Marcy Carriker Smothers returns to talk about her latest book, Walt’s Disneyland. Her admiration for Walt Disney is clear in our discussion. Plus, we catch up on current events at the Disneyland Resort, as always.
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Disneyland Resort Current Event
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Disneyland employees vote for union contract, avoid strike
The tentative agreement endorsed by Master Services Council leadership raises minimum pay from $15.50 to $18.50 per hour — a 19% increase.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: December 4, 2021
“Disneyland employees averted a strike and voted for a new contract that includes a 19% pay hike of $3 per hour over three years and bonuses for long-time workers after a contentious union negotiation that threatened to disrupt the Happiest Place on Earth.
“Disneyland union members represented by Master Services Council voted on Friday, Dec. 3 to accept a new three-year contract after rejecting an identical proposal on Nov. 17.”
…
“The Master Services Council represents about 10,000 cast members at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney that work in attractions, retail, custodial, ticketing, parking and other departments.
“The union coalition represents approximately 40% of the 25,000 Disneyland resort cast members — Disney parlance for employees.”
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“The tentative agreement endorsed by Master Services Council leadership raises minimum pay from $15.50 to $18.50 per hour — a 19% increase.
“DCA and Downtown Disney employees that accepted the contract have already received a $2 per hour pay increase with another $1 per hour set to take effect in June 2023.
“Cast members with 20 years of employment receive a bonus of $2,000 for full-timers and $1,000 for part-timers with 10-year employees getting a $1,000 full-time/$500 part-time bonus.”
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“The Master Services Council is a coalition of several Disneyland employee unions including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Service Employees International, United Food and Commercial Workers and Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers’ International.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Strike Update: Crisis Averted – Here’s What Cast Get
By Dusty Sage -December 3, 2021
MiceChat
Disneyland Park Cast Members Approve New Contract After Second Vote
Dec 3, 2021
Laughing Place
Disneyland sold out for the rest of December
Daily ticket and annual passholder reservations for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are unavailable for the rest of December.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: December 1, 2021
“Disneyland fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Christmas decor at the Anaheim theme parks still have a chance with the holiday celebrations stretching through Jan. 9. Reservations were still available Jan. 2-9 for daily tickets, but Magic Key reservations were unavailable through Jan. 9 at the time of publication.
“The daily ticket and Magic Key online calendars are dynamic and constantly changing — which means unavailable reservations can become available again at any time.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Resort Mostly Sold Out for the Month of December
Dec 2, 2021
Laughing Place
It’s a Small World returns at Disneyland after flood threatens to ruin the holiday tradition
It’s a Small World has reopened at Disneyland after all-hands effort to restore the attraction in time for the holidays following a flood that shuttered the boat ride around the world just before its November launch.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: December 7, 2021
“It’s a Small World reopened at Disneyland after all-hands effort to restore the attraction in time for the holidays following a flood that shuttered the boat ride around the world just before its November launch.
“The holiday version of It’s a Small World returned on Monday, Dec. 6 — more than three weeks after it was scheduled to debut for the Christmas season.
“A team of 75-plus Disneyland employees from more than 20 departments worked 24/7 to get It’s a Small World opened for the holiday season after the flood.
“The Small World project team was swiftly assembled after an underground maintenance room was inundated while the water ride was being refilled in the early morning hours on Nov. 10 just before the holiday version of the attraction was set to make its 2021 Christmas debut at the Anaheim theme park.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland crews work 24/7 to reopen It’s a Small World after the flood
It’s a Small World is expected to reopen next week, according to Disneyland officials.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: December 2, 2021
“The “brains” of the attraction were damaged when the 8-foot-deep maintenance room under the Small World load/unload station filled with water, submerging the electrical equipment and ride controls that operate the water pumps and load station conveyor belts.
“The fix — which would normally take months — needed to be finished in weeks if the holiday version of It’s a Small World was going to open during the Christmas season.”
Orange County Register
“it’s a small world holiday” Opens at Disneyland Park After Extensive Delay
Dec 6, 2021
Laughing Place
Disneyland digs into the roots of Walt Disney’s imagination with his Dreaming Tree
The new Dreaming Tree coming to Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland will be inspired by a Cottonwood in Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: December 8, 2021
“A new Disneyland landmark inspired by the hometown tree that Walt Disney daydreamed under as a boy will pay tribute to the vivid imagination of the Anaheim theme park’s founder while also serving as a whimsical children’s playground.
