Walt Disney World Ticket Sales and Hotel Bookings Resume Tomorrow for 2020!

After an underwhelming response for existing ticket holders on the Parks Pass Reservation System, Disney has just announced that they will be resuming new ticket sales and hotel bookings starting July 9th.

There is high demand from Annual Passholders, suggesting that for potentially years to come Walt Disney World and Disneyland will have to focus on the local market as much as possible. Disneyland should have no problem with that, but Disney World may see a bit of an issue.

I also think they should only sell park hopper tickets at least in Disneyland or allow park hopping for annual passholders. What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below!

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RUMOR: Disney World and Disneyland To Not Use Virtual Queues Initially

According to several sources and cast members Disney will not be using virtual queues for attractions at Disney World and most likely Disneyland upon reopening. This includes the mega popular Rise of the Resistance attraction where at both parks spots for the attraction in the virtual queue would fill up in mere seconds.

Disney has stated that they will also be temporarily eliminating Fastpass+, Fastpass (Disneyland), and Single Rider queues upon the reopening of the theme parks. Disney will use the Fastpass + and Fastpass queues as extended space for the Standby queue to practice social distancing.

What do you think of this decision? How long will it be before you visit the theme parks? Disney World will open in phases between July 11th and July 15th and Disneyland is proposed to reopen July 17th in time for its 65th anniversary.

BREAKING: Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Proposing to Reopen On July 11th, Hollywood Studios and Epcot July 15th

It was just announced that Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are proposing to reopen July 11th with Hollywood Studios and Epcot to reopen July 15th. There will be a required reservation system.

Photo By Disney

All guests will be required to wear facemasks. Capacity will be reduced throughout the parks and at all retail stores and eateries. Increased sanitation will be present as well as temperature screenings and social distancing. All restaurant and stores will have plexiglass and contactless payments. Parades, fireworks, and shows will be temporarily suspended.

Disney plans to have great communication for guests and cast members.

Here are some examples of social distancing and safety signage:

Will you be attending on opening week? Let me know in the comments below!

Disney Springs To Begin Phased Reopening May 20th!

NEWS: Disney Springs Parking Garage Re-Opens for Cast Members ...

Just as I mentioned on my livestream yesterday, I was hearing that Disney Springs and Universal Citywalk would begin reopening this month. I keep hearing Citywalk is slated to partially reopen May 11th and it is now confirmed that Disney Springs will partially reopen May 20th.

The shopping district will reopen with limited capacity for dining and parking as well as reduced operating hours. I encourage you to check disneysprings.com as the date nears for more information on hours and what stores and restaurants will be open. Guests will be required to wear a face covering when dining or shopping.

Bob Iger Takes Over Takes Control of CEO Bob Chapek’s Duties During Pandemic

If you were wondering why Bob Chapek has been so silent ever since he became CEO we now have an answer as to why. The New York Times did an article covering Disney during the past few weeks from the leadership changes to COVID-19 to the future of the company when everything resumes normal operation.

Here is a snippet of the article that explains Iger taking back the reigns as CEO of Disney:

“And now, Mr. Iger has effectively returned to running the company. After a few weeks of letting Mr. Chapek take charge, Mr. Iger smoothly reasserted control, BlueJeans video call by BlueJeans video call. (Disney does not use Zoom for its meetings for security reasons.)

The new, nominal chief executive is referred to, almost kindergarten style, as “Bob C,” while Mr. Iger is still just “Bob.” And his title is “executive chairman” — emphasis on the first word.

Mr. Iger is now intensely focused on remaking a company that will emerge, he believes, deeply changed by the crisis. The sketch he has drawn for associates offers a glimpse at the post-pandemic future: It’s a Disney with fewer employees, leading the new and uncertain business of how to gather people safely for entertainment.”

In my opinion, I think Chapek was never a good decision for CEO as he definitely has more of a middle management style to him than a CEO type of vibe. For example, take a look at the past D23. Chapek seemed very uninspired when talking about the future projects and you can tell he was clearly reading from a teleprompter. By contrast, Iger was clearly excited and passionate while talking about projects such as Galaxy’s Edge. I feel that the Disney company is in much more secure shape with Iger taking back the reigns.

