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Disneyland 1979
Show Notes for Episode 260
Just a reminder of our returning sponsor Expidition Roasters .
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In this episode we welcome back author, former cast member, and friend David Smith. We talk about what took place during the year 1979 in Disneyland. You discuss what the feel was like, what was new, what had just opened. We also get some great tales from David about working attractions on the west side of the park. Plus the latest in the Disneyland Resort Current Events.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
For more than four decades, Kim Irvine has helped steer the Disneyland legacy
By Todd Martens May 16, 2019
"Madame Leota, as devoted Disneyland fans know, is actually Leota Toombs, one of the first women to work for Imagineering, then known as WED Enterprises (for Walter Elias Disney). She is also Irvine’s mother.
...
Although she was nervous that other Imagineers would believe she’d gotten the job because of family connections, she immediately created fans."
LA Times
Everything You Need To Know About Disneyland’s New Flex Passport
By Dusty Sage - May 9, 2019
"The Disney Flex Passport offers you a much lower price in exchange for an extra level of work on your part to schedule some of your visits in advance. Flex Passholders don’t just have valid and blocked-out days like the other passports, this pass adds 'Reservation Required' days to the mix. You can always visit on 'Good to go' days, but there are also many dates on which you must make a reservation in advance . . . and some block out days as well (but not very many of those)."
Disney's new annual Flex Pass aims to ease crowding
By Hugo Martin May 09, 2019
LA Times
Disneyland’s new Flex annual pass requires reservations, will roll out ahead of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge debut
BY BRADY MACDONALD May 9, 2019
Orange County Register
BY BRADY MACDONALD
May 10, 2019
Is it worth getting Disneyland’s new $599 Flex annual pass?
Thu, May 9, 2019
Disneyland Resort Introduces New Annual Passport that Combines Value and Flexibility
"Starting May 21, guests can purchase the Disney Flex Passport; which offers multiple ways to visit Disneyland Resort—combining value and flexibility. Flex Passholders will have the opportunity to access one or both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park on select good-to-go days, with limited blockout days, plus make reservations on other days for more access."
Disney Parks Blog
After hyping a $1-billion Star Wars land, how does Disney get visitors to leave?
By Hugo Martin May 09, 2019
"To maintain some order during the first three weeks after the 14-acre attraction opens, Disneyland will require reservations for each visitor to enter the land, with colored wristbands used to distinguish which four-hour time window corresponds with each visitor. Once a time window expires, park employees dressed as “Star Wars” characters will politely tell parkgoers that they need to leave the land to make way for new visitors. Disneyland representatives say they expect that most guests will abide by the courteous directions to move on. But they remain mum about what will happen if guests ignore the requests."
LA Times
How Disneyland will enforce the 4-hour reservation window for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
BY BRADY MACDONALD May 9, 2019
Orange County Register
How the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge virtual queue system will work after the initial reservation-only period
BY BRADY MACDONALD May 9, 2019
By Dusty Sage
May 9, 2019
NEW: Disneyland Virtual Queues On The Way
"Once you enter the park, you’ll be able to open the Disneyland App or use a kiosk (in locations which have yet to be defined) to check on the status of Galaxy’s Edge. It will either be 'Open' for guests to simply walk straight to and visit OR it will require you to join a 'Boarding Group' (a virtual queue). Once in this boarding group, you’ll be able to enjoy the rest of the park while you are virtually waiting in line to enter Galaxy’s Edge. Once there’s room for you, you’ll get a push-notification on your phone letting you know you can visit. Then you’ll have up to 2 full hours to make your way to Galaxy’s Edge."
MiceChat
Fri, May 10, 2019
Know Before You Go: Parking During Your Visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
I saw the finished Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and you’re going to be blown away
BY BRADY MACDONALD May 9, 2019
Disneyland cast members will be the first to see the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
BY BRADY MACDONALD May 9, 2019
Orange County Register
Wed, May 8, 2019
Building Batuu: Savi’s Workshop Lets You Handbuild Your Own Customized Lightsaber at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
by Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering
"For those travelers to Black Spire Outpost who feel a stronger connection with the Force, you are not alone. To find like-minded others, make your way to Savi’s Scrapyard. Those who have felt the call can seek out the hidden workshop and arrange an appointment to meet with the Gatherers – a group of men and women who have dedicated their lives to restoring balance in the galaxy by passing on their knowledge of the Force and the ancient ways of the Jedi. The Gatherers guide those who seek their assistance in creating their own unique customized lightsaber. The Gatherers have amassed a great collection of stories, kyber crystals, and other saber parts from around the galaxy."
Disney Parks Blog
Need a drink after waiting to get into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Oga’s Cantina will open at 8 a.m. with stiff alien cocktails BY BRADY MACDONALD May 13, 2019
Orange County Register
Everything We Know About Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disneyland
By Brady MacDonald - May 8, 2019
"The new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run flight simulator ride coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland will put a new generation of pilots, gunners and flight engineers at the controls of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy."
MiceChat
Everything You Need to Know about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
MiceChat
What happens to Star Tours after Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disneyland?
BY BRADY MACDONALD May 13, 2019
Orange County Register
Hyperspace Mountain extends run throughout summer at Disneyland to celebrate Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge debut
BY BRADY MACDONALD May 9, 2019
Orange County Register
Disneyland Update – Announcement Overload Therapy
By Dusty Sage - May 13, 2019
"Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been turned over to Disneyland Operations. The turnover was celebrated with a little party in the land in which they served . . . what else . . . turnovers."
MiceChat
Disneyland Merchandise Update: Don’t Spoil the Shirt-Game
By Natalie Kipper - May 5, 2019
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – May the Force Be With You, and You, and You
By PhotoMatt - May 6, 2019
MiceChat
Rumor Update: Tomorrowland’s Future at Disneyland
By Shelly Valladolid - May 7, 2019
"Once the Marvel Land is open, Disneyland Guests might not feel the prick so badly when Tomorrowland closes for yet another revamping. Just about everything, save Space Mountain, Must Go! We’re talking 1965 levels of Flat Earth here."
MiceChat
Disneyland Rumor Update: Construction Blues and Fantasyland News
By Shelly Valladolid - May 14, 2019
"Everyone’s been speculating about Tokyo DisneySea’s Frozen area coming to Disneyland. It’s a huge hit with a gigantic fan base. Speculation has it replacing the Motor Boat Cruise or the Fantasyland Theater. If this is what you’re guessing, well, maybe later, but what I’ve seen are plans to take a little bit of Florida, a little bit of Tokyo, and a little bit of Disneyland originality to create a Beauty and the Beast area that will become an annex of Disneyland’s Fantasyland."
MiceChat
Disney won't push VR at its theme parks, CEO Robert Iger says
By Gabrielle Russon May 14, 2019
"Some theme parks added virtual reality in recent years, using it as an opportunity to rebrand a roller coaster and offer something new, for instance. But at SeaWorld Orlando and Fun Spot theme parks in Florida and Georgia, the parks have pulled back, acknowledging the VR goggles took time to clean and extended wait times. Some guests simply weren't fans, preferring a more traditional experience on a coaster."
LA Times
Fri, May 10, 2019
Online Reservations Now Available for Magical Experiences at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts
"With the online system, you can quickly search for available dates or make cancellations to existing appointments at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations in domestic U.S. Parks...Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (ages 3-12) in Disneyland park."
You can listen to show 260 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.