This week, Disney World reopens next month, what will be different and how that will effect Disneyland, Annual Passholders get an interesting survey, stage 3 is on the horizon, Cast Members send out thousands of cards, its pride month, we talk about Fantasyland Dark rides, and more!
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News:
Disney announced that the theme parks in Walt Disney World in Florida would be reopening to the public in July. The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will reopen on July 11th, followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15th. With us to talk about how attending the parks will be different and how to get back into the Disney Magic is our friends over at ConciEARS, Communications ConciEAR and voice of DLWeekly, Erik. – https://www.micechat.com/260735-disneyland-update-unrest-reopenings-poll-results-reader-photos/ and https://wdwnt.com/2020/05/wdwnt-weekly-recap-walt-disney-world-reopening-plans-finally-revealed-world-of-disney-reopens-at-disney-springs-and-more/
Bob Chapek was interviewed on CNBC this week to talk about the parks reopening in Florida, and how the company is doing overall. He is very optimistic that the Disney fans are excited to return to the parks and haven’t cancelled their reservations, which is a good sign. Chapek was pleased with the response to Disney Springs reopening and how things have been going in Shanghai. Online sales at shopDisney have also been strong. – https://www.micechat.com/260735-disneyland-update-unrest-reopenings-poll-results-reader-photos/
In hopefully the last time this will happen, Disneyland has pushed back reservations to July 15th. If you are wanting to visit the resort, that is the earliest that you can book a vacation at this time. This date has been changed a number of times over the last couple of months from May 1st, to June 1st, now to July 15th. – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/06/01/disneyland-resort-hotels-push-back-reservations-until-mid-july/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/06/disneyland-resort-now-only-accepting-reservations-for-july-15-and-later/
Disneyland sent out a survey to Annual Passholders this week asking a number of questions, like when they would feel safe to return and under what circumstances. This survey was very similar to one that we spoke about on a previous episode from Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. – https://www.micechat.com/260625-disneyland-survey-illuminates-reopening-options-live-polls-included/ and https://www.ocregister.com/2020/06/01/disneyland-survey-asks-when-will-passholders-feel-safe-to-return/ and https://www.ocregister.com/2020/06/01/disneyland-surveys-passholders-about-masks-temperature-checks-and-health-questionnaires/
Another aspect of the survey sent to Annual Passholders asked about possible ideas for the future. The most interesting of these was “How likely would you be to order Disneyland prepared food and beverages delivered to your home?” Could this mean that Disney might offer some form of food delivery service in the future? – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/06/02/disneyland-wants-to-deliver-monte-cristo-sandwiches-and-dole-whips-to-your-home/
The State of California has left the decision to reopen retail to the different counties in the state. If the county allows retail to open, they must follow the state’s guidelines such as temperature checks for employees, frequent sanitation, and social distancing. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/05/25/news-california-counties-can-now-decide-when-to-reopen-in-store-retail/
As early as this month, California may enter stage 3 of reopening. Stage 3 allows theme parks to resume operations with changes in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The parks will be able to open as long as the rate of infections and hospitalizations remain stable. Other businesses that can open in stage 3 include salons, gyms, theaters, religious services, and more. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/05/26/news-disneyland-could-potentially-reopen-in-less-than-a-month-says-california-officials/ and https://www.micechat.com/260735-disneyland-update-unrest-reopenings-poll-results-reader-photos/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/05/disneyland-resort-can-reopen-under-stage-3-of-californias-reopening-plan-governor-states-stage-3-could-begin-as-early-as-june/
Cast Members have been sending out thank you cards to healthcare workers around the country. More than 40 hospitals, and 17,500 cards have been created so far. Disney has posted 16 different designs on the VoluntEARS Thank You Card webpage which employees can access. Some of the designs included Black Panther, Aladdin, Star Wars, and more. The cards will mail out this week. – https://www.micechat.com/260735-disneyland-update-unrest-reopenings-poll-results-reader-photos/
