Disney California Adventure

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 12/2/16 (Railroad Bridges Installed, Star Wars Land, New Security Checkpoints, Paper Bag: The Ride, ETC.)

WDWNT on December 12, 2016

Disneyland Reporter Conner Purzycki brings us back to the Disneyland Resort to see all that is new and exciting in his latest photo report. The Rivers of America are taking shape quickly, the tarps are growing on Tower of Terror, and a security shake-up of massive proportions is underway at the Resort, so let’s check it all out!

The Disneyland Resort has also introduced a preferred parking program. That being said, parking this far away from the parks does seem a bit insane for the price being charged.

Star Wars Land

Construction continues on the Star Wars themed land for Disneyland Park, visible from the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure.

Just below Big Thunder Mountain, you can get your first glimpse at the new train bridge (in white) for the Disneyland Railroad, which will take it past some waterfalls on the mountainside hiding the Star Wars Land from view.

A closeup also reveals some of the man-made rockwork around the bridge.

We can see more rock-work taking shape just on the other side of the ridge.

While the new Rivers of America area is speeding along, work has pretty much stalled on the rest of the site.

Security Changes and Area Enhancements

The terrible colored tile in the Mickey and Friends parking structure is finally being replaced with some more pleasant brick flooring.

New security checkpoints beyond Downtown Disney are being constructed, but still no word on when they will be completed. There is also a new tram stop being built.

It seems the new security checkpoint will be temporarily set up here until a more permanent solution is built.

To the fencing class teacher who has a free ad in the background, you can send that payment via check or PayPal.

Hopefully the finished product will look better than this…

Fences will ensure that guests who have not been screened can not enter.

Downtown Disney

This thing sis a Christmas decoration in Downtown Disney… we think…

More fencing up for another checkpoint near the Disneyland Hotel.

More Christmas obelisks… Please don’t send hate-mail.

The outdoor seating area at Tortilla Joe’s is finished.

Walls are up around the former House of Blues, which picked up and moved to the nearby Garden Walk mall. Last we had heard, a version of The Edison might find its way here.

Sprinkles opened recently with an awesome Tower of Terror costume on the front if it…

Work continues to add Curl Surf and Pandora shops nearby.

Disneyland Park

Mickey Mouse was out and about, meeting guests in Town Square.

Set-up for the Candlelight Processional is nearing completion behind the train station.

A Moana meet and greet has opened at the Aladdin’s Oasis area.

The Jingle Cruise has returned for 2016.

Work continues to get the Rivers of America ready for its Summer 2017 return, including the rumored enhancements to Fantasmic.

It’s Christmas on Buena Vista Street.

All of the staging for the various nighttime parties that were held in the park over the last 6 years is now gone from Hollywood Land.

Sadly, the Sorcerer Mickey Mouse fountain was paved over at some point.

More scaffolding is going up on Paper Bag: The Ride… I mean the Twilight Zone Tarp of Terror.

The attraction will close formally after the new year, but work has already begun for the conversion into Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.

The Festival of Holidays booths may be a bit expensive, but they are popular with guests.

Conner does us proud with the customary garbage can picture of the food he ordered.

If you thought Epcot price was bad, take a look at the slider price in California…

2017 merchandise has started to arrive at stores around the resort.

A selection of California Adventure merchandise was recently released as well.

And it features the Hollywood Tower Hotel…

The grizzly bear outside of Grizzly River Run has a giant holiday sweater and it lights up at night. This is the #1 reason I am visiting DCA next week.

We conclude our report with a look at the holiday decor inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

The annual gingerbread display is amazing, as always.

Tickets on Sale for Final Opportunity to Ride Original Tower of Terror

WDWNT on December 12, 2016

You can be among the final Guests to pass through the infamous Hollywood Tower Hotel at a swinging dessert party at The 13th Hour farewell event for the Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure on January 1st, 2017.

The event begins at 10:00 PM and goes until 1:00 AM on the eve before this attraction’s final day in operation. This glamourous gathering features live music and a delicious dessert buffet. And whenever you’re ready, grim brass-buttoned bellman will escort you to your car, where you’ll travel up, down―and into the Twilight Zone.

This elegant, after-hours party features:

Enjoyment of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in its original version for the duration of the party
Dessert buffet, coffee, soda and water
Entertainment provided by a debonair emcee and the plucky Silver Lake Sisters
Special photo locations
Signature non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails for an additional cost
Commemorative keepsake available for purchase
One of the last opportunities to purchase Twilight Zone Tower of Terror merchandise

This party will be a posh affair, so you’re encouraged to dress in your finest Hollywood Golden Age style. Fedoras for the gents and hats with veils for the ladies are welcome, but no masks at Disney’s request.

