As we previously reported, Disney is building on the original story of the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom Park and now they have revealed new details on a new character being added to the backstory.
“We’re adding more humor, wildlife and skipper heart to the classic attraction, and as part of a much larger effort, this updated experience will welcome new characters from around the world,” Disney said.
The enhancements include several new scenes guests will experience along the river, all interconnected. The world-famous skippers will continue to share the unique adventure and interactions guests expect on the Jungle Cruise.
The new scenes will heighten the skippers’ legendary comedic tone, beginning with a trapped safari party that finds itself up a tree after their journey goes awry. Unexpected scenarios along the way will give the jungle and animals the last laugh!
Now in addition to adding the skippers into the story, they’re also expanding the attraction’s backstory, centered around Alberta Falls, granddaughter of world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls, as the proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd.
Jungle Cruise fans might be familiar with her name; however, wouldn’t you know it, Disney “recently uncovered” a copy of an interview with Alberta Falls that was featured in a 1938 issue of The Daily Gnus about her and the World-Famous Jungle Cruise. Take a look below:
Stay tuned to Disney Dorks for more details coming later this year!
As of April, you may be able to finally return to Southern California’s theme parks, but a new rule may tamp down on the fun — no screaming allowed.
In a new plan to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitors at Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags and Knott’s Berry Farm will be asked not to shout or scream while on rollercoasters and limit singing and loud breathing while enjoying the park.
“Face covering usage and/or modifications to seat loading patterns will be required on amusement park rides to mitigate the effects of shouting,” the California Attractions and Parks Association (CAPA), a trade group that represents theme parks statewide wrote in its responsible reopening plan.
“Additionally, on rides, guests generally face in one direction.”
Both Los Angeles and Orange counties moved into the red tier of the state’s reopening blueprint Monday, which allows for theme parks to reopen beginning April 1. Under the guidelines, they will be allowed to reopen at 15% capacity, but with in-state visitors only.
Guidelines also include physical distancing from groups of different households; ride seating will group families/household units together and not mix with other guests.
After being closed for more than one year, magic is finally returning to the Disneyland Resort theme parks! Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park are planning to officially reopen to the public on April 30, with limited capacity.
You’ll soon be welcomed back to enjoy unforgettable attractions, see beloved Disney friends, shop for the latest merchandise, savor the world-famous food and drinks, capture fun photos and cherish special magical moments.
“The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort said in a statement. “We’re excited to have more than 10,000 cast members returning to work as we get ready to welcome our guests back to this happy place.”
Michael Ramirez, Disneyland’s Public Relations Director, confirmed on the Disney Parks Blog that both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure will be reopening with limited capacity, as well as several other major changes in line with the state’s Covid guidelines.
For example, a new theme park reservation system will require all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance, in order to keep numbers in check and promote social distancing. A similar system is already in place at Disney World in Orlando, which reopened with limited capacity in July 2020.
California first announced its reopening guidelines for theme parks in early March, stipulating that operations would be able to commence as of April 1, provided the surrounding county falls within an acceptable tier for decreased case numbers, and that specific risk-mitigating criteria were met. According to the state’s guidelines, theme parks that are located in counties that are in the red tier (the second-highest tier on the state’s coronavirus threat blueprint) can reopen with 15% capacity. If the county moves to the orange tier, the capacity bumps to 25%, and increases to 35% at the yellow tier (the lowest level on the state’s threat blueprint).
After a closure of almost a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, California health officials on Friday gave Walt Disney Co’s Disneyland and other theme parks the green light to reopen at limited capacity from April 1,
Theme parks, including Disneyland, will be allowed to open at 15% capacity if their county is in the red tier, the second-highest risk level, but only people who live in California can buy tickets.
The limited reopening would not include indoor rides, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, and theme parks initially would only be open to California residents.
Under the new guidelines, there will be both a building capacity limitation and a time limitation. A ride that takes place indoors or goes into a building for a brief period of time may open if it meets both of these requirements. Indoor dining will continue to be banned for the time being.
“California can begin gradually and safely bringing back more activities, especially those that occur outdoors and where consistent masking is possible,” Ghaly said. “Even with these changes, California retains some of the most robust public health protocols in the country.”
Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort, said in a statement that Disneyland can’t wait to welcome its guests back and is looking forward to sharing a reopening date soon.
“We are encouraged that theme parks now have a path toward reopening this spring, getting thousands of people back to work and greatly helping neighboring businesses and our entire community,” Potrock said.
Orange County, where Disneyland is still in the purple tier for “widespread” risk – only one tier away from reopening-capable red.
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Disney World could be getting new characters including a few from the hit Disney+ series The Madalorian.
Currently Galaxy’s Edge is centered on the events and characters from the sequel trilogy, but it looks like Disney is ready to expand the experience to include other characters.
According to Disney historian Jim Hill, on the most recent episode of his Disney Dish podcast, characters from The Mandalorian may soon roam freely in Galaxy’s Edge. Hill states that The Mandalorian, The Child, and characters like Boba Fett and Bo Katan, could soon make appearances at Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu.
