Disneyland News Today Turns Two!!!

WDWNT on February 9, 2010

Two years ago today…

Let me welcome everyone to DL News Today! DL News Today is the offspring of WDW News Today, dedicated to the place where the magic began, the Disneyland Resort. This daily updated news and information website will be dedicated to covering all the happenings at Disneyland Park, Disney’s California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney shopping district, and the three resort hotels that make up the Anaheim, California vacation destination. Stay tuned for daily news, rumors, articles, and podcasts as we present “Ideals, Dreams, and Hard Facts”.

Hard to believe it was two years ago that Disneyland News Today launched, on the anniversary of Disney’s California Adventure. February 8th seemed like a fitting day to launch “DLNT”, since the opening came about at the beginning of the huge expansion period for Disney’s California Adventure theme park. The DLNT website has covered many historic openings, debuts, and events from the Disneyland Resort in its short existence. But the website has only been one part of the equation. The Disneyland News Today Podcast has been revolutionary in that it is still the only podcast dedicated to news and current events at the Disneyland Resort, a concept WDW News Today readers and listeners wanted to see fulfilled in a 2007 year-end survey.

I would be remiss to not acknowledge the rolling changes as of late to the Disneyland News Today brand of the WDWNT Network. The website and podcast you enjoy have probably been the greatest learning experience for the WDWNT Network, learning the hard way that what worked for a Walt Disney World fan, probably won’t work for a Disneyland Resort fan. The lessons were valuable, and have led to many changes in the staff and operations of our website and podcast. Just 5 weeks ago, we launched the NEW Disneyland News Today Podcast to rave reviews. The show might be young, but has already proven popular, entering the top ten in the iTunes top travel podcast list regularly over the last month. The Disneyland News Today website also introduced a new lead reporter last week, the first step in returning news updates to a regular flow.

While it has been a rough two years at Disneyland News Today, it has also been a fun and rewarding experience. We would like to thank all of you who stayed with us through the rough times and promise you that 2010 will be a HUGE year for Disneyland News Today and the NEW Disneyland News Today Podcast. In a way, it all begins again for DLNT today, and we’ll be revealing some major changes in the next few weeks that we think you’ll enjoy. So here’s to the future and our continuing effort to bring you “The Ideals, Dreams, and Hard Facts” of the Disneyland Resort.

Tom Corless
Owner of the WDWNT Network

Drew Brees Goes to Disney World for “Saintly” Parade

WDWNT on February 8, 2010

Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees joins Mickey Mouse Feb. 8, 2010 in a celebratory parade in the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Brees, the quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, is the latest celebrity to star in the “I’m Going to Disney World!” and “I’m Going to Disneyland” commercials which aired only hours after last night’s NFL championship game ended. Brees led his team to a 31-17 victory over the AFC champion Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami. (David Roark, photographer)

Drew Brees (left) signs an autograph Feb. 8, 2010 for Paul Grace (center) from Orlando, Fla., as his wife Lisa Grace (right) looks on in the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Officially Announces Two New World Showcase Eateries

WDWNT on February 8, 2010

Disney has released a statement regarding the two new restaurants coming to Italy and Mexico in World Showcase at Epcot, including some interesting new details:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Two exciting additions are coming to Epcot World Showcase, with culinary expansions under way at the Italy pavilion and Mexico pavilion.

In Italy, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria is under construction with opening planned for fall 2010 in time for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Operated by Patina Restaurant Group, the same restaurateurs who run the pavilion’s Tutto Italia Ristorante, the 300-seat pizzeria is inspired by Naples 45, another Patina Restaurant Group pizzeria on East 45th Street in New York City.

The casual pizzeria will feature wood-burning ovens – and will import water from a source that most resembles the water in Naples, Italy, home of some of the world’s best pizza dough. The menu also will feature pastas, salads, sandwiches and Italian wines.

The 14,000-square-foot space will include indoor and outdoor dining.

At Mexico, the popular Cantina de San Angel restaurant is expanding, and will feature 400 seats with al fresco seating for lunch and a perfect place for viewing “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” the nightly Epcot fireworks spectacular.

The restaurant will feature south-of-the border creations from the culinary team at San Angel Inn LLC, who have run both the outside eatery and the pavilion’s San Angel Inn for more than 25 years. Opening also is set for fall 2010.

Rain, Rain… Please Go Away

WDWNT on February 6, 2010

Disneyland and California Adventure will be closing early again today as the rains have affected normal operation of the park. The parks have been closed early twice in the last month. The forecast does continue into tomorrow so if you plan to go to the resort, be aware that several attractions may be closed and shows canceled.