Tickets for adults and children ages 3 and older are $95.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Buy now by calling (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Revolutionary FuelRod Portable Electronics Chargers Have Arrived at the Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

Already available at Walt Disney World, FuelRod exchangable portable electronics charging batteries are now available at the Disneyland Resort. There are currently 10 locations where guests can purchase and exchange their FuelRods at the Disneyland Resort theme parks, hotels, and Downtown Disney district. The cost for the initial rod is $30 and includes unlimited exchanges. You can read a full review of how FuelRods work at Walt Disney World here.

The locations for the Disneyland Resort are:

Disneyland Park:

Main Street Locker Rental & Storage
Starcade (near ATM)
“it’s a small world” Toy Shop
Hungry Bear (lower level)

Disney California Adventure Park:

Kingswell Camera
Treasures in Paradise

*Downtown Disney District:

ESPN Zone

*Disneyland Hotel:

Outside Business Center (Fantasy Tower)

*Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa:

Convention Area

*Paradise Pier Hotel:

Hotel Lobby Area

*Locations in Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are available now, kiosks at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney District will be installed in early December 2016.

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 11/11/16 (Festival of the Holidays Menus, Christmas Decorations, Giant Crane, ETC.)

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

Reporter Tim Alcoser returns with another fantastic photo report from the Disneyland Resort as the holiday season descends on Anaheim. Who’s ready for food, decorations, and an inexplicable giant crane? WELL THEN, LET’S GO!!!

The Festival of the Holidays Begins

The Festival of the Holidays has kicked off at Disney California Adventure.

The entire park is already in its holiday finest as well.

An archway near the Carthay Circle Theater welcomes guests to the Festival of Holidays.

Banner sup around the main thoroughfare.

Booths had lines before they even opened for the day.

The drummer group is particularly enjoyable, catch them if you can!

Some extra carts tacked with holiday merchandise have been rolled out for the season.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Cars Land

The ever-popular Cars Land goes overboard with decorations celebrating the California car culture.

Even Stanley gets a Santa cap!

This and That

Work continues on the conversion of Tower of Terror into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout.

While MagicBands are never coming, so many of these touch point readers have been installed around the resort. One has to be curious if they will find some way to utilize them in a new system.

While the show is being retooled, FROZEN: Live at the Hyperion is down to just two shows a day.

The Doctor Strange preview is currently running at the Sunset Showcase Theater, former home to MuppetVision 3-D.

An actual costume from the film is on display inside.

“Come with Me to Disneyland”

The holiday season is in full swing at Disneyland Park as well.

The Jingle Cruise has returned to Adventureland.

There is a massive crane parked outside of Pirates of the Caribbean…

It is boxed in a small fenced area, but it is really, really, really hard to miss.

Work continues on the Rivers of America and a whole new Fantasmic show.

The Columbia is getting ready for the Pirates of the Caribbean sequence.

Star Wars land off in the distance.

The borders off the land that will separate it from the rest of the park are already taking shape, but the same can not be said for anything else in the project.

“Story”.

We’re waiting too. This remote outpost planet is taking too long!

The Main Street Vehicles are decorated for the season.

Trams, Cars, and Security Checkpoints

Work continues on the new tram lanes.

Not only will the tram lanes be changing, but guests will also need to go through security before they enter the Downtown Disney area.

Star Wars land construction, as seen from the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure.

See ya; real soon from the Happiest Place on Earth.

Full Menus Revealed for 1st Ever “Food & Wine-Inspired” Festival of the Holidays at California Adventure

WDWNT on November 8, 2016

The Festival of Holidays is coming to Disney California Adventure park November 10th-January 8th, bringing with it new marketplaces filled with festive eats and treats inspired by holiday cultural comfort foods. Disney has released a complete guide to the treats you will find at each marketplace this year, which you are going to need because there is a lot.

