Show Notes for Episode 338
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Disney Landscape Architect Scott Girard
We welcome Scott Girard, who started working on the Disneyland Monorail and Railroad before moving on to other Attractions. He went on to be an Imagineer in Landscape Architecture, working on Big Thunder Mountain, New Fantasyland, and Videopolis. He also worked on the opening of Walt Disney World, EPCOT Center, and Tokyo Disneyland. Plus, we catch up on the latest at the Disneyland Resort, joined by our Patreon supporters.
Check our Disney COVID-19 Tab for updated information of COVID-19 resort requirement updates.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride replaces Splash Mountain at Disneyland in 2024
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attractions will replace the Splash Mountain water rides at Disneyland and Florida’s Magic Kingdom in late 2024, according to Disney officials.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: July 1, 2022
“Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attractions will replace the Splash Mountain water rides at Disneyland and Florida’s Magic Kingdom in late 2024, according to Disney officials.
“The new attraction name and opening date were announced by Disney officials on Friday, July 1 at Preservation Hall in New Orleans during the Essence Festival of Culture.
“Walt Disney Imagineering has traveled to Louisiana and New Orleans during research trips for the revamped ride to work with academics, musicians, chefs, local experts and cultural institutions.
“‘In many ways, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a love letter to New Orleans,’ Charita Carter, Imagineering executive producer of relevancy activations, said in a statement. ‘Like the musical city that inspired this attraction, Tiana’s second act is about a community working in harmony to achieve something extraordinary. She reminds us of an immutable truth we can all relate to: ‘If you do your best each and every day, good things are sure to come your way.’ And that’s a melody we can all sing along to.’”
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“Disneyland and Disney World have not yet announced closing dates for the classic log flume rides on both coasts.
“Further details about the twin makeovers of the Splash Mountain rides are expected to be revealed during the D23 Expo in September at the Anaheim Convention Center.”
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Slated to Open in Late 2024 at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom
Jul 1, 2022
NEW INFO: Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming Princess and the Frog Ride at Disneyland & WDW
By Dusty Sage -July 1, 2022
‘Finding Dory’ octopus swims into Disneyland submarine lagoon
Disneyland will reopen the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction on July 25, according to Disney Parks blog.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: June 27, 2022
“Hank the septopus from ‘Finding Dory’ will join the cast of amphibious creatures in the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction at Disneyland, according to Walt Disney Imagineering.
“Disneyland will reopen the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction on July 25, according to Disney Parks blog.
“Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has remained closed since the Anaheim theme park reopened in April 2021 after a yearlong pandemic closure while Imagineering and Disneyland crews refurbished the classic 1959 attraction.”
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“Imagineering ‘plussed up’ the venerable attraction by extending some rockwork above the water line to give the Hank static figure a place to hang out. The ‘Finding Dory’ octopus will be visible from Matterhorn Way between the bobsled roller coaster and the submarine lagoon.”
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“The Disneyland ride beneath the ocean depths closed in 1998 amid an uncertain future for the undersea attraction. Several replacement thematic ideas were considered for the ride based on Disney’s 1989 ‘Little Mermaid,’ 2001 ‘Atlantis’ and 2002 ‘Treasure Planet’ — but none of them made the leap from silver screen to theme park.
“Then in 2007, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage opened at Disneyland after nearly a decade of inactivity in the lagoon. A 2014 refurbishment of the popular Nemo attraction drained the 6.3 million gallon sub lagoon for months.
“After the last refurbishment, Pixar released the ‘Finding Dory’ sequel in 2016 that continued the aquatic story of the original 2003 ‘Finding Nemo.’”
Mon, June 27, 2022
Take a Look Inside the Lagoon of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Reopening on July 25 at Disneyland Park
by Kyleigh Johnson, External Communications Manager, Disneyland Resort
Disneyland hotel guests get a 30-minute head start on rides and attractions
Guests at the three Disneyland resort hotels will have Early Entry privileges starting 30 minutes prior to the opening each day of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure beginning Aug. 8.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: July 1, 2022
“Guests at the three Disneyland resort hotels will have Early Entry privileges starting 30 minutes before the opening each day of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure beginning Aug. 8, according to the Disney Parks Blog.
