MickeyBlog News for February 22, 2021
Walt Disney World has finally announced some of its upcoming plans for 2021 and 2022.
We know about some vacation packages and the future of Park Passes. Oh, and we also learned some stuff about the 50th anniversary party.
Does that interest you? If so, you should read the latest edition of MickeyBlog News.
We’re Gonna Party Like It’s 2022
Yes, 2020 felt like the year that would never end. However, we’ve restored some amount of normalcy in 2021, which is already nearly two months in!
Now that we’ve achieved a tolerable status quo, Disney officials have weighed in on some pressing matters.
Specifically, we now know that Park Passes aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Disney plans to use them throughout 2022 and into January 2023.
So, Park Passes count as a vital component in any Disney vacation. Also, you should learn to think ahead on these.
During the earliest days of Walt Disney World’s reopening, Park Passes were readily available on most days.
Well, on February 20th, all four Disney parks sold out their daily allotments. Ergo, you cannot count on a Park Pass on the day of your presumed visit.
The accompanying part of this statement applies to 2022 vacations. Disney has released vacation packages through next year.
You should speak to a MickeyTravels agent to find out which dates will provide you with the most bang for your vacation buck.
However, based on recent events and Disney intel, the one thing I can say with confidence is that you should book early.
CEO Bob Chapek has stated that Disney theme parks will face unprecedented demand after the pandemic slows.
Even now, the drop in new infections has led to increased attendance at Walt Disney World.
As an aside, the only thing we don’t know is whether the Disney Dining Plan will return for 2022. The new vacation offers don’t include this option.
I suspect Disney won’t restore this amenity until the pandemic has mostly subsided.
The 2021 Party That Will Last into 2023
During a recent Good Morning America episode, Disney revealed its plans for the 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World.
You know those parties you’ve gone to that didn’t end until after daylight broke? Yeah, those raves will have nothing on this ultimate social gathering.
Disney will throw an anniversary party that lasts 18 months! Starting on October 1st or thereabouts, Walt Disney World will look different.
Imagineers are hard at work at unique touches that will bring even more magic to your anniversary visit.
All four theme park icons will receive new Imagineering tricks. Fireflies will dance around the Tree of Life while Pixie Dust will rain on Cinderella Castle.
At the Hollywood Tower Hotel, the lighting effects that you’ve seen during the holidays will become a part of the nightly routine for 18 months.
You’ll watch anniversary digital projections on the tower to remind you that Walt Disney World has brought joy to your life for half a century.
The real highlight will occur at Spaceship Earth, though. EPCOT’s beacon of light will introduce new, shiny illuminated tricks for the celebration.
However, these new lights aren’t temporary. They’ll remain at EPCOT for as long as the park exists!
So, the Spaceship Earth of tomorrow will glow in the dark in a way that the current version never has.
During GMA, Disney also unveiled snazzy holiday party outfits for Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Clearly, it’s a black-tie gala affair.
Their colors match Cinderella Castle, with Minnie even wearing gold shoes. Disney refers to the color scheme as EARidescent.
You can expect a slew of accompanying merchandise in the coming months.
We’ll learn more about the 50th anniversary in the coming weeks, as Disney hasn’t revealed everything yet. Keep checking MickeyBlog for new details!
Other Disney News
Okay, Hong Kong Disneyland just reopened, and I fully understand why this news may trigger a sense of déjà vu.
Yes, this turn of events has happened previously. Twice. February 19th marks the third reopening of Disney’s first theme park in China.
The first one occurred more than a year ago, in January of 2020, with the latest closure coming in early December.
Even now, Disney officials have no idea how long Hong Kong Disneyland will remain open. China has shut down anytime there’s a sign of an outbreak.
Over in the states, Walt Disney World has produced several fashion statements.
The changes began during my trip. We were lucky enough to be one of the first to catch the new cast member outfits at Capt. Cook’s.
These costumes mirror the colors and design of Moana, making them the first step toward Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s partial re-theming to the movie.
Since then, at least four other resort restaurants have followed suit.
The splashiest change has happened at Contempo Café, where cast members wear aprons emblazoned with monorails.
At Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the costumes at Everything POP now bear a cartoon font style and display catchphrases from Mickey Mouse and Goofy.
Little Mermaid fans should visit Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. At Centertown Market, the colors and style take inspiration from Under the Sea.
Finally, The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge pays tribute to the Disney classic, The Lion King.
If you’ve ever watched Mickey’s PhilharMagic, you can easily imagine what these look like.
They emulate the sidewalls during that The Lion King portion of that attraction.
More Disney News
Disney has also cast a glance into 2022 with its cruise division.
While Disney Cruise Line remains in port for now, Chapek recently indicated that this core business also expects strong demand next year.
So, Disney has planned ahead by authorized the return of two beloved offerings. Yes! Star Wars Day at Sea will come back in 2022!
Guests on the Disney Fantasy may use the Force starting next January.
Similarly, Marvel Day at Sea also comes back in January of 2022. It’s a five-day cruise as opposed to the seven-day Star Wars offering.
If you’re interested in either one, you should again contact a MickeyTravels agent to work out the best dates for your traveling party.
In other park news, Disney has added some much-needed plexiglass windows in the line queues at Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom.
I can tell you that the area feels much safer with them in place, as guests tend to wander and lean in this particular line queue.
Speaking of Star Wars, the crowds at Galaxy’s Edge have forced a policy change.
This section had hosted a Relaxation Station as recently as last week. It was always mobbed, though.
So, Disney has wisely repositioned the Relaxation Station at the previously unused Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! theater.
Oh, and news of the super-weird, Disney has added a warning for MagicBands.
The disclaimer instructs guests not to embed the MagicBand’s RFID chip in their skin. Disney added this warning because someone did this.
Folks, I really don’t think I should have to tell you that it’s a bad idea to put electronic devices inside your skin.
Finally, here’s the new Cruella trailer in case you haven’t watched it. Emma Stone is mean.