Disneyland Resort Update for September 12-18, 2016

by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix, staff writer
Advertisement

Disneyland Resort Update for September 12–18, 2016

Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures | Resort Events | Merchandise Events | Discounts and Promotions | Park Schedule/Blockout Dates


News and Views

Halloween Time begins | Mickey's Halloween Party | AP Days at DCA | Final check out for the Tower of Terror | Grad Nite 2017 | Disneyland at 61 | The Fastpass of Tomorrow | This and that... | Crowd forecast

Halloween Time begins

Halloween Time has officially begun at the Disneyland Resort, though it will be a few more weeks until all of the pumpkins are in place throughout the resort. The two headline Halloween attractions have reopened at Disneyland, with Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy replacing the Star Wars overlay, and a new addition to the Haunted Mansion Holiday. In addition to the annual gingerbread house creation in the Ballroom scene, a new Sally animatronic has joined Jack Skellington in the Graveyard.

The Haunted Mansion Holiday is reopened for 2016. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A new animatronic figure of Sally joins Jack Skellington in the Graveyard scene. Photo © Disney.

The 2016 gingerbread house also honors Sally. Photo © Disney.

The Disney Parks Blog provided a rundown of the Halloween Time treats available throughout the resort, and we took some photos of the most popular items. The Poison Apple mug is back, and available with at least four different food and drink choices. You can get it with a Poison Apple sundae for $15.99; with fresh grapes or pineapple for $12.99, with frozen lemonade for $15.00, or filled with a soft drink for $12.99. Price and offerings vary by location.

The popular Poison Apple mug is back for 2016, with a variety of prices and options depending on where you purchase it. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

There is a new version of the Vampire Mickey popcorn bucket this year, and the light-up Zero bucket has returned. There are also new version of the souvenir popcorn bucket and travel mug.

A Halloween-themed souvenir popcorn bucket is available for 2016. A matching travel mug (not pictured) bears the same Halloween image. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Vampire Mickey Mouse premium popcorn bucket was updated for 2016, and now comes with a carrying strap. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Trader Sam's at the DIsneyland Hotel is not hosting a Mahalloween event in 2016, but released the next in its series of Halloween-themed tiki mugs this past Friday. All of the mugs reportedly sold out on the first day of release, with some customers waiting in line over two hours to purchase one. There are conflicting reports as to whether the item was limited edition or not, and if there will be additional shipments available this year. We're asking Disney for clarification, and will share whatever we learn.

This Hitchhiking Ghosts tiki mug was released at Trader Sam's on Friday, and is reportedly sold out. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

We'll also share additional Halloween Time photos throughout the season.

Mickey's Halloween Party

Tickets are now sold out for seven of the Mickey's Halloween Party event nights via the Disneyland web site, with two of the nights selling out as this update was being written Sunday evening:

  • Sold out – September 30; October 7, 12, 14, 21, 29 and 31
  • Available – September 23, 26, 28; October 3, 5, 10, 17, 19, 24, 26

There is still hope if you want to attend a "sold out" night – but you need to act quickly. Before you turn to Craigslist, StubHub or eBay (all of which bring with them the very high risk of being defrauded), here are official ways you may still be able to buy legitimate party tickets directly from Disney:

  • Call Disneyland and order tickets by phone – A limited number of tickets may be available by phone for events that are sold out online. Call (714) 781-4636 to purchase by phone. Expect to wait on hold for at least 10 minutes. Tickets for all of the "sold out" nights were still available as of this weekend via the phone line, but that is subject to change at any moment.
  • Visit Disneyland and purchase tickets in person – A limited number of tickets may be available at the Disneyland ticket booths for events that are sold out online. Again, tickets for all of the "sold out" nights were still available as of this weekend at the ticket booths, but that is subject to change at any moment.
  • Disneyland Resort Hotels – If you are a guest staying at one of the three Disney-owned hotels (Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier Hotel, Grand Californian Hotel), check with your hotel desk the morning of the event to see if they have tickets available for purchase. In past years Disney has reserved a small number of tickets for concierge-level guests to purchase starting at 5:30 a.m. the morning of each party. However, some readers have reported that they were booked into a standard rooms and were allowed to buy the tickets as well. If you're already staying on property, it does not hurt to ask.
  • Friends or family – If friends/family already have tickets, they may be able to purchase additional tickets the day of the party. Again, a small number of tickets is reserved for same-day sales to help accommodate ticket holders who may have miscounted how many they need, or who had friends/family unexpectedly join them. As with the tickets reserved for hotel guests, these are very limited, and go on sale as soon as the ticket booths open in the morning. If at all possible, get there first thing in the morning to increase your chance of getting tickets. You must have the other event tickets with you—the cast member needs to see them, and cannot just trust your word that "so-and-so already has tickets."

AP Days

Disney's AP Days promotion began last week, with some new offerings for passholders at locations throughout Disney California Adventure. For some passholders, the perks may begin as soon as they arrive at the parking toll booths. Now through October 2, passholders with a total of three people in their car receive 50 percent off the $18 parking fee, (assuming they do not own a pass with the free parking benefit). Passholders with four or more people in their car receive free parking.

AP Days run through October 2, 2016 at Disney California Adventure. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Carpooling passholders are also eligible to receive a special button at the parking tollbooths, subject to availability. Cast members say you should arrive early in the day to receive one.

Once inside Disney California Adventure, Stage 12 hosts a character meet-and-greet, and the adjoining patio is set up as a sort of passholder welcome center. There's a small area with crayons and coloring sheets, another small area with a stage for cooking demonstrations, and a shaded canopy where PhotoPass staff can help passholders understand how to use the service. Cast members also distribute small bottles of cold water, and a new button design each week.

Passholders wait outside Stage 12 on the first Friday of AP Days. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

For week one, Donald Duck and Goofy took turns greeting passholders inside Stage 12. Each character was wearing their Halloween parade costume, which offered a rare photo opportunity for those willing to brave the line.

The gazebo near Paradise Garden Grill is set up with a photo backdrop, and a table where passholders can pick up a new self-directed scavenger hunt each week. Cast members are also on hand to help passholders renew their annual passes, or purchase tickets to Mickey's Halloween Party.

A new button design, scavenger hunt and pair of characters debut each Monday, and the event runs through Sunday, October 2.

Donald Duck shows off his Halloween costume in a passholder-exclusive meet-and-greet during AP Days. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Final check out for the Tower of Terror

With the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction scheduled to close January 2, 2017 to make way for a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction, Disney is hosting a "Late Check Out" promotion to commemorate the ride's final months. Starting at sunset each evening, the ride operates in what is essentially the no-show mode, with all sound and light effects turned off.

A new collection of Hollywood Tower Hotel merchandise was released to commemorate the final months of the DCA attraction. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

This passholder-exclusive shirt was released at the start of the Final Check-Out promotion. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney also released a new line of commemorative merchandise for the promotion, with a special annual passholder-exclusive T-shirt becoming available to purchase last Friday.

Outside the attraction, fans can take a photo with a display of luggage at a new "taxi stop" set up in front of the hotel entrance.

A new photo opportunity outside the Tower of Terror allows fans to pose with luggage from the hotel. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

During the Halloween Time promotion, the Silver Lake Sisters (the fictitious musical trio for whom the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe is supposedly named), perform daily in the hotel lobby. This limits their audience to guests who have waited in line and are about to board the attraction, and there's no convenient place to stop and watch the act. During their debut day, the flow of riders through the lobby came to a standstill during the performances, as visitors tried to snap photos or take video of the sisters. Here's hoping that Disney takes this act on the road, and finds a more accessible location for the trio.

The Silver Lake Sisters perform in the small lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Grad Nite 2017

Tickets for the 2017 Disneyland Resort Grad Nite at Disney California Adventure Park events went on sale last week to school groups. This means we now have the dates for the 2017 season so readers can plan trips accordingly.

There are 18 Grad Nite events scheduled for 2017 in May and June:

  • May 5, 6, 10, 17, 19, 20, 24, 30 and 31
  • June 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16 and 17

For 2017, tickets are $92 per student. The event includes park-hopper access to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks during regular operating hours, and a private party in Disney California Adventure from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. after that park closes to "day guests."

Schools can choose to arrive whenever they wish during their Grad Nite event. Some arrive right at park opening to maximize their time, while others arrive later due to travel time or other activities. Based on reports since the event switched to this format in 2014, the parks grow increasingly crowded as the day goes on and more students arrive. Grad Nites are often a good excuse to leave the theme parks early to take in a movie and a nice dinner in Downtown Disney.

Of course, Grad Nites are not the only times that the Disneyland Resort is crowded with student groups. The last weeks of school are popular times for class trips, something that Disney actively encourages through special pricing and activities for school groups. Those visits won't appear on any calendar, but are a fact of Disney life during this season.

With so many schools on year-round calendars now, you should consider the period between March and mid-June as one big, hazy spring-break-into-graduation season. So while the Grad Nite calendar can give you an idea of when the most high school seniors will be on property, there is no way to know when a school district from central California is sending its 9th graders for their own promotion celebration.

Interested school groups can visit the Grad Nite web site for more information.

Disneyland at 61; Mickey's face lift

With the 60th Anniversary Celebration behind us, the diamond-studded decorations are swiftly making room for Halloween Time decor. This change will take weeks if not months, and we won't be surprised to see a bit of dazzle here and there through the holiday season.

Many of the diamond decorations have been removed from Sleeping Beauty Castle in the week following the end of the 60th Anniversary celebration. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Along with the evening fireworks show, some of the Disneyland's atmosphere entertainment has also reverted back to pre-anniversary editions. The Red Car Trolley Newsboys once again perform an earlier version of their show, without Minnie Mouse and without the "If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It" song added for the 60th anniversary. Over at Disneyland, the Castle show has also dropped one song added during the 60th.

The Red Car Trolley Newsboys show once again ends with "Seize the Day." Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

As David Koenig reported back in August, Mickey and Minnie debuted a new look this past week. David wrote, "The new heads and faces, influenced by the look of the CGI children's show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, debuted this summer at Shanghai Disneyland. The faces are longer (particularly in the eyes) and a deeper tan color. I have to wonder if they were trying to make the mice appear more "international."

