Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge topped out, and Halloween is making its presence known around the Disneyland Resort as the weather finally cools in September.

The heat wave’s back finally broken, and many kids have returned to school, making the first few weeks of September less crowded at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Of course, with the end of the summer season, many refurbishments are underway at the theme parks too.

Along with the refurbishments come the orange and yellow hues of the Halloween decorations for the upcoming Mickey’s Halloween Parties at Disneyland. But Disney California Adventure will not be left out as Cars Land and Buena Vista Street get some eerie decor as well.

The walls are steadily enclosing the buildings for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Or, they could be getting ready to hide some secret project from either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire. Take your pick. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The tall spire atop one of the show buildings for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge topped out a couple weeks ago, hence the traditional placement of the American flag at the top. Or this really could be a new landing support structure for a new spaceship under construction by the Empire. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Palm trees obscure the vision of whatever is going on inside one of the show buildings for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland. What secrets are transpiring there? We won’t find out until 2019. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The major show building for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has a worker on a cherry picker inside the massive structure, that is also big enough to hold two AT-AT Imperial Walkers. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

One of the smaller buildings for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland has all the walls up, and air handlers have been installed on the roof, or is that odd shaped structure with the blue circle a secret scout ship sent to spy on what is transpiring there. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



They say the structure with the blue circle on it is probably an air handler system. But it could fit a stormtrooper inside, as it might be a spaceship. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The smokestacks for the Mark Twain Riverboat peak up through the trees in Frontierland at Disneyland beyond the berm in front of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. In a few years, as the trees continue to grow, the ability to see the smokestacks from the top floor of the Mickey & Friends parking structure will be much more difficult. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Workers at the Disneyland Resort replaced the tile near the escalators on the floors of the Mickey & Friends parking structure with new brick-like tiles designed to lessen the possibility of people slipping when things get wet from rain. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Cast members explain to drivers entering the Downtown Disney parking lot the new parking rates in which they only get a 15-minute grace period unless validated for 2 hours by spending a minimum of $20 at any facility within that area, or 4 hours by dining at a table service restaurant or a movie at the AMC Theater. Restaurants at the resort’s hotels do not validate for the Downtown Disney parking lot. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

This is the photographer and writer Mark Eades (left) meeting up with George Stecher, a member of the Disneyland Resort’s security staff. Eades and Stecher both started their working careers in 1972 together at Disneyland’s River Belle Terrace Restaurant. Eades went on eventually to Walt Disney Imagineering, staying with Disney for 21 years. Stecher stayed at Disneyland, and has been there ever since – more than 40 years. (Photo taken by Mary Niven, a vice president of the Disneyland Resort for Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Trader Sam’s is currently undergoing refurbishment. Those wishing one of the drinks served at the popular Tiki bar can sit on the outdoor patio and order one. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The main reason for visiting the Disneyland Resort is to have fun, as this young lady is having by riding down one of the water slides at the Disneyland Hotel’s monorail swimming pool. She doesn’t mind getting wet, but looks like she wants no water up her nose. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Keeping the gardens and landscapes in good shape in Downtown Disney are two members of the Disneyland Resort’s horticulture team near the Rainforest Cafe. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A fun diversion are the parrots brought out to talk to guests visiting the Downtown Disney area during the day in front of the Rainforest Cafe. Anyone in the audience have a cracker? (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The walls are going up on the building for the Splitsville Luxury Lanes and Restaurant in Downtown Disney. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



