We explore New Orleans Square at Disneyland, including its history, attractions, entertainment, shops, restaurants, and how we covered it for Custodial. Plus, we catch up on current events at the Disneyland Resort, as always.
***Disney Resort Updates***
Check back daily as information is changing rapidly.
Please be sure to follow CDC and your State's guidelines during this crisis. We will get through this.
Shanghai Disneyland • OPEN. Be sure to check their reservation system which requires everyone, including infants, to have a reservation. You must 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.
• 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.
• Face masks are no longer required in "Outdoor Common Areas" and "Pool Decks". You may temporarily remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking an outdoor photo, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing during this time. Masks must be worn at all other times.
• Park Hopping is allowed within strict rules:
1. You must make a reservation at one of the Parks. They do still require this as a private company.
2. You must go to that Park first.
3. Park Hopping does not start until 2PM.
4. Access to Parks is still limited to their maximum occupancy. Check the Park you want to go to before traveling to it to make sure it is accepting Hopping guests.
5. Check the Walt Disney World Park Hopper web page for updates to Park Hopping rules.
Disneyland • Disneyland is OPEN!!!!!!! Face coverings are required for unvaccinated guests while indoors except while eating (see Disneyland's web page for complete details).
• Like Walt Disney World, you must have a valid ticket AND make a Park reservation for the day you are interested in attending. Park reservations can only be made 60 days out at the present time. Be sure to check availability of the dates you are interested in before purchasing tickets.
• Disneyland Park President Ken Potrock announces there will be a new form of annual passes. Detail will be announced later this year. "Legacy" Pass holders are still getting dining and merchandise discounts.
• All Hotels are open.
• The Downtown Disney District is open. Some table service is available following state and local rules.
• The State of California are working on new guidelines for amusement parks. The state has also announced that if conditions continue to improve as they are now, the state will do away with its tier system. Changes to mask requirements, capacity, etc. are in the works and will be announced. It is anticipated that the California residence requirement will also be eliminated.
Hong Kong Disneyland • OPEN. Advanced reservations with names and contact numbers are required. The Park will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays except major holidays. Please visit their web site for current requirements.
Disneyland Paris • OPEN. Please visit their web site for up to date information on COVID restrictions and Parkavailability.
Disney Cruise Lines • UPDATE 3/9/2021 SHARE HOLDERS' MEETING - CEO Bob Chapek Just said he has no date for the Cruise lines, but hopefully if trends continue to be positive, maybe next Fall or later.
• Disney Cruise line has suspended US cruises at least through July 2021 and European cruises through October 9, 2021.
• They will be begin accepting bookings for Summer 2022. Early booking May 17th and general booking May 27.
Aulani Resort • OPEN. The state of Hawaii has strict travel requirements which include a 10 quarantine or negative test within 72 hours of your arrival. Please visit HERE for the latest details.
Walt Disney Family Museum • The Walt Disney Family Museum is open but you must have reservation to enter the building. They will not admit you after 4p, even if you have a reservation. Please see their Welcome back page for details. They continue to provide virtual content. San Francisco County was recently moved into the Orange Tier, so please check their web page for current status. The World War II Special Exhibit opened March 19th in the Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall. See web page for availability and restrictions.
INFORMATION CORRECT AS OF July 9, 2021. Please check individual Resorts web pages for restrictions, requirements, and changes.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
Disneyland: Get a first look at the revamped Jungle Cruise ride
By FIELDING BUCK
PUBLISHED: July 9, 2021
“Disneyland is still putting the finishing touches on one of the biggest overhauls of the Jungle Cruise in its 66-year history, removing several racially insensitive scenes and rethinking the plot for 2021 sensibilities.
“The park previewed the attraction before the park opened and then let regular visitors board the attraction. It has been closed for the revamp and will officially reopen on July 16.”
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“The ride was inspired by Disney’s series of travel documentaries, ‘True Life Adventures,’ and had a serious tone, according to Kim Irvine, executive creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering. The animal figures were realistic but look crude by today’s standards, she said.
“In the 1960s, Disney decided park-goers wanted a more humorous experience.
“The ride was envisioned as a trip aboard a tramp steamer along rivers of Asia, Africa and South America, with scenes of comically menacing wildlife along the way. But a big part of the show has been the wisecracking skippers who narrate the journey. They carry the ride’s new plot, Irvine said.
“It involves Alberta Falls, boss of the steamers, and five of her friends who have gathered from around the world to ride on her boats.
