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Show Notes for Episode 282

Former WED Enterprises Research Analyst

In this episode we welcome former Disneyland Cast Member and WED / Imagineering Research Analyst Melissa Rhone to talk all about her career with Disney. She worked with some of the Disney Legends who worked with Walt. She was there during a very interesting time late 70's and early 80s. Enjoy this great conversation, plus the latest in the Disneyland Resort Current Events.

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​Disneyland Resort Current Event

 

                                                                         ***BREAKING NEWS***

 

​Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 (Corona) Virus, ALL Disney Parks, Cruise Lines, and Disney Vacation Club Resorts will be closed until further notice:

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​Disney is over whelmed with people attempting to rebook / Cancel so please be patient with them. They are modifying their cancelation policy to accommodate guests. Many booking services can be handled online (links above). They are reportedly going to extend AP's by one month.

 

Please be sure to follow CDC and your State's guidelines during this crisis. We will get through this.



Marvel reveals Spider-Man comic based on Web Slingers ride coming to Avengers Campus
The first issue of the “W.E.B. of Spider-Man” comic series debuting in June will feature a storyline based on the new interactive dark ride set to open at the Anaheim theme park on July 18.
By Brady MacDonald PUBLISHED: March 30, 2020.

"A new Spider-Man comic from Marvel will offer the first glimpse of what riders can expect aboard the Web Slingers attraction coming to Avengers Campus once Disney California Adventure reopens after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The first issue of the 'W.E.B. of Spider-Man' comic series debuting in June will feature a storyline based on the new interactive dark ride set to open at the Anaheim theme park on July 18."
...
"The new Web Slingers dark ride coming to Avengers Campus will use gesture-recognition technology that will track the body and eye movements of riders as they sling virtual webs from their wrists."

Orange County Register


Disney delays opening of new Marvel Avengers Campus amid coronavirus shutdown
The previously announced July 18 opening date for the new Avengers Campus coming to Disney California Adventure has been delayed, according to Disney officials.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 10, 2020

"The Disneyland website that once proclaimed Avengers Campus would be “opening July 18” now says the new Marvel themed land is 'coming soon.'"

Orange County Register



DELAYED: Disneyland Avengers Campus Opening Officially Pushed Back
By Dusty Sage
April 10, 2020

"It comes as no surprise that language regarding the opening of the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure has been changed from July 18th to 'Coming Soon' on the Disneyland website. 

"All work on Avengers Campus, and all other construction projects at the Disneyland Resort, have been suspended due to direction from health and government officials. As a result, all projects are delayed, including the highly anticipated Avengers Campus."

MiceChat



Disneyland reaches furlough agreements with 10 unions
The agreement on a furlough beginning April 19 was reached with unions representing food and beverage workers, pyrotechnicians, sound mechanics, stage managers, stage technicians and other employees at the Disneyland resort.
By Brady MacDonald
UPDATED: April 10, 2020

"Disneyland has reached agreements with 10 unions on a temporary furlough triggered by the continuing closure of the Anaheim theme park during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The agreement on a furlough beginning April 19 was reached with unions representing food and beverage workers, pyrotechnicians, sound mechanics, stage managers, stage technicians and other employees at the Disneyland resort.

"'Disney has reached agreements with several unions for hourly cast members that will maintain members’ health insurance benefits coverage, educational support and additional employee assistance programs during a temporary furlough effective April 19,' Disney said in a statement." ...

"Disneyland employees, known as cast members in Disney parlance, will continue to be paid through April 18 during the coronavirus closures of the parks. Disney recently announced that executives would take temporary pay cuts of 20% to 30% with the company’s top leaders taking even deeper salary reductions."

Orange County Register



UPDATED: Disney Reaches Furlough Agreement with Unions
By Dusty Sage
April 9, 2020

"It is important to note that those employees who currently have medical plans through the company will keep those plans. The same is true for the Disney Aspire program, which pays for employees to attend college while employed with the company. Those participants will remain in Aspire while they are furloughed so they may continue their educations!"

MiceChat


Disneyland reaches furlough agreement with union employees
The agreement on a furlough beginning April 19 was reached with the Independent Employee Service Association that represents Disneyland security employees.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 8, 2020

"The agreement on a furlough beginning April 19 was reached with the Independent Employee Service Association that represents Disneyland security employees."

Orange County Register


Disneyland union leaders remain in talks with company: ‘The furlough is going to happen’
Disneyland union leaders remain in negotiations with Disney labor relations officials over the details of an impending furlough that has already been issued to the company’s non-union theme park employees in the United States.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 3, 2020

"Disney announced on Thursday, April 2 that it will furlough non-essential employees at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts on April 19 because of the continuing closure of the company’s U.S. theme parks during the COVID-19 pandemic."
...
"Disneyland’s union employees make up at least 28,000 of the 31,000 cast members at the two Anaheim theme parks."

