Did you get all the gifts you asked Santa for last week? The Disneyland Resort found exactly what it wanted under the tree this holiday season: record-setting crowds overrunning both its parks. Heavy attendance will hang around for the first couple weeks of the new year, when the resort returns to its pre-holiday look as the Cristmas decor comes down.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Monday 12/24 was an 8 out of 10 at the resort, with 7.6 at Disneyland, and 7.9 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Thursday 12/27 was an 10 out of 10 at the resort, with a 10 at Disneyland, and 10 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 concludes on 1/6/2013, with the Holiday Fantasy daytime parade performing daily. Guided VIP tours of Disneyland's holiday offerings are still available through 1/6.
• The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade was broadcast on ABC, featuring footage of Disneyland Resort.
• Players from the Wisconsin Badgers and Stanford Cardinals college football teams toured Disneyland together on December 26 prior to their Rose Bowl face off on New Years Day. A Cars Land-themed float will be a highlight of the Tournament of Roses parade on Tuesday.

• Disneyland will celebrate the Hispanic holiday Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) with special food and entertainment at Big Thunder Ranch on 1/4-6.
• Check out this cute video of the “roastie-toastie” dolls found inside Disneyland's popcorn vending carts.
• The Disney Parks Blogs released compilations of their Top 10 YouTube Videos and Top Disneyland-related stories from 2012.
• As part of the 2013 Limited Time Magic promotion, a tribute to the classic Golden Horseshoe Revue will be performed Thursday through Monday from January 10 to February 4. No word yet on how admission to the sure-to-be-popular revival will be distributed.

• 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. Temporary exclusive viewing areas for Glow With The Show hat holders have been established for Believe, Fantasmic!, and World of Color for the next couple weeks.
• Holiday decor, seasonal songs, and nightly “snowfalls” have been added to DCA's Mad T Party now through New Years. The party will go to midnight on 12/31 with pyrotechnics at 12.
• The final 2012 days for freshly-made candy canes were 12/24 at Disneyland and 12/25 at DCA.
• Santa Claus posed 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 continues operating near the ice skating rink in Downtown Disney through 1/6.
• Disneyland Resort is now checking photo IDs for all guests holding multi-day tickets. 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.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• 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. The Muppets should return after 1/6.
• A Prep & Landing sequence has also been temporarily added to World of Color performances through 1/6.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (12/23/2012 – 12/29/2012) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Last week was slow news-wise, but not attendance-wise, as the Disneyland Resort ramped up into the final week of the busy holiday season. Look for the largest crowds of the year to descend upon Anaheim between now and New Year's Day.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Tuesday 12/18 was a 5 out of 10 at the resort, with 4.7 at Disneyland, and 3.7 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Thursday 12/20 was an 9 out of 10 at the resort, with a 8.6 at Disneyland, and 8.6 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 continues through 1/6/2013, with the Holiday Fantasy daytime parade performing daily. Check out this Disney Parks Blog video of “Nighttime Holiday Magic” in the parks.
• The Candlelight Processional at Disneyland Park concluded on 12/20 with celebrity narrator John Stamos.
• Singer Brad Paisley recorded a performance in Cars Land for broadcast in the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC.

• A new 10k race was announced for the 2013 Disneyland Half Marathon weekend (8/30-9/1). Registration begins at rundisney.com on 1/22.
• Disney released this video to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their Imagineering department on 12/21.
• Molly the Messenger, one of the Citizens of Buena Vista Street, has been delivering letters to and from Santa to children at DCA.
• Disneyland will celebrate the Hispanic holiday Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) with special food and entertainment at Big Thunder Ranch on 1/4-6.

