If a Disneyland trip is anywhere on your calendar for the next year, this is the week to buy your tickets. Disney has raised prices every October for years now, and we expect it to happen again within the next week or so. Below, we’ll look at what’s likely to change and how you can lock in today’s prices before it does.
There’s also more layoff news from The Walt Disney Company, where the head of the legal department has told his team it’s going to get a lot smaller. Back in Anaheim, the front of the resort is finally a real DisneylandForward construction zone, walls keep popping up in both parks, and the daily entertainment lineup is still looking pretty thin between the big nighttime shows.
And if Rancho del Zocalo is one of your regular stops, you’ll want to read about our dinner there this week. The Frontierland restaurant recently switched to a “grab-and-go” service model, and it did not go well.
Buy Your Disneyland Tickets Before Prices Go Up
Disneyland ticket prices go up every October, right around the start of Disney’s new fiscal year. The last three increases landed on October 11, 2023, October 9, 2024, and October 8, 2025. Disney doesn’t announce these in advance, so nobody outside the company knows the exact date this year. But we’d be surprised if prices are still the same two weeks from now, and it could happen as early as next week.
That makes right now a good time to buy. The easiest way to lock in current pricing is through our ticket partners at Get Away Today (you’ll find their link at the top of every page on MiceChat). Their tickets are already discounted, and last year they were able to keep selling at the old prices for about two weeks after Disney’s increase kicked in. There’s no guarantee they’ll get that same window this time, so we wouldn’t wait on it.
The good news is that we’re not expecting a huge jump. Last October, Disney kept the cheapest one-day ticket at $104, the same price it’s been since 2019, and most of the other tiers only went up a few dollars. The biggest hit was on the busiest days, where the top-tier one-day ticket rose $18 to $224. Magic Key passes, Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and parking all went up too, with parking climbing from $35 to $40. You can see the full breakdown in our coverage of last year’s price increase.
We also wouldn’t be surprised to see a discounted ticket offer show up on the same day (or even before). That’s what happened last year, when Disney announced a new California resident 3-Day Park Hopper deal right alongside the higher prices. Expect something similar this time to help soften the blow.
More Disney Layoffs Are Coming
Remember when we said layoffs at The Walt Disney Company were far from over? The latest department told to brace for cuts is Legal & Global Affairs.
On September 18, Chief Legal & Global Affairs Officer Horacio Gutierrez sent a memo to his department about a “transformation process” that will require some hard choices. The group has fewer than 1,000 employees worldwide, and Gutierrez told them it will end up much smaller, with some of them personally affected. His plan includes outsourcing, self-service models, and automating certain workflows with the latest technology.
The memo doesn’t use the word AI specifically. A week after it went out, though, Disney posted a job listing for a director of AI enablement for its legal team, so it isn’t hard to connect the dots.
The timing didn’t do the company any favors. The memo went out the same day Disney named former Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand as its first-ever Chief Technology Officer. It also arrived as the deadline approached for eligible longtime executives to accept Disney’s voluntary early retirement offer, which was always expected to be followed by involuntary layoffs.
According to Deadline, a separate and broader round of layoffs could start as soon as this week, and the legal department cuts aren’t part of it. Disney hasn’t commented on the timing or size of either one.
For now, many Disney employees are painfully waiting for the other shoe to drop.
All The Park’s A Stage… Or Is It?
The slate of entertainment offerings has shifted from Disneyland’s 70th celebration to Halloween Time, with the Halloween Screams nighttime spectacular replacing Wondrous Journeys. World of Color: Happiness has also been replaced by World of Color – ONE. But with ONE notable change…
The Muppets pre-show from World of Color: Happiness has joined World of Color – ONE. While the show itself has been back since August 10, the Muppets pre-show is what’s new(ish). And we’re happy to have anything Muppets in the park… but would be thrilled if they could find a way to add even more zany Muppet goodness.
The daytime Magic Happens parade returns in 2027, and the floats have already arrived backstage.
Along with Magic Happens, “Remember… Dreams Come True” and the original World of Color will also be back in 2027. While these big returns are exciting, everyday entertainment is still thin, with reduced character appearances and many smaller atmosphere acts around the resort still missing.
There are a few bright spots. We caught the mariachis at Paradise Gardens Park, and Goofy is out in his scarecrow costume for Halloween Time.
But there’s also no big musical stage show. The Fantasyland Theatre is dedicated to Bluey, a show aimed at young families, but isn’t a draw for the 8-and-older crowd the way a big musical stage show would be. And the Hyperion stage in DCA is still abandoned… in a park that desperately needs attraction capacity.
What do you think? Which acts do you miss, and what should go into the Fantasyland and Hyperion theaters?
You can read more about the returning entertainment here:
D23 2026: Fan-favorite entertainment returning to Disneyland!
New Arrival Experience
The first real DisneylandForward activity is finally underway as the front of the resort has become an active construction zone, from the rideshare area and tram to the turnstiles.
A parking structure is under construction behind the Harbor Blvd. hotels. It will connect to Disneyland via a bridge which takes over the former Carousel Inn & Suites, now a grass lawn, and ends near the current security tents in the Esplanade.
At the east end of the Esplanade, the concrete has been jackhammered out at the former east ticket booths, and construction walls are set up under part of the security tent.
On the opposite side of the Esplanade, the Wizard of Oz-ish spiral and whimsical trees are walled off and the walkway has been narrowed next to Porto’s construction zone.
The Disneyland app resort map currently shows only two of the former 8 ticket booths. So, while there are still 4 of those booths standing, we’d expect the remaining two on the East side to disappear as soon as the ground work is complete under the two that were just removed. Due to bridge construction, security bag check may need to move around a bit until the new bridge and permanent security setup is complete.
And just remember, all of this is just the first step, which will unlock even more extensive changes from one end of the resort to the other:
DisneylandForward… Moving Forward, Here’s What You Need To Know!
Constructionland
Downtown Disney
Walls are up at the entrance to Star Wars Trading Post.
Bopo Go!, the boba shop from Bopomofo Cafe, is moving into the former Jamba space. When it was announced back in April, the shop promised tea made with real fruit, lactose-free or oat milk, and cane or brown sugar, with no artificial ingredients.
Disneyland
Over in Adventureland, the Adventureland Bazaar has been covered in themed scrim since early August. The artwork inside the secondary archway has been repainted, but the scaffolding is still up outside.
There are also walls up on the ramp to the monorail station in Tomorrowland.
The portion of the New Orleans Square station that caught fire at Christmas time in 2022 is nearly finished being rebuilt.
The expanded dining area at Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree is moving along.
And in Fantasyland, the teacups are hidden behind construction walls as they begin their refurbishment.
California Adventure
The future Bountiful Valley Brews now has a covered patio. We’re looking forward to seeing this venue open, but they sure are working hard to make alcohol easy to get in every corner of this park.
Walls are up around Radiator Springs Curios in Cars Land. With two new attractions opening nearby in Avengers Campus, we’re wondering if changes are coming to better serve the needs of expanded crowds in this region of DCA.
The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure continues its refurbishment… and there are two small walled-off areas out front.
Part of Wine Country Trattoria is behind walls and tarps.
Construction also continues on the expanded restrooms in Paradise Gardens Park.
Similar to the new bathrooms between Cars Land and Avengers Campus to accommodate increased traffic to the expanded Marvel-themed land, the larger bathrooms in Paradise Gardens Park will accommodate guests heading to and from the new Coco attraction, which is still hidden behind construction walls that span the old parade gate between Paradise Gardens and the Incredicoaster.
While the new Coco attraction hasn’t risen above the construction walls yet… we do see equipment moving around from time to time.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
Scaffolding and scrim now cover part of the Grand Californian, and you can see it from Grizzly River Run.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar
No new items on the list this week, but it’s notable that “it’s a small world” is closing for its holiday installation before Halloween Time is even over.
Currently Under Refurbishment
- Chiller at Paradise Park: July 26 – TBA
- Indiana Jones Adventure: September 8 – TBA
- Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace: September 8 – Late Fall 2026
- Mad Tea Party: September 14 – TBA
Upcoming Refurbishments
- “it’s a small world” ~ Holiday Installation: October 30 – November 12
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail ~ Holiday Switch Over: November 1 – TBA
Disneyland Blues
What the Heck Is Going On at Rancho del Zocalo?
