This page is to help you quickly jump through this picture set. Below you will see a listing of the pages and the captions on that page.

• Page Number: 1
  

  What appears to be utility work going on along the tram load/unload area for the Mickey and Friends garage.
  First signs of progress for the Star Wars project. A fence up and you can spot a backhoe in the back/middle of the shot.
  Out in the Pinocchio lot work continues on the support facility.
  

• Page Number: 2
  

  The billboards at the tram stop feature the cars characters. no slogans.. really surprised no Cars Land logo on it.. just characters.
  

• Page Number: 3
  

• Page Number: 4
  

  This weekend is the Star Wars Half Marathon weekend
  As usual they were using the parking lots for the events.
  A ground level view of the work in the Pinocchio Lot.
  

• Page Number: 5
  

  A directory sign as you approach the Downtown Disney entrance after crossing Magic Way.
  Downtown Disney parking was a mess. Assuming most of these guests were runners arriving to pick up packets.
  Found this funny. They have a sign saying the lot is busy but it is after you pass through the tollbooths and are already stuck in the traffic.
  

• Page Number: 6
  

  The Lilo lot has the race stage and other support tents.
  The finish line
  

• Page Number: 7
  

  Where the race announcer will stand
  

• Page Number: 8
  

  The final stretch for those running, sure to be a welcome sight.
  The Star Wars carpet is back leading down to the packet pickup.
  I turned around and headed for the Expo.
  

• Page Number: 9
  

  Several weeks (well I guess months now) the picture displays were updated. I had not been over to this area to see them.
  

• Page Number: 10
  

  A look around the 50s and 60s
  

• Page Number: 11
  

• Page Number: 12
  

  The 70s and 80s
  

• Page Number: 13
  

• Page Number: 14
  

  Inside the ballroom a presentation was going on. They were talking about how long it would take to run around the Death Star
  

• Page Number: 15
  

  The merchandise area was to the left as always. The line wrapped quite a ways outside the store but moved quickly when I entered it later.
  There was a bar when you entered (I do not remember this from past Expos)
  

• Page Number: 16
  

  A walk around the Expo floor.
  New Balance running shoes
  

• Page Number: 17
  

• Page Number: 18
  

• Page Number: 19
  

  A look at the directory
  The rest of the directory
  Time to go join the merchandise line.
  

• Page Number: 20
  

  A photo op for the race.
  Now a look at some of the merchandise as I roamed the store.
  

• Page Number: 21
  

• Page Number: 22
  

  
  

• Page Number: 23
  

• Page Number: 24
  

• Page Number: 25
  

  A selection of bags and purses featuring this design were available.
  

• Page Number: 26
  

  Olaf made a shirt design.
  Anger too.
  

• Page Number: 27
  

  Disgust
  

• Page Number: 28
  

• Page Number: 29
  

  The cover of the official event guide.
  

• Page Number: 30
  

  The swimming pools are closed and being renovated. They were jack hammering this afternoon.
  

• Page Number: 31
  

  The water slide area was the only area open.
  

• Page Number: 32
  

  Special hours this weekend for the races.
  Interesting they only put walls up near the entrance/exit paths of the pool this time.
  

• Page Number: 33
  

  A sign as you entered Downtown Disney warning of the early closing tonight.
  Barriers are up for the race.
  The winter village and ice rink are gone.
  

• Page Number: 34
  

  Star Wars: The Force Awakens banners at the AMC still.
  Monorail Red passing overhead.
  The temporary Ghirardelli store is gone.
  

• Page Number: 35
  

  The race start line
  More special hours for the race weekend.
  Build a Bear features Star Wars
  

• Page Number: 36
  

  And some Marvel bears too
  

• Page Number: 37
  

  The word of the day is still going... anyone know of anyone who has won anything?
  

• Page Number: 38
  

  The closure list is substantial. A good way to save space, combing the four attractions as Rivers of America.
  All signs of Christmas are gone now.
  With the railroad closed for the next year+ they have trains pulled into Main Street and New Orleans Stations. The EP Ripley with the Lilly Belle were on Main Street.
  

• Page Number: 39
  

  Filming today for the Disneyland 60th Anniversary TV show that will air on ABC in Feb.
  

• Page Number: 40
  

  The Straw Hatters at the Train Station.
  The east side (left) of the station was barricaded off.
  Inside the station those doors were blocked too.
  

