DLWeekly Podcast - Disneyland News and Information cover art

DLWeekly Podcast - Disneyland News and Information

DLWeekly Podcast - Disneyland News and Information

By: DLWeekly Bleav
Listen for free

About this listen

 Weekly Disneyland News, Information and Discussion.2017-2019 DLWeekly Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Disneyland Handcrafted

    Disneyland Handcrafted
    Jan 28 2026
    This week, Lunar New Year has arrived at the resort, along with some new merchandise, Monsters, Inc turns 20, Sweethears Nite kicked off last week, Downtown Disney continues towards two new experiences, Bay Area Weeklyteers have a chance to connect our book club with the Walt Disney Family Museum, we talk about Disneyland Handcrafted, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: Lunar New Year kicked off last week, and with it came some new merchandise. A new Loungefly Lunar New Year crossbody bag with detachable coin purse for $75, a removable-bow ear headband for $36.99, and a Spirit Jersey decorated with lanterns and gold-accented clouds for $84.99 are some of the new items. A Lunar New Year teacup featuring Horace, Mickey and Minnie for $19.99, and a six-piece lucky red envelope set for $19.99 are some of the collectables. Magic Key holders have two exclusive items - a Lunar New Year tee priced at $36.99, and a commemorative trading pin for $21.99. - https://www.micechat.com/430352-disneyland-update-lunar-lights-sweethearts-nite-construction-heights/ Last week, Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue turned 20! Cast members had a small number of buttons to give out if asked. The buttons featured Roz with party decorations flying around, with some scream canisters and a “20 Years of Scares” banner. The attraction won’t be around for another 20 though, as it is set to close this year to make way for the upcoming Avatar experience. - https://www.micechat.com/430352-disneyland-update-lunar-lights-sweethearts-nite-construction-heights/ Last week also marked the first Sweethearts Nite of the season. This year, the checkin was back in Frontierland at the entrance to Galaxy’s Edge where guests could pick up their lanyard, map, and pack of Dove chocolates for the event. Some of the themed photo areas this time were the rooftops of Paris for the Aristocats, the balcony from Aladdin, a Toontown picnic, and the “Kiss the Girl” scene from The Little Mermaid. Some uncommon characters were also around like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit with Ortensia, Princess Kida and Milo Thatch from Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and The Country Bears offering Bear Hugs. The new Celebrate Love Cavalcade, and Once Upon A Dream show were fun additions to the after dark event. - https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-after-dark-sweethearts-nite-2026/ https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disneyland-after-dark-sweethearts-nite-characters/ Downtown Disney is continuing to be a bustling area full of construction. Porto’s Bakery & Cafe is coming along as the demolition of the former Earl of Sandwich location is moving along. The old building should be completely cleared soon. Gordon Ramsay visited the resort to check on the progress of Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby, which will be located upstairs from the new Earl of Sandwich. The sign for this location has been revealed already, with rumors that soft openings could happen in the next couple of months. - https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/portos-bakery-construction-update-downtown-disneyland-resort/ https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/gordan-ramsay-visits-disneyland-resort-the-carnaby/ For our book club read this time, we will be diving into Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through the Happiest Place on Earth. If you will be in the San Francisco Bay Area in February, the Walt Disney Family Museum will be hosting a talk with Disney Legend Martha Blanding, the author of the book, along with Disney historian Marcy Carriker Smothers. The talk is on Saturday, February 14th at 1pm. Tickets are on sale now for $15 for members, or $30 for adults. For more information, visit the link in the show notes. - https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disney-legend-martha-blanding-walt-disney-family-museum/ SnackChat: Napa Rose has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment, and was originally slated to open before the end of 2025. That was pushed back and will finally be reopening on February 6th. Reservations are open now to book a spot to dine at this location. There is also a new menu at the location. - https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/napa-rose-reopening-date/ Discussion Topic: Disneyland Handcrafted - https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/how-to-watch-the-debut-of-disneyland-handcrafted/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 27 mins
  • History of Bayou Country

