Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2022 Edition

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Yeah, I suspect a 'voyage to tranquil outer space' won't be the same if 24/7 you constantly hear high winds and a deluge of rain outside, with possible flooding in your space ship.

Plus the scheduled transport to Batuu. They can't run the experience if they can't safely get everyone in and out of the park.

 

[mrsap]

Disney Cruise Line Issues Statement on Hurricane Ian Impacts to Operations​

Disney Cruise Line has issued a statement on the anticipated impact to operations from Hurricane Ian. Here’s the latest:
We have been closely monitoring Hurricane Ian. Based on the current projected forecast, we anticipate that the Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will sail as scheduled. However, there is a possibility that the Disney Wish will return to Port Canaveral on Friday, September 30, later than originally scheduled. We will notify Guests should it be necessary to delay embarkation for the September 30 Disney Wish sailing.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

DCL Dropping Vaccine Mandate as of 10/14/22 for all ships except Magic.



ETA: Magic is November: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...n-unvaccinated-guests-still-required-to-test/

 

[mrsap]

Disney Cruise Line to Drop Vaccination Requirement​

Disney Cruise Line has updated its health and safety policy. Here’s the latest:
Beginning Oct. 14, 2022, for Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish sailings and Nov. 7, 2022 for Disney Magic sailings, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, however, it is highly recommended. All Guests ages 5 years and older who are not fully vaccinated (Unvaccinated Guests) will need to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 1-2 days before the sail date. Guests ages 4 years of age and younger do not require testing.

 

[mrsap]

Holiday Cookie Stroll Returning for 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays​

The holiday cookie stroll is returning for the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. To participate, guests use their festival passport to collect stamps for select cookie purchases.
This year’s cookies are listed below. Guests can purchase their choice of five cookies from the options to qualify.

• Nochebuena Cocina: Alfajores – Vanilla Shortbread Cookie with Dulce de Leche and Coconut
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen: SNICKERS®-Doodle Cookie made with SNICKERS® Bar pieces
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen: Black and White Cookie (plant-based)
• American Holiday Table: Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen: Linzer Cookie
• Holiday Hearth Desserts: Gingerbread Cookie
• Sunshine Seasons: M&M’s® Sugar Cookie
• Connections Café: Sugar Cookie

The stamped passport can then be presented to receive the completer prize, which is usually another cookie.

 

[sherlockmiles]

• Nochebuena Cocina: Alfajores – Vanilla Shortbread Cookie with Dulce de Leche and Coconut

YES PLEASE!!!

 

[mrsap]

FULL LIST of Food Booths Announced for the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays​

There is so much to see, do, and EAT around Disney World during this event — which kicks off on November 25th, 2022 — so let’s find out which Holiday Kitchen Food Booths are coming to the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays!

