It’s time for another episode of feel-good Disney Parks news, coming to you directly from the brand-new San Fransokyo Square!
Thanks to teapotsandteacups for the real-time pics in the Lounge. See more real-time pics and post your pics to the NEW Lounge!
Labor Day Double Credits Sale Ends Tonight!
Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend! It’s not too late to stock up on Credits–take advantage of our Credits Sale right here.
Upcoming Events at Disneyland & Disney World
Here’s our updated all-in-one events/refurbishment list:
For a larger view, visit this page. You can also access it from the “Home” tab of the MouseWait for Disneyland and Disney World.
And here’s Walt Disney World:
The Neverland Navigator: A Weekly Guide to New Discoveries
Disneyland:
🎉🎊👋 Check out the new San Fransokyo Square at California Adventure! 😍🎉 It just opened over the weekend and it’s so cool! 😎 You can even see Baymax and he talks to you! 😱 Don’t believe us? Check out this video! 📹Check out our dedicated San Fransokyo page in the Lounge.
Disney World:
🍪🎂🧁Gideon’s Bakehouse is back open in Disney Springs! 🎉🥳 Come try their delicious treats and see what all the fuss is about! You won’t regret it! 😍🍪
Flavors of Fantasyland: Disney Dining Tips: How to get that reservation before anyone else!
1. 60 days in advance: If your Disney trip is on Nov 4, set an alarm for 6 a.m., Sept 5. That’s 60 days before, when Disney opens reservations. Use this page to figure out the exact day. Staying at a Walt Disney World hotel? You get an extra 10 days!
2. Use your Virtual Plaid: Head to your Virtual Plaid in MouseWait and enter your reservation details. A question like this will work, “Blue Bayou for 2 November 4 lunch”.
3. Try off-peak hours: You can also get creative with the time, try before or after 12-1:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. For dinner, try something like, “Blue Bayou for 2 November 4 7:45pm”. Make multiple requests and press “Yes” when asked if you’d like to track. For example, your first request might be “Blue Bayou for 2 November 4 lunch”, then “Blue Bayou for 2 November 4 dinner”, then “Blue Bayou for 2 November 4 7:45pm”, “Blue Bayou for 2 November 4 5pm”. With MouseWait ALL-ACCESS, you can track all these slots without limit. The more you ask for, the better your odds. Unlike most dining reservation systems, you get unlimited dining alerts with MouseWait ALL-ACCESS!
4. Stay Alert: We’ll send a Push Notification when a slot opens up. It’s important to act on the push notification the second it comes in, otherwise the reservation could get scooped up by someone else. Our Push Notification will take you to the MouseWait App where you will click on a customized link that takes you directly to the Disney site where you must finalize your reservation.
BONUS TIPS:
✅ Split to Fit: Can’t book for everyone? Divide the party and book separate slots close in time.
✅ Walk-Up Option: Some places have walk-up waitlists. Head there first when you get to the parks to give you the best shot.
✅ Last-Minute Luck: Check for last-minute cancellations within 24 hours of dining.
✅ Need Help?: Reply to this email or use in-app support (for ALL-ACCESS members). We’re here to help!
VOYAGEERS: Finding Hidden Treasures in the Parks
In the spirit of the VOYAGEERS (available on Amazon), I’m including an intriguing historical fact (a.k.a Disney lore) about the Parks each week!
The Golden Horseshoe: A Magical History
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy some hearty food, lively entertainment, and a touch of Disney magic, look no further than the Golden Horseshoe at Disneyland. This saloon-style restaurant has been delighting guests since the park opened in 1955, and has a rich history that spans decades and generations. Here are some of the fascinating facts and stories behind this beloved attraction.
A Wedding Anniversary Gift
The Golden Horseshoe was not only one of the original attractions at Disneyland, but also one of the most personal ones for Walt Disney. He designed it as a gift for his wife, Lillian, to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. On July 13, 1955, four days before the park’s official opening, Walt and Lillian hosted a private party at the saloon for their friends and family, featuring the premiere of the Golden Horseshoe Revue. This was the first show ever performed on the stage, and it starred some of Walt’s favorite performers, such as Wally Boag, Betty Taylor, and Donald Novis. Walt was so proud of the saloon and the show that he reserved a private box seat for himself and his wife, which can still be seen today above the stage.
A Record-Breaking Revue
The Golden Horseshoe Revue was not only a hit with Walt and Lillian, but also with millions of guests who visited Disneyland over the years. The show ran for an astonishing 31 years, from 1955 to 1986, and performed over 39,000 times. It holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running live musical in history. The show featured a variety of comedy sketches, songs, and dances, all set in the Old West. Some of the highlights included Wally Boag’s hilarious balloon animal routine, Betty Taylor’s sassy rendition of “Belly Up to the Bar”, and Donald Novis’s crooning of “Hello Everybody”. The show also invited children from the audience to join in on some of the fun, such as singing “Davy Crockett” or dancing with the can-can girls.
A Tribute to Walt
After Walt Disney passed away in 1966, the Golden Horseshoe continued to honor his legacy and vision. One of the ways it did so was by hosting a special tribute show on his birthday, December 5th, every year. The show was called “Wally’s Salute to Walt”, and it featured Wally Boag performing some of his favorite routines from the Golden Horseshoe Revue, as well as sharing some of his memories and stories of working with Walt. The show was a heartfelt homage to Walt’s love for the saloon and its performers, and a way for guests to celebrate his life and achievements.
A Legacy of Laughter
Today, the Golden Horseshoe still offers guests a chance to experience some of the magic and humor that Walt Disney envisioned. The current show, “Showdown at the Golden Horseshoe”, features a cast of talented actors who bring to life some of the classic characters from the Golden Horseshoe Revue, such as Slue Foot Sue, Pecos Bill, and Sheriff Clem Clodhopper. The show also incorporates some modern twists, such as audience participation, improv comedy, and pop culture references. The show is a fun-filled tribute to the original revue, and a reminder of the timeless appeal of laughter and entertainment.
The next time you visit Disneyland, be sure to stop by the Golden Horseshoe and enjoy a slice of Disney history. You’ll be glad you did!
Whimsical Wonders: Uncovering the Lesser-Known Delights of Disneyland
One of the hidden gems of Disneyland is the party line conversation that you can listen to on an old-fashioned phone at the Market House on Main Street, U.S.A. This charming and humorous feature transports you back to the late 1800s and early 1900s when party lines were a common and popular way of communicating and socializing.
- A party line is a telephone circuit that is shared by multiple subscribers, which was common in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Party lines were often used as a source of entertainment and gossip, as well as a way of alerting neighbors of emergencies.
- At Disneyland, there is a place where you can pick up an old-fashioned phone and listen to a party line conversation at the Market House on Main Street, U.S.A.