    History of Bayou Country
    Jan 21 2026
    This week, major changes are coming to a large section of the park, two areas of the resort are turning 25, Disney is nominated for themed entertainment awards, Sweethearts Nite has some new features, we talk about the food coming to the event in SnackChat, then cover the history of the area of Disneyland known today as Bayou Country, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: Not too far in the future, in a land very close to home, some changes are coming! Beginning April 29th, more Star Wars eras are coming to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker will arrive on Batuu. The Galactic Civil War and New Republic, as well as the Age of the Resistance and First Order will be represented. The Original Trilogy characters will be mainly around the spires and Millennium Falcon, while the forested area near Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be the Age of Resistance. Throughout the land, music from John William’s musical score will be heard. The Cantina Band tune will emanate from Oga’s Cantina. Fist Order Cargo will transition to Black Spire Surplus, Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities will have more one-of-a-kind items, and Droid Depot will be operated by an earlier generation of the Mubo family. “Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga” and “Fire of the Rising Moons” will continue. – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/star-wars-galaxys-edge-timeline-expands-at-disneyland/ Hard to believe, but Downtown Disney turns 25 this year. The shopping and dining district opened on January 12, 2001. To honor this event, a new retro-style logo was unveiled on the ground behind the Downtown Disney stage. There is also a pin to commemorate the event. – https://www.micechat.com/429971-disneyland-update-fixing-the-force-festival-season-whats-changing-now/ Magic Key sales have resumed as of January 13th, including the new Explore Key. Magic Key sales may pause overnight starting at 10pm Disneyland time to 9am the following morning. Some new perks with having a Magic Key include a refillable popcorn bucket for $15.25, with $2.25 refills through February 24. There is also a Disney California Adventure Park 25th Anniversary bucket, and the Disneyland 70th bucket. For Lunar New Year, there is a special Magic Key lanyard, a semi-secluded dining and photo-op area, and Magic Key merchandise. A Year of the Horse button is also available. – https://www.micechat.com/429971-disneyland-update-fixing-the-force-festival-season-whats-changing-now/ IAPPA, or the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, has announced their finalists for the 2025 Brass Ring Excellence Awards. These are the most prestigious honors in the global attractions industry. Disney has been nominated in the Most Creative Halloween Production for Tokyo Disney Resort, The Villains’ Halloween Into the Frenzy Parade, Most Creative Theatrical Production – Year Round Operation for Disney Cruise Line, Disney Treasure, Disney The Tale of Moana, Best Sustainability Program for Disney Consumer Products, Disney Figurine Set Sustainable Packaging Program, and all three nominations in the Most Creative Spectacle category for World of Color – Happiness at Disneyland, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, and Disney Tales of Magic at Disneyland Paris. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/iaapa-brass-ring-2025-finalists/ Disneyland After Dark Sweethearts Nite is about to start for the 2026 season, and there are some additions this year. The Celebrate Love Cavalcade features characters honoring all loved ones, from best friends and family, to soulmates. A romantic show Once Upon a Dream – A Musical Journey Through the Disney Songbook explores love and romance featuring live singers and Disney royalty with a grand ball under the stars. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-entertainment/wyntk-disney-jan-18-24-2026/ SnackChat: Sweetheart’s Nite Food – https://www.instagram.com/p/DTiv5B3EiIY/?img_index=8&igsh=Nmd3b25iZjkwYmxo https://allears.net/2026/01/18/sneak-peek-at-exclusive-food-for-disneys-2026-sweethearts-nite/ Discussion Topic: History of Bayou Country – https://www.ocregister.com/2024/09/27/the-history-of-disneylands-critter-country-from-indian-war-canoes-to-bayou-bbq/ Indian Village – https://www.yesterland.com/village.html Bear Country to Critter Country – https://www.yesterland.com/bearcountry.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Games with Producer James!

