Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth, remains closed as we all shelter at home. And even as Disney furloughs tens of thousands of workers, and prepares for a long shutdown, there are signs that Disney is working toward the rebirth of the company. Today’s Disneyland Update takes you to the ghostly streets of Anaheim, looks at the latest crazy twists in the shutdown story, and leaves you with some beautiful Disneyland springtime memories. 

Disneyland Today

So many Disney fans have reached out asking about the parks and what’s going on with them. The short answer is not much that can be seen. A couple of MiceChat friends have shared photos from the perimeter of the Disneyland Resort from the past two days. Entering the Resort itself is prohibited.

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Guests may be prohibited, but security is still guarding gates and potential entry points.

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All roads lead to  . . . nowhere. . .

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The hotels are all off-limits as well . . . 

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Parking lots empty . . . 

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These photos show the obvious: Disneyland is closed. But it pains my heart none the less to see it with my own eyes. 

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But for how long will Disneyland elude us . . .

Disneyland “Unlikely” to Reopen Soon

Brady MacDonald reported this week that Disneyland’s reopening isn’t likely to come before the end of August. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that mass gatherings with thousands of people are “not in the cards” through the end of the summer.

Disneyland Reopening ‘Unlikely’ Through August as California Rules Out Mass Gatherings

Newsom acknowledged that the stay at home orders “can’t be a permanent state” and outlined how California would slowly begin a return to normal.
 
“We are not out of the woods yet,” he said. “We are not spiking the ball.”
 

And just how might that return to normal go? Well, it looks like Bob Iger himself will have a say . . . 

Bob Iger Joins California Taskforce to Restart State Economy

Governor Newsom has appointed business and civic leaders to join a taskforce on Business and Jobs Recovery. The taskforce will focus on the regions and communities hardest hit by the pandemic. And few areas of the economy were harder hit than travel and entertainment, which have come to a near stop. 

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Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger, ILWU President Willie Adams, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation Antonia Hernandez, former head of the Small Business Administration Aida Álvarez and Apple CEO Tim Cook will be part of the Task Force stepping up to help California pave the way toward a fast, safe recovery of jobs. All of California’s former governors and California’s legislative leaders across both political parties will also join the task force. 

With Bob Iger helping lead the state’s recovery efforts, that’s very good news for the Disney Company and everyone in the entertainment and travel industries for whom he’ll advocate. At the very least, Disney will now have direct access to people and data which they need to begin planning their return to operation. Still, don’t get your hopes up that anything will happen soon. The Governor set a pretty clear picture that we are far from ready to come out of hiding.  

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Join the MiceChat crew as we discuss the latest Disney and theme park news in-depth.

AP Refunds and Extensions

I’m including this section because Disney has released information on how to select the various options for your annual pass during the park closures. I’m seeing so much concern about whether or not folks need to call. Here’s the good news, the easiest thing for you is to do NOTHING. If you don’t contact Disney, they will do the following by default:

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  • For paid in full passes, your pass expiration date will continue to be pushed out by the number of days that the parks ultimately remain closed. This change will be made automatically before the parks reopen. No need for you to do anything at all. 
  • For passes on the monthly payment plan, you will get a small credit for March 14th through April 4th. Beginning April 5th, all payments have been suspended, so you will not be billed again during the park closures. Your pass expiration date will not change.  

That’s the default. If you are happy with those options, and most folks should be, then there is nothing more for you to do or worry about. However, there are additional options you may elect which would require you to call Disney and wait on hold to speak with a customer service agent: 

  • Paid in full passes may opt to be partially refunded for the time that the parks are closed. However, your pass would no longer be extended by the number of days the parks are closed. To elect this option, you do need to call: 714-781-4567. 
  • Monthly Payment Plan passes may elect to extend the expiration date of their passes by the number of days the parks are closed. Note that you will have to pay for those days and you must also call to have Passholder Services make the changes for you: 714-781-4567.  

What’s Happening with Other Disneyland Tickets?

This is a bad news/good news situation. First the bad:

Single-Day and Multi-Day Tickets: Considering how pro-active Disney has been with annual passes, it’s shocking that single-day and multi-day tickets are STILL set to expire on their original date. No extensions have been announced. We sincerely hope that Disney begins extending dates by at least the number of days the parks are closed, or perhaps just make them all valid through at least the end of 2021. Many folks are going to be reluctant to buy tickets from their travel agents or local supermarket in the future if Disney doesn’t make good on their current tickets.  

Now the good, but messy, news:

Disney hasn’t taken a simple approach with promotional and event tickets. They are all over the place. But at least they are trying to do SOMETHING for most other ticket types: 

SoCal Resident Promotional Tickets – Will be extended by the number of days of the park closures. 

Promotional Child Tickets – Will be extended through December 15th, 2020. 

Promotional Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian tickets – will be extended through May 31st, 2021. 

Military Salute Tickets – remain unchanged but can continue to be used on non-consecutive days through December 18th, 2020. 

Tickets for special events (such as special Food & Wine Festival events, Disneyland After Dark Events, dessert parties, Savi’s Workshop, Droid Depot, VIP Tours, etc.) which are canceled due to the closure, will be automatically refunded. If you are unsure if your event has been canceled or have questions, you may call customer service at 714-781-4636.

Bob’s Your Uncle

Bob Chapek has been elected to Disney’s board of directors. So, even though Bob Iger announced that he is calling the shots again, Mr. Chapek doesn’t have one foot out the door as it looked a week ago. 

