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

[HokieRaven5]

NEW: AP sales for Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer, and Pirate remain PAUSED -- but those APs will see an increase when sales resume:

Incredi-Pass: $1399 (was $1299)
Sorcerer: $969 (was $899)
Pirate: $749 (was $699)
Pixie: $399 (no change)

Renewals continue - but pricing not available.

Scott Gustin Twitter

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney has also officially confirmed the change mentioned a few weeks ago about dining reservations being available to cancel up to 2 hours prior to your reservation time.

Scott Gustin Twitter

 

[HokieRaven5]

‘Luca’ Makes a Splash at Disneyland Paris with New Inspired Restaurant Area

Since its opening in 1992, Fantasyland has been a vibrant homage to the European fairy tales and storytellers, a timeless place where the magic of animation meets the architectural styles and cultures of the countries they are inspired from. Pizzeria Bella Notte is no exception with its peaceful and romantic atmosphere which pays homage to various regions of Italy. This iconic restaurant features nods to the classic Disney stories “Lady and the Tramp” as well as “Fantasia” and will now be home to another classic that has charmed families around the world: Pixar’s “Luca.”

Taking place in the Italian Riviera, “Luca” (streaming on Disney+) tells the story of a young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water’s surface.

When the opportunity to expand the restaurant arose, Imagineers naturally thought about the fan-favorite sea monster to add to the variety of characters represented in the park. This new themed area will bring a seaside atmosphere with lots of details and objects evoking the local fishing culture and cuisine that you can find in Luca’s hometown of Portorosso, in addition to providing further space for guests to enjoy Italian specialties.

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[HokieRaven5]

NEW: Starting Dec. 8, Walt Disney World will implement park specific pricing for 1 day 1 park tickets. Prices will vary based on park and date.

Ranges:
Animal Kingdom: $109 - $159 (no increase)
Hollywood Studios: $124 - $179
EPCOT: $114 - $179
Magic Kingdom: $124 - $189

It's worth noting - the $189 price at Magic Kingdom is only for 9 days around Christmas and NYE (currently priced at $159). Animal Kingdom 1 day 1 park ticket prices remain the same as the current price for a 1 day 1 park ticket.

Also starting Dec. 8: When you purchase a 1 day 1 park ticket, the system automatically books a park reservation for you. This is ONLY true for 1 day 1 park tickets. This is not true for purchasing a 1 day park hopper or multi-day ticket.

Scott Gustin Twitter

Also NEW: With the introduction of park specific pricing for 1 day tickets on Dec. 8, the price to add park hopper to your ticket will also vary by date.

No pricing examples to provide - but expect Hopper add on to vary based on when you're going to the park.

Multi-day tickets and other tickets are expected to increase starting Dec. 8

Scott Gustin Twitter

 

[mickey916]

Disney has also officially confirmed the change mentioned a few weeks ago about dining reservations being available to cancel up to 2 hours prior to your reservation time.

Scott Gustin Twitter

@Maleficent_Hades Look at that! Good news for you!

 

[lowlight]

Disney news is mostly price increases. Sad.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Disney news is mostly price increases. Sad.

Having perks that were previously there taken away and/or reduced doesn't help either.

 

[Cynner]

Tokyo Dining will be closing on Nov 20:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/tokyo-dining/
Beginning November 20, 2022, Tokyo Dining will be closed for refurbishment. The location is expected to reopen in the summer of 2023. Check back later for more details.

Rumor from Cast member in Japan I spoke with last week was that they are moving the servers from Tokyo Dining to Takumi-Tei, which will re-open by the holidays. Previous rumor articles said Nov 23.
Looks like it's lining up!

 

[BrianL]

Tokyo Dining will be closing on Nov 20:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/tokyo-dining/
Beginning November 20, 2022, Tokyo Dining will be closed for refurbishment. The location is expected to reopen in the summer of 2023. Check back later for more details.

Rumor from Cast member in Japan I spoke with last week was that they are moving the servers from Tokyo Dining to Takumi-Tei, which will re-open by the holidays. Previous rumor articles said Nov 23.
Looks like it's lining up!

Nice! Takumi-Tei has been on my list for a while.

 

[Aprilshack]

O

Disney news is mostly price increases. Sad.

