Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2025 Edition

[Madteaparty001]

Disneyland Announces End of Early Park Entry Perk in 2026
The Disneyland Resort has just announced that it will end the Early Entry perk for hotel guests in 2026. The change will be implemented on January 5th, with the final day to enjoy Early Entry scheduled for January 4, 2025. Instead, guests will receive one free Lighting Lane entry during their resort stay.

 

[BrianL]

Disneyland Announces End of Early Park Entry Perk in 2026
The Disneyland Resort has just announced that it will end the Early Entry perk for hotel guests in 2026. The change will be implemented on January 5th, with the final day to enjoy Early Entry scheduled for January 4, 2025. Instead, guests will receive one free Lighting Lane entry during their resort stay.

Yeah, this has caused quite the stir over on the DLR boards. It's quite disappointing!

 

[kylenne]

Most Complimented Disney World Cast Member Receives the Walt Disney Legacy Award​

Whether you are heading straight toward an adventure on Runaway Railway or have breakfast reservations at Hollywood & Vine to kick off your day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you may have come across friendly PhotoPass photographers who want to snap your group’s picture to kick off your fun-filled vacation.
With backdrops including the Chinese Theater, Toy Story Land, or even Gertie at Echo Lake, these cast members make you and your family the true center of the action at Hollywood Studios. And if you’ve ever taken a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and noticed a cast member with an extra-bright smile, a welcoming wave, and the uncanny ability to make you feel like you are the star of the show, chances are you’ve met Willie Jackson, a PhotoPass photographer who has captured the hearts of guests and cast members alike with his positive attitude and outgoing work ethic.
For the past 15 years, Willie’s joyful spirit and pure enthusiasm has helped create countless magical moments that guests will cherish for a lifetime. Now, Willie will join an incredibly special group of cast members across The Walt Disney Company, as he receives the prestigious Walt Disney Legacy Award.

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/photopass-cast-member-receives-the-walt-disney-legacy-award/


Willie has to be one of the coolest CMs I’ve ever met, he always has such positive energy and I look for him every time I’m at HS. Always goes the extra mile to make you feel special taking pics. Love this guy and love that he’s getting his flowers.

 

[Gary Stocker]

Disneyland Announces End of Early Park Entry Perk in 2026
The Disneyland Resort has just announced that it will end the Early Entry perk for hotel guests in 2026. The change will be implemented on January 5th, with the final day to enjoy Early Entry scheduled for January 4, 2025. Instead, guests will receive one free Lighting Lane entry during their resort stay.

Why? Strange decision. Just was there 2 weeks ago and stayed off-site (but right at the entrance). Planned around this perk (opened DCA on Disneyland early entry etc).
Still don't forgive them for closing Haunted Mansion that weekend...couldn't wait until Monday?

 

[Madteaparty001]

Why? Strange decision. Just was there 2 weeks ago and stayed off-site (but right at the entrance). Planned around this perk (opened DCA on Disneyland early entry etc).
Still don't forgive them for closing Haunted Mansion that weekend...couldn't wait until Monday?

I've never been to Disneyland but have friends that go, from what I've heard it's not as popular or run of the bulls as WDW . If that's true I can see Disney saying the staffing isn't justified. The real question is whether WDW is next.

 

[BrianL]

I've never been to Disneyland but have friends that go, from what I've heard it's not as popular or run of the bulls as WDW . If that's true I can see Disney saying the staffing isn't justified. The real question is whether WDW is next.

The EE itself is not so chaotic, but part of the reason is that the "run of the bulls" is actually at their very slow security setup. People can barely get through that before it's time for EE. They don't open it early enough, don't use the new style scanners like WDW has, don't always have a no-bags line - it's a mess! There are alot of complaints about it anyway.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

Most Complimented Disney World Cast Member Receives the Walt Disney Legacy Award​

Whether you are heading straight toward an adventure on Runaway Railway or have breakfast reservations at Hollywood & Vine to kick off your day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you may have come across friendly PhotoPass photographers who want to snap your group’s picture to kick off your fun-filled vacation.
With backdrops including the Chinese Theater, Toy Story Land, or even Gertie at Echo Lake, these cast members make you and your family the true center of the action at Hollywood Studios. And if you’ve ever taken a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and noticed a cast member with an extra-bright smile, a welcoming wave, and the uncanny ability to make you feel like you are the star of the show, chances are you’ve met Willie Jackson, a PhotoPass photographer who has captured the hearts of guests and cast members alike with his positive attitude and outgoing work ethic.
For the past 15 years, Willie’s joyful spirit and pure enthusiasm has helped create countless magical moments that guests will cherish for a lifetime. Now, Willie will join an incredibly special group of cast members across The Walt Disney Company, as he receives the prestigious Walt Disney Legacy Award.

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/photopass-cast-member-receives-the-walt-disney-legacy-award/


Willie has to be one of the coolest CMs I’ve ever met, he always has such positive energy and I look for him every time I’m at HS. Always goes the extra mile to make you feel special taking pics. Love this guy and love that he’s getting his flowers.

Willie took my DTS pictures with ToT in the background. He was a joy.