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

[1lilspark]

Good news! According to this site the Wonderground Gallery has just been moved to be next door to the Art of Disney store!

https://disneydiary.com/2022/10/wonderground-gallery-moves-at-disney-springs-next-to-art-of-disney/

The section is about 1/4 the size of what was in co-op…
It’s pretty much in the space where they used to do ear hat embroidery/print on demand shirts

 

[mrsap]

Cheers Everyone! Hope you have a great weekend!!

 

[mrsap]

Light-Up Zero Popcorn Bucket Arrives at Magic Kingdom​

Jack Skellington’s loyal dog Zero has arrived at Magic Kingdom for Halloween 2022, as a delightful light-up popcorn bucket! You can find this Zero popcorn bucket at popcorn carts throughout the park exclusively during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

Zero Popcorn Bucket – $24​

 

[HokieRaven5]

Adam Copeland, Suzanne Cryer, and Jessica Parker Kennedy Join Disney+ ‘Percy Jackson’ Series

 

[Maleficent_Hades]

Minnie Ear Headband Price Increased by $5 at Walt Disney World​

Price increases have hit Walt Disney World in more ways than one this week. As of today, October 13, the price of most Minnie ear headbands has increased by $5, from $29.99 to $34.99.

Signs next to Minnie ear headbands throughout the resort have been updated to reflect the change.

i rarely buy ears at the parks as i make my own, plus the park ones hurt my head within minutes of wearing them.

 

[Maleficent_Hades]

Pricing Revealed for Monsieur Paul Prix Fixe Menu

Monsieur Paul will reopen on October 18th at EPCOT with a brand new prix fixe menu and price tag. When it was announced that the location would reopen, a price for the dinner was not revealed. Now, the price has been revealed and it’s a hefty price tag for one of the nicest meals you can have at Walt Disney World.

The Monsieur Paul prix fixe dinner will cost $195 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

welp looks like i will never eat there. i can not justify the price when i can't eat a lot of food at a time since my sleeve surgery. i actually love the serving sizes at the booths during the festivals cuz its the perfect amount of food for me!! but prix fixe will never be an option for me again.

 

[mrsap]

Good Morning All!

 

[princesscinderella]

welp looks like i will never eat there. i can not justify the price when i can't eat a lot of food at a time since my sleeve surgery. i actually love the serving sizes at the booths during the festivals cuz its the perfect amount of food for me!! but prix fixe will never be an option for me again.

I too dislike Prix Fixe menus as an only option. It’s one thing to have a chef’s prix fixe offering or you can choose too from ala carte menu, but to give no choice but the prix fixe stinks. I have a food allergy and those do not usually work for me either.

 

[mrsap]

Price of Disney Genie+ Increases Again at Walt Disney World

The cost of Disney Genie+ has increased again at Walt Disney World as Disney makes good on the claim of variable, date-based pricing. The cost of Disney Genie+ increased from $20 to $22 today, perhaps indicating that the cost of Disney Genie+ will increase on the weekends, as has been typical for Individual Lightning Lane prices.

Weekday Genie+ pricing (left), weekend Genie+ pricing (right)
Turning our attention to Individual Lightning Lane, something interesting happened…or rather, didn’t happen. Only Rise of the Resistance increased its pricing for the weekend – a departure from the typical pricing protocol for Individual Lightning Lane. Here is today’s pricing:
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: $11 (no change; normally $12 on weekends)

• Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind: $15 (no change; normally $17 on weekends)
• Rise of the Resistance: $22 ($2 increase; new high price)
• Flight of Passage: $14 (no change; highest price recorded)

 

[Ismo]

I too dislike Prix Fixe menus as an only option. It’s one thing to have a chef’s prix fixe offering or you can choose too from ala carte menu, but to give no choice but the prix fixe stinks. I have a food allergy and those do not usually work for me either.

I have food allergies too (plus I don’t eat meat) and they will accommodate you, even on the price fixe menus. A lot of times they have dishes they can make that aren’t on the menus, or the chef will come out and talk to you and make something bespoke. But, I agree that prix fixe menus are not great, especially when so limited with options. I choose my dining locations based on the menus, and without being able to know what my options would be, I typically avoid booking restaurants like this.

 

[Jetku]

I have food allergies too (plus I don’t eat meat) and they will accommodate you, even on the price fixe menus. A lot of times they have dishes they can make that aren’t on the menus, or the chef will come out and talk to you and make something bespoke. But, I agree that prix fixe menus are not great, especially when so limited with options. I choose my dining locations based on the menus, and without being able to know what my options would be, I typically avoid booking restaurants like this.

