DLW 145: Little Known Disneyland Facts

August 19, 2020

This week, construction projects still happening, a love story from Disney, music is in the air, how an old favorite came to be, more Jazz in Downtown Disney, new cast masks, we discuss 12 interesting things about Disneyland, and more!

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News:

It is always great to hear that there is movement and excitement going on in the parks, even though guests can’t see it yet! MiceChat got some aerial photos this past week that show that progress is happening in the parks. The World of Color lagoon is bubbling away to keep the fountains for the show in running order, some of the fixed gondolas on the Pixar Pal-a-Round are missing and are probably getting the fins to aid in steadying the cabins as guests load and unload. There is a small bit of construction going on in Cars Land with roadwork. But, the exciting news comes from Avenger’s Campus! The Quinjet that has been parked under tarps backstage has been lifted to its place on teh Avenger’s building! – https://www.micechat.com/267362-disneyland-update-new-magic-aerial-discoveries-and-layoffs/

A new Disney Cast Life episode is live and features Zach Riddley, Walt Disney World Site Portfolio Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering. Topics included international friendship day, cast members share a love story, and more. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/new-disneycastlife-features-disney-imagineer-zach-riddley-a-magical-cast-member-love-story-and-more/

In an interesting bit of news this week, guest walking along the tram route near Downtown Disney recently heard something new. A new sound system has been installed along the route playing the music loop from the espalnade between the parks. The sound can be heard walking down the sidewalk, in your car with the windows down while driving by, and, when the trams are running again, on board the trams! – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/photo-report-disneyland-resort-7-15-20-scaffolding-removed-from-the-emporium-on-main-street-usa-new-sound-system-along-tram-route-altered-world-of-disney-queue-and-more/

Disney Legend Rolly Crump takes guests back to the creation of the Haunted Mansion and a little bit of working with Walt Disney himself! Rolly talks about the beginnings of the attraction, how it progressed from a walk through to a ride-through attraction and more! – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/disneymagicmoments-travel-back-with-disney-legend-rolly-crump-for-a-feeling-of-foreboding-at-the-disneyland-resort-haunted-mansion/

Last week, just as our podcast was posted, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen and Jazz Kitchen Express reopened in Downtown Disney. At the Jazz Kitchen Express, guests can walk up and order at the counter and then wait for the food to be prepared. Social distancing markers are present, just like everywhere else. Guests wanting to dine in at the main Jazz Kitchen could get on the waitlist by talking to the host, or scanning the QR code to be added to the list with a smartphone. The tables are distanced well, with seating upstairs on the balconies, as well as in the courtyard on the main level. No inside dining is offered. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/08/13/review-we-were-reunited-with-our-beloved-beignets-at-ralph-brennans-jazz-kitchen-express-in-disneyland/ and https://www.micechat.com/267362-disneyland-update-new-magic-aerial-discoveries-and-layoffs/

The Disneyland and Walt Disney World costuming teams have worked together to create a new face mask exclusively for cast members designed to be more functional and comfortable. The new masks fit fetter, are more breathable, and can be washed more than 50 times. There are two styles, pleated and contoured, and multiple sizes to fit all face shapes and sizes. The masks sparkle with pixie dust and Mickey constellations. The masks are not for sale to guests. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/for-cast-by-cast-new-face-coverings-roll-out-across-domestic-disney-parks/

There are some great deals on 2020 merchandise at World of Disney. All 2020 dated items are buy one, get one free. This offer includes apparel and accessories as well. New mask designs, sporting “Together Again” have also arrived for $6 each. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/08/13/whats-new-at-downtown-disney-up-minnie-ears-a-restaurant-reopens-and-new-mask-designs/

Unions representing the cast members at Disneyland continue to push for more safety measures before cast members return to work when the parks eventually reopen. On the table is two weeks of paid leave if a cast member tests posititve for the virus, and notification if a cast member tests positive, along with testing of other cast members that were around the positive cast member. – https://www.micechat.com/267362-disneyland-update-new-magic-aerial-discoveries-and-layoffs/

As COVID-19 carries on throughout the summer, the Disneyland Resort is thinking about steps to bring cast members back once they are cleared to open again by the State of California. Currently, Disneyland is looking at different COVID-19 testing options for the 31,000 cast members at the resort. Out in Florida, cast members can get tested by appointment only at a drive-thru center, with test results available in 3-5 business days. – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/08/12/disneyland-evaluating-covid-19-testing-options-for-cast-members/

There seems to be no end to new merchandise showing up at Downtown Disney. One of the coolest new items are the Up Minnie Ears for $29.99. The ears feature multi-colored pom-poms in clear, plastic ears to symbolize balloons, a grape soda lid to tie the bow, and a bug, fluffy bow which looks like clouds and the blue sky. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/08/13/whats-new-at-downtown-disney-up-minnie-ears-a-restaurant-reopens-and-new-mask-designs/

With Halloween coming up in a couple of months, new Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise has come to the parks. The first of these is a Minnie ears set that has a giant bat in the place of the Minnie bow and is mostly black, with white lines like Jack’s outfit in the movie. The backside of the ears has Oogie Boogie and Lock, Shock, and Barrel. There are bones on the headband and the ears are made out of a leather looking material. For the dress wearing listeners, a new Oogie Boogie dress has appeared in the Dress Shop in Downtown Disney. The dress is $128. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/08/photos-new-the-nightmare-before-christmas-minnie-ears-slink-into-the-disneyland-resort/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/08/photos-new-oogie-boogie-dress-by-the-dress-shop-rolls-into-the-disneyland-resort/

Discussion Topic:

Little Known Disneyland Facts:

MousePlanet – https://www.mouseplanet.com/11635/Twelve_Stories_of_Disneyland_Part_One and https://www.mouseplanet.com/11642/Twelve_Stories_of_Disneyland_Part_Two

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