It’s time to say goodbye to January and hello the Chinese New Year this week at the Disneyland Resort. The Year of the Horse bringing all sorts of multi-cultural fun to Disney California Adventure. If you’ll be visiting California Adventure January 31st through February 2nd, you’re in luck. We also have some exciting news regarding The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. We’ll also soak in the delights of the off-season and take in the wonderful signs of spring in both parks. And, of course, we’ll examine the aggressive refurbishment projects that are going on in Disneyland.
Chinese New Year
Happy Chinese New Year! The year of the horse begins today at Disney California Adventure in the Paradise Garden area of Paradise Pier. The Year of the Horse will be marked by a Chinese dragon dance troupe, with lion dancers and Vietnamese and Korean dance groups joined by Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Mulan and Mushu, The celebrations will happen from now until Sunday, February 2nd from 11am-5pm each day.
We took the photos below on Thursday. While you can see some of the decorations, the actual festival hadn’t started yet. You’ll be able to see what the festival looked like in full swing in Monday’s Dateline Disneyland.
Around DCA
The beauty of low off-season crowds continues and is joined by the sprinkling of spring blooms which really adds a wonderful touch to the park. We also share a bit of news here and there along the way.
Refurbishments
- Mickey’s Fun Wheel: Closed February 3-6 for refurbishment.
- Soarin’ Over California: Closed February 18-June 5, 2014 for refurbishment to add HD projectors, replace the screens and make some general improvements to the attraction.
- Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular: Dark January 21-February 20, 2014.
- Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train: Closed March 3-6, 2014.
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Closed January 6 through February 27, 2014.
Of note is that the entrance into Disney California Adventure from the Grand Californian Hotel is closed for refurbishment.
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
As mentioned in the Editor’s Note yesterday, the refurbishment for The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure has been approved. Thankfully, Burbank is beginning to loosen purse strings for Anaheim. This means that DCA’s Mermaid refurb is currently slated for seven weeks of down time from late March to early May in order to fix a laundry list of cosmetic, lighting and scenery issues throughout the ride.
Amazing MiceChat Anniversary Weekend – February 7-9th, 2014 – Disneyland Resort
Don’t miss out on the big MiceChat anniversary weekend February 7th – 9th. Every day is packed with fun activities, meets, events and games. Meet Disney Legends, take a trip back to Walt Disney’s birthplace and help us save it. Click here to learn more about all of the activities we have planned for you!
Friday, February 7th
An Evening with Walt Disney
We Need YOUR Support – ALL Proceeds from your ticket will go toward saving the home Walt Disney was born in!!!
Join the folks at the Save Walt Disney’s Birthplace project as we explore Walt’s early history and discover how we can preserve the home where he was born! We guarantee you’ll be wowed and entertained and leave satisfied that you are doing something very important.
This very special event will include
- Dinner buffet at the Anabella Hotel’s award winning Tangerine restaurant
- An audio/visual presentation on Walt Disney and his boyhood home by theme park design company, Super 78.
- A chance to rub elbows with the creative minds behind the Save Walt Disney’s Birthplace Project, Dina Benadon and Brent Young!
- An opportunity to bid on some unique items with all proceeds going to support the wonderful project to save the home Walt Disney was born in.
- Special guests: Bob Gurr (Disney Legend and original Imagineer) & David Price (Son of Disney Legend Buzz Price)
- ALL Proceeds from your ticket will go toward saving the home Walt Disney was born in!
Space is strictly limited to 70 guests for this FABULOUS event.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS FOR AN
EVENING WITH WALT DISNEY HERE
Saturday, February 8th
Building The Dream – The Magic of Disneyland Paris
SPECIAL EVENT
Celebrated Imagineer, Tim Delaney, will lead a fascinating presentation about the building of the most beautiful Magic Kingdom of them all, Disneyland Paris. Learn about the challenges, creative opportunities, and wonderful stories that make this park so unique in the universe of Disney theme parks. This will be a breakfast event at the ESPN Zone (bacon, bacon, bacon) with a 90 minute audio/visual presentation and an opportunity to meet a true creative genius. Event is limited to 125 guests and will sell out quickly.
Tim Delaney’s 34 years at Walt Disney Imagineering included 19 years as a creative director and Vice President of Design. He has been instrumental in all phases of design from initial concept through design development, corporate sponsorship, project production and onsite construction supervision through completion. As a designer, illustrator, painter, creative director, producer and art director, Delaney has lead teams that have designed and constructed over $1.2 billion of Disney Parks and attractions worldwide, including Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Hong Kong.Tim has been awarded the 2002 Ray Bradbury Award for Lifetime of Creative Excellence. He was the subject of the popular BBC documentary ”Shoot the Moon.” And, in, 1995 he was awarded the Themed Entertainment Association award for best attraction for Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris.
Tim will sign copies of Disneyland Paris From Sketch To Reality (copies of this beautiful book are available at a VERY special price for this event only)
Tickets for this event are nearly sold out. Secure your spot today!
