Robert Downey Jr. Crashes Disney Experiences Panel with Avengers Campus Updates

Robert Downey Jr. Crashes Disney Experiences Panel with Avengers Campus Updates

By Disney Destinations March 8^th, 2025

 

Make way, because a genius, billionaire philanthropist is setting up shop in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park.

 

Announced at last year’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, two new thrilling attractions will be joining the growing campus at Disneyland Resort. Today, during The Future of World-Building at Disney panel at SXSW, President of Marvel Studio, Kevin Feige, and President and Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney Imagineering Bruce Vaughn let the crowd in on more of the storytelling and extensive new technology that will bring these attractions to life.

 

With the one attraction, Avengers infinity Defense, you’ll assemble with the Avengers and battle King Thanos across multiple worlds. Join alongside the likes of Black Panther, Ant-Man, Hulk, and so many other favorites to save the universe – again.

 

But you can’t just wake up one day and know the ins and outs of battling like an Avenger, you know? You’ve got to train. The second attraction going into Avengers Campus Start Flight Lab, will put you inside Tony Stark’s workshop to check out some of the new tech he’s working on and allow your to test it out yourself. And who better to show off his tech than Tony Stark himself?

 

With thunderous applause, Robert Downey Jr. made a surprise appearance at SXSW, calling the Imagineers working on these new experiences, “the living embodiment of the Stark Enterprises mission statement.”

 

“The curiosity, the passion, the inventiveness, the occasional flair for the dramatic, most of all a drive to put something good out into the world to make life better, at the minimum more fun by the mile.” Downey told the crowd. “It’s the privilege a lifetime to be invited to participate.”

 

Downey was also pretty excited just to be invited into the Imagineering world, joking about the stealth of WDI headquarters. “You wanna talk about a closed set? It’s the Area 51 of fun!”

In Stark Flight Lab, guests will sit in “gyro-kinetic pods: and roll along a track before stopping in front of a giant robot ar. This robot arm will hoist you into the air where you’ll make several high-speed maneuvers inspired by Iron Man and some other Avengers (“That I will select based on merit and whomever picks up my FaceTime calls on the first ring,” Downey joked.)

 

“Transferring from a track to a robot arm and then back again – nothing like this has ever been done before in a theme park, and we’re so excited about it,” Bruce explained. “Usually, we hide all the tech behind the scenes so you can focus on the story. Here, the tech IS the story, so we’re putting it front and center.”

 

One piece of tech that has become important to Tony Stark’s lore is his beloved little robotic friend, DUM-E. when Downey first visited Imagineering, he commented how much the robot arm for Stark Flight Lab looked like DUM-E, and that quickly worked its way into the attraction.

 

Using dancers and motion capture, the team made a “virtual mirror” to incorporate some of these movements into early ride mockups. The Imagineers want to make sure the robots in Stark Flight Lab feel as lifelike as possible, just like DUM-E.

 

And this is only just the beginning of what guests will soon see in Avengers campus. “Even after we finish with the Flight Lab, I want to stay with you all for the long haul,” Doney told Feige and Vaughn amid screams from the crowd, “This isn’t a one-time deal. You need more me.”

Rogers the Musical Review

Rogers the Musical Review

Recently we went and saw Rogers the Musical at Disney California Adventure Hyperion Theater. His is a limited run show and is scheduled to end its run August 31^st, 2023. Here are my thoughts. Spoiler Alert!  I will be telling you about the show.

 

Hyperion Theater is a approximately 2,000 seat theater in the Hollywodland area of Disney California Adventure. It has a very retro 1920’s feel. It is state-of-the-art as far as sound and effects. To get tickets to see this live stage show you can join the Virtual Queue or join the standby. To join the Virtual Queue you open the Disneyland App and go to join Virtual Queue at 10 am or 2 pm. Just keep refreshing the page and hopefully you will get a spot. You will be assigned a return time for the show. It is advisable to get to the theater about an hour early. This is a 3-story building and if you have problems with stairs I suggest you request Orchestra Level. You can just show up about an hour early and join the Standby Line and hope there is room for you.

 

Rogers the Musical based on a short sequence in the Disney+ Christmas Serries, Hawkeye. In the TV show they show Hawkeye watching the play with his children and dreading how silly it makes the Avengers look. I kind of equate what I saw to being so bad its good like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. In the TV show we just saw the stage actors acting out what they thought the Avengers did to save the world.