Disneyland park will close at 8 PM and California Adventure at 6 PM.

Update: Tonight, the 6th, it has been reported that Disneyland Park will close at 9:00 PM and DCA at 6:00 PM.

Disney Hotel Workers to Fast

WDWNT on February 4, 2010

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The OC Register reporting on the ongoing dispute between Disney Hotel Workers and Management:

Some Disney hotel workers today said they are willing to risk their own health by joining a hunger strike for the sake of securing free healthcare benefits.

Today, the Disney hotel union, Unite Here Local 11, announced that 10 members plan to start a hunger strike on Tuesday to draw attention to a two-year contract dispute. The participants plan to consume only water for at least seven days.

Disney officials say the union is using the strike to distract from the negotiations stalemate.

“This is just another tactic from Local 11 leadership to distract from the fact that after two years their members are still without a contract,” said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman, in a prepared statement Wednesday.

The main contention is over healthcare costs: Disney wants employees to contribute to the company health plan. The union wants to keep providing its own free health care for about 2,150 members, with Disney kicking in more funds.

In the past two years, employees say workloads also have increased, some leading to health problems, said Ada Briceno, the union’s secretary-treasurer. Disney officials say that the workload has remained about the same and injury reports have collectively decreased in the past two years at the three hotels: Grand Californian, Paradise Pier and Disneyland.

“We are offering Local 11 the same reliable and affordable heath care coverage in which members of the other 30 of 31 unions at Disneyland Resort and more than 66,000 Disney employees nationwide participate,” Brown said in a prepared statement.

Basema Sharaf, the widow of a hotel cook, said her husband died on the job of a heart attack, which she attributed to his failure to take breaks and to working extra hours.

“He worked under a lot of pressure and stress at Disneyland,” Sharaf said.

Kristi Richards, a Grand Californian Hotel cashier who worked with Musa Sharaf, tearfully said she is fasting to pay respect to her co-worker and support others.

In the past, Richards said she went to work while sick because she couldn’t afford to lose money, as employees have lost sick days because of the contract dispute. But she has since saved up vacation time to take a week off. See a previous story about the sick-pay issue HERE.

“I’ve done everything I can do,” Richards said. “I’m basically out of ideas.”

The participants plan to camp out in tents on the sidewalk in front of the Grand Californian Hotel starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday and are inviting others to join in.

It is illegal to block the sidewalk and officers have been talking to union organizers about logistics, said Sgt. Rick Martinez, an Anaheim Police Department spokesman. Briceno said participants plan to leave room for pedestrians to pass by, but they are willing to get arrested.

“We’re hoping it doesn’t come to that,” Briceno said.

On Friday, Disney urged union officials to meet with a federal mediator, which union leaders said they would do. But Disney had yet to receive a response from the union as of this morning.

Passholders to get Food and Wine Tickets Early

WDWNT on February 4, 2010

From Disney Parks Blog:

The most voracious fans of Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival know that the fifth annual Festival will celebrate “The Art of Flavor” from April 16 through May 31 this year. But the date they’re really craving is the first day of ticket sales. We’ve got that news for you today.

Tickets for selected Signature events go on sale February 4 for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders only, at the Special Offer Page. General sales of all Festival Signature events will begin on February 16 at 10 a.m., at www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.

Annual Passholders will be able to register from February 4 through February 15 to get special reduced prices for these events: winemaker dinners, a new Brewmaster Dinner, and the Festival finale celebration “Taste Food-Wine-Life.” Annual Passholders must provide proof of membership online.

While you may be familiar with the winemaker dinners, here’s a little more information about “Taste Food-Wine-Life.” It’s a fun, high-energy evening that combines the best elements of the Food & Wine Festival into one grand finale celebration, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 29. The party has live musical entertainment, an outstanding selection of wines and a variety of food to taste. Not only do you get to see Disney chefs whipping up their specialty food dishes, you can talk to them about their creations as you sample their work.

If you’ve attended Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival in previous years, please share what you enjoyed most at the Festival.

Pricing and Times can be found at The Disneyland Annual Passholder Site


The Mighty McDonald’s Moves Out for Obscure Chicken Chain

WDWNT on February 4, 2010

Both of these articles from the Orlando Sentinel published today tell an interesting story, the story of an obscure fast food chain replacing McDonald’s in the Downtown Disney Marketplace:

Pollo Campero, an international Latin chicken quick-service restaurant chain, has partnered with Levy Campero to deliver a new restaurant concept in Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World Resort. The restaurant, which is scheduled to open in late 2010, will feature Pollo Campero’s signature Latin cusine, as well as fresh, and healthful foods. Menu items will include Latin chicken, yuca fries, sweet plantains, and Latin drinks including horchata and tamarindo.

