I dug up some history about the Disneyland Hotel for this week’s VOYAGEERS segment. Did you know that Chelsea and I got married there almost 30 years ago? Having all our friends and family at the park for several days was the ultimate celebration!
We exchanged vows in the old Rose Garden Gazebo and held the reception in a room near the old Horseshoe Falls. I still remember having breakfast at the Monorail Cafe with my grandpa on the morning of the wedding. We had the time of our lives, which inspired us to give our kids the opportunity to grow up there. I’m so glad we did because they had the privilege of experiencing the parks during what I believe was one of Disney’s golden eras. So many great memories!!!!!
Thanks to grumpypapa for the real-time pics in the Lounge! See more real-time pics and post your pics here!
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Disneyland Resort News
A Week at the Happiest Place on Earth: A Guide to Disneyland’s Current Delights
As the sun rises over the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, casting a golden glow over the bustling streets of Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, a new week of magic and wonder unfolds. From January 21 to January 28, 2025, the park is alive with new culinary adventures, insider tips, exclusive savings, and a crowd forecast that promises both excitement and tranquility. Here’s your guide to making the most of your visit this week.
Savoring the Flavors of Disneyland
This week, Disneyland has introduced a smorgasbord of new menu items that are as delightful to the palate as they are to the eye. At Bamboo Blessings in Disney California Adventure, indulge in the Mini Char Siu Pork Shanks for $9.25, a dish that, while not overly exciting in flavor, offers a visually appealing presentation with its vibrant colors. For a sweet treat, the Chocolate Firecracker at Lucky 8 Lantern for $7.50 is a must-try, featuring a light chocolate mousse with a fun twist of popping candy.
For those seeking something unique, the Bánh Mì Hot Dog at Award Wieners for $14.49 combines the flavors of seared pork belly with pickled carrots and daikon, offering a refreshing twist on a classic. And don’t miss the Mango and Coconut Sago Parfait at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta for $7.29, a refreshing dessert that might just be the perfect end to your park day.
Dining Optimization Tactics: To avoid long waits, consider using the mobile order feature through the Disneyland app, especially for popular spots like Café Orleans where you can ask for the chef’s special, a hidden gem not listed on the menu.
Insider Experience Tips
Beyond the rides and shows, Disneyland holds secrets for those who know where to look. For a lesser-known photo opportunity, head to the Fantasyland Theatre where new decorations have been added, creating a picturesque backdrop for your memories.
Hidden Character Meet Locations: Characters like Goofy and Max can be found daily at the Grand Avenue near the main entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, offering a unique meet-and-greet experience.
Unpublished Seasonal Offerings: During the Lunar New Year celebration, look out for special performances and activities not widely advertised, like the Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession and Hurry Home – Lunar New Year Celebration.
Exclusive Savings
This week, Disneyland offers several ways to save:
- Magic Key Holder Specials: Magic Key holders can enjoy a 15% Trip Coins rebate on hotel bookings in Malaysia, valid until January 22, 2025.
- Disney Visa Cardholder Perks: Save up to 30% on Villas or rooms for stays of 5+ nights from April 11 to June 11, 2025.
- Mobile Order Benefits: Use the app to order ahead and skip the lines at many dining locations.
Crowd Index Intelligence
Crowd Forecast:
- January 21-23: Expect moderate crowds with the Lunar New Year festivities in full swing.
- January 24-26: Crowds will likely increase due to the Anaheim Duck Days event.
- January 27-28: A slight dip in attendance, making these days optimal for visiting.
Best/Worst Times:
- Morning: Arrive early for rope drop to experience key attractions with minimal wait times.
- Evening: After 6 PM, lines tend to shorten as guests head to dinner or shows.
Refurbishments:
- The Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom is closed for refurbishment until further notice, impacting those planning to visit Disneyland’s sister park.
Using Lightning Lane: With the Lightning Lane Premier Pass now available to all guests, consider purchasing it for a seamless park experience, especially if you’re not staying at a Disney hotel.
