Welcome, Disneyland devotees! Put on your Mouseketeer ears and join us on the 68th birthday of Walt Disney’s original magical kingdom of Disneyland. There’s ‘good?’ news as we find out that Bob Iger will continue his journey for an extra 2 years, allowing many more sunrises for him to secure a successor. Speaking of sunrises, remember to slather on your SPF as the SoCal sun’s been throwing a heatwave party of its own! But fear not, since the scorching summer sun seems to be keeping the crowd levels comfortably low for those of us daring enough to venture out. The Haunted Mansion is enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight, basking in the eerie glow of its upcoming film. We were at the premiere and have some photos and videos you won’t want to miss. Progress is buzzing at the upcoming San Fransokyo overlay of Disney California Adventure’s Pacific Wharf, opening in stages through August 31st. We also have a culinary surprise for you as we got to take a first taste of the new fusion menus! So let’s strike up the band, because this special Disneyland Update is marching your way…
Today’s Disneyland Update is brought to you by Dusty Sage and Nathan Villamor, who divided up the sections and photography duties this week.
Disneyland Turns 68 Today!
Happy birthday, dear Disneyland!
Happy birthday to you!
Today, July 17, Disney is celebrating its 68th anniversary. Although 68 isn’t a milestone anniversary, we’re just 2 years away from the big 70. That said, if you’re in the park today, you may catch some special birthday happenings.
The celebrations this year are quite simple, really just a cavalcade, moments of singing Happy Birthday, and a specialty donut. Our newest contributor Christy Weinberg shared the anniversary details in her article below:
What You Want To Know About Disneyland’s 68th Anniversary Plans!
These off-year celebrations are typically minimal, and while we hope that we’ll see something more special in time for the resort’s 70th birthday in 2 years, the big festivities will likely have to wait for the 75th.
We’ll be in the park today to celebrate Disneyland’s anniversary in person, so even though we hold Disney to a high standard, we really do love visiting our Happy Place. If you’re in the park, be sure to say hi, and if you’re anywhere else, keep an eye open for a special live video from our Facebook and YouTube channels.
Iger’s Buy & Sell
By the time Disney’s previous CEO, Bob Chapek, was abruptly shown the door, the company was already in the throes of a death spiral of bad news, bad decisions, bad press, and a general lack of creativity. Even the Disney fans, who often defend Disney’s worst decisions, had turned against Chapek. So, when Bob Iger was swiftly returned to the helm, there were cheers from within the company and beyond.
But Iger’s return was never intended to be permanent. His job was to stop the company’s bleeding, chart a new course, complete a massive labor reduction and cost containment, and, most importantly, find a successor.
Bob possesses many great qualities, but being a good mentor isn’t one of them. In all of his years at Disney, both in his previous stint as CEO and his current one, he has failed to successfully pick a successor… In his first term as CEO, Bob extended his contract over and over in the hopes he’d strike executive gold, settling for Chapek only because there was no one else left to pick (and we all know how that turned out). Just last week, Iger’s contract was extended by an additional 2 years (through 2026)… the cycle continues.
Bob is perhaps most famous for building upon the Disney empire assembled by his predecessor, Michael Eisner. Rather than taking the slow road to growth, Iger purchased his way to success. He successfully acquired Marvel, Muppets, Lucasfilm (Star Wars and Indiana Jones), Pixar, and FOX, among other things. The growth was phenomenal, and the amount of talent Disney acquired fueled decades of revenue increases.
But times have changed and some of what made Disney big, like the ABC Television network and Disney’s cable network contracts, are now on a sharp decline. And, with a series of recent film flops, massive debt from the FOX acquisition, and the enormous disruptions of 2020/21, Disney’s path forward isn’t the same as it was in Iger’s earlier days. Instead of building, Disney is potentially looking to unload some of their baggage.
(A look at the images below shows the complexity of Disney’s television and film companies, not all of which are growing enterprises)
According to a report by Nielsen, the number of Americans watching traditional television has dropped by 33% over the past decade, with younger viewers driving this decline. The report shows that adults aged 18-24 spend 30% less time watching traditional TV than they did just five years ago.
