Mickey’s Toon Town had some late-breaking news last week with the reveal that Jessica Rabbit would be making a career change from famed movie star to private detective. The change will bring some notable updates to Toon Town’s classic dark ride, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. The changes are the latest in Disney’s efforts to update the park to be more culturally sensitive. Meanwhile, throughout both parks, Lightning Lane’s eviction of Fastpass is starting to be pretty noticeable with Fastpass machines disappearing quickly. And throughout both parks, various projects from new seating areas to new rides, continue to take shape as Halloween Time rages on.
Are you ready to kick off the week with the latest goings on from Disneyland? Let’s get started…
Welcome to Disneyland!
Halloween Time is in full swing at the Disneyland Resort with festive Jack-O-Lanterns and spooky characters around every corner.
On Main Street, Carnation Cafe reopened on Friday. The popular breakfast and lunch spot reopened with a slightly refreshed menu but don’t worry — favorites like the fried pickles and baked potato soup remain!
In Town Square, the gate that leads into the guest overflow corridors have recently received new “Welcome Friends” signage, serving as a backdrop for socially-distant character meet-and-greets.
It’s a nice idea to have a pretty backdrop instead of a nondescript gate, but the Hobby Lobby-style “Welcome Friends” text on the facade of a horse stable feels a bit out of place here, not to mention the “Established 1955” date. A minor quibble to be sure but Main Street, U.S.A. is supposed be turn-of-the-century America, not mid-century.
The always-popular Gay Days event returned to Disneyland over the weekend. The annual event brings in over 30,000 attendees to the Disneyland Resort for a weekend of in-the-park pride.
Today’s beautiful #GayDaysAnaheim Group Photo in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. ?
PhotoPass code in next tweet. ✨#Disneyland pic.twitter.com/abkHLzDuaZ— Gay Days Anaheim (@GayDaysAnaheim) September 19, 2021
While the event is unofficial, Disney offered a variety of rainbow-themed special food items for purchase at select dining locations.
The special graphic Disney used this year to promote the limited time offerings featured the characters in a pride parade, carrying colorful flags with the slogan “Love Comes in Every Color.” Kudos, Disney. 
Jessica Rabbit covers up and takes on a new role in Toon Town
News broke last week that Jessica Rabbit would be getting a new look and a new role in Toon Town’s classic Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin ride.
Disney released an image explaining Jessica’s new role as a Private Eye keeping Toon Town safe from the weasels:
“citing the recent return of the Toon Patrol Weasels as the main driver behind the recent sharp rise in crime statistics throughout Mickey’s ToonTown, Jessica Rabbit has determined it is past time for her to throw her fedora in the ring by starting her own private investigation service…”
It’s pretty bizarre that Jessica Rabbit, noted in Disney’s graphic on the changes below for her “fabled acting career,” would turn to being a private detective. I know we’re talking toons here but a famous celebrity becoming a private detective is quite the stretch. The change has two real goals, covering up Jessica’s large chest with a trench coat and removing her from the trunk of a car.
“Watch out weasels, your reign of terror is over.”
Rumors circulated on social media that changes have already happened in the queue, with the removal of Baby Herman’s cigars. The rumors are unfounded, as the cigar props both in an ashtray and in his hand, remain in place. Baby Herman’s hand is animated, you just need to wait a moment to see the cigar move in and out of the baby carriage.
Jessica Rabbit’s silhouette still appears full-figured in the queue.
The ride previously depicted Jessica Rabbit tied up in the trunk of the weasel’s car. The scene has now been deemed problematic, which in isolation, makes sense. But the changes here arguably forget the rest of the ride where Jessica comes out triumphant, knocking weasels over the head with a giant mallet by the end of the ride. Instead of noting that Jessica always came out on top in this ride, Disney is instead layering on more complicated backstory to erase parts of a ride they’ve now deemed are unacceptable. What do you think? Is this change worthwhile or is it a case of Disney doing too much where it’s not really needed?
Now, barrels of DIP have replaced Jessica. 
The ride remains open while these changes are being made by Imagineers at night.
We’re waiting to see how Jessica’s new role will change the ride overall. But this does remind us of the 2018 recasting of the Redhead in Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean as a Pirate herself.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway constuction
As Jessica Rabbit takes on a new role, elsewhere in Toontown, construction continues on the massive new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction.
