Resort Updates – August 2024

I hope all of you US-based readers had a wonderful Labor Day weekend! August seems like a blur to me, and with D23, construction projects, and Halloween seasoning kicking off at the resort, it was a little bit of a blur for Disneyland too. Let’s take a look back at all the happenings last month.

D23 BRINGS DISNEYLAND NEWS

Every other year, Disney hosts a convention down the street from Disneyland. Most years, we get some Disneyland related news and announcements – and this year did not disappoint. I have a detailed post highlighting the announcements here.

Rather than repeat myself in this post, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite fan outfits/costumes/cosplays from the event! First, “Honey I Shrunk the Audience“:

 Source: Laughing Place

Next, this amazing Haunted Mansion ensemble.

 Source: Disney Parks Blog

And last but not least – this amazing tribute to the Refreshment Corner. I love every detail, from her dual-colored lightbulb dress to her piano purse.

 Source: @nateyagi

DOWNTOWN DISNEY TEASES NEW OFFERINGS

After D23, Disneyland continued the parade of announcements with even more arrivals headed to Downtown Disney in the near future.

New shops:

• Avengers Reserve – a new Avengers souvenir shop that will offer “collectibles, apparel, accessories, toys and comics”
• D-Lander Shop – a boutique “celebrating trend-forward fashions for Disneyland fans, offering a stylish collection of apparel, accessories and jewelry”
• Disney Wonderful World of Sweets – Marceline’s Confectionary will expand and be re-themed into the Wonderful World of Sweets, expanding its menu and exhibition kitchen where you can watch the confectioners make magic.

New dining:

• Carnaby Tavern – patio restaurant with an indoor/outdoor full service bar, themed as “an homage to the swinging ‘60s British Invasion pop and rock bands from the UK”
• To-be-named BBQ restaurant – Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori is bringing a BBQ restaurant into the district with an outdoor bar and quick-service menu featuring “traditional BBQ dishes such as pulled pork, beef brisket and smoked wings that incorporate unique spices and house-made sauces”
• To-be-named steakhouse – Also coming from Chef Isidori, this steakhouse will “have a warm and sophisticated ambiance with a menu highlighting prime cuts of beef, chops, fresh seafood, sandwiches and chopped salads”

 Source: Disney Parks Blog

BAYOU COUNTRY OFFICIALLY BEGINS

At the tail end of the month, Winnie the Pooh finally reopened and marked the very start of “Bayou Country”, the new theming of Critter Country. Much of the land is still currently behind walls, but you can see how some of the changes are taking shape. For example, check out the restyling of the former red barn that will serve as the entrance to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Source: Fresh Baked Disney

We should see walls keep coming down in the next few weeks, and then the land will be “fully operational” once Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens up in November.

OTHER UPDATES

Paradise Garden Park has a new show running at least for the next few months. Several times a day, you can swing by the bandstand area to see “The Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia Celebrate The Musical World of Coco!”. This show features musical numbers and an ensemble dance troop of humans and skeletons dancing together.

Over in Frontierland, there are some new characters to meet. Starting today (for a “limited time”), Isabela and Luisa from Encanto will be conducting meet and greets in the Zocalo Park area at the center of the land.

And finally, the Red Car Trolley may finally be finishing its run in California Adventure. In late August, cast members received word that the attraction would close for the upcoming Avengers ride construction. We don’t know for certain yet if its route will be reworked to keep the attraction alive, but it seems likely it will close permanently.