Disneyland Resort Current Event
Disneyland limits Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway to virtual queue and pay-to-play access
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway debuts on Jan. 27 as the centerpiece of the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown – which returns in March.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: January 18, 2023
“Disneyland visitors will be required to join a virtual queue or pay an Individual Lightning Lane line-cutting upcharge fee via the Disneyland app to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway beginning on Jan. 27 when the new attraction debuts. No standby line or general Genie+ access will be available for the attraction.”
…
“Virtual queue enrollments for Runaway Railway will open at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily with spots expected to be snapped up fast — typically in minutes and often within seconds.”
Orange County Register
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway to Open with Virtual Queue, Individual Lightning Lane at Disneyland Park
Jan 18, 2023
Laughing Place
Your Guide to Disneyland’s Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway!
By Dusty Sage -January 18, 2023
MiceChat
Disneyland starts work on San Fransokyo makeover of Pacific Wharf
Walt Disney Imagineering is turning the Monterey Bay-inspired food court at Disney California Adventure into an architectural cross between the San Francisco Bay and Tokyo Bay areas.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: January 13, 2023
“Work has started at Disney California Adventure to reimagine Pacific Wharf into San Fransokyo from Disney’s ‘Big Hero 6’ animated film, according to Disneyland officials.”
…
“The Pacific Wharf renovation will require Walt Disney Imagineering to turn the Monterey Bay-themed land into an architectural cross between the San Francisco Bay and Tokyo Bay areas.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland opening Tiana’s Palace restaurant in New Orleans Square
Disneyland will transform the French Market restaurant in New Orleans Square into Tiana’s Palace starting on Feb. 17.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: January 12, 2023
“Disneyland will transform the French Market restaurant in New Orleans Square into Tiana’s Palace starting on Feb. 17, according to the Disney Parks Blog. Tiana’s Palace and the adjacent Mint Julep Bar will reopen later this year.”
…
“While the Princess Tiana meet-and-greet character may frequent the New Orleans Square area around her Disneyland eatery, the new restaurant will not offer character dining.
“The theme park eatery and the restaurant run by Tiana in the animated movie share a long history. Filmmakers took inspiration from the exterior of Disneyland’s French Market when designing Tiana’s Palace for the movie.”
Orange County Register
Thu, January 12, 2023
Tiana’s Palace Coming to Disneyland Park Later this Year
by Kelsey Lynch, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2023/01/12/tianas-palace-to-replace-the-french-market-at-disneyland-later-this-year/
Tiana’s Palace to Replace The French Market at Disneyland Later This Year
Jan 12, 2023
Laughing Place
Earl of Sandwich pop-up shop coming to Downtown Disney
The Earl of Sandwich restaurant was torn down in February along with AMC Theatre, Starbucks West and Sugarboo and Co. as part of the renovation of the west end of Downtown Disney.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: January 9, 2023
“A new Porto’s Bakery & Eatery serving Cuban sweets and treats will eventually be built on the footprint of the La Brea Bakery location near the esplanade between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
“La Brea Bakery announced it was exiting the restaurant business on Monday, Jan. 9 after more than two decades of operation as one of the original businesses in Downtown Disney.
“Earl of Sandwich will have grab-and-go options while Earl of Sandwich Tavern will offer table service dining in the former La Brea Bakery location at Downtown Disney.”
Orange County Register
Mon, January 9, 2023
Downtown Disney District Welcomes Back Earl of Sandwich this February, More District Updates
by Valerie Lee, Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort
Disney Parks Blog
Earl of Sandwich Returning to Downtown Disney in February, Plus More District Updates
Jan 9, 2023
Laughing Place
Downtown Disney Updates! Earl of Sandwich, Porto’s Bakery, and More!
By Nathan Villamor -January 9, 2023
“The era of Downtown Disney’s La Brea Bakery has come to an end. The parent company of La Brea Bakery shared that as of today, La Brea Bakery’s cafe locations have now closed, including the one at Downtown Disney. However, there’s already something lined up to take its place…”
MiceChat
Thu, January 19, 2023
Disneyland Resort Honors Black History Month with ‘Celebrate Gospel’ and More
by Jessica Pineda, Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort
“During Black History Month in February, the Disney Parks Blog will celebrate Black stories and highlight special experiences at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.”
Disney Parks Blog
Disneyland Resort To “Celebrate Soulfully” All Year With New Offerings and Expanded Festivities In February
Jan 19, 2023
“Disneyland Resort is honoring Black Heritage and Culture throughout Black History Month and beyond, with special offerings throughout the year.”
Laughing Place
Disneyland resumes sales of Magic Key annual passes — but you better act fast
Disneyland reopened the online sales window for Magic Key annual passes on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: January 17, 2023
“Disneyland has started selling Magic Key annual passes again, but if history is any guide you’ll need to move fast and get lucky if you want to buy one.
“Disneyland reopened the online sales window for Magic Key annual passes on Tuesday, Jan. 17, according to the official Disneyland Magic Key Instagram page.”