Fastpass makes way for Lightning Lane
Disney is preparing to launch its new Disney Genie service at Walt Disney World this October as part of the Florida property’s 50th anniversary celebration and will soon roll out at Disneyland as well. The new trip-planning service will include the new upcharge Genie+ service, which will replace the existing free Fastpass service. Walt Disney World is already well along in removing Fastpass signage and replacing it with “Lightning Lane” signage, the new name for return queues that Genie+ will utilize. The Lightning Lanes will also be utilized by guests buying a la carte line-skipping passes at select attractions. While Disneyland has yet to announce a debut date for the Genie service in California, the parks are quietly getting ready for the new service. Fastpass machines have been removed across both parks and we’re expecting signage to come next. Below, the Haunted Mansion Fastpass distribution area is now closed and machines have been removed.
Fastpass machines are being removed because the Genie+ line-skipping service will only be available via the Disneyland app.
Lonely, haunted statues are the only things left here now.
The same situation applies across the parks, with Fastpass machines now a thing of the past. Some Fastpass distribution areas are now being used for snack carts (Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout!) and others for Pin Trading (Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters) but most are just dead space for now.
At Disney California Adventure, the Fastpass distribution area at Guardians of the Galaxy is now a shaded outdoor vending area:
Fastpass machines are gone now at Space Mountain:
Indiana Jones Adventure’s Fastpass distribution area is now empty:
Fastpass service at Matterhorn Bobsleds was relatively new and is already a thing of the past.
The footprint of the machines can still be plainly seen at all former distribution areas.
Most Fastpass return signage will be easily painted over but others, such as this carved sign at the Matterhorn, will require extra effort to accommodate the name change to Lightning Lane.
The Fastpass return sign at Radiator Springs Racers will require the installation of all-new neon 
Last week, Disney World announced the incredibly popular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction would no longer use virtual queue and boarding groups. The change comes to accommodate the Genie service, which is expected to offer skipping the line at Rise of the Resistance as an a la carte upcharge offering. Guests unwilling will pay to ride the attraction will have the option to wait in a traditional standby queue.
It’s not clear yet if Disneyland will abandon boarding groups as well but it might not be the worst idea if they do. It’s more or less guaranteed that Disneyland will also offer Rise of the Resistance as an upcharge Lightning Lane offering so, limiting what’s left of the ride capacity to the whims of an already unpopular boarding group raffle seems like a recipe for a Guest Relations disaster. Making a good portion of the ride capacity open to those willing to pay extra is frustrating enough for the average guest so leveling the rest of the playing field here would be a good move — if people want to wait 3 hours in line instead of spending $10-20 just to ride one ride, they should have that option.
Photo Pass moves to new central location
With the closure of the Main Street Photo Supply, Photo Pass services have now relocated to the half of the Disneyland Newsstand that faces into the main entrance esplanade.
One of Disneyland’s classic posters advertising all of the lands in the park has been updated and is on display outside of the Photo Concierge. Major kudos to whoever had the idea to do this — it’s a gorgeous poster and the location outside park gates is perfect. Extra points for updating the poster to include all of the new lands over the years from New Orleans Square to Galaxy’s Edge. Love this!
Inside Disneyland, the Main Street Photo Supply remains closed as it is converted into overflow retail space for the adjacent China Closet. Signage for the Photo Supply remains in place for the time being.
Changes in New Orleans Square
Work continues on projects in New Orleans Square. Back on Orleans Street, the former Le Bat en Rouge shop has emerged from behind scaffolding and is no longer painted in deep rouge. Instead, it’s in greens and golds very reminiscent of a certain princess that resides in New Orleans.
The new color scheme isn’t as bold as the Le Bat en Rouge color scheme but it does look quite nice.
Signage is still up in the windows hinting at new offerings and gumbo. There’s no indication that this space will be turned into any sort of food service, making the gumbo reference a bit misleading. Our best guess at this point is a Princess and the Frog-themed retail space, possibly with an emphasis on Princess Tiana’s passion for cooking.
Stay tuned to MiceChat for the latest developments on this reimagined shop.
Over on the water, work continues on the new Pelican’s Landing project, which we’ve been told is simply expanded outdoor seating and dining space for the nearby Harbor Galley.
On the water, work is underway on Fantasmic! show equipment. Disney hasn’t yet announced a return date for the popular nighttime show but it’s encouraging to see work underway to bring it back.
Radiator Springs Racers
Over in Disney California Adventure, the great Radiator Springs Racers attraction has been struggling lately. The ride’s dark ride portion is filled with impressive life-size car animatronics, which have always presented a variety of problems since the ride opened in 2012. The ride is currently showing some need for some significant TLC, with both Mater animatronics in the interior dark ride portion no longer moving.
