Christmas has basically exploded at the Disneyland Resort despite the final days of Halloween Time still rounding the bend. A massive sleigh-full of holiday merchandise has landed at the Happiest Place on Earth as pumpkins and fall decor scare up the last bit of fun for the season.
“it’s a small world” has already closed for its holiday transformation and Sleeping Beauty Castle continues to see more snow as it awaits the final placement of its holiday decorations.
We’ll follow-up on on-going work at the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Toon Town attraction, Avengers Campus Marvel-themed land at DCA, Project Stardust enhancements, and Pixar Pals parking structure amongst others.
Our Merch Run this week is so big that literally half the pictures on this page are JUST merchandise — and most of it for the Disney Holidays! So what are you waiting for? Take it all in now in our latest park pictorial. ENJOY!
All Charged Up
Backup battery supplier FuelRod sparked quite the hullabaloo in the Disney spheres this week as FuelRod machines around the Resort were updated to indicate a switch from free swaps of the portable power sticks to $3 per swap starting November 1. This comes after paying $30 for the initial unit. For those who relied heavily on the convenience of “always powered” energy from the kiosks, it was a devastating blow.
Will the change prove to be equally as devastating to FuelRod? Or is the concept of paying for the battery power as-needed a new trend we’ll see more broadly in the near future? Paying for gasoline to keep a car running is already an expected part of owning a car. Will public perception embrace the same model here?
What’s the Matter(horn)?
The Matterhorn Bobsleds reopened briefly this weekend following a week of downtime. It goes down again this week for one more week as work continues. It appears Disney is addressing a small bit of work needed on the southwestern side of the crag where a few feet of of the mountain reportedly fell off earlier this year when the park was closed. Since then, the attraction has been running at half capacity as the impacted side of coaster remains closed. Wait times for the attraction have been seen at 2 hours or more this summer, as a result.
You can see through the scaffolding, a portion of the rock work near the waterfall that fell off.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
MORE INFO: News and information about Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey’s Soundsational birthday cake can be seen backstage, too.
Avengers Campus
MORE INFO: News and information about AVENGERS CAMPUS Marvel themed land
Around Disneyland
I see you, Disneyland Horticulture.
Work continues on the Opera House which remains a neat and pretty gem at the entrance of Main Street, USA.
Walls remain around the walkway and planters at the Astro Orbitor and Plaza Inn.
Nothing is closed despite all of the walls.
Curb-free around the hub is nearly complete.
Will be nice having actual brick-work surrounding the hub like on the right and no more of the ugly stamped brick work on the left. Project Stardust continues on!
Meanwhile, not much in the way of visible progress on the entrance statement for the land. The decorative panels are still gone, hopefully for refurbishment and/or repainting.
Sleeping Beauty Castle continues to be dusted with additional snow as it readies for its Disney Holidays takeover.
Pumpkins and fall colors still dominate the landscape. I wonder if Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will get a jack-o-lantern next year?
New details continue popping up on the new hut added to the Adventureland entrance.
The lampposts seemed exceptionally dark along the Big Thunder Trail. Almost black. You can see the color of the sign next to it which is what we seem to remember as the previous color.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge settling into the landscape.
Ronto-less Garden Wrap ($12.99) features sweet Plant-based Sausage, spicy Kimchi Slaw, sweet Pickled Cucumber, Plant-based Gochujang Spread on a Pita. This vegan-friendly option is a fantastic addition to a menu lacking in variety. The flavor and texture of the slaw gave the sensation and flavor profile of a giant eggroll. The plant-based sausage is almost overpowered by the flavorful slaw but is a worthy and delicious component to the wrap.
Kyryll Pork Rinds we tried last week and are new menu offering at Ronto Roasters available all-day long. They are $7.49 and a welcome addition to the rather limited menu which previously only offered the fan-favorite Ronto Wraps and very skipable hard, dry, turkey jerky. The fried pork rinds are lightly crispy (although as with any bag of pork rinds you’ll find some pieces harder to chew than others) but make a great snack for the land and are made unique with a generous dusting of cinnamon and sugar.
The end-result is a winning new snack option in a land severely lacking in diversity of snacks. They are not made fresh at the location but they are kept in paper bags in a warmer so that they are semi-warm when you get them.
Chocolate Popcorn ($6.49) with a hint of Crait red salt are another welcome addition to the land. Available at Kat Saka’s Kettle the slightly sticky slightly sweet slightly salty treat should please most palates.
The menu is updated to remove the formerly crossed out the “seasonal” flavor from Dex’s Diner on the planet of Corruscant perhaps this is a flavor of popcorn we’ll see in the future? Maybe for Batuu’s first holiday season?
It’s not new but the Rising Moons Overnight Oats ($6.99) with Dragon Fruit, Yogurt, Seasonal Fruit are another fun and other-wordly treat to enjoy. Consider having one as a snack or dessert.
MORE INFO: STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE at Disneyland expanding menu options, 60-day reservation windows
Are you a Sabacc master yet?
Dejarik Board Game, low tech version features no holograms.
