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

[jesskeys91]

I mean, this really is next level, right?? I guess they have to announce the frontline increases in order to justify the fact that renewals will go up as well. Still feels pretty absurd to announce increases on APs you have no intention of selling for months.

Isn’t this the second increase since they stopped selling them too?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Isn’t this the second increase since they stopped selling them too?

That I don't remember...

 

[HokieRaven5]

Guest Exits Ride Vehicle and Sits With Animatronics on Spaceship Earth at EPCOT





Obviously the guest forgot to hop out earlier to personally thank the Phoenicians.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Shipwreck Pool Closed for Refurbishment Through Early December at Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Starting from today (Tuesday, November 15), the Shipwreck Pool (children’s swimming area) will be closed for refurbishment at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. During this time, Guests may see or hear refurbishment work in the area until the work is complete in early December.

 

[Naomeri]

Guest Exits Ride Vehicle and Sits With Animatronics on Spaceship Earth at EPCOT

View attachment 719046

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Obviously the guest forgot to hop out earlier to personally thank the Phoenicians.

Obviously a math enthusiast—just wanted to audit the lecture

 

[rangerxenos]

Good Morning!

 

[Suger Mag]

Agreed. I think this is due to a lot of factors that have come about over the past decade. I think all of the nonsense with moving away from being family focused and customer service oriented above all else has leaked into the opinions that our kids form. If mom and dad are having a rough time in the parks, with planning, with the cost, with streaming costs, multiple streaming platforms (why is tv so hard now?!) and all the division that the Disney company has brought upon themselves, their image, their fan base, then naturally the kids aren't going to gravitate toward something that doesn't feel happy and doesn't make their parents feel happy. Despite whatever corporate notions exist, I really believe that most fans just want that family/customer service oriented old school Disney. We don't need, or want more content. We want nostalgia and quality.

Well, this is one fan that disagrees with your theory. Nostalgia is highly subjective and often tied to age, I personally love the new stuff. I appreciate the fairy tales of my youth, but the me of today loves the space and fantasy. so yes, I want more new content.... I love all the new content. Star Wars... Marvel... all the spin offs like Andor and Moon Knight... bring it on MORE MORE MORE!!!!!
Love streaming on the TV, not sure what is hard about it. It is awesome.... at my home, with all my snacks and my pets cuddling on the couch, go the bathroom when I want, no obnoxious people talking in the theater... I dont think I will ever go back to a movie theater again.

 

[cellomom]

Isn’t this the second increase since they stopped selling them too?

According to CNN article:
Disney World increases ticket prices for second time in a year

edit: 1st price increase for APs since WDW paused sales of APs

 

[HokieRaven5]

Thomas Kinkade Studios returns to Art of Disney, now through November 20th



The incredible artists of Thomas Kinkade Studios have returned to Disney Springs to meet and sign work from the Art of Disney location. Three talented individuals, Dirk Wunderlich, Jenna McMullins, and Joseph Yakovetic, have offered signing opportunities until November 20th.

 

[Suger Mag]

According to CNN article:
Disney World increases ticket prices for second time in a year

i wonder if they are combining the Disneyland price increases into that headline....

 

[HokieRaven5]

The Holidays Have Arrived at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

 

[Mousetopia]

Pushing guests away from where they prefer to be reduces satisfaction. I question if that can really make them more money in the long run.

I’m thinking the ability to cancel ADRs 2 hours prior was to help increase guest satisfaction. Imagine a guest that realizes their ADR doesn’t jive with the rest of their day but feels compelled to show up or be charged $40 for the family’s no-show reservation. The are already walking in on the wrong foot, nevermind reductions in food quality/variety and batty price increases.

We had a great trip recently but I must say everything was way more convoluted than ever in pre-covid years. The constant feeling that you must protect your own experience against WDW’s manipulations in inescapable. I cannot emphasize that last sentence enough.

I have done exactly that, guarded my upcoming trip against the magic stealing WDW manipulations. Disney is going so far past the experience I have known and loved that I am not sure that even post Chapek it will recover. I feel this is my last trip. I want my holiday season bucket list visit to be all I have dreamed and it will! Im thinking about you Josh Gad!!! I have stopped buying into hype for dining. Last trip before things degraded every hard one stalked reservation was good or okay, NOT worth the hype. I limited reservations to what I know I love like Hoop Dee Doo and packages that add magic for me.. Reserved seating so I dont have to stand in line, special Savor the Savanna experience, etc. I cant wait to plan as I go for many meals, I WILL NOT buy Genie. I am an old hand at touring the parks to avoid crowds and ride what I want. In the end I find my magic in shows and special moments like watching the gorillas in AK, not rides. Dont even get me started on paying for hoppers but not allowed to hop until 2! I do believe the magic is still there and I will savor it and remember magic enjoyed before.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney World Shares More Details, Location, and Concept Art for Affordable Housing Project

Back in April, Disney World announcedthat they would be offering 80 acres of land for an affordable housing project. Today, they have shared more details about the project. Here’s the announcement:

Earlier this year, we first told you about our plans to contribute nearly 80 acres of land for a new affordable housing development. It’s a project that has been near and dear to our hearts, as we know how important it is to find solutions to this important challenge facing communities all around the country, including here in Central Florida. Today, we’re sharing more details and giving you a sneak peek at what we’ve been working on!