As if the pandemic wasn’t enough going on already, protests have begun happening around the country to put a light on racial inequality in the US. The Walt Disney Company this week posted support on every online platform and sent a letter out to all the employees sharing their sympathy and support. To read the letter yourself, check out the link in our show notes. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/05/disney-releases-statement-on-the-killing-of-george-floyd-and-racial-disparity/ and https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/resolve-in-a-time-of-unrest-a-message-to-fellow-employees/
With everything that is going on, some folks might have missed that we are now in June, which is Pride Month. To go along with that, Disney has released their Rainbow Mickey Collection to shopDisney. The collection includes a Rainbow Mickey plush, a Rainbow Minnie plush, a Rainbow headband, a Disneyland and Magic Kingdom variants of the Rainbow Fantasyland Castle, and more. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/06/shop-rainbow-collection-drops-on-shopdisney-in-honor-of-pride-month/
Later this year, Lucasfilm, ILMxLAB, and Oculus will premiere a new VR experience. Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge will take players through an action adventure experience in virtual reality that features new and iconic characters from the Star Wars universe. The story will take place between Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/05/new-star-wars-tales-from-the-galaxys-edge-at-home-vr-experience-debuting-later-this-year/
Security Manager Tina was back at it again this week on Disneyland’s Instagram page showing some sights from inside of Disney California Adventure. She visited Grizzly Peak, the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Jessie’s Critter Carousel, Cars Land, and more. Tina even through in a bit of trivia to see if fans knew where she was in the park at one point! – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/05/cast-members-give-fans-an-inside-look-at-disney-california-adventure-park-magic-kingdom-park-and-aulani-resort/
If all the food recipes that Disney has already released just aren’t hitting the spot anymore, there is another new item to try at home. The Hawaiian Cheeseburger from the Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel recipe has hit the internet. There is quite the list of ingredients and components to this one, so it won’t be easy! – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/05/31/disney-recipe-send-your-tastebuds-to-the-tropics-with-disneylands-hawaiian-cheeseburger-recipe/
For Peanut Butter and Jelly fans, especially at the Lamplight Lounge, Disney has released the recipe for the PB & J Rolls from the restaurant. The recipe is pretty simple with just 3 ingredients, and looks yummy. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/05/31/disney-recipe-make-pb-j-rolls-from-disney-california-adventures-lamplight-lounge/
A classic attraction was mentioned on an iconic game show last week. Daniel, a contestant on The Price is Right, hosted by Drew Carey, greeted the host with excitement stating “You’re Drew Carey… you were on Superstar Limo in Disney California Adventure, the greatest thing ever!” For those who don’t remember, Superstar Limo was the attraction that was replaced by Monsters, Inc in DCA. The original attraction was considered lackluster and “non-Disney” by a lot of fans when DCA first opened. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/05/excited-fan-gives-shout-out-to-ex-disney-california-adventure-attraction-superstar-limo-whilst-appearing-on-the-price-is-right/
On May 30th, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge turned one year old! Somehow it has already been a year since the new land opened to guests and Star Wars fans. The land received mixed reactions at opening, but with tweaks and the opening of Rise of the Resistance, the area has seem to found it’s groove with guests. – https://twitter.com/Disneyland/status/1266843843934093313
Discussion Topic:
Peter Pan’s Flight:
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Pan%27s_Flight
Disney Wikia: https://disneyparks.fandom.com/wiki/Peter_Pan%27s_Flight_(Disneyland_Park)
Finding Mickey: http://findingmickey.squarespace.com/hidden-mickeys-disneyland/fantasyland/2532531
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Toad%27s_Wild_Ride
Disney Parks Blog: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/09/look-closer-mr-toads-wild-ride-at-disneyland-park/
Yesterland: https://www.yesterland.com/mrtoad.html
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/63631877@N00/4624670394