It's easiest to note the changes between the two versions when viewed side-by-side, as in the photo below. Mickey's new look is on the right. At a glance, the eyes are more oval, the eyebrows thinner and more curved, and the cheeks more pronounced. The quickest way to tell the two apart is to look at the mouth - Mickey now has a rounded mouth and tongue, compared to the more pointed chin of his pre-facelift look.

Mickey Mouse as he appeared in 2014 (left), and as he appears in 2016 (right). MousePlanet file photos.

The Fastpass of Tomorrow

Disneyland filed an interesting permit last week, which hints at a coming changes to the Fastpass system at Star Tours in Tomorrowland. The permit covers renovations to the area currently used as the extended queue for the ride, including a new entrance and signage. The permit also references installation of two "Fastpass tap points," the devices that Walt Disney World uses with their Fastpass+ system. Disneyland has conducted several tests with these tap points over the past year, and it looks like the park is ready to begin rolling out the technology.

Disneyland employees monitor a May, 2016 Fastpass+ test at Space Mountain. MousePlanet file photo.

Themed tap points, like these at Aladdin's Royal Flying Carpets, control access to Fastpass+ lines at Walt Disney World. MousePlanet file photo.

This of course raises the question of how Fastpass+ will be implemented at the Disneyland Resort. The Walt Disney World model, which is geared towards out-of-town visitors who make their plans months in advances, won't go over well with Disneyland locals who only plan their visits days or sometimes hours in advance. Walt Disney World's system also uses Magic Bands, which Disney has said will not roll out to Disneyland. Any version of Fastpass+ at Disneyland would most likely rely on barcodes or RFID tags in the admission tickets or annual pass cards, and would allow much more same-day availability for day guests and passholders who don't make plans 6 months in advance.

Join Team MousePlanet for the 2016 CHOC Walk in the Park

Registration is now open for the 2016 CHOC Walk in the Park, to be held Sunday, October 30 at the Disneyland Resort. This year the walk moves to the last weekend in October, promising a first-ever Halloween theme. Team MousePlanet will return for our ninth year supporting Children's Hospital Orange County. Thanks to the efforts and generosity of our readers, Team MousePlanet has raised over $50,000 for CHOC since 2008. We invite MousePlanet readers, friends, and family members to join our team for the event.

Why Join Team MousePlanet?

COMMUNITY! Walking with Team MousePlanet is a great way to spend a morning with MousePlanet staff and readers, all while raising money for a great cause. Stay after the walk and enjoy Disneyland with your fellow Disney fans.

CONVENIENCE! If you register as a Fundraising Bear, Team MousePlanet will handle check-in for you. No need to drive to Orange the week before the walk to collect your wristband and T-shirt. You only have to meet us in Downtown Disney the morning of the walk to collect your goodies, and then head right into Disneyland to start the walk. If you prefer to have your shirt and wristband before the walk (some people like to personalize them), register as a Busy Bear and CHOC will ship those items to you directly.

The deadline to join Team MousePlanet and meet the fundraising requirement is Friday, October 14. We still welcome those who register after this date, but they must handle their own check-in.

Are you ready to CHOC Walk with Team MousePlanet?
It's easy to sign up—just visit our team page.

This and that...

...The fall refurbishments continue this week with the following brief closures:

  • Indiana Jones Adventure – closed September 12–14 for refurbishment.
  • Donald's Boat – closed September 12–18 for refurbishment.

...Disneyland is planning to expand and renovate the Adventureland bathrooms, according to permits filed last week.

Chefs from the Disneyland Resort volunteer to lead the Junior Chef program at the Endless Summer events hosted by the Disneyland Resort at local Anaheim parks. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

...This week's "Endless Summer" celebration will be on Saturday, September 17 at Stoddard Park in Anaheim from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. The free community events are hosted by the Disneyland Resort, and include Disney entertainment, activities for children and families, and food trucks.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your e-mail in the box below.

Join the MousePlanet Newsletter
E-mail:

Crowd Forecast

Advertisement

"Do more. Wait less."

Save time and money at Disneyland. TouringPlans.com can help you avoid falling into the typical tourist pitfalls with our per-park Crowd Calendar, Lines App with access to current and estimated wait times, and Touring Plans detailing the best plan of attack for hitting the attractions. Our trip planning tools show you the least crowded park to visit every day, customized touring plans for visiting Disney’s best rides, honest restaurant reviews, how to save on Disney tickets, and so much more.

Below are the predicted resort-wide crowd numbers for select days generated by the TouringPlans professional statisticians as measured for the upcoming week. For the access to the full year and per-park crowd level predictions, visit our Crowd Calendar.

 
Date Overall
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 3 / 10
Wednesday, September 14, 2016 2 / 10
Thursday, September 15, 2016 2 / 10
Friday, September 16, 2016 4 / 10
Saturday, September 17, 2016 7 / 10

Disneyland crowds for the next 365 days.
Get Disneyland wait times on your iPhone, Android, or smartphone.
Do more. Wait less.


Join Our Networks

MousePlanet


Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Note: Not all attraction closures have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, visit Disneyland.com—this information is no longer available from the automated phone service.

