In a ‘choose your own villain adventure’ the dispute between Disneyland and the unionized hotel and restaurant works of UNITE HERE has now stumbled into dangerous territory where the health of guests is at risk. It’s not that they’re operating dangerous equipment or attractions, but without any paid sick days cast members are coming into work sick, sometimes with flu like symptoms, and interacting with food and guests.

There appears to be no easy solution to this matter as neither side has budged in the negotiations in 2 years and 92% of the union members voting to reject Disney’s latest offer. One of the big reasons for that rejection is Disney’s new health plan that could cost these employees 4 to 5 times as much as they’re currently paying. Still, almost every other union Disney negotiates with has entered into that new health contract. So you can see where Disney thinks they got things right.

Having employees who interact with the public forced to come into work sick is not good PR anyway you look at it. Nor is it good national health policy. In fact, there is a bill in congress to mandate paid sick days for workers right now.

More at the OC Register.

The Hollywood Reporter believes that Michael Jackson will return from the dead to visit Disneyland. Well the Captain EO attraction starring the gloved one will, at least.

A few months ago Disneyland actually did set up the theater to show the Captain EO film with most of the original effects. It was shown to company executives and Jackson family members, including Michael’s kids who had never seen it before. The general feeling by executives was that it could work, but that the justification just wasn’t there financial wise to do it.

Now, with the global success of “This Is It” the Michael Jackson concert pic earning big dollars around the world, it might be time to roll out Captain EO for one more dance.

What do you think? Will you make a special trip to Disneyland to see Captain EO if it’s brought back?

From the OC Register we find out that Anaheim is moving forward in its plan to add an elevated transportation system between the Disneyland Resort area and a transportation hub near Angel Stadium. This is also a big step toward building an eventual high speed rail between Anaheim and Las Vegas.

The alternatives the city is considering include:

•Increasing bus traffic in existing lanes.

•Building dedicated lanes for more buses.

•An elevated monorail (25-40 passengers per car, 30 mph)

•An elevated people mover (80-100 passengers per car, 20 mph)

•A low-speed magnetic-levitation train (150 passengers, 30 mph)

Natalie Meeks, the city’s public works director, said all options are on the table, but Anaheim sees strong benefits to building an elevated system.

Any system is estimated to cost over $300 million. I also like the idea to keep the system free, or very low cost, for passengers. The cost is one of the real drawbacks of the Las Vegas monorail.

Learn more about Anaheim’s plans at www.anaheimfixedguideway.com

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger has just fulfilled the wishes of many a Disney theme park fan by moving Disney Worldwide Parks and Resorts Chair Jay Rasulo out of his position. He will be changing places with Disney CFO Tom Staggs effective in the new year.

Many a finger has been pointed in Rasulo’s direction when it comes to fans unhappiness with the theme park divisions direction. (Of course, some of those same fans are not so quick to give accolades when things go right.) He was often accused of not being interested in the parks to the point of avoiding any travel to them. The focus on DVC over regular resorts, the disasterous run (DCA, Paris Studios, Hong Kong Disneyland) of small theme parks with little themeing over immersive parks favored by the fans, and the general decline of the dining experience at the parks have all be laid at the feet of Rasulo’s policies. I’m not sure how fair any of that is.

As for Staggs, to be honest, I don’t know much about his views on Disney’s theme parks division. But I’ve found his handling of the corporate financial conferences to be masterful. To me this move is roughly the equivalent of Eisner putting Wells in charge of the theme parks, a move which I’m sure would have pleased many fans. So there is hope here.

Quotes from Bob Iger and Tom Staggs at the Orlando Sentinel.

It’s Veterans Day. Time to turn to those you know who served in the armed forces and offer them a word of thanks or perhaps pick up their check for a free meal as many restaurants are doing this year. If you’re at Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom today (we’ll be at the MK) make sure you find your way to Town Square for the flag retreat. Lately the parks have been doing a little something extra on Veterans Day.

To all who served and serve today, a big thank you from everyone at The Disney Blog.

Disneyland Resort wants you to come and get two free days on them if you stay at the resort in the first part of 2010. From Jan. 5 through April 29, 2010, guests get two more nights free when they buy a three-night hotel package with a five-day special value Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket.

For guests who already have theme park tickets, a second offer features a 30 percent savings at any of the Disneyland Resort hotels when travel agents book guests on a two-night hotel-only stay (hotel-only offer does not include theme park tickets).

Travel agents can book guests on either vacation offer starting Nov. 9, 2009, through April 1, 2010, for arrivals between Jan. 5-April 29, 2010. Travel must be completed by May 4, 2010.

2 Nights Free

The Park Hopping tickets included in the two-nights-free package make it easy to experience the best of Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Guests can buckle themselves onto the Soarin’ Over California attraction for a birds-eye view of the Golden State or aim for the highest scores aboard the exciting new Toy Story Mania! attraction at Disney’s California Adventure. Then they can hop over to Disneyland for a journey aboard the recently enhanced “it’s a small world” attraction – the happiest cruise that ever sailed. Guests will enjoy riding “it’s a small world” again and again as they search for the 29 Disney and Disney•Pixar characters now represented in the classic attraction.

The packages feature several extras such as admission to Magic Morning, where families can enjoy select theme park attractions before Disneyland park opens to regular guests. The package also features entry into Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness – an interactive guest and character experience – and preferred seating at select attractions and restaurants at the Disneyland Resort.

The special offers are valid at the three Disneyland Resort hotels – Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel &Spa. Whether it’s discovering whimsical Disney art at the Disneyland Hotel, stepping back in time to the golden days of California beachfronts at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel or indulging your senses at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, staying at any of the resort hotels provides the Disney magic from check-in to check-out. Guests are steps away from two of the world’s most famous theme parks and Downtown Disney, a vibrant dining and entertainment district.

Offer details below the cut:

[Read more →]

The last couple holiday seasons have brought a new Holiday commercial from Disney Parks. Here’s this year’s entry:

I’m proud to announce that “Townsquare“, the official forum for The Disney Blog, is now in open beta. That means there will probably be a few changes, but it’s essentially stable and ready to host all the great discussions I know this community is capable of.

Registering is easy. Just head to http://thedisneyblog.com/townsquare (or click the ‘forums’ button at the top of this page) and click where it says ‘register’ in the middle of the page. Or you can go right there by clicking here. Enter your information and a password will be sent to the email you provide. (You may need to check your spam folder to find the email.)

I created Townsquare because I think every community needs a place to mingle. In small town America the town square was a place for the community to gather and discuss the latest news, share rumors, and socialize. Walt Disney built a town square in each of his Magic Kingdoms that served much the same function.

Please be sure to read our Community Guidelines before posting. Then once you’re ready, post about anything Disney related (or use the Holidayland area for non-Disney topics). I hope you’ll find The Disney Blog’s Townsquare a great place to mingle and be a Disney fan and to meet other Disney fans.