Connie joins us to talk about being one the first Disneyland Ambassadors, being a Tour Guide, Walt Disney, and more! 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
Disneyland brings back up-close character meet-and-greet photo ops
Traditional up-close character interactions will return as early as April 18 to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: March 31, 2022
“Traditional up-close character interactions will return as early as April 18 to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, according to the Disney Parks Blog.
Non-distanced character meet and greets will also return this spring to Walt Disney World, the Disney Cruise Line and Aulani hotel in Hawaii. Up-close meet-and-greet opportunities may not be available at all locations immediately.
“It’s been nearly two years since Disneyland visitors have been allowed to get within 6 feet of walk-around characters due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols requiring safe physical distancing between fans and Disneyland’s best-known employees.”
…
“The Moon Knight character from the latest Disney+ show joined the lineup of Marvel superheroes and villains in Avengers Campus this week at Disney California Adventure.”
Orange County Register
Up Close Character Greetings Return to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line and Aulani as Early as April 18th
Mar 30, 2022
Laughing Place
Disneyland lets solo riders skip the line on Spider-Man ride without paying extra
Disney California Adventure will offer a single-rider queue starting March 24 on Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure for the first time.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: March 31, 2022
“Disney California Adventure will offer a single-rider queue starting Thursday, March 24 on Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure for the first time since the Avengers Campus attraction debuted in June, according to Disneyland officials.”
…
“DCA switched from a virtual queue to a standby line in November after the initial wave of interest in Web Slingers waned and a month before the pay-to-ride Lightning Lane access was introduced for the popular ride. Lightning Lane access for Web Slingers ranges from $7 to $15 depending on crowd levels at the Anaheim theme park. The Spider-Man ride has a standby queue for those who don’t want to pay extra for the front-of-the-line access.”
…
“Disneyland quietly dropped single-rider lines from several popular attractions since launching the paid Genie+ and Lightning Lane replacements for the free FastPass line-cutting service in December. Star Tours, Space Mountain and Indiana Jones Adventure no longer use single rider lines.”
Orange County Register
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure to Utilize Single Rider Queue
Mar 24, 2022
“Note that, when using the Single Rider line, parties will be split up, choice of seat is not guaranteed, and wait times may vary.”
Laughing Place
Hyperspace Mountain returns to Disneyland for Star Wars events
The Space Mountain indoor roller coaster will close for one day on April 28 and reopen as Hyperspace Mountain for a limited time starting on April 29.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: March 28, 2022
“The Space Mountain indoor roller coaster will close for one day on April 28 and reopen as Hyperspace Mountain for a limited time starting on April 29, according to Disneyland officials.
“Disneyland hasn’t said how long Hyperspace Mountain will stay in Tomorrowland this time — but if history is any gauge, you can expect the popular Star Wars overlay to stick around for a while.”
Orange County Register
The Force Is Strong With the Return of Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland!
By Samantha Davis-Friedman -March 28, 2022
MiceChat
Hyperspace Mountain Returning to Disneyland on April 29th for a Limited Time
Mar 28, 2022
Laughing Place
Disneyland hides Easter eggs high and low for Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt
Disney fans can take part in the Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt from March 31 through April 17.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: March 30, 2022
“Disney fans can take part in the Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt from Thursday, March 31 through April 17 at the two Anaheim theme parks and the adjacent outdoor shopping mall.
“Visitors taking part in the egg-themed scavenger hunt can purchase a $9.99 map and stickers to help aid their search. But you don’t have to buy a map to play the game. Theme park admission is required to take part in the hunt at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. No fee is necessary for Downtown Disney shoppers who want to search for the hidden eggs.
“The approximately 18-inch-tall decorated eggs will be strategically hidden in stores, on balconies, in gardens, outside rides and near restaurants. Each of the three maps offer clues to the location of each egg. The stickers help keep track of the eggs you’ve found. Maps can be returned for one of six collectible eggs at Plaza Point in Disneyland, Elias & Co. at DCA and World of Disney and Disney’s Pin Traders in Downtown Disney.”
