Conner Purzycki brings us a fairly news-heavy photo report from the Disneyland Resort on the first day of its transition from the Diamond Celebration into HalloweenTime. Heavy promotion has started for the Tower of Terror final check-in, Star Wars land continues to rise from the dirt, Mickey and Minnie are getting an entirely new look, and the popular AP Days promotion has returned. See, I told you there was a lot going on! Let’s get started, because there is so much to see:
Tower of Terror Final Check-In
Banners around the resort promote HalloweenTime and the Tower of Terror send off events.
Billboard by the tram station don’t even mention Halloween Time, it’s all Twilight Zone Tower of Terror promotion. Halloween Time is a pretty big deal at the Disneyland Resort, so giving Tower of Terror the headline billing for this season is kind of a big deal.
Star Wars Land Construction
Construction of the Star Wars themed land continues in the back of Disneyland Park.
While it may appear that this project is ahead in schedule compared to Hollywood Studios, this version of the land features more tunnels and an elaborate mountain range to separate the area from Frontierland and Critter Country.
The Tower of Terror off in the distance, making this an interesting snapshot in Disneyland history.
Some of the Paint the Night floats are visible just beyond the Star Wars site. The parade is set to return for the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort before the finale run of the Main Street Electrical Parade begins.
The Diamond Celebration Slowly Vanishes
Promotional signs for AP Days out in force at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure.
The Diamond Celebration still lingers at the Disneyland Resort, including the Diamond Days promotion, which is still going for some reason.
Halloween Time and the Diamond celebration decorations clash on Main Street.
Some work being done outside of the Disneyland Railroad station.
Some tarps still up on the Market House, but Starbucks remains open through it.
Some other Main Street facades are now also behind tarps.
The hub Jack-O-Lanterns are back.
While the “60” came down overnight, the rest of Sleeping Beauty Castle is still sporting the 60th decorations.
New Mickey & Minnie Costumes Arrive
The heavily discussed new look heads for Mickey and Minnie Mouse debuted at the Disneyland Resort yesterday.
These style heads also appear in Mickey’s Royal Friendship Fair at the Magic Kingdom and at the Shanghai Disney Resort.
Rivers of America
Work continues on the Rivers of America as it prepares for a Summer 2017 reopening, including a newly enhanced Fantasmic show.
The Columbia is being re-rigged for a new segment in Fantasmic, themed to Pirates of the Caribbean.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The Haunted Mansion is currently closed for its Haunted Mansion Holiday makeover.
A new cemetery has been placed up on the hill in the queue, featuring some fo the more famous tombstones from the attraction lore.
The Halloween Tree
The Halloween Tree honoring Ray Bradbury is back in Frontierland.
Peter Pan Facade Refurbishment
Even though it was worked on extensively in 2015, the Peter Pan’s Flight facade is once again behind tarps in Fantasyland. The attraction is open.
Space Mountain – Ghost Galaxy
Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy will be replacing Hyperspace Mountain until November. Hyperspace Mountain is expected to return and run until the opening of Star Wars land (only bowing our for Ghost Galaxy every year).
Downtown Disney
The new Starbucks in Downtown Disney is already getting a facade touch up, along with a Sprinkles location moving in next door.
More Tower of Terror and Halloween Time banners going down to the Disneyland Hotel.
Disney California Adventure
Some work being done to the outside of Rushin’ River Outfitters.
AP Days Return
AP Days have returned to the resort for the fall season.
A number of annual passholder exclusive items are available at the event.
Specialty food and beverage offerings from around the resort are showcased.
Trader Sam’s has a special Mahalloween mug this year celebrating The Haunted Mansion.
The lines for the AP Days Showcase were pretty long.
The now infamous Backlot Stage still remains, simply as it is more cost effective to leave it standing than remove it at this point.
The Pete’s Dragon preview is gone, so the Sunset Showcase sits dormant.
I’m so glad the Hyperspace Mountain overlay will return, since I haven’t experienced it yet (only on YouTube). Hoping to get down there maybe next summer some time, after the new F! show starts up.