Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary Merch & Galaxy's Edge Updates

Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary Celebration

• 👻 The podcast discusses the 50th anniversary of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction, with one host having family ties to its opening.
• 🎟️ A hard ticket event was held over three nights to celebrate, costing $300 for three hours and featuring limited edition merchandise from artists like Larry Nikolai, Kevin John, and Shag.
• 🎃 Special entertainment included costumed characters like the Hitchhiking Ghosts, the Bride, and the lady with the umbrella.

Hitchhiking Ghosts Popcorn Buckets

• 🍿 Disneyland released a unique set of three collectible popcorn buckets themed around the Hitchhiking Ghosts for the anniversary.
• 👻 Professor Phineas Plump (popcorn bucket) holds a cardboard popcorn sleeve, lights up, and plays the "Grim Grinning Ghosts" song.
• 🍬 Gus the Hitchhiking Ghost holds beignets and costs $21.99 (with 3 beignets) or $24.99 (with 6 beignets).
• 💀 Ezra the skeletal ghost is a sipper cup with the straw hidden in his hat, priced at $18.99.
• 💰 The full set of three collectible items costs between $61.48 and $64.48 plus tax.

Marty Sklar's Last Book & Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

• 📚 The episode previews Marty Sklar's posthumously released book, "Travels with Figment on the Road in Search of Disney Dreams," which includes stories from Sklar and his colleagues.
• 🚀 A story details George Lucas's visit to Walt Disney Imagineering and the development of the Star Tours attraction, highlighting Lucas's input on comedy, thrill, and audience interaction.
• 🌌 Michelle shares her experiences visiting Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge multiple times, noting the atmosphere, interactive elements via the Disney Play app, and merchandise like Coca-Cola bottles and the Toyarian's Kylo Ren rag doll.
• 💡 Discussion includes the mechanics of holocrons and Kyber crystals, their personalities (Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Snoke, Darth Maul), and the exclusivity of purchasing them with lightsabers or holocrons.
• 🛍️ The sale of individual lightsaber and droid parts was stopped due to resale on eBay, reflecting the high demand and collectibility of Galaxy's Edge merchandise.
• 🐾 The adorable Loth Cat plush from the animal stall is highlighted as a desirable, though pricey, merchandise item.
• 🚶‍♂️ Character interactions in Galaxy's Edge are noted as sometimes lacking clear shows or meet-and-greet opportunities, with suggestions for improvement.

Other Disney Merchandise and News

• 🚗 Pulp Heroes Snap Bots from Far Out Toys are unboxed, featuring characters like Star-Lord, Captain America, Iron Man, and Groot, which fold flat for storage.
• 🎢 Special 20th-anniversary merchandise for the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios is mentioned, including a t-shirt, tank, pin, and guitar pick set.
• 🛍️ New themed dresses and outfits for adults featuring Duffy and ShellieMay are now on sale at Aulani.
• 🏀 The NBA Store at Disney Springs has opened, offering merchandise for characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy.
• ❓ Early reviews of the NBA Experience suggest it may not be a strong fit for Walt Disney World, with some visitors unimpressed by the $30+ entry fee.
• 🧸 The new Wishables plush line is discussed, featuring blind bags inspired by attractions like Finding Nemo, Little Mermaid, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Splash Mountain, with some characters available outside the blind bag.
• 🚢 A scent from circa 1955 called "We Want the Red Head" is noted to smell like the California version of Pirates of the Caribbean.