Paint the Night Parade Mishap, New Disneyland TV Special, Popular Ride Refurbishment Extended, Hidden Discount, and More ‘This Week’

Welcome back to Mickey Visit Disneyland This Week! Each week at Mickey Visit, we unearth Disneyland news and tips you could easily miss completely. We have all of the essential dates for your visit. This week, we have news about a Disneyland TV special for the resort's 70th anniversary, a discount that may be hidden in your email, a recent Paint the Night parade incident, and more.

These news and date updates provide the most important information for your visit every single week, whether you are a frequent visitor or visiting for the first time in years. We cut through the noise to hone in on what dates and news matter for this week. Click here to see our most recent Disneyland This Week update from last week for all the things you missed at Disneyland and our first Disneyland This Week update for all my thoughts on what we are hoping to achieve with these weekly updates.

My name is Gavin Doyle. Each week, I and members of my team, including Lindsay Brookshier, Emily Midgley, and Bridget Waldman from @CaliforniaDisneyBliss, will work together to bring you the most essential Disneyland information. This is your one-stop resource for everything happening at Disneyland the week of September 15, 2025.

One Big Thing in Disneyland News – Paint the Night Parade Mishap

Last week, there was an incident that interrupted Disneyland's Paint the Night parade performance on Wednesday evening. We wanted to include this in our weekly report to fill you in on what happened and the status of current parade performances.

During the first performance of the evening, the Little Mermaid float started malfunctioning, and as they attempted to tow the float, it started billowing smoke. Disneyland officials later reported to media outlets, including the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, that there was a power issue, and a complication with the brakes as the float was being towed, which caused the smoke.

Guests were cleared out of the area, and the rest of the parade was rerouted to the far side of the hub. The second parade of the night was performed with a few floats missing, including the Monsters Inc., Little Mermaid, and Mickey finale float, and reduced performers. The Frozen float was the finale of the parade for this performance.

The incident was swiftly handled, and no guests were injured. According to Disneyland officials, a Cast Member was treated and released by Disneyland First Aid. The Little Mermaid float has returned to the parade, which is now running as normal.

Our understanding is that there was not a full-fledged “fire,” as we have seen some reports of. It is easy for an incident like this to be blown a little out of proportion, especially considering that the incident from a couple of years ago, when the Fantasmic! dragon caught on fire, is still fresh in everyone's mind.

You can see a video of the Paint the Night incident from Jennifer Vest (@jefernervest on TikTok) below.

@jefernervestPaint the Night Little Mermaid Float starts on fire at Disneyland.♬ original sound – Jennifer Vest

Important Disneyland Dates This Week

• This week, there will be an ABC News special that commemorates the 7-decade legacy of Disneyland in honor of its 70th anniversary celebration. You can see all details about what the special will feature (including sneak peeks at new Disney California Adventure rides) and when it will air in our separate article here.
• We are now in the “off-season” at Disneyland, when crowds are generally lower and there are a handful of the lowest-priced Tier 0 ($104) ticket days for 1 Park Per Day tickets. This week, those days are September 16, 17, and 18.
• There is a new way to feel that Disney Halloween vibe in Downtown Disney! You can now watch the Villainous show at the Downtown Disney LIVE Stage. This a cappella group, West Beat Sings, belts out amazing Disney tunes while dressed in Disney Villain-inspired outfits.
  • September: 5, 13, 26 & 28 at 5:30, 6:30, 8:00 and 9:00 pm.
  • October: 5, 10, 18, 25 at 5:30, 6:30, 8:00, and 9:00 pm.
• We expect Disneyland ticket price increases to be coming soon based on past precedent. Disneyland raises ticket prices every year, and it's important to lock in the lowest rates now before these go into effect. Our travel partner will often get to keep selling discounted tickets at the old prices for a week or so after the increase is announced, but this is not guaranteed, which is why you'll want to buy your tickets now. See our separate article on the expected price increases and how you can lock in the best prices now.
• Downtown Disney celebrates Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month with festive decor, specialty foods, and live performances!

