DLW 233: May the 4th Be With You!

DLWeekly Podcast - Disneyland News and Information

This week, Ken Potrock talks about all the new things happening at the resort, more Halfway to Halloween announcements, more entertainment has returned, Fantasmic! has showtimes, Producers Vern and James talk about Star Wars for May the 4th, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. If you want some DLWeekly Swag, you can pick some up at https://www.dlweekly.net/store/. Book your travel through ConciEARS at no extra cost to you! Be sure to mention that you heard about ConciEARS from DLWeekly at booking! DISCOUNTS! If you want some awesome headwear or one of a kind items, be sure to visit our friends over at All Enchanting Ears! You can use the promo code DLWEEKLY10 to get 10% off your order! We have partnered with the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground to get great deals for our listeners! Book your stay at the Howard Johnson Anaheim and get 15% off your stay (code 1000022077)! Magic Key Holders get 20% off their stay (code 1000025935) as well! Book now! Need the perfect bag for your days in the parks? Look no further than Designer Park Co.! Purchase the Rope Drop Bag as featured on Episode 222 and get 10% off your purchase! Use coupon code DLWEEKLY to get the discount.

News:

An update is coming to the least themed Disney hotels on property soon. The Paradise Pier Hotel will be re-themed to Pixar! Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock met with community leaders recently talking about exciting changes coming to the resort, and this was one of the previously unannounced updates. The Pixar theme will change over time as new Disney-Pixar movies come out to keep the hotel fresh for guests. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/04/news-from-the-disneyland-resort-upcoming-pixar-plans-big-foodie-news-and-more/ The updated hotel theme wasn’t the only thing Ken talked about! He revealed more details of what is to come at Downtown Disney. In an interview on the D23 Insider podcast, he said that they are looking at Downtown Disney through the lens of Disney Springs out in Florida and how successful that has been. More diverse options are coming with the addition of Din Tai Fung, a Chinese cuisine restaurant, along with Catal and Uva Bar transforming into a hub of Mexican Cuisine with Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan. Finally, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen will be getting a complete overhaul into a more “vibrant California energy” theme. Oh, and Earl of Sandwich will be returning as a pop-up location later this year. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/04/news-from-the-disneyland-resort-upcoming-pixar-plans-big-foodie-news-and-more/ Last week, we talked about the Halfway to Halloween celebration. Disneyland announced some information on what the spooky holiday will look like this year. The Oogie Boogie Bash will be returning on select nights this Fall, with no firm dates announced yet. Mickey and Minnie will be sporting new outfits this year, showing off their trick or treating attire. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/04/halfway-to-halloween-announcements-from-disneyland-resort/ Even more entertainment is back at Disneyland! Last week, Disneyland’s Royal Theatre in Fantasyland resumed story telling of Beauty and the Beast and Tangled. Currently, there are 6 total showtimes, with 3 shows each for Tangled and Beauty and the Beast. As of the writing of this story, the times are not in the Disneyland app since it is in a soft reopening. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/04/30/news-storytelling-at-royal-theatre-is-back-in-disneyland/ We have been eagerly awaiting the return of Fantasmic! since the parks closed, but we finally have showtimes! On May 28th, the nighttime spectacular will run at 9pm and 10:30pm and should run nightly through the summer season. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/04/27/news-showtimes-announced-for-fantasmic-in-disneyland/ Another dining package has returned to Disneyland with the return of the Disneyland Forever fireworks show. The Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge experience is coming back soon. Guests get a choice of entree with side, dessert selection, unlimited soft drinks, bottled water, or hot chocolate and a good view to see the fireworks from the second floor of the Star Wars Launch Bay. The dining package is $60 and non-refundable if fireworks are cancelled. – https://www.micechat.com/320733-disneyland-news-more-entertainment-more-construction-more-reservations/ We have been lamenting the loss of the trees from the Pirates of the Caribbean queue that were taken out a few weeks ago. Good news! Two new trees, which look to be at least somewhat mature have been replanted in the space! – https://www.micechat.com/320733-disneyland-news-more-entertainment-more-construction-more-reservations/ Last weekend, the Disney Junior Fun Fest took place at Disney California Adventure. It was a one-day event on Friday, which started with a parade from Pixar Pier to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. A stage was setup in the World of Color viewing area where different Disney Junior characters performed for guests and invited media and influencers. – https://www.micechat.com/320733-disneyland-news-more-entertainment-more-construction-more-reservations/ Banana fans rejoice! A new Mickey-shaped beignet has come to the Mint Julep bar for guests to enjoy. This time, the beignet is being rolled in a banana flavored powdered sugar. A 3-pack is $5.49, and a 6-pack is $8.99. Guests can purchase a side of Caramel Creme Anglaise dipping sauce to go along with it for 99 cents. The Disney Food Blog reports that they taste like Banana Laffy Taffy. Along with the beignet, a Passion Fruit Mint julep is also available for $5.49. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/05/01/review-disneylands-new-treat-reminds-us-of-banana-laffy-taffy-in-the-best-way/ The day this episode posts is May the the 4th, an annual celebration for Star Wars fans, playing off the date as May the Force. Disneyland will have a some special food items to celebrate. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/05/foodie-guide-may-the-4th-and-beyond-explore-galactic-goodies-at-disney-parks/

Discussion Topic:

Producers Vern and James talk Star Wars!