 

While you wait for the play to start you will listen to 1940’s music being played on a large radio on the set. This sets the mood for the play and is a lot of fun. This play does not take itself seriously. It is just seriously FUN!!

 

The show is a Musical so there is LOTS of singing and dancing. You get to see the transformation of Steve Rogers from scrawny kid to a super soldier. He stumbles over his tongue when he talks to Peggy Carter. In the 4pm 08/11 showing there was a young lady in a wheelchair as part of the cast.

 

I loved the moral of this little play. I came away with don’t tire of doing the right thing and don’t be afraid to reach out for the good you want. It is also very Red, White, and Blue patriotic!

 

SPOILER ALERT!! STOP HERE IF YOU DON’T WANT THE STORY!:

 

The show starts much like the first Captain America movie with Steve trying to join the army. He meets Peggy Carter and gets tongue tied. He is transformed and goes on to do his War Bond bit and then off to fight the war. His exploits are show off in very cartoon ways. He ends up crashing, like the movie in the artic. He wakes up 70 years later and starts to fight modern bad guys. You see his attitude of I can do this all day. He is getting tired of the fight and Old Steve shows up and tells him to go back in time where he stays with Peggy. This basically ties all of the Avenger Movies together in one little 45 minute play.

Good bye Pacific Wharf. Helo San Franokyo!

Good bye Pacific Wharf. Helo San Franokyo!

Have you seen Big Hero 6? It is a great movie with lots of heart. It takes place in the fictional city of San Franokyo. San Franokyo is a mix of San Francisco and Tokyo. You will recognize elements of both as you watch the movie.

The Imagineers of Disney have reimagined Disney California Adventure’s Pacific Wharf area as San Franokyo! You will see a Golden Gate Bridge that is more Japanese in feel. Dining areas are changing over to fit the theme as well. Some have changed and some are in the process of changing. Food locations are still open while the retheming is going on. When the process is complete there will be meet and greets with Baymax and Hiro and some new food offerings.

For the chocoholics out there, don’t worry!! Ghiradelli is still there serving delicious chocolate and ice cream treats! They have changed the signage and the animated art inside to fit the new theme.

Bounding Bakery is still there with a different name. You can still take the bakery tour. Not all the signage changes are done yet.

When we went the bridge was not open for walking across. I’ve heard it is sporadically open to walk across. One friend said it was open one day and closed the next during a recent visit. You can enter San Franokyo from 2 areas in Cars Land. There is a area behind Filmore’s shop near the entrance to Cars Land. The other is a grand arch that leads you out of Cars Land near Flo’s outside dining area where you can sit and watch Radiator Springs Racers run. So if the Bridge is closed remember there are other entrances.

 

Overall this is a change in theme and signage that brings a new fun look to this area. There will be some new food offerings as well as visits with Baymax and Hiro. This reteaming should be completed in August but could take a little longer to complete.

 

I’m going to take a moment and be  honesty right now. I love the Big Hero 6 and the fun idea of a city that is a mix of San Francisco and Tokyo. I was a little underwhelmed with what I saw of the retheming that is done. It did not seem like a wow moment when I saw it for the first time. It was more like, well that is nice. Having had a couple days to think about it I think I understand my reaction. The Pacific Wharf area was very much like a wharf area in Los Angeles or San Francisco. It was one of my favorite areas to grab a bite and relax. It very easily could have been a wharf in San Francico. It feels maybe a little too real. I can’t fully honestly judge it yet because it is not finished. We were there early in the morning and did not get to eat so I can’t tell you about any changes there. I do know we enjoyed the food offerings in the old Pacific Wharf.

New Update on San Fransokyo Square at Disney California Adventure Park

New Update on San Fransokyo Square at Disney California Adventure Park

By Disney Destinations

June 22, 2023

 

At Disney California Adventure Park, the San Fransokyo Public Works Department has been diligently beautifying and making improvements to the local cannery district, which is home to a diverse neighborhood of eateries and businesses. In our previous update, we looked at a few of the landmarks and establishments you’ll see the industrious mash-up city from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award-winning film “Big Hero 6.”

