MickeyBlog News for June 28, 2021
This past week, Disney revealed new fireworks show details, Black Widow entered the Tower of Terror, and someone really wanted fresh produce.
Let’s talk about another exciting week for MickeyBlog News!

Welcome to the Show!
During the pandemic, Disney couldn’t operate some of its most beloved pre-attraction amenities.
When Imagineers built these staging areas, nobody had even considered the possibility of social distancing.
So, when Walt Disney World reopened last July, these parts of the line queues weren’t available to guests.
Nearly a year later, park officials have finally brought back many of these features, two of which I mentioned last week.
Test Track restored the vehicle creator feature that adds a gamified element. At Haunted Mansion, the seminal Stretching Room has come back from the dead, too.
You’ll even find the Dread family’s murder mystery back in the outdoor portion of the line queue!
Now, Disney has added three more seminal line queue amenities, all of them at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The pre-ride interaction with Hondo Ohnaka has returned at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Similarly, Illeana Douglas is back to work as Aerosmith’s manager on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.
That time I was Aerosmith's manager. Disney: High five for Rock 'n’ Roller Coaster on its 20th birthday https://t.co/XxWCSz32XZ
— Illeana Douglas (@Illeanarama) July 29, 2019
Finally, Rod Serling is once again warning guests about the perils of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror before they enter the elevator area.
By the way, while we’re on the subject of Tower of Terror, Scarlett Johansson just announced that she’ll produce and presumably star in a feature film based on the ride!
The Tower of Terror movie will be Disney’s next attempt to adapt a beloved theme park attraction, following Jungle Cruise, which comes out next month.
Save the Date
Look, we already knew that Disney would pull out all the stops for its 50th birthday party at Walt Disney World.
Still, park officials keep surprising us. The latest announcement involves park entertainment that will arrive on October 1st.
Disney still hasn’t brought back fireworks yet, something that will happen later this week.
So, we’re still awaiting the triumphant return of Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Forever at EPCOT.
We just learned that Disney fans shouldn’t get too attached to either one, though. Disney will replace both on October 1st!
At Magic Kingdom, Disney Enchantment will anchor the nightly proceedings. It’s a 50th anniversary presentation that will include something new.
Imagineers have created technology that will allow digital projections to beam across Cinderella Castle and all the way to Main Street, U.S.A.
Imagine images on the side of The Plaza or the train station depot or even the viewing audience! It sounds incredible, doesn’t it?
Magic Kingdom will also host several daily performances of Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade, a float starring Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Friends like Pluto, Goofy, Donald and Daisy Duck, and Chip and Dale will join them for this event.
Also, Mickey and Minnie will wear new EARidescent outfits for the Cavalcade.
At EPCOT, we always knew that the return of EPCOT Forever would be temporary.
Disney has confirmed the obvious by stating that the opening date for Harmonious is October 1st.
Yes, that’s the date that MickeyBlog has speculated about for many months now, as it’s the one that makes the most sense.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will receive a new shot, too. Disney KiteTails will watch several kites and windcatchers take to the skies above Discovery River Amphitheater.
The Parks Blog suggests that one of the kites is nearly 30 feet long!
Cast Members Are Mask-Free!
The next time you notice a Walt Disney World cast member wearing a mask, you’ll know that it’s a personal decision.
As of this week, Disney no longer requires vaccinated cast members to wear masks while on the job.
This policy applies to indoor and outdoor employees, meaning that the days of mask requirements have ended.
That’s the strongest indicator yet that the pandemic is truly over.
Of course, we’re noticing other signs as well. For example, the parks recently brought back Rope Drop, the old kind of admission process.
That’s the one where cast members herd guests into an area before the park opens. Then, a running of the bulls occurs as people rush to their first ride.
Disney hadn’t done this during the pandemic since it violates social distancing protocols. However, we don’t have those any longer.
So, Disney has returned to the pre-pandemic policies.
Speaking of which, Disney canceled Destination D23 in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns.
Now that we’ve all gotten vaccinated, that event may return. And it will!
On November 19th through the 21st, Disney’s Contemporary Resort will host Destination D23. Tickets will go on sale in July, at least for D23 Gold members.
If you’re passionate about attending, you may want to sign up for D23 Gold, which costs $99. Unfortunately, these events sell out quickly. So, that early booking window might prove vital.
Disney Park News
Look, we all want fresh produce, but a recent Disney park guest tried to acquire some in a particularly stupid manner. Here, watch this:
Yes, a guest thought a cucumber looked especially tasty. So, this person jumped off a moving boat at Living with the Land.
Then, they proceeded to procure the cucumber and then stumbled while trying to get back on board the boat.
Thankfully, Living with the Land vehicles move at a snail’s pace. Also, when the person tripped, they didn’t fall the wrong way.
People have legitimately suffered grievous injuries by doing something so stupid on theme park attractions.
A different rider on that boat indicates that the idiot did this four different times, if you can believe that!
Consider this example proof-positive that you shouldn’t drink excessively during a park visit. I strongly suspect this person has or will get banned for life.
This wasn’t even the only theme park oddity this past week. A Pirates of the Caribbean boat derailed and went off the track, a true rarity. So, it was a strange week all around.
In other park news, Magical Express has changed its process for the rest of 2021.
Disney will no longer mail confirmations for Magical Express users. Instead, you’ll use your MagicBand (or MagicMobile) to confirm the service.
Realistically, I cannot remember the last time I showed a physical copy of the letter, as cast members always ask for a MagicBand immediately at check-in.
Still, please be aware of the change just in case it impacts you.