After a blistering summer, the pumpkin army has fully taken over Disneyland, and the resort has slipped into that sweet spot when locals can breathe again. Schools are back in session and standby times have been anything but scary… but beware… temps and humidity are still toasty for all you early Halloween Time ghosties. If you can swing a weekday visit, the parks are a real treat.
Today’s update is packed with news and photos from the Disneyland Resort. With Avengers Rising, refurbs expanding, and events popping up, we have everything a Disney fan needs to know… right below…
Summer Doldrums
We’ve reached the annual lull between the end of summer vacation and the start of Thanksgiving break, when temperatures are high, kids are back at school, and wait times are deliciously low.
How do we know? At 4:45 p.m. last Thursday afternoon, the longest queue in Disneyland Park was a 60-minute wait for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (due in large part, we’re sure, to the 90-degree weather), followed by 40 minutes for the air-conditioned Space Mountain and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The rest of the attractions were posted at 35 minutes or less… and even Peter Pan’s Flight was only 25 minutes.
At the same time across the esplanade, guests waited 60 minutes for Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, 40 minutes for Grizzly River Run, and only 35 minutes for Soarin’ Around the World. Everything else? 30 minutes or less.
Bottom Line: If you don’t have kids or school to worry about, now’s the best time to head to Anaheim.
Skyway to Disneyland?
The city of Anaheim is looking into the construction of an aerial gondola system (think Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World) to connect the “Platinum Triangle”— which includes Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and The Grove of Anaheim—with the Anaheim Resort area, which includes Disneyland, the Anaheim Convention Center, and surrounding hotels, restaurants, shops, and businesses.
The proposed gondola system would begin near the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), and while no final route has been determined, one option could be an east-west line along Katella Avenue, with six stops; at Harbor Boulevard, the line would split into two branches, with one ending near the eastern entrance of California Adventure and the other at the Anaheim Convention Center.
In addition to Disney, a new skyway would benefit guests visiting OCVibe, a $4-billion mixed-use district being developed on 100-acres of land surrounding the Honda Center—and just think what this could mean for future D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event attendees traveling from the convention center to evening events at the Honda Center.
What do you think? Would an aerial gondola system be a welcome addition to the Anaheim skyline or is the city easy to navigate as it is? Let us know in the comments below.
Constructionland
Things may be easy for park guests right now… but construction workers have their hands full with projects from one end of the resort to the other.
Avengers Campus
The two new attractions for Avengers Campus are well under way, with the show building going up fast. Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab will be located behind the Avengers HQ facade and will nearly double the capacity of Avengers Campus.
Cars Land
Radiator Springs is extra popular right now with its amazing Halloween decorations.
But guests have one less attraction to visit in the land… Radiator Springs Racers is down for an important refurbishment project which involves resurfacing the exterior portion of the track. That’s good news in the long run, as it will allow the attraction to operate in a wider variety of weather conditions.
The attraction is expected to return on September 26th.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The wildest ride in the wilderness closed for refurbishment on the 2nd and could be down for a while with no return date announced.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar
Now, let’s look at all the current and scheduled refurbishments. New this week: Star Tours reopens, Big Thunder is under the pick ax, Main Street Cinema falls off the calendar, and Mark Twain starts a week-long refurbishment.
Currently Under Refurbishment
- Storybook Land Canal Boats: July 28 – TBA
- Casey Jr. Circus Train: July 28 – TBA
- Radiator Springs Racers: August 18 – September 25
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: September 2 – TBA
- Mark Twain Riverboat: September 8 – 11
Upcoming Refurbishments
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island: September 15 – 17
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant: September 16 & 17
- Sailing Ship Columbia: September 22 – 25
- Goofy’s Sky School: September 28 – October 4
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic: October 6 – TBA
Save The Dates!
Don’t miss the rare chance to step inside Walt Disney’s Hollywood Hills home with exclusive tours led by our own Dusty Sage on September 16 and September 20.
This stunning hilltop estate, built in 1932, was Walt’s storybook residence during one of the most defining chapters of his life. It’s where he raised his daughters, threw legendary parties, and dreamed up the films that would shape generations.
Guests will explore both inside and out—including Walt’s personal screening room, Lillian Disney’s rose garden, and the whimsical Seven Dwarfs Cottage playhouse he built for his daughters in 1937.
Tours will be offered at 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Disney Mansion Tours Available HERE.
Disney Mansion Ghost Tours
Want something a little spookier? Dusty also leads candlelight ghost tours of Disney’s Hollywood mansion. The evening begins with the Disney family’s story but soon veers into the spirit world, with chilling real-life tales from Los Feliz and whispers of the ghosts said to linger in the house itself.
Bring a friend (or a brave loved one) for support—we’re still not sure what’s scarier: the beautifully eerie old mansion, or your ghost host, Dusty Sage.
Haunted tour tickets available through Haunted OC HERE.
This & That
Disneyland Live @ 5
Dusty returns to terrify Mike with the latest Disney news and views. The gents start their journey in Cars Land for a look at the decorations and refurbishments. Then they wander through the Avengers Campus construction before making their way to Disneyland. If you need a little Disney joy right now, this is your video. I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing along with the guys. So… much… fun!
