Welcome to a little slice of normal in a crazy world. The MiceChat Disneyland Update continues to bring you Disneyland news and photos every Monday, and today is no exception. Join us for news about Bob Iger’s resurgence, a smaller Disney, preparations the parks are making for the future, what’s about to happen to the majority of the cast members, some traditions that continue even in closure, and some AMAZING Disneyland photos from YOU, our readers. 

$30 Million+ a Day

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

That’s how much Disney is estimated to be losing every day during the current crisis. Perhaps as much as one billion dollars a month. It’s no shock that, according to the New York Times, Bob Iger (Current Executive Chairman of Disney) has taken the leading role in dealing with this crisis and charting a course for how Disney will survive it.  

Cast Member Clarity

With so much money being lost, and many divisions of the company essentially closed, massive furloughs weren’t a question of “if” but of “when.” Last week we told you of plans to furlough non-essential workers after the 18th of April. However, the fate of Union employees and the total number of furloughs weren’t known.  

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild FrontierSince then, Disney has come to terms with the Unions which were nearly the same as for the hourly and salaried workers. In a nutshell, non-essential workers will be furloughed without pay, those with Disney health insurance will keep their plans, and those in the Aspire program will continue to receive benefits. The Union agreement is a little more complex, with a structure for bringing workers back online by seniority and more specific terms regarding job classifications. 

On a compassionate note, Disney’s credit union will begin offering 0% interest personal emergency loans for cast members. They also have programs to defer payments on pre-existing loans and credit cards. 

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
Partner’s Credit Union resources for Disney Cast Members

Unfortunately, many cast members may need to take Partners up on those offers. Disney’s theme park unions in California and Florida expect as many as 75,000 workers to receive their final (for now) paychecks on April 19th. How many more will be furloughed across the rest of the Company is unknown, but it’s likely to be huge number of employees until Parks, Cruise Line, Disney Stores, and theaters begin to reopen. 

UPDATED: Disney Reaches Furlough Agreement with Unions

A Different Sort of Disney

One of the things Bob Iger is trying to figure out is what the Disney Company will look like when this crisis is over. The New York Times report confirmed that Mr. Iger is charting a leaner post-pandemic company. Meaning, not all jobs are likely to return.  

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
A photo I took at the Walt Disney Studios last year. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a turning point for the company at a difficult time. Its success assured the future of the company itself. Today, the dwarfs hold up the roof of the Michael Graves designed Team Disney building, a reminder of the importance of that film.

You theme park fans should expect major changes to your parks experience beyond the level of staffing. Bob Iger spoke to Barrons reporters last week about the potential need for more invasive screening of guests when the parks open. He specifically mentioned temperature checks, but that would just be window dressing on the much larger effort needed to keep guests safe from contagion. 

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

We discussed this unique situation with theme park insider, Andy Garfield, and looked at ways the parks may adapt and what may need to go away for now (one of those things could be character meet-and-greets): 

 

Avengers Campus Officially Delayed

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
WEB Suppliers at Avengers Campus

This item won’t shock you, but it is a sign of the times. Disney quietly changed the opening date of Avengers Campus from July 18th to “Coming Soon” on the Disneland website. Just goes to show you how rapidly this crisis spread and what little notice Disney had. They had just announced the opening date of the new land on March 11th. The parks closed just a few days later! 

DELAYED: Disneyland Avengers Campus Opening Officially Pushed Back

Missing Your Disney Parks Merchandise? 

Due to the extended park closure, many of you are missing out on your limited edition pins and merchandise. If you haven’t found them already, some of the items you’d be most interested in have popped up on ShopDisney. While a number of the items were already on Disney’s online store, more and more seasonal and limited edition parks items are being added every day: 

Limited Edition Disney Parks Pins Now on shopDisney

New shopDisney Items Bring Theme Parks to You

 

There is Just One Moon and One Golden Sun

I really love this next video. The Disney Parks have pooled together their video of the happiest cruise to ever set sail. Enjoy this super-cut of ‘it’s a small world” attractions in Disney Parks all over the world: 

Magic Happens Theme 

Disney has released the Magic Happens main theme on iTunes: 

But you can also hear it in the Play Disney Parks mobile app. Just click the music icon in the central hub of Disneyland in the app.  

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

Disneyland’s Cast Members Appreciate Your Fan Videos 

The New Old Frontierland

This week’s photo journey takes us to Frontierland! The photos featured in today’s update were submitted by MiceChat readers (in our Facebook chat group) from across the history of the land. Let’s take a virtual journey to the not so wild West.  (My thanks to Logan Collins for assembling this section)

Big Thunder Ranch

If you were looking to get to know Disneyland’s horses, eat some barbecue or spend some time in the Wild West, Big Thunder Ranch was the place to go. It operated from 1986 to 2016. It closed in order to make way for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Its loss is still felt from Disneyland fans to this day.

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
The Big Thunder Ranch entrance signage decorated for the holidays
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
The Big Thunder Ranch was a classic Disneyland staple from 1986 to 2016. It was a Western-themed area to see shows, visit the Disneyland horses on their off-time, and dine at the Big Thunder Barbecue.

