Happy Presidents Day everyone. The combo of a national holiday today, and Valentine’s Day yesterday, led to a VERY busy weekend for the Disneyland Resort. And Disney hopes to capture even more visits in the coming weeks as a food and beverage event returns to Disney California Adventure. But when will the parks actually be able to reopen rides? Disney’s top executives weigh in on what could happen in 2021 and how long it will take for things to begin returning to normal. Let’s take a look at a big week of Disneyland news . .
The “Not a Festival” Food and Beverage Event Returns to DCA
Starting mid-March, Disney California Adventure will begin offering a special-ticketed, and very limited capacity, food and beverage event. Notice we didn’t say “Food and Wine Festival,” although that’s what it sounds like. Due to restrictions in what folks can do, and the likely elimination of most entertainment, Disney felt it best not to over-promise. The official name of the event has been set as “A Touch of Disney,” which reminds us a lot of Knott’s Berry Farm’s popular “Taste of Knott’s” events.
While exact event details are still being formalized, there are a few things we can answer for you now. After we ran the news about this new event, we were swarmed with requests for more information. And while much is still up in the air, we’d like to address some things we were able to find out:
Q – Will I need a ticket to attend ” A Touch of Disney”?
A – Yes. This will be a separately ticketed event. Ticket information will be coming soon.
Q – Will I be able to redeem my unused tabs from the 2020 Food and Wine Festival?
A – No. This is a completely different event with a different cost structure. However, we understand that Disney is working on additional information on what you can do with your partially used festival cards from 2020. It sounds like there will be a process to obtain credits for the unused portion of your cards.
Q – Will Main Street reopen at Disneyland when “A Touch of Disney” launches?
A – Rumors that you heard elsewhere are untrue. While we certainly hope Main Street and other parts of Disneyland Park will open for shopping and dining at some point, that is not imminent. Staff have NOT been called back to work Main Street as they have for the food and beverage experience at DCA.
A – Will Buena Vista Street shopping close due to the “A Taste of Disney”?
Q – This question will be answered soon. However, since Buena Vista Street is open as a part of Downtown Disney, it would be easy for Disney to make the entry to the new event along one of the trails (Parade Route or Grizzly Trail) that aren’t currently being used for the Buena Vista Street experience.
DCA Turns 20
If you were on MiceChat last Monday, you hopefully saw our coverage of the 20th anniversary of Disney California Adventure (with the apostrophe back then). That same day, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Josh D’Amaro, visited the park to mark the occasion:
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If you missed our epic article about the roller coaster history of Disney’s most embattled theme park, be sure to check it out below:
WHEN WILL DISNEYLAND REOPEN?!
It’s so hard to judge what will happen to Disney’s closed parks. Disney is generally reluctant to make predictions because of the rapidly changing landscape and shifting guidance from the state and federal governments. But we did learn a few things from Bob Chapek from a recent Disney investor call. Below, we’ve excerpted the portions of the call that we think you’ll find most intriguing . . . including some VERY interesting statements about the theme parks, reopening, and the Disneyland Passholders program.
- For the first quarter, Disney’s adjusted earnings per share was $0.32 a share, compared to $1.53 a share last year. So, Disney is hurting, but still seeing earnings, which is a good thing.
- Disney has essentially divided the company into two parts. The media portion of the company (TV, Movies, Streaming), and the Parks, Experiences, and Products segment. While the parks were the sore spot for the company, streaming (Disney calls this segment “DTC” for “Direct to Consumer”) did much better than expected. As a result, Disney is restructuring the company to focus on that model going forward.
“Our recent strategic reorganization has enabled us to accelerate the company’s pivot toward a DTC-first business model and further grow our streaming services. Disney+ has exceeded even our highest expectations in just over a year since its launch, with 94.9 million subscribers as of the end of the first fiscal quarter. ESPN+ and Hulu have also performed well with 12.1 million and 39.4 million subscriptions, respectively.“
- Regarding the reopening of Disneyland and the expansion of WDW capacity, everything depends on how quickly the public can get vaccinated. That’s going to be critical to getting Disneyland open and expanding WDW capacity. Bob said:
“In terms of the outlook for the parks for the rest of the year and the capacity, it’s really going to be determined by the rate of vaccination of the public. That to us seems like the biggest lever that we can have in order to either take the parks that are currently under limited capacity and increase it, or open up parks that are currently closed. So that is sort of the gating factor, if you will.”
