It’s a Disneyland Resort Update today folks. The winds of change continue to blow for Downtown Disney as ESPN Zone and Häagen-Dazs close and big new projects are on the way. Meanwhile, Disneyland prepares for big summer crowds and for Star Wars land with changes to the Passholder program and more.
It’s Game Over for ESPN Zone
We start today’s update with some news and changes at Downtown Disney Anaheim. ESPN Zone officially closed on 06/02/18. We had lunch there and photographed the entire building for you. A lot of visitors came specifically for the final inning and a lot of the cast members were in high spirits although worried about what will happen with their jobs and if Disney will be able to place them all in new roles. (UPDATED: All cast members who requested new assignments were offered new job opportunities – about 70% of them.)
These folks were trying to get that perfect last day picture, hopefully they visit MiceChat today!
When it was time to officially send ESPN Zone off to the wrecking ball, they had a special presentation which was a sentimental and classy way to say thank you to cast and customers alike.
For us here at MiceChat the news is bittersweet. While we usually love seeing progress at the resort, ESPN Zone has been a partner of this site for quite a long time, hosting multiple Gumball Rallies, MiceChat Anniversaries and events over the years. We will miss all of you at ESPN Zone.
More Downtown Disney Changes On The Way
ESPN Zone, Rainforest Cafe, Earl of Sandwich, AMC Theatre, and the new-ish Starbucks (across from the Monorail station) are all slated to close by the end of this month to make way for a new hotel.
Downtown Disney construction Updates
Now on to the rest of the changes around the shopping district. Most notably the closing of both Häagen-Dazs locations.
Ballast Point / Black Tap
Not much can be reported on these two new locations (which take over the old Build-A-Bear and Ridemakerz), but the outside repainting is complete. I personally like the overall update but it is a drastic change from what the rest of this area’s color theme.
Napoli Restaurant
Now that the outdoor bar and patio seating has been completed, work has moved to update the main entrance to the restaurant. Disney is allowing construction to occur throughout the entire day. They were jackhammering at 9am, I do feel sorry for the patrons of the Grand California who have to experience that noise from their otherwise expensive and peaceful rooms.
World of Disney expands…
To the great outdoors that is. Disney has installed quick service tents in front of the currently open part of World of Disney and an additional location just past La Brea bakery where the old security tents once stood. We assume this is due to the loss of about half the interior space of the store for remodeling (which will complete later this year).
Most of the space is on the far West side of the Esplanade near La Brea Bakery.
Overall there isn’t anything special about these new kiosks. It’s mostly the same merchandise you’ll find elsewhere in the resort. T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Hats, Ears . . .
Welcome to Disneyland!
We are on the cusp of summer crowds. This is the last week of classes for most LA schools, while it’s already busy at the parks, the majority of the crowds have not descended on the parks yet.
It’s also still Pixar Fest at Disneyland, so instead of the usual red, white and blue patriotic summer bunting, it’s all Pixar colors on Main Street right now.
Sleeping Beauty Castle Roof
After the 60th anniversary and multiple snow-capped roof overlays, the original roof is in much need of repair. There are all sorts of missing parts and even dents that are clearly visible. What does a princess need to do to get some work done to her castle?
Tropical Hideaway Construction
This new dining/rest area in Adventureland is well underway and should be a popular spot when it opens. Here are a few photos of the current demolition.
Crowds & Pirates of the Infinite Lines
With MaxPass added to the Pirates ride, we can expect lines to be much longer than usual. We’ve previously reported in our updates how FastPass makes standby lines longer and often spill out into walkways and rest areas. High capacity attractions like Mansion, Small World and Pirates simply don’t need FastPass. It’s a frustration for guests and cast members alike that the system is being forced on these rides. Here are a few photos of Pirates still closed – it is expected to reopen this Friday.
Strangely, Disneyland is about to make crowding in the park feel worse with the new Pirates of the Caribbean FastPass even as they try to make overcrowding less of a problem through queue enhancements, removal of gardens and widening of walkways elsewhere in the resort. Further, they have just announced changes to the Passholder program which will allow them to reduce passholder access to Disneyland while expanding it for DCA:
We continue to worry that they’ll add FastPass to Peter Pan, which would make walking through Fantasyland an epic nightmare.
This and That
Here are some fun photos from around the park!
That’s all for today!
Dusty is away in Paris, so I was happy to fill in for him. He’ll be back tomorrow and is headed straight to Disneyland to help prepare an additional Disneyland Resort Update for you this week!
Here are some of the Disneyland Paris photos that Dusty has shared to our Facebook Page:
| That’s all we’ve got for this Lovely Monday update. But please return for more photos and news later this week! Be sure to follow along on social so you don’t miss out on all the fun. |
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