All photos by Seth Kubersky

Recently, I wrote about five of my favorite ways to begin my day at Disneyland Park. Until this past summer, Disneyland’s original park was most visitors’ first destination, with its little brother Disney California Adventure an afterthought on many itineraries.

Now, how the tables have turned: since last June’s grand re-opening of DCA, headlined by Cars Land and the Radiator Springs Racers E-Ticket, the former also-ran is often drawing as many (or even more) “first click” entries as its older sibling. That means more and more visitors are starting their Disney day on Buena Vista Street instead of Main Street, U.S.A.

As a result, we advise you arrive at DCA’s front gate at least 45 minutes before the official opening time; guests are typically allowed into the entry plaza at least 30 minutes early, and Disneyland’s current ID-checking procedures can make for slow lines at the turnstiles. Most importantly, don’t visit DCA on an Extra Magic Hour morning (currently Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) unless you are staying in a Disney resort hotel and can take advantage of the early entry.

Once you are inside the park and awaiting rope drop, what to do? Here are my top five tips for making mornings at DCA more memorable:

Do The RSR Fastpass Conga

Upon entering the park, the vast majority of DCA visitors make a beeline to one of two holding pens: the mob gathered in front of Carthay Circle, awaiting permission to speed-walk toward Cars Land; or the queue stretching towards Hollywood Land. That line leads to a Radiator Springs FASTPASS, the hottest ticket in Anaheim today.

While the line may look daunting, it will move swiftly once the opening hour arrives, thanks to the cast members who assist at the dispensing machines; on a recent visit, I began waiting at the Disney Junior theater and retrieved my Fastpasses less than 15 minutes after rope drop.

In any event, the RSR FASTPASS line will certainly move more quickly that the standby line at the ride itself, which regularly posts a 45 minute wait within moments of opening. Exacerbating the wait is the fact that this high-tech attraction frequently begins cycling guests a few (or many) minutes after the rest of the park, due to pre-opening testing.

The bottom line is that if you have any interest in riding Racers (and if you are in the park, of good health, and above 40″, you should), your best best is to hand all of your party’s admission passes to one sacrificial member and plant that person in the RSR FASTPASS line as soon as possible. Just make sure all the passes have been validated at one of the parks’ front gates first; you can’t use your family’s tickets to secure FASTPASSes while they snooze at the hotel.

Mortgage Your House for a Latte

In my previous installment, I took some pokes at Starbucks for taking over the classic Market House on Main Street, ending a tradition of free coffee refills. But I can’t deny that, refills or no, the Starbucks-serving Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe has been a huge hit on DCA’s Buena Vista Street. And if the free java in your hotel is as awful as it was in the last motel I stayed in, you may be in desperate need of an eye-opener before beginning your day’s adventures.

If that’s the case, you’ll want to be one of the first through the doors in the morning, since the combination of a substantial snack and sandwich menu with Starbucks’ complex caffeinated concoctions causes the line here to move slower than Siberian molasses.

As an alternative, try stopping by Downtown Disney’s La Brea Bakery immediately outside the Esplanade before going through the bag check. Though not as publicized as the outlet inside the park, the Express counter here serves Starbucks-branded beans as well.

Soak Up The Atmosphere on Buena Vista Street

The Imagineers did an amazing job reimagining the flat, tacky Sunshine Plaza as the richly detailed Buena Vista Street, which emotionally and architecturally evokes Los Angeles’s Art Deco era much as Main Street, U.S.A., does for late-19th century middle America. Before rushing off to Pixar’s marvel of mountain-making, make sure to take a look at signage and shop windows surrounding you, filled with Disney in-jokes and vintage memorabilia.

Better yet, strike up a conversation with one of the colorful characters who roam the street each day. Sure, you’ll find the usual chipmunks, dogs, and mice (in natty zoot suits and other period duds) out doing early-morning photo duty. But you should also seek out the Citizens of Buena Vista Street, who are always willing to share advice (sage or otherwise) with visitors. You may run into the local cop, a bike messenger, or a socialite with a playful puppy. Whomever you meet, try to chat for a few moments, and you’ll discover that (much like the Citizens of Hollywood in Orlando’s Disney’s Hollywood Studios) these improvisation actors are much more than walking photo ops.

Read the Morning Paper

All frequent theme park visitors are conditioned to pick up the park map and show times guide as the enter the turnstiles. But at DCA there’s a less familiar free publication that you should also pick up. In baskets positioned around Buena Vista Street, you’ll find complimentary copies of Buena Vista Bugle, a 4-page faux newspaper that is updated every few months.