Disneyland

  • The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln – closed through September 29 for refurbishment.
  • Indiana Jones Adventure – closed September 12–14 for refurbishment.
  • Donald's Boat – closed September 12–18 for refurbishment.
  • Gadget's Go Coastere – closed September 19–21 for refurbishment.
  • Splash Mountaine – closes October 3 - 20 for refurbishment.
  • Stage Door Cafe – closes October 3 for refurbishment. Reopening date not known, but after October 17.

The following attractions are all closed for Star Wars Land-related construction around the Rivers of America, and are expected to reopen in spring 2017 or later:

  • Disneyland Railroad
  • Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes
  • Fantasmic!
  • Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
  • Sailing Ship Columbia
  • Mark Twain Riverboat

Disney California Adventure

  • The Little Mermaid – Ariel's Undersea Adventure – closed through September 28 for refurbishment.
  • Hot Dog Hut – closed through September 29 for refurbishment.
  • Goofy's Sky Schoole – closed for refurbishment September 26 & 27.
  • It's Tough to be a Bug – closed October 3 – 13 for refurbishment.
  • Muppet*Vision 3D – closed indefinitely. The theater has been renamed the Sunset Showcase Theater, and will likely be used for movie previews until a permanent replacement is found.
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – closes January 3, 2017 for transformation into a new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction.

Disneyland Resort

  • House of Blues Anaheim – closed as of May 31. The 23,000-square-foot restaurant and concert venue is slated for demolition.
  • Sprinkles Cupcakes – under construction in Downtown Disney. No opening date announced.

Resort Events

Check here to see if a large convention, competition, or park event might fall during your next trip to the Disneyland Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).

2016

  • Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort – September 9 to October 31.
  • Mickey's Halloween Party – September 23, 26, 28, 30; October 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 29, 31. Tickets on sale now.
  • Gay Days Anaheim (unofficial event) – September 30 to October 2. More information at the event website.
  • MouseAdventure – Sunday, October 16. Registration opens Tuesday, September 12.
  • 2016 CHOC Walk in the Park – Sunday, October 30 at the Disneyland Resort. MousePlanet readers, friends, and family are invited to register with Team MousePlanet and walk with our group. Registration is now open at www.chocwalk.org
  • Dapper Day Fall Soiree (unofficial event) – Sunday, November 6. More information at the event website. This popular event grows larger each year, so it's worth making note of the date if you plan to visit the park during this weekend.
  • 2016 Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend – November 10–13. Formerly called the Avengers Half Marathon. Registration is open for all events except the Captain America 5K and the runDisney Kids Races. Register via the runDisney website.
  • Season of the Force – no end date announced.

2017

  • 2017 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend – January 12–15, 2017. Registration is still open for the Half Marathon event. All other race distances are sold out through runDisney, but charities like Team Muscle Makers have space available.
  • "Use it or lose it" weekend – January 28–29, 2017. Our designation for the final weekend of January, which marks the deadline for cast members, community groups, and Club 33 members to use their remaining complementary admission tickets from the 2016 allocation.
  • 2017 Grad Nites: May 5, 6, 10, 17, 19, 20, 24, 30 and 31; June 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16 and 17.
  • 2017 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend – May 11–14, 2017. Registration opens September 20, 2016.
  • D23 Expo – July 14–16, 2017. Tickets are now on sale through the official D23 website.

We also recommend checking the convention calendar at the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau website. When looking at that site, remember to note both the number of people and the number of rooms resulting from each convention. A gathering of 25,000 people booking few room nights (indicating most will be driving in to the area for their meeting) can impact traffic around the resort much more than a crowd of 25,000 staying in area hotels. Of course, that second group is going to make finding a hotel room more difficult (and possibly more expensive), so it's best to book your own room as early as possible if you see that a big convention is in town during your trip.

Non-Disney Resort Events

Notable events at parks and attractions around Southern California. If you know of an event that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).

Knott's Berry Farm

Legoland California

Sea World San Diego

Universal Studios Hollywood

  • Halloween Horror Nights – September 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30; October 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15,16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31; November 5, 5.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

School Holidays

Notable school holidays that may impact park attendance. If you know of any other holidays that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).

2016

  • Columbus Daye – Monday, October 10. Many locals schools are closed.
  • Nevada Day (observed) – Friday, October 28. A school holiday for our neighbors to the northeast creates a 3-day weekend and usually adds to the Halloween weekend crowds. Some Nevada schools take the entire week off as a Fall Break.
  • Utah Education Association convention (UEA, a.k.a. "Utah Escapes to Anaheim") – October 20–21. Expect holiday-level crowds October 19–24 as Utah students and families take advantage of a Fall Break scheduled around an annual state education convention. Not all Utah schools close for UEA, but the impact on the resort is significant enough to mention.
  • Thanksgiving Break – November 21–25. Many local schools close for the entire week of Thanksgiving.
  • Winter Break – December 19, 2016 – January 6, 2017. Most schools close only two of these three weeks, but some districts close all three weeks due to the Saturday Christmas.

2017

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 16.
  • Cesar Chavez Day – Friday, March 31. Many locals schools are closed.
  • Spring Break – March 13 to April 14. The four-week period during which most local schools will observe a one-week spring holiday.