Rancho del Zocalo is testing a new grab-and-go service model, and our experience with it was absolute chaos. But the confusing new system is only half the story. The food quality has slipped, the portions have shrunk, and the guests around us looked just as frustrated as we felt.
The restaurant was built for scramble service. You walked up to the station serving what you wanted and ordered it. Now everyone is funneled into a single long line and marched down both counters cafeteria-style, grabbing pre-plated food as you go.
The system is also genuinely confusing. It is unclear that there are different entrees farther down the line. So we watched guests grab whatever was in front of them, then spot the thing they actually wanted a few feet later, abandoning their plates and likely wasting food. Who wants to eat something another guest carried around before deciding they didn’t want it?!
Want a simple modification? No salsa, no cheese, a different dressing? Good luck. When we asked, a cast member loudly repeated, “This is grab and go,” as if volume would make the policy friendlier, or our need for a modification less necessary.
And if the item you want isn’t out yet, you stand and wait for it while everyone behind you waits as well. So much for “grab and go.”
The whole thing feels poorly conceived and remarkably guest-unfriendly, and it isn’t close to the level of service we expect from Disneyland.
Unless this experiment changes in a big way, we can’t recommend Rancho del Zocalo right now. This was never haute cuisine, but it was solid, dependable, and a regular stop for us. After this visit, we have no desire to go back until Disneyland rethinks how it runs this place… and also commits to better food quality.
This is the new tiny portion of the once-amazing Tostada Salad. Is the head chef an accountant?
The small bowl of Pozole below was a day’s supply of salt and $13.49. We won’t be making this mistake again.
And Rancho isn’t an isolated case. It’s part of a pattern we’ve been watching across Disneyland dining: higher prices, smaller portions, inconsistent quality, and service that doesn’t always feel welcoming. Disneyland dining should be better than this. Right now, especially at Rancho del Zocalo, it isn’t.
This & That
There’s plenty more going on around the resort this week, including the return of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dinosaurs and a new batch of holiday ornaments on store shelves. But first, in case you missed it, here’s Thursday’s Live from the parks.
Live @ Five
We went live from Disneyland on Thursday for our weekly hour in the parks. This week, we explain the construction chaos on the Esplanade, checked in on Halloween in Cars Land, and took a stroll through both parks. Our dinner at Rancho del Zocalo came right after we signed off (see Disneyland Blues above).
Bob Gurr vs. the First Order
In a video on Bob Gurr’s Instagram, a First Order officer on Rise of the Resistance “confiscates” his mobility scooter in character.
View this post on Instagram
The Dinos are Back
After a rather lengthy refurbishment, the Disneyland Railroad Grand Canyon dioramas are back.
The train stopped in front of the big dino battle scene at the end of the Primeval World on our visit this week… making for a great video opportunity.
Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month
Downtown Disney is marking Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month with Encanto and Coco floral displays, and the pink Coco soccer jersey is out in stores too.
Merch News
Holiday ornaments have arrived in stores, along with attraction-themed mystery Doorables.
Halloween Time shirts are out on Main Street, and DCA has Halloween popcorn buckets and lanyards.
Films at The Frida
The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana, Calif. is showing a series of six classic Disney films hosted by Disney historian and author Jeff Kurtti. The films will be accompanied by lectures, presentations, and filmmaker forums. All screenings will start at 5:30 p.m.
Here’s the schedule:
- October 4 – Alice in Wonderland: Hosted by Jeff Kurtti
- October 15 – Disneyland Documentary Double Feature (Disneyland Handcrafted and Disney Worldbuilders): Hosted by Jeff Kurtti
- November 1 – Swiss Family Robinson: Hosted by Jeff Kurtti + Presentation by Kevin Kidney
- November 29 – South of the Border with Walt Disney (Walt & El Grupo and Saludos Amigos): Hosted by Jeff Kurtti + Q&A w/ Theodore Thomas (son of Disney animator Frank Thomas)
- December 13 – Lady and the Tramp: Hosted by Jeff Kurtti + Presentation by Theodore Gluck
You can find details and ticket information HERE.
