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California Today: Disneyland Is Changing a Ride, and People Are Howling California Today: Disneyland Is Changing a Ride, and People Are Howling
(about 11 hours later)
Good morning.Good morning.
(Want to get California Today by email? Sign up.)(Want to get California Today by email? Sign up.)
Let’s turn it over to Brooks Barnes, our Hollywood reporter based in Los Angeles.Let’s turn it over to Brooks Barnes, our Hollywood reporter based in Los Angeles.
A few years ago, Disneyland pruned some overgrown trees, and some guests had an absolute fit. A Disney executive told me at the time that one outraged annual pass holder started an email like this: “HOW DARE YOU.”A few years ago, Disneyland pruned some overgrown trees, and some guests had an absolute fit. A Disney executive told me at the time that one outraged annual pass holder started an email like this: “HOW DARE YOU.”
So imagine the din that has broken out around Disney’s plans to re-theme one of its most popular Anaheim rides. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a haunted 1930s-era hotel with wildly malfunctioning elevators, will close in January and reopen a few months later as a new ride with a jaunty story line based on Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” It will be Disney’s first Marvel ride in the United States since buying that comics company in 2009.So imagine the din that has broken out around Disney’s plans to re-theme one of its most popular Anaheim rides. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a haunted 1930s-era hotel with wildly malfunctioning elevators, will close in January and reopen a few months later as a new ride with a jaunty story line based on Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” It will be Disney’s first Marvel ride in the United States since buying that comics company in 2009.
“Un-called for and absurd” is how an online Save the Tower petition signed by more than 35,000 people described the plan. At least one group intends to hold a vigil. One fan blog chastised Disney for a “lack of imagination,” adding that Mickey Mouse “may as well surrender” to Universal theme parks. Most of the comments on an explanatory video posted by Marvel on Oct. 4 are not kind.“Un-called for and absurd” is how an online Save the Tower petition signed by more than 35,000 people described the plan. At least one group intends to hold a vigil. One fan blog chastised Disney for a “lack of imagination,” adding that Mickey Mouse “may as well surrender” to Universal theme parks. Most of the comments on an explanatory video posted by Marvel on Oct. 4 are not kind.
A tempest in a (spinning) teapot? Perhaps.A tempest in a (spinning) teapot? Perhaps.
There are sensible reasons for the overhaul. It’s about future plans to turn that entire corner of the two-park Disneyland Resort into a Marvel area. It’s about staying relevant; a vast majority of guests have no connection to “The Twilight Zone,” which was popular on CBS in the 1960s, but they do know “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which took in $773 million at the global box office in 2014. It’s about corporate synergy.There are sensible reasons for the overhaul. It’s about future plans to turn that entire corner of the two-park Disneyland Resort into a Marvel area. It’s about staying relevant; a vast majority of guests have no connection to “The Twilight Zone,” which was popular on CBS in the 1960s, but they do know “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which took in $773 million at the global box office in 2014. It’s about corporate synergy.
Even so, the outcry says something interesting about the property’s relationship with locals and the challenges that Disney faces when making changes (rest assured, some people will yell, and they now have social media as a megaphone). Disney’s magic trick, of course, is to have it both ways: The company’s parks sell nostalgia, but they must also appeal to the Snapchat generation.Even so, the outcry says something interesting about the property’s relationship with locals and the challenges that Disney faces when making changes (rest assured, some people will yell, and they now have social media as a megaphone). Disney’s magic trick, of course, is to have it both ways: The company’s parks sell nostalgia, but they must also appeal to the Snapchat generation.
As a Southern Californian with an annual Disneyland Resort pass, I think the “Galaxy of the Guardians” plans sound interesting. (For the record, the Tower of Terror will live on at Walt Disney World in Florida.) But consider this public advance notice, Disney: Mess with the Enchanted Tiki Room at your own peril.As a Southern Californian with an annual Disneyland Resort pass, I think the “Galaxy of the Guardians” plans sound interesting. (For the record, the Tower of Terror will live on at Walt Disney World in Florida.) But consider this public advance notice, Disney: Mess with the Enchanted Tiki Room at your own peril.