DCA MiceQuest – 3pm
Put your Disney skills to the test as Fishbulb presents one of his famous eye spy/scavenger hunt events. This two hour event will be free to enter (you’ll just need park admission). There will be fun prizes sponsored by Fairy Godmother Travel and this is always a great way to meet fellow MicePals and have a great time in the park. REGISTER FOR THE DCA MICEQUEST HERE
Communicore Weekly Musical Meet-up – 6:30pm
Meet Jeff Heimbuch and learn more about the epic Communicore Weekly Musical project. This event will be presented in the same location as the Game Show. Two great events, one great location. SIGN UP FOR INFO HERE
Monorail Man’s EXTRA Limited Time Magic Game Show – 7pm
The game show has become a MiceChat anniversary tradition. Why? Because Monorail Man isn’t just a Disney nerd but a game show nerd as well. And what excuse do we need to have a good time and win prizes? The show lasts for about an hour and prizes will be given throughout. SIGN UP FOR INFO HERE
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9th
MiceChat/MiceAge Classic Sunday in Disneyland
Breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace, a grand circle tour of Disneyland aboard the Disneyland Railroad, Mark Twain trip around the Rivers of America, MiceChat noon meet with prize giveaway, group photo, lunch with friends, D23 Fanniversary Scavenger Hunt, “Practically Perfect Tour,” farewell meetwithgrand prize giveaway.
It’s a MiceChat tradition that’s not to be missed. All are welcome to join us for as much or as little of this day of magic as they’d like. All events, except for the Evening with Walt Disney and the Breakfast with Tim Delaney, are free (you just need theme park admission). Add your email address below to be notified when the final event schedule with dates/times/locations of all of the above listed activities is available. SIGN UP FOR INFO HERE
For the third year in a row D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will hit the road with their Disney Fanniversary Celebration, visiting cities across the U.S. to commemorate dozens of magical Disney milestones celebrating landmark anniversaries this year. In honor of the event, which will kick off this fall, we have designed a game including some of the iconic attractions and films that are (or were) represented inside Disneyland Park. You will have to be fast on your feet and quick with your wits as you race to reach the finish line in time to win the grand prize. JOIN THE D23 FANNIVERSARY SCAVENGER HUNT HERE
If you plan in coming to the parks for the MiceChat Anniversary events, our Friends at Anabella Hotel are offering a spectacular rate just for you!
- $99 standard rate – Use rate code MCAnniversary when booking
- $114 rate includes room upgrade and $25 food and beverage credit at Tangerine restaurant – Use rate code MCAnniversaryPlus when booking this offer
- Call to book your reservation now! 800.863.4888
Essential Listening – MiceChat Podcast #14
On this episode, we share our favorite and biggest theme park moments of 2013 and our predictions for 2014 and beyond. What will be our biggest story of 2013? Will it be the bust of Disney’s MyMagic+, SeaWorld’s Blackfish problem, Tony Baxter’s retirement from Disney . . .? Listen on to find out. Then we turn our attention to 2014 and what is already shaping up to be a magical year for Universal as Harry Potter 2.0 – Diagon Alley – prepares to open at the Orlando park. Plus, Disneyland 60th anniversary prep, Tomorrowland Star Wars projects, project delays and much, much more. We even have a cameo from Robert Coker about the project to save Walt Disney’s birthplace in Chicago. Don’t miss this one folks!
Main Street U.S.A.
Here we are on Main Street U.S.A, after a successful celebration of Sleeping Beauty’s 55th anniversary on Wednesday.
Sleeping Beauty 55th
On Wednesday, January 29th, Annual Passholders were invited to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Sleeping Beauty with a special screening of the film in the Lincoln theater plus an additional 2 hours—after Park closing—to enjoy select Fantasyland attractions.
These events are a wonderful way to give a little something extra to the loyal annual pass holders. Did any of you attend? How was it?
Splash Mountain
The refurbishment of Splash continues until February 28. While it is an inconvenience to have yet another E-ticket down, there is an upside. . . the waits for Winnie the Pooh are virtually non-existent.
Sailing Ship Columbia
The scaffolds have been removed from the Sailing Ship Columbia as the refurbishment of the good ship continues. The vessel returns February 14th, the same day as Fantasmic. But soon after, on Monday February 24th, the Mark Twain Steamboat is scheduled to take a break. Though Fantasmic can continue without the Mark Twain (they replace the ship routine with a version performed on the central stage).
it’s a small world
The classic attraction, it’s a small world is currently down to remove the holiday overlay. It will return on February 8th.
Round up of Traveling Disney Friends
Last year’s Limited Time Magic offering of Long Lost Friends Week was a huge success. Now, Friday through Sunday, you’ll now find the “Round up of Traveling Disney Friends.” Same idea, better name (lol). This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the lesser-seen characters in the Disney family.
Closure and Refurbishment Schedule
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Closed for extensive refurbishment through March 2014.
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: Closed through September 26 (according to Disney Parks Blog)
- Fantasmic!: Dark through February 13, 2014 for major refurbishment.
- Sailing Ship Columbia: Closed through February 14, 2014 for refurbishment.
- Mark Twain Riverboat: Closed through February 24, 2014 – February 28th for refurbishment.
- “it’s a small world”: Closed January 21-February 7 for holiday overlay removal.
- Alice in Wonderland: March 10th – TBA
- Splash Mountain: Closed January 21- February 28 for refurbishment.
- Indiana Jones Adventure: No longer on the short range refurb calendar
- Disneyland Railroad: Closed February 24 through March 7 for refurbishment.
- Space Mountain: Closed March 3 through May 22 for refurbishment.
Special Offer From Our Sponsor
The Carousel Inn & Suites, one of our favorite hotels, is giving away a 2 night stay in one of their fancy Club Rooms to one of our readers. Just click the link below to enter. And even if you don’t win, you can still get a great rate of up to 20% off by requesting a “MiceChat Discount” when calling 1(800) 854-6767 to book your stay!
Good luck folks and don’t forget to enter and share!
That’s it for this week from the Disneyland Resort. We hope to see you all next weekend at the big MiceChat Anniversary Weekend Feb 7-9th! See you In The Parks!