MickeyBlog News for June 12th, 2022
Disney’s best restaurant is coming back next month, while Minnie Vans will return even sooner. Also, guests at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel just gained a new amenity.
Photo Credit: LivingbyDisney.com
On the downside, Spider-Man’s in peril again, and pirates are on the way out of the Caribbean…Beach, that is. We have a LOT in this week’s MickeyBlog News.
No Pirate’s Life for Me (or Thee)
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort styled itself as the Pirates of the Caribbean property at Walt Disney World.
Photo: Disney
For this reason, the addition of Pirates themed rooms at the resort seemed perfectly logical.
For many years now, guests have adored the idea of these rooms from afar. However, the Pirate Rooms harbor a dark secret…and not a fun one.
Photo:Yourfirstvisit.net
Disney designed the bed in these rooms for…pretty much nobody. They’re miserably uncomfortable and a running joke among Disney loyalists.
Here, let’s listen to the wise words of MickeyBlog writer and Platinum Disney Vacation Planner Tori Carle:
“Travel agents everywhere are excited to see these rooms sail away.
One commented that when her clients checked in and were offered an “upgrade” to the Pirate Rooms, she advised them to politely decline because it was really more of a downgrade.”
Photo: Disney
That’s right, folks. The best Disney experts on the planet, the folks at MickeyTravels, recommend guests NOT upgrade to Pirate Rooms.
As a tall man, I can confirm that these beds force people my size to curl up in a ball and sleep on our side. It’s uncomfortable.
Photo: Disney
For this reason, Caribbean Beach has developed a strange reputation. Since the arrival of the Disney Skyliner, this resort is in massive demand.
Alas, the final inventory is usually the Pirate Rooms because the word is out about the discomfort.
People who know little about Disney loooove these rooms. For people working for/with Disney, they’re problematic.
Photo: Disney
Hotel management has finally acknowledged the truth here. The Pirate Rooms will leave the Caribbean Beach inventory.
Disney hasn’t announced a replacement yet and may just return to the basic hotel style for the foreseeable future.
The Walt Disney World Comebacks
Credit: Disney
The other news at Walt Disney World will warm your heart.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has confirmed that Victoria & Albert’s will return on July 28th.
The prize in Disney’s restaurant wars, Victoria & Albert’s has earned a reputation as not just the best theme park restaurant in America but also one of the best overall.
Seared Tuna with Mango and Hearts of Palm
Reservations go on sale June 20th, and you should be among the first if you want to eat here. This place books quickly during normal times.
After a two-year absence, the demand for Victoria & Albert’s is likely off the charts.
Photo: Disney
Disney’s Parks Blog added a reminder about the dress code. Here’s the applicable quote:
“Guests are expected to dress accordingly for this upscale location with semi-formal to formal attire that respects the restaurant’s elegant and opulent aesthetic.”
Yes, it’s a snooty place. However, if you want to celebrate a momentous occasion or impress a date, it’s the place to go at Walt Disney World.
Disney hasn’t announced pricing yet, but it was previously about $150 per person to start. So…
The next grand comeback won’t surprise MickeyBlog readers. We previously revealed that Minnie Vans will reappear at Walt Disney World this summer.
Given that the rideshare service was kinda left for dead early in the pandemic, this is cause for celebration, though.
Disney has declared June 29th as the return date for Minnie Vans. That will be a glorious day, my friends.
Nemo Found Again!
Photo: Disney
Speaking of return engagements, the Finding Nemo show is finally ready at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Park officials have published showtimes for Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! Here’s the schedule:
- 10:30 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m.
- 12:30 p.m.
- 2:30 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m.
- 4:30 p.m.
Photo: D23
So, you’ll have six chances per day to watch the new version of the show, which returns on June 13th (either today or tomorrow, depending on when you read this).
Here’s a video of the new show if you’re interested!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai6_owJsjp0
I Blame the Green Goblin
Photo: Instagram/@mdglee_szm
We’ve got a few more fun updates today, including one that looks worse than it is.
Here’s an Instagram video of Spider-Man not quite saving the day at Avengers Campus.
When you watch the clip, you’ll notice that the Audio-Animatronic (AA) version of Peter Parker misses his splash zone by a few feet.
Source: Marvel Studios
The shortfall causes Spidey to wreck into part of the wall, which admittedly seems terrible.
However, Disney had tested this AA extensively before Avengers Campus opened.
Credit: Disney
Park officials were acutely aware of the fact that the AA didn’t work 100 percent of the time. Nothing does in theme park tech.
So, Disney built that tower kind of like a Jenga structure. When the walls come down, they’re simple to reassemble.
Image: Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort
In fact, the Spider-Man AA was back up and running later that afternoon! It’s just a funny visual.
Disney has even prepared for it by adding applicable text when the AA fails. The narrator says, “The Web facility is not equipped with airbags.” Parker responds, “Okay.”
Other Disney Park Updates
Speaking of Disneyland Resort, you should pay attention to this video at the spot I’ve marked:
Yes, friends, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel has gotten even better! Disney is currently converting it to a Pixar theme.
As part of this change, the hotel gains an exclusive entrance to Disney California Adventure.
That path requires you to prove you’re staying at the hotel. As long as you can do it, you can skip straight to DCA!
Finally, you should know that the Eat to the Beat Dining Packages are now on sale. Here are the details:
- Biergarten Restaurant: $57 for adults, $32 for children
- Coral Reef Restaurant: $69 for adults, $22 for children
- Garden Grill Restaurant: $66 for adults, $34 for children
- Le Cellier Steakhouse: $79 for adults, $28 for children
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse: $34.99 for adults, $16.99 for children
- Spice Road Table: $44 for adults, $16 for children
The final two listings, Regal Eagle and Spice Road Table, will only accept dining reservations on the day of the show. So, we’re really only talking about four options here.
You should know that Disney’s Eat to the Beat concert series schedules list a stunning volume of “TBD” (to be determined) shows.
Image Credit: Disney
For this reason, I honestly don’t know whether the dining packages will sell out as quickly as they have in the past.
I’d still recommend that you book your reservations if it’s vital that you have a tasty meal and good seats.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney
