The sun is shining, temperatures are climbing, and spring is settling in at Disneyland Resort. With highs reaching the upper 70s and some schools on break for “Ski Week,” the big question on many guests’ minds is: Just how busy are the parks?
In this week’s update, we’re taking a look at crowd levels, construction progress, a new Pixar-themed mini golf course, the return of a Red Car, and more. Plus, we’ll preview the next big festival at Disney California Adventure, with a sneak peek at the food, entertainment, and seasonal fun headed your way.
There’s plenty to cover, so let’s get started!
Lightning Lane Update
Beginning Feb. 25, 2025, the purchase window for Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disneyland Resort will be extended to up to 7 days in advance of a park visit.
The newest expedited entry system will give guests one-time entry to all Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass Lightning Lane entrances in the theme park(s) they’re visiting that day, but unlike Multi Pass and Single Pass, guests who purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass will not have to select a return time; they just need to scan in whenever they want to ride.
As with all Lightning Lane products, Premier Pass prices will vary based on the date and theme park guests are visiting.
For more information about Lighting Lane, check out our guide:
UPDATED! Disney Lightning Lanes: Premier, Multi, or Single – What You Need to Know
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is back from February 28 to April 21, 2025, celebrating the flavors of California with an incredible lineup of food, drinks, and entertainment. Guests can enjoy returning favorites like the Mickey-shaped Macaron with Snickers bar pieces alongside dozens of new menu items, including the debut of the Mercado de Antojos marketplace.
This year’s festival not only features a variety of seasonal bites and sips but also bookable culinary experiences, including wine tastings, craft beer seminars, and exclusive dining events at Carthay Circle and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Plus, the fan-favorite Soarin’ Over California returns for a limited time!
Unfortunately, the variety of offerings at the festival continues to shrink, even as prices rise each year. But this is still a festival we look forward to. The entertainment, additional food offerings, and upbeat music helps usher in springtime.
The festival will also include live entertainment, with performances at the Palisades Stage on weekends and the Paradise Gardens Bandstand daily.
And, for many of us, the real highlight is the return of Soarin’ Over California!
Be sure to follow us on Micechat.com on Friday for our full coverage of the opening day festivities.
For more details about the festival, check out our coverage below:
Eat This! Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival 2025 Food Guide
Crowd Control
The Spring season isn’t officially here yet, but last week saw springtime-level crowds at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Ticket prices varied throughout the week, with Thursday at $164, Friday at $180, and Saturday hitting a peak of $196 before returning to $180 on Sunday, but even the higher tier tickets didn’t keep the crowds away.
As expected, the crowds brought longer-than-usual wait times, with Disneyland attractions seeing waits of up to 1 ½ hours, while Disney California Adventure experienced even longer queues—some extending beyond 2 hours.
While we were at the parks on Thursday and Friday, we noticed several extended queues being used, including Pirates of the Caribbean, which has one of the most invasive queues in the park, often making it difficult to traverse the walkways between Adventureland and New Orleans Square on a busy day.
There has been much talk here on MiceChat of Port Royal Curios and Curiosities being turned into queue space for Pirates, which we think would really help reduce the New Orleans Square congestion on busy park days.
Though the Matterhorn didn’t have the longest wait in the park, the queue stretched well beyond the entrance, snaking around the standby area.
As we were heading out of the parks on Friday evening, we noticed many guests were just arriving at the Mickey and Friends parking structure security station.
The increase in crowds can be attributed to several factors, including mountain-area school districts on break for “Ski Week,” great weather, and the ongoing popularity of the Disneyland So Cal ticket deal. The California Food and Wine Festival begins this Friday, and as one of the more popular Disneyland Resort events, we expect DCA to be bustling during its run.
Pixar Putt
A whimsical 18-hole mini golf course has arrived at Pixar Place Hotel, featuring characters and themes from beloved films such as Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Coco, and more. The pop-up Pixar Putt experience operates daily from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and is scheduled to remain open at this location through June 1st.
