This week, guests will soon be able to get up close to characters, progress has been made on some projects around the resort, Encanto will come to a new nighttime show, new Minnie ears, we finish our talk about our wedding trip, and more!

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News

In an interview with the Orange County Register, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock made the shocking comment that the phased reopening of the resort is just now at the halfway point. He said that the phased reopening will take at least another year. The resort has rehired or hired 28,000 cast members to bring the current staff to 30,000, 2,000 shy of pre-pandemic levels. Potrock also commented on the ability for the resort to move quickly and try different things, even if they are not perfect, knowing that they will get to a right place in the end. – https://www.ocregister.com/2022/04/01/disneyland-resort-president-ken-potrock-takes-stock-at-halfway-point-of-phased-reopening/

As early as April 18th, guests will once again be able to get up close and personal with their favorite Disney characters in the parks, resorts, and cruise ships! Not all locations will return immediately, but characters will return in a phased approach through spring and early summer. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/03/disney-character-greetings-returning-to-u-s-sites-this-spring/

There is a lot of construction on the west side of the park at the moment, but progress is being made! The pits around the end of Tom Sawyer Island have been filled again, after sitting covered and drained for work to be performed over the last couple of months in preparation for Fantasmic! This means that the rafts to the island can use the normal dock again and make the trip to and from the island faster. The Sailing Ship Columbia has also returned to service following it’s refurbishment. – https://www.micechat.com/318431-disneyland-update-secret-entry-character-hugs-hyperspace-mountain-park-photos/

Encanto fans rejoice! The movie, which recently won an Academy Award for best animated feature, is coming to the facade of it’s a small world! Starting on April 11th, for a limited time, the facade will come alive with a montage paying tribute to the hit song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” Like the casita in the movie, tiles across it’s a small world facade will flip, turn, and rearrange themselves between scenes. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/04/celebrate-disney-animations-award-winning-encanto-this-spring-at-disneyland-resort/

A staple of the summer season at Disneyland is returning for the first time in three years! The All-American College Band will be playing down Main Street once again this summer. The program was suspended due to COVID and the resort being closed. 21 members of the band are chosen from over 300 applicants each year. During the hiatus, the program celebrated its 50th anniversary. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2022/04/disneyland-all-american-college-band-returning-this-summer/

Guests staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel will soon have easier access to Disney California Adventure! A new back entrance is under construction near the driveway into the Grand Californian Hotel. – https://www.micechat.com/318431-disneyland-update-secret-entry-character-hugs-hyperspace-mountain-park-photos/

Marvel fans have yet another character to see in Avengers Campus! Moon Knight, which debuted last week on Disney+, has arrived at the campus to visit with guests. Moon Knight only shows up after dark on top of the Avengers Headquarters for a few minutes at a time, so check back often after dark if you want to catch a glimpse of this new character! – https://www.micechat.com/318431-disneyland-update-secret-entry-character-hugs-hyperspace-mountain-park-photos/

April is here, and with it the return of the classic Mickey floral in front of the Disneyland Train Station. Minnie Mouse had taken over the arrangement for March as part of Women’s History Month. It was the first time that Mickey was not the “face” of the park. – https://www.micechat.com/318431-disneyland-update-secret-entry-character-hugs-hyperspace-mountain-park-photos/

Minnie Mouse has dropped a large collection of new ears in the parks! Five new ear designs are available now at the Emporium at Disneyland. The ears include a Kelly Green Sequin set of ears, which are simmering green for $29.99, also available online, a Gold Sequin set with a blue bow and sequin gold ears for $34.99, a Princess Tiana BaubleBar set, featuring Tiana’s green color on the ears and band, and a gold crown and rhinestone accents, for $49.99, also online. Two new sets of coach ears, available in white and red, for $295 each and are made from real leather. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/04/01/photos-5-new-minnie-ears-have-arrived-in-disneyland/

The culinary experts at the Disneyland Resort are at it again! Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express is now serving up cookies and cream beignets! Guests can purchase a 4-pack of these yummy treats for $12.99. They are topped with cookies and cream icing and chocolate cookie crumbles. Weeklyteers who are fans of Oreos or chocolate will love these. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/04/03/review-disney-1000-understood-the-assignment-with-its-cookies-cream-beignets/

The Walt Disney Company has been working to protect the planet with a number of environmentally friendly steps over the last few years. Disney Planet Possible is the collective effort to make a more positive impact in these regards. In December, 2020, the company announced the ambitious goals for 2030, focusing on achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions with their direct operations. Since then, two new solar facilities will be coming online near Walt Disney World in 2023, solar arrays have been installed at Castaway Cay and Hong Kong Disneyland, 61% of total company operational waste has been diverted from landfills, and launched plastic-free packaging for a line of classic dolls. Visit the link in the show notes for more information on what the company is doing. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/04/disney-planet-possible-sharing-the-actions-were-taking-to-protect-the-planet/

Trivia:

Discussion Topic:

Wedding Trip Report from Tage and Teresa