We’re gearing up for some “monstrous” fun on May 24, when both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks (in addition to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort) will stay open from 6 a.m. on Friday, May 24, until 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. If you’re planning to visit the Disneyland Resort during this special event, I’ve got some important information you should know.

Park Hours and Attraction Information

• Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks will open at 6 a.m. on Friday, May 24, and select attractions, entertainment and services will remain open until 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, with the following exceptions:
• Cars Land, Paradise Pier, Pacific Wharf and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will be available exclusively to Grad Nite guests from as early as 10:15 p.m. (May 24) until 3:30 a.m. (May 25).
• Radiator Springs Racers will be available to Disney California Adventure park guests from 9 a.m. – 10:15 p.m. on May 24. FASTPASS Service distribution will begin at 6 a.m. for this attraction.
• “a bug’s land” will be available to Disney California Adventure park guests from 6 a.m. – 10:15 p.m. on May 24.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment.
• Other attractions may close early due to maintenance or other reasons. Please check the Entertainment Times Guide on the day of the event for a more complete listing of scheduled closures.

Queue Instructions for Park Opening on May 24

• The early arrival queue will open to guests on Disneyland Resort property at 10 p.m. on May 23. Cast members will be available in the Disneyland Resort Esplanade to direct guests to queue location upon arrival.
• Parking will initially be available in the Anaheim GardenWalk parking area with overflow parking at the Pumbaa Parking Lot, if necessary, and standard parking rates will apply. Please be aware that no shuttle service will be offered from the Anaheim GardenWalk or Pumbaa Parking areas prior to 8 a.m. on May 24.
• All guests in line will be able to temporarily leave the line to use the restroom, purchase food or beverages, and return or retrieve items from their vehicles/hotel rooms.
• Portions of the early arrival queue will be located beyond the guest screening checkpoints, beyond which certain items will not be permitted. Be sure to check the list of prohibited items here. Exceptions will be made for items such as large blankets and pillows, but all items must be able to be stored in a locker prior to entering either park. No tents, inflatable mattresses, coolers or heating equipment will be permitted in the queue.
• Restrooms will be available to guests in the queue, and ticket purchases will be available beginning at 3:05 a.m. the morning of May 24.
• Disneyland Resort Hotel guests who wish to enter either park at 6 a.m. on May 24 will be directed to the main queue in the Central Esplanade. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel gate into Disney California Adventure park will open to Disneyland Resort Hotel guests at 7 a.m. on May 24.

Annual Passholder Information

• SoCal Select Annual Passports will not be valid for admission on May 24.
• SoCal or Deluxe Annual Passports will be valid for admission during the entire 24-hour period.
• Annual Passholders and their guests who carpool to the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at the Disneyland Resort can receive a special button, while supplies last. Here are the details:
• There must be at least three (3) people in the vehicle and at least one (1) person must be a valid Annual Passholder. Valid Passport must be presented upon entry to the participating parking area. Photo ID may be required.
• One (1) button will be given to each person who is legally seated in the qualifying vehicle. Supplies are limited and are not guaranteed.
• Buttons will be available at the Mickey & Friends, Pumbaa, Simba, Toy Story, and Anaheim Convention Center parking areas. Buttons will not be available at the Anaheim GardenWalk parking location.
• This special offer will be available from 5 a.m. 6 a.m. on May 24 to 6 a.m. on May 25, or while supplies last.
• More information can be found at: www.disneyland.com/apmagic

Stay Connected

• Be sure to follow @Disneyland, @DisneylandToday and @DCAToday on Twitter to stay connected and receive the latest updates during your visit to the Disneyland Resort. We will also have live updates throughout the day here on the Disney Parks Blog.
• More information on the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter can be found here.

Valid Theme Park admission required, and admission will be subject to capacity constraints and other scheduled park events. Information and event and offer elements are subject to restrictions, change and cancellation without notice.

Tagged: DCA, DL, DLR, Limited Time Magic

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Special Events

This week, we shared more details on what you can expect during the Disney Parks Monstrous Summer All-Nighter on May 24, including an early look at the great food and merchandise available at the parks.

