DLW 277: More with Don Morin

This week, Bob Iger talks about the parks, spring break is hitting the parks, but weather is tempering the crowds, fireworks are back nightly, Imagineering shows off some cool tech, we finish our talk with Don from the PNW Mouse Meet, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. If you want some DLWeekly Swag, you can pick some up at https://www.dlweekly.net/store/. Book your travel through ConciEARS at no extra cost to you! Be sure to mention that you heard about ConciEARS from DLWeekly at booking! DISCOUNTS! We have partnered with the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground to get great deals for our listeners! Book your stay at the Howard Johnson Anaheim and get 15% off your stay (code 1000022077)! Magic Key Holders get 20% off their stay (code 1000025935) as well! Book now! Need the perfect bag for your days in the parks? Look no further than Designer Park Co.! Purchase the Rope Drop Bag as featured on Episode 222 and get 10% off your purchase! Use coupon code DLWEEKLY to get the discount. If you want some awesome headwear or one of a kind items, be sure to visit our friends over at All Enchanting Ears! You can use the promo code DLWEEKLY10 to get 10% off your order!

News:

Bob Iger talked about the company and the parks during a question and answer session at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference. He emphasized that reducing crowds in the parks was important to improving the guest experience. It sounds like part of the process to help with that would be to add new capacity and attractions to serve more guests. – https://www.micechat.com/350274-disneyland-update-the-one-two-punch/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2023/03/ceo-bob-iger-talks-disney-parks-guest-experience-rethinking-pricing-strategies-and-opportunities-to-add-more-attractions/ Spring Break season has descended upon the resort. This year, it has been very interesting to see the crowds because of the on again, off again weather changes. On the nice weather days, the parks feel like they are back to the pre-pandemic levels, then just a day later with rain, the parks seem deserted. Waits on the rainy days were mostly under 30 minutes – https://www.micechat.com/350274-disneyland-update-the-one-two-punch/ Nightly fireworks have returned to the resort for the higher crowds and spring break. Usually, the fireworks are only part of the show from Friday through Sunday. Now, they are performed every night, which is a wonderful way to see Wondrous Journeys. – https://www.micechat.com/350274-disneyland-update-the-one-two-punch/ Walt Disney Imagineering were at it again showing off some of the new technology that they have been working on at a Disney Parks presentation at South by Southwest. Some of the eye-catching things included a “life size” Tinker Bell. In addition, they demoed a small dynamic robot that could bring Judy Hopps to life, along with showing off the Hulk character that was in Avengers Campus in September. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2023/03/new-look-at-life-size-tinker-bell-for-disney-parks-meet-and-greet-may-still-debut/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2023/03/video-disney-parks-shares-closer-look-at-life-size-tiny-tinker-bell-technology/ The rest of Toontown opens this weekend, but another smaller part of the land has opened. EngineEar Souvenirs has opened as the attached gift shop to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The new shop is very themed to trains, including a train that travels around the store above guest’s heads. The shop carries a lot of Toontown and Runaway Railway attraction merchandise. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2023/03/10/disney-opened-a-new-store-today-come-check-it-out/ and https://www.micechat.com/349905-disneyland-toontown-merchandise-engineear-souvenirs/ St. Patrick’s Day is this Friday and of course, Disneyland has some treats to help celebrate! Guests can pick up some shamrock-shaped rice crispy treats, green stuff at Red Rose Tavern, a cupcake and donut at Craftsman Grill at the Grand Californian Hotel, and a cocktail at the Hearthstone Lounge though March 19th. Downtown Disney also has an assortment of options for the holiday. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2023/03/full-list-of-st-patricks-day-2023-food-beverages-coming-to-disneyland-resort/ and https://www.micechat.com/350274-disneyland-update-the-one-two-punch/ Sunday, April 9th is Easter and that can mean only one thing: Handmade Chocolate Fudge Easter Eggs are back! Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday until Easter, guests can pick up an egg for $12.99 at the Candy Palace. If you don’t want that much sugar, you can just watch Cast Members make them in the window of Candy Palace. No word on the flavors for this year just yet. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2023/03/10/disneys-famous-chocolate-easter-eggs-are-back/ and https://www.micechat.com/350274-disneyland-update-the-one-two-punch/ Minnie has once again returned to welcome guests to Disneyland! The Mickey floral has been replaced by the Minnie floral for International Women’s Day, which was on March 8th. We expect Minnie to stay in place for at least a few weeks. – https://www.micechat.com/350274-disneyland-update-the-one-two-punch/ We talk about synergy between the Disney brands that used to happen a lot in the parks, and there is some that has come back recently. Now through April 30th at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, a special Hulu-inspired Coca-Cola Freestyle flavor will be available. The new flavor is called Hulu Fanta Suprise and helps to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the streaming service.  – https://dlnewstoday.com/2023/03/limited-time-hulu-inspired-coca-cola-freestyle-flavor-coming-to-disneyland-resort-and-walt-disney-world/ We talked about Adventureland Day last week, but our past guest Freddy Martin, better known as “Skipper Freddy” has posted a wonderful article on this year’s event and what it all entails. To read all about it, check out the link in our show notes. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2023/03/khaki-crowds-descend-on-disneyland-for-adventureland-day-2023/

Discussion Topic:

Don Morin – Founder and Host of PNW Mouse Meet

• Since 2009 Don and his team have been creating a magical experience for thousands of Guests. “Passion, Disney Fandom and giving them more than they expect are key ingredients to our success!”

• The PNW Mouse Meet is an unofficial Disney Fan Event that was created by Disney Fans FOR Disney Fans. This annual event provides Disney enthusiasts the opportunity to get together right here in the Pacific Northwest to share and celebrate all things Disney.

• https://www.youtube.com/@PNWMOUSEMEET