

If you missed MiceChat’s Friday Live at 5 from Disneyland, you really need to watch. Dusty is joined by LA Times reporter Sammy Roth, who recently wrote about the electrification of Autopia. The two reporters discuss what’s next (or should be) for Disneyland’s stale Tomorrowland: 

Don’t miss our videos, be sure to subscribe on YOUTUBE and/or FACEBOOK

MiceShots

It’s springtime in Southern California and the Disneyland Resort is in gorgeous bloom. This is one of our favorite times of the year as the Tabebuia trees on Main Street come alive in a blanket of stunning pink flowers.

Mike captured this quintessentially California shot from DCA’s field of the state flower, the California Poppy!

One of our favorite hidden spots (as you’ll see in our last live at 5 video above) is the little waterfall at the exit of Winnie the Pooh. 

There’s some good news at Grizzly, where they’ve FINALLY hidden those ugly pipes! 

Of course, you can tell where the pipes are, but this is much better than the barely hidden pipes under the netting that have been here since the last refurbishment. 

Unfortunately, tests of the geysers hasn’t gone well, and they still aren’t in operation. 

Let’s Hear From You!

That’s it from sunny Anaheim this week! Let’s hear from you. Are you excited for the upcoming Disneyland expansion? What’s on your wishlist? Are you happy to see the Autopia remain… but with updated cars? Are you looking forward to Pixar Fest? What do you think of the never-ending construction around the resort? Anything catch your eye? Let us know in the comments below!