Disneyland Update – New Magic, Aerial Discoveries, and Layoffs

The Quinjet has landed! Lots to see and discuss at the Disneyland Resort this week, including brand new aerial images. We missed summer this year, traditionally the busy season for theme parks everywhere. And now kids are headed back to school (whether in person, online, or some combination thereof). Meanwhile, coffee shops are preparing their pumpkin-flavored drinks, and Disney shops are starting the Halloween hype. While life has semi-resumed in some parts of the country, California’s theme parks remain firmly closed. Though we can’t visit the parks right now, there’s still a lot of interesting developments at the Loneliest Place on Earth. We’ll take a ride in the Avenger’s Quinjet and land right in the middle of Avengers Campus. And to celebrate, we’ll share images from our readers in our own virtual Summer of Heroes. 

Aerial Photos

We have a treat for you today, not only do we have new aerial images for you, we’ve spotted some exciting progress on the new marvel land “Avengers Campus.” Let’s hop in our Quinjet and take a ride over Disney California Adventure (DCA) . . . 

The World of Color lagoon was bubbling away as we swooped past. 

But we noticed that the Pixar Pier Pal-A-Round was missing some of the fixed gondolas around the outside of the wheel.  

The attraction had been testing adding fins to the bottom of the gondolas to help keep them steady as guests enter and exit. It’s possible that project is progressing. 

An overview of the park shows the large Marvel project in the middle, building construction behind Cars Land (wrapped in red), a bright blue sky on the Hyperion building, and a park that misses seeing you.  

There are a few things to note in Cars Land. First is that new administrative building (wrapped in red) behind Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. There is a bit of construction on Route 66. And finally, Mater’s overhaul has expanded. 

The cars at Luigi’s are covered for protection. 

Zooming in on Route 66, there’s a project right in the middle of the street. 

While the ride vehicles have returned to the turntable on the left at Mater’s, the tractors are still missing. Now the turntable on the right is under construction with all vehicles removed.  

And that office building behind Luigi’s is nearly complete. The HVAC has been installed, equipment is moving in, and the exterior paint job and park-side decorations are being finalized. 

From there it’s a short hop over to DCA’s delayed summer blockbuster . . . Avenger’s Campus. 

The Spider-Man building looks about done, however, the WEB logo which was on the red tower in our last look at the land has been removed. This is the same tower which added the red panels and then removed and reworked them earlier in the year. Those Imagineers want things to be just right. 

Here’s what it looked like a few weeks ago:  

And the concept art: 

Lots to see in this next image. Let’s start at the left. Between Spider-Man and the old Bug’s Land bathroom (which is now clad in red brick) is an exterior switchback queue for the big attraction. Just to the right of that, is the PYM Test Kitchen which is often referred to as a “micro-brewery” . . . get it?! The front patios of the Test Kitchen have been boxed in by their new planters. More curbs and pavement throughout the area.  

And then there’s the exciting addition of the Quinjet atop the building across from the restaurant (on the far right above). It had previously been stored behind the building and we’ve been waiting for it to take its spot atop it all.  One day, this building will serve as the entry to a new Avenger-themed attraction . . . if it doesn’t get the axe due to the COVID slump.  

And our last stop is Hollywood Blvd and the freshly repainted backdrop on the Hyperion Theater facade. The facade had been covered in scaffolds since the early part of the year before the parks shut down.  

When will Disneyland Reopen? 

Here’s the bad news, there are still a growing number of cases in the areas around Disneyland. And while LA is just starting to flatten, it also has among the most cases of any city in the world (if Los Angeles were a state, it would be in the top 10 of the United States for new daily cases).  

Long story short, wait for these indicators to start dropping rapidly before Disneyland reopens.  

Disneyland Hotel Reservation Update

Disneyland guests with hotel reservations through September 5th are now receiving emails letting them know that they need to reschedule or cancel their reservations.  

NAMM 2021 Cancellation

Ill tidings for Anaheim’s economy came this week when the largest convention of next year, NAMM (a music industry event) canceled their January exhibition at the Anaheim Convention Center. NAMM has been a major driver of hotel and restaurant revenue in the city since 1976.  

Unfortunately, many of Anaheim’s independently owned hotels (many of them have brand names you would recognize, but are actually locally owned franchises) are at the end of their rope due to the long closure of Disneyland and Anaheim Convention Center. While some hotels proactively shut down back in March, lots of expenses continue. We heard from a friend this week that he’s not sure how his hotel can survive if the shutdown continues much longer.

All eyes are now on the massive Natural Products Expo scheduled for March at the Anaheim Convention Center. 

Disneyland Unions Pushing for Additional Safety Measures

This week, some Disneyland cast members were sent messages from union reps asking them to stand up for more stringent safety measures. A petition from (at least) two unions is asking members to support COVID testing, notification if a cast member tests positive for the virus, a two-week paid leave to quarantine (so employees won’t be tempted to come to work sick), and ensuring a secondary temperature check. The message can be read below:

Downtown Disney Updates

While Disneyland and Disney California Adventure remain closed, the shopping and dining district remains a popular place to visit for some of that Disney feeling. There have been a few updates since last week. 

Rinse Soap Moved Inside the Bubble

A couple of weeks ago we shared the terrible position Rinse Soap was placed in, in every sense. Their store is located just outside the secured area of Downtown Disney, which means guests need to know to ask to get out of the security line in order to visit, then get back in line and finish your security routine before entering the rest of Downtown Disney.  

