DLW 122: Maximizing Your Time at Disneyland

This week, Easter reservations are now open, Easter eggs are on sale, light Spring Break crowds, a new AP program, discounts ending soon, the Walt Disney Archives just down the road, Magic Happens (sometimes), we talk to Kari about maximizing time in the parks, and more!

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News:

If spending Easter at the Disneyland Resort is on your bucket list, then reservations should be made now for the all-day buffets on April 12th. Storyteller’s Cafe at the Grand Californian, the PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel, and Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland hotel offer a buffet from 7am to 9 or 10pm, depending on the location. There is also a Disney Princess Breakfast Adventure at Napa Rose for $125 per person. – https://www.mouseplanet.com/12605/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_March_9__15_2020#news3

Although not as popular as the candy canes during the holidays, the Disneyland chocolate Easter eggs are still a great treat. They are made on Sundays and finished on Mondays, when you can purchase them. They are limited to 2 per guest and come in five different flavors. For $9.99, you can pick up chocolate fudge, peanut butter, black walnut fudge, vanilla creme, and vanilla nut cream. – https://www.micechat.com/253279-disneyland-update-spring-virus/

It may be the start of the Spring Break season at Disneyland, but the crowds have been light since the onset of the Coronavirus. The first place this was noticed was the boarding groups for Rise of the Resistance being available for quite a while after park opening. Even popular attractions like Indiana Jones and Smuggler’s Run were less than 25 minute waits on Friday, usually a busy day. – https://www.micechat.com/253279-disneyland-update-spring-virus/

In a move to encourage more passholders to come to the park, Disney has launched its new AP Magic program. The program highlights things like the extra hour to ride select attractions, passholder-only meet and greets, special event pre-sale tickets, discounts and more. – https://www.micechat.com/253279-disneyland-update-spring-virus/

Some discounts are coming to an end soon, so take advantage of them now if you can. The 25% off rooms offer for select Sunday through Thursday nights ends on March 16th for stays through April 16th. The Spring version of this same deal for stays until June 18th expires on March 16th as well. Finally, the 3-day, one park per day child ticket for $67 per day ends on May 18th, with the ticket good until May 21st. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/03/09/these-3-disneyland-discounts-are-ending-soon-find-out-how-to-save-with-them-here/

With the Spring weather settling in around the resort, the trees in the parks have started to bloom. The most beautiful of these are the Pink Lapacho (lah-paa-chow) trees that are in the hub. Other than the trees, there are a number of Spring flowers that are blooming around the parks that make this time of year exceptionally beautiful. – https://www.micechat.com/253279-disneyland-update-spring-virus/

Disney’s Chief Medical Officer of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products released a statement, which in part reads “As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our cast, guests and the larger community, we are carefully monitoring the evolving coronavirus situation and are in regular contact with health agencies for information and guidance. Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, are welcoming guests as usual and we continue to implement preventive measures in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies.” – https://www.mouseplanet.com/12605/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_March_9__15_2020#news1

For anyone interested in seeing some Disney history just a short distance away from Disneyland, the Bowers Museum is hosting the Walt Disney Archives now through August 30th. The exhibit features over 400 artifacts, including Walt’s Desk that was used for the movie Saving Mr.Banks, and much more! – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/03/07/we-take-a-closer-look-at-disneylands-beginnings-at-the-walt-disney-archives-exhibit/

Characters from Disney – Pixar’s latest film Onward have come to Pixar Pier and the Pixar Pier Bandshell. Ian and Barley, along with Guinevere, Barley’s unicorn adorned van. The van and a couple of small props are located in the bandshell all day with the characters making appearances throughout the day. – https://www.micechat.com/253279-disneyland-update-spring-virus/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhWoV94lW4E

It’s time to make some room on your shoulder, so have that shoulder Porg move over to make way for the newest companion. The Mulan Mushu shoulder dragon has arrived. Mushu is a travel sized plush with the magnet to help him stay on your shoulder inside of his chin, so he rides more on your back than shoulder. You can adopt one in the Emporium at Disneyland for $19.99. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/03/photos-new-mulan-shoulder-mushu-plush-brings-honor-to-us-all-at-disneyland-resort/

Not surprisingly, the Baby Yoda plush that recently went on sale has sold out around the park and online. Cast Members aren’t sure when he might make an appearace in the parks again, but it is probable that it won’t e until after June. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/03/09/this-new-baby-yoda-plush-in-disneyland-has-already-sold-out/ and https://www.instagram.com/p/B9DTBn4nnLr/

Graduation is an important time in life, and there are a lot of people who celebrate at Disneyland. New merchandise celebrating the class of 2020 has arrived around the resort. From socks, to Mickey and Minnie plushes, to ornaments, there is something for everyone. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/03/photos-new-class-of-2020-socks-plush-and-ornaments-commence-at-the-downtown-disney-district/

Magic Happens has only been performing for a couple of weeks now and already there are some issues. A couple of the floats have broken down this past week, resulting in performers looping through their numbers until maintenance arrives to tow the float for the rest of the parade. – https://www.micechat.com/253279-disneyland-update-spring-virus/

The Pixar Pal-a-Round has added a magnetic system to stop the rocking of the cabins when loading and unloading. There are currently only a few gondolas with the hardware installed, but the system should be arriving on the other cabins soon. – https://www.micechat.com/253279-disneyland-update-spring-virus/

The Tomorrowland theater will be hosting a preview of the new Mulan movie beginning on March 20th. The movie officially opens in theaters on March 27th. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/03/video-mulan-sneak-peek-coming-to-disneyland-disneys-hollywood-studios-and-disney-cruise-line-starting-march-20th-new-sequence-being-added-to-disney-movie-magic/ and https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/03/disneys-mulan-sneak-peeks-coming-soon-to-disney-parks/

Some extra seating has been added along Small World Mall, across from Storybook Land. This is a great spot just off the main path to get some shade and enjoy a few minutes of people watching. – https://www.micechat.com/253279-disneyland-update-spring-virus/