MickeyBlog News & Disney Updates – 11/13/2018
Mickey Mouse is working overtime as his 90th birthday approaches. We’ve got all sorts of tantalizing updates in the latest edition of MickeyBlog News!
Introducing Wilderness Warming Huts!
Sometimes, I’ll talk to a person about their plans for a morning at a theme park. Anytime they indicate that they plan to board a water ride prior to lunch, I mumble a meaningless pleasantry like “Oh, that sounds fun” while thinking, “You are going to regret that SO much.”
The thing about wet rides early in the day is that you spend the start of your day getting dressed. You want to look your best for your Disney photographs, right? Alas, a single ill-fated trip on an attraction like Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, or Grizzly River Run can ruin all of your prep work.
Your hair will look like you used conditioner…immediately after sticking your finger in an electric socket. You’ll look like that guy from A Flock of Seagulls…and yes, I know you’ll have to google who that is.
Disney has found a solution to your Janelle Monae-esque hair woes. They’ve introduced Wilderness Warming Huts at Grizzly River Run. Presuming that these devices prove popular, they’re certain to come to Walt Disney World wet rides as well.
What’s a Wilderness Warming Hut? It’s a full body blow dryer! You stepped into the (adorably themed) pod and stand still for a few moments. The machine does its magic in drying you off after your recent soaking. Best of all, they’re large enough to fit up to five people!
For a cost of $5, you can become a hero to your traveling party. I can’t do anything to help you about the messed up hair, though. You’re going to need to bring a brush and a compact to save you there.
I’ve actually used one of these, although it wasn’t at Disneyland. Dollywood has used them for a couple of years now. They’re quite effective in drying off your body and all of your stuff. You should understand that the hot air is pretty intense, though.
Learn More about Imagineering!
Are you as fascinated by the Imagineering profession as I am? Whenever I learn that someone once worked in Imagineering, I immediately pepper them with questions about their time spent working behind the scenes at Disney.
Clearly, I’m not the only one with this obsession. Otherwise, Disney wouldn’t have announced the upcoming docu-series that they’ll air on Disney+. It’s a series that Robert Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company promises will reveal “stories we’ve never really told before and images we have never shared.”
Previously, Disney had produced an as-yet unaired documentary about their Imagineers. The company aired a sneak preview of it all the way back during the 2013 D-23 Expo. There’s a chance that this new Disney+ series will use footage from that documentary. Alternately, Disney may have shot new footage exclusive for the upcoming series. Either way, fans of Imagineering will relish this rare opportunity to learn what’s involved in making the magic happen at Disney.
The Whirlpool Sponsorship
Throughout its history, Disney has done a wonderful job in identifying the best corporate sponsors for its theme parks. The most recent one might be the cleverest to date. Disney has signed an agreement with Whirlpool that makes the company the Official Kitchen and Laundry Appliance at Disney theme parks.
Your initial reaction might be that this decision is strange. What do kitchen appliances have to do with theme parks? What you’re forgetting is that many Disney hotel rooms include refrigerators, ovens, cooking counters, washer/dryer units, and dishwashers. Generally, these sorts of kitchenette features are available in one- and two-bedroom hotel suits at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Through this agreement, Whirlpool will replace any aging appliances in existing hotel rooms. Disney gets to upgrade their facilities while Whirlpool gets to boast that their name brand is everywhere at the Happiest and Most Magical Places on Earth.
In addition, when Disney hosts food kitchen events at expos and during television shows, Whirlpool will supply appliances for these sets, too. Historically, I would have referenced ABC’s The Chew, which frequently did broadcasts from Epcot. Unfortunately, that show was canceled earlier this year. So, I’m talking about programs such as Good Morning America instead.
We Are All Disney People
Here’s a personal question. How many times have you ridden Radiator Springs Racers? Unless your answer is 10,749 times, I know a dude who has you beat. He is one of the Disney People. I’m not talking about some cult that you didn’t know to join. I’m referencing an upcoming Oh My Disney series about Disney fanatics.
Disney’s YouTube page describes the participants as “individuals and families who have transformed their Disney fandom into cultures, communities, and lifestyles.” One of the Disney People is arguably the most obsessive Disney pin collector on the planet. Another lives in a house familiar to anyone who has watched Pixar’s Up. One even builds Disney-based attractions in his backyard for his grandkids to ride!
Of course, my favorite is the woman who Disney Bounds at work. My wife apparently missed Disney People casting by the tiniest of margins since that’s her thing. Anyway, the Oh My Disney page and YouTube channel will show Disney People in new episodes each week. And yes, one of them has ridden Radiator Springs Racers more than 10,000 times! If you want to see what Disney People look like, you can watch this introductory trailer.
The Twelve Days of…Hot Dogs?
Casey’s Corner is one of the best Quick Service restaurants at Magic Kingdom. It’s one of the easiest to find, too, residing on the corner of Main Street U.S.A. just before the courtyard of Cinderella Castle. Due to its baseball theming and convenience, many guests have fallen in love with it over the year.
That love is about to increase over the holidays. Casey’s Corner has something delightfully crazy in store for December. They’re offering a new and different hot dog for 12 straight days leading up to Christmas! Yes, starting on December 14th, you can order something called a Pineapple Teriyaki Dog. The following day, your special entrée is the Buffalo Chicken Dog. Yes, it sounds like the name of a cartoon your children watch, but Disney wouldn’t sell it unless it was delicious.
The different hot dogs continue through Christmas Day, when the 2-Foot Long Hot Dog goes on sale and stays that way through New Year’s Day. Foodies who like to try new and original dishes will enjoy a wonderful holiday season at Casey’s Corner. Me, I’ll just order the Cracker Jacks.
Speaking of Christmas…
One of the most anticipated parts of the 2018 holiday season has arrived at Walt Disney World. Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has transitioned to a holiday overlay. Decorations are in place throughout the area.
Even better, Alien Swirling Saucers has a ride overlay. The newest ride at Walt Disney World gets a different color scheme and musical accompaniment during the holidays. Specifically, you may hear one of two yuletide classics, Up on the House Top or Deck the Halls, during your ride.
Oddly, the regular songs are still in the rotation as well, meaning that your chances of hearing the holiday songs aren’t great. Think of the bright side, though. You’ll have an excuse to ride Alien Swirling Saucers again and again until you do get Christmas music! You can watch video of it here. The full showing of holiday decorations at Toy Story Land is on display in this video.
Disney has a series of special holiday photo ops available, too. You can see the full list here. Disney guests with PhotoPass access will have a very merry holiday season. That’s for sure! If you’re not currently planning a trip, you should speak to a licensed Disney agent at Mickey Travels to book one. Their service is free to you and guarantees that you’ll have the best vacation imaginable.