This week, a slew of updates on future attractions and experiences coming to the parks, a look behind the attraction vehicles from Imagineering, a guide to the Disneyland 70th anniversary and what to expect, two iconic attractions have returned, Indiana Jones turned 30, we talk with Dr.Disneyland Jeff Barnes, and more!
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News:
This weekend at South by Southwest, Disney had a panel called “The Future of World-Building at Disney” which gave us a ton of information about upcoming theme park attractions. One of these was the updated experience coming next year to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. The new adventure will feature the Mandalorian and Grogu, better known as “the child” from the hit Disney+ series. This new experience will take guests to new locations for the attraction, like Cloud City, Tatooine, and the Death Star wreckage. The update will coincide with the premiere of “The Mandalorian and Grogu” movie on May 22, 2026. – https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/sxsw-2025-new-missions-smugglers-run-mandalorian/ https://www.micechat.com/410722-disney-parks-announcements-from-swsx-avengers-star-wars-a-tomorrowland-tease/
Also at South by Southwest, Disney gave new details on the Avengers Campus updates at Disneyland. The large e-ticket Avengers Infinity Defense didn’t get much new information, but the Stark Flight Lab did! Robert Downey Jr., who plays Tony Stark and Iron Man, was present to talk about the upcoming attraction. The attraction will have guests in “gyro-kinetic pods” that will roll on a track before being attached to a giant robotic arm and taken through some high-speed maneuvers. Tranferring the ride vehicle from the track to the robot arm and back again has never been done before. – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/sxsw-2025-robert-downey-jr-tony-stark-avengers-campus/ https://www.micechat.com/410722-disney-parks-announcements-from-swsx-avengers-star-wars-a-tomorrowland-tease/
All of this can be seen in the latest episode of “We Call it Imagineering” on the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel. In the latest episode, they talk about the updates we just mentioned, as well as talk with legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr. The episode covers all kinds of ride vehicles from past, present, and into the future. There is even a great behind the curtain look at the underbelly of the Omnimover system at the Haunted Mansion! If you want to take a look at this, check out the link in the show notes. – https://youtu.be/IuQPrGLo0QM?si=Dt9qzvh4bD5xCSUZ
Also at the SXSW conference, it was announced that characters from the upcoming Fantastic Four movie will be coming to Tomorrowland. This includes H.E.R.B.I.E. – the flying robot from the upcoming movie. No firm date on when they will land in Tomorrowland, but it is likely around the premiere of the movie on July 25, 2025. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2025/03/08/disney-announces-new-additions-coming-soon-to-tomorrowland/ https://www.micechat.com/410722-disney-parks-announcements-from-swsx-avengers-star-wars-a-tomorrowland-tease/
The Disney Parks Blog posted a Guide to the 70th Anniversary at the Disneyland Resort, with some new details for the celebration. The celebration will run May 16th, 2025 through Summer of 2026. Updates to the previous information include a ew theme song called “Celebrate Happy.” The new “World of Color Happiness!” will explore “happy” through other emotions, hosted by Joy and other emotions from Inside Out and Inside Out 2. Boyz II Men will have a rendition of “Rainbow Connection” in the show, and FITZ from Fitz and the Tantrums will debut a song for World of Color called “Makes Me Wanna Move.” The Muppets will also appear before the show. – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/guide-to-the-70th-anniversary-at-disneyland-resort/
With the return of Paint the Night for the Disneyland 70th, the Frozen float that was removed to fit under the Red Car Trolley wires in Disney California Adventure will return to the parade, along with Anna, and Elsa. – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/guide-to-the-70th-anniversary-at-disneyland-resort/
Over at “it’s a small world,” a new light, music, and projection show called “Tapestry of Happiness” will bring an animated mosaic of Disneyland attractions, memories, and moments in a style inspired by Disney Artist Mary Blair. It will feature the “Celebrate Happy” theme song, along with nods to other Disneyland tunes.
In addition to Paint the Night, which will perform in the evening, “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” will appear along the parade route during the day. This new cavalcade will feature characters not often seen at Disneyland like Duffy and ShellieMay. – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/guide-to-the-70th-anniversary-at-disneyland-resort/
Along with the projection show on “it’s a small world,” the attraction will get some new characters! Miguel and his alebrije, Dante, from Coco will be added to the Mexico section with the marigold bridge in the background. Disneyland 70th touches are also coming to Toy Story Midway Mania as you score points on the various carnival games. – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/guide-to-the-70th-anniversary-at-disneyland-resort/
Two iconic attractions for the resort, which also double as transportation, have returned. The Disneyland Railroad rolled down the tracks again after the completion of the track replacement. The Disneyland Monorail also returned after the installation of new entrance gates at Downtown Disney. – https://www.micechat.com/410607-disneyland-update-marvel-mando-monorails-big-changes-ahead/
Indiana Jones turned 30 on March 3rd, and to celebrate one of the iconic actors from the Indiana Jones movies and the attraction was on hand to ride with the cosplay group California Jones, sign autographs for fans and cast members, and take photos. John Rhys-Davies (John Reese-Davies), who portrayed Sallah was more than happy to spend time with fans. Later, he met up with two Imagineers who worked on the attraction – Chuck Ballew, who created the Maraglyphics, and Tony Baxter, the project lead for the attraction. – https://www.micechat.com/410607-disneyland-update-marvel-mando-monorails-big-changes-ahead/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9kMmcRF1Gc
Fans of the delicious cocktails from Trader Sam’s can now make two of the beverages at home! The recipes for the Molten Safari, and Lava Laughs have been posted over at the Disney Food Blog. Molten Safari does contain alcohol, where the Lava Laughs is non-alcoholic. – https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2025/03/08/recipe-disneys-amazing-trader-sams-enchanted-tiki-bar-shares-2-new-drinks/
The refurbishment for the Jolly Holiday on Main Street is chugging along. This week, the old LED popcorn light sign was replaced with a plain, backlit sign. The LED version would frequently have issues. – https://www.micechat.com/410607-disneyland-update-marvel-mando-monorails-big-changes-ahead/
The latest Disneyland After Dark event took place last week. 90s Nite featured a cavalcade of characters from the 90s parades like Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan, and Hercules. Other 90s characters were out and about like Monterey Jack and Fat Cat from Chip n’ Dale Rescue Rangers, and Cloppin from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. – https://www.micechat.com/410607-disneyland-update-marvel-mando-monorails-big-changes-ahead/
SnackChat:
Season of the Force Foodie Guide – Disney Eats: Season of the Force Foodie Guide for Disneyland Resort 2025 – Disney Parks Blog
Discussion Topic:
Jeff Barnes Dr. Disneyland and author of The Wisdom of Walt
https://thewisdomofwalt.com/