DLW 211: MagicBands are Coming!

This week, a lot of news from the Destination D event last weekend in Florida, changes coming to Downtown Disney, the new dining location has opened near Harbor Galley, we finish our talk with author and former cast member Bruce, 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! 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!

News:

Olaf has worked his magic, because something is coming to Disneyland that was never expected to: MagicBands! Not just any MagicBands, the new MagicBand +. The new MagicBand+ will offer “glow with the show” type color changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition. The new version will allow guests to interact with things in the park, making it a more immersive experience. The previous features of the MagicBands like theme park tickets, room keys, and purchases will also still be available. MagicBand+ is expected to debut in Disneyland in 2022, after Walt Disney World. – https://d23.com/just-announced-disney-parks-shares-new-details-on-guardians-of-the-galaxy-cosmic-rewind-the-30th-anniversary-of-disneyland-paris-and-more/ and https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/09/just-announced-magicband-will-debut-in-2022-at-walt-disney-world-resort-as-part-of-50th-anniversary-celebration/ The cancelling of the new hotel on the west side of Downtown Disney a few years ago left everyone wondering what was going to happen to the space that is now empty, like the old AMC theater location. At the Destination D event this weekend, we got a glimpse into what is planned. The old AMC theater building will be demolished, and a new green space with room for guests to lounge and relax will be in it’s place. The area will also have a stage for performances. This means that the current Starbucks, Earl of Sandwich, and Sugarboo & Co. will again be forced to close for a second time. The concept art does show a building to the east of the area that may offer a place for these establishments in the future, but no announcements have been made. – https://d23.com/just-announced-disney-parks-shares-new-details-on-guardians-of-the-galaxy-cosmic-rewind-the-30th-anniversary-of-disneyland-paris-and-more/ It has been a while since we have heard anything about the new Disney Vacation Club tower coming to the Disneyland Hotel in the future. Work has been progressing on the site recently, and Disney showed off some more concept art from the project, including what the rooms will look like. The new room design will take inspiration from the “sketching style of Walt Disney himself.” The new tower will feature 350 guest rooms and should open in 2023. – https://d23.com/just-announced-disney-parks-shares-new-details-on-guardians-of-the-galaxy-cosmic-rewind-the-30th-anniversary-of-disneyland-paris-and-more/ and https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/11/20/photos-take-a-look-inside-the-new-dvc-tower-coming-to-disneyland-hotel/ The new dinign area for Harbor Galley opened last week, sooner than expected. Pelican’s Landing is the name and theme of this new seating area along the Rivers of America between Harbor Galley across from the Haunted Mansion, and the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island. The area has a lot of nautical details and adds a lot of seating in this area of the park. Some informational signs are also on display, giving some information about the Mark Twain, Sailing Ship Columbia, and some of the local plants and nautical equipment. – https://www.micechat.com/308538-dateline-disneyland-redevelopments-major-changes-possible-strike/ The day has finally come! Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is testing standby only, with no boarding group required. This is testing our theory that the attraction is in so much demand because of the queue system. We will see this week what the wait times are with just standby. The removal of the virtual queue is also a first step in heading towards Genie+ and Lightning Lane coming to Disneyland in the future. – https://www.micechat.com/308538-dateline-disneyland-redevelopments-major-changes-possible-strike/ With all of the holiday fun going on inside the parks, Downtown Disney has joined in on the fun as well. The Disney Ultimate Toy Drive, which supports Toys for Tots is available, in addition to lots of treats, drinks, food, and merchandise offerings. Of course there is also entertainment! Holiday Harmony, The Moonrays, and The Sugarplums a capella carolers will perform in the evenings Fridays through Sundays November 26th through December 26th. Main stage bands will also perform near the Downtown Disney District main stage. Of course the Star Wars: Tales fro the Galaxy’s Edge will also entertain guests. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/11/enjoy-the-splendor-of-the-season-at-downtown-disney-district-at-the-disneyland-resort/ An interesting take on gift cards is coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World soon. The Holiday Pin Series features a gift card, along with a character pin as an added bonus. The gift cards with pins must be activated at $100, with the limited edition pin included at no additional cost. There are 4 sets, with Stitch, Mickey Mouse, Grogu, and Olaf. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/11/first-look-new-100-holiday-gift-cards-with-pins-coming-to-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-resort/ One of Teresa’s favorite details that was added outside of Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout has been having some issues recently. The “space goo” that is scattered around the area has started to shrink in some areas, causing the area to be uneven. Some of the goo has even come undone from the walkway, leaving holes. No word on if Disney is going to repair, replace, or just remove this theme detail. – https://www.micechat.com/308538-dateline-disneyland-redevelopments-major-changes-possible-strike/ The vote on the cast member union agreement did not go as smooth as it should have. Some voting irregularities came up, such as cast members getting the wrong park ballot, observers being kicked out before counting was complete, and rejected ballots. We are waiting for what the next step will be, and will pass that information along to you once we know something. – https://www.micechat.com/306249-disneyland-contract-troubles-leave-cast-concerned/