I’m gluten free (not by choice) and don’t eat fish… we might do Monsieur Paul Saturday (we’re only there for the weekend) and have to commit before the allergy options are known

 

[Ismo]

I’m gluten free (not by choice) and don’t eat fish… we might do Monsieur Paul Saturday (we’re only there for the weekend) and have to commit before the allergy options are known

My BFF has celiacs and I’m allergic to Tree Nuts & shellfish. We go to Disneyland all the time, it’s so hard to pick dining locations ahead of time without knowing what you can eat. Like, we know that we’ll be ABLE to eat, but at those prices, you should be able to love what you eat too…not just be like “okay, I can stomach that”. I really wish they would post allergy menus online for each restaurant.

We’re all going to WDW next year. I know where I can get meals I love at WDW, but it will be a whole new ball game trying to find places we can both eat at AND get meals we love.

 

[mrsap]

2021 Theme Park Attendance Report Shows Disney World Park Ranking Shakeup & Road to Recovery​

The 2021 Global Attractions Attendance Report has been published by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and the Economics practice at AECOM. The TEA attendance report is the industry standard in estimating attendance at the top theme parks and museums worldwide. While Disney does not release attendance figures publically, the TEA index is widely accepted within the industry as having accurate estimates. TEA/AECOM released their 2021 Global Attractions Attendance Report and the data shows a strong bounce-back by Disney World and other theme park operators in 2021 as the industry attempted to get back to normal, or at least establish a new normal. The high-level report did not address how the Disney Park Pass reservation system may have impacted figures, but most days in 2021 had reservation availability at one or more Disney World theme parks.

 

[mrsap]

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Welcomes Beni the Baby Okapi​

This morning Disney Parks announced on Twitter the birth of a baby Okapi named Beni. He is one of the newest additions to the variety of animals at Walt Disney World Resort, following the recent announcement of a baby Springbok joining the herd. Born on July 17, this endangered baby Okapi was born from two first-time parents Olivia and Elombe, and weighs just under 100 pounds.

 

[mrsap]

Repainting of Cars and Lion King Areas Continue at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

The exterior of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has been undergoing a long refurbishment this year. No major changes have been made. Instead, crews are mostly repainting buildings and set pieces to get the resort looking like new.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

The exterior of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has been undergoing a long refurbishment this year. No major changes have been made.

When I was there last month they were also refurbishing the arcade. One evening it was there the next morning everything was torn up.

 

[Disneytrippin']

Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party returns for 2022 at Walt Disney World​

Making a return to Magic Kingdom from November 8 through December 22, 2022, Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party offers reserved firework viewing and a dessert buffet.

As before, there are two versions of the party, one with firework viewing from the Plaza Gardens on Main Street U.S.A. priced at $99, and one with viewing from the Tomorrowland Terrace priced at $114.

Reservations open on October 18, 2022. A valid admission ticket for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on the same night is required, and is not included in the price of the dessert party.

Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing​

Before Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show the dessert buffet includes:

• Holiday-themed desserts prepared by our pastry chef
• A selection of cheeses
• Fresh, seasonal fruits
• A variety of alcohol-free libations, including Martinelli’s non-alcoholic sparkling cider, Cava sparkling wine, signature lemonades, hot chocolate, coffee and tea

As showtime nears, Cast Members will escort you to a prime standing area in the East Plaza Garden for priority viewing of the nighttime fireworks spectacular.

2022 Event Dates​

November 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27 and 29
December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20 and 22

Event Details​

• Location: Dessert party held at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant at Magic Kingdom park, with fireworks viewing in the Plaza Garden
• Time: Check in at the entrance to Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant 1.5 hours before the fireworks begin; view the park calendar for show times
• Price: $99 (including tax) for Guests ages 10 and older; $59 (including tax) for Guests ages 3 to 9

Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace​

Before the fireworks spectacular the buffet menu features:

• Holiday-themed desserts prepared by our pastry chef
• A selection of cheeses
• Fresh, seasonal fruits
• A variety of beverages, including signature lemonades, hot chocolate, coffee and tea—as well as a glass of sparkling wine or sparkling non-alcoholic cider

2022 Event Dates​

November 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27 and 29
December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20 and 22

Event Details​

• Location: The dessert party is held at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant at Magic Kingdom park—with fireworks viewing from a seating area on the restaurant’s terrace
• Time: Check in at the entrance to Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant one hour before the fireworks begin; view the park calendar for showtimes
• Price: $114 (including tax) per Guest ages 10 and older; $69 (including tax) per Guest ages 3 to 9

Has anyone done this, I'm wondering if the view is worth it. That's my DH only complaint. He thinks the view "won't be good."

 

[mrsap]

Entire First Week, Last Date Before Thanksgiving Sold Out for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party​

 

[mrsap]

Prices Increased on Pins, Shoulder Plush, and Light-Up Souvenirs at Walt Disney World​

 

[Hopingforpixiedust]

Has anyone done this, I'm wondering if the view is worth it. That's my DH only complaint. He thinks the view "won't be good."

We did it in 2019 at MVMCP. You don’t get the centered castle view, but there aren’t a lot of can’t miss projections - more colors and designs. The fireworks were excellent. We enjoyed being able to sit at a table and watch!

ETA: We viewed from the Terrace.