DLW 147: Hollywood Studios

This week, Orange County is off the COVID watch list, why this isn’t good news, the lights have returned, Disneyland is ready to open, new mercandise has landed for Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos, we talk about Hollywood Studios, and more!

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News:

The State of California moved Orange County, where Disneyland is located, off the COVID watch list last week. However, this isn’t as meaningful since shortly after, the state came out with a new set of guidelines which moved Orange County to the highest risk level of “widespread”. The new guidelines don’t mention theme parks at all, but the state is working on seperate guidelines for theme parks specifically. No word yet on when that will be released. – https://www.micechat.com/268822-disneyland-update-the-blueprint-for-reopening/

In a bit of a click-bait headline, Walt Disney World News Today posted that the lights are on once again at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, at least at the main entrances. The click bait part of the theadline stated that the parks were lit up in preperation for imminent reopening, which is not the case. It is, however, nice to see the train station and first part of Buena Vista Street lit up again and adds much needed atmosphere to the esplanade for those heading to Downtown Disney. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/disneyland-resort-lights-illuminate-anaheim-once-again/

Josh D’Amaro, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman appeared on “The Dow Report” last week and stated that Disney is “ready” to reopen the parks as soon as guidelines allow. Disneyland and California Adventure have both installed plexiglass safety shields at the entry turnstiles. D’Amaro also went on to talk about the procedures they ahve taken to make sure that the parks are safe and the trust that people have for Disney. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/josh-damaro-discusses-disney-parks-reopening-in-new-interview-says-were-ready-to-reopen-disneyland-resort-parks-when-guidelines-permit/

The Tokyo Disney Resort is entering the second stage of reopening this week, and with it may come some clues as to how the Disneyland Resort may handle some circumstances. For example, Tokyo will be running the first parade at any Disney park since COVID-19 started. They also have a new Beauty and the Beast dark ride that is opening, which could show how Avengers Campus might open like in these COVID times. It also gives us a hint at the timelines for nighttime fireworks and other shows coming back in stage 2. – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/09/01/what-tokyo-disney-changes-could-mean-for-disneyland/

The Disneyland Horticulture team is working hard on getting the areas around the resort ready for fall. Signs declaring “We will soon be rolling our the green carpet for our Disneyland guests” have been placed around where the new fall flowers and displays will be planted soon. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/08/photos-landscaping-team-ready-to-roll-out-the-green-carpet-for-fall-flower-displays-at-the-disneyland-resort/

Avengers Campus is chugging right along, and proof of that is from the Disney Auditions website that is looking for stunt performers for Captain America, Black Panther, and Black Widow. The posting is for a live action stunt show in the new land. – https://www.mouseplanet.com/12741/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_August_31__September_6_2020#news5

Disney stage shows and nighttime spectaculars are already some of the most technologically advanced performances anywhere in the world, but Disney is always working on new technology to push the envelope further. A new patent filed by Disney shows a use for drones to control show elements. The patent doesn’t just use the drone itself as an effect, but uses the downdraft from the propellers to make an entirely new effect. As a reminder, just because Disney files a patent for something doesn’t meant that we will see it soon, or ever. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/disney-enterprises-files-patent-for-further-use-of-drones-to-control-show-elements/

Even though it has been a couple months since Disneyland turned 65, there is still more new merchandise coming out that celebrates this milestone. A new 65th anniversary sipper featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle has arrived and looks like a snow globe that you can drink from! A special release of pins also arrived that show off some of the classic attractions from Disneyland. There are 13 pins in the collection, each limited to 2,000 and cost $17.99, limited to 2 per guest. The 13 designs are: King Arthur’s Carousel, Dumbo, Mr. Toad, Storybook Land, Peter Pan, Casey Jr., Mark Twain, Autopia, the Disneyland Railroad, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, Snow White, and the Main Street Cinema. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/photos-new-limited-edition-disneyland-resort-65th-anniversary-attraction-pins-featuring-mr-toads-wild-ride-snow-whites-scary-adventures-main-street-cinema-and-more-debut/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/08/photos-new-sleeping-beauty-castle-sipper-debuts-for-disneylands-65th-anniversary/

More new ear headbands have appeared in the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney this week. The new designs are a yellow set that is made of a soft, velvet like fabric, a emerald green set that is covered in sequins with a shiny bow. For Halloween, a Minnie Mouse Witch Ear Headband has been released. The band features black sequin ears, topped with a candy corn inspired witch hat and purple bow. Teresa already purchased this last set of ears that light up and feature Oogie Boogie on them. – https://www.micechat.com/268822-disneyland-update-the-blueprint-for-reopening/

Not only is Halloween coming up, but so is the Dia de los Muertos celebration. This means a whole lot of new Coco mercahndise is hitting the shelves. The crossbody purse that is in the shape and design of Ernesto de la Cruz’s guitar is one of the stand out items. There are also some plush items. We expect there to be more as the celebration nears. – https://www.micechat.com/268822-disneyland-update-the-blueprint-for-reopening/

The Disney Parks blog has posted a video on how to make your own Mickey tie-dye shirt! Stephen, a Walt Disney World Ambassador, had shown off his Mickey tie-dye shirt which is what sparked this how-to video. If you have some time, give it a try! – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/disneymagicmoments-how-to-make-a-popular-mickey-tie-dye-shirt-at-home/

With the Song of the South on the way out of the parks, specifically from Splash Mountain, the iconic Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah song has also disappeared from the music loops around the resort. Disney released a statement that “The removal of the song from Downtown Disney’s background music is part of a continuous process to deliver an environment that features stories that are relevant and inclusive.” – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/disney-issues-statement-regarding-removal-of-splash-mountains-zip-a-dee-doo-dah-from-disneyland-resort-music-loops/

Some keen eyes over at DisneyPlusInformer.com have spotted programming code on Disney+ that points to the addition of a group watch feature that may be coming soon! This feature would allow a group of people to watch the same show or movie at the same time in sync with each other. It appears that the system will also have a chat feature. No word on when it will launch or what platforms outside of the browser that will be supported. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/08/disney-developing-new-group-watch-party-function-coming-soon/

Discussion:

Hollywood Studios