DLW 182: Talking Disneyland with Thomson

This week, Snow White gets a much more happily ever after, the ghosts have been busy redecorating their mansion, a solution to save thousands of gallons of water at the resorts each year, and, of course, THE PARKS ARE OPEN AGAIN, we talk to Thomson about the parks, 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:

After 412 days, Disneyland is finally open to guests again. Resort President Ken Potrock has been in the job since May, and until this week, has not presided over a fully opened resort. In an interview, he stated that the reopening symbolizes hope and optimism. 15,000 cast members have been brought back from furlough, almost half of the amount of cast members at the resort prior to the closure. – https://www.ocregister.com/2021/05/01/disneyland-president-says-reopening-symbolizes-hope-and-optimism-after-yearlong-closure/ Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is open and ready to wow guests. As you ride your mine cart through a happier version of the story, you’ll enjoy updated animatronics, lighting, projections and music. The attraction is facing some backlash for adding in the scene where her prince kisses her to awaken her from her slumber. – https://www.micechat.com/288029-first-look-a-ride-on-disneylands-reimagined-snow-white-attraction/ The 999 residents have finished their home renovations and are ready to invite you… as long as you hurry back with your death certificate. The Haunted Mansion includes an updated pet cemetery, a redecorated portrait room, and several technical improvements throughout the attraction. – https://www.micechat.com/287447-disneylands-haunted-mansion-gets-spirited-updates/ While we’re used to long lines at the Disney Parks, the length of the queues could be quite shocking as social distancing is still enforced. That means queues for several attractions are spilling out into normal walkways. Micechat specifically noted New Orleans Square being noticeable, with both Pirates and Haunted Mansion having tight indoor queues that have to be spread out. Also, be mindful of what this means for the end of the night on Main Street. – https://www.micechat.com/288064-disneyland-is-back-new-magic/ Guests that have returned to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge may have noticed some socially distanced changes. The shopping market now has limited capacity to allow for social distancing. Throughout the land, the spots for guests to stand on are also themed appropriately to the land. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/04/photos-black-spire-outpost-market-in-star-wars-galaxys-edge-reopens-with-limited-capacity-themed-physical-distancing-markers-at-disneyland/ Guests can expect simple menus when they return to the parks. Some restaurants have only a few options, for example Micechat shared an image of the Plaza Inn menu board that only had the chicken entree and two kids meals. Guests are also being highly encouraged to use mobile ordering, as staffing at cash registers will be limited, meaning longer wait times for traditional ordering. It’s expected most food will continue to go out in disposable containers. – https://www.micechat.com/288064-disneyland-is-back-new-magic/ It’s been quite the challenge to get character meet and greets right with the health and safety protocols. It seems Disney is being more intentional with the locations to help guests have a better chance for interaction and pictures. – https://www.micechat.com/288064-disneyland-is-back-new-magic/ Guardians of the Galaxy, Mission Breakout will finally be home when Avengers Campus opens on June 4th. Ahead of the new land, there’s a new gateway installed just past the Hyperion Theatre and a Terran Treats stand is in place — Terran referring to a description of Humans from Earth used in the films. A few other aesthetic changes have also been made, including lights, some iridescent goo on the pavement and nods to other Avengers. – https://www.micechat.com/288064-disneyland-is-back-new-magic/ Water is quite the precious commodity on this planet — it seems even more so in California. Some cast members figured out how to save about 450-thousand gallons of water every year between the U.S. Theme Parks. Outdoor food carts will take their melted ice at the end of the day and share it with Custodial Teams to wash down areas of the resort — and create some water art during the day. We’ll share a link to the Disney-Produced video on the topic in our show notes. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/04/field-notes-disneyland-resort-cast-members-discover-a-way-to-conserve-water/ The Downtown Disney Mural honoring the late Chadwick Boseman, titled “King Chad” has found a permanent home. Anyone wanting to see this can find it at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, thanks to the generous donation by concept artist and former Disney Imagineer Nikkolas Smith. Smith has long been an advocate for Disney’s children’s hospital initiative. About the donation, he said “I know it will inspire patients going through treatments and serve as a reminder of not only Chadwick’s heart, but also his relatable struggle with cancer. To see my art getting to live on at such a special place where it can bring hope to others – it is truly one of the greatest gifts I could receive.” – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/04/king-chad-artwork-finds-permanent-home-at-childrens-hospital-of-los-angeles/ The marketing push to announce that the parks have reopened, with the moniker “The Magic is Back” has also allowed for some more treats in the parks. The Magic is Back cupcake is Double Chocolate Chip Cupcake filled with Cookies and Cream Mousse and topped with Yellow and Red Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting, sprinkles, and Chocolate Mickey Ears. It is $6.99 and available at the Jolly Holiday Bakery. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/05/01/review-did-we-just-find-the-holy-grail-of-chocolate-snacks-at-disneyland/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/04/review-new-birthday-cake-celebration-churro-is-a-sweet-way-to-mark-the-reopening-of-disneyland/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/05/review-strawberry-cheesecake-churro-disappoints-at-disney-california-adventure/ The Disney Food Blog found a collection of sippers and straws across the park. There’s a new Toy Story sipper shaped like an LGM, the Purple Poison Apple stein — typically popular around Halloween — is back, and a Mickey and Minnie Straw Clip featuring the duo with light blue clothing. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/05/02/is-it-halloween-already-heres-where-to-find-disneys-purple-poison-apple-stein-now/ Next month is pride month and Disney has shown off the merchandise that is going to be part of the celebration. Fans, masks, shirts, cell phone cases and more will be available. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/05/gear-up-for-pride-month-with-a-colorful-array-of-disney-pride-products/ On the other coast, Disney World is bringing back the Disney College Program this summer. It’s definitely a move to help fill the ranks of needed cast members for operations. They’re starting by inviting participants from the 2020 program first, then moving on to other applicants. It even includes a new housing community specifically for the program. – https://www.micechat.com/289062-breaking-the-walt-disney-world-college-program-is-back/ Your immersive trip to a galaxy far, far away could start as early as next year aboard The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. More information about the two-night experience is slowly trickling out, but the big hype revealed this week was the newest lightsaber that you’ll get to see first hand at your stay. It’s hard to put into words just how real this once thought to be movie magic problem is becoming. You’ll have to see it to believe it. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/05/star-wars-galactic-starcruiser-launches-in-2022-at-walt-disney-world-resort/ It’s Revenge of the 5th as this episode is released, and just in time, MiceChat is offering some Star Wars copycat recipes. You can try your hand at a Ronto Wrap or the Millennium Falcon Soft Serve Sundae. And we’ve actually tried a copycat Ronto Wrap before that turned out amazing — patrons can find a video of our kitchen adventure last year. – https://www.micechat.com/289171-the-force-is-strong-with-these-copycat-disney-parks-star-wars-eats/ Another Disneyland attraction is coming to a tabletop near you! This time, there’s an ‘it’s a small world’ board game available on shopDisney. We’ve really enjoyed the adaptation of the Jungle Cruise, so this is exciting for our households! The game, developed by Funko Games, has players traveling the rivers to collect picture cards. It’s definitely targeted for younger audiences. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/05/photos-new-its-a-small-world-funko-board-game-released/ Discussion Topic: Thomson – The Apartment Above the Firehouse Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc1lv5CrZXsSWVBRQct9ROg and https://anchor.fm/your-host-the-young-correspondent/episodes/Author-Ridely-Pearson-e1042qc