So, Bob has some serious decisions to make. He obviously needs to focus on what IS working for the company, and that’s DPEP (Disney’s Parks, Experiences, and Products division) which was Disney’s most profitable unit last year. We expect some big announcements in the months ahead about Disney’s growth plans for family travel and theme parks. Bob also MUST find a way to make streaming work, as that’s the obvious current trajectory of home entertainment. Disney has invested heavily in its various streaming platforms and Disney+, but it has yet to pay off. But the big loser for Disney is TV, and that could very well mean selling assets like ABC.
And all of this makes picking a successor for Bob Iger even more difficult at a pivotal time for the company. If things were still going as they were back in 2018, there are several people who might be groomed for the top spot at Disney, the most prominent of which is Josh D’Amaro. And to hedge their bets, we wouldn’t be surprised if Josh is quickly promoted to the COO or CFO role in the company. But, with the studio side of the company floundering and Josh a mostly theme park guy, his selection at this time isn’t a sure bet and would likely scare shareholders and even Disney’s board. And with few people in the industry capable of running a company with such diverse assets as Disney, that presents some dramatic possibilities.
The latest closing stock price for Disney as of July 14, 2023, was 88.62 (approximately the price Disney was in February of 2015). Disney’s all-time high was 201.91 on March 08, 2021. And while many companies have suffered since March 2020 when the world was locking down, the DOW Jones Industrial Average is trading higher than it was in February 2020. But the Disney Company has taken a nosedive compared to the DOW.
The entire entertainment industry is in flux— not just Disney, but Disney is in the spotlight. Other companies are facing similar issues, which underscores that the whole industry is in a state of upheaval. And with writers and actors now on strike and Disney desperately trying to get its streaming and film division back on track at the same time, this is one of the most fragile times for Disney since Michael Eisner saved the company from corporate raiders in 1984.
Just as during the period when Eisner saved the company from various leveraged buyout attempts, Disney is currently undervalued for the rich assets it owns… making it a tempting target. If Bob is unable to turn the tides quickly, he might very well decide the company would be better off with a strong corporate co-pilot, like Apple. I won’t go down that road right now, but let’s just say that crazier things have happened, and Apple has the cash for just such a purchase and would benefit from the increased content across its ecosystem. Disney, in turn, needs the cash and protection from the threat of a hostile takeover. And it would also mean not having to worry about finding a single CEO to replace Iger but rather the much easier task of identifying quality leaders to run each of Disney’s divisions. It may sound like a wild idea, but it really isn’t. Iger himself said that had Steve Jobs (who sat on Disney’s board) not died, Disney and Apple likely would have merged. Under the circumstances, it’s an interesting possibility.
We’ll continue to follow this story closely. But we’d like to hear your thoughts. If Disney can’t get its stock price high enough to fight off takeover attempts, should they start talks with Apple or another massive entity about a friendly merger? And even if they don’t seek a merger, should they divest assets like ABC that are on the decline so the company can focus on the future? Who should succeed Iger when the time comes in 2026? These are existential questions for Disney. While the company is strong enough to survive on the weight of its blockbuster intellectual property for now… Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, and even Marvel have fallen from the high point of their success. And even Mickey Mouse enters the Public Domain in 2024. Disney can’t coast on their loyal fanbase forever; times change, and what customers want changes. Can Disney adapt quickly enough to turn these difficult times around without Iger at the helm (and if so, who is that person)?
Crowd Conditions
It was a slower-than-normal week for Disneyland. The trend this summer has been slow weekends and busier weekdays. This trend is mostly driven by ticket prices and Magic Key block-out schedules. However, with temperatures soaring, crowds are dropping. The combination of high heat and high prices has made wait times drop. I suppose that’s a benefit for those of you who can handle the conditions…
During the hottest parts of the day, crowds sort of disappear. But they return in time for dinner and fireworks.
This was a really difficult update for us to shoot due to the sweltering conditions. We spent a lot of time seeking shelter. As did many other guests and cast members. Thank goodness for California Adventure’s Starbucks, the Animation Building, The Enchanted Tiki Room, and the new Starview Station DVC Lounge in Tomorrowland, or we might have had to cut this update short.
