Springtime is in full swing at the Disneyland Resort, but it feels a lot more like winter with the amount of construction projects going on. Normally, this time of year signals walls coming down and crowds swelling up. But this time, the crowds keep coming…and the walls are growing too.
Let’s take a quick look at what’s going on across the parks and Downtown Disney.
VILLAINS TAKE OVER CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Disneyland After Dark continued this month with Villains Nite. The villains hosted an unforgettable party spanning California Adventure, with dancing, music, and fun. But the best part? Rarely seen villains came out in droves, including (but not limited to!) Yzma, Chef Louis, Yokai, and the Big Bad Wolf.
Sources: Characters Photo Blog (left, center) & DISNEY-ME もいもい (upper right, lower right)
TOONTOWN SHUTS ITS GATES
March marked the end of an era for Mickey’s Toontown. This month, the land closed for a year-long “reimagining” that will see the completion of a new attraction, the retheming of its coaster, and the total redesign of the neighborhood.
Source: Laughing Place
Disney Parks Blog shared a sweet tribute of cast members saying “see you real soon” to the land before the closure.
Toontown 2.0 is currently slated to reopen in March 2023.
CONSTRUCTION WALLS EVERYWHERE
The wall blocking off Toontown’s entrance is not the only construction wall up at the resort. On the western side, Tomorrowland’s lagoon remains completely drained, despite the initial “Winter 2021” reopening slated for Finding Nemo. And across the park, construction is even heavier.
Source: David Koenig
New Orleans Square is currently undergoing two major projects. First, the tiered walkways are getting removed, clearing up congestion and smoothing the land’s walkways all along the waterfront. This work is being done in sections, so the land is not closed during construction.
Source: Fresh Baked Disney
Pirates is also closed for a multi-month refurbishment. As part of this effort, Disney removed the two diseased trees from the courtyard. Here’s hoping they replace them – I thought they added nice ambiance (and much needed shade!) to the area.
Source: Guy Selga
Next door, Tarzan’s Treehouse remains closed. We still have absolutely no idea when this project is supposed to be completed, or even what Disney is doing that warrants a nearly year-long closure at this point.
Source: Theme Park Connect
But the most dramatic changes are happening over in Downtown Disney. The AMC theater and Earl of Sandwich have been demolished, in the first step of Downtown Disney’s new design with more green spaces.
Source: Fresh Baked Disney
OTHER UPDATES
Good news for WEB Slinger fans! Single rider has officially opened for this attraction.
Another opening (or should I say reopening): Pixie Hollow. Visitors to Fantasyland can once again meet with Tinker Bell and her friends throughout the day.
And finally, Fantasyland debuted a new shop this month. Merlin’s Marvelous Miscellany (formerly the Castle Holiday Shoppe) is currently stocking apparel in the small space.
Source: MouseInfo
I missed the AMC theatre when last at Downtown Disney. Arriving late afternoon in the area, as I usually do if driving down from up north, I spend the evening at DD, browsing, having dinner (still lamenting the loss of House of Blues and (especially) Rainforest Cafe) then I would take in a movie to round out the day before returning to my hotel. My multi-day park visiting would begin the next day.
I loved the Rainforest Cafe too!!! haha. Though I never made use of AMC. Maybe next time you could try bowling at Splitsville instead? I think it’s fun 🙂
This is the most combined closures/re-furbishments at one time at Disneyland that I can personally recall (not that I am an expert). “Lands” construction like Toon Town and Galaxy’s Edge happened for the most part “outside the berm” so while they were long, extensive projects, they didn’t effect the main Disneyland park areas. Same with the creation of the Splash Mountain and the Indiana Jones Adventure, they were both large projects but didn’t close off much park area. Luckily I got a few days at Disneyland in February before the Monorail, Toon Town, and New Orleans Square shut downs!
I agree. It’s outrageous that they charge full price tickets no matter how much is closed. They should offer reduced rates during major construction projects. I went to California Adventure during the major overhaul (Buena Vista Street was literally a construction zone) and the park was half walls. It was a terrible experience.