Three things families need to know this week: the 70th Anniversary wraps Sunday, D23 Day at Disneyland (August 13) includes a Disney Jr. Let's Play! Party at DCA specifically for young kids, and Haunted Mansion closes Friday for its annual Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. Three more classic rides also got closure dates announced today. Here's what changes.
🚨 Trip-Planning Impact
The 70th Anniversary celebration ends Sunday, August 9. The final Celebrate Happy Cavalcade runs at 2:45 PM Sunday. The music box between the two parks is already gone, and 70th decorations at Sleeping Beauty Castle come down next week. There will be no daytime parade or cavalcade at either park from August 10 through August 20 — a 12-day gap before Mickey and Friends Halloween Cavalcade launches August 21. If you're visiting during that window and your kid was excited about a cavalcade or parade, adjust expectations now.
D23 Day at Disneyland on August 13 includes a Disney Jr. Let's Play! Party at DCA — huge for families with young kids. This is underreported in most Disney coverage: the party runs at DCA specifically for families with young children, with Disney Jr. character appearances, activities, and photo ops. It expands into a 3-day event August 13-16 at Downtown Disney. If your kid is Bluey/Mickey Mouse Clubhouse/SuperKitties age, plan a DCA-focused day on August 13. If you're not already going, this alone is worth considering a day trip for.
Haunted Mansion closes Friday, August 8 through August 20. Friday is your last day to ride the traditional version before it transforms into Haunted Mansion Holiday (Nightmare Before Christmas overlay) for the fall. If your kid is 5+ and into the "normal" Mansion, get one ride in Friday morning. If your kid is scared of the traditional version, wait for the Holiday overlay — it's significantly less menacing and kid-friendly for most sensitive young riders.
🎢 Ride Status This Week
| Ride | Status | What Parents Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Haunted Mansion | Closes Aug 8, back Aug 21 as Holiday | Last traditional ride is Friday |
| Main Street Cinema | Closes Aug 10, back Aug 28 | Not trip-affecting for most families |
| Sailing Ship Columbia | Weekend-only through Aug 14 | Skip weekdays until Aug 15 |
| Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes | Fri-Sun only through Aug 13 | Back to daily Aug 14 |
| Mark Twain Riverboat | Closure dates announced (August, TBD end) | Rivers of America getting quieter |
| Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island | Closure dates announced (August, TBD end) | Skip this month |
| Mad Tea Party | Closes September 14, no reopen date | Heads up for fall trips |
| Silly Symphony Swings | Still closed since April 27 | Been down over 3 months |
| Autopia (gas-powered) | Active — on a death clock | Ride before early 2027 |
🎃 Halloween Time — 18 Days Out and Underrated for Families
Halloween Time officially starts August 21 and runs through October 31. Two things get less attention than they should:
Plaza de la Familia at DCA runs August 21 through November 2 — a Coco-themed celebration of Día de los Muertos at Paradise Gardens Park. This is genuinely one of the best Disneyland experiences for families with kids who loved the Coco movie. Character meet-and-greets with Miguel, papel picado decorations, authentic food, live music. Not a hard-ticket event — included with regular admission.
Mickey and Friends Halloween Cavalcade returns August 21. If your kid is a cavalcade fan, this is the replacement for the 70th Celebrate Happy Cavalcade that ends Sunday. Timed perfectly to minimize the parade gap for anyone visiting late August or early September.
The August 25 – September 7 window is still the sweet spot. Halloween Time active, school back in session, low crowds. Book now if you haven't — reservation availability tightens fast as the Kids' Summer Ticket expiration approaches September 7.
🍿 Food Worth Knowing
The Plaza Inn fried chicken meal remains the best sit-down value at Disneyland Park post-price-hikes. Cadillac Range Barbeque at Cars Land is worth flagging — kid-friendly BBQ, generous portions, one of the few DCA quick-service spots that held steady on pricing.
Bopo Go! (the Jamba replacement) still isn't open at Downtown Disney. If your family needs smoothies, plan on Nekter or bring your own.
Halloween Time treats and popcorn buckets drop in the parks starting August 21 — if your kid collects the seasonal buckets, budget for one and set an expectation before you enter the park.
💰 Deals & Tickets
Kids' Summer Tickets expire September 7 — five weeks left. Kids 3-9 visit for as low as $50/day. Get Away Today runs it at $48/day with their own savings layered on plus interest-free payment plans.
Anaheim Resident Ticket Offer still has all dates available. $71/day for adults, $50/day for kids 3-9, valid through October 8. Requires Anaheim ZIP code on government-issued ID.
Ticket price hike watch: October 7. Historical pattern strongly suggests park tickets, Lightning Lanes, and Magic Keys go up around October 7. If you have a late-2026 trip in mind, price it out this month.
Oogie Boogie Bash has 21 nights still available, including Sunday August 30 (the only remaining Sunday). Popular October weekends are gone. $139 tickets exist for August and early September; October and Halloween-week tickets are $189-199 where still available.
👀 What We're Watching
D23 Expo main event is August 14-16. Announcements typically drop August 14. Waiting until August 17 to book any 2027 trip still makes sense.
October 7 ticket price watch continues. No official announcement yet, but Disney's raised tickets on October 8 and October 9 the last two years running.
Yzma still rumored as the new Oogie Boogie Bash villain. Fans are still convinced based on Disney's teaser. Not confirmed.
Mickey Mouse Sound Cartoon Collection arrived at Disneyland this week. New merchandise line focused on early Mickey animation — mostly adult-focused collectibles, but the plushies work for younger kids.
Planning a Disneyland trip in the next few months? Start with our 2-day toddler itinerary and Lightning Lane strategy guide — both updated for current ride status, the 70th-to-Halloween transition, and D23 Day family programming.