Our weekly Disneyland Live at 5 video on Friday showed the current park news and conditions. You’ll want to follow along as Dusty, Nathan and Mike check out construction, talk about San Fransokyo, Bob Iger’s actor problem, and you can watch Dusty melt in real time:
Don’t miss our live videos on MICECHAT FACEBOOK PAGE and MICECHAT YOUTUBE every Friday at 5pm PST!
Not to Throw Shade… But We Need More Shade!
As you likely know from first-hand experience, this summer has been a scorcher all over the world. Unfortunately, places like the Disneyland Resort were not built with this kind of weather in mind. The weather of 1955 was different than today. However, with new highs being consistently recorded, Disneyland hasn’t kept up with providing more shade and shelter for guests.
Because of the heatwave this week, we aimed to get to the Disneyland Resort well before the peak temperatures of the day on Friday. And even though we arrived at 10am (which is incredibly early for us with our late night publishing schedule), it was already in the 80s. Our usual Disneyland trip is fairly detail-oriented, taking time to document everything we see in the park. This time, I just wanted to get my shots and find shade. I wasn’t alone in that line of thinking; I noticed that guests were desperately seeking shelter from the sun everywhere I went.
The queue for Rise of the Resistance is largely outdoors and completely unshaded. When the attraction suffers unexpected downtime (like this Friday around noon), people understandably want to leave the queue and find someplace to cool off.
So what is the solution to the overbearing effects of the sun? Disney needs to create more shaded areas. We’re not suggesting erecting entirely new buildings and indoor restaurants (though, that would certainly be welcome!), but using shade structures, tarps, and green spaces to create a more hospitable area is long overdue.
We’re fortunate enough to have access to the DVC lounge in the old Star Wars Launch Bay. It was a real godsend this week.
Between the cool air-conditioning, comfortable chairs, and free drinks and snacks, that was likely our favorite stop of the day. However, guests without a Disney Vacation Club membership don’t have access to this lounge. Disney really needs to make cooling spaces a priority for all guests.
It’s time for Disneyland to adapt to the warmer weather and help keep their guests comfortable and safe. We’ve seen lots of guests needing medical attention due to the heat in the last week. Please remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and take lots of breaks on your outdoor adventures!
Oogie Boogie Ticket Disaster 2.0
After the chaotic launch of Oogie Boogie Bash 2023 tickets last month that necessitated pausing sales for a week, (some) guests were able to purchase tickets again last week. However, it wasn’t a smooth and easy process.
Despite having all that downtime to work on the ticketing system, it led to even more frustration than the initial launch.
However, demand for the Halloween Party proved to be greater than supply. Before the end of the day, with many people still in the queue, sales abruptly ended because all dates sold out.
Inevitably, that made for some less-than-happy campers. Surely Disney has a better way to handle these events that don’t end in disappointment, but if they know the event is going to sell out regardless of what they do, why spend time and money on a problem that doesn’t change the end result? This MiceChatter shared a sweet sentiment despite the inability to get OBB tickets in the MiceChat Facebook group.
Though, for every failure to purchase tickets, there were also a lot of successes.
At this time, we don’t know if there are any plans to add availability to the party. Unfortunately, we have seen a surprising number of ticket resellers (which isn’t allowed by Disney!) selling their Oogie Boogie tickets for jaw-dropping prices. If you’re seeing a listing on eBay, OfferUp, Craigslist, etc., you may be in for a world of hurt. There are a lot of unscrupulous people out there looking to take advantage of the situation. Here’s a listing we saw on StubHub on July 16:
Will you be attending Oogie Boogie Bash this year? Did you try to score tickets and get locked out of the queue? We really want to hear your stories!
San Fransokyo Updates
Disney’s Big Hero 6 themed overlay of the old Pacific Wharf in Disney California Adventure is getting closer. Current plans have the restaurants opening as they are ready, with Lucky Fortune debuting its new menu this week (on July 19th). But the land won’t be officially open until August 31st, so expect at least some things to remain under wraps until that time.
Speaking of menus… we were very lucky to be invited to try the new menu items at a press event this past Friday. There were some really tasty new items which are sure to be popular with guests.
The curry beef in a bread bowl was flavorful without being too spicy (as curry can sometimes be).
Beef Birria Ramen with consomme will join the roster at Cucina Cucamonga.
