MickeyBlog News for January 24th, 2022
This week, Walt Disney World introduced adorable new strollers, Toy Story Land got a little better, Bob Chapek got paid by Disney, and you could, too.
I’ll explain what’s happening in MickeyBlog News.
Coming Later This Year!
Reading the tea leaves at Walt Disney World has grown immensely challenging during the pandemic.
Park officials have zipped their lips on all rumors, indicating that the days of free-flowing rumors have grown passé.
So, whenever we discuss what’s coming soon at the parks, we’re guesstimating as often as not.
Unless Disney makes an official announcement, nothing seems set in stone. That’s why I’m happy to report that improvements are coming soon at Toy Story Land!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios debuted this themed land in 2018. Everyone loved the new attractions and delightful theming.
Alas, budget cuts were hard to overlook, especially regarding shade at the various outdoor attractions, stores, and restaurant.
Well, Disney is using the winter slowdown to add some much-needed covering at Woody’s Lunch Box.
That’s a small but welcome change. However, it’s only the small side part of this discussion.
Disney just confirmed that Roundup Rodeo BBQ WILL debut in 2022. I’d previously speculated on this three weeks ago.
At the time, I stated that I still expected it to open in 2022. I had it in air quotes then, but now it’s a done deal, barring something unforeseen.
This restaurant will include indoor seating at what park officials describe as one of Andy’s new Play Sets.
In fact, the upcoming Table Service restaurant isn’t the only one. This week’s surprise reveal involves Jessie’s Trading Post, another Play Set.
Yes, this one’s a store. Unfortunately, we don’t know whether it’ll be indoors or outdoors yet, but I know which one most of us want.
Virtually everything at Toy Story Land takes place outside, save for Toy Story Mania!. It’s my only complaint about the charming themed land.
Let’s Talk Pay Raises
Sometimes, I’ll read something about The Walt Disney Company, and it’ll make me wince. I immediately know that nothing good will come of the headline.
Yes, Disney CEO Bob Chapek earned double the pay in 2021. Nobody should be shocked by this revelation, but it’s gonna trigger another round of Chapek Chagrin.
The difference in 2021 was that Chapek led Disney the entire year, whereas he was a surprise appointee in 2020.
Also, Disney executives took salary deductions at the start of the pandemic. Those had ended by 2021.
Ergo, Chapek’s pay increased from $14.2 million in 2020 to $32.5 million last year.
You shouldn’t think that Chapek acted outside the norm here. Former Disney CEO/worker Bob Iger’s pay also more than doubled from $21 million to $45.9 million.
Even Disney CFO Christine McCarthy almost doubled. Her earnings increased from $11 million to $21.7 million.
Disney executives earn bonuses based on stock prices. So, that’s the underlying mechanic of the extra income.
Notably, they’re not the only ones capable of earning more money right now.
The Great Resignation has impacted Walt Disney World staffing demands so much that management has offered a massive new incentive.
At a recent Orlando job fair, Disney indicated that potential new hires would earn $1,500 bonuses to work in call centers and theme park staffing.
Disney has really taken a hit with its back-of-house kitchen staff. So if you have experience as a cook, you could earn a $6,000 bonus to work at Walt Disney World!
None of this would have seemed possible two years ago, but here we are.
PS: We’ll discuss these subjects more in next week’s Disney Headlines. Disney’s reached an unexpected crossroads with staffing.
Park News and Notes
Parents, I have fantastic news about your next visit! Walt Disney World has introduced a new line of strollers, and they’re adorable!
From a distance, they kind of look like red and yellow lawnmowers. But, as you approach, you’ll realize you’re seeing folded strollers in Mickey/Minnie Mouse colors!
I don’t even have children, yet I kinda want to rent one of these. When it wants, Disney can do kawaii as well as anybody!
In other park news, fans of character greetings are in business! I’ve got updates on five (!) upcoming park enhancements.
The new character greeting will take place at Disney California Adventure. Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon will appear for the first time.
Given the blockbuster popularity of this character on Disney+, it’s long overdue. We need this one at Walt Disney World pronto!
Today is the day! 🐯🎊 Ring in the Year of the Tiger and find out who's making her official debut at the Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure park at the @Disneyland Resort: https://t.co/LlnkosznUj pic.twitter.com/gLPEKKhYL6
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) January 21, 2022
Until then, Orlando park guests have their choice of four returning character interactions.
For starters, Donald Duck has thrown on his sombrero and returned to the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT! Hallelujah!
Also, Joy from Inside Out and Vanellope von Schweetz from Wreck-It Ralph have come back to the Imagination! pavilion.
All three of these additions make my heart sing. One of the sweetest, most touching things I ever saw happened with Joy and a Make-A-Wish family.
Joy’s one of those characters that brings out the best in all of us. So, head back to Figment Land and say hi to her from me!
Meanwhile, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Kevin from Up is once again roaming around Discovery Island. You’ll never feel shorter than when looking up at her!
Speaking of Animal Kingdom, the Out of the Wild shop at Rafiki’s Planet Watch is closing for good.
Other Disney Updates
The Disney Skyliner will have closed for refurbishment by the time you read this. However, the updates should only take a few days.
Still, if you’re visiting the parks from now through the end of January, you should make other transportation arrangements just in case.
Disney has listed a reopening date of January 29th, but I take nothing for granted about this stuff. One minor setback can delay a reopening by several days.
In more ambitious transportation news, Brightline just reached a significant milestone. It has now completed 70 percent of the track for the Orlando extension.
The 130-mile expansion from Cocoa to West Palm Beach entered the testing phase this past week.
“The operator expects to reach substantial completion of the extension by the end of year, with services now starting in early 2023 rather than late 2022 as was hoped.”
Still, we’re only 12 months or so away from the opening of the Orlando station. Afterward, the Walt Disney World hub will come to fruition.
Soon, my pretties…