 

Today, we’re excited to share that, over the summer, the local eateries will start to introduce delicious new menu offerings! Starting in mid-July, Guests will be able to sample new San Fransokyo selections at Lucky Fortune Cookery, and the Port of San Fransokyo Cerveceria will officially open. In the weeks following, additional dining options, unique shopping and more will be introduced as the transformation of this thriving seaside plaza continues through mid-August.

 

When the transformation is completed, locations across the area – from Cappuccino Cart outside the San Fransokyo Gate Bridge to The Bakery Tour – will be decked out in street art and colorful banners celebrating the Big Hero 6 team after their victory over Yokai.

 

Let’s explore more places Guests will be able to visit in San Fransokyo Square!

Guests will have the opportunity to interact with Hiro and his huggable healthcare companion, Baymax, who will say hello outside the Hamada Bot Shop. This is where the Big Hero 6 team builds and innovates their hi-tech gear, so Guests may also see a few of their upcoming inventions.

Ear the Hamada Bot Shop will be the San Fransokyo Maker’s Market, a storefront stocked with unique apparel, homewares and more featuring Baymax and friends. In the concept art above, the market’s shelves are situated on robot storage cases, with decommissioned battle bots on display. If Guests turn a sharp eye to the rafters overhead, they may spot the local battlebot champion, Hiro’s Megabot!

 

Across the way, a vending machine dispenses collectible golden medallions featuring Baymax and other iconic images from San Fransokyo.

 

The diverse array of flavorful fare in San Fransokyo Square will include current favorites and new creations inspired by Asian cuisine, as well as the Big Hero 6 themselves. Let’s check out the dining destinations Guests will be able to try.

Aunt Cass Café, the second bakery café operated by Hiro’s loving aunt, will serve dishes, soups in freshly baked Boudin Sourdough bread bowls and more inspired by Japanese cuisine. On the outside of this quick service restaurant Guests will find a mural of Aunt Cass’ pet cat, Mochi.

An old fishing net tannery across from the café is being converted to Rita’s Turbine Blenders, and a giant drink dispenser offering delicious margaritas and ice beverages. This refreshment stand is owned and named after the repair technician who maintains the floating wind turbine, resembling a giant koi fish, that sits atop the structure.

 

In addition to these locations, Guests can expect new menu items at Cocina Cucamonga and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. Keep an eye out for Disney Eats Foodie Guide, coming soon, for the full list of cuisine to come.

 

San Fransokyo Square will be full of fun travelers of all ages! On a scale of one through ten, how would you rate your excitement?

 

Both them park reservations and valid admission for the same park on the same day are required for park entry.

Carthay circle Theater/Restaurant

Carthay Circle Theater/Restaurant

  

At the end of Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure is the Carthay Circle and the Carthay Circle Restaurant. The building is a miniature of the old Carthay Circle Theater where Walt Disney held the premier of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937.

If you arrive at the park early in the morning and head on down to the Carthay Circle before the doors are open you may be lucky enough to join in on a tour of this iconic building. You need to be there before 10 a.m. to get in. If you are really interested in doing the tour I highly suggest calling the day before and making sure what time it will be held that day. This tour is free!

The tour starts at the lobby where you are introduced to the building and the story behind its importance to local and Disney history. Once the introductions are complete they will take you into the lounge/bar when your tour guide will tell you about building. The attention to detail is amazing. The carpets of the old, now gone theater were recreated as were the lights and style of furniture. Your guide will point out pictures and tell you who is in them and why they are important to the history of Disney.

 Once done in the downstairs lounge area you will go up stairs to the restaurant. You will be shown items of interest as you go up the stairs and enter the hall to the restaurant itself. Once in the restaurant each room will be described. There is the “preshow” main dining area. This is area is open so you can see who is at the tables. Restaurants of the 1930’s often had open areas where you could see who was there as a way to show that they were successful. If this actor or actress is seen there then it must be good!

One special room is the “show room” it is like being “at the movie”. This is a room you can reserve. The minimum check total to rent this room is $750 and the room seats 12. One of the most interesting facts about this room is the base of the table. The base of the table is a limestone reproduction of the wishing well from Snow White! The ceiling has a painting that shows scenes from the movie.

