MickeyBlog News for August 22nd, 2021
The Walt Disney Company just revealed the FastPass replacement. Suffice to say that it wasn’t well received.
We’ll talk about that, a change in face mask policy, Disney Cruise Line updates, restaurant reopenings, and more.
We’ve got yet another wildly busy week for MickeyBlog News!
Face Mask Changes at Disney Parks
I’m starting with this story because it got buried a bit by the one we’ll talk about it next.
Despite the recent surge in COVID-19 infections in Central Florida, Disney just relaxed its face mask policy.
After speaking with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), park officials felt comfortable eliminating most outdoor requirements.
Yes, face coverings are now optional in outdoor attraction line queues. Similarly, you no longer need to wear a mask at outdoor shows or on rides.
Please understand that this change doesn’t apply to Disney transportation. You must wear a mask while you’re on buses, boats, and monorails.
Similarly, indoor face-covering rules are still in place and will likely remain that way until the current outbreak subsides.
Focusing on the positive, you can catch any outdoor show at Walt Disney World without wearing a mask!
Better yet, when you enter any line queue that’s outside, you only wear a mask if that’s your choice. This is because Disney no longer requires it.
Presumably, these changes are permanent. However, I would have said the same thing about the elimination of indoor masks before things went south again.
So, please keep checking MickeyBlog just in case!
Credit: Disney
Disney Reveals Genie and Lightning Lane
Now is when I stick my head inside the lion’s mouth.
Yes, Disney has finally revealed its replacement for the official extinct FastPass program.
In its place, park officials revealed Disney Genie, which sounds incredible.
This virtual assistant (AI) will improve all your future park visits. In addition, it’ll advise you on the best times to visit attractions and restaurants.
Also, Disney Genie will craft its suggestions to your personal tastes, learning your favorite park activities.
The new AI will also suggest return times for various theme park attractions. But, most impressively, it’ll adapt on the fly if you’d rather come back later.
Disney Genie knows how line queues behave throughout the day. So, it’ll inform you whether the current time is a good one for a ride.
If not, the program will suggest a return time that matches your needs. It’s like Siri, just for Disney visits. You’re going to love it.
However, what you won’t love as much as is Disney Genie+, at least judging by the online reception.
Disney’s YouTube channel posted this video:
As I type this, the introductory tutorial for Disney Genie features roughly eight times as many downvotes as upvotes, which…isn’t ideal.
Fans recognize the program for what it is, a new paid FastPass option.
Guests at Walt Disney World will pay $15 per person per day for the service.
At Disneyland, the price is $20 per person for what is effectively MaxPass.
That’s not all. For somewhere between $9 and $18 per ride, guests may ride E-ticket attractions via Lightning Lane.
That’s basically paid FastPass for a single attraction. I would have happily done that for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance the past few trips.
Alas, MANY Disney fans disagree with my assessment. You can decide for yourself this Fall!
Restaurant Reopenings!
Boma – Flavors of Africa just reopened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Notably, this restaurant is the first buffet to return at Walt Disney World.
Also, MickeyBlog was live on the scene as one of the first returning customers! Suffice to say that we’re thrilled that this place is back.
However, that’s only one of many Walt Disney World restaurants coming back soon. Disney just announced another wave of reopenings.
Nine Dragons Restaurant at the China pavilion also returned this month and is now retaking online reservations!
Also, as I type this, Dockside Diner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is finally back as well, albeit without the hot dogs. 😞
Two other buffets will join Boma soon. First, Disney announced that Biergarten Restaurant reopens on August 29th, which is a week from now.
Also, the Crystal Palace circles back to its buffet form on September 12th.
Meanwhile, later this week, on August 27th, Cinderella’s Royal Table serves a breakfast meal again. I’m surprised that one took so long, as it’s wildly popular.
I’ve also got a more significant development for you. We now know what will replace The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
I’d previously mentioned that Disney had narrowed the options down to a handful of themes. Two of them received the most attention, especially an Incredibles-themed steakhouse.
Disney went with the other choice instead. This Fall, Steakhouse 71 will debut, paying tribute to the 1971 grand opening of Walt Disney World.
That concept makes perfect sense during the 50th-anniversary celebration. Interestingly, Steakhouse 55 at Disneyland Hotel recently closed for good, though.
Maybe Disney didn’t want two similarly named steakhouses?
Finally, at California Grill, management just announced “a limited-time menu with items inspired by the restaurant’s history.” So, there’s that.
Disney Cruise Line News
All the action is at sea right now!
Disney Cruise Line (DCL) just confirmed that the Disney Fantasy will return on September 11th.
DCL is currently running some test cruises to verify everything is running satisfactorily before paying guests arrive.
Those of you paying attention know that integral members of the MickeyBlog team were onboard one of these trips this weekend.
Well, we have more details about several aspects of Disney cruises. For starters, Disney canceled some sailings and adjusted other itineraries.
If you had a cruise booked, you should check whether these changes impacted you.
Also, those of you sailing for five nights or more should understand the new rules. You must take and pass a COVID test before you can leave the ship.
Disney doesn’t want to jeopardize public safety by sending infected guests back to port. So, this policy is best for everyone.
Please understand that everyone 12 and older must take the test. Also, know that each test costs $65 that Disney will charge to your folio.
Next, if you’re sailing to The Bahamas –and if you’re using DCL right now, you ARE! – please be aware of a new governmental policy.
The Bahamas requires guests on all passenger cruises to be fully vaccinated. If you’re sailing, I presume that you already are. Still, you should know that just in case.
Finally, Disney just revealed more details about the Disney Wish, including the upcoming Disney Uncharted Adventure game on Play Disney Parks.
This game will turn your smartphone into an enchanted spyglass, opening up a new world of augmented reality Disney characters!
Friends, the Disney Wish looks spectacular!
Photo: www.youtube.com
Theme Park Miscellany
To the surprise of maaaaaaybe three people, Disney just confirmed that the NBA Experience at Disney Springs won’t reopen. This is my shocked face.
Meanwhile, park officials confirmed that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will utilize a virtual queue akin to a Boarding Group when it opens.
Those of you who want to watch the ride can check out this video of the entire Ratatouille experience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOHAOczFLiE
In other park news, the Boneyard at DinoLand U.S.A. has reopened, albeit not with all sections open. You can visit from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. currently.
I’m also tracking two other stories that are a bit incomplete thus far.
Orlando has suffered a clean water crunch. The issue stems from a need to use liquid oxygen in the treatment of COVID patients.
Disney hasn’t commented on whether this problem impacts the parks yet.
However, liquid oxygen is scarce everywhere right now. So, it probably will at some point.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Finally, last Monday, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance didn’t require Boarding Groups for some guests.
This had never happened since the ride opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Late in the day, some lucky park guests simply walked by the line queue and noticed they could enter!
This bit of fortune likely happened due to unexpectedly low attendance at the parks last week. Still, it’s something to monitor.
