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Disneyland Resort, California: General Discussion

More details have now ermerged and apparently isn’t going to be a third park but two large expansions to both existing parks. With a bridge Linking both parks to their new lands/areas bridges have trees on each side so can’t see out of the park., Plus whole new retail and dinning area, plus new hotels. Replaces parking areas which are next to Disneyland hotel.
 
Precisely. Project website:
https://disneylandforward.com/project

disneyland-forward-map-future-2x.png



 
Interesting, just had a very quick look and nothing concrete has been announced at all. This is simply a future vision that Disney have for Disneyland Resort as under current planning regulations they have very limited theme park expansion space.

Hopefully it is approved by the City of Anaheim, although I am sure it won't be that simple.
 
TBf that's a pretty clever use of space if it gets approved. No way is that big enough to be a stand alone park. If it was it wouldn't be very big at all given there's two great big hotels in that area too.

Wonder what IP's they'd opt for if it does get built?
 
Wonder what IP's they'd opt for if it does get built?

I guess it depends when they'd actually be building on the sites and what is popular at the time but also going to be timeless to an extent. On the development website they have used existing projects at other Disney theme parks as example of what could be built; things like Arandale, Zootopia, Toy Story, Tron etc.
 
Yeah at the moment this is just Disneyland saying, that land that we previously said was just going to be parking and hotels, we want to put theme park on it instead, and asking for permission.

Will be a long way off before new attractions get built I expect.
But seems like a good way to expand both parks slightly and add second entrances to them.
Although I think California Adventure still has some closed attractions and other areas that could be built on if needed first. But Disneyland is almost as built out as it can be.
 
A dedicated Toy Story land and a another to Frozen would make the most sense. Probably two of their most popular IP's which I can't see ever going away. They'd certainly be the most lucrative.
 
Spider-Man high-flippin' animatronic aside, this looks dull as dishwater. Not just the watered down version of Toy Story Mania, but the architecture of the area... It appears to be modelled on the retail park at Cheshire Oaks? 'Campus', indeed.

I know there's an Avengers mega E-ticket on the distant horizon, but I'm surprised that Disney would undercook their golden goose like this. That L.A. Times feature notes that it's an area that doesn't seem afraid of the "real world", as Disney often are. I'd go further and say it looks like it was designed exclusively with Instagram influencers in mind.
 
The ride looks very average. Firstly, it's short (just over 3 minutes). Secondly. it's basically a cross between Ninjago (Legoland) and Toy Story Midway Mania. Just a few screens and gestures and that's it.

Given TSMM Is already in DCA, having this aswell doesn't seem to add anything.
 
The ride looks very average. Firstly, it's short (just over 3 minutes). Secondly. it's basically a cross between Ninjago (Legoland) and Toy Story Midway Mania. Just a few screens and gestures and that's it.

Given TSMM Is already in DCA, having this aswell doesn't seem to add anything.
We're hoping to go for both mine and the wife's 40th in Feb 23 and this area has the feeling of just Meh.

Without the E ticket that unfortunately won't be in place by that time, I just find it very underwhelming. The Spiderman ride looks like a updated version on the Ninjago ride. I can't believe with how good Spiderman ride is at Universal, that they have not come out with something fresh.

I'm looking forward to visiting DCA but I will be heading for Radiator Springs not this land first.
 
In other news, the retheme of Splash Mountain is apparently now rumoured to be opening at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 2023, to coincide with the launch of a Disney+ series relating to Princess & The Frog: https://www.piratesandprincesses.net/new-splash-mountain-with-tiana-may-debut-in-2023/

So if you’re wanting to get on either of Disneyland or Walt Disney World’s Splash Mountains before they shut, I’d go before mid-2022 or so.
 
More details of the new Disneyland Magic Key (dreadful name) are expected today, a replacement for the too popular annual pass programme.

On the Earnings Call Chapek avoided using the annual pass term for the replacement program, referring to it as a “park loyalty and affinity program” and “frequent visitor program”.

Sounds like there were some pretty serious concerns in the company about how sustainable the programme was and the post Covid era will be used to reset things.

It does feel that in many chains the Annual Pass programmes have gone awry, Merlin have certainly begun to make changes, Cedar Fair have their earnings call tomorrow, they could do something similar (but did the opposite with the CP Gold Pass).

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Edit - the four tier system has been announced as thus:

Imagine Key (SoCal residents only/$399)
-Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks select days of the year.
-Hold up to two theme park reservations at a time
-10% off select merchandise
-10% off select dining

Enchant Key ($649)
-Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks select days of the year.
-Hold up to 4 theme park reservations at a time
-10% off select merchandise
-10% off select dining

Believe Key ($949)
-Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks most days of the year.
-Hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time
-10% off select merchandise
10% off select dining
-50% off standard theme park parking (with some restrictions)

Dream Key ($1399)
-Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks every day of the year.
-Hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time for different dates
-Up to 20% off select merchandise
-Up to 15% off select dining
-Standard theme park parking included (excluding blockout days)

From Deadline
 
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I do wonder if the days of turning up to a theme park, especially the major parks around the world, have gone. Reservations seem to be the way forward. Fine for if you are planning a trip because generally you would book in advance. Less ideal for locals who just want to turn up when it suits them.
 
Other than now having to make reservations and most passes not including parking not as much has changed with the DLR passes as was expected. Its thought that maybe Disney realised they still need the passholders, but by having the reservation system it still allows them to limit numbers better. Also they state the number of passholders may be capped.
The big question is how far in advance will reservations sell out. If its possible to get sameday reservations at some point then its not that bad.
Many people were expecting some kind of 10 tickets for X or visit 10 times get one free type thing to replace the passes.


It seems Merlin UK is also doing similar with the passes not on sale currently on sale they definitely seem to be trying to cap numbers. Overall though it now seems that customers with a Kellogg's 2for1 are more important to Merlin than passholders.
 
Disney World has said that per booking parks is here is here to stay. Currently you seem to be ok booking a couple of weeks from your visit At WDW to get full availability at each park- unless it’s one of the few handful of key dates like 1st Oct (50th) or let Xmas and Easter dates.

we have an on-site booking for next summer, which hopefully goes ahead. we have already booked park days- however didn’t really need to but haven’t put any thought into and just picked a random park
For the 10 days we are on site. Will refine it much closer to the time. I kind of hope they don’t go back to having to book fastpass at 60 days out as while liked the fast pass system and always worked well for us was always a pain having to book so far in Advanced. Same as dinning currently can only do 60 days out previously was 180 days and again if wanted some of the most popular places had to book 6 months before your visit! Hopefully that doesn’t go back to 180 days.
 
I kind of hope they don’t go back to having to book fastpass at 60 days out as while liked the fast pass system and always worked well for us was always a pain having to book so far in Advanced

Significantly more likely that paid Fastpass is coming. Possibly like Paris, maybe something different.
 
Significantly more likely that paid Fastpass is coming. Possibly like Paris, maybe something different.
I think it will be paid FastPass; apparently it’s been said that Disney is looking at implementing something akin to Paris’ new system in Florida.
 
Yeah fully expect it to go chargeable- Current rumours do point to onsite guests getting some free passes with deluxe hotels getting 3 passes and then moderates 2 passes and value 1 pass per each day. then any additional passes would be chargeable.
 
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