Show Notes for Episode 243
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Disneyland 1978
In this episode we welcome former Disneyland Attractions Cast Member David Smith. Dave worked at Disneyland starting in the year 1978, and he has some great stories to tell, and we take a look at what was going on in Disneyland in that year. Plus the latest in the Disneyland Resort Current Events, and more.
David is the publisher of our book "Cleaning the Kingdom" and the publisher of our web master Russell Flores' first book "Seen Un-Seen Disneyland". He is also the author of "In the Shadow of the Matterhorn" and co-author of the Hidden Mickey book series. He is the owner of Synergy Books Publishing. Check out his line up of Disney and other books.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
Fri, September 14, 2018
Coming Soon! Earl of Sandwich Returns for a Limited Time to Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
Disneyland Update – Friends Until The End
September 3, 2018
Pixar Fest
The Extermination of “a bug’s land”
Tropical Hideaway and Tiki Room Refurb
Mobile Ordering Expands to New Locations
Refurbs and Maintenance
Star Wars Land Construction
Halloween Transition
MiceChat
Disneyland Resort Update – It’s Halloween Time
September 10, 2018
Halloween Time Arrives at the Disneyland Resort
Ghost Galaxy
Mickey’s Halloween Party
Mickey’s Halloween Party will be offered on the following dates in 2018 at prices which range from $105 to $130: Sept. 19, Sept. 21, Sept. 24, Sept. 26, Sept. 28, Oct. 2, Oct. 5, Oct. 9, Oct. 12, Oct. 16, Oct. 19, Oct. 23, Oct. 26, Oct. 29, Oct. 31
Mickey’s party includes the wonderful Halloween Screams Fireworks, Frightfully Fun Parade, trick or treating, and entertainment throughout the park. While the event is best for kids, many adults and even teens enjoy the opportunity to ride many of the park’s attractions with little or no line.
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – Monorail Blues and Wall-O-Ween
September 11, 2018
Wall-oween
"From Main Street USA all the way to the Castle, you’ll find a plethora of walls and construction scrims. Some of it is for refurbishment and some to expand walkways in preparation for Star Wars Land."
The Last Straw
"We recently reported on Disney’s decision to reduce the use of single-use plastics throughout the company. That change is already taking place. Most establishments throughout the resort have already run out of lids. Straws will be available until they run out as well.
Fire Extinguished
"Main Street band, Hook and Ladder, has been given the ax. The group will have their last performance on September 14th."
Bugs Land Exterminated
Tangaroa A-Go-A
"Tangaroa Terrace is closed for a major transformation. When the restaurant reopens early next year (it could be as early as January), it will be a family lounge. The entire patio area will allow alcohol (the patio is currently divided by stanchions which separate the Trader Sam's (bar) side from the restaurant side), and a new bar service station will be added to the patio so guests don’t have to go inside to get a drink.
On a positive note, Dole Whip will be served in this location when it returns. They are also planning to offer an alcoholic version."
Tropical Construction
"The former Aladdin’s Oasis continues to be reworked into a Tropical Hideaway. Asian inspired cuisine will be served here, including Dole Whip. We don’t know if Dole Whip will be served here in addition to the juice bar on the Tiki Room lanai or instead of."
Haunted Mansion Area Changes
"Haunted Mansion has reopened with its Holiday overlay and construction walls have come down. The planters along the main path toward Critter Country have been removed, making room for Fastpass Return queuing, strollers, and a few benches."
Tomorrowlanding
"There have been some revisions to Tomorrowland as well. Built-in benches surrounding the Peoplemover supports have been removed as well. This is actually interesting news as there had been rumors that the Peopleover tracks would finally be removed later this year."
Parking Survey
MiceChat
Tangaroa Terrace and White Water Snacks to expand at Disneyland
"At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, White Water Snacks will close for its own new look. The new pool bar area will keep the hotel’s signature Arts and Crafts design with natural boulder stonework and clinker bricks. The bar will feature a custom tile mural keeping with the craftsman tone in the new space. In addition a trellis structure will provide guest’s welcome shade to enjoy their beverages and small plates."
Disney Parks Bog
An early Disneyland designer won over Walt Disney with his rebel reputation. Now he laments: ‘The park is gone’
By Todd Martens
Sep 07, 2018
"Try as he might — and he’s tried countless times — Rolly Crump just can’t quit Disney. But his latest attempt may be the closest he’s come.
Earlier this year Crump had artifacts from nearly all of his life’s work auctioned off, a sale decades in the making that brought in more than $600,000. No surprise the items were in demand. In addition to having a hand as an assistant animator in the Disney films “Lady and the Tramp” and “Sleeping Beauty,” Crump’s resume just so happens to contain work on It’s a Small World, the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Haunted Mansion, cornerstones of Anaheim’s Disneyland and pivotal works in American Pop art."
...
"To this day Crump is heralded as co-leading what would be Disneyland’s greatest version of Tomorrowland, a sort of mod-like vision of future-past that opened in 1967. And the Disneyland Hotel’s wildly popular bar Trader Sam’s is steeped in the Crump influence, having being designed in his vision of tiki culture. He was also the creative force behind one of Disney’s most storied never-built attractions, the Museum of the Weird."
...
"That handcrafted quality described by Morris and epitomized by Crump’s fork-sculpted tiki gods is what he repeatedly worries is disappearing from the parks.
Since the death in 1966 of his idol, Walt Disney, Crump’s relationship with the Disney corporation has been in flux. Crump’s conflicted emotions only intensified in the years leading up to the opening of Florida’s Walt Disney World in 1971."
...
"While there most certainly is a theme park at 1313 Disneyland Drive in Anaheim — Crump dismisses it as “Stroller Park” — he views its current state the result of a battle he’s long been fighting.
When he expresses a frustration with the parks, it’s not due to a lack of desire to change. (And it needs to be noted that much in Disney’s parks today are very much handcrafted and full of personality — see Animal Kingdom in Florida, the massive, mountainous sculptures of Cars Land or the recently added evil beaver on the Disneyland Railroad.)
What Crump laments is the obviously personal touch — an attraction that clearly belongs to a specific artist more than it does a blockbuster film. “That points to the question of what Imagineering did Rolly work for,” says his son Christopher, who recently retired but returned to consult on the revamp of Paradise Pier into Pixar Pier at Anaheim’s California Adventure."
LA Times
State says Disney failed to properly clean cooling towers linked to Legionnaires' outbreak; Disney disputes claims
Soumya Karlamangla
By Soumya Karlamangla
Sep 06, 2018
You can listen to show 243 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.
Updated: 9/15/2018