Kids' Summer Tickets expire today — but that's not actually the story. The real story is what happens tomorrow: 10 Tier 0 weekdays across September deliver the cheapest single-day pricing of the season, and this is the last easy-value window before the expected October 7 ticket price hike. Also: Anzellan droidsmiths (think Babu Frik) are coming to Droid Depot, which is a genuinely fun young-Star-Wars-fan development. Here's what changes.
🚨 Trip-Planning Impact
10 Tier 0 weekdays in September — cheapest tickets of the season. Starting tomorrow (Tuesday, September 8), Disneyland has its lowest-priced one-day, one-park tickets scheduled on these 10 specific dates: September 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 29. Adult 1-day/1-park tickets are $104. For families who can pull off a spontaneous weekday visit, this is genuinely the best value-per-crowd-level window Disneyland offers all year. Halloween Time is fully active, school is back in session so crowds stay low, and pricing is at the absolute floor.
Combined with the current Disneyland Hotel discount (up to 30% off through September 8) and a lack of ticket-price-hike-panic yet, this is the sleeper value window of the year for anyone within driving distance.
Kids' Summer Tickets expire today. If you're reading this Sunday night before Labor Day, you're out of time. If you're reading this Monday, the ticket must be purchased before the end of the day and first use is required by September 7. Kids 3-9 have been visiting for $50/day; that deal doesn't return until summer 2027.
October 7 ticket price hike is 30 days away. No official Disney confirmation yet, but the pattern has held two years running (October 8, 2024 and October 9, 2025). Multi-day tickets, Park Hopper add-ons, Magic Keys, and parking are all likely affected. If you have any late-2026 or early-2027 trip in mind, price it out this month.
⭐ Anzellans Coming to Droid Depot — Great for Young Star Wars Fans
Crews have started preparing Droid Depot in Galaxy's Edge for a trio of Anzellan droidsmiths — the tiny alien species best known as Babu Frik. These are animatronic figures shown off at D23 in August, and they'll interact with each other and with guests inside the shop.
For families with young Star Wars fans, this is genuinely fun news. Unlike Rise of the Resistance and Smugglers Run (both of which have height requirements or intensity issues), Anzellans are a walk-up, no-height-restriction, character-based experience that works for kids as young as 2 or 3. Following the Mandalorian & Grogu overlay on Smugglers Run earlier this year and the Ewok Batuu Adventure Buddy interactive toys that launched in August, Disney is clearly building out Galaxy's Edge experiences that work for younger kids. No install date confirmed — cast members are saying "soon."
🎢 Ride Status This Week
| Ride | Status | What Parents Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Frontierland Shootin' Exposition | Reopens September 10 | Wednesday |
| Chiller at Paradise Gardens Park | Temporarily unavailable | Water play area — heads up for hot days |
| Mad Tea Party | Closes September 14 | 1 week left to ride |
| Mark Twain Riverboat | Still closed for refurb | Skip Rivers of America |
| Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island | Still closed for refurb | Skip this month |
| Haunted Mansion Holiday | ✅ Open | Friendlier than regular Mansion |
| Silly Symphony Swings | ✅ Reopened last week | Back after 4 months |
| Main Street Cinema | ✅ Reopened last week | New Paul Rudish shorts |
| Autopia (gas-powered) | Active — closes early 2027 | Ride before conversion |
🎃 Halloween Time — Second Week Report
Halloween Time is now in its second week and running smoothly. What families should know based on the past 10 days of guest reports:
- Plaza de la Familia at DCA remains the underrated gem. Miguel meet-and-greets are walkups on weekdays, and the Coco music sets in Paradise Gardens Park run throughout the afternoon.
- Halloween Screams fireworks runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights only. Mid-week visits get projection-only. Plan accordingly if fireworks are non-negotiable for your kid.
- Mickey and Friends Halloween Cavalcade at Disneyland has been drawing decent crowds — grab a spot 10-15 minutes early on weekends, less on weekdays.
- The Mansion lighting effect around 7-7:30 PM continues to be worth positioning around if you're in New Orleans Square in the evening.
🍿 Food Worth Knowing
Reminder: Minnie & Friends Breakfast at Plaza Inn is still closed through late September. Substitutes: Goofy's Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel (Halloween-themed through October 31) or Storytellers Café at Grand Californian (Mickey's Autumn Adventures breakfast).
The Halloween Time seasonal food across 150+ items continues. Alien Pizza Planet and Little Red Wagon corn dogs remain the reliable kid-friendly picks. Ronto Wraps at Galaxy's Edge for picky-eater lunches.
Bopo Go! at Downtown Disney: still not open.
💰 Deals & Tickets
Anaheim Resident Ticket Offer still has dates available through October 8 at $71/day. Requires Anaheim ZIP code on government-issued ID.
Disneyland Hotel Holiday Discount launches September 22. Up to 20% off for bookings between October 11 and December 18. Worth flagging for anyone considering a fall or pre-Christmas trip.
2027 Disneyland vacation packages are open for booking for arrivals January 1 through December 31, 2027. If you have any 2027 trip in mind, book before October 7 to lock in current pricing.
Get Away Today is running package deals with their own savings layered on top of Disney pricing, plus interest-free payment plans. Worth a price check for any fall or 2027 booking.
👀 What We're Watching
Oogie Boogie Bash is nearly sold out for 2026. As of press time, only a handful of dates still have availability. If your kid is 4+ and into costumes and trick-or-treating, this is the last window to grab tickets.
8 more Tier 0 days scheduled for November. The cheapest pricing of the remainder of 2026. If September doesn't work but you're still hoping for a value trip before year-end, November is the next best window.
October 7 ticket price hike remains the number to circle. Book before then to lock in current pricing.
Ewok Batuu Adventure Buddies are still available at Droid Depot — the first of three interactive toys (Grogu and Huttlet coming later). Around $75 each. Popular gift for young Star Wars fans.
Coco ride construction continues at DCA. No opening date yet.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens November 15. 40-inch height requirement.
Planning a Disneyland trip this fall, for the holidays, or in 2027? Start with our 2-day toddler itinerary and Lightning Lane strategy guide — both updated for Halloween Time, holiday season planning, and the September value window.