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Monsters Before Dark
The Guardians of the Galaxy Halloween overlay, Monsters After Dark has been running well before dark this season, with the attraction switching over from Mission Breakout to Monsters at 2 p.m.
That’s fine with us. We’d actually be fine with them just leaving it in Monster mode throughout the Halloween season… perhaps with a slight name change to “Monsters in the Dark”.
Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon
The Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon runDisney event took place over the weekend, bringing thousands of runners to Anaheim to compete in villainous races, including a 5K hosted by Ursula, a 10K featuring Cruella De Vil, and a half marathon emceed by Maleficent.
Extra-ambitious runners participated in the Pain and Panic Challenge that combined the 10K and half marathon (a total of 19.3 miles)… clever name!
Fun Castle Fact
During the “Beyond the Spires: An Insider Look at Disney Castles” panel discussion at last week’s Destination D23 in Orlando, Imagineers shared that the Disney Family crest is featured on every Disney castle, starting with our very own Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.
The Disney name was derived from Walt’s ancestors’ French hometown of Isigny-sur-Mer, which was shortened to “d’Isigny” and later anglicized to “Disney.” Once the design of the Disney Family crest was discovered in the 1960s, it was added above the entrance to Sleeping Beauty Castle… and to every castle that followed.
But our own Dusty Sage would beg to differ. During his tours of the 1932 Disney Mansion in Los Feliz, you see the Disney Family crest that Walt Disney himself had placed into the window of his living room. And… it’s NOT the same version that the Disney Imagineers “Discovered” in the 60s. So who got it right… the Imagineers in the 60s… or Walt Disney himself in 1932?
Want to learn more? The next episode of “We Call It Imagineering: Building Castles” debuts today on the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel. And, to visit the Walt Disney Storybook Mansion in the Hollywood Hills, see our event guide above.
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!
Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother will be joining the Fairy Godmothers-in-training at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
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Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice
If you thought Salt & Straw wasn’t jumping on the pumpkin spice bandwagon this year, think again. Last Friday, Salt & Straw launched a Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Cone as well as a Pumpkin Spiced Brownie Sundae.
The signature Salt & Straw waffle cone is infused with classic warming spices from spice company Diaspora, which elevates the cone’s vanilla-caramel flavors with notes of cinnamon and allspice.
Guests can order their favorite scoops in a Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Cone or splurge on a Pumpkin Spiced Brownie Sundae made with Chocolate Gooey Brownie ice cream, dark chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles in a Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Bowl.
Star Sighting 🤩
On September 3, “High School Musical” and “Suite Life of Zack & Cody” star Ashley Tisdale celebrated her daughter Emerson’s first birthday at Storyteller’s Cafe, along with her husband, musician Christopher French, Emerson’s big sister, Jupiter (age 4), and of course, Mickey and Minnie.
Pumpkin Pursuit
If you’ve spotted fun pumpkins “hidden” at the Disneyland Resort, that’s because Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit is officially underway!
Through October 31, 2025 (or while supplies last), guests of all ages can pick up a map and stickers for $11.99 (plus tax) at select merchandise locations in both parks and Downtown Disney and search for pumpkins bounding as Disney characters. When you find one, place the the corresponding stickers on your map. And whether you actually search for pumpkins or not, you can return your map to a redemption location for a keepsake (one keepsake per map).
Where to Purchase Pumpkin Pursuit Maps:
- In Disneyland Park at Disney Showcase, Disneyana, Emporium, EngineEar Souvenirs, “it’s a small world” Toy Shop, The Star Trader, and Pioneer Mercantile.
- In California Adventure Park at Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff, Elias & Co., Gone Hollywood, Ramone’s House of Body Art, Rushin’ River Outfitters, Seaside Souvenirs, and Trolley Treats
- In Downtown Disney at Disney HOme, Disney’s Pin Traders, Disney Storyland Boutique, Wonderland Gallery, and World of Disney
- In Disney Resort Hotels at Acrorns Gifts & Goods in the Grand Californian, Disney’s Fantasia Shop in the Disneyland Hotel, and STORE-E in Pixar Place Hotel
You can pick up your keepsake at Disney Showcase in Disneyland, Elias & Co. in California Adventure, or Disney Pin Traders and World of Disney in Downtown Disney.
Halloween Time
The spooky season is officially upon us. From horrifying haunts at Knott’s and Universal to not-so-scary fun in the Disney parks, be sure to check out our reviews of Halloween happenings at all the parks here:
MiceShots
Now, let’s have a little more fun as we enjoy some beautiful shots from around the Disneyland Resort.
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Let’s Hear From You
It’s the long-awaited between-seasons lull at Disneyland—Halloween in full swing, summer heat still lingering, and construction walls multiplying like rabbits. What struck a nerve with you today? Are the lighter waits worth the sticky afternoons? Does the earlier Monsters After Dark overlay work for you, or does it feel wrong before sundown? And what about Anaheim’s latest gondola daydream—is it a needed transit solution or just an expensive pipe dream? Share your park reports, hot takes, and observations in the comments below.