• American Holiday Table – American Adventure Pavilion: Enjoy a seasonal salute—dig into traditional dishes reminiscent of grandma’s cooking at the American Adventure Pavilion.
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen – Germany Pavilion: Willkommen—help yourself to heartwarming holiday dishes and refreshing beverages at the Germany Pavilion.
• Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen – Near Test Track Presented by Chevrolet: Join in on the festivities when you visit this new location offering cinnamon-glazed nuts and holiday beverages.
• The Donut Box – Near Test Track Presented by Chevrolet: Enjoy a classic dessert dressed up in a little holiday cheer when you try one of our seasonally-themed donuts!
• Holiday Hearth Desserts – The Odyssey Pavilion: Discover the hearth you’ll call home, with holly jolly desserts, hot cocoa and so much more.
• Holiday Sweets & Treats – Near Port of Entry: Rock around the Christmas tree with tasty desserts and festive sips sure to top the “nice” list.
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen – Between Morocco and France Pavilion: Propose a toast to life—sink your teeth into classic deli noshes with a side of New York flair.
• Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen – Mexico Pavilion: Feliz Navidad—celebrate with mariachi dancing and south-of-the-border fare at the Mexico Pavilion!
• Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen – France Pavilion: Feast on très magnifiquefare, wine and specialty cocktails from the France Pavilion.
• Mele Kalikimaka – Near Port of Entry: Savor the flavor of fabulous, festive food and beverages from the islands of Hawai‘i.
• Nochebuena Cocina – Near Port of Entry – NEW!: Delight in a delicious plant-based offering while celebrating the happiest season of the year!
• Shanghai Holiday Kitchen – China Pavilion: Have yourself a merry little meal—tempt taste buds with popular plates and potables from the China Pavilion!
• Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen – Japan Pavilion: Please your palate with an array of festive dishes and drinks served at the Japan Pavilion.
• Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina – Morocco Pavilion: Travel to the Morocco Pavilion for delicious kebabs and cocktails.
• Tuscany Holiday Kitchen – Italy Pavilion: Mangiare—savor a seasonal take on some of the world’s best-loved food and beverages at the Italy Pavilion!
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen – Canada Pavilion: Jingle your bells with delightful dishes and libations from the Great White North—at the Canada Pavilion.
• Funnel Cake – Between the American Adventure Pavilion: Satisfy your sweet tooth with a new holiday classic: Sweet Potato Casserole Funnel Cake.
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company – Throughout EPCOT: Salute the season with the usual selection of coffees, plus a tasty holiday-themed treat!
• Refreshment Outpost – Between the China and Germany Pavilions: Chow down on this year’s holiday surprise: Peanut Stew with sweet potatoes, mustard greens and roasted peanuts. (Sorry, guess it’s not a surprise now.)
• Refreshment Port – Showcase Plaza: Savor the flavor of holiday poutine and toast the season with specials like Coquito Soft-serve, also available with Spiced Rum.

 

[mrsap]

UPDATE: Simu Liu and Daymond John Announced as Candlelight Processional Narrators at EPCOT​

The previously released list of Candlelight Processional narrators at EPCOT for 2022 had a couple ”to be announced” spots, but the missing narrators have now been confirmed.

Simu Liu is best known as the titular star of “Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings.” He will narrate the processional on November 25 and 26.

Daymond John of “Shark Tank” fame will narrate on December 7 & 9.

 

[mickey916]

UPDATE: Simu Liu and Daymond John Announced as Candlelight Processional Narrators at EPCOT​

The previously released list of Candlelight Processional narrators at EPCOT for 2022 had a couple ”to be announced” spots, but the missing narrators have now been confirmed.

Simu Liu is best known as the titular star of “Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings.” He will narrate the processional on November 25 and 26.

Daymond John of “Shark Tank” fame will narrate on December 7 & 9.

Funny....for a brief moment yesterday the DisneyParks Blog had 12/7 & 12/9 listed as John Daymond...and I was wondering who that was...lol! They have since corrected it.

 

[mrsap]

Disney After Hours returns to Walt Disney World in January 2023​

I have exciting news to share: Disney After Hours events will return to Walt Disney World Resort starting January 2023! These fan-favorite experiences are scheduled to kick off January 4 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and January 9 at Magic Kingdom Park. They offer an incredible way to experience even more Disney magic during the last months of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary.

In case you aren’t familiar with Disney After Hours, these late-night, separately ticketed events let you enjoy a Walt Disney World theme park for three additional hours after regular park hours, with treats such as ice cream, popcorn and select beverages included. Best of all, the number of tickets for these events is limited, which means lower wait times for some of your favorite attractions.

At Magic Kingdom Park, this means you can enjoy more than 20 popular attractions such as Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios you can pilot the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, ride through a zany cartoon adventure in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, shrink to the size of a toy in Toy Story Land and more.

With Disney After Hours tickets, you can enter the park where the event is taking place as early as 7 p.m. giving you the opportunity to get a jump on the fun! Disney After Hours admission is a separately priced ticket not included with regular daytime park admission. Event tickets for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios can be purchased by all guests starting October 7, 2022, with prices ranging from $129 to $159 (plus tax). Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing Disney After Hours tickets as early as October 4. The advance-purchase window is available to Guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels as well as Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Vacation Club members and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can also purchase specially priced tickets for select dates.

Disney After Hours events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are scheduled for select nights, January 4 through April 19, 2023. Disney After Hours events at Magic Kingdom Park are scheduled for select nights, January 9 through March 27, 2023. For a full list of events, dates and times, and to purchase tickets, visit the Disney After Hours page of DisneyWorld.com.

