Outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease Centered on Disneyland

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

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Disneyland Park may be the center of a Legionnaire’s outbreak that has sickened 12 people in September. Legionnaire’s disease, which is caused by the Legionella bacteria, is a severe form of pneumonia, typically caused by inhaling the mist of water contaminated with the bacteria. It is not contagious.

The two cooling towers, in the center of the image above, sit roughly 100 feet behind the New Orleans Square station of the Disneyland Railroad. Cooling towers like these are used as part of large industrial air-conditioning systems, and emit water mist as they cool the water in the system.

According to Dr. Pamela Hymel, chief medical officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the towers were shut down after Disney was contacted by the county health care agency on October 27 about increased Legionnaires’ cases in Anaheim. “We conducted a review and learned that two cooling towers had elevated levels of Legionella bacteria,” Hymel said.

Of the 12 people who contracted the disease, nine had visited Disneyland. One is a Disneyland cast member. The other three had visited Anaheim, but not Disneyland specifically. So far this year, Orange County has reported 55 cases of Legionnaire’s disease.

“There is no known ongoing risk associated with this outbreak,” according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.  “These towers were treated with chemicals that destroy the bacteria and are currently shut down,” said Hymel in a statement Friday.

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BREAKING: Star Tours Will No Longer Mix Places & Characters from Different Eras, Ride to be Separated Into Two Paths

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

When Star Tours opens on November 17th, 2017, guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park will only find characters related to the latest Star Wars trilogy and will likely never see these characters mixed with classic faces and sequences moving forward.

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What does this mean? Well, an entirely new opening sequence featuring characters from Episodes 7 and 8 will debut, followed by the Jakku sequence, a transmission from BB-8 (and maybe even some other new characters), and then finally, the new Crait sequence featuring the planet from The Last Jedi.

At a later time to be determined, guests will then have a choice between two paths in the attraction, culminating in ride sequences that either feature characters from the current trilogy (episodes 7-8) or those from the past (episodes 1-6). Think of this like Mission:Space at Epcot, where guests can choose between two different versions of the ride.

It is unknown when this will begin, but it should be somewhere in the timeframe of 6-12 months after the debut of the Crait scene later this month.

This separation would alleviate confusion for guests, as characters from very different eras in the series have appeared concurrently in the Star Tours attraction since its overhaul in 2011. That being said, the classic version would span Episodes 1 through 6, which still covers a wide range of time in the saga.

Disneyland After Dark Brings New Nighttime Experiences to Guests in 2018

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Disneyland will be hosting a series of hard-ticket evening events in 2018 under the banner of “Disneyland After Dark.”

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The first event will take place on January 18 and will be called “Throwback Nite.”

Step back in time to the ‘50s and ‘60s for a taste of the classic after-dark experience at Disneyland. Come dressed in your best to enjoy the Happiest Place on Earth under a million twinkling lights, swinging to the tune of the bands and enjoying your favorite rides in the cool moonlight ‘till the clock strikes 1 a.m.!

Original attraction posters of Disneyland experiences from yesteryear welcome you as you commemorate the evening with special photo locations – and unlimited digital downloads are included with your event admission! Live music and dancing bring the bygone era to life throughout the park, and the sky lights up with an exclusive showing of “Fantasy in The Sky” fireworks. Guests will receive a commemorative lanyard and a vintage-inspired park map that will highlight the special experiences taking place throughout the evening.

Tickets go on sale for Disneyland APs on November 30, and the general public on December 7. Pricing and other details have not yet been announced.

Disney Announces Another New Star Tours Destination, Reveals New Crait Concept Art

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Today the Disney Parks Blog has released some concept art of the new Crait scene debuting on November 17 at Star Tours in Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and later at overseas parks).

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Disney also hinted in the Parks Blog post that there is another new scene coming, and this is likely the new opening sequence featuring characters from Episodes 7 and 8 that we reported yesterday.

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We’ll be on the scene on November 17 to bring you all the details, so stay tuned!

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer Coming to Downtown Disney at Disneyland in 2018

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Known for its award-winning burgers and signature CrazyShake milkshakes, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer will open its first California location in the heart of Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort next year.

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Black Tap is creating a customized concept for its Downtown Disney District location, which will feature indoor and outdoor seating. The burger and beer joint will be set in a casual atmosphere reminiscent of a classic American luncheonette, but with a distinctly New York vibe.

Black Tap’s menu will include burgers ranging from the classic All-American to The Vegan Burger. In addition, their specialty “CrazyShakes” will boast whimsical and over-the-top decorations and flavors, such as The Cotton Candy Shake and The Bam Bam Shake.

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Construction is scheduled to begin soon, across from Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar.

REVIEW: Gingerbread Funnel Cake Fries at Award Wieners, Disney California Adventure Holidays 2017

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Award Wieners in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure is currently offering a seasonal specialty.

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They don’t light the boards very well in the evening…

New to the menu are Gingerbread Funnel Cake Fries, available through January 7th, 2018.

