With July 4th just around the corner, it’s officially summer vacation time, so that means swarms of people are headed to Disneyland, right? Not so far! In this week’s update, we’ve got some thoughts about the attendance doldrums that seem to have taken over the parks, plus Downtown Disney news, construction updates, and much more, so grab a cup while we spill all the Disneyland tea.
(Today’s Disneyland Update was assembled by Samantha Davis Friedman with contributions and commentary by Dusty Sage, Christy Weinberg, and staff)
Summer Slump
Traditionally, when schools break for summer vacation, Disneyland usually sees a surge in park attendance, but so far this year, crowds have been manageable. While the recent heatwave may play a factor in locals and Magic Key holders skipping the parks, we suspect ticket pricing is the main culprit, with single-day one-park tickets ranging from $169 to $194 ($160 to $183 for kids) and one-day Park Hoppers costing $234 to $259 ($225 to $248 for kids), it’s quite a bit more expensive right now than the base ticket price of $104 you can find at other times of the year.
For a family of four, a single day at the parks now costs around $1,000. Although this was sustainable for a while due to the pent-up demand from being trapped at home in 2020/21, much of that demand has now subsided and consumers across various sectors are now looking for products that fit their budgets. Unfortunately, Disneyland has priced itself into a very expensive corner.
While we’re always happy to report about lower wait times, it’s also unfortunate that so many people are being priced out of the Happiest Place on Earth. The current three-day ticket offer, starting at $83 per day for Monday through Thursday and $100 per day for Monday through Sunday, is great for people visiting for several days, but we hope Disney will introduce single-day ticket discounts as a result of the current summer slump.
Meanwhile, Disney can’t pull in enough guests to make their Pixar Fest food booths a success and the parks look like the off season of the 90s. 
It’s conditions like this which could finally force Disneyland to consider relaxing park reservation rules and shift the pricing tiers down a bit. While reservations and variable pricing have helped move guests from traditionally busy days to less busy times of the year, no one at Disney wants to see empty hotel rooms and uncrowded parks in the middle of the important summer tourist season. 
Lightning Lane Changes
Speaking of changes, it won’t be long before Disney puts the Genie back in his lamp. Starting July 24, Genie+ will be called Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and the a la carte extra cost Individual Lightning Lane option will be called Lightning Lane Single Pass.
While the new names are certainly less confusing, we can’t help but wonder why Disney didn’t just keep FastPass (or even FastPass+ as it was known in Orlando) and save all of us three years of confusion.
Nevertheless, the names are changing (again), and for Disneyland, that’s the only difference we’ll see. It’s a bit more involved at Walt Disney World (as most things are), where they will be allowed to schedule rides before the day of their visit.
For all the details, check out our guide:
Din Tai Fung is Officially Open
After a busy but smooth soft opening last week, Din Tai Fung officially opens today (July 1) in Downtown Disney.
This is the popular international restaurant chain’s first stand-alone restaurant (others are in shopping centers or malls), serving a menu featuring its signature Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) and noodles.
You can watch your favorite dumplings being made in a giant display kitchen behind the bar.
Along with its first stand-alone restaurant, Din Tai Fung also released its first merchandise collection, which will only be available at the Downtown Disney location.
You can read all about the district’s newest restaurant here:
In other Downtown Disney news, Porto’s is still a “no-show,” so Earl of Sandwich remains in the former La Brea Bakery location with their temporary trailer sitting empty at the west end.
Meanwhile, construction continues on the new two-story building across the lawn from Din Tai Fung, which will eventually be a 2-story bar and restaurant complex.
We’re also still awaiting official announcements about a Lounge Fly/Funko store and a bath and body store (likely Nectar), which are both rumored to be coming to the shopping and dining district.
Last but not least, the Coffee House at the Disneyland Hotel reopened a bit earlier than expected, serving sweet and savory snacks along with a variety of hot and cold drinks. The new selection of items is clearly aimed at the guests of the new Discovery Vacation Club tower who have access to kitchens in their rooms.
Items range from baked goods and pastries to sandwiches and prepared meals and salads.
Oogie Boogie Bash or Bust!