The idea hearkens back to the early days of Disneyland, when Imagineering legend Marty Sklar was hired by Walt to write a promotional newspaper sold in the park. Today, that newspaper’s descendant is distributed gratis to DCA visitors. Inside, you’ll find puff pieces extolling attractions and seasonal offerings around the park, all amusingly ghostwritten by eccentric imaginary journalists.

Amid the unsubtle advertising, the Bugle contains solid info, especially on finding character encounters around the park, and does it in a more entertaining way than the antiseptic Times Guide. Be sure to pick up a copy on your way in for reference during your visit, and another non-rumpled copy for a souvenir on your way out.

Go Anywhere Except Cars Land

If you follow our recommended Touring Plans for DCA, you’ll head directly to Luigi’s Flying Tires after securing your Radiator Springs Racers FASTPASS. If you are intent on experiencing this unique attraction, that’s certainly the best advice, since this visually attractive but short and slow-loading ride can quickly develop a lengthy queue second only to that of Radiator Springs Racers.

Due to its “cycle loading” nature, you can wait twenty minutes or more for Luigi’s with only a few loads of guests ahead of you, burning valuable early morning touring time. So, unless you are among the first through the FASTPASS distribution and enter Luigi’s queue within fifteen minutes of opening, you may want to consider spending the remainder of your first hour in a more efficient manner.

The upside of Cars Land’s phenomenal popularity is that it draws most guests away from the park’s other headliners until hours after opening. Tower of Terror, California Screamin’, and Toy Story Midway Mania often have minimal waits in the morning while the herd heads down Route 66. If you can stand to skip Luigi’s (try back at the end of the day, when it and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree are sometimes walk-ons), you’ll get a great return on your time investment at these other E-Tickets.

A final tip: remember that your Radiator Springs Racer FASTPASS is “disconnected” and won’t interfere with getting a FASTPASS for another attraction. You could snag a FASTPASS at Soarin’ Over California (if you don’t just use its Single Rider line) on your way to getting a viewing ticket for World of Color (also disconnected), or grab one for Tower of Terror before hopping across to Disneyland to pick up FASTPASSes there. Just be aware of the the ending time on your tickets; return windows are now being strictly enforced, though you may get 15 minutes of grace (i.e., arrive up to 15 minutes after your window has passed) if you ask nicely.

5 Ways to Start Your Day in Disney California Adventure is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Photos by Seth Kubersky

If Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth, and February 14 is the Most Romantic Day of the Year, then Anaheim must be the best place imaginable to spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart — right? Well, I’m about to find out, as my wife and I are spending Valentine’s week in Anaheim.

On the plus side, weekdays in mid-February (like the 14th) are on the moderate side of our Crowd Calendar; Valentine’s Day, itself, is expected to be a 6 out of 10 at the Disneyland Resort. And from February 11 through 17, as part of the Limited Time Magic marketing campaign, Disney is rolling out some additional meet & greet opportunities and menu offerings.

Unfortunately, thanks to seasonal refurbishments many of our favorite attractions to experience together — including it’s a small world, Mad Tea Party, Big Thunder Ranch, Muppet*Vision, and Fantasmic! — will be unavailable on Valentine’s Day. Even so, there are plenty of romantic spots remaining around the Resort.

Here are just a few of my favorite places is Disneyland Resort to take that someone special. Please add your own suggestions in the comments below, and have love-filled 14th wherever you are!

Carthay Circle

There’s no better way to impress a date than a blowout meal at a fine restaurant, and Disneyland Resort gives you several special venues to spend your cash. Napa Rose, Blue Bayou, and Steakhouse 55 are all fine choices for fine Disney dining, and are accordingly often booked solid weeks in advance of holidays. but my new favorite supper spot is Carthay Circle Restaurant.

For starters, the decor is divine (especially for fans of old Hollywood and vintage Disney) and matched by the menu. Second, menu item prices are slightly lower than at the Resort’s aforementioned other top-tier eateries, especially at lunch. Third, it seems easier to get a table at Carthay on short notice; I was able to snag a table for 2 less than 2 weeks out, and some lunch spots for the 14th may still be available.

Last but not least, ordering a two-course meal (entree and appetizer or dessert) entities diners to VIP World of Color FastPasses, allowing entry into the central viewing area unavailable to ordinary guests. If you want the best view for Valentine’s Night’s biggest spectacle, a meal at Carthay is bite-for-bite your best value.