Orange County Register
Fri, March 25, 2022
Eggstravaganza is Hippity Hoppity Fun Beginning March 31 at the Disneyland Resort
by Valerie Lee, Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
Legendary Disneyland Cast Member Maynard Smith to Retire
By MARLA JO FISHER
UPDATED: March 18, 2022
“Legendary Disneyland cast member Maynard Smith has announced his retirement, after 28 years working attractions including the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise and more.
“He has become well known over the years for his comic impressions and antics, to the point that sometimes visitors seek him out at whichever post he happens to be working. In fact, he has not one but two fan sites on Facebook, where people post sightings and photos of him in the park.
“However, Smith posted online Wednesday that he’s planning to retire April 1 and devote more of his time to his art, both he and his “twin brothers,” which is what he calls his alter egos in the park.”
…
“Smith, who grew up in Garden Grove and now lives in the San Bernardino Mountains, has been commuting to Disneyland regularly for years. When he’s not in Anaheim, he paints, sculpts and does voice-overs.”
Orange County Register
Curtain Call for Disneyland’s Marvelous Maynard
By Julie Tremaine -March 22, 2022
“You might think it’s an April Fool’s joke, but it’s all too real: Maynard Smith, the unofficial host of the Enchanted Tiki Room and the official favorite Cast Member of anyone who ever met him, is retiring on April 1. We asked the MiceChat Facebook group to share their memories of the zaniest Cast Member at Disneyland as a tribute to his longstanding career in the park. Let’s get to know Maynard and hear some of the antics he’s done over the years.”
MiceChat
Disneyland resort president Ken Potrock takes stock at halfway point of phased reopening
Disneyland has only just reached the halfway point of an extended phased reopening with another year needed before operations fully return to pre-pandemic levels, Potrock said.
By BRADY MACDONALD|
PUBLISHED: April 1, 2022
“‘We focused on two things,’ Potrock said. ‘One was we were very focused on a common enemy — the pandemic. Then we had a common objective which was survival. That meant we had to be unified, quicker to market and innovative. We needed to recreate the Disneyland experience without losing the heart of it.’
“The silver lining of the pandemic for Potrock and Disneyland has been the ability to reassess the business in a number of ways.
“Change has been a constant at Disneyland over the past two years. From advance reservations and a new passholder program to pay-to-ride attraction access and an ambitious multi-decade expansion plan, the pace of change has sped up at the tradition-bound Happiest Place on Earth.”
…
“Disneyland recognized 5,600 long-time cast members who have worked at the resort for 10 or more years last week at Disney California Adventure. The employee service celebration was the largest in Disneyland history in part because the COVID-19 pandemic-delayed event recognized honorees from 2020 and 2021.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Update – Bibbidi Bobbidi Kaboom!
By Dusty Sage -March 14, 2022
“There’s a tremendous amount of transformation going on at Disneyland right now. From big things like the closure of an entire land. To smaller things like the opening of a new store or demolition of a building in Downtown Disney. To the exciting return of nighttime entertainment. But, for all that is being done, there’s a lot more on the way (or that should be). This is a massive update filled with news and images from one end of the resort to the other. So, make yourself comfortable and join us as we take a springtime visit to Disneyland…”
MiceChat
Disneyland Update: Springtime Magic, Construction & Concerns
By Andy Castro -March 21, 2022
“It’s a season of change at Disneyland. Spring floral is in full bloom in the theme parks as demolition, refurbishments, and construction are underway throughout the Disneyland Resort. In Disneyland, New Orleans Square’s waterfront has begun its major re-imagining project to help ease crowd flow issues before the popular Fantasmic! show returns in late May. Meanwhile, demolition of the former AMC Theaters in Downtown Disney is just about finished as plans move forward to reinvent the west end of the busy shopping district.”
MiceChat
Dateline Disneyland: Disney Dining Drama & Downtown Disney Demolition
By Andy Castro -March 28, 2022
“Spring is in full bloom at Disneyland as the Resort continues through its own season of renewal. Downtown Disney demolition continues as Imagineers clear the way for new development. Inside Disneyland, New Orleans Square’s waterfront continues its reimagining. But not everything is flowers and new life; Disney dining in both parks continues to be a frustratingly difficult experience for many guests. We take a look at all this and much more in today’s Disneyland news and photo update… “
You can listen to show 331 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.
Disneyland 1966 Ambassador Connie Swanson
Show Notes for Episode 331
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