Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2024 Edition

[BrianL]

It's my least favorite festival lol

It might be mine too, but I'd like to go to it at least once to find out for sure!

I had wanted to go this year, but then some family is all like, well we could go in March....

 

[VAtink]

Ugh, I am not a popcorn bucket kind of person, but I feel like I need that popcorn bucket. Booking a trip for a popcorn bucket is totally ridiculous right?

 

[1lilspark]

Ugh, I am not a popcorn bucket kind of person, but I feel like I need that popcorn bucket. Booking a trip for a popcorn bucket is totally ridiculous right?

I mean I have only two days off that aren’t pirate block outs that an artist I want to see is there and one of those two are opening day pondering seeing if reservations are still available

 

[Gusey]

Scott Gustin Twitter
NEW: Magic Key passes will resume new sales on Jan. 10 no earlier than 9 am PT. All four Magic Key pass types will go back on sale.

All four Magic Key pass types will be available. The prices (no changes since Oct. 2023):Inspire: $1649Believe: $1249Enchant: $849Imagine: $499Renewals remain available for all pass types up to 30 days before pass expiration.

 

[TikiRob]

AP Room Discount for Spring/Summer
As part of a slew of discounts announced today, Walt Disney World has also announced room discounts for Annual Passholders this Spring into early Summer. Here are the details:

Stay in the magic this spring and early summer—and make the most of your Annual Pass! Passholders can save up to 35% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, valid for stays most nights from March 25 through July 7, 2024.

Anyone else having issues with AP discounts. It won't show for me and I get an error when I go to the page from the AP perks page.

 

[mickey916]

Anyone else having issues with AP discounts. It won't show for me and I get an error when I go to the page from the AP perks page.

I was able to access it through the regular booking page by selecting the arrow to see other options after searching dates.

 

[PolyRob]

Maybe the new DVC lounge will be in EPCOT in order to allow for the closure of the Imagination Pavilion for a new Figment ride! Just speculation I heard Tom Corless say, but nothing more than that. One can hope, though! Maybe this popcorn bucket is the final test, lol

I honestly thought the same exact thing, but someone informed me Scott Gustin posted an update clarifying it's a separate space in addition to the Imagination Pavilion lounge

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...r-lounge-coming-in-2024.3935603/post-65235831

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I honestly thought the same exact thing, but someone informed me Scott Gustin posted an update clarifying it's a separate space in addition to the Imagination Pavilion lounge

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...r-lounge-coming-in-2024.3935603/post-65235831

View attachment 823008

Sure, but that doesn't mean no Figment ride. The thought was that construction of a new ride would necessitate closing the building, including the existing lounge. But if DVC has another lounge elsewhere, it doesn't matter as it can still use that for marketing and just say the old lounge would be back later when construction at the Imagination Pavilion is done.

Anyway, there's definitely no need to get excited, it's all speculation with no good basis, lol

 

[PolyRob]

Sure, but that doesn't mean no Figment ride. The thought was that construction of a new ride would necessitate closing the building, including the existing lounge. But if DVC has another lounge elsewhere, it doesn't matter as it can still use that for marketing and just say the old lounge would be back later when construction at the Imagination Pavilion is done.

Anyway, there's definitely no need to get excited, it's all speculation with no good basis, lol

I'm with you! I think that teaser for the movie is teasing at more with "Walt Disney Imagineering..."

 

[wabbott]

https://www.laughingplace.com/w/disney-parks/photos-remodeled-boardwalk-inn-rooms/

Photos: Checking Out The Remodeled Rooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn​

by Luke Manning |Jan 4, 2024 5:16 pm (Pacific)
Tags: Disney's Boardwalk, Disney's Boardwalk Resort, Walt Disney World, WDW Hotels

We got a look inside one of the recently renovated rooms of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn at Walt Disney World.



The new rooms feature colorful headboards along with plenty of white, teal and yellow accents. Artwork located throughout the room features Mickey, Minnie and the rest of their friends in turn of the 20th century outfits strolling along the BoardWalk.