Alfresco Lounge

If dining at Carthay Circle is too rich for your blood (or wallet) why not sit and sip in pseudo-Sonoma instead? The often-overlooked Alfresco Lounge at the Golden Valley Winery, located outoors on the second level of Wine Country Trattoria, looks out over the Blue Sky Cellar towards a postcard-perfect perspective on Cars Land.

Head upstairs a little before sunset, grab one of the comfy sofa seats, and order a glass (or flight) of California wines. Time it right, and you can can be sipping Chardonay just as the switch is flipped on Radiator Springs’ lovely neon lighting. Just one word of advice: don’t order the delectable Fritto Misto platter to nosh on unless you’re sure your date likes mussels and squid. Otherwise, you’re not getting a kiss no matter how nice the view is.

Grand Californian Fireplace

Ok, so what if even a couple cups of vino are out of your price range (not to mention a pair of park passes) but you still want to visit a romantic Disneyland venue? Park in the Downtown Disneyland lot (free for up to 3 hours) and walk into the Grand Californian hotel. Just inside the lobby you’ll find the coziest spot on property: a giant stone fireplace surrounded by rocking chairs.

Order a coffee or cocoa from the Heathstone Lounge around the corner, then pull a seat up to the fire. Temperatures on Valetine’s Day are expected to reach into the low 70s, but don’t let that stop you and your sweetie from cuddling by the flames. If you’re lucky, a limber-fingered pianist will be along to play romantic melodies. And if you the inside seating is too crowded with other couples, step outside and look for another fireplace near the backside of its bigger sibling.

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

This may seem a strange pick for my final romantic place, but “dark rides” have been associated with romance since their amusement park ancestors were known as “tunnels of love.” Since Disneyland’s opening day, amorous adolescents have savored first kisses (or seventh, or seventieth) while whirling through black-lit plywood fantasy worlds.

The long-lost Adventure Thru Inner-Space Ominmover ride is well-remember by baby boomers as the most intimacy-friendly attraction Disneyland has ever seen, but modern rides like Star Tours or Indiana Jones Adventure are far too rough and/or exposed to become amorous on. What you want is an indoor ride with small, smoothly-moving semi-private vehicles. As Fantasyland’s least popular ride, Pinnoccio’s Daring Journey is the perfect choice; you’ll almost always get a car all yourselves with little or no waiting, and the ride is designed so that different vehicles barely glimpse each other once inside the show building.

A final word of warning: even if you aren’t in view of your fellow guests, there are hidden low-light cameras inside every ride that give attraction Cast Members a full view of your activities. So don’t get too carried away with the Valentine’s spirt until you’re back at the hotel, and keep your on-ride petting PG-rated. That’s the way Walt would have wanted it.

Four Romantic Spots at Disneyland Resort to Spend Valentines’s Day is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

All photos by Seth Kubersky

Last summer’s debut of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure was probably the most extensively publicized expansion in theme park history (or at least since Harry Potter arrived in Orlando). So it seems strange that anything about this exquisite addition to Disneyland’s little sibling could still be considered “hidden.”

Even so, in their rush to ride Radiator Springs Racers, most of the tens of thousands of guests running daily down this ersatz Route 66 probably never notice some of the subtler touches Disney’s Imagineers infused the land with. Next time you visit DCA, why not slow down and savor five of my favorite but easily overlooked elements of Anaheim’s hottest attraction.

The Cozy Cone Motel Office

Most guests going to the Cozy Cone Motel aren’t looking for a place to sleep — there are sadly no rooms for rent — but a Red’s Apple Freeze to slurp (known as LeFou’s Brew in WDW) or oddly-flavored popcorn to munch. As a result, no one ever enters the motel office, but that didn’t stop the designers from decking it out with detailed decor, down to the faux postcards on the souvenir rack.

While peeping in through the windows, keep an eye out for a certain Space Ranger star of another Pixar franchise; he’s hiding in plain sight, in a sly tribute to a scene from Toy Story 2.

Ed Catmull Tribute

When speaking of Pixar, director John Lasseter’s name is mentioned most, followed perhaps by company founder George Lucas and long-time owner Steve Jobs. But not to be forgotten is Ed Catmull, the current president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation who started as a computer scientist and went on to win Oscars for developing RenderMan software and other CGI innovations.

Catmull may not have a coveted window on Main Street USA, but he has the Cars Land equivalent. This neon tribute hangs in the window of Radiator Springs Curios, facing Luigi’s Flying Tires. Take a look and tip your hat to a man who helped invent digital effects.

