Disney News

Tag: disneyland

  • Disneyland Lights Up Sleeping Beauty Castle Ahead of Reopening After Year-Long Shutdown

    Disneyland Lights Up Sleeping Beauty Castle Ahead of Reopening After Year-Long Shutdown

    Disneyland is preparing to reopen for the first time in a year and to mark the occasion, Disneyland lit up Sleeping Beauty’s castle as a symbol of hope and a show of gratitude to fans.

    In addition to the emotion-evoking illumination, there were a few notable appearances: Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort “… shared messages of optimism and gratitude to the cast members of the Disneyland Resort.”

    Also, Justin Rapp and Rafa Barron, took part in a livestream of the relighting as you can see below:

    “As cast members, we know the enormous effort it has taken to get back to this point and why returning to this happy place is so special for all of us,” Barron said, as Rapp called the feat “uplifting.”

    “Tonight, taking in the majesty of Sleeping Beauty Castle, we recognize its significance of the symbols of the hopes and dreams of so many,” Rapp added.

    The park reopens Friday, April 30 to guests who already have tickets and reservations, with plenty of COVID-19 protocols in place to keep everyone safe.

  • VIDEO: New Haunted Mansion Updates at Disneyland Revealed

    VIDEO: New Haunted Mansion Updates at Disneyland Revealed

    Upon your return to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland park, you may discover the ghosts have been busy updating a few elements in and around the estate…

    Outside, freshly landscaped details now adorn the site for dearly departed pets, representing their stories from beyond the grave.

    Inside, a keen eye will notice a few dastardly design embellishments along the portrait hallway, including the return of an old, perhaps familiar face. One of the Mansion’s original portraits known as “April to December” once again graces the hallway. As you step closer to your doom buggy, you’ll see the lovely young woman aging before your eyes! Take a look below to see some of the happy haunts’ handiwork:

  • New Mickey Mouse Disney Parks Balloon Light-Up Ears Headband

    New Mickey Mouse Disney Parks Balloon Light-Up Ears Headband

    You’ll definitely feel light headed when wearing this Disney Parks headband featuring pink and purple Mickey Mouse balloons inside the translucent ears.

    Decorated with ”Walt Disney World” and ”Disneyworld Resort” logos and Mickey faces, the light-up balloons are complemented by a light green velvet headband.

    You can find this Mickey Mouse Ballon Ears Headband at Fantasy Faire in the Magic Kingdom or online at shopDisney.com for $32.86.

    Magic in the details

    Created especially for Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort

    • Translucent ears feature pink and purple Mickey Mouse balloons inside
    • Pink balloon has ”Walt Disney World” logo
    • Purple balloon has ”Disneyland Resort” logo
    • Balloons light up
    • On/Off button
    • Velvet covering on headband
    • Headband features teeth for secure hold
    • One size fits most adults
  • Disneyland Unveils Theme Park Expansion Plans

    Disneyland Unveils Theme Park Expansion Plans

    In a press briefing given on Thursday, Disneyland has revealed its plans for a major expansion of its theme parks.

    The DisneylandForward project updates the blueprint of the resort area and reimagines the area, growing the Disneyland resort and adding a mix of hotels, retail, dining and entertainment to the eastern and western edges of the property.

    On the west side of the resort, near Downtown Disney and the Lilo and Stitch parking lots, there are plans for a possible third theme park that would weave around the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel.

    During a media briefing, officials noted that this would be more an expansion of the current theme parks rather than a “third gate.”

    The east side expansion included theme park experiences, hotels, retail, dining and entertainment in what is currently the Toy Story parking lot next to the Anaheim Convention Center. The plans also call for new parking on Disney Way.

    “What we do know today is that guests need and want more,” said Walt Disney Imagineering Jeanette Lomboy. “In order to give guests what they want, we need more flexibility here in Anaheim. Guests are demanding immersive integrated experiences that are not singular in their uses. We no longer think of uses as separate. Retail, dining, entertainment, theme parks and hotels are all part of the same experiences in the same place. And we need the space in our lands to create story-rich environments.”

    Disneyland is hoping for flexibility from the city of Anaheim. The project would need to be approved by city leaders and a back-and-forth planning phase is expected to last two years before any decisions are made.

  • New Character Being Added to Jungle Cruise Updated Backstory at Disney World and Disneyland

    New Character Being Added to Jungle Cruise Updated Backstory at Disney World and Disneyland

    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!

  • No screaming on roller coasters under California’s COVID-19 plan

    No screaming on roller coasters under California’s COVID-19 plan

    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.

  • Disneyland Sets Reopening Date with Limited Capacity

    Disneyland Sets Reopening Date with Limited Capacity

    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).

  • BREAKING: Disneyland Can Reopen April 1 with Limited Capacity

    BREAKING: Disneyland Can Reopen April 1 with Limited Capacity

    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.

  • Characters from ‘The Mandalorian Could be Headed to Galaxy’s Edge Replacing Sequel Trilogy Characters

    Characters from ‘The Mandalorian Could be Headed to Galaxy’s Edge Replacing Sequel Trilogy Characters

    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.

  • Disney Resort Shampoo and Other Amenities are Available to Purchase for Home Use

    Disney Resort Shampoo and Other Amenities are Available to Purchase for Home Use

    Taking home a few “extra” shampoos and conditioners after your Disney World resort stay is a thing of the past ever since refillable dispensers were added to Resort rooms. But thanks to H2O+ you can still purchase Disney Resort amenities to use at home.

    There are certain scents throughout the Disney Parks and Resorts that everyone wishes they could bottle up and take home with to enjoy for years to come and thanks to H2O+ it’s possible!

    H2O+ provides luxurious in-room amenities for over 43,000 resort rooms at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa and Disney Cruise Line.

    Guests can find some of those same amenities at the individual resort gift shops and on shopDisney.com, allowing them to take a scent of the magic home.

    The refreshing body wash boasts mineral-rich sea salt and vitamin E for soft skin while the lotion is formulated with shea butter to replenish hydration. All of the in-room amenities feature a recognizable oceanside scent, infused with green tea extract, imparting a refreshing aroma.