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Disneyland Resort News:
The Kids’ Special Offer Ticket is now available for visits between January 7 and March 20, 2025, starting at $50 per day. This represents significant savings compared to regular child ticket prices which range from $98 to $194.
Military members can take advantage of special ticket pricing through December 10, 2024:
- 3-Day Military Park Hopper: $269
- 4-Day Military Park Hopper: $315 (Additional Genie+ options available)
Halloween Time continues through October 31, featuring:
- Main Street Pumpkin Festival
- Haunted Mansion Holiday
- Halloween-themed character outfits
- Special seasonal decor throughout the parks
Plaza de la Familia is running through November 2, celebrating Día de los Muertos with:
- “The Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia Celebrate The Musical World of Coco!” show
- Mexican-inspired cuisine
- Themed entertainment and photo opportunities
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is scheduled to open November 15, 2024. Cast and Magic Key previews have begun!
World of Color has returned!
Currently, all Magic Key passes (Inspire, Believe, and Enchant) are only available for renewals, not new purchases. The top-tier Inspire Key is priced at $1,749 and includes benefits like:
- 6 simultaneous park reservations
- 20% merchandise discount
- 15% food & beverage discount
- Included parking
You can get news updates like these, customized to your preferences, anytime in the MouseWait App. Check out the video here and become an ALL-ACCESS or better-yet a Club 333 Founding Member here!
Disney World Resort News:
Disney World is offering significant room discounts for upcoming stays:
- Save up to 30% on rooms from November 24 through December 25, 2024
- Annual Passholders and Florida residents can save up to 40% on rooms through December 25, 2024
- Free Park Hopper upgrade available when booking vacation packages with 4+ day tickets through December 25, 2024
EPCOT will have extended evening hours for the upcoming Festival of the Holidays:
- Starting November 29: Open 9 AM to 9:30 PM daily
- Extended Evening Hours on Mondays from 9:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Summer House on the Lake at Disney Springs is offering several special experiences:
- California-inspired cuisine with views of the Sassagoula River
- Weekend Cali-Mex Brunch available
- Features a unique Cookie Bar
- Special zero-proof cocktail options available including Waitlist, Pineapple Kick, and Strawberry Fields
- Walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
- Boat transportation
- Access to Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours
October through December is traditionally a busier period at Disney World due to:
- Halloween celebrations
- Convention season impact on crowds
- Upcoming holiday events
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Weekly Disneyland Resort Crowd Report
Week of October 30 – November 3
- HIGH CROWDS expected due to Halloween festivities finale
- Halloween Time celebrations conclude on October 31
- Plaza de la Familia continues through November 2
- Expect peak crowds on October 31 for final Halloween celebrations
- Final Oogie Boogie Bash events on October 29 and 31
Week of November 4-10
- MODERATE TO LOW CROWDS
- Post-Halloween transition period
- Park begins transitioning to holiday decorations
- Ideal week to visit before holiday season begins
Week of November 11-17
- MODERATE CROWDS increasing towards weekend
- Holiday Season officially begins November 15
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening on November 15
- “it’s a small world” Holiday overlay debuts
Week of November 18-24
- HIGH CROWDS expected
- First full week of holiday celebrations
- Thanksgiving week crowds begin building
- Avoid weekend visits during this period
Week of November 25 – December 1
- VERY HIGH CROWDS early week
- Post-Thanksgiving crowds gradually decrease
- Early weekdays after Thanksgiving recommended for lighter crowds
Week of December 2-8
- BEST WEEK TO VISIT
- Lowest crowds of the holiday season
- Full holiday entertainment offerings
- Recommended arrival: November 30 or December 1
Week of December 9-15
- MODERATE CROWDS
- Slightly below average attendance
- Good alternative to peak holiday weeks
- Weekdays recommended over weekends
Week of December 16-22
- HIGH CROWDS
- Local pass holder rush before holiday blockouts
- Crowds increase significantly
- December 15-19 particularly busy
Week of December 23-31
- PEAK CROWDS
- Highest attendance of the entire year
- Christmas to New Year’s period extremely crowded
- All days rated 10/10 for crowds
- Expect maximum capacity situations
- Special Notes:Holiday entertainment runs through early 2025
- Make dining reservations well in advance for December visits
- Park hours typically extended during holiday season
- Early morning arrival strongly recommended during peak periods
- Consider Genie+ service during high-crowd periods
Check out our real-time MouseWait Crowd Index in the MouseWait App! Our Crowd Index is currently down in the Disneyland App and we’re working to restore it!
Weekly Walt Disney World Resort Crowd Report
Late October/Early November (Oct 30 – Nov 9)
**Crowd Levels:** Moderate to High
– Halloween (Oct 31) brings special events but manageable crowds
– Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in early November will increase attendance
– Recommend visiting Magic Kingdom on party nights and park hopping elsewhere after 4 PM
Mid-November (Nov 10-22)
**Crowd Levels:** Low to Moderate
– One of the better periods to visit before holiday season
– Jersey Week crowds will have dissipated
– Weekdays are notably less crowded than weekends
Thanksgiving Week (Nov 23-30)
**Crowd Levels:** Very High
– One of the busiest weeks of the year
– Avoid if possible, especially Wednesday through Saturday
Early December (Dec 1-14)
**Crowd Levels:** Low to Moderate
– Excellent time to visit with festive atmosphere
– Lower crowds before school breaks begin
– Holiday decorations and events in full swing
Mid-December (Dec 15-21)
**Crowd Levels:** High
– Crowds begin increasing as schools start winter breaks
– December 18 specifically expected to be extremely busy due to party schedule
Christmas to New Year’s (Dec 22-31)
**Crowd Levels:** Extremely High
– Busiest period of the entire year
– Peak pricing and maximum crowd levels
– December 30-31 will see highest attendance for NYE celebrations
Special Events Affecting Crowds:
– Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (select nights)
– EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
– New Year’s Eve special events at multiple parks
Best Weeks to Visit:
1. December 1-7
2. December 8-14
3. November 10-16
Strategic Tips:
– Use Early Theme Park Entry if staying at Disney Resort
– Make dining reservations 60 days in advance
– Consider Park Hopper tickets for flexibility
– Visit Magic Kingdom on party days during daytime hours
– Make use of Disney Genie+ during peak periods
Check out our real-time MouseWait Crowd Index in the MouseWait App!