Hill also indicated that Kylo Ren’s ship could be replaced by Mando’s ship. the Razor Crest. Regardless of the ship’s destruction in The Mandalorian season 2, the Razor Crest was also a key part of the show.
The 14-acre Star Wars-themed land can be found at both Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Although the Disneyland version remains closed pending Disneyland Resort’s reopening following its pandemic-related closure, Disney World’s version of Galaxy’s Edge has been open — at limited capacity and with a variety of health and safety protocols — since July.
Disneyland recently announced the end of thier annual passholder program, but now they have announced that Annual Passholders who held active Passports as of March 14, 2020 will be designated as Disneyland Resort Legacy Passholders and still recieve special benefits.
“As a Legacy Passholder, there are magical extras that celebrate you. From special offerings and Park news to discounts on select food and beverages and merchandise at select locations in Downtown Disney District and Buena Vista Street,” Disney said in an email sent to former Disneyland Passholders.
Disney took to Twitter today to share the new Annual Pass news for “Legacy Passholders,” as you can see in the post below:
Welcome, Disneyland Resort Legacy Passholders! Thank you for having been a Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder as of March 14, 2020, the date of our Parks’ closure. Get ready to be delighted with magical extras that celebrate you.
— Disneyland Legacy Passholders (@DisneylandAP) January 27, 2021
The Disneyland legacy passholder website promises additional unannounced “special surprise and delight moments” are still to come.
“We’re working on adding more magic during this limited time,” according to the legacy passholder website. “So, get ready to be surprised, delighted and, most of all, celebrated — because that’s what being a Disneyland Resort Legacy Passholder is all about.”
Today, Disney announced that they are building on the story of the Jungle Cruise at both Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.
The additions will include new adventures that stay true to the experience you know and love – more humor, wildlife and skipper heart – and also reflect and value the diversity of the world around us.
Take a look at the details in the video below:
“As Imagineers, it is our responsibility to ensure experiences we create and stories we share reflect the voices and perspectives of the world around us,” Carmen Smith, creative development and inclusion strategies executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, said in a statement. “With Jungle Cruise, we’re bringing to life more of what people love – the humor and wit of our incredible skippers, while making needed updates.” Disney engaged several cultural advisers to weigh in.
The ride, which takes passengers on “scenic and comedic boat tour of exotic rivers across Asia, Africa and South America,” according to its Disney World’s description, had been criticized for its depictions of Indigenous people.
Disneyland has canceled its annual passholder program.
The company updated its current annual passport page online to alert customers that it will, “be issuing appropriate refunds for eligible Disneyland Resort Annual Passports and sunsetting the current Annual Passport program.”
“We want to thank our Annual Passholders for their understanding during this closure period,” Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock wrote in a statement published on Disney Parks’ Twitter as you can see below:
The move was made out of concern that demand by fans using the popular membership program could overwhelm Disney’s capacity-constrained Anaheim theme parks once an extended coronavirus closure eventually comes to an end.
“Due to the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and limitations around the reopening of our California theme parks, we will be issuing appropriate refunds for eligible Disneyland Resort Annual Passports and sunsetting the current program. We are currently developing new membership offerings that will utilize consumer insights to deliver choice, flexibility, and value for our biggest fans,” Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock said in a statement.
Disneyland will offer a pro rata refund, which is the total value of the passport minus the usable value left, to eligible customers. Customers can check online for more information on how to get and calculate their refund.
In a recent D23 fan club email, Disney confirmed that Avengers Campus, the upcoming Marvel-themed attraction at Disney’s California Adventure park, is expected to open in this year.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Disneyland had to alter or delay many of its plans for 2020. While the park has been closed since March of last year and still has no confirmed date for reopening, the company is apparently planning to get back on schedule and Avengers Campus will debut in 2021 in California Adventure at Disneyland Resort.
Avengers Campus invites you to team up with the Avengers and their allies in a fully immersive land at Disney California Adventure park. Avengers Campus is comprised of several heroic locations—each hosted by a different Super Hero or their ally—to share their unique powers, technology and knowledge with recruits. Take a look below at all the details:
Sling webs with Spider-Man
The first key location, the Worldwide Engineering Brigade—also known as WEB—is home to the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature a favorite neighborhood her: Spider-Man. This new family-friendly attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, invites guests to put their web-slinging skills to the test.
The innovative technology adapted specifically for this attraction includes a seamless blend of 3D and new interface, which allows guests to go on a mission and experience what it’s like to have super powers and sling webs alongside Spider-Man.
WEB is all about how bright young innovators like Peter Parker are inventing new technologies that let all of us become Super Heroes. Being able to authentically represent Peter’s character was a critical element to our story, and thanks to our Studio partners, I’m excited to share that Tom Holland will reprise his role as part of this attraction experience. It was an honor to get to work with Tom, and I can’t wait for guests to experience the amazing talent, humor, and heart he’s bringing to this attraction when it opens this summer.
“Suit up” with the latest gear, including Spider-Bots from WEB
The WEB Suppliers store is where you will find the latest WEB inventions, including interactive Spider-Bots much like the ones you will see in the new attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. Each Spider-Bot has a remote control, and all eight articulated legs move forward and backward. Best of all, you can tap into your inner WEB inventor by customizing your Spider-Bot with tactical upgrades to harness the powers and styles of favorite Super Heroes, including Black Panther, Iron Man and Black Widow, as well as Ant-Man and The Wasp.
