This week we discuss the canceled hotel, better guest flow, even more food options, refurbishment updates, Jeremy joins us to chat about the resort, and more.
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News this Week:
In a move that surprised almost nobody, Disney has officially canceled the 4th hotel that was planned for the west side of Downtown Disney. In a statement, Liz Jaeger, Disneyland spokesman, blamed the cancellation on the economics of the deal. Basically, since Anaheim pulled the tax incentives, they pulled the project. – https://micechat.com/208298-4th-disneyland-hotel-officially-canceled/
The Orange Country Register posted an article pointing out the six ways that the cancellation will affect guests. They include more room for guests visiting the new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge because of lack of additional rooms, lack of tenants in Downtown Disney, the relationship becoming more strained with the city of Anaheim, and no plans for a future hotel. Some upsides, however, include less places for guests to stay, making it less likely to lead to more crowding in the parks, and more options for non-Disney hotels to profit from the lack of a fourth Disney run hotel. – https://www.ocregister.com/2018/10/12/6-ways-the-canceled-disneyland-luxury-hotel-will-affect-theme-park-visitors/?utm_content=tw-ocdisney&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow
As we talked about in a previous episode, the lawsuits against Disney for making guests with severe autism wait in line after their change in the previous policy that was being heavily abused, is continuing. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Disney is trying to keep the lawsuit out of court, making the argument that it is impractical to allow guests unrestricted access to attractions with no wait. Putting such a requirement would reach far beyond Disney to all public places where lines are involved like sports arenas, grocery stores, shopping malls, and more. – https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-disney-autism-follow-rehearing-20181011-story.html
The Disney Parks Blog announced that the new parking structure will also feature a pedestrian bridge over Magic Way. The new bridge will give visitors a direct path from the parking structure right to Downtown Disney and the parks’ main entrance. This will help eliminate pedestrian traffic crossing at Disneyland Drive and Magic Way, helping with pedestrian safety and better traffic flow. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/10/new-pedestrian-bridge-added-to-new-parking-structure-at-disneyland-resort/?CMP=ILC-DPFY19Q1wo1011181017180005E
Over in Downtown Disney, Salt and Straw is now open! The new ice cream boutique is located in the old Haagen Dazs space. This is not your typical ice cream shop, they offer some very unique and inventive flavors like roasted strawberry coconut, honey lavender, or even black olive brittle and goat cheese! If these flavors sound a little too adventurous for your pallet, they also offer more traditional favorites such as sea salt with caramel, double fold vanilla, and chocolate gooey brownie. – https://micechat.com/208417-disneyland-update-ides-of-halloween-time/
Storytellers Cafe over at the Grand Californian Hotel is no longer offering a la carte lunch or dinner menus. The switch happened on October 10th. The popular dining location now offers Mickey’s Tales of Adventure breakfast and brunch buffets from 7am to 2pm daily followed by their dinner buffet with times starting at 4:30pm. – https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2018/10/08/storytellers-cafe-to-discontinue-a-la-carte-menus-starting-october-10th/
Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer will be holding a job fair in October and November. It will take place right next door to the new location on the second floor in Splitsville. On the spot interviews will be held for all restaurant positions. The job fair will be on October 24 and 25 and also on November 1 and 2 from 11am to 8pm. – https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2018/10/11/black-tap-craft-burgers-beer-to-hold-job-fair-for-new-disneyland-resort-location/
The Laughing Place reported on a rumor this week that a princess character dining option may be coming to Napa Rose for breakfast. This would help to replace the princess dining that was previously in California Adventure at Ariel’s Grotto. – https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2018/10/12/napa-rose-to-add-princess-themed-character-breakfast/
The Festival of the Holidays in Disney’s California Adventure features a special Food Marketplace. Some of the menus have already been released. Visions of Sugarplums will be serving baked cheesy scalloped potatoes, pineapple kersari, and sherbet holiday punch. Merry Mashups will have a green bean and mushroom casserole, chana masala, and a milk chocolate-candy cane pot de creme. Favorite Things-Joy to the Sauce will be offering seared salmon filet, beef short rib, sticky toffee pudding, and a holiday eggnog cocktail. And Winter Wonders will be serving chorizo queso fundido, and a cranberry pear tart. Festival of the Holidays runs from Novmeber 9th through January 8th. – https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2018/10/09/festive-eats-dca-festival-of-the-holidays/
World of Disney will have its official reopening later this week. The date is set for Friday, the 19th and we can’t wait to see how the rest of the shopping space looks like! – https://micechat.com/208417-disneyland-update-ides-of-halloween-time/
Plastic bags are now being handed out to guests visiting B’rer Rabbit and friends on Splash Mountain. Even though you may get soaked if you are brave enough to take the plunge, you can keep some of your personal items dry in these themed Ziploc bags. There has been some comments online that with the removal of plastic straws from the resort, that adding this sponsored plastic bag that most guests throw in the trash after negates the point. – https://micechat.com/208417-disneyland-update-ides-of-halloween-time/
The blue monorail has returned. The paint had been damaged after they had removed the Pixar Fest wraps. It appears that the paint has been repaired and touched up allowing Blue to be back in action. – https://micechat.com/208417-disneyland-update-ides-of-halloween-time/
The ‘beautiful’ green construction scrims have finally come down by the entrances to Adventureland and Frontierland. The ponds look great but it isn’t very obvious what work was done to the area. Rumor was that they were expanding the walk ways and repairing or replacing the fence however those were left unchanged. It does appear that they did some work on the landscaping around the ponds. It looks cleaner and more open. – https://micechat.com/208417-disneyland-update-ides-of-halloween-time/
A brightly wrapped gift marked “Don’t open yet!” has appeared on the Pixar Pier sign over in California Adventure. It seems that Luxo Jr has finally arrived and taken his place. No word yet on when the famous lamp will get unwrapped and make its debut. – https://micechat.com/208417-disneyland-update-ides-of-halloween-time/
Discussion Links:
YouTube Character Evolution – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLakqr1jN6XSvYr3vi5d4gj8L7E-zQgdeQ
