If you pay attention to parks news even a little bit, you probably already know the big headline from January: the new Star Wars Land ride opened! The major event drew massive crowds into the park, and completely overshadowed a few other smaller launches and announcements. Let’s take a look back at this month at the Disneyland Resort.
RISE OF THE RESISTANCE
On January 17, Galaxy’s Edge officially opened its second major attraction: Rise of the Resistance. The highly-anticipated ride has been a smash hit in Disney World for a few months, so the hype on the west coast was at a maximum before the launch. Like in Florida, the Disneyland version is using a virtual queue – starting at park open (usually 8 am), visitors already inside Disneyland’s gates can use their park app to join a boarding group. When your group is called, you head to the attraction. This way, Disneyland avoids 6+ hour waits like they experienced with Guardians of the Galaxy and Radiator Springs Racers.
So, of course, those wanting to ride had to be at the gates early. On the attraction’s opening day, crowds began forming in the esplanade as early as 1 am. This funny video from Twitter, recorded around 4 am, shows the monorail maintenance crew hyping up the crowds.
This person rides his service vehicle on the Monorail track every morning at 4am and is never seen by anyone, but today was his day.
He came prepared, and he is now our king. https://t.co/ZleoF2WN0n
— Melanie (@MissusMelnee) January 17, 2020
When the gates opened, boarding group distribution concluded almost immediately. Pro tip if you’re visiting in the next few months – the virtual queue is still in place, and boarding groups get distributed very, very quickly every day. If you want to ride this attraction, you’ll have to plan ahead and make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get through security and the turnstiles. If you’re not inside Disneyland Park at 8 am, you cannot join a boarding group.
Source: Disneyland Resort
I have to say, having spent a few years following Disneyland news, this is one of the few openings/announcements I’ve seen with almost exclusively positive feedback. Visitors are vehemently confirming this attraction has been worth the wait, and celebrates the very best of Disney Imagineering. I cannot wait to ride it myself in February!
Source: Star Wars
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Though Dapper Day is Disneyland’s big day for nostalgia, you can now take a piece of the 50s home with you any day of the week. Stop by the popcorn cart on Main Street and you can purchase popcorn in a 1950s box – identical to those in the park on Opening Day.
Source: Sasaki Time
MINNIE SHINES IN NEW PARKS COLLECTION
Disneyland’s latest parks collection celebrates one of our favorite characters. Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction sets Minnie in a futuristic colorway and uses images of Space Mountain. The collection includes a backpack, plush, pin set, and ears, and is available in both parks and Downtown Disney.
Source: MiceChat
OTHER UPDATES
This month, Disneyland added another themed event to the Disneyland After Dark 2020 lineup. Star Wars Nite, a fan favorite from last year, returns to the resort in August.
Attention Batuu travelers! R2D2 has arrived on planet and now roams the area near the Millennium Falcon. Keep your eyes out for the chance to meet the galaxy’s favorite droid.
Lunar New Year is now in full swing over in California Adventure. The event, spanning Paradise Gardens Park, features specialty food & drinks, live entertainment, the chance to meet Mulan, and a special World of Color preview. For more information about the festivities, check out my previous post here.
Can’t wait until the new parade opens? Disney released some behind-the-scenes footage of Magic Happens, which debuts in Disneyland next month.
And finally, we now have a first-look at the proposed new tower for the Disneyland Hotel. This tower, pending approval by the city of Anaheim, would be 12 stories and serve as a Disney Vacation Club tower. I cannot figure out based on this image where the tower is going to fit on the campus – it doesn’t seem like the hotel has room for a whole new building! Assuming the city approves the plans, the new tower is slated to open in 2023.
Source: Disney Examiner