• Guided VIP tours of Disneyland's holiday offerings are available now through 1/6.
• 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. Temporary exclusive viewing areas for Glow With The Show hat holders have been established for Believe, Fantasmic!, and World of Color for the next couple weeks.
• Holiday decor, seasonal songs, and nightly “snowfalls” have been added to DCA's Mad T Party now through New Years. The party will go to midnight on 12/31 with pyrotechnics at 12.
• Fresh hand-made candy canes were prepared at Disneyland's Candy Palace on Monday and Friday, and at DCA's Trolley Treats on Tuesday and Saturday. The final days for fresh candy canes will be 12/24 at Disneyland and 12/25 at DCA. 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 posed 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 continues operating near the ice skating rink in Downtown Disney.
• Disneyland Resort is now checking photo IDs for all guests holding multi-day tickets. 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.
• Disney announced that DCA's Disney Junior – Live on Stage! Show will be revamped next year. Characters from “Doc McStuffins” and “Sofia the First” will join the show in mid-March.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• 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.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (12/16/2012 – 12/22/2012) 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

Looking to take a quiet stroll around the Disneyland Resort to check out the Christmas decor? Better get there quickly, because the busiest season the Anaheim resort has seen in years is rapidly approaching with the winter solstice! And while you're add it, be sure to take a spin on the “wildest ride in the wilderness” while you still can…

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Tuesday 12/11 was a 3 out of 10 at the resort, with 2.6 at Disneyland, and 2.0 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Saturday 12/15 was an 8 out of 10 at the resort, with a 8.1 at Disneyland, and 5.0 at DCA.

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

Special Events

• Disneyland announced that Big Thunder Railroad will close January 7 through Fall 2013 for a major refurbishment. The trains and track will be replaced, and scenic elements will be refreshed, though the ride experience is expected to remain essentially the same.
• Disneyland's Holiday season continues through 1/6/2013, with the Holiday Fantasy daytime parade performing daily.
• The Candlelight Processional at Disneyland Park began on 12/1 and runs every day until 12/20. All tickets have already been distributed to VIPs and Annual Passholders, but limited standing-room-only viewing is available around Town Square. Due to stage equipment for the show, access to the Main Street Train Station is currently through the exits. Expect crowd congestion entering and exiting the park after 5pm on show nights.
• Have a sweet tooth? Check out the Santa Mickey cupcakes now on sale at Jolly Holiday Bakery, or use this recipe to make your own Big Thunder Ranch-approved s'mores.

• For a fun free craft, print out an assemble this paper toy soldier inspired by Disneyland's holiday parade.
• The Disney Moms Panel released another video documenting the “different magic” found around the Disneyland Resort during the holiday season.
• This photo blog reviews Disney's 75-year association with Pasadena's Tournament of Roses parade, which will continue on New Year's Day with a Cars Land-themed float.

• The Disney Gallery on Main Street USA was quietly updated with a new “Realms of Fantasy” exhibit featuring Fantasyland designs from Disney parks around the world.
• Imagineering recently conducted “play tests” of an interactive improvisation show at DCA. No word yet if the limited-time experiment will evolve into an actual attraction.

• 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.
• Check out this video of the entertainment available 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.
• Fresh hand-made candy canes were prepared at Disneyland's Candy Palace on Monday and Friday, and at DCA's Trolley Treats on Tuesday and Saturday. 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 posed 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 continues operating near the ice skating rink in Downtown Disney.
• Disneyland Resort is now checking photo IDs for all guests holding multi-day tickets. 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.
• Smartphone users can now enjoy the free official Disneyland Explorer app on their iPhones, and interact with the park through the new @DisneylandToday Twitter feed.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• 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.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (12/9/2012 – 12/15/2012) 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

Walt Disney World was on the receiving end of the theme park world's attention last week, thanks to the opening of New Fantasyland. But that doesn't mean WDW's West Coast older brother took the week off. Candlelight ceremonies and the return of a long-absent archeologist were highlights of one of the final moderately-attended periods before the Christmas crowds come.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Monday 12/3 was a 2 out of 10 at the resort, with 2.1 at Disneyland, and 1.9 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Friday 12/7 was a 7 out of 10 at the resort, with a 6.2 at Disneyland, and 6.9 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 continues through 1/6/2013, with the Holiday Fantasy daytime parade performing daily.
• The Candlelight Processional at Disneyland Park began on 12/1 and runs every day until 12/20. All tickets have already been distributed to VIPs and Annual Passholders, but limited standing-room-only viewing is available around Town Square. Due to stage equipment for the show, access to the Main Street Train Station is currently through the exits. Expect crowd congestion entering and exiting the park after 5pm on show nights.
• Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901.
• Disney released video of the Cars Land-themed float being constructed for the 2013 Rose Bowl parade on New Year's Day.
• New Park Icon Sketches featuring the Partners Statue and other Disneyland landmarks were revealed, and will be on sale in the Disney Gallery.

