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Current Events 9/15/2023
Disneyland Resort Current Event
Disneyland theme park expansion moves one step closer with impact study
Anaheim releases a 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report for Disney’s expansion initiative known as DisneylandForward.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: September 14, 2023
“Disneyland’s long-term plans for theme park, retail and parking expansion moved one step closer to reality with the release of a key report by the city of Anaheim as Disney continues to reimagine what the future of the resort district will look like over the next four decades.
“Anaheim released a 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report on Thursday, Sept. 14 for Disney’s expansion initiative known as DisneylandForward.
“Disneyland hopes to have the project go before the Anaheim City Council for approval before the end of 2024. A public workshop outlining highlights of the DisneylandForward EIR will be held on Oct. 9 at Anaheim City Hall.
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“Disney would limit noise by building temporary sound-buffering barriers during construction and permanent 12-foot-tall noise barriers along property lines around the park expansion. Fireworks would be prohibited in the proposed expansion areas.”
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“Building setbacks would require Disneyland to limit the aesthetic impacts on nearby neighborhoods. Certain rides would be forbidden within 200 to 300 feet of residences — effectively outlawing outdoor elevated roller coasters west of Disneyland Drive.
“A new 360-degree architecture design program included in the DisneylandForward EIR would prohibit unfinished backstage areas like the backside of Cars Land from facing onto Katella Avenue or other public spaces. New buildings along residential Walnut Street would have a 50-foot height max and landscaped setback requirements. Portions of Magic Way would be abandoned as part of the DisneylandForward project.”
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“The Immersive Theme Park westside expansion envisions a theme park on the Downtown Disney and Lilo and Stitch parking lots woven amid the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel — currently undergoing a transformation into the Pixar Place Hotel.
“Disney officials describe the westside site bounded by Katella Avenue, Walnut Street, Magic Way and Disneyland Drive as more of a theme park expansion than a new ‘third gate.’”
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“The Disney Entertainment Destination eastside expansion would bring together theme park experiences, hotels, retail, dining and entertainment on the Toy Story parking lot next to the Anaheim Convention Center.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland may bring back PeopleMover and Skyway for theme park expansion
The proposed 'themed ride systems' are buried deep in the 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report released by the city of Anaheim for the DisneylandForward expansion project.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: September 15, 2023
“The proposed ‘themed ride systems’ are buried deep in the 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report released this week by the city of Anaheim for Disney’s expansion initiative known as DisneylandForward.
“Photos labeled ‘Example of Ride Crossing’ in the DisneylandForward EIR show the Disney Skyliner and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at Walt Disney World in Florida.
“The themed ride systems are envisioned as a possible complement or alternative to proposed pedestrian bridges across Harbor Boulevard and Disneyland Drive as a way to move visitors between their cars and the parks.”
Orange County Register
DisneylandForward Explained – Charting The Course For Future Adventures!
By Dusty Sage -September 14, 2023
MiceChat
Anaheim Releases Environmental Impact Report for Public Review for DisneylandForward
by Mike Mack | Sep 14, 2023
Laughing Place
Disneyland teases world-jumping ride vehicle for Marvel multiverse E-Ticket attraction
The highly-anticipated King Thanos dark ride that still does not have an official name or groundbreaking date may be finally inching closer to reality in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: September 13, 2023
“A new E-Ticket dark ride coming to Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure will transport riders aboard a world-jumping spaceship to remote worlds and alternate realities throughout the Marvel multiverse.
“New concept art from Walt Disney Imagineering teases the planned Avengers Campus attraction that has been in development for more than four years — suggesting the highly anticipated ride that still does not have an official name or groundbreaking date may be inching closer to reality.
“The E-Ticket ride vehicle features a design that ‘combines elements of Tony Stark’s time-suits with Xandarian jump points and Wakandan technology,’ Imagineering executive creative director Brent Strong said on a video posted to Instagram.”
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“The new E-Ticket attraction will blend large-scale built environments and immersive media, according to Imagineering.
“Imagineering appears to be working on a high-tech ride vehicle with a motion base platform,”
Orange County Register
First Look at New “World-Jumping” Vehicle for New Avengers Campus Multiverse Attraction at Disney California Adventure
by Luke Manning | Sep 9, 2023
Laughing Place
Avengers Vault To Open September 18th at Disney California Adventure
by Tony Betti | Sep 15, 2023
“Located adjacent to Avengers HQ in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure, a new merchandise experience is set to arrive with Avengers Vault, opening on September 18th.”
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“Avengers Vault arrives at Disney California Adventure as the Super Store Featuring Avengers Campus in Hollywoodland’s Stage 17 closed previously, allowing for future experiences and private functions in that space.”
Laughing Place
Disneyland to reopen Adventureland Treehouse this fall after 2-year refurbishment
The transformation of Tarzan’s Treehouse has taken twice as long as the yearlong construction of Disneyland that was completed in 1955.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: September 7, 2023
“Disneyland will reopen the Adventureland Treehouse this fall after a refurbishment project that has stretched for more than two years. The fall opening date means the Adventureland Treehouse will return sometime between late September and late December.
