Your Guide to the Happiest Place on Earth
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In this episode the DisGeek crew talk about Disney California Adventure only Annual Passes being sold at Costco, The Main Street Electrical Parade returning, and the new parking structure themed to Star Wars?
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With parking currently a mess and very limited at Disneyland, it’s nice to see that Disney is finally taking some action. The plan is to build a new transportation hub, a new parking structure similar to Mickey and Friends, and a pedestrian bridge that will go over Harbor Blvd. Not only does this increase parking for the Disneyland Resort, it will also help the traffic flow on Harbor Blvd. With Star Wars Land coming, this will help bring more people in with less hassle.
This is welcome news and the Orange County Register has more info and a video explaining Disney’s plans.
Disney Press Release:
When Walt Disney opened Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955, it had 18 attractions, no Disney hotels and little but orange groves surrounding it. Today, as the Disneyland Resort marks its 61st anniversary–and the ongoing Diamond Celebration–the original theme park has expanded to become a world-class family resort destination. With six decades of inspiration and innovation, the resort now includes two renowned Disney theme parks, nearly 100 exciting attractions, three hotels and the shopping, dining and entertainment district known as Downtown Disney.
Disneyland commemorated its role as the original Disney theme park with festivities that included the Disneyland Band, the “Happiest March on Earth” down Main Street, U.S.A., and a cast of 61 Disney characters at the Disneyland Train Station.
Final Weeks of Diamond Celebration Entertainment: Guests visiting the Disneyland Resort today and through Sept. 5, 2016, will have one last chance to enjoy the dazzling Diamond Celebration, with all its magic, sparkling décor and after-dark entertainment. Three spectacular shows were created for the milestone 60th anniversary: the brilliant “Paint the Night” parade, the immersive “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show and the memorable “World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney.”
All-new Entertainment: The Resort’s newest attractions can be found at Disney California Adventure Park: “Frozen—Live at the Hyperion,” a new, theatrical interpretation of Disney’s animated blockbuster film, told with a cast of beloved characters, stunning special effects and show-stopping musical numbers; and Soarin’ Around the World, where guests let their imagination take flight in an epic reimagining of the classic attraction, Soarin’ Over California.
A Place Where Dreams Come True: The popularity of Disneyland through the past 61 years celebrates Walt Disney’s dream of a place where family members of all ages can have fun together in a safe, clean atmosphere that emphasizes imagination and extraordinary guest service. Since 1955, dignitaries, heads of state, celebrities and more than 750 million guests have passed through its gates.
As part of the tribute to opening day, July 17, 1955, a recording of Walt Disney’s speech was played: “To all who come to this happy place–welcome! Disneyland is your land. Here, age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”
With that as its goal, Disneyland transformed the amusement industry. It delivered an entirely new concept in family entertainment: a “theme park” where rides, shows and characters become part of a total storytelling environment. Creativity, technology and innovation continue to bring stories to life, while fulfilling Walt’s promise that “Disneyland will never be completed … as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
The success of Disneyland Resort also results in $5.7 billion in total economic activity to the Southern California economy annually. The resort’s workforce of more than 29,000 cast members makes it the largest single-site employer in Orange County. The Disney resort entertainment experience has expanded worldwide and is enjoyed by guests at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, Disneyland Paris in France, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disney Resort in mainland China.
Disney Press Release
Halloween time, a season for fun-loving spirits of all ages, adds spooky excitement to the Disneyland Resort from Sept. 9 through Oct. 31. Special Halloween-themed attractions–Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy–return to Disneyland Park, while the haunts who reside year-round at The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror invite guests to “drop in” at Disney California Adventure Park.
The separately ticketed Mickey’s Halloween Party also arrives at Disneyland in September with a thrilling new surprise: The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow rides through the park, bringing new chills to the family friendly party. The character is from Disney’s animated feature, “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.”