• The U.S. Marine Corps collected donations for Toys For Tots in Downtown Disney through 12/10.
• Disney Parks blog published the recipe for Rancho del Zocalo vegetable tamales.
• 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.
• Fresh hand-made candy canes were prepared at Disneyland's Candy Palace on Monday and Friday, and at DCA's Trolley Treats on Tuesday and Saturday. 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 posed 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 continues operating near the ice skating rink in Downtown Disney.
• Disneyland Resort is now checking photo IDs for all guests holding multi-day tickets. 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.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Indiana Jones Adventure reopened on 12/7 after an extended refurbishment. Lighting adjustments, scenic improvements, and maintenance repairs were completed during the 3-month overhaul, but no significant new elements were added.
• 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 reopened from refurbishment a few days early on 12/4.

  

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (12/2/2012 – 12/8/2012) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Last week, like the current one, was a relatively calm one at the Disneyland Resort, but don't be fooled: this is only the calm before the storm. Expect heavy weekend crowds, and steadily building weekday ones, from now through the end of the year, as locals and tourists alike rush to enjoy the parks' Christmas decor.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Monday 11/26 through Wednesday 11/28 were all 1s out of 10 at the resort, with 1.1 at Disneyland, and 1.1 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Saturday 12/1 was a 9 out of 10 at the resort, with a 8.9 at Disneyland, and 7.9 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 continues through 1/6/2013, with the Holiday Fantasy daytime parade performing daily.
• The Candlelight Processional at Disneyland Park began on 12/1 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.
• Themed gingerbread houses were put on display at Carthay Circle Restaurant; Fiddler, Fifer, & Practical Cafe; and Flo's V-8 Cafe in DCA.
• You can now send customizable holiday greeting e-cards featuring Mickey and friends from Disney's website.

• 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.
• Downtown Disney's WonderGround art gallery announced a new Good vs Evil exhibit for 12/15 with in-person appearances by the artists on that morning and afternoon.
• The Disney Parks blog released video tours of holiday decor in Cars Land, and Main Street USA with Imagineer Kim Irvine.
• D23 announced its schedule of fan events for 2013, highlighted by the annual D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 9-11.

• Fresh hand-made candy canes were prepared at Disneyland's Candy Palace on Monday and Friday, and at DCA's Trolley Treats on Tuesday and Saturday. Arrive at park opening to secure a wristband and be prepared for a long, long, wait if you want one of the $13 sweets!
• Disney released a video highlighting the Wreck-It Ralph meet & greet currently operating inside Tomorrowland's Starcade.
• Santa Claus posed 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 continues 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 turnstile, 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.
• Disneyland Resort cast member Russell Fenton returned to work after a 10-month deployment in Afghanistan, after winning the Bronze Star as a US Army 1st Lieutennant.

Openings, Closings, and Refurbishments

• Indiana Jones Adventure: Closed through 12/7 for 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 was closed for refurbishment 11/26 through 12/6.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (11/25/2012 – 12/1/2012) 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

Thanksgiving is still a couple of weeks away, but Christmas cheer is already felt in full effect around the Disneyland Resort. This week is a wonderful time to experience the parks' famous seasonal decor without having to fight the massive holiday crowds that will soon arrive.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Monday 11/5 was a 1 out of 10 at the resort, with a 1.1 at Disneyland, and 1.1 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Saturday 11/10 was a 8 out of 10 at the resort, with a 7.7 at Disneyland, and 3.4 at DCA.