Doc Hudson’s Doctorate

Flo’s V-8 Cafe, in addition to offering unexpectedly upscale entrees and exceptionally ugly pies, boasts a collection of curios that flesh out the back stories of some favorite Cars characters. One side of the seating area displays mementos from Flo’s career as a Motown singer; the other holds a museum of Doc Hudson’s history.

My favorite among Hudson’s artifacts are the pair of diplomas that prove he earned his Doctorate in Internal Combustion from the prestigious institution Pnorthern Pneumatic Polytechnic, with a certificate in Clinical Stufies of Internal Hydraulics from the Mechanical School of Carburetor County. Who knew — I thought “Doc” was an honorary title!

Pacific Wharf Archway

It’s a stretch to call one of a land’s major entrances “hidden,” but it’s true that the vast majority of guest go in and out of Cars Land via the main entrance across from the Golden Valley Winery. A second entrance provides a shortcut to a bug’s land and Tower of Terror, while giving a good glimpse of guests on Luigi’s Flying Tires (which may be more fun than the actual ride, depending on the wait time).

But unless they get hungry for edamame from Lucky Fortune Cookery, many visitors may completely overlook the area’s third egress in the Pacific Wharf. The stone archway here is a stunning piece of rockwork in it’s own right, and frames the Cadillac mountain range for a particularly dramatic vista. For an unforgettable photo, try taking a snap from here at “magic hour.”

Neon Lighting Ceremony

Speaking of magic hour, the moments after each sunset see a magical transformation of the already magnificent land. As twilight approaches, the strains of the 1950′s do-wop classic “Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)” float through the air. One by one, the buildings along Route 66 spring to life in glowing neon colors, and the entire street slowly illuminates for the evening.

The nightly neon ignition is a not-to-be-missed experience that often sees crowds spontaneously dancing and singing along in the street. But you wouldn’t know anything about from the official show schedule published on Disneyland’s website. For some odd reason the irritating DJ Dance n Drive Party merits an online mention, but the lovely lighting ceremony goes unadvertised. Fear not, you can count on the event occurring every evening at about 5 minutes past official sunset. If unsure, ask any cast member in Cars Land what time tonight’s neon ceremony will be held. Keep in mind that, depending on the time of year, sunset may be many minutes before it actually gets dark out.

Enjoy this video I shot shortly after Cars Land’s grand opening, and let us know in the comments what your favorite underappreciated detail in the area is.

Hidden Treasures of DCA’s Cars Land is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Image copyright Disney

In a surprise move, Disneyland Resort has quietly released details of a new limited-time perk for all Disneyland Annual Passholders. On Thursday nights in February 2013, Passholders can stay in Disney California Adventure for an extra 2 hours past the usual closing time. That’s 120 more minutes to enjoy the rides in Cars Land and elsewhere around Anaheim’s hottest attraction.

The program will only be offered on Thursdays, February 7, 14, 21, & 28. Passholders will be allowed to stay until 10pm on the 7th, 14th, and 28th, and until 11pm on the 21st.

In order to participate, you must arrive at DCA between noon and 90 minutes after the regular park closing time, in order to obtain a special wristband near the front turnstiles. A valid annual pass and photo ID are required; regular parking fees still apply.

Note that this temporary “stay late” program is in addition to the ongoing early entry perk, which allows annual Passholders into the parks an hour early on the weekends. That program runs through April 14, but is not available on February 3.

Extended February DCA Park Hours for Disneyland Annual Passholders is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Gingerbread house at DCA's Carthay Circle Restaurant (all photos copyright Disney)

Festive trees, twinkling lights, holiday treats — and massive crowds. Santa is on his way, but by the time he arrives at the end of the month, record crowds are expected to descend upon the Disneyland Resort. With Cars Land celebrating its first Christmas season, and the popular Candlelight Ceremony across the Esplanade greatly expanding, you can expect attendance at the Anaheim property to be propelled to previously-unseen peaks before December is out. While weekdays for the next couple weeks should see reasonable crowds, if you are visiting the parks closer to the 25th you'll want to pack your touring plans and plenty of patient holiday spirit. Ho Ho Ho!

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Weekdays through mid-month should be moderately crowded. Tuesday 12/11 is predicted to be a 5 out of 10 at the resort, with a 4.8 at Disneyland, and 5.5 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Attendance will be at its annual apex from 12/21 until the end of the year. Monday 12/31 should be a 10 out of 10 at the resort, with a 10.0 at Disneyland, and 9.9 at DCA.

