Show Notes for Episode 329
Listen to our Show
Disneyland Ride Operator David Schwab
We welcome David, who was a Disneyland Attractions Host from 1970 to 1979, working many iconic attractions, some of them long gone now. We also catch up on current events at the Disneyland Resort, as always.
Check our Disney COVID-19 Tab for updated information of COVID-19 resort requirement updates.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
We are please to announce our webmaster Russell is doing well and has completed formal Physical Therapy. His doctor is very pleased with his recovery and although still limited, is able to do things he is comfortable doing. He has also been released to begin running again which he is very happy about. He still has a few months before he is completely healed and it will take about a year from injury before it really begins to feel normal to him Thank you to all the well wisher. And now for the show
Disneyland Custodial Cast Member Honored with Disney Heroes Award for Highway Rescue
Mar 3, 2022
“Ray Banales, a custodial cast member at the Disneyland Resort was honored with a Disney Heroes Award, which commends heroic acts performed by Disney cast members, crew members, Imagineers and employees.”
…
“Ray Banales usually takes the same route home after his late-night custodial shifts at the Disneyland Resort. But on Sept. 16, 2021, his drive on the 5 Freeway took an unexpected turn. Ray spotted a car swerve out of control before coming to a stop in the middle of the freeway. His heart racing, Ray pulled over, turned on his hazard lights, exited his vehicle and made his way through traffic toward the vehicle.
“‘I was terrified, but I tried my best to get the driver to get out of the car while other cars almost hit us,’ Ray said. ‘After he was finally able to get out, the car went up in flames.’ Ray then called 911 and waited with the driver until authorities arrived.”
Laughing Place
Disneyland brings back ‘World of Color,’ ‘Fantasmic!’ and Main Street Electrical Parade
“World of Color,” Main Street Electrical Parade and the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show will return on April 22 while “Fantasmic” will be back starting on May 28.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: February 22, 2022
“The Electrical Parade will introduce a new seven-segment grand finale sequence that will replace the 108-foot-long patriotic American flag float titled ‘To Honor America.’”
Orange County Register
Tue, February 22, 2022
Disneyland Resort Unveils Return Dates for Nighttime Spectaculars and New Finale Coming to the ‘Main Street Electrical Parade’
by Kelsey Lynch, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
Big Disneyland Entertainment Finally Returns This Spring!
By Nathan Villamor -February 22, 2022
“After a year of scaled-back entertainment offerings, Disneyland has some big things on the way for this spring. Several fan-favorite shows, parades, and fireworks will be returning on April 22nd, with Fantasmic lagging behind until May 28th. But there’s still quite a bit missing as well…”
MiceChat
Disneyland parking trams return after nearly a year of walking to parks
The Disneyland trams returned on Wednesday, Feb. 23 for the first time since the Anaheim theme parks closed in March 2020.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: February 23, 2022
“The Disneyland trams transporting visitors between the Mickey and Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures and the front gates of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure returned on Wednesday, Feb. 23 for the first time since the Anaheim theme parks closed in March 2020.”
Orange County Register
Trams Return to Disneyland Resort With Celebratory Ceremony
Feb 23, 2022 12:55 PM Pacific Time
Laughing Place
Disneyland ‘really close’ to pre-pandemic employment levels
The Disneyland resort has 30,000 cast members currently working with a job fair planned for later this week, according to Disneyland officials.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: February 23, 2022
“Disneyland is getting closer to reaching pre-pandemic staffing levels, hiring hundreds more employees each week and offering $1,500 bonuses for the most difficult-to-fill jobs as the Anaheim theme park continues a phased reopening following an extended pandemic closure.
…
“But Disneyland still has 2,000 fewer employees than the 32,000 on staff prior to the pandemic — when the Disney resort was the largest employer in Orange County.”
…
“Disneyland is offering $1,000 hiring bonuses for custodial, food prep and hotel maid positions. Massage therapists, nail technicians and hairstylists at the new Tenaya Stone Spa in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel command $1,500 bonuses.”
Orange County Register
Q&A: Disneyland president Ken Potrock on change, momentum and the new normal
Disneyland resort president Ken Potrock discusses all that’s happened during his tenure that began during the yearlong coronavirus closure of the park.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: February 24, 2022
“Q. How have reservations changed the Disneyland experience?
