Disneyland Resort Current Event
Disneyland trades Toontown’s cartoon chaos for family-friendly calmness
Take a look inside the renovated Mickey’s Toontown from the point of view of the intended audience: Grade school kids and their parents.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: March 18, 2023
“Disneyland hosted a media preview of Mickey’s Toontown on Saturday, March 18, ahead of the grand reopening of the kid-centric land on Sunday, March 19 at the Anaheim theme park.
“During the preview, I viewed the renovated Mickey’s Toontown from the point of view of the intended audience: Grade school kids and their parents.
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“The first thing you notice when you walk into Mickey’s Toontown is the burst of color in every direction you look. Not the hot reds and pinks of Roger Rabbit’s Toontown, but the new cool greens, blues and purples picked out by Minnie Mouse’s home improvement team at Walt Disney Imagineering.
“Fun is still at the forefront of Toontown’s mission statement — just without the cartoon intensity that Roger Rabbit has brought to the place since 1993. The overall vibe of Toontown 2023 is more subdued relaxation with an emphasis on calmness and decompression. Toontown of today is more about burning off energy rather than cranking up the pressure.”
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“Need a place for the kids to run off some steam? Head over to Fort Max where they can climb on a mini version of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at Disney California Adventure. Looking for a spot to get out of the sun? Sit for a while under the shady trees on the new artificial lawn in front of Mickey’s House. In search of a place to wind down after a hectic day at the park? Chill out in Popcorn Park in the quiet back corner of the revitalized land.”
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“Hold on tight to your wallet when you exit through the gift shop after riding Runaway Railway. EngineEar Souvenirs has a demonstration play table where kids can test out the new radio-controlled car ($50) and train ($150) thematically tied to the new attraction.
“When it’s time to eat, Cafe Daisy offers something for mom ($13 Spring Garden Wrap), dad ($10.50 Pizza Flop-Over) and the kids ($8 Mini Corn Dogs).”
Orange County Register
Sun, March 19, 2023
Mickey’s Toontown Reopens Today in Disneyland Park
by Kelsey Lynch, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
“Yesterday, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock hosted a dedication moment in the land, welcoming everyone back to Mickey’s Toontown. Ken was joined by Mickey Mouse and the residents of Toontown to celebrate this milestone with cast members and media.”
Disney Parks Blog
Disneyland ToonTown REOPENED – Essential Guide to Rides, Food, Shopping & More!
March 19, 2023
“Join Dusty Sage for the opening dedication and then a COMPLETE WALKTHROUGH OF THE NEW TOONTOWN:”
MiceChat
Photos / Videos: Tour the Reimagined Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland
Mar 18, 2023
Laughing Place
Technology Secrets: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is Fun-Filled, Family-Friendly, and Cutting-Edge
By Samantha Davis-Friedman -March 18, 2023
“Still, many parkgoers don’t realize that Disneyland’s newest attraction is also one of Disney’s most technologically-advanced rides, integrating trackless ride vehicles, projection mapping, animatronics, physical set pieces, lighting, and effects to create the ‘off the rails’ adventure.
Video: Indiana Jones Adventure Reopens at Disneyland Refreshed with New Digital Effects
Mar 18, 2023
“After operating for a few years with quite a few effects not operating, the Indiana Jones Adventure reopened at Disneyland yesterday, following a 3-month refurbishment, looking better than ever!
“Imagineering has ‘plussed up’ the ride with two new digital effects scenes designed to demonstrate the power of Mara, the antagonist deity within the Temple of the Forbidden Eye at the center of the story unfolding in the attraction.
“New projection mapping has been added to the stone face of Mara in the center of the lava pool.
“A new electric chasing effect has been added to the hallway that was previously in complete darkness, prior to the “rat projection” scene.
“Speaking of the ‘rat projection’ scene – that has been replaced with new projection mapping of the temple collapsing, along with a few practical props.”
Laughing Place
Disneyland plans Star Wars Month in May with return of Hyperspace Mountain
Star Wars Month will feature 'epic encounters' and themed food and beverage items inspired by the cinematic galaxy far, far away.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: March 20, 2023
“Disneyland is expanding the May the Fourth unofficial Star Wars holiday into a monthlong celebration of all things related to the 1970s sci-fi epic space opera that has spawned movie sequels, television shows, fan conventions and theme park lands.
“Hyperspace Mountain will return to the Anaheim theme park from May 1 to June 3 as part of Star Wars Month,”
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“The May 1 start date gives Disneyland a few days to absorb the initial crowds sure to turn out for Hyperspace Mountain before the unofficial Star Wars Day on May 4 — as in May the Fourth be with you.