“But a herd of hippopotamuses have attacked the boat, leaving it split in two and half sunk as the new plot line accelerates.
“Scenes that have been removed include a group of tribal dancers. Altered scenes include a safari being chased up a pole by a rhino. The unfortunate group is now Alberta’s five friends.
“And a character called Trader Sam is no longer seen bartering shrunken heads at the end of the ride. Instead, Sam has stepped away from a gift shop that he runs and it has been taken over by spider monkeys. Ellie, a water-squirting baby elephant, is part of the group.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Jungle Cruise SURPRISE Reopens with Big Changes
July 9, 2021
“Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise surprise reopened this morning, July 9th, with an updated new storyline. Here’s what to expect from this returning Disneyland classic. (The official return of the attraction will be July 16th at Disneyland and later this year at Walt Disney World).”
MiceChat
New Adventures and New Humor Can Be Found When Jungle Cruise Reopens at Disneyland Park on July 16th
Jul 9, 2021
Laughing Place
Disneyland: World’s first Disney/Pixar animation crossover coming to ‘Mickey’s Philharmagic’
Walt Disney Imagineering will add a new song based on Pixar’s 'Coco' animated film to the 'Mickey’s PhilharMagic' 4D concert movie at the Anaheim theme park on July 17.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: July 2, 2021
“Miguel, Hector and Pepita from ‘Coco’ will soon join Donald Duck in a new scene set to the musical number ‘Un Poco Loco’ in ‘Mickey’s PhilharMagic’ at Disney California Adventure.
“Walt Disney Imagineering will add a new song based on Pixar’s ‘Coco’ animated film to the ‘Mickey’s PhilharMagic’ 4D concert movie at the Anaheim theme park on July 17.”
...
“The Coco scene in “PhilharMagic” marks the first time Disney and Pixar animators have worked on a project where characters from both animation studios will be seen together on screen.”
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“The original version of “Mickey’s Philharmagic” opened in 2003 at Walt Disney World with a 150-foot wide wrap-around screen. The DCA version debuted in April 2019 with rows of screens on the sides of the Hollywood Land theater to stretch out the experience.”
Orange County Register
Thu, July 1, 2021
Disney and Pixar’s ‘Coco’ Coming to ‘Mickey’s PhilharMagic’ on July 17
by Kevin Rafferty, Jr., Communications, WDI
Disney Parks Blog
“Mickey’s Philharmagic” to Receive Pixar “Coco” Enhancement
Jul 1, 2021
“This will be an addition to the show and is not replacing any of the current segments, which include Beauty and the Beast, Fantasia, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan and Aladdin.”
Laughing Place
Halloween at Disneyland is back and so is Oogie Boogie
Tickets go on sale soon.
By MARLA JO FISHER
PUBLISHED: July 8, 2021
“Disneyland’s popular Halloween Time celebration will return this year, including its Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure, the park announced Thursday.
“This will mean that people who buy tickets for the special after-hours Oogie Boogie bash will have access to the newly opened Avengers Campus without the normal crowds.”
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“Halloween Time will run Sept. 3 (yes, right after Labor Day) and last until Oct. 31 at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
“The Oogie Boogie Bash will return starting Sept. 9 as a specially ticketed after-hours event at Disney California Adventure on 25 separate nights. Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Tuesday, July 13 at Disneyland.com and are likely to sell out.”
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“The Haunted Mansion will close on an undisclosed date and once again go through its annual transformation into the Nightmare Before Christmas-themed Haunted Mansion Holiday. Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark will also return.
“The Dia de Los Muertos event at the ‘Plaza de la Familia’ will return at Disney California Adventure with special foods, crafts, interactive exhibits and decor. The event will continue until Nov. 2, which is the traditional final day in Latin American culture. It will feature mariachis and street entertainment inspired by the Disney movie ‘Coco.’
“In Disneyland, a nightly ‘Halloween Screams’ projection and special effects show will be held that will include fireworks on weekends. The show can be viewed from Main Street, Sleeping Beauty Castle and near It’s a Small World.”
Orange County Register
More Details About the Return of Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure
Jul 8, 2021
“We just learned that Halloween Time will be returning to the Disneyland Resort later this year, and the popular Oogie Boogie Bash will once again return to Disney California Adventure on select nights in September and October of this year!”