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Disneyland's Holiday season runs now through 1/6/2013, with the Holiday Fantasy daytime parade performing daily.
• The Candlelight Processional at Disneyland Park begins tonight, and runs every day until 12/20. All tickets have already been distributed to VIPs and Annual Passholders, but limited standing-room-only viewing may be available around Town Square. Due to stage equipment for the show, access to the Main Street Train Station is currently through the exits. Expect extreme congestion on Main Street during parade nights; look for the backstage bypasses (if open) to escape from the hub.

• Guided VIP tours of Disneyland's holiday offerings are available now through the end of the season.
• Now through 1/6, the Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks show at Disneyland Park interacts with Glow With The Show light-up mouse ear hats.
• Santa is making daily appearances at Big Thunder Ranch's Jingle Jangle Jamboree through the end of the season.
• Holiday decor, seasonal songs, and nightly “snowfalls” have been added to DCA's Mad T Party now through New Years. Glow in the dark collectible pins are also now on sale.
• Ramone's House of Body Art in Cars Land has expanded its merchandise space into the former FastPass distribution garage next door. Special seasonal Cars Land items are on sale through the end of the holidays.
• Downtown Disney's WonderGround art gallery opens a new Good vs Evil exhibit on 12/15 with in-person appearances by the artists on that morning and afternoon.

• Fresh hand-made candy canes will be prepared at Disneyland's Candy Palace on December 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 23, & 24. The canes will also be made at DCA's Trolley Treats on December 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, & 25. Arrive at park opening to secure a wristband and be prepared for a long, long, wait if you want one of the $13 sweets!
• Santa Claus poses for (paid) photos in the mornings at the Paradise Pier hotel, and in the evenings at the Grand Californian and Disneyland hotels.
• A modest “holiday village” of merchandise and snack vendors is operating near the ice skating rink in Downtown Disney.
• Disneyland Resort is now allowing guests with 4 or 5 day passes to enter the parks through any turnstyle, but is still checking photo IDs. This results in slow entry procedures; be prepared this holiday season to arrive extra early (at least 45 pre-opening) to be one of the first people into the park.
• Themed gingerbread houses are on display at Carthay Circle Restaurant; Fiddler, Fifer, & Practical Cafe; and Flo's V-8 Cafe in DCA.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Indiana Jones Adventure: Reopens on 12/8 after an extended refurbishment.
• Construction continues through 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre.
• MuppetVision 4D has been temporarily replaced with the Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice 3-D short film for the holiday season.
• A Prep & Landing sequence has also been temporarily added to World of Color performances.

• Mickey’s Fun Wheel is closed for refurbishment 11/26 through 12/6.

This Month at Disneyland Resort: December 2012 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Did you get your fill of turducken, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie last week? Hopefully you were busy chowing down during Thanksgiving, and not braving the record crowds that descended upon the Disneyland Resort. Cyber Monday through Post-Turkey Thursday is your last best chance for exploring the park's holiday offerings. Expect attendance to steadily build starting this coming Friday through the end of December.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Saturday 11/24 was a 9 out of 10 at the resort, with a 8.5 at Disneyland, and 8.4 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Tuesday 11/20 was a 10 out of 10 at the resort, with a 9.6 at Disneyland, and 9.9 at DCA.

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Holiday decorations are visible throughout the resort to celebrate Disneyland's Holiday season, which runs through 1/6/2013. The Holiday Fantasy daytime parade is now performing daily.
• Annual passholders who entered a sweepstakes for tickets to the Candlelight Processional at Disneyland Park should be notified if they won beginning today (11/26). Glow in the dark merchandise themed to the show will be available in the park starting December 1.

• Guided VIP tours of Disneyland's holiday offerings are available now through the end of the season.
• Now through 1/6, the Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks at Disneyland Park now interacts with Glow With The Show light-up mouse ear hats.
• Disneyland offered Thanksgiving feasts last Thursday at the resort hotels and throughout the parks.
• Santa is making daily appearances at Big Thunder Ranch's Jingle Jangle Jamboree through the end of the season.
• Holiday decor, seasonal songs, and nightly “snowfalls” have been added to DCA's Mad T Party now through New Years. Glow in the dark collectible pins are also now on sale.
• Ramone's House of Body Art in Cars Land officially expands its merchandise space into the former FastPass distribution garage next door begining today, though sales there started over the weekend. Special seasonal Cars Land items will be on sale through the end of the holidays.
• A new collection of Nightmare Before Christmas-inspired artwork by Noah will be released on 12/1 at Downtown Disney's WonderGround Gallery.

