MickeyBlog News for September 5th, 2022
This week, Disneyland brings back one of its most popular offerings, while Disney places the welcome mats for Star Wars fans.
We’ll talk about these things and some welcome returns in the latest MickeyBlog News.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
On Friday morning, I benefited from the brilliance of YouTube. A video recommendation popped up that caused me to click instantly, almost reflexively.
Someone was livestreaming at Disneyland Resort, and they were mere moments away from entering the ride building.
Photo: Disneyland
By the time I hit play, I was staring at Jack Skellington and his friends from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare before Christmas.
Yes, friends, it was a joyous morning as I watched one of the first groups of people experience Haunted Mansion Holiday.
You can watch the 2022 version of the attraction here:
As usual, Disneyland fanatics mobbed the place to catch a glimpse of the best holiday overlay ever.
In fact, multiple streamers that morning indicated that the wait for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was only in the 30–45-minute range.
Meanwhile, guests were waiting 80 minutes or more for Haunted Mansion Holiday, the showstopping Halloween/Christmas attraction.
In the video, you’ll notice all your favorite elements have returned this year. Jack Skellington still appears in the Stretching Room and gets very 3D.
I’ll never get tired of that visual, as it exemplifies how Jack doesn’t understand how scary he is.
The digital monitors in the line queue have also come back. While this video doesn’t show all of them, they do change into sometimes merry, sometimes gothic images.
Zero happily floats across all the pictures. You can track his journey as a playful haunt.
Once you board your Doom Buggy Black Christmas Sleigh, pay attention to the iconic imagery on your right.
For now, the sign cleverly switches two letters, thereby alternating messages of Merry Christmas and Scary Christmas.
Also, most importantly for me, Oogie Boogie’s roulette wheel once again resides near the end of the ride!
Haunted Mansion Holiday is back, y’all!
Now Boarding for 2023 Starcruises
Over the past few weeks, Disney has gradually opened its booking windows for 2023 travel dates.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
You can schedule cruises or book theme park hotel rooms and so on. What you hadn’t been able to do was to travel to outer space, though.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser’s incredible success has caused Disney to recalibrate its practices regarding future bookings.
Credit: Disney
Well, I’m happy to report that Disney opened most of its 2023 booking dates for Star Wars Hotel.
As of September 1st, 2022, guests can schedule reservations from the start of January through September 30th, 2023.
Friends, I cannot stress this enough. You SHOULD do that as soon as possible.
As a Disney Vacation Club member, I’m used to scheduling vacations nearly a year in advance. However, I recognize that not everyone is comfortable doing that.
With Galactic Starcruiser, you need to plan ahead, though. This resort is currently in the middle of a six-month hot streak of sellouts.
The Star Wars Hotel has achieved virtually maximum occupancy since its inception. It’s the hottest ticket in the entire Disney vacation lineup.
In fact, some portions of the 2023 schedule are already thinning out their availability.
Part of the explanation stems from the fact that guests waited up to 10 hours (!) on hold to speak with Disney agents on September 1st.
Some fans are that emphatic about staying at the Star Wars Hotel. It’s achieved an excellent reputation during its half-year of operation.
So, if you have any intention of experiencing the immersive Star Wars adventure next year, you should act now!
Speak with a MickeyTravels agent to discuss the best times to book. Remember that MickeyTravels provides their services for free to you.
Also, they could literally save you thousands of dollars by directing you toward a cheaper reservation.
Photo: Katie Hill/MickeyTravels.com
Disneyland Miscellany
We’ve got a few more happy stories to cover in this joyful week for MickeyBlog News.
For starters, Disneyland fans gained two more happy updates the other day.
The first involves Matterhorn Bobsleds, which is currently undergoing renovations. They’re apparently going quite well.
Disney had been vague about a return date when the beloved roller coaster closed last night.
I’m happy to report that Disney has scheduled a return date of October 14th, a little more than a month from now. That’s less downtime than expected!
Also, Disneyland officials published photos of the Sensational Six’s new Halloween costumes for 2022.
Friends, you are going to lose your minds! Disney went super-kawaii with the designs this time!
Minnie Mouse, her fella, Mickey, and their friends didn’t want to spend money on costumes this year. So, they made their own!
The delightful photos show Minnie dressed as a cat, Mickey as a Halloween pumpkin, and Donald Duck as…candy corn.
Perhaps the best one is Goofy, who looks like a haunted tree or the evil version of Groot.
Seriously, the amateurish nature of the costumes will warm your heart and make you desperate to take pictures with your favorite characters!
The third Disneyland item of note involves Tomorrowland. Park officials have confirmed that a DVC member lounge will become a part of the themed land.
This lounge’s official name is Disney Vacation Club Star View Station. If it’s anything like the one at EPCOT, members will love it!
Credit: Disney
Other Disney Tidbits
The news is equally positive at Walt Disney World. For example, cultural representatives have returned to EPCOT!
I know how much many of you had missed them and felt the World Showcase lacked some of its authenticity without them.
Thankfully, Disney has worked out its visa issues and brought back many international cast members to staff the World Showcase pavilions once more.
The other thrilling news involves Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Cast members are performing rehearsals as we speak!
Image Credit: Disney
So, the long-missing nighttime presentation should come back soon. Unfortunately, as of publication, Disney hasn’t confirmed a date yet.
You can expect that information in a future MickeyBlog News update.
Finally, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is ready to return to the days of the dinosaur.
Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Chip, and Dale once again broke out their dinosaur costumes for Donald’s Dino-Bash. They returned on Sunday and MickeyBlog was there!!
