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Current Events 2/16/2023
Disneyland Resort Current Event
Hidden Disney Details in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway!
By Samantha Davis-Friedman -February 9, 2023
“There’s no question the brand-new Mickey & Minnie’s Runway Railway at Disneyland is a feast for the eyes and ears with colorful immersive cartoon scenes and a catchy theme song – ‘Nothing Can Stop Us Now’ – that may even challenge ‘it’s a Small World’ for the Disneyland earworm crown.
“But once the initial wonderment subsides, eagle-eyed riders are noticing that Disneyland’s newest ride-through attraction (and the resort’s first ride starring Mickey and Minnie) is also loaded with hidden nods to Disney history (AKA Easter eggs), and we’re told it has more Hidden Mickeys than any other attraction at the Disneyland Resort.
“There are dozens of surprises hidden by Imagineers in the Disneyland-exclusive queue experience inside the El CapiTOON Theatre as well as throughout the attraction itself.
“How many have you found? I’ll share some of my favorite details from Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland below!”
MiceChat
Disneyland delays Toontown reopening due to heavy winter storms that slowed construction
Mickey’s Toontown will now debut on March 19 at the Anaheim theme park instead of the previously announced March 8 opening date.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: February 10, 2023
“Disneyland has pushed back the grand reopening of Mickey’s Toontown by more than a week after a series of heavy winter storms that swept through Southern California slowed construction progress on the reimagined themed land.
“Mickey’s Toontown will now debut on March 19 at the Anaheim theme park instead of the previously announced March 8 opening date.”
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“Cafe Daisy will take over space once dedicated to the land’s quick service food stands — Pluto’s Dog House, Daisy’s Diner and Clarabelle’s ice cream. The Daisy Duck-themed sidewalk eatery will serve ‘dinner classics.’ Shade trees and umbrellas will dot the City Hall courtyard filled with outdoor dining tables.
“Next door, the Good Boy Grocers Market themed to Mickey’s dog Pluto will sell grab-and-go drinks and snacks.”
Orange County Register
Mickey’s Toontown Now Set to Reopen on Sunday, March 19th at Disneyland
Feb 10, 2023
Laughing Place
Photos: Work Begins on Pacific Wharf’s Transformation into San Fransokyo from “Big Hero 6”
Feb 8, 2023
“At last year’s D23 Expo, it was announced that the Pacific Wharf area of Disney California Adventure would be transformed into San Fransokyo from Big Hero 6. Work has now begun to begin the area’s transformation.”
Laughing Place
11 places Disneyland could build an Avatar experience — See the list
An 'experience' in Disney parlance can literally mean anything — from a specialty food offering to an entire new theme park. Here are the 11 most likely spots where an Avatar attraction or land could work at the Disneyland resort.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: February 10, 2023
“Iger announced during an earnings call with investors on Feb. 8 that an ‘exciting Avatar experience’ is coming to the Disneyland resort following the success of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ in theaters and the Pandora: World of Avatar themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida.
“‘We’re going to bring a version of Avatar to Disneyland,’ Iger said on the call.
“An ‘experience’ in Disney parlance can literally mean anything — from a specialty food offering to an entire new theme park. But Iger spoke of the Avatar experience in the context of the Pandora: World of Avatar themed land at Walt Disney World — suggesting the new addition will be something more than a new blue churro sold at a Disneyland vending cart.”
Orange County Register
Former Disneyland resort president ‘squeezed out’ by Disney job cuts
Rebecca Campbell was mentioned as a potential successor to Bob Iger, who has been tasked with finding a new Disney CEO after the company fired Bob Chapek.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: February 10, 2023.
“Rebecca Campbell, who served as Disneyland resort president for less than a year, has decided to leave the Walt Disney Company just days after Iger announced massive job cuts during a quarterly earnings call with investors.
“Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro said in a memo that the job cuts would impact the division — which includes Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.”
