January 2002 Update
(posted 1/25/2002)

I visited the Disneyland Resort during two weekends in January: 12-13, and 19-20.

Disneyland goes into rehab...

The decorations were down. The snow machines were stored away. The park was quiet. In the first month of 2002 the Disneyland Park was recovering nicely from the crowds of Christmas. Since this was the beginning of an off-peak time (before Spring break and the summertime rush), many rides and attractions were closed:

• Haunted Mansion - down to convert back to "normal" after the wildly successful Haunted Mansion Holiday / Nightmare Before Christmas makeover from October through early January. The attraction was closed and the entire mansion was hidden by dark green tarps and scaffolding. Peeking through the covered gates one can see drop clothes everywhere, indicating a massive paint job is underway. Since new sound equipment and lighting effects were added for the Christmas edition, it is speculated that when the original Mansion reopens in early February there will be some new surprises in store for us! I can't wait, and, in fact, am already planning a February quicktrip to check it out.
• It's a Small World - again, down after its run as It's a Small World Holiday. The canals were drained and the clock was silent. Walls were up around the attraction and lights had already been taken down from the facade.
• Fantasyland - most of Fantasyland is walled up as they redo the pavement (probably like they did for Main Street and Frontierland in recent years). Specific attractions that are unavailable right now include Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, King Arthur's Carousel and Peter Pan's Flight. The carousel is getting a major reworking with stationary positions being added for wheelchair accessibility.
• Tom Sawyer's Island - Though open, it did not feel like it. The suspension bridge has been closed for a few years, and now most of the fort is shut down. The top level is off limits, and the left side "displays" are covered up so you can no longer look in the windows. It's sad. This place is legendary.
• Critter Country - with the exception of the Davy Crockett Canoes (which they were promoting heavily in that area), all of Critter Country is walled up. Splash Mountain is dry and being worked on, while Country Bear Jamboree closed a few months earlier. Construction has already begun on the new Winnie the Pooh attraction. Several cast members report seeing alot of equipment going in and out regularly. When this section reopens, it is expected to be themed more as the Hundred Acres Woods from the Pooh series. I wonder how the new lawsuit will effect this?
• Corn Dog Wagon - where is it? It was there in December, just in front of the First Aid location on Main Street. I miss it already. Please tell me they are just cleaning it.

The park was clean and in good shape in other areas. The crowds were reasonable on the weekends, but MLK day brought out enough visitors to start filling up the parking garage much earlier than the weekends had. I saw the crowds that day and decided to spend my last few hours in Orange County eating a breakfast at Knott's Berry Farms rather than fighting tramstation lines.

...more updates if I think of anything to add.