Disneyland 70th speculations and news

[LKing]

I noticed that July is completely wide open with exception for the 4th. Ticket sales must be low the weekend after the 17th. July 15 and 16 have been blocked on and off during the past couple of months, but the 18th-20th have been wide open.

The D23 event starts at 6:30 am and includes reserved seats for either WOC or PTN/Wondrous Journeys. That's a very long day. Also, it lists one speaker as opposed to a panel. Most D23 events have a panel of speakers and some extra surprises. I'm tempted, but $75 is a lot for an attraction and entertainment that I can see on other days. They are probably targeting D23 members who are flying in for the event.

 

[brightlined]

I've been to a bunch of D23 events over the years, and this might be the first that I can remember that really doesn't make sense to me based on the price. At face value, that feels like a $55 event tops (maybe even $45). If it were a preview before the general public, maybe it would justify $75. (That's partly why I suspected they weren't opening to the public until the 18th.)

If Tom Fitzgerald were there (and I assume he might be a surprise guest) and there was a guaranteed Q&A, that might be a closer draw. (Bob Gurr was mentioned in the LA Times piece saying he had seen the animatronic but was embargoed from talking about it - can't say if that's good or bad.) This project has had its fair share of controversy - can't tell if that's having an impact.

The math of those two days just doesn't make sense. Hopefully, they'll clear it up in the next week or two.

 

[DianaMB333]

Oh no…. I made crazy work/travel arrangements to get there at midnight on the 16th and fly back on the 18th at 5am …

I still hope that they open it on the 17th and do a little extra things for guests at the park…
Is it too much to ask for?

 

[LKing]

Oh no…. I made crazy work/travel arrangements to get there at midnight on the 16th and fly back on the 18th at 5am …

I still hope that they open it on the 17th and do a little extra things for guests at the park…
Is it too much to ask for?

Three weeks ago, they accidently released a Magic Key t-shirt that had July 17, 2025 and "I was there." It was a mistake and they weren't supposed to release it until July 17. It was tagged at $34.99. They only had it out for a few hours before it was pulled from the shelves. I assume they will have a non MK shirt as well.

It caught my attention because it looks poorly made. It is so thin that you can see the screened Mickey on the back from the front. Also the tag is sewn on so that it leaves a stitched box on the back.

These photos are from MiceChat on Instagram.

 

[mom2rtk]

Three weeks ago, they accidently released a Magic Key t-shirt that had July 17, 2025 and "I was there." It was a mistake and they weren't supposed to release it until July 17. It was tagged at $34.99. They only had it out for a few hours before it was pulled from the shelves. I assume they will have non a non MK shirt as well.

It caught my attention because it looks poorly made. It is so thin that you can see the screened Mickey on the back from the front. Also the tag is sewn on so that it leaves a stitched box on the back.

These photos are from MiceChat on Instagram.
View attachment 977521 View attachment 977523

Dang, that really is thin.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I feel bad for anyone making specific plans to visit the park on the 17th for this specifically only to have it randomly moved after it was announced to be premiering on the 17th.

I would guess that it could be soft opening on the 16th

They did have previews for WOC, the fireworks, the Pixar and PTN parades so would not surprise me if it soft opens before

Because there is no way they aren't done...feels more like they are just holding it for the date/draw more people again in the summer again more then anything else

 

[disneychrista]

I would guess that it could be soft opening on the 16th

They did have previews for WOC, the fireworks, the Pixar and PTN parades so would not surprise me if it soft opens before

Because there is no way they aren't done...feels more like they are just holding it for the date/draw more people again in the summer again more then anything else

I am only speaking to the fact that it is still on the refurb calendar on July 17th and them doing a D233 "preview" on the morning of the 18th. Both of these make it appear that it will not be open until the 18th.

They could technically do "soft openings" on the 16th & 17th and only do the official opening on the 18th.

 

[LKing]

I am only speaking to the fact that it is still on the refurb calendar on July 17th and them doing a D233 "preview" on the morning of the 18th. Both of these make it appear that it will not be open until the 18th.

They could technically do "soft openings" on the 16th & 17th and only do the official opening on the 18th.

The D23 event is not a preview. It is an exclusive showing before the park opens in the morning.

 

[joseph821]

The D23 event is not a preview. It is an exclusive showing before the park opens in the morning.

Disneyland opened for a private party by invitation only on July 17, 1955. DL opened to the public on July 18, 1955. Lets hope it opens on the 17th.

 

[LKing]

Because there is no way they aren't done...feels more like they are just holding it for the date/draw more people again in the summer again more then anything else

My thought is that they are holding it for the media coverage in the days leading up to the 17th.
Maybe they are taking POTC off of LL in order to make A Magical Life a LL attraction.

 

[LKing]

,

 

[brightlined]

The D23 event is not a preview. It is an exclusive showing before the park opens in the morning.

Weirdly, the event blurb refers to it as a "special preview" a few paragraphs in. Might just be a wording choice (I didn't take it seriously), but it made me wonder if they'd made some adjustments to the event.