 

[mrsap]

Showtimes Announced for 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Entertainment​

For starters, Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition scavenger hunt is coming back. This hunt has guests looking for little statues of Olaf all throughout World Showcase. You’ll need to purchase a map to participate, and it comes with stickers so that you can mark when you’ve found him in each country. The map can be purchased for $9.99 from multiple shops, including Creations Shop, Port of Entry, and World Traveler at International Gateway.

*Click link for full schedule

 

[mrsap]

Disney World Menu Updates

 

[mrsap]

Magic Kingdom Disney After Hours Dates, Pricing, and Details​

Disney World has announced that Disney After Hours will return in January 2023! Here’s a look at the dates and pricing for Magic Kingdom Disney After Hours:

Magic Kingdom Disney After Hours Dates	Price (Excludes Tax)	Price for Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members (Excludes Tax)
Monday, January 9, 2023	$135	$105
Monday, January 16, 2023	$159	$129
Monday, January 23, 2023	$145	$115
Thursday, February 16, 2023	$159	$129
Monday, February 20, 2023	$159	$129
Monday, February 27, 2023	$155	$125
Thursday, March 2, 2023	$159	$129
Monday, March 6, 2023	$155	$125
Monday, March 13, 2023	$155	$125
Thursday, March 16, 2023	$155	$125
Monday, March 20, 2023	$155	$125
Monday, March 27, 2023	$149	$119

A Night of Delight​

Come rediscover Magic Kingdom park—after the gates close!
Wish you could enjoy even more magic in less time? Now you can—with a ticket to the Disney After Hours event at Magic Kingdom park. It’s a limited-capacity nighttime event you won’t want to miss!

Event Highlights
During Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom park, you can:

• Enjoy more than 20 beloved attractions—with lower wait times since the number of tickets for this event is limited
• Delight in tasty snacks, included in the cost of this ticketed event
• Get a head start on the fun by entering the park at 7:00 PM—a few hours before the event officially begins

*click link for additional information

 

[mrsap]

Hollywood Studios Disney After Hours Dates, Pricing, and Details​

Disney World has announced that the Disney After Hours events will return in January 2023! Here are the Hollywood Studios Disney After Hours dates, pricing, and details:

Hollywood Studios Disney After Hours Dates	Price (Excludes Tax)	Price for Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members (Excludes Tax)
Wednesday, January 4, 2023	$145	$115
Wednesday, January 11, 2023	$129	$99
Wednesday, January 18, 2023	$139	$109
Wednesday, January 25, 2023	$145	$115
Wednesday, February 15, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, February 22, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, March 8, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, March 22, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, March 29, 2023	$145	$115
Sunday, April 2, 2023	$139	$109
Wednesday, April 5, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, April 19, 2023	$145	$115

A Night of Delight​

Come rediscover Disney’s Hollywood Studios—after the gates close!
Wish you could experience even more magic and adventure in less time? Now you can—with a ticket to the Disney After Hours event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a limited-capacity nighttime event you won’t want to miss!

Event Highlights

During Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can:

• Enjoy some favorite attractions—with lower wait times since the number of tickets for this event is limited
• Delight in tasty snacks, included in the cost of this ticketed event
• Get a head start on the fun by entering the park at 7:00 PM—a couple of hours before the event officially begins

*Click link for additional details

 

[mrsap]

Disneyland News:

Up to 15% Off Available For Select Dates Through December at Disneyland Resort Hotels​

To go along with the recent Disney Visa Cardholder discount we recently reported on at Disneyland Resort, there has been a recent discount released for all visitors on select dates between October 20 through December 22.

Visitors can save up to 15% on Premium and Standard room types at The Grand Californian and The Disneyland Hotel. Up to 10% off is available for Premium and Standard room types for guests staying at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel during these dates.