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

Special Events

• Holiday decor appeared throughout the Disneyland Resort in advance of the offical 11/12 start of the Holiday Time season.
• Portions of Disneyland Park were closed on 11/5 & 11/6 for the filming of Saving Mr. Banks, an upcoming movie about the making of Mary Poppins, starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney.
• A soundtrack of background music from DCA's Carthay Circle Restaurant is now available for purchase, featuring jazz covers of Disney standards.
• The first of a series of art merchandise events was held in Disneyland's Disney Gallery on 11/10.
• The Disney Parks Blog released free desktop wallpaper themed after Mary Blair's “it's a small world” facade.

• Disney announced that beginning on 11/12, the Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks at Disneyland Park will interact with Glow With The Show light-up mouse ear hats.
• New shrunken zombie head mugs are now offered at Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel.

• Santa will make daily appearances at Big Thunder Ranch's Jingle Jangle Jamboree begining on 11/12. Sadly, his traditional reindeer will not return this year.
• Beginning on 11/12, annual passholders can enter a sweepstakes for tickets to the Candlelight Processional at Disneyland Park.
• 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.

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 for refurbishment.
• Construction continues through 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theatre.
• “it's a small world” was closed 10/22 to 11/8, and has now reopened with its holiday overlay.
• Big Thunder Ranch was closed 11/1 to 11/8, and has reopened with Christmas decor.
• Space Mountain was closed 11/5 to remove the “Gost Galaxy” overlay.
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail was closed throught 11/8 for refurbishment, and has now reopened.
• Big Thunder Mountain's Fastpass distribution was closed for refurbishment, and has now reopened in a more compact configuration.

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (11/4/2012 – 11/10/2012) 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

Last week, Disneyland’s seasonal relay race passed the torch from Halloween to Christmas, bypassing poor Thanksgiving along the way. Fear not, if you are craving some holiday turkey — a new addition to Downtown Disney has the cranberry-accented sandwich you are seeking.

Crowd Calendar

Quietest Day: Monday 10/29 was a 1 out of 10 at the resort, with a 1.1 at Disneyland, and 2.3 at DCA.

Busiest Day: Saturday 11/3 was a 7 out of 10 at the resort, with a 7.8 at Disneyland, and 5.9 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 Halloween Time seasonal celebration concluded on October 31.
• The final Mickey’s Halloween Parties of 2012 were held after hours in Disneyland on October 29 & 31.
• Disney’s Happiest Haunts VIP guided tours concluded on October 31. They will be replaced starting on 11/12 by Holiday Time tours.
• A temporary ice skating rink is now officially open in Downtown Disney through the holiday season; admission costs $15, plus skate rental.
• The annual Disney holiday parade was filmed in Disneyland last weekend with host Mario Lopez; it will be broadcast next month on ABC.
• Arrested Development actor Jason Bateman was spotted visiting Cars Land with his daughter last week.

• Disney Parks launched a new Tumblr feed featuring photos by TouringPlans’ own Tom Bricker.
• Disney announced the $4 billion purchase of Lucasfilm, and the release of new Star Wars sequel films starting in 2015.
• The French Market restaurant has a new menu, featuring po boy sandwiches and panko-crusted snapper.

• A soundtrack of background music from DCA’s Carthay Circle Restaurant was announced for release on 11/6, featuring jazz covers of Disney standards.
• Concept art was released depicting the Christmas tree that will be erected on DCA’s Buena Vista Street.
• A series of art merchandise events were announced for Disneyland’s Disney Gallery throughout the month of November, beginning on 11/10.

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 for refurbishment.
• Construction continues through 2013 on the new Princess Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theater.
• “it’s a small world”: Closed 10/22 to 11/8 for holiday overlay installation.
• Big Thunder Ranch: Closed 11/1 to 11/8 to remove Halloween decor.
• Big Thunder Mountain’s FASTPASS distribution is currently closed for refurbishment.
• The temporary Pirates League makeover boutique has been removed from New Orleans Square.
• Haunted Mansion Holiday now offers FASTPASS.
• Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney officially opened on 11/2. Try the holiday turkey sandwich!

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (10/28/2012 – 11/3/2012) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.