The Soba Noodle Salad is crisp and tasty. I didn’t even notice that it was vegan until I wrote this up. I’ll get this again for sure.
The Karaage-inspired Crispy Chicken Sandwich coming to Lucky Fortune Cookery this week is likely to be the big hit.
The Elote street corn was a bit much for me. I can’t handle the mayo. But folks were raving about it, so what do I know?!
Of course, there are drinks. I tried a lemonade with boba and a sweat tea with fruit jelly; both were fantastic and not overly sweet. And, as has become the trend, there’s a new cold brew as well which I did not try.
I’m a sucker for Macarons… and they have one that looks like Baymax.
It’s filled with chocolate-hazelnut and buttercream. I had two!
And, let’s not forget this little fellow. There’s a Baymax sipper that I hope they ordered a ton of because this guy is going to cause a ruckus.
While signage throughout the land was quickly installed, some of the construction work has been slow.
At the future Aunt Cass Cafe and bread tour, we noticed that they were experimenting with the new Baymax-shaped sourdough. Looks cute. We could see this fellow for sale in the land very soon.
One thing we noticed was a set of broken shutters in the window of Aunt Cass Cafe. It’s a construction site. I’m sure they’ll get it fixed or replaced soon enough.
The San Fransokyo restrooms have added drinking fountains and a bottle refill station.
We weren’t sure that anything was going to be added to Ghirardelli for San Fransokyo, but on Friday morning, we noticed all sorts of new details.
The animated mural at the back of the store has added lots of little San Fransokyo details. The bridge towers are now seen behind the Ghirardelli factory, along with one of the fish wind turbines.
Cherry blossoms and lanterns adorn the central element of the mural.
Red lanterns and San Fransokyo signage have been added as well. The subtle changes fit in well with what was already there.
Here’s a short video of the mural in motion:
Construction & Refurbs
You may have seen some recent complaints from various theme park influencers and bloggers complaining about the current state of construction around Disneyland affecting their trips. And while construction can be an annoyance for a Disneyland getaway, it’s a necessary function of keeping the resort running smoothly and bringing new things. We take a lot of interest in the various projects around the Resort to see how these changes will lead to differences in operation. So every week, we give a comprehensive update on what’s new and what’s going on with the various projects. Here’s a quick rundown…
Disneyland Park
The majority of the current construction projects are taking place at Disneyland. While most of the projects have been a slow burn, there are still little changes on a week-to-week basis.
Adventureland Men’s Restroom
The construction around the men’s restroom in Adventureland has recently expanded. The construction walls almost completely take over the walking space between the Adventureland bridge and the Frontierland walkway. However, the women’s restroom remains open, so that hasn’t been absorbed into the construction.
The entire rock waterfall facade has been removed. The concrete has been torn out to access pipes beneath the walkway. This unexpected project seems to have been quite the undertaking.
Adventureland Treehouse
One of the long-standing construction projects at Disneyland is making slow but steady progress toward an eventual opening. The Adventureland Treehouse still isn’t ready for a public debut just yet, but more details and finishings have been added throughout.
Alice in Wonderland
The classic Fantasyland dark ride has gone back into refurbishment. It’s been down since the start of the month, though it’s supposed to wrap up by the 20th. There are construction walls and scrims around the attraction.
We noticed that there are also construction walls near the Fantasyland restrooms.
Poor Cheshire is looking a bit sunbleached. He needs a trip to the cat groomer for a dye job.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
We’re really feeling the heat in Disneyland now that the park’s major water ride has closed to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The attraction ride system is largely staying the same on a physical level but with a whole new story and new elements added in. In order for that to happen, there’s a bit of demolition that needs to take place. This week, we saw the tree stump atop Chickapin Hill has started to get demoed.
If you look closely, you can see the wireframe beneath the plaster. We imagine that workers are demolishing the exterior by hand. That’s one long undertaking ahead!
Aside from that, there’s not much to report on. We’re still a long way off from actually taking a trip through the Bayou with Tiana since it’s expected to open late in 2024. We’ll be checking in regularly to see what’s happening at the construction site.