Mater is supposed to move backward and follow you along along the track you see behind him as your cars pass by. He is currently stationary. 
The tipping tractors are currently working, which are features of the ride that are often not working properly.
The row crop tractor that wakes up and comes after you after Mater takes you tractor-tipping is currently not working besides its eyes. The tractor is mostly now obscured by fake plants. These aren’t make-or-break features of the ride but they do take their toll on the overall experience. Hopefully the ride can get some love soon to address these and other issues throughout the dark ride portion.
Trader Sam goes to the Haunted Mansion
On Friday, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar released a new Haunted Mansion Gargoyle-themed tiki mug. The mug was released via mobile order on the Disneyland app, with remaining mugs sold at the bar after the initial release. MiceChat contributor David Yeh has a recap of his experience at the mug release:
On Friday morning Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar released their long rumored Gargoyle Tiki Mug in a red glaze. While this is the 1st Edition, the brown Club 33 edition was sold to members earlier this year. The announcement of this release was peculiar since there was no mention of it on their Twitter or the Disney Parks Blog. Instead, they announced the sale through their Disney Parks Tik Tok account. Mug collectors would have to find more detailed info themselves, buried within the Disneyland app, if you knew where to look.
The Hotel management handled the release similarly to their Jungle Cruise Tiki Mug release this past July, with the use of the Mobile Order feature on the Disneyland app. Those with the fastest thumbs could reserve a time slot from home beginning at 6 a.m., with limited time windows to pick up in person between 7 a.m. through 3 p.m. Any remaining mugs would be sold at Tangaroa Terrace outside patio or Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar… but served with a cocktail called “The Stone Watcher” for the same price of $85 (limit 2 per person per transaction). There was also a stand by line for those who encountered hiccups in the app, at the Frontier Tower, which was perhaps the path of least amount of headache.
Shipping containers showed the edition size to be 5,004, but with some being returned due to various defects, the count sold was slightly lower. Each mug also came with a pair of light-up metal swizzles created by Grider Adventure Art. This was one of the smoothest releases of a Trader Sam’s mug in recent memory so kudos to the entire Disneyland Hotel and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar staff. The mobile app deterred many from showing up at all, but for anyone who walked up throughout the day, the staff made sure they were able to purchase their mug allotment. Of course being a Haunted Mansion themed mug means that sell outs were inevitable, with this one selling out Saturday morning prior to 11 a.m.
Disneyland Hotel construction
Meanwhile, work is underway on the construction of the Disneyland Hotel’s new Disney Vacation Club tower. No word yet on when the new 12-story, 350-room tower is expected to open to guests.
While Goofy’s Kitchen has reopened at the Hotel with modified character meet-and-greet opportunities, the adjacent Steakhouse 55 remains closed with no word yet on its future replacement.
At the entrance to the hotel, some Halloween Time magic has popped up with Haunted Mansion-themed decor.
Over at the Grand Californian Hotel, a new all-edible Oogie Boogie-themed display is dazzling guests in the lobby.
It’s an impressive creation and worth taking a detour through the hotel lobby to check out!
The backside of the display
If looking at all that fondant and candy gets your sweet tooth going, then head over to the nearby treat station where you can buy chocolate chip cookie shots (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), Oogie Boogie cupcakes, and decorated cookies. 
The new Imagineering-designed Tenaya Stone Spa has opened at the hotel, offering a variety of services. Dusty had a fantastic write up on the new spa offering at the hotel last week.
FIRST LOOK: Disney Grand Californian Imagineering-designed Tenaya Stone Spa
This and That
In Disneyland, the water at Pixie Hollow is now a dark green color, matching the Castle moat water. Looks like Disney no longer plans on turning the great little fountain show here back on. 
In Adventureland, Tarzan’s Treehouse remains closed for refurbishment.
And in Downtown Disney, a Wonder Years promotional pop-up rolled in, offering free ice cream if you posted to social media and tagged the show.
Around the Parks
Let’s wrap up today with some moments of zen from around the parks.
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Let’s Hear From You
Alright, that’s it for this week’s Dateline Disneyland. Are you looking forward to the Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin changes or do you think Disney is pushing these changes too far? What about the loss of Fastpass? Will you be paying extra for Genie+? Let us hear from you and share your thoughts in the comments section! Thanks for reading!
My thanks to Mike Kindrich and David Yeh for their help with photos and information in today’s update!
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