Thankfully, they’ve been given a small cart just inside Downtown Disney near the old AMC Theater and Sugarboo. We love their scented hand sanitizers, and they have some fancy non-Disney face masks as well.  It’s great to see them in a much more noticeable location.

Jazz Kitchen Reopening

When Downtown Disney reopened last month, there were a handful of locations that remained closed. Over the past few weeks, additional restaurants have been opening gradually. Most recently, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen is now open for business! 

At the moment, they aren’t accepting reservations. Rather, you enter a virtual queue when you arrive. Just scan the QR code on the signs and you’ll be placed in the queue (powered by Open Table).

You can view the Open Table app to check your place in line. You’ll also get a text message when it’s your time to return. 

Since indoor dining is forbidden, all the available outdoor space is being used. Up and downstairs patios and balconies are now in use as dining space. 

Brennan’s quick-service establishment has also reopened. The small patio has been expanded a bit.

Still Closed

There are still a number of spots still closed, including Sprinkles Cupcakes. Though, it looks like they are preparing to reopen. A table has been placed just inside the door for orders, and plexiglass shields have been installed. 

Temporary FuelRod Spot 

You can’t enter the Grand Californian from Downtown Disney (or anywhere else for that matter), but you can swap your FuelRod in this convenient spot for the time being. 

New CM Masks

Some guests may be jealous of the stars and magic Mickey constellation face masks Disney cast members are now wearing. The pattern has a dreamy look and comes in two styles, pleated and contoured. They come in a variety of sizes as well. Alas, they are NOT available for purchase by guests . . . Cast only!

“The project stemmed from a need for a more unified and breathable face covering. With the full support of their leaders at Disney, this group seized the opportunity to create the unique, reusable face covering, specifically made for cast members at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.”

Disney Store Layoffs 

The pressures of a long closure, and epic losses, are starting to give way to layoffs. We’ve been hearing that employees who have long been on furlow at the Disney Stores are being let go if their stores are still shuttered. 

There are many sectors of the company that still have employees out on furlough, including the parks. It’s likely we’ll be hearing more stories like this one in the weeks to come. 

Knott’s Hotel Accepting Reservations

We’ve written for a while now about how excited we are for the upcoming Taste of Knott’s food festival. Luckily for us, Knott’s is just a short drive away. But for those who have a bit further to travel, or are looking to have a longer night out at Knott’s, their on-site hotel is now accepting reservations. The hotel is offering Taste of Knott’s packages that include a tasting card to the festival and a 20% off coupon for one of the on-site restaurants.

Additionally, Knott’s Season Passholders that are interested in this hotel package will be getting a little bit of a discount.

For more about the upcoming Taste of Knott’s, check out the article below. We’ll be there on opening day to see the park-wide festival. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram because we’ll be providing live coverage while we’re there!

Knott’s Extends Food Festival to Entire Park!!!

Summer of Heroes – MiceChat Reader Photos

This summer has been starkly different from years past. Disney’s new Avengers Campus would be open by now if all had gone well. To tide you all over until, we decided to have our own little “Summer of Heroes” celebration right here on MiceChat. We asked the MiceChat Facebook group to share their favorite photos of Disney superheroes in the parks. We got a lot of responses, and it’s always hard to pick a handful to include – to see the rest (and there’s a lot of good ones!) be sure to pay a visit to the MiceChat Facebook group. Now on to the heroes!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo this week! Although Avengers Campus was supposed to have opened this year, the extended lockdown prevented that from happening. But as we saw from the aerial photos above, there’s still some hope to hold onto for the (maybe?) not-so-distant future ahead.

Keep an eye on the MiceChat Facebook group this week to see next week’s theme for photos!

This & That

And now for some of the more miscellaneous Disney news, and an adorable laugh at the end.

Disney Parks Halloween Merchandise

This week, Disney gave a sneak peek into the upcoming Halloween merchandise on the way to the Disney Parks and shopDisney. To see the lineup, take a look at the article below. 

Spooky Season On The Way – New Disney Parks Halloween Collections

Haunted Mansion History Tour

The Haunted Mansion celebrated its 51st-anniversary last week, and Disney Parks Blog created a neat video with Disney Legend Rolly Crump as the Ghost Host of a Haunted Mansion tour. If you’re looking to gain a new look into the history of the Haunted Mansion, take a minute and watch the video below. 

Can’t get enough of the ghoulish delights from the Mansion’s scary history? Well, we’ve got something to whet your appetite and then some! Here’s an in-depth look at what the Haunted Mansion could have been. Fair warning, you’re going to want another cup of coffee and plenty of time to fully enjoy this article.

Haunted Mansion: The Horror, Humor & Voodoo of Ken Anderson

National Roller Coaster Day

Yesterday was National Roller Coaster Day (yes, it’s a thing) and we asked our readers which Disney coaster is the best in the world. To vote in the poll and see what others think, take a look at the article below.

The Best Disney Roller Coaster in the World

Let’s wrap things up with a chuckle. You may be familiar with MiceChat Junior Reporter Lindalee Rose, we’d like you to meet her younger sister Juliet. We think she’s got a stand-up career with this Disney-themed quarantine routine.

Let’s Hear From You

Congrats, you’re all caught up! The Quinjet has landed, what do you think? Have you been able to visit Downtown Disney yet? With Knott’s new food festival a growing success, should DCA relaunch their Food and Wine festival as well? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

More Theme Park News

Still hungry for Disney and theme park news? We’ve got you covered. Here’s more of what you might like.

Disney World Update – Nostalgic Return, Magic Cuts, Park Reservation Tip

Universal Orlando Update – Horror Hack, Ride Cuts & Lonely Anniversaries