Since 9/11, Disney's upped the ante with security. If you're planning on visiting the parks,
don't bring a backpack or a purse and you'll get in faster. Every purse, bag and backpack was
checked the last two times I visited the parks, inlcuding at the private "Grand Californian"
entrance.
REPORTED: anon 18 MAY 02
Disney is planning on building a third Disney park in Anaheim. It will be where cast parking
is. This time it wont be Disneyland, it will be DisneySea, a waterpark, similar to the one in
Tokyo.
REPORTED: Andrew Gibbs 16 JUL 01
A good friend of mine works as a Tech. for Disneyland and D.C.A. The strawberry field (the one
that's been begged for by Disney for years) was recently sold - and Disney is going to be
constructing a new park. It is currently in developement, but my friend says that it's going to be a waterpark. (gonna try to get into the biz since 6Flags and Knott's built 'em)
REPORTED: Natalie B. 22 MAY 01
On a recent trip to Disneyland, I was told that the 80 acres of strawberry fields, on S. Harbor Blvd., across from the Candy Cane Motel, was recently purchased by Disney for 96 million dollars. The original owners of the property, who bought it about 40-50 years ago, paid 10 thousand for it.
REPORTED: Rex Barrong 10 MAR 01
Main Street
Adventureland
Frontierland
My daughter and I were climbing around inside the fort on Tom Sawyer's Island. I was showing her the lookout holes when a girl climbed up and told me there used to be toy rifles in them. Then I remembered that a little girl had recently injured her finger on them -- that must be why they were removed!
REPORTED: Juliet Violette 19 FEB 01
Fantasmic! is closed
Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are back at the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland.
New Orleans Square
LI>They're still selling the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carribbean commemorative CD's. They
run $20.00 a pop (oy) but man are they worth it. The HM disc has the entire narration for the
Disneyland Haunted Mansion, as well as the library scene in Disney world's version. It also has
the Vincent Price narration for Phantom Manor, some of the Tokyo's Japanese narration, and so
many other great things (Paul Frees auditions, deleted concepts, etc.) The Pirates disc has the
entire attraction, original demo recordings, deleted stuff, and more.
REPORTED: Jaycub 11 JUN 02
Critter Country
When I visited Disneyland in April, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Country Bear
Jamboree were all closed down. We were told they were totally redoing Splash Mountain, and
completely taking out Country Bear.
REPORTED: Jacky 06 MAY 02
I was at Disneyland today and suggested that we go on Splash Mountain. My brother told me it was closed. Why? Because they are changing the logs! They currently sit people one in front of the other. However, now they are going to use logs like the ones at Walt Disney World in Florida. Riders will sit side by side. Personally, I like the change. :)
REPORTED: JuNGLe CRuiSeR 07 APR 02
I'm sure you all know this, but Splash Mountain did not get side by side seats like posted
above. They now seat only 5, but each person has there own seat back. Some logs have only 4
seats for larger people.
UPDATE: Joel Covnut 31 MAY 02
JuNGLe CRuiSeR was right about them changing the logs, but they did not go with the side by
side seats. They are the same for the most part, (bench in the middle with leg room on the sides, people sitting one in front of the other) but they added back rests to separate each rider from each other. So basically you can only have one person per seat unless the other person is very small. This sets a pretty effective limit on how many riders can ride at a time. Each rest is about head level and has thick rubber pads on the back of them to prevent injury. They also have very small "handles" on the sides of them. The ride was closed since about December, I cant imagine this was the only reason why. I wish they didnt change it, I feel too separated from the rest of the log now.
UPDATE: anonimouse 04 JUN 02
Since there are no facts yet for this one, I will put the first one in. In one of the original
plans for the Critter Country Area (which maybe changed to Acre Wood) is that the Winnie the
Pooh ride will encompass the entire building of the old Country Bear Jamboree. The cue will be so large that it will force the Pooh Characters from their current location. There has been much debate over where they will go. One idea was to go in front of the new store (which is the building where the arcade is now)
That building will be gutted and turned into the Exit of the Pooh ride. That way guests will have to pass through a merchandise area to exit the ride. Also the Brer Bar, Arcade, and current shop will no longer exist. The entire land is going to be reformed. In order to expand room for the Pooh cue the designers are planning on taking out the planters the huge trees are in and leveling them to the ground. They are also thinking about removing many of the trees from the area. I feel it is a mistake and it will destroy the look of the area. That is the coolest place in the park (temperature wise) to work. I know this because I worked there for 5 years.
REPORTED: anon 08 JAN 02
Toontown
Fantasyland
I was told that a new station would be built for the Matterhorn Bobsleds to
accommodate the ÒfastpassÓ ticket system.
REPORTED: Jeff Scott 28 FEB 02
The King Arthur Carrousel is currently going through a makeover, receiving a new motor, custom crankshafts to make the horses go up and down, a new top coverning, and paint job including the platform. The work began after the start of 2002 and is expected to take a minimum of six weeks. This was told to me by a Fantasyland cast member during a visit to the park during summer of 2001. Also the concrete walkways around the carrousel are being redone.