“The new Dreaming Tree coming to Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland will be inspired by a Cottonwood in Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri.
“‘It had special meaning for Walt,’ wrote Marcy Carriker Smothers, author of the new ‘Walt’s Disneyland’ guide book. ‘Back when he was a young boy in Marceline, he used to lie under its dappled leaves and dream. He named it the Dreaming Tree, crediting it as the birthplace of his imagination.’
“Walt Disney Imagineering will reimagine Mickey’s Toontown with new interactive play areas for young children as part of the launch of the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway dark ride at Disneyland in 2023. Children will be able to climb and play on the sculpted Dreaming Tree roots popping out of an undulating topography of a new grassy play area.
“Mickey’s Toontown will close in March 2022 for construction and won’t reopen until sometime in 2023.”
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“The original Dreaming Tree — a Cottonwood with distinctive heart-shaped leaves — was struck by lightning and destroyed. Three saplings grown from seeds of the original were dubbed the Sons of the Dreaming Tree, according to Carriker Smothers.
“One sapling was planted near the original site of the Dreaming Tree on the Disney Family Farm in Marceline. Another sapling was presented by the Walt Disney Hometown Museum to Disneyland as a gift in honor of the park’s 50th anniversary in 2005.
“‘The third one is a secret in case anything happens to the first two,’ Carriker Smothers said during an online video interview. ‘It’s insurance in case lightning strikes twice because it’s such a precious asset of Marceline.’”
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“Today, the Son of the Dreaming Tree at Disneyland can be seen in the Lakota Village nestled behind a large teepee and a fire pit while traveling on the Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia or Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes.”
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“The Dreaming Tree saplings grown in Marceline were planted in soil brought from the Magic Kingdom with water from the Florida theme park’s Rivers of America during a planting ceremony at the Disney Family Farm”
Orange County Register
Disneyland covers up sexy Jessica Rabbit in a detective’s trenchcoat and fedora
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin is the latest Disneyland attraction to undergo a major refresh to remove outdated and problematic scenes — joining Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain and Jungle Cruise.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: December 9, 2021.
“Disneyland announced in September the Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin attraction would undergo a story change with sexy starlet Jessica Rabbit taking over the lead role as a private detective.
“Roger Rabbit’s toon wife was removed from the Toontown ride while the attraction was updated.
“Jessica Rabbit quietly returned without fanfare to two show scenes in Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin on Wednesday, Dec. 8, according to Laughing Place.
“In her first scene, Jessica Rabbit can now be seen outside the Bullina China Shoppe stopping a Toon Patrol Weasel from dumping a vat of cartoon-erasing Dip onto the Toontown streets. Previously, Jessica was tied up in the trunk of a car in a damsel-in-distress scene. Now the car trunk is filled with barrels of the paint thinner Dip.
“In her second appearance, a sledgehammer-wielding Jessica Rabbit holds a captured weasel at bay in a scene that remains otherwise unchanged except for her attire.
“In both scenes, Jessica’s yellow trenchcoat and fedora is reminiscent of comic strip detective Dick Tracy’s signature look, according to Laughing Place.”
…
“An attraction poster billed as an extra edition of Mickey’s Toontown Times newspaper has been added to Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin explaining the ride’s new backstory centered on Jessica Rabbit.”
Orange County Register
Video: Detective Jessica Rabbit Makes Her Debut in “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin” at Disneyland
Dec 8, 2021
Laughing Place
Roger Rabbit Cover Up at Disneyland – Jessica’s New Starring Role
December 9, 2021
MiceChat
Favorite Nighttime Spectaculars Return to Disneyland Resort This Spring, “Tale of the Lion King” and “Celebrate Gospel” Move to Disneyland Park
Dec 9, 2021
Laughing Place
‘Lion King’ show coming to Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theatre in 2022
The new 'Lion King' show highlights a lineup of new entertainment, festivals and special events coming to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in 2022.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: December 9, 2021
“The ‘Tale of the Lion King’ show will move from Disney California Adventure to the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland in 2022.
“Disneyland hasn’t set a date yet for the start of the ‘Tale of the Lion King’ show, but don’t expect to see the performance take over the Fantasyland Theatre before February when the ‘Celebrate Gospel’ event will be calling the venue home.
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“The modest-sized ‘Lion King’ show that played on the banks of Paradise Bay in the ‘World of Color’ viewing area will likely expand to match the scale and size of the Fantasyland Theatre.
