Welcome to another WDWNT Photo Report from the Disneyland Resort. We do our best to keep you up-to-date with all the happenings each week, so you can have a bit of magic with you wherever you are reading from. This week over in Disneyland Park, Pirates of the Caribbean reopened after its refurbishment with some new additions including the much discussed new auction scene featuring Redd. In Disney California Adventure Park, Toy Story Midway Mania and the lower part of the Pixar Pier have been completely closed to guests as they prepare for the June 23rd opening date.
Pirates of the Caribbean Reopens with New Additions
Pirates of the Caribbean reopened featuring a couple new additions, including the new auction scene featuring the first female pirate, Redd. Whether you dislike the change or welcome it with open arms, it was implemented very well. They weaved in original scripted lines in with new lines, which helps the change feel less jarring than the now defunct addition of the Davy Jones fog scene. Yes, you read that correctly, the scene that used to feature Davy Jones/Captain Blackbeard on a waterfall of fog was removed in this refurbishment. The original recording that used to play in the dark transitional cave to the battle scene was restored, along with the addition of a new small, but interesting scene featuring a cursed pirate that changes from skeleton back to human and an animatronic octopus that is grabbing some of his treasure. We shared video of the new additions on our YouTube channel, and in case you missed it, you can view it below.
* BEWARE SPOILERS *
Here is the new auction scene featuring Redd.
The new scene that replaced the Davy Jones fog waterfall.
Lines were not too long on opening day, and this was partially due to the fact that FASTPASS and MaxPass were not available or being utilized.
Both sides of the queue were being utilized for the standby queue, which helped keep lines between 30-45 mins throughout the entire day. Extended queues did expand into New Orleans Square, but the lines moved consistently.
They also added new digital wait time signage to the attraction entrance, much like they have to many of the other attractions throughout the resort. MaxPass scanners were in place, but they were not being used.
Redd Atmosphere Character Debuts in Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park also introduced a new atmosphere face character based off of Pirates of the Caribbean’s newest female pirate, Redd. Redd interacts with guests as she walks around New Orleans Square sharing tales of her pirate adventures from port to port.
Guests who were there on opening day were also able to pick up a collectible card featuring the new pirate at Pieces of Eight.
As far as merchandise, there was only a new piece of sketch merchandise featuring Redd, available in Pieces of Eight for $65.00, with a frame and black matting available for $39.99 and $5.00 respectively in addition.
New Merchandise at Disneyland Resort
In addition to the AP charm from Pandora that we posted about previously, there was a lot of new merchandise that debuted at Disneyland Resort.
These lighted grad headbands were $20.00.
Class of 2018 Mickey Ear Hats were $24.99. Both of the grad items were spotted at the Emporium on Main Street U.S.A., but they are also available on Buena Vista Street in Elias & Co.
The rose gold craze continued at the Disneyland Resort, as they debuted a new rose gold backpack and matching wallet with Loungefly. As of June 8, Elias & Co. in DCA still had the backpack, but had advised the wallet was already completely sold out resort-wide. The rose gold backpack is $85.00, and the matching wallet is $50.00.
New Brer Rabbit plush also debuted, which according to the Cast Member, is only available at Splash Photo store and not Pooh Corner or any other location in Disneyland Park. The new plush is $19.99.
These collectible wooden figurines of Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, and Jack Jack are $99.00 and come as a set.
The next set of the Pixar Fest character set has also been released, also featuring the Incredibles. The set is LE and sells for $29.99.
More Updates at Disneyland Park
Over in Adventureland, construction continues on the Tropical Hideaway. The old archway entrance to Aladdin’s Oasis is now completely gone. The space already feels a lot more open and less crowded.
As you recall last week, we brought you views into the construction of Tropical Hideaway, but walls have been erected at the Jungle Cruise extended queue preventing views into the project.
New Details Revealed at Lamplight Lounge in Disney California Adventure Park
Over at Disney California Adventure Park, some new walled areas came down around Pixar Pier construction revealing new details.
The front entrance to the lounge was revealed with new details and paint colors to match the new color scheme throughout the pier.
Crews were working diligently on the new sketch art centerpiece that will be featured in the rotunda that houses the staircase to the lower level of the lounge. The sketch art chandelier was giving Art of Animation Resort vibes, and will undoubtedly look pretty incredible lit up each evening.
As you can see from the closer images, the sketches are pieces of artwork of Pixar characters or quotes from different movies.
With the impending attraction opening and movie release of Incredibles 2, you are seeing the characters from the movie roaming about more in the Pixar Pier area.
Over at Knick’s Knacks walls came down around the location and Guests no longer have to enter the store through tunnels. However, we still do not have a permanent sign for the location, as for now it was just incorporated into a section of the wall that still remains.
Toy Story Midway Mania and the Lower Pier Now Closed Until Grand Reopening
Missing last week, the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction sign has been replaced with a new paint color scheme to match the building.
Over at the Incredicoaster, testing continued including the one train that had the complete new paint job. This design was debuted previously on the Disney Parks Blog, but this was the first time we had seen it testing in person.
On this picture, you can see a flame pattern painted or printed on the inside of the ride tube that will likely tie in to some type of flame effect involving Jack Jack.
Progress at the Pixar Promenade
Well, that about wraps up another weekly WDWNT Photo Report from the Disneyland Resort. For those of you that followed us live on Instagram for Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, here are some shots we grabbed from that evening’s show. If you don’t already follow us on Instagram, please do so @WDWNT. Thank you everyone!
