Disneyland to host Annual Passholder nights in October: Disneyland will host two special Annual Passholder nights in October, but you need to hurry to RSVP if you'd like to attend. According to the Disney Parks Blog, the special events are scheduled for October 12 and 17 from 8pm until midnight. The parties will include a special performance of the Soundsational Parade, with an opportunity to get a closer look at the parade floats. Some rides, stores and restaurants on Main Street and in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland will also be open for the event, and there will be meet-and-greet opportunities with some of the Disney characters.
If you would like to attend either event, be sure to read the instructions posted on the Disney Parks Blog, and submit your request ASAP. The events were announced Monday morning, and space is limited. Those selected to attend will receive confirmation by e-mail, and may bring up to three other annual passholders as guests.
It's interesting that Disneyland is basing this event around the Soundsational parade, which debuted in June and was the focus of the "Soundsational Summer" media campaign, and not the current HalloweenTime promotion. Perhaps the idea is to get the passholders to Disneyland during Halloween, and hopefully encourage them to spring for tickets to come back for Mickey's Halloween Party.
If any of the MousePlanet staff are picked to attend either party, we'll try to organize a meet-and-greet for MousePlanet readers sometime during the event. Watch our MousePad discussion forum for details as we have them.
Disneyland Hotel renovation update: The Disneyland Hotel is nearing the end of a major facelift of the three hotel towers, with the lobby of the main tower–recently renamed the "Fantasy" tower–currently under construction. Work walls have come down in the last few weeks, giving a glimpse at the hotel's new decor. Gone is the detailed wood molding, patterned wallpaper and colorful paint of the last remodel, replaced with light wood trim, solid pastel walls and metal accents. One hotel cast member said the new lobby "looks like an IKEA."