The Disneyland Resort has been under lock and key for over a month now, and we are missing it so much that we’ve taken to the air! We lead off today’s update with helicopter views of Disneyland sent to us by a new friend. The shots show some of the best views of Avengers Campus yet, including a peek at the Quinjet hiding backstage. Plus, construction updates, and a glimpse of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
We got word this week that Shanghai Disneyland is preparing to reopen, and that has us looking at when we might logically expect Disneyland to reopen as well, along with what major changes the parks may need to make in order to do so. And we finish off today with something really delicious. Be sure to read through to the end for a special treat!
Aerial Views of Disneyland
It’s always a great day when we get new views of Disneyland, especially when it’s been so long since we’ve been there ourselves. These helicopter shots show us the status of several projects around the resort. Let’s start with Disneyland . . .
But if we zoom in, we can see more detail.
Around the hub, there are two pathway projects. The bridge to Frontierland is being widened. And it appears that some work is also being done on the hub-entry to Matterhorn stretch of the parade route as well.
Traveling a bit further north . . . We can see the two Fantasyland projects. The King Arthur Carrousel is completely wrapped in a light blue tarp. While across the way, the tarps have been removed from in front of Snow White’s Scary Adventures. The scaffolds remain up. But it’s the inside that is really getting an overhaul. When this attraction reopens, many of the scary scenes will have been lightened up and the ride will have a new happy ending.
Over in New Orleans Square, we can almost make out the Haunted Mansion Refurbishment. The facade is still wrapped in a scrim, and it sure does look like the tombstones in the pet cemetery are still being stored on the central lawn awaiting installation.
If we fly past Galaxy’s Edge . . .
We come to ToonTown’s big project . . . Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The footprint of the show building will be approximately the length of the actual land.
Zipping over to DCA and Disneyland Resort’s biggest project . . . Avenger’s Campus.
The buildings of Avenger’s Campus are all pretty far along. Starting in the lower right corner, where the Avengers shop will be, we can see a hidden surprise . . .
The “Phase 2” Avengers ride for this new land will someday enter here. Bob Chapek described it as a Quinjet attraction.
Concept art shows just such a spacecraft on the roof of the “L” shaped building.
And there’s our Quinjet covered with a tarp backstage, just waiting to be installed.
Across from there is the PYM Test Kitchen. A “Micro” brewery.
But it’s the Spider-Man ride which is furthest along:
Switching our view just a bit to Cars Land, we can finally get a good sense for the scale of the new administrative and entertainment building gong up just behind Luigi’s. The building appears to be 5 stories. But will be themed on the Cars Land side.
Could Disneyland Reopen Sooner Than Expected? And What Would That Look Like?
Amidst the chaos in the world, many Disney fans are anxiously waiting to hear when their little piece of sanity, Disneyland, will be open once again. Well, here’s the good news. . . It’s looking more and more like Shanghai Disneyland is preparing to reopen. Social distancing marks are being taped to the ground in queues, parade performers are practicing backstage, and front gate procedures are being tested.
Shanghai Disneyland had already opened the hotel and shopping district several weeks ago. We anticipate that something similar could happen at the Disney Resorts in the United States in a couple of months (as early as mid-June, but likely later). Of course, a lot of that has to do with infection rates and the willingness of guests to abide by new safety measures.
So, just what would Disneyland look like in a waning pandemic setting? Brady MacDonald figures it could be much more in-depth than just checking temperatures at the front gates.
Here are links to Brady’s two articles about possible park reopening dates and procedures:
Would You Rather WATCH The Latest Disney News?
The MiceChat crew bring you all the latest . . . just hit play. . .
Disney Construction Halted, but Not Universal!
Shockingly, we’ve been hearing increasing accounts of work continuing at Universal parks and even Knott’s Berry Farm. But all work has stopped at Disney’s US parks. We look at the theme park projects still underway and how they’re able to continue. . .
Joe Rohde Mickey Ears
The Mickey Ear Hat designed by Imagineer Joe Rohde, which is the latest release from the Disney Parks Designer Collection, went on sale the morning of April 21 . . . and sold out seconds later. The Ear Hat’s design was based on an aviator’s cap, complete with goggles on top and sherpa lining in the ear flaps. The best detail, however, is found on the “ears.” The GPS coordinates around the left ear’s compass lead to Expedition Everest’s inspiration, Mount Everest, along with the attraction’s opening date. The right ear’s coordinates mark Disney’s Animal Kingdom (a project near and dear to Rohde’s heart) and its corresponding opening date.
With such a quick sell-out, many hopeful shoppers were left empty-handed and frustrated. But since shopDisney is the only way to purchase limited edition items like this at present, Disney needs to come up with a lottery system or some other way of controlling the mad crush of shoppers for items such as this. Waiting list anyone?
You can read more about the release (and even see some pictures from Joe Rohde!) here:
Disneyland (Stock)PhotoPass
This week the Disneyland app had a little gift for its users. While the park has been closed, Disneyland fans are missing the little bits of magic from the Happiest Place on Earth. Disneyland reached deep into its archive of stock photos to pull four generic photos of the parks to include in the Disney PhotoPass section of the app.
It’s a thoughtful way to keep people interested in the parks. I just wish they’d chosen more interesting images.
Fortunately, Disneyland Resort President Rebecca Campbell was able to get some beautiful photos on her recent trip through the Resort. We’d love to see her post more of the same, and maybe share those with the PhotoPass team!
A Sweet Finish
When we said we had treats for you this week, we weren’t kidding. We asked the MiceChat Facebook group to share photos of their favorite Disneyland snacks. These are the sweets and treats you can find from the stands and candy shops around the Disneyland Resort from over the years (but not restaurant menu items). Some of these snacks you’ll still find once the park reopens, and others you’ll only be able to enjoy in photos as they are seasonal or no longer offered. Think of this section as a low-calorie alternative to visit the parks.
Let’s be clear, the MiceChatters LOVE Dole Whip in all its varieties. We received so many Dole Whip photos that we could have done a whole article about them. But here are a few of our favorites:
For the adventurous, there are a lot of other tasty treats in the park . . .
And of course, it wouldn’t be Disneyland without a churro, right?
And our personal favorite treat in the Disneyland Resort . . .
Speaking of Disneyland’s churros, did you know you can make them at home? No, I’m not talking about the recipe that was shared on the Disneyland app (which isn’t anything like the actual treat you can buy in the parks). You can literally buy the exact same churros Disney uses for the parks to make in the convenience of your own kitchen. For the link to buy them, as well as four other theme park favorites, be sure to check out Natalie’s article below:
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.
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
First, we REALLY need to thank some folks this week. Not only do we appreciate those AMAZING aerial photos of Disneyland from a super spy (more from him/her very soon), but we were blown away and left craving Disneyland goodies by our own readers! Such great tips. Be sure to join the MiceChat Facebook Group so you can help us out with the next photo challenge later this week.
Well, what do you think of those aerial photos of Disneyland folks? Are you surprised by the size of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway? Excited to see that Quinjet hiding backstage? Are you confident that Disneyland could open in June or July, or do still think it will take much longer? And would you be willing to wear a mask and schedule your visits in advance for a chance to visit?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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