Show Notes for Episode 320
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Longtime Disneyland Bussing Foreman Michael Barry
We welcome Michael Barry, who recently retired after a Disneyland career that started in 1970! We chat with him about keeping Disneyland restaurants clean, and the adventures he had along the way. 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 coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) while indoors and in Disney buses, monorail and Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status. This includes upon entering and throughout all attractions. Face coverings remain optional for all Guests in outdoor common areas.". 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 ALL 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 announced its new yearly pass system called Magic Key Pass.
• Disneyland is raising prices on daily tickets.
• All Hotels are open.
• The Downtown Disney District is open. Some table service is available following state and local rules.
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 • Disney announces the US ships will be sailing again starting August 2021.
• Disney Cruise line has suspended European cruises through October 9, 2021.
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 October 26, 2021. Please check individual Resorts web pages for restrictions, requirements, and changes.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
Our web master Russell was injured in a fall from a ladder and his right arm is in a brace making it difficult to type. We apologize for the delays in getting our show notes up for this and the next couple shows but he insists in continuing with our web page.
Disneyland reveals new Disney Genie+ details: Here’s how the itinerary planning app works
The Disney Genie app will debut on Oct. 19 at Walt Disney World’s four Florida theme parks. A launch date for the Genie app at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be announced very soon.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 8, 2021
“The new Disney Genie app coming to Disneyland this fall will let visitors build customized itineraries geared to their interests, book front-of-line access to the most popular rides, make dining reservations and change their minds on the fly whenever they want.”
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“The Disney Genie app will debut on Oct. 19 at Walt Disney World’s four Florida theme parks. A launch date for the Genie app at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be announced very soon.
“Disney’s new personal assistant app will be divided into three parts: the free Disney Genie itinerary planning feature; the $20 Disney Genie+ replacement for the former FastPass line-cutting perk; and the individual Lightning Lane option that charges $7 to $15 to jump to the front of the line on the most popular rides.
“The goal of Disney Genie is to simplify and personalize your visit to Disneyland and DCA while matching your wishlist of rides, shows and restaurants with the available capacity at each location — whether you’re a planner or want to be spontaneous.”
...
“The Genie app uses a genetic algorithm that evaluates millions of possible itineraries to pick the best possible results based on your priorities for the day. Recommendations are updated throughout the day if the app finds a better fit for your itinerary. If you’re curious about the choices being made, the app will explain the reasons — and you can jump on a live chat with an employee if you have further questions.”
...
“Disney knows that’s a lot of screen time that could eat up a ton of your smartphone’s battery life — so the app won’t constantly run on your phone, but only when you are using the app.”
...
“Visitors can book one attraction at a time using the paid Genie+ service and make another selection after riding that attraction. If you happen to make a Genie+ selection that won’t happen for 4 hours or more from the time you booked it, you can make another Genie+ selection two hours after you make your initial choice.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland announces 22 rides where you can pay to skip the lines — here’s how
Disneyland announces the 19 Genie+ front-of-the-line rides and three pay-to-ride individual Lightning Lane attractions that will be available through the new Disney Genie when the mobile app launches this fall.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: October 11, 2021
“Disneyland visitors won’t be required to use the Genie service, but the digital planning tool will become an essential part of any visit to the parks.”
...
“Disneyland will have 12 Genie+ attractions at launch: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Splash Mountain, Star Tours, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, It’s a Small World, Autopia, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.
“The seven Genie+ rides at Disney California Adventure are: Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout, Incredicoaster, Soarin’ Around the World, Toy Story Midway Mania, Grizzly River Run, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue and Goofy’s Sky School.”
...
“Disneyland will have only one individual Lightning Lane attraction at launch: Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
“The individual Lightning Lane attractions at Disney California Adventure will be the new Web Slingers: Spider-Man Adventure in Avengers Campus and the crowd favorite Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land.”
...
“What happens if you don’t upgrade to Genie+ and the individual Lightning Lane options? Then you’re at the mercy of the standby and single rider lines — which will still exist.”
Orange County Register
Disney Genie: Everything You Need to Know About a Major Game Changer
By Dusty Sage -October 8, 2021
“A massive change is headed to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World parks very soon. While the long-awaited “Disney Genie” day-planning app will eventually roll out on both coasts, Walt Disney World will receive it first on October 19th (Disneyland hasn’t announced a date, but had previously said it would roll out in the fall of 2021). The program replaces FastPass and a number of other services that guests know and use in the parks.”
MiceChat
Disneyland Shares List of Lightning Lane-Eligible Attractions
Oct 8, 2021
The Laughing Place
Disneyland Monorail set to return after 19-month hiatus
The Disneyland Monorail will return on Friday, Oct. 15 as part of the phased reopening of the theme park resort following a yearlong coronavirus closure.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: October 15, 2021
“The Disneyland Monorail will return on Friday, Oct. 15 as part of the phased reopening of the theme park resort following a yearlong coronavirus closure.
“The Disneyland Monorail and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage are among the last major Disneyland attractions that have yet to reopen following the pandemic closure of the park in March 2020. The subs are expected to return in early 2022 after an extensive renovation.