Pollo Campero, the world’s largest Latin chicken restaurant chain, serves more than 85 million customers each year at more than 300 restaurants in 12 countries around the globe. This includes more than 50 locations already open in the United States, with additional stores scheduled to open this year.

Fast-food giant McDonald’s is leaving Downtown Disney.

The McDonald’s restaurant at Walt Disney World’s shopping-and-dining district will close April 30, Disney said this afternoon. It will be replaced by Pollo Campero, a Latin chicken fast-food chain.

Pollo Campero says it serves more than 85 million customers a year. McDonald’s says it serves more than 47 million customers a day.

Representatives for Disney World and McDonald’s said the exit stems from a 2004 decision to end a 10-year exclusive sponsorship agreement between McDonald’s Corp. and Walt Disney Co. The Downtown Disney restaurant was included in that agreement.

“Our alliance partners are ever-changing and this shift in our relationship with McDonald’s reflects the dynamic nature of the sponsorship business,” Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said.

McDonald’s said all of its employees at the Downtown Disney were offered transfers to other McDonald’s locations and that no one would lose their job as a result of the closure.

McDonald’s will continue to operate its restaurant near the entrance to the Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

“We will continue to work with Disney on mutually beneficial opportunities,” McDonald’s spokeswoman Danya Proud said.

WDWCelebrations Announces Two New WDW Events

WDWNT on February 3, 2010

The WDWNT Network is proud to have renewed its partnership with WDWCelebrations, the same group that led fan celebrations for Epcot’s 25th anniversary, Animal Kingdom’s 10th anniversary, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ 20th anniversary. The group announced two new upcoming Florida events this week that I think you’ll be interested in:

WDWCelebrations Returns to Florida for a “Holiday Hoopla!” in December 2010, and a Celebration of the Historic 40th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World® Resort in October 2011

Celebrate the holidays and Walt’s birthday during our Signature Event, Thursday-Sunday, December 2nd-5th, 2010, and mark your calendars for our mega celebration of Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary on October 1, 2011.

The WDWCelebrations Team is excited to announce two new events at the Walt Disney World® Resort for 2010 and 2011.  While the summer of 2010 will see WDWCelebrations heading west to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of Disneyland® Park, our return to Florida will be marked by a double-event homecoming of epic proportions.

WDWCelebrations is decking the halls in December 2010 with our Signature Event, “Holiday Hoopla!”.  The Walt Disney World® Resort takes on an even more magical feel during the holiday season, and WDWCelebrations is preparing to share it with you!

The four-day event, set for December 2-5, 2010, will showcase the special holiday offerings of all four theme parks as well as the resort hotels. Guests will enjoy their favorite WDWCelebrations signature offerings such as history walks, scavenger hunts, group rides, group meals, and, of course, a few very special surprises, all set to the warmth and glow of Christmastime at Walt Disney World® Resort.

The timing of the event is no coincidence; attendees will be able to enjoy the full holiday splendor of the parks at a more-relaxed pace and still be back home to spend the heart of the holidays with their families.  The event schedule also gives WDWCelebrations a chance to celebrate the anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth on December 5th with fellow Disney fans.  WDWCelebrations co-founder Jason Diffendal hints, “We’ve got a special celebration in the works for the birthday, but we’re not revealing any of Santa’s secrets just yet.”

Meanwhile, the WDWCelebrations elves are hard at work making their lists and checking them twice, with lots of preparations already underway.  Like all WDWCelebrations events, there are always plenty of little surprises, and you never know just who might show up.

Looking ahead to 2011, October 1st marks the historic 40th anniversary of the Walt Disney World® Resort.  As with our previous events, this celebration will include our own signature offerings to complement the official activities offered by the Walt Disney Company.

Adam Roth, co-founder of WDWCelebrations, explains, “The 40th anniversary marks the biggest resort-wide celebration since our inception, and we’re planning our most ambitious event to date to honor four incredible decades of magic in Central Florida.  Mark your calendars now for October 1, 2010, as this will be a celebration you won’t want to miss.”

Registration for “Holiday Hoopla!” will open in May 2010.  Registration for the 40th anniversary event will open in Spring 2011.  More information about these events will be released in the coming months via the WDWCelebrations.com website and newsletter as well as the WDWCelebrations official fan page on Facebook and the @WDWCelebrations Twitter feed.