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
The Roundup area would be themed for the season

There was also a petting zoo in the Ranch. You could meet Disneyland’s horses on their off-time as well as some other friendly animals.

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

Indian Village

Opening with the park in 1955, Indian Village was a small location in Frontierland that acknowledged some of the tribes who originally occupied the Wild West. 

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
A picture of the Indian Village teepees taken two years after Disneyland opened

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier`

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
MiceChat reader Lesa Petty standing in front of a teepee in the Indian Village

Thunder Mountain Railroad

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
Correction: photo courtesy Jaysen White
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
It’s the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
“During a very low-cloud cover day just before closing. I was sitting on one of the ledges facing the rivers of America for some casual people watching and photographing. This photo was taken as cast members were doing pre-fantasmic inspections earlier in the day. The mountain top caught my eye” – Ricardo
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
Is that fireworks or TNT?!

Shooting Gallery

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
Bullseye!

Mark Twain Riverboat

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
The Mark Twain Riverboat cruising along the Rivers of America in 1962

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
The Mark Twain River Boat during Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary celebration

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
Correction: photo courtesy Jaysen White

Before New Orleans Square was built, the Disneyland Railroad stopped at Frontierland Station!

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
Frontierland Station in 1962 – You can make out piles of dirt where the Haunted Mansion is now. 
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
“Beautiful skies over the Rivers of America late in the afternoon as cast members check the fog effects of Fantasmic before the sun sets.” – Ricardo
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
The great Fort Wilderness closed off from explorers – we really miss the old fort. 

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

Sailing Ship Columbia

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
The old pre-Splash Mountain version of the river was more rustic. And you’ll see two keel boats!
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
Paddling along the Rivers of America circa 1976

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

Placed directly in the middle of the Rivers of America, you can explore Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. Of course, it was originally just “Tom Sawyer’s Island” and in the early days you’d be able to see Tom Sawyer himself walking around! It was rethemed to Pirate’s Lair back in 2007 with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
MiceChat reader Tracy Adams on Tom Sawyer’s Island in 1976

Fantasmic!

A day at Disneyland isn’t complete without watching a showing of Fantasmic! It’s the show that sets the Rivers of America on fire. Literally. Mickey learns how to use his magical powers of imagination and face against some of Disney’s iconic baddies.

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
Correction: photo courtesy Jaysen White
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
Way to go, Mickey!

The Golden Horseshoe

This locale has seen many changes since Disneyland’s opening. While it was intended to be a theatre showcasing the Golden Horseshoe Revue, it has since become an eatery with a dueling piano show.

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
For a long while, you could find Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe. Since they were booted from Disneyland, you’ve probably seen them perform at Knott’s Berry Farm.
, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
When we last were at Disneyland, the current offering was “Showdown at the Golden Horseshoe” which was a dueling piano show

Rancho del Zocalo Restaurant

The Mexican restaurant in Frontierland these days is Rancho del Zocalo. 

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier
The unique light fixtures found throughout Rancho Del Zocolo make it a wonderful place to take a break in the evening!

Shop Like a Settler

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

Five Minutes of Magic

For more Frontierland memories, enjoy this moment of theme park zen from our Ten Minutes of Magic series. It’s taken from Tom Sawyer’s Island and overlooks the Rivers of America as Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes pass by, the turnabout of Splash Mountain vehicles, and a sighting of the Mark Twain Riverboat. 3…2…1… Relax…

 

Give Your Family a Little Happy! 

, Disneyland Update – Bob Iger and the Wild Frontier

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS – Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you with your theme park shutdown concerns and rescheduling plans. We’ll get through this difficult time together. And when this challenge has passed, you’ll have earned a nice vacation. Lock in current low rates and give your family something to look forward to by putting a vacation on layaway today (for as little as $175 down) with Get Away Today- HERE

A Rousing Conclusion

Well folks, that was a HUGE update considering the parks are currently closed. So much news to digest. The parks will eventually reopen, that’s a given, but big changes are inevitable. How deep do you think Bob Iger’s cuts will be? Are there screening and cleaning measures that you hope the parks will take when they open? Any requests for next week’s reader photos? 

We’d like to leave you on a hopeful note. A tradition as old as Disneyland itself. The daily raising of the American flag continues, as it has since Walt Disney opened the park in 1955. The time will come when we can all return. Until then, we’ve got our memories. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Disneyland Resort Ambassadors (@disneylandambassador) on

 

Sharing is caring!

Dusty Sage
Dusty Sage
https://www.micechat.com
Dusty is the founder and CEO of MiceChat.com. When he's not visiting theme parks and writing, editing or speaking about Disney and theme parks worldwide, Dusty is involved in multiple Disney related projects and charities. He helped save and restore the charming Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, launched the Dick Van Dyke Foundation, and is the curator of Walt Disney's historic 1930's estate in Hollywood. If you've got news or photos to share with the MiceChat community, or would like to book Dusty for an upcoming event, please contact [email protected]
Facebook