Know Before You Go:
- Admission starts at $25 per person
- Advance reservations are highly recommended
- the venue does not accept cash
- A reservation will get you a three-hour parking validation at the Pixar Place hotel parking
For our Thursday Live at 5, we met with Pixar Putt manager, Chad Larabee, for a brief tour of the temporary but artistic mini golf course, with each hole themed to a favorite Pixar film. Thanks to all of you who joined us for our round!
The mini-golf course has been touring the country for the last few years, including a smaller version at the D23 Expo in August. Pixar Putt also operates in other countries, such as Singapore and Australia (where the sets were created).
The 18th hole is an incredible set from the movie Up! After putting the ball into Carl’s house, it flies over the top of Paradise Falls, where the ball drops onto the green (and hopefully continues for a hole-in-one).
The player with the lowest score is presented with a gift card that entitles them to a complimentary “Hole in One” donut from Great Maple (requires the purchase of an entree).
After playing a round of golf, be sure to stop in the Pixar Place lobby and watch Joe Gardner from the movie “Soul,” playing the piano. Remember that three-hour parking validation we mentioned? If you can book your tee time for 8 p.m. (the latest available time), you can go upstairs to the rooftop lounge area and view the Disneyland Fireworks.
Watch our Thursday Disneyland LIVE to see what the Pixar Putt is all about… and see which of us won the round:
If you would like to make a tee time reservation for Pixar Putt at Pixar Place Hotel, click here.
Constructionland
Plenty of construction and refurbishments are happening all around the resort. Let’s take a look at what’s happening this week.
Avengers Campus
It is our understanding that the next phase of Avengers Campus backstage construction starts today. But while you might hear some construction going on behind the Avengers HQ, it will be quite some time before we see the new show building rise.
Two new attractions are on the way, an E-Ticket Avengers ride and a simulator attraction. We’ve been waiting for the expansion of Avengers Campus since the 2019 D23 Expo when it was first announced. Back then the main ride was promised to be a Quinjet ride to Wakanda. At the next Expo, the ride was changed to a multiverse theme where the Avengers fight Thanos. But, after 5 years of waiting for this ride to break ground, we hope it’s worth the wait.
Adventureland Bathrooms
It has been about a year and a half since a pipe burst near the men’s restroom in Adventureland, leading to the removal of the rock wall and its decorative waterfall. In their place, construction walls have been guests first look when entering the land. However, we’re finally seeing some movement in the area, as the walls have been extended, with a large gate facing the Adventureland Entrance. Hopefully this signals progress toward a permanent solution soon.
Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond
Several weeks ago, a brief rainstorm caused flooding in the new Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond shop due to runoff from the bridge leading into Bayou Country. Sandbags were placed to divert the water, and shortly after, construction walls went up as crews began working on improving drainage around the shop. The project is still ongoing, but won’t take too much longer to wrap up.
Snow White’s Wishing Well
It appears as if someone has stolen the top of Snow White’s wishing well. Actually, it’s a maintenance project. Snow White still meets guests here, but she stands along a railing with the castle in the background.
Over the last year, maintenance has been inspecting and repairing fixtures that could fall if the hardware corrodes. This comes after lighting fixtures had fallen on guests. Disney Maintenance and Management seems to be paying close attention to these fine details.
Grizzly River Run
Extensive work continues on the Grizzly River Run flume as old wood is replaced and repaired.
Work also continues at the bottom of the final drop, where crews removed a rock wall section. That wall is now in the process of being built back up again.
Carthay Circle Fountain
The fountain at Carthay Circle has been drained and barricades have been placed at all the access points. Hopefully, this is a quick project, and the fountain will be back up and running soon.
We had recently noted some rust and corrosion in the fountain. It’s a beautiful photo spot and we’re glad to see it getting some attention.
Downtown Disney District
Just when it looked like Downtown Disney construction was nearing its end… the area is buzzing again with construction activity. Let’s see what has changed in the Downtown district over the last week.
