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