You can get the full details about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the article below that’s up to date with everything we know:
🐸 Tiana’s Bayou Adventure NOW OPEN at Disneyland – Guide & Tips 👑
Tiana’s Palace Restaurant
The other Tiana-themed venue is also an active construction site. Tiana’s Palace has popcorn lights strung throughout the patio dining area. It looks like things might be wrapping up here soon, but the patio still has a lot of construction materials strewn about.
At night, lights on the building have been on this week.
This project still has some components that need to be finished, including the new smokestacks at the top of the building. There is one visible smokestack still behind scrims; the counterpart doesn’t appear to have been attached to the building yet.
The wheelhouse between the two smokestacks was added recently and looks elegant. .
We hope that this project can wrap up soon. At its core, Tiana’s Palace is largely the same as French Market Restaurant that proceeded it. With any luck, guests can eat at Tiana’s Palace in the next few months (though, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for sooner!).
Toontown
FINALLY!! The last area of Toontown that didn’t open with the land in March, Donald’s Splash Pad, is behind new construction walls. This is a good indication that work is happening to bring this area to life after an incredibly long delay.
We’ve heard some rumors that Donald’s Splash Pad could open as soon as the end of the month. While we would have liked to see this area open with the land back in March, it’s better late than never I guess. I will say though, kids that run through the water jets here in the hopefully not-so-distant future will be getting some cool relief in this summertime sun!
Disney California Adventure
There are a handful of projects also taking place at DCA as well.
Avengers Campus
A new store is being constructed in Avengers HQ, but we’ve seen little obvious progress over the months. Construction walls for this project were first set up back in March, and there’s virtually nothing to show for it from the exterior. You can see that there is a large cutout in the building for what appears to be a new door.
From what we can see, there doesn’t appear anything too exciting to report on from the inside.
While another store will undoubtedly be useful for the land, what this area sorely needs is more shade and more places to sit! We covered this above, but I just want to reiterate that it’s a necessity, not a want!
Embarcadero/San Francisco Street
Just across from the San Fransokyo construction, work continues on the exterior of the Embarcadero shop and the nearby facade of houses. Scrims have been set up for a few weeks now, and there are no visible changes, but we’re very curious to see if it will be getting any San Fransokyo elements.
Soarin’
Although Soarin’ Around the World resumed flights this week after a brief refurbishment, the exterior is continuing to get a bit of TLC.
Every visible area of the entire exterior is covered with scrims.
We’re still waiting on where the Avatar experience will be built at the Disneyland Resort. There hasn’t been any new info or confirmation about where it will be going, but we have a feeling that it may be located in Grizzly Peak Airfield if it’s going to be in DCA. But since the project hasn’t been discussed recently, we’re hoping it’s still on the table.
Downtown Disney
There are also continuing construction projects around Downtown Disney.
Paseo & Centrico
The new high-end Mexican restaurant and bar, Paseo & Centrico, are still actively under construction. This week, the rest of the lettering from the Catal sign above the doorway has been removed.
The patio of the restaurant does a pretty good job of covering the spots which are open air.
Despite the appearance of an active construction site, the nearby shops are still open for business, including Pelé Soccer and LovePop. But remember, it’s a dead end!
West End Construction
Things are starting to take shape at the former site of AMC Theaters. The Downtown Disney expansion is still underway, and won’t be finishing up for at least a couple more years. This week, we saw that the construction zone has been significantly expanded, cutting into the security screening zone from the Disneyland Hotel side of the resort.
Slightly further down the walkway, the redo of the planter box has been completed and replanted with new foliage. The updated design of the area feels very stark, which is on-brand for the mid-century style this side of the shopping district is mimicking. It will all make more sense once the rest of the buildings have been built out. But right now it looks a bit like the playground at a kindergarten with that multi-color retaining wall.
This may be a small thing to most people, but this is an entirely different style of concrete than what’s used throughout Downtown Disney. Will Disney be repaving the entirety of Downtown Disney or will it be a mishmash of different patterns and designs?
As for the future site of tenants like Din Tai Fung and the permanent location of Earl of Sandwich, the area is still mostly a dirt lot. However, over the past few weeks, walls of buildings have been erected rather quickly and foundations have been marked out for other spaces. We’re curious to see what progress will have been made once the Monorail returns to service in September.