Last week, we pointed out a new construction wall that quickly went up around the old Tortilla Jo’s building. Concept art on the walls makes the new steakhouse look like a single-story establishment. But we only see crews demolishing parts of the old building so far. So this may not be a complete rebuild. We’re keeping an eye on this one.
This week, we noticed the outdoor bar being demolished. Not a wrecking ball to the whole building, but a strategic removal of a tiny portion of the structure.
As we continue our walk through the district, we can see progress on the Downtown Disney Monorail Station. We speculated that a new gate would be installed, and that’s exactly what’s happening. A new entryway cover has already been put in place, and the work was completed surprisingly fast.
A new project has also emerged between Parkside Market and Star Wars Trading Post, looks like the last of the old concrete in the area is finally being replaced.
In the background, the renovation of the former ESPN Zone building is ongoing, and with the weather improving, the scrims have gone back up.
For our all the latest Downtown Disney news, check out our guide:
Sweet Surprise! Disney Wonderful World of Sweets Opens & Downtown Disney News
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar (updated 02/19/25)
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
Live at Five
On Thursday, Dusty, Mike, Suzanne, and Eric hit the links at the Pixar Place Hotel for a round of Pixar Putt mini golf.
The Red Car Trolley is Back at Buena Vista Street… Sort of.
The Red Car Trolley made its final run just over two weeks ago. But Disney promised it would eventually return as a photo op. On Saturday, it reappeared at the Buena Vista Street Station. While it no longer runs, at least it will remain as a thematic element of the area.
Darth Vader Meet & Greet Back Inside Star Wars Launch Bay
At Disneyland’s Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland, guests can meet Darth Vader in an immersive character experience. Disney Visa Cardmembers have access to an exclusive meet-and-greet from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with complimentary photo downloads included. Character appearances and schedules may vary, so checking the Disneyland app for updates on the day of your visit is recommended. This experience offers Star Wars fans a chance to interact with one of the most iconic villains in the galaxy.
As you walk through the queue, you will notice that many pre-Galaxy’s Edge exhibits are still in place. It’s a shame that this area hasn’t been moved to Galaxy’s Edge as much of the space is now used for Disney’s Imagination Campus program.
Have you met Darth Vadar in the new area? Are you part of the Galactic Empire or do you sympathize with the Rebel Alliance? Let us know in the comments below?
Eggstravaganza Returns to Disneyland Resort in 2025!
Get ready for a fun-filled scavenger hunt as the Eggstravaganza “egg” hunt returns to Disneyland Resort from March 21 to April 25, 2025! This limited-time event invites guests to search for hidden, character-themed eggs across Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney District.
How to Play:
Purchase a map and stickers for $9.99 plus tax at select merchandise locations.
Explore the resort to find hidden eggs and match them with the corresponding stickers.
Return your completed map to a redemption location to claim one of six special prizes!
Where to Buy & Redeem Maps:
Each area of the resort has its own unique map, so be sure to search only in your designated location.
Downtown Disney District maps are available at Disney Home, Disney Storyland Boutique, Disney’s Pin Traders, WonderGround Gallery, and World of Disney. Prizes can be redeemed at Disney’s Pin Traders and World of Disney.
Disneyland Park maps sold at Adventureland Bazaar, Emporium, and The Star Trader. Prizes can be redeemed at Disney Showcase.
Disney California Adventure Park maps are sold at Elias & Co., Gone Hollywood, and other locations. Prizes can be redeemed at Elias & Co.
Guests can also purchase maps at select hotel shops, including Disney’s Fantasia Shop, Acorns Gifts & Goods, and STORE-E.
Don’t miss out on this egg-citing adventure—and happy hunting!
MiceShots
The rain has disappeared, and the clouds have mostly gone, treating us to some lovely Spring weather. This week, Suzanne Lee and I roamed the parks, finding our favorite spots to photograph.
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Let’s Hear From You!
That’s it for this week’s update! Now, we want to hear from you. Are you excited for the return of the California Food & Wine Festival? Is there a dish or performance you’re most looking forward to? Have you tried Pixar Putt yet, or do you plan to check it out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!