DLW 119: Spending the Night in the Magic Kingdom

This week, we discuss Avengers Campus character details, becoming the King and Queen for Mardi Gras, Cast Members getting to check out the Runaway Railway, FastPass causing lines, new treats, Sweethearts summary, we discuss winning a night in a magic kingdom, and more!

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News:

Disney has posted an audition listing looking for performers to be in the Avengers Campus stunt show. The listing is looking for a Black Widow, Black Panther, Captain America, Spider-Man, and a villain that has not been named. The listing calls for experience and athletic skills to perform high-intensity stunts including stage combat, weapon combat, tumbling, and more. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/disney-auditions-listing-reveals-characters-for-the-upcoming-avengers-campus-stunt-show/

Disneyland is enjoying letting a lot of the cat out of the bag with the upcoming Magic Happens Parade as they have released even more pictures and video of the upcoming parade online this week. The lead float that will feature Mickey Mouse was front and center with these posts. Numbers were also released that show the parade will contain 9 floats, 2 new songs, and over 90 performers. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/photos-video-sorcerer-mickey-float-performer-costumes-and-more-revealed-for-magic-happens-parade-at-disneyland/

Even though we are still a couple of years away from Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway from opening in Toon Town here at Disneyland, Cast Member previews will be starting next week for the attraction opening next month at Hollywood Studios out in Walt Disney World. Cast Members will be able to experience the new attraction from February 22nd through March 2nd. March 3rd is the media event, with it opening to the public on March 4th. This will be the first time we have seen any substantial part of this attraction, and its potentially groundbreaking technology. – https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mickey-and-minnies-runaway-railway/news/14feb2020-cast-previews-to-begin-soon-at-mickey-and-minnies-runaway-railway.htm

FastPass was added this week to the Autopia and Monsters, Inc. With the addition of the service to these attractions, the standby lines have skyrocketed. The typical wait time for Monsters, Inc was under 20 minutes, but since FastPass, has been around 60 minutes, much of that time in an uncovered queue outside. The Autopia was just as bad with the entire elevated queue filling up for standby. – https://www.micechat.com/250934-disneyland-update-the-real-price-of-fastpass/

Do or do not, there is no try. For guests wanting to get a boarding pass, the weekdays are turning out to be the best days to “do” that. This past Wednesday and Thursday, boarding groups were available for about an hour after park opening. The operation of the attraction, as well as the amount of boarding groups that make it into the attraction has varied by day. Some days mid-hundred groups were called, while others barely got through the 80s. – https://www.micechat.com/250934-disneyland-update-the-real-price-of-fastpass/

A remnant from the past has taken up residence outside of the Haunted Mansion. A sign that was designed by Disney Legend Marty Sklar has reappeared, lit by a ghostly blue light in the evening. The sign becons guests to retire to the Haunted Mansion and “scare the daylights” out of guests. Reservations are available by sending a resume of past experience to the “Ghost Relations Department at Disneyland.” – https://www.micechat.com/250934-disneyland-update-the-real-price-of-fastpass/

It is Mardi Gras season, and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen is holding a contest to become “Royalty for the Day”. By liking the Jazz Kitchen on Facebook and entering, you could become King and Queen of Mardi Gras. The King and Queen will be honorary judges of the Mardi Gras costume contest on February 25th. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/15/you-can-be-royalty-for-a-day-at-this-disneyland-restaurant/

At the Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland, a new sweet treat has appeared. The Galactic Parfait has layers of blue cheesecake on top of chocolate cake, with purple mousse at the bottom with raspberry marmalade. The top is covered in a Glitter Glaze with edible stars and a hollow milk chocolate decoration. The treat itself is pretty sweet and is available for $5.99. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/12/review-the-galactic-parfait-sparkles-and-shines-literally-at-disneylands-galactic-grill/

Some more merchandise from the Ink and Paint collection has been spotted at the resort. Collectible pins featuring different Disney characters in different stages of painting are available for $12.99 each. A four pack of pins is also available for $27.99. A Lady and the Tramp tee, some ladies leggings, and more is also for sale. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/photos-pins-leggings-and-a-t-shirt-join-the-ink-paint-collection-lineup-at-the-downtown-disney-district/

A new book featuring the Monorail is coming to stores this September. “The Disney Monorail: Imagineering a Highway in the Sky” will be on shelves September 1st and covers the creation and impact the Disney monorails have had on transportation systems around the world. The book includes historical photos and concept art that has never been published before. The book can be pre-ordered for $32.99 at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/new-book-the-disney-monorail-imagineering-a-highway-in-the-sky-set-to-release-september-1st/

The second month of the Minnie ears collection went on sale this week and it was another mess for guests trying to get their hands on any of the items. A video surfaced online of a guest carrying an arms full of the merchandise from the rack to the checkout, highlighting the need for Disney to put limits on this collection. Quite a bit of this collection is ending up on sites like eBay for double or more of the list price. – https://vm.tiktok.com/qGYqqK/

A unique item has come to the resort. New, small, handheld night lights are now available. There are a number of options to choose from including Sleeping Beauty Castle, a Mickey head, a Mickey ice cream cone, and a monorail! The lights are $16.99 each and change color after being on for some time. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/13/a-mickey-ice-cream-night-light-in-disneyland-sign-us-up/ and https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/photos-disney-parks-night-lights-glow-up-at-the-downtown-disney-district/

Sweethearts night was last week on February 12th and 13th. There was a handful of specialty merch for the evening including a limited edition pin, couples mugs, and long sleeve hoodies. One of the highlights of the night was the Royal Ball near its a small world. It was a 30 minute long performance and was performed every hour. It was a great chance to dance with a lot of characters. The other character meet and greets had very long lines. Guests that were D23 members could receive a reproduction of the 30th anniversary invitation that Walt and Lillian sent out at the Golden Horseshoe. – https://www.micechat.com/250795-feel-the-love-at-disneyland-after-dark-sweethearts-nite/

Over in California Adventure, the sky is getting a little bluer. The sky mural that is on the facade of the Hyperion Theatre is in the process of being repainted. As with all things that are hammered by the southern California sun all day, it was in need of a touch up due to fading. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/photos-scaffolds-up-as-sky-backdrop-undergoes-repainting-at-hollywood-land-at-disney-california-adventure/

Discussion Topic:

A night in Cinderella’s Castle