Events & Shows
Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession: A vibrant parade celebrating the Year of the Snake, this event is not just a visual treat but also a cultural experience, making it a must-see for families and culture enthusiasts alike.
Hurry Home – Lunar New Year Celebration: This show tells a heartwarming story of a little lantern’s journey home, perfect for those who appreciate storytelling through performance.
World of Color – ONE: An immersive nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure, this show combines water, light, and music to tell Disney stories in a way that captivates all ages.
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Disney World Resort News
A Week in the Magic Kingdom: A Guide to Disney World’s Current Delights
As the sun rises over the sprawling expanse of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, a new week unfolds, bringing with it a fresh array of culinary delights, insider tips, and exclusive savings for the savvy traveler. Here’s your guide to making the most of your visit from January 21 to January 28, 2025.
Savoring the Flavors of Disney
This week, Disney World has rolled out an array of new menu items that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. At EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts, indulge in the Artgarita, a secret menu item that’s as delicious as it sounds, available for a limited time. Over at Magic Kingdom, the Cheeseburger Spring Rolls at the Spring Roll Cart near Adventureland are a crowd favorite, priced at $6.75, offering a unique twist on a classic American dish.
For those looking to optimize their dining experience, consider the Mobile Order feature through the My Disney Experience app. This not only saves time but also allows you to explore lesser-known dining hacks like ordering the Phở Dip at Disney California Adventure’s Lunar New Year Festival, a delightful fusion of Vietnamese pho in sandwich form, available for $9.50.
Insider Experience Tips
Beyond the rides and shows, Disney World is a treasure trove of hidden gems. For a unique photo opportunity, head to the Tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom, where the new construction offers a backdrop of lush, untamed beauty. If you’re on the hunt for characters, Stitch has a regular meet and greet in Tomorrowland, but for a more secluded encounter, check the app for times near Ranger Spin.
For those seeking unpublished seasonal offerings, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts features exclusive art classes and culinary workshops, providing a creative escape from the usual park hustle.
Exclusive Savings and Discounts
This week, Disney World offers several ways to save:
- Magic Key Holders can enjoy a 25% discount on select merchandise and dining at Disney Springs.
- Disney Visa Cardholders have access to a 30% discount on Villas or rooms for stays of 5+ nights from April 11 to June 11, 2025.
- Mobile Order not only speeds up your dining experience but also sometimes offers exclusive deals or early access to new menu items.
For hotel savings, consider booking through Expedia where you can bundle your flight and hotel to save up to 100% off your flight.
Navigating the Crowds
Here’s your 14-day crowd forecast:
- January 21-23: Moderate crowds, ideal for visiting Magic Kingdom in the morning or EPCOT in the evening.
- January 24-26: Expect higher crowds due to the weekend, but early entry at Animal Kingdom can mitigate this.
- January 27-28: Crowds will start to thin out, making it a good time for park hopping.
Crowd Drivers: The week sees a slight uptick due to the Lunar New Year celebrations at Disney California Adventure, but Orlando’s Disney World remains relatively calm.
Refurbishments:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom is closed for refurbishment until 2026.
- Test Track at EPCOT is undergoing a reimagination, set to reopen in late Summer 2025.
Time-Saving Strategies: Utilize Lightning Lane for popular attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight, especially during peak times. For rides like Haunted Mansion, virtual queues can be your best friend. Single Rider lines at attractions like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster can significantly reduce wait times.
Events & Shows to Catch
- Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After at Hollywood Studios promises a dark twist on classic tales, with high guest satisfaction due to its innovative storytelling and impressive special effects.
- The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure also at Hollywood Studios, offers a fresh take on the beloved story, with stunning visuals and a captivating score that’s drawing rave reviews.
- EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts isn’t just about food; the Disney on Broadway Concert Series features Broadway stars performing Disney classics, providing a cultural experience that’s both enchanting and exclusive.
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 + check out Disneylonestar’s new history posts!