Iger is planning multiple strategies as how to handle this pandemic and the future of the company as described below:

“Mr. Iger, meanwhile, is trying to figure out what the company will look like after the crisis. One central challenge is to establish best practices for the company and the industry on how to bring people back to the parks and rides while avoiding the virus’s spread — using measures like taking visitors’ temperatures.

Mr. Iger also sees this as a moment, he has told associates, to look across the business and permanently change how it operates. He’s told them that he anticipates ending expensive old-school television practices like advertising upfronts and producing pilots for programs that may never air. Disney is also likely to reopen with less office space. He’s also told two people that he anticipated the company having fewer employees. (Mr. Iger said in an email on Sunday evening that he had “no recollection of ever having said” that he expected a smaller work force. “Regardless, any decision about staff reductions will be made by my successor and not me,” he added.)”

As Iger said, I can see a future where initially Disney checks temperatures and reduces capacity when first opening the parks. I can also see them having a significant reduction in office space (like most companies probably will) because companies are realizing they do not need as many people in an office due to things such as telecommuting and being more efficient.

What do you think of this developing situation? Who do you want to be the CEO of Disney?

France Expansion Added to EPCOT Map

Photo Courtesy of Blog Mickey

An updated map was installed by Disney for the start to EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival. In this new map you can see that the France expansion has been added and that includes the Ratatouille ride as well as the new courtyard and crepery.

This year’s Flower and Garden Festival runs through June 1st and since these new expansions are on the map it is highly likely that the area before the Festival ends. On May 26th Spaceship Earth will be going under an extensive two year refurb and opening the expanded France pavilion could be a great way to supplement that closure.

Are you excited for the new expansion? Let me know in the comments below and follow this blog for constant theme park updates!

Disney Reveals Dates For Upcoming Experiences In The Parks!

In somewhat of a surprise, Disney Parks Blog went live this evening and revealed a plethora of opening dates for expierences coming to Disney World in the very near future and I am going to break each of them down right here! Before we proceed please note that all photos and concept art are courtesy of Disney.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

This attraction will be open at Hollywood Studios March 4th, 2020.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway rendering

Mickey Shorts Theater

Rendering of Mickey Shorts Theater coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This theater will be located in Hollywood Studios and will play Mickey Shorts from the Disney Channel animated series, “Mickey Mouse”.

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser rendering

Disney revealed a new rendering of the Galactic Starcrusier (Star Wars Hotel) and revealed it is opening in 2021. Much more info can be found at this extensive video I made this evening specifically covering these three items.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Ride vehicle for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

This attraction will be opening in Summer 2020 in the France Pavilion at Epcot and Disney shared this new look at the ride vehicle and one of the scenes from the attraction. On this attraction you will be scurrying through Chef Gasteau’s restaurant.

Disney’s Ducktales World Showcase Adventure

Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure

This is an interactive game experience coming to the Play Disney Parks App that will have you joining all of the ducks in search of a priceless treasure. You will be going on several missions that will take you all around the World Showcase at Epcot.

New Circle-Vision Films to Debut at Epcot

Starting January 17th, 2020 three new films will debut at Epcot. The first will be called “Awesome Planet” and will be a ten minute long film showcasing the diversity of Planet Earth. The second film will be a “Beauty and The Beast Sing Along” and will be located in the France Pavilion. It is produced by Don Hahn who produced the Beauty and The Beast films and will invite guests on a journey on a tale as old as time. This new film will rotate with the “Impressions de France” film which is slated to receive an upgrade to 4K.

Collage of movie posters coming to Epcot

Space 220

Space 220 Restaurant Coming Soon to Epcot

Space 220 was supposed to be open by now, but was delayed until sometime this winter, most likely January based on job postings on Pantina’s website.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts and BBQ

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue Coming Soon to Epcot

This is a brand new fast casual restaurant that will open at the American Adventure in Epcot this winter. It will obviously be serving BBQ style food and craft beer. This is somewhat of a surprise to me as I had no previous knowledge this restaurant was even in the planning stages.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant Coming Soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Lastly, Toy Story Land is finally getting the proper sit down restaurant it deserves next year at Hollywood Studios. This restaurant will also serve BBQ and have immersive indoor seating.

