It’s the most wonderful time of the year…and Disneyland just finished its first full month of the holiday season! Both parks have donned their shiny seasonal décor, and Main Street USA brought back its street-hanging garlands, which have been missing for a few years.
Let’s take a look back at November!
‘TIS THE SEASON
Despite the continuing heat waves, Disneyland transformed into a winter wonderland this month. Most of the lands cover themselves in décor, while Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland play it a little more subtly.
The décor isn’t the only new arrival during the holidays: pastries, cocoa, and hand-pulled candy canes popped up everywhere this month. And over in California Adventure, the holiday offerings list is too long to mention, thanks to the Festival of the Holidays.
Try snacks from the food carts, watch live musical performances, and stop by a craft table to soak in the holiday spirit. The Festival of the Holidays is one of the most fun events of the year!
A JEDI JOYRIDE
Star Tours riders got the thrill of a lifetime this month when none other than Mark Hamill hopped onto their ship.
Mark Hamill is just the coolest.
INTRODUCING: BATUU
Speaking of Star Wars, we got a little more info about the much anticipated Star Wars Land this month. The new planet serving as the setting for the land is called “Batuu”. This outer rim planet has never been seen in a Star Wars film before. Here’s the official description, as provided by the Disney Parks Blog:
This remote outpost on the galaxy’s edge was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes, but its prominence was bypassed by the rise of hyperspace travel. Now home to those who prefer to stay out of the mainstream, it has become a thriving port for smugglers, rogue traders, and adventurers traveling between the frontier and uncharted space. It’s also a convenient safe haven for those intent on avoiding the expanding reach of the First Order.
Star Wars Land is scheduled to open in 2019, though no specific date has been announced.
OTHER UPDATES
Happy Birthday Mickey! The mouse himself turned 89 on November 18, and Disneyland hosted a little celebration. Mickey and his friends marched from It’s A Small World down to Main Street USA in a special parade, and visitors to the park received a commemorative button.
In case you missed my previous post, Disney announced further details about Pixar Pier. For more on this announcement and how Paradise Pier will change, check out the original post here.
Apologies in advance SoCal residents – Disneyland has discontinued the SoCal Select annual pass.
Remember a few years ago when the measles spread through Disneyland? This month, it was Legionnaires’ Disease. This disease is a type of pneumonia, but the good news is that is doesn’t spread from person to person. The bad news? It’s caused by infected water vapor…meaning Disney was totally at fault. Thankfully, the problem seems to have been resolved quickly, once Disney shut down a contaminated cooling tower.
Toward the end of the month, Disneyland began testing single rider for Space Mountain. The coaster desperately needs this feature (as does Thunder Mountain, by the way), so I am hoping it’s formally implemented soon.
And finally, the famous “redhead” is finally changing. Remember a few months ago when Disney announced the auctioneer scene in Pirates of the Caribbean would be updated? This controversial change will most likely happen this spring. The Magic Kingdom’s version opens in March, and though we don’t have a formal date for Disneyland’s yet, this announcement signals the update is coming sooner rather than later.