…
“The $1,599 Inspire Key, $1,099 Believe Key and $449 Imagine Key were still available for purchase, according to an update posted to the Disneyland Magic Key website. The $699 Enchant Key was available for renewal only.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland Resumes New Sales of Most Magic Key Passes
Jan 17, 2023
Laughing Place
Disneyland annual passholders still need reservations after Disney World drops restrictions
Disney World annual passholders can visit after 2 p.m. without a theme park reservation beginning in a few months.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: January 11, 2023
“Disneyland is not dropping Magic Key annual passholder reservation restrictions like its Florida sister parks at Walt Disney World.”
…
“Disneyland just announced that the parkhopping start time would be moved up from 1 p.m. to 11 a.m. each day starting on Feb. 4.”
Orange County Register
Everything You Need To Know About Disneyland Magic Keys
By Dusty Sage -January 17, 2023
“Disneyland’s current annual pass program is called Magic Key. It works just like the old annual pass, but with required park reservations. Each of the keys has benefits and limitations. The program is so popular that individual keys sell out and become available again as inventory opens up. Below, find eveyrthing you need to know about Disneyland Magic Keys.”
MiceChat
Downtime up sharply on Disneyland’s $450 million Rise of the Resistance ride, data shows
“Ride stoppages on Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland rose from an average of 80 minutes a day in 2021 to 122 minutes a day in 2022, according to an analysis of Thrill Data metrics.”
…
“The Wall Street Journal reported that the identical Rise of the Resistance rides at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida cost $450 million each. Behind the scenes, the state-of-the-art ride is powered by 5 million lines of code running show systems and special effects on 50 computers.”
Orange County Register
Disneyland employees laughed at struggling disabled guest before deadly fall, lawsuit alleges
A wrongful death lawsuit against Disneyland alleges a 66-year-old Ventura County woman fell while getting out of a Jungle Cruise boat and died five months later due to complications from her injuries.
By BRIAN ROKOS and BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: January 19, 2023
“A wrongful death lawsuit against Disneyland, alleging that a 66-year-old Ventura County woman fell while getting out of a Jungle Cruise boat and died five months later due to complications from her injuries, has been assigned to a federal judge.
…
“Aguilar visited the Anaheim theme park on Aug. 22, 2021 with her adult daughters Andrea Mallul and Zenobia Hernandez, according to the lawsuit.
“When the family arrived at the Jungle Cruise attraction, the physically disabled Aguilar was told by Disneyland employees that a wheelchair-accessible boat was unavailable, according to the lawsuit.”
…
“Aguilar lost her balance on the unstable blocks, fell backward and fractured the femur in her right leg, according to the lawsuit.
“Aguilar was taken by ambulance to an Anaheim hospital where she underwent surgery and remained for 10 days. She moved to an Oxnard rehabilitation center where she stayed for five months. She got an infection, went into septic shock and died on Jan. 29, 2022, according to the lawsuit. The wrongful death suit alleges Aguilar ultimately died as a result of her injuries from the fall at Disneyland.”
…
“In Disney’s written response on Dec. 29, the company’s lawyers contended that Aguilar’s injuries were caused by her own conduct and negligence and that Disneyland did not discriminate against Aguilar or deny her equal access.”
Orange County Register
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Alleges Disneyland Cast Laughed At Struggling Disabled Guest Before Fall
Jan 18, 2023
Laughing Place
David Koenig: Trouble in the Jungle and Other Disneyland Legal Claims
By David Koenig -January 19, 2023
“For the first time in years, I returned to the Orange County Superior Courthouse to check up on the latest legal accusations against the Disneyland Resort. The biggest surprise? To see just how many lawsuits involved the disabled—roughly a third of the cases filed since my last visit. We can never know how many of these claims are true, partially true, or a fabrication just to get money from Disney. But it’s always interesting to see the messes Mickey is embroiled in…”
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – Magic Managed & A Soggy Start
By PhotoMatt -January 9, 2023
“So long Christmas! The holiday season has come to an end for SoCal theme parks, including Disneyland. While some of us will miss the sweet holiday memories in the park, there are some exciting things to look forward to this year— like the start of the Disney100 celebration at Disneyland. Today, let’s catch up on the latest news around Disneyland and give a soggy farewell to the holidays. There’s some very interesting news and rumors today from Downtown Disney as well, so let’s get to it…”
MiceChat
Disneyland Update: It’s a Wall World After All
By Lilliana Parker -January 16, 2023
“Yes, it’s that time of year again when the walls go up, and major construction and refurbishments begin around the Disneyland Resort. That’s a good thing too, many of the projects are sorely needed. There were also a few surprises this week, we’ll let you tell us if they were pleasant surprises or not. So, let’s take a look at what’s replacing the French Market, park-hopping changes, Anaheim Ducks Day, work beginning on San Fransokyo, a look at the fire damage at the New Orleans train station, and more… There’s a lot to get to this week. Let’s jump right into it, starting with a trip to Wall World.”
You can listen to show Current Events 1/20/2023 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.
Listen to our Show
Current Events 1/20/2023