Other must-have items at WEB Suppliers include a specially-designed backpack to carry Spider-Bots when they are not in action, Spider-Man light goggles, a take-home spider web kit and Funko Pop! vinyl figurines of Spider-Man and Iron Man.
Nearby, the Campus Supply Pod is the place to power up with official Avengers Campus gear, including performance fleece hoodies and tees, headwear, drinkware and other Super Hero supplies.
Enjoy tiny treats and big bites
When it’s time to take a break from the heroics, three new dining spots at Avengers Campus will offer dishes that are rich in both flavor and storytelling.
Pym Test Kitchen is a food innovation science lab where the food and drinks tell a story. Just as Ant-Man and The Wasp use “Pym Particles” to grow and shrink just about anything, Pym Technologies applies this innovative science to the creation of shareable bites, inventive-sized entrees and sweet treats. You will be able to taste-test such items as the Impossible™ plant-based large and micro meatballs with pasta, or the “Pym-ini,” a panini served by the slice or as a long, multi-portion sandwich.
Adjacent to the Pym Test Kitchen, an oversized beer can overhead signals that grown-up beverage tastings are available at Pym Tasting Lab. Adults can order a craft beer, ranging from a blood orange hefeweizen to an amber lager or try one of the Pym Research Staff’s Pym Particle-infused cocktail experiments.
Next, the Avengers have invited the crew of their favorite “shawarma joint” in New York, the Shawarma Palace, to open a second location at the Campus. Enjoy favorite shawarma-inspired snacks at this food cart, which is decked out with memorabilia since the Shawarma Palace owners are huge Avenger fans. Lastly, Taneleer Tivan did not limit his collection to lovable misfits; he is also curating a weird and wonderful menu of intergalactic eats at the Terran Treats food cart near Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy
Speaking of, we will continue to celebrate Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, the fan-favorite attraction that opened in 2017, as one of the anchor attractions of Avengers Campus. This rockin’ adventure blasts you straight into the “Guardians of the Galaxy” story, alongside characters from the blockbuster films and comics. As you help Rocket bust his pals out of the Collector’s Fortress, you will experience raucous mayhem, music inspired by the soundtracks from the movies and thrilling free-fall drop sequences!
Encounter a formidable villain in a land full of heroes
Last but certainly not least, throughout Avengers Campus, Super Heroes will come to life in ways that are more exciting than ever. You may have heroic encounters with Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, the Dora Milaje, Thor and even villains like Loki. We’re excited to also share that Ant-Man and The Wasp will be making their first appearances in the park, and Iron Man himself will be debuting his new armor in Avengers Campus: the Mark 80.
You may even have the chance to witness Spider-Man swinging into action high above Avengers Campus with gravity-defying, acrobatic feats never seen before in a Disney theme park.
At a nearby ancient sanctum, Doctor Strange will train recruits in the mystic arts by bringing this ancient sanctum to life with powerful spells. At night, the area glows even more vividly with majestic colors and lights, pulsating with mystic energy.
Finally, every hero needs a formidable villain to fight… the villainous Taskmaster, who will have a role in the upcoming film “Black Widow,” will be seen for the first time at a Disney park at Avengers Campus. Taskmaster’s abilities include photographic reflexes. Taskmaster can replicate Super Hero moves, making this new villain a balanced foe for the Campus heroes.
California released its long-awaited guidance for how theme parks in the state can safely reopen and it appears Disneyland will likely stay closed for several more weeks.
California will allow large theme parks to reopen with modifications when the counties where they’re located move into the state’s least-restrictive “yellow” tier, a change that likely puts theme parks at least weeks — and potentially months — away from resuming operations.
Orange County, where Disneyland is located, is currently in the second, “red” tier of the state’s four-tier reopening system, which represents a “substantial” spread of the virus. Under state guidelines, all theme parks must remain closed under this tier. Disney’s California Adventure theme park will also remain closed because Los Angeles County is also in a “widespread” tier.
The announcement was made Tuesday by California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, who released the state’s much-anticipated reopening protocols for theme parks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines had been expected earlier this month but were delayed.
When theme parks do welcome back guests, larger locations will have to limit capacity to 25% and must require advance reservations, Ghaly said. Visitors will also have to wear face masks while in the parks, except when eating and drinking.
Just minutes after California’s Director of Health and Human Services on Tuesday unveiled restrictive new guidelines under which amusement parks in the state could reopen, the industry fired back.
“We have proven that we can responsibly reopen, with science-based health and safety protocols strictly enforced at our theme park properties around the world,” said Disneyland Resort president Ken Potrock. “Nevertheless, the State of California continues to ignore this fact, instead mandating arbitrary guidelines that it knows are unworkable and that hold us to a standard vastly different from other reopened businesses and state-operated facilities.”
Disney reopened its Florida theme parks in July with safety protocols and health measures that included reduced capacity at its parks and requiring all employees and guests to wear masks.
