Change can be scary. And this week on MiceChat’s Disneyland Update, we’re seeing all sorts of changes. Disneyland’s Disability Access Service, better known as DAS, has been reworked. Din Tai Fung in Downtown Disney has begun its soft opening. And on the scary, or rather “spooky,” side, tickets for this year’s Oogie Boogie Bash will go on sale this week. Plus, we have a mixed bag of rumors about the Haunted Mansion and Main Street’s beloved magical moving windows!
Today’s Update took a village to complete and was assembled by Natalie Kipper, with rumors & commentary from Dusty Sage, and gorgeous photos from Mike Kindrich.
The Rumor Mill
We have something good, something great, and something downright ghastly from the rumor desk today. Let’s kick things off with a ghostly surprise…
Haunted Mansion Possible Early Opening
More rapid than vultures, the Mansion was changed. All was soon covered, adorned, and deranged.
Last week, Disneyland confirmed that Haunted Mansion Holiday would be haunting us starting with the Halloween season, which kicks off on August 23rd. But what they didn’t whisper is that the guts of the attraction are already nearly complete, and the ride might creak open its doors as early as this July!
Disneyland operations are itching for an early opening, especially since so much on the west side of the park is currently off-limits (Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Winnie the Pooh, and soon, the Hungry Bear and the Canoes as well). Resurrecting the Mansion early would be a monstrous lift for the park, even if it’s decked out in its holiday best in July.
Alas, the complex new queue, boasting a pet cemetery, shade structures, and decorative flourishes, won’t be ready by this August, let alone July. And the new gift shop at the exit hasn’t even started to rise from the ground.
Nevertheless, the park has a spectral strategy in place. A virtual queue system will allow ride operators to limit guest numbers and minimize queuing.
We wish them well; a messy queuing situation in the short term is still better than the eerie silence of nothing at all.
But that’s not all we’ve got for you on the Mansion. While we’ve all seen the concept art for the new queue, some spectral surprises await inside as well. While much of the work was infrastructure-related, resulting in the complete rebuilding of the graveyard scene, it’s the attic that will grab your attention! The Imagineers were able to address some things they’ve long wanted to fix with improved effects that may have you saying, “I do.”
Galactic Miracles
Just when you thought Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge would remain a lifeless void, trapped forever between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, with only a smattering of characters from assorted timelines living out their days in spatial-temporal bubbles… here comes some thrilling news.
Scott Trowbridge, not just the creative lead on Galaxy’s Edge but also the portfolio manager for all of Disneyland at Imagineering, is no longer directing the Disneyland show. If you’ve had gripes with Disneyland’s creative path recently, Scott is the one to blame… but not anymore.
He’s off to sprinkle his creative stardust on Disney’s international parks. May the force be with them, indeed.
With Trowbridge out, new energies are aligning to tackle the galaxy of issues plaguing Disney’s underwhelming Star Wars land. It seems the real battle between good and evil doesn’t just happen on screen and in the rides.
Time For Heads To Roll
Ever wonder how clueless some Disneyland executives can be? Instead of repairing those broken animated windows on Main Street that we keep squawking about, or refreshing them with new animations to celebrate major film releases—like in the good old days—they’ve made a boneheaded decision to ditch two of the most visible windows in favor of yet more merchandise displays.
If a Disneyland executive with the power to say NO doesn’t step up soon, we’re set to lose the enchanting Princess and the Frog and Toy Story windows to an invasion of Spirit Jerseys and Loungefly bags, occupying what was once a realm of creative whimsy.
Here’s our vow: if those windows fall victim to this travesty, our complaints won’t go silent, and we’ll keep pecking at the absolutely brainless decision-making that led us here.
The windows are broken due to neglect. The solution isn’t to strip away the magic; it’s to repair the budgets and the teams tasked with preserving these moments of magic.
Something in Disneyland management is seriously amiss when their fix for a creative hiccup is to gut the creativity itself. This isn’t the Disney way… or tragically, maybe now it is.
DAS-aster
Many guests have used Disney’s DAS (Disability Access Service) at the Disneyland Resort over the years. Up until June 18, the service allowed guests with different kinds of disabilities (such as those with mobility needs and neurodivergent disabilities) to enter an attraction through the Genie+/Lightning Lane area after waiting approximately the same time as the current standby wait time instead of entering the standby queue.
Unfortunately, due to the implementation of paid Lightning Lane and an increase in TikTok influencers telling folks how they could avoid paying for Genie+ by signing up for DAS (even if someone wasn’t really disabled), abuse of the system has skyrocketed in recent years. So, Disney changed the DAS requirements last week to combat the overuse (and abuse) of the system. The new DAS system is intended mainly for those with developmental disabilities like autism and Down syndrome. For everyone else, Disney has set up a page on the Disneyland website with suggestions and tools for guests with other needs.