Heritage Cottage

Braised Beef Short Rib with smashed potatoes and sauerbraten sauce
Weisswurst Sausage & Sauerkraut with stone ground mustard and pretzel crumble
Vanilla Rice Pudding with apple compote and cinnamon streusel crunch

Making Spirits Bright

Wines by the glass and tasting flights
Warm Holiday Spiced Wine
Sparkling Apple-pomegranate Juice

Nosh & Nibbles

Brisket Potato Croquette with horseradish crème
Sweet Spiced Noodle Kugel
Reuben Potato Smash with Russian dressing and Rye toast

Good Fortune’s Feast

Adobo Pork Bao with shaved red onion and crispy garlic chicharron
Smoked Duck & Vegetable Spring Roll with cabbage and sweet plum sauce
Chilled Papaya Shrimp Salad with chili-garlic vinaigrette and crispy noodles
Winter Mint Milk Tea

Spice Salutations

Chicken & Potato Curry with Kefir cream and grilled naan
Carrot & Chickpea Fritters with coriander-almond sauce
Cardamom & Saffron Sweet Cheese Tart with mulled fruit
Mango Lassi

Brews & Bites

Local, Seasonal & International Beers and tasting flights
Holiday Cheese Ball with crackers & pretzels

Mistletoe Morsels

Holiday Swedish Meatballs with creamy gravy and Lingonberry sauce
Classic Crab Cake with lemon tartar sauce
Shrimp Cocktail Martini with chili sauce and jalapeño olive
Holiday Eggnog Cocktail with whipped cream and nutmeg dusting
Merry Berry Sherbet Punch

Southern Home Holidays

Grilled Spicy Chicken Sausage with red beans and rice
Southern Mac & Cheese with jalapeño cornbread crumble
Sweet Potato Pie with candied pecans
Cranberry Sweet Tea topped with berry foam

Winter Sliderland

Roasted Turkey Slider with cranberry sauce and gravy
Kalua Pork Slider with pineapple jam and cider slaw
Praline & Bourbon Whoopie Pie
Sparkling Apple-cranberry Juice

Fiesta en Familia

Green Chile Pozole with Vegetables
Red Chile Pozole with Pork
Fresh Fish Ceviche with chili-lime tortilla chips
Guava Agua Fresca

Yuletide Yummies

Mini Turkey Pot Pie with cranberry drizzle
Pesto Puff Pastry Twist
Gingerbread Bundt Cake with orange-vanilla sauce
Eggnog Cheesecake with spiced whipped cream
Mocha Yule Log with candied chestnuts
Raspberry Linzer Tart
Sticky Toffee Pudding with Brandied Cream
Frozen Chocolate Milk with whipped cream and sprinkles
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate with house-made cinnamon marshmallows
Inspired wine and beer selections

Mosaic Delights

Roasted Lamb with masala spice Basmati rice and poached raisins
Mini Falafel donuts with pickled vegetables and Tahini drizzle
Baklava with walnuts, pistachios and honey
Iced Moroccan Mint Tea

Abuelita’s Kitchen

Chicken Cilantro Tamale with roasted Tomatillo salsa verde
Beef and Cheese Tamale with red chili sauce
Chorizo Bean Sopes with Cotija cheese and fresh crèma
Spiced Peanut Brittle
Pomegranate Margarita

Treats for Santa

Mickey Snowman Cookie Decorating Kit
Harvest Puff Pastry
Assorted Cookies
Classic Panettone
Candied Chestnut Panettone
Peppermint Bark
Pumpkin Seed Brittle
Walnut Fudge
Warm Bourbon Cider
White Hot Chocolate with house-made peppermint marshmallow
Holiday Fruit Punch

Disneyland Resort To Move Security Screenings to Include Downtown Disney

WDWNT on November 8, 2016

Security checkpoints at the Disneyland Resort are moving to include Downtown Disney

From the OC Register:

ANAHEIM – Disney is moving one of its security checkpoints so that Downtown Disney is pulled inside its secured area.

The move was expected to be completed by year’s end.

“We are moving the location of our bag-check and metal detectors to the point where guests enter our property through Downtown Disney and the Mickey & Friends parking structure,” a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman said.

Guests would be checked as soon as they left the Mickey & Friends parking structure before boarding the tram toward Downtown Disney.

Two other checkpoints are set to be added: one of them will be between ESPN Zone and Rainforest Cafe and the other between ESPN Zone and Earl of Sandwich restaurant. Officials said these would likely service guests coming from the hotels.

Officials hope the change will make it easier for guests: They could leave Disneyland or Disney California Adventure for Downtown Disney, a shopping and restaurant district, and return to one of the parks without going through a checkpoint for a second time.

Guests can already pass from one park to the other without going through a checkpoint.

The checkpoint on the east side of the parks, near the Harbor Boulevard entrance, is not moving for now.

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 10/28/16 (Star Wars Land, Christmas Decorations, Tower of Terror, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

The holidays are coming (yes I know what date it is, it’s located right next to this text in fact) to Disneyland, meanwhile, work continues on removing the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and adding the Star Wars themed land to Disneyland Park. Let’s check it all out in our latest photo report from Conner Purzycki.

Star Wars Land Construction

Construction continues on the Star Wars themed land for Disneyland Park.