The last room is the Hollywood room. It is the “after show” room that looks like you have come for drinks after a show. (You can eat your meal there.) It is a place to be seen and see people in old time Hollywood. On the walls are pictures of various people receiving Oscars for Disney Movies.

There is much more to learn while on the tour of the Carthay, the tour takes about 25 minutes and you learn about the old Carthay Circle Theater, Los Angeles, Walt Disney, the Disney Studio, the development of Mickey Mouse and the restaurant.

Here is a video of our tour:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH73uPOy4Yo

My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!

This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.

You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94784

For your Nook the link is:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-angel-remembers-25-voices-of-christmas-carolyn-hoagland/1106912931?ean=2940032802624

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.

The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.

You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

Disney's LuminAria

Disney’s LuminAria

Disney’s LuminAria was Disney California Adventure first Holiday show in the Paradise Bay. It lasted only one season (Holiday Season 2001) due to some technological issues and poor guest reaction. I will be honest I loved LuminAria.

LuminAria had several floating “packages” and stylized Christmas Trees. The packages would open up and become large screens. Guests of all ages could draw a “Holiday Card” and Cast Members would scan it. These greetings would be projected on the LuminAria screens during the show.

Low level fireworks were also a part of the LuminAria show. This was ultimately the major problem with the show. The smoke from the fireworks would linger over the show area causing some problems for the guests. Truthfully I had no problem with the smoke and I have asthma.

The music for Disney’s LuminAria was beautiful and up until the last couple of years was available on the Disneyland Holiday music CD.

Trying to compare the new World of Color Winter Dreams to LuminAria is impossible for me. Both shows are beautiful and a fantastic way to celebrate the holidays at the Disneyland Resort. I enjoyed being able to go to the park and make a card and watch for it in the show. I had several cards I made get into LuminAria. Like LuminAria, Winter Dreams offered guests a chance to draw a card and many of them were put into the show. Unlike LuminAria, Winter Dreams only allowed for the cards to be submitted before the show was completed and there are no changes in the cards day to day as there was with LuminAria.

The pictures in this post are from the Yesterland website. Yesterland celebrates all of Disneyland from the past.

http://yesterland.com/

Waiting for World of Color Just Got More Fun!

Waiting for World of Color Just Got More Fun!

Officially starting last night, 11/16/2013 there is something new to do while waiting for World of Color (WoC) to start. Disney has set up a game for those with smart phones and tablets to play. It is simple and fun. There was a soft opening for the game 11/15/2013.

Once in the waiting area for WoC and about 45 minutes before show time long onto the PierGames WiFi network. You may need to turn on your WiFi and ask your phone to search for the network. Once on you simply click onto your internet browser and the game should open. If it does not you can just type in PierGames.com and play.

The game is simple, it is like a giant game of Simon, the electronic colored light game. Mickey’s Fun Wheel flashes a light pattern of Orange, Green and Purple. You simply match the pattern on your smart phone or tablet. The winner of the game controls the lights on Mickey’s Fun Wheel for the next round.

Here is a video of what Mickey’s Fun Wheel does for the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYNtfI-u8Qc&feature=youtu.be

Here is a of shot of my phone.

Check out what the Official Disney Parks Blog has to say about it.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/11/disney-california-adventure-park-guests-control-the-action-with-the-fun-wheel-challenge/

My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!

This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.

You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94784

For your Nook the link is:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-angel-remembers-25-voices-of-christmas-carolyn-hoagland/1106912931?ean=2940032802624

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.

The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.

You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

World of Color Winter Dreams

World of Color Winter Dreams Show

Disney California Adventure has a new Holiday Tradition to enjoy. World of Color has a new Holiday show called Winter Dreams. It is an amazing show! I saw it the first public viewing at an Annual Passholder event. I was also given an ornament.

Winter Dreams opens with the Winter Dreams Virtual Honor Choir singing “Glow”. It is an amazing song with hundreds of voices. Almost two thousand people from all over the United States submitted their videos of them singing the song. The best videos were chosen to be shown in falling snowflakes at the beginning of the show. I was part of the choir but my video was not chosen to be in the show.

Olaf, the snowman from Frozen is the moderator of the show. He shows up to keep the show moving in the right direction.

