DLW 120: Bob Iger Steps Down

This week, we discuss Bob Iger stepping down, a new way to experience Smuggler’s Run, Star Wars nite goes lightspeed without the rise, a bunch of new merch, new food, meet and greets, Bob Iger leaving, and more!

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News:

After the stock market closed on Tuesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that he would be stepping down immediately from his position and Bob Chapek, who ran the Parks division will take over as CEO. Bob Iger will stay on as Chairman of the Board through the end of his contract in 2021. Bob Chapek joined the company in 1993. – https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/25/business/media/bob-iger-disney-ceo.html

Our friends over at FreshBakedDisney on YouTube have documented an alternative mode to the Millenium Falcon Smugglers Run attraction in Galaxy’s Edge. The mode which some are saying is a “new” mode, but is also rumored to have been available since launch is called “Chewie Mode.” This mode replaces the voice lines from Hondo with grunts and groans from Chewbacca. To access this mode, BEFORE the cast member checks your seat straps and starts the attraction, the pilots need to push each control to the far left or right and push the flashing button. The gunners and engineers need to hold ONE of the flashing white buttons near the score screen and hit the flashing orange button. – https://www.micechat.com/251821-how-to-unlock-millennium-falcon-smugglers-run-chewie-mode/

The tickets for Star Wars Nite on August 27th to coincide with Star Wars Celebration across the street went on sale last week. Tickets for Annual Passholders went on sale on Thursday with general sales on Friday. The tickets sold out almost immediately on Friday. Along with the ticket sales, Disney announced that Rise of the Resistance would not be open for the event. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/19/annual-passholder-tickets-for-disneyland-after-darks-star-wars-nite-are-now-on-sale/

The last season of the Clone Wars animated series has premiered on Disney+ and with it is some new merchandise. There are some new Ashoka Tano Minnie ears that feature an orange bow mimicking her face, the ears are blue and white matching her Togruta montrals, and the band makes up her crown. The words “I am no Jedi” are stitched on the side of the band. Along with this, there is a TON of new The Child (or baby Yoda, if you prefer) merchandise from shirts to stickers to mugs and more. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/photos-new-ahsoka-tano-minnie-ears-coming-soon-to-disney-parks-more-star-wars-the-clone-wars-and-the-mandalorian-merchandise-previewed/

With the popularity of The Mandalorian on Disney+, some of the characters will be coming to Batuu in the very near future. No word on if “The Child”, better known as “baby Yoda” will appear as well. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/the-mandalorian-character-meet-and-greet-coming-soon-to-disney-parks/

This Friday, the new Disneyland parade Magic Happens debuts! Disney has released a new video showing some of the artistry that went into making the costumes, along with some glimpses of the costumes that they are working on. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/02/behind-the-scenes-dressing-the-part-for-magic-happens-parade-debuting-feb-28-at-disneyland-park/

The Disney Channel Fan Fest is returning for its third year on Saturday, May 9th. The Disney “QUIZney” trivia challenge returns, the family dance competition Disney Fam Jam will be there, plus learn to draw sessions, and, of course, some of your favorite Disney Channel stars from Zombies 2, Gabby Duran & the Unsittables, BUNK’D, and more. – https://d23.com/disney-channel-fan-fest-kicks-off-at-disneyland-resort-on-may-9/

As with every other festival or celebration recently, Disney has posted the Foodie Guide to the Food and Wine Festival. There are over 20 locations participating in the event, including 13 Food and Wine specific booths. {look at the links and talk about the food} – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/02/foodie-guide-to-disney-california-adventure-food-wine-festival-2020/ and https://www.mouseplanet.com/12594/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_February_24March_1_2020#news1 and https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/21/weve-got-the-full-menus-for-the-2020-disney-california-adventure-food-and-wine-festival/

Two new items have come to the Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland. The first is a PB&J Mochi, which is a Japanese rice cake filled with peanut butter and topped with a drizzle of raspberry sauce, and sprinkled with peanut butter dust. The mochi comes in a set of three for $6.99. The second item is a Sweet Lumpia made of banana, jackfruit, and caramel drizzle. There are two per order and are $6.99. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/review-pbj-mochi-and-sweet-lumpia-bring-the-sweetness-to-the-tropical-hideaway-at-disneyland/

