Resort Updates – November 2022

Happy December! This year is winding down quickly, but the Disneyland (and Disney wide) news seems to be ramping up. With new leadership at the company, we’re all wondering how the parks experience will change…and really hoping major guest experience problems get addressed. But while we wait for news from above, there’s still a lot happening on the ground at the Disneyland Resort. Let’s take a look back at November.

THE MERRIEST PLACE ON EARTH

Last month, Disneyland completed its transition from Halloween wonderland to the merriest place on earth. I know that Disneyland is magical all year long, but there’s something just especially warm and fuzzy about the tree, garlands, and attraction overlays in the park.

 Source: Disney Parks

This year’s celebration runs through January 8, including the fan favorite Festival of the Holidays. For the full run down on the offerings across both parks and Downtown Disney, check out my previous post here.

 Source: Disney Parks

LIGHTNING LANE CONTINUES TO BE A MESS

This probably isn’t a surprise if you read this blog, but I am really not impressed by the implementation of the Lightning Lane system. And with holiday crowds rolling in, the lines have been unbearable – with every guest paying a premium to “cut” the lines. Here are just two examples:

One one day, the lightning lane line for Radiator Springs Racers stretched all the way down to the Cozy Cone Motel.

 Source: Universal Core

And on another day, the line for Rise of the Resistance went all the way into the Batuu Marketplace.

 Source: Darla Pierce

If you’re not familiar enough with the resort for that to resonate, let me assure you…those are INSANE lines. We can only hope with Disney’s recent change in leadership that this is just one of the issues that gets addressed quickly, especially before next spring/summer’s crowds roll back in. I think at this point, the December rush is a lost cause – but hopefully I’ll be proven wrong!

THE TREEHOUSE’S MAKEOVER IS REVEALED

For months now, we have been eagerly awaiting what would become of the Tarzan Treehouse in Adventureland. In November, we finally got some insight. The treehouse will become Adventureland Treehouse, returning once again to its roots.

 Source: Disney Parks Blog

Like the initial version of the treehouse that opened in 1962, this walkthrough attraction will draw inspiration from the Swiss Family Robinson. However, it will be a new interpretation, featuring “wondrous environments” with themed rooms “fashioned from found objects, natural resources, and pure ingenuity”.

No reopening date has been announced yet, but I’ll be sure to let you know when we learn more.

OTHER UPDATES

We previously knew that Toontown would be reopening in March, but now we have a specific date: March 8.

The SoCal ticket is back! Southern California residents can now purchase discounted tickets for visits between January 9 and May 25, valid only on weekdays.

Plans change as you travel the resort, and Disneyland has finally taken a step to make changing dining reservations easier for guests. The cancellation policy (previously 24 hrs) has been shortened to 2 hours, with a $10 per person penalty for cancellations within the 2 hour window.

And finally, Disneyland added a nice little detail to bring further representation into the parks. In It’s A Small World, you’ll notice a few dolls sit in wheelchairs, so that children (and adults!) of all abilities can see themselves in the small, small world. These dolls are also being added to the Disneyland Paris version of the ride.

 Source: DLP Report