DLWeekly Podcast - Disneyland News and Information

This week, an old dining area reopens with a refreshed look, layoffs may be coming across the Disney Company, good neighbour hotel shuttles find a new home, construction and updates continue around the resort, an opening day attraction may have an electrifying makeover, we continue our conversation with Rabbit Hole Quest Craft and Where in the Park and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: The new shaded patio seating area downstairs at Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree is officially open! Diners can grab their barbecue and head down to the lower level, where Disney has even added a full fixin’s station so you don’t have to carry your condiments down the stairs. It is the latest addition in a resort-wide push to expand guest dining capacity, joining similar recent seating upgrades in Cars Land, Avengers Campus, and across from the Matterhorn. – https://www.micechat.com/447033-disneyland-update-imagineering-layoffs-attendance-candy-cane-dates-christmas-decor-construction/ Disney is reportedly laying off between 100 and 200 employees across its Experiences division, including Walt Disney Imagineering, theme parks, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani in Hawaii. The cuts are reportedly part of a review of company priorities, investments, and project timelines. The layoffs come despite Disney Experiences accounting for more than 56% of the company’s operating income in 2025, and with numerous major theme park expansions and cruise ships currently in development. This is the latest in a series of workforce reductions across The Disney Company. – https://www.micechat.com/447033-disneyland-update-imagineering-layoffs-attendance-candy-cane-dates-christmas-decor-construction/ The latest TEA theme park attendance report just dropped, and while global theme park visits were basically flat, California Disney parks managed a tiny sliver of growth at just 0.4%—with Disneyland nudging up to 17.4 million guests and DCA hitting 10 million. Compare that to Florida, where every single major theme park actually lost visitors, showing that travelers might finally be hitting their spending limit on theme park vacations. – https://www.micechat.com/447033-disneyland-update-imagineering-layoffs-attendance-candy-cane-dates-christmas-decor-construction/ Heads up for your next park day: on November 2, third-party and Good Neighbor Hotel shuttles have shifted their pick-up and drop-off spots from the East Esplanade to a new Downtown Disney hub near Lululemon. While Disney’s official parking shuttles will stay put for now, off-property guests will face a noticeably longer trek through Downtown Disney just to reach the turnstiles. It is all part of the ongoing construction and long-term reimagining of the resort entrance, so be sure to factor extra walking time into your morning rope-drop strategy! – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-shuttles-move-downtown-disney/ Over at the Disneyland Hotel, The Coffee House has emerged from behind construction walls with a brand-new dedicated mobile pickup window, designed to ease crowd congestion by keeping guests waiting for their drinks outside rather than cramming into the small shop. Meanwhile, inside Disneyland Park on the east side of Main Street, U.S.A., the gate used for crowd overflow and the Mickey and friends character meet-and-greet has also been refreshed. Replacing the former “Welcome Friends” sign, the redesigned gate now resembles a classic theater curtain to serve as a cleaner, more neutral backdrop for character photos. – https://www.micechat.com/447033-disneyland-update-imagineering-layoffs-attendance-candy-cane-dates-christmas-decor-construction/ Disneyland’s Autopia is preparing to say goodbye to its gas-powered engines in early 2027, and Disney Legend Bob Gurr has revealed some interesting details about the upgrade. Rather than installing batteries in each vehicle, the attraction will reportedly use an electrified track to power the cars. Gurr, who designed the original Autopia vehicles, says he’s been pushing for the switch for 26 years. The transition also follows a settlement with California air quality regulators over emissions violations. Meanwhile, Gurr says Honda will remain the attraction’s sponsor, although Honda says discussions about its future involvement are still ongoing. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/bob-gurr-disneyland-autopia-electric-vehicles/ SnackChat: Festival of the Holidays Foodie Guide – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/disney-eats-foodie-guide-to-disney-festival-of-holidays/ Discussion Topic: Where in the Park – https://shop.whereinthepark.com/?ref=Dlweekly Rabbit Hole Quest Crafts – http://www.rabbitholequestcraft.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, A Disney Legend celebrates a milestone birthday, the Society of Explorers and Adventurers has a new member, Halloween time is winding down, Scrim is starting to come down in DCA, a fan favourite reopens in Disneyland, and we talk to our friends at Where in the Park and Rabbit Hole Quest Craft, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: Disney Legend Bob Gurr, the engineer behind many of Disneyland’s most iconic ride vehicles, celebrated his 95th birthday this week. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro marked the occasion with a social media tribute, praising Gurr’s creativity, ingenuity, and lasting impact on generations of Disney guests. Gurr helped design vehicles for classic attractions including Autopia, the Disneyland Monorail, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Submarine Voyage, and the Haunted Mansion. Named a Disney Legend in 2004, Gurr remains a beloved figure in the Disney community and is also being inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame this year, one of the amusement industry’s highest honors. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/josh-damaro-bob-gurr-95th-birthday/ Disney revealed Hazel Hightower, daughter of Harrison Hightower III from Tokyo DisneySea’s Tower of Terror, as the newest character in the Society of Explorers and Adventurers storyline. Guests can discover her oar at the Tropical Hideaway and receive a complimentary commemorative ticket near Pioneer Mercantile in Frontierland, with or without a MagicBand+. – https://www.micechat.com/446657-disneyland-update-indy-returns-jewel-goes-missing-last-gasp-halloween/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Halloween Time is entering its final days at Disneyland Resort, giving guests one last chance to enjoy seasonal favorites before the spooky season ends after Halloween this Saturday. Halloween décor remains throughout the resort, but holiday preparations are already underway, signaling the rapid transition to The Holidays. Santa Claus will move to a new home in Mickey’s Toontown, replacing his longtime location at the Fantasyland Theatre, while Villains Grove at Disney California Adventure will soon transform into Santa’s Holiday Visit. The holiday season officially begins November 13 with those experiences and the return of it’s a small world Holiday, making this week the final opportunity to experience Disneyland’s Halloween celebration. – https://www.micechat.com/446657-disneyland-update-indy-returns-jewel-goes-missing-last-gasp-halloween/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Construction continues on The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure, with guests now able to see newly painted blue wave details on the attraction’s exterior. Recent photos show sections of construction scrims have been rolled up, offering a better look at the ongoing refurbishment work and refreshed ocean-inspired façade. While Disney has not announced a completion date, the latest visual updates suggest progress is continuing as the attraction receives its refreshed exterior look. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/little-mermaid-attraction-construction-update-october-2026-disney-california-adventure/ Indiana Jones Adventure has reopened after a six-week refurbishment. Guests will notice brighter lighting and the return of the interactive spike-room pole. Behind the scenes, Disney reconfigured parts of the ride system to improve reliability and increase capacity, allowing more ride vehicles to operate at once. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/indiana-jones-adventure-reopens-2026/ Discussion Topic: Where in the Park – https://shop.whereinthepark.com/?ref=Dlweekly Rabbit Hole Quest Crafts – http://www.rabbitholequestcraft.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, imagineering gives us a peak behind the curtain, demonstrators highlight labour issues, a new way to travel around the outside of the resort is in planning stages, New activities are happening at the resort hotels, holidays collide across the parks, and we talk about the history of Sleeping Beauty Castle, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: Walt Disney Imagineering has shared a behind-the-scenes video highlighting new lighting upgrades for the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas along the Disneyland Railroad. The enhanced effects debuted when the classic dioramas reopened last month, bringing new life to an attraction that has been part of Disneyland since 1966. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-railroad-diorama-wdi-upgrades-video/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeiSKrjhDlt/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet An ongoing labor dispute between the Walt Disney Company the Disneyland Resort performers has been causing a lot of friction. Cast Members held a rally on October 17th to protest Disneys unwillingness to settle on a first contract. Two years ago, 1,700 Cast Members in the characters and parades departments voted to join the Actors’ Equity Association. Since then, Disney has delayed contract talks, with little progress being made on both sides coming to an agreement. – https://www.micechat.com/446399-disneyland-update-snowcapped-castle-candy-canes-tea-party/ The City of Anaheim has shared a new “Resort 2.0” draft proposal aimed to give visitors a scenic, traffic-free way to explore the area. It introduces the “Resort Ribbon,” a long-term pedestrian loop designed to make getting around the theme park district a breeze. This proposed route would feature wide, landscaped paths and bridge or tunnel crossings to seamlessly connect major spots like Downtown Disney, the Anaheim Convention Center, GardenWalk, and future expansion areas. This is still just an early draft with no official timeline for when it might actually be built. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/city-of-anaheim-resort-ribbon/ There are some special events happen at the Resort Hotels. Guests can stop by Pixar Place to explore the art gallery display celebrating the 20th anniversary of Cars. Over at the Disneyland Hotel, you can celebrate the spooky season with pumpkin carving demonstrations. Doug Marsh will be carving on select dates through the end of the month. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-hotel-pumpkin-carving/ https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/pixar-place-hotel-cars-20/ The Holidays are colliding at the Disneyland Resort. Last week we reported that snow has fallen on Sleeping Beauty Castle and now there are filming notice signs around the resort, likely for the Holiday Special. Filming is expected to take place on October 23-26, though Disney has not officially announced the event. Meanwhile Magic key holders can celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion Holiday and pick up special lenticular cards. Each card features the iconic hallway portraits from the attraction. – https://www.micechat.com/446399-disneyland-update-snowcapped-castle-candy-canes-tea-party/ SnackChat: Candy Canes – https://www.micechat.com/446399-disneyland-update-snowcapped-castle-candy-canes-tea-party/ Discussion Topic: History of Sleeping Beauty Castle – https://www.waltdisney.org/sleeping- beauty-castle https://d23.com/a-to-z/sleeping-beauty-castle/ https://disneyparksblog.com/disney- experiences/magic-behind-the-castle-hear-from-imagineers-about-the-dreams-for-these-icons/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, a book signing with a Disney Legend, updates to Lorcana releases, pressed penny machines are disappearing, more ticket booths have been removed, the holidays show their first signs at the parks, we continue our conversation with Bill Rogers and Camille Dixon, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: The Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center in Anaheim will host an author talk and book signing with Tim O’Day and Disney Legend Martha Blanding on Saturday, October 17th. The event will highlight their book, Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through the Happiest Place on Earth, which chronicles Blanding’s groundbreaking 50-year Disneyland career. Blanding became Disneyland’s first full-time Black tour guide and later its first Black female manager before being named a Disney Legend in 2024. The event runs from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., with tickets priced at $18 and a book signing following the presentation. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/muzeo-tim-oday-martha-blanding-talk/ Disney has announced virtual queues for the October 16th release of Disney Lorcana: Hyperia City at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. At Disneyland, guests can join through the Disneyland app beginning at 5:00 a.m. Pacific, provided they are within 90 miles of Downtown Disney. Merchandise will be available at Disney’s Pin Traders, with no standby line offered while the virtual queue is in use. Joining the queue does not guarantee a purchase, and merchandise will be available while supplies last. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disney-lorcana-hyperia-city-virtual-queue-october-2026/ Pressed penny machines have been disappearing all over Disneyland now that pennies are officially on the way out. Since the machines need pennies to work, their future is up in the air right now. Universal has started using blank metal slugs instead, so fans are just waiting to see if Disney will do the same or swap them out for something else entirely. – https://www.micechat.com/446190-disneyland-update-magic-key-no-show-policy-ticket-prices-chapek-news/ The final two ticket booths on the eastern side of the Disneyland Esplanade have been demolished to make way for the new pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard. Construction is also progressing on Porto’s Bakery, while work begins on a relocated security screening area. Guests entering from the east will encounter temporary pathway changes as construction continues. – https://wdwnt.com/2026/10/more-ticket-booths-demolished-in-disneyland-esplanade-as-construction-continues/ Two suspicious bags discovered near Disneyland’s main entrance on Monday evening, October 12, prompted a police response and temporary evacuation of the Esplanade. Guests were redirected to alternate exits while the Orange County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad investigated. Shortly before midnight, authorities determined the bags contained no explosives and posed no threat, but believe the bags were deliberately left to appear suspicious and are searching for the person responsible. We’d also like to recognize the Disneyland cast members who helped manage the situation, directing guests to alternate exits and assisting with the evacuation. Their professionalism and dedication to guest safety deserve recognition, and we want to thank them for taking care of everyone during what was undoubtedly a stressful