Bengal Barbecue is a great place to pick up a quick snack, and now there are even more options! The specialty skewer has shrimp, spiced ham, and pineapple, served with a pina colada dressing. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/24/review-were-snacking-on-the-new-specialty-skewer-at-disneylands-bengal-barbecue/

The original Soarin’ Over California film will be returning to DCA on February 28th and run through April 21st. Annual Passholders will have extended access to the attraction on March 11th, 18th and 25th for an additional hour after park closing. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/17/confirmed-we-finally-know-how-long-soarin-over-california-will-be-back-at-disneyland-resort/

The entrance to Tomorrowland is finally out from behind scrims. The refurbished walls are a lot cleaner and have a more iridescent coloring than the previous walls. The planter area also received an update reminiscent of the old fountains that were in this area decades ago. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/21/whats-new-at-the-disneyland-resort-baby-yoda-spirit-jersey-and-new-futuristic-additions-in-tomorrowland/

The new Disney/Pixar animated movie Onward that comes to theaters on March 6th is celebrating with a character meet and greet in the parks. Barley and Ian Lightfoot will debut at Pixar Nite on March 5th, and be regulars on Pixar Pier starting March 6th. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/18/news-onward-meet-and-greet-coming-to-select-disney-parks-soon/

With Pixar Nite at Disney California Adventure just around the corner, Disney has announced that there will be an AP exclusive magnet. The magnet says Disneyland After Dark AP Pixar Nite and is in the colors of the Luxo ball. No word on where you can pick this magnet up yet, but keep an eye out for it. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/23/how-to-score-an-exclusive-magnet-at-disneyland-after-dark-pixar-nite/

For those guests who miss the backside of water or O2H for producer Vern, there is a new Jungle Cruise board game coming this June. The game is for 2-4 players navigating the river to pick up passengers and cargo while trying to keep their boat in one piece. The game will retail for $29.99. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/new-jungle-cruise-board-game-to-hit-shelves-summer-2020/

On March 4th and 5th, Annual Passholders will be able to spend an additional hour inside the Temple of the Forbidden Eye as the Indiana Jones Adventure celebrates AP nights. No word yet on how this will work, but you will need a special wristband to ride. – https://www.micechat.com/251818-disneyland-update-new-parade-food-chewie-this-week/

A new Mickey Balloon Ear Headband has floated into the parks. This new headband features ears that look like the classic Mickey balloons that you can buy in many places around the parks. These also light up to look even better at night. – https://www.micechat.com/251818-disneyland-update-new-parade-food-chewie-this-week/

Not only are there new Mickey Balloon ears, but there is also a Spirit Jersey! The Spirit Jersey is white, with pink lettering and has different pastel color balloons on the bottom. There is also a Minnie Ear tank top by Her Universe, a Mickey Ice Cream Bar shirt, and a Sleeping Beauty Castle logo short. These were all spotted at Le Bat en Rouge in New Orleans Square. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/25/where-to-find-these-new-iconic-shirts-disneyland/

The new live action Mulan movie is coming on March 27th, and there are some new ears to celebrate. A new set of Minnie ears sporting a gold dragon medallion, with a blue bow with a fan and Chinese writing on it. The wars themselves are made out of a red-silk like material with a gold Chinese symbol on it. The other side of the ears has a lime green bow, so you could wear these in two different ways. The headband has the words “Bravest of All” in gold lettering. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/02/24/disney-finally-has-a-pair-of-mulan-minnie-ears-and-theyre-reversible/

Guests might have souvenir mugs for the parks, and even some attractions, but now they can get one for the Grand Californian! The new mug is in the style of a beer stein, and looks like the wood and stained glass that is featured around the hotel. The mug is available at the GCH Craftsman Bar and Grill. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/02/photos-new-beer-stein-featuring-californias-natural-landscape-available-at-disneys-grand-californian-hotel-spa/