This week, the D23 fan club is full of parks fun, a panel that isn’t just for moms anymore, surprising work going on in the parks, cast members are getting care packages, Halloween is here, we discuss “Master Gracey”, and more!
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News:
D23, The Official Disney Fan Club is celebrating 65 years of the Disney Theme Park. The fall issue of the D23 magazine is dedicated to Disney theme parks. Included is a postcard set for members featuring Disney resorts around the world. D23.com will feature stories about Disney parks, including movies filmed in the parks and vintage parks recipes. An exclusive pin set with 6 pins, available August 31st to D23 Gold members for $49.99. There will be a Disney Imagineer virtual panel on August 21st through 23rd. For those of you who love our trivia, there will be a D23 trivia night on August 28th. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/first-look-d23-celebrates-65-years-of-the-disney-theme-park/ and https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/d23-celebrates-65-years-of-disney-theme-parks-with-fall-2020-issue-of-disney-twenty-three-gold-and-gold-family-member-exclusive-pin-set-on-shopdisney/
As we mentioned earlier, D23 is hosting some amazing events for the 65th anniversary of Disney Theme Parks. On August 21st through 23rd, a panel discussion that was originally recorded on July 17th for Imagineers and Cast Members will be available to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members. The viewing is free with membership, but you must request a ticket at the link in our show notes. The panel shares personal stories and fun memories about projects that they worked on at Disneyland through the decades. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/08/d23-to-screen-disney-imagineers-celebrate-65-years-of-disneyland-park-panel-for-gold-and-gold-family-members-august-21st-23rd/
The Disney Parks Moms Panel, which is made up of more than just moms and parents, has updated their name to something more accurate. planDisney is a set of expert Disney guests who offer different opinions and perspectives on guest questions. The planDisney panel covers Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club. Additionally, they can answer questions in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/plandisney-officially-replaces-disney-parks-moms-panel/
In a bit of a surprise, there is more work happening around the resort than would be expected with the parks shutdown. The Emporium on Main Street is surrounded by scaffolding and is probably being repainted. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is also very active at the moment, not showing any signs of slowing down progress. – https://www.micechat.com/266881-disneyland-update-magic-mayhem-parks-bleed-billions/
We wouldn’t count on anything for sure, but the Disneyland Hotels are accepting reservations starting in October as of now. As we have reported on numerous times now, these dates keep getting announced and pushed back. The fact that reservations are open does not mean that the parks are going to be open, or that the reservations won’t be delayed further. – https://www.micechat.com/266881-disneyland-update-magic-mayhem-parks-bleed-billions/
Cast Members that are returning to work at Disneyland will be provided with a special care package that includes face masks, thermometer, hand sanitizer, and a pamphlet with cast member resources. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/disneyland-resort-provides-care-packages-with-face-masks-hand-sanitizer-and-more-for-all-cast-members-returning-to-work/
California State Officials are currently reviewing and working on how and when to allow theme parks such as Disneyland to reopen in the state. Once they have come up with a plan that will provide detailed guidance, the California Department of Public Health will work with the theme parks to open. There is currently no time frame on when this might be, as conditions continue to change in the state. – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/08/10/state-reviewing-how-and-when-to-reopen-disneyland-and-other-california-theme-parks/
The Morning Consult research company and the Hollywood Reporter surveyed 2,200 people in late July about how safe they would feel retuning to Disneyland and other theme parks. 78% of those surveyed had no interest in any theme park this summer. Attendance caps and sanitzation stations are helping respondents to feel safer going back to the parks. However, 20% of parents are less likely to visit when masks are required. – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/08/08/parents-not-ready-to-take-their-kids-to-disneyland-poll-finds/ and https://www.mouseplanet.com/12725/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_August_10__15_2020#news1 and https://morningconsult.com/2020/07/31/parents-theme-parks-disney-coronavirus/
Disney on the high seas is also not an option with the Disney Cruise Line canceling all sailings through the month of October. This doesn’t just impact Disney, as the Cruise Lines International Association was the ones who mandated the suspension of sailings. – https://www.micechat.com/266881-disneyland-update-magic-mayhem-parks-bleed-billions/
It is barely August which means that Halloween season has started! shopDIsney has released some new Halloween merchandise from the parks. Each of the items come in Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions. Items include t-shirts, a painted pumpkins mystery pin set, spirit jersey, villains fleece throw, and more. For direct links to all the items, check out the link in our show notes. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/shop-new-disney-parks-halloween-2020-merchandise-now-available-on-shopdisney/
Those of you collecting the Minnie the Main Attraction sets, this week we got a preview of the next TWO sets! Dumbo and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are coming next. The Dumbo set is very vibrant and colorful, just like the classic attraction. The Big Thunder set is designed with denim and bandana style elements. These sets will be released in August and September and you must use the MerchPass system to enter for a chance to buy the items. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/photos-sneak-peek-at-new-dumbo-the-flying-elephant-and-big-thunder-mountain-railroad-collection-for-upcoming-minnie-mouse-the-main-attraction-series-releases/
Have you always wanted to see your name up in lights? The El Capitan theatre in Hollywood wants to help you out! Packages starting at $25 will allow you to have your name or message displayed on the large marquee of the theatre. The $25 package is just a digital photo of the marquee displaying your message, up to the $200 package that will have your message appear in rotation for 8 hours, appearing at least once per hour. – https://elcapitantheatre.com/marqueemessages
The Imagineer behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Joe Rohde, along with his family, created a five-part video series on the design and inspiration of Animal Kingdom, called The Rohde’s Less Traveled. The inspiration behind this series was being stuck at home together during quarantine. The Rohde family of four has writers, a director, a cameraman, a producer, and Joe as the talking head, making this project possible. The series had to use photos, videos, and items from around their house to tell stories about Animal Kingdom. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/the-rohdes-less-traveled-inside-the-design-and-inspiration-of-disneys-animal-kingdom-theme-park/
Something not directly related to the parks, but we thought was important to include are the new adaptive costumes and wheelchair covers now available at shopDisney. The adaptive costumes have flap openings on the front that allow for easy tube access, with a self stick closure, and an ankle length skirt to accommodate seated guests. The skirt is also open in the back for wheelchair-friendly wear, and a stretch fabric that opens in the back as well. The wheelchair accessory has hook and loop tabs for attaching to a wheelchair and easy to assemble support bars for the covering. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/08/shop-new-adaptive-cinderella-costume-and-coach-wheelchair-cover-set-bring-magic-to-shopdisney/
Discussion Topic:
Yale Gracey
MousePlanet – https://www.mouseplanet.com/11887/The_Wizard_of_WED_Yale_Gracey
D23 – https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/yale-gracey/
Reimagining the Imagineers – https://reimaginingtheimagineers.wordpress.com/2016/10/13/remembering-yale-gracey-our-ghost-host/
Haunted Mansion – https://hauntedmansion.fandom.com/wiki/Yale_Gracey
