DLW 157: Former Disneyland Parade Dancer Tim

This week, Buena Vista Street is reopening as part of Downtown Disney, new food comes with it, the Red Car Trolley is here and gone again, more furloughs, some exciting D23 events coming next week, we talk to former parade performer Tim, and more!

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In just a few days guests will be walking around on Buena Vista Street again! On November 19th, the front part of Disney California Adventure will be open and operate as an extended part of Downtown Disney. All of Buena Vista Street from the front gates to the Carthay Circle Theater, and from Award Wieners on Hollywood Boulevard to Smokejumpers Grill in Condor Flats will be open to guests. – https://twitter.com/Disneyland/status/1324416422664196096
The Carthay Circle Lounge will be open with Buena Vista Street and will offer a new menu. The new options include smaller plated featuring Mediterranean-California light types of food. Among the items are a Carthay shrimp roll, harissa-roasted lamb, soy-glazed salmon, and more. Pasta and chicken skewers are some of the options for kids. All dining will be outdoors. The full menu can be seen on the Disneyland App. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/11/05/carthay-circle-to-offer-new-menu-and-alfresco-dining-upon-reopening-at-disneyland-resort/ and https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/11/05/news-full-menu-for-carthay-circle-lounge-released-on-disneyland-app/
In a bit of a surprise, Award Wieners on Hollywood Boulevard in DCA will be reopening with Buena Vista Street on November 19th. The location, best known for hot dogs and corn dogs, will have a new menu. A hotdog and corn dog are still on the menu joined by a cheddar cheese stick and apple pie funnel cake fries! Some adult beverages will also be offered. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/11/09/award-wieners-to-reopen-with-buena-vista-street-at-disneys-california-adventure/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/11/corn-dog-castle-corn-dogs-and-more-will-be-offered-at-award-wieners-for-the-reopening-of-buena-vista-street-at-disney-california-adventure/
The Red Car Trolley made an appearance on Buena Vista Street last week, and then disappeared again as work started on what is most likely the electric charging which is built into the street at the station. The Trolley is expected to return as a photo op when this section of the park opens on November 19th. – https://www.micechat.com/274668-disneyland-update-red-car-parking-and-partial-reopening/
Even with all the excitement of more things opening, Disney has announced another wave of furloughs. This time, it includes executive, salaried, and hourly workers. Ken Potrock, the President of the Disneyland Resort sent the letter to cast members explaining how difficult this decision is and they hope to get things open and cast members back to work as soon as possible. – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/11/09/disneyland-announces-additional-furloughs-as-state-guidelines-leave-theme-park-in-limbo/
The Orange County Register posed an interesting question to readers this week: would you be willing to take a rapid COVID-19 test to enter the theme parks? Universal Studios and Six Flags have asked this question in surveys to potential guests. They are trying to determine if a rapid test that could be completed in as little as 15 minutes would make potential guests feel safer in the parks, almost ruling out that any guest would have COVID-19 in the parks after the tests would be completed. – https://t.co/c0MGSWp9Me
The face masks that Disney has been selling online and in the parks and shops have received a price increase from $6 each to $9.99 each. The price has not increased at Disneyland just yet, so if you have been eyeing up a Disney mask, now would be a good time to buy before the price could go up. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/11/04/mask-price-increases-have-not-reached-disneyland-resort-yet/
Holiday merchandise is coming in hot and heavy at the moment. New items like a gingerbread character ornament set, Christmas snack bracelets, beanies, spirit jerseys, and a new one – underwear! The underwear features Wreck-it-Ralph, Disneyland, Kevin from Up, and Disney emoji. Each pair is $19.99. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/11/05/whats-new-at-downtown-disney-red-trolley-sighting-snowman-candy-apples-and-so-many-christmas-pins/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2020/11/photos-new-monsters-inc-scream-canister-water-bottles-roll-into-disneyland-resort/
One of the three Disneyland Hotels will have a partial re-opening on December 6th! The Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, announced in a letter sent to DVC members, will be open for booking. The rest of the hotel, along with the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel, will remain closed for the foreseeable future. – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/11/09/disneyland-to-reopen-disney-vacation-club-villas-in-time-for-winter-holidays/
D23 is having a massive week of events from November 16th through the 20th, celebrating Fantastic Worlds. Topics range from Fantasia, to Star Wars, to Disney Worldbuilding. Only two of the 10 events are for D23 members only, so head on over to the link in our show notes to register for all the fun events. – https://d23.com/d23-event/fantastic-worlds-celebration-week/
For those who are a little more adventurous then we are for Thanksgiving can try a new treat at Salt & Straw for the holiday. New seasonal and unique flavors were announced by the ice cream shop in Downtown Disney. These include a sweet potato casserole with maple pecans, a roasted peach and sage cornbread stuffing, a cranberry juniper sorbet, and finally a salted caramel thanksgiving turkey. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/11/06/say-what-theres-turkey-flavored-ice-cream-in-downtown-disney/
A very touching animated short was released online this week to celebrate the 40 year partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The short features a Mickey Mouse Plush that is available for purchase, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “From Our Family to Yours” is a three minute short follows Lola and her granddaughter through the years, along with Mickey Mouse. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/11/the-celebration-of-40-years-of-disney-and-make-a-wish-continues-with-new-animated-short-and-mickey-mouse-plush/

Former Disneyland Parade Performer and Dancer Tim