We tour Disneyland as it was FIFTY years ago, in 1970! And then we jump ahead thirty years from then to discuss what the park was like in the Year 2000! We also discuss current events at the Disneyland Resort, as always.
The Sweep Spot is a podcast with full episodes every two weeks, focusing on the Disneyland Resort. Lynn Barron and Ken Pellman, former Disneyland Day Custodial Foremen are your hosts.
***Disney Resort Updates***
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 (Corona) Virus, Most Disney Parks, Cruise Lines, and Disney Vacation Club Resorts will be closed until further notice:
Disney is over whelmed with people attempting to rebook / cancel so please be patient with them. They are modifying their cancelation policy to accommodate guests. Many booking services can be handled online (links above). They are reportedly going to extend AP's by one month.
Please be sure to follow CDC and your State's guidelines during this crisis. We will get through this.
Shanghai Disneyland • Shanghai Disneyland is now open but requires reservations. The resort is increasing it's capacity from 30% to 50% and will be updating their reservation system August 24, 2020. Go to Shanghai's web page for advance reservations. Please visit their site for details.
Walt Disney World • All 4 Walt Disney World theme parks are open.
• Additionally, Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground have begun to reopen to Members and Guests. Disney Springs has already begun to reopen. Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort Hotels, restaurants and other offerings may be modified, limited in capacity and subject to availability or closure. You must have an advance reservation and valid ticket.
Disneyland • The Downtown Disney District is open.
• The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort remain closed and will reopen at a later date.
• Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park remain closed and will reopen at a later date, pending state and local government approvals. The State of California in a turn about move announced, "We don’t anticipate in the immediate term any of these larger parks opening until we see more stability in terms of the data.” and, “We feel there’s no hurry to put out guidelines, and we continue to work with the industry,”
Related Articles
Deadline article 1 Governor announces no plans to open theme parks
Deadline article 2 Disney rejects Governor's assertion that theme parks can not be opened safely
Hong Kong Disneyland • As required by the government and health authorities in line with prevention efforts taking place across Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland Park is temporarily closed until further notice.
• The resort hotels remain open with adjusted level of services. Enhanced health and safety measures that reflect the guidance of health and government authorities have been put in place, such as social distancing measures and increased cleaning and sanitization.
Disneyland Paris • The Disneyland Paris phased reopening introduces enhanced health and safety measures implemented for both Cast Members and guests. As the capacity of our Parks is significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements, Disneyland Paris is managing attendance through a new online registration system, subject to availability. Disneyland Paris has continuous changes to booking policies which can be viewed HERE.
Disney Cruise Lines • Disney Cruise line suspends cruises through December 6, 2020.
Aulani Resort • Currently closed but announced they are working towards a phased reopening beginning November 1, 2020 The state of Hawaii has strict travel requirements which include a 14 quarantine or negative test within 72 hours of your arrival. Please visit HERE for the latest details.
INFORMATION CORRECT AS OF Octoberber 10, 2020. Please check individual Resorts eb pages for restrictions, requirements, and changes.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
Disneyland opens Halloween pop-up shop to manage Downtown Disney crowds
The new Backlot Premiere Shop will open Tuesday, Oct. 5 as an extension of the Downtown Disney outdoor shopping mall in the Stage 17 building inside Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 6, 2020
"Disneyland will open a new Halloween pop-up shop inside Disney California Adventure to help manage the weekend crowds that descend on Downtown Disney in search of a dose of pixie dust as the pandemic keeps Disney’s Anaheim theme parks closed.
"The new Backlot Premiere Shop will open Tuesday, Oct. 5 as an extension of the Downtown Disney outdoor shopping mall in the Stage 17 building inside Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure.
...
"Shoppers will access Stage 17 from Downtown Disney by using a backstage entrance near the east side of the esplanade between Disneyland and DCA while the parks remain shuttered.
...
"Downtown Disney has hit capacity within minutes after opening on many weekend days — with shoppers arriving by car turned away before they can even enter the parking lot. Weekend wait times have stretched to 90 minutes to get into Downtown Disney and up to 2 hours for World of Disney and Marceline’s candy shop, according to MiceChat.
...
"Studio 17 started life as the home to the Who Wants to be a Millionaire attraction in California Adventure. It has served as the Arendelle Castle Courtyard during “Frozen” special events and the home to celebrity chef demos during DCA’s Food & Wine Festival. You can even rent out Stage 17 for your wedding reception — for a cool $72,000. But for the next few months, the movie studio-style space will be used as a holiday-themed retail space."
Orange County Register
Disneyland Resort Backlot Premiere Shop at Stage 17 in Disney California Adventure Opens As An Extension of Downtown Disney
Oct 7, 2020
"The Disneyland Resort Backlot Premiere Shop is accessed from the Esplanade, near the Harbor Boulevard security checkpoint, going through a service gate into a backstage area of Disney California Adventure’s Hollywoodland.
"Guests enter Downtown Disney on the west side of the district, near the Disneyland Hotel. Signs have been placed throughout this area directing guests to the new merchandise offering on the other side of the Esplanade."
Laughing Place
Mon, October 5, 2020
Fall is Filled With Halloween Merchandise Collections Featuring New Disneyland Resort Backlot Premiere Shop Coming Soon to Stage 17 in Downtown Disney District
by Valerie Lee, Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
What California’s theme park draft guidelines could mean for Disneyland
Initial draft guidelines from the state reportedly call for reopening individual California theme parks at 25% capacity once their county reaches the least-restrictive 'minimal' risk level and limiting attendance to residents who live within 120 miles of each park.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 8, 2020
"California’s forthcoming COVID-19 health and safety guidelines will determine who can go to Disneyland, how many people will be let in and when the gates can reopen once the Anaheim theme park is permitted to return following a nearly seven-month coronavirus closure.