MouseWait for Disneyland 15.0.1 is available now complete with bug fixes, including our Crowd Index, login screen, Lounge, and more. You get get it right here! Please check it out, update your rating, and let us know what you think! WDW for iOS + Android versions for both are coming soon!
VOYAGEERS: Finding Hidden Treasures in the Parks
Images courtesy of Parkendium
In the shadow of Sleeping Beauty Castle, nestled just beyond the berm that separates fantasy from reality, stands a monument to Walt Disney’s vision of hospitality. The Disneyland Hotel, a gleaming beacon of mid-century optimism, has been welcoming weary travelers and wide-eyed dreamers since 1955. Its story, much like the park it serves, is one of ambition, innovation, and the occasional touch of magic.
Walt Disney, ever the visionary, recognized early on that his revolutionary theme park would need a place for guests to rest their heads after a day of adventure. However, the creation of the Disneyland Hotel was not as straightforward as waving a magic wand. In fact, Walt’s involvement in the hotel’s early years was more akin to a puppet master pulling strings from behind the scenes.
The task of building and operating the hotel fell to Jack Wrather, a Texas oil millionaire and television producer. Walt, having exhausted his financial resources on the park itself, struck a deal with Wrather that would allow the Disneyland name to be used for the hotel. This arrangement, while necessary at the time, would later prove to be a thorn in Disney’s side.
As construction began in 1955, the hotel took shape as a sprawling complex of two-story buildings, painted in a cheerful palette of yellow and white. The first guests checked in on October 5, 1955, just months after Disneyland’s grand opening. These pioneering visitors found themselves in rooms that were the epitome of 1950s luxury, complete with color televisions – a rarity at the time – and, of course, a clear view of the Matterhorn.
Walt’s influence on the hotel, while indirect, was unmistakable. The same attention to detail and commitment to theming that defined Disneyland began to seep into the hotel’s design. The Olympic-sized swimming pool, for instance, was shaped like a piano – a nod to the musical heritage of Disney. One can almost imagine Walt, pacing the poolside, his mind whirring with ideas for how to make the guest experience even more magical.
As the years rolled on, the Disneyland Hotel became a destination in its own right. Celebrities flocked to its restaurants and lounges, with the Top of the Park restaurant becoming a particular hotspot. Here, guests could dine while enjoying panoramic views of the park, the twinkling lights of Main Street U.S.A. providing a backdrop to their meals.
But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the hotel’s early years was its role as a testing ground for Walt’s grander visions. The monorail, that futuristic symbol of tomorrow, made its first stop at the Disneyland Hotel in 1961. This extension of the park’s transportation system not only provided guests with a novel way to enter Disneyland but also served as a proof of concept for Walt’s dreams of urban planning.
The hotel’s growth mirrored that of the park it served. By the 1960s, it had expanded to include high-rise towers, each named after the lands of Disneyland. The Sierra Tower, Marina Tower, and Bonita Tower stood as beacons of progress, their silhouettes becoming as iconic as the castle spires across the way.
Yet, for all its success, the Disneyland Hotel remained a source of frustration for Walt. The licensing agreement with Wrather meant that Disney had no direct control over the property that bore its name. It wasn’t until 1988, long after Walt’s passing, that the Disney company finally acquired the hotel, bringing it fully into the fold.
Today, as guests stroll through the Disneyland Hotel’s lobby, they may not realize they’re walking through a living piece of Disney history. But in every corner, from the hidden Mickeys in the carpets to the whimsical touches in the decor, the spirit of Walt Disney and his dream of a place where parents and children could have fun together lives on.
The Disneyland Hotel stands not just as a place to stay, but as a testament to Walt Disney’s enduring legacy – a legacy built on the belief that with enough imagination, anything is possible. And as the sun sets over Anaheim, casting a golden glow on the hotel’s facade, one can almost hear Walt’s voice, carried on the evening breeze, whispering, “To all who come to this happy place: Welcome.”
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
January 21, 2025 Issue #3 to 29,891 Disney fans.
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