Updates from the Lounge
Brighten your day with a grand circle tour through the MouseWait Lounge! You’ll find incredible posts like the ones below.
Upcoming Events at Disneyland & Disney World
Here is our updated list of upcoming events and refurbishments for both Disneyland and Disney World:
For a larger view, visit this page. You can also access it from the “Home” tab of the MouseWait for Disneyland and Disney World.
And now, let’s take a look at Walt Disney World:
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Your Weekly Disneyland Resort Food Report
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort continues through October 31, offering a wide array of spooky and delicious treats. Here are some highlights:
- Jolly Holiday Bakery: Don’t miss the Hazelnut Brownie Tart with Chocolate Frosting, a rich and decadent dessert that’s essentially an “adult” Pop Tart.
- Red Rose Taverne: Try the Enchanted Pumpkin Stuff, a seasonal twist on the classic Grey Stuff.
- Alien Pizza Planet: The Dark Matter Pizza, featuring spicy Italian sausage and roasted mushrooms, is available until November 14.
- Garlic Cheesy Brat: This savory option has been receiving rave reviews and is a must-try for those looking for a hearty snack.
- Taro Bread Pudding: Available at Aunt Cass Cafe in Disney California Adventure, this warm taro and white chocolate bread pudding is served with whipped cream, boba pearls, and a coconut-vanilla sauce.
- Plaza Inn: The restaurant is expected to close on October 2 for renovations. The reopening date has not been announced.
Disney Visa Cardholders can enjoy the following discounts:
- 10% off at select Disneyland restaurants, including Cafe Orleans, Carnation Café, and River Belle Terrace.
- 10% off at select Disney California Adventure restaurants, such as Carthay Circle Lounge and Wine Country Trattoria.
- 10% off at select Disneyland Resort Hotel restaurants, including GCH Craftsman Bar and Storytellers Café.
- Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates Halloween: Reservations are open for this holiday overlay. Breakfast/brunch is $65 per adult and $36 per child, while dinner is $75 per adult and $39 per child, plus tax and tip.
VOYAGEERS: Finding Hidden Treasures in the Parks
Images courtesy of Parkendium
Walt Disney’s vision for the Haunted Mansion began in the earliest days of Disneyland’s development. In 1951, the first concept sketch by Disney Legend Harper Goff showed a crooked street leading to a run-down manor perched high on a hill, complete with a peaceful church and graveyard.
I think this is an early picture from 1955 showing the original Haunted Mansion hearse.
Walt assigned Imagineer Ken Anderson to develop the story, and plans were made to build it in a New Orleans-themed area. Anderson drew inspiration from the Shipley-Lydecker House in Baltimore, Maryland, creating concepts for an antebellum manor with dead trees, bats, and boarded windows.
However, Walt rejected the idea of having a deteriorating building in his park, famously declaring “We’ll take care of the outside, and let the ghosts take care of the inside”. His visit to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, with its bizarre architectural features, heavily influenced the final design.
Development and Delays
While the Mansion’s exterior was completed in 1963, it didn’t open until 1969. This six-year delay was largely due to Walt’s focus on the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair and subsequent design changes after his death in 1966. The attraction underwent significant evolution during this period, with Imagineers Marc Davis and Claude Coats famously disagreeing on whether it should be frightening or funny. X Atencio ultimately combined both approaches, creating the perfect blend of spooky and humorous elements.
Behind the Scenes Stories
One particularly amusing incident occurred during development when Imagineers Rolly Crump and Yale Gracey played a prank on the cleaning crew. After receiving complaints about the creepiness of their workshop, they installed motion sensors that would trigger all the ghost effects when activated. The next morning, they found an abandoned broom on the floor and learned the custodians refused to return.
The Master Gracey Mystery
Contrary to popular belief, Master Gracey was not actually the mansion’s owner. The name comes from Yale Gracey, a talented Disney Imagineer who created many of the attraction’s special effects. Yale joined Disney in 1939 as a layout artist but caught Walt’s attention by creating gadgets and illusions during his lunch breaks.
The term “Master” in the famous tombstone inscription (“Master Gracey, laid to rest, no mourning please, at his request”) actually referred to a boy too young to be called “mister” – it was X Atencio’s tribute to Yale Gracey’s boyish nature and his contributions to the attraction. Tragically, Yale Gracey was murdered in 1983 in an unsolved case, adding an eerily appropriate layer to his connection to the ghostly attraction.
Notable Trivia
- The stretching room is actually an elevator that takes guests underground to access a separate building outside the park borders.
- The organ in the ballroom scene is a movie prop from “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”.
- The fire effects in the attraction were so realistic that the Anaheim fire department required Disney to install an emergency shut-off switch.
- Every morning, Cast Members place a red rose on Master Gracey’s grave, a tradition believed to have started in the 1980s after Yale Gracey’s death.
- The famous ballroom ghosts are created using an old theater technique called “Pepper’s Ghost,” which Yale Gracey first discovered in a 1913 copy of “The Boy Mechanic”.
Well, that’s all for this week!
Hit reply and let me know how I can make this newsletter better!
Wishing you the best week,
Kelly
October 29, 2024 Issue #44 to 29,891 Disney fans.
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