Disneyland Resort Refurbishments
If you’ve got a Disneyland trip coming up, you should know if any of your favorite attractions will be out of commission for refurbishment. Check out what’s getting some attention from maintenance now and in the coming weeks:
Currently Under Refurbishment
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- Tarzan’s Treehouse Transformation: (September 1st, 2021-2023)
- French Market – Remodel to Tiana’s Palace: (February 17th-TBA)
- Mint Julep Bar: (February 17th-TBA)
- Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.: (May 30th-TBA)
- Splash Mountain – Conversion to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: (May 31st, 2023-Late 2024)
- Alice in Wonderland: (July 5th-20th)
- Disneyland Monorail: (July 5th-August 31st)
- Toy Story Midway Mania!: (July 17th-August 17th)
Upcoming Refurbishments
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- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: (July 24-August 10th)
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Prep for Villains Grove: (July 31st-August 11th)
- Haunted Mansion – Holiday Install: (August 14th-31st)
- Radiator Springs Racers: (August 18th-TBA)
- Animation Academy: (August 21st-TBA)
- Sorcerer’s Workshop: (August 21st-TBA)
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant: (August 21st)
Haunted Mansion Premiere Event
Rogers: The Musical was dark Thursday through the weekend for the Haunted Mansion World Premiere on Saturday night. In attendance were the film’s director, Justin Simien and some of the crew. Unfortunately, due to a strike by the writers and actors, the writer of the screenplay, Katie Dippold, nor the film’s stars LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jared Leto were in attendance.
It’s clear that this film was written with the fans in mind and we really enjoyed it. Just about everything we love about the attraction made its way into the film at one point or another. There’s even a call out to legendary Imagineer Rolly Crump. We’ll have a full review for you soon. But we thought you might enjoy seeing some of the images from the premiere party.
The event started on the other side of the resort from the Hyperion Theater at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. The attraction had been open to guests in the morning and then transformed into a party spot for the arrival of guests early in the afternoon. But regular park-goers might have noticed the familiar faces of some of the Mansion’s most famous residents, as well as some of Disey’s other villains.
What I really loved about the event was the surprise arrival of Disney Haunted Mansion cast members from all over the world. They were briefly joined by their boss, Josh D’Amaro (The Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products). You can see the difference in the costumes inspired by butlers and maids.
I got to meet Yoann, who represents the beautiful Disneyland Paris Phantom Manor. You can see that the costume in Paris leans heavily on purple. I was curious if the fans in Paris were as devoted to the Manor as Disneyland fans are to the Mansion. He said, “Oh, yes!” and explained that the attraction has a cult following in all of its locations around the world.
Mickey and Minnie showed up in their own version of Haunted Mansion attire.
Disneyland resort ambassadors Nataly and Mark Everett got into the act as well, donning Haunted Mansion maid and butler costumes.
Before showtime, guests were shuttled over to the Hyperion Theater, where some movie props and costumes were on display:
Like the ride, the film sets and costumes are filled with detail and whimsy.
And look at these amazing haunted busts!
There were lots of photo opportunities as well, but I didn’t have much time to explore them. So you get this photo of the Doom Buggy without Dusty in it.
Here’s some fun video I put together from the premiere:
View this post on Instagram
Prior to the actors’ strike, the film’s stars filmed some promo material in the park!
These #HauntedMansion ghost hosts materialized for training last month 👻 #Disney #DisneyParks #Disneyland #HauntedMansionMovie pic.twitter.com/HX8vyCI1ez
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) July 15, 2023
Of course, Disneyland isn’t missing an opportunity to sell special Haunted Mansion food and merchandise in celebration of the film.
Haunted Mansion Themed Eats & Treats Materialize at Disneyland!
And our MiceMerch team shares some of the new Haunted goods in stores:
This & That
After all that news above, there’s still a bit more to include. Let’s get the last remaining stories.
Entry Sounds Back in Toontown
Last week, we noticed on our trip to Toontown that something seemed a little off. The entry portal’s wacky sound effects weren’t working, and instead, all you heard was bird song from the garden. This week, we’re happy to report that the zany collection of sounds are back, but they seem to be slightly quieter— which is a welcome relief! Though the sounds are really fun, they were often shockingly loud in the brief transition from Fantasyland to Toontown.