UPDATE: Jeff Scott 28 FEB 02
I just talked to a Disney Hotline Cast Member--King Arthur's Carrousel is down until Fall 2002...! There is still a huge wall around where they are working. Also, Sleeping Beauty's Castle (the inside walkways where the dioramas are) is scheduled to reopen in JANUARY of 2003..!! This is one of my most treasured and beloved places to go in Disneyland--I wonder what they're doing to the inside? Hopefully just some cleaning..?
UPDATE: Sweet Aurora 31 MAY 02
Jeff Scott back from a trip to Disneyland with an update on King Arthur Carrousel!
The carrousel according to cast members I spoke with will not return to service until what they
believe is January 4th, 2003. Possibly sooner for the Christmas holiday season. They told me
the carousel was below code from many years, and is being fitted with some sort of chariot for
the handicapped that will take up only one row eliminating four horses that will bring the
total number from 72 to 68. A new motor and gear system will be installed, so that the carousel
can stop at the same spot every time, like King TritonÕs Carrousel at DisneyÕs California
Adventure. In addition, a new platform is being made, and will be lower to the ground than the
previous one so that riders can more easily access the horses. Also the entire carousel is
getting a new paint job to make it look like new, but the existing crankshafts will be kept
according to the cast members. And a brand new canopy structure for the carousel will be
erected, and that is being kept a Òtop secretÓ. It will be spectacular according to the cast
members. They also said some new horses will be used when it does return to service. I heard of
reports there was wood rot damage to the carousel, and if thatÕs true itÕs being repaired on
during the restoration. As of this writing the only thing left of the classic Dentzel machine
is the center pole, with tall fencing surrounding the site with signs saying Òthis attraction
is closed today, enjoy our other Fantasyland adventuresÓ. That is the latest.
UPDATE: Jeff Scott 26 JUN 02
Tomorrowland
I was at Disneyland 2 weeks ago, and while in line for the Matterhorn, I struck up a conversation with a Fantasyland cast member who was on a break. We talked about various areas of the park, and I brought up the now defunct Submarine ride. AMAZINGLY, he CONFIRMED a new ride that slated for 2005. He first asked if I had ever heard of "Alien Encounter", and went on to say that it will basically be an "underwater variation where your submarine is ATTACKED and overtaken by either a sea monster or squid (can't remember his exact words)". He confirmed the ride would be finished by 2005! First off, i'm not sure how widespread this confirmation is... It could be everywhere, but this is the first i've heard of it. If this is old news, then my bad... I just thought i'd share it. I remember how dissapointed I was in hearing that the subs would be replaced, but this makes up for it in a big way, especially since early rumors claimed that another ride would not make it's home there.
REPORTED: The ICON 04 JUL 00
anon 26 JUN 00
The new construction
this recent few months also BROUGHT some new Hidden Mickeys in Innoventions, so we will see how observant
the fans are in the new areas. There are also a few old Hidden Mickeys that have not yet
been mentioned on these pages, but I will save them for some other time, perhaps.
Keep your eyes peeled in the new Info Zone, Home Zone, Imagination (In Compaq, downstairs,
replaced the Fastest (Comic area)), Kaiser, and Disney VR Studio (Previously Bug's Life).
UPDATE: anon 07 JUL 00
Autopia reopened June 24. Presented by Chevron, the remodeled attraction is filled with humor and offers new
interactive surprises! You'll experience the world from a car's
perspective, cruising the unique roadways of Autopia. The new route takes you around
curves, over bridges, and through a "Car Park." You'll even find yourself navigating your
car off-road.
-->
Construction is underway behind "It's Tough to be a Bug" The new building will be an enclosed
area with 5 new attractions, one of which being a roller coaster. All of the attractions will be
themed to go with "A Bug's Life". There will be a maze, a roller coaster, and a few other things
(which I cannot remember). The last time I was there (April 02)
they had just laid the groundwork for the new building. It is going to be rather large, but
5 attractions and their queues might be a bit much to fit inside of it. They may end up cutting
out two of the attractions to make sure there's enough room. Guests will enter this new building
through the farm area, where the tractors are. I do not know when it will be open, but I
imagine it will be within the next few years or so.
REPORTED: anon 02 JUN 02
Mondavi and Wolfgang Pucks' both pulled out of California Adventure, reportedly because of slacking sales and low attendance.
Mondavi has pulled out of Golden Vine Winery in October 2001, and it will now be a Disney-run restaurant.
UPDATE: Alan Lutton 11 DEC 01
They have changed the Grizzly River Rapids in serveral ways. First they have added many leaky pipes on the lift, that get you wet wherever you are sitting. Second when you go down the last big drop, your raft no longer spins. And third, the geysers that used to shut off when you got close to them, now actually stay on as you go through. You can feel it rumbling under the raft, and when it comes out the other side, it gets you pretty wet. Good job Disney!
UPDATE: Dave Provenza 24 NOV 01
Rumor has it that DCA will get a copy of the Hollywood Tower of Terror for the Hollywood backlot to help increase attendance. A copy of the Rock'n Roller Coaster is also being contemplated.
REPORTED: TR Shaw 14 JUN 01
CONFIRMED: anon 02 JUN 02
Current Refurbishment Schedules
Where to next?