Extra: THE MAGIC WILL RETURN (Disney Theme Parks)

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by Tony Frankel on May 4, 2020

in Extras,Theater-Regional

YOU THINK YOU’RE FEELING RESISTANT?!

It has now become woefully clear that we will have quite a wait until crowd-gathering can return to a pre-coronavirus level. While you may be feeling a bit edgy, remember we will all be returning to the magic one day. In an attempt to fill my storehouse of magic, I made sure that I was one of the last people to exit Disneyland on its closing day, Friday March 13, 2020 (my photos below were taken that night). Some friends scolded me, but I can only think of the mother who visited The Magic Kingdom at the pandemic’s onset — The New York Times quotes her as saying, “If I’m going to get sick and die, I might as well do it at Disney World.” Besides, there aren’t any superstitions about Friday the Thirteenth, are there?

While it was eerily empty late that Friday night (actually Saturday at 1:20am) — and I found myself missing other guests — my magic storehouse was filled up for the few weeks that our beloved park would be shuttered. Or so we thought. Now, two months later, it seems that we may not return to glory days for at least another year, even as Disney explores soft openings nationally of shops and restaurants surrounding theme parks. In the states, expect to eventually see re-openings with strict standards, such as those Shanghai Disneyland Park implemented last Monday when they allowed a limited amount of guests (24,000), who must pass through a magic fever checker to gain entry (I wonder if it tweets like a bird when you’re fine, and cackles like a witch if you’re above 100 degrees).

Back home at both Disneyland park in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, you do have something to look forward to: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This is one of the best rides on the planet: enterprising, humongous, and interactive, it combines every inventive technological marvel from rides past and mashes them together into an wholly new adventure, making this ride — dare I say? — an even more impressive achievement than Harry Potter. A special edition of Disney’s “Ride & Learn” series (below) was sent to us today, May 4 (“may the fourth be with you” and all), so join the Resistance and blast off to Batuu for a cinematic adventure in a galaxy far, far away. You’ll also discover some fascinating facts about this groundbreaking attraction and learn more about the Disney magic that brought it to life. Obviously, the attraction is much much better than the clip.

You may have to wait a while to board (both now and once you do get back to the parks), but that’s just fine with me. Magic is always better when you’ve gone without for a while.

Enjoy!

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