“A. It’s been an extraordinary change. People ask me if reservations are going to go away. I don’t think so. Reservations create a really important opportunity for us to be able to manage the demand more effectively than we ever could.
“If you remember the days where we would have huge quantities of people coming into the park — wall to wall and cheek to cheek. Then you remember days where we didn’t have as many people. The objective here is to spread that demand, whether it’s a Tuesday or a Saturday.
“If we do that, a couple of really good things happen. One, it’s a better experience for all. Two, we can better manage the labor scenario in a more efficient way.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock Talks Change and the Future
Feb 24, 2022
Laughing Place
Floral Minnie takes over Disneyland entrance planter for first time from Mickey
Floral Minnie has taken over Floral Mickey’s place of honor at Disneyland’s front gate throughout March in honor of Women’s History Month.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: March 3, 2022
“Floral Minnie has taken over Floral Mickey’s place of honor at Disneyland’s front gate throughout March in honor of Women’s History Month.”
…
“The Floral Mickey changes seasonally up to eight times per year — with more than 50,000 plants used annually. Violas are used during cooler seasons while alyssums fill the famous face during warmer seasons. The plants are specifically chosen to give Mickey — and now Minnie — a black-and-white look in souvenir photos snapped in front of the iconic planter.
“The look of Floral Mickey varies depending on the time of year — donning a mask at Halloween or a party hat during celebrations. A 2005 floral display featured Disneyland’s 50th anniversary logo atop a mouse silhouette with a three-dimensional Mickey figure standing among the blooms.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Swaps Out Classic Mickey Mouse Floral Pattern for Minnie Mouse
Mar 1, 2022
Laughing Place
Mon, February 28, 2022
Stan Lee’s Legacy Honored at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park
by Gabriel Gibaldi, Public Relations Director
“The plaque reads:
“We dedicate Avengers Campus to the incomparable Stan Lee.
“‘That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed without a doubt a real superhero.’”
Disney Parks Blog
Disney California Adventure Unveils Plaque Honoring Legacy of Stan Lee at Avengers Campus
Feb 28, 2022
Laughing Place
Disneyland launches yet another off-season festival
The inaugural Disney Junior Fun Fest at Disney California Adventure will run on April 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with parades, shows, food, music and games.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: March 2, 2022
“The inaugural Disney Junior Fun Fest at Disney California Adventure will run on April 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with parades, shows, food, music and games.
“The Disney Junior Fun Fest kicks off just a few days after the DCA Food & Wine Festival that runs Friday, March 4 to April 26 — suggesting the one-day family-centric festival could eventually be expanded in upcoming years.”
Orange County Register
Wed, March 2, 2022
First-Ever Disney Junior Fun Fest Coming to Disney California Adventure Park for One Day Only
by Gabriel Gibaldi, Public Relations Director
Disney Parks Blog
Disneyland Update – Relighting the Night, Trams Take Flight, Out of Sight
By Dusty Sage -February 21, 2022
“It’s a holiday weekend, and that means crowds… sort of. It’s also a VERY interesting time at the resort as parts of Downtown Disney are being demolished, construction is picking up on projects large and small in the parks, and iconic nighttime entertainment is about to reignite.”
MiceChat
Disneyland Celebrates “Soulfully” for Black History Month
By Samantha Davis-Friedman -February 22, 2022
“Disney has continued to expand the stories it tells in movies and theme parks to reflect the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences of Disney fans around the world. Part of that evolution has been the reimagination of attractions – including updates to the Jungle Cruise and the upcoming re-theming of Splash Mountain to The Princess and the Frog – but it’s also been through cultural festivals and events like the recent Lunar New Year celebration and “Celebrate Soulfully” honoring Black History Month.”
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – Flattening New Orleans Square & Evil Genie Tricks
By Dusty Sage -February 28, 2022
“Meanwhile, major services and entertainment, festivals, and more are returning. But it’s not all good news. Genie is playing some dirty tricks on those not willing to fork over the extra cash. And a very interesting project may soon change the way the riverbanks in New Orleans Square look. Let’s take a journey to the Disneyland Resort to check it all out…
“Flattening New Orleans Square
“With Fantasmic returning just before the expected summertime crowd surge, Disneyland appears to be working on a long-considered project to flatten out all those terraces along the river, which impede traffic-flow during the day and cause the Pirate’s queue to snake up and down stairs and further block the easy flow of park guests.”
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