Merchandise Events

Date Event
September 16

China Closet

September 17

China Closet

September 18

China Closet


Current Discounts & Promotions

Disneyland prices as of February 28, 2016.

Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Disneyland Resort Update. Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers!

This first section is a list of discounts on ticket-only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts. If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line. Note, we are no longer listing offers from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, as their convenience fee negates any savings.

Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside the gates stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Disneyland admission, and may result in denial of entry. It is also common for criminals to shoplift inactivated Disney theme park tickets from supermarkets to resell them. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks. Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or travel agency.

Ticket Prices and Promotions

One Day Tickets
Ticket & Season
Adult one-park
Adult Park Hopper
Child one-park
Child Park Hopper
One Day – Value
$95
$155
$89
$149
One Day – Regular
$105
$160
$99
$154
One Day – Peak
$119
$169
$113
$163

Check the Disneyland website to see what type of ticket you need for the day you plan to visit. Seasonal pricing applies only to one-day tickets.


Disneyland Resort 2016 CHOC-Ttober ticket discount

  • 1-Day, 1-Park ticket – $55 (reg. $89–$119)

  • 1-Day Park Hopper ticket – $83 (reg. $149–$169).

In addition to helping support an outstanding local charity, Walkers who participate in the 2016 CHOC Walk on October 30 have the exclusive opportunity to purchase discounted Disneyland tickets during the CHOC-tober promotion. Walkers who meet the $85 fundraising minimum can purchase a 1-Day 1-Park Disneyland Resort ticket for $55 (reg. $89–$119), or a Disneyland Resort 1-Day Park Hopper ticket for $83 (reg. $149–$169).

The tickets can only be purchased by registered walkers in person at the Disneyland Resort on the day of the walk. You must present your CHOC Walk in the Park wristband to a Disneyland Resort Ticket Booth to purchase the discounted tickets. A maximum of five tickets may be purchased per wristband, which represents a savings of up to $430.

The tickets are valid starting October 30, 2016, and must be used by November 30, 2016. The tickets are not valid November 19–23, 2016 (Thanksgiving week).

All MousePlanet readers, friends and family are invited and encouraged to sign up and walk with our team. It's easy to sign up—just visit our team page.


No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them.

Two Day Tickets
  • Two Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $195/$183
  • Two Day Park Hopper – Regularly $235/$223

No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them.

Three Day Tickets

  • Three Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $255/$243
  • Three Day Park Hopper – Regularly $295/$283

No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them.

Military

2016 Disney Military Promotional 3 – Day Park Hopper Ticket ($143)

Through December 16, 2016, active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists) or their spouses can purchase the Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $143 each [an increase of $11 from the 2014-2015 offer].

Disneyland tickets may be used through December 19, 2016.

Active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends. No more than six Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased by any eligible member of the U.S. military (or spouse) pursuant to this offer. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by December 19, 2016.

For complete information regarding Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets and discounted resort rates, military personnel may visit the Disneyland Resort website, or participating U.S. military base ticket offices.

Four Day Tickets

  • Four Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $280/$265
  • Four Day Park Hopper – Regularly $320/$305

No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them.

Five Day Tickets

  • Five Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $295/$280
  • Five Day Park Hopper – Regularly $335/$320

No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them.

Six Day or longer tickets No longer offered by Disneyland; some travel providers may offer tickets for 6 days or longer as part of a package to international customers; residents of Canada, Australia, or the U.K. should check with local travel agencies to see what options may be available.
Disneyland Resort Annual Passports

Disney California Adventure Park Fun Pass

Technically not an annual pass, this Costco-exclusive is valid only at Disney California Adventure for 365 days after activation. The pass costs $329.99, the same price as the existing Disney Southern California Select Passport that also includes admission to Disneyland.

The new Costco pass comes with 19 blockout dates during the remainder of 2016, and 41 blockout dates through December 1, 2017. Those 60 combined blockout dates most closely resemble those of the existing Deluxe Annual Passport, and cover the peak Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year travel periods, plus most holiday weekends and every Saturday between March 13 and August 19.

2016 7 2017 blockout dates:

  • 2016 – September 3, 4; November 11, 24, 25, 26; December 19–31
  • 2017 – January 1, 2; February 18, 19; March 18, 25; April 1, 8, 9, 14, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, 26, 27, 28; June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 1–4, 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19; September 2, l3; November 10, 11, 23, 24, 25.

The Disney California Adventure Park Fun Pass also includes the same 10 percent merchandise and food discount as offered with the Southern California Select Passport. Like that pass, the new DCA pass does not include parking, nor is there an option to add a parking pass onto this ticket. The new Fun Pass also includes a Disney collector pin featuring Ariel and the DCA logo.

If you're looking to buy this as a holiday gift, note that the pass expires one year after the first use, and the first use must be by December 1, 2016. That doesn't necessarily rule it out as a stocking stuffer, but Christmas will have to come very early so your recipient can activate the pass before the deadline.

The pass is available only at Costco stores and from Costco.com. This is not a member-exclusive item, and in our test, the Costco website did not add a surcharge when the pass was purchased by a non-member. The pass is mailed in five to seven business days, though a two-day shipping option is available at an added charge.


California residents can take advantage of the monthly payment plan when purchasing any but the Premier Annual Passport.

