MickeyBlog News for June 27th, 2022
We’re halfway to Christmas, and Disney wants us all to feel very merry again.
So, we’re celebrating Christmas in June in the latest MickeyBlog News!
Let’s Party Like It’s 2019!
Disney felt festive this week and wanted to share the mood with its fans.
As part of the latest Halfway to… social media event, Disney announced park plans for the 2022 holiday season.
Some of the details lacked specifics. For example, we know that the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns on November 25th.
The annual EPCOT holiday festival will last through December 30th this year.
Beyond that, all we really know is that the Candlelight Processional will also start on November 25th.
Thankfully, the rest of the Walt Disney World announcements were specific.
For starters, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is back after a three-year absence! The ticketed event begins on November 8th, with a total of 24 different dates.
Here is when you can attend the 2022 iteration of Very Merry:
- November: 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29
- December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22
As with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the prices begin on the low tier at $149 but could cost as much as $199, depending on your visitation date.
Tickets go on sale on July 7th for most people. However, if you already possess a Disney hotel reservation for any of these dates, you can book on June 30th.
As a reminder, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party sells out virtually every night. So, you should book asap to ensure that you don’t get shut out.
If you don’t have a Disney resort reservation yet, speak with a MickeyTravels agent before Thursday to book one.
That’ll give you access to the earlier reservation window that opens on Thursday.
Other Disney Park Holiday Updates
Disney’s announcements this week bordered on defiant. You can think of them as park officials shouting, “IN YOUR FACE, COVID!”
Seriously, anything you like about the holidays at Walt Disney World is probably returning.
Disney confirmed Very Merry ride overlays for Space Mountain, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Mad Tea Party, and Tomorrowland Speedway.
The glorious Jingle Cruise will also return, but it’s not part of the ticketed event. That’s just a standard Magic Kingdom holiday feature now.
Similarly, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration will add its holiday-themed grand finale once more.
You’ll also find the various gingerbread structures across Disney resorts, including the beloved one at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Santa Claus will appear in character interactions throughout the parks, including a flotilla at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and a motorcade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Also, you can meet Santa at either Magic Kingdom or Disney Springs. Speaking of the latter, the Cookie Stroll is back, as is Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar overlay.
Switching coasts, Disneyland will bring back the Believe… in Holiday Magic fireworks presentation.
At Disney California Adventure, World of Color – Season of Light will also return.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will also show off a seven-foot-tall gingerbread Christmas tree this holiday season.
Finally – and most importantly to many – the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay should arrive on September 2nd!
The Top of the World Lounge Turns Evil
Disney Vacation Club fans are in for a semi-pleasant surprise in July.
Hotel management at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort just confirmed a return date for a popular amenity.
Historically, DVC members have gained access to an exclusive top-floor lounge. That place is reopening, albeit with a longer name and altered rules.
I’d like to introduce you to the Top of the World Lounge – A Villains Lair, which looks a lot like the former Top of the World Lounge, only with Disney Villain theming.
The modified lounge will appear as a “devil’s playground” with Disney Villain artwork and whatever “curious couture” is.
You can expect evil concoctions and desserts on the menu, and you can also grab a sneak peek at the new place…for a price.
The restaurant will host the Bound to Bad grand opening party on July 8th, 9th, and 10th.
Up to 60 guests will pay $159 each for this world premiere engagement. If you’re interested, tickets are already on sale. If you’re laughing at the price, you’re…not alone.
In truth, Disney has ticked off a lot of people with this announcement. The former Top of the World Lounge provided a lot of joy for DVC members.
We could take some non-DVC friends up to the spot across from California Grill and watch Magic Kingdom’s fireworks from 15 floors high.
Now, DVC has changed the rules so that Top of the World Lounge is a Membership Extra. Only qualifying DVC owners may utilize this perk.
In addition, Disney has limited the number of people who can attend. So, you can only access the lounge if you have a reservation at a qualifying Disney hotel.
So, you cannot take anyone else to the lounge unless they’re on your hotel reservation. It’s terrible.
Other Disney News
Disney spent the first part of the week spiking the ball in the end zone.
Yes, the pandemic has ended, and character interactions are back and better than ever.
Park officials confirmed the return of Minnie Mouse at Town Square Theater, Darth Vader at Star Wars Launch Bay, and the debut of Encanto’s Mirabel at the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade.
MickeyBlog chronicled all the character updates here. Suffice to say that there are a LOT of them!
At Magic Kingdom, park officials announced something unexpected.
Disney Enchantment, the nightly fireworks presentation, will occur twice nightly from July 14th through July 24th.
Magic Kingdom will host the first show at 9:20, followed by the final one at 11:00 p.m. So, that’s a massive win for mid-to late-July Disney vacationers!
Finally, Disney provided an update on the changes coming to Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course.
Apparently, hole 15 will switch from a par 3 to a par 5, hole 17 will drop from a par 4 to a par 3, and…golf’s so boring that I’m falling asleep just typing this.
You can read the specifics here if you care. But, on the other hand, if you’re yawning while reading this, I’m right there with you.
Okay, that’s everything for this week! I know the news has made everyone fighty lately but remember! Disney’s always the Happiest Place on Earth!