DLW 171: Working the 3rd Shift with Michael

This week, guests get “a touch of Disney” next month, less money for the parks, Star Wars Trading post lands in Downtown Disney, some more locations reopen, make some Disney treats at home, we talk to Michael about working third shift, and more!
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The food event that is coming to Disney California Adventure next month finally has an official name: “A Touch of Disney.” Since there won’t be entertainment or attractions for this event, calling it a Festival was not in the cards. The name is similar to the name that Knott’s used this year, “Taste of Knott’s.” – https://www.micechat.com/282214-disneyland-update-openings-closings-and-glimmers-of-hope/
Last week, Disney had their quarterly earnings call with investors. Not much Disneyland news, except that Disney plans to decrease their budget for Parks, Experiences, and Products and funnel that money into Direct to Consumer, which is TV, movies, and streaming. Bob Chapek also talked about how the pandemic allowed them to rethink their passholder program and how limited attendance could be going forward. Finally, he didn’t expect masks and social distancing at the parks to continue in 2022. – https://www.micechat.com/282214-disneyland-update-openings-closings-and-glimmers-of-hope/
One of the limited capacity issues that they face is overall attendance with reopening Disneyland during the pandemic. One of the possible strategies would be to offer “day-parting” tickets. Day Parting tickets allow Disney to split one day into two parts, each with different tickets needed to attend. Disneyland could then sell, say 15,000 tickets for the first part of the day, remaining within capacity limits, then sell another 15,000 for the second part of the day, bringing capacity up to 30,000 guests a day. – https://www.micechat.com/282214-disneyland-update-openings-closings-and-glimmers-of-hope/
Star Wars Trading Post will be opening to the public this week after some early access days for Legacy Passholders. This location will be more flexible with the timeline for Star Wars than Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. Merchandise from all eras of the universe will be on sale. The exterior is still themed to be a Resistance base, but also fits in with other iconic locations. Inside the location, Grogu’s pram will be on display. – https://www.ocregister.com/2021/02/11/how-disney-imagineering-turned-the-rainforest-cafe-into-a-star-wars-rebel-base-in-downtown-disney/ and https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/02/11/disneys-new-star-wars-store-will-have-details-from-the-mandaloridan/
La Brea Bakery has reopened in Downtown Disney! This is one of the last locations to reopen since the stay at home order was lifted allowing restaurants to allow guests to dine in again. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/02/10/did-someone-say-bread-a-downtown-disney-bakery-is-reopening-soon/
The exterior section of Oswald’s at the entrance to Buena Vista Street has reopened for the first time since closing almost a year ago. Currently, there is a limited selection of merchandise, but it is nice to have another location open on Buena Vista Street. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/02/photos-oswalds-reopens-with-new-mickey-and-minnie-shirts-at-disney-california-adventure/
Starbucks has returned to Downtown Disney in its largest store near World of Disney. No word on the smaller Starbucks at the west side of Downtown Disney, or the location on Buena Vista Street. Sprinkles Cupcakes and Splitsville also do not currently have an opening date. – https://www.micechat.com/282214-disneyland-update-openings-closings-and-glimmers-of-hope/
For the Star Wars fans listening, a new coffee table book based on the art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is available for pre-order. The book will be priced at $50 and will be on sale April 27th in a hardcover version, with 256 pages. – https://wdwnt.com/2021/02/new-the-art-of-star-wars-galaxys-edge-book-available-for-pre-order/
For Valentines Day this year, Salt and Straw offered a sweet deal of two pints of ice cream and “A Whiff of Waffle” candle package for $49. The UVA Bar and Cafe offered a White Chocolate Raspberry Martini, which is made up of Godiva white chocolate, Stoli Chocolat Razberi vodka, and creme de cacao. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/02/13/spend-valentines-day-with-ice-cream-and-candles-in-downtown-disney/ and https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/02/13/forget-chocolate-boxes-wed-rather-drink-our-dessert-in-disneyland-resort/
With Valentine’s Day over for this year, you can still make some of the tasty treats at home! MiceChat posted copycat recipes for Disneyland Mickey S’More Squares, including home made marshmallows! They also posted the Valentine’s Sweet Charcuterie Tray, which contains sugar cookies, candy apples, rice crispy treats, and more. – https://www.micechat.com/282138-disneyland-copycat-smore-squares-and-valentines-treats-to-love/
MiceChat also posted some at-home recipes to celebrate Mardi Gras. Selections include The Mint Julep, Blue Bayou Gumbo, the famous Monte Cristo, and Disneyland Beignets. – https://www.micechat.com/282398-making-disneyland-blue-bayou-classics-at-home-monte-cristo-mint-juleps-beignets-gumbo/
With the holiday weekend combining President’s Day and Valentine’s Day, the Disneyland Resort hit capacity. Guests were notified by the Disneyland app that there was limited capacity and that parking and pedestrian entry would be occasionally pausing. Guests with dining reservations would still be allowed in. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/02/15/disneyland-resort-has-reached-capacity-today/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/02/downtown-disney-district-closed-for-capacity-guests-with-dining-reservations-still-able-to-enter/
The Orange County Register posted a story about Retired Marine Ernie “Gunny” Napper, who for 29 years has performed the flag retreat ceremony at Disneyland, even during the shutdown. The beginning of the article is very moving. It reads “At sunset on Dec. 5 last year — Walt Disney’s 119th birthday — security officer Ernie “Gunny” Napper lowered the flag in Disneyland’s Town Square, and walked it over to a private apartment above the firehouse where Disney spent many of his days and nights staring out the window at the excited crowds rushing into his newly opened fantasy kingdom.
The retired Marine Corp. gunnery sergeant and a few other security officers, custodial and maintenance staff still working at the empty park began singing “Happy Birthday” to the man who gave children from all over the world the best day of their lives.
And, as he has five nights a week for the last 29 years, Gunny lingered a bit under Disney’s window with a lamp in it that never gets turned off, to tell his boss how the day went, and how sad it is in the happiest place on earth without those children.
“I talk to him a lot, I do,” Gunny says. “I see Mr. Disney in my mind clear as day standing at that window at sunset and watching the security officers bring the flag down and fold it.” – https://www.ocregister.com/2021/02/11/reverent-disneyland-flag-ceremony-endures-thanks-to-gunny-and-some-day-the-kids-will-return/

Michael on 3rd Shift Custodial