She wants that one, says the unidentified young lady inside the Build-A-Bear shop in Downtown Disney that will be closing at the end of September to make room for an as yet unnamed restaurant. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Here comes the merchandising for Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi. These creatures will be in the movie and are called “Porgs.” What they are, exactly, who knows. But they are cute. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A new character in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, is BB-9. Probably related to BB-8. It is not known if it is a good droid, or one from the dark side. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The loading and unloading area for the Mickey Van, designed for those with disabilities, is undergoing refurbishment in the tram loading and unloading area in Downtown Disney. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The information booth near the Esplanade near the front of Disneyland’s main entrance is surrounded by walls as it undergoes a refurbishment. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Halloween decorations are showing up at Disneyland on the lamp posts, and the Main Street Station of the Disneyland Railroad. No ghosts have been sighted yet. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Disneyland’s City Hall is decked out in orange and yellow as the Halloween season nears. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Pumpkins of all kinds of eerie designs now sit atop the sign for the Mad Hatter in Town Square on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland – ready for the upcoming Halloween parties that will be held at the theme park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sal Sigala of La Puente, tries on a pair of mouse ears. “I had to try a pair on for my fiancee,” he said. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Part of the fun for families is arranging a fun photo with one of Disneyland’s park photographers that roam around. Here the photographer is trying to coax a smile out of the youngest one. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Steve Finley, a long time cast member at Disneyland, normally drives the fire engine. But when there’s a parade coming down Main Street U.S.A. he makes sure that guests are moved to the side to make a path for the Disneyland Band and some other recognizable characters. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Heather Anne Madli smiles for the camera while ordering lunch inside the Jolly Holiday Bakery at Disneyland. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Eric tinkles the ivories on the Ragtime Piano outside the Coca Cola Refreshment Corner on Main Street U.S.A. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Corn Dog Cart was wheeled away for refurbishment at Disneyland, but don’t worry – there are other locations that serve Disneyland’s corn dog at the Disneyland Resort. Though many will claim they’re not the same. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

This young man is really enjoying his flight on the Astro Orbitor in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. We can’t tell what expression his mother has on her face. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Making the giant rock sphere spin around on a bed of water in Tomorrowland is fun for kids of all ages at Disneyland. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The young lad dressed in the Donald Duck costume is 3-year-old Manuel Torres of Richmond, CA. He found out that Donald Duck is the favorite character of reporter Mark Eades, so asked to have his photo taken with him. (Photo taken by Disney’s Hayley Silva for Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Manuel Torres, 3, of Richmond, CA, is a big Donald Duck fan, and made sure to get his photo taken with his favorite duck. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Part of the fun at Disneyland is coming upon some of the smaller musical groups that play throughout the theme park, like right here on Main Street U.S.A. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kim Ong of San Francisco, checks out her “Matterhorn” that she purchased at the Jolly Holiday Bakery, by comparing it to the one at Disneyland. She said hers would be a lot easier to eat than the 147-foot-tall one in the background. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



This female Mallard duck was wandering around the walkways of the central hub in front of the Jolly Holiday Bakery. The photographer decided to name it Hayley, as she was constantly wandering about. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

River Belle Terrace is currently closed for refurbishment that will see its dining room expanded. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A view of the tallest spire that is part of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland as seen from Tarzan’s Treehouse in Adventureland. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Mickey & Friends parking structure can be seen from the top level of Tarzan’s Treehouse in Adventureland at Disneyland. On the left, the Sailing Ship Columbia is docked in Fowler’s Harbor. The trees along the berm will continue to grow and in a few years should block any views of the parking structure from inside the park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jack Skellington sits atop one of the pillars for the gated entrance to the Haunted Mansion. The ghosts have closed the mansion while Imagineers install the annual Halloween and Christmas themed version of the ride based on the movie “A Nightmare Before Christmas.” (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



The Mickey & Friends parking structure is barely visible in this view taken from the walkway by Splash Mountain in Critter Country at Disneyland. As the trees along the berm and Disneyland Railroad tracks continue to grow, they will eventually block any view of the structure from inside the park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Piglet decided to enjoy a day out in the sun in Critter Country at Disneyland, pleasing many kids and their parents waiting to take a photo with the character from the Winnie the Pooh cartoons. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Okay, it’s probably an air handler atop one of the buildings for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland. But the photographer wants to believe it is a scout ship for a Rebel Spy. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Some of the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes escaped into a small inlet on Tom Sawyer Island to take a break in the shade. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kenzie Zimmerman, of Phoenix, holds her happy 1-year-old daughter, Elliana, for a photo along the waterfront for the Rivers of America at Disneyland. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