In addition, Guest Relations is no longer responsible for administering DAS passes at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. At Disneyland, your two options to obtain DAS are to get prequalified at home via a virtual screening process or wait in a long line at the Disneyland Resort at a converted ticket booth on the Harbor side of the Esplanade. The line to register for DAS in the mornings is massive, with waits often exceeding an hour. And, as you can imagine, the program changes are causing a huge uproar because the majority of folks applying for DAS access are being turned away.
What have the DAS changes done to the wait times in the parks? Overall, standby wait times for nearly every attraction have dropped. With fewer people in the Lightning Lanes, standby is moving quicker, nearly across the board.
The standby lines may look longer at many attractions because more people are now using them than the Lightning Lanes, but they are also moving much quicker. Here are some photos and screenshots from Friday early afternoon:
The difference is a bit less noticeable at California Adventure, due to its overall lack of attraction capacity. But even at DCA, waits are shorter. Especially for the big rides like Radiator Springs Racers, which could easily reach two or three hours in the past, and hovered around the hour+ mark for most of the past week.
That’s the simple view of the DAS changes. But the fact is that there are real people behind all those numbers. And while there were absolutely abusers of the old system (perhaps as much as 80% according to many cast), there are now many actually disabled guests who are no longer able to receive the access they need in order to enjoy a day in the parks. As a result, some of those people are now reevaluating whether or not it’s even worth the high price to visit the parks under the current conditions. We understand that there are several Americans with Disabilities claims and possible lawsuits in the works as a result of the DAS changes at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
How have the DAS revisions impacted you? Pros, cons, remedies? We’d like to hear your respectful comments below!
Find more details on the changes to the DAS system in the article below:
DAS: Big Disability Access Changes for Disneyland & Walt Disney World
Prepare for the Oogie Boogie Bash Ticket Dash
Well, well, well, what do we have here? Why, it’s the dates for this year’s Oogie Boogie Bash ticket sales! This time, there are three days of sales, one exclusively for Inspire-level Magic Key holders, another for all Magic Key holders, and finally, a day for all guests interested in tickets. The first two days are considered “pre-sales” and will only have a limited supply of tickets available.
The waiting room will open at approximately 8:45 a.m. Pacific each day, and sales will begin no earlier than 9 a.m. Pacific.
- Inspire Magic Key holders (limited amount of tickets available for pre-sale) – June 25, 2024
- All Magic Key holders (limited amount of tickets available for pre-sale) – June 26, 2024
- All guests – June 27, 2024
Tickets for this after-hours party have always sold out quickly. However, we wonder if that might not be the case this year. For 2024, Disney added two additional party nights to the calendar for a total of 27 nights (compared to 2023’s 25 nights). Adding more nights made getting tickets for Star Wars Nite, which also sold out fast in previous years, much easier this year, staying on sale for days instead of hours.
That said, we would still advise those interested to plan to be online and ready to purchase your party tickets as soon as possible.
Are you hoping to attend Oogie Boogie Bash, or is the lack of new offerings leaving you waiting for something different?
Learn more about Oogie Boogie Bash and other Disney Parks’ Halloween offerings around the globe here:
Halloween Time in the Disney Parks: All the Not So Spooky Details
And reminisce about 2023’s Oogie Boogie Bash festivities with our coverage from last year. This year’s event will be mostly the same as it has been since the event started… minus World of Color Villainous, which was cut after its first year:
https://www.micechat.com/366873-oogie-boogie-bash-guide/
Is it Christmas Already?
Oogie Boogie Bash tickets haven’t even gone on sale yet, and Disney is already teasing the 2024 holiday season. Among the teases was a preview of upcoming merchandise. Here is a small taste.
Downtown Disney’s Dining Evolution
The Countdown to Din Tai Fung
The Downtown Disney location for Din Tai Fung soft-opens today! If you haven’t eaten at one of their restaurants (and even if you have), you are in for a real treat. The Taiwan-based eatery specializes in dim sum and is well-known for its xiao long bao (steamed soup dumplings).
During the soft opening period, it will serve a limited menu, and operational hours will be from 11:30am to 9pm. During this period, dining is by reservation only, which is available through Din Tai Fung’s website.
After the Grand Opening in July, Din Tai Fung’s Downtown Disney location will also sell exclusive merchandise.
Find more tasty information morsels:
Reservations Now Available for Paseo and Céntrico
Extra convenience has come to the recently opened Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita. You can now reserve tables ahead of time at Paseo and Céntrico at Disneyland.com or through the Disneyland app.
Tiendita has also been added to the Disneyland app’s mobile order service. But buyer beware, there is NO SEATING for Tiendita. You have to walk all the way to the west side stage area to find seating, of which there is very little. This is an untenable situation, and it’s hard to imagine that Disney and the owners of the establishment didn’t consider something so basic when this location was designed.