Currently at the Disneyland Resort, guests continue to enjoy the 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration, with sparkling décor in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, plus a dazzling array of after-dark shows, all of which are presented nightly through Labor Day, September 5.
As the summer season turns to fall, Mickey’s Halloween Party will begin Friday, Sept. 23, for 17 select nights. The after-hours party treats guests to unforgettable entertainment including the sensational “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, a guest favorite that is exclusive to Mickey’s Halloween Party. Adults and children are encouraged to dress in costume for the party as they trick-or-treat throughout Disneyland for a scary good time. Guests may check www.Disneyland.com for Mickey’s Halloween Party costume policy guidelines prior to their arrival.
Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party* go on sale for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Visa card holders on Thursday, July 21. General public ticket sales begin Thursday, July 28.
Highlights of Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separate-ticket event, include:
On select, non-Mickey’s Halloween Party nights, guests visiting Disneyland will enjoy a special treat: the “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks spectacular. In addition, the dynamic “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” will march down Main Street, U.S.A., each day throughout Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort.
Guests in search of Halloween chills may “drop in” to visit the ghostly full-time residents of The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror in Disney California Adventure. Here, in the remains of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, dwell the spirits of hotel guests who disappeared during a “supernatural” event on Halloween Night in 1939.
With the arrival of Halloween time, Jack Skellington makes his annual appearance in Disneyland to take over the Haunted Mansion and bring Haunted Mansion Holiday back to New Orleans Square. Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the classic animated film “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas” and transforms the Mansion with a collision of Halloween spookiness and Christmas cheer. Oct. 3, 2016 marks the 15th anniversary of this special attraction’s premiere in Disneyland.
Spooky Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland draws guests back again and again during the Halloween season. The unique Halloween-themed experience launches voyagers into a haunted section of the universe, where ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space. The exhilarating drops and curves are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music.
In Frontierland, the traditional Dia de los Muertos is observed through Tuesday, Nov. 1, with a holiday skeleton display in the plaza near the entrance of Rancho del Zocalo.
Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party* may be purchased online and on mobile devices at Disneyland.com/party, as well as at the Disneyland Resort main gate and by phone at 714-781-4400. Guests may check for availability for the 17 nights: Friday, Sept. 23; Monday, Sept. 26, Wednesday, Sept. 28; Friday, Sept. 30; Monday, Oct. 3; Wednesday, Oct. 5; Friday, Oct. 7; Monday, Oct. 10; Wednesday, Oct. 12; Friday, Oct. 14; Monday, Oct. 17; Wednesday, Oct. 19; Friday, Oct. 21; Monday, Oct. 24; Wednesday, Oct. 26; Saturday, Oct. 29; and Monday, Oct. 31, Halloween night. Online and mobile purchases are not available the day of the event. Parking is not included in the ticket price, and parking fees will apply.
Tickets purchased in advance are available at a discount on select nights. Tickets purchased on the day of the event are $89 each. All tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 29, and Monday, Oct. 31, are $99 each. Mickey’s Halloween Party is a non-smoking event. Smoking will be permitted only in the Esplanade outside the Disneyland main entrance.
For more information about Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, see http://ift.tt/15z9gMy. Entertainment and attractions are subject to change without notice. Guests may visit the site for additional details.
*Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets are subject to availability and are valid only for specific event dates and hours. Space is limited. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date. Tickets are nonrefundable and may not be resold. May not be combined with other discounts. Costumes subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive. Ages 2 and under: no ticket required. Entertainment may be cancelled due to inclement weather or otherwise. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
On July 11, 2016, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts released new artwork for the Star Wars-themed land being constructed at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. The new artist rendering shows the intriguing spaceport on a never-before-seen planet in the Star Wars galaxy. The 14-acre land will be the largest-ever, single-themed land expansion at the Disneyland Resort.
The new land is part of the continual evolution at the Disneyland Resort, which entertains guests with new and beloved entertainment and attractions, seasonal overlays for selected attractions, plus new theming and regular refurbishments.