“Disneyland and DCA typically open at 8 a.m. — which means Disney hotel guests will be able to get into the parks starting at 7:30 a.m. most days. The paid Genie+ and Lightning Lane front-of-the-line services can be booked once visitors enter the parks.
“Disney hotel guests can ride select attractions, visit select shops and restaurants and make Genie+ and Lightning Lane selections once inside the parks during the 30-minute Early Entry. During Early Entry, Genie+ and Lightning Lane selections will only be available for times starting after the official park opening.
“That means if Early Entry starts at 7:30 a.m., the first available Genie+ and Lightning Lane time slots would be for 8 a.m. In other words, there will be no Genie+ and Lightning Lane time slots available during the 30-minute Early Entry period.”
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“Disneyland will open the front gate turnstiles for all visitors — hotel and non-hotel guests — 30 minutes before official park opening each day. Hotel guests will show their room reservation in the Disneyland app to get past rope drop and ride the attractions while day guests wait on Main Street U.S.A. and the castle hub for the official park opening. Any visitors inside the parks can make Genie+ and Lighting Lane reservations during the Early Entry time period.”
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“Disneyland resort hotel guests will also get Preferred Dine Access for a limited number of reservations at select hotel table service restaurants. A start date for the preferred dining reservations was not announced beyond “coming soon.” The hotel restaurants weren’t designated either — but Napa Rose and Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian and Goofy’s Kitchen and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel are among the most popular dining locations.
“The Early Entry and Preferred Dine Access privileges are part of a new package of perks announced for guests of the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
“The three Disney hotels will host daily summer pool parties from July 1 through Aug. 31 with a squad of Disney characters leading poolside games set to high-energy music.
“Disney hotel guests will also have access to a package delivery service starting Aug. 8 for merchandise purchased in the parks to be delivered to their hotel rooms.
“The three Disneyland resort hotels are offering 10% to 25% discounts on Sunday through Thursday nights from Aug. 7 through Sept. 29.”
Tue, June 28, 2022
Splash Into Summer with More Benefits at Disneyland Resort Hotels
by Valerie Lee, Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort
“Here’s a tip! A great spot to watch fireworks, which is open to all hotel guests, is from the rooftop of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel!”
Photos/Video: Pirates of the Caribbean Reopens at Disneyland
Jul 5, 2022
Tue, June 28, 2022
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Returns August 25
by Sloane McGowan, Communications Specialist, Walt Disney World Resort
“I’m pleased to share that earlier today, a magical proclamation was found in Fantasyland announcing a very special return. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will soon welcome young guests once again for royal head-to-toe transformations at both Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort on August 25.”
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“Guests may begin making reservations for these magical transformations in early August only in the My Disney Experience app and Disneyland App, or at DisneyWorld.com and Disneyland.com. Valid admission and park reservations are required for entry into Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland park.”
Magical Makeovers Return to the Disney Parks this August
By Nathan Villamor -June 28, 2022
Dateline Disneyland: Mercury Climbs, Crowds Thin, and a Musical Tradition Returns
By Andy Castro -June 27, 2022
“Summertime is heating up at Disneyland! The heatwave over the weekend brought scorching weather to the parks which resulted in canceled park reservations and somewhat smaller crowds. After a two-year hiatus, the All-American College Band has returned! This summertime tradition is celebrating 50 years and brings its vibrant, youthful energy to Main Street, U.S.A. Meanwhile, ongoing refurbishment and construction projects continue across the resort as we reach the half-way point to the holidays.”
Dateline Disneyland: Pirates Return, Submarine Voyage Testing & More!
By Andy Castro -July 4, 2022
“It was an exciting week at Disneyland with the return of a beloved classic. Pirates of the Caribbean returned after a lengthy refurbishment and is once again serving up swashbuckling fun to the masses. On the other side of Disneyland, we are getting closer to the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage reopening later this month. The walls have come down around the attraction, revealing a new friend in the lagoon. Meanwhile, we have news for you on Halloween, returning favorites, resort construction, and a whole lot more…”
You can listen to show 338 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.