• Oogie Boogie Bash will close Disney California Adventure early at 6 pm on Tuesday, September 16, Thursday, September 18, and Sunday, September 21. See all Disneyland early closure dates for the rest of the year here. If you're attending this year's parties, see everything you need to know about Oogie Boogie Bash in our full guide. Oogie Boogie Bash tickets are now sold out for all party dates.

Key Disneyland News You Missed

• A months-long popular Disneyland ride closure has been extended. Check out the details in our separate article here.
• A new discount on Disneyland tickets may be hidden in your email. See details and how you can still access discounted tickets even if you did not receive this email.
• 2025 dates, pricing, and booking details were announced for this year's Goofy's Kitchen holiday character dining. See all of the details announced and our past review here!
• A potential new Anaheim tax could increase Disneyland ticket and parking costs. You can see everything we know so far in our separate article here.
• A new hotel within walking distance of Disneyland is about to begin construction. See details and concept art in our separate article here.
• Two very cute new seasonal Disneyland novelties have debuted! The Mickey Mouse Ghost Bucket and Dante Sipper are both available starting September 10 at various locations across the parks. You can see all of the seasonal novelties and other popcorn buckets in our articles on the Disneyland Halloween popcorn buckets and novelties and Plaza de la Familia novelties.
• The Disneyland Hotel security checkpoint is currently temporarily closed. We are hearing from Disneyland that this closure should last about a month. In the meantime, guests can use the Downtown Disney security checkpoint located a little further to the south.
• If you're staying at any of the three Disneyland Resort hotels this month or next, plan for a little trick-or-treat adventure! This complimentary experience is for all ages at all three Disneyland Resort Hotels. This experience is only for Disneyland Resort hotel Guests and no fees apply. Go to the Front Desk or Guest Services station to get your wristband, goodie guide, and treat bag on these dates:
  • September: 2, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
  • October: 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 31
• There are some potential Disneyland hotel ART shuttle changes coming that may bring new Uber & Lyft fees. You can see everything we know so far in our separate article here.
• Disney announced changes and a new character appearance coming to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disneyland & Disney World. You can see everything we know so far in our separate article here.

Best Disney and Universal Ticket Deals

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Magic Key Benefits Continue in September

Special perks for Magic Key Annual Passholders are available this month. See details below.

• At Oogie Boogie Bash, Magic Key holders can enjoy an exclusive Magic Key T-shirt and pin, as well as a special photo opportunity and pin set at the Magic Key destination under Silly Symphony Swings. The commemorative 3-button set features Lock, Shock, and Barrel from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and a candy treat.
• A special Kuzco Poison Sipper is available just for Magic Key holders at select quick-service locations throughout the Disneyland Resort.
• There is a unique Disney PhotoPass Magic Shot featuring Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, with complimentary digital downloads. This will be offered from August 22 through September 30 from 1-7 pm daily in New Orleans Square.
• Magic Key holders can purchase special Halloween Magic Key merch, while supplies last. This includes a Happy Halloween Magic Key T-shirt, Happy Halloween Magic Key Pin, Haunted Mansion Magic Key T-shirt, and Haunted Mansion Hatbox Ghost Magic Key Pin.
• Magic Key holders can find a 70th Celebration Postcard collection with a special Magic Key design from Disney Vacation Club, available at any Disney Vacation Club Discovery Desk. These are available while supplies last.
• During the 70th anniversary celebration, there is special Magic Key 70th-themed merchandise available! New Magic Key items will be released periodically. Right now, offerings include a 70th Magic Key T-shirt, 70th Magic Key Pin, and 70th Magic Key Lug Bag.
• Magic Key holders can enjoy special food offerings, including the Box O' Sliders at Galactic Grill and the new Neapolitan Sampler at The Golden Horseshoe, available for purchase on the Disneyland app. The Neapolitan Sampler offering features three sample-size ice cream floats, one of each of the following: Coca-Cola Cherry Float, Sprite Float, and Barq’s Root Beer Float.
• For the Pixar Putt mini golf course, Magic Key holders get a special discounted rate of $25 per Magic Key Holder.