• Fresh hand-made candy canes will be prepared at Disneyland's Candy Palace on November 23, 26, & 30, and December 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 23, & 24. The canes will also be made at DCA's Trolley Treats on November 24 & 27, and December 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, & 25. Arrive at park opening to secure a wristband and be prepared for a long, long, wait if you want one of the $13 sweets!
• Santa Claus currently is posing for (paid) photos in the mornings at the Paradise Pier hotel, and in the evenings at the Grand Californian and Disneyland hotels.
• A modest “holiday village” of merchandise and snack vendors has cropped up near the ice skating rink in Downtown Disney.
• A contract worker was cleaning the exterior of Disneyland's Space Mountain last Wednesday when he fell and slid down the roof, and had rescued by the fire department.
• Disneyland Resort is now allowing guests with 4 or 5 day passes to enter the parks through any turnstyle, but is still checking photo IDs. This results in slow entry procedures; be prepared this holiday season to arrive extra early (at least 45 pre-opening) to be one of the first people into the park.
• Actor Will Ferrell was spotted hanging out with Santa Goofy inside Disneyland Park last week.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Indiana Jones Adventure: Closed through 12/7/12 for a much needed refurbishment.
• Construction continues through 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre.
• MuppetVision 4D has been temporarily replaced with the Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice 3-D short film for the holiday season.
• A Prep & Landing sequence has also been temporarily added to World of Color performances.

• Mickey’s Fun Wheel is closed for refurbishment 11/26 through 12/6.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (11/18/2012 – 11/24/2012) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

All photos copyright Disney

We hope you got a chance to check out Disneyland's seasonal decor during last week's slow period, because this week will be slammed with holiday tourists. On the plus side, a couple Fantasyland classics returned recently from extensive refurbishment, revealing a famous puppet-eating whale who now looks better than he has in years.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Tuesday and Wednesday 11/13 & 14 were both a 1 out of 10 at the resort, with a 1.1 at Disneyland, and 1.1 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Sunday 11/11 was a 9 out of 10 at the resort, with a 7.6 at Disneyland, and 8.7 at DCA.

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Holiday decoration were installed throughout the resort in time for the offical 11/12 start of Disneyland's Holiday season, which runs through 1/6/2013. The Holiday Fantasy daytime parade is now performing daily.
• Guided VIP tours of Disneyland's holiday offerings are available now through the end of the season.
• Beginning on 11/12, the Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks at Disneyland Park now interacts with Glow With The Show light-up mouse ear hats.
• The Plummers, a Marine Corps family from California, helped “flip the switch” inaugurating this season's “it's a small world” holiday decor on 11/12.
• Disneyland released details on Thanksgiving feasts offered this Thursday at the resort hotels and throughout the parks.
• Disney has rolled out a new Mickey Check symbol on restaurant menus at both American resorts, indicating kids' meal selections that meet new nutritional guidelines.

• Cars Land, Radiator Springs Racers, and Carthay Circle Theater all picked up prestigious prizes at the annual Themed Entertainment Association industry awards.
• Santa is making daily appearances at Big Thunder Ranch's Jingle Jangle Jamboree through the end of the season.
• Between 11/12 and 11/18, annual passholders could enter a sweepstakes for tickets to the Candlelight Processional at Disneyland Park. Winners will be notified starting 11/26.
• Holiday decor, seasonal songs, and nightly “snowfalls” have been added to DCA's Mad T Party now through New Years. Glow in the dark collectible pins are also now on sale.
• A new holiday edition of the Buena Vista Bugle is now being distributed in DCA.
• Variety reported that Disney is developing a new television show based on the ride Big Thunder Mountain.
• A Babydoll sheep and minature Herford cow have joined the herd at Big Thunder Ranch; visiting guests can vote on what the animals' names should be.
  

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Indiana Jones Adventure: Closed through 12/7/12 for a much needed refurbishment.
• Storybook Land Canal Boats and Casey Jr. Circus Train: reopened on 11/16 after refurbishment, with new safety railings installed along the bridge over the canal.
• Construction continues through 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre.
• The repair of tile in front of Carthay Circle Restaurant has been completed, with no significant CHAGES from the original look.
• MuppetVision 4D has been temporarily replaced with the Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice 3-D short film for the holiday season.
• A Prep & Landing sequence has also been temporarily added to World of Color performances.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (11/11/2012 – 11/17/2012) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

All photos copyright Disney

The spooky seasonal spirit is in full swing at the Disneyland Resort, thanks to thrice-weekly Halloween parties in Disneyland Park. Keep an eye out for special snacks and souvenirs offered around the parks until the end of the month, and enjoy the lighter crowds on non-party weekdays.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Tuesday 10/9 was a 3 out 10 at the resort, with crowds at 1.6 out of 10 at Disneyland, and 7.6 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Sunday 10/7 was a 9 out of 10 at the resort, with a 7.7 out of 10 in Disneyland, and 9.5 at DCA.

