Show Notes for Episode 296
Listen to our Show
3D DISNEYLAND: Like You've Never Seen It Before
We welcome award-winning artist, filmmaker, and author David Bossert to discuss his new book 3D DISNEYLAND: Like You've Never Seen It Before. We chat about his work in Disney Animation, his new podcast Skull Rock, and much more!
***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 and is transitions to a New Reservation Phase Starting August 24, 2020. The resort is increasing it's capacity from 30% to 50%. 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 has announced guidelines for the opening of amusement parks. The biggest part of the announcement is that a county must be in tier 4 before a park can open. Orange county currently estimates it will not be in that tier until at least June 2020.
• Disneyland announced that it was working on expanding Downtown Disney shopping by opening Buena Vista Street in DCA.
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 October 26, 2020. Please check individual Resorts eb pages for restrictions, requirements, and changes.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
Disneyland Evaluating Annual Passholder Programs
Oct 23, 2020
“Disneyland has shared an email with Annual Passholders that starts by making them aware of California’s restrictions that don’t allow them to open until they’re in the least restrictive tier of the Roadmap to Economic Recovery.”
...
“While we work to understand the implications of this and determine what it means for our Annual Passport program, we know that you have many questions and given the latest guidance from the state, we will have more to share with you on the future of our AP Program soon. We also want you to know that the efforts to reopen Disneyland Resort will continue as we work to seek solutions to bring our Cast back to work, get our local economy moving and share the magic and joy of our theme parks once again.”
Laughing Place
Disney California Adventure to reopen Buena Vista Street for shopping and dining
Buena Vista Street will reopen in November as part of the Downtown Disney outdoor shopping district while the rest of Disney California Adventure remains closed, according to Disney officials.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 23, 2020
“Buena Vista Street will reopen in November as part of the Downtown Disney outdoor shopping district while the rest of Disney California Adventure remains closed, according to Disney officials.”
…
“Buena Vista Street shoppers can browse Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons and Kingswell Camera Shop. Diners can grab a bite at Carthay Circle Lounge, Smokejumpers Grill, Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe and Trolley Treats. Vending carts along Buena Vista Street will offer popcorn, churros, ice cream and other treats.
“Smokejumpers Grill will serve a streamlined menu of burgers, fries and craft beer and offer mobile ordering. More details will be released soon on reservations for Carthay Circle Lounge.
“Mobile wait lists may be used at times for shops on Buena Vista Street.
“No rides, entertainment or character meet-and-greets will be available in DCA while Buena Vista Street is open for shopping and dining. No admission fee will be charged to enter DCA to shop and dine.”
Orange County Register
Fri, October 23, 2020
More Shopping, More Dining! Coming Soon: Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort Extends to Buena Vista Street
by Valerie Lee, Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort
“Recently, we introduced Downtown Disney guests to the Disneyland Resort Backlot Premiere Shop at Stage 17. This store is currently showcasing an array of seasonal merchandise for you to browse. With Buena Vista Street soon opening select shopping and dining experiences, you can find even more places to enjoy a memorable meal or a fun shopping excursion during your visit.“
...
“If you haven’t visited the Downtown Disney District lately, be sure to familiarize yourself with our health and safety measures at Disneyland.com/DTD, to learn important details, including temperature screenings prior to entry and the requirement for all guests, ages 2 and older, to wear an appropriate face covering. The number of Guests visiting the Downtown Disney District and its locations, including the shopping and dining experiences along Buena Vista Street, will be limited to promote proper physical distancing.”
Disney Parks Blog
Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure to Open as Extension of Downtown Disney
Oct 23, 2020
Laughing Place
Closed Disneyland a $5 billion hit to Southern California economy, Cal State Fullerton says
46,000 jobs could be lost by next spring if the coronavirus is not put in check, forecast says.
By JONATHAN LANSNER Orange County Register
UPDATED: October 23, 2020
“The pandemic’s shuttering of Disneyland has cost the Southern California economy $3 billion already and will cost it another $2 billion through March 2021 if the theme park remains closed, according to a Cal State Fullerton forecast.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s and more considering legal action over California’s ‘unachievable’ reopening guidelines
California Attractions and Parks Association executive director Erin Guerrero said California theme parks are looking to gain permission to reopen or change reopening guidelines.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 21, 2020
“California theme parks are considering legal action and keeping ‘all options open’ after state officials issued reopening guidelines that could keep the major tourist destinations closed until early 2021 or even next summer.
“California Attractions and Parks Association executive director Erin Guerrero said during a news conference on Wednesday, Oct. 21 that California theme parks are considering legal action to gain permission to reopen or to change the state’s newly-released reopening guidelines.”
...
“The Sacramento-based CAPA represents Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and California’s Great America.”
Orange County Register
California Attractions and Parks Association Responds To State Theme Park Reopening Guidelines, Legal Action Against State Considered an Option
Oct 21, 2020
“Led by Executive Director Erin Guerrero, the California Attractions and Parks Association gathered presidents from some several of the more prominent parks and resorts in the state to respond to the new theme park reopening guidelines that were issued by Governor Newsom’s administration yesterday.”
...
“Ken Potrock: ‘The concept of trying to come up with a collaborative solution I think is the end goal for all of us. One that is fair and balanced and takes into account all the facts that we are referring to. So, I think that’s the ultimate opportunity and one that we all will gladly and willingly would roll up our sleeves and work with the administration to do so, but it has to be a much greater back and forth dialogue, not just a “you told us what to do” we’re now trying to do that with all intent and now the goal line keeps moving. So again, we want to be able to have this reasonable dialogue so we could move forward to this collaborative solution.’”
Laughing Place
Disneyland to lay off 200 actors as ‘Frozen Live’ and ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ close amid pandemic
End of run notices have been sent to actors in the 'Frozen: Live at the Hyperion' at Disney California Adventure and 'Mickey and the Magical Map' at Disneyland, according to the American Guild of Variety Artists.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: October 13, 2020
“The Disneyland resort plans to lay off more than 200 actors as the ‘Frozen’ and ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ live shows lower their curtains for good after yearslong runs while Disney’s Anaheim theme parks remain shuttered amid the pandemic.
“End of run notices have been sent to actors in the ‘Frozen: Live at the Hyperion’ at Disney California Adventure and ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ at Disneyland, according to the American Guild of Variety Artists.”
…
“Disney announced last month 28,000 employees will be laid off at Disneyland and Walt Disney World as the company continues to struggle with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extended closure of its Anaheim theme parks.
“An exact count of the layoffs at the Disneyland resort is not yet available, but an early estimate puts the number in excess of 8,700 employees — with the number expected to rise.”
...
“Disneyland has already indicated that the nightly firework show, Magic Happens parade and ‘Fantasmic’ and ‘World of Color’ nighttime spectaculars will not be returning immediately when the parks return.
“Walt Disney World, which returned in July after an extended coronavirus closure, has not yet reopened ‘Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage,’ ‘Finding Nemo: The Musical’ or ‘Festival of the Lion King,’ according to MousePlanet.”
Orange County Register
“End of Run” Notices Sent to Performers of Disneyland’s “Mickey and the Magical Map” and “Frozen: Live at the Hyperion”
Oct 12, 2020
You can listen to show 296 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.