Monday, September 7, 2015

A Walk in the Park: Disneyland Edition - Fall is Coming

By Daisy Sparks




Although the weather still very much feels like summer (it’s been hot! hot! hot!), Disneyland has slowly been putting up fall decor. This year, Halloween at Disneyland will run from September 11th - November 1st. Let's check out the new decor and so much more in today's Walk in the Park: Disneyland Edition article...











Disneyland has not announced an end date of the Diamond Celebration. The 60th party has proved to be so popular so I suspect that holiday decor will take a back seat to the 60th decorations. You’ll still know that it’s Halloween and Christmas, but I think that the Diamond Celebration bunting, decorations, and even the Celebration Castle sparkle will be present in some way. We’ll know more after Labor Day when the Disneyland summer hours official ends.




 



Halloween pumpkins have adorned various windows on Main Street USA. We’ll see by next Friday if the blue and silver bunting will remain or if they will go ahead and put the fall bunting on the the shops.











Disney Parks Blog announced in August that Big Thunder Ranch will not host The Halloween Carnival this year. So no pumpkin carvers this year. However, Big Thunder Ranch will remain open so everyone can enjoy walking around the area as well as experience the food offerings at Big Thunder BBQ.




















 



It has been announced that this area will close January 2016 to make way for a new area that is referred to as “Star Wars Land.” In Frontierland, you can tell that the fall season is coming.










Walking through New Orleans Square to get to the Haunted Mansion, you can see that it’s closed in order to get ready for Jack Skellington and his friends to move in. The Haunted Mansion with The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay is a seasonal favorite that welcomes more guests during the four months (Sept - Dec) than in the other months when Jack and friends aren't in residence.











The Hatbox Ghost will still be around for Halloween surrounded by The Nightmare Before Christmas friends.








I crossed over to Tomorrowland to see what was going on. With the recent D23 Expo announcement for a Star Wars Launch Bay to debut this year, the former Innoventions attractions has been boarded up in preparation for this new Guest experience. The beautiful and colorful murals are gone and looks like they have been primed and painted white to make way for the Star Wars Launch Bay.










The Magic Eye Theater has a simple sign. Everyone is crossing their fingers that “ Star Wars: The Force Awakens” preview will be shown here before it’s December premiere. The location has hosted many extended previews before (Big Hero Six, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Tomorrowland). Crossing fingers, and legs, and eyes for a Star Wars extended preview.








A new popcorn cart with a new design has replaced an older one. Gone is the Rocketeer popcorn character at the wheel and now it looks like a cool astronaut has taken its place.









Making my way back to Main Street, it looks like there is a new Enchanted Window that has been revealed: The Princess and the Frog.











After walking around Disneyland to see what was new, I decided to make my way to the World of Disney in the Downtown Disney area. Disneyland Park Halloween merchandise has made its way into the store. Check out these fun, new items this year.













I made way back to the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure. My car was on the very top level so I was able to take in the following view.










These are photos of the back area of Disneyland. Can you see the Matterhorn peaking through the Frontierland area? Can you see the horses getting their exercise in the Circle D area? What you are looking at is what most people suspect will be moved off-site to make way for the much anticipated Disneyland expansion that is currently being referred to as “Star Wars Land”. No official announcement of the name of the themed land or where it is going has actually been made. Most are rumors, but it is always fun to speculate.








Until our next walk in the park... May the Force Be With You!

-Daisy




*****








Daisy Sparks grew up in Southern California and Disneyland was a regular part of her life. While in college, she started working at Disneyland as a Main Street Merchandise Host. Her "college job" led to 12 adventurous years working with Mickey Mouse. She was a trained Magic Demonstrator, Hat Writer and was even signed off as a Disneyland Monorail Ride Operator. Daisy loved every minute of it while she held various management positions in Merchandise, Business Operations and Attractions. 


Daisy is married to her college sweetheart, David (a former Jungle Cruise Skipper). David solicited Daisy's Duck's help in memorable engagement proposal that took place at Disneyland's Club 33. Daisy left Disneyland in May 2001 to raise her two daughters. She continues to visit the Disneyland Resort multiple times a week as a Guest. Daisy particularly loves the Disneyland heritage because of all of the little details and stories that make it "the happiest place on earth."

You can read more about Daisy's Disneyland adventures over on her personal blog at DisneyDaze .

You can find all of Daisy's articles here.

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