Above is one of the tunnels that will lead guests into the remote outpost.

Some Imagineers were on the site yesterday, gaping into the giant whole excavated for the “Battle with the First Order” attraction, reportedly the single largest E-Ticket ride Disney has ever created.

Downtown Disney

The former Valet Parking area is now open to self parking.

Curl Surf and what we expect to be Sprinkles will be going between Sunglass Hut and Jamba Juice.

The facade work on the World of Disney store is finally complete.

The windows were already updated for the holidays (yet don’t reflect the changes to the Tower of Terror).

The Holidays come to Disneyland

It isn’t even Halloween yet, but Sleeping Beauty Castle is already decked for the holiday season.

The last of the Diamond Celebration decorations are finally gone, now replaced with snow-covered towers.

Fantasmic 2.0

Work continues on Tom Sawyer Island to prepare for Fantasmic! 2.0 next summer.

A scrim covers work on the new riverbank to hide Star Wars land.

New Orleans Square

Christmas decorations are already up in New Orleans Square as well.

This and That

Moana merchandise was spotted in Frontierland.

“it’s a small world” is now closed for its annual holiday makeover.

The majority of the facade work in Toontown is complete and I would dare say that Cartoon Spin has never looked better.

Yes, it is Christmas in Toontown already as well.

The 2016 Holiday merchandise is out in full force already. We have an entirely separate photo report where you can check out most of the items new for this year.

The 2017 attraction poster calendar is now available on both coasts.

Rogue Oen merchandise is readily available as well.

Some strange new sewer cap shirts are available around the Resort.

Disney Showcase on Main Street U.S.A. has become s full-fledged Christmas store.

Disney California Adventure

Disney Junior Live on Stage is now presented by Pull-Ups.

Work continues to fix the damage of 6 years worth of dance parties in the backlot area.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Removal

I’m still waiting for a “Yes, We’re Still Open” banner like in the movie Clerks to show up at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror as the conversion into Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout continues while the ride is still functioning.

A Bug’s Land getting the holiday treatment, while Tower of Terror is getting a whole different kind of treatment…

It’s been out for a bit, but the relatively new line of Grizzly River Run merchandise is pretty terrific.

Daily FastPass Distribution for FROZEN – Live at the Hyperion to End

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Disney California Adventure will cease to offer daily FastPass distribution for FROZEN – Live at the Hyperion as of Monday, October 17th, 2016.

FastPass will be offered only on days Disney considers to be within peak season. No additional shows are being added daily and guests are being advised to arrive between 45 minutes and 1 hour before the show to best be accommodated.

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 10/17/16 (Tower of Terror Covered, Star Wars Land, New Fantasmic, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Disneyland Reporter Conner Purzycki return us to the Disneyland Resort this week to see all of the latest happenings. The Tower of Terror is quickly vanishing, Star Wars land is quickly appearing, and 2 new sneak preview attractions are being offered. Let’s take a look:

Star Wars Land Construction

With the warped Tower of Terror off in the distance, work continues on the Star Wars themed land for Disneyland Park.

One of the portals into the land taking shape already.

While it may appear that the Disneyland version is ahead of Hollywood Studios, all of the additional work required to transition out of the other lands in the park and to separate the new land from the Rivers of America is all far more intricate than any transition will be at Walt Disney World. Guests will not to to enter through tunnels in Florida.

The massive “Battle with the First Order” attraction is being excavated. It reportedly will be the largest single attraction Disney has ever built.

The new waterfront for Rivers of America and new staging area for the updated Fantasmic! will need to be ready by next summer, so they are much further along than anything else in the project.

Downtown Disney Anaheim

Well it looks like Sprinkles isn’t going over here, between Starbucks and Disney Vacation Club.

A number of Food Trucks are currently available to guests at Downtown Disney.

If you were betting the Something Silver location would be home to Sprinkles, it seems unlikely that space could be converted by November.

It seems highly likely that this space between the other Starbucks and Jamba Juice is where Sprinkles will end up.

The facade work on the World of Disney store continues while the store is open.

Welcome to Disneyland

The canon moved to its new home recently, now just behind a fence in the planter. It’s nice to see Disneyland trying to fix the Main Street crowding issues where they can without removing history.

Christmas lights are already reinstalled on the hub trees.

ThisÂ and That

Work continues to get the Rivers of America and Fantasmic! back in action for Summer 2017.

While Disney is trying to hide them from us, we can clearly see projectors for new projection mapping effects in Fantasmic!

They are kind of big and hard to hide in fairness.

Obligatory duck photo.

Rolling refurbishments in Critter Country are now taking place through November 3rd, everything but Splash Mountain opens on weekend during that period.

