Thor is joining Tony Stark in Tomorrowland as a new meet-and-greet and movie prop exhibit moves into an underutilized portion of the huge Innoventions builing. The meet-and-greet will open in November to promote the upcoming Thor: The Dark World movie, which hits theaters November 8. Meanwhile, the finishing touches are going in on Main Street, U.S.A.‘s newly-expanded and remodeled Market House as the new Starbucks Coffee location gets ready to open this week. Cast Members have been getting the first look at the new space during previews over the weekend. Meanwhile, Disneyland‘s popular Halloween Time season continues with a variety of special menu items, desserts and treats available to enjoy throughout both theme parks.

Don’t miss your weekly Disneyland Resort crowd forecast — provided by our friends at MouseAddict — in the Weekly News and Information Roundup at the end of today’s update!

Get a closer look at today’s update!

Click on any photo in the blog for a large, high-resolution version of the image.

We’ve got another big update for you today, so get ready to throw some pumpkin on it and let’s get started.





Welcome to Disneyland!

Halloween Time is well underway at Disneyland.



Refurbishment Round-Up



The Market House is set to officially reopen on Wednesday after being expanded and remodeled for the arrival of Starbucks.



The big coffee cup sign that was on the facade of the Carnation Cafe (previously a part of the former Blue Ribbon Bakery facade) has now been relocated to the front of the Market House.



Moving this sign makes sense – while the Carnation Cafe serves coffee and espresso drinks, the sit-down restaurant isn’t as accessible to guests as the Blue Ribbon Bakery was and the new Starbucks location will be.



Starbucks will be a big draw on Main Street and will hopefully help alleviate the demand seen at the end of Main Street at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe.



No more coffee cup at the Carnation Cafe.



You can still spot the holes where the sign was attached.



At the end of Main Street, work continues on repaving the walkway between Fantasy Faire’s Royal Theater and Frontierland.



At Sleeping Beauty Castle, the rooftop that had been missing for some months from a small castle turret has finally been replaced.



Snow White Grotto is still closed for refurbishment.



Meanwhile, work continues on the new fall safety additions along Fantasyland rooftops.



Atop Snow White’s Scary Adventures



Note the new wall up around the fireworks pyro launch box.



Correction, 09/23/13 1:50 p.m.: This new beige wall/box on top of Snow White Scary Adventures is not related to the fall safety additions currently being added in Fantasyland. This wall is part of the set-up for the “Halloween Screams” fireworks show. – Andy

King Arthur Carrousel’s refurbishment continues



The historical signage on the construction walls got additions over the last week.



In Frontierland, Big Thunder Mountain’s refurbishment continues



In Adventureland, work walls are still up around the moat that surrounds the backside of the Enchanted Tiki Room.



Meet Marvel

In Tomorrowland, Disney continues to build the presence of Marvel superheroes in Disneyland by using the fledgling Innoventions attraction as the home for another movie photo-op.



Innoventions became home to “Iron Man Tech” earlier this spring, in support of the theatrical release of “Iron Man 3.” The Iron Man exhibit, which took over an empty corner of Innoventions’ upstairs area, was slated to close in this month but has now been extended indefinitely.



The Iron Man exhibit has helped breathe a bit of new life into the massive Innoventions building, with actual queues forming for Innoventions for the first time in years when the exhibit first opened in April. The hype has since died down, but Iron Man Tech remains a popular feature of Innoventions as there isn’t much else in the building that holds guest interest for very long.



With the success of the Iron Man Tech exhibit, it was little surprise in August when Disney announced the park would receive a new Thor meet-and-greet, in support of the upcoming “Thor: The Dark World” movie. Most fans assumed the Thor meet-and-greet would also call Innoventions home, and Disney confirmed last week that Thor will meet guests in Innoventions starting November 1, a week before the new movie hits theaters. The meet-and-greet will include “Thor: Treasures of Asgard,” an exhibit of movie props.



Walls are now up next to Iron Man Tech, around the old St. Joseph Hospital exhibit, which had been a part of Innoventions since 2000. For years now, half-functional late 90s-era medical technology displays, video clips and set design have been horribly out-of-date.