And when might that happen?
“I believe that Dr. Fauci said earlier today that he hopes that there’s vaccines for everyone who wants them by April this year. If that happens, that is a game changer. And that could accelerate our expectations and give people the confidence that they need to come back to the parks.”
- Disney is using the pandemic as an opportunity to completely rethink its business model:
“I think you’ve all seen several new announcements about things that we’ve done recently that may have been heresy prior to the pandemic, like recasting of our annual pass program at Disneyland and reconsidering the overwhelming demand we have relative to supply.”
- It’s clear that even Bob Chapek is aware of Disneyland’s capacity problems and how this pandemic allowed the resort to rethink the Passholders program as a result:
It’s very tough when your park has more demand than supply, we had to put limits on it. Well, as you know, we have a wide variety of margins depending on the nature of the guest and how they visit and when they visit. So with a lens toward maximizing the guest experience, we are now able to essentially reset many pieces of our business, both on the cost and revenue side of the business in order to say, if we had a blank piece of paper, how would we set up our parks business and be a little bit more aggressive than we typically might be able to be without the impetus of, unfortunately, a year-long closure. So we’ve had a lot of time to think, particularly at Disneyland, about what could be, and I think you’re about to see some of those strategies be born.”
- And, while Bob expects social distancing and mask wearing to continue for the rest of this year, he sees a big change for 2022:
“Will there be some overlap until we know that we’ve hit herd immunity? Sure, there will. But do we also believe that we’ll be in the same state of six-foot social distancing and mask wearing in ’22? Absolutely not.”
Based upon Bob Chapek’s comments, we know that Disney is playing safe with their reopening timeline at Disneyland. They’ll wait for guidance from the state or from the federal government. However, they clearly hope that an expansion of vaccinations in April will begin the easing up of restrictions. And, while they are prepared to continue social distancing and mask rules through the end of 2021, he sees a mask-less 2022.
Day-Parting Disneyland Tickets
We’ve been paying close attention to Disney’s surveys and statements to figure out how they’ll reopen the parks when the time comes (hopefully by summer). We know that 1) the parks will operate at very limited capacity, and 2) Disney had to discontinue the annual pass program due to the expected limited capacity for a long time to come. And while that pretty much leaves Disney with just day-tickets at first, Disneyland’s small size will also mean a very small initial capacity.
Assuming that Disneyland would only be able to serve 15,000 to 20,000 guests per day when the parks first reopen, we wonder how they’ll not only meet pent up demand, but cover the huge operating expenses of the park, and get the maximum number of cast members back to work.
We were on a call with Disneyland Resort President, Ken Potrock, when news of the Annual Pass program cancelation was revealed. One thing he mentioned more than once as a possibility was “Day-Parting.” That’s the concept of having multiple sessions of guests per day rather than just letting guests come and go as they please for the whole day.
A two session day, for example, might allow Disney to have as many as 40,000 guests in a day instead of half that amount. That would allow for several worker shifts, more guests, and far more income opportunity for Disney. A three session day could bump daily attendance to the 60,000 range (but the sessions would have to be much shorter to accomplish this).
In order to have more of an opportunity to visit the parks, and to get more Disney employees back to work, would you be willing (for example) to share the day with other guests by limiting your visit to 7 or 8 hours? Would a morning/evening option work for you? Keep in mind that Disney has historically not kept the parks open for long days during low attendance seasons. And, when Walt Disney World reopened, parks operated just 8 to 10 hours per day. With that in mind, please let us know what you think the best balance is for guests, Disneyland, and cast members:
Disneyland Resort Updates
Busy, busy, busy . . . President’s Day and Valentine’s Day in one weekend results in lots of people heading to the Disneyland Resort for a little fun or in hopes for a romantic dinner. But what many found were waits of over three hours just to get into Downtown Disney. And it was that way all weekend.
A non-moving line of cars is a sure sign that the parking lot has been closed due to capacity limits. And that was indeed the cast, off and on throughout the weekend (and likely today as well)
While the line to get in exceeded 3 hours at many points throughout the weekend, the line of the Harbor Blvd side also swelled. Generally, there’s no one in line here. But this past weekend, the line reached up to 1.5 hours as guests parked at the Anaheim Hotel and Garden Walk and hoofed it over to this entry point.
