Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

[MidnightMeeko]

I wish Disney World still had Toontown Fair... I love Storybook Circus, but Toontown is just really cute.

 

[MidnightMeeko]

I asked this in a different thread yesterday and didn't get an answer and haven't found it when searching. The Eggstravaganza at EPCOT has prizes that are single plastic eggs. Are they empty inside? Just seems like a hefty price for a single plastic egg.

 

[Ismo]

I'm hoping for a soft opening of Toontown tomorrow. I can't go on on Sunday but I'm so excited to see it reopened! Either way, I'll be seeing it on the 29th and I cannot wait. It's such a great crowd eater for Disneyland.

 

[HokieRaven5]

NEW: Disney Vacation Club announces Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser member voyage. DVC members save 30% on member-exclusive voyage Aug. 19-21, 2023. Registration begins on March 21, 2023, at 11 AM Eastern Daylight Time.

Brooke Geiger McDonald Twitter

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

NEW: Disney Vacation Club announces Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser member voyage. DVC members save 30% on member-exclusive voyage Aug. 19-21, 2023. Registration begins on March 21, 2023, at 11 AM Eastern Daylight Time.

Brooke Geiger McDonald Twitter

I got an email about it. But is 30% off point bookings (bad use of points) or cash rates?

 

[1lilspark]

LOL - because we dont get up early enough as it is........

I mean occasionally WDW does early morning yoga at springs or during run Disney events

I wish Disney World still had Toontown Fair... I love Storybook Circus, but Toontown is just really cute.

same

 

[HokieRaven5]

I got an email about it. But is 30% off point bookings (bad use of points) or cash rates?

Not 100% on the specifics on that but some details including being able to book by points OR cash:

To register:

• Select “Reserve Your Spot”. Be sure to have your Member number ready.
• You will enter a virtual waiting room, which secures your place in line. Do not refresh the page.
• When it’s your turn, you’ll be sent to the registration form to reserve your spot on the Member Voyage!

Important Details:

• Members must be eligible for Membership Extras to take advantage of this special offer. Maximum of 3 cabins per Membership.
• Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – Member Voyage can be booked using Points or cash. Not transferable or redeemable for cash and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice.
• Activities, entertainment and Characters are subject to change.
• Reservation is subject to Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser terms and conditions—which can be found on the booking confirmation email received after booking—and the Disney Vacation Club cancellation policy.
• There is no $95 transaction fee required for this Disney Collection reservation. You will receive a call requesting payment within 72 hours of completing your booking. If payment is not received within 72 hours following this call, Disney Vacation Club reserves the right to cancel the reservation.
• Cancellation valid up to 30 days prior to travel.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

This negotiating is bordering on childish. The Union wants 18 an hour and Disney is being stubborn at 16 an hour. We all know it is going to be 17 an hour. Yet both are going to huff and puff and at 1 minute to midnight will agree to 17 an hour. Then both sides will do multiple interviews stating how they "won" the negotiations.

According to Blog Mickey, it looks like Disney has agreed to $17 an hour for minimum wage, but the Union was quoted as still negotiating for $18.

"What raises are we fighting for? $18 minimum in 2023...Disney has offered only $17 in 2023."

Also, pay raises seemed to have been agreed upon for other select roles as follows:

– Housekeeping: Increase from $17 to $20 ($3 raise)
– Stewarding: Increase from $15 to $18 ($3 raise)
– Cook 2: Increase from $16.40 to $20 ($3.60 raise)
– Cook 1: Increase from $19 to $23.10 ($4.10 raise)
– Chef Assistant: Increase from $20 to $24.60 ($4.60 raise)

"Those raises are secure...We will fight until we win the full retroactive pay owed to all Cast Members."

So aside from the $17 and $18 minimum wage difference, it looks like retroactive pay is also a sticking point. The Union wants retroactive pay to include a $3/hour increase back to the October 2022 contract expiration date. Disney has offered a retroactive pay of $1/hour.

Forbes also reported the initial proposal the Union rejected "included eight weeks of paid family leave and an additional 401k plan."

It seems there are still a lot of moving parts here, but they will come to an agreement eventually!

Disney World Cast Members Hold Rally for Wage Increases Amid Contract Battle

Ahead Of Disney Earnings Call, Theme Park Workers Rejected $1-An-Hour Raise

 

[Leigh L]

Yeah - As much as we gripe about paid LL and all that, I did it too for Guardians on my last trip. We are part of the problem.

Ya, I made the exceptions for ILL with Guardians as well I wanted to ride it again! lol

(I've yet to do Genie+ though).

