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

[HokieRaven5]

Holiday Decor Arriving in Disneyland





The first snowy turrets are up on Sleeping Beauty castle.

 

[Lsdolphin]

So not sure where to ask this question...i had booked a 7 nite stay at Pop then today I was able to use the AP room discount to change my reservation to a split stay 4 nights under the original confirmation number at Pop and 4 nites with a separate reservation at CSR. I have made park reservations for the original 7 day Pop reservation so do I need to cancel and rebook the Parks for those days or will the park reservations remain?

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Some recent Disney price hikes outpace inflation. But the crowds keep coming for now​

http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/disney-price-hikes-visitor-demand/index.html

Did anyone catch this on CNN.com this morning. They have a few quotes from Pete Werner. His message is hitting the mainstream I think.

 

[LSUmiss]

Character dining is a big money maker for Disney. Many people, especially those with small kids, book those restaurants because of the characters rather than the food. I see people all the time say that they only go to Chef Mickeys because of the characters as the food is kinda bad.

And when DS was younger we did those instead of meet & greets b/c lines were harder. Now he can wait & we save the $$.

 

[LSUmiss]

Some recent Disney price hikes outpace inflation. But the crowds keep coming for now​

http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/disney-price-hikes-visitor-demand/index.html

Did anyone catch this on CNN.com this morning. They have a few quotes from Pete Werner. His message is hitting the mainstream I think.

I’m here now & there are a lot of international guests. Wonder if economies are better elsewhere or they’re still spending the revenge travel money.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I’m here now & there are a lot of international guests. Wonder if economies are better elsewhere or they’re still spending the revenge travel money.

Eh, not really. The pound, Euro and Japanese yen aren't doing so great right now. I know at least for people in the UK and Europe, they get better ticket deals/vacation packages than in the US.

 

[jpeterson]

I’m here now & there are a lot of international guests. Wonder if economies are better elsewhere or they’re still spending the revenge travel money.

It's possible that they have already paid for the trips long ago. It might start to trend down as time goes on.

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

Fantasmic! Dining Package Locations and Prices​

Disney World has released more details about the Fantasmic dining packages that will be available to book on October 26th for performance dates starting November 30th. Here are the Fantasmic Dining Package locations and prices:

Dining Packages and Prices​

Here’s what’s included in each Fantasmic! Dining Package:

• An entrée and appetizer or dessert at select full-service restaurants or one (1) full buffet (where applicable), along with a non-alcoholic beverage
• One voucher for guaranteed seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved area

Explore participating restaurants and dining package prices, which exclude tax and gratuity:

Dining Location	Adults (ages 10 & up)	Kids (Ages 9 & Under)
50’s Prime Time Cafe Classic American comfort food, ’50s kitsch and a good old-fashioned family gathering take you back to a bygone era.	$51.00	$22.00
Hollywood & Vine Celebrate breakfast with Disney Junior Stars or enjoy lunch and dinner with Minnie and friends at seasonal dining parties.	Breakfast:$54.00 Lunch & Dinner:$71.00	Breakfast:$36.00 Lunch & Dinner:$47.00
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano Mangia in the backlot of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at this casual but colorful Italian eatery with a California twist.	$54.00	$22.00
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Do dinner and a show ’50s-style at our drive-in “theater,” featuring all-American cuisine and sci-fi movie clips.	$49.00	$22.00
The Hollywood Brown Derby Step into the Golden Age of Hollywood at this warm, wood-paneled restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine.	$73.00	$29.00

Will there only be one seating time? Have they offered two times in the past?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Will there only be one seating time? Have they offered two times in the past?

Fantasmic used to only run once a night except during very, very high crowds times. So, probably?

It would be nice if they started out doing 2 shows a night to meet some of the pent up demand, like they did for the parade in MK, but who knows...

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

Fantasmic used to only run once a night except during very, very high crowds times. So, probably?

It would be nice if they started out doing 2 shows a night to meet some of the pent up demand, like they did for the parade in MK, but who knows...

Thanks!

 

[1lilspark]

Fantasmic used to only run once a night except during very, very high crowds times. So, probably?

It would be nice if they started out doing 2 shows a night to meet some of the pent up demand, like they did for the parade in MK, but who knows...

Considering the staffing shortage of character performers they announced just minutes before announcing Fantasmic is back it will probably be one show a night and only Thursday-Sunday

 

[bbeagle]

Considering the staffing shortage of character performers they announced just minutes before announcing Fantasmic is back it will probably be one show a night and only Thursday-Sunday

I would think the same performers work on ONLY Fantasmic. If there is a 6:30pm and an 8:00pm show, the performers would need to be there at 5pm to get dressed and work until 10pm to get undressed and clean up. That's already 5 hours. I would imagine they would need practice time as well. That's a full 8 hour job.

 

[mrsap]

Walt Disney World Sued Over Disney Park Pass Reservation System

According to a report from Florida Politics, Walt Disney World is being sued by two Annual Passholders over Disney World’s Disney Park Pass reservation system. The claim is similar in nature to what the Disneyland Resort is being sued over, namely that the reservation system is unfair to Annual Passholders who purchased a pass with no blockout dates. The Disney Park Pass reservation system will prevent Passholders, or any guest, from entering any of the Walt Disney World theme parks without a free reservation. The problem arises when Passholders purchase a pass with no blockout dates and then find themselves unable to enter a park because it is full and reservations are no longer available.

*Click to continue reading

 

[mrsap]

runDisney Shares Race Schedule Through Spring 2024​

runDisney has released dates for their Walt Disney World race schedule from late 2023 through April 2024. Here are the dates shared. runDisney promised to release more information about the return of races to the Disneyland Resort in 2024 at a later time.

