Disney Dish Podcast: Mel Brooks, Tower of Terror History, and Park Reopening News

Disneyland Reopening and Safety Protocols

• 🎢 Disneyland is preparing for reopening with a focus on outdoor queues and a virtual queuing system, as mandated by state guidance.
• ⚠️ Indoor queues will be eliminated, posing a challenge for attractions like Space Mountain due to limited backstage space for extended lines.
• 😷 Safety measures such as plexiglass dividers in ride vehicles and no mixing of groups in the same row will be implemented, mirroring Florida's protocols.
• ⏳ There's frustration among Anaheim staff about implementing these measures, which may be short-lived as vaccination rates increase.

Walt Disney World Operations and Future Events

• 🔑 Magic Kingdom is testing facial recognition technology for park entry, building on Disney's existing, advanced facial recognition systems.
• 🗓️ Park hours for April and June have been extended, and cast members in Food & Beverage and other departments are being called back to work.
• 🎉 With increasing vaccination rates, there's a 75% probability of a modified Halloween party and a 90% probability of a Christmas party at Walt Disney World.
• ✈️ International travel, particularly from the UK, is crucial for Walt Disney World's return to normal, with expectations of relaxed travel restrictions by late summer.

Imagineering's Pivot to Virtual and New Experiences

• 💡 Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is exploring virtual experiences and new forms of entertainment, prompted by the success of Disney+ and at-home creative endeavors.
• 📊 Surveys are being conducted on virtual experiences like Boda Borg, Team Lab Borderless, Meow Wolf, and Pokémon Go to gauge interest and potential park applications.
• 💻 A patent application reveals Disney's interest in AI-based role-playing experiences, allowing users to select objectives, roles, and abilities for interactive quests.
• 🚀 This strategic shift aims to broaden WDI's portfolio beyond traditional attractions and develop contingency plans for future disruptions.

Theme Park Development and Mel Brooks's Involvement

• 🏗️ Disney explored bringing Mel Brooks's production company, Brooks Films, to the Disney lot to increase film output.
• 🎬 A replica of the Plaza Hotel lobby, built for the film Big Business, served as an inspiration for a potential Mel Brooks sitcom, The Nut House.
• 🎢 WDI considered attractions for Disney-MGM Studios based on Mel Brooks's work, including Young Frankenstein and a concept called Hotel Mel, a haunted Hollywood hotel attraction.
• 💔 The Young Frankenstein attraction was shelved due to Mel Brooks's falling out with Gene Wilder, and Hotel Mel was deemed too expensive and impacted by Mel Brooks's recent film performance.
• 💡 The concept of live performers interacting with guests, initially developed for Hotel Mel, later influenced the gangster and cowgirl scenes in The Great Movie Ride.

Tower of Terror and Future Attractions

• ⚡ The history of the Tower of Terror attraction is being detailed in a multi-part series, with the next episode focusing on its connection to The Twilight Zone.
• 🎢 Future attractions like the Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster and TRON Lightcycle / Run are anticipated to open by June 2022, with Guardians of the Galaxy reportedly further along in development.
• 🚢 Cruise lines are pushing back against the CDC's no-sail order, highlighting the logistical challenges of resuming operations and the need for time to restock supplies.
• 🌊 A historical anecdote recounts a rare instance of guests being stranded in Magic Kingdom due to severe weather, including lightning, white caps on the Seven Seas Lagoon, and flooded roads, leading to the exploration of alternative transportation methods.