This week, things are moving erradically for the parks reopening, a new shop opens inside of one of the parks, faster security could be coming, cast member layoffs, a celebration of 20 years of pin trading, we talk with Mike Wally Davis about his new book, and more!
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News:
What a week it has been. Since we last recorded, there were rumors of guidelines being released to allow the parks, and other amusement parks throughout the state to open, then they were postponed, then Bob Iger left the task force that was working on the guidelines, then more and more Anaheim area organizations are pressuring the state and Governor Gavin Newson to allow the parks to open. The guidelines that were rumored to be suggested were that “individual theme parks can reopen only once their county reaches the least-restrictive “minimal” risk level, they must operate at 25% of attendance capacity, and limit visitors to residents living within a 120-mile radius of each theme park.” The biggest issue with this was that to get to the minimal risk level would basically mean waiting until the pandemic was over. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/10/02/news-early-details-of-californias-theme-park-reopening-guidelines-revealed/ and https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2020/10/01/california-attractions-and-parks-association-asks-state-not-to-finalize-reopening-guidelines-until-modifications-are-made/ and https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2020/10/01/bob-iger-leaves-gavin-newsom-economic-recovery-advisory-group/ and https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2020/10/02/california-officials-to-work-with-theme-park-operators-before-issuing-reopening-guidelines/
Guests can now step inside the gates of Disney California Adventure to shop, but it isn’t what it sounds like. Stage 17, which has been home to Who Wants to be a Millionaire: Play It! and recently a Frozen themed area for the holidays, will be open and used as a retail space to help with guest demand for Halloween merchandise. Even though this building is inside DCA, guests will enter through a backstage entrance to the left of the entrance to DCA and head right into the space. The building will house 10,000 square feet of retail space. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/10/fall-is-filled-with-halloween-merchandise-collections-featuring-new-disneyland-resort-backlot-premiere-shop-coming-soon-to-stage-17-in-downtown-disney-district/ and https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2020/10/05/news-disneyland-resort-will-open-a-backlot-premiere-shop-in-downtown-disney/
With the amount of guests that have been arriving at Downtown Disney for an escape from reality and their piece of Disney Magic, the security checkpoints have been slow going. Waits of 90 minutes or more just to pass throught the security checkpoints have been reported on the weekends. The resort is testing new contactless metal detectors at the screening areas that hope to speed things up a bit. The system allows guests to walk through the new detectors without the need to remove items from their pockets, open their backpacks, or place anything in a bin. The new scanners can process 10 times more guests, up to 3,600 per hour. The system also uses artificial intelligence to detect weapons on guests as they pass through. – https://www.ocregister.com/2020/10/03/disneyland-tests-new-contactless-metal-detectors-to-speed-visitors-through-security-checkpoints/
Josh D’Amaro,