David Derks details the latest: 

Disney CEO Bob Chapek Elected to Disney’s Board of Directors

 

Cast Member Furloughs

As we’ve covered here for weeks, cast member furloughs officially began on the 19th. The number of employees sent to that status is still unknown. However, almost all theme park employees have been furloughed for the short term. A core staff will continue to maintain and protect the parks. That’s a situation repeated across the company. Even Imagineering was not spared. Most of the Imagineers were also furloughed, though there was a small number kept on staff.

Theme park union workers received their furlough letters last week as well. Due to union negotiations, they were among the last of Disney’s employees to know exactly what was going to happen to them. The letter doesn’t really tell us anything new, but I wanted to share it because it does show a great deal of empathy for the employees and offered resources: 

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Did you catch that? “We do not anticipate the furlough exceeding six months.” SIX MONTHS!!! Yikes! Here’s the rest of that letter: 

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Disneyland Grad Nights Canceled

It was only a matter of time, Disneyland has confirmed that Grad Nights for 2020 have been canceled. Our hearts go out to all the 2020 grads missing their graduation ceremonies, parties, and events like Disneyland’s Grad Nights.

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While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, the safety and well-being of our Guests and Cast Members remain the top priority of the Disneyland Resort. In light of recommendations by school and government officials to limit gatherings for the remainder of the academic year, we are making the difficult decision to cancel Disneyland Resort Grad Nite 2020.

Because Grad Nite events require a substantial amount of planning, coordination and travel, we felt that this was the right decision to make at this time. We know how disappointing this news will be to the many students who were planning to join us this year.

MiceChat Celebrates Springtime at Disneyland

It’s hard to believe, but Disneyland has now been closed for over a month. I feel like I’m really missing out on a lot right now, like seeing Disneyland dressed in nature’s finest florals, the baby ducklings waddling around, and just enjoying the springtime activities and food. I know I’m not alone in this feeling, so we asked the MiceChat Facebook group to share their favorite springtime photos. Since we can’t go to the magic . . . we’re bringing the magic to you . . .

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All around the resort, you’ll see plenty of pink lapacho trees. They’re just one of the many reasons Disneyland is so pretty during the spring. They sure do make a picturesque backdrop for Walt and Mickey.

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“Partners” Statue, Spring of 2013
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Sleepy Beauty Castle decorated for Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary shining brightly on a sunny spring day
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We’re so used to seeing the vibrant colors of the latest castle paint scheme that it’s easy to forget what it looked like before. Which version of the castle is your favorite?
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“2018 at the flag ceremony with spring flowers” 

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“Spring means the return of the Disney Ducks! I was enjoying some quiet time by the Big Thunder Trail and watching the animals.” – Nicole
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Always love seeing the ducklings every year!
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The beautiful “Disneyland” rose, found in New Orleans Square

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While walking around the Disneyland Resort, you may see the flamboyantly colored Disneyland Rose in a few places. To learn more about the flower’s history be sure to check out the article below.

Would a Disneyland Rose by Any Other Name Smell as Sweet?

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Haunted Mansion’s pet cemetery celebrated Easter a few years ago by placing some springtime blooms under the tombstone for the rabbit.

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“2016 King of the carousel” – Tito

For years, the amazing Festival Arena and Big Thunder Ranch played host to all sorts of seasonal celebrations, including Springtime. We sure do miss those days . . . 

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When Big Thunder Ranch was still around, it had a delightful spring seasonal overlay.

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Of course, spring at Disneyland isn’t complete unless you’re finding painted eggs hidden around the park. 

 

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Wild flowers found along the Grizzly Peak trail
Wild flowers found along the Grizzly Peak trail

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Springtime sweet treats!

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As the adage goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Seeing all the photos of Disneyland decked in spring’s glory sure makes my heart ache to return. Thank you all for sharing your springtime shots of Disneyland! Be sure to check the MiceChat Facebook group later this week to see what the theme of next week’s Disneyland Update photo section will be. Let us know if you have any special requests! 


Opportunity Knocks! 

Special comeback rates are now available at some of your favorite Anaheim hotels and are discounted up to $100 off their regular nightly rates. 

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Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you with your theme park shutdown concerns and rescheduling plans. We know you’re as uncertain about the future as we are. That’s why Get Away Today is offering the most flexible Disney travel options available:  

Price Protection – If a better special comes out after you have booked, you’ll get the better deal. 

Peace of Mind – Make hotel changes, reschedule dates, drop nights, change ticket vouchers and more, as many times as you’d like for a small, one-time fee.

Layaway Plan – Lock in your 2020 or 2021 Disneyland Resort vacation for just $175 down. By booking early, you secure your availability and have the flexibility to pay as you go. Make as many interest-free payments as you’d like, whenever you’d like, with final payment due just seven days prior to travel.

Give your family something to look forward to
Visit Get Away Today HERE  Or fill out a request form and they’ll call you back:  Vacation Information Request Form HERE


Let’s Hear From You

Are you missing springtime at Disneyland? Even as the parks prepare to be closed for an extended period, do you find hope in Bob Iger joining the Governor’s panel on getting the economy restarted? If you are a passholder, will you stick with the default compensation options, or will you go down the path of making a call? Did our springtime photos help lift your spirits? If not, here’s something that might help. We saw this posted on the MiceChat Facebook Group the other day and thought some of you might appreciate a little pick-me-up . . . 

Double Pear Martini Recipe from Carthay Circle:

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Dusty Sage
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]