"Initial draft guidelines from the state reportedly call for reopening individual California theme parks at 25% capacity once their county reaches the least-restrictive 'minimal' risk level and limiting attendance to residents who live within 120 miles of each park.
...
"A 120-mile radius for Southern California theme parks would roughly stretch north to Santa Barbara and Barstow, east to Palm Springs and south to San Diego.
...
"Disneyland’s capacity was approximately 75,000 visitors prior to the addition of Galaxy’s Edge and is approximately 85,000 with the addition of the new 14-acre Star Wars themed land, according to Touring Plans, which uses big data and statistical analysis to calculate daily theme park crowd sizes.
"An attendance cap of 25% would bring Disneyland’s theoretical COVID-19 capacity down to 21,250 visitors.
"Disneyland attracts an average of 51,000 visitors per day, according to the Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM. Touring Plans estimates 45,000 visitors are in Disneyland at any one time on an average day.
"Disney California Adventure attracts an average of 27,000 daily visitors, according to TEA/AECOM. DCA could allow 12,500 visitors a day with a 25% attendance cap, based on Touring Plans estimates.
...
"The third key restriction in the state’s initial draft guidelines reportedly would allow individual California theme parks to reopen once their county reaches the least-restrictive “minimal” risk level."
Orange County Register
Disneyland layoffs include 1,800 security guards and attraction operators
Disney has notified Teamsters Local 495 and the Independent Employee Service Association that its Disneyland and Disney California Adventure employees will absorb more than 1,800 of the 28,000 layoffs coming to the Disney Parks, Entertainment and Products division.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 7, 2020
"Disneyland security guards and attraction operators are among the thousands of employees at the Anaheim theme park swept up in the massive layoffs coming to the Disney parks division.
"Disney has notified Teamsters Local 495 and the Independent Employee Service Association that its Disneyland and Disney California Adventure employees will absorb more than 1,800 of the 28,000 layoffs coming to the Disney Parks, Entertainment and Products division, according to the unions and published reports.
...
"An exact count of the layoffs at the Disneyland resort is not yet available, but an early estimate puts the number in excess of 8,400 employees — with the number expected to rise.
"That’s more than a quarter of Disneyland’s 32,000 cast members — Disney parlance for employees.
...
"The layoffs take effect on Nov. 1 with health benefits continuing through the end of the year, according to the unions. Disneyland employees recalled within a year will keep their seniority, according to the unions."
Orange County Register
Disneyland Layoffs Include More Than 1,800 Security Guards, Attraction Operators and Other Cast Members
Oct 7, 2020
"After seven months of working to avoid such an outcome, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products recently announced the round of layoffs in question.
"The news came from a letter Josh D’Amaro shared with Cast Members explaining the difficulty of the decision and that they have no other choice at this point.
"According to the letter, the decision will affect executive, salaried, and hourly roles."
Newsom: ‘No hurry’ to reopen Disneyland and other California theme parks
California’s theme park operators find themselves in limbo as they seek long-promised reopening guidelines from the state after nearly seven months of coronavirus closures.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 7, 2020
"Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he is in 'no hurry' to reopen Disneyland and other California theme parks just one day after his chief medical officer said state officials plan to issue theme park reopening guidelines 'as soon as possible.'
"The seemingly conflicting statements symbolize the limbo California’s theme park operators find themselves in as they seek long-promised reopening guidelines from the state after nearly seven months of coronavirus closures.
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"California Health and Human Services secretary Mark Ghaly said during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 6 that the state was working to finalize theme park reopening guidelines with the help of Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and other industry stakeholders.
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"California Attractions and Parks Association executive director Erin Guerrero said Newsom’s 'no big rush' approach was decimating California’s theme park industry.
"'We find it disconcerting that Governor Newsom has no planned timeline for issuing guidance for theme parks and of great concern that he does not anticipate theme parks opening soon,' Guerrero said in a statement. 'Each day that parks are closed further decimates the amusement park industry. The Governor’s “no big rush” approach is ruining businesses and livelihoods for thousands who could responsibly be back at work.'
"Disney parks chief medical officer Pamela Hymel fired back at Newsom’s comment about reopening theme parks.
"'We absolutely reject the suggestion that reopening the Disneyland Resort is incompatible with a ‘health-first’ approach,' Hymel said in a statement. 'The fact is, that since March we have taken a robust science-based approach to responsibly reopening our parks and resorts across the globe.'
...
"Disney has reopened theme parks in China, Japan, France and Florida following extended coronavirus closures on the strength of its health and safety protocols, according to Hymel.
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"Disney chairman Bob Iger quit Newsom’s economic recovery task force in a sign that the entertainment company and state officials are at odds over the pace of issuing theme park reopening guidelines."
Orange County Register
County health agency recommends reopening Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm
The Orange County Health Care Agency has recommended the state allow Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Knott's Berry Farm to reopen once Orange County moves into the 'moderate' tier of Newsom's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, according to county health officer and agency director Clayton Chau.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 6, 2020
"Local health authorities have given the green light for Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm to reopen while California theme parks await reopening guidelines from Gov. Gavin Newsom after more than six months of coronavirus closures.
"The Orange County Health Care Agency has recommended the state allow Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Knott’s Berry Farm to reopen once Orange County moves into the 'moderate' tier of Newsom’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, according to county health officer and agency director Clayton Chau."
Orange County Register
Orange County Health Officials Recommend State Allow Disneyland, Knott’s Parks to Reopen in “Moderate” Tier
Oct 6, 2020
You can listen to show 295 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.
Disneyland Halloween Stories with Jim Korkis
Show Notes for Episode 295
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