“Disneyland is expected to share more details soon on the limited-time run of Hyperspace Mountain and Star Wars Month.”
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“Star Wars Month will overlap with the Star Wars Nite after-hours parties that will run on May 2, 4, 8 and 11 at Disneyland.”
Orange County Register
The Force Is Strong With the Return of Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland!
March 20, 2023
MiceChat
Disneyland Resuming Space Mountain Single Rider Test
Mar 20, 2023
“Starting today, Disneyland will resume testing single ridership on Space Mountain.
“However, this new queue option may not be available at all times.
“Therefore, guests interested should keep an eye out for ‘Single Rider’ signage at the entrance of the attraction.”
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“At this time, it’s unclear how long Space Mountain’s Single Rider queue will be tested for or if it will become a staple of the attraction.
“To find other attractions offering Single Rider options, be sure to check the park map, Disneyland website, the Disneyland app.”
10 most expensive Disneyland items in auction of nearly 900 theme park collectibles
Heritage Auctions of Beverly Hills will hold the Art of Disneyland Auction on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: March 23, 2023
“An upcoming auction featuring hundreds of Disneyland items expected to fetch as much as $50,000 apiece will give Disneyana collectors a chance to add a bit of the Anaheim theme park’s history to their personal memorabilia collections.
“Heritage Auctions will hold the Art of Disneyland Auction on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26. Select auction items can be previewed at the Beverly Hills auction house daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, March 24.
“The auction includes nearly 900 items designed to make Disneyland fans drool — with everything from ride vehicles to character costumes to attraction posters from Walt Disney’s original theme park.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland to open new store in Avengers Campus
It is to be built in part of the space allocated to new ride
By MARLA JO FISHER
PUBLISHED: March 30, 2023
“The walls hiding the building work going on right now are covering a space projected to become a new store, presumably dedicated to all things Marvel.
“The building in question is the so-called Avengers Headquarters, which sits beneath a custom-designed, full-sized ‘Quinjet’ transport vehicle from the Marvel movies. It has long been projected to become the home of a major new attraction.”
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“Right now, Regan said, the existing main Marvel shop is at Stage 17 in Hollywoodland. ‘This would free up space in Hollywoodland for something else and put more Marvel merch in the actual Marvel land,’ Regan said.
“There has been speculation that eventually the shop will be the exit shop for the new attraction, if and when it is built. A newly designed ride was announced in 2019, with concept art showing an all-new ride system, but plans were later put on hold due to budget constraints.”
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“Disney chief Bob Iger recently announced the company will lay off 7,000 people across all sectors of the company by summer, to recoup $5.5 billion in revenue.”
Orange County Register
First-Ever Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge at Disneyland to Open on April 19th
Mar 30, 2023
“The previously announced, first-ever Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge at the Disneyland Resort will officially open on April 19th, 2023. Called ‘Disney Vacation Club Star View Station – a Member Lounge,’ this sleek, new space will be in the heart of Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park.”
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“The lounge will also be home to historic Disney gems, such as the K7 Space Suit worn by the Tomorrowland Astronauts during the early years of Disneyland, and the Space Station S-1 Model from the Disneyland television series.
“Members can enjoy several amenities, including a dedicated Disney Vacation Club Member Services team, comfortable seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, device-charging stations and complimentary soft drinks.
“The new lounge is available for eligible Disney Vacation Club members with valid theme park tickets and reservations to Disneyland Park.”
Laughing Place
Disneyland News: Tomorrowland’s Out of This World DVC Lounge
By Dusty Sage -March 30, 2023
MiceChat
Disneyland TOON-Up, Colorful Enhancements & New Magic!
By Andy Castro -March 20, 2023
“Mickey’s Toontown is back! The kid-favorite land has officially reopened from a major overhaul that saw its landscape completely re-imagined alongside the addition of tons of new interactive elements. The end result is a land rich with opportunities for both play and rest, imagination and exploration. But for many adults, the good news was the return of the popular Indiana Jones Adventure, which received some exciting new magic and an impressive refresh. Meanwhile, various refurbishments and construction projects continue throughout the resort as spring break crowds descend on Disneyland.”
MiceChat
Disneyland Update: Avengers Campus Construction, Splash Dash, Re-Tooned & More
By Mike Kindrich -March 27, 2023“Spring is in the air! The Disneyland Resort is sporting vibrant springtime flowers, there’s an extra pep in our step, and the Spring Breakers have arrived in droves to enjoy some pre-Easter fun. To top that off, there have been some amazing accomplishments with projects wrapping up around the resort over the past couple of weeks. And with these projects finishing in time for Spring Break, attendance caps have been raised… which has made things feel extra crowded at times.”
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Current Events 3/31/2023