Orange County Register



Disney furloughs non-essential employees at U.S. theme parks
A letter from Disney about the temporary, short-term furlough was sent to U.S.-based executives, salaried and non-union hourly employees of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 2, 2020

"A letter from Disney about the temporary, short-term furlough was sent to U.S.-based executives, salaried and non-union hourly employees of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products."

Orange County Register


Disneyland All-American band suspends 50th anniversary season due to COVID-19 pandemic
The upcoming 2020 summer season would have marked the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland All-American College Band at the Anaheim theme park.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 8, 2020

"Since 1971, the All-American College Band has performed in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, along Main Street U.S.A. and in Disneyland’s Town Square."
...
"Band members are selected from 300-plus applicants each year from colleges across the United States. The hands-on training is designed to prepare the band members for careers in the music industry."

Orange County Register



Disney California Adventure postpones sold-out Villains Nite due to coronavirus closure
The separate-admission Villains Nite event was scheduled for April 30 at Disney California Adventure.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 7, 2020

"The separate-admission Villains Nite event scheduled for April 30 at Disney California Adventure was expected to feature a cabaret-style musical revue with Disney’s most famous bad guys and gals."

Orange County Register


Disneyland halts annual passholder payments during coronavirus closure
The change to the annual passholder payment policy was posted as update to the Disneyland website.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 2, 2020

"Disneyland will halt annual pass payments for passholders who have paid for a full year and those on the monthly payment plan while the Anaheim theme park remains closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic."
...
"Disneyland had angered passholders by continuing to charge its most die-hard fans who use the annual pass monthly payment plan and refusing to defer payments while the Anaheim theme parks remain closed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy change seeks to undo the potential damage to the company’s cherished brand loyalty.

"Disneyland passholders who have paid in full for their annual passes can receive a partial refund for the theme park closure period."
...
"'Payments will resume on the passholders regularly scheduled payment dates once the parks reopen,' according to the Disneyland website."

Orange County Register



Disneyland passholders angry that company keeps billing them during coronavirus closure
Passholders are outraged that Disney continues to charge its most die-hard fans who use the annual pass monthly payment plan and won’t defer payments while the Anaheim theme parks remain closed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Brady MacDonald
UPDATED: April 2, 2020.

"Disneyland passholders are outraged that Disney continues to charge its most die-hard fans who use the annual pass monthly payment plan and won’t defer payments while the Anaheim theme parks remain closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic."
...
"Annual passports, which offer year-round access to the parks on select days, range in price from the $419 for the Select annual pass with the most block out days to the $1,449 Signature Plus pass that provides unlimited access to Disney’s Anaheim theme parks. Disneyland raised prices on its annual passes in February to $649 for the Flex pass, $829 for the Deluxe pass and $1,199 for the Signature pass.

"Disneyland will extend the expiration dates for passholders who have annual passes that are valid during the continuing coronavirus closure."
...
"Passholders on the monthly payment plan will continue to make their scheduled payments and will not be required to make any payments during the extended period."
...
"The fine print in the annual pass contract clearly states Disneyland is not liable for park closures."

Orange County Register


Disneyland and Walt Disney World Halt Annual Passport Monthly Payments
April 2, 2020

"If you’re a Disneyland or Walt Disney World annual passholder, you’re no longer on the hook for your monthly payments for now. Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World just updated their Travel Information page to reflect changes in its policies during the resort closure."

MiceChat



Hotels near Disneyland are taking reservations — but only for June 1 and after
New reservations for the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel are currently available for travel dates on June 1 and later.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 30, 2020

"New reservations for the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel are currently available for travel dates on June 1 and later, according to the Disneyland website."

Orange County Register


Disneyland crowds expected to bounce back after coronavirus closure, analysts say
Touring Plans projects that Disneyland will rebound from the coronavirus closure within two months and see a surge in attendance as visitors reschedule canceled vacations.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 1, 2020

"Disneyland is expected to see an initial reduction in attendance after reopening following the COVID-19 crisis before bouncing back with higher than usual crowd levels, according to new data from theme park analysts.

"Touring Plans, which uses big data and statistical analysis to calculate daily crowd sizes and ride wait times at theme parks, projects that Disneyland will rebound from the coronavirus closure within two months and see a surge in attendance as visitors reschedule canceled vacations."
...
"Touring Plans has modeled a series of scenarios with a variety of reopening dates — from late April and early June to the beginning of July and August. The attendance recovery patterns remain consistent with park reopenings that begin in April, May or June. But trouble arises if Disneyland’s reopening gets pushed into late summer, the Touring Plans data shows."