Gingerbread Funnel Cake Fries ($7.49)

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I haven’t had the normal variety of Funnel Cake Fries from Award Wieners, but if they are anything like these, I will have to.

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It is what the name implies, Funnel Cake in the shape of fries, in this case with a pretty fantastic gingerbread flavoring. The presence of a sweet icing and whipped cream on top is perfection and the order size is quite large, which it should be at this price point.

I did have to wait about 5 minutes for them to be made, but that also meant they were as fresh and warm as could be.

I can not recommend these enough, please try them if you have the chance!

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REVIEW: Giant Yule Log Cronut, Pumpkin Pie Smoothie at Schmoozies, Disney California Adventure Holidays 2017

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Schmoozies in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure is offering a number of seasonal specialties this holiday season. Among them is a Yule Log Holiday Doughnut and Pumpkin Pie Smoothie.

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Yule Log Doughnut ($8.99)

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I’ve become so desensitized to Disney Parks food prices that I didn’t even think about this being $8.99 when I ordered it. With that being said, I was thus unprepared for the giant pastry I would be handed…

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This thing is giant, at least shareable between 3 people (at minimum) if you don’t want to feel like death afterwards. It is also quite good.

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It is basically a croissant doughnut (similar to the one we had at Schmoozies for HalloweenTime), but this time a larger version filled with a Pecan Praline cream and covered in chocolate. The exterior is flaky and delicious, the Pecan Praline cream adds a nice flavor, and there’s just enough chocolate on top to make this just about perfect for every bite. Everything is balanced properly and the cream filling is present just enough to not over power all of the other flavors.

If this sounds good to you, then bring a small horde over to the park to share this with you. Or try to eat it all yourself, I won’t judge.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie ($5.99)

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I have had many a smoothie from Schmoozies in my time, and I typically enjoy them quite a bit, but this was horrendous. It didn’t taste like pumpkin pie, but rather as if you were drinking a blended version of the metal tin that the pie came. So yes, there is a pumpkin pie flavor, but it is followed by a strong metallic, or even chemical-like flavor. I had to throw half of this out, and I only drank the other half because I felt bad wasting so much of it.

They’re also serving a Peppermint Malibu Mocha beverage right now, so I would probably go with that if you want a seasonal specialty drink.

Star Tours Now Ends On Galaxy’s Edge Planet, Previewing New Star Wars Land at Disney Parks

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Guests riding Star Tours today not only got a look at Crait from The Last Jedi, they also got a sneak peek at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

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The new Crait scene in Star Tours actually concludes the ride by making a hyperspace visit to the safety of Batuu, the now-named planet guests will visit in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios In 2019.

Other changes to the ride include two new opening sequences featuring Kylo Ren and the First Order Stormtroopers in place of the original opening scenes. There are also two new transmission sequences featuring Maz Kanata and Poe Dameron, in addition to the pre-existing BB-8.

All of these changes were detailed in a report we posted earlier this week.

 

 

New Made with Magic 3.0 Ear Hats Now Available; Glow With The Show At Home Via App

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Just released on the Shop Disney Parks app, the new “Made With Magic 3.0” ear hats (that we first told you about last month) are the first of the new “connected” Made with Magic items to become available. These new generation interactive glow items are designed to connect to the Shop Disney Parks app via Bluetooth so that users can control the lighting effects even when they are not at the Disney Parks.

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To demonstrate this new home use, the app will sync with ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration on November 30th at 9PM EST to “complete the event experience with a glowing, synchronized display.” The same synchronization will be available during the broadcast of the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on December 25th.

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You must order your new ear hat by November 20 in order to have it arrive at your home in time for the Nov. 30 television special.

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BREAKING: Disneyland Discontinues SoCal Annual Pass

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

As of today, the Disneyland Southern California Annual Pass is no longer available for purchase. It was removed from the Disneyland website this morning.

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This popular pass was priced at $469 (plus tax) and allowed passholders admission for around 215 days each year. The main blockout dates were holidays, Saturdays, all of July, Fridays in June, and half of August. Note that the SoCal Select Pass, which permits admission for around 170 days each year, is still available at $339. The key difference is that the SoCal Select Pass adds Sundays and most of June to the blockout dates of the SoCal Pass.

This move is not surprising, and indeed was expected to come sooner or later, as Disneyland will be hosting massive crowds once Galaxy’s Edge opens in 2019. This is one step in an effort to reduce crowding in Disneyland, especially on weekends, when millions of locals are expected to descend on the area to be among the first to visit the newest land. The crowds will be even worse since Galaxy’s Edge will open in Disneyland before it opens in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, so for a few months it will be the destination for Star Wars fans.

This is not the first time that Disney has discontinued the SoCal Annual Pass. In 2014 it was discontinued due to crowds expected for the Diamond Celebration of Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary. After the Diamond Celebration concluded, the pass became available again in 2016.