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Halloween Time, Disneyland's annual trick-or-treat-themed decor treatment, continues to run through October 31. A variety of “ooey-gooey” sweets are currently available from Disneyland's candy kitchens.
• Disney's Happiest Haunts VIP guided tours continued to be offered every night through October 31.
• Mickey's Halloween Party was held after hours in Disneyland on October 9 & 12, and will continue on October 14, 15, 19, 23, 26, 29, and 31. Disneyland Park closes to day guests as early as 6pm on these nights, greatly increasing attendance in DCA on those days.
• Disneyland cast members Sachiko White and Megan Navarette were appointed the resort's 2013-2014 Ambassadors, and will represent the resort as spokespersons at publicity events around the world.
• Downtown Disney hosted an Octoberfest party with German-themed food and drink on Sunday 10/13.
• A temporary ice-skating rink is being constructed at Downtown Disney near the AMC Theatre. It is tied to the release of the new Tinker Bell film, and will officially open on October 23.
• You can download free desktop wallpaper from the Disney Parks blog to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the beginning of DCA's recently-completed expansion.
• Disney received permission from the FCC to being testing RFID-enabled electronic wristbands than may be used by guests as admission tickets and hotel keys. The “next generation” technology is being rolled out first at Walt Disney World, and is expected to eventually migrate to Anaheim as well.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Indiana Jones Adventure is closed through 12/7/12 for a much needed refurbishment.
• Storybook Land Canal Boats and Casey Jr. Circus Train: Closed through 11/15/12.
• Construction continues through 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre.
• The Tomorrowland Starcade is closed 10/8-10/18 to install a Wreck-It Ralph meet & greet.
• Muppet*Vision 3D is not running while a Frankenweenie 4D trailer is screened in the theater (end date unknown).
• Decorative tile in front of Carthay Circle in DCA is currently being replaced; the restaurant remains open.
• In Cars Land, new padding has been added to the vehicles at Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, and temporary telephone poles have be added to support holiday decor.
• In Cars Land, the garage that was originally intended as the Fastpass distribution center for Radiator Springs Racers is being repurposed as an extension of Ramone's gift shop.
• Construction continues on Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney, with no opening date announced yet. The largest rumors suggest it may be open for Thanksgiving.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (10/7/2012 – 10/13/2012) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

All photos copyright Disney

October is off and running at the Disneyland Resort, with moderate crowds on weekdays, and longer lines for popular Halloween offerings on the weekends. Word is that cast members are cracking down on gate-crashes during after-hours Halloween parties this year, so make sure you have your wristband before lining up for trick-or-treats!

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Monday 10/1 was a 1 out 10 at the resort, with crowds at 1.1 out of 10 at Disneyland, and 1.1 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Saturday 10/6 was a 9 out of 10 at the resort, with a 8.6 out of 10 in Disneyland, and 8.7 at DCA.

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Halloween Time, Disneyland’s annual trick-or-treat-themed decor treatment, continues to run through October 31. Disneyland released a video with pumpkin carving templates to celebrate the resort’s holiday festivities.
• Disney’s Happiest Haunts VIP guided tours continued to be offered every night through October 31
• Mickey’s Halloween Party was held after hours in Disneyland on October 2 & 5, and will continue on October 9, 12, 14, 15, 19, 23, 26, 29, and 31. Disneyland Park closes to day guests as early as 6pm on these nights, greatly increasing attendance in DCA on those days.
• Magic Morning early entry is no longer available at the Disneyland Park on Sundays. Instead, Extra Magic Hour is available on Sunday at Disney California Adventure for Disneyland Resort hotel guests only.
• October 5-7 was the 14th annual unofficial Gay Days Anaheim.
• WonderGround art gallery in Downtown Disney announced a number of Halloween-themed artist events between now and the end of the month.
• The Disney Parks blog released some details on Disneyland’s Holiday offerings (Nov 12-Jan 6), which will now include Christmas decor in Cars Land and Buena Vista Street.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Indiana Jones Adventure: Closed through 12/7/12 for a much needed refurbishment.
  
