Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway + New Nighttime Shows to open January 27, 2023

[Lisa24jks]

Which hotel?

The Hilton Garden Inn on Harbor. It's not usually that cheap, even with the Friends & Family discount, so I had to grab it while I could.

 

[pharmama]

Interesting about the paused ressies.

I don't think it's about a price increase, although I'm not ruling one out. In the 'Before Times' many of us would buy tickets 'early' for a future trip if there was the slightest rumor of an increase. It's the same thing, the only difference now is having to wait to make your reservations.

I'd say it has more to do with hotel reservations, park logistics, and staffing for an expected big uptick in the number of people wanting to go to DL once the celebration begins. I think they want to have things 'in place' to be able to rapidly monitor and shift reservation numbers from bucket to bucket based on the demand in different categories (hotel, AP, day tickets).

Yeah, but in the before times you weren't forced to make reservations when purchasing tickets directly from Disney. Now you are. You can still buy tickets without reservations from third party sellers but a lot of people aren't aware of that or don't feel comfortable doing so, so the number of people out there holding tickets without reservations is going to be smaller than it used to be. Yes, there is another "loophole" where you can make reservations when you buy the ticket from Disney and then turn around and immediately cancel those reservations (so you're now holding Disney purchased tickets without reservations) but again, I don't know how many people are aware of this.

I do think this is related to a price increase and potentially implementation of tiered tickets expanding beyond 1 day passes. I can't think of another reason they would block the reservation calendar (which they have not done before at DLR) other than wanting to force as many people as they can into the new pricing (counting on not too many knowing/wanting to buy third party or buy and cancel). I'm not sure how it could be staffing when they've never needed to do that before- I would expect this far out they would be more likely to use it as tool to gauge staffing plans- release XX amount of reservations and see what uptake is, then adjust accordingly on staffing/releasing additional availability, just as they've been doing for months. This would seem especially advantageous if they are unsure how popular the Disney100 celebration might be as it would give them insight into people's plans (but honestly- it's not going to outpace demand for Halloween and the holiday season on a consistent basis...and the reservation pause starts several weeks before the celebration begins).

 

[DLRExpert]

They probably want to open up MMR before Nintendo World opens up. Rumored to be in Feb.

 

[DLgal]

They probably want to open up MMR before Nintendo World opens up. Rumored to be in Feb.

I thought about that. I will laugh SO hard if Universal Hollywood goes "Super Nintendo World will open Jan 26!"

 

[DLRExpert]

I thought about that. I will laugh SO hard if Universal Hollywood goes "Super Nintendo World will open Jan 26!"

If Nintendo opens in Feb, Universal should be having soft opening for Nintendo in Jan. It just depends on how Universal wants to market the new attraction.

 

[DLgal]

If Nintendo opens in Feb, Universal should be having soft opening for Nintendo in Jan. It just depends on how Universal wants to market the new attraction.

I've heard soft openings as soon as December.

 

[starlite_]

I've heard soft openings as soon as December.

This would totally get me to universal during the holidays

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

I really wonder how all this is going to play out. I have a feeling that this ride is going to be on virtual queue at first? I'm excited for all the new things but not so excited for the crowds and Disney influencers flocking the park.

 

[lalasmama]

I really wonder how all this is going to play out. I have a feeling that this ride is going to be on virtual queue at first? I'm excited for all the new things but not so excited for the crowds and Disney influencers flocking the park.

That's my fear as well-- knowing the vloggers and influencers are all going to be there 1/27 as well, so it's going to be a much of a zoo as Disney will allow (ie, however many ressies). In curious as heck about how my DAS will work with a virtual queue as well.

 

[Becx N Gav]

So with regards to park ticket prices increasing - I know we are going next August and want 5 day tickets, would it be better for us to book these now to get a lower price? Thanks!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

So with regards to park ticket prices increasing - I know we are going next August and want 5 day tickets, would it be better for us to book these now to get a lower price? Thanks!

Disney can raise the price of tickets at any time so it’s always best to buy early to lock in lower price.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

That's my fear as well-- knowing the vloggers and influencers are all going to be there 1/27 as well, so it's going to be a much of a zoo as Disney will allow (ie, however many ressies). In curious as heck about how my DAS will work with a virtual queue as well.

You will still have to get a number from the virtual queue to be able to use your DAS for this ride. That is what it was like for the other rides when they had a virtual queue.

 

[lalasmama]

You will still have to get a number from the virtual queue to be able to use your DAS for this ride. That is what it was like for the other rides when they had a virtual queue.

Thank you!
I've only needed a DAS for a few months now, so I'm still learning and hadn't had a virtual queue situation yet.

 

[DLgal]

Thank you!
I've only needed a DAS for a few months now, so I'm still learning and hadn't had a virtual queue situation yet.

Yes the previous poster was correct. You will have to first get a spot in the queue, and then when your VQ number is called, you will be able to use the Lightning Lane, while everyone else will have to use the standby return line.

 

[DLRExpert]

This would totally get me to universal during the holidays

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

I've heard soft openings as soon as December.

My insider said no to December, only that the Universal APs would be going up in Dec. They said Jan or Feb for sneak previews and opening (maybe the Railway news speeds this up). Mario Kart has been done for a while, It is just about finishing the land and hiring.

Also told me about the Fast and Furious coaster attraction last year.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Honestly I just think they want to raise ticket prices again. I'm thinking the pause in reservations will end when they announce the new ticket prices. They want people booking after those dates to be paying higher prices.

Um, so yeah, I was right. Sometimes it stinks to be right.

 

[DLgal]

Um, so yeah, I was right. Sometimes it stinks to be right.

It was pretty obvious.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

So I bit the bullet and decided to book a hotel stay across the street for the first day of the celebration of 100 years of Disney. Idk if they will do anything special on that day but it could be fun.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

I got my Magic Key reservation today for the 27th. I didn't want to chance it not being available closer to the date so I got it now just in case. I'm pretty excited, I don't know how hectic it will be to get on MMRR but hopefully it'll go smoothly.

 

[dina444444]

I got my Magic Key reservation today for the 27th. I didn't want to chance it not being available closer to the date so I got it now just in case. I'm pretty excited, I don't know how hectic it will be to get on MMRR but hopefully it'll go smoothly.

I won’t be surprised if it’s on VQ for at least opening weekend.