Characters from many different Disney and Pixar movies show up to share winter dreams and holiday wishes. Bambi and Thumper play on the ice. The gang from Toy Story does a fun version of the Nutcracker and many others join the fun.

I’m not going to give a detailed description of what happens in the show. If you wish to see it and can’t go to Disney California Adventure check out the video my husband did. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxkA8esVG18

Christmas World of Color ~ Winter Dreams

Holiday World of Color ~ Winter Dreams

For the first time the World of Color (WoC) night time show at Disney California Adventure (DCA) is getting an entire Holiday makeover! Usually they just add a holiday lead in.

A virtual choir is being chosen right now and will add 500 or so voices to the show!

Pixar was asked to do an entire new set of animation for the show. From what the Disney Parks Blog reports there will be a Toy Story Nutcracker!

I am personally very excited about this new Holiday show. I saw the possibilities of doing holiday shows from the very first public showing of WoC. I always hoped they would do a holiday version of the show. I also am excited because I auditioned for the virtual choir as well!

Here is a link to the Disney Parks Blog post where you can learn more about this show:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/10/pixar-brings-toy-story-nutcracker-to-life-for-world-of-color-winter-dreams-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

Here is a link to the Disney Parks Blog Video about Winter Dreams:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1CLO57ZHiU#t=18

Just in case you have not seen or do not know what WoC is here is a link to the usual show that I videoed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h22fELdCBY

My Christmas book, “An Angel Remembers 25 Voices of Christmas” is available!!

This is a collection of 26 short Christmas stories that together bring the amazing events of Christ’s birth alive. It is my hope that this will help encourage families to spend 10-15 minutes a day together during the busy holiday season remembering the true reason for the season.

You can find it for ALL eReader formats and PDF at:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94784

For your Nook the link is:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-angel-remembers-25-voices-of-christmas-carolyn-hoagland/1106912931?ean=2940032802624

It is also available at the iTunes book store and many other ebook seller sites.

The only big site not carrying my book is Amazon.

You can download a Kindle version from Smashwords.com

My World of Color Winter Dream Honor Choir Adventure

My World of Color Winter Dream Honor Choir Adventure

Yesterday my best friend and I attempted to record my audition for the World of Color Honor Choir. The idea is simple. Having already practiced and learned the song it was time to record. All we needed to do was find a quiet place, put something black behind yourself, attach earphones or a headphones to your computer so you can hear the music the sound of the music not be out in the room, make sure your computer webcam is ready, check the sound recording to make sure your singing is not recorded to loudly so it is not distorted and finally SING.

First off finding a place where I could put a large piece of black poster board and stand was an interesting challenge. We finally thought of placing the poster board on the inside of the front door. Next was setting the camera so it caught the singers face and the black background with nothing else. FUN every time we looked a sliver of the white door could be seen.

After setting up our recording location we needed QUIET. Living in So. Cal the weather is pleasant and in fact a little warm so windows can’t be closed or fans/Air conditioning must be on. I told my teenage daughter what we were doing and that we needed quiet. My daughter and her friends were outside on the lawn chatting. At times their laughter and voices would be heard inside. They needed to come in and several times one or another of the girls came in while we were recording. The attempted to be quiet but it is impossible to be quiet enough when recording. I also have 2 dogs and 2 cats who would occasionally let themselves be known. The pets were less of a problem than the girls. The cats were quiet except when we were taking a break. The dogs only barked a couple of times.

My friend has trouble with ear buds so she opted to use the headphones with the built in mic. This worked well, mostly during practice but when the time came to record she felt the recording was giving her feedback. We never got a satisfactory. By the time she done I had a short time to try before I had to stop for the day. As I started my daughter’s friends come in.

Now has this deterred me from auditing? NO!! I’m going to go get another poster board so I can have a larger black space behind me. I’m going to LOCK the doors and put a note on it saying, “Recording in progress!! Do not enter, knock or disturb in any way.”

The audition video must be submitted by October 6^th so there is still a little time. If you would like to join or find out more about the Disney California Adventure Winter Dreams Honor Choir just check out the link below! They are accepting professional and non-professional singers for this project to be shown as part of the Holiday Glow World of Color Show.

http://worldofcolorhonorchoir.com/

Holiday World of Color Winder Dreams Participation

Holiday World of Color Winter Dreams Participation

Two Ways to Join the Holiday Fun!