Disneyland Operational Updates

• Disneyland has shorter hours of operation this week, with Disneyland Park open until 11 PM and Disney California Adventure open until 9 PM (except for Oogie Boogie Bash nights).
• Disney California Adventure will close early at 6 pm on September 16, September 18, and September 21 for Oogie Boogie Bash.
• The Disneyland 70th anniversary show, World of Color: Happiness!, shows once every night at Disney California Adventure, except for Oogie Boogie Bash nights.
• At Disneyland Park, Halloween Screams plays with projections every night and with fireworks on the weekends from Friday-Sunday. Fantasmic! will show twice a night on weekends. Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga will have three showtimes a night until Friday, then will have two showtimes a night through the weekend. Paint the Night runs twice a night.

What We're Thinking About This Week

• Emily is looking forward to seeing the ABC News special about Disneyland this week, especially the sneak peek at the new rides.
• Gavin is thankful that no one was hurt in the Paint the Night fire and is glad that the parade is back to running normally.
• Lindsay is thinking about how valuable it is to visit in the off season after experiencing extremely low wait times during her recent trip on a Tier 1 ticket day. Moving forward, she might be visiting more during the off seasons even if it means missing a day of school!

Where In Disneyland Is This?

Do you know where this is? Share your guess in the comments below!

Answer to last week's “Where In Disneyland Is This?” Click here to see that image so you can guess first.

The attic scene in Haunted Mansion Holiday! This Easter Egg references Disney Legend Rolly Crump's Candle Man, a depiction of a melting man with his fingers on fire.

Disneyland Crowd Calendar This Week

This week, we expect a mix of below-normal and normal crowds at the parks. Crowd levels typically pick up slightly as we get further into the month of September, but this is still a generally slower period of time with lower crowds that we consider to be one of the best months to visit Disneyland. Looking ahead to next month, you can expect the parks to be much busier.

You can see our rating of all upcoming dates in our Mickey Visit Disneyland Crowd Calendar.

New Disneyland Ride Closures This Week

This week, Dumbo the Flying Elephant is closing on September 16, and Sailing Ship Columbia will close on September 22 for refurbishment.

Here are some of the current ride closures that are continuing into this week:

• Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for refurbishment
• Radiator Springs Racers is closed for refurbishment (reopening date announced)
• Casey Jr. Circus Train is closed for refurbishment
• Storybook Land Canal Boats is closed for refurbishment

You can see reopening dates for some of the above attractions and other upcoming closures in our Disneyland ride refurbishment guide.

Other Disney Content We're Watching

Each week, we'll share some of our favorite information and fun content from across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube in an effort to spotlight some of the great creators who work so hard to share details from Disneyland.

First, we wanted to include this video from Lindsay (@chasingmagicdaily on Instagram) showing the new create-your-own-tiara experience at D’Orleans Crystal Shop in New Orleans Square! How cool is this?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lindsay – Disney Lifestyle Creator & Disney Mom (@chasingmagicdaily)

Next up, we have a post from Foodatdisneyland (@foodatdisneyland on Instagram) showing the cute new Mickey Mouse Ghost Bucket now available!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Foodatdisneyland (@foodatdisneyland)

We also wanted to include this video from Ryan (@ryanthesidekick on Instagram) showing off some items from the new Stoney Clover Lane x Disneyland 70th Anniversary collection. We love these!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ryan Sung (@ryanthesidekick)

 

Heads up! Reservations Open for Disneyland Dining / Park Reservations

For any trips before the below dates, you should consider booking park reservations and dining reservations.

• Today is the 60-day window for Disneyland dining reservations for November 14, 2025. 
• Today is the 180-day window for making Disneyland theme park reservations for March 14, 2026. This applies to most non-Annual Pass tickets.
• For Magic Key Annual Pass Holders, the 90-day window from today to make theme park reservations is December 14, 2025.

See our top tips for getting Disneyland dining reservations and the best Disneyland restaurants we would recommend.

Disneyland Lightning Lane Cost This Week

• Today, the Lightning Lane Multi Pass service costs $36 if you purchase it when you arrive.
• For the two Lightning Lane Single Pass rides, the cost is $28 for Rise of the Resistance and N/A for Radiator Springs Racers (closed for refurbishment).

You can see our guide to Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Disneyland for our expert tips on making the most of the service.

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