New Disneyland Popcorn Buckets Debut, Several Rides Closed, Ticket Price Increases Imminent, 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 current and upcoming ride closures, an expected Disneyland price increase coming up, cute new seasonal novelties, 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 8, 2025.

One Big Thing in Disneyland News—Current/Upcoming Disneyland Ride Closures

As we are now into one of the slower seasons at Disneyland, there are several current and upcoming Disneyland ride refurbishments on the calendar. These slower times are a little bit of a double-edged sword, as they mean dramatically lower crowds and wait times for rides, but more attractions will be closed than during peak times of the year. It's important to stay up-to-date on these so you're not caught off guard during your trip! These closures include both smaller attractions and some major rides. Thankfully, most of them are pretty quick, but a few are longer refurbishments or don't yet have an end date posted.

This week, Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island and Dumbo the Flying Elephant are both joining the list of current closures at Disneyland Park. A point of clarification, as we have seen some comments about this—Tom Sawyer Island is not permanently closing at Disneyland as it did at Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida. This is just a short refurbishment that will last for a few days. Other current ride closures at the park include Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybook Land Canal Boats, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. While we don't yet know when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen, this closure is different from the extensive year-long closure happening for the version of the ride at Magic Kingdom on the other coast. Sailing Ship Columbia will also be closing for a brief refurbishment next week.

Over at Disney California Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers continues its over-month-long refurbishment. We also have some closures coming up for Goofy's Sky School and Mickey's PhilharMagic in the coming weeks. You can keep up-to-date with all current and upcoming Disneyland ride refurbishments in our guide, which we regularly update.

Important Disneyland Dates This Week

• This week, two very cute new seasonal Disneyland novelties debut! 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.
• 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 Tuesday, September 9, and Thursday, September 11.
• 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.
• This week is one of the best times to visit Disneyland for low crowds, as we predicted in our Mickey Visit Disneyland crowd calendar. We are here at Disneyland today on a Tier 1 ticket day, and everything was a walk-on this morning! Approximately an hour and a half after park opening, Tomorrowland was pretty dead, and Space Mountain was a walk-on!

• Gay Days at Disneyland are September 12th through the 14th. This unofficial Disney event will bring some PRIDE treats to the parks, events at Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and plenty of PRIDE merch and outfits in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure on Saturday and Sunday.
• 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
• Oogie Boogie Bash will close Disney California Adventure early at 6 pm on Tuesday, September 9, Thursday, September 11, and Sunday, September 14. 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

• 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.
• Anaheim is considering an aerial gondola system that would connect Anaheim's major tourist hubs, the Anaheim Resort District and the Platinum Triangle. You can see details about this in our separate article here.
• Disneyland has reopened a previously closed hidden gem space for a special, limited-time experience. You can see details on how to access it in our separate article here.
• Disney revealed new concept art for the enhanced outdoor dining area of Napa Rose, which is currently under renovation. You can see details and that concept art in our separate article here!
• Disney revealed some new popcorn buckets and novelties! See all photos and details in our separate article here.
• If you're looking for a fun and festive Halloween adventure, Pluto's Pumpkin Pursuit can be done in Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. Each map costs $11.99, and the prize is a cute corn hole style game.
• At Destination D23, Disney announced a new Disneyland documentary featuring never-before-seen footage. You can see all details, the trailer, and the opening period in our separate article here.
• Disney announced the dates for the 2026 D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which takes place every two years at the Anaheim Convention Center. See the dates revealed for the D23 Expo in our separate article here!

Best Disney and Universal Ticket Deals

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You can get adult tickets at kids prices for a limited time!! Don't miss out on these savings. We have been working with Get Away Today for over 7 years and are our top choice for the best discount Disney and Universal tickets. They always offer the lowest prices on Disneyland tickets and offer price match if you find lower prices anywhere else. Get discounts on tickets NOW >

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 shifts to 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 9, September 11, and September 14 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 the 12th, then will have two showtimes a night. Paint the Night runs twice a night.

What We're Thinking About This Week

• Emily always loves seeing the creative outfits from the runDisney events! There were some super fun ones for the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend.
• Gavin loves the “where in Disneyland” image for today and is excited to see who else knows where we captured this figure.
• Lindsay is thrilled to be in Disneyland this morning, enjoying walk-on crowds and a beautiful day.

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.

Frontierland near Stage Door Cafe!

Disneyland Crowd Calendar This Week

This week, we expect almost all days to be “below normal” crowds. This is a generally slower period of time with lower crowds that we consider to be one of the best months to visit Disneyland, with many days falling in the two lowest 1-day ticket pricing tiers.

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

New Disneyland Ride Closures This Week

Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island is closing on September 15 for refurbishment, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant is closing for refurbishment on September 16.

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

• Mark Twain Riverboat is closed for refurbishment (reopening this week!)
• 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 up, we have this fun video from AyJay (@magically.ayjay on Instagram) showing some highlights of the Halloween runDisney 5K from this past weekend!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by AyJay, M.S.✨ Theme Parks & Travel (@magically.ayjay)

Next up, we have another super fun video from Miguel (@gentlemansdisney on Instagram) showing the Halloween version of the “Sh-Boom” lighting moment in Cars Land that happens each evening!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 𝙈𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙚𝙡 (@gentlemansdisney)

We also wanted to include this interesting moment from Fantasmic! without fireworks last week from Matt (@disneyscoopguy on Instagram). It's kind of cool to see Mickey's choreography all on its own! He really did still give 110%.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matt Desmond (@disneyscoopguy)

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 7, 2025. 
• Today is the 180-day window for making Disneyland theme park reservations for March 7, 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 7, 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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