If you were expecting huge crowds at Disneyland this 4th of July… well, they didn’t show up. The parks were surprisingly empty over the holiday weekend, and we’ve got some thoughts on why. With the 70th anniversary just around the corner, Disneyland felt more like a ghost town than a birthday bash.
But don’t worry—there’s still plenty to unpack from the parks this week. Tinker Bell’s meet and greet has reopened in Pixie Hollow, a robotic Walt is about to take the stage, Port Royal has flip-flopped once again, and Oogie Boogie Bash tickets are disappearing fast. Oh—and did we mention Oswald might be headed back to the big screen? Let’s take a look at everything happening at Disneyland… the good, the bad, and the oddly quiet.
July 4th Fizzled
Disneyland celebrated the 4th of July on Friday, but even though it was a three-day weekend, crowd levels for the entire week were noticeably low, with some attractions even being walk-ons.
But let’s be clear: it’s not that people weren’t spending the holiday weekend at a theme park… because we were at Knott’s Berry Farm for our special Bear-y Tales event on Saturday and Disneyland’s OC neighbor was packed… as was Universal Studios Hollywood.
So, why was Disneyland so empty on Friday? One major reason is that many Magic Key holders are blocked out for the summer; another is that single park tickets were in the $200 range this weekend for a one-day/one-park. The park didn’t even decorate for the 4th of July this year, with only a few nods here and there. Last, but certainly not least, is the fact that Disneyland offers very little in the way of July 4th-specific festivities, with the exception of a special flag retreat ceremony and a patriotic fireworks show (which they don’t really promote).
If you weren’t able to see Disneyland’s special July 4th fireworks show in person, you can watch Dusty’s live video here:
Disneyland’s Anniversary
The final pieces of Disneyland’s big anniversary celebration will fall into place on July 17th, Disneyland’s official 70th birthday. That’s the day “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will debut in the Main Street Opera House with the new Walt animatronic figure.
A new marquee installed last week marks the first time the Opera House has featured two shows. After its initial run, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
In the Opera House lobby, a new exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives and the Walt Disney Family Museum will include several items from Walt and Lillian’s apartment above the Disneyland Fire Station, which are already on their way from San Francisco to Anaheim.
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Also debuting on July 17th is a new short film in the Main Street Cinema called “The Last Verse,” which showcases the music of the Sherman Brothers, including a new final verse for “It’s a Small World,” which will also debut inside the Small World attraction on the same day (it will also be added to the Small World ride in Orlando).
You can learn more about the last verse here:
It’s Still a Small World: New Last Verse For Beloved Disney Song
Constructionland
As some projects wrap up, others begin. This is the [Disneyland] way.
Pixie Hollow Returns
Pixie Hollow finally reopened last week in what seems to be half-finished fashion. While everything on the ground looks wonderfully refreshed, things overhead are still looking dirty and worn. Hopefully this is a work in progress as Tink entertains guests at her home.
But if you don’t look up, it all looks pretty good. It’s hard to figure out why this routine refurbishment took so long.
Star Tours Refurb
Star Tours has been walled up for an extended refurbishment, but it’s an odd time for a major attraction to start a long refurbishment with the official 70th anniversary just two weeks away.
Thankfully, refurbishment on the Matterhorn is starting to wrap up. The scrims are mostly down, revealing refreshed rock work, and ride vehicles are back on the tracks at the loading station.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar (updated 07/04/25)
New to the calendar this week is a July 24 reopening date for the Matterhorn, and as expected, the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay installation has been added in August.
Currently Under Refurbishment
- The Disneyland Story featuring Walt Disney a Magical Life: April 16, 2024 – July 16, 2025
- Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln: will be unavailable for an unknown length of time and will eventually return in rotation with Walt Disney a Magical Life. – Return TBD
- Matterhorn Bobsleds: May 5 – July 23
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue: June 30 – TBA
Upcoming Refurbishments
- Pixar Pal-A-Round: July 14 – 24
- Main Street Cinema: July 15 & 16
- Storybook Land Canal Boats: July 21 – TBA
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Villains Grove installation: July 21 – August 14
- Casey Jr. Circus Train: July 28 – TBA
- Incredicoaster: July 28 – TBA
- Haunted Mansion – Holiday overlay installation: August 11 – 22
Walt Disney Storybook Mansion Tours
The Disney Bucket List-worthy opportunity to visit Walt Disney’s 1930s estate on Woking Way in the Hollywood Hills is back.
Built in 1932, this storybook-style home was where Walt raised his daughters, hosted legendary parties, and dreamed up many of the films that would shape generations. On this guided tour, you’ll explore the interior and exterior of Walt’s private home, including his personal screening room, where he previewed classics-in-the-making… and the tiny Seven Dwarfs Cottage, a backyard playhouse built by Walt himself for his daughters—straight out of a fairy tale.