Raya Packs Up
After a long-extended stay (though billed as limited-time), Raya has departed the Redwood Creek Challenge trail and returned home to the fantastical kingdom of Kumandra.
Raya first appeared this year as part of Lunar New Year in February and stuck around ever since.
The princess has cleared out of the amphitheater area, which is a great place to sit for a while in the shade.
Don’t get too comfortable here though. Redwood Creek Challenge Trail will be going through an extensive conversion to Villains Grove for Oogie Boogie Bash at the end of the month.
DOLE Whip Day
What’s that? You’ve never heard of DOLE Whip Day? Well, it’s a relatively new holiday (created in July 2021) celebrated by the Disney Parks, Resorts, and Disney Cruise ships worldwide.
This year, the holiday lands on July 20, and just about every Park, Resort, and DCL ship is participating! Even if you can’t make it to your local preferred Disney outlet of choice, you can also take part at home. Take a look at the article below to see what’s happening this year… and let us know which fancy version of the treat you wish was offered at Disneyland (we have some FOMO):
Join the MiceChat CHOC Walk Team!
Can’t wait until our next MiceChat meet-up (September 24!!) to see your Disneyland-minded friends? Well, there’s a whole bunch of us participating in the upcoming CHOC Walk at the Disneyland Resort next month. It’s not too late to join the team! Whether that means making a donation, joining the MiceChat CHOC Walk team, or just cheering us on, your support is appreciated.
What is the CHOC Walk? Early on the morning of August 20, thousands of kind-hearted individuals walk through Disneyland and DCA after raising money to support the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. It’s a unique experience that is always appreciated and a great way to give back to the community. We hope to see you there!
You can get the full details about this year’s CHOC Walk event HERE.
And if you’re interested in our next MiceChat Meet-Up, it will take place on September 24 at noon, meeting near the Partners statue in Disneyland’s central hub!
https://www.facebook.com/MiceBook/videos/819538593216543
Photo Finish
This was a whirlwind of a Disneyland Update today. As a reward for making it all the way to the bottom, we’ve got some beautiful photos of Disneyland PLUS a video of Wondrous Journeys from this week. It’s our way of saying thanks for reading all the way to the end!
Walking down Main Street just before the parade means you might get to see the Disneyland Band.
The entry gardens to Tomorrowland are seeming less and less likely. The (relatively recently replaced) concept art and description have just about been ruined due to prolonged sun exposure.
We really love the iridescent look of Star Tours/Astro Blasters hub-facing facades on a bright sunny day. It’s so shiny!
We had a very rare occurrence this week on the Mark Twain! When we visited, we were hoping to take a trip around the Rivers of America. However, due to the low water level of the river (water evaporation perhaps?), we were informed that the ship wouldn’t be departing as scheduled.
But they did let the guests remain on the ship to sit or explore.
Although only Dusty got to go to the Haunted Mansion movie premiere, that didn’t stop us from riding the source material!
For a little while, the Hitchhiking Ghosts were removed from their usual spot at the end of the ride. We were told they followed someone home… but they’re back now!
Over the last few months, you’ve come to expect a regular MiceShots photography article every Friday— and this week, Mike didn’t disappoint! He shared some fantastic shots of Rise of the Resistance, an attraction that has so much going on all the time that you don’t really get to see everything unless it’s with a photo.
To see all of the great action shots, be sure to check out the article below:
And now, as promised, here’s a recent showing of Wondrous Journeys! You really can’t beat this location shared by Dusty…
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Let’s Hear From You
Over 6,200 words and hundreds of photos and you still made it all the way down here! Today’s Disneyland Update was packed with news, info, and things to ponder. If you were Disney’s CEO, how would you chart these turbulent waters? Do you anticipate Disneyland having a grandiose 70th celebration in 2 years, or will they wait until the 75th? Did you see some San Fransokyo foods that you can’t wait to try? Will you be in the park for today’s 68th anniversary? Is there a construction project you feel invested in? And what about that fabulous Haunted Mansion premiere? Wouldn’t it be great if some of those characters were regularly out in the Mansion garden? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!