We parked at the Anaheim Hotel with the MiceChat $10 parking rate and found them completely full. Thankfully we still checked in with the front desk instead of driving off, because they still had over 100 extra spots in the back. Here’s the MiceChat offer so you can park and walk across to the Harbor entry as well:
Downtown Disney Openings and Closings
There are a slew of openings in the coming week, and one sad closure.
The new Star Wars Trading Post store will be opening this week (Tuesday is a Legacy Passholder preview). The store looks ready to go on the outside and has been tricked out with all sorts of Star Wars garb, netting, cables, boxes, barrels, and even some major items, like Rey’s speeder bike.
They’ve strung cables everywhere.
There are many items that look like they’ve been borrowed from Galaxy’s Edge.
Social distancing markers are on the ground in front of the store. Note that they are orange, all the other markers in Downtown Disney are blue.
La Brea Bakery is late to the reopening party. They’ve placed a sign in the window that they are reopening on the 17th at 10 am. Tables and chairs have returned to their patio.
The large Starbucks in Downtown Disney is reopening 2/15. We don’t know the status of the smaller West Side store or the one on Buena Vista Street.
Unfortunately, there’s still no sign of life at either Sprinkles Cupcakes or Splitsville.
Guests of Black Tap are using the Splitsville patio.
Sadly, it appears that Rinse Soap has had enough abuse and has permanently closed. You’ll recall that they were given a TERRIBLE store location just outside the Downtown Disney security gates, ensuring that few would just wander by and see them. They were later given a small cart near the old AMC Theater which was completely out in the open with no shade and little curb appeal. We’re sorry to see them go as they had great products.
In other Downtown Disney news, UVA Bar has been using the upstairs patio of Catal Restaurant on busy weekends.
You can see a few people sitting up there on the 2nd level. Same menu as the UVA Bar. Catal hasn’t announced reopening plans yet. Easier for them to serve the simple UVA menu.
Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen has expanded their outdoor seating into the walkway. Pots have been placed across the path to create a little alcove between the large planter and their existing patio.
And for you ice cream lovers, Salt and Straw has new seasonal flavors:
They all sound great . . . but not quite sure about that Brown Ale and Bacon.
A few more tidbits from Downtown Disney:
The beautiful Chad Boseman tribute on the corner of the old ESPN Zone building will be departing at the end of February. Disney has placed a “Celebrate Black Stories Collection on Disney+” sign in front of the mural.
Downtown Crowds. While there were VERY long lines to get into Downtown Disney, for the most part, crowds weren’t terrible to get into the shops. For most of the weekend, you’d wait 15 minutes (sometimes more, sometimes less) to get into World of Disney. Though, at times the line would stretch the length of the store. We waited just 10 minutes at 5:30 on Saturday.
Other popular stores were able to avoid the mobile-wait system for most of the weekend.
A Stroll Through Buena Vista Street
The WandaVision photo opportunity continues. It’s now open to all guests (it was Legacy Passholders only at opening). Again, this is just a photo background with a fake couch. No characters. But, the line stays long.
Disneyland popcorn is ever-popular. Is anyone else addicted to it?
One thing that we find a little curious is the grouping of outdoor vending carts (ODV) in the little grotto next to Avengers Campus. While it likely allows Disney to operate more carts with fewer staff, it also causes a very long line of guests when they could be distributed if the carts each had their own lines.
Once inside, you have even more line to wait in. This line moves too slowly.
Who remembers the Buena Vista Bugle? When Buena Vista Street first opened, a newspaper was produced that some of the citizens of Buena Vista Street would distribute. While the paper is long gone, they are using the masthead to promote the special buckets and sippers available in the ODV grotto.
Churros are getting fancy. The recently relocated Hollywood Land cart is now serving a pineapple and chocolate cookie crumble churro. We gave it a try. Not our favorite. But the original is still available here as well.
The cart off of Carthay Circle also has a returning favorite specialty churro – Fluffernutter!
Carthay Circle fills up fast. But, while reservations are very popular online, the patio rarely seems full.
Not much of a dinner time crowd. Though they claimed at the hostess stand that they were full.
Long lines at Smokejumpers as well. Our tip, use Mobile Order in the Disneyland app. Avoid the line and just breeze in when your order is ready.
Crowds on Buena Vista Street were very manageable. Again, although many were waiting outside just to get into Downtown Disney, the lines for the stores were not longer than 15 minutes for most of the weekend.
The outdoor shopping carts near Carthay tend to be the easiest to visit. Rarely a line. They currently feature Baby Grogu (Baby Yoda), DCA 20th Anniversary, and Lunar New Year items.