Below, Disney’s description of the new Thor meet-and-greet:

Astrophysicist Jane Foster, who established a special relationship with Thor, has been studying the “Bifrost,” a cosmic bridge that allows Thor to travel between the Nine Realms, including Earth. She has determined that the Bifrost is set to open again in Southern California and pinpointed the precise location as Innoventions at Disneyland park. Inside Innoventions, Foster and her team are preparing for the opening of the Bifrost with the installation of Thor: Treasures of Asgard, a collection of objects brought to Earth straight from Asgard. After viewing the exhibit, you’ll be invited to enter a chamber where the Bifrost will transport you to Asgard for an audience with Thor himself!

While it’ll be nice to see something move in here, it’s kind of disappointing to see Disney’s big Marvel acquisition so-far translate to cheap photo-ops in Disneyland and Monorail wraps at Walt Disney World.



Scary Snacks

Meanwhile, Halloween Time is well underway and Disneyland is offering a nice variety of special Halloween Time-exclusive special menu items, snacks and desserts. The candy shops on Main Street, Buena Vista Street and in Critter County and Downtown Disney are well stocked with a variety of Halloween Time confections. Below, Cake Pops



Rice crispy treats



Caramel Apples



The very popular pumpkin fudge is back



Cupcakes



Cones



Pumpkin brittle



Mashmallow wands



At Plaza Inn, the Pumpkin Minnie Demitasse, in a souvenir mug with flourless chocolate cake, pumpkin and chocolate mousse, candy corn and chocolate shavings. This is also available at the Jolly Holiday Bakery.



Not a Halloween-specific offering, but the Plaza Inn is testing a new fish option. The Glazed Salmon meal is served with a citrus fruit relish, mushroom-quinoa and seasonal vegetables and is $16.99.



The Jolly Holiday Bakery is serving up a variety of seasonal pastries



Jolly Holiday also has seasonal drinks available.



In New Orleans Square, the French Market has a seasonal muffuletta, a sandwich stuffed with layered meats, cheese and olive salad on a round loaf.



…along with a couple great holiday desserts including the Oreo Mousse Coffin (white chocolate mousse, Oreo crumbs and Skellington white chocolate decoration) and pumpkin pie.



Around the corner, the Mint Julep Bar has the pumpkin spice lattes and delicious pumpkin beignets that sold out early on Friday the 13th.



Over in Critter Country, the Hungry Bear Restaurant has a special crispy fish sandwich on the menu.



Over in Frontierland, Rancho del Zocalo has chicken tamales on the menu for Dia de los Muertos as well as pumpkin flan with orange cake.



Pumpkin flan with orange cake



If you head back to Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree, you can try the fried apple burrito while you watch the pumpkin carvers do their thing.



Big Thunder Barbecue is serving snickerdoodles with vanilla ice cream, pumpkin sauce, caramel sauce and orange sugar sprinkles for dessert at the all-you-can-eat restaurant.



If Halloween treats aren’t your thing, then at least check out the goats and sheep at Big Thunder Ranch – even they’re dressed up for Halloween Time!



Nearby, the Village Haus in Fantasyland has a special chicken sandwich available.



Halloween Wicked Grilled Chicken with roasted mushrooms, Swiss cheese, arugula and spicy roasted red pepper aioli. The sandwich sounds great but I was a little disappointed with it when we tried it on Saturday – it was pretty bland, overall.



Over at California Adventure, the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe has all of Starbucks’ seasonal favorites available.



Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta is serving an “Anti-Vampire” flatbread pizza



Both parks have new Halloween Time cups…



…souvenir mugs



…and popcorn boxes and souvenir popcorn buckets



Other offerings in the parks include:

Pepper Jack Skellington Burger at Carnation Cafe, on grilled sourdough with white cheddar, pepper jack, red onions and spicy burger sauce

Coq au vin (chicken braised with wine, bacon, mushrooms and garlic) and pumpkin beignets at Cafe Orleans

Roasted pork tenderloin Wellington (with scotch bonnet pepper harissa sauce!) at Blue Bayou Restaurant

…as well as other offerings available only during the special-ticket Mickey’s Halloween Party.