During the 24 hours of fun, many of your usual favorite shows will be happening throughout the day, but we also have some extra things planned just for this event. Shawn has a wonderful rundown of what’s happening at the Disney Parks Monstrous Summer All-Nighter.

Also this weekend, Star Wars Weekends launched its galactic celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Gary shared a few new things to look for during the event in his original story.

Take a look at the list of scheduled celebrities for next weekend:

Weekend II (May 24-26)
Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Jim Cummings (voice of Hondo Ohnaka – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Rubber Duck Race Benefits Charity at the Disneyland Resort – Hundreds of rubber ducks raced for charity this week at the fifth annual “it’s a small world” duck race at Disneyland park.

A Floridian’s Top 10 for a Disney Summer: Discover Some Walt Disney World Resort Summer Favorites – Take a look at the top ten events and activities happening this summer at Walt Disney World Resort.

The New Adventurers Outpost Opens Today at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Check out the Adventurers Outpost, the new exploration headquarters for Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Good Afternoon from Disneyland Park – Erin shows us a great shady spot to enjoy the sights and sounds at Disneyland Resort, and asks what your favorite spot is to relax and cool off at the Disneyland Resort.

runDisney Fuels Your Healthy, Active Lifestyle – Tara Gidus, the official nutritionist for runDisney, shares recipes and nutrition tips for a healthy lifestyle.

Caption This: Arriving in Style at Magic Kingdom Park – Jenn asks you to “Caption This” photo of Donald and Goofy showing off their water skiing skills in front of Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Parks After Dark: A Windy Night at Disney California Adventure Park – Take a look at some of the beautiful photos taken on a windy night at Disney California Adventure park as part of the “Disney Parks After Dark” photo series.

Tagged: DLR, Star Wars, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

When it comes to photographs at Disney Parks, one spot at Walt Disney World Resort that is getting a lot of attention this week is Adventurers Outpost, a new character greeting location for Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

We also shared a bunch of shots of new merchandise that will debut at the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort, soon. Check out the gallery below.

Tagged: DAK, DLR, Gallery, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

UPDATE: Confirmation emails for the Disney Parks Blog Magical Meet-Up have been sent. All registered participants should receive a confirmation email.

UPDATE: The Disney Parks Blog Magical Meet-Up has reached capacity, and confirmation emails will be sent shortly. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for future events!

“Mickey and the Magical Map” is just around the corner at Disneyland park, so we’re getting ready to celebrate here on the Disney Parks Blog. Join us May 31, 2013, for a private showing of the new Fantasyland Theatre show! And afterward, we’ll hear from some of the people behind the scenes who are bringing the show to life.

Space for the event is limited and you must sign up here. Please remember the following:

• All participants who sign up for the event must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18.
• Limit one guest per registrant.
• Meet-up confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value.
• Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person plus one guest.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.
• Park admission will be provided beginning at 4:30 p.m. for the event, but participants will be responsible for any parking fees.

I will give an update at the top of this post when capacity has been reached. Please note the event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Tagged: DL, DLR, Meet-Up

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

As we gear up for the debut of “Mickey and the Magical Map,” the latest and greatest new show at Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland park, it triggered memories from my colleagues about what’s been featured in this popular theatre in years past. Many of them grew up in Southern California. They danced at Videopolis, had a front-row seat to “Animazement” and celebrated the holidays watching “Mickey’s Nutcracker.” Those are only a few of the fun shows, so check out this video and take a trip down memory lane. Enjoy!

Tagged: DL, DLR, Video

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Of course the Disney chefs had to get in on the Memorial Day weekend fun to kick off a Monstrous Summer at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park, Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park will stay open from 6 a.m., May 24, to 6 a.m. May 25, – which gives us 24 hours to nosh our way through the delightful bites.

We won’t give away all the ideas the chefs have planned, but here are a few:

The cupcake craze gets a nod at Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom Park, with a chocolate cupcake topped with tasty “Monsters University” sweets. And we can’t resist the “Eye Scream Sundae” at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and Plaza Restaurant in two flavors – mint chocolate chip or strawberry.