Of course, the bathroom has also received an upgrade.




These delightful portraits of Mickey, Minnie and Pluto are hung to the side of the beds.


Another cute touch is this lamp littered with Mickey Mouse heads.



These photos were provided to us by Beci Mahnken of Mouse Fan Travel, our official travel partner. If you’re looking to plan a stay at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, or any other hotel at Walt Disney World or the Disneyland Resort, we recommend you use Mouse Fan Travel!

 

[mickey916]

Visit Orlando Giving Away a Trip to Disney World
Fellow Disney fans! Visit Orlando is giving one lucky family the chance to win a vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth! Enter for your chance to win a four-day, three-night family vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort!

The package also includes flights provided by Frontier Airlines, plus round-trip ground transportation between the airport and Walt Disney World ®Resort. It’s your chance to discover the feeling that happens when pure enchantment brings to life the child within us all! This magical vacation package includes:

• 4-Day/3-Night Stay at Walt Disney World ®Resort for the winner and three (3) guests
• Four (4) Three-Day Walt Disney World ®Theme Park Hopper Tickets
• Four (4) 1-Day Disney Water Parks Tickets
• $250 flight vouchers for Orlando flights for the winner and three (3) guests, provided by Frontier Airlines
• Round-trip ground transportation between the airport and the hotel

 

[mickey916]

Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine Returns to Epcot
Attention Disney foodies: It’s time to put on your walking shoes and embark on the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine! This amazing culinary journey is returning this year to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, inviting you to explore seven dazzling dishes across the park, each bursting with its unique hues and flavors.

So how does the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine Work? Just grab your Festival Passport and look out for menu items specially marked for the Wonderful Walk. As you savor each dish, collect a stamp to mark your progress. If you enjoy at least 5 out of the 7 dishes and collect their stamps, you’ll earn a delightful prize—a complimentary Artist Palette Cookie! Just bring your stamped passport to the Deco Delights Food Studio to claim your tasty treat.

Ready to preview your colorful culinary trek? Here are the locations and mouthwatering menu items waiting for you:

1. Pop Eats: Dive into Tomato Soup paired with a classic Grilled Cheese or a twist on the favorite, featuring Pimento Cheese, Bacon, and Fried Green Tomato.
2. Vibrante & Vívido: Savor the Chorizo and Potato Empanada, accompanied by Turmeric and Annatto Aïoli for a flavor explosion.
3. Gourmet Landscapes: Indulge in Verjus-Roasted Beets with creamy Goat Cheese, delicate Petite Lettuce, sweet Blackberry Gastrique, and Spiced Pecans.
4. The Deconstructed Dish: Treat yourself to a Deconstructed Key Lime Pie, a creative twist on the traditional dessert.
5. Deco Delights: Enjoy a Neapolitan Dessert Trio, a perfect blend of classic flavors.
6. Figment’s Inspiration Station: Relish the Blueberry-Filled Pastry Tart adorned with Purple Icing.

Have a special dietary need? Some dishes are plant-based, and you can always consult with a chef or special-diet-trained Cast Member before ordering.

 

[Gusey]

 

[mickey916]

Swings N' Things Closes Permanently



Guests familiar with the Disney Springs landscape will notice another change in the popular shopping destination’s lineup. Swings ‘N’ Things, a hammock retailer located in the Marketplace, closed its doors permanently on January 2.

The Disney Springs website has been updated to reflect the closure. Springs ‘N’ Things was a retailer that provided a variety of indoor and outdoor seating options, ranging from weatherproof hammocks to porch swings. The shop, which originally opened back in 2017, was located in a kiosk near Riverboat Square.

No word yet on what will replace Swings ‘N’ Things in the now-vacant kiosk.

 

[mickey916]

WDW Marathon Road Closures

The 2024 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend presented by runDisney is underway, and with some of the longer events kicking off tomorrow and through the weekend, guests should be advised that there will be road closures and modifications to accommodate runners. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect when traveling around Walt Disney World property this weekend!

