Recent Disney Changes

Turns out recent changes get less and less recent with time.  You’ll see the changes below, but also take a look at this list of MORE recent changes from in 2020!!!

Don’t miss out on my Disney Trip Calculator — so you’re not caught off guard in your pocketbook either!

Changes and updates at Disneyland can be bittersweet; it’s hard to say goodbye to beloved attractions, but it is exciting to see what new experiences Disney comes up with. Here’s a quick look at what is new at Disneyland in 2019:

Disneyland Resort

January 2020: The biggest Disneyland change of note in January is probably the opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Galaxy’s Edge. This new ride is multi-vehicle and includes numerous scenes as you learn about joining the Resistance in a battle against the First Order.

As of January 17, 2020, guests can request to join virtual Boarding Groups via the Disneyland app. Boarding Groups are called up and given a two-hour window to respond to their given boarding time. While there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to ride even when issued a Boarding Pass, I do recommend getting to the Parks as early as possible so you can request the Pass as soon as you enter.

February 2020: This month Disneyland Park welcomes the all-new daytime parade Magic Happens. It’s the first new daytime attraction to hit the Park in about a decade! The floats, music and Disney Characters highlight the subtle moments in Disney films when the magic… you guessed it… happens!

May 2019: Have you seen the updated exterior on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle yet? In 2019 it underwent renovations and now sports refreshed colors and magical touches. It still makes for a beautiful backdrop for all your Disneyland Park photos.

May 31, 2019: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens to guests who have made advance reservations. Four hour time slots are assigned to guests who wish to visit May 31 – June 23, 2019. As of now, any visits to Galaxy’s Edge after June 23, 2019 will not require a reservation. While reservations sold out within two hours, you can still receive one when you stay at one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels May 31 – June 23, 2019.

September 6 – October 31, 2019: Halloween Time hits the Resort and offers spook-tacular overlays, treats and experiences.  Readin more about my tips for Halloween at Disneyland.

Disney California Adventure Park

Summer 2020: Disney has stated that Phase 1 of a brand-new Marvel land opens in summer 2020. Avengers Campus opens in the Park where Bug’s Life land once stood. Phase 1 of Avengers Campus includes a Spider-Man ride, Pym’s Test Kitchen Microbrewery and a merchandise shop called W.E.B. Suppliers.

Serving as a recruiting campus for new Avengers,
this new land invites superheroes in training to experience advanced web-slinging technology and sample foods inspired by Ant-Man and the Pym particles that make him shrink and grow. We don’t yet know when Phase 2 will open, but it is rumored to include an E-ticket attraction, Dr. Strange show and more shopping.

April 2019: Jessie’s Critter Carousel opened in Pixar Pier, providing another wonderful ride for all ages.

April 2019: Mickey’s PhilharMagic opened in Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land. Guests can tag along as Donald finds himself in a 3D dreamworld after taking over Mickey’s Sorcerer hat and conductor’s wand.  (this is where Muppets 3D used to be)

April 2019: World of Color returned to Paradise Gardens Park.

September 6 – October 31, 2019: Halloween Time hits the Resort, and as of this year Disney California Adventure Park will host the annual Halloween party.

September – October 31, 2019 (select dates): Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party kicks off. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays until October 31, 2019, you can join Oogie Boogie and a slew of other villains in Disney California Adventure Park.

Get Away Today Tickets with Disney MaxPass

As of April 2019, Get Away Today discount Disneyland tickets can be purchased with Disney MaxPass. The $15 per person, per day addition will automatically be tied to your Disneyland tickets with Get Away Today if you choose this option when booking.

2019 Disneyland Changes

Disney is no longer allowing:

• Strollers larger than 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) long
• Smoking in the parks
• Loose Ice (but you can still bring ice packs, or small amounts of ice in a ziplock)

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Summer 2018 Changes:

Pixar Pier –

Pixar Pier has officially opened, it looks so fun! This re-imagined area has taken over for Paradise Pier and gives guests the opportunity to celebrate their favorite Pixar pals like never before. Pixar Pier is divided into four different neighborhoods, each representing a different Disney-Pixar film. Incredibles Park, Toy Story Boardwalk, Pixar Promenade and Inside Out Headquarters will all feature different attractions, dining options and fun for the entire family.

In Incredibles Park, guests will be able to experience the brand-new Incredicoaster (formerly CA Screamin’). On this thrilling ride, you’ll be able to help the entire Incredibles family capture Jack-Jack. This beloved ride will have special features, effects, décor and a new queuing area. In addition to this, guests will also be able to enjoy the re-imagined Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Pixar-Pal-A-Round at the Pixar Promenade. With new gondolas featuring various Pixar characters, you’ll be able to soar over California Adventure to “Infinity and Beyond.”

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, you’re in luck! Pixar Pier has a variety of quick-service restaurants along the pier. Stop at Angry Dogs, Poultry Palace, Señor Buzz Churros and Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats for delicious food and delectable treats. However, if you’re looking for a more unique dining experience, I’d recommend getting a reservation at the Lamplight Lounge. Here, you can munch on gastro-pub cuisine in a trendy atmosphere. The best part?  You’ll still be able to enjoy the beloved Lobster Nachos made famous by the Cove Bar (you can see those in my places to eat in CA Adventure)

MaxPass –

If you haven’t used MaxPass yet, you’re definitely missing out. This new feature allows guests to not only reserve FastPasses directly from their phone, but also includes all-day access to PhotoPass. Since PhotoPass alone was $39 for one day, we think $10 per person, per day for MaxPass is a steal. Luckily, you don’t have to purchase MaxPass every day of your stay. I would recommend saving the purchase for days that are more crowded at the park, so you can easily beat the crowds. However as a warning, once you try MaxPass once, you’ll never want to go without it again!  I have a whole post about MaxPass Tips.

