DLW 112: Happy New Year 2020

This week, we discuss Avengers Campus getting an opening date, Rise of the Resistance logistics, Cast Member previews, new locations on Star Tours, less travel options, new coin machines, a lot of new merch, and more!

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News:

The Disney Parks Blog announced something that should come as no surprise to anyone – the Summer 2020 opening date of Avengers Campus. When the area was announced, there was no firm date, just sometime in 2020, but it was widely speculated to be in the Summer. This post from Disney confirms that. Although Summer 2020 could be anywhere from June through August, so there is still a lot of wiggle room for the new land. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/12/avengers-campus-at-disney-california-adventure-park-to-begin-recruiting-super-heroes-in-summer-2020/

With Disneyland getting Rise of the Resistance after Hollywood Studios out in Florida, Disneyland will get the benefit of the kinks being worked out when it opened out in Florida. The current information from Disney is once inside the park, guests will have to get a boarding group through the Disneyland app. Notifications will be sent as soon as their boarding group is called. Guests need to physically in the park to get a boarding pass. – https://www.ocregister.com/2019/12/23/disneyland-to-use-virtual-queue-for-new-rise-of-the-resistance-ride/

Cast Member previews for Rise of the Resistance will be starting on January 8th, just a few days before the public opening on January 17th. Cast Member previews will also utilize the boarding queue system that guests will use when the attraction opens to the public. – https://blogmickey.com/2019/12/cast-member-previews-for-rise-of-the-resistance-at-disneyland-begin-january-8th

With the release of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, Star Tours has added some new locations from the 9th installment of the saga. Not only will there be new locations, but also a visit from an old friend Lando Calrissian. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/12/star-tours-at-disney-parks-begins-service-to-new-destinations-inspired-by-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/

A familiar ‘face’ has been spotted around Black Spire Outpost recently. R2-D2 has been roaming around the land in limited capacity. There is hope that this is the first of many driods to come to Batuu as was originally planned for the area before it opened and never materialized. – https://www.micechat.com/245727-disneyland-update-skywalker-surprise-this-is-the-droid-youre-looking-for/

Getting to and from Disneyland from either LAX or John Wayne airports is going to get a little more complicated in 2020. Couch USA, who operated the Disneyland Express will be shutting down this service on January 7th. Without this option, you will have to rent a car, grab a ride share like Uber or Lyft, or take a taxi if your hotel doesn’t offer a shuttle. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2019/12/18/major-bummer-alert-a-popular-way-to-get-to-disneyland-is-stopping-soon/#more-299012

Some winter themed coin press machines have come to the resort. In Disneyland, you can find the new machine in the Penny Arcade on Main Street. Over in California Adventure, you can find it in Kingswell Camera on Buena Vista Street. – https://www.micechat.com/245727-disneyland-update-skywalker-surprise-this-is-the-droid-youre-looking-for/

As is the case every year, new merchandise themed to the new year has appeared around the resort. This years design sports a cartoony 2020 year and characters. Almost every item includes a different design, except for the 2020. – https://www.micechat.com/245879-disneyland-2020-merchandise/

Dok Ondars in Galaxy’s Edge has acquired some new lightsaber variations. Rey’s saber is now available for $129.99 without the blade, and Ben Solo’s saber is also available for $139.99. – https://www.micechat.com/245727-disneyland-update-skywalker-surprise-this-is-the-droid-youre-looking-for/

At long last, “The Child” merchandise has appeared at the resort. “The Child,” better known as “Baby Yoda” to the general public and internet at large is the breakout star from the Mandolorian series on Disney+. Items include a spirit jersey, t-shirts, D-Tech on demand phone cases, and more. – https://www.micechat.com/246493-baby-yoda-merch-at-disneyland-he-protect-attack-snack/

A new Disneyland Parks tumbler has arrived at the Starbucks locations at Disneyland. This variation is different from the previous models as it features both parks and not just Disneyland or California Adventure. The Disneyland side of the tumbler shows off Sleeping Beauty Castle made up of attractions at the park. The California Adventure side shows off Carthay Circle made up of, you guessed it, DCA attractions. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2019/12/20/this-disneyland-parks-tumbler-might-just-be-our-new-favorite-way-to-drink-some-starbucks/#more-300057

Annual Passholders can now pick up an exclusive phone case. The new case is from OtterBox, known for their durable phone cases. The design features Mickey Mouse’s signature and face at the top, a Disneyland pennant, an AP logo pop socket, and vintage Disneyland lettering at the bottom. These are limited, so make sure to head to World of Disney, Trolley Treats or Off the Page to grab one. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2019/12/18/this-phone-case-is-going-to-make-you-want-to-become-a-disneyland-annual-passholder/#more-299051

It hasn’t been long since we got the last new color at the resort – Belle of the Ball Bronze. The newest color – Redd, with two “d’s” reminiscent of Redd from Pirates of the Caribbean, is so popular that it is nearly sold out at the resort. The new Minnie Ears are covered in sequins and are a nice red color. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2019/12/24/news-redd-minnie-ears-are-nearly-sold-out-in-disneyland/

As if there weren’t enough attraction closures already fro 2020, there are currently no operating hours for King Arthur’s Carousel starting on January 21st. No word on if this is a refurbishment or just a lapse in scheduling at this point. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2019/12/23/another-disneyland-attraction-announces-downtime-in-2020/