DLW 048: Going Backstage with Former Cast Member Daniel

September 12, 2018

This week we discuss the gingerbread house in Haunted Mansion Holiday, increased flow projects, resort hotel dining changes, Pixar Fest sticking around, a former cast member joins us to talk Space Mountain, and more!

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News this Week:

With the start of Halloween time at the resort, the annual gingerbread house has debuted. This years design utilizes 90 pounds of gingerbread, 30 pounds of confectioners sugar, 10 pounds of white chocolate, and 45 pounds of fondant. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/09/first-look-2018-haunted-mansion-holiday-gingerbread-house-at-disneyland-park

In a continuing effort to add additional room for guests to get around the park when Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opens, even more work is going on to widen walkways and remove obstructions. Last week the constructions walls came down around the Haunted Mansion and revealed that they had taken out the planter that was once infront of the fence. The large planter that was near Cafe Orleans has also been removed. This week, they are working to widen the bridges to Adventureland and Fantasyland. The walkway on the west side of the castle is also being worked on to add additional space. The benches along the pillars for the old People Mover track are also being removed. Rumor has it that the tracks could be coming down entirely later this year. – https://micechat.com/206087-disneyland-update-monorail-blues-and-wall-o-ween/

Benches and foliage aren’t the only thing getting the axe at the park. The Hook and Ladder band that plays around the firehouse on Main Street has been given notice that they will not be performing after September 14th. – https://micechat.com/206087-disneyland-update-monorail-blues-and-wall-o-ween/

There is a lot going on at the resort hotel dining locations coming up. At the Disneyland Hotel, the Tongaroa Terrace will be closing to become a bar and grill. The tiki design will remain, so there is no need to panic there! The remodel will include a new outdoor bar and refreshed patio. There will be a dedicated window that will serve coffee in the morning and Dole Whips for the rest of the day. The refreshed space will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Over at the Grand Californian, White Water Snacks will be closing for a refresh. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/09/exciting-dining-enhancements-coming-soon-to-the-hotels-of-the-disneyland-resort/

Also at the Grand Californian, a new poolside bar will be opening that will serve the pool, while also offering lounge and table seating.

Pixar Fest may have ended, but the monorail wraps are still on. The reason for that is rumored to be that the overlay is taking the paint off of the trains. Now, usually this wouldn’t be an issue, but the paint that they used on the monorails is not allowed to be used in the state of California. So, to fix this issue, they will have to repaint them using different paint, or ship each monorail train out of state to get them painted. – https://micechat.com/206087-disneyland-update-monorail-blues-and-wall-o-ween/

Cast Members may have to go through stricter security on their way to the parks soon. The possible new system will include metal detectors and will be used as a test stage before being rolled out to guests entering the resort. The new screening would not start until early 2019, pending Team Disney Anaheim approval. – https://micechat.com/206096-david-koenig-x-ray-visions/

Are you a student or teacher and love cupcakes? If you are, then Sprinkles has a great deal for you! On Mondays through September, you can get a free cupcake with the purchase of a cupcake by showing your staff id, or show a paper or test if you are a student. – http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2018/09/07/free-sprinkles-cupcakes-for-teachers-and-students/

In a rather sad note, there is a great writeup over at Laughing Place about what it was like to be in the parks on September 11th, 2001. It is a really interesting article with pictures of an empty park, some early views of DCA when it opened. – https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2015/09/11/911-at-disneyland/

Have you ever seen 8,600 cans turn into a super hero? Disney VoluntEARS designed a 10 foot tall Jack-Jack for the 11th annual CANstruction Orange County, which supports the Orange County Food Bank. As part of the fund raiser, you can go to canstructionoc.org to cast your vote for the best design and help support the food bank. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/09/disneyland-resort-engineers-transform-8900-canned-goods-into-jack-jack-to-fight-hunger/

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