…
“Campbell, chairman of Disney’s international content and operations, opted to leave as a result of Iger’s executive leadership reorganization, according to the Hollywood Reporter.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland fans blast plans for Splash Mountain makeover as ‘tedious’ and ‘boring’
The latest reveal for the princess takeover of Splash Mountain has left fans scratching their heads rather than building buzz for the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure log ride coming to Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: February 13, 2023
“Disneyland and Disney World fans nervously awaiting Princess Tiana’s takeover of Splash Mountain on both coasts are worried the new water ride is starting to sound more like an elevator pitch for a boring business venture than a fun-filled bayou adventure.
“Walt Disney Imagineering announced the transformation of Splash Mountain in Anaheim and Florida way back in 2020 and the creative arm of the company has been teasing out details ever since about the new backstory for the twin attractions debuting in late 2024.
“The latest reveal for the princess takeover of Splash Mountain has left fans scratching their heads rather than building buzz for the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure log ride coming to Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom.”
…
“Commenters on the official Disney Parks Blog blasted the attraction backstory as bland, underwhelming and uninspiring.
“‘Is there a section on the ride where Tiana has to visit the permitting office and fill out the proper tax forms?’ a user named Bishop wrote on the Disney Parks Blog. ‘Could this ride be any more tedious?’”
Orange County Register
Pirates of the Caribbean riders rescued from sinking boat by Disneyland Fire Department
Disneyland riders literally had to walk the plank to escape a sinking Pirates of the Caribbean boat that left them stranded for an hour, according to a viral social media video.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: February 7, 2023
“A Pirates of the Caribbean boat took on enough water near the entrance to the attraction that riders needed to be evacuated with the assistance of Disneyland’s on-site fire fighters, according to a recently-posted TikTok video.”
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“The viral TikTok video with 1.4 million views shows the Disneyland Fire Department using a portable staircase attached to a gang plank to help riders from the boat that sank near the load/unload area of the attraction.
“Riders were stuck on the Pirates of the Caribbean boat for an hour before they were rescued, according to James.
“Disneyland provided the stranded riders with $30 vouchers for new socks and Lightning Lane passes for other attractions, James wrote in the comments section.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland visitor spending increases despite 20% smaller crowds during holidays
Shifting Disneyland’s attendance mix from annual passholders to daily visitors who spend more on food, souvenirs and upgrades has helped manage capacity without hurting profits.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: February 9, 2023
“Disneyland is finding that well-heeled vacationers spend more when the Anaheim theme park is not bursting at the seams and there are fewer thrifty annual passholders clogging up Main Street USA.
“The Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts significantly increased revenue and income despite reducing attendance capacity by 20% during the most recent quarter that ran from October through December, Disney CFO Christine McCarthy said during an earnings call with investors on Feb. 8.”
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“Disney’s domestic theme parks reduced capacity during select peak holiday periods by approximately 20% versus pre-pandemic levels to “prioritize the guest experience,” according to McCarthy.
“Shifting the attendance mix at Disney’s domestic theme parks from annual passholders to daily visitors who spend more on food, souvenirs and upgrades has helped manage crowds without hurting profits.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Update: In the Parks & Off the Rails
By Lilliana Parker -February 6, 2023
“While most of the MiceChat crew went off the rails this weekend for the world-famous Gumball Rally, the Disney news never stops. We have an amazing collection of photos and information for you today, including tantalizing news about a show for the shuttered Hyperion Theater, some great construction progress, operations updates, and a wild ride for some very happy guests…”
MiceChat
Disneyland Update: Big Profits, Bigger Cuts & Blue People!
By Dusty Sage -February 13, 2023
“Although you hear very few people talking about it, Avatar is a massive international juggernaut. And Bob Iger wants it at Disneyland. But that’s assuming it hasn’t already been scaled back by his other big news… massive budget cuts! We’ll take a look at where you might find blue people in the not too distant future. But there’s lots more today. A golden gate is rising, another classic Downtown Disney restaurant about to depart, construction all over, and what refurbishments to watch out for. Plus, there are so many festivals and celebrations going on right now at the Disneyland Resort that we wrote a little guide for you.”
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