 

[BrianL]

Ya, I made the exceptions for ILL with Guardians as well I wanted to ride it again! lol

(I've yet to do Genie+ though).

Yeah, that was exactly how it got me. My friend and I rode it the day before with the regualr boarding group and we loved it! The next day, we were finishing up AK and I was like, "You know, for 15 bucks we could...ride Guardians again." he didn't even heisitate - "Do it!" I was like, "Yeah, I lose all rights to complain."

 

[Leigh L]

Yeah, that was exactly how it got me. My friend and I rode it the day before with the regualr boarding group and we loved it! The next day, we were finishing up AK and I was like, "You know, for 15 bucks we could...ride Guardians again." he didn't even heisitate - "Do it!" I was like, "Yeah, I lose all rights to complain."

I did the ILL after doing the VQ earlier on the same day

Disney did a great job with that ride!!

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disneyland: Power Limes sour straws (as seen in the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway queue) WILL be available to purchase in Mickey’s Toontown.

Golly Pops and McDuck's Chocolate coins will also be available to purchase.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Willow S2 Cancelled on D+

Not entirely surprised as the show probably failed to get attention among all the other streaming options ... but I did enjoy season 1 quite a bit

‘Willow’ Isn’t Canceled, Just on Hold, Says Producer

 

[Pens Fan]

Yeah, that was exactly how it got me. My friend and I rode it the day before with the regualr boarding group and we loved it! The next day, we were finishing up AK and I was like, "You know, for 15 bucks we could...ride Guardians again." he didn't even heisitate - "Do it!" I was like, "Yeah, I lose all rights to complain."

My son rode it three times in one day. We grabbed a VQ, bought the ILL and he got a third VQ during the extra evening hours. I wimped out and went back to the hotel for the last one, but still got two rides. Money well spent!

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

NEW: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will remain available for purchase via Individual Lightning Lane when TRON soft opens on March 20 and officially opens on April 4.

Scott Gustin Twitter

I have a feeling within in a few months it will drop to regular genie. It already is slow to sell out. It’s likely to get even slower now, because not many people showed in the past they were willing to buy two individual lanes and genie

 

[HokieRaven5]

Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom Extend Park Hours in April

Magic Kingdom​

• April 2-29: Park hours extended 9am to 11pm (previously 9am to 10pm)

Hollywood Studios​

• April 2-12, 14-15, 17-29: Park hours extended 8:30am to 9:30pm (previously 8:30am to 9pm)
• April 13, 16: Park hours extended 9am to 9:30pm (previously 9am to 9pm)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom​

• April 2-16, 21-23, 28-29: Park hours extended 8am to 8pm (previously 9am to 7pm)
• April 17-20, 24-27: Park hours extended 8am to 7pm (previously 9am to 7pm)

 

[lovin'fl]

I got an email about it. But is 30% off point bookings (bad use of points) or cash rates?

What is the cash rate for 2 nights for a couple? Wondering what the 30% off is. I got the email too.

 

[Brocktoon]

View attachment 747106

‘Willow’ Isn’t Canceled, Just on Hold, Says Producer

There's been rumors that Disney could sell some of its' IPs to other streamers to generate $$$. Sort of like how HBO just sold some shows to Tubi. If D+ doesn't want Willow, I'd like to see it continue on another platform.

 

[BrianL]

There's been rumors that Disney could sell some of its' IPs to other streamers to generate $$$. Sort of like how HBO just sold some shows to Tubi. If D+ doesn't want Willow, I'd like to see it continue on another platform.

Or maybe thye are reassing and could continue the story in a movie or series of them. I wouldn't necessarily mind that, even if just one to wrap it up nicely.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom Extend Park Hours in April

Magic Kingdom​

• April 2-29: Park hours extended 9am to 11pm (previously 9am to 10pm)

Hollywood Studios​

• April 2-12, 14-15, 17-29: Park hours extended 8:30am to 9:30pm (previously 8:30am to 9pm)
• April 13, 16: Park hours extended 9am to 9:30pm (previously 9am to 9pm)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom​

• April 2-16, 21-23, 28-29: Park hours extended 8am to 8pm (previously 9am to 7pm)
• April 17-20, 24-27: Park hours extended 8am to 7pm (previously 9am to 7pm)

I wish AK stayed open longer. I'm going for the evening in April on one of the days where it closes at 7 pm and would really like to see Pandora lit up :L Guess I'll hop on line for FOP right before park close and hope for the best.