• Storybook Land Canal Boats and Casey Jr. Circus Train: Closed through 11/15/12.
• Construction continues through 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds was scheduled to be closed 10/1 to 10/3 for refurbishment.
• Muppet*Vision 3D is not running while a Frankenweenie 4D trailer is screened in the theater (end date unknown).
• The Beast’s Library interactive attraction inside the Disney Animation exhibit has been updated with new characters.
• In Cars Land, the garage that was originally intended as the Fastpass distribution center for Radiator Springs Racers is being repurposed as an extension of Ramone’s gift shop.
• Construction continues on Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney, with no opening date announced yet.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (9/30/2012 – 10/6/2012) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

On behalf of my co-authors Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa, I’m proud to announce that The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2013 is now available via Amazon and Barnes & Noble, a few days before the book’s 9/19 official release date. It can be pre-ordered from iBooks in advance of its digital release later this month.

This has been a year of remarkable change at the Disneyland Resort, and our latest update to the Unofficial Guide reflects all the radical reimagineering the Anaheim attractions have undergone.

Here’s a rundown on all the fresh material you will find in our 2013 Guide:

Introduction

• An all-new humorous “The Importance of Being Goofy” essay.
• Revised overview of the resort, highlighting expansions at Disney California Adventure.
• Updated comparison chart of Disneyland Attractions vs. their equivalents at Magic Kingdom in Florida.

Planning Before You Leave Home

• Updated admission options and ticket prices.
• New automated options like buying tickets your mobile device and the Ask Otto phone line.
• Using the Lines mobile app to enhance your Disneyland visit.
• New statistics on Disneyland theme park attendance.
• New parking information, including valet and overflow options.
• Hints on safely walking into the Disneyland Resort from surrounding lodging in various directions.
• Refreshed hotel reviews and room ratings, featuring the completed renovations at Disneyland Hotel.
• Debating the merits of the “Good Neighbor” hotel program.
• New policies for FASTPASS, rope drop, and Early Entry.
• Additional VIP tour and Adventures By Disney information.

Essentials

• Benefits for the Disney Visa cardholders.
• Nearby grocery and pharmacy options.
• Charging your cell phone inside the parks.
• PhotoPass and PhotoPass+ information.

Disneyland With Kids

• New “minimum height requirement” chart.
• Updated “small child fright potential” chart.
• New reader comments on child swap and taking infants on rides.

Dining and Shopping in and Around Disneyland

• Refreshed reviews of every full-service and counter-service restaurant at the resort.
• Details on dining at Carthay Circle, Flo’s V8 Cafe, and all the new signature eateries in DCA’s Buena Vista Street and Cars Land.
• The arrival of Starbucks inside the Disney parks.
• Fresh reviews of the new menus at Jolly Holiday Bakery, Carnation Cafe, and House of Blues.
• Updated advice on your best snacking options around the resort.
• Changes at Ariel’s Grotto and the Cove Bar.
• World of Color dining options at Wine Country Trattoria and Carthay Circle.
• New dining options at Anaheim Gardenwalk in the surrounding city.

Disneyland Park

• Expanded information on the Disney Gallery and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (seasonally starring the Voices of Liberty).
• Information on construction of the new Princess Fantasy Faire.
• A review of the controversial refurbishment of Matterhorn Bobsleds.
• Changes to Innoventions, and where you can get a free souvenir in Tomorrowland.
• New details on live entertainment around the park, including Billy Hill’s relocation to Big Thunder Ranch.
• Fresh insights and behind-the-scenes dish from Jim Hill.

Disney California Adventure

• Ratings and reviews of all the new attractions and entertainments inside Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, including the blockbuster Radiator Springs Racers ride.
• How to navigate the new early entry procedures at DCA, plus new single rider and FASTPASS advice.
• Updated advice on viewing World of Color, including the new “Glow With The Show” mouse ears.
• New entertainment around the park, from Minnie’s Fly Girls to the Mad T Party.

Universal Studios Hollywood

• In-depth review of Universal’s smash new Transformers 3-D attraction.
• The announcement of a West Coast Harry Potter attraction, with hints on the future of the Waterworld and Terminator shows.
• Information on VIP upgraded admission.

Of course our world-famous Touring Plans — completely overhauled for the new attractions, and optimized with the aid for our custom computer database — are all included in a handy clip-out format.

And for those those visitors who aren’t the “theme park commando” type, we’ve added for the first time a “No Rides/No Queues/No Stress Anti-Touring Plan” guaranteed to help the most anti-attraction grouch have a great time.

Remember, readers who purchase the new Guide can get a generous discount off their Disneyland Lines subscription. You’ll also notice that the park and attraction descriptions on TouringPlans.com have been updated to reflect the new content found in print. We hope you enjoy the 2013 edition of the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, and invite you to leave us your comments below.

What’s New In The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2013? is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.