So what do you make of all these announcements? Will they entice you to start planning trips to Florida over the next year? Let me know in the comments below!

New Mickey Mouse Meet and Greet Coming to Epcot Next Year!

New Mickey Mouse location at Epcot
Photo courtesy of Disney

While most of Epcot is under a massive refurbishment, Mickey’s old meet and greet location is currently under construction. Mickey will have a new meet and greet location next year as part of the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival.

The Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival is an 18 minute film festival featuring shorts from Disney and Pixar and will be in 3D so guests can really feel like they are in the Short themselves!

Are you excited about the Film Festival? Are you excited to be meeting Mickey again at Epcot? What do you think about the renovations going on at Epcot right now? Let me know in the comments below and please follow this blog for constant updates on the progress of Epcot!

WDW Skyliner Has a Major Accident

Image result for wdw skyliner

Just a mere six days after opening the Skyliner at Walt Disney World has crashed due to a power failure on the Caribbean Beach Line. At about 9pm on Saturday night a power failure at the Caribbean Beach Station on the Skyliner caused a blue gondola to get stuck right before it was about to take off from the station. That caused about five other gondolas to crash into the blue gondola and for the whole system to auto-stop after the crash was detected. It was reported that one of the gondolas had its glass shattered, but luckily no guests were injured.

Speaking of the guests, although no guests were injured plenty of angry guests were stranded in other gondolas (some over water) for anywhere between 45 min for up to 3 hours. Now as one can imagine being stuck suspended in a gondola with no air conditioning in the humid and warm Florida air is not the most comfortable thing in the world. Luckily it was dark so it was not as hot as during the day and also guests were lucky not to have any stormy weather pass through while they were stuck. Unfortunately though it was dark so guests had no light besides their cellphone flashlights to guide them as they were waiting for help.

Guests also complained on social media of Disney not offering any updates on the situation for as much as 3 hours. The gondolas came equipped with emergency kits that included water, paper bags, and some other medical supplies for emergencies. At there highest point the gondolas reach 60 feet (six stories) above the ground which is enough for firetrucks to reach. The entire system has 300 cabins and crews have to evacuate each one manually which as one can expect takes quite a bit of time. For gondolas over water it takes even more time because crews have to get on small boats and evacuate the guests on to the boats and transport them back and forth to land before retrieving the next set of guests.

Disney has stated that the incident occurred due to “unexpected downtime” on the line and that they are offering guests four all day park tickets as well as a $200 gift card. I for one would be very hesitant to take the Skyliner because I do not like heights and get claustrophobic and for this very reason of being stranded for 3 hours above water or anywhere makes me wary to say the least.

What do you think of this situation? Just a fluke? Did Disney not do enough testing on the system and opened it to early? Do you think they will do the same thing with Rise of the Resistance and Avengers Campus? Leave your thoughts below!

Walt Disney World Skyliner Opened Today

Image result for wdw skyliner
WDW Skyliner

The highly anticipated Disney Skyliner opened today at Disney World with three lines that connect portions of the southern half of the resort. The Skyliner so far connects locations like Hollywood Studios, The Caribbean Beach Resort, The Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts, The Riviera Resort as well as Epcot.

Image result for wdw skyliner map
Skyliner Map

Now some people are asking if the Skyliner will replace the Monorail and my answer to that is no. I think both transportation systems will complement each other very nicely. The Monorail covers resorts and parks in the North section of the resort while the Skyliner is starting to cover the Southern parks and resorts.

Another great thing about the Skyliner is that the gondola system is cheap and quick to build and does not take up a lot of space. It is also meant to go high which means the cables can easily go over existing buildings while providing great views for guests who are riding it. Further expansions of the Skyliner could include The Coronado Springs Resort as well as Animal Kingdom.

What do you think of the Skyliner? Do you prefer it over the Monorail? Will you be riding the Skyliner next time you are at Disney World? Let me know in the comments below! If you like this content please subscribe for constant updates and articles!

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