This week, Mickey’s ToonTown to get a massive overhaul, Holiday time has arrived at the resort, Merriest Nites information, the holidays were flooded out, a pricey set of ears, we talk to author and former Cast Member Bruce, 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! 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: Some major changes are coming to Mickey’s ToonTown in 2023 with the opening of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Josh D’Amaro announced at the IAAPA theme park expo in Orlando that the land would close in March of 2022 to make the changes. The only confirmed information is that there will be a reimagining of the entrance to the land, adding a couple of green spaces for parents and children to relax and play together. The current ToonTown park will expand into CenTOONial Park. It appears that the Jolly Trolley and tracks will be removed and replaced with a new fountain. The concept art also seems to show changes to Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin, and possibly even another entrance to Galaxy’s Edge. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/11/mickeys-toontown-at-disneyland-park-to-be-reimagined-with-new-experiences-and-more-play-and-interactivity-for-young-families-in-2023/ and https://www.micechat.com/307775-disneylands-toontown-closing-in-2022-for-enhancements/ The holidays at the Disneyland Resort kicked off this past Friday. Along with some new offerings, this also marked the return of parades at Disneyland with the Christmas Fantasy Parade. Characters are dressed in their holiday best, decorations all over the parks, the return of Believe… In Holiday Magic Fireworks, and more. Over at Disney California Adventure, the Festival of the Holidays has returned, Disney Viva Navidad along with it, and so much more. For the complete list of offerings, visit the link in the show notes. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/11/its-the-most-magical-time-of-the-year-holidays-are-back-at-the-disneyland-resort-now-through-jan-9-2022/ Last week was the first of the Merriest Nites Holiday Party at Disneyland. The Disney Food Blog was there and wrote up their experience. Main Street had the Victorian Era party, with some characters dressed as Scrooge and ghost Marley from A Christmas Carol, the Muppets were caroling from the Omnibus as it drive up and down Main Street as well. New Orleans Square had a bayou-inspired celebration, Miguel was hosting a fiesta in Frontierland, Lilo and Stitch were having a tropical celebration in Adventureland, Elsa hosted a winter party in Fantasyland, and finally, Buzz Lightyear hosted an electronic party in Tomorrowland. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/11/12/caroling-muppets-and-ghost-goofy-all-the-entertainment-we-spotted-at-disneylands-holiday-party/ Of course with the Merriest Nites celebration, there was some new merchandise exclusive to the event. This year, they put the merchandise behind a mobile wait list system. Once guests entered the mobile waitlist, they were notified when it was their turn to go to Star Wars Launch Bay to look at the items on sale. The items included a Tumbler for $34.99, a Pin for $17.99, a Magnet for $14.99, an Ornament for $19.99, and an iPhone Case for $34.99. The artwork includes all six character “hosts” from the event, as well as Mickey and Minnie in holiday caroling outfits. There were also two Merriest Nites tees. A red version with the hosts and the castle, and a white version with Mickey and Minnie in their caroling outfits. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/11/12/all-the-exclusive-merriest-nites-merchandise-at-disneyland/ One of the flagship items for the first of the Merriest Nites events didn’t go as planned. it’s a small world was planned to debut the holiday overlay version, but was unable to open because of flooding. The transformation to the holiday version was complete and the refilling of the flume was underway when there was a small flood, which resulted in shorting out some electrical equipment. Until that equipment can be replaced or repaired, it’s a small world will remain closed. – https://www.micechat.com/307360-disneyland-news-small-world-holiday-delayed/ and https://www.micechat.com/307512-disneyland-update-the-down-low-on-the-ho-ho-ho/ The new Disney movie Encanto doesn’t come out for over a week, but guests can already meet the main character in the parks. Mirabel can be seen as part of the Viva Navidad celebration in the Paradise Garden area of Disney California Adventure. The movie Encanto comes to theaters on November 24th. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/11/photos-video-mirabel-from-disneys-encanto-now-greeting-guests-at-disney-california-adventure/ Weeklyteers have been raving about a new dessert available at Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square. The Hot Cocoa Creme Brulee comes will a side of sugar cookies, and is a must try for chocolate lovers. The Disney Food Blog describes the dessert as a mix between pudding and custard, with a layer of toasted sugar on top, topped with homemade whipped cream and marshmallows. This dessert is available through the holiday season for $10. – https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/11/review-hot-cocoa-creme-brulee-is-an-amazing-dessert-at-cafe-orleans-in-disneyland/ Oogie Boogie has moved out of the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa’s lobby for this year, and in his place is a large gingerbread house for the holidays. The gingerbread house will look like the hotel itself. The snack cart is still next to the display, selling sweets and some beverages. – https://www.micechat.com/307512-disneyland-update-the-down-low-on-the-ho-ho-ho/ Friday, November 12th was Disney+ Day around the entire Walt Disney Company. The celebration lasted through the weekend at the parks, with a blue carpet greeting for guests at Disneyland on Friday. All of the park icons were lit up in “Disney+ Blue” for the occassion. Special photo opportunities were around the parks as well. On Disney+ itself, a lot of new shows and movies debuted, along with announcements of future shows like Agatha: House of Harkness, Marvel Zombies, and Echo. For all the new Marvel stuff coming to the service, be sure to watch the preview on Disney+ or on YouTube. We will have the link in our show notes. – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/11/disney-castles-icons-glow-disney-blue-as-disney-rolls-out-blue-carpet-for-disney-plus-day/ and https://dlnewstoday.com/2021/11/photos-colorful-murals-highlighting-streaming-movies-series-come-to-downtown-disney-district-for-disney/ With the replacement of the Photo Supply store at the end of Main Street and transforming it into the Plaza Holiday Shoppe, it left us wondering what is happening to Kingswell Camera Shop on Buena Vista Street. It has been transformed into Kingswell Shop, dropping the camera name, and expanding the retail space to make it a little more open for guests to move around and for more merchandise to be on display. – https://www.micechat.com/307512-disneyland-update-the-down-low-on-the-ho-ho-ho/ The Fantasyland Theater sign that was behind scrims for the last couple of weeks has been completed. Nothing new to report except for a completely refreshed sign. Hopefully this means that some entertainment will be returning to this location soon. – https://www.micechat.com/307512-disneyland-update-the-down-low-on-the-ho-ho-ho/ The Wookie celebration from Star Wars known as Life Day has come to Batuu again. This year, there are a few special food options to enjoy from a galaxy far, far away. There is a potato hand pie and black sesame macaron at Kat Saka’s kettle, a pork belly slider and a new Tarkenian Night Flower drink at Oga’s, and pork broth noodles at Docking Bay 7. No word on how long these dishes will stick around, so get them while you can! – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/11/12/did-a-fake-holiday-bring-the-best-food-ever-to-this-disney-restaurant/ Some of the most expensive Minnie ears have gone on sale. Designer Vera Wang’s take on the designer collection ears are on sale now at the resort and on shopDisney. Guests should get ready to open their wallets wide with this pair that is priced at $600. The Disney Parks Blog describes them as “Designed with elevated fabrics such as black velvet ears and organza, the headband is topped off with a large white silk bow, true to Wang’s classic style. Pronged crystals are hand-sewn on the front and back with exquisite, intricate beading, and it comes with a detachable fingertip length veil and comb.” – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/11/disney-parks-designer-collection-ear-headband-by-vera-wang-to-arrive-monday-at-disney-parks-and-shopdisney/ Disney has come to an agreement with the Master Services Council, who represents cast members at the resort on updated pay and benefits. Disney stated that the agreement included “healthcare coverage options as low as $7 a week for full-time cast members as well as providing eligible hourly cast with access to childcare support and Disney Aspire, an educational program offering free tuition.” Voting on this takes place on Wednesday, November 17th. – https://www.micechat.com/306249-disneyland-contract-troubles-leave-cast-concerned/ Discussion Topic: Author and Former Cast Member Bruce Edwards – Main Street Magic Shop Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09J7HJ851 Barnes and Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nothing-up-my-sleeve-but-pixie-dust-bruce-edwards/1140355973 Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/bruceedwardsbooks