• Page Number: 41
  

  Would be fun if they swapped out this map early to give a hint at the new train path.
  

• Page Number: 42
  

  You could get up close to the train for pictures. There were cast members around to answer questions about the trains.
  

• Page Number: 43
  

  One car available for pictures.
  The Lilly Belle. It was closed but cast members were opening the door to get a look in from time to time.
  

• Page Number: 44
  

  Had a request for the gate by the fire house.. so here are a couple pictures of the art work on it.
  

• Page Number: 45
  

  Looking back down Main Street.
  Equipment, walls, etc.. between Partners and the Castle for the TV taping tonight.
  The center part was roped off and plenty of cast members along the rope line.
  

• Page Number: 46
  

  The instruments and other equipment on the stage were covered this afternoon as crews prepared for the evening.
  The segment featured Elton John performing. Here is his piano.
  

• Page Number: 47
  

  From the other side.
  

• Page Number: 48
  

  The Royal Theatre has reopened. Frozen is now performed only in the morning then Tangled in the afternoon.
  Extra lights for the taping.
  

• Page Number: 49
  

  Small World Holiday is still in operation for a few more weeks until the Haunted Mansion returns to operation.
  All is quiet at the Toontown Train Depot.
  

• Page Number: 50
  

  A quick walk through Toontown. All the Christmas decorations are gone.
  

• Page Number: 51
  

  Small World was only a couple minute wait so went for a cruise.
  

• Page Number: 52
  

  Soundsational was passing by as I walked back through Fantasyland.
  

• Page Number: 53
  

  Crossed paths with the Evil Queen
  And the Pearly Band
  The Big Thunder Trail is open through the weekend then slated to close for Star Wars work.
  

• Page Number: 54
  

  The park maps show it closed now. Also note they photo spot is moved down the trail.
  Interesting to note on the guide they did not change the text to indicate what is closed.
  

• Page Number: 55
  

  No signs of work on the Ranch Area yet. It was odd to see it roped off and looking ready to open but knowing it will never. I did over hear some interesting conversations.. some complaining about Star Wars, some excited, and others wanting to know what time the BBQ opens because it was approaching dinner time.
  

• Page Number: 56
  

  Surprised they did not pack up the Christmas decorations since they did the rest of the park. Seems they could re-use them elsewhere in future years.
  Some random pictures as I roamed the area.
  

• Page Number: 57
  

• Page Number: 58
  

  The decorations from out here were packed up.
  Thought this was odd too.. they just left the brooms, pans, etc..
  

• Page Number: 59
  

  No visible change to the River this week. Thought maybe they would have started to drain it.
  A fair number of people in Frontierland today.
  Seems the bottom part of this sign could have been removed.. no departures for a long time..
  

• Page Number: 60
  

  The Columbia was in port and open so you could go aboard and walk around.
  There was a PhotoPass cast member onboard too.
  

• Page Number: 61
  

  Looking up River
  Some repainting of the Fantasmic light tower housing covers.
  

• Page Number: 62
  

  The Mark Twain is in the dry dock at Fowlers Harbor
  Princess Tiana was out along the river.
  

• Page Number: 63
  

  Seems they should have docked the rafts up river.. or not put the sign above up.
  

• Page Number: 64
  

  Some work going on. The boiler area was open
  And they re-stained the steps (you could smell it)
  The paint smell was competing with the river slug smell. For those not familiar when they drain the river a not so pleasant odor is present.
  

• Page Number: 65
  

  Continuing up river.
  No visible changes here yet either.
  

• Page Number: 66
  

  Walls and mesh are up at the Hungry Bear. It is open for business. This is all to hide the upcoming river work.
  The lower level has a brand new custom made wall.
  

• Page Number: 67
  

  The rest has this mesh which does not look that great from this angle.
  It continues all the way around.
  

• Page Number: 68
  

  The lower level seating has been shrunk to one row of tables and is rather dark.
  

• Page Number: 69
  

  Upstairs the mesh has a forest print on it. Not too bad.. but I would have rather watched the construction :)
  

• Page Number: 70
  

  Along the train tracks the print features bears.
  

• Page Number: 71
  

  It continues down the emergency evac/cast member steps too.
  

• Page Number: 72
  

  A test look through the mesh.. you can sort of see.
  But they did not continue the print around to the front. This is opposite the registers.
  The Critter Country trestle
  

• Page Number: 73
  

  The rail has been removed from the trestle and into the tunnel. Guessing all the way back now.
  