First, let me tell you a little bit about where the development will be located. The land we’ve contributed for this initiative is in a great spot west of State Road 429, just a few miles away from the Magic Kingdom, near schools and shopping, including Flamingo Crossings Town Center. The development is expected to include more than 1,300 units.

We’re also excited to reveal who we’ve chosen to build, own and operate the property: The Michaels Organization, a prominent and visionary developer known for creating high-quality homes in communities in many states, including Florida.

The development is expected to be privately financed and limited to applicants within a certain income range.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

i wonder if they are combining the Disneyland price increases into that headline....

Right? I know magic keys went up when they resumed renewals despite general sale not being offered. But I thought this was the first time that World announced an AP increase on APs they aren't selling...

 

[BrianL]

I have done exactly that, guarded my upcoming trip against the magic stealing WDW manipulations. Disney is going so far past the experience I have known and loved that I am not sure that even post Chapek it will recover. I feel this is my last trip. I want my holiday season bucket list visit to be all I have dreamed and it will! Im thinking about you Josh Gad!!! I have stopped buying into hype for dining. Last trip before things degraded every hard one stalked reservation was good or okay, NOT worth the hype. I limited reservations to what I know I love like Hoop Dee Doo and packages that add magic for me.. Reserved seating so I dont have to stand in line, special Savor the Savanna experience, etc. I cant wait to plan as I go for many meals, I WILL NOT buy Genie. I am an old hand at touring the parks to avoid crowds and ride what I want. In the end I find my magic in shows and special moments like watching the gorillas in AK, not rides. Dont even get me started on paying for hoppers but not allowed to hop until 2! I do believe the magic is still there and I will savor it and remember magic enjoyed before.

I hope you do find your magic. I will say that on my most recent trip I did find that things were getting better, so hopefully that trend continues. There was more staffing and things just seemed to be running more smoothly that it has in a while. The cost and nickel & diming is frustrating, but as I have said, if the experience is there than it's not as bad. I hope that your trip is great!

 

[cellomom]

i wonder if they are combining the Disneyland price increases into that headline....

You might be right....

 

[princesscinderella]

Just want to give a shout out to The awesome Cm I spoke to at the AP help line today. DH had renewed our Sorcerer Pass (DVC member) online on MDE rather than calling Member Services...bless him for wanting to be helpful. I typically do all the planning and what not. So of course the only renewal availability MDE shows is the Incredi-pass. Which he went ahead and purchased. I'm freaking out because it's nearly $800 more than the Sorcerer pass for the two of us. I called DVC Member Services, and they gave me the AP help line # and the bestest fairy godmother CM there whipped out the pixie dust and got us the correct pass and refunded the difference (no small potatoes! That nearly $800 would be our entire food budget for our trip in two weeks!). Disney magic alive and well! Especially since the initial DVC CM I did an online chat with basically said "too bad, so sad".

I had this exact same problem times 5 people it took me 4 hours to get it straightened out over the phone.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Right? I know magic keys went up when they resumed renewals despite general sale not being offered. But I thought this was the first time that World announced an AP increase on APs they aren't selling...

It is the first increase on the APs at WDW since they stopped selling the majority last year.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Shanghai Disney Resort to Begin Phased Reopening

Disneytown, Wishing Star Park, and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel will be the first to reopen starting on November 17, 2022, with hotel reservation services restarting today.

On November 17, Disneytown will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Wishing Star Park will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. The Disney Car and Coach Park, the Disneytown Parking Lot, and Wishing Star Ferry will also resume operations during these hours.

Shanghai Disneyland will remain temporarily closed until further notice. The Toy Story Hotel will also remain temporarily closed at this time.

 

[Mousetopia]

I hope you do find your magic. I will say that on my most recent trip I did find that things were getting better, so hopefully that trend continues. There was more staffing and things just seemed to be running more smoothly that it has in a while. The cost and nickel & diming is frustrating, but as I have said, if the experience is there than it's not as bad. I hope that your trip is great!

Thank you Brian! It will be!