Constructionland
While the weather is warming up, construction and refurbishments are still moving along. Let’s look at what’s changed and what seems stagnant in the parks.
Disneyland
Almost There – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Tiana’s is now in previews at Walt Disney World, and the Disneyland version is still on track for an opening later this year.
And I’m almost there, I’m almost there
People down here think I’m crazy, but I don’t care
Trials and tribulations, I’ve had my share
There ain’t nothing gonna stop me now ‘cause I’m almost there
On Friday evening, we noticed the water was running in the flume.
More West Side Closures
Just as a reminder, July 8th is the scheduled closing of the entire path from Harbor Galley to the railroad bridge that crosses over the path leading into Galaxie’s Edge. Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes and the whole Hungry Bear complex will be unavailable then. There is no announced re-opening date yet. Be sure to keep checking back with us for when that date is announced.
Haunted Mansion Reinvention
Just down the walkway at the Haunted Mansion, the new queue garden construction is moving along at what looks like a much quicker pace.
Some new foliage is on-site and ready to be planted.
The location for Madam Leota’s shop appears to finally have grading equipment working. While we have an idea when the attraction will open, We don’t know when the queue and shop will finally be completed. What you see now is about five months of work.
Smaller Disneyland Projects and Refurbishments
While the West end of Disneyland has many construction walls and scrims, other small projects are happening on Main Street. These two refurbishments have been going on for a while. But these are only exterior refreshes. The shops all remain open.
There is still a temporary construction wall in place at the Men’s restrooms in Adventureland. The wall was placed after the rock wall that featured a trickling waterfall was removed due to a major pipe burst last year. It’s time for Disneyland to finally do something here.
The Indy show building is still behind scaffolding while painters work to replace the camouflage paint that hid the building. The paint had been peeling and fading for years.
Disney California Adventure:
The large project at Blue Sky Cellar appears to have wrapped up. It is being turned over to Disney Vacation Club.
Here is the current Disneyland Resort Refurbishment/Construction list:
*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-July 22nd)
The Coffee House at The Disneyland Hotel (April 2024-June 30th)
The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (April 16th-TBA)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: (May 1st-TBA)
The Briar Patch – Remodel to Ray’s Berets: (May 1st-TBA)
Pooh Corner – Remodel to add Critter Club: (May 1st-TBA)
Fantasyland Theatre Popcorn Cart: (June 16th-July 11th)
*Upcoming Refurbishments:
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes: (July 8th-TBA)
Hungry Bear Restaurant: (July 8th-TBA)
Critter Country Fruit Cart: (July 8th-TBA)
This & That
Celebrate the Life of Al Lutz with a Special MiceChat Meet-Up
On June 11, we lost our dear friend Al Lutz, the founder of MiceAge.com. Join us at Disneyland for a MiceChat noon meet-up in his honor. We’ll eat lunch, nosh on some park snacks, and chat about the parks and projects. We can’t wait to see you there!
If you haven’t already, please give Dusty’s heartfelt tribute to Al a read…
A Tribute to Al Lutz: The Unyielding Guardian of Disney’s Legacy
Halloween Merch in Elias & Co
First and only Halloween item to arrive in the parks. Was this an accidental drop?
New Matterhorn Tiki Mug Restocked
The Matterhorn 65th Anniversary Abominable Snowman tiki mug by Doug P’gosh was released on June 20.
S’mores in Popcorn!?
Yes, you read that right! The popcorn cart across from the Haunted Mansion construction walls in New Orleans Square is currently serving popcorn with the campfire life treat mixed in.
Disneyland Half Marathon Registration Stumbles
General registration for the runDisney Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend 2025 opened on the morning of June 18. However, Runners hoping to participate were met with error pages for hours on end.
Eventually, runDisney announced that sales that day were paused and that they would resume at a later date.
A new registration date has not been announced yet. Hopefully, Disney will resolve these technical issues before Oogie Boogie Bash tickets go on sale this week.
MiceShots
And now for a little bit of fun… Starting with the Children of the Corn, who are still celebrating Easter.
The Sailing Ship Columbia may look like a glorious way to spend a quarter-hour, but you might want to avoid its lack of shade on a hot day like we’ve been having.
From trash to art…
Here’s something that’s new to us. Cars Land has added Pixar movie tribute poster.
626 Day is fast approaching! Do you have your Stitch merch to celebrate the day?
Disneyland with Dusty and Crew!
Dusty Sage, Mike Kindrich, and Suzanne Lee braved the heat and humidity to bring us a walkthrough of the Disneyland Resort. Check out the replay here:
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Let’s Hear from You
And that’s it for this edition of the Disneyland Update. Are you planning on trying your luck with the Oogie Boogie Bash ticket sales? If you have tried applying for DAS, what was your experience? What’s your wishlist for a revived Galaxy’s Edge? And what about chopping themed areas, like the animated windows on Main Street for more merchandise displays? Let us know in the comments below!