Currently, the discount is available most Sundays through Thursdays from October 20 through December 22. Booking must be completed by December 15, and travel must be completed by December 23 to receive this deal.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Hollywood Studios Disney After Hours Dates, Pricing, and Details​

Disney World has announced that the Disney After Hours events will return in January 2023! Here are the Hollywood Studios Disney After Hours dates, pricing, and details:

Hollywood Studios Disney After Hours Dates	Price (Excludes Tax)	Price for Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members (Excludes Tax)
Wednesday, January 4, 2023	$145	$115
Wednesday, January 11, 2023	$129	$99
Wednesday, January 18, 2023	$139	$109
Wednesday, January 25, 2023	$145	$115
Wednesday, February 15, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, February 22, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, March 8, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, March 22, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, March 29, 2023	$145	$115
Sunday, April 2, 2023	$139	$109
Wednesday, April 5, 2023	$149	$119
Wednesday, April 19, 2023	$145	$115

A Night of Delight​

Come rediscover Disney’s Hollywood Studios—after the gates close!
Wish you could experience even more magic and adventure in less time? Now you can—with a ticket to the Disney After Hours event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a limited-capacity nighttime event you won’t want to miss!

Event Highlights

During Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can:

• Enjoy some favorite attractions—with lower wait times since the number of tickets for this event is limited
• Delight in tasty snacks, included in the cost of this ticketed event
• Get a head start on the fun by entering the park at 7:00 PM—a couple of hours before the event officially begins

*Click link for additional details

Attraction list on the site currently shows:
Alien Swirling Saucers
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Slinky Dog Dash
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Toy Story Mania!
And more!

So, it seems that they aren't keep RnR or ToT open, just the newer attractions. Although, the And More certainly leaves room if they need it.

ETA- maybe not. The MK list is also only 7 attractions although they say it will be 20. Weird that they would highlight saucers over the thrill rides, though...

 

[mrsap]

Hurricane Watch Issued for Walt Disney World​

The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Watch for Walt Disney World and the surrounding areas. This Hurricane Watch upgrades the previous Tropical Storm Warning issued late last night. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.
Here’s the latest from the National Weather Service Melbourne division.

11AM 9/27 | The latest on Hurricane Ian

Ian has emerged off the northern coast of Cuba, moving north & eventually northeast toward FL. Hurricane Watches are now in effect for all inland east central FL counties.

Residents should finalize preparations today! pic.twitter.com/I6DvaxzRwd

 

[mrsap]

In Other News:​

Orlando International Airport (MCO) Announces Closure Ahead of Hurricane Ian​

As Hurricane Ian continues to track towards Florida, the Orlando International Airport (MCO) has announced that they will be closed starting Wednesday, September 28th at 10:30am according to an update on their website.



Disney World theme parks remain open at this time, but it’s likely that Disney World will issue additional updates later today or tomorrow on their theme park operations.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

Disney Cruise Line to Drop Vaccination Requirement​

Disney Cruise Line has updated its health and safety policy. Here’s the latest:
Beginning Oct. 14, 2022, for Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish sailings and Nov. 7, 2022 for Disney Magic sailings, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, however, it is highly recommended. All Guests ages 5 years and older who are not fully vaccinated (Unvaccinated Guests) will need to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 1-2 days before the sail date. Guests ages 4 years of age and younger do not require testing.

Not surprising.

Last Friday the CDC quietly changed its guidance regarding masking in health care facilities and no longer recommends universal masking. I say quietly because there was next to no media announcement or press releases issued by the CDC. I found out about it because I give legal advice to our local health department. The CDC now advises that health care facilities that are not in high-rate transmission areas can make masking optional, and I discussed this issue with our local public health department. So, even WDW and DLR can now rely upon CDC "cover" to further change masking rules in the First Aid areas if TWDC so chooses.

Lots of the old COVID-19 rules are being washed away.

 

[rangerxenos]

In Other News:​

Orlando International Airport (MCO) Announces Closure Ahead of Hurricane Ian​

As Hurricane Ian continues to track towards Florida, the Orlando International Airport (MCO) has announced that they will be closed starting Wednesday, September 28th at 10:30am according to an update on their website.



Disney World theme parks remain open at this time, but it’s likely that Disney World will issue additional updates later today or tomorrow on their theme park operations.

I feel so bad for those with trips this week and next, this is going to really wreak havoc.