    Games with Producer James!
    Jan 14 2026
    This week, Disney California Adventure is turning 25, Lunar New Year details, a certain honey-loving bear is turning 100, Downtown Disney parking is getting easier, you could win a trip to Disneyland, construction continues to prepare for Coco and Avengers attractions, Producer James joins us to play some games, and more! Please support the show if you can by going to https://www.dlweekly.net/support/. Check out all of our current partners and exclusive discounts at https://www.dlweekly.net/promos. News: This February, Disney California Adventure will turn 25! To celebrate this milestone, Magic Key holders can pick up a magnet set commemorating the event. This will be part of a “Fun and Sun” event area that offers nostalgic photo opportunities, encounters with “familiar friends,” and more. The event will take place in the Hyperion Theater Courtyard near Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. Key holders will need to join a virtual queue in the Disneyland app to access the area. This will be available from 2pm to 8pm February 5th through February 15th. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/magic-key-disney-california-adventure-25th-event/ It is almost that time of year again when Disney California Adventure celebrates Lunar New Year! 2026 is the Year of the Horse, so Horace Horsecollar will be included in the festivities. Returning this year is all the Lunar New Year food, which we will cover in SnackChat, Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, and Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration, which is a pre-show for Wold of Color – Happiness. – https://www.micechat.com/429670-disneyland-update-holiday-exit-shoulder-season-scramble-monorail-mishegoss/ https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/magic-key-lunar-new-year-2026-offerings/ On October 26, 1926, a very popular bear arrived on the scene to eat as much honey as possible. Winnie the Pooh was first published on that date, making 2026 the 100th anniversary. To celebrate, a number of merchandise items, ranging from clothing, to housewares, to accessories, and more are coming to the resort. The merchandise line can be found on DisneyStore.com in addition to the parks. – https://www.micechat.com/429686-hip-hip-pooh-ray-for-winnie-the-poohs-100th-anniversary-merchandise/ Last week we talked about how Imagineering is 3D printing props for attractions in the parks. One has already been installed in Disneyland and is easy for guests to take a look at. The outrigger canoe across the water from the loading dock for the Jungle Cruise was printed from the previous canoe that was in the location, along with photos from the 1960s as a reference. – https://www.micechat.com/429670-disneyland-update-holiday-exit-shoulder-season-scramble-monorail-mishegoss/ Cathy’s Cookies, which had been in Downtown Disney in the past as a food truck, is getting a permanent kiosk. The kiosk is installed and could open at any time. Cathy’s Cookies sells tubs, and sleeves of chocolate chip cookies, cookie dough, coffee and hot chocolate, milk, and cookie sundaes. – https://www.micechat.com/429670-disneyland-update-holiday-exit-shoulder-season-scramble-monorail-mishegoss/ Guests parking in the Downtown Disney parking area next to the Pixar Place Hotel have a new, more convenient way to pay. Guests can now scan the QR code on their parking ticket to pay through their mobile device. This should improve the traffic flow exiting from the parking area and through the parking booths. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/downtown-disney-parking-lot-updates-payment-options/ Last year, Disney+ and Hulu launched a perks program to encourage subscribing. For 2026, Disney+ subscribers can enter to win a vacation for four to Disneyland. The trip includes airfare, ground transportation, three nights at the Concierge-level at a Disney hotel, four, 4-day Park Hopper tickets, a Disney gift card valued at $500, and a VIP tour guide for 8 hours. – https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-parks/disney-plus-perks-win-a-trip-to-disneyland/ With the start of the new year, there is a lot of activity happening to get ready to start construction on the new Coco attraction at DCA. The sidewalk that borders Pixar Pier and Disneyland Drive is closed to clear vegetation to make way for the attraction. Avengers Campus is also continuing to make progress, with more structural steel being installed. – https://www.micechat.com/429670-disneyland-update-holiday-exit-shoulder-season-scramble-monorail-mishegoss/ In the first of a couple of stories related to attractions having bad days, the Disneyland Monorail lost power on January 8th, which resulted in guests needing to be evacuated by the Anaheim Fire Department. The Anaheim Police Department said that about 60 guests were trapped in the attraction. Passengers were reportedly stuck from around 3:30 in the afternoon to 7 in the evening. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2026/01/08/60-...
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.