A mother and daughter take a relaxing break to watch for turtles, ducks and fish in the pond in Frontierland near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A lizard decides to take a break on a rock in Frontierland at Disneyland. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Woody, character from the movie “Toy Story,” takes a moment to visit with a young man along the Big Thunder Trail at Disneyland, causing the boy to break out into a big smile. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

This young lady is trying to find out if the Fairy Godmother can transform her outfit into a lovely ball gown in Fantasyland at Disneyland. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Dressed as fairies are (l-r) Cameron McQuay, 8, Victoria Grant, Carolyn Wiedenfeld and Brandy Wiedenfeld. The fairies dressed in blue and pink are from Austin, Texas. The other two live in Marietta. They were having fun walking around Fantasyland dress in their fairy outfits, many visitors would stop and take photos with them. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



This young man is determined to steer the car out in front of Mister Toad’s Wild Ride in the right direction. He is Ethan Castillo, 2, of Santa Ana, and really likes driving, even if he’s not going anywhere. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Spinning around in the tea cups on the Mad Tea Party is fun for all four of these ladies in Fantasyland at Disneyland. “Faster, spin faster” she seems to yell. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

This group represents the corporate communications and public relations departments at the Disneyland Resort, and came out to visit with Mark Eades (in hat) a reporter with the Orange County Register who, for the past several years, has covered the resort and other theme parks. They are (l-r) Hayley Silva, Kyleigh Johnson, Melissa Britt, Suzy Brown, Mark Eades (with Donald Duck), Michele Himmelberg and Frank Reifsnyder. (Photo taken by a Disneyland cast member for Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

My Mumdening, 2, from Denmark, tries to drive the fire engine in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland. She was having a good time despite the fact that the engine is just a display for photos, and not going anywhere. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Donald Duck’s house in Mickey’s Toontown is currently docked behind some walls for refurbishment. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Bubble toys are fun, and bear serious inspection by this young man. How do they work and make all those bubbles? (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Many visitors to Disneyland enjoy a ride on the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the first tubular steel roller coaster ever built. The ride opened in 1959. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mountain? Just Mountain on the Space Mountain sign, probably made that way by the ghosts working on installing the Ghost Galaxy overlay on Disneyland’s Tomorrowland attraction for the Halloween Season. Space flights are grounded until the Ghost Galaxy is ready to fly later in September. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Halloween is also coming to Disney California Adventure as the first decorations for the season appear over the main entrance to the theme park. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

This shrouded circle is part of the Halloween decor being added above the main entrance to Disney California Adventure for the spooky season. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Brittney Murdock sits on a bench in the shade on Hollywood Boulevard in Disney California Adventure. Too tired from all the fun he has had is her sleeping son, 5-year-old Trace. They were visiting the park and are from Syracuse, Utah. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

“2319!” The monsters had contact with humans, closing the “Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!” attraction for a refurbishment at Disney California Adventure. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Eight-month-old Jackson Sivero, from Lake Forest, is having a grand time with the fountains in the Bug’s Land area of Disney California Adventure. His mother, Jorden, seems to enjoy the cooling water of the fountains too. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The car characters from the Disney/Pixar movie “Cars” decided to get in on the Halloween season by decorating Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Spooky decor adorns the Cozy Cone Motel in Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Some ghoulish decorations have invaded the Dinoco gasoline pumps in front of the Route 66 curio shop in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

By George, the photographer found this male Mallard Duck swimming around in the pond near the Boudin Bakery at Disney California Adventure. The duck, nicknamed George by the photographer, was savvy enough to pose for the photo too. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