This year, not only does Halloween Time come extra early to the Disneyland Resort (running from August 23 through October 31), but Oogie Boogie Bash returns to Disney California Adventure with the most party nights ever offered – 27 select nights from August 25 through October 31.
A limited number of pre-sale tickets were available for Inspire Magic Key holders on June 25 and for all Magic Key holders on June 26. On June 27, tickets were made available to all guests; however, unlike last year, they did not disappear immediately, possibly due the additional party nights.
Like last year, this year’s festivities include the “Frightfully Fun Parade,” Villains Grove at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, treat trails featuring new and returning villains, and, of course, trick-or-treating in costume! A party plus is that tickets include admission to DCA three hours before the official party start time (no park reservation required), and as many Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads as your heart desires.
Prices for Oogie Boogie Bash in 2024 range from $134 to $189, depending on the date. Here are this year’s dates:
- August 25, 27, 29
- September 3, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29
- October 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31
Five dates remain available as of last night, all of them Tuesdays. Here’s what the situation looked like as we were assembling this update last night (June 30th):
Although there have been ticket fiascos in previous years (with technical difficulties plaguing the virtual queue), general sale tickets sold out in a day last year; the year before all tickets sold out in under a week. So, it looks like changes made to the ticketing process and adding a few extra dates to the event is working to allow more people a chance at snagging party tickets.
And while we’re thrilled to see the expansion of the event, we are less than impressed with how stale the event has become. Not only was the Halloween version of World of Color cut in recent years, but the event has fallen into a rut of the same old offerings year after year. While a few villains do get swapped out every year, that’s about all that changes.
That said, we’re not sure how long those remaining Tuesday tickets will stick around, so if you’re still waffling about getting down with the boogie man, you’d best act fast.
For all things Oogie Boogie Bash, check out our recent article:
Disneyland Live
On this week’s Friday Live at 5, Dusty and crew walk us from Disney California Adventure’s nearly empty Pixar Fest, through Oogie Boogie Bash conversation, and into Disneyland, where Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is already splashing! There’s even a surprise ending!
Constructionland
There are some big things happening at the happiest construction sites on earth. Let’s explore…
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Now Splashing
During our Live at Five walk-through of Disneyland on Friday, we were pleasantly surprised to see logs cycling through Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (and on the official opening day of Orlando’s version, to boot!) While we don’t have an official opening date for the Disneyland’s attraction, it’s certainly a good sign.
It’s interesting to see the logs sliding down the drop without the waterfall running. The ride system is a sort of water coaster. The logs float in the flume, but can also ride on side rails for the up and down motion inside the attraction and on the drop.
A few new decorative details have popped up including some beautiful ironwork above the 2nd lift.
Darryl Reeves, a master blacksmith from Louisiana crafted the weathervane.
The remaining scaffolds will come down soon as the exterior work wraps up.
To get you in the mood for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disney has released music from the ride featuring artists from the movie, including Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), Michael-Leon Wooley (Louis), and Jenifer Lewis (Mama Odie). Plus you can download, “Special Spice,” the new original song written just for the attraction by Grammy-Award winner PJ Morton.
Click here to learn more and for the link to download the soundtrack:
GUIDE: Everything You Need to Know About Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!
Critter Country Closing
Enjoy this view while you can because the entire walkway through Critter Country is scheduled to close on July 8th (reopening date TBD). During this major closure, Harbor Galley (across from the Haunted Mansion) will become a dead end, as the pathway to Galaxy’s Edge is closed for construction. Hungry Bear and the Canoes will join Winnie the Pooh and everything else in Critter Country on the closed list while things are prepared for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the reworking of Critter Country.
That’s Harbor Galley on the right below. Everything past it will soon close.
Haunted Mansion Happenings
While work appears to be far from done on the new queue and garden area at Haunted Mansion, the interior of the attraction is nearly finished and about ready for re-opening.
When the attraction does re-open, it will only be available as a virtual queue since the full exterior queue likely won’t be finished. It will also be opening as Haunted Mansion Holiday. Last week Dusty shared that the ride could open as soon as this month! Are you ready to welcome Sandy Claws a bit early this year?
Now that grading work has been completed around the mansion, the new brick walls are going up quickly. From this point forward, we should be able to see progress quickly increasing as more walls for the new garden are built.
