This week, a look behind the scenes on how Disneyland transforms a land for the holidays, the new Magic Key calendar released, a popular attraction is getting it’s first refurbishment, guests can send letters to Santa Cars in Cars Land, we talk about a little known version of Tomorrowland that never was, and more!

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Disney has posted the availability calendar for the new Explore Magic Key that we spoke about last episode. The new key will have extended availability in the summer, opening up a lot of days in June and July that the Enchant Key was blocked out for. There are some other dates that are blocked out on the new key, so take a look at the link in the show notes if you are interested in comparing. – https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/

The standard refurbishment for Haunted Mansion after the holiday season has an end date. January 23rd will be the return of the classic Haunted Mansion variation. Also added to the refurbishment list for the first time is Star Wars Rise of the Resistance. It will enter refurbishment on January 20th, with no current return date. – https://www.micechat.com/428675-disneyland-news-construction-portos-rise-of-the-resistance-haunted-mansion/

Navigation around the park after nighttime spectaculars might be a little easier to see. New electronic signs have debuted that give guests directions on where to go to get to certain locations in the park. This replaces the cast members yelling directions, or the dimply lit handheld signs that were previously used. – https://www.micechat.com/428675-disneyland-news-construction-portos-rise-of-the-resistance-haunted-mansion/

A fun activity is available in Cars Land. Inside of Sarge’s Surplus Hut, there is a display with a red mailbox. At this mailbox, you can write a letter to Santa Car. Mater will then take everyone’s letters to Santa Car to the North Pole, along with his friend Lightning McQueen. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2025/12/14/confirmed-this-might-be-the-best-holiday-thing-you-can-do-in-a-disney-park/

A small version of “it’s a small world” appeared on the Disneyland Instagram this week. The video showed off a model of the classic attraction in the park, in front of the full-sized attraction. The video goes on to show the creation of the miniature, which features 120 individual bushes, trees, and shrubs, and took over 200 hours to create. The miniature is on display in the small world toy shop. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-small-world-model/

As we reported last week, work has finally begun on the new Porto’s location in Downtown Disney. Construction walls have gone up and encircle the ticket booths on the Disney California Adventure side of the west esplanade. This is a great sign of progress. Another area slow to redevelopment has been the old ESPN building, which now has signage up for lululemon! The old Tortilla Jo’s location, which has been sitting stagnant since demo finished in the summer, is still happening, but waiting on permits with the city to continue. Construction here should hopefully resume soon. – https://www.micechat.com/428675-disneyland-news-construction-portos-rise-of-the-resistance-haunted-mansion/

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