With everyone focused on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we don’t want to miss all the other things going on at the Disneyland Resort. Today’s Disneyland Resort update will take you to Disney California Adventure, which has a great new show. Disneyland has returned an old nighttime firework spectacular. AND, there have been lots of other changes around the parks, including ride, parking and infrastructure construction which we’d like to show you. But we also don’t want you to miss out on one of the greatest opportunities in years . . . Disneyland with magically short lines.
Tale of the Lion King
Tale of the Lion King roared into Disney California Adventure on Friday. It is a delightful retelling of the classic Disney classic, just in time for the “live-action” (we all know it’s really CGI) remake on July 19. If the show reminds you of the humor and express story telling of the performances at the Royal Theater in Disneyland, that’s because it’s written by the same team who crafted those clever shows, and produced by Susana Tubert, who also brought us the heartwarming Coco and Viva Navidad shows. We love almost everything about this little gem, except for one really big thing . . .
This original show features a new performance troupe, The Storytellers of the Pride Lands, as they tell the story of Simba and his place in the Circle of Life through music and dance. The vocal performances, dancing, and acting are all top notch here, and even inspirational at times.
The pacing of the show is very well done. Although it is about 25 minutes, it feels much shorter because it effectively cuts from one song to another.
The only downside is the location. Because it is performed in Paradise Park (the World of Color viewing area), there is no shade. Standing for that long in the heat and sun is sure to be difficult for cast and customer alike. We saw the first show on Friday morning during June gloom and had a lovely time. But by the mid-day showing, guests were sweltering, we can only imagine how the cast of this high-energy show must have felt. We’ve been trying to think where else this show could be presented, which might provide some relief from the non-relenting SoCal sun. . . the Hollywood Backlot stage comes to mind as an option, but an air conditioned space like the Stage 17 on the Hollywood Picture’s Backlot would be even better.
You can watch our video of the show here
Read our full review down below.
Disneyland Forever Returns
On June 7, the nighttime show, Disneyland Forever, returned after an absence of nearly 3 years. This is a fan favorite which has been brought back just in time for the summer season now that Mickey’s Get Your Ears On celebration has ended. We had held out hopes for a Star Wars themed show, but this one is a nice change of pace from Mickey’s Mix Magic.
Although it’s good to see something different, this show has seen little to no updates while it has been away. The projections have been unmodified from its initial premiere during the Disneyland 60th “Diamond” anniversary Celebration. As a result, the diamond motifs used during the scene transitions feel a bit out of place.
When we were at the park on June 9th, they were having some extreme difficulties with the show. When winds cause cancelation of fireworks, projections can be shown instead. However, on Sunday, even the projections were delayed when the fireworks had to be canceled due to high winds. The castle lights were rebooted multiple times and then the Mickey’s Mix Magic announcement was played instead of Disneyland Forever. By 9:45, the street had been cleared without a show. Seems like they’re still working out the kinks.
I was able to shoot the show from inside Galaxy’s Edge this weekend. It’s an incredible place to watch fireworks, but spectators should be aware there is no pre-show announcement, there’s no music played during the show, and it’s extremely loud because of the proximity to the launchers (which are just behind the Black Spire mountain facades. My suggestion is to bring headphones and listen to the Star Wars theme. . . which made them AWESOME!
When we asked where the best spot to watch the fireworks inside the new land would be, we were alternately told “What are these fireworks you speak of,” or “We hear that a battle may take place above Batuu at 9:30.” All this fake ‘we are on another planet’ stuff is really starting to get old. We’re in a theme park folks, stop frustrating the guests and just answer their questions!
Galaxy’s Edge Operations Update
Speaking of Galaxy’s Edge, we are now halfway through the reservations period. June 24 is coming up quickly, and a few things have changed since opening day.
First off, a ton of new outdoor vending registers have been added to the land. Although there were some new cash registers sprinkled into the stores (one in each of the Marketplace shops, two in Droid Depot and Dok-Ondar’s), the main help has come from ODV tablets. Every store now has Castmembers with ODV tablets, and there are wandering Castmembers equipped with tablets in the Marketplace to help clear the tiny booths of checkout lines.
Goodbye Docking Bay 7 Sporks
Over in Docking Bay 7, sporks seem to be going away. While there were several cases of these sporks being sold online by shady guests (we’ve seen some listings going to $70+), they were also difficult to eat with, especially for left-handed guests. More familiar Earthly utensils are now being used. We don’t know if this is just a test or if the sporks are gone for good.
Oga’s Cantina and Savi’s Workshop Reservations
If you’d like to visit the Cantina or Savi’s Workshop, you must now get in line immediately upon entering the land to score a spot in a virtual queue. Similar to the reservation system used at Lamplight Lounge, guests receive a text message to return the Cantina for a significantly shorter wait to get inside when it’s their turn. However, if you’re not one of the first people in the land, you will most likely not get a reservation. The limited capacity of the Cantina, which is echoed at Savi’s Workshop, continues to frustrate guests.