“Most of the scaffolding and scrims that have encased the 80-foot-tall man-made tree over the past two years have been removed as Walt Disney Imagineering tests and adjusts an elaborate water wheel system with bamboo buckets.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland replaces ‘Fantasmic’ with new nighttime projection show
The new 'Heartbeat of New Orleans' will debut Sept. 29 on the Rivers of America at the Anaheim theme park while 'Fantasmic' undergoes an extensive makeover through Spring 2024.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: September 7, 2023
“A new nighttime projection show featuring a jazz score that may be set to music from ‘Soul’ will play on the Rivers of America while Disneyland retools the ‘Fantasmic’ nighttime spectacular following the inferno that consumed the show’s fire-breathing dragon.
“The new ‘Heartbeat of New Orleans’ nighttime projection show will debut Sept. 29 on the Rivers of America at the Anaheim theme park while ‘Fantasmic’ undergoes an extensive makeover through Spring 2024.
“Disneyland describes the new nighttime projection show as a ‘living mural’ set to a jazz score that tells a whimsical tale of a mischievous bayou frog lured to New Orleans by the music he hears in the distance.”
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“The new ‘Heartbeat of New Orleans’ joins Queenie and the Jambalaya Jazz Band as temporary replacements for ‘Fantasmic’ while the popular nighttime spectacular remains on hiatus following the stunning fire that engulfed the show’s 45-foot-tall animatronic dragon in April.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Announces New Nighttime Show “The Heartbeat of New Orleans – A Living Mural,” Debuting September 29th
by Luke Manning | Sep 7, 2023
Laughing Place
Now Open: Tiana’s Palace at Disneyland - Full Details!
By Dusty Sage -September 7, 2023
“Let the good times roll! Tiana’s Palace has officially opened at Disneyland. The restaurant, which is a retheme of the old French Market in New Orleans Square, has a whole new look and menu. We were able to preview Tiana’s new eatery a day early and have some great news and views for you below.”
MiceChat
Disneyland News: New Menus and Stiff Drinks at 3 Table Service Restaurants
By Dusty Sage -September 12, 2023
“Starting today (September 12, 2023), Disneyland Resort has updated its menus to add alcohol to three more restaurants in the park: Carnation Cafe, River Belle Terrace, and Cafe Orleans. To entice guests to visit these dining locations for reasons beyond having a new place to consume alcoholic drinks, Disney has also added other new food and drinks to these venues. Let’s take a look!”
MiceChat
Disney agrees to $9.5 million settlement over Magic Key annual pass dispute
By CNN COM WIRE SERVICE
PUBLISHED: September 11, 2023
By Samantha Delouya | CNN
“The Walt Disney Company agreed to pay $9.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused the entertainment giant of ‘deceptive business practices’ in regard to its Disneyland annual pass program, according to a court filing Thursday.
“The federal lawsuit filed in California alleged that some of Disneyland’s ‘Magic Key’ annual pass-holders were unable to make park reservations on certain days in 2021, despite being promised ‘no blockout dates’ for entry at the Anaheim, California parks.
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“The settlement will likely translate to a $67.41 check for each member of the class-action suit, according to the filing.”
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“Pass-holders who were who were part of the class action should expect to receive a notice of the settlement in the coming months that will inform them to expect payment. The judge will then set a final approval hearing to make the deal official.”
Orange County Register
How to get your Disneyland Magic Key class action settlement
We've got all the answers about how Disneyland annual passholders can get their piece of the $9.5 million payout.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: September 11, 2023
Orange County Register
BREAKING NEWS – Disneyland Magic Key Lawsuit Settlement Details!
By PhotoMatt -September 8, 2023
MiceChat
Disneyland halts sales of all new Magic Key annual passes
The decision to pause sales of new passes was made before the results of a recent class-action settlement were announced, Disney officials say.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: September 12, 2023
“Pausing new Magic Key sales was a business decision made by Disney before the results of the lawsuit settlement were released, according to Disneyland officials.”
Orange County Register
D23 Expo expands to Disneyland and Honda Center in 2024
D23 returns to the Anaheim Convention Center on Aug. 9-11 in 2024 for exhibits, panels, presentations and shopping tied to all things Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: September 12, 2023
“The former D23 Expo has shortened its name, changed its dates and will spread its footprint beyond the Anaheim Convention Center in 2024 to include fan events at Disneyland, the Honda Center and even Angel Stadium.”
Orange County Register
D23 Expo 2024 – Brilliant Expansion or Confusing Mess?
By Chloé Ferreira -September 13, 2023
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – San Fran Uh-Oh, Halloween Rewind, & Coming Soon!
By Dusty Sage -September 4, 2023
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – Snubbed, Overlooked, & Sold Out!
By Dusty Sage -September 11, 2023
MiceChat
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