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

[lowlight]

View attachment 711687
These 2oz cups will do in a pinch

Couldn't make the sour plum soda taste any worse.

 

[princesscinderella]

Why would someone pay $150-$200 for a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (5 hours), and then pay another $100+ for a 1.5-2 hour dining package? You're wasting like 40% of your party time on a party-within-a-party?

I know people do. What's the reasoning?

I was thinking the exact same thing!! Especially since viewing of the parades and fireworks should be easy due to the reduced capacity.

Couldn't make the sour plum soda taste any worse.

I agree it tastes like soy sauce to me. I think it would make a great marinade for a pork roast. I love the cucumber sprite it’s so refreshing.

 

[Violetspider]

Seems to be just the cups from the article. I always used just one as well. No point in creating waste.

Absolutely! As long as you save the Beverly for last, it's all good!

 

[soniam]

And Tekumi Tei - the only place in Epcot that I had never eaten at, and and was next on my list before the Big-C happened.

Hopefully with Japan reopening to tourists and opening more to returning residents, we will see some movement in opening it. I really want to try but never got to.

 

[mrsap]

Disney Park Pass reservations at capacity for peak days during the Christmas week at Magic Kingdom​

Disney Park Pass reservations are no longer available at Magic Kingdom for most category of tickets on peak days during December 2022.

Disney Park Pass availability December 2022

Christmas Day on December 25 and New Year's Eve on December 31 2022 are both currently full for Disney Resort guests and regular tickets.

 

[mrsap]

FIRST LOOK: Disney Flavor Lab Previews Table Setting Concepts for Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land including Forky, Barrel O’ Monkeys, Green Army Bucket, and More​

In a new video posted on the Walt Disney World YouTube channel, we got a first look at what table settings will look like for the upcoming Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurantin Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

 

[imbelle]

I’ve been trying to modify current reservation to use the this AP discount and have been unable to find anything available for my dates! I have also been unable to even access the offer via the Disney website which just keeps taking me to the scRene showing Passholder info. I spent over an hour on hold and was told nothing available for my dates/resort/room type

I've had the same problem for a couple of weeks. The email response I got was that they were making "magical enhancements" to the Passholder offerings with no expected completion date available.

 

[mrsap]

Tokyo Disney News:

Tokyo Disney Resort Now Requiring Hotel Guests to Register ‘Park Ticket Purchase Plans’ to Gauge Attendance​

As Tokyo Disney Resort moves to curb attendance compared to before the pandemic and more accurately gauge who will visit the parks in advance, guests staying at Disney Hotels on property are now required to register “park ticket purchase plans” when making their reservations.

Guests staying at one of the five Disney Hotels at Tokyo Disney Resort are allowed to purchase park tickets at the front desk during their stay, even if they’re sold out. Now the Oriental Land Company is moving to keep track of attendance more in advance, instead requiring guests to now register whether they will visit a park, which one, and how many tickets they will purchase.

 

[helloconnie]

The park is falling apart. Look at the state of disrepair Splash is in.

I just got back home from an impromptu visit over the weekend. I too noticed a lot of broken components on rides. I can accept why the Splash Mountain breaks will not be fixed due to the upcoming renovation, but many other rides have issues. I was not looking for issues, but I saw them. I noticed several on "it's a small world", including a missing hula dancer and I swear one of the french dolls that kick looked like it was missing its leg. Pirates had an obvious issue where the lady chasing the pirate with the broom was stuck. And correct me if I am wrong, but BTMRR had rumbling rocks in the cave roof, correct? I know that has not worked for the last couple of my visits. I just wonder if all the manpower has been on getting GoTG and Tron open and therefore maintenance has been put on hold. Maybe that's why there were no new rides announced at D23. Maybe they are going to play catch-up on the maintenance. (Giving Disney the benefit of the doubt here.) If they are going to do a round of maintenance, I would really like to see them fix the planets on Astro Orbiter. I know they have not spun for years, but to me, the Astro Orbiter at night is as much an icon as the castle. It needs to be fixed.

 

[PolyRob]

RUMOR: Disney Executives “Officially” Cancel EPCOT’s Play Pavilion, Will Abandon Project Unfinished​

According to sources inside the company, that silence would remain through the D23 Expo 2022, and it did, with no mention of the existence of the project from executives or Imagineers. Strangely enough, just weeks later, the pavilion was mentioned on the EPCOT 40 map given to guests, and its pavilion logo even featured on EPCOT 40 merchandise which is still being released as we speak. Despite all of this, sources in the company now indicate that executives have “officially” canceled the project during a retreat to Walt Disney World.

Reportedly, it was chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Josh D’Amaro who pulled the trigger and killed the project. Those familiar with the pavilion said that a lot of the interior had already been installed and completed.

D’Amaro gets WAY too much love. Chapek got the hate when he was in D’Amaro's position and still gets the hate as CEO. I think we should be equally displeased with both of them

 

[Lsdolphin]

I've had the same problem for a couple of weeks. The email response I got was that they were making "magical enhancements" to the Passholder offerings with no expected completion date available.