It seems quite rare that there is good news nowadays, especially anything that makes life easier/more value in visiting the parks.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Hulu Adding New Channels to Live TV Line-Up

• November 1st: The Weather Channel and Comedy.TV
• November 14th: Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama (with Entertainment Add-On)
• December 1st: Vevo Pop, Vevo Hip-Hop, Vevo Country, Vevo ’80s, Vevo ’90s, Vevo Holiday, TheGrio Television Network, JusticeCentral.TV, and The Weather Channel en Español

 

[Eeyore daily]

Hulu Adding New Channels to Live TV Line-Up

• November 1st: The Weather Channel and Comedy.TV
• November 14th: Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama (with Entertainment Add-On)
• December 1st: Vevo Pop, Vevo Hip-Hop, Vevo Country, Vevo ’80s, Vevo ’90s, Vevo Holiday, TheGrio Television Network, JusticeCentral.TV, and The Weather Channel en Español

Ooo hallmark channels? Right in time before I subscribed to Peacock. Nice one Hulu...

 

[HokieRaven5]

NEW: AP sales for Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer, and Pirate remain PAUSED -- but those APs will see an increase when sales resume:

Incredi-Pass: $1399 (was $1299)
Sorcerer: $969 (was $899)
Pirate: $749 (was $699)
Pixie: $399 (no change)

Renewals continue - but pricing not available.

Scott Gustin Twitter

A note: I asked Disney about a timeline for new AP sales -- WDW does not anticipate new AP sales (Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer, Pirate) to resume before the end of the year.

Scott Gustin Twitter

 

[bbeagle]

Disney news is mostly price increases. Sad.

And Universal News is mostly ‘here’s more of what we’re closing…. But you’ll still love us - as we have something coming in 3 years'

Universal recent closures:
Didn't return after Covid: Despicable Me Character Breakfast, Marvel Character Dinner
2022: Shrek 4D, Bone Chillin', Classic Monsters Cafe, Superstar Parade, Dudley Do-right's Ripsaw Falls
January 2023: Curious George Goes to Town, DreamWorks Destination, Fievel's Playland, Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster

New: Nothing since Summer 2021.

 

[Gusey]

And Universal News is mostly ‘here’s more of what we’re closing…. But you’ll still love us - as we have something coming in 3 years'

Universal recent closures:
Didn't return after Covid: Despicable Me Character Breakfast, Marvel Character Dinner
2022: Shrek 4D, Bone Chillin', Classic Monsters Cafe, Superstar Parade, Dudley Do-right's Ripsaw Falls
January 2023: Curious George Goes to Town, DreamWorks Destination, Fievel's Playland, Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster

New: Nothing since Summer 2021.

This is the first year since 2015 that Universal haven't opened anything and the stuff they have closed (Shrek 4D and Kidzone) will have something replacing them within 2 years of them closing. And we're getting another theme park in 2025. Dudley Do Rights is just closed for refurbishment at the moment.

I'd take news that Splash Mountain is actually closing so that work on Tiana's will begin any day. It has been over 2 years since it was announced and no work on a Splash Mountain has began yet unless it is all in a warehouse somewhere

 

[rangerxenos]

Having perks that were previously there taken away and/or reduced doesn't help either.

This is my main issue, not the price increases.

 

[HokieRaven5]

This is my main issue, not the price increases.

Yeah my issue with the Park Hopper variable pricing coming is that the 2pm restrictions are still staying in place at this time. It should’ve gone away a while ago, but I digress…

 

[bbeagle]

Yeah my issue with the Park Hopper variable pricing coming is that the 2pm restrictions are still staying in place at this time. It should’ve gone away a while ago, but I digress…

'Park Hopping - at any time after entrance into the first park - for those guests staying on site' would be very popular and a great idea. It would be, sort of, bringing more perks to staying on site.

Maybe Disney is ready to do this if they see a down-turn in hotel reservations in the coming year.

 

[1lilspark]

Yeah my issue with the Park Hopper variable pricing coming is that the 2pm restrictions are still staying in place at this time. It should’ve gone away a while ago, but I digress…

to quote my favorite theme park journalist Carlye Wisel:
"variable pricing for park hopper tickets while still being stuck at one park 'til the late afternoon, price increces on products that aren't even on sale, what a time to be alive"

 

[Jrb1979]

'Park Hopping - at any time after entrance into the first park - for those guests staying on site' would be very popular and a great idea. It would be, sort of, bringing back perks.

Maybe Disney is ready to do this if they see a down-turn in hotel reservations in the coming year.

I have my doubts that will happen cause it goes against the reason for reservations in the first place. As quoted from Len Testa "Disney manipulates the number of reservations to ensure the right number of guests in each park. So even if the MK is below capacity, if the AK demand is too low relative to the labor they're paying for, they'll shut off MK reservations to encourage guests to go to AK (and the other parks)."