Limited Time Magic

[center]Celebrate Pirates Week

at Disneyland Park

September 23-29, 2013[/center]

Disneyland is celebrating “Pirates Week” this week with the return of pirate-themed entertainment in New Orleans Square and on Tom Sawyer Island including The Bootstappers and Captain Jack Sparrow. Below is Disney’s official blurb on the offering.

Avast! Make way to Disneyland Park for a full week of Limited Time Magic inspired by “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” Be ye regaled in New Orleans Square by The Bootstrappers pirate band while a scurvy bunch of bilge rats looking for new recruits takes over the Sailing Ship Columbia. Set sail, or follow destiny to the Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer’s Island, where ye may encounter a scallywag with a comical parrot sidekick or perhaps make the acquaintance of Captain Jack Sparrow himself! And don’t forget The Pirates League‚Äîavailable for both kids and adults from September 20 to October 31, 2013‚Äîlocated at Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree. Sign up now to collect a set of complimentary pirate teeth, available while supplies last!

[center]Collect an “Iron Man 3”

and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Poster

at Disneyland Park

Now, while supplies last[/center]

You can get a free double-sided poster promoting Iron Man 3 on Blu-ray and the new Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show for free at Innoventions, while supplies last. Below is Disney’s official information on it.

Experience the latest Iron Man technology firsthand at Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries, an interactive exhibit at Innoventions in Disneyland Park. This is your chance to virtually “suit up” and test out Iron Man’s Mark 42! Plus, as part of Limited Time Magic, you can take home a special poster celebrating the release of Iron Man 3 on Blu-ray as well as ABC’s new TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‚Äîboth debuting September 24th! Enjoy all the action as you go behind the mask with Tony Stark on his latest adventure, and don’t miss the premiere of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 8:00 PM / 7:00 PM Central on ABC.

[center]Pirates of the Caribbean:

The Curse of the Black Pearl Screening

A Limited Time Annual Passholder Magic Event

at Disneyland Park

September 19, 2013[/center]

Passholders can attend a screening of the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” film at the Main Street Opera House this week.



Disney California Adventure Park After-Hours Event for Annual Passholders In celebration of Pirates Week at the Disneyland Resort, Annual Passholders can attend a screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl at the Main Street Opera House in Disneyland Park. Dates & Time

Monday, September 23, 2013 at 5:00 PM

Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 5:00 PM Event Details Registration and wristband distribution for the event will begin at 12:00 PM (noon) on the day of the event at the Main Street, U.S.A. Opera House in Disneyland Park.





All participating Annual Passholders must present their active Annual Passports to the event Cast Member to check event availability and to register and receive an event wristband. Photo ID may be required.





Registration must be completed in person at the Main Street, U.S.A. Opera House in Disneyland Park on the day of the event only; no phone reservations or other registration will be accepted.





This is an all-ages event. However, all participating Guests ages 3 and older must be valid Annual Passholders on the day of the event. Children under 3 may attend the event as long as there is space available and they receive an event wristband during the registration process.





It is recommended that all members of your party register together to help ensure that everyone receives an event wristband.





For assistance, you may contact the Annual Passport Member Services team at (714) 781-PASS (7277). More information

Welcome to California Adventure

As for California Adventure, there isn’t much news to report coming from the park.



Over on Pacific Wharf the Pacific Wharf Cafe facade is getting some refurbishment work but the restaurant remains open.



On Paradise Pier, walls are up in the former Maliboomer area.



Over in Hollywood Land, Mad T Party band added a couple songs to its sets for Halloween Time in addition to some decorations in the area that we showed you last week.



Our friends at DisneyGeek.com have these videos of the “This Is Halloween” cover the band has been performing at the end of their 8 p.m. set.



And at the end of their 9 p.m. set, the band has been performing “The Time Warp” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”



This and That

In Downtown Disney, the new Starbucks location is still in its early stages of construction.





Dateline Disneyland is sponsored by our good friends at the

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel & Water Playground . A short walk from the park, HoJo Anaheim is conveniently located next to Matterhorn Mountain at Disneyland with nearby dining, freeway access, FREE parking and FREE Wi-Fi. For more information on HoJo Anaheim, room rates, or to book your stay today, visit HoJoAnaheim.com/MiceChat



MiceChat.com and Annual Passholder Discounts

Available Every Day!