Mobile Ordering –

Disney recently unveiled their newest feature Mobile Ordering, which means that foodies everywhere can rejoice! Mobile Ordering allows you to order food from your phone from select restaurants in the park. Instead of waiting in long lines to pick up your meal, you can simply place your order and select a pick-up time. Once your time slot becomes available, you’ll want to head over to the restaurant and pick up your food from a special “Mobile Ordering” window. Currently, you can order from restaurants like Bengal Barbecue, Galactic Frill, Gibson Ice Cream Parlor, Hungry Bear Restaurant, Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Red Rose Tavern, Award Wieners, Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Corn Dog Castle, Flo’s V8 Café, Lucky Fortune Cookery, Pacific Wharf Café, Paradise Garden Grill and Smokejumpers Grill. While I’m excited about all of the available options, I’m hoping more come in the future!

BugsLife Land is Closing

The Bugs Life attractions will close after Summer 2018 to make way for a new Marvel Land (word on the street is that some will be re-imagined in other areas of the park.

Summer 2017 Changes:

• Selfie sticks are not allowed in Disneyland anymore.  You can either throw it in the trash at the gates, or walk it back to your car {insert sad trombone noise here}.  Leave them home!
• Remember the whole river that ran around Tom Sawyer Island?  Closed.  I’m not sure what those good looking canoe boys are doing now, but until the new Star Wars Land is done, there is no river.
• Have you seen the Disneyland MaxPass – I think it’s worth it, and I that post tells why.
• Ticket prices are going up, up, up like a Mickey-shaped balloon!  I try to combat THIS one by using Get Away Today and letting them find the best price for me {guranteed}  more about them later!  BUT, if you are checking them out, be sure to use the coupon code CURLS10 to save $10 on your next purchase!
• California Adventure has a LOT of closures — be sure to check the closures before you go.  California Screamin’ is re-opening this summer as the “Incredi-Coaster” (and most of the rides back there are also re-theming pixar- related when it opens as Pixar Pier).
• Star Wars Land is opening in Summer 2019!
• Disney’s 1-day passes now have dynamic pricing so if they are only going for one day, they will want to see which day is cheapest for them to go, even though, let’s be real, there is no way you can see and do everything at Disneyland for one day! 🙂
• Although the shows at Disney are a must see, a great time to ride the rides are when the parades and fireworks are going on. The lines are significantly shorter!

A side note on booking your trip: I  have to say that Get Away Today totally gets Disney. They know everything about the hotels (because they have likely toured them) so tell them what you want and they will tell you what is best.

They also have a best price guarantee. SO, you can sit around making 100 phone calls, or just make one to them. And remember to save $10 with code CURLS10!

If you’re looking for Disneyland tips — be sure to check out this page!

Here are 5 things to know about recent Disney changes (I went 4’ish years ago — and most of these had changed for me — #1 is just a question I hear a lot)…

1.  They check your bags.  They’ve done this since 9/11 (maybe even before), but that doesn’t mean you can’t take stuff in.  I think they might stop you from taking a full picnic basket in, but they will let you bring in snacks, water, all that kind of stuff.  Bring it in, save yourself some cash!

Check on my post for 5 ways to Save at Disneyland

2.  Radiator Springs/Cars Land.  Oh my goodness!  We waited a long time for that ride, but it was SO much fun.  It really is like a roller coaster in cars.  It’s nice and smooth, but it does go up and down on little bunny hills, we had a really fun time on it, totally worth the wait (and fast passes sell out early).

3.  Speaking of… Fastpasses.  They’re only good for the time stated on the ticket anymore.  Maybe a few minutes after, but they won’t let you use them all day like they used to.  You can get another fast pass as soon as your first time listed has passed. So, if your time slot starts at 4:30 pm — you can get another fast pass at 4:30, even if you haven’t been on the ride you got fast passes for.

4.  World of Color at California Adventure — This s SO much fun, but moms of littles, it does involve some serious pyrotechnics towards the end.  I think my daughter would be fine, especially if I warned her.  Also, when they say you might get wet in the front row.  Take the “might” out.  Get it?  You have to get a fast pass in the morning by Grizzly River Run to be able to watch this show from the viewing area.  They will give you a color and you can then you watch it from that area. We lined up just a bit before it started in our color area and got great seats.  It was a wonderful show.  It’s like a longer Bellagio show with lights, more fountains, projected images and fire.  Sound great? Yes, yes it is.
 5.  Pictures.  If you buy a multiple day pass, they will take your picture with it on the first day and then they will match it to your face when you enter the park.  NO more sharing extended day park hopper tickets.  Sorry Charlie.

Check out my ACTUAL Disneyland Budget!

Anyway, those are some things I noticed that were new.  The Elsa/Anna line was 2-3 hours most of the time, and the princess Fantasy Faire wasn’t.  I think our girls said it only took 15 minutes to get through.  I’ll probably only mention to P about the other princesses when we go in the fall. 🙂  Anyway, we love Disneyland at our house, but some r

esearch ahead of time will always help out.  Knowing about recent changes always helps our trip run smoother.

Want to read more about what I learned about myself and parenting on my Disney trip?

You can save $10 by using the coupon code CURLS15.

Be sure to also check out my other Disney posts!