The Launching Pad in Tomorrowland will have two theme drinks, Randall’s Suds and Mike’s Punch.

At the Disneyland Resort, tasty treats are everywhere. From a steak and eggs breakfast at Carnation Café in Disneyland park to a Monster Nacho Dog at Award Weiners at Disney California Adventure park, there are dozens of creations added to menus. We expect lots of guests will be looking for early-morning eats, like the breakfast pizza at Redd’s Pizza Port with eggs, chorizo, roasted tomatillos, mozzarella and pico de gallo. Blue Bayou is adding roasted bourbon shrimp stuffed with Dungeness crab mousse served with spinach, pasta and smoked tomato-habanero-artichoke sauce. Café Orleans has decadent bananas Foster French toast, or, if you must behave, fresh fruit with yogurt and granola.

For breakfast goodies at Disney California Adventure park, Golden Vine Winery Trattoria has a Wine Country breakfast with scrambled eggs, herbed potatoes, biscuit, bacon or sausage and fruit; or spinach frittata made with egg whites. For around-the-clock eating, the potstickers are back at Lucky Fortune Cookery, or head to Pacific Wharf Café for a hearty loaded baked potato soup in a fresh sourdough bread bowl.

Oh, there’s so much more, like the mac-and-cheese flatbread pizza with sun-dried tomato pesto at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, or the Monstrous Open-Face Turkey Sandwich at Flo’s V-8 Café (brioche piled high with turkey and topped with gravy, cranberry marmalade on the side).

Come hungry, and you can bet there are plenty of delicious eats to keep you going around the clock.

Tagged: Dining, DLR, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

I can’t wait for the upcoming all-night party that will kick off a Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks on May 24, 2013. I had a blast at last year’s 24-hour party with my fiancée, so I imagine this one will be even more “eye-mazing!” As part of Limited Time Magic, Disney Theme Park Merchandise has created some commemorative items featuring Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, stars of Disney•Pixar’s upcoming film “Monsters University.” Here are some things you can expect starting May 24.

We will have a new logo shirt featuring Mike, created just for the 24 hour party. The shirts will be similar on each coast except for a small logo change on the sleeve (either “Magic Kingdom” for guests in Florida or “Disneyland Resort” for guests in California). This shirt will also be offered on our Disney Parks online store from May 24-27 at http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents. (Please note that items will be shipped in 6-8 weeks from time of order.)

My favorite items are the Sulley-inspired Disney ear hat (it’s furry!) and Mike’s one-eyed novelty sunglasses. We will also be offering an embroidered Disney ear hat with a “Monstrous Summer” logo that day.

The apparel, ear hats and sunglasses will be released at the Emporium and select locations in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. At Disneyland Resort, look for these items in Emporium at Disneyland park and Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park, among other select locations. Please note we will have a purchase limit for the Mike Wazowski sunglasses and the Sulley ear hat; Guests may purchase a maximum of two of each item.

The Consumables team will offer some treats inspired by Mike and Sulley, including blue and green cotton candy, cake pops, and decorative candy apples. My favorite (mostly because they gave me a sample to try) is the delicious cupcake complete with green icing and a chocolate logo square. Look for select goodies in locations like the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, Candy Palace at Disneyland park or Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure park.

All of these items will be available for a “limited time” only beginning May 24, while supplies last.

Finally, I invite you to follow the Disney Parks Blog on May 24, as I will be traveling coast-to-coast to party in three Disney Parks that day. I look forward to seeing friends on both the east and west coasts! If you are in the parks, please say hello!


Check out these posts to learn more about our Monstrous Summer All-Night Party on May 24:

• 24 Hours of Fun and Entertainment in Three Disney Parks
• Video: Spaceship Earth Transforms from Disney Parks Icon to Disney●Pixar ‘Eye-Con’
• First Three-Park All-Nighter Kicks Off Monstrous Summer at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts

Tagged: DCA, DL, DLR, Limited Time Magic, MK, WDW

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Magic Kingdom, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Resort