  • Premier Annual Passport ($1,439) – valid at both Disneyland Resort and Florida's Walt Disney World Resort; includes parking and digital PhotoPass downloads. No blockout dates.
  • Disney Signature Plus Pass ($1,049) – includes discounts, parking, and digital PhotoPass downloads. No blockout dates.
  • Disney Signature Pass ($849) – includes discounts, parking, and digital PhotoPass downloads. Some blockout dates, including December holidays and other peak days.
  • Disney Deluxe Pass ($599) – includes some discounts. Some blockout dates, including December holidays and other peak days.
  • Southern California Annual Passport ($439) – renewal only, unavailable for new purchase
  • Southern California Select Annual Passport ($329) – includes some discounts. Some blockout dates.
  • Parking Add On ($199) – add-on to Deluxe, SoCal and SoCal Select passes. Renewal only, not currently available for new purchase

Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any other discounts are available through them.

Southern California CityPASS

2016 Southern California CityPASS ($329/$294) – includes a 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket (including one early-entry day), a one-day admission to Sea World San Diego, and a one-day admission to LEGOLAND California. The CityPASS expires 14 days after first use at any location, and the first use must occur by December 31, 2016. Purchase CityPASS through the Disneyland website or on-site at the ticket booths of Disneyland Resort or the other theme parks included in the pass. You can also purchase directly from the CityPASS website, though a shipping charge may apply depending on how quickly you need the ticket.

When you purchase the CityPASS, you have the option of adding a one-day admission to either San Diego Zoo or San Diego Safari Park for an extra $38/$30. This upgraded pass is only available for purchase directly from the CityPASS website.

You can also upgrade your CityPASS to add more days at participating locations:

  • Add a 2nd day at LEGOLAND for $20. Purchase this upgrade at LEGOLAND on the day you use your CityPASS.
  • Add LEGOLAND Water Park for $30 for ages 3+ and $5 for ages 2 and under. Purchase this upgrade at LEGOLAND on the day you use your CityPASS.
  • Upgrade your Disneyland ticket to another ticket or annual passport of equal or greater value. For 2016 Southern California CityPASS, a credit of $275 for ages 10+ and $264 for ages 3-9 will be applied toward another ticket of equal or greater value. Purchase the upgrade at Disneyland before the end of your third visit.

Prices listed above are valid until December 31, 2016


Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any other discounts are available through them.

Disneyland Resort & Universal Studios Combo Pass
  • 2-day Disneyland Resort + 2-Day Universal Studios Combo Pass – $300/$281
  • 3-day Disneyland Resort + 2-Day Universal Studios Combo Pass – $342/$335

A special combo ticket available exclusively through MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Travel. The bundle includes either a 2-day or 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket, plus a 2nd Day Free Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket.

Additional Discounts

Did we miss an offer? If you know of an authorized discount on Disneyland Resort tickets, standing offers for Annual Passholders from non-Disney vendors, or other promotions which might interest our readers, please drop us a note!

Discounts for:

Everyone

Purchase with Purchase offers – Disneyland Resort shops frequently offer a reduced–price souvenir (often a tote bag, watch, or blanket) with a qualifying minimum purchase. These are offered at Disney-operated stores only, and selection may vary by location.

Recently, Disney has begun allowing customers to purchase more than one of the offers in a qualifying transaction, so if you spend $40 or more you can buy both items currently available if you wish. If you're a passholder, the minimum purchase is calculated after your discount, and your discount does not apply to the promotional item. Current offers:

  • Disneyland Cooler Tote for $19.95 with a purchase of $25 or more.
  • Disneyland Throw Blanket for $19.95 with a purchase of $40 or more.

Landry's Select Club – members of the Landry's Select Club get priority seating at the Rainforest Cafe when available (which makes a huge difference on busy days). This club replaces the former Rainforest Cafe Safari Club, and runs on a point-based system that gives you a $25 gift certificate after you spend $250. Membership now costs $25, but comes with a $25 birthday reward. We recommend that you prepurchase your membership before your visit so you can take advantage of the priority seating benefit.


ESPNZone MVP Club – membership in the MVP Club does not offer any discounts on food. However, once a member you can make an online reservation for your party up to three days in advance and will get a 25 percent increase in points purchased when playing games in the Sports Arena (and 40 bonus points at activation). You must register online and your membership card will then be mailed to you within two weeks. The card must then be activated at any ESPNZone by the person who signed up for the card and ID will be required (link).


Character Dining Vouchers – discounted character dining vouchers are available for purchase online, in advance of your trip, through Get Away Travel.

Annual Passholders

Disneyland Resort merchandise – Disneyland extended the 20 percent merchandise discount offered to Premium annual passholders through December 31, 2016. All other passholders receive a 10 percent merchandise discount. Visit the Annual Passholder discount page for specific details and exclusions.

Guided Tours – 15 percent off the regular price of six guided tours – Walt in Walt's Footsteps; Cultivating the Magic; Discover the Magic; Happiest Haunts; Welcome to Disneyland; and Holiday Time at Disneyland. Visit the Annual Passholder discount page for specific details and exclusions.