This R2 pen at the Droid Depot flirts the carefully toed line of the land trying not to be too self-aware with its merchandise offerings.
Bonjour!
Jingling Soon! “it’s a small world” is currently closed for its holiday transformation.
The spaces in and around the land are also getting a little TLC.
You can see the lights are already going in on the facade.
Walls remain on a portion of Toon Town park.
Still no sign of the Jolly Trolley although the last time it disappeared it was gone for quite some time.
Walls remain in front of Space Mountain as the new stairs appear to take shape. Is a major re-think coming to the entrance and exit statement of Space Mountain? We certainly hope so!
Some Epcot-style treatments to the signage would also be welcomed.
If you have a hankering for a “Disneyland” cream cheese-filled pretzel, you can find them by brand name Pretzel Fillers. Get twisted, get stuffed.
Around Disney California Adventure
Party time.
Preparations during regular park hours for the after-hours Halloween party.
Walls finally came down around the Buena Vista Street stop of the Red Car Trolley.
Five and Dime were hoofin’ it without their hoopty.
Snickers
Ever get the feeling someone is watching you?
Around the Resort
Mickey Sculpture should be coming any day now…
Looks like the old stairwell is being covered with metal scrims similar to the new stair case built just next to it.
The new elevator is coming along.
Before we leave… our enormous merch run…
Merch Run
Holiday Explosion
Plush
Plush scented of gingerbread and peppermint.
Apparel
PJs and Sleepwear
Holiday Sweaters
Spirit Jerseys
Ears and Accessories
Socks
These cute little boxes open up to reveal a pair of socks.
Stuffable
Storage
Waiting for Christmas
Advent calender reveals a tiny plush every day.
Cookies and Milk for Santa.
Eats, Treats and Sweets
This popcorn tin doubles as a music box, you can spin the tree and hear music.
Decor and More
Home Goods
What a Croc!
Christmas Train!
Small World
Bashful
Star Wars, new
Mandalorian hat is pretty sweet.
Jannah Funko.
Frozen, too
More in Store
Woo-Oo!
Like, totally!
Still think it’s an enormous missed opportunity to not put Zipper on the zipper.
Hipster Mickey ears are so cute, by artist Jerrod Maruyama.
Reversible sequins.
Star Wars X TOMS
If you’re at Curl Surf in Downtown Disney, you can pick yourself up one of several different kinds of STAR WARS X TOMS shoes. The kind folks at TOMS sent us some shoes in return for sharing it with our readers here on MouseInfo. After we got them in the mail, we couldn’t help but to take them with us straight to Batuu!
MORE INFO: The Force is strong with the new #StarWarsxTOMS collaboration
FastPass of Tomorrow, Today
Tomorrowland has officially begun a change in operations for FastPass distribution in the land. A single new centralized FastPass distribution center is available for acquiring FastPass reservations for Space Mountain, Star Tours, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. We showcased the new process and the new paperless kiosks in a previous update which you can access below.
It’s Still Halloween Time!
With the sweltering heat of late, it’s hard to believe that it’s once again Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort but the pumpkins, orange bunting, food, and entertainment are setting the scene for a perfectly autumnal celebration. ENDS October 31, 2019!
Hungry for Halloween?
We take to the Happiest Place on Earth to take in the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the season! Check out our guide to 2019 Halloween Time food and beverages! ENDS October 31, 2019!
MORE INFO: FIRST TASTE: Disneyland Halloween Time 2019 bites, sips, sweets, and treats!
Oogie Boogie Bash
Disney California Adventure will take up the mantel of hosting Disneyland’s Halloween Party this year and the whole event gets a whole new name and focus with the upcoming debut of OOGIE BOOGIE BASH – A DISNEY HALLOWEEN PARTY!
Tickets are sold out online but MAY be available by phone for select dates by calling 714-781-4636.
MORE INFO: OOGIE BOOGIE BASH brings new World of Color, Mickey show, Villain trail, and more to DCA in 2019
Starbucks, Halloween Time
If you’re going to Disneyland Resort Starbucks locations you can opt for a special Halloween Time treat with two limited time special drink offerings: Maleficent Frappuccino (Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino topped with Matcha Tea Whipped Cream) or the Dr. Facilier Elixir (layered chai tea with lemonade and a splash of passion fruit tea). ENDS October 31, 2019!
Magical Savings on Admission
It’s one of the questions we get asked the most, how can you save a little money on Disneyland tickets? Below is what’s available now.
- 2019 US Military discounts for tickets and hotels; Disneyland, Walt Disney World. Through 2019 (MORE INFO)
- 2020 US Military discounts for tickets and hotels; Disneyland, Walt Disney World. Through 2020 (MORE INFO)
- Canadian Resident discount for multi-day tickets: Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. Through 2/7/20. (MORE INFO)
Tee Time!
If you are looking for a way to help support the site so we can continue to bring you more info about the mouse, feel free to browse our TeePublic Store! Aside from tees and apparel, you can also find stickers, phone laptop cases, mugs, and more!
SHOP NOW: Find more designs and products at our store: mouseinfo.com/tees.
THE END!