Holiday Card Submissions

Disneyland Annual Passholders are being asked to get in the holiday spirit early this year and get their holiday card made! Well, not the card you would send you your friends and family but a special card to be shared in the special holiday version of the World of Color show at Disney California Adventure called Winter Dreams.

All you need to do is draw a picture, 4”x6” in size and mail it to the specified address by October 4^th. Just have it postmarked by October 4^th to have it accepted for consideration. You can also take it into the park and turn it in at the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney. There will be a drop box there for them.

Just keep it Family Friendly and free of copyrighted logo’s and such. Disney characters are welcomed if you can draw them. From what I’ve heard they do not yet have a sufficient number of holiday cards turned in.

Here is a link for more information on submitting your holiday card:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/news/world-of-color-holiday-card-design-for-passholders/

World of Color Winter Dreams Honor Choir

Another way to get involved with the World of Color Winter Dreams is to join the WoC Winter Dreams Honor Choir. You do not need to be an Annual Passholder for this!

New and experienced singers are welcome to go to the link and download a copy of the music. The song is called “Glow” and was written by Eric Whitacre for the show. You can then take some time to learn the music before making a video of you singing the song. You will submit the video and wait to see if you are chosen. Deadline for submissions is October 6^th!

From what I can see your location does not matter. All the singers will be joined online to make the recording!

Here is the link to get more information on the WoC Winter Dreams Honor Choir:

http://worldofcolorhonorchoir.com/

This is a great way to be part of the Holiday Magic at the Disneyland Resort!

Touring Disney Parks Handi-Capable

Touring Disney Parks Handi-Capable

At this time policies on how Disney grants access to those with disabilities at the parks is changing. In the immortal words of Douglas Adams, “Don’t Panic and keep your towel with you!” No matter what happens those with needs will have some level of assistance. Children and adults with ADHD, Autism and Panic Attacks will be accommodated. Those in wheelchairs may find that they MAY have to wait a little longer. At Disneyland I do not believe that will be the case. I believe if some of the rumors are true (and I do not think they are all true but have been unable to verify or get good info from Disneyland) the lines for wheelchairs may actually be shorter! Those with ADHD, Autism and Panic Attacks that are able to stand in the Fastpass lines for 20-30 minutes will be sent there reducing the lines for wheelchairs where they now go. This may benefit the majority of people. Everybody with disabilities MAY have shorter lines because they are not all clogging up ONE area. This is all I’m going to say about the possible new system until I know it is a reality!

Ok now that the upcoming possible changes have been discussed let’s move on and talk about what will not change.

Disney will always give you some level of accommodation based on your expressed need.

There is a place to store medication that needs to be refrigerated. Just stop by First Aid at any Disney park and ask them to keep it for you.

There are special cars or loading areas on rides like the following for those with mobility issues. These have wider doors or special loading areas.

Dumbo                         Haunted Manson                    Space Mountain

Luigi’s Flying Tires                 Radiator Springs Racers

Some rides like the following have cars that can accommodate a wheelchair or ECV

It’s a Small World                 Jungle Cruise

Toy Story Mania                    Mickey’s Fun Wheel               Monsters Inc.

Ariel’s Under Sea Adventure

Shows and parades will still have special viewing areas for those in wheelchairs and their companions. These are not always the best viewing spots. I will be honest for the parades they are good. For the Hyperion Theater the handicapped seating is in some of the best locations in the theater! The Disneyland Fireworks and Fantasmic are the worse for handicap viewing in my opinion. World of Color is hit and miss.

Service dogs will continued to be welcomed. Disney has grass areas dedicated as “service dog relief areas” where you can take your dog when needed. For some of the more popular rides there are large dog crates at the loading area where you can crate your dog while you ride. Service dogs are welcomed in the parks restaurants as well as long as they are clean and well behaved.

There are assisted listening devices for the hard of hearing. Some shows and attractions have portable screens that display closed captioning of the show. In other shows and attractions you will find head phones to help.

Those with visual disabilities will find a recording device is available. It will tell you where you are and what attractions are around you. It will describe what is around you.

