The biggest item park workers are tackling during this refurbishment is the replacement of the entire track that guides the Mark Twain Riverboat and Columbia Sailing Ship on their trips around the river.
According to park officials, the only things found this time in the bottom of the dry riverbed were some lost cell phones and hats. It took about a week to drain the river.
The recent rain storms have kept the park pumps working to keep the river dry so that workers and welders can continue their work. But, said park spokesperson Betsy Sanchez, the rains have not delayed progress.
The river is also visible to riders of the Disneyland Railroad. When the word leaked out about the planned refurbishment, there was speculation that there might be major changes to the scenery along the riverfront.
LOS ANGELES — Family entertainment giant The Walt Disney Co., which just absorbed Marvel Entertainment Inc., reports earnings for its fiscal first quarter after the market closes Tuesday.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The advertising recovery will likely help Disney’s ABC and ESPN television networks, but the question is by how much.
Tom Morello, of the Orange County-based rock group, is scheduled to perform Saturday during a “Day of Music” outside a Disney hotel, according to the union, Unite Here Local 11.
Daily prayer sessions will be held at 7 a.m. after the hunger strike begins Tuesday night.
Ten union members are planning to stage a hunger strike as a way to bring attention to a two-year contract dispute with Disney. The union and Disney mostly disagree about health-care costs: Hotel workers want to keep the union-run benefits program, which is free to them. Disney is urging the union to join the company plan, which requires employee contributions. Thirty of 31 Disney unions are part of the company program.
Morello, also a member of the band Audioslave, is involved in political activism and co-founded the Axis of Justice, an organization that focuses on peace, human rights and economic justice.
Police have been talking to union members about the location of their events. It is illegal for public sidewalks to be blocked; union members say they will attempt to stay out of the way.
Hunger strike-related events are:
Tuesday, 5 p.m.: Kick-off candlelight vigil in front of the Grand Californian Hotel, 1600 Disneyland Drive.
Wednesday, 5 p.m.: Make-a-bed action and rally, outside the Paradise Pier Hotel, 1717 Disneyland Drive.
Thursday, 5 p.m.: Union solidarity march, outside the Grand Californian Hotel.
Friday, 5 p.m.: Community support rally, outside the Grand Californian Hotel.
Saturday, 3 p.m.: Day of Music, featuring Morello, outside the Paradise Pier Hotel.
Sunday, 2 p.m.: Valentine’s Day Children’s Art Action, including folklorico dancers, drum lessons and Valentine card making, outside the Grand Californian Hotel.
Feb. 15, 1 p.m.: Elected official meet-and-greet session. The place has yet to be disclosed.
Feb. 16, 5 p.m.: Unite Here rally, outside the Grand Californian Hotel.
Photo by Joshua Sudock of The Orange County Register shows the hunger-strike announcement event.
Take a look at what happened this week in Disney history:
Feb. 8, 2001: Disney’s California Adventure park and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel open.
Feb. 12, 1964: Columbia Sailing Ship below decks museum opens. The museum recreates the quarters of an 18th century American sailor.
Feb. 13, 2004: The World’s Loudest Screamer — Jill Drake of Kent, England – joins comedian Gallagher for a Scream-A-Long at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on Friday the 13th.
Feb. 13, 2009: Women who avoids Titanic celebrates 100th birthday at Disneyland: Lake Forest resident Frances Taylor missed her scheduled trip on the Titanic on its 1812 voyage because it was overbooked, but instead celebrated her birthday on another boat - it’s a small world.
Photo of Columbia Sailing Ship by Eugene Garcia, The Orange County Register.
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AnaheimOC.org released a collection of coupons that can be used in and around the Disneyland Resort and Knott’s Berry Farm. The coupons can be printed out HERE.