Disneyland Resort Current Event
Anaheim council approves DisneylandForward, paving way for decades of new experiences
By MICHAEL SLATEN
UPDATED: April 24, 2024
"Disney’s proposal for growing its theme parks in Anaheim received approval from the Anaheim City Council early Wednesday, a consequential vote that will shape the resort and city for decades and is expected to bring in millions more visitors a year.
"The development agreement the city is agreeing to maps out where new theme park construction could occur over the next 40 years, giving Disney flexibility to determine what exactly would be built – though all still within the footprint of its current properties. The goal, Disney officials say, is to use underutilized land around the resort to build immersive experiences in Anaheim as the company has done elsewhere around the world."
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"The council unanimously approved the project at the end of an eight-hour-long meeting – the first of two needed votes. It will vote again on May 7 to fully approve the DisneylandForward plan."
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"The council heard presentations from Disney and listened to arguments for and against the project from dozens of people. There was much opposition over the sale of Magic Way to the company, which locals said they use to get to the 5 Freeway.
"The council’s final vote would sell Magic Way and sections of two other roads to the company for $40 million.
"Much of the development DisneylandFoward will clear the way for will occur in the parking lots bordered by Walnut Street and Disneyland Drive. The company has said it may also develop the Toy Story parking lot on the southeast corner of the resort with an eye toward catering more to locals with shopping and experiences modeled after Disney Springs in Walt Disney World."
Orange County Register
Anaheim expects economic boost from DisneylandForward
By MICHAEL SLATEN
UPDATED: April 24, 2024
"Following eight hours of public discussion, the City Council gave unanimous support for DisneylandForward early Wednesday morning, which is expected to pave the way for Anaheim to continue growing as a tourism destination and bring more investment into the region – the council has to take a second finalizing vote May 7.
"Council members seemed largely pleased with the DisneylandForward proposal, highlighting the years of public engagement they said occurred on the project, the expected economic boost, and the more than $100 million in community benefits to help the city address key issues."
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"The development agreement the city is agreeing to maps out where new theme park construction could occur over the next 40 years, giving Disney flexibility to determine what exactly would be built – though all still within the footprint of its current properties. The goal, Disney officials say, is to use underutilized land around the resort to build immersive experiences in Anaheim as the company has done elsewhere around the world."
Orange County Register
APPROVED(ish) – DisneylandForward Moves Forward!
By MiceChat Staff -April 17, 2024
MiceChat
Anaheim City Council Votes Unanimously in Favor of DisneylandForward Plan
by Luke Manning | Apr 17, 2024
Laughing Place
Disneyland’s Autopia cars to go fully electric by 2026
Closing and reopening dates have not yet been set for the Autopia update.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: April 19, 2024
"The gas-powered Autopia cars in Tomorrowland will become a thing of the past when Disneyland transforms the ride vehicles to fully electric power in an update that has been anticipated for decades but will still take several years to realize."
Orange County Register
Autopia is Confirmed To Be Going Fully Electric
by Marshal Knight | Apr 19, 2024
Laughing Place
Review: Pixar parade dancers outshine lackluster floats at Disneyland resort
Pixar Fest kicks off April 26 and runs through Aug. 4 at the Anaheim theme parks.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2024
"The new Pixar parade at Disney California Adventure got me dancing and humming along with the energetic performers and contagious soundtrack even if the floats left me underwhelmed.
"Pixar Fest kicks off on Friday, April 26 and runs through Aug. 4 with the returning “Together Forever” fireworks show at Disneyland, the new Better Together parade and Club Pixar dance party at Disney California Adventure and host of new themed food and drinks at both parks.
"The Better Together parade with a message of friendship and unity features seven parade units. A massive version of Pixar’s Luxo Jr. lamp kicks off the parade."
Orange County Register
Pixar Fest Arrives At Disneyland: Your Guide To Adventure!
By Dusty Sage -April 26, 2024
MiceChat
Have Disneyland Magic Key prices finally outpaced demand?
All four tiers of Magic Key annual passes went on sale in early March and six weeks later the three most expensive tiers are still available.
By BRADY MACDONALD
UPDATED: April 17, 2024
"Sales of all four tiers of Magic Key annual passes went on sale March 5 and six weeks later the three most expensive tiers are still available. The lowest-priced Imagine Key available only to Southern California residents sold out in less than nine hours."
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"Disneyland raised Magic Key prices in October to $1,649 for the Inspire Key, $1,249 for the Believe Key, $849 for the Enchant Key and $499 for the Imagine Key.
"Complaints about Disneyland annual passes are common on social media — from parking costs and ride breakdowns to food quality and customer service. But Magic Key price increases tend to be the proverbial “nail in the coffin” for annual passholders on the fence about renewing."
Orange County Register
Disneyland excludes disabled people with discriminatory policy, group says
A DAS Defenders letter to Disney executives and a Change.org petition call on Disneyland to revise its Disability Access Service policy and reverse recent updates to the program.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: April 22, 2024
"A group representing the disabled community is urging Disneyland and Disney World to reconsider recent “discriminatory” changes to the Disability Access Service program that exclude people with a wide array of disabilities.
"A DAS Defenders letter addressed to Disney CEO Bob Iger, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock and a Change.orgpetition with 9,000 supporters call on Disney to revise its Disability Access Service policy and reverse recent updates to the program."
Orange County Register
Disneyland replaces lamp posts as precautionary measure
Three Disneyland visitors were injured in November when a Town Square lamp post fell during high winds.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: April 19, 2024.
"Disneyland has begun removing and replacing lamp posts throughout the Anaheim theme park as a precautionary measure after high winds in November toppled a Town Square lamp post that left several visitors injured.
"Disneyland has removed and is replacing lamp posts near the Jolly Holiday and Rancho del Zocalo restaurants and Pirates of the Caribbean attraction as a precaution.
"Disneyland routinely inspects, maintains and replaces lamp poles as part of ongoing maintenance, according to Disneyland officials."
Orange County Register
Mickey, Minnie and other Disneyland character performers move one step closer to unionizing
Disneyland’s 1,700 character and parade performers file a petition to unionize under the Actors’ Equity Association.
By BRADY MACDONALD
PUBLISHED: April 17, 2024
"Disneyland’s 1,700 character and parade performers calling themselves Magic United filed a petition on Wednesday, April 17 with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize under the Actors’ Equity Association, according to the union."
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"A campaign launched in February has gathered union authorization signatures from more than 60% of the eligible Disneyland character and parade performers, according to Equity. The union has notified Disney of the signed petitions and is waiting to see if the company grants voluntary recognition.
"If Disney does not recognize Magic United, a union election with the NLRB will be held at Disneyland in May or June, according to Equity."
Orange County Register
Disneyland Parade and Character Cast Members File for Union Representation
by Mike Mack | Apr 17, 2024
Laughing Place
DISNEYLAND UPDATE: Goodbyes, Last Hurrahs & New Horizons!
By Suzanne Lee -April 15, 2024
MiceChat
DISNEYLAND UPDATE: Exciting Expansion, Pixar Surprise & Electric Tomorrow!
By Lilliana Parker -April 22, 2024
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Current Events 4/26/2024
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