MickeyBlog News for February 21st, 2022
The Walt Disney Company finally accomplished what it had first tried last summer.
I’ll explain the good news in the latest edition of MickeyBlog News.
Face Masks Optional at Disney
Friends, here’s the news that many of you have anxiously awaited.
As of this past week, face masks are now optional for vaccinated guests at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Just last Sunday, I said, “In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if Walt Disney World did the same soon.”
Soon was underselling the matter, as the announcement came within the next 48 hours!
Here are the official guidelines per Disney’s health section on its site:
“Beginning February 17th, 2022, Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations.
We expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters.
Face coverings will still be required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.”
Disneyland has similarly dropped its indoor face-covering rule. Their section includes some slightly different terminology. Here it is:
“Beginning February 17th, 2022, face coverings are required for unvaccinated Guests (ages 2 and older) in all indoor locations, including throughout indoor attractions and indoor queues.
Face coverings are required for all Guests, regardless of vaccination status, in certain indoor settings including Disney shuttles and in health settings, such as in First Aid.
Face coverings are optional for Guests in outdoor areas.”
Photo: Disneyland
So, the First Aid inclusion is vital to understand, although I don’t think that should surprise anyone.
As a reminder, Disney has requested that unvaccinated guests continue to wear face masks. Enforcement of this is unlikely.
By this point, cast members understand that some people won’t follow such rules. Since the overwhelming majority of guests have taken their shots, it shouldn’t matter, though.
Finally, please know that you can still wear a mask if that makes you more comfortable!
Photo: Matt Stroshane
Disney Storyliving?!
Okay, this is a story I’ll cover in greater detail in a few days. For now, let’s hit the headlines.
The Walt Disney Company has just doubled down on the Golden Oak concept. We’ve discussed this exclusive Walt Disney World neighborhood several times.
Now, Disney will duplicate the premise on the West Coast with Cotino, another private housing community.
Cotino will reside in the Santa Ana mountains near Palm Springs, roughly 90 miles from Disneyland Resort.
Photo: Getty Images
As such, this idea mimics Golden Oak, but it’s not quite as desirable for Disney fans. You won’t be a 10-minute van ride from the parks.
This locale pays tribute to Walt Disney, as Lillian and he owned a family home in this area, the Coachella Valley.
Photo: D23
You can evaluate the official site here. The gist is that only millionaires need apply. So, this story is interesting but not relevant to most Disney fans.
However, that’s only part of the tale! Arguably, it’s the least impacting part!
Disney has also committed to Storyliving by Disney as a more comprehensive project.
The company will build Disney housing in several communities around the country!
These Storyliving communities will bring the Disney vibe to your neighborhood!
Disney will hire cast members to work at the communal building in these locales.
The underlying premise centers on Disney experiences as a part of your daily home life. You’d pay more to live in a neighborhood that had that, right?
I know I would, and many friends who have moved to Orlando probably would have considered this while awaiting a permanent transition.
This new entity provides Disney with a chance to earn a piece of the thriving housing market. I’ll talk hard numbers in a standalone article later this week.
Mickey’s Toontown Update
Okay, we’ve known for a while that Mickey’s Toontown would close in March. Still, with Disneyland Resort, you never really can be sure.
After all, Earl of Sandwich closed for good, came back for a couple of years, and then closed for good again.
Disney’s constant struggles with Anaheim officials have caused many disruptions in plans.
Once Disney started work on the Downtown Disney overhaul, management committed to the next iteration of Disneyland Resort.
Mickey’s Toontown will add Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway as part of those proceedings.
This e-ticket attraction has proven wildly popular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. So, Disney is designing the new Mickey’s Toontown around it.
Those changes will take some time. Apparently, they’ll take roughly one year.
So, Disney just confirmed that Mickey’s Toontown will close on March 6th and remain unavailable until 2023.
When the themed land reopens, it may have Runaway Railway. However, there’s also a possibility that a brief gap exists between Toontown’s return and the ride’s debut.
Still, that’s the plan here. Disneyland will close Toontown until all its new features are ready, and Runaway Railway is mostly, if not completely, finished.
If you’re visiting the Happiest Place on Earth later this year or early in 2023, please don’t plan on Mickey’s Toontown’s availability!
When this place returns, it will legitimately be better than ever, though.
Disney News and Notes
With so many big stories, I’m stockpiling some tidbits for next week.
However, you should know that Jiko – The Cooking Place has reopened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
MickeyBlog was among the first guests at the reopening. You can read about our experience here.
Meanwhile, Daisy Duck is now hosting a character interaction near the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
MickeyBlog grabbed some pictures of her as well.
While we’re discussing EPCOT, I should mention that the already legendary Figment Popcorn Bucket returned, albeit briefly.
Disney set up an organized system for purchasing the bucket this time, cutting the wait from many hours to…significantly less. You use Mobile Ordering!
Alas, the bucket has already sold out again. Disney may or may not have inventory, depending on the date of your visit. So, check the app for info!
By the way, you’ll find a QR code on a billboard near Pop Eats!. By scanning that, you’ll save yourself plenty of aggravation.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney has provided updates about the attractions available for Extended Evening Hours on April 13th.
Disney is still indicating that this is a one-time thing rather than a permanent change to the rotation.
Photo: Disney
If you’re among the lucky guests on this date, you’ll get to ride:
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Muppet*Vision 3D
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Toy Story Mania!
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
So, yeah, that’s gonna be an amazing night for a few thousand lucky guests!
Finally, I’ve got essential news for frequent theme park guests. You can now perform a Cast Member Compliment within the My Disney Experience app!
Please do that!
