DLW 125: Space Mountain

This week, Disneyland is closed “until further notice”, some Disneyland online to hold you over, cast members continue to get paid, an inside look at the park, a special deal for rescheduling, we talk Space Mountain, and more!

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News:

As of Friday, March 27th, the Disneyland Resort will be closed “until further notice.” The parks will continue to be closed to guests beyond the April 1st date originally announced at the beginning of March. As COVID-19 continues to grow and be a problem around the world, the parks will continue to be closed until it is safe. An indication of when Disneyland will reopen will probably be the reopening of the Asian parks that closed before the domestic parks. – https://www.micechat.com/255266-breaking-news-disneyland-closure-extended/

Cast Members are scheduled to still be paid through April 18th. With the stimulus package passed by the government, Disney may look to lay off cast members after this time to be able to take advantage of the unemployment benefits that the government is offering. – https://www.micechat.com/255374-disneyland-news-update-the-storm-before-the-calm/

With Disneyland closed, what is happening inside? Security is still on site, ensuring that the property is secure from the public. A skeleton crew of custodial, fire, horticulture, and more are also on site to maintain the park minimally during the closure. – https://www.micechat.com/255374-disneyland-news-update-the-storm-before-the-calm/

A couple of places have taken aerial photos and video of Disneyland this week. The Sun posted some stills from above Disneyland, while ABC News posted video from their helicopter ride over the park to cover the closure. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/03/30/find-out-what-an-empty-disneyland-resort-looks-like/ and https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=840617746435036

For guests that purchased tickets for the Food and Wine Festival, Disneyland will be refunding the tickets to you in the next 30 days. There is no need to contact them, it will be refunded to the payment method used. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/03/29/disneyland-closure-refund-policy-for-disney-california-adventure-food-and-wine-festival-special-events/

Guests who were booked for a trip to the Disneyland Resort, a special offer is available. For rescheduled arrivals between June 1st and December 31st, 2020 on Sundays through Thursdays, guests can receive 10% off a premium room at the Paradise Pier Hotel, or 15% off a standard room at the Disneyland or Grand Californian Hotels, or 20% off of a premium room at the Disneyland or Grand Californian Hotels. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/03/29/new-disneyland-private-offer-for-guests-affected-by-closures/

The Dapper Dans gave a performance to all the Disney fans online this past week. The Dan’s each performed at their homes on a video conference and compiled the clips for the video. “When You Wish Upon a Star” was the chosen song, but guests can vote on the next song on the link in our show notes. Options include “Grim Grinning Ghosts”, “When I See an Elephant Fly”, or a “Disney Melody.” – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/03/voicesfromhome-dapper-dans-share-disney-magic-take-requests/

With the park being closed and the new Magic Happens Parade not running, Disney has posted online a video of the parade to try and hold over fans who are having withdrawl from the happiest place on earth. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/03/29/now-you-can-watch-disneylands-magic-happens-parade-without-visiting-the-park/

The executive management at the Walt Disney Company have all announced that they are taking pay cuts, with Bob Iger not taking a salary at all until this is over to help stem the flood of cash being spent with limited revenue. Bob Chapek is taking a 50% cut, and other management is cutting amounts starting at 20%. – https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/30/coronavirus-disneys-iger-will-forgo-salary-as-new-ceo-takes-50percent-pay-cut.html and https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bob-iger-forgo-disney-salary-top-execs-take-pay-cuts-1287418

Even though the parks aren’t open, Disney is still trying to provide fans with new experiences. A virtual tour of Walt Disney Imagineering series is coming to the Disney Parks YouTube channel. The first episode has been posted that offers mostly an introduction to the series. The rest of the series should cover the other aspects of Imagineering. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/03/video-take-a-virtual-tour-of-walt-disney-imagineering-headquarters-in-new-disney-parks-video-series/

On April 4th, a new multi-month merchandise experience is coming to Shop Disney. The Disney Castle Collection will cover 10 releases and animated features. Cinderella, Frozen, Mulan, Snow White, Tangled, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Brave, and Beauty and the Beast round out the collection. The Cinderella release will include an ornament, journal, pin, and Limited Release puzzle by Ravensburger. A specially designed case will also be available to display the complete set. – https://wdwnt.com/2020/03/photos-new-the-disney-castle-collection-merchandise-series-debuts-on-shopdisney-april-4th/

Discussion Topic

Space Mountain – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Mountain_(Disneyland)

Mental Floss – https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/77347/15-out-world-facts-about-space-mountain

Disney Wikia – https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Space_Mountain_(Disneyland)