Dining – 10 to 15 percent off at a variety of Disneyland Resort locations, including Disney-owned and independent restaurants. Visit the Annual Passholder discount page for specific details and exclusions.

Disney Visa cardholders

Character Meet-and-Greet at Disney California Adventure – cardholders have access to a private character meet-and-greet photo opportunity at Disney California Adventure, and receive one free image download per visit.

Star Wars Imperial Meet-and-Greet at Disneyland – cardholders have access to a private character meet-and-greet photo opportunity in the Star Tours Launch Bay in Tomorrowland. Offered daily from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. As of January 23, 2016, Kylo Ren replaced Darth Vader at this location.


Disneyland Resort merchandise – Cardholders also receive 10 percent off qualifying merchandise purchases of $50 or more from Disney-operated retail stores.


Disneyland Resort dining – 10 percent off at selected Disneyland Resort restaurants, (Big Thunder Ranch, River Belle Terrace, French Market, Cocina Cucamonga, Wine Country Trattoria (lunch), Paradise Garden Grill, The Lounge at Steakhouse 55 (breakfast), Steakhouse 55 (breakfast), PCH Grill (breakfast and dinner), and Storyteller's Café (lunch).


Downtown Disney District dining and merchandise – 10 percent off at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen (maximum discount of $40, excludes alcohol), Wetzel's Pretzels, Ridemakerz, Alamo Rent a Car, and ESPN Zone.


Disneyland Resort Guided Tours – 15 percent off the "Welcome to Disneyland," "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps," "Discover the Magic," and "Cultivating the Magic" guided tours.


See the Disney Visa website for terms and conditions for all of these promotions.

U.S. military

See "2015–2016 Disney Military Promotional 3–Day Park Hopper Ticket" above.

Southern California residents No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them.
Hotel and travel package offers

Costco Travel Packages – many different travel packages including visits to Disneyland and Disneyland hotels are available through Costco.


Disney's Resort Magic and Good Neighbor Magic Packages – These package includes accommodations in one of the three resort hotels or at one of 40 Good Neighbor hotels, along with theme park admission. The packages also come with a variety of extra inclusions and bonuses, usually a souvenir pin and lanyard, and discount coupons for various Downtown Disney merchants.

Contact Disney Travel at (714) 520-5050, book online through the Disneyland website, or call your favorite travel agent to inquire about these packages.

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

  • DL – Disneyland
  • DCA – Disney California Adventure

Annual Pass blockouts:

  • SL – Southern California Select Annual Pass
  • SC – Southern California Annual Pass
  • DX – Deluxe Annual Pass
  • SG – Signature Annual Pass

The Disneyland website does not list the blockout dates for the Costco-exclusive Disney California Adventure Park Fun Pass. The blockout dates are as follows:

  • 2016 – September 3, 4; November 11, 24, 25, 26; December 19–31
  • 2017 – January 1, 2; February 18, 19; March 18, 25; April 1, 8, 9, 14, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, 26, 27, 28; June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 1-4, 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19; September 2,l 3; November 10, 11, 23, 24, 25.

Early Admission – full description available on the Disneyland website):

  • MM – Magic Mornings for 3-plus day ticket holders, promotional "bonus" tickets, and Southern California CityPASS
  • EMH – Extra Magic Hour for Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests
  • EA – Early Admission for Annual Passholders (not currently offered)

Disneyland Resort Special Events:

9/11 9/12 9/13 9/14 9/15 9/16 9/17

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 9a-11p
None

DCA: 9a-10p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
SL

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 10a-9p
None

DCA: 10a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 10a-9p
EMH/MM

DCA: 10a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 10a-9p
None

DCA: 10a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 9a-8p
EMH/MM

DCA: 9a-5p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-12a
None

DCA: 8a-10p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-12a
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-9p
None

AP Blockouts:
SL/SC

Events: None

9/18 9/19 9/20 9/21 9/22 9/23 9/24

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 9a-11p
None

DCA: 9a-10p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
SL

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 10a-9p
None

DCA: 10a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 10a-9p
EMH/MM

DCA: 10a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 10a-9p
None

DCA: 10a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 9a-9p
EMH/MM

DCA: 9a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-7p
None

DCA: 8a-12a
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-12a
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-10p
None

AP Blockouts:
SL/SC

Events: None

9/25 9/26 9/27 9/28 9/29 9/30 10/1

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 9a-11p
None

DCA: 9a-10p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
SL

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-6p
None

DCA: 8a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 10a-9p
EMH/MM

DCA: 10a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-6p
None

DCA: 8a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 9a-9p
EMH/MM

DCA: 9a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-7p
None

DCA: 8a-12a
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-12a
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-10p
None

AP Blockouts:
SL/SC

Events: None

10/2 10/3 10/4 10/5 10/6 10/7 10/8

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-11p
None

DCA: 9a-10p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
SL

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-6p
None

DCA: 9a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-11p
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-6p
None

DCA: 9a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-11p
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-7p
None

DCA: 9a-11p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-12a
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-10p
None

AP Blockouts:
SL/SC

Events: None

10/9 10/10 10/11 10/12 10/13 10/14 10/15

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-11p
None

DCA: 9a-10p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
SL

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-6p
None

DCA: 9a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-11p
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-6p
None