“During the show’s DCA limited-time run, a traveling troupe of storytellers retold ‘The Lion King’ in a contemporary style through story, song and dance on the Palisades Stage overlooking California Adventure’s Paradise Bay. The cast of 18 performers in African-inspired costumes formed an ensemble called the Storytellers of the Pride Lands.
“The theme park production featured new musical arrangements of popular songs from the original film, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019. At the time, the theme park stage show served as a movie tie-in for the photo-realistic computer-generated remake of ‘The Lion King.’”
Orange County Register
Disneyland launches pun-filled Marvel holiday stunt show at Avengers Campus
The new 'Avengers Assemble' holiday stunt show typically plays half a dozen times a day in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: December 2, 2021
“Hawkeye battles the Tracksuit Mafia in a new comedic fight scene employing candy canes, silver garland, pine wreaths and Christmas presents used as weapons during an updated holiday stunt show in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.
“Disneyland’s entertainment team has refreshed the ‘Avengers Assemble’ stunt show in the Marvel theme land with a new winter holiday theme, music and fight scenes.”
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“The 5-minute show ends with a Christmas card group photo with Shang-Chi, Captain America, Captain Marvel and Thor after the Hawkeye superheroes are done ‘decorating’ Avengers Headquarters for the holidays.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Genie launch plagued by technical issues
The new Disney Genie service debuted Wednesday, Dec. 8 as part of the Disneyland mobile app as a replacement for the retiring FastPass and MaxPass line-cutting options.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: December 8, 2021
“The new Disney Genie service debuted Wednesday, Dec. 8 as part of the Disneyland mobile app as a replacement for the retiring FastPass and MaxPass line-cutting options.”
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“Disney’s new personal assistant service is divided into three parts — the free Disney Genie option, the paid Disney Genie+ alternative and the upcharge Lightning Lane access.
“The free Disney Genie service includes personalized itinerary planning, dynamically-updated tip boards, forecast attraction wait times, attraction virtual queues, mobile food ordering recommendations, restaurant wait lists, check-ins and reservations and a virtual assistant that can answer theme park queries.
“The $20 Disney Genie+ service offers front-of-the-line access to 19 rides at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Lightning Lane access for three of the most popular attractions — Rise of the Resistance, Web Slingers and Radiator Springs Racers — will run $7 to $20 per ride with prices varying by day.”
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“Lightning Lane prices on launch day ranged from $20 for Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland to $7 each for Web Slingers and Radiator Springs Racers at DCA.”
Orange County Register
Individual Lightning Lane Selections Debut at Disneyland Resort with $20 Top Price
Dec 8, 2021
Laughing Place
Mon, December 6, 2021
Disney Genie and Disney Genie+ Service Coming to Disneyland Resort Beginning Dec. 8
Disney Parks Blog
Your Essential Guide to Disney Genie: Everything You Need to Know (Disneyland & Walt Disney World)
By Dusty Sage -December 6, 2021
MiceChat
Thu, December 2, 2021
Fan-Favorite, Limited-Time Festivals Return to the Disneyland Resort in 2022: Lunar New Year and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
by Kelsey Lynch, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
Disneyland doubles number of Sweethearts, Villains and Star Wars after-hours parties
Disneyland will increase the number of after-hours party nights from five in 2020 to 10 in 2022.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: December 7, 2021
“Sweethearts’ Nite will run Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10 and 14 at Disneyland. Villains Nite will take place March 8 and 10 at Disney California Adventure. Star Wars Nite will run May 3, 4 and 27 at Disneyland.
“Tickets go on sale Thursday, Dec. 9 for the Sweethearts events and Jan. 11 for the Villains and Star Wars events.”
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“So far, Disneyland has not brought back ’80s Nite and Pixar Nite from 2020. Villains Nite moves from April in 2020 to March in 2022 — taking over the slot once occupied by Pixar Nite. Star Wars Nite moves from October in 2020 to dates in and around May the Fourth — the unofficial commemoration day of the space opera saga.”
Orange County Register
Mon, December 6, 2021
Disneyland After Dark is Back with More ‘Nites’ of Fan-Favorites for the Winter and Spring 2022 Events
by Kelsey Lynch, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
Disneyland Update – Candy Canes, Candlelight & Holiday Surprise!
By Dusty Sage -November 29, 2021
Disneyland Update: Genie, News & Small Miracles!
By Logan Collins -December 6, 2021
You can listen to show 324 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.
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Show Notes for Episode 324
Walt’s Disneyland Author Marcy Carriker Smothers