Do rainy days and Mondays always get you down? Let us brighten things up with the latest Disneyland news! This week’s update is packed with upcoming celebrations, construction progress, and some spectacular rainy day photos. The parks were delightfully empty during last week’s blustery weather, but the crowds came roaring back for Presidents Day weekend. Meanwhile, as Disney wraps up Lunar New Year and preps for Food & Wine, they’re also revealing big plans for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary—starting May 16, 2025, and running through summer 2026.
Speaking of celebrations, we’re still catching our breath after last weekend’s epic detective-themed MiceChat Gumball Rally! A huge congratulations to everyone who raced through California Adventure in pursuit of theme park glory. We hope to see you (and plenty of new recruits) next year when the Disney villains take over the Rally with a wickedly fun twist!
And that brings us to our top story of the week…
Walt Will Be a Little Late to the Party
Originally announced by Josh D’Amaro at the D23 Expo with a May 16th opening date, the new Walt Disney – A Magical Life show in the Opera House has now been pushed back to July 17, 2025. The delay comes as additional Disneyland history elements have been added to the celebration. While the show itself is nearly ready, Disney has decided to unveil everything at once to make a bigger splash on Disneyland’s actual 70th anniversary.
Along with the new show—featuring the much-discussed Audio-Animatronic Walt Disney—the Opera House lobby will host historical exhibits with rare artifacts from Walt’s personal collection, with help from the Walt Disney Family Museum. Some of these items come directly from Walt’s apartment above the Main Street Firehouse.
Also debuting on July 17th, a Sherman Brothers tribute film will temporarily take over the Main Street Cinema. This short presentation will include a previously unreleased final verse of “it’s a small world after all,” written by Richard Sherman before his passing last year.
That same day, the it’s a small world attraction itself will incorporate the new verse into its finale.
While some of the fanfare is now set for July… May 16th still marks the official launch of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. On that day, World of Color – Happiness will make its debut, drawing inspiration from Walt’s iconic opening day speech: “To all who come to this happy place, welcome!” Guests can also look forward to the return of Paint the Night, Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration, and Wondrous Journeys fireworks.
Rounding out the festivities will be new costumes for Mickey and Friends, park decorations, themed food and drinks, and nostalgic merchandise.
Read our guide for all the details about Disneyland’s 70th celebration:
DISNEYLAND 70TH ANNIVERSARY: Sherman Brothers Tribute, Small World Update & More!
Here Comes The Rain Again
While Disneyland’s neighbor Knott’s Berry Farm closed early on Feb. 12 and remained closed on Feb. 13 due to “inclement weather,” the latest storm didn’t keep diehard Disneyland fans from visiting the Happiest Place on Earth.
Those who braved the rain were rewarded with extremely short wait times – many under 10 minutes when we checked around 3 p.m. on Thursday. In fact, the longest wait in Disneyland was 45 minutes for Rise of the Resistance (which is rarely under an hour) – and with most of that queue indoors, it’s the perfect way to get out of the rain. The next longest queues when we checked were for Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (40 minutes) and Space Mountain (35 minutes).
Across the esplanade, the longest queue on Thursday afternoon (also 45 minutes) was Toy Story Midway Mania, followed by Soarin’ Around the World at 35 minutes and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout at 30 minutes.
While wait times were favorable, the rain did cause some attractions to close. At Disneyland, many of the rain closures occur in Fantasyland.
Sadly, the short queues disappeared with the storm, and Presidents Day holiday weekend wait times swelled to 60 minutes (or more) on Sunday afternoon.
Rainy Day Cavalcade
Although Disneyland currently doesn’t have any parades running as we await the upcoming 70th-anniversary celebration, the park continues to feature character cavalcades, even on rainy days. The music is adapted to a rainy day theme. “Trickle, trickle, splash, splash… tell me how long will this rain last…”
Festival Flip
The Lunar New Year celebration ended on Feb. 16, but we’re already looking ahead to the next festival in the queue: Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, which kicks off on Feb. 28.
