Contributing photographer Jason of disneygeek.com sends us these photos from his trip to the parks on Friday, January 12, 2018.
In this picture set I take a look at the many projects going on around the Disneyland Resort this winter. For a more in depth look at these as well as other random pictures be sure to visit my full update.
Preparation work for the new parking structure and tram stop at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure is underway. Planters are being removed so they can re-route the trams. The new structure will be built on the Pinocchio Parking lot.
New billboards at the tram stop featuring the new marketing slogan on them.
Now onto the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge check. Here is a video overview from the roof of the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure.
A long shot of the side facing Disneyland Drive. Notice the exterior siding is now all installed on both buildings.
The peaks in the distance and to the left more support steel for rock work taking shape.
Panning right to the shorter of the peaks visible over the Battle Escape Building. The scaffolding is up and it looks ready for concrete.
Further right the taller of the shorter peaks has most of its wire mesh installed so you can see the shape and scaffolding is going up.
Continuing to the right toward Critter Country. They are sealing the roof of the concrete structure that was recently created. Dirt will most likely be brought in all the way to the top of the black.
Most of the Chip and Dale level of the parking structure is blocked off as they prepare for tram stop changes.
Here you can see the current route to the left and a fenced in walkway from the stairs to the crossing on the right.
In Downtown Disney, Ride Makerz has closed.
The Build-a-Bear is closed too, but The Dress Shop remains open for now.
Finishing touches continue on the exterior of Splitsville. No opening date has been announced.
Furniture is now visible inside.
New winter plantings throughout Downtown Disney.
Arriving at Disneyland. Most signs of Christmas are gone from the parks now. Only a few random decorations and Small World Holiday remain. A large project has taken over Main Street. The horse-drawn streetcar tracks are being completely replaced for the first time in the park’s history. Several of the rails and tracks are original from 1955. So as you enter the park you are greeted by construction walls that block off Town Square.
The view from the train station. They are working on the perimeter of Town Square, the center portion is untouched.
Plastic and boards are down to protect the concrete and areas that are not being worked on.
The straight portion of the street is not behind walls yet. They are working on the two ends first.
The hub is also encircled with construction walls.
One piece of equipment was visible working over the wall.
Sleeping Beauty Castle. The Christmas decorations, lights and icicles are all gone. Snow remains.
Walls up along the grass opposite Small World.
A check of the Star Wars peaks from the Miss Daisy.
A winter Annual Passholder popcorn special has started.
The AP bucket.
In Fantasyland Dumbo is behind walls. In addition to a regular renovation they are moving the queue and adding a new shade structure to it.
Walls ring northern edge of Fantasyland around Dumbo.
Haunted Mansion is closed for a couple weeks for removal of the holiday overlay. It looks like they may be working on the queue for Haunted Mansion. A lot of plastic covers up in the area.
A check of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge from the Mark Twain. More wire mesh and scaffolding being added.
Over at Disney California Adventure, the Festival of Holidays marketplaces and signs are all gone.
A different AP popcorn bucket is for sale at DCA, the one on the left.
Grizzly River Run is closed for its annual renovation work.
A Fastpass cart out in the Bay Area being used for Toy Story FastPass distribution since the regular area is behind walls. This saves a lot of steps. No indication of return times though, so you have to ask, check the app, or look at someone’s ticket.
Walls are also up around the Sonoma Terrace area.
Christmas decorations are removed from the Pier entrance sign but not the Paradise Pier sign yet. Beyond the sign notice the canopy is gone and Treasures in Paradise sign is removed too.
Ariel’s Grotto is closed and the signs on the left side are gone.
All the gondolas on the Fun Wheel are removed for renovation.
Walls are up around Screamin’ as it is being transformed into the Incredicoaster.
Walking toward Toy Story Mania, which remains open.
The walkway narrows a bit as you go further along.
Walls up at Toy Story blocking the rest of the pier. The line on the right is for Stand-by. FastPass return uses the regular handicap access path adjacent to the store.
Scaffolding is going up around the launch hill of Screamin.
King Triton’s is also still open.
The top of the loop has been removed from the coaster for renovation and guessing access.
The queue cover for the Fun Wheel has been removed.
No visible change to the stores yet.
Walls are up from Boardwalk Pizza to the swings forming a dead end.
The Bakery Tour is closed until February, the cafe is still open though.
Route 66, Cars Land. Christmas is removed but the poles on the right have not been removed yet.
The current park maps feature the same images as the banners and billboards with the new marketing campaign. I prefer the attraction or entertainment covers to some random kid.
Returned to Disneyland. This gives an idea of how narrow the entry is now with the construction.
Small World holiday runs January 21.
The flags in Town Square stay up all night due to the construction. There is a spot light on them.
The back portion of the Chip and Dale level was in use today.
Hope you enjoyed this highlight tour of the Disneyland Resort. For additional photos and details from this trip you can check out the full Disneyland Update I posted on my site, https://disneygeek.com Also be sure to follow me on twitter @disneygeekcom for pictures from the parks.
My goodness! It’s been such a long time since you’ve been able to post a walk-thru of Disneyland (which I soo look forward to btw) without ugly construction walls ruining the vibe and scenery of those beautiful parks. I can’t believe that anyone would even choose to plan a vacation there at this point in time. I wonder do you know how business and sales are being affected? It would be interesting to hear for sure. I always think that Disneyland would probably be better off shutting down for a good year for an entire overhaul lol. I was last there 3 years ago and it was a sad state of affairs. I’d like to plan another trip to the West coast if they ever finish the construction but as it is now it would just break my heart to see it.
**** Jason’s Reply *****
Thanks, glad you enjoy the posts. There are always projects going on around the Disneyland resort between new undertakings, renovations, or updates. My photo sets tend to really focus on them and may make it seem a little worse than it really is. This time of year is the “off season” with usually worse weather, kids in school, and not a popular travel time. So there are a lot of projects underway and renovation work going on around the parks. Overall crowds seem as high or higher than normal with very few extremely low crowd days the last few years thanks to Annual Passes, resident promotions, or celebrations like Lunar New Year and Food & Wine Festival.