DCA: 9a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-11p
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-7p
None

DCA: 9a-11p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-12a
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-10p
None

AP Blockouts:
SL/SC

Events: None

10/16 10/17 10/18 10/19 10/20 10/21 10/22

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-11p
None

DCA: 9a-10p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
SL

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-6p
None

DCA: 9a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 9a-10p
EMH/MM

DCA: 9a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 8a-6p
None

DCA: 9a-8p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Value

DL: 9a-9p
EMH/MM

DCA: 9a-8p
None

AP Blockouts:
None

Events: None

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-7p
None

DCA: 9a-11p
EMH

AP Blockouts:
None

Events:
Mickey's
Halloween Party

Ticket Season:
Regular

DL: 8a-12a
EMH/MM

DCA: 8a-10p
None

AP Blockouts:
SL/SC

Events: None

Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland. As always, specifics are subject to change without notice (or occasionally, without us noticing) so when information conflicts between what is presented here and that presented by Disney, it is best to assume Disney's information is correct.

Visit the Park Hours section of our Disneyland Park guide for additional details about Magic Morning and Toontown Morning Madness, including available attractions. Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.

The Seasons calendar is published on the Disneyland website for the next 8-11 months.

Save

 

Comments

  1. By ralfrick

    Isn't the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe named after the Three Little Pigs? I recall hearing in 2012 that it was often referred to internally as the Pig Cafe for that very reason. That sure makes more sense to me.

    A bientot

  2. By DisneyGator

    The more I see all the Tower of Terror merch, the more I can't believe they're actually changing it.

    And the more I see FP+ news, the more I chew my fingernails.

  3. By AVP

    Quote Originally Posted by ralfrick View Post
    Isn't the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe named after the Three Little Pigs? I recall hearing in 2012 that it was often referred to internally as the Pig Cafe for that very reason. That sure makes more sense to me.

    A bientot

    Yes and no. Remember, Buena Vista Street is supposed to be Walt's inspiration for many of the things he created. For example, the merchandise hostess costumes aren't meant to look like Minnie Mouse, the story is that Walt drew the inspiration for Minnie's dress from those outfits when he saw them. Oswald's Gas Station isn't named for the Lucky Rabbit, rather Walt named his rabbit after the local gas station owner.

    Imagineers love to create elaborate backstories. So the story about the Pig Cafe is that these three Silver Lake Sisters settled down and opened up a restaurant after years on the road. Walt named his Three Little Pigs after the sisters' nicknames, Fiddler, Fifer and Practical.

  4. By currence

    Quote Originally Posted by DisneyGator View Post
    And the more I see FP+ news, the more I chew my fingernails.

    We did the Fastpass version at DL paris where you scan admission media rather than insert it and while there is a learning curve, it is definitely less scary than WDW. And they only have 30 minute return windows. So if DL adopts a version that is more similar to DL Paris than WDW, I think we will all be okay My understanding is their machines were changes to make it easier for people to use their own print at home tickets without having to swap them at the gate for tickets that work in the current FP machines. Since this is going to be a newer version, I'm all for an even more web-based iteration so we don't need the bits of paper that spit out from the current machines, though I would prefer a paper option for those who don't bring extra battery packs/cell phones to the parks.

  5. By olegc

    Note - a sign at the GCH entrance to DCA stated that DCA will close at 5pm on Sept 15th. Thursday.

    And a bummer on AP days is they hide the character so you don't have a way to see who it is. I waited in the line to find out it was Goofy - which I got a pic with last week.

  6. By pretty Omi

    I would like to note that the Poison Apple mug may not actually be available with a beverage. I visited the parks yesterday, a friend asked me to pick up a mug. I was thirsty so figured I'd just go that route. Actually ended up asking thankfully one of the park managers (the ones who walk around in a suit), where I could find it with beverage as everywhere only seemed to have it with ice cream, or at the Main Street fruit cart. She actually went the extra mile and called Food and Beverage, who said it cannot be bought with a beverage, only the ice cream sundae or fruit (she did not mention the frozen lemonade either). I told her it is listed on the Parks Blog as being available with a beverage, so she said they would have to look into having that corrected.
    Also all the AP Days merchandise is sold out. They said they ordered more, but don't know when it will arrive, it may not even make it before AP Days ends.

  7. By AVP

    Quote Originally Posted by pretty Omi View Post
    I would like to note that the Poison Apple mug may not actually be available with a beverage.

    French Market definitely has it, and has a sign for it as well. $12.99 with a fountain drink.

  8. By pretty Omi

    I asked about it on the Parks Blog too, and was told all the locations by them as well. It's frustrating that I thought I asked the right person, got told one answer, tried to share the info, but then it's all wrong, but gosh I could not find that cup on Monday.
    Sorry for reporting back misinformation!

  9. By currence

    Maybe on Monday those locations were out of stock?

    Definitely NOT your fault that you were given bad information.

  10. By pretty Omi

    I'm thinking more like it was still new, and all the kinks are working out yes. Clarabelle's had it, which is listed as being able to purchase with a beverage, but they wouldn't sell it to me with a drink. They said it was either bought with the ice cream, or empty.

  11. Discuss this article on MousePad.