• Page Number: 74
  

  Random light picture on the way out.
  The Haunted Mansion is closed for removal of the holiday overlay.
  

• Page Number: 75
  

  The New Orleans Square station is open with the Ernest S Marsh parked there.
  Again plenty of cast members available to talk with.
  

• Page Number: 76
  

• Page Number: 77
  

  There were a couple cars here to sit in or look at.
  They had another car and caboose detached and parked further down the line.
  Guessing this was to allow for Cast Members to cross. They had a warning sign up for them.
  

• Page Number: 78
  

  There was a PhotoPass photographer here too.
  Mardi Gras decorations in New Orleans Square (or left over Christmas)
  

• Page Number: 79
  

  The Jungle Cruise is closed for removal of the Holiday overlay as well as some dock work for the next several months.
  Thought this was really cool. An attraction poster saying it is closed.
  The wall features concept art.
  

• Page Number: 80
  

  A closer look at the concept art.
  

• Page Number: 81
  

• Page Number: 82
  

• Page Number: 83
  

• Page Number: 84
  

• Page Number: 85
  

• Page Number: 86
  

• Page Number: 87
  

  Next door they now sell Paint the Night meals since Fantasmic is dark for the next year+.
  The menu.
  Approaching the hub they had the lifts up and were rehearsing for this evening.
  

• Page Number: 88
  

• Page Number: 89
  

  Wait times around 4:40pm
  The invited audience was starting to arrive and line up. The taping started around 8pm.. so they were standing there for 3 hours before.
  

• Page Number: 90
  

  Passing by the Big Thunder Ranch again. All the lights were on.
  Speaking of lights.. they were testing and adjusting for the TV show.
  

• Page Number: 91
  

  Wait times around 5:30pm
  

• Page Number: 92
  

  At center street this sign for Blue Bayou Reserved Viewing.
  This taped off and roped off area was for dinner package guests. I believe the grab and go guests were in the Small World Mall.
  More light testing going on as I waited for Paint the Night.
  

• Page Number: 93
  

  Managed to find a decent spot for the parade tonight.
  

• Page Number: 94
  

  A couple of clips from Paint the Night.
  

• Page Number: 95
  

  The speakers to my right at the Hotel went out about this point. So the audio was off.. with bleed from other zones and nothing playing in ours.
  Only four yo-yo cowgirls with Jessie tonight instead of six.
  Also only three performers leading the princesses vs four. And two of the winged performers behind too.
  

• Page Number: 96
  

  I moved out into the street for the 6:30pm Disneyland Forever show
  Then I moved up the street to the hub to find a spot for the taping.
  The crew preparing for the show.
  

• Page Number: 97
  

  A guy came out to warm up the crowd.
  He told a Star Wars story.
  

• Page Number: 98
  

  Then around 8pm Elton John took the stage and performed Circle of Life a couple of times and his new song Wonderful Crazy Night.
  I had to shoot through a sea of cameras, arms, and people... so the pics are not the best..
  A choir for Circle of Life.
  

• Page Number: 99
  

• Page Number: 100
  

• Page Number: 101
  

  Here are a couple video clips from the performances of Circle of Life (he sang it several times).
  Next up his new song which was accompanied by Fireworks and will be the finale for the TV show.
  

• Page Number: 102
  

• Page Number: 103
  

  Finally people lowered there cameras enough to get a fairly clear shot.
  

• Page Number: 104
  

  Some clips of Elton John performing his new song with fireworks.
  As I was leaving the area they were filming crowd shots. you can see the lights up with the spotlights.
  

• Page Number: 105
  

  Main Street USA at 8:30pm as I was leaving (along with a large number of guests).
  Over to Disney California Adventure now. Christmas is gone from Buena Vista Street this week.
  Aladdin is gone and the Hyperion is advertising the upcoming Frozen show.
  

• Page Number: 106
  

  In Cars Land a new sign for Luigis.
  Christmas is gone from here too. The poles on the left side of the street that support the Christmas lights are gone too.
  DJ having a dance party.
  

• Page Number: 107
  

  The Cove Bar was quiet this evening. Three cast members out front explaining to guests they are closing for the evening. Last seating was around 8, I believe I overheard 8:15.
  Walking out past Carthay Circle Restaurant.
  Next week Zootopia preview starts in the Bugs Theater.