The HoJo Anaheim is now offering deeper discounts for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders! On select nights, Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders can get rooms for as low as $59 per night, plus tax. For more information visit the HoJo Anaheim Innsider Boards which features an up-to-date listing of available nights, or call (714) 776-6120 and ask for In-House Reservations to book. If your date isn’t listed, the HoJo Anaheim still offers rooms for 20% off their best available rate if you call (714) 776-6120.

Weekly News & Information Round-Up Weekly Theme Park Hours

September 23 – 29, 2013 [B]Disneyland Park[/B] [B]California Adventure[/B] Mon.-Thurs.:

10 am – 8 pm

Friday:

8 am – 7 pm

Sat.-Sun.:

8 am – 12 am Mon.-Thurs.:

10 am – 8 pm

Friday:

8 am – 12 am

Sat.-Sun.:

8 am – 10 pm [CENTER]

visit the For a complete listing of theme park hours,visit the Disneyland.com Theme Park Calendar [center] Closure and Refurbishment Schedule [/center] [b][center]Disneyland Park[/center][/b] [b]Market House:[/b] Closed for conversion and expansion for new Starbucks location. Opens September 2013.

[b]Big Thunder Mountain Railroad:[/b] Closed for extensive refurbishment through February 2014.

[B]Mickey’s House:[/B] Closed through September 26 for refurbishment.

[B]King Arthur Carrousel:[/B] Closed through October 10 for refurbishment.

[B]Mad Tea Party:[/B] Closed October 14-24 for refurbishment.

[B]Storybook Land Canal Boats:[/B] Closed October 14-24 for refurbishment.

[B]Casey Jr. Circus Train:[/B] Closed October 14-24 for refurbishment.

[B]”it’s a small world”:[/B] Closed October 27-November 7 to install holiday overlay.

[B]Dumbo the Flying Elephant:[/B] Closed October 28-November 11 for refurbishment.

[B]Alice in Wonderland:[/B] Expected to close early 2014 to install permanent safety railing on outdoor ride portion. [b][center]Disney California Adventure[/center][/b] [B]Disney Animation:[/B] Partially closed September 30-November 12 for refurbishment. [b][center]Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels[/center][/b] Starbucks Coffee: New Starbucks store under construction in former BLINK by Wet Seal location. Opens this winter. [center]

A weekly look at projected crowd levels at the Disneyland Resort.[/center] September 23 – 29, 2013

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN About This Week’s Estimates

Our Addictometer™ crowd estimates are designed to give you an idea of how busy the resort feels. These estimates are an average for the day — levels will fluctuate from open to close. We expect the weekdays to be relatively light, but crowds will tend to materialize in late afternoons as locals stop by for an evening of Halloween fun.

Despite the lack of special Halloween attractions, California Adventure continues to draw bigger crowds, on average.

Hotels this week are booked tightly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Are you already a Mouseaddict? Your wait time submissions have already helped us with these projections. Thank you! Keep those submissions coming! Download the free Mouseaddict app for iPhone and iPad for current crowd estimates, crowd maps, and wait times along with 60 categories of searchable resort information and your favorite MiceChat blogs. [center] Headline Roundup

A quick look at noteworthy Disney theme park headlines from around the web.[/center] MiceAge report that detailed the new system.

Disney’s strategy of ignoring the provocative “Escape From Tomorrow” film could result in reduced public interest as the movie heads to theaters. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Europeans are petitioning Disney CEO Bob Iger to “save Disneyland Paris” following years of neglect, decline. (Boing Boing)

OK – that wraps up this week’s edition of Dateline Disneyland. Are you excited to meet Thor in Innoventions or do you think it’s an underwhelming use of the Marvel property? Are you ready for Starbucks on Main Street? Join the discussion and let us know in the comments section below! We’re only here because of generous readers like you. Do you enjoy reading Dateline Disneyland every week? Consider helping us out by donating so we can pay the bills and keep the weekly updates coming! You can donate with a click of a button via PayPal, click here! For more Disneyland news, be sure to read MiceChat’s weekly In the Parks blog. And be sure to check out our sister blog, Dateline Disney World – a fantastic weekly photo blog covering Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida! Thanks for reading. See you at Disneyland!

[B]- Andy[/B] Support Dateline Disneyland

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