New trees await planting…
Over the last few weeks, we have also seen grading equipment in the area that will become Madam Leota’s shop. However, this portion of the construction is still a long way off.
Main Street Refurbishments
It seems like the facades on Main Street are always getting something down. Work continues on several facades on both sides of the street. But the shops all remain open.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar (updated 6/28/24)
Disney is increasingly using the slower summer months to spruce up rides and other attractions, That would have been unheard of in days gone by, but it’s now a necessity as Disneyland gets as much as it can wrpped up at
Currently Under Refurbishment:
- Splash Mountain conversion to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: May 31, 2023 – Late 2024
- The Haunted Mansion: January 22 – August 23 (reopening with virtual queue only)
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: March 4 – July 22
- The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln: April 16 – TBA
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: May 1 – TBA
- The Briar Patch remodel to Ray’s Berets: May – TBA
- Pooh Corner remodel to add Critter Club: May – TBA
- Fantasyland Theatre Popcorn Cart: June 16 – July 2
Upcoming Refurbishments:
- Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes: July 8 – TBA
- Hungry Bear Restaurant: July 8 – TBA
- Critter Country Fruit Cart: July 8 – TBA
- Disneyland Railroad: August 5 – TBA
- Space Mountain: August 5- TBA
- Animation Academy: August 5 – TBA
- Turtle Talk with Crush: August 5 – TBA
- Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome: August 5 – TBA
MiceShots
Now, let’s take a moment just to enjoy the parks. We were able to ride Pirates, Mark Twain, and enjoy the Tiki Room with Dusty on Sunday. And we journeyed through the parks on Friday for our photo shoot and live video. The parks were blissfully uncrowded both days. There were certainly still spots that could feel busy, but overall things felt like the off season and certainly not the summertime crowd crush we remember from decades of this being the high travel season.
There are some new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure merchandise items at Eudora’s in New Orleans Square.
Interesting to see the merchandise team leaning in heavily to Tiana’s crown when she doesn’t even wear her iconic princess dress in the ride.
Join Us For CHOC Walk In The Park
On Sunday, July 21, Disneyland hosts its annual CHOC Walk In The Park. A heartwarming tradition spanning 30+ years, it’s a tribute to children’s health and well-being. Participants walk through both Disneyland and California Adventure in a show of support for CHOC patients, families, and staff members. Proceeds go toward healthcare programs, education, and research at CHOC and CHOC at Mission Hospitals. Registration is currently open. If you’re interested in joining our team, MiceChat is partnering with the Howard Johnson Anaheim Resort this year.
Check out our links below for more information.
MiceChat/HoJo Choc Walk Team 2024 or sponsor Dusty Sage here.
For details on what it’s like to participate in the CHOC Walk at Disneyland, check out our recent article:
60th Anniversary CHOC WALK Brings Love to Disneyland July 31
MiceChat Meetup
The June 30th MiceChat meetup at Disneyland in honor of Al Lutz was bittersweet. Al’s friends, family, readers, and some folks who were just curious, showed up to do what Al loved most, meeting with friends in the Happiest Place On Earth. For decades, Al helped bring together a huge community of Disney fans. And while he’ll never again be with us physically, we know that he still walks with us through his happy place… and that he’s pointing the burned out lightbulbs to us just in case we miss.
We took a group photo, shared some heartfelt words, and then had lunch at the Hungry Bear. It was lovely.
It’s Dusty’s birthday today, but there were some surprises in store for him yesterday as well.
One of the MiceChatter’s made a calendar inspired by a photo of Dusty awkwardly sleeping on a plane. Yes, Lisa Pratt, you’ve made the naughty but nice list once again.
Dusty was invited to pilot the Mark Twain, and signed the guest book with Al’s name.
There is so much love and joy in the MiceAge/MiceChat community. Thank you all for your friendship and support.
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Let’s Hear From You!
That’s our whirlwind look at Disneyland as the resort heads into the halfway mark of the year. This is the second year in a row that park visitation has plummeted during the summer. What do you think is behind the shift and what can/should be done about it? Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is testing logs, the Mansion is racing toward a possible early opening, and new restaurants are opening in Downtown Disney. Let’s hear your thoughts folks! What makes you happy, sad, delighted, and mad?
