This week, Bob Iger talks about the parks, spring break is hitting the parks, but weather is tempering the crowds, fireworks are back nightly, Imagineering shows off some cool tech, we finish our talk with Don from the PNW Mouse Meet, and more!
Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/.
If you want some DLWeekly Swag, you can pick some up at https://www.dlweekly.net/store/.
Book your travel through ConciEARS at no extra cost to you! Be sure to mention that you heard about ConciEARS from DLWeekly at booking!
DISCOUNTS!
We have partnered with the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground to get great deals for our listeners! Book your stay at the Howard Johnson Anaheim and get 15% off your stay (code 1000022077)! Magic Key Holders get 20% off their stay (code 1000025935) as well! Book now!
Need the perfect bag for your days in the parks? Look no further than Designer Park Co.! Purchase the Rope Drop Bag as featured on Episode 222 and get 10% off your purchase! Use coupon code DLWEEKLY to get the discount.
If you want some awesome headwear or one of a kind items, be sure to visit our friends over at All Enchanting Ears! You can use the promo code DLWEEKLY10 to get 10% off your order!
News:
Bob Iger talked about the company and the parks during a question and answer session at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference. He emphasized that reducing crowds in the parks was important to improving the guest experience. It sounds like part of the process to help with that would be to add new capacity and attractions to serve more guests. – https://www.micechat.com/350274-disneyland-update-the-one-two-punch/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2023/03/ceo-bob-iger-talks-disney-parks-guest-experience-rethinking-pricing-strategies-and-opportunities-to-add-more-attractions/
Spring Break season has descended upon the resort. This year, it has been very interesting to see the crowds because of the on again, off again weather changes. On the nice weather days, the parks feel like they are back to the pre-pandemic levels, then just a day later with rain, the parks seem deserted. Waits on the rainy days were mostly under 30 minutes – https://www.micechat.com/350274-disneyland-update-the-one-two-punch/
Nightly fireworks have returned to the resort for the higher crowds and spring break. Usually, the fireworks are only part of the show from Friday through Sunday. Now, they are performed every night, which is a wonderful way to see Wondrous Journeys. – https://www.micechat.com/350274-disneyland-update-the-one-two-punch/
Walt Disney Imagineering were at it again showing off some of the new technology that they have been working on at a Disney Parks presentation at South by Southwest. Some of the eye-catching things included a “life size” Tinker Bell. In addition, they demoed a small dynamic robot that could bring Judy Hopps to life, along with showing off the Hulk character that was in Avengers Campus in September. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2023/03/new-look-at-life-size-tinker-bell-for-disney-parks-meet-and-greet-may-still-debut/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2023/03/video-disney-parks-shares-closer-look-at-life-size-tiny-tinker-bell-technology/
The rest of Toontown opens this weekend, but another smaller part of the land has opened. EngineEar Souvenirs has opened as the attached gift shop to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The new shop is very themed to trains, including a train that travels around the store above guest’s heads. The shop carries a lot of Toontown and Runaway Railway attraction merchandise. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2023/03/10/disney-opened-a-new-store-today-come-check-it-out/ and https://www.micechat.com/349905-disneyland-toontown-merchandise-engineear-souvenirs/
St. Patrick’s Day is this Friday and of course, Disneyland has some treats to help celebrate! Guests can pick up some shamrock-shaped rice crispy treats, green stuff at Red Rose Tavern, a cupcake and donut at