Savi’s Workshop gives guests a more specific return time, but you can still end up waiting an additional hour to enter the workshop. Wouldn’t it be easier to have reservations booked in Launch Bay as you check in for Galaxy’s Edge? That would save guests hours of wasted time in the land.
On Sunday, we were one of the first 25 people in queue to get a Cantina reservation. We received a text message right away informing us that our likely wait would be 75 minutes. Over two hours and 15 minutes later, we still hadn’t received a text message. When we stopped by the Cantina to check on our status, we were first told “There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to visit the Cantina,” really? If we were only the 25th party out of the hundreds of people behind us in line, this system is seriously broken. Then we started hearing from people behind us that they also didn’t receive their notifications. The harried and overheated Castmember (who was forced to stand in the blazing sun with no shade), tried to explain that they were running behind.
Meanwhile, we witnessed many guests just getting into the return line without checking in. We suspect that was the real problem. The other issue is that service inside the Cantina can be VERY inefficient and even rude. Clearly, many of the Castmember’s are being run ragged by the relentless pace of this establishment. Get these folks some help! They could be churning guests out of here at least twice the current speed. We were ready to leave within 30 minutes, but by the time we got our checks back (souvenir mugs, etc.) it was well over an hour. It’s a fantastic venue which offers the only real humor, fun and high energy music in the land. We hope Disney can find a way to get more guests through this magical space as this is quickly becoming the biggest frustration for many visitors to Galaxy’s Edge.
Emotional Whirlwind
Work continues on the Inside Out spinner. We can see some of the art starting to appear on the cabs.
Construction walls have been pushed out to allow final touches to the garden spaces around the attraction.
Opposite of the spinner, the walls protecting the infrastructure of the Incredicoaster have been painted pink and purple to match the spinner.
Very little work has been done to enhance the queue except painting the handrails.
From above, we can see how close the attraction is to opening.
A meet and greet wall has also been constructed in front of the attraction.
Marvel Land Update
Scaffolding has gone up around the steel structure that will be the Spiderman Dark Ride.
Over on the opposite side of the land, we can see new steel being installed.
Grand California Pool Bar
Outside the park, the new Pool Bar being added to the Grand Californian is nearing completion. It should be opened very soon.
Mickey and Friends Parking Structure Expansion
The Pixar Pals half of the Mickey and Friends structure is getting ready to open.
Trees and shrubs have been planted on the newer half of the plaza, and some greenery has been installed in the side planters.
New fence poles are being installed along the edge of the new bricks.
Around back, a new bridge to Downtown Disney is well under construction.
New maximum height bars have been placed on this vehicle entrance on Magic Way.
At night, we can see the structure is now fully lit.
Under what will be security entrance, we can now see lane signs.
Currently, the signs are in a test mode and will start operating normally once the rest of the construction is done.
This and That
Award Wieners Seating
Over at DCA, construction walls now surround the seating area for Award Wieners. This is like a Project Stardust-type fix to the area for additional seating. The extended queue for the Sunset Showcase Theater is never used, so the conversion into more table space is warmly welcomed.
There was a plan announced to also upgrade the signage for PhilharMagic. But after having viewed this show a few time, we’re really hoping it stays for a very limited time. The animation has not held up well for this 3D movie and we don’t think it’s going to be a long term hit (in fact, it seems to be playing to tiny audiences already). Do you want this one to stay or go?
While the Award Wieners’ seating area is down, tables have been added to stroller parking area for Sunset Showcase.
Alien Pizza Planet
Over in Tomorrowland, an alien has been added above the Pizza Planet sign.
Although, there is still one exposed anchor point protruding from the façade, which indicates more is coming.
At night, the jetpack trail strobes to indicate motion.
Adventureland Sign
Over in Adventureland, the new sign is not being lit at night. Hopefully, there will be some decorations and lights added to this welcome sign.
VISIT NOW!
And finally, Disneyland Resort attendance remains soft. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy delightful conditions in the parks. We left a packed Galaxy’s Edge on Sunday to find a 10 minute wait for Big Thunder and no line at all for Pirates or Haunted Mansion.
We believe the light attendance is a result of the combination of reservations for Star Wars land (folks delaying their visit until they think they can get into the new land) and fears of overcrowding due to Galaxy’s Edge. Our own polls indicate that many of you intend to wait until after Star Wars mania dies down.
We’re sure the word is going to get out eventually, so enjoy these rare conditions while you still can.
That’s it for today’s update. What do you think about the Lion King show? How do you feel about Disneyland Forever’s return? Do you think that the reservations for Oga’s Cantina will solve guests’ inability to visit? What are your solutions? Let us know in the comments.
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Don’t miss our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge coverage!
We have a lot of coverage of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge be sure to check it out.
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