Those with what I call invisible disabilities such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum, Panic Attacks and such will also be accommodated. This will not nor has it ever been go straight to the front of the line disability. Disney has and continues to find creative ways to help those that can’t take being confined to long lines deal with the problem. Calm areas to wait in that give space to move about while you wait do help. It MAY be better handled with the new changes. We will have to wait and see.

If your child or adult companion has a problem with crowds and loud noises and gets over stimulated you can always find a quiet spot. First Aid is an obvious place to go. If your child is young the Child Care Centers located in every park is a good place to head. You don’t have to go to any of these areas. Parts of Tom Sawyer’s Island are quiet at Disneyland. Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure is a calm place between sets of music by the live bands. On the other hand the music can be calming as well. You can move away from the music and find a spot. You get the idea.

No matter what your physical disability if you have a physical problem head to First Aid located in every Disney Park. If you can’t find it ask a Cast Member, they will be happy to assist and make sure you get there. If you have an emergency just stop any Cast Member and they will get the help you need quickly.

As policies change I will post updates. Be careful of knee jerk reactions to rumors. Verify information before becoming upset. If you find that the new policy does not give you the assistance you need speak up! Make sure you know what the policy is and if you are to go up the Fastpass line or wait in the wheelchair lines. If you are in the park and have a problem ask for a Guest Relations Lead. If you are home go to their website and send them a message.

I think my main message right now is stay calm. There ARE going to be problems and misunderstandings if/when they roll out a new program. Some people that need help are not going to get it at first. Those that should not get assistance will get it. Disney is making changes (and because of the few creeps abusing the old system they must) and they will have to “plus” the system as they go. There is no one size fits all disability accommodation plan and cannot be. Not all disabilities need the same level of assistance and then there are combinations of disabilities making things even more difficult. Disney is a smart and caring enough company to know that. Disney wants happy guests so give them time to work out the kinks. Other “amusement parks” do not accommodate as well as Disney does, especially left out are those with invisible disabilities.

Halloween at the Disneyland Resort

Halloween at the Disneyland Resort

Halloween at Disneyland Resort starts this Friday, September 13^th. This is fun but there is a problem. Disneyland is trying to act like the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Sorry it can’t be done! Let me explain.

They use to have a Trick or Treat for the kids with costumes that was in some areas but did not take the entire park. Sadly Disney seems to think Disneyland (DL) can be closed down early like the MK for a party.

At WDW there are 4 parks so if you close one you have 3 others to go to. If you don’t have a Park Hopper ticket you can find plenty to do at the numerous Resorts.

At DLR there are 2 parks and only 3 hotels. When DL closes early you either have to go over to Disney California Adventure (DCA), wonder Downtown Disney or leave altogether. Yes, you could go to the hotels but there is not much to do there.

Let’s say you make the obvious choice and head over to DCA after DL is closed for the party. If you have a ticket for World of Color (WoC) you can have fun there but if you don’t what can you do? A good portion of Paradise Pier closes before WoC. Screamer, Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Golden Zephyr and the Silly Symphony Swings are closed for World of Color. So what can you do?

The other choices for things to do at DCA when World of Color is going on are the rides in Condor Flats, Hollywood Land, Cars Land and Bugs Land. Honestly that is not much. The only big “E Ticket” rides left open is Radiator Springs Racers, Grizzly Rapids (if it is not too cold to be wet) and Soarin’ Over California. You can go to the Mad T Party if that style of music and flashing lights is your thing. Sadly Mad T is not for me. The lines for the few big rides (especially Radiator Springs Racers) are long because if you are not at WoC or Mad T these is where else to go.

So what could Disney do differently and yet still give something special to the people that don’t mind spending extra? How about closing just one section of DL or DCA for a party? People come and go from that area as they pleased. How about adding a wrist band that allows them to go on the Haunted Mansion in the Fastpass line or a special line just for them because Jack Skellington has decorated it for the holidays. Only those with the wristbands could do the trick or treating.

It is not that I don’t like the Pay to Play Parties in general it is just I see a major problem with them at DLR. Think about the person that has planned their vacation months in advance and did not know that they would have to leave the park early even though they paid for a full day. I know of a person that the only day they can take their sick son is on a day DL is closing early for a Halloween Party. The only way they can give their son a full day is to pay $57 per person extra. Does that seem right? Not to me!