This week, a Disneyland icon is retiring after 55 years of service, major changes are coming to the resort, we have the details, more details on the Coco and Avatar experiences coming to DCA, Celebrate Soulfully is back, more 70th decorations have appeared, we talk about our D23 events we experienced, and more!
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This week, a Disneyland icon is retiring after 55 years of service, major changes are coming to the resort, we have the details, more details on the Coco and Avatar experiences coming to DCA, Celebrate Soulfully is back, more 70th decorations have appeared, we talk about our D23 events we experienced, 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:
A Disneyland icon is retiring after 55 years with the Walt Disney Company. Kim Irvine will be passing the torch to the next generation of Imagineers to guide Disneyland. Over her time with the company, Kim worked on the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Project Stardust, and more recently, the refurbishment of the Jungle Cruise and the Adventureland Treehouse. – https://www.micechat.com/417008-disneyland-news-kim-irvine-exits-coco-avatar-expand-construction-update/
Last Thursday, Disneyland President Thomas Mazloum gave a State of the Resort presentation and unveiled some major upcoming changes. The first of these was concept art for a new entrance experience for guests on the Harbor side of the resort. This includes a new Transportation Hub, and major esplanade changes. A new guest bridge will take guests from a new parking structure behind the hotels on Harbor Boulevard to the entrance to the parks. There will still be a security checkpoint on Harbor for guests staying at those hotels. The transportation hub will move from between the parks to the new parking area, along with a security checkpoint. Construction on a new 6,000 space parking structure, rideshare and shuttle zones, and everything else is set to begin in fall of 2026. – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/future-expansion-plans-for-disneyland-resort/
Two other projects at Disney California Adventure got some more firm details. The “Avatar Experience” will displace Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue!, which will close in early 2026. No further details on the experience, construction timeline, or anything else for this area was announced. The “Coco”-themed attraction did get some more details! The attraction will be located near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier, in a current backstage area. Construction will begin this fall! – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/future-expansion-plans-for-disneyland-resort/
June is Black Music Month, which means the return of an annual celebration. Celebrate Soulfully runs now through the end of June. The event features specialty food, character meet and greets, and performances around the resort. – https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/celebrate-soulfully/
While we were in the parks, we were able to get a sneak peek over the scrim to see the update on the Tiki Room. It appears that Tangaroa has been installed and other Tiki Gods are also being refreshed. The flowers and tikis that fall from Tangaroa look to be higher up than before, but it was hard to say for certain over the scrim. – https://www.micechat.com/417008-disneyland-news-kim-irvine-exits-coco-avatar-expand-construction-update/
The Walt Disney Archives does some amazing work, which you can see in the parks for the 70th! Inside of Carthay Circle Restaurant, there is a new “Celebrating 70 Years of Disneyland Resort with the Walt Disney Archives” exhibit. It features a ticket book, a Sam the Eagle top hat from America Sings, a Disneyland survey marker, and more. Certainly worth checking out if you are in the parks. – https://www.micechat.com/417008-disneyland-news-kim-irvine-exits-coco-avatar-expand-construction-update/
We had talked previously of some of the missing decorations from the 70th concept art for Sleeping Beauty Castle. Well, they were just a little late for the start of the celebration! The toppers to the banners on the drawbridge have been installed. They feature two horns attached to the 70th medallion, and swirling magic leading up to the light on top. – https://www.micechat.com/417008-disneyland-news-kim-irvine-exits-coco-avatar-expand-construction-update/
Disney giveth and Disney taketh away. The fountains in the moat in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle appear to have been removed. The fountains were installed for the Disney100 celebration and were expected to stay after, but they are now gone. – https://www.micechat.com/417008-disneyland-news-kim-irvine-exits-coco-avatar-expand-construction-update/
The “main” location of Earl of Sandwich has a closing date. July 25th marks the end of Earl in the former La Brea Bakery location, leaving the temporary “pop-up” location by the old ESPN Zone building. The final location for Earl of Sandwich, near the D-Lander shop is still under construction. – https://www.micechat.com/417008-disneyland-news-kim-irvine-exits-coco-avatar-expand-construction-update/
SnackChat:
Pride Nite Foodie Guide – https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/disney-eats-foodie-guide-to-pride-nite-at-disneyland-2025/
Discussion Topic:
D23 Disney Archives and Studio Tour
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