On Thursday, we gave you a look at all the menus for this year’s festival, and there are quite a few new items we can’t wait to try. How about you?
Check our guide for the full run-down:
Eat This! Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival 2025 Food Guide
Captain America: Brave New World
The newest Marvel movie, “Captain America: Brave New World,” debuted in theaters Feb. 14, and on the same day, new Captain America-themed food and drinks debuted in California Adventure (available through March 31).
Red Gamma Gulp at Pym Test Kitchen: Red velvet cold brew with cream cheese cold foam – $7.29 (mobile order available)
Liberty Punch at Pym Tasting Lab: Litmus Lemonade layered with blue Hawaiian and topped with citrus meringue foam – $18.50 (mobile order available)
Cheese Pizza Pocket at Shawarma Too: Mozzarella and house-made marinara sauce wrapped in empanada dough
Along with the drinks and snacks, a pin featuring new Falcon, Joaquin Torres (played by Danny Ramirez in the movie) with Captain America/Sam Wilson (as played by Anthony Mackie) on the other side, and another pin featuring the Red Hulk “President Thaddeus Ross” (played by Disney Legend Harrison Ford) both debuted on Feb. 14 at Disneyland (also available at DisneyStore.com).Construction Kingdom
There are lots of construction projects at Disneyland, but as the resort gears up for its big 70th anniversary celebration, we expect to see even more refurbishment projects across the resort.
Downtown Disney District
We’ve been rewarded for our patience during the extended Downtown Disney makeover with recent openings of several new stores and restaurants, but there’s still no light at the end of the construction tunnel as new projects are just getting underway.
Construction walls went up a few weeks ago around the former ESPN Zone, with still no formal announcement about what’s planned for that (vast) space. It’s fun to see the OG moving heads on the facade revealed through the scaffolds.
The Downtown Disney Monorail station is also behind walls as the new-style entry gates are installed – just like the new ones recently revealed at the park entrances.
And we’re finally seeing some action at the former Tortilla Jo’s, which will be the new home for Arthur & Sons Steak & Bourbon and Pearl’s Roadside BBQ, both from Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isadori. It’s still to be announced if the old building will be torn down or just renovated. But a closer look at the concept art indicates the new establishments are one story, while the old Tortilla Jo’s was two stories.
The new steakhouse from Chef Isadori will add another potential Michelin star opportunity for Disneyland Resort (following the addition of Paseo last year from Michelin-starred chef Carlos Gaytan).
To find out what it takes to earn a coveted star, check out our article here:
Bon Appetit: Disney’s First Michelin Star & What Restaurant Might Get The Next One!
You can read all about the recent (and upcoming) changes to Downtown Disney here:
Sweet Surprise! Disney Wonderful World of Sweets Opens & Downtown Disney News
Madame Leota’s Shop
We reported last week that Madame Leota’s newly-opened shop at the Haunted Mansion exit had a bit of a flooding problem during a rain storm last month, and the main entrance was closed to work on the drainage issue.
That project came just in time, as last week’s rains caused rivulets of water to cascade toward the new shop. The store remains open from the side entry next to the exit of the Mansion.
Disneyland Railroad
Work is ongoing to replace the Disneyland Railroad track between Tomorrowland and New Orleans Square. On Thursday, railroad maintenance vehicles were seen on the track. Hopefully, this indicates that the work will be completed soon and the Disneyland Railroad can reopen.
Work progressed even during a fairly heavy rain…
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar
Currently Under Refurbishment
- The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln adding “Walt Disney — A Magical Life:” April 16, 2024 – July 16, 2025
- Pixie Hollow: Sept. 16, 2024 – TBA
- Disneyland Monorail: Jan. 6 – March 6
- Grizzly River Run: Jan. 6 – March 13
- Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe: Jan. 7 – March 21
- Disneyland Railroad: Jan. 13 – March 6
- it’s a small world: Jan. 21 – Spring 2025
Upcoming Refurbishments
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!: March 10 – 20
- Indiana Jones Adventure: March 17 – TBA
This & That
There’s more… There’s always more…
LIVE at Five
The MiceChat crew took to the rainy streets of Disneyland to check out the pre-Valentine’s Day happenings and run down what’s in store for the upcoming resort-wide 70th-anniversary celebration. Since we were already SOAKED, we decided to start the video on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and then have a blustery day on the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. We are joined by CBS News correspondent Chris DeRose! Don’t miss this one folks…
Watch MiceChat LIVE every Thursday at 5pm Pacific on the MiceChat Facebook Page and MiceChat YouTube.
