DLW 365: Walt Disney Hometown Museum with Kaye

DLWeekly Podcast - Disneyland News and Information

This week, Imagineering picks up some Themed Entertainment Awards, Thanksgiving meal options, Magic Keyholder’s can pick up a free gift, The Haunted Mansion queue has opened, big changes to the D23 membership plans, we talk to Kaye from the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, and more!

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News:

Weeklyteers know that Imagineers are amazing at bringing stories to life in the parks, resorts, ships, and other locations around the world. The Themed Entertainment Association has recognized Imagineering for three separate projects. Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea and Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland have received the Outstanding Achievement Award – Theme Park Land, making it the first time Imagineering has received two awards in the category in a single year. The Outstanding Achievement – Technical Innovation was awarded for the BDX Droids found wandering around in Star Wars Galaxys Edge. These add to the nearly 70 Thea awards that Imagineering has received over the last 30 years. – https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/imagineering-recognized-for-themed-entertainment-excellence-three-disney-projects-honored-with-thea-awards/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XuvWrvsBVk&t=9s https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tdr+explorer+fantasy+springs

For Weeklyteers who are looking to spend Thanksgiving in Disneyland, there are a couple of places to get a meal to celebrate. Carnation Cafe will have a Thanksgiving Turkey dinner for $25, which includes an oven-roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, seasonal vegetables, and cornbread stuffing. A kid’s size is just $15. The Plaza Inn also has a Thanksgiving Dinner. For $18.99, guests get carved turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and cranberry sauce. A child’s portion is available for $10.49. For a snack, there is a Thanks-mass Sandwich at Jolly Holiday, and a Turkey Dinner Potato at Troubadour Tavern. – https://www.micechat.com/404239-disneyland-news-mansion-construction-thanksgiving-crowds/

Another gift is available for Magic Keyholders at the resort. From November 27th through December 6th, while supplies last, keyholders can pick up a Moana 2 custom print. It can be picked up at Disneyana, Kingswell Shop, and Wonderground Gallery. – https://www.micechat.com/404239-disneyland-news-mansion-construction-thanksgiving-crowds/ https://www.instagram.com/ryanriller_/?hl=en

The extended queue of the Haunted Mansion has finally debuted to guests! The new extended queue has a lot of details to look at and enjoy. The path winds through some gardens, Madame Leota’s enchanted garden, and past new crypts. Guests in mobility devices enter through the main entrance of the mansion, and exit through a new, accessible elevator that features a gallery of original artwork for the attraction. – https://www.micechat.com/404239-disneyland-news-mansion-construction-thanksgiving-crowds/

The Main Street Train Station is finally out from behind scrims and looks great! With the Candlelight Processional happening soon, it needed to be complete for the setup that features that station as a stage and backdrop. The displays inside the station have been cleaned up and look great, with the roof being completely replaced, and the decorative elements getting a good polish. – https://www.micechat.com/404239-disneyland-news-mansion-construction-thanksgiving-crowds/

The Lego store has reopened in Downtown Disney, but has little to show for the refurbishment. None of the new Lego sculptures have been installed, with no word on if they are coming at all. Hopefully they have just been delayed and will show up in the future. – https://www.micechat.com/404239-disneyland-news-mansion-construction-thanksgiving-crowds/

The upcoming Parkside Market at the west end of Downtown Disney has received some of the final signage for the stores that will call this location home. Parkside Market, Sip & Sonder, and D-Lander signs have all been installed and look nearly ready to open. – https://www.micechat.com/404239-disneyland-news-mansion-construction-thanksgiving-crowds/

When Ray’s Berets opened in Bayou Country, Ray had his home decked out for Halloween. Well, now that Halloween is over, he has decorated for Christmas! He has a couple of stockings hung by the fireplace, and a tree setup with a gift nearby. MiceChat reports that Imagineers mentioned that Ray will be redecorating for many holidays throughout the year. – https://www.micechat.com/404239-disneyland-news-mansion-construction-thanksgiving-crowds/

Magic Keyholders who might be holding out on using Lightning Lane can get it at a discounted price in January. From January 6th through January 31st, the discount for Lightning Lane will be doubled when using the Magic Key to enter the parks. – https://www.micechat.com/404239-disneyland-news-mansion-construction-thanksgiving-crowds/

If you want some truly original holiday merchandise, stop in to Din Tai Fung in Downtown Disney! Din Tai Fung’s mascots are available in a plush purse, and clip-on plushie version. A pair of holiday ornaments are also available. – https://www.micechat.com/404239-disneyland-news-mansion-construction-thanksgiving-crowds/

There is a gingerbread house in the Grand Californian lobby, in the ballroom of the Haunted Mansion, and now one in the Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen on Main Street! What makes this one special is that it is Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle! – https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCzb2ihP1DF/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

D23, the Official Disney Fan Club, is updating the membership plans. The general membership level, which includes a weekly newsletter, seasonal activations, and access to sweepstakes and general events will remain free. Starting January 1st, there will be THREE new gold membership levels. Each level will include access to D23 evetns, discounts, and special offers, with the addition of an exclusive D23 Gold Membership Kit, which comes with a membership certificate and card, a Savings Passport, collectible stitch pin, Goofy and Max car magnet, and a special Disney Lorcana trading card. Starting with the Spring 2025 issue of the Disney twenty-three publication, it will be offered in a digital and interactive version. These are all included in the Gold Member Essential Plan at $49.99 a year. For $99.99 per year, you can get the Gold Member Choice Plan with includes all the essential plan items, plus one exclusive item. Choice plan members can choose between a spirity jersey, pin box set, fan pack with a crossbody bag, water bottle, and twill cap, or a replica of the Disneyland Park Entrance plaque, a reproduction of Walt Disney’s annotations from 1955, and 70th anniversary book. Finally, the Gold Complete plan includes everything in the Essential Plan and all four of the exclusive items in the Choice Plan for $299.99. – https://d23.com/new-gold-membership-plans-2025/

SnackChat:

Plaza Inn – https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/plaza-inn/menus/

Discussion Topic:

Kaye Malin – https://www.waltdisneymuseum.org/