DLW 173: Former Cast Member Dave Smith Part 1

This week, A Touch of Disney is announced, we have most of the details, new tram route decorations for the 65th anniversary, Legacy Passholders have some more new perks, permits filed for the changes coming to the Jungle Cruise, we talk to former cast member Dave, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. If you want some DLWeekly Swag, you can pick some up at https://www.dlweekly.net/store/. Book your travel through ConciEARS at no extra cost to you! Be sure to mention that you heard about ConciEARS from DLWeekly at booking! If you want some awesome headwear or one of a kind items, be sure to visit our friends over at All Enchanting Ears! You can use the promo code DLWEEKLY10 to get 10% off your order!

News:

Just after posting our episode last week, Disney announced the details for their food event, “A Touch of Disney”. This experience will cost $75 per person, and will include a food gift card for $25, entrance to most of Disney California Adventure, and free parking in Mickey and Friends. A Touch of Disney will begin on March 18th, with tickets going on sale March 4th. The event will take place Thursdays through Mondays from noon to 8pm. Tickets continue to be released on a rolling basis until the experience ends. Tickets must be purchased in advance on disneyland.com for a specific date. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/02/a-touch-of-disney-new-limited-capacity-ticketed-experience-coming-to-disney-california-adventure-park-beginning-march-18/ – https://www.micechat.com/282589-updates-disney-california-adventure-food-and-wine-event-to-take-over-much-of-the-park/ Where there is food, there is a Disney Parks Blog Foodie Guide! So much food will be available at A Taste of Disney, including many resort favorites. Some of our highlights include Dole Whips, Fluffernutter Churros, corn dogs, lobster nachos, some beef skewers from Bengal BBQ, and more! There are so many options, it will be impossible to not find something that you want to eat, and will probably want to attend a few days to eat it all! – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/03/foodie-guide-to-a-touch-of-disney-at-disney-california-adventure-park-opening-march-18/ and https://www.micechat.com/282589-updates-disney-california-adventure-food-and-wine-event-to-take-over-much-of-the-park/ With the upcoming use of the Mickey and Friends parking structure to be utilized for A Touch of Disney, the tram route to Downtown Disney has been refreshed with some 65th anniversary banners and decorations. The tram route will open to guests for walking to Downtown Disney, as there will not be any tram service at this time. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/02/photos-tram-route-decorated-with-flags-and-banner-for-belated-65th-anniversary-of-disneyland-resort/ With the continued closure of the parks beyond A Touch of Disney, the local politicians are trying to help accelerate the limited reopening as completely operating theme parks at a reduced capacity at a lower tier of the COVID-19 Blueprint for a Safer Economy. LA County voted in favor of AB 420, which allows theme parks to reopen at 25% capacity in Tier 3, instead of tier 4. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/02/la-county-votes-in-favor-of-bill-allowing-disneyland-resort-universal-studios-hollywood-to-open-in-tier-3-of-california-governors-covid-19-plan/ and https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/02/25/news-bill-to-reopen-disneyland-sooner-moves-forward/ Legacy Passholders continue to have added perks to their non-defunct passes, this time, there will be some exclusive perks and extras during the A Touch of Disney event. There will be a special photo op to celebrate DCA’s 20th anniversary, plus access to themed amenities at the Legacy Passholder Corner in Paradise Gardens. A special button will be available, as well as a Legacy Passholder magnet! – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/03/01/exclusive-legacy-passholder-perks-coming-to-disney-california-adventure-event/ As we told you a few episodes ago, the World Famous Jungle Cruise is set to get a modern update to make the attraction more culturally sensitive. Permits were filed to begin work on transforming the areas to be updated. Scrims will be installed around the areas to be worked on, allowing the attraction to stay running for guests. The construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/02/permits-filed-to-begin-construction-of-new-culturally-sensitive-jungle-cruise-ride-scenes-at-disneyland-park/ Guests with reservations at Carthay Circle can now use mobile check-in to notify a host that you are ready for your reservation, without having to stand in line to speak to a host. Reservations can also be made through the mobile system, if you can snag one! – https://www.micechat.com/283944-disneyland-update-the-billion-dollar-question/ Since the opening of the Star Wars Trading Post, waits to access the location have exceeded 4 hours at times, resulting in long waits to get into Downtown Disney. There is a virtual wait list, but you have to be inside of Downtown Disney to get “in line”, so that leaves guests wandering around for up to 4 hours, keeping the shopping area busy. This could be improved by allowing guests to register for the queue before arriving at the resort. – https://www.micechat.com/283944-disneyland-update-the-billion-dollar-question/ Earlier this year, guests were able to begin purchasing interactive remote control “Spider-Bots” that will be part of the new Spider-Man attraction coming to Avenger’s Campus when the parks reopen. Recently, one of these Spider-Bots was spotted outside of the Web Slingers attraction building. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/02/24/video-disneys-avengers-campus-has-a-special-new-resident/ A new set of Disneyland Resort exclusive Mickey ears have gone on sale! The ears are made of a black velvet material, with a stitched Mickey, with colors reminiscent of Mickey’s Fun Wheel radiating outward. Disney California Adventure is stitched on the side of the band. They can be purchased for $29.99 at the Five & Dime on Buena Vista Street. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/03/01/new-mickey-ears-feature-a-major-disney-icon/ Back in 2012, a group of folks got to visit and stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite above Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland. Over at MiceChat, the story is told in wonderful detail, with pictures! Included in the writeup are some surprises, like being given a tour of the park after hours! Check out the link in our show notes for the complete story! – https://www.micechat.com/282919-disneyland-dream-suite/ 2021 is rolling right along and Easter is coming up faster than we all realize. Disney has everyone covered with some Easter treats already available. Marceline’s Confectionary has cake pops, apples and others, AND the HANDMADE chocolate fudge Easter Eggs have returned. The eggs are usually crafted in the Candy Palace on Main Street, but this year they are at Trolley Treats! They run $9.99 each and come in vanilla, peanut butter, chocolate-nut, and plain chocolate. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/03/01/review-super-sweet-and-insta-worthy-treats-have-arrived-in-disneyland/ and ](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/03/01/hurry-up-you-can-only-get-this-iconic-disneyland-snack-once-a-year/#more-459060)[https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/03/01/hurry-up-you-can-only-get-this-iconic-disneyland-snack-once-a-year/ The Walt Disney Company released their annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report recently, pointing out their efforts to operate with integrity and to make a positive impact in society. In response to COVID-19, they raised nearly 2.8 million in donations for Feeding America, plus $615,000 for emergency assistance funds. Disney donated food and PPE, providing nearly $27 million in in-kind support. In addition, they have pledged to support Black communities, reducing emissions throughout the company, and much more. To read the release, please check out the link in the show notes. – https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-releases-2020-corporate-social-responsibility-report/

Discussion Topic:

Former Cast Member Dave Smith – Canoes, Mike Fink Keelboats, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Monorail