“The Monorail will provide a key alternative to walking the tram route between the parking garages and the parks. The parking trams have not operated since Disneyland and Disney California Adventure reopened in April.”
Orange County Register
Monorail News: Disneyland’s Highway in the Sky Returns Tomorrow
By Dusty Sage -October 14, 2021
MiceChat
Disneyland Monorail Reopening Tomorrow, October 15th
Oct 14, 2021
The Laughing Place
Candlelight Processional Returns to Disneyland & Walt Disney World this Holiday Season!
By Dusty Sage -October 15, 2021
“We have a good bit of holiday cheer for you. Disneyland WILL hold its Candlelight Processional this year, which has been a holiday tradition in the park since 1958. While there are no specifics just yet, the event will be held on December 4th and 5th in Town Square at Disneyland in 2021.”
Disneyland plans year-round holiday shop for Main Street U.S.A.
The new Plaza Point store will take over the former Main Street Photo Supply Co. location on Disneyland’s entry promenade.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 4, 2021
“The new Plaza Point store will take over the former Main Street Photo Supply Co. location on Disneyland’s entry promenade.
“Plaza Point will sell Christmas merchandise year-round with Halloween and Lunar New Year overlays along with Easter, Hanukkah, spring and fall seasonal decor. The shop will feature ornaments, housewares, linens and holiday accessories.”
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“Photo supplies and PhotoPass services that used to be available at the Main Street Photo Supply Co. on Main Street U.S.A. are being relocated to the former newsstand just outside the Disneyland front gate — which has been renamed the Photo Concierge booth.
“The Plaza Point on Main Street U.S.A. essentially serves as an expansion of the China Closet next door that was often filled with ornaments and other holiday goods. Disneyland worked with Walt Disney Imagineering on the design of the Victorian Era wood paneled holiday shop with decor that reflects Disney’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
Orange County Register
Mon, October 4, 2021
Plaza Point, an All-New Holiday Store, Coming Soon to Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park
by Kelsey Lynch, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
Plaza Point Holiday Store Coming Soon to Disneyland Park
Oct 4, 2021
The Laughing Place
Disneyland pauses Web Slingers virtual queue on slow days and switches to standby line
Disney California Adventure began using the hybrid virtual-standby queue for Web Slingers during the past week on rainy days that drew lighter attendance.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 12, 2021
“Disney California Adventure has quietly switched the Web Slingers ride in Avengers Campus from a virtual queue to a standby line at certain times when attendance is lighter as the Anaheim theme park prepares for the roll out of the new paid Genie+ line-cutting service.
“Disney California Adventure began using the hybrid virtual/standby queue for Web Slingers during the past week on rainy days that drew lighter attendance. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure continue to offer traditional standby queues or virtual queues at certain attractions, according to Disneyland officials.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland passholder reservations booked on weekends through the end of the year
No Magic Key reservations are available on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or holidays through Jan. 1 and the remainder of October is completely “sold out.”
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: October 15, 2021
“The “nightmare” scenario of increasingly scarce Magic Key reservations that already has Disneyland annual passholders concerned has grown worse as weekend reservations have been snapped up through the end of the year.”
...
“The vast majority of keyholders say they are able to get just as much if not more access to the parks than they expected when they signed up, according to Disneyland officials.”
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“Keyholders can visit either Disneyland or DCA any day their passes are not blocked out and reservations are available. Keyholders can make two, four or six reservations at a time in a 90-day window depending on their pass type.
“The Magic Key online calendar is dynamic and constantly changing — which means unavailable reservations can become available again at any time.
“At the time of publication, no Magic Key reservations were available on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or holidays through Jan. 1 and the remainder of October was completely ‘sold out’ to annual passholders still looking for a reservation.
“Thanksgiving week also looks bleak for keyholders with no reservations available Nov. 19-28.
“There were no Magic Key reservations available for either park on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.”
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“Daily ticket holders will find 100% of the dates available at both parks for all of November and December — a stark difference from the Magic Key availability.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Update: Happy Hauntings and Magic Keys Clogged
By Mike Kindrich -October 4, 2021
“It’s another busy week at Disneyland with various projects, Halloween parties, and guests looking to participate in fall festivities. Unfortunately, there is scarce availability for park reservations on short notice — and that could continue well into the holiday season. But it’s not all bad news: we’ll share interesting construction advancements, plus enjoy beautiful photos from around the parks. Let’s take a look at what’s been going on at the Happiest Place on Earth!”
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – New Magic At What Cost?
By Dusty Sage -October 11, 2021
“Change is a constant at the Disneyland Resort, it’s always been that way… but the breathless pace these last few months has been hard for fans and visitors alike to keep up with. This week brings the certainty that Disney Genie will soon cast a spell on your future visits. But is it everything you wished for, or just another way to drain your wallet? We’ll take a look at what the program offers, what it will cost, and when it is likely to pop up. There’s also an update on Magic Key reservations, busier parks, and hungrier guests. Plus, all the latest news, refurbs, and construction…”
You can listen to show 320 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.