• In 1998, voters in California restricted bilingual education in public schools. In 2016, they may vote to expand it, Jennifer Medina reports. [The New York Times]• In 1998, voters in California restricted bilingual education in public schools. In 2016, they may vote to expand it, Jennifer Medina reports. [The New York Times]
• Outbid, out-hustled, outmuscled: Donald J. Trump has never been able to conquer Southern California. [Los Angeles Times]• Outbid, out-hustled, outmuscled: Donald J. Trump has never been able to conquer Southern California. [Los Angeles Times]
• Officials said a man wearing body armor tried to kill two police officers in Vallejo. Then his weapon jammed. [The Associated Press]• Officials said a man wearing body armor tried to kill two police officers in Vallejo. Then his weapon jammed. [The Associated Press]
• Speaking in San Diego, the president of one of the nation’s largest police organizations apologized for the past mistreatment of racial minorities. [The New York Times]• Speaking in San Diego, the president of one of the nation’s largest police organizations apologized for the past mistreatment of racial minorities. [The New York Times]
• The Dalian Wanda Group wants to be an entertainment superpower. It would like to start by getting more American movies made in China. [The New York Times]• The Dalian Wanda Group wants to be an entertainment superpower. It would like to start by getting more American movies made in China. [The New York Times]
• Silicon Valley has discovered Pescadero and the surrounding region, where billionaires are scooping up large chunks of land. [The Mercury News]• Silicon Valley has discovered Pescadero and the surrounding region, where billionaires are scooping up large chunks of land. [The Mercury News]
• “It’s a domino effect for the rest of the nation”: What legal marijuana in California would mean for the country. [PBS NewsHour]• “It’s a domino effect for the rest of the nation”: What legal marijuana in California would mean for the country. [PBS NewsHour]
• David Antin, whose so-called “talk poems” introduced a radical new form into American poetry in the 1970s, died in San Diego. [The New York Times]• David Antin, whose so-called “talk poems” introduced a radical new form into American poetry in the 1970s, died in San Diego. [The New York Times]
• What does Bob Dylan think about winning the Nobel Prize? The Swedish Academy doesn’t know. It hasn’t spoken with him. [The New York Times]• What does Bob Dylan think about winning the Nobel Prize? The Swedish Academy doesn’t know. It hasn’t spoken with him. [The New York Times]
• Rainfall has brought the waterfalls back to life in Yosemite National Park. Check out this video. [Facebook/CBS47 Fresno]• Rainfall has brought the waterfalls back to life in Yosemite National Park. Check out this video. [Facebook/CBS47 Fresno]
On Monday, we asked readers where we should look for a reporting project on homeless encampments in California. Hundreds of ideas poured into our inbox.On Monday, we asked readers where we should look for a reporting project on homeless encampments in California. Hundreds of ideas poured into our inbox.
Among places mentioned up and down the state were Eureka, Santa Rosa, Modesto, Palm Springs, San Diego and, of course, various parts of Los Angeles and San Francisco.Among places mentioned up and down the state were Eureka, Santa Rosa, Modesto, Palm Springs, San Diego and, of course, various parts of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Megan Kreuz described tent cities in Oakland. “It’s intense and sad,” she wrote. “I wish our city could do more to help.”Megan Kreuz described tent cities in Oakland. “It’s intense and sad,” she wrote. “I wish our city could do more to help.”
Kirk Davis said Redding had been “taken over” by homelessness: “Police and mental health services are completely overwhelmed.”Kirk Davis said Redding had been “taken over” by homelessness: “Police and mental health services are completely overwhelmed.”
And Jenoa Sandlin, who works with homeless veterans in Orange County, said many of her clients live in their cars and shower at gyms where they have memberships. “This is truly an invisible type of homelessness,” she wrote.And Jenoa Sandlin, who works with homeless veterans in Orange County, said many of her clients live in their cars and shower at gyms where they have memberships. “This is truly an invisible type of homelessness,” she wrote.
We’d love to hear more. Tell us: CAtoday@nytimes.com.We’d love to hear more. Tell us: CAtoday@nytimes.com.
Do you know how to “drop, cover and hold on”?Do you know how to “drop, cover and hold on”?
On Thursday, more than 10 million Californians are expected to practice the drill in schools, offices and homes as part of an earthquake safety exercise.On Thursday, more than 10 million Californians are expected to practice the drill in schools, offices and homes as part of an earthquake safety exercise.
The timing is appropriate.The timing is appropriate.
It was this week in 1989 that the Loma Prieta earthquake struck, killing 63 people, injuring thousands and causing billion of dollars in damages. It was this week in 1989 that the Loma Prieta earthquake struck, killing 63 people, injuring thousands and causing billions of dollars in damages.
The shaking began at 5:04 p.m. on Oct. 17, as Americans were tuning in to watch Game 3 of the World Series between the Bay Area rivals, the Giants and the Athletics, at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.The shaking began at 5:04 p.m. on Oct. 17, as Americans were tuning in to watch Game 3 of the World Series between the Bay Area rivals, the Giants and the Athletics, at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.
As a result, it became “probably one of the most watched natural disasters in American history,” said Art Agnos, San Francisco’s mayor at the time, in a 2014 Retro Report documentary.As a result, it became “probably one of the most watched natural disasters in American history,” said Art Agnos, San Francisco’s mayor at the time, in a 2014 Retro Report documentary.
Perhaps most searing were the aerial images of the viaduct collapse along Interstate 880 in Oakland. In an instant, dozens of motorists were crushed.Perhaps most searing were the aerial images of the viaduct collapse along Interstate 880 in Oakland. In an instant, dozens of motorists were crushed.
The Loma Prieta earthquake registered a powerful 6.9 on the Richter scale. The catastrophe, along with the deadly Northridge Earthquake of 1994, also shook up the state’s political establishment.The Loma Prieta earthquake registered a powerful 6.9 on the Richter scale. The catastrophe, along with the deadly Northridge Earthquake of 1994, also shook up the state’s political establishment.
In the decades that followed, untold billions of dollars have been spent to fortify buildings, bridges, schools and other structures across the state.In the decades that followed, untold billions of dollars have been spent to fortify buildings, bridges, schools and other structures across the state.
Today, experts say, California is the most earthquake-ready state.Today, experts say, California is the most earthquake-ready state.
However, that doesn’t mean the preparation is adequate, they warn. A patchwork of retrofitting rules means thousands of older buildings have not been strengthened.However, that doesn’t mean the preparation is adequate, they warn. A patchwork of retrofitting rules means thousands of older buildings have not been strengthened.
And even the soundest buildings may prove no match for a monster quake.And even the soundest buildings may prove no match for a monster quake.
California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com.California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com.
The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Davis. Follow him on Twitter.The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Davis. Follow him on Twitter.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended U.C. Berkeley.