 

[princesscinderella]

Walt Disney World Sued Over Disney Park Pass Reservation System

According to a report from Florida Politics, Walt Disney World is being sued by two Annual Passholders over Disney World’s Disney Park Pass reservation system. The claim is similar in nature to what the Disneyland Resort is being sued over, namely that the reservation system is unfair to Annual Passholders who purchased a pass with no blockout dates. The Disney Park Pass reservation system will prevent Passholders, or any guest, from entering any of the Walt Disney World theme parks without a free reservation. The problem arises when Passholders purchase a pass with no blockout dates and then find themselves unable to enter a park because it is full and reservations are no longer available.

*Click to continue reading

I’m surprised that this lawsuit took so long to be filed at WDW with other going on a year already at Disneyland. There goes my hope of them selling passes again besides pixie passes.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Considering the staffing shortage of character performers they announced just minutes before announcing Fantasmic is back it will probably be one show a night and only Thursday-Sunday

Goodness I hope they don't try to pull something like this! Can you imagine the impact on HS crowds, which are already infuriating, if the folks without hoppers gravitate to the weekends because they want to be there on a F! night? I know they do this with nighttime shows in DL, but the demographics in Cali are so different.

Also, their announcement timing is bizarre. They announce Fantasmic (huge staffing demand) and Akershus (another face character heavy offering) at the same time they're cutting back characters elsewhere in the parks. And they only recently brought characters back to a few other meals, too. It doesn't take much to see that they're prioritizing certain character experiences over others. I think Fantasmic is a valid choice, it's been too long as it is, but the high cost character meals at the expense of free in-park encounters is another money grab that doesn't sit well.

 

[DduzDis]

Fantasmic! Dining Package Locations and Prices​

Disney World has released more details about the Fantasmic dining packages that will be available to book on October 26th for performance dates starting November 30th. Here are the Fantasmic Dining Package locations and prices:

Dining Packages and Prices​

Here’s what’s included in each Fantasmic! Dining Package:

• An entrée and appetizer or dessert at select full-service restaurants or one (1) full buffet (where applicable), along with a non-alcoholic beverage
• One voucher for guaranteed seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved area

Explore participating restaurants and dining package prices, which exclude tax and gratuity:

Dining Location	Adults (ages 10 & up)	Kids (Ages 9 & Under)
50’s Prime Time Cafe Classic American comfort food, ’50s kitsch and a good old-fashioned family gathering take you back to a bygone era.	$51.00	$22.00
Hollywood & Vine Celebrate breakfast with Disney Junior Stars or enjoy lunch and dinner with Minnie and friends at seasonal dining parties.	Breakfast:$54.00 Lunch & Dinner:$71.00	Breakfast:$36.00 Lunch & Dinner:$47.00
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano Mangia in the backlot of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at this casual but colorful Italian eatery with a California twist.	$54.00	$22.00
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Do dinner and a show ’50s-style at our drive-in “theater,” featuring all-American cuisine and sci-fi movie clips.	$49.00	$22.00
The Hollywood Brown Derby Step into the Golden Age of Hollywood at this warm, wood-paneled restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine.	$73.00	$29.00

I have a lunch reservation for H&V on Dec 15th. Would I be able to tell the CM the we would like seating for F! (and pay accordingly) or do you think I would need to rebook the dining package specifically?

 

[NJlauren]

I see a lot of comments about the characters and the staffing. I have major sympathy for this staffing challenge. I did the keys to the kingdom tour this week, and the guide told us the character positions are hard to fill, and even harder since covid. Most are already working over time. I know know huge corporation, who makes tons of money, they can pay.

But honestly I think characters is a grueling job, and I think staffing inside at meals is easier then meets in the park. An outside character can only be on stage for 20 minutes at a time, inside is a bit longer I think 30/40? But still, it’s much easier to staff a meal for a 5 hour shift, then an all day meet with 2/4 doors per meet.

I personally love character meals over meets in the park, and I know the cost is more and frankly it’s getting cost prohibitive but I see why they are learning towards meals over meets.

However per our tour guide, you're either a performer character or a meet character those are mostly not interchangeable. Some exceptions of course, but for the most part.

Not positive on my exact point here but some food for thought I guess.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Walt Disney World Sued Over Disney Park Pass Reservation System

According to a report from Florida Politics, Walt Disney World is being sued by two Annual Passholders over Disney World’s Disney Park Pass reservation system. The claim is similar in nature to what the Disneyland Resort is being sued over, namely that the reservation system is unfair to Annual Passholders who purchased a pass with no blockout dates. The Disney Park Pass reservation system will prevent Passholders, or any guest, from entering any of the Walt Disney World theme parks without a free reservation. The problem arises when Passholders purchase a pass with no blockout dates and then find themselves unable to enter a park because it is full and reservations are no longer available.

*Click to continue reading

But I think the "KEY" was those Magic Key holders at Disneyland had passes with no restrictions or blockout dates at all.... If MP and EK only paid $633, they had AP's that came with some restrictions.

Disney has changed their T & C for Annual Pass renewals or new purchases (for the ones you can get) after the DL Case, along with a clear waiver of your right to file a lawsuit or join a Class Action case. Assume their Pass were purchased under the old T & C....

Bottom line is this won't help change the system, anymore than it did in DL - they just stopped selling unlimited Passes. I don't like Park Reservations, and really don't like limits on when I can park hop... but I somewhat understand the need for crowd control.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I have a lunch reservation for H&V on Dec 15th. Would I be able to tell the CM the we would like seating for F! (and pay accordingly) or do you think I would need to rebook the dining package specifically?

Definitely plan to rebook for the dining package.