Salt & Straw Halloween Series
Salt & Straw in Downtown Disney is now scooping the Halloween Series, with a lineup of spooky flavors.
- NEW Witch’s Brew Fruit Punch Sherbet – Fruit punch sherbet with orange flavored candy and ribbons of sour candy apple slime
- NEW Chocolate Graveyard Cookie Crumble (V) – Dairy-free black cocoa coconut cream with a dusting of black cocoa cookies and crimson swirls of vegan white chocolate frosting
- The Great Candycopia – Chocolate candies mixed into salted butterscotch ice cream
- Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin Bread – Pumpkin bread chunks folded into pumpkin spiced ice cream streaked with cream cheese frosting
- Creepy Crawly Critters – Edible candy coated critters scattered throughout sweet green matcha ice cream
The History & Mystery of Walt Disney’s Storybook Mansion
If you’ve ever wondered what Walt Disney’s life looked like before Disneyland, MiceChat’s Dusty Sage offers you a rare opportunity to step inside one of the places where much of that story unfolded.
Daytime History Tours
High in the Hollywood Hills sits the storybook-style home Walt Disney built in 1932, during one of the most important periods of his life and career. Walt and Lillian raised their daughters here, entertained friends and colleagues, and watched the Disney studio grow from an ambitious little operation into something much bigger.
The house is privately owned and rarely open to the public, which makes these tours a particularly unusual chance to explore Walt’s world beyond the parks and studio.
The approximately 90-minute guided tour includes both the interior and exterior of Walt’s former home, including his private screening room and the tiny Seven Dwarfs Cottage, the backyard playhouse Walt gave his daughters in 1937.
It’s one thing to read about this chapter of Walt’s life. It’s another to stand in the rooms where some of it actually happened.
You can find dates and reserve Storybook Mansion History Tour tickets HERE.
Storybook Mansion Ghost Tours
And because this is Halloween season, there’s also a darker way to experience the house.
On select Saturday nights in September and October (and Sunday, November 1st), Dusty Sage leads candlelight ghost tours through the mansion in partnership with Haunted OC. The evening tours explore the home’s history, its Hollywood connections, and the scary stories that have accumulated around the property over the decades.
For dates and tickets, visit Haunted OC Ghost Tours.
Next MiceChat Adventure: Pacific Coast & Alaska Back-to-Back
Ready for another MiceChat adventure? In May 2027, we’re heading north aboard the Disney Wonder for two cruises that can be booked separately or combined into one rather spectacular back-to-back trip.
The first leg sails from San Diego to Vancouver May 6 – 10, 2027. Then, without changing ships, the Wonder heads into Alaska from May 10 – 17, visiting the Stikine Icecap, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan before returning to Vancouver.
Do one cruise or do both. Many of us are booking the same stateroom for the full 11-night journey, which means no packing up between sailings.
If you’ve never sailed Alaska, this is a very different Disney cruise experience. The scenery is the main attraction, with mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and historic port towns unfolding right outside the ship.
And traveling with MiceChat adds another layer to the trip. We’ll have our own group activities, plenty of familiar Disney fans to explore with, and a good chance that whoever ends up at your dinner table already understands why you have strong opinions about Pirates of the Caribbean.
Bookings for the MiceChat group are being handled by Teresa Cory at [email protected]. Booking through Teresa is required to receive the group rates and participate in the MiceChat activities.
Come sail to adventure with us!
MiceShots
Can you find the Rabbit below?
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Let’s Hear From You!
Are you locking in tickets this week, or waiting to see how big the increase turns out to be? And since the Hyperion Theater is still sitting empty, what would you put in there if Disney asked you? And, what do you make of Disney’s pending layoffs? Will AI result in fewer humans at Disney? And how would that make you feel about the company? If you’ve eaten at Rancho del Zocalo since the switch to grab-and-go, how did it go for you? Tell us in the comments below, or join the conversation in the MiceChat Facebook Group.
