DLW 326: More Big Thunder with Alex

This week, new tiki mugs for Mansion fans, a shelved attraction is still possible, Disney Channel Nite details, Lightning Lane changes, chalk drawings are back in Downtown Disney, we finish our chat with Alex, and more!

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News:

Tiki and Haunted Mansion fans should get their pre-order on! New Haunted Mansion Tiki mugs from Beeline Creative are available to pre-order at the link in our show notes. The mugs feature the Hitchhiking Ghosts, the grandfather clock, Madame Leota, and the female opera singer. Prices range from $29.99 to $34.99 and will ship starting in June. – https://wdwnt.com/2024/02/new-haunted-mansion-tiki-mugs-pre-order/ As part of Celebrate Soulfully this month, some artwork has returned to Downtown Disney. Marcella Swett, Chalk Muralist and Senior Production Artisan of Disney Live Entertainment, was on location drawling these creations in chalk. This year, the mural depicts Edmond Albius, a horticulturist who revolutionized vanilla cultivation by developing a hand-pollination technique to quickly pollinate vanilla orchids. – DISNEYLAND UPDATE: Inching Forward, Spring Surprises & Continuing Construction (micechat.com) We spoke about the new projection housings that were installed in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle a few months ago. The new, 4K laser projectors are now in use as of this past weekend. The images are sharper, there is light only where the lasers are projected and not in dark areas, making them “pop” more. In addition to the castle projectors, it appears the ones along Main Street were also upgraded. – https://www.micechat.com/380355-disneyland-news-spring-surprises/ (comments) “Iwaju,” a new Walt Disney Animation Studios and Kugali Media series for Disney+ is showing up at the resort. New merchandise for the series, which premiers the day this podcast posts, has arrived. Items include t-shirts, baseball caps, tumblers, and more. – New ‘Iwaju’ Merchandise Arrives at Disneyland Resort – WDW News Today (wdwnt.com) Pin collectors – there is a new set of pins to collect that celebrate attractions at both coasts! The Bicoastal Adventures series honors attractions that exist at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The first in the series, Space Mountain was released January with a limited edition of 4,000. This time, Soarin’ has been released. The pins are $19.99. No word on if they are going to make all the attractions that fit in this category or not. – New Bicoastal Adventures Soarin’ Pin Arrives at Disneyland Resort – WDW News Today (wdwnt.com) With Star Wars Nite ticket sales behind us, Disney has announced more details for the Disneyland After Dark Disney Channel Nite coming up at the beginning of March. – More Details Announced for Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite, Including Disney Channel Wand ID Photo Op – WDW News Today (wdwnt.com) Character Lineup & Entertainment Announced for Disney Channel Nite Special Event (blogmickey.com) We spoke recently about the construction that is happening across from Grizzy River Run. We suggested that it might be the large air dryer that was once in this location. This week, we found out it is actually relocation of the lockers for the attraction, since the previous location will be used for a DVC kiosk. – DISNEYLAND UPDATE: Inching Forward, Spring Surprises & Continuing Construction (micechat.com) A perk of having a broken down attraction when holding a Lightning Lane for it has changed. Previously, a multi-experience pass was given in these situations which allowed guests to go to any attraction and skip the line. The system now only allows Lightning Lane attractions to be used. There is no official word on Disney changing this policy, but multiple people reported online the new policy since as far back as December. – Disneyland Resort Reportedly Limits Multiple Experience Passes to Only Lightning Lane Attractions – WDW News Today (wdwnt.com) A lively conversation happened online between two former Imagineers, giving us hope that a canceled Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge attraction may happen sometime in the future. The “Elee” concept, which was the name of the mechanical creature that guests could ride around the land, was worked on for over a year, but was cut due to budget reasons. The Imagineers said there is still room and the tech is pretty much worked out. – Former Imagineers State Scrapped ‘Elee’ Creature That Could Carry Guests Around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Could Still Be Added to Land – WDW News Today (wdwnt.com)

Discussion Topic:

Being a Cast Member on Big Thunder with Alex Stewart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dWj2k4FMM8