DLW 155: Jungle Cruise Skipper Vedder

This week, presidents of the resorts respond to the new guidelines, annual pass changes could be coming, Buena Vista Street is reopening, we talk to former Jungle Cruise Skipper Vedder, and more!

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News:

The California Attractions and Parks Association, an organization that represents amusement parks and attractions througout California, streamed reactions from the big theme park operators last week. Ken Potrock, President of the Disneyland Resort, Kurt Stocks, President of Legoland California, Karen Irwin, President and COO of Universal Studios Hollywood, and Raffi Kaprelyan, Regional Vice President for Cedar Fair, which operates Knott’s Berry Farm were on the stream. Good points were made by each of them, such as local residents might be traveling out of state to go to theme parks since the local ones aren’t open, helping with the COVID-19 spread. Overall, the group of theme park leaders were not happy. – https://www.facebook.com/CaAttractionsandParks/

The Orange County Register reported this week that the Southern California theme parks are considering legal action to gain permission to reopen, or, at the very least, change the guidelines for reopening. The parks at least want to be able to open in tier 3 instead of waiting for tier 4. – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/10/21/disneyland-universal-studios-knotts-and-more-considering-legal-action-over-californias-unachievable-reopening-guidelines/

Disneyland sent an email out to annual passholders discussing the reopening guidelines that were announced last week. The email went on to mention that they are not sure what that means for the annual passholder program. They finish saying that they will be in touch soon, when they can share more details. – https://www.micechat.com/273627-disneyland-update-the-nightmare-before-christmas/

Tokyo Disneyland is a huge annual passholder park, much like Disneyland. This week, Tokyo Disneyland has ended their annual passholder program and refunded the balance to passholders. Could this be something that Disneyland will do when it eventually reopens? – https://www.micechat.com/273340-tokyo-disneyland-annual-pass-program-ending-could-it-happen-at-disneyland/ and https://www.micechat.com/273627-disneyland-update-the-nightmare-before-christmas/

Beginning in November, Buena Vista Street will be open for shopping and dining! Disney is considering this as an expansion to Downtown Disney. All of the stores on Buena Vista Street will be open, including Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, Kingswell Camera Shop, and Trolley Treats. The Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe, Carthay Circle Lounge, and Smokejumpers Grill will also be open for dining. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/10/more-shopping-more-dining-coming-soon-downtown-disney-district-at-disneyland-resort-extends-to-buena-vista-street/

With the reopening of Buena Vista Street, Cast Members have been called back to work, ending their furlough. However, others got messages from Disney that the furloughs have become layoffs. Over 200 cast members will be retuning to work on Buena Vista Street starting COVID training on November 1st. – https://www.micechat.com/273627-disneyland-update-the-nightmare-before-christmas/

Another Downtown Disney shopping event is happening from October 26th-29th. Reservations are required, but have gone quickly. Products that will be available include the 65th anniversary Walt and Mickey vinyl, the 65th anniversary Mr. Toad vinyl, both priced at $29.99, plus tax. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/10/23/make-your-reservations-now-for-this-exclusive-disneyland-shopping-event/

We talked about the 40th anniversary of the Make-A-Wish foundation last week, and just after that episode posted, Disney released the “Wishes Come True Blue Color Collection.” 25% of the purchase price for each item will go to the Make-A-Wish foundation, up to $500,000. This is the first color collection that helps benefit a nonprofit. 10,000 of the cloth masks are also being donated to the nonprofit. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/10/celebrate-40-years-of-disney-and-make-a-wish-with-debut-of-all-new-global-products-including-the-wishes-come-true-blue-color-collection/

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen has added three new sauces to their lineup for beignets. The new sauces include a BOO-Berry sauce, a caramel apple sauce, and a praline-maple anglaise. The sauces are $1.49 each and are available at the Jazz Kitchen Express. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/10/21/three-new-beignet-sauces-just-rolled-into-ralph-brennans-jazz-kitchen-in-downtown-disney/

Disney has partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to inspire students to dream big. Disney is hoping to create career paths for HBCU students, in order to build a long-term pipeline of black talent. Student internships, mentorship opportunities and inclusive hiring practices are all aspects of this program. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/10/disney-working-with-historically-black-colleges-and-universities-to-inspire-the-next-gen-to-dream-big/

Blooloop, an online resource for professionals working in the visitor attractions sector, have recognized five leaders from Disney on their 50 Theme Park Influencer list for 2020. The list celebrates the most creative and inspirational people in the theme park industry. – https://twitter.com/DisneyParksNews/status/1319337221149872128

This week a trailer was released for Raya and the Last Dragon. The movie is currently scheduled to premiere in theaters in March of 2021. The movie is inspired by Southeast Asia and will combine Disney classics with Hong Kong action films. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/10/video-disney-releases-first-official-trailer-for-raya-and-the-last-dragon/

Discussion Topic:

Jungle Cruise Skipper Vedder

Cast Member Pantry – https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/furloughed-disney-cast-member-launches-the-cast-member-pantry-to-help-others-feed-their-families/