evening. – https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-10-13/suspicious-bags-at-disneyland-prompt-bomb-squad-response-evacuation The Holidays already making their way into Disneyland, even as Halloween celebrations continue. Holiday merchandise has begun appearing in stores, including festive sweatshirts, Santa Mickey mugs, and plush toys. Snow decorations have also started appearing on Sleeping Beauty Castle as it begins its transformation into the Winter Castle. Meanwhile, “it’s a small world” will close October 30 to receive its annual holiday overlay, reopening November 13. The holiday season officially runs from November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027 – https://www.micechat.com/446190-disneyland-update-magic-key-no-show-policy-ticket-prices-chapek-news/ Discussion Topic: Bill Rogers & Camille Dixon Bill Rogers – https://www.billrogers.la/ Camille Dixon – camilledixon.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, new light sabres come to Savi’s workshop, record heat hits Southern California, ticket prices have risen, new pin machines appear around the resort, updates for Magic Key holders, we talk to former Disneyland announcers Bill Rogers and Camille Dixon, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: Exciting news for Star Wars fans heading to Galaxy’s Edge—Savi’s Workshop just got a major tech upgrade! They’ve refreshed the ‘Protection and Defense’ build with a super sleek High Republic look—think white finishes, gold accents, and ancient Jedi symbols. On top of that, all the new sabers have way better sound, smoother blade ignitions, new thermal cutting effects, and you can even grab ‘cracked’ Kyber crystals that switch colors with a quick flick of your wrist. – https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/new-savis-workshop-lightsaber-offering-and-more/ The newly announced Tournament of Roses Royal Court just kicked off their official duties with a classic tradition—a trip to Disneyland! Selected for their academic leadership and community involvement, the seven high schoolers met up with Mickey and Minnie to celebrate. It’s a fun continuation of Disneyland’s long-standing connection to the Rose Parade, which goes all the way back to when Walt Disney served as Grand Marshal in 1966! – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-resort-tournament-roses-royal-court-2026/ Disney is making moves behind the scenes, reportedly dropping $115 million to buy Yamaha’s 25-acre office campus in Cypress, about six miles from Disneyland! While it’s too far to be a new theme park expansion, it’s likely replacing current administrative offices being torn down for DisneylandForward projects, like the new parking structure. Don’t expect big changes right away, though—Yamaha will be leasing the space back while they relocate, with Disney officially moving in around 2028. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-resort-yamaha-campus-115-million/ Disneyland just rolled out new pin vending machines across the resort! Located at Pin Traders in Downtown Disney, Pixar Pier, and San Fransokyo Square, and some of these giant gumball-style machines even feature Buzz Lightyear and Woody designs. For $18, collectors can grab a capsule containing a randomly selected Series 1 mystery pin. – https://www.micechat.com/445639-disneyland-news-ticket-prices-layoffs-heat-wave/ Anaheim is sweltering under a record-shattering heat wave pushing temperatures up to 105 degrees! If you’re heading to the parks, be sure to stay hydrated, seek out air-conditioned rides and shops, and take plenty of shade breaks to beat the intense Southern California heat. – https://www.micechat.com/445639-disneyland-news-ticket-prices-layoffs-heat-wave/ Starting October 7, Disneyland is removing the no-show penalty for Magic Key holders. Previously, passholders who missed three park reservations within 90 days could be blocked from making or modifying reservations for 30 days. Magic Key holders will also now be able to cancel or modify a reservation until 11:59 p.m. on the day of their scheduled visit, rather than the day before. Park reservations will still be required and remain subject to availability, blockout dates and park capacity. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-magic-key-no-show-penalty-removed/ Disneyland has announced its annual ticket price adjustments for 2026, although many prices are staying the same. The lowest one-day ticket remains $104, while Tiers 1 through 4 are increasing by $5 or less, and the two highest tiers remain unchanged at $199 and $224. Multi-day tickets, Park Hopper tickets, Magic Key passes and parking are also staying at their current prices. Lightning Lane Multi Pass is increasing, with the advance purchase price rising from $31 to $35 per person and the day-of price moving from $37 to $38. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-ticket-price-increase-2026/ SnackChat: Pumpkins and Pancakes plus Breakfast with Santa at Naples – https://www.exploretock.com/naples-ristorante-e-bar-anaheim/experience/494937/pumpkins-pancakes Menu change at Plaza Inn – https://www.micechat.com/445639-disneyland-news-ticket-prices-layoffs-heat-wave/ Discussion Topic: Bill Rogers & Camille Dixon Bill Rogers – https://www.billrogers.la/ Camille Dixon – camilledixon.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.