Nightfall brings new discoveries. The lights were on in Avengers Campus. As with many areas in the parks, nighttime brings new magic. You can see all sorts of lights on and around the upcoming Spider-Man ride.
Below is a shot of the ODV grotto at night, but look at the side view of the nighttime lights of Avengers Campus in the background.
It’s Festival Time! – MiceChat Reader Photos
With the news of the Disney California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival returning in a modified manner (as “A Taste of Disney”), we’re already thinking about all the good eats to enjoy soon. But before we jump the gun, let’s take a look back at some of DCAs Food & Wine Festivals of years past. This week, we asked the MiceChat Facebook group to share their favorite photos of Food & Wine Festivals at DCA. We had some beautiful submissions, and we’re sure that these shots will get you excited for what Disney will be unveiling soon!
Due to the unprecedented shutdown last year, Food & Wine 2020’s incarnation was incredibly short-lived. It only ran for a few weeks before the park had to close mid-festival. For those of you who attended, we hope you were able to use those Sip & Savor tabs!
We’ve always been a big fan of the Sip & Savor cards. All that delicious food, right at your fingertips… or rather, dangling around your neck!
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Food & Wine festival without, well, food and wine! Here are some favorites from past festivals from our readers:
Although we can never have enough of the food and drinks, there’s other stuff to be seen during F&W too! You’ve got pictures to take, entertainment to watch, class to learn from… The list goes on and on (though, much of that will likely have to be cut for the “Touch of Disney” event).
We always love seeing what punny names Disney comes up with for their food stalls every year. Last year, they got really creative by adding a kinetic element to many of the signboards!
Thank you to everyone that shared a photo with us this week. We’re looking forward to being able to enjoy whatever it is Disney comes up with for the “A Touch of Disney” food and beverage event. To see more photos of F&W, be sure to stop by the MiceChat Facebook group!
This & That
And to round out this already informational Update, here are two other stories from this week that you’ll find interesting.
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival Springing Up Soon!
Knott’s Berry Farm has been delighting guests with their food festival “Taste of” series since last July. Their newest event, A Taste of Boysenberry Food Festival, is set to launch on select days beginning March 5 through May 2. This will be the park’s 5th iteration of a food festival while operating under modified conditions, and is an homage to the berry that put them on the map. Although the park had to close its wintertime event early, we’re salivating thinking about trying some of the boysenberry-flavored goodies. To further tempt you, here are a few that will be available:
Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the Knott’s Fun Bun with a Boysenberry Glaze. It’s a cinnamon roll (we don’t need arteries, do we?) that’s been covered with funnel cake batter and deep fried. Need I say more?
Although last year’s Boysenberry Festival had to be canceled due to California’s shutdown of theme parks, we were lucky enough to be able to sample some of the foods that were planned for the event. My absolute favorite of all the foods we tasted was the Boysenberry Beer Cheese Soup with Brown Butter Croutons. Here’s what we wrote in our review:
Holy cow, this was A-MA-ZING. The cheese soup is made with Boysenberry Beer and is smooth and complex without any bitterness, and the Boysenberry Drizzle adds a pop of color and sweetness to the soup. But the real star of the show is the Brown Butter Croutons. They provide the perfect contrast in texture to the creamy soup and are filled with a nutty and buttery flavor. We’d order this all year!
Tickets in the form of a tasting card are available now for Knott’s season passholders, and tickets will be available to the general public starting tomorrow, 2/16. You can read more about the upcoming festival (and see more food!) in the article below.
Knott’s Announces New Taste of Boysenberry Food Festival Launching March 5th
Remembering the Magic
And for our final story of the week, we want to leave you with a beautiful video of Disneyland’s “Together Forever” fireworks. This show was created to celebrate Pixar Fest in 2018, and only ran from April to September. One of our readers, Chris Pace, has shared a gorgeous video of the show, and it’s got us feeling incredibly sentimental. We hope that you enjoy this as much as we do!
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Let’s Hear From You
We certainly covered a lot of ground this week – from the return of Food & Wine, and the opening of the Star Wars Trading Post in a few days, to speculation about Disneyland’s upcoming ticket options. And let’s not forget all those clues and information from the latest Disney investor meeting. We’d love to hear from you in the comments below about day-parting tickets, what you’d like to see for Disney’s “Not a festival,” and take-aways from the Disney investor meeting.
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