Btw - surprisingly/unsurprisingly - the DL slots for the event sold out.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

My thought is that they are holding it for the media coverage in the days leading up to the 17th.
Maybe they are taking POTC off of LL in order to make A Magical Life a LL attraction.

That would be insane

I think the first week it will be insane but after that it should clam down a good deal

But its funny that some will be rope dropping this attraction for sure when it opens

 

[joseph821]

The Disneyland 70th Tour ends on Sunday August 24th. Availablity ends after the 24th.

 

[LKing]

Weirdly, the event blurb refers to it as a "special preview" a few paragraphs in. Might just be a wording choice (I didn't take it seriously), but it made me wonder if they'd made some adjustments to the event.

In this context, I interpreted preview to mean that you were viewing it prior to park opening.

After the special preview, enjoy a day at the parks before returning in the evening to enjoy the parks’ nighttime spectaculars in reserved viewing areas to bookend a (Walt) Disney-led Disneyland day! Enjoy Disney California Adventure Park’s waterfront spectacular World of Color Happiness!, or the Paint the Night parade and Wondrous Journeys nighttime spectacular at Disneyland. Selection to be made at the time of ticket purchase. Quantities are limited in each experience.

 

[disneychrista]

I've had a strong suspicion that they aren't opening Walt - A Magical Life to the public until the 18th.

The Disneyland Story is still listed as being closed on the 17th (not on the 18th), and D23 just announced this "special preview" for 6:30am on the 18th:

https://d23.com/d23-event/d23-gold-member-exclusive-showing-panel-walt-disney-a-magical-life/


EDIT: somebody said the above to Scott Gustin on Twitter/X, and he says it's opening on the 17th. *shrugs*

The D23 event is not a preview. It is an exclusive showing before the park opens in the morning.

I was going by what @brightlined that it was a "special preview" and it being on the 18th. I did not look at the actual link.

 

[brightlined]

In this context, I interpreted preview to mean that you were viewing it prior to park opening.

After the special preview, enjoy a day at the parks before returning in the evening to enjoy the parks’ nighttime spectaculars in reserved viewing areas to bookend a (Walt) Disney-led Disneyland day! Enjoy Disney California Adventure Park’s waterfront spectacular World of Color Happiness!, or the Paint the Night parade and Wondrous Journeys nighttime spectacular at Disneyland. Selection to be made at the time of ticket purchase. Quantities are limited in each experience.

Before I say this: I've done enough copywriting and copyediting in my lifetime to know that I'm pretty hyper-analytical when it comes to wording and potential interpretation, to the point that sometimes the writer can go insane.

If I were copyediting this, I would've pushed away from the word "preview" here. In the context you're describing, I would have suggested "special viewing" or probably "exclusive viewing". I think "preview" here gives a false impression that probably doesn't exist - since "previews" are standard terminology for something that happens prior to an official release.

I partially agree with your interpretation - even if you don't normally see "preview" to mean "before park opening" in a situation like this - but it feels like a bad choice for an event like this. (For example, I don't know that I would expect someone to call a pre-open ride on Pirates to be a "special preview" of Pirates.)

 

[Tinkaboo]

Three weeks ago, they accidently released a Magic Key t-shirt that had July 17, 2025 and "I was there." It was a mistake and they weren't supposed to release it until July 17. It was tagged at $34.99. They only had it out for a few hours before it was pulled from the shelves. I assume they will have non a non MK shirt as well.

It caught my attention because it looks poorly made. It is so thin that you can see the screened Mickey on the back from the front. Also the tag is sewn on so that it leaves a stitched box on the back.

These photos are from MiceChat on Instagram.
View attachment 977521 View attachment 977523

I really wasn't all that impressed by most of the 70th merch...i ended up buying a Pandora charm and a beautiful embroidered Pooh sweatshirt. I had planned on buying the castle spirit jersey but it just wasn't that impressive in person. IMHO.

 

[tx911]

I've been to a bunch of D23 events over the years, and this might be the first that I can remember that really doesn't make sense to me based on the price. At face value, that feels like a $55 event tops (maybe even $45). If it were a preview before the general public, maybe it would justify $75. (That's partly why I suspected they weren't opening to the public until the 18th.)

If Tom Fitzgerald were there (and I assume he might be a surprise guest) and there was a guaranteed Q&A, that might be a closer draw. (Bob Gurr was mentioned in the LA Times piece saying he had seen the animatronic but was embargoed from talking about it - can't say if that's good or bad.) This project has had its fair share of controversy - can't tell if that's having an impact.

The math of those two days just doesn't make sense. Hopefully, they'll clear it up in the next week or two.

I'm doing it. I'll let you know if it was worth it!

 

[tx911]

The D23 preview with the PTN package sold out quickly.

I ended up getting the one with the WOC package.

I will be glad not to have to deal with what I imagine will be huge lines on opening day. And I could cancel the WOC dining package I had booked, which will save me a little money. I already have the 70th tour booked, so I will get a viewing spot for PTN through that, so I'm liking how it all worked out.