This unidentified young lady enjoys a ride on the back of a fish on King Triton’s Carousel in the Paradise Pier area of Disney California Adventure. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Goofy’s Sky School is currently grounded while the roller coaster undergoes a refurbishment. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The rafts for the Grizzly River Run at Disney California Adventure are left sitting on the dry floor of the river as the rapids run is closed for refurbishment. Cast members said that bears came down from the nearby mountain and caused some problems. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Two workers busily repair some of the steel in the water way before the lift for the Grizzly River Run attraction at Disney California Adventure. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The young lady from Japan enjoys a fun moment holding the balloons for a photo opportunity at Disney California Adventure. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Orange County Register reporter Mark Eades really wanted a photo with his favorite Disney character. Some might say Eades is as much a character as Donald Duck. (Photo taken by Disney’s Hayley Silva for Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Yes, that is Mark Eades, and he really was part of a clue on the Jeopardy game show on television in the spring of 2016. But as of September 8, 2016, he will no longer be on the Disneyland Beat at the Orange County Register, as he is stepping away from being a full-time reporter. But you can look for him to occasionally visit the Disney theme parks as he loves to visit with his family, and Donald Duck. (Photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

River Belle Terrace at Disneyland is closed for a while, as the park works on enlarging the indoor dining area for the now table-service restaurant. The Corn Dog Cart has been moved backstage for refurbishment.

Two attractions at Disneyland are also closed as they receive their annual Halloween-themed overlays: Space Mountain becomes Ghost Galaxy, and the Haunted Mansion receives its “Nightmare Before Christmas” overlay with the characters from the movie.

At Disney California Adventure, Goofy’s Sky School, Monsters, Inc. and Grizzly River Run are undergoing refurbishment work too.

Meanwhile, the fun continues for those who can attend during this period.

Departing thoughts

Editor’s note: The following is an opinion from the writer, Mark Eades, who worked for Disney for 21 years, including 11 as an Imagineer.

I’ve had two careers in my life, one working for Disney, and in theme park design – that lasted for 25 years. The other as a journalist, and that has been for the last 20 years, including the last eight covering Disney’s theme parks, and the theme park business. Now I’m stepping aside from that second career.

One thing I’ve enjoyed in all this time is watching people of all ages having fun at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Knott’s Berry Farm and other theme parks. And that’s what it’s all about, having fun.

Too many times these days, people take life way too seriously all the time. Part of it is due to the way social media is influencing our lives. Sure there are serious issues out there, but it’s also okay to stop, smell the roses and have fun to relieve the stresses of the day and enjoy the company of friends and strangers.

Even within the world of theme parks and especially Disneyland, there are some who seem to focus on finding things wrong, whether it’s a plant out of place or that odd bit of paint peeling in a corner of the park. Sure those things should be corrected in a timely manner – and I am sure they will be.

But sometimes this focus on finding things wrong at theme parks gets written about so much, that some can no longer visit theme parks and just have fun – they are obsessed with finding something that’s wrong. If things get so wrong that theme parks are no longer fun, then the parks need to pay attention to that. But ultimately, going to theme parks should be about, if even for a few hours, having fun.

Finally, there are some who seem to lament every change at classic theme parks like Knott’s and Disney. Many of them seem to abhor changes in society too. To those people, I offer this quote from Walt Disney’s granddaughter, Joanna Miller, that she added to the thread on one of my Facebook posts this year.

“On a recent trip to the Magic Kingdom, I was making my own closed minded critical comments with my sons and another family present. Halfway through the day I must have critiqued all the new things… Space Mountain gone to STAR WARs theme, when did that happen? … Swiss Family Robinson moved out of their home so the world of an animated hero could take it over with Tarzan’s Treehouse…. many many more… and after I was home I kept hearing the voice that began it all say that Disneyland will never be finished as long as there are new ideas… That it will always be changing. …

“How can I be so short-sighted and why would I wish stagnancy on a place so alive and so present? Why do we want the past when the present is vibrant and alive with thoughts and plans for the future. Would we stifle creativity to keep everything the same? There was a very wise man who started this magic and although he cherished his past, he would want to offer opportunity to include the dreamers of today and the future. Embrace the change, and keep the history in our hearts and in our stories.”

So let’s continue to move forward at theme parks, and in society to make the world safer, and more fun for everyone.

Now, I’m going to go to Disneyland not for work, but to have some fun.