Yep. I finally called AP help number and spoke to CM who told me exactly that...”magical enhancements”...they were unable to help me but I have finally been able to put together a split stay with 4 nights at Pop and 4 nights at CSR at GDT. I was able to use the AP discount on both reservation. The only problem with doing a split stay is when you do ADRs you have to do separately for each half of trip Instead of being able to take advantage of the +10 days.

 

[mrsap]

Good Morning All!

 

[sdk1231]

This is been happening to me often. Usually if I log out & log back it, it works.

Opening a new incognito window works for me.

 

[sdk1231]

Why would someone pay $150-$200 for a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (5 hours), and then pay another $100+ for a 1.5-2 hour dining package? You're wasting like 40% of your party time on a party-within-a-party?

I know people do. What's the reasoning?

I do it. I'll give you my reasoning, noting that people have different priorities, different definitions of "value" and different ideas of how they want to distribute their time and money when it comes to Disney trips. For me, it's simple. I'm on the "mature" side, LOL. I'm AP and go several times a year, usually for holidays and special events. My kids are 22 and 18. My older daughter is a CM. We enjoy spending time together at the MK soaking in the ambiance of the various holiday parties. We like the decorations, entertainment, parades, characters. My personal #1 priority is fireworks. That's my thing. I don't mind paying to have a reserved fireworks viewing spot in the Plaza Garden (or at a Tomorrowland Terrace seated view on NYE). I dislike watching fireworks in a crowd and I'm past staking out a spot in advance. And trust me, the hub crowds are pretty intense during parties. I used to do those things when I was younger and when my kids were younger. Now? I prefer to wander the MK for a couple of hours enjoying the holiday party, get my Dessert Party wristband, sit in comfort and have some drinks or coffee and treats with my older kids, then see the fireworks from my favorite spot in the Plaza Garden reserved viewing area, then continue to wander the MK enjoying the holiday party until closing time. Regarding the dessert party duration - you don't have to sit at the dessert party for the entirety of the party. You are free to come and go as you please. Usually my kids sit with me for awhile and then run off and ride some Tomorrowland rides or go to Main St for the early parade, then come back and pick up more drinks/treats to carry over to the Plaza Garden viewing area. The financial trade-off? We don't do dinner at BOG or CRT on a trip that includes a dessert party. It's an almost even trade. We're good with that. That's my reasoning, since you asked. Simply a matter of my personal taste, preference, prioritization. One person's point of view. Hope that helps.

 

[rangerxenos]

Good Morning!

 

[bbeagle]

Regarding the dessert party duration - you don't have to sit at the dessert party for the entirety of the party. You are free to come and go as you please. Usually my kids sit with me for awhile and then run off and ride some Tomorrowland rides or go to Main St for the early parade, then come back and pick up more drinks/treats to carry over to the Plaza Garden viewing area.

Interesting. Didn't know that. I thought you were trapped in the dessert party for the hour or so.

I also thought the crowds would be light for the fireworks. Guess not!

Thanks for the reasons! Now I get it and understand more!

 

[mrsap]

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Only Scheduled to Serve Dinner During Initial Reopening Period at EPCOT

An update to the Disney World website reveals that Akershus Royal Banquet Hall will only be open for dinner during the initial reopening period, which currently runs through late December, but could be extended into the new year.

Posted hours for Akershus are from 2:45pm to 8:05pm, daily, and the only menu posted online is for dinner. Disney did not announce meal period details but promised more details by October 24th – which is when reservations open. It’s possible that they will expand to a lunch or breakfast meal period, but as of right now, the hours don’t support those dining periods. Disney also recently removed the breakfast menu from the Walt Disney World website.

 

[BrianL]

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Only Scheduled to Serve Dinner During Initial Reopening Period at EPCOT

An update to the Disney World website reveals that Akershus Royal Banquet Hall will only be open for dinner during the initial reopening period, which currently runs through late December, but could be extended into the new year.

Posted hours for Akershus are from 2:45pm to 8:05pm, daily, and the only menu posted online is for dinner. Disney did not announce meal period details but promised more details by October 24th – which is when reservations open. It’s possible that they will expand to a lunch or breakfast meal period, but as of right now, the hours don’t support those dining periods. Disney also recently removed the breakfast menu from the Walt Disney World website.

Well, baby-steps I guess. Why though? I am sure they could pack the place!

 

[Marrila]

Well, baby-steps I guess. Why though? I am sure they could pack the place!

Probably still shorthanded.

 

[mrsap]

Several character meet and greets to be cut at Walt Disney World as labor shortage continues​

According to those familiar with the situation, several character meet and greets will be cut starting Sunday October 23 2022. It isn't clear how long the meet and greet reductions will be in effect.

Areas impacted so far include Minnie Mouse at Town Square Theater, Minnie Mouse at EPCOT International Gateway, Donald, Daisy, and Max at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Pete's Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus at Magic Kingdom remains closed, with no return to normal operations currently in sight.

As more character dining returns and cast-intensive shows like Fantasmic!, standard meet and greets have less access to the already constrained performer pool.

Entertainment Cast Members are frequently working six days a week with few opportunities for days off.

The return of the Disney College Program may ease the situation in the coming months, but Disney may be forced to adjust the character dining lineup to assist meet and greets.