Tours led by our very own Dusty Sage are being offered on Saturday, Jul 12, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PDT. Tickets are $75 per person. Additional dates are being added in July and August. Make your reservation HERE.
AND… if daytime history tours aren’t enough for you… Dusty has partnered with Haunted OC to bring you candlelight GHOST TOURS of the Disney Mansion on select evenings. You can find more about the Ghost Tours HERE.
Read all about the star-studded celebration Dusty held at the mansion for Disney’s 100th anniversary:
Disney’s 100th at Walt’s Mansion: A Star-Studded Celebration Fit For a Centennial!
This & That
This is always one of our favorite sections of the Update because there are always more delicious Disney tidbits to share…
Live @ Five
Each Thursday we go live from Disneyland to share the latest news and views. This past week was a lot of fun as Dusty is joined by Mike, Natalie, Eric, Jeffrey, and Ando… and along the way they run into MiceChat fans who had a lot to say.
Oswald Returns!
Nothing has been announced, but we got word that Jon Favreau is working on a new Oswald film… AND he’ll be filming segments at Disneyland (think Roger Rabbit with live action meshed with animation). We’re looking forward to hearing more!
Port Royal Returns
And just like that, Port Royal has flipped back from a much-welcomed indoor seating area to a Haunted Mansion-themed shop. There are a few new merchandise additions, but it’s nearly exactly as it was before.
It only took Disney one night to turn the old shop into a seating area… and when it came time to switch back, it again just took one night. We suspect the area could eventually become an overflow queue for Pirates of the Caribbean, but since Lightning Lane was dropped from the ride, the lines has been unsurprisingly short. We hope Disney keeps it all this way and won’t need to do anything at all with the shop… but if it’s required, we now know it’s possible.
Here’s what the whole store looks like:
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Ray’s Berets
Ray’s is looking green again. After weeks of a sad, dead roof, it’s all green once again.
Oogie Boogie Ticket Tracker
Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disneyland Halloween Party are currently on sale, and as of last Wednesday, 14 of the 31 party dates are already sold out, including most of the weekend dates. If you want to visit this event, time to snag tickets!
Of the remaining 17 dates, only 3 weekend nights are left, so if you’ve been thinking about partying with Oogie Boogie and his villainous pals, there’s no time to waste!
For details about the after-hours Halloween party, check out our 2024 event guide:
Coca Cola x Star Wars
Starting today (July 7th), you can have a Coke and a Star Wars character… 30 of them! Coca-Cola and Lucasfilm have teamed up on a campaign that will deliver lots of fun character-enhanced cans and bottles to stores everywhere… plus some exclusive designs for the Disney Parks. We have all the details on the fun campaign:
Coca-Cola x Star Wars: 30 New Designs, Disney Parks Exclusives & AR Fun!
Knott’s Bear-y Tales 50th Anniversary
For the last month we’ve been telling you about MiceChat’s celebration of Knott’s Bear-y Tales, Rolly Crump’s much-missed dark ride, and the event on July 5th was a smashing success.
Guests were able to walk the attraction tracks in the early hours before park opening…
Even Disney Legend Bob Gurr was on hand to heckle guests…
Fantasy Funwheel (publishers of Knott’s Bear-y Tales Preserved), set up an exhibit of original ride props and signs. MAGICAL!!!
Bear-y Tales Preserved authors, Chris Merritt and Eric Linxweiler, shared a presentation of Knott’s history, videos, photos, and an INCREDIBLE video ride-through of the original attraction.
And if all that wasn’t enough, a panel of original creatives from Rolly’s team took to the stage to share the behind-the-scenes tales of the making of this attraction.
Rolly’s son Chris shared some great stories about his dad and his contributions to the the original ride. He also helped recreate the attraction in 2020, so Knott’s guests can ride a modern version in the exact location of the original.
If you aren’t on our mailing list, you might be missing out on events like these… SIGN UP FOR THE MICECHAT MAILING LIST HERE
MiceChat Meet-Up
Even if you missed the Bear-y Tales event, we’ve got something coming up that we hope you won’t miss. On Disneyland’s anniversary, July 17th, we’ll hold a MiceChat Meet-Up in the park! Join us at high noon at the Walt & Mickey statue in Disneyland’s central hub as we celebrate 70 years of the Happiest Place on Earth!
We meet with old friends, make new ones, take a photo, then head off for lunch and a ride (or two). Depending on wait times, we may even visit the new Walt Disney a Magical Life show.
Come join us!
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MiceShots
Now, let’s have some fun. Here’s how the parks looked this past week…
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Let’s Hear From YOU!
Did you visit Disneyland over the 4th of July weekend and find it surprisingly empty? Were you shocked by the lack of festivities, or thrilled by the short wait times? What’s your take on the low-key holiday, the return of Pixie Hollow, or Walt’s new animatronic debut? And are you racing to grab Oogie Boogie tickets before they disappear?
We’d love to know what you’re thinking—what made you smile, what felt off, and what you’re most looking forward to this summer. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