Orange County Register


Disneyland might check your temperature before letting you in after coronavirus shutdown
Disney is preparing for a post-COVID-19 world where theme park visitors demand more scrutiny in order to feel safe, according to Disney executive chairman Bob Iger.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 7, 2020

"Disney executive chairman Bob Iger discussed how security precautions at Disney theme parks could change after the coronavirus crisis in an interview with Barron’s.

"'Just as we now do bag checks for everybody that goes into our parks, it could be that at some point we add a component of that that takes people’s temperatures, as a for-instance,' Iger told Barron’s."

Orange County Register


Disney Theme Parks May Conduct Temperature Checks on Guests
April 8, 2020

"Much has been written here at MiceChat about how the theme parks might reopen in the shadow of a world health crisis. Unless the virus is rendered harmless by a vaccine, would enough guests feel comfortable returning for the parks to operate successfully? What procedures might Disney implement to reassure guests they aren’t putting their health at risk?"

MiceChat


Disneyland plans $200,000 renovation of Frontierland gate when park reopens after coronavirus closure
A building permit filed with the city of Anaheim calls for the replacement of a pair of 15-foot-tall faux wooden gates and a 16-foot-long marquee along with the widening of an existing bridge at the Frontierland entrance, according to public records.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: April 9, 2020

"Disneyland plans a $200,000 renovation of the Frontierland entrance designed to improve pedestrian traffic flow after the Anaheim theme park reopens following the current coronavirus closure.

"A building permit filed with the city of Anaheim before the coronavirus closure of the park calls for the replacement of a pair of 15-foot-tall faux wooden gates and a 16-foot-long marquee along with the widening of an existing bridge at the Frontierland entrance, according to public records."
...
"An aerial video taken by Disney-owned KABC in Los Angeles shortly after Disneyland closed due to the coronavirus outbreak showed visible work on the hub entrance leading to Frontierland where brick pavers had been removed from the walkway.

"Work on the brick walkway around the hub has been halted along with other construction and refurbishment projects at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. The curb lowering work around the park’s central hub is part of the continuing Project Stardust initiative that has widened walkways, shrunk planters and reduced curbing throughout the park."

Orange County Register


Aerial video shows Disneyland castle, Matterhorn mountain and Galaxy’s Edge during coronavirus closure
The 50-second video from Disney-owned KABC in Los Angeles serves as the first semi-official look inside Disneyland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 31, 2020

"The 50-second video from Disney-owned KABC in Los Angeles serves as the first semi-official look inside Disneyland during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rare overhead view shows the Loneliest Place on Earth without the 51,000 visitors that jam the theme park on a typical day."

Orange County Register


Aerial video and photos show eerie Disneyland ‘ghost town’ during coronavirus closure
The aerial footage offers a panoramic overhead view of Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney without the 78,000 visitors that jam the theme parks and shopping mall on a typical day.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 28, 2020

"The video begins with a shot of the empty front gate area of Disneyland with the iconic Mickey Mouse floral garden in the background and the Disneyland railroad station on the park’s berm.

"An aerial shot of Main Street U.S.A. shows the pedestrian-free entry promenade in a rare overhead view of the park. The camera zooms in on the shuttered Penny Arcade and Emporium gift shop near Disneyland’s Town Square."

Orange County Register


Aerial Photos Show Disneyland Ghost Town


The U.S. Sun


Disneyland News Update – The Storm Before the Calm
By Dusty Sage
March 30, 2020

"For the health and safety of its cast members and contractors, all projects in the parks have been suspended.  The parks are currently being maintained and protected by a very small core group of essential employees. 

"Security is the largest crew and responsible for making sure that the entire Disneyland Resort area is locked down and that only essential staff are on site. The Disneyland Fire Department is also maintaining a presence. Although none of the construction, refurbishments, or maintenance is going on, there are still a small number of folks from various departments making sure that the parks remain in good condition.

"Horticulture is watering plants and maintaining gardens. Maintenance is making sure that water filtration, refrigerators, electrical and other essential facilities remain functional. Chefs show up from time to time to make sure that food, which can be stored, is maintained within acceptable parameters. A handful of custodial staff continues to clean everything. And, with the core crew in the parks working, there needs to be first aid as well. But, essentially, the park looks and feels empty."

MiceChat



Disneyland Update – Tomorrow is Another Day
By Dusty Sage -
April 6, 2020"It may seem like it’s been forever since we’ve been to Disneyland, but it’s only been three weeks (since Friday the 13th of March). Although, between the news about the parks, and all the photos, questions, polls and memories posted on social media, it feels very much to us like we are still there. Today we’ll update you on the latest news since our last Monday Update, and we’ll add a bunch of video and activities for you as well to help keep you occupied. Today’s reader section is devoted to Tomorrowland past and present. There are some real gems in this update for Disney fans to enjoy."


MiceChat

You can listen to show 282 on iTunes or go to Libsyn service here.