Friday, January 5th (10k)​

Schedule
Friday, January 5th, 2024 | 5:00am – 8:00am
Race Start/Finish: EPCOT Parking Lot
Official race start: 5:00am


The 10k is pretty self-contained in the EPCOT theme park and area resorts, so there will be minimal impact on guests. The biggest impact would be on guests looking to drive to EPCOT. Note that you will want to allow for plenty of extra travel time, and use the entrance from World Drive southbound as there will be closures along EPCOT Center Drive.

Saturday, January 6th (Half Marathon)​

Schedule
Saturday, January 6, 2024 | 5:00am – 9:30am
Race Start/Finish: EPCOT Parking Lot
Official race start: 5:00am


The Half Marathon and Full Marathon have a far bigger impact on guests, especially guests looking to get to Magic Kingdom, or locals/Cast Members entering Walt Disney World from the North intending to use World Drive southbound.

World Drive Northbound will likely be the greatest impact. Magic Kingdom opens at 9am that day, with Early Entry available at 8:30am, and parking lot access typically opening at 7:30am. Access to the parking lot will likely be delayed until closer to 8am to accommodate the last wave of runners. If you’re ok sleeping in a bit and missing Early Entry, sleep in Saturday and Sunday.

Guests and Cast Members coming from the North will need to route along the 535 or 429 to get to a more southern entrance point to Walt Disney World property until around 9:30am when World Drive Southbound will reopen.


Sunday, January 7th (Full Marathon)

Schedule
Sunday, January 7, 2024 | 5:00am – 1:00pm
Race Start/Finish: EPCOT Parking Lot
Official race start: 5:00am


By far the biggest impact to the Walt Disney World roadways will be the Full Marathon on Sunday. If you’re looking for a resort day where you avoid the theme parks until later in the day, Sunday is the day to do so. Of course, if you’re staying on property and utilizing the Walt Disney World buses and transportation, Cast Members will know where they can and can’t drive. You might find significantly longer travel times or modified bus arrival/departure times.

As for guests and Cast Members driving during the Full Marathon, be sure to drive more carefully than normal, as you might be sharing the roadway with runners or drivers who are equally as confused.

Expect similar impacts as the Half Marathon during the start of the day, with prolonged impacts along World Drive through at least 12:30pm as runners complete a lengthy journey through Walt Disney World that includes running a significant portion of the event on the Walt Disney World roadways.

Beyond roadway impacts, EPCOT will have a delayed opening from 9am to 10am on Sunday only and many of the runners and their families like to visit EPCOT that day, so you can expect elevated crowds (and long lines for drinks).

Guests traveling to EPCOT will only be able to access the parking plaza from World Drive South for the first half of the day, and guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom should utilize Osceola Parkway and not Buena Vista Drive Westbound before noon.

 

[kylenne]

i immediately noticed the sankofa in the piece…what Karina was talking about in terms of looking at the past, taking its lessons as you build your future is really what that particular symbol means and it’s something really appropriate for Tiana, because of how she took her father’s lessons to heart.

A lot of Adrinka symbols are found in ironwork around the US thanks to the legacy of skilled West African blacksmiths who were enslaved specifically for their skills and a lot of these meanings have been lost over time. I think it’s so cool to see this represented in WDW. I teared up a little to see a part of my culture in my happy place even in this small way, ngl.

 

[wabbott]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1743322489592103155

 

[rangerxenos]

Man, why is Festival of the Arts so short? I always want to go, but it's a bad window.

Yep, they need to continue this festival through the end of February! I almost always go in early December, and usually can't swing two trips that close together.

 

[jpeterson]

Yep, they need to continue this festival through the end of February! I almost always go in early December, and usually can't swing two trips that close together.

It would be really great if it overlapped with Princess Half Marathon. It's frustrating that it ends just before.

 

[Naomeri]

It would be really great if it overlapped with Princess Half Marathon. It's frustrating that it ends just before.

And Flower & Garden starts right after Princess, so the trips are always just…festival-less