Star Wars Land as seen from Critter Country.

The facades work on Peter Pan’s Flight was completed and the building looks great.

Now let’s Trolley on over to Disney California Adventure, shall we?

Doctor Strange and Fixing the Backlot

The Doctor Strange sneak peek has moved in at the Sunset Showcase.

The backlot stage is finally coming down after 6 years, hopefully the Sorcerer Mickey fountain will be returning.

The lighting rigs in front of the former Hollywood and Dine are already gone.

The Tower of Terror Breaks Out

Tarps have now expanded to the front of the Tower of Terror facade. It’s hard to believe it is open, but Disney would hate to lose Tower of Terror for the busy holiday season. If all goes according to plan, they would like to have Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout open by late-May.

Interestingly enough, Disney is not using FastPass for the attraction currently. This combined with the demand of guests to see it one last time is making for some crazy wait times.

I would be lying if I said the Tower of Terror at DCA has had an 85 minute wait on a regular basis at any point in its existence. For all the people who knock the advent of FastPass, this is why it exists. It deters people from getting in line all at once by giving them another option.

Moana Sneak Peek

The Moana sneak peek has moved in at the “it’s tough to be a bug” theater.

BREAKING: Disneyland Resort Will Launch Digital FastPass Service in November

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Disneyland Resort has been testing a new FastPass system for their theme parks in a very limited capacity over the last year or so. While the tests were never very widespread and it seems that the actual rollout of the new system has been continually delayed, it appears that Disney is finally ready to unleash a digital version of FastPass on the West Coast.

Barcodes in the Disneyland app and on tickets will be the key to a new Disneyland Resort FastPass service

While it may not be a full rollout, we can confirm that Disneyland Resort is looking to launch their new digital FastPass service at Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney California Adventure park starting on November 20th, 2016. Some recent queue modifications were made at the attraction in preparation for this. New FastPass signage and such will be installed by Walt Disney Imagineering at the attraction in Mid-November. Toy Story Midway Mania did not open with or add any FastPass service despite being quite popular at California Adventure, but there is a queue that was constructed that can be used for it.

Toy Story Midway Mania will be the first attraction in California to test a digital FastPass service

It is unknown how exactly the FastPass bookings will work through the app, but it is assumed that this is a permanent installation of the system in the park. There are reports that other attractions around the park are already installing the infrastructure to join the digital FastPass system in the following weeks and months.

As previously reported, the new system will use the official Disneyland app to allow guests to book FastPass reservations digitally. The new system will utilize a barcode within the app or on a guest’s Disneyland Resort park ticket to redeem the FastPass. The app will be the only way to book the FastPass reservations during the early stages. In-park kiosks for booking may eventually be introduced.

The Disneyland Resort has continued to use the old paper FastPass system, even though Walt Disney World’s FastPass+ system using digital FastPass booking and RFID ticket media has been in place for almost 4 years now.

Category: Disney California Adventure

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 12/2/16 (Railroad Bridges Installed, Star Wars Land, New Security Checkpoints, Paper Bag: The Ride, ETC.)

Star Wars Land

Security Changes and Area Enhancements

Downtown Disney

Disneyland Park

Disney California Adventure

Tickets on Sale for Final Opportunity to Ride Original Tower of Terror

Revolutionary FuelRod Portable Electronics Chargers Have Arrived at the Disneyland Resort

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 11/11/16 (Festival of the Holidays Menus, Christmas Decorations, Giant Crane, ETC.)

The Festival of the Holidays Begins

It’s beginning to look a lot like Cars Land

This and That

“Come with Me to Disneyland”

Trams, Cars, and Security Checkpoints

Full Menus Revealed for 1st Ever “Food & Wine-Inspired” Festival of the Holidays at California Adventure

Disneyland Resort To Move Security Screenings to Include Downtown Disney

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 10/28/16 (Star Wars Land, Christmas Decorations, Tower of Terror, ETC.)

Star Wars Land Construction

Downtown Disney

The Holidays come to Disneyland

Fantasmic 2.0

New Orleans Square

This and That

Disney California Adventure

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Removal

Daily FastPass Distribution for FROZEN – Live at the Hyperion to End

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 10/17/16 (Tower of Terror Covered, Star Wars Land, New Fantasmic, ETC.)

Star Wars Land Construction

Downtown Disney Anaheim

Welcome to Disneyland

ThisÂ and That

Doctor Strange and Fixing the Backlot

The Tower of Terror Breaks Out

Moana Sneak Peek

BREAKING: Disneyland Resort Will Launch Digital FastPass Service in November

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