Topless Wishing Well
Eagle-eyed MiceChat contributor JJ Parks sent us this photo of Snow White’s wishing well, which is part of a resort-wide infrastructure improvement program (and not weather-related). Still, it was a bit strange to see this romantic spot in this condition during Valentine’s Day.
Disneyland After Dark
It took a little longer than expected, but Disneyland After Dark: 90s Nite has finally sold out. Meanwhile, in an unusual twist, Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite still has plenty of availability—except for May the 4th (for obvious reasons).
While these separately ticketed after-hours events were once a hot commodity, the steep price tags have made them a tougher sell in recent years. Star Wars Nite is facing an especially uphill battle due to its high cost, lack of fresh offerings, and an increased number of event nights. And let’s be honest—why shell out $169 to $179 for a few hours of Star Wars when Season of the Force offers a galaxy’s worth of content during regular park hours at no extra cost?
This year’s Season of the Force includes the brand-new Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga projection show in Galaxy’s Edge, alongside the returning Fire of the Rising Moons projection show, the ever-popular Hyperspace Mountain overlay, and—at long last—the much-anticipated debut of Luke Skywalker himself in Galaxy’s Edge.
So, the question on everyone’s mind may simply be, “Why would I pay $169 or $179 for just a few hours when I already get so much Star Wars content for the price of my one-day park ticket – and more time to experience it?” And to be honest, we’re wondering the same thing. Time for Disney to step up the value of the After Dark Nites and/or lower the price.
To find out more about Season of the Force, check out our updated guide for 2025:
Season of the Force: Your Complete Guide to Disneyland’s Intergalactic Extravaganza
Magic Keys Semi-Locked
Disneyland Magic Keys went back on sale on Jan. 22, 2025, and at this point, Believe Keys and Enchant Keys are still available for purchase, but Inspire Keys are once again locked and can only be renewed.
Also still available for purchase are Imagine Keys, which are $599 for Southern California Residents.
Check our guide for everything you need to know about Magic Keys:
Disneyland Magic Key Sales & New Perks – Everything You Need To Know
Disneyland Blues
During our Thursday Live at 5 broadcast, we hopped on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and while the ride still looks fantastic in most areas, some of the Audio-Animatronics have been… less than lively for weeks now.
Take Tiana, for example — in this scene, her mouth no longer moves at all…
… And over in Mama Odie’s scene, her lips are also sealed.
Then there’s this version of Tiana, who should be the life of the Mardi Gras party but instead looks like she’s frozen in the spotlight. Her mouth moves, but the rest of her? Stuck in place, as if she’s suddenly been struck with stage fright.
But there’s some potentially good news—Disneyland’s operations team is well aware of these issues, and we hear that fixes are in the works. Here’s hoping they can bring some quick bayou magic to get these figures back in sync soon!
MiceShots
Before Disney California Adventure was built 24 years ago, there was an audio recording Disneyland would play in the entry plaza on rainy days. We think of it every time the rain starts to fall…
Some of the best park photos are in the rain. Let’s take a rainy day stroll through the parks with Mike and Dusty to see some of that rainy day beauty. We can never get enough of reflections in puddles and that clean look.
Since we were soaked from head to toe, what’s a little more water…
… and from one blustery day to another…
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Let’s Hear From You!
Have you braved the parks in the rain? Are short wait times worth soggy socks? And what do you think about Disney’s split rollout for the 70th anniversary? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—whether you’re loving the rain or side-eyeing Disney’s latest moves, we want to hear it!