Laughing Place
Halloween Time & Oogie Boogie Bash Return to the Disneyland Resort September 3rd
By Dusty Sage -July 8, 2021
MiceChat
Discounted Disneyland tickets for California residents return in the middle of summer
Californians can purchase $249 three-day single-park tickets that allow access to either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure or $304 three-day parkhopper tickets that will get them into both parks on a single day.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: July 6, 2021
“Beginning today, July 6, Californians can purchase $249 three-day single-park tickets that allow access to either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure or $304 three-day parkhopper tickets that will get them into both parks on a single day.
“That’s a pretty good deal for the typically pricey tickets, with the single-park discount tickets running $83 per day and the discounted parkhoppers costing $101 per day.
“By comparison, a single-day Tier 1 ticket costs $104 while a parkhopper will set you back $159. The highest-priced Tier 5 tickets cost $149 for a single park and $209 for a parkhopper.”
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“The 2021 California discount tickets can be redeemed from Tuesday through Sept. 30. The discount tickets can be purchased at disneyland.com or by calling 866-572-7321.”
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“Disney is also offering 20 to 25 percent discounts through Oct. 2 on rooms at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel — but not the lower-priced Paradise Pier Hotel.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Announces Discounted Ticket Offer For California Residents!
By Nathan Villamor -July 6, 2021
MiceChat
Disneyland Resort Offering Discounted Tickets and Resort Stays for California Residents Through End of Summer 2021
Jul 6, 2021
Laughing Place
Disneyland permanently closes 2 restaurants — including a steakhouse rich in Disney history
Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel and PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel have closed and options are being explored for the locations, according to Disneyland officials.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: July 1, 2021
“Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel and PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel have closed and options are being considered for the locations, according to Disneyland officials.
“Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel is expected to return soon — although a reopening date has not yet been set. Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar and Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel will reopen on Friday, July 2 with the hotel’s coffee house returning on July 10.”
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“The clubby and pricey Steakhouse 55, which opened in 2006, replaced Granville’s Steak House, which opened in 1983. The 55 in the steakhouse name refers to the 1955 opening date of the Disneyland theme park.
“The dimly lit and dark wood-appointed Disneyland Hotel steakhouse promised to take diners back to a bygone era of lavish decadence and old Hollywood glamour.
“Orange County Register restaurant critic Brad A. Johnson called Steakhouse 55 the place to go for dirty martinis, bone-in rib eyes and the “legendary” 24-layer chocolate cake.”
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“PCH Grill employees were told the restaurant will be taken over by an operating participant and will no longer be a Disney-operated location, according to MousePlanet.”
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“Disney shuttered Yamabuki at the Paradise Pier Hotel in 2009 and the Japanese restaurant space remains closed to this day, according to MousePlanet.”
Orange County Register
PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel to Remain Closed Permanently
Jul 1, 2021
“Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel reopened to Guests on June 15th and currently doesn’t have any on-site food locations open, with delivery service available from several Downtown Disney restaurants to make up for it.”
Laughing Place
Steakhouse 55 To Remain Closed Permanently at The Disneyland Hotel
Jul 1, 2021
“Granville’s Steak House was named after hotel co-owner Bonita Granville, whose name also graced one of the hotel’s three towers (now the Frontier Tower).”
Laughing Place
Disneyland Update: Topsy Turvy More or Less
By Dusty Sage -June 28, 2021
“As we approach the traditionally jam-packed 4th of July holiday, things will be a bit different at Disneyland this year. While attendance is set to increase again slightly this week, there will be some additional capacity increases in attractions, restaurants, and entertainment to help soak up the additional guests. But this should be an unusually uncrowded holiday in the parks compared to years past. In today’s update, we’ll look at lots of little things that add up to a much more enjoyable theme park experience, and a few things we’d like to see changed.”
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – Red, White & BOO!
By PhotoMatt -July 5, 2021
“Today’s Disneyland Update is filled with Red, White, and New! Park capacity continues to increase, and so does ride, restaurant & shop capacity. You might be expecting to hear about huge 4th of July weekend crowds, but this holiday weekend was mostly mellow. Though, there was some insanity surrounding fireworks last night that we’ll explain below. There’s also some really exciting news for this fall which we can’t wait for.”
MiceChat
Disneyland Update: The Slippery Slope
By PhotoMatt -July 6, 2021
“Disneyland Paris has begun charging for FastPass. They are altering some popular attractions to have standby and paid FastPass only (which they are calling Premier Access). A guest can purchase one Premier Access experience at a time with a fee ranging from £8 (approximately $9.50) to £15 (approximately $17.75) depending on the attraction. “
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Show Notes for Episode 313