Happy December! The year may be winding down, but the Disneyland Resort is not slowing down – there are tons of plans in the works, from land refreshes to show returns to a fan-favorite device coming from Walt Disney World. Let’s jump right in.
FRESH FACES
This month, a bunch of characters made their Disneyland debuts. In Disneyland, the Frozen crew welcomed more members during Merriest Nites: Hans, Oaken, and the Duke of Weselton.
Top: Prospective Pixie Dust, Bottom: Touring Plans
Over on Main Street, the Muppets entertained Merriest Nites visitors, singing and dancing aboard the Omnibus.
Source: OC Register
Across the promenade, the Eternals landed in Avengers Campus.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
And in Paradise Gardens Park, Mirabel from Encanto greeted new fans.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
I don’t know about you, but I’m loving these socially distanced character outings across the parks. While it’s true you can’t get an autograph or get up close, you can see so many more characters without waiting in a long line!
FRESH SPACES
Characters aren’t the only new things coming to the Disneyland Resort. In November, Disney announced plans for two updates to resort areas: one in Mickey’s Toontown, and one in Downtown Disney.
While details are still vague, it looks like Toontown will be getting quite the refresh. Disney teased the following:
The beloved Mickey’s Toontown will transform into a vibrant symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations. Focusing on today’s families with young children, Mickey’s Toontown will feature new play experiences, as well as open, grassy play spaces for everyone to unplug. The land will have landscaping for both spontaneous family play and parental relaxation.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
Based on the concept art, it looks like the central area in the land will have the most dramatic transformation, removing the Jolly Trolley track, adding a large new park, and shuffling around the fountains.
Downtown Disney will be going through a similar refresh, finally giving the largely abandoned western side some major TLC.
Source: D23
With this project, we have a little bit more detail. The AMC theater will be demolished, making room for grassy areas and a performance stage. Earl of Sandwich, Sugarboo & Co., and Starbucks (west end one) will close as part of this update. Disney also teased that this is a “multi-year” project to refresh Downtown Disney overall.
OTHER UPDATES
After years of speculation, Disney finally confirmed that the magic band system from Disney World is coming west. The magic bands will debut sometime in 2022 at the Disneyland Resort – with more details to come in the near future. I’ll put together a separate post on the system once we have more information.
Shows are slowly returning! We now have official confirmation that Fantasmic!, World of Color, and the Main Street Electrical Parade will return in 2022.
And finally, this month Disney released concept art for the new Disneyland Hotel tower for DVC guests. I’ll be honest – I’m still not totally clear on where this fits on the property (and the theming doesn’t really seem to match?) but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how it plays out.
Source: D23
I’m so glad something is being done with Toontown! For far too long people talk about it being removed! But I think it’s so darn cute! But that said, I feel like Tomorrowland is being forgotten about! It is in desperate need of an overhaul! I’m also very excited about Downtown Disney changes, since they were a little too eager before and closed things before they were given full approval from the city.
I know what you mean. Every time I hear about a big project, I hope it’s Tomorrowland. Don’t get me wrong – Toontown and Downtown Disney could both use some upgrades. But Tomorrowland is in desperate need of a revamp…the crowd flow, the empty Launch Bay building, etc. It needs some love!